Drink Wine With Me

Bubbly On A Budget: Affordable Champagne Alternatives

Posted on November 17, 2022 by admin

The holidays are right around the corner and no drink is more festive than one that pops and fizzes with bubbles dancing in your glass! I drink sparkling wine anytime of the year, no special occasion needed. During the holidays I purchase these wines more frequently. We are seeing the effects of inflation within many sectors of the economy this year. Unfortunately, wine is not immune from rising prices. Normally I have no problem splurging on a bottle or two of pricey Champagne. However, when hosting a larger gathering it can be cost prohibitive to purchase several prestige bottles of Dom Perignon or Cristal. Thankfully, high quality sparkling wine is made in many wine regions around the world. There are many respected producers crafting them and costs can be a fraction of the price Champagne.

Why is the majority of Champagne expensive? First, let’s emphasize that Champagne is only made in the Champagne region of France. It is considered a luxury product and has a long and fascinating history behind it. Champagne is created using a very time consuming and labor intensive process called méthode Champenoise or traditional method. In this process the second fermentation takes place in the bottle followed by riddling, disgorgement, and dosage. I won’t go into a detailed outline of each step in the process here, but it’s important to note that many sparkling wines from other countries are using this same traditional method with great success.

While there are many wonderful sparkling wines to explore from many areas of the world, the areas that offer some affordable alternatives to Champagne are: Crémant from France, Franciacorta DOCG and Alta Langa DOCG from Italy, Cava from Spain, and USA sparkling wine. These wines are quite comparable in taste and texture to Champagne but won’t break your bank account.

CRÉMANT

If you want to stick with French sparkling wine then choosing a Crémant is your best bet. There are eight Crémants produced throughout France and are named for the areas they come from. In no particular order they are:

Crémant de Bourgogne
Crémant de Loire
Crémant de Bordeaux
Crémant d’ Alsace
Crémant du Jura
Crémant de Savoie
Crémant de Die
Crémant de Limoux

These are all made using the same traditional method as Champagne, but may differ in taste and style. The differences result from the grape varieties each area is permitted to use, as well as the different micro climates the grapes are grown in. For example, Champagne consists of three main grape varieties: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier. Crémant de Bourgogne is also made primarily with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, as well as Gamay grapes. The Crémant de Loire contains mainly Chenin Blanc or Cabernet Franc. Several other grape varieties are allowed including Chardonnay and Pinot Noir among others. Like Champagne, you will find both white and rosé versions of these wines.

Crémant has shorter aging requirements than Champagne. Less time means they may not be as creamy or have as pronounced flavors of biscuit or brioche that come from extended aging on the lees (dead yeast). Some of the Crémants listed above may not be easy to find. My advice is to start with Crémant de Bourgogne and Crémant d’ Alsace and go from there. Most Crémant wine for sale online can be found in the $20-$40 price range.

FRANCIACORTA DOCG/ALTA LANGA DOCG

We are all familiar with the hugely popular sparkling wine from Italy that is Prosecco. Prosecco is easy to drink, delicious, and quite inexpensive. While there are two denominations that are known for higher quality Prosecco, Conegliano Valdobbiadene DOCG and Asolo Prosecco DOCG, they are all made using the Charmat or tank method to create the bubbles and aren’t aged for long periods of time. For Italian sparkling wine that can rival Champagne try Franciacorta DOCG and Alta Langa DOCG.

Franciacorta DOCG

Franciacorta DOCG is located in the Lombardy region in northern Italy. Formed by a glacier, the soils here are rich in minerals which translate beautifully into this wine made in metodo classico (traditional method). This region has a large focus on sustainable and organic farming with close to 70% of the vineyards certified organic. Like Crémant, the grapes grown for Franciacorta are similar to Champagne. Chardonnay and Pinot Nero (Pinot Noir) are accompanied by Pinot Bianco and the native, later ripening Erbamat. Franciacorta is brut style (dry) and lower in sugar than most other sparkling wines as many producers don’t add dosage.

Pictured above is a Franciacorta Satèn which is a smoother style due to lower bottle pressure and made primarily with Chardonnay. With Franciacorta there are minimum aging requirements. Non vintage must age on the lees for a minimum of 18 months while Satèn and rosé require a minimum of 24 months. Vintage Franciacorta called Millesimato must have a minimum of 30 months aging and Riserva a minimum of 60 months. The more aging required can result in a higher price point but the flavors and texture will also be more apparent.

