October Wines of the Month

October Wines of the Month

We’ve been tasting wines this fall with the focus really being on food-friendly wines, particularly with the heartier foods we are eating as the weather cools and the days shorten.

Tier One

($8-$15/bottle)

We wanted to go to Italy for Tier One because the Italians truly do think about food when they are making their wine. If you are having an Italian wine and it just isn’t working for you, find some food. Salami works great with Italian reds.

The White

Zenato Lugana San Benedetto 2010 (Italy) $14.99 – We flat out LOVE this! This has crisp acidity and a soft, supple feel to its texture. Aromas and flavors of peach, citrus, bananas and herbs. The wine is soft and round and has a wonderfully long, savory finish. Made from an indigenous grape, Trebbiano di Lugana. This is a unique clone of Trebbiano that is highly regarded for its distinctly flavorful characteristics. The grapes are from estate vineyards in San Benedetto, a village just south of Lake Garda. Fermented in stainless steel and aged in stainless steel for 6 months. Aged in the bottle for 2 months before release. Food pairing – Thanksgiving Dinner, roasted chicken, scallops, lobster, duck breast, etc.!

The Red

Tedeschi Valpolicella Classico Lucchine 2010 (Italy) $14.99 – LThis is well-balanced and nuanced. It has vibrant, lively acidity. Aromas and flavors of cherries and red currants. Nice finish that carries through the fruit. Lucchine is the vineyard that produces the grapes. The vineyard is in the heart of the Valipolicella. Hand-harvested. Blend of 25% Corvina, 25% Corvinone, 30% Rondinella, 10% Molinara, and 10% Rossignola, Oseleta, Negrara & Dindarella. That’s a mouthful and a truckload of grape varietals! Stainless steel fermentation and aging. Food pairing – Thanksgiving Dinner, pasta, white meat dishes and lighter meals. Serve at 57 degrees.

Tier Two

($15-$25/bottle)

For this tier, we’ve turned to a friend of ours, Warren Frasor. Warren managed the Italian portfolio for an importer, T. Edward, in Manhattan. We’ve enjoyed and sold a ton of the wines from T. Edward over the years. We buy those wines from the inimitable Ned Swain of Devenish Wines.

Warren started a new wine importing company this year, Peter Warren Selections. Ned and I are really excited about these wines and Warren’s new venture.

Warren was also the sommelier at Mario Batali’s famed New York restaurant, Babbo Ristorante e Enoteca. Warren’s a fantastic guy with a great nose for fine wine.

These wines are brand new to Maine!

Comelli is a small winery in the northeastern part of Italy.

Daniela and Pierluigi Comelli had a home and vineyards. Originally, they sold all the grapes they grew. Looking to make something interesting and great for their two sons, they decided to build a winery and increase some vineyard holdings. They are in northern part of the Collio Orientali DOC, which is hillier than the southern part. This helps give the wines a little more brightness in the fruit department. They produce about 6,000 cases per vintages. Very sweet folks; all the family is involved in the company. They make very focused and delicious wines.

The location is protected by the Alps to the north and is open to sea breezes from the south. This area is an ancient sea floor, so the soil is laced with limestone. This adds great minerality to the wines.

Colli Orientali del Friuli is a wine area that is unfamiliar to most Americans. It is near Slovenia. Friuli is primarily known for their lovely aromatic white wines, but they produce some exciting high elevation reds as well.

The White

Comelli Friulano Colli Orientali del Friuli 2009 (Italy) $21.99 – This is a delicious wine that typifies white wine styles from Friuli. Dry, nicely balanced, it has a pleasing yellow-straw colour with golden reflections. It has well-balanced, fruity bouquet with notes of almond, wildflower and white peach. The aromas carry through to a taste that is fresh, fruity and inviting.

Fruilano is the relatively new name for the grape. It used to be called Tocai or Tocai Friulano in Friuli and Slovenia. The Hungarians successfully lobbied the European Union to only permit the name Tokay, and its derivatives, to be used with the famous golden dessert wine of northeast Hungary.

So, Tocai Friulano is now abbreviated to Friulano. The grape is a close relative of Sauvignon Blanc.

Food pairing – prosciutto, soup, fish appetizers, white meat terrines, Thanksgiving Dinner.

The Red

Comelli Soffumbergo Rosso delle Venezie 2008 (Italy) $21.99 – This has a brooding, dark, elegant aroma that is very warming. It has aromas of cedar, bacon fat, black cherry, cigar box and freshly ground coffee. This has a sleek and refined texture. It’s really hard to not just chug this one down it is so good. The wine has bright, fresh acidity and the fruit is alive! Lush and layered. Dark cherries with baking spices and cassis. It’s velvety and smooth. Medium-bodied and an excellent autumn wine! This combines the power and intensity of Cabernet Sauvignon with the earthy smokiness of Refosco and the soft, supple lushness of Merlot. Blend of Refosco, Pignolo, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Food pairing – grilled and roasted meats, mushrooms, truffle dishes.

