Wine Tasting: Old World Classics
Recently, I signed up for a six week course for an overview on Classic World wines. The first week, we focused on a high-level overview on grape varietals, winemaking basics and a tasting that featured a good spectrum of wines from different locales.
Wine Essentials @ ICE Center for Wine Studies (NYC)
Vigneti delle Dolomiti, Pinot Grigio, “Porer”, Alois Lageder 2021
Mouthwateringly, crisp with notes of apple, lemon, and orange. Bright, straw yellow color with baked lemon, and ripe pear aromas. Slightly acidic finish. Very fresh.
This Pinot Grigio from Northeast Italy is one of the most captivating Pino Grigios from Alto Adige (think the top-right of the boot of Italy). 1/3 of the wine was in contact with the skins and stems for roughly one year - giving the wine an early and mineral-driven nose supported by baked apple and dried wild flowers.
Pairs well with fish and shellfish, poultry, white meats, all seafoods and pasta dishes. Particularly paired well with a clean, fresh goat cheese.
Alsace, Pinot Gris, “Reserve Personnelle”, Trimbach 2017
Aroma of sweet flowers. Heavy, full-bodied, silky texture. Sweet / off-dry taste with notes of apple and stone fruit. Sweet finish.
Although a boutique winery in production, Trimbach is the most enjoyed brand of Alsace wine in the U.S. Located in Ribeauville, west of the Rhine in Alsace, the family domaine consists of apx. 70 acres of vineyards located in/around some of the finest grand cru sites of Ribeauville, Hunawihr, and Bergheim. The “Reserve Personnelle” is a designation used by the family only in the finest vintage years and indicates the wine is made from the best of the family’s own vineyard sites (most of which are Grand Cru), as well as older vines limited to a “green harvest”.
Pairs well with all fish, especially salmon, chicken, veal, foie gras and mild cheeses.
Luján de Cuyo, “White Clay”, Catena 2022
Bright, yellow straw color. Caramel bouquet. Medium to full-bodied with a tannic finish. Acidic, bitter, citrus taste with an earthy, honey finish.
Catena wines set a new standard for quality in South America, which proved the quality potential of Argentine wines to the world. Family vinters for 100+ years, the Catenas are known for their pioneering role in high-altitude viticulture in Argentina. Luján de Cuyo Appellation is known for its clay-rich soils and cool nights. This blend of (60%) Sémillon and (40%) Chenin Blanc is deeply aromatic with expressive citrus and peach with a rich and mineral finish.
Pairs well with vegetables, pasta, grilled white meats.
Muscat de baumes-de-Venise, “Trésor du Clocher”, Vieux Clocher (Famille Arnoux) 2020
Darker yellow color with a heavy texture. Super aromatic with notes of jasmine, floral honeysuckle, lychee, pineapple and tropical fruits. Perfume taste - sweet with low acidity and notes of orange blossom.
Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise wines are sweet Muscat-based wines from the village of Beaumes-de-Venise, in France’s Rhone Valley. These wines made under the Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise appellation are created through the traditional process of arrested fermentation to produce what is known in French as a vin doux naturel (naturally sweet wine). The technique adds grape spirit (minimum 96 degrees proof) to the semi-fermented grape must, killing the yeasts and stopping fermentation - resulting in high level of residual sugar (increasing the alcohol content).
Traditionally an aperitif or dessert wine (for fruit-based desserts), this also pairs well with fresh foie gras and blue or roquefort cheese.
Lambrusco di Sorbara, “Vignadelpadre”, Poderi Fiorini 2021
Beautiful young, cherry-red / deep purple color. Slightly yeasty off-odor, but eventual fresh aromas of cherries, and other red berries. Light, tannic texture, sour cherry taste with residual sweet finish.
This 100% Lambrusco di Sorbara from Secchia in the province of Moderna is bottled before fermentation has completed, with the fermentation finishing in the bottle with its lees. These lambruscos from Sorbara are typically a paler version of this typically inky sparkling wine. The grapes go straight to press, rendering the color the palest of pinks as there was no maceration with the red skins.
Pairs great with pizza and any fresh tomato dish like bruschetta, tomato and mozzarella etc.
Burgenland, Balufränkisch, “Ried Klum”, Heidi Schrõck & Sõhne 2021
Rich and simple. Slight tannins and jammy berry notes with a spicy, almost-savory finish.
This Blaufränkisch is characterized by its environment - which is made up of the terroir of the Carnuntum region, with it’s unique combination of exposition, soil and microclimate that offers perfect condiitons for viticulture.
Pairs well with grilled lamb chops, salmon (if you’re into a bigger red), steak, and any tomato-based sauces.
Mendocino, “Old Soul”, Saracina Vineyards 2019
Deep blackberry and cassis aroma. Sweet, jammy taste with notes of dried cherries, dark, juicy fruits and a cocoa finish.
Saracina is located along the Upper Russion River in northern California’s wine country. The Zinfandel comes from two vineyard sites - one at the alluvial bench in Redwood Valley, the other overlooking Lake Mendocino planted with vines with St. George rootstock. The Malbec is from the Saracina estate vineyard, marked by black clay and gravelly soils at the base of the foothills. The Petite Sirah is from Saracina’s steep hillside vineyards.
The 2018 harvest was a winemaker’s dream - following a replenishing, drought-ending rains and a long and even growing season. Picked at full maturity, de-stemmed and gently transferred into fermenters with almost 100% whole berries.
Pairs well with mixed grill, roasted vegetables, barbecue and cheddar cheeses.
Maldonado (Uraguay), Tannat , “Single Vineyard”, Garzón 2019
Bold, dark and complex. Full bodied, loaded with tannins. Earthy aroma with a bitter, astringent attack and notes of dark fruits and a slightly spicy, tobacco taste.
This noble Single Vineyard Tannat is fermented in 80hl concrete tanks, aged for 12-18 months in untoasted French oak barrels.
Pairs well with lamb, cured cheeses, duck confit, and could accompany most traditional French cuisine. It’s depth and intense palate bodes well with any meat.
Porto, 10 Year Tawny, “His Eminence’s Choice”, Delaforce
Tawny, brick color. Caramel, butterscotch and clove bouquet. Heavy and dense texture with a buttery, toasty taste with notes oscillating between ripe fruits, sweet tobacco and caramel. Long, and sweet - yet fresh - finish.
The classic 10 Year Old Tawny which is a blend of selected reserves aged from six to thirty years old, give His Eminence’s Choice the elegant richness, mellowness and consistency for which it is renowned. This Delaforce brand is one of the oldest names in the Port trade and is very distinctive in it’s unique preservation.
