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When I was attending college, my curriculum was mostly made up of science and math courses with a lot of time spent in labs. Unlike many of my classmates who did not share my enthusiasm, it was a treat for me to fill in my schedule with a few art, music and English classes. One of the highlights was a mythology course that almost changed the direction of my chosen path in life. I loved the stories about deities and their significance and influence in various cultures and history.  Statue of Dionysus, God of wine. The Vatican Museum. So, one can imagine my delight when I was gifted a copy of The Mythology of Wine by Arthur George, a winemaker and mythologist. A book about wine and mythology? Yes!  This is a well-written book that is only 160 pages but packed with fascinating information and quotes from religious writings to the classics such as Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey. The author covers the importance of wine in mythology, in ancient civilizations, religion, rituals, and how these mythical stories have influenced today’s wine culture. It is an engaging and quick read. Arthur George is a retired lawyer living in Santa Barbara County, California. As George states, “I’m following my bliss as a viticulturist and winemaker, with my own vineyard.” He is also a mythologist, cultural historian and author of three additional books. He gives lectures and writes posts about the mythology of wine.  Arthur George in his vineyard. Photo courtesy of Arthur George I asked Arthur what motivated him to write this book. He replied, “My reasons for writing this book were threefold. First, it combines two of my major interests, mythology and wine. I am a longtime wine enthusiast who has built up a body of knowledge about wine over the years, and recently became a viticulturist and winemaker (now on my 5th vintage), which really deepened my knowledge of the subject and has allowed me to appreciate and evaluate wines better. That, in turn, led me further into wine mythology and history. Second, being a cultural historian, I saw that most wine enthusiasts, as well as certified wine professionals, don't know much about how wine was the subject of so many myths in the cultures of the ancient world, and how they in turn ultimately influenced today's wine culture and culture in general. There is a gap in wine education as currently practiced; it just doesn't address the subject. I wrote the book in part to fill that gap. And third, for most people, this is a novel subject and is both interesting and fun to talk about. The information in the book makes for good conversations at dinner and at cocktail parties. For this purpose, I wanted to make the book not too long or technical and easy to read.” If you love reading about wine, history, mythology and religion, then pour yourself a glass of wine and read this book!  Photo credit: Penny Weiss I will end this story with a quote taken from Chapter Five, Concluding Thoughts (first paragraph, page 153) from The Mythology of Wine.
“In the modern age we no longer believe the old wine myths and legends, except in Judeo-Christian belief in regard to wine-related stories in the Bible. By and large our society now thinks of wine in secular terms, not as something divine. But our psyche which produced the wine myths that satisfied our psychological needs for so many centuries has remained the same. Both Dionysus and Christ are still within us, and they are crying out for us to experience them. This suggests that wine still should have a place in enriching our emotional and spiritual lives.” Until next time… Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at wineknittercomments@gmail.com I am on the virtual road again, this time visiting Viña Ventisquero Winery with seven prime vineyards located throughout many of Chile’s wine regions.  Photo courtesy of Ventisquero Winery Gonzalo Val, President of Agrosuper, one of Chile’s largest agro-industrial companies, owns the winery. Founded in 1998, Ventisquero was first established in the Maipo Valley, which is one of Chile’s most important wine-producing regions. Since then, Ventisquero has expanded and diversified its holdings to include vineyards in Casablanca, Colchagua and Leyda Valleys and the Atacama Desert.  Felipe Tosso, head winemaker, along with winemakers Alejandro Galaz and John Duval make up an adventurous team that endeavors to explore, experiment and make an exception to the rule when producing wine. Their main quest is to preserve and honor the origins, the earth and its fruit. Above photos are courtesy of Ventisquero. From left to right: Felipe Tosso, Alejandro Galaz and John Duval Some of you might be asking, “What is a single block wine?” A vineyard is usually divided up into blocks/parcels. A single block wine is made from a single variety that is sourced from a single block within a single vineyard. I recently received four bottles of Ventisquero Grey Line Single Block wines for review.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss I asked Felipe Tosso what the motivation was behind making single block wines. He replied, “The main vision for creating single block wines was to add more value to the concept of "origins" and uniqueness of our vineyards. We found in our vineyards certain blocks with unique characteristics. We delimited and isolated these vineyards and created unique wines for our Grey Line, a commitment to terroir and a wine that is outstanding. Our main goal at Ventisquero is always to express the concept of origin and our Grey Single Block line is exactly the expression of Maipo, Colchagua and Atacama.” Grey Line Single Block Carménère 2017 This 100% Carménère is sourced from Block 5 of the Trinidad Vineyard in the Coastal Maipo Valley. The vineyard has atypical soil, sandy-clay in origin. The wine was aged for 18 months in extra fine-grain French oak barrels and then further aged in the bottle for eight months.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Tantalizing aromas of dark fruit, dark raspberry, spice and earth make their way onto the palate. Notes of plum, black cherry, pepper and a hint of baking spice add to its complexity with lush dark fruit lingering on a long finish. This is an elegant wine that is beautifully balanced with smooth tannins and fresh acidity. Pair with grilled meat, game, hearty stews and seared tuna. Alcohol: 13.5% SRP: $24 Grey Line Single Block Pinot Noir 2017 This wine is 100% Pinot Noir. Grapes are sourced from Block 22 in the Las Terrazas vineyard located only four miles from the Pacific Ocean in the Leyda Valley. The soil here is a combination of granite, red clay and granite rock. A maritime influence contributes to minerality in the wines. It is aged for 12 months in French oak barrels.