Wines from the high altitude and cool climate of South Australia's Edna Valley have really been catching my attention in the past few months. Due to the conditions these grapes are grown in they tend to take on flavors and complexity you wouldn't find in your average white wines. Most people don't usually think Riesling when they think Australian wine, however Edna Valley is becoming quite well known for their age worthy Rieslings. Even this, 2009 Pewsey Vale Riesling with its great QPR can hold through 2019.
In the glass, the wine clean and clear with light straw gold hues and green undertones. On the nose aromatic scents of tropical fruits like mango and pineapple, peach, citrus, pear and hints of mineral and grass are present. There is also an underlying scent of petrol and white florals which is a tell tale sign of the grape. On the palate, the tropical fruits hold true with some spiciness and honey on the finish. The acid is crisp and high, and balances the ripeness of the fruit. The finish is nice and drawn out with flavors of citrus and mineral characteristics.
This is a perfect spring and summer wine and great for pairing with brunch favorites and spicy fare like Thai or Indian foods. Because of the amazing price I would definitely buy a few bottles and experiment with aging; the wines acidity gives it the ability to hold for medium cellaring; about 6-10 years.
Specs: 2007 Champalou "Cuvee des Fondraux" Vouvray
Vouvray (Loire Valley) France
13% Alcohol
100% Chenin Blanc $19.00
Notes:
The Vouvray region of France is dedicated almost exclusively to the Chenin Blanc grape and is known throughout the world for its production of naturally acidic and fruit forward white wines. The grapes used to produce this Cuvee des Fondraux are harvested from 50 year old vines in the region which adds to its complexity and rich flavor.
In the glass, the wine is medium in intensity with gold and straw hues. The aromas in this wine are intense and fruit forward with aromas of white flower, peach, pear, golden delicious apples and honey. On the palate these same aromas resonate on the tongue with some added minerality and hints of golden raisins and earth. There are some slight buttery flavors but nothing too major as I doubt this wine spent much time if any in oak. The flavors are fresh and ripe and are reminiscent of the spring and summer seasons. The crisp acid and sweet ripe fruits complement one another well and add to the complex flavors in this Chenin Blanc.
This wine is off-dry but still rather sweet for myself to enjoy with anything but itself, with an appetizer or with dessert. I would suggest pairing with a nutty cheese like Brie or creamy goat cheeses. For dessert I would match this with a fresh apple or peach tart and vanilla bean ice cream. This is definitely a great wine to pop open and celebrate the arrival of the Spring season.
Before I discovered Sauvignon Blanc from Sancerre I rarely ordered or purchased Sauvignon Blanc. For some reason as a whole they are never truly satisfying taste-wise; they seem to fall flat. However, the wines that come from this chalky soiled, cool region in the Loire Valley of France offer something that you cannot find in the Sauvignon Blanc's here in the states. The wines produced in Sancerre generally have a crisp acidic quality that is so fresh and divine. This wine is just that.
In the glass, the wine shows a clear straw color with hints of light green. On the nose the smell has great intensity with a sharp mineralistic aroma as well as hints of citrus like grapefruit, lime and lemon as well as white florals. In the mouth this wine has a perfect acidity. The acid mixed with fruit flavors of green apple, grapefruit, pear, lemon, and lime really show off the great complexity of this wine. When you add the fruit to the acid with mineral and florals of orange blossom and white flowers; you get a racy power-packed wine. The finish is long and the flavors carry through to the very end. Be forewarned this wine is extremely dangerous and numerous bottles can quite easily be consumed in short amounts of time.
This wine is great for a summer day or paired with acidic dishes like chicken piccata or fresh fish with lemon. It would also pair really well with fruity desserts like a key lime tart. The 2008 Domaine Auchere Sancerre can be purchased in San Francisco through Blackwell's Wines and Spirits.
Specs: 2007 Domaines Schlumberger Les Princes Abbés Pinot Gris
Alsace
France 13% Alcohol
100% Pinot Gris/Pinot Grigio
http://www.domaines-schlumberger.com/ $19.00
Notes:
Pinot Gris is definitely not my go to white wine to be honest. When I hear Pinot Grigio I think of the watery overproduced white wines found on the shelves of your local supermarket. However, Pinot Gris is quite a different style than your everyday Pinot Grigio. The aromas and the taste are much more concentrated and much less acidic. To add to that, Pinot Gris produced in the Alsace region of France are also much different than the style produced anywhere else. The cool Northern climate there produces wines with a great balance of acid as well as powerful fruit flavors. This Pinot Gris definitely follows that style. The color is a clear straw with some hints of light gold and is pretty light in intensity. Aromas of honey, white florals, citrus, and golden delicious apples are on the nose. The taste is medium in intensity with medium acid and a great balance of alcohol. Nothing is overpowering or unbalanced. Flavors of spice, honey, apple and citrus are present. There is also a pretty viscous quality to this wine and lends to its medium to heavy mouthfeel. This wine is definitely young but not in a bad way. It is quite refreshing while at the same time pretty fruit forward.
This wine would pair quite well with salty cheeses such as blue cheese or as a dessert wine in itself.
Being a lover of the Viognier grape I was excited to see this bottle on the shelf. It was from a winery I was unfamiliar with from a region I really enjoy. I immediately purchased this beautiful bottle of wine. Viognier is a difficult grape to grow and because of the extra work winemakers put into this varietal you will find higher price tags. This Viognier is well worth every penny you spend. The flavor is so bright and bold and is the perfect wine for all meals and occasions.
The color is a rich gold and is beautiful in the glass. The smell is of sweet dry citrus, mainly orange as well as honey and floral notes. The taste is pure and sweet. You instantly sense orange. That of the orange rind especially. The sweetness you get on the tongue is not that of sugar but of rich creamy honey. The flavors are bright, clean and powerful. This wine doesn't spend much time in oak so the flavor has more mineralistic qualities than earthly undertones. The taste lingers beautifully and has a hearty full mouthfeel.
Because this wine is so sweet if you choose to pair this with something I would suggest it have an acidic quality. Something such as a lemon tart or even carrot cake. It can also be drank as dessert itself which is how I chose to enjoy it. This is a great way to branch out from the usual Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc rut.