Tier Three

($25-$50/bottle)

The White

Billecart-Salmon Brut Réserve Champagne NV (France) $59.99 – This winery was established in 1818 with a marriage uniting 2 Champagne producers. The blend for this cuvée has not changed much for almost 50 years. Blend of 40% Pinot Meunier, 30% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay. This is medium-bodied and has beautiful, fine bubbles and plenty of length. It finishes crisp and refreshing. Straw-colored. Aromas and flavors of ripe pears, peaches and freshly mown hay. Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar, 90 points.

The Red

Podere San Cristoforo “Carandelle” Sangiovese Super Tuscan (Italy) $28.99 – Lorenzo Zonin comes from a wine making family. They produce excellent Prosecco. He decided to branch out and chart his own course. So, he established a winery in the wild west of Tuscany, in southerm Maremma. He purchased an old winery/vineyard with spectacular terroir. He farms biodynamically. These wines are beautiful and intense. When Warren was discussing these wines with him at VinItaly last year, Lorenzo said, Wait until I get my dirt healthy.” He’s serious. Much of the farm is fallow, planted with various grasses and herbs to correct deficiencies in the soil.

Lorenzo is focused on making elegant, rich wines. The Carandelle is made from grapes grown in cuttings of Sangiovese Grosso that Lorenze obtained from a friend in Montalcino. He grafted these cuttings onto old-vine rootstock. He makes about 3,500 cases of wine total each vintage and plans to grow slowly.

The wine – This is smooth, rich and elegant. Aromas and flavors of dark cherries, flowers, spices and minerals. This wine truly showcases the nuances that are Maremma – fresh raspberries, macerated strawberries, mint, lightly dusty, violet-like, with minerals and baking spices….even rhubarb. This has an opulence and fullness in the mouth. The tannins are well balanced. Aged 12 months in French oak. Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 91 points

November Wines of the Month

November Wines of the Month

The focus this month is on wines for Thanksgiving, as well as for the Fall. Consequently, this is an "All-American" line-up.....but, not from places you'd expect!

Tier One

($8-$15/bottle)

The White

Urbanite Cellars Caliberico 2010 (California) $14.99 – This is VERY aromatic and has a lovely nose! It’s a pretty wine. In the mouth it has rich fruit and pops with nice acidity. It has a pleasing note of honey to the flavors. Excellent wine! Because the wine is from California and the grape varietals are from Spain/Portugal, the wine is named for California and the Iberian Peninsula!

The grapes are from the Lodi American Viticultural Area (AVA). Lodi is about 60 miles east of Napa and ENE of San Francisco and about 45 miles south of Sacramento. Most of us probably heard of Lodi when listening to Creedence Clearwater Revival (CCR).

It’s an early center of grape-growing and cattle ranching in California. Many early immigrants brought grape vine cuttings with them, so the grapes in and around Lodi are a diverse lot. Lodi is the “Zinfandel capital of the world.”

Urbanite’s grapes are all from certified sustainable vineyards. They pick the grapes early to ensure alcohol and acidity levels similar to those found in wines from Galicia and Vinho Verde. It’s only 12.6% alcohol, making this perfect for a long day of eating and drinking such as Thanksgiving Day! Blend of 47% Verdelho, 35% Albarinho and 18% Torrontes. The varietals are fermented separately in stainless steel (80%) and neutral French oak (20%). The wine is then blended and aged in 90% stainless steel and 10% neutral French oak. Food pairing – Drinks well with or without food! Shellfish, seafood, lighter pasta dishes, grilled chicken or pork.

The Red

Urbanite Cellars Redart 2010 (California) $14.99 – While Urbanite mostly specializes in grape varietals that originated in the Iberian Peninsula, they do make wines from varietals we more closely associate with California. This is one. It’s delicious! This is juicy with nice red and dark fruit and a pleasing mocha note to it. It’s not hugely tannic. It’s wll-balanced and easy-drinking! Blend of 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Syrah, 20% Zinfandel & 10% other reds. Each varietal is aged 4-9 months in neutral French oak before blending. Food pairing - poultry, grilled meats, duck.

Tier Two

($15-$25/bottle)

We recently tasted several wines from Virginia. Yes, Virginia, wines from Virginia. As many know, Thomas Jefferson was passionate about wine. He even tried to start a winery near Charlottesville. He wasn’t successful, but, one needs to remember that while Jefferson was a brilliant man, he wasn’t as good of a businessman or farmer as George Washington was. Well, in the 20^th century, many people have proven that Virginia can produce good, even great, wines.

These are some of them! They are from an estate called Barboursville Vineyards. No less an authority than the esteemed Michael Broadbent of Decanter Magazine glows about Barboursville Vineyards.

http://barboursvillewine.net/pdf/Decanter.pdf

Jefferson himself designed the grand home at Barboursville for his good friends. Unfortunately, that home burned in the 1880’s. Gianni Zonin, a member of a 6-generation wine family from the Veneto in Italy (they make great Prosecco, among other things), bought the estate in 1976. Against the advice of bankers, locals, farmers and governmental officials, he planted grapes rather than tobacco. Today, the region is home to more than 100 wineries. Barboursville Vineyards makes OUTSTANDING wine!

