Co-owners and winemakers Doug Lewis and Duncan McNabb established Lewis Wines in 2010 after both working in the wine industry in the Hill Country. Lewis is a Texas winery through and through, sourcing 100% Texas grapes from their estate as well as the High Plains. They seek to “remain invisible in the cellar, producing age-worthy wines that showcase the vintage, vineyard, and farming.” For this wine, they partnered with the Philips Vineyard in the High Plains to craft a Chenin Blanc that allows the grape to sing without much winemaking wizardry. Fermented in stainless steel and aged on the lees for seven months, this style of Chenin Blanc, a medium yellow in the glass, is bone-dry and has aromas of pear and apple which evolve into ginger, honey, tangerine, and minerality on the palate. Enjoying the Lewis with your favorite seafood platter from Hoochie’s will make your day.
The ‘Le Vert Galant’ depicts a king on its label. That is Henri IV, who ruled France from 1589 to 1610. His nickname was the “Green Gallant,” due to his, umm, affection towards the fairer sex (in other words, he was a vigorous man). But he also fell in love with an indigenous grape to the Loire Valley, Pineau d’Aunis. During the battle for Vendômois, he drank a lot of it; thus, his Royal Greenness is honored on this rosé. Skin contact of 36 hours developed both the coppery-salmon hue and the multiple layers of this wine. Considered a “very terroir-sensitive grape,” Pineau d’Aunis reflects the Coteaux du Vendômois with its herby garrigue-like aromas and its red berry and tropical fruit flavors. A perfect wine to pair with sushi and sashimi, try it with your preferred dish from Koji Sushi (they also serve cooked food!).
There really is a Pike Road, which runs adjacent to the Pike Road vineyards, meanders through lowland farms and deep into the Oregon Coast Range Mountains. From their website: “Our family's vineyards sit overlooking this captivating valley of hazelnut orchards and dairy farms, wheat fields and tree nurseries: Oregon’s bounty in the valleys.” The winemakers source fruit only from these local farms, including their own estate, living their mission of supporting small, family-owned businesses. Pike Road claims that Willamette Valley is the best place to grow New World Pinots, a result you can taste in your glass. Clear ruby in color, the wine offers cherry compote, strawberry, red plum, a touch of cola, and spice. Partaking a meal of the Stuffed Mushrooms from Graffiti Pasta alongside a glass of the Pike Road Pinot would be a glorious way to cap off your evening.
Founded in 1929, Kavaklidere Wines Inc. is one of the oldest and largest wine producers in all of Turkey. This red blend uses indigenous grapes, the noble grapes of the high elevation Anatolia region, Öküzgözü and Boğazkere. Boğazkere has strong tannins and structure, while Öküzgözü creates bright, fruit-driven wines (sounds similar to the relationship between Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot). As a blend, these two grapes make a medium (plus)-bodied wine that is age-worthy. The wine benefits from some oak aging to help soften the tannins. Ruby-hued in the glass, it beguiles you with notes of cherry and raspberry which give way to anise and some vanilla on the back of the palate. Upon researching this wine, over and over the phrase “Yakut is the legendary wine of Turkey” would appear, so appreciate this legend with the Linguine Carbonara from Fera’s Pasta and Pizza.
Tannat, the most planted grape in Uruguay, has roots in the southwest of France, near Madiran, close to the border of Spain. It was brought to Uruguay by Basque immigrants in the 19th century. Considered one of the most heart-healthy varieties due to its high levels of antioxidants and resveratrol, Tannat is usually a lushly colored grape with extra-thick skins and more seeds than average (closer to 5 when most grapes have 2-3). Due to its thick skins, it is a low-maintenance grape to grow; generally, it is less likely to be infected by pests, mold, fungus, and even cold fluctuations and frost. This underrated grape deserves some of our love and attention! The El Capricho, with a crafty fox on the label and a ruby color with a pinkish rim, imparts a unique herby-citrus-floral aroma, and once tasted, it bestows cherry, fig, and black tea flavors. The El Capricho deserves a spicy dish, like the Jumping Beef entrée from Andaman.
Wine guru Jancis Robinson calls the story behind Primitivo a “romantic thriller, a mystery I have been following over the past 30 years.” The tale, known as the ‘Zinquest,’ is alluring because Zinfandel was the most planted California grape until the second half of the 20th century when Cabernet usurped it. It wasn’t until the 1990s when DNA profiling suggested it was identical to the Primitivo grape grown in Puglia. As we have come to learn, Italian immigrants brought Primitivo cuttings when they moved to the United States. During this genetic analysis, it was also proven that Primitivo/Zinfandel are the same as a near extinct ancient Croatian variety internationally known as Tribidrag (but locally called Crljenak Kaštelanski). All in all, the grape is as bold as it is fascinating. The Luchi, deep ruby with salmon glints, emanates notes of cherry, dark plum, chocolate, spice, and smoke. While barbecue is always a good match, let’s honor its Mediterranean heritage by pairing a glass of Luchi with the Beef Kebabs from Layalina.