Alta Langa DOCG

Alta Langa DOCG was the first metodo classico sparkling wine made in Italy and is located in the prestigious Piedmont region also in northern Italy. Like Franciacorta, Alta Langa is also made in a brut style or with zero dosage. The grapes used here are also Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. They can either be blended together or made as varietal wines. Alta Langa is always a vintage wine meaning the harvest year will be indicated on the label and no other wine from previous years will be blended in.

Both Franciacorta and Alta Langa can be made as either a white or rosé wine. Pricing here can vary vastly with a price range between $25-$75 and beyond. The upper end pricing here is pretty much the same as many Champagnes.

CAVA

In my house we drink a LOT of Cava, especially rosé Cava. Spain has a reputation for making incredible, high quality wines that give you a huge bang for your buck. Cava is produced in several areas of Spain but the majority comes from the Penedès region. Like all the sparkling wines above, Cava is produced in the same traditional method called método tradicional. A huge difference however is the grapes used in the blend. The primary grape is Xarel·lo, along with Macabeu (Viura) and Parellada. Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Garnacha (Grenache), and Monastrell (Mourvèdre, Mataro) are also allowed.

Cava quality can vary greatly, even with the aging requirements that must be followed. Basic Cava (Cava de Guarda) has only a 9 month minimum aging requirement while Reserva is a minimum of 18 months and Gran Reserva is a minimum of 30 months. Cava de Paraje Calificado requires 36 months of aging.

Since the majority of the Cava is produced by two large companies, several winemakers have left the Cava DO and are bottling their sparkling wine under the Clàssic Penedès DO or use Corpinnat on the label. This was done to differentiate their sparkling wine from the mass produced Cava that didn’t have a good reputation in the market. Clàssic Penendès has stricter rules for production and aging. The minimum for this DO is 15 months aging on the lees and the grapes must be 100% organic. Corpinnat also allows only organic grapes and a minimum of 18 months aging on the lees.

Cava prices can vary widely starting around $12 a bottle and can go to $40 or more. The producers I am buying regularly are Raventós i Blanc, Llopart, At Roca, and Cune (CVNE).

USA SPARKLING WINE

Old World wine regions may be thought to have the most history and prestige when it comes to winemaking. The New World, especially the United States, can’t be excluded from the list of quality sparkling wine production. Wine is now being produced in all 50 states and many wineries are offering a sparkling wine in their portfolio. The US doesn’t have Appellations or Denominations controlling wine production as Europe has. Winemakers are free to experiment with all kinds of grapes and winemaking techniques for their finished product. This results in many wonderful wines available in the domestic market that deserve to be in your glass.

California

California dominates with the highest wine production in the US at just over 80%. It also makes the most sparkling wine in the country. Just like it’s European counterparts, producers tend to use the traditional method as well as the preferred grapes Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Many of the growing areas in California have a hot climate. Sparkling wine in California is made primarily in cooler climate areas with coastal influences of cool winds and fog. Anderson Valley in Mendocino County and Carneros in Napa and Sonoma Counties are two areas that are renowned for making excellent bubbly. Producers that I enjoy and recommend you try are: Domaine Carneros, Roederer Estate, Schramsberg, Scharffenberger, and Mumm Napa. Like Cava there is a wide price range for California sparkling wine with most in the $20-$50 range.

New York State

New York State is another area that is producing excellent wine overall and making great bubbly that should not be overlooked. Several producers in the Finger Lakes, including two of my personal favorites, Ravines and Boundary Breaks offer bubbly for any occasion. Several grapes are used here, including the main Champagne grapes as well as Riesling, Gewürtztraminer, and Cayuga. If you are on the North Shore of Long Island and are in the mood for bubbles check out Sparkling Pointe and Croteaux Vineyards. Sparkling Pointe specializes in sparklers made in the traditional style from Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Meunier. Croteaux Vineyards in Southold makes only still and sparkling rosé wines from Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Sauvignon Blanc.

I am hoping that you find these recommendations for less expensive, quality sparkling wine helpful. Whether you need a sparkling wine for a holiday gathering, special occasion toast, or for you wedding reception, know that there are many delicious alternatives to Champagne that will fit your budget.