The White

Barboursville Vineyards Viognier Reserve 2009 (Virginia) $24.99 – Delicious, rich white wine! Aromas and flavors of ripe, juicy pears, tropical fruit and citrus with a suggestive herbal note. Ripe and luscious. 2009 was a cool growing season and this helped lengthen the growing season, concentrating and heightening the aromatics even beyond the landmark 2008 vintage. 100% Viognier. Aged and fermented in stainless steel for 12-14 months. Sees no malolactic fermentation (so, it is not buttery/creamy). It is rich and weighty because it is aged on its lees. 13.7% alcohol. This is drinking well now and will age well for another 4-5 years. Food pairing – crab cakes, veal or venison scaloppini, scallops au gratin, rich seafood, duck, heftier chicken dishes.

The Red

Barboursville Vineyards Cabernet Franc Reserve 2008 (Virginia) $24.99 – This is a beautiful, layered, complex and elegant Cab. Franc. It’s a dark garnet color in the glass. Aromas and flavors of figs, cherries, plums and ripe red berries. It has soft, lasting tannins and is beautifully soft feeling. 100% Cabernet Franc from 4 Bordeaux clones and 1 Loire Valley clone. Aged 14 months in new and French oak barriques. The oak staves are air-dried at least 3 years before coopering. It’s the House Red at The Inn at Little Washington. Food pairing – Braised veal roast served with baby vegetables, pasta with breast of duck ragù, roasted lamb with rosemary and garlic over soft polenta.

Tier Three

($25-$50/bottle)

The White

Westport Rivers Brut Cuvée RJR Sparkling Wine (Massachusetts) $25.99 - Excellent Champagne-style sparkling wine! We were at a wine tasting that SOPO hosted at a wonderful restaurant on Portland's Munjoy Hill, BarLola (great food)....the first wine we had at this tasting was this sparkling wine! We both loved it! From Massachusetts - who would have thunk! Blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Aromas of apples, pears, minerals. Just a subtle hint of toast. Feels nice and soft & rich in the mouth. Nice bubbles! Finishes soft & creamy with a hint of citrus! Tasty wine!

The Red

Barboursville Vineyards “Octagon” 2006 (Virginia) $42.99 – This has classic Boreaux characteristics – and it should given that it consists of Bordeaux’s 3 primary grapes. Aromas and flavors of mocha, mint, cassis, roasted coffee, cocoa powder, plums and more. This is full-bodied and silky. It’s just coming into its prime. Dusty tannins. Blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Aged 12-14 months in new French oak barriques. The wood was air-dried for at least 3 years before coopering. Food pairing - Osso buco, chicken braised in good red wine and black olives, sage and walnut-crusted lamb chop in rosemary jus.

The wine is named for the Octagon that was part of Jefferson’s design for the Barbours home. The design for the 1^st floor of the home is on the front label of the wine.

Read an interesting article about a blind tasting showcasing French, Napa and Virginia wines. The sommeliers and retailers at the tasting ranked the Octagon right up with an esteemed Napa Cab and an excellent Bordeaux.

Beverage Tasting Institute, “Exceptional,” Gold Medal, “Best Red Wine 2009”

September Wines of the Month

September Wines of the Month

Tier One

($8-$15/bottle)

The focus this month is on wines for the end of summer and the early part of fall!

The White

Jelu Torrontés San Juan 2011 (Argentina) $12.99 - Year-after-year we love this wine! The 2011 is AWESOME! Torrontés is the grape and it is the dominant white grape in Argentina! This is really floral, kind of Muscat or Viognier like aroma. Lots of orange, apricot and some pineapple. That fruit is the first thing you taste, but then you get a hint of spice midway à la Gewürztraminer and then the finish is very clean and dry. Totally not what you expect from that first smell. Really cool wine! Food pairing – shellfish, seafood, lighter pasta dishes, grilled chicken or pork. Drinks well with or without food!

The Red

Hippodrome Côtes du Ventoux Rouge 2009 (France) $14.99 – One of the importers that Ned Swain of Devenish uses the most brought this delicious red in from Southern France. 2009 is an incredibly good, GREAT vintage from the South of France. This has aromas and flavors that are spicy, with rosemary and thyme. Ripe cherries, cooked cherries, roses, flowers and more! Bright fruit. It’s a pretty wine. It’s smooth, bright and almost lush. Slight pepperiness. Soft, slightly dry tannins on the finish. This wine is a “one-off” made by Marc Pichon for the importer in Manhattan. Marc bought a vineyard in the Ventoux region and has been reinvigorating it. The importer asked him to make a wine for them. So, they bought 1,000 cases of wine…..then they realized they were carrying it as inventory and they decided to make a move on it and mark it down. So, Ned made a deal for a bunch of it and we picked some up! I don’t know for sure, but I’d bet it is mostly Grenache with some Syrah blended in it. It’s only 12% alcohol, so it is not too heavy. This is a PERFECT fall wine! Organic & Sustainable Farming. Food pairing - poultry, grilled meats, duck.

Tier Two

($15-$25/bottle)

The White

This last winter/spring, Ned Swain of Devenish Wines, went to Galicia (Guh-lee-thia) in Spain courtesy of the local wine promotional board. At first, he wasn’t sure whether or not to go…..he made the trip and came back fired up about Galician wines. The wines are just beginning to come into Maine.