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Subtle floral aromas mix with red berries, sweet spice and sour cherry. The palate offers juicy plum, black raspberry, spice and mineral notes. Excellent acidity and soft tannins make this a very food-friendly wine. Enjoy with seafood, pasta, fowl, salads and cheese. Alcohol: 13.5% SRP: $24 Grey Line Single Block Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 This is a blend of 93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Petit Verdot and 3% Cabernet Franc sourced from Block 38 in the Trinidad Vineyard of the Maipo Valley. Cool climate and granite soils contribute to this expressive wine. It was aged for 18 months in extra fine-grain French oak barrels.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Delectable aromas of red fruit, dark berries, spice, earth and a hint of tobacco set the stage for this impressive wine. Intense flavors of red plum, red berries, spice, pepper and a touch of floral add to the character of this wine. It is nicely balanced with silky tannins and good acidity. Serve with aged cheese, grilled meat and hearty stews. Alcohol: 13.5% SRP: $24 Grey Line Single Block Garnacha Cariñena Mataro (GCM) 2017 Grapes for this wine were sourced from Block 28 in the La Roblería, Vineyard in Apalta sub-region of Colchagua Valley. The vineyard is a short distance from the River Tinguiririca, and benefits from the mesoclimate and stony-sandy, red clay soils. This typical Mediterranean-style blend is 62% Garnacha, 19% Cariñena and 19% Mataro. It is the only red wine blend in the Grey Line. The wine is aged in extra fine-grain French oak barrels for six months, followed by a minimum of one month in the bottle.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Aromas of fresh red fruit, savory notes, strawberry, sour cherry and spice segue onto the palate with plum, red berries, herbs, spice and tobacco. A touch of minerality blends nicely with the acidity and smooth tannins, adding to the wine’s complexity. This wine was not filtered or clarified, so natural sediment may appear over time. The winemaker recommends decanting this wine for 30 minutes prior to serving. Enjoy as an aperitif or with aged cheese, grilled meat, chicken, or seared tuna.
Alcohol: 14% SRP: $24 The talented winemakers of Ventisquero have successfully bottled the Chilean terroir! These are expressive wines that capture the essence of the various vineyards and blocks they represent. I asked Felipe what goals in winemaking he might still be looking to achieve. Felipe said, “This December marks 20 years for me working at Ventisquero, a very important milestone in my career as a Winemaker. Throughout these 20 years, the winery has given me the liberty and the chance to experiment, propose, and create amazing wines. I am quite lucky for that. Having the chance to plant in terroirs so special and different such as the Atacama Desert, for example for TARA Wines, and in the altitudes of Apalta, passing through Maipo Valley, Leyda and Casablanca. Working with one of the most talented winemakers in the world, and my friend, John Duval, has been a great achievement and an amazing adventure for me. I think I have achieved all of my goals as a winemaker. For my years to come, I wish to keep making wines, which reflect our diverse and wonderful Chilean terroir in each and every bottle. My approach to winemaking will always be to reflect the places where these grapes were born.” Until next time… Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at wineknittercomments@gmail.com Leave it to the third-generation Pasqua brothers to add a bit of wry humor and elegance to a bottle of wine. Always thinking outside the box and tending to break the rules when it comes to wine production, they recently introduced a new wine to their portfolio.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Pasqua Vigneti é Cantine is a family-run business located in Verona in northeast Italy’s Veneto region. They have complete control over 741 acres of vineyards (1/3 is estate-owned) that spread from Lake Garda to Soave. (To read more about the winery, please refer to the menu on the right-hand side of this page.)  Pasqua’s newest wine is called “HEY FRENCH, 1st Edition”. The inscription on the front label reads, “You could have done this but you didn’t.” The label is a nod to the French regions and winemakers that inspire the brothers. It is meant to be “gentle humor” and Alessandro Pasqua said, “Luckily there are many who enjoy a good joke! The first account to take this wine was a Michelin-starred French restaurant!” Although the label is a little lost on me, the wine itself is serious and captivating! This “First Edition” is a Super-Bianco blend of four vintages, 2013, 2015, 2016 and 2017, the best four vintages of the last decade for the winery. Each vintage is a blend of 60% Garganega rounded out by Pinot Bianco and Sauvignon Blanc. The grapes are sourced from several parcels of a 4.5-hectare vineyard located on the Veronese side of Monte Calvarina in the easternmost section of Soave Classico. The vineyard reaches 600 meters above sea level, providing fresh and breezy summers and large temperature swings during the ripening period. Soil is of volcanic origin and provides the mineral expression and potential for long-lived wines. Each vintage went through the same vinification and aging process. All the wine was aged for six months in French oak tonneaux. (large barrels) The wine was then placed in steel tanks for further refinement  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Pasqua ‘Hey French’ Bianco Veneto IGT The color of this wine is golden yellow with soft aromas of floral, honeysuckle, minerality and a hint of nuts. Notes of floral, citrus, melon, pear and peach integrate nicely with minerality and acidity on the palate. This wine is complex and well structured, giving ample expression of the terroir. Alcohol: 13.5% SRP: $40 Enjoy as an aperitif or pair with seafood, light casseroles and vegetarian cuisine. I made a delicious Roasted Tomato and White Bean Stew with Escarole that paired beautifully with this wine!  Photo credit: Penny Weiss  Photo credit: Penny Weiss To the third-generation family members, I say, “Hey Pasqua brothers, you could have, you should have, and you did!”