Aroma Types in Wine and Training Your Nose To Identify Them

Posted on August 3, 2022 by admin

Do you struggle to identify aromas in wine? Have you shaken your head in frustration at tastings when a wine is being described in great detail, but you aren’t really smelling anything? If you have answered yes to either of these questions you are not alone. For years I struggled to get anything other than a whiff of cherry or lemon out of the glass. I have now learned that your ability to smell is a skill that can be developed with regular practice. It’s like building muscle memory but with your nose. Sure you can practice building a scent database from your nose to your brain by purchasing an aroma kit. However the best ones like Le Nez du Vin are quite expensive.

The Farmer’s Market

The best and more affordable idea that I came across is to practice scent training using a farmer’s market, grocery store, plant nursery, or even your own garden. Be warned, you may get strange looks if you start sniffing with abandon at every fruit, flower, or herb you pick up. It’s better to purchase what you need and practice your sensory development in the privacy of your own home.

My husband and I are fortunate to live in the Burlington, VT area where we not only have an excellent farmer’s market, but also local farm stores. We are able purchase a wide array of fresh fruit, vegetables, and herbs to enjoy. This has made it possible for us to not only eat healthier, but to take my time while preparing our food. I taste and smell each ingredient that I am using. Make sure to smell each item numerous times both before and after chopping. This will help create a scent memory. With herbs rub them between your fingers to release their oils. This gives you a better concentration of fragrance.

Wine Aroma Types

When analyzing a wine’s scent there are three tiers of aromas and flavors found in wine: primary, secondary, and tertiary.

Primary aromas can be easier to identify and come from the grape itself. Each grape variety has aroma and flavor characteristics that it is known for. Primary aromas in wine are fruit, citrus, herbs, and flowers. When assessing fruit aromas you should ask yourself is the fruit black or red? For example, are you smelling red or black cherry, red or black plum? Are you getting stone fruit (peach, apricot) or tropical fruit (pineapple, mango)? Is the fruit ripe, tart, dried, or cooked?

Secondary aromas and flavors in wine are the result of post-fermentation winemaking processes. These include pastry, biscuit, and toasted bread from extended contact with yeast. Butter and cream result from malolactic fermentation. Oak aging gives aromas of vanilla, coconut, dill, spice, chocolate, and coffee.

Finally, tertiary aromas and flavors develop in a wine that has been aged. Examples of tertiary aromas are leather, earth, mushroom, dried fruit, tobacco, caramel, hazelnut, honey, and forest floor.

Less Familiar Wine Aromas

Luckily many types of fruits, vegetables, and herbs are readily available for us to become acquainted with their smells. What about some less common aromas that you may see mentioned in a tasting note or wine book which you haven’t experienced before? Many people aren’t familiar with currants, gooseberries, lychee, and garrigue. How about strange aromas such as petroleum, cat pee, bell pepper, tomato leaf, and barnyard?

I recently purchased black currants and gooseberries to reacquaint myself with their taste and smell. It’s been years since I last tried them. Red Bordeaux, Brachetto, Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa, and Tannat are red wines that you may smell and taste black currant. Gooseberry is prevalent in Sauvignon Blanc from both Sancerre in the Loire Valley and Marlborough, New Zealand. Lychee fruit is a tough one to find. This is a tell tale note that you have a Gewürtztraminer in your glass. I’ve only ever tasted this fruit at restaurants.

You have probably smelled garrigue if you drink red or rosé wine from Southern France or the Mediterranean Coast. Garrigue is a combination of sun drenched vegetation consisting of lavender, thyme, juniper, broom, sage, and rosemary that grows wild in limestone soil. Try the reds of Gigondas and Châteauneuf-du-Pape from the Rhône or a Provence rosé to see if you experience the aroma of garrigue. Close your eyes and picture yourself sipping the day away in France!

Weird Wine Aromas

As for those strange aromas I mentioned above? I have two cats and smell cat pee often. I really don’t want to smell it in my glass of Sauvignon Blanc. I am sure most people would agree with me. Petroleum, bell pepper, tomato leaf and barnyard, yes barnyard, are some of the most exciting aromas that I love perceiving in a wine. Some of my favorite Rieslings from the Finger Lakes region in New York State smell of petrol and for me its amazing. If I smell and taste green bell pepper in a Cabernet Franc from Chinon in the Loire Valley, France or in a Carménère from Chile, then I am in love. Italian reds, especially Chianti Classico always give me that tomato leaf aroma that takes me back to Tuscany and makes me crave cinghiale in red sauce.