One of the many cool things about Galician wines is that they are made using grapes that are only grown in that part of Spain. The phylloxera pest hasn’t crossed the mountains into this part of Spain, so the “international” grapes such as Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc are not grown in this area. Instead the grapes are Mencia and Godello and Albarinho and others.

The part of Galicia that is home to these particular wines is Monterrei. This is an area in Galicia that borders Portugal. It’s a bit of a no man’s land because of its remoteness and recent lack of sophistication surrounding wine. During the 20^th century, much of the winemaking in the area disappeared. .

The winery is Amizade. It’s a new project created by the region’s leading light, Gerardo Mendez of Do Ferreiro in the Rias Baixas. Mendez is one of the best Albarinho producers, if not the best. He farms organically and is borderline fanatical about using indigenous yeasts to really showcase the terroir (terruño) of his wines. His grapes are all hand-harvested.

Amizade is a collaborative effort of Mendez and the importer, De Maison Selection of Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The word, amizade, means “friendship” in Galician. Mendez and a few others have helped restore outstanding winemaking to the area.

These wines come from a single vineyard called Quinturus. The soil is sandy with a lot of slate. It’s in a valley where the cool nights extend the growing season. The vineyard is planted to the white grape, Godello, and the red grape, Mencia, with a little Caiño and Arauxa (a clone of Tempranillo). Almost all of the wine produced in this area is white, so the Mencia is even more unusual than the Godello.

Godello is the dominant white grape in the area.

Mencia (Men-thia) is the dominant red grape. It is quite similar to good Cabernet Franc.

The White

Amizade Godello 2010 (Spain) $21.99 - This is a rich, ripe, lush, creamy wine froma grape you likely don’t know….but, will! This has ripe oranges, pineapple and a bit of yeasty fresh bread in the aromas. Really bright acidity with a zesty citrus peel kind of thing right up front. It’s almost chewy and meaty in its texture at times. Slight green apple notes to the flavors. Hint of pine in a nice way. Full, long round finish. 100% Godello. Stainless steel fermentation and aging. Aged on the lees for 6 months – thus the creaminess. Food pairing – rich seafood, duck, heftier chicken dishes.

The Red

Amizade Mencia 2010 (Spain) $21.99 – This smells like Mencia – which means it smells a lot like Cabernet Franc from the Loire Valley. It’s also similar in many ways to a Morgon or Moulin-a-Vent Cru Beaujolais, but more intense (if you are unfamiliar with Cru Beaujolais, don’t even compare this to Beaujolais Nouveau or Villages – think a fuller, more complex wine). This is a very complex wine that wants your attention! It lingers and engages. At the same time, it’s playful and fun! Bright, vibrant cherry and raspberry aromas. Hint of pepper and freshly mown grass. Subtle smoke and fresh anise. Very smooth in the mouth. Bright, fresh black raspberry and black cherry fruit. Really nice. Very fresh. Finish has a flavor that is reminiscent of a blueberry finish. Almost all Mencia, with a little Caiño and Arauxa (a clone of Tempranillo). Stainless steel fermentation and aging. Aged on the lees for 6 months. Fermented with indigenous yeasts. Food pairing – grilled and roasted meats, mushrooms, truffle dishes.

Tier Three

($25-$50/bottle)

The White

Baudouin Brut Prestige Champagne NV (France) $43.99 – Over the last few years, we’ve been seeing and tasting more and more “grower” Champagnes. What is “grower” Champagne? The person making the wine grows the grapes. Veuve Cliquot and Moet et Chandon, etc. all make good Champagne. Bear this thought in mind, though, much of what you are buying is marketing. They are well-advertised and promoted brands. With a “grower” Champagne, you are buying a wine made from grapes grown in a specific place. One unfortunate aspect of “grower” Champagnes is that they tend to be expensive, even for Champagne. Well, we’ve found a delicious one that isn’t expensive! This has wonderful lemon citrus, a hint of fresh bread and coconuts and pineapples in the aromas. It shows rich, creamy, powerful fruit that leans a bit to strawberry-like. 100% Pinot Noir.

The Red

Dominio do Bibei “Lalama” Ribeira Sacra (Spain) $39.99 – This wine is a RARITY. One, not much of it is made; two, little of it is exported; three, almost none of it makes its way to Maine; FOUR, and MOST rare, it is incredibly rich, ripe, full and bold and ONLY 12.5% alcohol. The wine is from Ribeira Sacra (Sacred Riverbank) in Galicia. This is the river that forms the east-west border between Portugal and Spain. This is a TINY winemaking area (2,500 acres and only 10% of its wine is exported). Aromas of cedar, toast, mocha, graphite, black cherry and black raspberry. The flavors are powerful, structured and balanced.

It’s 85% Mencia with the rest being 7% Garnacha, and Brancellao and Mouraton, local varietals that we rarely ever see. The wine is fermented in 500-liter barrels and it is aged on the lees for 21 months. The vines produce barely 1-2 pounds of grapes per vine and are 15-to-100 years-old. The old-vine Mencia and the slate in the soil combine to influence the aromas and flavors Bottle-aged for 18 months before release. Drink now through 2020. Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 94 points

August Wines of the Month

August Wines of the Month

The focus this month is on wines that are perfect for the summer!