Until next time… Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at wineknittercomments@gmail.com In my home, one doesn’t need a special occasion or excuse to pop open a bottle of sparkling wine. And these days, the gentle sound of a cork being coaxed from a bottle of bubbly, is music to my ears! With the holidays upon us, having a few bottles of sparkling wine on hand will most certainly add a little sparkle to the festivities! And I highly endorse those occasional “just because” moments as well!  Here are a few suggestions of sparkling wines from around the world ranging in price from $11 to $54.99  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Casas del Mar Blanc de Blancs NV Cava Brut This Cava is produced by Casas del Mar estate located in Catalonia, Spain. It is a blend of 40% Xarello (from 70-year-old vines, 30% Macabeu and 30% Parallada. Grapes are harvested from the Penedès appellation in the Catalonia region. It is made using the Méthode Traditionnelle, the same method used in the Champagne district of France, where the second fermentation takes place in the bottle. This Cava is aged on the lees between 18 & 24 months before disgorgement.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Nose: Apples, citrus and pleasant yeast aromas Palate: White stone fruit, melon, floral, and a touch of spice Alcohol: 12% SRP: $11 Roscato Rosso Dolce IGT This is a delicately sweet and refreshing wine from the Lombardy region in northern Italy and is produced in the Moscato d’Asti style. It is a blend of three indigenous grapes, Croatina, Teroldego and Lagrein, in addition to a few international grapes. Each variety is vinified separately before blending. It has a screw cap, no cork to pop, but it is still a festive wine to pour!  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Nose: Dark berries, cherry, red raspberry Palate: This wine is frizzante (gently sparkling wine) with notes of berries and has a nice balance between sweetness and acidity. Not only will it complement desserts, but this wine will also pair beautifully with spicy cuisine! Serve chilled. Alcohol: 7% SRP: $12.99 Domaine Bousquet Sparkling Rosé Brut NV The grapes for this rosé are harvested from vineyards in Tupungato, Alto Gualtallary in Argentina at the foothills of the Andes at 4000 ft. altitude. It is a blend of (organic) 75% Pinot Noir and 25% Chardonnay and made using the Charmat Method.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Nose: Cherry, red berries, citrus, a touch of floral Palate: Strawberry, ruby grapefruit, red berries, delicate bubbles. Alcohol: 12.5% SRP: $13 Paul Cheneau Lady of Spain Cava Brut NV Giró Ribot is the producer of this wine located in the heart of the Penedès appellation in Catalonia, Spain. They own 247 acres of vineyards of the indigenous Macabeo, Xarel·lo and Parellada grapes, with which Cavas are produced. This wine is made using the Méthode Traditionnelle and is a blend of 45% Macabeo, 40% Xarel·lo and 15% Parellada. It is bottle aged for 12-15 months.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Nose: Citrus, light peach, brioche Palate: Dry, fine and persistent bubbles, fresh fruit, stone fruit. Nicely balanced between acidity and alcohol with a long finish. This is an eye-catching bottle that doesn’t disappoint when opened. Alcohol: 12% SRP: $14.99 Côté Mas Crémant de Limoux Brut NV This sparkling wine is produced by Domaines Paul Mas located in the southern French region of Languedoc. The grapes for this wine are sourced from Crémant de Limoux appellation. It is a blend of 60% Chardonnay, 20% Chenin Blanc, 10% Pinot Noir, and 10% Mauzac. It is produced using the Méthode Traditionnelle. After primary fermentation, the “Liqueur de Tirage,” a blend of sugar and yeast, is added to the juice a few hours before bottling. After one year of aging, the lees are expelled and the “Liqueur de Dosage” is added and aged an additional twelve months.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Nose: Apples, peaches, melon, honeysuckle Palate: Citrus, candied lemon, tart apple and crisp acidity with a touch of citrus zest on the finish. Alcohol: 12% SRP: $’’19.99 Bottega Gold Prosecco DOC NV This wine is produced by Bottega SpA, headquartered in Treviso in the Veneto region of northern Italy. 100% Glera grapes are hand-harvested from manually maintained and sustainable vineyards in Treviso Plains. It is produced using the Martinotti (Charmat, tank) method. “The gilded bottle also protects the wine from light, preserving the wine's clean and refreshing aromas.”  Image courtesy of Bottega SpA Nose: Floral, apples and citrus Palate: Pear, apple, pink grapefruit, floral. Creamy mouthfeel, fine and persistent perlage with apples and a touch of honey lingering on the finish. Alcohol: 11% SRP: $32.99 Champagne Boizel Brut Réserve NV This Brut Réserve is produced by the Boizel House, established in 1834 and located in Épernay, in the heart of Champagne. The grapes for this cuvée is a blend of 55% Pinot Noir, 30% Chardonnay and 15% Pinot Meunier. “The still wines (vins clairs) from the year are blended with 30% of reserve wines kept from the previous two harvests, ensuring consistency. By using reserve wines within two vintages only, Boizel is able to preserve freshness in their wines, a signature trait of their winemaking style. “ The wine is aged for three years on its lees, in the bottle.