Join us tomorrow 4-7 for what's sure to be a good tasting with young Mike from Douglas Polaner. New wines follow, as does my new sampler (hope to have write-ups on the other samplers for you next week . . . Matthew's is Portuguese @ $54.99, and there is a rose sampler @ $64.99).
NEW WHITES:
(new vintage) Dancing Bull 2008 Sauvignon Blanc @ $9.99
Avondale 2007 Chenin Blanc @ $11.99
(new vintage) Guenov 2008 Sauvignon Blanc @ $11.99
Joel Gott 2007 Chardonnay @ $15.99
(new vintage) Laxas 2008 Albarino @ $15.99
Domaine de Montcy 2007 Cour-Cheverny @ $16.99
Matteo Corregia 2008 Roero Arneis @ $16.99
Terrace Heights Estate 2008 Sauvignon Blanc @ $19.99
(new vintage) Dancing Bull 2008 Sauvignon Blanc @ $9.99
Avondale 2007 Chenin Blanc @ $11.99
(new vintage) Guenov 2008 Sauvignon Blanc @ $11.99
Joel Gott 2007 Chardonnay @ $15.99
(new vintage) Laxas 2008 Albarino @ $15.99
Domaine de Montcy 2007 Cour-Cheverny @ $16.99
Matteo Corregia 2008 Roero Arneis @ $16.99
Terrace Heights Estate 2008 Sauvignon Blanc @ $19.99
NEW REDS:
(new vintage) Dancing Bull 2007 Zinfandel @ $9.99
Torres 2007 Sangre de Toro @ $10.99
Avondale 2007 Jonty's Ducks @ $13.99 (a blend of I don't know what from South Africa)
(new vintage) Fattoria dei Barbi 2006 Morellino di Scansano @ $15.99
Joel Gott 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon @ $15.99
Celliers du Palais 2007 Mondeuse @ $19.99
Poulleau 2007 Bourgogne @ $19.99
Hilberg Pasquero 2006 Varaj @ $20.99 (Varaj is a piedmont blend of Barbera and Brachetto)
Unti 2006 Petit Frere @ $25.99 (a Cotes-du-Rhone wannabe from California)
Vannieres 2005 Bandol @ $33.99
Unti 2006 Grenache @ $37.99
Gary Farrell 2006 Pinot Noir @ $40.99
(new vintage) Dancing Bull 2007 Zinfandel @ $9.99
Torres 2007 Sangre de Toro @ $10.99
Avondale 2007 Jonty's Ducks @ $13.99 (a blend of I don't know what from South Africa)
(new vintage) Fattoria dei Barbi 2006 Morellino di Scansano @ $15.99
Joel Gott 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon @ $15.99
Celliers du Palais 2007 Mondeuse @ $19.99
Poulleau 2007 Bourgogne @ $19.99
Hilberg Pasquero 2006 Varaj @ $20.99 (Varaj is a piedmont blend of Barbera and Brachetto)
Unti 2006 Petit Frere @ $25.99 (a Cotes-du-Rhone wannabe from California)
Vannieres 2005 Bandol @ $33.99
Unti 2006 Grenache @ $37.99
Gary Farrell 2006 Pinot Noir @ $40.99
NEW ROSES:
Domaine Les Aphillantes 2008 Cotes-du-Rhone @ $12.99
Domaine de Montrieux 2008 Coteaux du Vendromais @ $17.99
Domaine de la Tour du Bon 2008 Bandol @ $22.99
Unti 2008 Rose @ $25.99
Chateau Vannieres 2008 Bandol @ $27.99
Domaine Les Aphillantes 2008 Cotes-du-Rhone @ $12.99
Domaine de Montrieux 2008 Coteaux du Vendromais @ $17.99
Domaine de la Tour du Bon 2008 Bandol @ $22.99
Unti 2008 Rose @ $25.99
Chateau Vannieres 2008 Bandol @ $27.99
Judy's Rooftop Whites
Several members of my monthly wine-tasting group live in Concord Village, hard by the Brooklyn Bridge. In warm weather they often avail themselves of access to the roofs of their buildings, cold glass of white wine in hand, to enjoy the stunning views of bridge, river, Manhattan, and more . . . And thus has evolved the category of "rooftop whites," wines that tame the summer heat and don't require any serious thought.
Calea 2008 Insolia
Sicily takes great pride in its indigenous grape varieties, one of which is Insolia. Calea's U.S. importer, Polaner, calls this version "affordable, authentically pure, and pleasurable," and it is indeed all of that. It offers classic old-world flavor from the heartland of Sicily: fresh, bright and lemony, it is the definition of "rooftop white."
$9.99/btl; $99.90/cs
Sicily takes great pride in its indigenous grape varieties, one of which is Insolia. Calea's U.S. importer, Polaner, calls this version "affordable, authentically pure, and pleasurable," and it is indeed all of that. It offers classic old-world flavor from the heartland of Sicily: fresh, bright and lemony, it is the definition of "rooftop white."
$9.99/btl; $99.90/cs
Domaine Pierre Duret 2008 Quincy
A smallish property of less than twenty acres, the Duret estate was taken over in 1995 by the Mellots, a Loire Valley dynasty that goes back to 1513 (and producers of the Sincerité Sauvignon Blanc I included in my last sampler). The town of Quincy — located on the east bank of the Loire, directly across from Sancerre — produces Sauvignon Blancs that are quite similar in style to Sancerres but usually offered at a much more affordable price point. The Duret wine is quite typical of the appellation, with notes of flowers and citrus on the nose; it's a perfect companion for fresh shellfish or goat cheese.
$12.99/btl;$129.90/cs
A smallish property of less than twenty acres, the Duret estate was taken over in 1995 by the Mellots, a Loire Valley dynasty that goes back to 1513 (and producers of the Sincerité Sauvignon Blanc I included in my last sampler). The town of Quincy — located on the east bank of the Loire, directly across from Sancerre — produces Sauvignon Blancs that are quite similar in style to Sancerres but usually offered at a much more affordable price point. The Duret wine is quite typical of the appellation, with notes of flowers and citrus on the nose; it's a perfect companion for fresh shellfish or goat cheese.
$12.99/btl;$129.90/cs
Hirsch 2007 Veltliner #1
Importer Terry Theise calls the Hirsch wines "stellar-quality wines from a star-quality vintner at reasonable prices," and we couldn't agree more. Gruner Veltliner is te national grape of Austria, and nobody handles it better than Johannes Hirsch: enticing and aromatic, stylish and classy, Veltliner #1 has ripe aromas of lemon and acacia blossoms and is bright, fresh, and lively on the palate.
$17.99/btl;$179.90/cs
Importer Terry Theise calls the Hirsch wines "stellar-quality wines from a star-quality vintner at reasonable prices," and we couldn't agree more. Gruner Veltliner is te national grape of Austria, and nobody handles it better than Johannes Hirsch: enticing and aromatic, stylish and classy, Veltliner #1 has ripe aromas of lemon and acacia blossoms and is bright, fresh, and lively on the palate.
$17.99/btl;$179.90/cs
Sampler B, with 2 bottles of each wine: $68.50