Tier One

($8-$15/bottle)

The White

La Salette Côtes de Gascogne 2010 (France) $11.99 – A perfect summertime white from Gascony! The aromas and flavors are lemon zest, grapefruit and herbs. It’s crisp and clean. Well-balanced acidity. Medium-bodied. We are in Gascony, so the grape varietals are going to be ones that are not grown in many other places. 80% Colombard, 10% Ugni Blanc and 10% Gros Manseng. Stainless steel fermentation. Food pairing – seafood, salads, shellfish, goat cheese, grilled fish.

The Red

Perazzeta Sangiovese Sara 2009 (Italy) Reg. $15.99, Sale $12.99 - This just pops with aromas and flavors of macerated strawberries. It’s delicious! Big hit at a recent tasting. Blend of 90% Sangiovese and 10% Ciliegiolo. Ciliegiolo is a close relative of Sangiovese. It means “cherry.” Stainless steel fermentation. This winery is in Maremma in southwestern Tuscany. Alessandro Bocci is the winemaker. Recently, his daughter joined him in working at the winery. Organic & Sustainable Farming. Food pairing - poultry, grilled meats, duck.

Tier Two

($15-$25/bottle)

The White

Argyros Atlantis White 2010 (Greece) $16.99 - This is a great-tasting, beautiful wine! Wonderful aromas and flavors of honeysuckle and lemon/lime citrus and minerals. The relatively high acidity of the Assyrtiko grape gives this its crisp freshness. Long finish. 90% Assyrtiko, 5% Athiri and 5% Aidani. Santorini is a volcanic island with incredibly minerally soil and it is very dry. Assyrtiko is a grape that has the ability to age well. To see how the vines are cultivated on the island of Santorini, please click here. Third generation winemaker. Yiannis Argyros is widely considered Greece’s best white wine vintner. Stainless steel fermentation and aging. 3,300 cases made. Food pairing – seafood, grilled fish, lighter poultry dishes, Thai food. Wine & Spirits, World’s Top 100 Wineries, 2005 & 2006

The Red

Tre Donne "d'Arc Rosso" 2008 (Piedmont, Italy) Reg. $24.99, Sale $21.99 – Truly one of the best wines I’ve had at this price! Antonella, Rosanna and Daniela Lequio are 3 sisters who run this wonderful Piedmontese winery. They took over the running of the winery from their somewhat chauvinistic father who wasn't that sure about women as winemakers and he had no son! Turns out the 3 sisters are great at this! This is a great blend from Piedmont that definitely expresses the phrase, "the sum is greater than the parts," and the parts are pretty darn good! It's a blend of mostly Barbera and Pinot Noir with 20% Dolcetto with 10% Friesa, a native Langhe white wine. The Friesa adds freshness and a zippy acidity as well as nice floral aromas (frequently, Chateauneuf-du-Pape producers add white wine to the red blends). The tannins are soft and the blend adds a lot of complexity to the wine! Aromas and flavors of dark cherries, baking spices, roses, peaches, almonds and more. It has a really smooth and soft texture. Notes of mocha on the finish. Food pairing – grilled and roasted meats, mushrooms, truffle dishes.

Tier Three

($25-$50/bottle)

Mollydooker Wines are in Maine!

Sparky and Sarah Marquis have a mission statement that says, “We make wines that make people go WOW!”

They were the founders of the famed Marquis Phillips wines from Australia. The importer did something rude and wrong and appropriated the name several years ago.

Sparky and Sarah had the vineyards, the contracts for “sourced” grapes and the winemaking know-how and expertise. So, they started making wines under a new name – Mollydooker. These wines are superb!

People have been asking me for these for a long while and they are now in Maine!

The White

Mollydooker “The Violinist” Verdelho 2010 (Australia) $25.99 – This is a BIG white wine! Rich, ripe and full! Aromas of lemons, white pepper, cilantro and white grapefruit. Spicy citrus flavors with apples and pears showing on the finish. Blend of grapes from McClaren Vale (2/3) and Adelaide Hills (1/3). About 1/3 of this wine ages in oak barrels, but it isn’t oaky. The aging on lees in the barrels adds a creaminess to the wine. Drink now through 2013. Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 90 points

The Red

Mollydooker Blue Eyed Boy Shiraz 2009 (Australia) $49.99 – This is a deep, dark purple. Glass-coating. Big, rich, ripe aromas of blueberries, black cherries with hints of dark chocolate, eucalyptus, mint and dark earth. Full-bodied. Ripe, RIPE fruit flavors. Firm tannins and good acidity. Long, lingering finish. Blend of 80% McLaren Vale and 20% Langhorne Creek. Aged in 71% new and 29% used American oak. Drink now through 2017+. Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 92 points

March Wines of the Month

March Wines of the Month

.Tier One

($8-$15/bottle)

We just tasted some new organic wines from Chile. We really liked them.

