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When you can’t choose between drinking red or white wine and circumstances permit, try both and let your palate choose. That’s why I love using my Coravin system; there is no waste factor in my home!  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Donald Hess is the founder of Hess Wines, a family-owned, fifth-generation company located in Napa Valley, CA. In the 1970s, while on a business trip to Napa Valley, Donald took an interest in mountain winegrowing. He ascertained that the Mount Veeder mountain vineyards were an ideal area for growing grapes, which produce unique character and flavor due to the microclimate and soils.  Map courtesy of Hess Collection In 1978 Donald made his first land purchase on Mount Veeder, a property in which winemaking and farming have a history going back as far as 1876. This property is now the site of the Hess Collection Winery. By 1982, Donald had acquired 900 acres and in 1986 he opened the Hess Collection Winery to the public. Dave Guffy became Director of Winemaking in 1999 and Donald formally retired in 2011, passing on the baton to his son-in-law Timothy Persson as CEO and his daughter Sabrina, the fifth generation of the Hess family. In addition to its mountain vineyards, Hess Wines has estate vineyards in areas such as Pope Valley and near the Carneros region of the Napa Valley. They also produce wine in Argentina and South Africa. Hess Wines focuses on sustainable practices in the vineyard and winery. “The wines cultivated at The Hess Collection follow the dictates of the Napa Green certified land and winery programs, as well as the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance “Code of Sustainable Winegrowing”, both third-party certification programs with significant oversight.” (Quoted from Hess website) My review today is on wines that come from Hess Allomi and Súskol Vineyards in Napa.  Map courtesy of Hess Collection Hess Collection Napa Valley Chardonnay 2017 is 100% Chardonnay. The grapes are sourced from Súskol Estate Vineyards located in one of the coolest growing regions within Napa. It is the site of an ancient seabed with shallow, sandy soils. Chardonnay is exclusively grown on this 175-acre vineyard with nine unique clones to work with. 70% of the blend goes through stainless fermentation and the remaining 30% sees a light touch of oak-aged for nine months in French oak, 19% new.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Luscious aromas of floral, pear, honeydew and vanilla lead to a rich and creamy palate. Layers of melon, honeysuckle, pear and baking spice with hints of stone fruit are complemented by lively acidity and balance. Enjoy as an aperitif or serve with seafood, light pasta or cheese. Alcohol: 14.4% SRP: $22 Hess Collection “Allomi” Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 is a blend of 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Petite Sirah, 3% Petit Verdot, 2% Malbec and 2% Merlot. Grapes are harvested from Allomi Vineyard located in northeastern Pope Valley, a part of Napa Valley. Vines are exposed to a long, warm growing season and well-drained clay loam soils. There are 35 unique blocks with six different Cabernet clones in this 210-acre estate. Each block is evaluated and only the finest components are selected for each vintage. This wine is aged in 27% new American oak for 18 months.  A profusion of black fruit and spice with hints of floral and vanilla greet the nose. The palate offers dark plum, black cherry and spice with a finale of dark chocolate, vanilla and sour cherry on a long and luxurious finish. It has a beautiful mouth-feel with well-integrated tannins. This wine is full of personality and simply put, is elegant. Serve with grilled meat, wild game, stews and grilled vegetables.
Alcohol: 14.5% SRP: $32 I look forward to revisiting these wines very soon! Until next time… Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at [email protected] 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 [email protected]  Photo credit: Penny Weiss When one thinks of German wines, most often it is Riesling that comes to mind. And if asked to name a few wine regions in Germany, the answer is usually Rheingau, Mosel, Rheinhessen, and Pfalz. However, there are 13 wine regions throughout Germany, some lesser-known than others.  If you haven’t heard of the Franken wine region or its special wines, then you need to pay close attention. This is a wine region that is not to be missed. From its terroir-driven wines and delectable cuisine to the fairytale towns rich with history, Franken is a magical place to explore. And I can’t think of a better setting for sipping wine than to be surrounded by medieval villages, castles, beautiful landscapes and miles of terraced wine vineyards!  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Located in the northwest part of Bavaria, Franken is the most easterly of the wine regions situated on the Rhine to the west and stretching eastward along the Main River. (pronounced Mine)  The Main River is the longest river within Germany. Steep south facing wine vineyards dramatically adorn the banks of the Main River and its tributaries as it weaves in and out of some of the best wine-producing villages and towns (15 sub-regions) in Franken.  