A few new wines to report this week (see below). French wines from Monsieur Touton will be poured at this afternoon's tasting; please join us 4-7 pm. And while you're in the store, check out the current samplers . . . Portuguese wines from Matthew, rooftop whites from me, a Coney Island selection from Tara, and there's a round-the-world rose sampler as well (one other? I forget).
NEW WHITES:
(new vintage) Domaine d'Arton 2008 Cotes de Gascoigne @ $9.99
Darby & Joan 2008 Chardonnay @ $10.99
Marquis Phillips 2008 Sarah's Blend @ $10.99
(new vintage) Pomelo 2008 Sauvignon Blanc @ $11.99
Carrel 2008 Jongleur @ $11.99
X Winery 2008 White X @ $12.99
Falchini 2008 Vernaccia @ $12.99
Furst Lowenstein 2007 Riesling @ $13.99
(new vintage) Buglioni 2008 Il Clandestine @ $13.99
Mandolin 2007 Chardonnay @ $14.99
Vinos Pinol 2008 Portal White @ $14.99
Russian Jack 2008 Sauvignon Blanc @ $15.99
Plotzner 2007 Pinot Bianco @ $22.99
(new vintage) Domaine d'Arton 2008 Cotes de Gascoigne @ $9.99
Darby & Joan 2008 Chardonnay @ $10.99
Marquis Phillips 2008 Sarah's Blend @ $10.99
(new vintage) Pomelo 2008 Sauvignon Blanc @ $11.99
Carrel 2008 Jongleur @ $11.99
X Winery 2008 White X @ $12.99
Falchini 2008 Vernaccia @ $12.99
Furst Lowenstein 2007 Riesling @ $13.99
(new vintage) Buglioni 2008 Il Clandestine @ $13.99
Mandolin 2007 Chardonnay @ $14.99
Vinos Pinol 2008 Portal White @ $14.99
Russian Jack 2008 Sauvignon Blanc @ $15.99
Plotzner 2007 Pinot Bianco @ $22.99
NEW REDS:
Fernandez 2006 Monastrell M3 @ $9.99
Escaravailles 2007 Petit Scarabee @ $9.99
(back) Tenuta Rapitala 2007 Nero d'Avola @ $11.99
(new vintage) Strong Arms 2007 Shiraz @ $11.99
Falchini 2007 Sangiovese Mora di Selva @ $13.99
Substance 2007 Syrah @ $15.99
Chateau Peyros 2003 Madiran @ $16.99
Marquis Phillips 2007 Grenache @ $16.99
Feoto dello Jato 2003 Vigna Curia @ $59.99
Fernandez 2006 Monastrell M3 @ $9.99
Escaravailles 2007 Petit Scarabee @ $9.99
(back) Tenuta Rapitala 2007 Nero d'Avola @ $11.99
(new vintage) Strong Arms 2007 Shiraz @ $11.99
Falchini 2007 Sangiovese Mora di Selva @ $13.99
Substance 2007 Syrah @ $15.99
Chateau Peyros 2003 Madiran @ $16.99
Marquis Phillips 2007 Grenache @ $16.99
Feoto dello Jato 2003 Vigna Curia @ $59.99
NEW ROSE:
Elk Cove 2008 Pinot Noir Rose @ $15.99
Elk Cove 2008 Pinot Noir Rose @ $15.99
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 the 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 the 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