Rafael and José Guilisasti were visionaries in the late 1990s when they converted their traditional, conventional Chilean winery to one that is 100% organic and biodynamic. They have an interesting interactive function on their website that shows how they use hens to control insects, cover crops to eliminate erosion and add nitrogen to the soil and more.

They also make really good wines!

The White

Emiliana Natura Sauvignon Blanc (Chile) $10.99 – This is a light, clear white wine that is refreshing and bright. Aromas of herbs, limes and grapefruit. The flavors are grapefruit and herbs. It’s crisp and clean. Well-balanced acidity. Organic, sustainable farming. Food pairing – seafood, salads, shellfish, goat cheese.

The Red

Emiliana Natura Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 (Chile) $10.99 – This is a tasty, soft, smooth Cabernet. Aromas of ripe strawberries, raspberries, blackberries with a touch of toast, vanilla and baking spices. This is full-bodied, but still quite smooth. Long, silky finish. Organic, sustainable farming. 20% of the wine is aged 6 months in French oak barrels. Food pairing – grilled steak, grilled pork chops or pork tenderloin, baby back ribs.

Tier Two

($15-$25/bottle)

We’ve been tasting A LOT of Austrian wines lately and we just tasted these 2 on Wednesday. We loved them!

Both of these wines are brought to the US by Terry Theise. Terry is the best importer going in terms of German and Austrian wines.

Robert Parker of the Wine Advocate calls Terry, “one of the Most Influential Wine Personalities of the Last 20 Years.” Wine & Spirits named Terry its “Man of the Year.”

“Food & Wine” named Terry its “Importer of the Year,” and had this to say about him, “No one man introduced Americans to more great wines they know they wanted than Terry Theise of Terry Theise Estate Selections….He made his name 20 years ago by coming one of the least fashionable wine regions (the Rheinpfalz) in one of the least fashionable wine-producing countries (Germany) and discovering….extraordinary producers.

In 1994, Terry became one of the first Americans to import Austrian wines.

The White

Schloss Gobelsburg Riesling “Gobelsburger” 2009 (Kamptal, Austria) $19.99 – This is a bone-dry Riesling. This is just a perfect combination of minerals, fruit and acidity. This has aromas of mint, limes and minerals. It’s juicy and almost bittersweet. This has salty notes to the minerals. Terry Theise considers this the best vintage yet from this producer. Michael "Michi" Moosbrugger breathed new life into an old monastic estate. The wines are excellent VALUES while consolidates his reputation. They won’t always be so moderately priced. This castle is first mentioned in a contract from 1074 AD. Kamptal is in northeastern Austrian near the Czech Republic. Food pairing – scallops, shellfish, poultry, ham. Wine & Spirits, “Top 100 Wineries, 2010”

The Red

Sattler St. Laurent 2009 (Burgenland, Austria) $19.99 – As soon as you open this and put it in a glass, you can smell the cherries. Med/light body. Spiciness. This has a beautiful silky, velvety texture. It’s almost creamy. The fruit is dry. If you look at Burgundy prices today and just sigh and shake your head, try this! Erich Sattler is a 4^th generation winemaker. "We make wine as my grandfather did," he says, "only with better machines." Saint Laurent is an offspring of the Pinot Noir grape. The winery is in eastern Austria just a few miles from the Hungarian border. Nearby Lake Neusiedl influences the weather – cooling the vineyards in the summer and warming them in the winter. This area is the hottest in Austria in the summer. Food pairing – pork chops, grilled chicken, pork tenderloin, duck, salmon. Black truffle burgers.

Tier Three

($25-$50/bottle)

The White

Back in November, I was lucky enough to have dinner at Havana South with Doug and Cat from SOPO, famed importer Bobby Kacher and a whole bunch of good customers. It was a great evening – excellent food, killer wines, great company.

This white was the hit of the evening!

Xavier Monnot Meursault Le Limozin Meursault 2007 (France) $49.99 – This has beautiful aromas of baked pears, pineapple, minerals, baking spices and a hint of smoke. Flavors of baked pears, baking spices, minerals and more. This has a great rich texture and weight in the mouth. “Le Limozin” comes from a single hectare (2.58 acres) vineyard that is adjacent to “Les Charmes” and “Les Poruzots.” Only 12 bottles came into Maine and I have them. Food pairing – roasted chicken, duck, fish.

The Red

This is one BIG, blockbuster wine!

Hess Collection Mt. Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 (California) Reg. $48.99, Sale $39.99 – This is a big, flavorful Cab! Aromas and flavors of mocha, dark chocolate, brown sugar and blackberries. Fine-grained, soft tannins. Great length on the finish. 94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Merlot and 2% Malbec. Aged 21 months in 55% new French oak. Food pairing – grilled and roasted meats. Robust meals such as stews. Decanter Magazine, 3 stars

Wines of the Month - February

February Wines of the Month

It’s February and sure has been snowing a lot!

I spoke with Ned and said that I really needed some wines new to Maine…..and he helped me come up with some gems.

It’s Maine shrimp season, as well as scallops….plus, this is a great time of year for mussels and oysters, so we really focused the whites on wines that are great with shellfish.