Sloped vineyards leading down to the Main River. Photo credit: Penny Weiss The history of Franken winemaking dates back to over 1200 years ago. An old document shows that Charlemagne, the medieval emperor who became king of the Franks in 771, gave Fulda Abbey a winery in the year 777. During medieval times winemaking grew and there were over 40,000 hectares of vineyards in Franken. However, by the 20th century, the vineyards had decreased to less than 2100 hectares. Today, there are approximately 6,139 hectares of wine vineyards throughout Franken. Approximately 70 different grape varieties are grown here of which 80% are white grape varieties. Although Franken is best known for its signature white grape, Silvaner, Müller-Thurgau takes the lead in the number of vines. Here is a quick look at Franken’s most important grape varieties in terms of production. White Grapes Red Grapes Müller-Thurgau 27.7% Spätburgunder 4.3% Silvaner 23.1% Domina 5.4% Bacchus 11.9% Riesling 5.3% Kerner 3.3% The weather in Franken is typically continental with warm, dry summers and long cold winters. Because Riesling is a late-harvest grape, it only plays a minor role in production due to the risk of frost damage. Soil types vary throughout the region and include weathered primitive rock and red-colored sandstone, Muschelkalk (shell-limestone), and Keuper (colored and/or gypsum marl). These soils evolved over a 250 million year span along the Main River and they greatly influence the character of the grapes in this region. For the most part, dry wines are the majority of wines produced here and are typical of this region. Franken wine region has both regional and smaller cooperatives in addition to private and state-owned estates. I had the opportunity to visit several privately owned wineries starting in the east and working our way west and I tasted through many wines at each stop. For the purpose of this story, I will introduce the wineries and highlight a few wines from each winery. As you look through the wine photos you will see a uniquely shaped bottle called a Bocksbeautel. This bottle has been used for over 250 years in Franken to hold top-quality wines. In 1989, the European Union patented the bottle and it is only allowed to be used for Franken wines. Approximately 43% of Franken wines are bottled in a Bocksbeautel. We heard many stories and versions of its origins and shape as we made our way through Franken, most with good humor. However, the reason behind the Bocksbeautel’s distinctive shape was to distinguish it from other wine bottles and to signify that it held outstanding wine. As to how that shape was chosen, I will let you do your own investigation to determine which story you like best. The Bocksbeautel holds 750ml of wine, has a round, flat body and a short neck and is an attention-getter, but it is definitely not designed for a wine rack!  Bocksbeautel bottle Photo credit: Penny Weiss Weingut Kremer is located in Großheubach, a small community in lower Franken. The winery was established in 1975 and is family-run. Second generation Uli Kremer who runs the winery with his parents and wife hosted our wine tasting. They have 18 grape varieties on 9 hectares of vineyards that are sloped with southern exposure and soil of red federal sandstone. Sloped vineyards are not easy to maintain, so they use French sheep to trim the weeds! Ooh, la la! As Uli said, “The trick is to make sure the sheep are not in the vineyards when the grapes emerge.” We tasted through six wines and it was a nice introduction to the wines of Franken. Tasting Silvaner and Cabernet Dorsa were a first for me.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss  Weingut Kremer Tasting Photo credit: Penny Weiss  Uli Kremer Photo credit: Penny Weiss Kremer Silvaner Kabinett Trocken 2017 is 100% Silvaner. It has a lovely nose that is fruity and tropical with hints of citrus. This is a dry wine with a touch of floral, yellow fruits, hints of minerality and a creamy texture from 12 months spent on the lees. A very food- friendly wine! Alcohol: 12.5%  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Kremer Chardonnay Qualitätswein Troken 2017 is 100% Chardonnay. I thought this wine was worth mentioning. Uli’s father was one of the first to plant Chardonnay in Franken in 1996 on a .5-hectare site. This is an oaked Chardonnay with pronounced minerality, pear, apple, vanilla and a creamy texture. The wine was aged for 12 months in Franken oak barrels. It is nicely balanced with acidity and is not “too” oaky. Alcohol: 13%  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Kremer Cabernet Dorsa Qualitätswein Troken 2016 In 1971 Dornfelder and Cabernet Sauvignon were crossed to create Cabernet Dorsa. This wine is 100% Cabernet Dorsa and benefits from aging in French oak. It has a wonderful nose of dark berries and spice that segue onto the palate along with cherry and a hint of dark chocolate on the finish. It has rich tannins with a perfect balance of acidity. Alcohol: 13.5%  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Please visit https://www.weingut-kremer.de for more information. Weingut Rudolf Fürst is a small family-run winery also located in the westernmost corner of the lower Franken wine region.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss  A view from the winery. Photo credit: Penny Weiss The Fürst family has been making wine since 1638. Paul and Monika Fürst took over the family business in 1975 and their son Sebastian joined them in 2007. Most of the wine they produce comes from the vines located in the vineyards of the Centgrafenberg in Bürgstadt where they built new estate buildings in 1979. The prized vineyards of the Centgrafenberg have a southern exposure with red sandstone soil, which is high in iron. It is an ideal location for Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir) and Riesling. Spätburgunder has grown in these iron-rich soils for centuries, yielding full-bodied, expressive wines. As Paul said when we met with him for the tasting, “Wine is culture. The world is taking notice. The time is good for us and our special variety of Pinot”. Fürst is famous for its burgundy style Spätburgunders and is considered some of the finest in Germany. They also have two other vineyards sites: Hundsrück in Bürgstadt and Schlossberg in Klingenberg. In total, they have almost 50 acres of vineyards.  