Wine Fault Aromas

I am probably the only person I know who loves the smell of a barnyard. I do live in Vermont after all and am obsessed with cows. Yes it’s bizarre and no I don’t mind if you think it’s gross! To me the best cheeses have that barnyard smell, but for many people it’s not what they enjoy in a red wine. The barnyard aroma is caused by a wild yeast found on some grape skins called brettanomyces. Many in the wine industry see brettanomyces or brett as it’s commonly referred to, as a flaw in the wine. Other people, me included, actually don’t mind it. Some wines where brett may be present are in some French reds from the Burgundy and Rhône regions, and a few red wines from the state of California.

True flaws in a wine do not smell good and most likely will not be pleasant to drink. Any whiff of wet dog, damp cardboard, rotten eggs, or acetone could be an indicator that the wine is off and is probably unsuitable for consumption.

Tips For Analyzing Wine Aromas

Now that we have discussed the types of aromas you may encounter wafting from you wine glass, there are some important things to remember to that will help you to better hone your wine aroma skills:

Make sure you are using proper glassware that will direct aromas easily to your nose. Sniff FIRST before you swirl. You will get a better first impression of the wine this way and also get the ability to grab a note or two right off the top. Then swirl and sniff several times to pick out as many aromas as you are able.

Do not serve wine too cold. Chilling a wine too much mutes the aromas and flavors you are trying to identify and enjoy, making them difficult to differentiate.

Lastly, remember that aromas and flavors in a wine is subjective. Everybody’s senses are unique and what you smell or taste in a wine may be a little different than that of another person you are tasting with. This doesn’t mean either of you is incorrect. Have fun with it and compare what you are smelling and tasting with others. The wine tasting experience should be a pleasurable one no matter what level of tasting skills or wine education you possess.

Aromatic Wine Recommendations

Ready to explore interesting aromas in wine? Here are some examples of wines I’ve tried as well as grapes and their wine regions that I recommend. Try and see if you can identify some of the aromas that were mentioned in this post.

Cabernet Franc from Loire Valley, France

Nebbiolo from Barolo, Italy

Gewürtztraminer from Austria or Alto Adige, Italy

Pinot Noir from Bourgogne, France or Central Otago, New Zealand

Riesling from Mosel, Germany or Finger Lakes, New York State

Sangiovese from Chianti Classico, Italy

Sauvignon Blanc from Sancerre, France or Marlborough, New Zealand

Viognier from Condrieu, France or Washington State

Posted in Wine Education | Tagged farmersmarket, identifying aromas in wine, types of wine aromas, uncommonwinearomas, weird wine aromas, wine aromas, wine education, wine tasting, winefaultaromas | Leave a comment

Biokult Organic Wine

Posted on July 6, 2022 by admin

Do you make an effort to buy organic food when you make your shopping trips? Is it important to you that your wine be organic as well? I will admit over the last few years I have added much more organic meat and produce to my diet and it’s even easier to do so living in Vermont with all the local food we have to choose from. As a wine enthusiast who purchases a great deal of wine regularly, I really haven’t given organic wine much thought. There is an organic section for wine in our City Market Co-op that to be honest, for a long time I didn’t even give it a glance. While walking by on one of our weekly grocery trips, I happened to spy a few wines with eye catching labels. This was my introduction to Biokult, producer of organic wines in Austria.

What Is Biokult?

Biokult consists of a group of organic vintners located in Pamhagen in the Niederösterreich region of Austria’s Burgenland. These producers are certified in organic production and have a dedication to promoting biodiversity and soil health in the vineyards. Their distributor, Natural Merchants, writes this about the participating vineyards:

“It buzzes, hums, chirps, and blooms: an organic vineyard offers a friendly environment for many insects, micro-organisms, and yeasts. Green cover between the vine rows secures biodiversity. Next to numerous wild herbs and flowers, specially selected plants are also sown. Clove varieties promote structure and assimilate nitrogen in the soil. Phacelia is not only an aesthetic blooming plant; its roots loosen compact soils. Green cover offers an attractive environment for earthworms and beneficial insects. Intact soil is the most vital precondition for authentic wines. Protecting the earth from the use of all chemicals should be a priority to hand down to future generations.”

The Wine Labels

Those wine labels that caught my eye? The art reflects the herbs and wildflowers described above. These cover crops encourage microorganisms needed for the health of the soil, contain wild yeasts, and provide the perfect environment for pollinators. Shown below on the wines I purchased are The Sculpit on the Gruner Veltliner, an herb with deep roots that attracts bees and butterflies, and the Loosestrife on the rose, an herb used for remedies as well as important for pollinating insects.

