August already tomorrow . . . can hardly believe it. Soon it will be time to send my husband off camping and get me a week off! Forgot to make note of what our tasting is tomorrow, but join us if you can, 4-7. New wines follow, and we will try to get the other samplers organized.
NEW WHITES:
Colome 2008 Torrontes @ $11.99
(back) Duret 2008 Quincy @ $12.99
El Quintanal 2008 Verdejo @ $13.99
(back) Kung Fu Girl 2008 Riesling @ $13.99
(back) Oyster Bay 2008 Sauvignon Blanc @ $13.99
Per Diem 2007 Pinot Gris @ $13.99
Chateau Kefraya 2007 La Dame Blanche @ $14.99
Relativity 2007 Chardonnay @ $14.99
(new vintage) Cederberg 2008 Buikketraube @ $15.99
Beckmen 2008 Sauvignon Blanc @ $17.99
Colome 2008 Torrontes @ $11.99
(back) Duret 2008 Quincy @ $12.99
El Quintanal 2008 Verdejo @ $13.99
(back) Kung Fu Girl 2008 Riesling @ $13.99
(back) Oyster Bay 2008 Sauvignon Blanc @ $13.99
Per Diem 2007 Pinot Gris @ $13.99
Chateau Kefraya 2007 La Dame Blanche @ $14.99
Relativity 2007 Chardonnay @ $14.99
(new vintage) Cederberg 2008 Buikketraube @ $15.99
Beckmen 2008 Sauvignon Blanc @ $17.99
NEW REDS:
Chateau Kefraya 2006 Les Breteques @ $14.99
(new vintge) Layer Cake 2008 Shiraz @ $17.99
(new vintage) Boarding Pass 2007 Shiraz @ $17.99
Relativity 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon @ $18.99
TarraWarra 2008 Pinot Noir @ $21.99
Adjenda 2005 Shiraz @ $22.99
Ayres 2007 Pinot Noir @ $28.99
Fort Ross 2006 Pinot Noir @ $34.99
Chateau Kefraya 2006 Les Breteques @ $14.99
(new vintge) Layer Cake 2008 Shiraz @ $17.99
(new vintage) Boarding Pass 2007 Shiraz @ $17.99
Relativity 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon @ $18.99
TarraWarra 2008 Pinot Noir @ $21.99
Adjenda 2005 Shiraz @ $22.99
Ayres 2007 Pinot Noir @ $28.99
Fort Ross 2006 Pinot Noir @ $34.99
NEW ROSES:
Chateau de la Mouliniere 2008 Bordeaux @ $8.99
Ochoa 2008 Rosado @ $10.99
(back) Pinord 2007 La Nansa @ . . . Oops, forgot to check the price!
(back) Torre dei Beati 2008 Cerasuolo @ $14.99
Urano 2007 Malbec @ $16.99
Chateau de la Mouliniere 2008 Bordeaux @ $8.99
Ochoa 2008 Rosado @ $10.99
(back) Pinord 2007 La Nansa @ . . . Oops, forgot to check the price!
(back) Torre dei Beati 2008 Cerasuolo @ $14.99
Urano 2007 Malbec @ $16.99
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