Paul Fürst Photo credit: Penny Weiss Here are some highlights of the tasting. Centgrafenberg GG Riesling 2017 There are 400 vineyards in all of Germany with a GG classification. (Grosses Gewächs) meaning that the grapes come from a “great site” and is identified as a great dry wine. Fürst has plots in three Grosse Lage sites, Germany’s equivalent of grand cru vineyards. This dry Riesling is beautifully layered with floral, grapefruit, stone fruit, minerality, honey, and a hint of anise and lemon zest on the finish. It has lively acidity with a creamy texture. Alcohol: 12%  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Bürgstadter Berg IG Spätburgunder 2015 is an elegant wine with soft berry and floral aromas. The palate offers ripe berries, cherry, spice, vanilla and smoky notes. This is a fully rounded wine with nicely balanced acidity and a hint of minerality on the finish. Alcohol: 13.5%  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Centgrafenberg GG Spätburgunder 2012 is one of the top three wines in the Fürst estate and it is also part of the top ten list of wines in Germany. This wine is stunning! Aromas of soft red fruit, cherry, baking spice and smokiness set the stage for the palate. It is a silky wine with soft tannins, dark cherry, tobacco, ripe fruit, vanilla, earth and a hint of anise and minerality on the palate. Elegant! Alcohol: 13.5%  Photo credit: Penny Weiss All of the above wines are food-friendly and will complement a myriad of dishes. In fact, most of the wines that I tasted throughout my trip were adaptable to a wide range of cuisine. For availability and pricing of Fürst wines please visit: http://www.weingut-rudolf-fuerst.de In addition to wine, Franken is home to some of the most enchanting and fairytale-like villages and towns. My first impression of the historic part of Miltenberg was one of awe. I had stepped back in time to a medieval town filled with half-timbered houses arranged in a charming display of colors, an ancient market place and cobblestoned streets. Slide show below of Miltenberg. Photo credits: Penny Weiss Miltenberg is called the “pearl of the Main” because it stretches along the left bank of the river. The first documentation of Miltenberg goes back to 1237. And, Germany’s oldest hotel, a Royal Inn called “Zum Riesen (The Giant) is located in the famous market square. The earliest mention of the hotel is in 1411, but most likely it existed before that date.  Zum Riesen (The Giant) Photo credit: Penny Weiss And don’t forget to stop for food and drinks at the Gasthaus Zum Riesen where I had the best Spaetzle ever!  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Many of the buildings in Miltenberg are stamped with the date they were built and also the date they were renovated. There is much to see and do here from walking tours to a museum, castle and a brewery.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Although my focus was on wine, breweries abound in Franken. And having a glass of Bavarian craft beer is a treat!
If I have piqued your interest then read Part Two as I move westward in Franken exploring more wineries, restaurants, hotels and magical towns! Until next time… Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at [email protected] Although it is not as widely known as some of its more famous neighbors, Le Marche (pronounced Mar-kay) wine region should be on your radar. Le Marche is located on the eastern side of central Italy, nestled between the Apennine Mountains to the west and the Adriatic Sea to the east.  There are approximately 60,000 acres of vineyards in Le Marche with varied terroirs throughout. Warm and cool climate zones exist in this region due to the influence of the mountains, rivers and the Adriatic Sea. Calcareous, clay and limestone-rich soils can be found here and are excellent for growing grapes such as the white grapes Trebbiano and Verdicchio that Le Marche is best known for. In fact, Verdicchio has been growing here for over 600 years. Sangiovese and Montepulciano red grapes grow well here as well. The majority of wines in Le Marche are sold as IGT Marche title (Indicazione Geografica Tipica), but the region also has DOC and DOCG titles as indicated on the map below.  Map is courtesy of Federdoc. This past week I was introduced to the wines of Velenosi Winery located just outside the town of Ascoli Piceno. The dynamic Angela Velenosi co-founded the winery in 1984. Angela had no experience, land or capital, but she did have a vision. Her energy and passion led her to become one of the largest family-owned wineries in Le Marche region with a production of 2.5 million bottles per year and over 25 wine labels. Today Velenosi Winery represents all the appellations throughout Le Marche wine region and Angela is known as “the lady of Le Marche”.  