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Nose: Floral, white stone fruit, citrus and pastry Palate: Peach, apricot, toast, citrus notes, minerality, nice acidity and persistent mousse. Alcohol: 12% SRP: $49.99 Champagne Vollereaux Rosé de Saignée Brut NV Champagne Vollereaux produces this 100% Pinot Noir rosé. They are a sixth generation family winery located in Pierry, France. “Vollereaux is one of the very few champagne wineries to use the traditional saigne method of maceration for its Rosé Champagne, which involves bleeding off a portion of pink juice during red wine production (as opposed to blending red and white wine together). This process occurs after a short contact with the grape skins and seeds.” The juice spends three years on lees, more than twice the time required by appellation rules.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Nose: Strawberry and juicy red berries, vanilla and bread dough.
Palate: Strawberry, kirsch and citrus mingle with berries and cream. It is dry with fine bubbles, vibrant acidity and a hint of brioche and minerality that linger on a long finish. Alcohol: 12% SRP: $54.99 Pair the above wines with your favorite cheese, desserts, and holiday meals, or enjoy as an aperitif. And if you are stuck on what to give the 21+ drinkers on your “holiday/birthday/just because” list, these wines make beautiful gifts! If you would like more information on the regions and wine production methods, please visit the menu on the right and click on the category of interest. Until next time… Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at wineknittercomments@gmail.com The holidays are almost upon us, and many will be celebrating either alone or with immediate family. But that’s no reason to curb the festivities. In fact, this year, more than ever, it is important to embrace our traditions and be thankful for family and friends that are still with us. In addition to sparkling wines, which I will be talking about in the next week or so, here are a few light still wine suggestions for your holiday table. These versatile and food-friendly wines will pair nicely with poultry, fish, vegetarian cuisine and latkes!  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Cavit Pinot Noir IGT 2018 The grapes for this 100% Pinot Noir come from the vineyards of Provincia di Pavia in the Lombardy region of Italy. After fermentation, the wine rests on its lees in large oak barrels until release.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Aromas of floral, cherry and cranberry segue onto the palate with dark cherry notes, red berries and a hint of spice. This is a well-structured wine with silky tannins and a long finish. Serve as an aperitif or with your favorite meal! Alcohol: 12% SRP: $9.99 Nik Weis St. Urbans-Hof Wiltinger Kabinett Riesling 2018 Wiltinger is a village located in the Saar valley of Germany. The vineyard is on a site called Schlangengraben. It is noted for its reddish slate soil, a color that is derived from the iron content that adds minerality and spice to the wines. The vineyard was planted in 1905 and is one of the oldest in the entire Mosel region. These old vines have deep roots and produce small berries that create intense, lively, aromatic and complex wines. This wine has a VDP Ortswein classification, meaning that it comes from a village’s best vineyards.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Intoxicating aromas of floral, stone fruit, spice and a touch of smokiness set the stage for this succulent wine. The palate offers peach, apricot, pear, spice and slate minerality blended with crisp acidity. It has depth and structure with a restrained residual sweetness. Serve as an aperitif or with fish, Asian cuisine and white meat. Alcohol: 9% SRP: $19.99 Mandrarossa Costadune Frappato Terre Siciliane IGT 2017 According to Wines of Sicily, “Frappato is believed to have its origins in the Ragusa province of Sicily around 300 years ago. It is characterized as a light and refreshing wine. Nose: full bouquet, cherry Palate: mild tannins violet, strawberries.” Grapes for this 100% Frappato wine were sourced from vineyards at 820 ft. above sea level in Menfi, southwest Sicily. The wine matures for eight months in steel vats.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Lush red fruit aromas, floral and spice set the stage for this light-bodied wine. The palate offers a juicy array of cherries, strawberry, a hint of red plum, sweet spice and a touch of sour cherry that lingers on the finish. It is beautifully balanced between sweet and savory and ideal for a variety of food pairings. Try serving it slightly chilled. Alcohol: 13% SRP: $17.99 Pfaffl Grüner Veltliner Weinviertel DAC Zeisen, 2018 Austria’s most significant and indigenous white grape variety is Grüner Veltliner. This dry wine is known for its vibrant acidity and flavors of pepper and citrus. The grapes for this 100% Grüner Veltliner are harvested from 43-year-old vines located in the Weinviertel appellation of Austria. The wines are bottled after spending four months in stainless steel tanks. As per Austrian Wine, ““DAC” stands for “Districtus Austriae Controllatus” and is the legal abbreviation for special region-typical quality wines. Thus, if a label states the winegrowing region followed by the letter combination DAC, we are talking about a region-typical quality wine.”  