Contributed by: Joe Roberts
Too often, the zesty side of Vermentino is lost when exposed to the intense Tuscan sunshine. Not so with the delightful La Mora Vermentino from Cecchi. While obvious from its melon fruit notes that it comes from a sunny clime, La Mora is a white that exudes a nice line of minerality and refreshment, making it ideal for sipping in warmer weather.
Contributed by: Joe Roberts
It's not difficult to appreciate Prosecco's crowd-pleasing popularity when tasting Zardetto's Z Brut. This is, simply put, a bubbly that is easy to love. It's approachable and fruity, and so eminently drinkable, but it also has surprising complexity and depth for a Glera-based sparkler, which means it should be a hit at just about any party where sparkling wine is on the menu.
Contributed by: Joe Roberts
Two of the great things about Rioja are that they hold their reds until they are ready to drink, and they have a unique category - Reserva - that sits between the fruity entry level wines of the region, and the area's more overtly oak-aged Gran Riserva style. That middle ground puts Bodegas Riojanas' Vina Albina Reserva in a sweet spot; its enticing cherry fruit flavors and tobacco notes are balanced by ample freshness, making it a versatile, food-friendly red.
Contributed by: Joe Roberts
Knudsen have been making fine wine in Oregon for forty-five years, since Cal and Julia Lee's decision to convert a former walnut orchard into vineyard land. Their 2015 Chardonnay is a stunner, and well worth the expensive price tag. With lemon zest, toast, and white flower aromas, and tropical fruit flavors, this is a balanced, intriguing wine, and one that showcases Oregon's prowess beyond Pinot Noir.
Contributed by: Joe Roberts
Malmsey Madeira, at its worst, can be so sweet as to be the vinous equivalent of treacly. At its best? That's more like being able to drink the soul of the best pecan pie that you've ever tasted. Blandy's 1999 vintage Malmsey fits more into the latter category; after sixteen years in the company's seasoned American oak casks and multi-level canteira aging system, it's a wine of impeccable depth, spiciness, and vivacity (and, yes, sweetness).
Contributed by: Joe Roberts
You could, quite easily, enjoy this Turbiana-based white and drink up its floral, zesty fruitiness poolside during the Summer, and not think twice about it. But you'd be better served buying two bottles: one to sip in the warm Summer months, and another to lay down in your cellar. This Lugana has the creamy peach fruit, minerality, and acidic scaffolding to suggest that it will become a fine, honeyed delight in a few years.
Contributed by: Joe Roberts
Sonoma's Rodney Strong is best known for their big-but-beautiful take on high-end California Cabernet-based reds. So this perky little rose might come as a surprise to some Rodney Strong fans, albeit a pleasant one. Served with a slight chill, there are notes of roses, watermelon, and red cherries, making it a delight to drink as an aperitif.
Contributed by: Joe Roberts
The Melville family has been known to say “we don’t make wine; we grow wine. We’re more like ‘sashimi style’ winemaking.” With that mentality, they've been building up quite a good reputation for their hands-off approach to crafting California wine. Exhibit A: their 2013 estate Pinot Noir. This is a wine that combines the ample dark fruitiness of the CA style with more contemplative depth, by way of notes of tea leaves, cloves, forest floor, and baking spices.
Contributed by: Joe Roberts
Red blends are all the rage at the moment, which means that you are just as likely to find a disappointing one as you are a tasty one. Consider the MontGras Ninquen Mountain Vineyard red to be decidedly in the latter category. This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah might cause skepticism on paper, but in the bottle it's well-balanced, delicious, and just about equal parts juicy, earthy, and spicy.
Contributed by: Joe Roberts
Portugal's Vinho Verde region is probably best known for pleasant, early-drinking white wines, which is why Quinta de Soalheiro's Alvarinho is so surprising. Sure, it's as vibrant as one might expect a white wine to be from the region, but it has riper stone fruit flavors, more textural complexity, and ages in bottle far better than you would expect (and certainly at a lower price than you'd anticipate).