Angela Velenosi Photo credit: Velenosi Winery I had the opportunity to taste five wines from the Velenosi portfolio. Passerina Brut NV is made with indigenous 100% Passerina grapes grown in the vineyards of Ascoli Piceno at an altitude of 200-300 meters above sea level. The grapes are hand-harvested and the wine is produced using the Charmat Method. This is a lively, aromatic sparkling wine with soft fruit and flowers on the nose. A palate of citrus, flowers, light fruit, a hint of bread dough, fine bubbles, lively acidity and creamy texture make this wine a delight to drink. Alcohol: 12% SRP: $15.99  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi DOC Classico 2018 is made with 100% Verdicchio grapes grown in the oldest and original area of Castelli di Jesi, (Marche’s largest DOC area). Verdicchio means, “little green one”. The wines tend to be straw-colored with pronounced green hues and aromas of green fruit. This is a lovely dry wine with floral, fruity and saline aromas that segue onto the palate with green apple giving it the right amount of tartness. The vibrant acidity and a finish of lemon zest make this any easy wine to pair food with. SRP: $15.99  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Pecorino Offida DOCG Villa Angela 2018 is 100% Pecorino hand-harvested from the vineyards of Ascoli Piceno and Offida at 200-300 meters above sea level. The name Pecorino translated means, “little sheep”, not to be confused with the cheese of the same name. As the story goes, local sheep ate these sweet grapes and considered them a treat. This wine has lots of floral and fruit aromas. The palate shows tropical fruit, spice, fennel, fresh minerality and vibrant acidity. Alcohol: 13% SRP: $15.99  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Lacrima di Morro DOC Querciantica 2018 is 100% Lacrima di Morro d’Alba harvested from vineyards in the municipalities of San Marcello –Ancona. An interesting note about this grape varietal is that after 25 years it stops producing grapes and needs to be replanted. One of its main characteristics is a “rose and violet flavor”. This wine has sweet aromas of floral, strawberry and cherry that segue onto the palate with soft tannins, spice and dark cherry. This is a beautifully structured wine that is light enough to pair with a vast assortment of cuisine. Alcohol: 12% SRP: $15.99 Rosso Piceno DOC Superiore Roggio del Filare 2015 This wine is a blend of 17% Montepulciano and 30% Sangiovese grapes. Grapes are handpicked from vines that are 50+ years old in the vineyards of Offida and Ascoli Piceno at 200 meters above sea level. This wine was aged for 18 months in new French oak. A beautiful and elegant nose of floral, spice, strawberry and cherry leads to a palate of dark fruit, plum, spice and soft tannins. This is a very expressive wine that is full-bodied and well balanced. Alcohol: 14.5% SRP: $35  Photo credit: Penny Weiss All of the above wines are expressive of the terroir, exhibiting powerful aromas and complexity but light enough to enjoy with most food or as an aperitf. They are all reasonably priced wines that go a long way in value.
Until next time… Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at [email protected] Over the Labor Day Weekend, I sampled a few vintage wines from our restaurant days in New York City. Some of the wines didn’t warrant a second sip, and a few others were worth taking notes on. And then, there was this.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Most Pinot Noirs are not known for their longevity and are best enjoyed within a few years of bottling. However, there are a few Pinot Noirs that stand the test of time and this is one of those wines. Domaine Confuron-Cotetidot is a family run business that dates back to the seventeenth century during the reign of Louis IV. The Confuron family has always been vignerons specializing in vine selection and propagation. Yves Confuron runs the estate today along with the help of his brother, Jack, who is an oenologist. Their parents still work the vines as they have always done for the past fifty years. The family vineyards are spread throughout the Côte de Nuits located in the northern half of the Côte d’Or wine region in Burgundy, France.  Map credit: terroir-france.com In addition to their village level wines, the estate has an impressive array of premier cru and grand cru sites that include the famous Vosne- Romanée Les Suchots of which they are one of the largest holders. For the most part, vines in all of their vineyards average around 65 years of age. Within the Côte de Nuits are two Grand Cru vineyards, Vosne-Romanée and Chambolle-Musigny, where some of the most famous and expensive Pinot Noirs are produced. Vosne-Romanée is a small commune that has been producing notable wines for thousands of years. Les Suchots is located within this commune and it is the largest Premier Cru climat in the Vosne-Romanée appellation. Climat refers to delineated plots of land that have specific climatic and geological conditions. The climate here is balanced between the warm sun and cool winds that help to develop rich fruit complexity and good acidity in the wines.  Domaine Confuron-Cotetidot Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru-Les Suchots 1998 The bottle showed a small amount of wine evaporation (ullage), but the cork was good so I used the Coravin system to extract a glass of wine.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss This 100% Pinot Noir had a beautiful garnet color with tawny around the rim. The heady aromas of floral, kirsch, spice and red fruit, notably cherry, were encouraging. Before the wine had time to open my palate was treated to red berries, spice, earth and gripping acidity. After twenty minutes the fruit and spices were more pronounced. I tasted cherry, raspberry, spice, mushrooms and anise. This wine still has an impressive complexity to it and expresses the terroir beautifully. It made me fall in love with Pinot Noir all over again! Alcohol: 13% I’m looking forward to uncorking this bottle very soon!  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Until next time…
Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at [email protected] As you may have surmised from previous stories, I love Susana Balbo Wines. So, when I recently received four bottles of her CRIOS brand, I was quite pleased.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss For those of you who aren’t familiar with Susana Balbo Wines, here is a quick recap from my last story about her. To read more about Susana, the winery and wine reviews, please click on the ‘Categories’ menu to the right of this page. Susana Balbo is the founder and owner of Susana Balbo Wines located in Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza in western Argentina close to the Andes Mountains.  Susana Balbo Winery Photo credit: Susana Balbo Wines Due to the close proximity of the Andes, the vineyards are subject to a hot, dry climate during the day and cool alpine winds in the evenings, thus allowing the grapes to develop and ripen slowly while reaching full tannic ripeness and maintaining their acidity. Susana is not only the most well known Argentinian female winemaker globally, but she is also the first female enologist in Argentina! With over thirty years of experience in the wine industry, Susana has built an impressive career and produces some outstanding wines. From an early age, Susana strayed from wanting a traditional “female” education by electing to study nuclear physics in Bariloche. However, her parents would not let her leave Mendoza to pursue this path. So, Susana made a decision to follow the family’s wine business and in 1981, she graduated from Don Bosco University with a degree in enology, becoming the first female enologist in Argentina and challenging the male-dominated wine industry in Mendoza. Susana’s career began at Michel Torino winery in the Salta province where she made her first wine in 1983. It was the first vintage of Torrontés from Salta. She then continued on to work at many other well-regarded wineries and also worked as a consultant winemaker for national and worldwide wineries before “birthing” Susana Balbo Wines in 1999. Her first vintage was released in 2002. Susana’s two children are an integral part of the business. Her son José joined the team in 2011 as winemaker and her daughter Ana joined in 2012 as marketing manager.  Susana, Ana and José. Photo credit: Susana Balbo Wines Susana produces four brands of wine that include CRIOS, Susana Balbo Signature, Nosotros and BenMarco. The CRIOS brand was created by Susana as a tribute to her son and daughter. CRIOS in Spanish means “offspring”. To quote Susana Balbo Winery, “CRIOS wines express Susana's love and dedication to her children, José and Ana. Today, Susana's CRIOS have grown and matured, just like her children who now work with her at the family winery.” The grapes for this brand are harvested from specific areas in Mendoza and Salta where grapes are optimal for the fruit-forward style of CRIOS. CRIOS Torrontés 2018 is 100% Torrontés hand-harvested from vineyards in Cafayete (Salta) and Uco Valley (Mendoza) regions at an elevation of 5,600 ft. Cafayete region has sandy-loam soils and the Uco Valley is known for its complex mix of soils that include stones, sand and limestone.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss This wine is pale lemon with green hues. A lovely floral bouquet is infused with citrus and a hint of pear. And the palate offers a refreshing blend of acacia, pear, citrus, green apple and crisp acidity. This is a perfect wine to serve as an aperitif or serve with seafood, light pasta and Asian cuisine. Alcohol: 13.5% SRP: $15 CRIOS Rosé of Malbec 2018 is 100% Malbec hand-harvested from vineyards in the Uco Valley region at an elevation of 3,700 ft.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss This Rosé has a vibrant coral color with subtle notes of strawberry, peach, red cherry and a hint of vanilla on the nose. This is a dry, refreshing and lively wine with crisp acidity. Soft notes of strawberry and sweet spice linger on the palate leading to a creamy finish. Serve as an aperitif or pair with fish, salads and light appetizers. Alcohol: 14.5% SRP: $15 CRIOS Malbec 2018 is 100% Malbec hand-harvested from vineyards in the Uco Valley region at an elevation of 3,700 ft. This wine was aged for nine months in French oak.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss This wine has a rich purple color with juicy aromas of violets, cherry, plum, berries and spice. Notes of plum, cherry, pomegranate and spice tease the palate with a delightful finish of mocha and pepper. Tannins are nicely balanced with acidity. Serve with grilled meat, tuna, hearty stews and aged cheese. Alcohol: 13.9% SRP: $15 CRIOS Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon hand-harvested from vineyards in the Uco Valley region at an elevation of 3,700 ft. This wine was aged for nine months in French oak.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss This wine is deep red bordering on purple with aromas of plum, floral, spice, dark berries and sour cherry. A lush palate of dark berries, plum, espresso and sweet spice ends with a lingering finish of anise and pepper. A nice balance of bright acidity and soft tannins rounds out this wine. Serve with grilled meat, fowl, hearty stew and spicy cuisine. Alcohol: 14.5% SRP: $15 The handprint logo that is on each CRIOS bottle is of three overlapping hands representing the generations involved in making this quality wine. It also symbolizes Susana’s love for her children and acknowledges hands as powerful tools in accomplishing a mission together.  Family working together, producing wine out of love and a passion for quality and the land…it doesn’t get any better!
