by katrin on May 17, 2012
Rheinhessen is the largest wine region in Germany and nearly a third of the wines produced there are red wines. Though the 2009 harvest in Rheinhessen was somewhat smaller, it was a particularly good year for ripening Pinot Noir, according to the German Wine Institute. The ripeness shows in this Pinot from Weingut Schäfer, which has a relatively high alcohol level at 13.5%. (The alcohol on most German reds that I have seen usually falls between 11% and 12.5%.) Fortunately, the Weingut Schäfer has a solid fruit base, since the alcohol, which gives the wine a sweet warmth, nearly dominates the palate and threatens to throw this wine out of balance. Aromas of boysenberry, tobacco, lilac, and perfume, along with a slight banana fermentation aroma. The palate has dark red fruit, vanilla, spice, cherry-flavored cough syrup, and a strong mushroom-umami. Light to medium body, medium acidity, and light tannins. Spice and red berry flavors linger, along with some heat. Good.
At Nine Acre Wines for $14.99.
by katrin on May 13, 2012
Tony Soter, who has worked his winemaking magic at Napa’s Etude Wines, Willamette Valley’s Soter Vineyards, and dozens of prestigious wineries over the years, has made a rosé to savor. A couple of years ago, he launched the Soter Vineyards’ second label: North Valley. The North Valley rosé is simply one of the best rosés I have had in recent memory, perfect for anyone seeking a less delicate rosé. This fresh and bright pink wine has a somewhat surprising composition: 80% Pinot Noir, 16% Chardonnay, and 4% Gewürztraminer. The two white grapes were terrific blending partners, giving this rosé a memorable and unique palate. Some rosés of Pinot Noir can be rather light and the Chardonnay helps to make this wine slightly more full-bodied and rounded. Despite being only 4% of the blend, the Gewürztraminer lends its unmistakable aromatics of lychee fruit and rose. Wonderfully mouthwatering with a long, zippy finish. Very good/excellent.
At Martignetti’s for $22.99.
2011 Laurent Miquel Père et Fils Cinsault Syrah Pays d'Oc
For the Rosé Society, this is the time of year to which we look forward. The rosés from the previous vintage are now being released, making their way to our local wine shops’ shelves. For the most part – and there are exceptions – rosés should be drunk within a year following their release. In a way similar to Beaujolais Nouveau but so much better – and classier – rosés are meant to be drunk young.
One of the highlights of L’Adventure Languedoc which we attended at the Boston Conference Center in early April was the abundance of just released rosés. When I realized that the “Père et Fils” was from Languedoc and produced by the young winemaker Laurent Miquel, into my cart it went. Incidentally, the labelling on the bottle would have been inconceiveable in France five years ago: the varietals, Cinsault and Syrah, are boldly proclaimed. In order to compete in the world wine market and, in accordance with European Union classification initiatives, the French system was overhauled; varietals and location where the grapes were grown can now be displayed on wine labels.
The wine is wonderfully fresh with a very definite zip. The aroma is one of ripe red berries. The juicy fruit carries through onto the palate. There is a pleasant softness to the mouthfeel followed by a good dose of acidity. The fruit follows through to the end – and with the acidity – makes for a lovely finish. The result is fruit forward and refreshing, suitable for both quaffing and pairing with food.
A good choice for Mothers’ Day – the low alcohol level of 12.5% ensures that the old lady – I mean your mother – won’t get too unruly.
$9.99 on sale at
Whole Foods Market 340 River St. Camb. MA
"Think Pink!"
The rosé season has begun. Katrin with her review of the 2010 Meinklang Prosa inaugurated our pink season. (And if you find this style of lightly effervescent rosé enjoyable, seek out the one one made by Michlits, another biodynamic Austrian producer.) This is a time of year that we of the Rosé Society anticipate. The Rosé Society – the name bestowed on us by Eleni – is one of several alter egos present at WineDineWith.Us. When we were young wineaux just forming the tasting group that would become this blog, one of our interests was “pinks”. At that time rosés were somewhat controversial – the avant garde of the wine world was promoting them while the old guard was haughtily dismissing them. Times change – the avant garde won, the old guard dottered off - and rosés have become a mainstay of the wine scene.
