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Summer may bring with it beach and pool time, vacations, and lazing in the hammock, but heat waves and unbearable humidity can also accompany it.  One often hears the phrase “dog days of summer.” The origin of this phrase is related to the stars, not dogs wilting in the summer heat! Sirius is the brightest star in the night sky and part of the constellation Canis Majoris—the “Greater Dog.” The ancient Romans and Greeks believed that when the Dog Star, Sirius, appeared in the sky and occupied the same region as the sun, it created the hottest days of the year. The Romans called it “dies caniculares” or “days of the dog star.” For the ancient Romans, the dog days of summer occurred from about July 24 to around August 24. Over time, the constellations drifted, and the “dog days” dates have changed. This year it occurs between July 3 and August 11. However, it seems the heat and humidity are here to stay for a bit longer despite where Sirius is in the sky.  As promised last month, I’m back with a few more refreshing wines to sip this summer. But remember, alcohol and heat dehydrate us, so staying hydrated with water is essential, especially if you’re planning to consume alcohol.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Pazo De Lusco 2021 D.O. (Spain)
Adega Pazos De Lusco is a 12-acre estate located in the heart of the D.O. Rias Baixas region of Spain, where the grapes for this 100% Albariño are sourced. The wine is aged for about four months on lees adding to a smooth mouthfeel. Nose: Floral, ripe tropical fruit, apples, and pear Palate: Fresh and lively with grapefruit, melon, and minerality, and it is beautifully balanced between alcohol and acidity. Alcohol: 13% SRP: $24.99 Pairing suggestions: Enjoy as an aperitif or serve with seafood, shellfish, salads, and light pasta. Darom White By Yatir 2021 (Israel) Yatir Winery has launched a new brand focusing on wines from the Israeli desert, the Negev wine region. This 100% Sauvignon Blanc is sourced from the southern desert region. The wine was fermented in stainless steel vats and matured for four months in concrete vats. Nose: Floral, fruity, citrus, and a hint of herbs. Palate: Dry, with juicy white stone fruit, pear, and citrus. It is refreshing with a nice note of lemon zest on the finish. Alcohol: 12% SRP: $25.99 Pairing suggestions: Serve as an aperitif or with fish, salad, grilled chicken, and Asian cuisine. Anarchist Wine Co (California) Anarchist Wine Co is a creative project launched by the family-owned Napa winery, “The Wine Foundry.” Its premise is “winemakers gone rogue,” breaking the rules, “going a bit wild,” and offering a fresh take on winemaking. Here are two wines for your consideration. The Anarchist 2021 White Blend Winemaker Patrick Saboe got very creative with this six-grape blend, of which 55% is Gewürztraminer (a favorite grape variety of Patrick’s.) The other grapes include Viognier, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, and Chardonnay. Nose: Beautiful floral notes, minerality, citrus, and herbal. Palate: Fresh and lively with red ruby grapefruit, pear, melon, vibrant acidity, minerality, and a touch of lemon zest on the finish. Alcohol: 13.5% SRP: $26 Pairing suggestions: Enjoy as an aperitif or with grilled swordfish, oysters, salads, and light pasta. The Anarchist “The Skeptic” 2021 This is 100% Gewürztraminer, a white wine grape fermented on its skins to create an orange hue and extract the grapes’ rich flavors and aromas. Nose: Intoxicating floral aromas, orange peel, spice, and melon. Palate: White stone fruit, ginger, citrus notes, and exotic spices. A lovely and complex wine nicely balanced with subtle acidity and savory notes on the finish. Alcohol: 13.5% SRP: $32 Pairing suggestions: Enjoy it with grilled meat, seared tuna, spicy cuisine, and fowl. Ventisquero Grey Single Block Sauvignon Blanc 2019 (Chile) Founded in 1998, Ventisquero was first established in the Maipo Valley, 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. This 100% Sauvignon Blanc is sourced from the Atacama Desert in northern Chile and is only around 20 kilometers from the sea. Ancient, stony soils from the Huasco river have very special qualities: a little clay and a lot of calcareous soil, lime, calcium carbonate, and white soils that contribute to the character of this wine. Nose: Citrus, peppers, saline notes, and a hint of tropical fruit. Palate: Citrus, vegetal, and herbal notes combined with spicy pepper and saline. It is beautifully balanced with crisp acidity and minerality. Alcohol: 13% SRP: $25 Pairing suggestions: Enjoy as an aperitif or with seafood, shellfish, mushroom risotto, salads, and grilled chicken. Pagos Del Galir A Malosa Godello D.O. 2020 (Spain) Bodegas Virgen de Galir Winery, founded in 2002, owns vineyards located in Galicia, northern Spain, and is part of the Valdeorras DO. Godello is a white grape variety thought to originate in Galicia. The grapes for this wine are sourced from the winery’s premier cru vineyard. The wine aged for six months on its fine lees in stainless steel tanks, foudre, and 500-liter barrels. Nose: Floral, citrus, apple, pear, herbs, minerality, spice, and a hint of toast. Palate: A creamy palate with grapefruit, lemon, pear, salinity, and minerality, It finishes with floral notes and zesty acidity. Mouthwatering! Alcohol: 13.5% SRP: $21 Pairing suggestions: Enjoy as an aperitif or serve with seafood, grilled chicken, stews, crab cakes, and grilled vegetables. Remember, stay hydrated! Until next time… Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at wineknittercomments@gmail.com Long before Israel became a state in 1948, Baron Edmond de Rothschild had his eye on the terroir of this Middle Eastern country that borders on the Mediterranean Sea.  