Until next time… Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at [email protected] Summer isn’t over yet. There are still 5 weeks to go to enjoy outdoor concerts, beach time, backyard picnics and lazing in the hammock. With all the canned wine now available on the market, it is easier than ever to pack a few cans into one’s picnic basket. Tussock Jumper has taken it one step further by attaching a disposable wine cup to a single-serve, 187ml recyclable plastic bottle.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss The bottles are easy to transport and as you can see, two of them fit into my small hand!  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Tussock Jumper is a wine brand comprised of premium wines selected from eleven different countries around the world. The grapes are harvested from a collection of small vineyards carefully chosen for the best quality grapes. And all the wines are produced and bottled where the grapes are sourced. Tussock Jumper’s slogan is “Jump Around The Wine World”. A “tussock” is a knobby type of grass. As quoted from Tussock Jumper website “it symbolizes our green credentials and commitment to preserving nature. We take great care that all our wines are grown and produced under the best and most sustainable conditions.” Each bottle of wine depicts an animal that is native to where the wine comes from. And why the red jumpers you might ask? According to Tussock Jumper, the red jumper is a seal of authenticity, guaranteeing that all has been done to provide the consumer with quality wine.  Photo courtesy of Tussock Jumper Tussock Jumper Chardonnay, France 2018 This wine is 100% Chardonnay with grapes sourced from the South of France. A Mediterranean climate and assorted clay soils help to give the wine its character and crisp acidity. The wine was aged for nine months in 50% American and 50% French oak barrels.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss A soft lemon color gives way to lovely aromas of pear, citrus, granny smith apples and a touch of floral. A palate of pear, stone fruit and honeysuckle mingle with a hint of vanilla on the finish. Crisp acidity and a wonderful mouthfeel make this a very refreshing wine. Drink as an aperitif or pair with seafood, light pasta salads and grilled veggies. Alcohol: 13% SRP: $3.99/187ml Tussock Jumper Pinot Noir, France 2018 This wine is 100% Pinot Noir. Grapes were sourced from the South of France in vineyards resting on clay and limestone terraces.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss This ruby-red wine has a lush bouquet of ripe red berries, blackberry, cherry and a touch of sweet spice that segues onto the palate with a nice jammy mouthfeel infused with a hint of white chocolate and pepper. Tannins and acidity blend well together. Drink with grilled meats, fowl, pasta and cheese.
Alcohol: 12.5% SRP: $3.99/187ml The above wines depict a wild boar on the label, which is native to this particular region. Other single-serve varietals include Pinot Grigio and most recently, Malbec. In addition to single-serve wines, Tussock Jumper has an impressive portfolio of wines from around the world that are available in 750ml size bottles. I will be exploring more wines from Tussock Jumper very soon and will share my thoughts with you. Until next time… Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at [email protected] Hopefully, by now you are familiar with Domaine Bousquet after reading several of my stories and numerous reviews of their wines. And perhaps you have a bottle or two in your wine cellar! Domaine Bousquet is located in the upper reaches of the Gualtallary Valley in Tupungato, part of Mendoza’s Uco Valley in Argentina. Sitting at an altitude of 4,000 feet, it is considered one of the highest altitude vineyards in Mendoza and in the world!  Map credit: Maggie Nelson Noted for their use of French and Argentinian winemaking techniques, Anne Bousquet stated, “The objective of the Bousquet family was to unite our tradition of European winemaking with the ideal agricultural conditions in Mendoza.” If you are not familiar with the Bousquet family history, the estate and its terroir, please click on the links below. Day 622 Bonjour Argentina! - The WineKnitter http://thewineknitter.com/1/post/2018/01/day-622-bonjour-argentina.html Day 626 Bonjour Argentina! Part Two - The WineKnitter http://thewineknitter.com/1/post/2018/02/day-626-bonjour-argentina-part-two.html All of Domaine Bousquet wines are made from 100% organic fruit since the first vines were planted in 1997. Special attention is always taken to preserve the purity of the organic fruit. Sulfites occur naturally in grapes, but winemakers add additional sulfites to wine as a preservative. The sulfites help to maintain the wine’s freshness and slow down oxidation. With the release of Domaine Bousquet’s Virgen 2018, it marks their first no-sulfites-added, USDA certified organic red blend. Anne Bousquet said, “We only tackled this project once we were confident that we could manage the challenges of making a top-notch organic wine. We also wanted to make sure that this wine was true to our house style: an elegant wine with bright, clean, fruit flavors.”  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Domaine Bousquet Virgen Organic Red Blend 2018 is made with estate-grown 35% Malbec, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Cabernet Franc. As with all grapes from the estate, they are manually harvested. The three grape varieties were fermented together, no oak was used and no sulfites were added allowing for the “purest expression of the terroir.”  Photo credit: Penny Weiss  Photo credit: Penny Weiss This wine is deep purple with intoxicating aromas of ripe red fruit, dark berries, violets and spice. A richly layered palate is filled with juicy blackberries, black raspberry, blueberries, floral, spice and anise. The alcohol and acidity are perfectly balanced with fruit and anise lingering on a lengthy finish. This is a “drink now” wine. Pair with hearty stews, grilled meat, fowl and pasta. Alcohol: 15.5% SRP: $13 In addition to the Virgen Red Blend, I opened Domaine Bousquet’s Premium Cabernet Sauvignon. The premium varietal series is usually a blend of estate and purchased fruit from the Uco Valley.  Premium Varietal Series Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon made from 100% organic fruit manually harvested from estate vineyards. This wine is un-oaked. An inky purple color leads to aromas of dark berries, black plum, floral and spice. The palate offers a mix of berries infused with dark cherry, plum, spice, licorice and a touch of pepper and violets on the finish. This is a smooth wine with just the right balance of tannins and acidity. Pair with aged cheese, grilled meat, veggies and hearty soups. Alcohol: 14% SRP: $13  Photo credit: Penny Weiss  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Domaine Bousquet wines never disappoint my palate and they are offered at an amazing price!
