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With 250 indigenous grape varieties officially registered in Portugal and fourteen regional wine areas, there is much to explore and a lot of wine to taste.  Map credit: Viniportugal A few months ago I wrote about Alicante Bouschet, the signature red grape of the Alentejo region of Portugal. Today the spotlight is on Antão Vaz (ANT-ow VASH), the star white grape of this region. But before we dive into exploring this grape, let’s do a quick review of the Alentejo wine region. Portugal is divided into fourteen regional wine areas, each with its own unique geography and climate.  Photo courtesy of https://www.cellartours.com/portugal/wine-tours The Alentejo wine region covers a third of Portugal in the southern half of the country and enjoys a Mediterranean climate. The wines produced here come in a range of styles, influenced by the diversity of the climate and soil. The soil of Alentejo varies throughout its eight sub-regions. In fact, it has the most diverse soil of any region in Portugal. Interspersed amongst the mountains, hills and valleys, one can find soil with clay, limestone, quartz, granite, schist, sandstone and marble. Most of the soils are non-calcareous, meaning they are neutral or more acidic. Alentejo has 51,000 acres of planted vines that enjoy 3000 hours of sunshine annually. More than 80% of the grapes grown here are red, but whites are gaining momentum, especially Antão Vaz.  Antão Vaz Photo credit: Wines of Portugal Antão Vaz is a large, thick-skinned grape that is disease resistant and also highly resistant to drought, which makes it well suited to the hot and sunny climate of Alentejo. When grapes are picked early, the wines tend to be light and quite aromatic with citrus notes and crisp acidity. If the grapes are left longer on the vine, the wines can reach higher levels of alcohol, making the wine suitable for barrel aging. Antão Vaz is quite versatile and is made in a wide range of styles. It can be made as a single varietal but is often blended with other native grapes such as Roupeiro, Arinto and Perrum. I recently received a selection of wines that show how multifaceted Antão Vaz is.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Esporão Monte Velho White Blend 2017 Herdade do Esporão has 450 hectares of vineyards planted in key agricultural areas. For this wine, grapes were harvested throughout the region, resulting from a partnership with suppliers from the different sub-regions of Alentejo. Monte Velho is a blend of 40% Antão Vaz, 40% Roupeiro and 20% Perrum. The color is vibrant lemon with aromas of citrus, stone fruit and hints of green apple. White flowers, citrus notes and peach layer the palate. Crisp acidity and a beautiful mouthfeel add richness to this wine. It’s easy to drink and will pair with a variety of food. It’s perfect to serve with Asian cuisine. Alcohol: 14.5% SRP: $12  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Herdade do Rocim Mariana Branco 2017 is a blend of 60% Antão Vaz 30% Arinto and 10% Alvarinho. The grapes were harvested from the sub-region of Vidigueira in the lower region of Alentejo where the climatic conditions are the most temperate. The wine color is light straw with a tinge of green. Delicate aromas of floral, peach and hints of mango segue onto the palate with tropical fruit and lemon. This is a refreshing wine with nice acidity and good structure. Serve with seafood, appetizers, light pasta and salad. Alcohol: 12.5% SRP: $13  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Fitapreta Branco 2018 is a blend of Antão Vaz, Roupeiro, Rabo de Ovelha, Tamarez, Arinto and Alcante Branco. Grapes are harvested from the sub-region of Évora located in the interior of Alentejo, which experiences typical mild and warm Mediterranean weather with more rainfall in the winter. The batches of grapes are fermented separately so as to preserve their distinctive qualities and only blended post-fermentation. The color is pale lemon with aromas of floral, citrus, candied apple and hints of minerality. Citrus, honey, pear, tropical fruit and just the right amount of acidity on the palate makes for a very refreshing wine. Serve with seafood, light appetizers and salad. Alcohol: 13% SRP: $22  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Herdade da Malhadinha Nova Antão Vaz da Peceguina 2016 is 100% Antão Vaz. Malhadinha Nova is situated in Albernoa, in the heart of lower Alentejo where the climatic conditions are the most temperate. The color of this wine is golden with lively aromas of tropical fruit, tangerine and honey. Subtle flavors of tropical fruit, citrus peel and an undefined mineral taste on the finish add to a fresh and well-structured wine. Try pairing with grilled fish and vegetables. Alcohol: 13% SRP: $25  Photo credit: Penny Weiss The above wines are quite nice and they have piqued my interest in tasting barrel aged Antão Vaz. The barrel aged wines allow for the fruity characteristics of this variety to evolve and the texture becomes smoother as well. I’ll be sure to share my notes with you when I delve deeper into the versatility of Antão Vaz.
