Monthly Archives: May 2018

Two French Rosés and a Portuguese White to Enjoy This Summer

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Rosé is probably the most subjective wine that catapults conversations and arguments among wine drinkers. Considered the summertime sip, there are variations on the winemaking methods and grapes used to create a ballet-pink to jewel-ruby color wine, best served chilled.

As a fan of Alsace wines, I wasn’t surprised to fall in love with a 2017 Gustave Lorentz Pinot Noir – Le Rosé, even though I prefer Grenache rosés. Pretty as a perfume bottle, its shape and label match the elegant palate of soft and supple femininity. I would suggest sipping this throughout summer, and stocking up isn’t going to break the bank, either. Depending on where you purchase this wine, it ranges from $13 up to $19.99 per bottle. It also pairs well with barbecue, roasted meats salads, light cheeses, non-spicy Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai and Indian foods. Win-win.

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Next, a bottle of Chateau Ferry Lacombe Haedus Rosé 2017, Cotes de Provence (AOP) France sets the stage for rosé excellence. I gave this wine five stars on Vivino because of color, clarity and taste. All magnificent. Fifty percent Grenache, 25 percent syrah, 15 percent cinsault and 10 percent vermentino work for me. The soft pink/peach color leads to a delicate taste of raspberry and strawberry mixed with some freshly-picked white and citrus fruits. Served best as an aperitif, but if you must sip with food, choose white meats or grilled fish, mixed salads, paella or Thai satay. Priced at $21.99 a bottle, you’ll want to savor this one.

Now we’ll head to Portugal for a 2016 Vila Nova Vinho Verde (DOC) made with 50 percent Loureiro, 30 percent Arinto and 20 percent Avesso grapes. Priced at $11.99, you get what you pay for with this bottle. It’s a bit Vila_Nova_Verde_BFfrizz-forward upon opening, but once it relaxes, it offers a fresh, tropical fruit palate. Best served with shellfish and vegetarian dishes (sushi).

 

www.quintessentialwines.com

 

Two wines, Two Angels

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Jacob DeBacker’s artistic interpretation of the Two Angels label of Lake County, California is a yin-yang for oenophiles; it depicts the hilarity of inebriation and the trauma of the morning after. In my own yin-yang evaluation of one white and one red, I came to the following conclusions:

#1 – Two Angels Sauvignon Blanc made from grapes grown in High Valley, California, proved to be a lovely 2017 vintage priced at approximately $15. I enjoyed sipping this fruit-forward wine and was informed that it is reminiscent of the Rhone Valley’s Crozes-Hermitage vineyards, which are in the northern region opposite of where the best Rhone grapes are grown. This French region uses white grapes as a blend in the red wines. High Valley in Lake County, California offers red volcanic soils from the hillsides while the valley floor provides well-drained beds for the vines.

What makes this wine special is the winemaking technique of leaving a percentage of sur lies, as it adds a silky-ness while keeping it crisp. I give it three stars.

#2 – Two Angels Petite Syrah made from grapes grown in Red Hills of Lake County, California is a 2015 vintage. What you need to know is that in 2015, Lake County experienced a horrific fire storm. I was eager to see what resulted in the finished product, especially knowing a bottle is priced at approximately $25.

Upon a pour, this was as inky as a petit syrah should be in color, but it fell flat after the start. It was texturally rich but with a band-aid finish, sort of like a dead end, devoid of fruit. It was an abrupt end to a good start. It was more a beverage than a wine. I give it two stars. I do look forward to the next few vintages to taste a difference.

The ‘Little Rascal’ of Northern Italy

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The scent of honeysuckle thrills me. Italy thrills me. Wine thrills me. And I was able to embrace all three pleasures in a bottle of 2016 Langhe Arneis (DOC) from Luca Bosio Vineyards in Piedmont, Italy.

As one of the most acclaimed Old World wine regions in Italy, Piemonte (Piedmont) is located in the northwest corner, and is a region most notable for its Barolo wines. In Italian, Langhe Arneis means “little rascal”, which is a good way to describe this grape and the winemaking method where technology and rural tradition co-exist.

Valter and Luca Bosio, father and son, with Rosella, mother and wife, manage Bosio Family Estates. The Bosio’s winemaking philosophy is about sharing a heritage: “It’s our style, style of people who like to cultivate the vineyards and make wine, an old and tiresome ritual that is patrimony of everybody, as the piedmontese landscape is.”

I was ready to pour a glass. The first thing I noticed was this deep straw yellow color, which may be a result of the young winemaker’s method of 24-hour arneis grape skin contact. Next, I inhaled the aroma, and its floral scent gave way to a fruity taste of apricots, pineapple and peaches, which explains why this wine would pair well with white fish, chicken, pork and savory vegetable dishes.

I was ready to pair with dinner, but all I had was a slice of pepperoni pizza. This was not a good pairing because the red sauce heightened the acid component a bit too much for my taste. Next time, I’ll try it with white fish.

Now that I’ve sipped this Piedmont arneis, I’ve established an introduction to the Langhe region. Eventually, I hope to visit Piedmont, Italy, so that I might taste more of its wines. Until then, cheers!