Cold climate white wines and warm climate reds seem to be a way to characterize our staffs tastes. Those cold climates produce a lot of crisp acidity that makes for a very refreshing drink, and the warm climate reds get rounder with more juicy fruit flavors. This week we are showcasing a really crisp and refreshing Sauvignon Blanc from the cool Loire Valley in France, a rose from Germany, a red blend from sunny southern France, and finishing up in Spain with a Tempranillo.
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Featured Wines:
Pierre Chainier “1749” Sauvignon Blanc 2017
Loire Valley, France; $8.99
Pierre Chainier and the Chainier house have a rich history dating back to their original vineyards planted in Bordeaux in 1749. The Chainier house as it is known today was established in the early 1970's in the Loire Valley. Among others the family operates Chateau de La Roche located on a narrow 5km strip on the south bank of the Loire, Domaine Paul Buisse located in the heart of the Valley in the town of Pouille , and Chateau de Poce located on the North bank of the Loire and dating back to the 15th century.
The “1749” series utilizes fruit from a combination of their many vineyards. The Sauvignon Blanc is classic. Lots of limestone minerality from the Loire shines through without the astringency often seen in many New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs. Juicy grapefruit, green apples and a refreshing crisp finish. - Sample $1.00
Villa Wolf Pinot Noir Rose 2018
Pfalz, Germany; $11.99
I believe many customers know about my obession of Loosen Family wines. The Dr.Loosen label represents their estate in the Mosel while Villa Wolf is a historic estate located in the Pfalz region that Ernst Loosen has brought back to life. This property produces some amazing examples of Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir, along with Gewurztraminer and other varietals. The rose is spectacular. A minerality that is unique from the roses found in France. Unbelievably fresh with red berries and a zesty finish. - Sample $1.00
Domaine Duseigneur “La Chapelle” Cotes-du-Rhone 2016
Rhone Valley, France; $13.99
In 2002 Bernard Duseigneur abandoned his desk job in London to return to his family estate, founded by his father in the 1960s. La Chapelle is named after a very ancient chapel, Notre Dame de Mayran built in the 10th century, located about 10 miles to the west. This is their classic Cotes-du-Rhone, half and half Grenache and Syrah produced in concrete. Very vibrant red fruit and rose petals from the Grenache with some blueberry and spice from the Syrah. - Sample $1.00
La Rioja Alta Vina Alberdi Rioja Reserva 2014
Rioja, Spain; $22.99
This one really blew up in popularity in the store in 2018, but as we moved into the beginning of 2019 they lost distribution in the market and haven't resurfaced until around the holidays. Certainly being unavailable for nearly a year hasn't done good things for its sales numbers, but these wines are outstanding. The winery dates back to 1890, but the first release of Vina Alberdi came in the 1970s. After forty plus vintages they have figured out how to do something right… La Roja Alta is also known for cellaring their wines until they are ready to drink. This 2014 is the current vintage and was just recently released. They do not make every wine every year either, The last vintage before this was 2007. The Tempranillo here is aged 2 years in barrel and then was cellared an additional 2 years. The wine has so much depth… Coconut, balsamic, smoke and spice from the oak, with dense cherry and tobacco from the fruit. Yum! - Sample $2.00