Tier One

($8-$15/bottle)

For Tier One, we are in France and two of my favorite areas…..in the Loire Valley for a delicious white and then we head south to Provence for a great little red.

The White

Château La Morinière Muscadet Sèvre et Maine 2009 (France) $12.99 – This old-vine Muscadet picks up a lot of minerality from the gravelly vineyards that are home to the grapes. This has an almost Sancerre-like focus to it and minerally mid-palate. It has a great combination of fruit and minerals and a refreshing taste! 100% Melon de Bourgogne – the name comes from the round shape of the leaves. Burgundian monks brought this grape to the area around Nantes in the 18^th century. The vines survived a brutal winter in 1709 and found a great home in the gravelly vineyards in the area. Stainless steel fermentation and aging. Aged on the lees (the yeast and residue that collects in the bottom of vats and barrels during fermentation) for 8 months. This will age well for 2-6 years. This area is in the western Loire Valley near Nantes. The vines are 40-45 years old and the vineyard is one of the highest in terms of altitude in Muscadet Sèvre et Maine. It faces south-southeast. The Couillard Brothers are 6^th generation winemakers. Organic, sustainable farming. Food pairing – shrimp scampi, mussels, oysters, shellfish, lobster.

The Red

Domaine Le Grand Rouvière Côtes de Provence Rouge 2009 (France) $13.99 – This is enjoyably earthy at the start and then it opens up into a very unpretentious table wine. The tannins aren’t aggressive, but it has a nice dry, earthy mid-palate and aromas of Provencal herbs behind its bright cherry fruit. Blend of 60% Syrah and 40% Grenache. Organic, sustainable farming. Fifth generation winemaking family. Food pairing – grilled steak, grilled pork chops or pork tenderloin, baby back ribs.

Tier Two

($15-$25/bottle)

For Tier 2, we are in Spain in a winemaking area that is recently emerging and is a “place to watch.” Terra Alta is a D.O. (Denominacio D’Origen – classified winemaking area) in the province of Tarragona in remote northeastern Spain. This area is near the famed Priorat region. Residents have made wine here since before the Roman Empire occupied the area. The Romans, monks and Knights Templar have all made wine in this area. Pablo Picasso was a frequent summer visitor. Terra Alta means “high land.” The winters are cold and the summers are long, hot and dry. The vineyards are on plateaus and in valley floors surrounded by jagged mountains. The winery, Edetaria, takes its name and that of some of its wines from the Via Edetana, the Roman trade route between Tortosa and Zaragosa. .

The White

Edetaria Edetana Blanco 2009 (Terra Alta, Spain) $21.99 – You know this is going to be interesting as soon as you see the blend – 70% Grenache Blanc and 30% Viognier. The Viognier is aged on its lees for 4 months in stainless steel vats. The Grenache Blanc is aged on its lees as well, but it is aged for months in neutral French oak barrels.

This has aromas and flavors of roses, minerals, white stone fruit and lychee fruit. The finish is long and creamy with a long finish that has a nice minerality to it. Food pairing – scallops, shellfish, poultry, ham.

The Red

Edetaria Vinya D’irto Garnatza Negra (Terra Alta, Spain) $16.99 – The grapes for this vineyards right next to Priorat. It’s a blend of Grenache and Carignan. This has aromas and flavors of fresh, ripe cherries, dry, sun-baked earth, pepper and lingering extracted fruit. This is a crowd-pleasing, fruit-forward red. It has softer, “sweet” tannins (this has nothing to do with the wine being sweet or not – the tannins are not drying or heavy). It has a nice spicy finish. Blend of 60% Grenache, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Merlot. Food pairing – pork chops, grilled chicken, pork tenderloin, pasta with red sauce, lasagna.

Tier Three

($25-$50/bottle)

The White

Domaine Cherrier Et Fils Sancerre 2009 (France) $26.99 - Delicious Sancerre from a 3rd generation winemaker! This is tangy & zesty with aromas and flavors of lemons, pears, minerals (wet rocks and chalky - which are classic Sancerre notes), orange zest, smoky flint and more! This is juicy and spicy. The finish has good length and depth. 100% Sauvignon Blanc. Fermented in enameled cement vats and bottled young to preserve the flavors and aromas. Food pairing - seafood, especially lobster, crab or shellfish. Chicken or duck. Creamy pasta dishes. Goat cheese. Wine Spectator, 89 points

The Red

Edetaria Edetana Tinto 2007 (Terra Alta, Spain) $26.99 – This is a dark, brooding wine that you can sink your teeth into! This is dense and ripe and a wine that is great for sitting and sipping with friends in front of a fire. The grapes are from older vines. The wine spends 18 months in French oak barrels (300 liters). Blend of 40% Garnacha Peluda, 35% Syrah and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon. Food pairing - steak, beef, lamb, pasta dishes, lasagna, etc.

January Wines of the Month

January Wines of the Month

It’s January and it’s a New Year! Happy 2011!

Tier One

($8-$15/bottle)

So many of the best value wines are coming from South America, so I thought we’d go to Argentina and look at 2 grapes that most of us don’t widely associate with Argentina, Pinot Gris and Bonarda.