Valpolicella wines are nice, but by adding a little oomph, winemakers can make them transcendental. The Monte Zovo is just that: it incorporates ‘Superiore’ grapes, which means the winemaker had to follow more stringent rules than just the average wine. The Monte Zovo also uses the Ripasso technique; wines that use Ripasso (or second pass) are often called “Baby Amarones.” Such wines are made by adding the pressed grape skins from Amarone, a very robust, high-end wine, to Valpolicella juice, which then undergoes a second fermentation. The result is a more flavorful wine, with added body and structure. Intense red with garnet highlights, the Monte Zovo reveals violet and geranium notes on the nose. When tasted, black cherry and cassis pop and then meld into a luscious layer of dark fruits, vanilla, and cinnamon. Delight your senses by pairing this with the Arincini, which are fried risotto balls with fennel sausage, from Osteria Il Muro (if you can get in!).
Chip Lyeth was an adventurous person who turned his love of wine into his vocation. Following a trip to Bordeaux in 1972, he ditched his full-time job as a banker, studied viticulture at UC Davis, and bought land in Alexander Valley. His first Bordeaux-style blends were released in 1982 to critical acclaim. His near obsession with Bordeaux varietals won over several other amenable winemakers who also wanted to honor these prestigious grapes by founding the Meritage Association, whose mission became to create blends of at least two Bordeaux noble varieties, all grown in California. Furthermore, the Meritage signature denotes that only the highest quality grapes from a vintage will go into each bottle. This Lyeth Estate Meritage, brilliant garnet in the glass, blends Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petit Verdot into this delectable offering. Layered ripe red and dark fruits on the palate transform into mocha, baking spice, and cedar on the finish. Relish this unique Sonoma County blend with Vitello Matrigiana, a breaded veal dish served with brandy pepper sauce and mushrooms, from Giuseppe’s Italian.
Feb 29, 2024 at 10:49 AM
Permalink
Vinho Verde has been exported from Portugal since at least the 17th century. Historically, bubbles occurred because producers rushed to bottle the young wine before it had finished its fermentation process, so the small amount of sugar left converted to fizz when opened. More commonly today, carbon dioxide is added to create that ‘frizzante’ style. And while this wine will be perfect for spring and summer, it’s delicious all-year round. The name, of course, means ‘I love you,’ and the brand is an homage to the winemaker’s wife who suffered from breast cancer; he wanted to create a daily reminder of his feelings for her. Crisp and fizzy, the amo.te Vinho Verde is a blend of indigenous grapes: Loureiro, Arinto, and Trajadura. Both floral and fruity on the nose, it offers up notes of orange blossom, citrus, green apple, and white peach. It would pair well with the Vegan Tacos from Seven Mile Café.
Germany is almost always associated with white wines, but the country is the world’s third largest producer of Pinot Noir. Traditionally called Spätburgunder, the grape does well in cooler climates because of its thinner skins and necessity to ripen for longer periods of time. German Pinots are usually lighter in hue and body as well as alcohol by volume. However, some viticulturalists in Germany are amping up the oak and tannic structure to be more in line with fuller-bodied versions that many people enjoy. The Chiara lies somewhere in the middle. With its illusive and unattainable lady as the brand (‘Chiara’ in Latin does mean bright and clear, a contrast to what we see on the label), you will fall in love with this different iteration of Pinot Noir. It does have traditional Pinot red fruit like cherry and raspberry along with vanilla and spice, but the Chiara attracts you with its luminescent individuality. Imbibe on a glass alongside the BBQ Chicken Pizza from Pizza Patrón.
Morgon is one the largest and most prestigious of Beaujolais’ ten crus. At the heart of Morgon lies Côte du Py, a slope of old blue granite and schist, that produces age-worthy wines. In fact, the region’s soil is known (lovingly) as “rotten rock,” named for the decaying shale and igneous rock that gives Morgon wines its unique character. Because the terroir is so present when smelling and tasting Morgon wines, a new term has been added to the French winemaking vernacular: “morgon” used a verb. Wine-Searcher.com explains it the best: “Morgon wines age so distinctively and consistently that the region's name is often used as a verb to describe this: ‘il morgonne’ (‘it morgons’).” Made from 100% Gamay, the Domaine des Gaudets ‘morgons’ with aromas of cherry and stone fruit, adding plum and minerality to the finish. While lighter, nuttier cheeses would be a wonderful partner, try this alongside the Rotisserie Chicken from Cowboy Chicken.