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Citrus, herbs, spice and pepper delight the nose. This is a very crisp and juicy wine with flavors of key lime, pepper, spice, herbs, a touch of minerality and a zingy and peppery finish. It is a refreshing wine and will leave your palate craving for another sip. Serve as an aperitif or pair with poultry, smoked salmon and oysters. Alcohol: 13% SRP: $18.99 Saget La Perrière “La Perrière” Sancerre 2019 Sancerre is a small wine appellation in the Loire Valley wine region of France. It is famous for its production of white wines made from Sauvignon Blanc. As cited by Loire Valley Wines, “Centre-Loire region is at the center of France. It is the original home of Sauvignon Blanc and of Sancerre, the world’s most prestigious Sauvignon Blanc wine that sets international standards for the grape.” This 100% Sauvignon Blanc is sourced from vineyards in the Centre-Loire region. The wine is aged on fine lees for three to four months, then bottled and aged for at least five months in the cellar.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Lovely aromas of white stone fruit and floral mingle with citrus and a touch of minerality. The palate is lush, rich and creamy with added notes of melon, lemon, pink grapefruit, pear, a hint of herbs and a flinty finish. It is a beautiful marriage of flavors and vibrant acidity. Drink as an aperitif or pair with fish, poultry, seafood and appetizers.
Alcohol: 13.5% SRP: $39.99 The above wines are meant to be enjoyed all year round. Indulge your palate and have fun mixing and matching with your favorite food pairings. Until next time… Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at wineknittercomments@gmail.com The weather has been gloriously warm and inviting the past few days. And I, for one, am enjoying this brief throwback to summer. It was made even better by the perfect timing of a few samples of Albariño wine that arrived on my doorstep.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss These wines hail from DO Rías Baixas, which is located in the northwestern corner of Spain in the Galicia region. The Miño River separates it from Portugal to the south.  Map courtesy of DO RÃas Baixas Rías Baixas is divided into five growing areas (sub-zones) running from north to south. More than 99% of wines produced here are white, with Albariño, an indigenous grape, representing 96% of all plantings. The Atlantic Ocean is a key influence on the climate in Rías Baixas, with each sub-zone differing in grape varieties, terroir, microclimates and winemaking techniques. However, one main theme is the granite soils that are dominant throughout the region. The wines all share a common thread with characteristics of a soft yellow color, floral aromatics, vibrant acidity, fresh and dry, with mineral overtones. Bodegas La Val Albariño DO 2019 The vineyards for this wine are located in the sub-zone of O Rosal, located at the river Miño. O Rosal enjoys warm weather with granite bedrock and alluvial topsoil. Terraced hillside vineyards stretch along the sides of the Miño. This 100% Albariño is a blend of two of the winery’s estate vineyards.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss A lovely bouquet of floral blends with white stone fruit and citrus that continues onto the palate. Notes of peach, apricot, pear, citrus and a touch of herbs linger on the finish. This is a fresh and lively wine. Pair with seafood, roasted chicken, appetizers and light pasta. Or enjoy it as an aperitif! Alcohol: 13% SRP: $16.99 Condes De Albarei Albariño DO 2019 The vineyards for this wine are located in the sub-zone of Val do Salnés. It is considered the birthplace of the Albariño grape and it is the original and oldest sub-zone of Rías Baixas. It has the most area grape plantings and is home to the largest cluster of wineries than any of the other sub-zones. Vineyards are planted on both slopes and flat valley floors. It is the coolest and wettest sub-zone with soils that are granitic, rocky and alluvial. For this wine, only vines that are older than 23 years are used and are hand-selected.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Vibrant aromas of floral, pineapple, white stone fruit and citrus segue onto the palate. Melon, hints of orange and a touch of minerality linger on the finish. It is well balanced with crisp acidity. Enjoy as an aperitif or serve with seafood, salads and grilled veggies. Alcohol: 13% SRP: $18 Señorío De Rubiós Robaliño Albariño DO 2019 The vineyards for this wine are located in the sub-zone of Condado do Tea. It is named after the river Tea, a tributary of the Miño River. This is the second-largest sub-region of the Rías Baixas. It is a relatively mountainous area along the Miño, with a warmer and drier area more inland. The average temperature here is 59 degrees but can reach 104 degrees during the summer. Soils contain granite and slate.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss The nose is met with enticing aromas of floral, peach, apricot and notes of minerality. This is a rich and silky wine with notes of grapefruit, peach and apricot on the palate. Good structure and vibrant acidity follow through to the finish with white stone fruit, grapefruit and a hint of herb lingering. Enjoy as an aperitif or serve with seafood, appetizers, white meat and cheese.