The White

Bodegas Francois Lurton Pinot Gris 2010 (Argentina) $11.99 – This is the 1st winery to plant Pinot Gris in Argentina…..and, they planted it because of an accident in France. They’d ordered Chardonnay vines from the nursery, but were sent Pinot Gris (Clones 52 and 53 from Alsace). Rather than forego the planting season in 2002, they planted the Pinot Gris to see what would happen. It turns out that the site is well-suited to Pinot Gris. Today, it is the winery’s best-selling wine! This has aromas of peaches, melons, lemons, smoke, spices and flowers. It’s zippy and zesty in the mouth. Lots of minerals in the wine. Dry flavors of lemons, orange peel and stone fruits. Food pairing – salads, lighter appetizers, shellfish, light, creamy cheeses.

The Red

Colonia Las Liebras Bonarda 2009 (Argentina) $11.99 – Bonarda is an Italian grape from Piedmont. Until recently, Bonarda was the most widely planted grape in Argentina. Originally, it was brought to Argentina by Piedmontese immigrants. They also brought Barbera with them and over the decades the winemakers have learned that East Mendoza is ideal for Bonarda and not-so ideal for Barbera, so they been replacing Barbera vines with Bonarda. Bonarda needs a LONG growing-season and East Mendoza provides one for the grapes. This is a delicious red……it sees no oak aging in order to preserve and heighten the raspberry and strawberry flavors. The tannins are silky smooth. This is a wine that packs a wallop in terms of price/value! Food pairing – grilled steak, grilled pork chops or pork tenderloin, baby back ribs. Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 89 points

Tier Two

($15-$25/bottle)

For Tier 2, we are off to Piedmont in Italy for a classic white wine, Gavi, made from the Cortese grape and a beautiful red made from Nebbiolo (the Barolo grape).

The White

Broglia Gavi di Gavi “La Meirana” D.O.C.G. 2009 (Piedmont, Italy) $23.99 – Too often, many Gavis are plain, uninspired wines. That’s not the case with this one. Broglia is one of the finest Gavi producers. Medium-bodied. Aromas and flavors of anise, flowers, tropical fruit, peaches, apricots and spices. Dry wine with a crisp finish.

The name of this farm, “La Meirana,” first appears in a document from 971 A.D. This document is kept in the state archives in Genova. This document states that the vineyards and chestnut trees at this spot is called Meirana. This dates winemaking to this farm to the founding of the town of Gavi. The Broglia farm was founded in 1972 by Bruno Broglia. They first produced wine in 1974. Gavi is made from the Cortese grape.

Food pairing – grilled fish, fish soup, shellfish, lobster.

The Red

Damilano Nebbiolo D’Alba D.O.C. 2008 (Italy) $18.99 – Nebbiolo is the great used to make Barolo and Barbaresco.

This has great aromas and flavors of red berries, black cherries, earth, minerals and violets. Medium-bodied. This is dry and has a nice spiciness to it. Firm tannins. Aged in oak barriques for 16 months. The Nebbiolo grapes come from Diano d’Alba and Montforte d’Alba. This winery dates to the end of the 1800’s, when the great-grandfather, Giuseppe Borgogno, planted vines and began making wines in the Langhe part of Piedmont. Food pairing – hearty stews, red meat dishes, mushroom dishes.

Tier Three

($25-$50/bottle)

Bodegas Catena Zapata was founded in 1902 by Italian immigrant, Nicola Catena. It is still owned by the Catena family. Today, Nicola’s grandson, Nicolas, and great-granddaughter, Laura, run the winery. Decanter Magazine named Nicolás Catena its “Man of the Year” for 2009.

Nicolas Catena is one of the landmark, pioneering people in Argentina’s wine business. In the 1980’s, he sold off the family’s bulk wine business that made cheap wine…..his peers called him “completamente loco” (completely crazy). He had a vision and that was to produce great wine. He even developed Argentine Malbec clones to improve the wines.

The White

Catena Chardonnay 2009 (Argentina) $26.99 - This is a rich, smooth and soft Chardonnay! Aromas of tropical fruit, citrus, honey, flowers and steely minerals. Flavors of pears, figs, minerals, citrus and baking spices. This is a really full white wine! At the same time, the crisp acidity makes for a really clean finish. Dijon clones 76 & 95. Whole cluster pressed and 100% barrel fermented in French oak and aged for 9 months (30% new) with aggressive batonage (stirring of the wine in the barrels – this adds a lot of softness and lush texture to the wine). Food pairing – poultry, salmon, tuna. Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 90 points

The Red

Catena Malbec 2007 (Argentina) $29.99 – This is a rich, lush, elegant and powerful Malbec. Aromas of baking spices, licorice, cherries, dark plums and dried herbs! Flavors of black raspberries, dark cherries, minerals, vanilla and toasts. Soft, dusty tannins. Long finish. Aged 12 months in 35% new French and American oak barrels (barriques – smaller barrels). 100% Malbec from 4 vineyards. Each vineyard is fermented separately and then blended after barrel aging. Food pairing - steak, beef, lamb, pasta dishes, lasagna, etc. Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar, 90 points; Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 91 points, Wine Spectator, 91 points, #69, Top 100 Wines 2009