Summertime With a Kiss of Rosé

 

2010 Castello Monaci Kreos Rosato Salento – Puglia, Italy

 

Lucille Ball meets Italy in this utterly exquisite example of rosé. And just like television’s favorite redhead, this wine is radiantly ornamented with all of the right bits and pieces to put a smile on my face.  Satisfying my need for sweet with notes of cherry flavored Jolly Rancher, the complex side of me is soon indulged with the hints of fresh mozzarella, buffalo spice, rosemary, and salty earthiness that my palate is able to fully savor thanks to the wine’s supple tannin and racy acidity.

 
-Juju

 

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Wine of the Week: 2010 Zafeirakis Malagousia, Greece

Here were my thoughts on this lovely wine…  : )

As if sent from the Greek gods, this enticing wine expresses soft golden hues and sensuous aromas of orange blossom and freshly cut pineapple.  This lustful wine continues onto the palate, seducing with its notes of unripe banana, candied tangerines, jasmine, cinnamon stick, and hints of green bell pepper.   The wine’s light body and mild acidity are perfectly rounded out with the slightly bitter minerality on the finish.

-Juju

 

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For the Love of Lagrein

Nonchalantly directing my lovestruck eyes back over to that ever-so-amazing boot, here is yet another Italian splendor to swoon over.  Native to the land, Lagrein is ruby red treasure nestled in the mountainous terrain of northeast Italy’s Trentino-Alto Adige.  Not too young and not too old, mention of this particular grape can be traced back to as early as the 17^th century in records of the Muri Benedictine monastery in Alto Adige.

As this land was semi-recently Red Rover’d to Italy post WWI, the German language still heavily dictates over the area.  With its parameters border lining the Austrian Tyrol, the locals still refer to the area as Südtirol, translating to South Tyrol.

So back to the actual grape…Lagrein is a deep colored grape that burgeons well in this region’s Alpine-continental climate and primitive soils of quartz, limestone, sandy marl, and calcareous clay.  The multifarious pieces to this intricate puzzle form together to create wines that are high in both acidity and tannin with bright fruit and savory characteristics.  A varietal that has the grace and poise of a sophisticated lady with the mysterious dark side of a seductress… Gentlemen…if wine were human, you’ve just met your dream girl.

 

Here were my thoughts on a few that I’ve tasted recently…

 

2010 Tiefenbrunner Lagrein

A spicy little number this one is with its invigorating bouquet of freshly baked gingerbread and cinnamon.  Inky in color with velvety tannins and youthful acidity, this kick-in-the-mouth wine bombards the palate with notes of violet, blueberry turnover, red chili pepper, volcanic smokiness, minerality and a powdery finish.

 

 

2008 Cantina Andrian Lagrein Riserva Tor di Lupo 

Fruity, spicy, and savory- just like Christmas in a bottle.  This deep colored wine expresses aromas of roast pork, cocoa powder and dried coconut.  Still blazing in acidity while smoothing out in tannin, the palate is presented with the gifts of black cherry, blackcurrant, allspice, nutmeg, dark chocolate, savory meat, and cola on the finish.

 

 

2010 Elena Walch Lagrein

Pollyanna meets Rebel Without a Cause.  This wine starts off prim and proper with a perfume of blackberry, blueberry, and pink rose petals.  Onto the palate, this little rebel gives that perfume an edge with bold tartness, spicy cloves, a full body and robust structure.  Pollyanna returns to win you back with the elegantly integrated tannin and creamy hints of malolactic fermentation.

 

 

-Juju

German Love

As my tribute to the inexplicably mesmerizing wines of Deutschland, this article is titled after the song “German Love” by one of my all-time favorite indie bands, Starf*cker.  But don’t be fooled by the name, this Portland band makes feel-good music that is ultra comforting and upbeat with a sweetheart touch.  Just like German wine.

 

Those of us who can appreciate a good German Riesling can probably agree on one thing… these are the ultimate comfort food of wines.  Taking in the utter richness of its sweet silhouette while indulging in its tangy zest, an aged German can put someone in a state of pure serenity and glee.  Just like the song, it simply makes you happy.

When it comes to wine, I will always be a sucker for a good ole German. And just like a classic car, these beauties become even more of a priceless treasure as the years go by.  Here are some of the Germans that have made me fall head over heels in love recently.

And if you’d like to hear the song, click below…

Starf*cker – German Love

 

Bordeaux…You’re Brilliant.

If there is one thing that I am guilty of, although there are many, it’s that I don’t give enough love to Bordeaux.  With a never-ending supply of veteran wine critics and writers who focus a vast majority of their attention on this region and its portfolio of the world’s most highly collected wines, my reasoning is simple…Everyone else is always writing about it.