Alcohol: 12.5% SRP: $19 All of these wines can be enjoyed year-round, but I’m taking advantage of the warm weather to drink them now! Until next time… Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at wineknittercomments@gmail.com I had every intention of sitting down to write a wine story today. There is certainly no shortage of wine and spirits to explore. Samples are delivered to my home almost daily, in addition to frequent virtual wine tastings. But I need to pause. The world is watching the United States as it waits with bated breath for the outcome of the Presidential election, and the anxiety that we all feel is palpable. I thought perhaps I would write a story about “go-to” election drinks to get us all through a very stressful time. But it just doesn’t seem fitting for this particular election, when our future and our children’s future hangs in the balance. Instead, I will embrace the day, breathe slowly and soak up the sun and fresh air. And perhaps this evening I’ll open an old vintage wine.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Whether it is a special bottle of wine, a glass of aged bourbon, a power walk, yoga, listening to music, dancing or breathing exercises, do whatever it takes to relieve the election stress. Find your inner peace, and remember to breathe!  I will be back in a few days with stories and hopefully, after the election results, peace of mind!
Until next time… Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at wineknittercomments@gmail.com The “new norm” for socializing and engaging with friends and family for the past seven months has mainly been conducted online. This is also true for meeting with winemakers, participating in virtual wine tastings and experiencing life abroad while sitting in my living room. Recently, I took part in a virtual wine tasting and food pairing hosted by Italian winemaker Sandro Bottega, co-owner of Bottega SpA headquartered in Bibano, Treviso in the Veneto region of northern Italy. The company produces Prosecco DOC and grappa here. In addition, they have another winery in Conegliano for the production of Prosecco DOCG. Bottega also manages wineries in Valpolicella and Montalcino.  Bottega Winery Headquarters Photo courtesy of Bottega. Sandro is third-generation of this family-owned company founded almost 40 years ago by his father, Aldo Bottega, a Master Distiller. What began with the family’s forefathers in the 17th century through the 1920s working and cultivating the vines as tenant farmers, landowners and wine traders, eventually evolved over time with Aldo Bottega following his passion for making grappa. In 1977, Aldo established his own distillery, Distilleria Bottega. After Aldo’s passing in 1983, his son Sandro became the company director and together with his siblings Barbara and Stefano, the company has grown to include the production of sparkling and still wines and liqueurs. In 1992, Bottega released its first sparkling wine. The company manages several different brands, among which are Bottega sparkling wines, Alexander Grappa and Accademia.  Sandro Bottega Photo courtesy of Bottega. Bottega’s motto is “Fatto A Mano”, which means ‘handmade’. Their mission is to work and achieve the highest levels of quality, design and sustainability. Our wine tasting for the afternoon included sparkling wines, a chocolate liqueur and gin. The food was provided by igourmet.com  Photo credit: Penny Weiss  Photo credit: Penny Weiss All of the bottles are beautifully designed and made of hand-blown Venetian glass in Bottega’s glass factory. I asked Sandro what his motivation was for using Venetian glass for his products. Sandro said, “It is important to make a completely original product from the wine or grappa to the packaging in an expression of our territory and of our culture. Another important reason I use this glass is that I like it! In my company, everything I do is not only because it is a business, but it has to be first and foremost because I like it.” Academia Prosecco Rainbow Collection is a brand that celebrates the art of Venetian glassmaking and the city’s festive carnival atmosphere. Each bottle of this collection contains Prosecco DOC. There are eight colors to choose from (black and white bottles not shown in photo) and can be combined to “create a rainbow of emotions”. Mix and match to celebrate specific holidays or events. They make great gifts for the upcoming holidays!  Photo courtesy of Bottega. Prosecco Spumante DOC Brut 100% Glera grapes are hand-harvested from manually maintained and sustainable vineyards in Treviso Plains. The wine is produced using the Martinotti (Charmat, tank) method. The color of this sparkling wine is pale lemon with lovely aromas of floral, apples and citrus. It is fresh and lively with flavors of apple, pear, pink grapefruit and a touch of floral. It has a creamy mouthfeel, fine bubbles and apples lingering on the finish. This wine was paired with a variety of cheeses, cold cuts, olives and pesto crackers. Alcohol: 11% SRP: $17.99 Il Vino dell’Amore Petalo Moscato Spumante Dolce 100% Moscato grapes are hand-harvested from vineyards in the Euganean Hills of Veneto. These hills contain volcanic soil, rich in potassium and alkaline soil that contributes good acidity, minerality and higher sugar content. The wine is produced using the Martinotti (Charmat, tank) method.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss The color is golden with a consistent and fine perlage. Classic aromas of apple, peach and rose mingle with fruity notes. On the palate, this refreshing sparkling wine offers honeysuckle, apricot, white stone fruit and a touch of minerality, balanced nicely with good acidity and sugar. It was paired with aged cheese, Gouda, pumpkin butter and water crackers. Simply divine! Alcohol: 6.5% SRP: $15.99 Gianduia Chocolate Cream Liqueur Gianduia chocolate was created in Piedmont in 1806 and has a unique bouquet of cocoa and nuts. Gianduia Bottega is a unique liqueur made with Bottega’s premium Alexander grappa from the Veneto region and Gianduia Chocolate. Grappa is mixed with milk cream (sourced from Alpine cows that only eat grass) that is homogenized and filtered to remove the fats. It is then mixed with sugar, chocolate and hazelnut paste.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Heavenly aromas of cocoa and nuts segue onto the palate for a creamy and most inviting experience. Rich hazelnut flavors and cocoa contribute to this decadent liqueur and is best served cold. Sandro likes to drink this neat. However, it can be poured over ice, served over ice cream, with fruit, in a cocktail, or in your coffee. This liqueur was paired with a pumpkin spice truffle bar, dark chocolate bar and Biscotti. Alcohol: 17% SRP: $24.99 Bacur Gin This dry gin is certainly eye-catching with its unique metallic copper bottle.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Italy is one of the largest producers of juniper, especially around Tuscany. And considering it is the main ingredient in gin, it was a simple leap for Bottega to produce gin. The other ingredients are pure grain, water from the Italian Alps, sage leaves from the Veneto countryside and Sicilian lemons.
