Well, we are approaching the height of the summer and things are a bit slow around us, so relatively little new to report. Join us tomorrow 4-7 pm for a tasting of superb French wines and meet our good friend Eric and get to know his company, Wineberry; you're sure to find a lot to like. My current sampler follows the list of new wines . . . hope to have writeups of the other samplers for you next week.
NEW WHITES:
La Zerba 2007 Gavi @ $14.99
Licia 2008 Albarino @ $14.99
(back) Momo 2008 Sauvignon Blanc @ $15.99
La Zerba 2007 Gavi TerraRossa @ $18.99
Vision Cellars 2007 White @ $20.99
La Zerba 2007 Gavi @ $14.99
Licia 2008 Albarino @ $14.99
(back) Momo 2008 Sauvignon Blanc @ $15.99
La Zerba 2007 Gavi TerraRossa @ $18.99
Vision Cellars 2007 White @ $20.99
NEW REDS:
(back) Aguaribay 2006 Malbec @ $9.99
Resalso 2007 Ribera del Duero @ $14.99
Vision Cellars 2007 Pinot Noir "Coster Vineyard" @ $48.99
Vision Cellars 2006 "Gary's Vineyard" @ $49.99
(back) Aguaribay 2006 Malbec @ $9.99
Resalso 2007 Ribera del Duero @ $14.99
Vision Cellars 2007 Pinot Noir "Coster Vineyard" @ $48.99
Vision Cellars 2006 "Gary's Vineyard" @ $49.99
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