Until next time… Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at [email protected] Imagine grand châteaux, wine vineyards, limestone cliffs, intriguing caves, the Morvan National Park, Forest des Bertranges, picturesque rivers and canals, and you have arrived in Bourgogne, aka Burgundy.  Photo credit: French Entree To begin, Bourgogne is the French name for Burgundy. According to the Bourgogne Wines Board, “To re-affirm its identity as one of the most iconic vineyards of France, the region and its producers are reverting to the original French iteration of its name - Bourgogne. By maintaining this one identity, Bourgogne returns to its historical roots as the consummate brand treasured by consumers the world over.” Located in the east-central part of France with over 74,000 acres of vineyards, Bourgogne is recognized worldwide and is considered the classic region for growing and producing Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The region is made up of five major growing areas each with its own unique climate and soil as represented on the map below.  Credit: BurgundyToday Chablis is to the north with a cool continental climate and as we move south the climate is predominantly moderate continental. The soil types vary and can change significantly over small areas due to small geological faults, combined with gradual erosion. It is important to note that limestone is the primary soil that influences the character and quality of Bourgogne wines in addition to the microclimate and grape variety. Bourgogne has a very complex and quite comprehensive classification system. There are 84 Appellations d’Origine Contrôlée (AOCs) throughout Bourgogne and four levels (classifications) of wine within the region starting with Regional, Village/Communal, Premier Cru and ending with Grand Cru. The regulations become stricter and pricing increases as you advance up the levels. Within the Bourgogne AOC, the Régionale appellations have their own geographic denominations with one of them being DGC (dénomination géographique complémentaire.) DGC wines have more restrictive production conditions than those of Régionale appellations without a denomination. There are 14 DGCs of the Bourgogne appellation with their own levels as well. Did I mention a complex system? Are you confused yet? I certainly am! So, let’s move on and dive into four wines representing the Bourgogne DGC appellation.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Domaine Olivier Morin Bourgogne Chitry Blanc Constance 2017 Domaine Olivier Morin is located in the medieval town of Chitry-le-Fort, which is just a few miles from Chablis. This six-acre estate is part of the Bourgogne Chitry AOC appellation. Chalky, Kimmeridgian limestone soil dominates the vineyards mirroring the terroir of Chablis with vines ranging from 10 to 25 years old.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss This unoaked 100% Chardonnay is dry, light and refreshing. It was aged for one year in stainless steel tanks and bottled unfiltered. This wine has a pale straw color with a slightly green hue. A lovely bouquet of floral, citrus and minerality lead to green apple, white flowers and citrus on the palate. Bright acidity, minerality and a burst of lime zest on the finish give this wine a lot of character. Serve as an aperitif or with seafood and light pasta dishes. Alcohol: 12.5% SRP: $21 Olivier Merlin Mâcon Blanc La Roche Vineuse 2016 Domaine Merlin is located in the village of La Roche-Vineuse at the foot of the Mâconnaise rocks in southern Burgundy. Mâconnaise wine region is about 150 miles south of Chablis and is warmer than the rest of Burgundy. The wines tend to be fuller and the fruit riper. Grapes for this wine were hand-harvested from vines growing in clay limestone of the Quaternary (soil dating back millions of years ago during the Jurassic period).  Photo credit: Penny Weiss This wine is 100% Chardonnay and was aged for 15 months. Ten percent was aged in older Burgundian barrels and the rest aged in stainless steel tanks. The wine was slightly filtered before bottling. The color of the wine is soft yellow with intriguing aromas of floral mixed with minerality and exotic fruit. This is a dry, crisp wine that is loaded with treats for the palate. It is fresh and juicy with white peach, pineapple, citrus, a trace of fennel and a lengthy candy apple finish. Serve as an aperitif or pair with seafood, grilled veggies and light pasta. Alcohol: 13% SRP: $23 Dominique Cornin Mâcon Chaintré 2016 Cornin Vignerons is located in the Mâcon Chaintré appellation. The grapes for this wine were hand-harvested and organically farmed from different plots situated at the foothills of Chaintré. Vines were planted between 1968-1985 in soil of clay limestone beaded with fluvial pebbles. This wine was aged in vats on fine lees for 11 months.