Biokult Wines

Now let’s talk about the wines themselves. The first vintage produced by Biokult was in 2005. Since then they have achieved a reputation for producing fine, organic wines that are also vegan. The winemaking is overseen by husband and wife winemakers Angela and Werner Michlits who make sure the fresh, fruit forward style of the wines take center stage. To do this, much of the aging is done using stainless steel and neutral barrels. So far I have purchased their Naken orange wine, the Zweigelt Rose, and the Osterreich Gruner Veltliner, all from the 2020 vintage. Each of these wines are featured below and one thing to notice on all of these wines is their spectacular color in the glass!

Naken

Naken is Biokult’s skin contact orange wine that has been getting quite a bit of buzz in the natural wine world and even made the Wine Enthusiast Top 100 Wines of 2020 list. Orange wine in general seems to be growing in popularity. This style is made from white wine grapes that are fermented on their skins for several days. This extracts color and tannin to the white wine. The Biokult Naken is made using 90% Pinot Gris and 10% Muskateller organic grapes that spend 5-10 days fermenting with their skins. This wine is effervescent with a small amount of CO2 and is bottled with a crown cap. The color in the glass is a beautiful pink salmon color. This is a dry wine with medium body, medium acidity, and light tannins. Alcohol is low at 10.5%. On the nose are aromas of white flowers, stone fruit, and orange citrus. On the palate are flavors of peach, apricot, orange zest, and honey. I paired this with Ina Garten’s Roasted Shrimp and Orzo Salad and it was a perfect match!

Naken paired with Ina Garten’s Shrimp and Orzo Salad

Zweigelt Rosé

As with the Naken, the first thing you notice with the Biokult Zweigelt Rosé is the saturated, gorgeous pink watermelon color! It might just be the prettiest rosé I’ve ever tasted. This wine also has an effervescence to it upon pouring the first glass, but is not bottled using a crown cap. I’m pretty sure this is due to reductive winemaking used to preserve the wine’s color with carbon gas. This rose is 100% Zweigelt, Austria’s #1 red grape variety. These grapes are grown in sandy-clay soils textured with granite. Once picked, the wine is made using a short maceration, followed by 7 months aging in stainless steel tanks. Biokult Rosé is dry and medium bodied, with medium acidity, and low tannins. Alcohol is medium at 11%. Light aromas of strawberry with more pronounced citrus and a hint of white pepper on the nose. The flavors of this wine I described as a rush of all red fruit: cherry, strawberry, watermelon, cranberry, with some orange zest on the finish. This rose is perfect for spring and summer picnic sipping!

Osterreich Grüner Veltliner

Last but not least we have the Biokult Osterreich Grüner Veltliner. This is 100% organic Grüner Veltliner grapes grown in sandy-clay soil. Just like the rosé, it is aged for 7 months in stainless steel. I love to drink Grüner all year long but something about this version just screams summer to me. In the glass the wine is a pale lemon color. This dry white wine is light bodied, with medium acidity, and comes in at 11.5% alcohol. Aromas coming out of the glass are lime zest, white pepper, and a chalky minerality. More white pepper flavor on the palate accompanied by juicy pear, lemon-lime, and saline. Very refreshing!

Overall I really enjoy these Biokult wines and would definitely repurchase them regularly. They also produce a Pinot Noir/Zweigelt red blend and a Rosé Secco which I have yet to see for sale here in Vermont and would love to try!

Posted in Austria | Tagged austrian wine, Biokult wine, natural wine, orange wine, organic grapes, organic wine, rosé wine, white wine | Leave a comment

Maison No.9 by Post Malone

Posted on August 27, 2020 by admin

Apparently Post Malone (Posty as he is known in my house), the hit making, Grammy winning artist, is drinking more than just Bud Lite. A few months ago during the shutdown, I was watching his live tribute to Nirvana performance that he was giving from his home in Utah. He and the other musicians were surrounded by rosé bottles in the background. Being the wine fanatic that I am, I had to know why there was so much serious product placement occurring there? After a quick online search I learned that Post Malone was the latest celebrity to get into the wine game.