 

Not that I need to constantly be a black sheep, but in a world of wine that is still very French-heavy I often find it personally fulfilling to show support for the underdogs of the wine industry.  But underneath it all, I can’t deny the true wonders that are Bordeaux.

And as much as the month of February seemed to have Burgundy as the main theme, March has been overflowing with Bordeaux.  So it only seems fitting that I dedicate this article to some of the marvelous Bordeaux wines that have graced my glass this month and what my thoughts were on them.

1982 Château Certan De May – Pomerol

Explosive aromas of black plum, black cherry, and an old dusty sneaker store. Sinuous tannin and upholding acidity with notes of forest floor, dusty wood, sage and mocha on the finish to complete a well integrated Pomerol that is drinking fantastically now.

Gewürztraminer: A New & Old World Beauty

Gewürztraminer – how to describe this wine… Flamboyant as a 16-year-old girl dolled up for a Madonna concert circa 1985.  As that can be a bit much for many people, gewürztraminer has had a rough history with trying to gain fans.  As the official grape varietal responsible for making me fall in love with wine several years ago, I am one of those who have learned to embrace its beauty.

Producing deep golden colored wines with undeniably pungent aromatics, this easily mutated pink skinned grape has a knotty history with strong speculation of it being synonymous with Savagnin Rose. As it is believed that Traminer originated in the village of Tramin in Alto Adige of Italy, gewürztraminer can now be found sporadically throughout both hemispheres.  Amongst these areas are Alsace in France, Germany, Austria, California & the Pacific Northwest, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, and of course, Italy.

Although both the Old World and New World have produced these wines successfully, the slight differences in style can still be fairly distinguishable.  Having recently tasted a New World and an Old World gewürztraminer, both with a bit of age on them, here were my thoughts on how they compare.

New World

2001 Corison Gewürztraminer Corazón –  Anderson Valley, California

Another splendid creation from the Anderson Valley, this gewürztraminer is still kicking with its clever acidity and exotic aromas of fresh tropical fruit and honeysuckle.  On the palate this wine expresses the classic sweet and spicy combo of tangerine, lychee, ginger, nutmeg, white pepper, salty minerality, and a zesty bell pepper finish.

Old World

1998 Domaine Weinbach Gewürztraminer Altenbourg Vendanges Tardives –   Alsace, France

Alsace satisfies yet again with this mature golden hued wine and its perfume of fresh cut pineapple, lychee, orange marmalade and jasmine.  Both herbal and luscious like a sweetened tea, this wine further mesmerizes my palate with honeycomb, green cardamom, cumin, white pepper, pine needles, tree sap, spicy minerality, and flirty acidity that leaves me wanting more.

P.S.  If you haven’t already, give a gewürz a chance!  :)

-Juju

February – The Month of Love

February:  Short, sweet, and full of romance.  Not surprisingly, this particular month of mine was filled with oodles of red Burgundy.  And why wouldn’t it be?  Fragrant, velvety, complex, and seductive… ironically, everything that men love about women.  As Burgundy and its terroir are so utterly perplexing beyond any other wine region in the world, as is the love between humans.

Here is what I thought about some of the Burgundy wines that Cupid has flung my way during this amorous month.

2004 Joseph Drouhin Bonnes Mares

Another beautiful Burgundy creation from Joseph Drouhin with rustic aromas of barnyard and pastrami.  Simply juicy in acidity and elegant tannins are displayed alongside notes of red cherry, savory peppercorns, leather and an earthy tar finish.

 

 

 

 

 

 

2008 Domaine Joseph Roty Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Fontenys  

An incredibly attractive nose of toffee, red cherry, and menthol.  Light in body with fresh acidity, on the palate this wine exudes notes of Harar coffee beans, redcurrant, mint leaves, and a cedar finish.

 

 

 

 

2009 Domaine Michel Gros Chambolle-Musigny 

A striking wine with savory meatiness, red cherry, cranberry, and nutmeg on the nose. The palate reflects the nose with notes of salted ham, red berries, black pepper, and a bold kick of tobacco on the finish.  Light in body with sensible tannins, this wine really delivers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

2007 Domaine de la Vougeraie Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Bel-Air

Dark ruby in color with aromas of unripe strawberries, lavender, and dusty paper.  Earthy and spice is what I would consider this wine with its notes of red cherry, brown sugar, cocoa, black licorice, spicy minerality, and a charcoal finish.  There is nice acidity and this wine is quite voluptuous for a Pinot Noir.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2000 Domaine Jean Chauvenet Nuits St. Georges 1er Cru Les Damodes 

This juxtapose vintage is fascinating and complex with strong secondary characteristics of black olives, wet leaves, and pronounced minerality. Despite these powerful features, this medium-body wine is still able to carry distinct fruit notes of strawberry jam and red cherry. I consider this wine a best of both worlds for Pinot Noir.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I hope you all had a wonderful Valentine’s Day!

-Juju