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss This is 100% Chardonnay with a light yellow color. Notes of acacia, citrus and melon on the nose segue onto the palate with honeydew melon, apple and a trace of anise. This wine is a delightful dance on the palate and beautifully balanced between acidity and alcohol. I am including the winemaker’s description because it is so poetic! “We bite into a Chaintré like a green apple, using all our teeth! It is juicy and refreshing. We bite and we are bitten by its charm, put under a spell by its exuberant nose and dashing white flower, fresh fruit and citrus zest aromas. A glass of Chaintré in hand is a flower on a lapel, a crisp water colour, it’s spring weather that warms life. A glass of happiness, carefree and hopeful…” Drink as an aperitif or serve with light fare. Alcohol: 13% SRP: $25 Vigneron de Buxy Bourgogne Côte Chalonnaise Buissonnier Rouge 2015 Cave des Vigneron de Buxy is a collective initiative comprised of 120 winegrowers and family farms. They are located in the Bourgogne Côte Chalonnaise regional appellation. The boundaries extend from Montagny in the south up to Chagny in the north, ending just south of Côte d’Or.  The grapes for this wine were selected from plots located in the middle of hillsides with shallow soils of clay and limestone with very stony grounds. Vinification takes place in stainless steel vats and then in casks or oak casks. Duration of aging in wood is dependent on the vintage.  This is 100% Pinot Noir with a dark ruby color bordering on brick. Succulent aromas of berries, cherry and spice spill onto the palate with bursts of dark cherry, rich and jammy fruit, spice and earth followed by a finale of pepper and vanilla. It is a perfect balance between the acidity and soft tannins. Pair with game, meat, grilled tuna and veggies.
Alcohol: 13% SRP: $16.99 These are considered entry-level wines, but they are complex, refined and quite enticing. And they undeniably represent the terroir of Bourgogne. It just goes to show you that one doesn’t have to spend a fortune to indulge in the wines of Bourgogne! Until next time… Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at [email protected] Most of my wine consumption for the past few weeks have been whites and rosés. However, when I recently received two red wines from the Chianti region I just had to open them despite the hot weather.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss The Renzo Masi winery has been producing wine for three generations with Paolo Masi as third generation winemaker. Paolo’s grandfather purchased the property in 1925. The winery is located in Tuscany’s Rufina district in the Apennine foothills where the estate sits on a hill overlooking the Argomenna Valley on one side and the right bank of the Sieve River on the other.  Photo credit: Renzo Masi Rufina is the smallest of the Chianti subzones and is considered one of the best areas for Sangiovese grapes after the “Classico” area.  Map courtesy of Chianti.com Rufina is known for its full-bodied, acid-rich wines. The climate is slightly cooler here due to the higher elevation of 1,000 ft. Rufina has a dry, breezy microclimate and is exposed to extreme diurnal temperature shifts. Stony soil and “galestro”, which is flaky shale combined with the climate, makes for ideal growing conditions. Chiantis produced by Renzo Masi are a mix of estate-grown fruit and those purchased from local neighbors who have been working with the Masi family anywhere from 15 to 40 years. Renzo Masi Chianti DOCG 2018 is a blend of 95% Sangiovese and 5% Colorino. This is a very aromatic wine with notes of floral, red berries and sweet spice. It is a medium-bodied wine with the palate offering plum, red berries, raspberry and a trace of anise. It is silky, well structured and has good acidity. The price to value ratio is undeniably impressive! Pair with almost anything. Alcohol: 13% SRP: $12  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Renzo Masi Erta e China 2017 IGT Toscana is a blend of 50% Sangiovese and 50% Cabernet Sauvignon. “Erta e China” means ‘Ascent and Descent’ in Italian, referring to how the rows of vines are planted up and down a hillside. The wine was aged in used French barriques for about 14 months. It is a deep ruby color with seductive aromas of dark berries, spice and violets. The palate is lush with blackberry, dark cherry, plum, anise and hints of vanilla and baking spice lingering on the finish. A balance of silky tannins and acidity make this an easy wine to pair with an assortment of fare. This is another food-friendly wine. Alcohol: 13.5% SRP: $16  Photo credit: Penny Weiss The Renzo Masi winery produces a broad spectrum of wines from entry-level to fine wines. Renzo Masi’s motto is “Big enough to be broad-minded. Small enough to care about the details”.
Until next time… Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at [email protected] |
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