Just like the coy, mysterious lady on the label, this wine teases you. The blend, a proprietary red, has been bourbon-barrel-aged for 3 months, so a kiss of sweet and rich spice lingers on the palate. But this wine also surprises you, with its medium-bodied nature, but given its origins in the cool-climate region of the Central Valley in Chile, it makes sense that the Secret Mistress isn’t overly extracted or juicy. Bordeaux grapes are the most widely grown varieties in the Central Valley, so while we can’t guess all the secrets behind this wine, we can surmise there might be some Cabernet and Merlot in the bottle (Petit Verdot, Syrah, and Carmenère are also grown in this region, but who knows?!). This red blend is a series of contradictions, courting you with its affectations of cherry, blackberry, anise, and caramel. Get your carbs on with the Brisket-Loaded Baked Potato from the Chubz Spudz Food Truck.
Domaine de l’Ecu achieved an organic certification in 1972, long before it was cool, and has championed biodynamic farming, becoming Demeter certified, in 1998. This is the primary reason for the ‘Love and Grapes’ label. The brand is meticulous about respecting the natural world and letting the fruit shine without a lot of winemaking modifications. Although Domaine de l’Ecu is based in the Loire Valley, viticulturist Fred Niger works on negociant side-projects where he buys grapes from other regions, creating fun wines like this Nobis Syrah (fun fact: ‘nobis’ in Latin means ‘us,’ so that name probably has something to do with interconnectedness – or the two lovers kissing on the label!). Perfect with a slight chill, the Nobis is both floral and rustic, culminating in black cherry, raspberry, black pepper, and those subtle meaty notes that Syrah can convey. This wine will be complemented with a Gyro from Feta’s Lone Star Greek food truck, parked outside Oak Street Drafthouse.
We offer you a magnum, for your pleasure (pun intended—the theme is, after all, about seduction). The Masciarelli uses 100% estate-grown Montepulciano fruit. Led by mother-daughter team Marina Cvetić and Miriam Lee Masciarelli, the winery is the only one in Abruzzo to own land in all four provinces, making the Masciarelli name a standard-bearer for the region. Montepulciano is a delightful, accessible everyday drinker with its medium body, alcohol level, and tannins—with, of course, higher acidity—this is an Italian red, after all! It will please you with its bright cherry and red plum flavors met with spice and smoke. And you get twice the amount in this super-sized bottle! Grab the spaghetti and meatballs from local Italian market Di Abruzzo, light some candles at your table, and enjoy this crowd-pleasing wine.
Clinton ‘Doc’ McPherson is a founding father of the Texas wine industry. “What started out as experimental vine planting in the 1960s—at a time when there were virtually none in the entire state—evolved into an extraordinary framework that has since shaped the Texas High Plains landscape today” (from www.mcphersoncellars.com/our-story/). Son and current winemaker Kim McPherson went to UC Davis to study enology and viticulture in the 1970s, first working in Napa; later he returned to Texas to work at Llano Estacado with his father, and then he pioneered his own label in 2000. The ’Les Copains’ exudes what Texas wine royalty can lovingly craft—you will ‘befriend’ this juicy red, resplendent of Rhone varietals. Consisting of 37% Carignan, 30% Mourvèdre, 22% Syrah 6% Cinsault, and 5% Counoise, it offers up notes of black tea, wild strawberries, plum, and cracked black pepper. Consume the ‘Les Copains’ with Chestnut Tree’s pork loin Saltimbocca.
Averaging 80-year-old ungrafted vines in the region, Bodegas Vatan has sourced concentrated berries from the most prestigious vineyards in Toro for the ‘Tritón.’ A grape with seemingly endless nicknames, ‘Tinto de Toro’ is the local name for Tempranillo, Spain’s most popular grape. The old vines in Toro have adapted to extreme drought conditions and even staved off the phylloxera outbreak in the 19th century. However, because Toro is not as glamorous of a region as the more well-known Rioja, Priorat, or Ribera del Duero, it is often overlooked by wine authorities for its contributions. To assist, luxury brand LVMH bought some of the Toro parcels to ensure the region gets the attention it deserves. And we should shower it with the love it deserves. The ‘Tritón’ is elegant and fulfilling. Aromas of blueberry jam coax you to take a sip, resulting in layers of plum, blackberry, cassis, anise, and cigar box. The oak is not overly present on the ‘Tritón,’ and the tannins are velvety. Enjoy it with something spicy, like Chile Rellenos from El Matador.
Feb 2, 2024 at 8:07 AM
Permalink