Baron Edmond de Rothschild Photo courtesy of Carmel Winery  Although this area has a 5000-year history of winemaking, it didn’t become a “modern wine industry” until the 19th century. It was 1882 when the first Israeli settlers from Europe asked for Baron Rothschild’s help after encountering many problems in cultivating the land. They needed guidance due to their lack of expertise and unfamiliarity with the soil. The Baron known as the “Benevolent Provider” and owner of the famous Chateau Lafite Winery in Bordeaux sent representatives to Israel to assess the situation. Once there, they discovered that the climate and growing conditions in Israel were quite similar to that of Bordeaux and suggested planting wine vineyards. Acting on their advice French rootstocks were imported from Bordeaux to Israel in 1882, along with the Baron’s advisory committee to help the settlers. By 1889, with the Barons’ financial assistance and instructions, construction of a winery in Rishon Lezion in the Galilee region was almost completed and it eventually became Carmel’s first winery and head office. And by 1890 the first grapes were harvested. His second winery was built in Zikhron Ya’akov on Mount Carmel in 1892 and in 1895 Carmel Wine Co. was formed to export wines. In 1957 James Rothschild, son of the ” Benevolent Provider”, passed ownership of the winery to the Winegrowers Association. The Carmel winery continued to grow and in 2013 a private investors group acquired control of Carmel Winery. Not only is Carmel Winery the first winery in Israel, but it is also the largest wine producer here with four wineries and five wine collections. They have vineyards all over the country with the largest vineyards on the slopes of Mt. Carmel. Approximately 3,472 acres of vineyards extend from the Upper Galilee and the Golan Heights in the north to the Negev in the south. The majority of Carmel’s most recent vineyards are planted in the Upper Galilee region, which is the source for most of the finest wines produced by the Carmel Winery.  Kayoumi vineyard near Meron Mountain in the Upper Galilee Photo courtesy of Carmel Winery I recently received three samples of Carmel Winery wines from their Private Collection. The Private Collection series consists of varietal and non-varietal high-quality wines from grapes that are grown in top vineyards throughout Israel. These wines are characterized by their fruit-forward styles and easy food pairing qualities.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Carmel Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon grapes that were harvested in the Galilee region. The wine is aged for eight months in French and American oak barrels. A lovely bouquet of berries, cherry, spice and chocolate pave the way for a juicy blend of blackberry, blueberry, plum, spice, licorice and chocolate. Vanilla and pepper round out a long finish. It is nicely balanced with silky tannins. Alcohol: 14% SRP: $15  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Carmel Shiraz 2018 is 100% Shiraz grapes that were harvested in the Shomron, south of Galilee and a key wine region in Israel where Mount Carmel is. The wine is aged for eight months in French and American oak barrels. This is a very aromatic wine with notes of strawberry, spice, and hints of floral and earth. The palate is layered with blackberry, red raspberry, plum, cranberry spice, cloves and vanilla. Tannins are smooth and sweet spice lingers on a long finish. Alcohol: 13.5% SRP: $15  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Carmel Winemakers Blend 2018 is a blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon and 50% Merlot. The grapes are harvested from the Galilee region and the wine is aged for eight months in French and American oak barrels. A bouquet of red fruit, spice and floral set the stage for a palate filled with black raspberry, plum, pomegranate, vanilla and spice. A nice blend of fruit and savory with mocha and tart black cherry are the grand finale on a long finish. Alcohol: 14% SRP: $15  Photo credit: Penny Weiss All of the above wines are dry, refined and refreshing. Their easy-drinking style allows for pairing with a variety of dishes. And the price to value ratio is impressive. All Carmel Winery wines are certified OU Kosher.
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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