My first rosé of the season is the 2011 Château de Campuget Tradition Rosé Costière de Nîmes. A blend of 30% Grenache Noir and 70% Syrah, the wine is rightly characterized as a “PLW”, i.e. “ pretty little wine”. And pretty it is. While the producer describes the hue as “peony pink”, there actually is a strong splash of salmon that makes the wine less gaudy than peony would imply. A bowl of mixed red berries, a sprig or two of wild herbs – a delicate nose. The mouthfeel is smooth, rounded, a bit weighty, contrasting nicely with the medium acidity that follows. The wine finishes with some astringency which further adds to the structure. The delicate fruit carries through to the finish. As befits a PLW, there is no complexity here only quaffability. As summer too slowly approaches, get a jump on the season and “Think Pink”.
Available at Bin Ends $9.60
The L’Aventure Languedoc tasting in April that Glenn and I participated in last month was a fantastic opportunity to get reacquainted with the wines of the Languedoc. One of the things that I took away from that tasting was that there are many great wines – not the rough plonk for which it had developed a bad reputation – being made in the region that are available here at quite reasonable prices. Of the dozens that we tasted, one particular wine really stood out: the 2007 Pierre Gaillard Transhumance. Both Glenn and I stood back and said “wow” and savored the sample. It was concentrated, but elegant, and I made a point to seek it out after the tasting.
With May 3 being Languedoc Wine Day on Twitter (#LanguedocDay), it seemed a perfect time to open this wine. Made by Pierre Gaillard, who is better known for his wines from the northern Rhône, Transhumance is a blend of 50% Syrah, 40% Grenache, and 10% Mourvedre. It is from a small appellation called Faugères, which has soils dominated by schist.
At five years old, it showed little sign of fatigue in the glass with a core of dark purple and lighter violet rim. The first aromas to arise from the wine were stone, dust, and minerality. This was followed by dark cherry, a bit of blueberry, leather, and smoke. Cherry jam, cocoa, and spice on the palate. While the acidity gave Transhumance a zippy freshness, the velvety tannins were rather light and short-lived. Spice and heat on the finish. Very good.
At The Vin Bin for $29.99.
by katrin on April 29, 2012
If ever a wine called to me from the shelf of a wine shop, it was this one. From the pink cow and butterflies on the label to the cork fastened down with loops of string to the enticing strawberry-salmon color that seems to shine in the clear bottle, I was destined to leave the store with the Meinklang. But only after the sales person assured me it was dry. After all, with an alcohol level of merely 10.5%, I wondered if this was going to be a sweet sipper. Low alcohol, pink, biodynamic, and the winemaker is a woman – could it get any better?
The nose and the palate are redolent of a basket of red, ripe summer fruits – strawberries, sour cherries, and raspberry. After the initial charge of intense, mouth-watering acidity, the wine’s light bubbles dance around in the mouth. There is just a hint of residual sugar, but with the acidity I was actually glad for it. Medium body and a long, red-berry finish. This wine became richer and more flavorful when it was between refrigerator and room temperature. Delicious.
At Brix on Broad for $19.99.
by katrin on April 22, 2012
One of the reasons I love Pinot Noir is for its pensive qualities, and I feel that a great Pinot needs to be enjoyed in a relaxed and nearly meditative manner. For me, no other varietal conjures that need for quiet. When I first smelled and tasted the 2007 Luca Pinot Noir, my first reaction was that it is both expressive and flashy. But like many well-made Pinot Noirs – and there’s no disputing that Laura Catena makes great wines – there is more here when one takes the time to study it. So beyond the initial aromas of cherry, baking spice, and cedar, the Luca also reveals delicate rose and boiled almond notes. Raspberry and leather dominate the palate. The rather restrained use of French oak barrels (30% new, 70% second use) provides some structure but doesn’t overpower the grapes. Medium body. The tannins are fairly soft and velvety, but the long-lasting acidity carries the red fruit and spice flavors. Very good, and ready for drinking right now.
At Marty’s for $36.99.
