We return with tastings from Rosalee and me.  This time around, we offer up a few less common wines for your consideration; a reflection of the value and quality that reach around the globe.

St. Supery Virtu Napa Valley 2006:

Color:    Almost a Chardonnay lemony hue….really rich
Aromas: lemony cream with breezes of apple and red grapefruit.
Flavor:   soft lemon meringue pie, a hint of fig and honey; a hint of Semillon waxiness just adds richness to the taste.  Not to be left out, the Sauvignon Blanc component seems to add just a touch of grass and stone.

Opinions:    Both of us simply loved this wine.  It’s a blend of Semillon, providing the honied, lemony waxiness notes, and Sauvignon blanc with its classic grassy and stony elements.  The wine is to consumed now and is real treat for those searching for an alternative white to the typical Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc….runs in the low $30’s.   We would pair this with a lemony chicken, pasta in a (lemon) cream sauce, light fish or a fruit garnished pork dish .

Felsina Beredenga Chianti 2006:

Color:     deep purple
Aromas: blackberry and dark cherry intermingled with floral elements, perhaps violet or lavender.
Flavors:  beautifully rich and balanced, the fruits, tannins and acidity melting in perfection.  Delightfu lingering of fruit and tannin on the palate.

Opinions:  We decided to go with the theme of Italian regionality one evening (see Wine and Food Pairing segment), matching a barbecued chicken pizza with the Chianti.  What a great match and bargain for around $17.  BTW, have you ever tried pairing a Chianti with a steak?  This is another off the beaten track, yet wonderful regional match.

Yannick Amirault (Loire) Bourgueil La Coudraye 2006:

For those of you who know the Loire Valley, the expressions of the Sauvignon Blanc and Chenin Blanc grape come to mind.  As well they should, with their world class reputation.  Lost in the discussion, however, are the wonderful reds, both in quality and price, courtesy of the Cabernet Franc grape (one of the five Bordeaux grape blending varieties).  Listen to what both Rosalee and I have to offer on this one.

Color:         moderate to dark currant
Aromas:     Enticing soft scents of blackberries, blueberries and floral notes. A hint of black tea on the nose.
Flavors:      Beautifully soft wine on the palate, the black and blue fruits  coating the palate, begging for more.  Well structured yet not overbearing tannins and slight to moderate acidity.

Opinions:    This wine is real find and underlies why you should search for wines outside of the box, so to speak.  We paired the wine with a nicely spiced sirloin steak and it was……well……to die for!  Yes, we could have resorted to the classic California Cabernet, Oregon Pinot Noir or Bordeaux but for the price and quality….this was one of those no brainers!  Priced around $26. 
                 
Added Note:  Now for the bad news/good news….this wine is not stocked by any Arizona outlets.  So why list it, you might ask?  Well,   my research has led me to a resource.  I have been told that if you are interested in purchasing the wine, you can request it by order from most local independent wine retailers.  You must order a case of the wine but if 12 bottles is out of your range, think about splitting the cost with a friend or two.

Villa Wolf Gewurztraminer 2007:

Color:      Very light and lively appearance
Aromas: Honey, litchi, apple, apricot; spices and floral notes round off this wonderful scent. 
Flavors:  Wonderful array of honey, apple and apricot, moderate minerality and just right hint of sweetness. 

Opinion:    We paired this with a moderately spicy pork stir fry and it cleansed the palate to perfection.  Best of all is the pricing………mid $teens.

Note:  This wine is produced by Ernest Loosen, one of Germany’s most prolific and high quality wine producers.  This everyday wine is truly a treat.

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Tags: Bourgueil, Chianti, Gewurztraminer