Maison No.9 was created by Austin Richard Post (Post Malone), his manager Dre London, and James Morrissey of Global Brand Equities in partnership with MDCV winery (a Provence winery group) located near Saint-Tropez in the French Riviera. Working with renowned winemaker Alexis Cornu they came up with the final blend for the rosé: 45% grenache noir, 25% cinsault, 15% syrah, and 15% merlot grapes. A pre-sale was conducted prior to release and resulted in a whopping 50,000 bottles sold in two days! I missed out on the pre-sale and purchased my bottles locally for $21.99 per bottle.

Already a huge fan of Post Malone and his music, I had to try this rosé and see for myself if the wine was any good. The bottle design is all glass, including the unique closure. It features the number 9 and is etched to look like the battlements on a castle, a nod to the winery where the wine is produced. Fans will recognize the sword on the bottle that is also one of Post’s many face tattoos. It is from his favorite tarot card representing the Nine of Swords.

The color of this rosé, which carries the Méditerranée IGP designation, is the typical pale pink orange of many rosés produced in the South of France. It is a dry wine, with high acidity and light body making it the perfect porch pounder for summer, but also a terrific companion for pairing with food. Aromas and flavors of juicy pear, red cherry, pineapple, lime, lemongrass, and a hint of green pepper dance in the glass. The alcohol is medium at 12.5% abv. I love French rosé and I have to say I really love this wine. I’ve already purchased it again and served it to family members who were also pretty impressed. I would love to hear what you think of this wine if you’ve tried it, as well as your thoughts on celebrity wine in the comments.

Posted in France | Leave a comment

J. Hofstätter Pinot Grigio

Posted on July 31, 2020 by admin

I’ll admit it, I am not the biggest pinot grigio fan. There are times where I have been out and about at a rooftop bar in the summer and have wanted a crisp, refreshing wine to cool down with. Usually choices by the glass in these venues are limited but you can always find a pinot grigio. Yes, I have enjoyed these in the moment but I definitely don’t seek them out. Did you know pinot grigio and pinot gris are the same grape? Pinot gris is the French name and pinot grigio is the Italian name. In the US both are used and normally indicate what style of wine you can expect. Lighter body with simple flavors would be pinot grigio while pinot gris will have more nuanced flavors and more medium body. I have been known on occasion to shake my head in a wine shop in the Italian whites section. It’s always a sea of pinot grigio. I would lament to my husband, “where is the Vernaccia di San Gimignano, where is the Soave, where is the Gavi?”. I could go on and on. The simple truth is that the majority of people love what is simple, classic, inexpensive pinot grigio and there is nothing wrong with that. I, however, love to try other Italian white grapes of which there are many wonderful varietals to choose from.

Now that my WSET 2 classes are over, I am continuing my wine studies by reading several wine books. While reading about Italy in The Wine Bible by Karen MacNeil, she wrote about a style of pinot grigio found in the Alto Adige wine region. While reading about the wines produced in this region, the descriptions spoke to me. On my next wine shopping excursion I found J. Hofstätter Pinot Grigio 2018 IGT from Tramin-Termeno in the Alto Adige. This area is the northernmost wine region in Italy and is known for growing pinot grigio among other white wine grapes. 62% of the wine produced here is white, but based on the protection from the Alps and the warming influences from both the Mediterranean Sea and Lake Garda it’s possible for black grapes to fully ripen here as well.

J. Hofstätter is a family owned winery with a long history of four generations of winemakers. They are the only wine estate to have vineyards on both the east and west banks of the Adige River. In addition to this pinot grigio they also produce gewürtztraminer, pinot blanc, Müller-Thurgau as well as red wine made from the black grapes of lagrein, pinot nero (pinot noir), merlot, and cabernet sauvignon.

This J. Hofstätter Pinot Grigio 2018 is quite crisp and refreshing. It is very pale, straw color in the glass. Medium bodied, with medium acidity and medium alcohol at 13.5% abv. There is a cool minerality with mostly lemon curd on the nose. On the palate are flavors of lemon, green pear, green apple, almond, and a hint of ginger on the long finish. When I originally first tried this wine I paired it with Half Baked Harvest’s burrata and artichoke pasta which really brought forth the lemon flavor of the wine. In my opinion this wine isn’t just for warm weather days. This is a great all year round white wine option and would pair well with fall dishes. I have since repurchased and enjoyed another bottle! I found this wine at a local organic food store on sale for $16.99 but normal retail seems to be about $19.99 online.

Posted in Italy | Leave a comment