This gin has aromas of sage, juniper and citrus notes that segue onto the palate mingling with a hint of perfume and lemon zest. It is smooth and delicate. I consider this a sipping gin, but I’m sure that it will spice things up when added to cocktails. Alcohol: 40% SRP: $39.00 If you would like to learn more about the grapes, regions, territories and production methods mentioned in this story, please click on the topic of interest to the right of this page. Until next time… Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at wineknittercomments@gmail.com Halloween was always a favorite holiday of mine growing up. I loved making my own costumes and strategically planning the Trick or Treat route with my friends. When I was deemed “too old” to participate in trick or treating, we turned to rock and roll costume parties and haunted hayrides. Having children of my own gave me a window of opportunity to once again make costumes, dress up and go trick or treating with them. It was fun while it lasted until it wasn’t cool anymore to be seen with “mom” on Halloween.  For those of you who still yearn to go trick or treating, why not arrange a few house stops with your 21+ age friends? Dress up; grab a trick or treat bag and exchange wine and spirits along with candy and make it a grownup version of Halloween! I’ll be handing out bottles of sherry and special chocolate treats to pair with it.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Sherry is a fortified wine produced in Andalucía, located in the southwest area of Spain. With over 40,000 hectares of vineyards in Andalucía, more than half of the wine produced here is in DO (denomination de origin) areas. Sherry can only be made from Palomino, Muscatel and Pedro Ximénez white grapes.  To learn about the terroir of Andalucía, how sherry is made and all the sherry styles available, please click on the link below that will take you to a story on my website. http://thewineknitter.com/1/post/2017/10/day-606-sherry-fest.html Harveys Bristol Cream DO Jerez Xérés Cream Sherry is usually a blend of Oloroso, PX (Pedro Ximénez), or Moscatel styles, but can be made in a variety of styles. It is a semi-sweet wine that is aromatic, dark in color with classic notes of nuts and caramel. This cream sherry is a blend of 80% Palomino and 20% Pedro Ximénez grapes. It is a unique combination of Fino, Amontillado, Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez styles of sherry that have been aged separately in the solera system, averaging seven years of aging. Harveys Bristol Cream is the only sherry made up of a blend of four different styles that exist.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss This sherry is dark amber with intoxicating aromas of dried fruit, raisins, nuts and toffee. The palate is layered with raisins, caramel, fig, toasted almonds and a creamy mouthfeel. This is a nice sherry to drink as an aperitif or serve with desserts, cheese and fruit. Pour it over ice cream or serve with ice and a twist of orange. It also goes well with pumpkin muffins! Serve well chilled. Alcohol: 17.5% SRP: $20  Photo credit: Penny Weiss González Byass Alfonso Oloroso DO Jerez Xérés Oloroso (‘scented’ in Spanish) intentionally never develops flor (yeast). Aging through oxidation of up to 40+ years produces a full-bodied, aromatic, dark and rich wine. Oloroso contains the most amount of alcohol in sherry, with levels of 18% to 20%. This dry sherry is 100% Palomino Fino. The wine is fortified to 18% alcohol and then is aged for an average of eight years in American oak casks following the traditional solera system.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Mahogany in color, this dry sherry exudes aromas of nuts and toffee. The palate offers dried figs, salted nuts, especially peanuts and traces of toffee and vanilla on the finish. Serve chilled. It will pair well with meats, stews, mild cheese and dark chocolate laden with nuts. Add a splash while cooking soup or sautéing seafood. Alcohol: 18% SRP: $25 González Byass Nectar Dulce Pedro Ximénez DO Jerez Xérés Pedro Ximénez (PX) is an intensely sweet wine and is the sweetest of the sherry styles. The grapes are dried in the sun allowing the juices to concentrate before pressing. This is a rich wine that oozes raisins, nuts and fig. This sherry is 100% Pedro Ximénez. The wine is fortified to 15% alcohol and then enters the Nectar solera. It is followed by an average of eight years of aging in American oak casks.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss This dark brown colored sherry emanates intoxicating aromas of raisins, prune, fig and honey. The palate is rich and unctuous, with raisins, baking spice and toasted notes of caramel, toffee and espresso. A long finish is accompanied by a hint of nuts. Enjoy it chilled as a dessert wine on its own or poured over ice cream or berries. Heavenly! Alcohol: 15% SRP: $25 The Red Chocolate bars are sinfully delicious, with up to 50% fewer calories and 30% to 40% less fat. They are made with cocoa from the Ivory Coast of Africa and no added sugar. I tried the chocolate with all three styles of sherry, and my palate was quite happy!  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Wishing you a safe, socially distanced and Happy Halloween!  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Until next time…
Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at wineknittercomments@gmail.com With over 250 indigenous grape varieties officially registered in Portugal, one can imagine how much there is to explore here when it comes to wine production. I have had the opportunity to taste a myriad of varieties and enticing blends throughout Portugal’s 14 wine regions and my palate is rarely disappointed. I recently received two white wine samples featuring the Loureiro grapes from the Vinho Verde wine region and I was quite eager to taste them.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss The Loureiro grape is grown primarily in Portugal’s Vinho Verde region. Of Portugal’s 14 wine regions, Vinho Verde is the largest DOC (Denominação de Origem Controlada) located in the northwest corner of the country. The boundaries for the region were set in 1908 and it is believed to be one of the oldest regions in Portugal. Vinho Verde stretches from the Minho River in the north, separating northern Portugal from Spain to the Atlantic Ocean bordering the west and the Douro River running through the southern border of the region. Several other rivers traverse through Vinho Verde, which includes the Ave and Cávado.  Image courtesy of Wines of Portugal Vinho Verde is divided into nine sub-regions and grows a variety of grapes in fertile, granite and sandy soils with rainy, humid and cool temperatures created by its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean. Vinho Verde is noted for producing wines that are fresh with crisp acidity and exceptional quality-to-price ratio. The Loureiro grape is a light-skinned variety known for its floral aromas. Wines of Portugal states, “Although now widely disseminated throughout the Vinho Verde region, it seems that the Loureiro grape originated in the valley of the River Lima, towards the north of the VR Minho/DOC Vinho Verde region. "Loureiro" means "laurel" or "bay" and the aroma of Loureiro wines is said to resemble that of laurel flowers, also orange blossom, acacia and lime blossom, overlaying apple, peachy fruit. Loureiro wines usually have refreshing, well-balanced acidity. Loureiro is much in evidence nowadays bottled as a single variety, but traditionally it was more often blended with Arinto (Pedernã) and Alvarinho, or with Trajadura. It is a very vigorous, high-yielding variety that has only recently been recognized as "noble". The bunches are elongated and relatively compact, bearing medium-sized, yellowish-greenish grapes.”  Image courtesy of Wines of Portugal Esporão Bico Amarelo 2019 This is the debut vintage of Bico Amarelo (Yellow Beak). Esporão is a cutting edge winery with a presence throughout Portugal. They have approximately 700 hectares of prime agricultural areas that include wine vineyards, olive groves and other crops planted mainly in the Alentejo and Douro wine regions of Portugal. This wine is a blend of 40% Loureiro hand-harvested from Quinta Do Ameal in Vinho Verde and 30% Alavarinho and 30% Avesso sourced from nearby growers. The wine is aged for three to six months in stainless steel vats.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Lovely floral aromas combine with notes of fresh stone fruit and citrus. The palate is entertained with lively acidity, lemon, green apple and a hint of peach. This is a light and refreshing wine. Alcohol: 11.5% SRP: $12 Quinta do Ameal Loureiro 2019 Quinta do Ameal is a historic estate founded in 1710 in the Lima sub-region of Vinho Verde. Lima River Valley is considered the birthplace of Loureiro. The estate has 30 hectares of vineyards, of which 14 are dedicated to the Loureiro grape. In 2019, the Esporão group became the new owners of Quinta do Ameal. This wine is 100% Loureiro hand-harvested from estate-grown fruit. It is aged for seven months on lees in stainless steel vats.  Enticing floral notes mingle with citrus and fresh fruit. The palate offers fruit blended with lots of lemon, an edge of minerality, subtle herbs, a touch of tart apple and vibrant acidity. It is refreshing, light and quite enjoyable with lemon zest on the finish.
Alcohol: 11% SRP: $18 Both wines will drink beautifully as an aperitif or pair nicely with seafood, cold soups, salads and grilled vegetables. Until next time… Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at wineknittercomments@gmail.com |
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