Until next time… Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at [email protected] Yes, I have written several stories about wines in a can. It seems that many wine producers are jumping on board with this concept. And, I must admit I have sampled some very good wines in non-glass, all aluminum containers. They are lightweight, convenient to pack in picnic baskets, take to outdoor concerts and serve at barbeques and pool parties. Recently delivered to me were samples of Butternut Chardonnay and Rosé in a can.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss BNA Wine Group produces Butternut Wines. The company is headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee with a presence and partnerships in Napa Valley, CA. BNA Wine Group, founded in 2011, is comprised of three creative men each bringing their own unique talent to the table. They are fourth generation wine distributor John Hooper, second-generation winemaker Tony Leonardi and industry veteran Gary Carr. Their mantra is “discover the right vineyards, retain the natural characters in the grape, coax the best wine into the bottle and then offer the resulting wine at a great value.”  John, Tony and Gary Photo credit: BNA Wine Group I asked what BNA stands for, as it clearly has nothing to do with the names of the trio. BNA is the airport code for Nashville where all three made their connection…no pun intended! All the grapes for Butternut wines are sourced and produced in CA. The grapes are picked in September and early October contingent upon vineyard location and vintage and then immediately brought to the winery for production. I asked Tony to elaborate a bit on the wine production. He said, “Once primary fermentation is complete, or close to being complete, we then inoculate the wine with malolactic cultures. All of our Chardonnays go through 100% malolactic fermentation, but to balance the wine out we also like nice, crisp acidity. Our wine in bottles get 100% new French oak but the canned wines get just a small amount of oak. There is a lot less oxygen in the cans to help interact with the oak undertones. In the cans, oak seems to control aromas and flavors and blocks the freshness of the Chardonnay. We use minimal amounts of sulfur and try to keep the wines as varietally correct as possible.” Butternut Chardonnay is 100% Chardonnay with grapes sourced from California. The color of the wine is pale yellow with lovely aromas of floral, citrus, peach and Honeycrisp apples that segue onto the palate with hints of melon and a creamy mouthfeel. It is nicely balanced with acidity showing through. Alcohol: 13.9% SRP: $6.99 for a 375ml can  Butternut Rosé is a blend of 50% Tempranillo and 50% Syrah. Grapes are sourced from the Central Coast of California. The color is dark salmon, bordering on orange. Aromas of floral, honeydew and citrus are subtle and the palate explodes with flavors of raspberry, tangerine, strawberry, red ruby grapefruit and crisp acidity. It is quite refreshing! Alcohol: 11.9% SRP: $6.99 for a 375ml can  Butternut wines offer several varietals sourced from vineyards throughout California. Chardonnay, Rosé, and Pinot Noir are available in the can or by the bottle. BNA’s other brand, Humble Pie, offers Cabernet Sauvignon by the bottle only.
These wines are definitely worth checking out! Until next time… Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at [email protected] With the onset of summer, spending time outdoors is a must for me. In addition to swimming and hiking, I like to make the most of the warm weather preferring to dine outside when possible. The sunsets and cool evenings with wine or cocktail in hand are blissful. Having lived in Miami Beach for many years I literally sweated out the summer months. Being young and unsophisticated when it came to drinking wine and spirits, we would get quite creative with hot weather alcoholic drinks. One of my favorite concoctions back then was making homemade chocolate chip ice cream and then putting it in a blender with vodka, and pouring it into a well-chilled glass. Had I been more cognizant of sparkling wines and their versatility as an ingredient in cocktails, my drinks would have undoubtedly been much lighter, less fattening and lower in alcohol. I was young though and hadn’t begun to really explore the world of wine and spirits. Fortunately, since my Miami Beach days, I’ve moved on from ice cream and vodka to more interesting and tastier options to quench my summer thirst. A very popular and light alcoholic beverage is the Spritz, traditionally made with sparkling wine, an aperitif such as Aperol or Campari and a splash of soda water. The Spritz is refreshing and a great “warm weather” drink.  Enjoying a Spritz in Venice, Italy! Photo credit: Penny Weiss Another creative and delicious Spritz is one made with TrentoDOC and Disaronno. I received these bottles as samples, along with a cocktail recipe. It was easy to make and quite delicious, proving that one doesn’t have to stick to tradition. Think outside the box and have some fun!  Photo credit: Penny Weiss The Really Italian Spritz 2 oz Disaronno 1 oz Fresh Lemon Juice Top with TrentoDOC Pour ingredients in a chilled flute and gently stir  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Cantina d’Isera 1907 Brut Trentodoc is 100% Chardonnay with delicate aromas of soft stone fruit and bread dough. Fine bubbles, bright acidity and stone fruit continue onto the palate. Serve as an aperitif or make your favorite spritz with it. Disaronno is a liqueur made in Italy with a very distinct aroma and taste of almonds called Armelline (the seeds of apricot stone), sweet fruit, Madagascar vanilla and pure caramelized sugar. Disaronno takes the lead in any mixed drink. It is refreshing to serve over ice as well. In stories past, I’ve shared unusual and very tasty cocktail recipes that are great to serve year round but are especially nice in warm weather. Just in case you missed the stories, here are a few fun cocktail recipes to make. Dirty French Cognac cocktail (Courtesy of Camus Cognac)  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Alambre Burbalas (Courtesy of Aldea Restaurant and José Maria da Fonseca) 1.5oz Alambre Moscatel 1 round of orange 2 dashes Angostura bitters .5 bar spoon honey 2oz dry sparkling wine Combine Alambre, honey, orange and bitters in mixing vessel, muddle lightly to express the orange into the combination Add ice and stir to chill and combine flavors Strain into wine glass Add dry sparkling wine Garnish with Orange rind  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Tequila Sunrise  Supposedly, this cocktail was created by Gene Sulit in the 1930s or 1940s and was first served at the Arizona Biltmore Hotel. The original recipe contained tequila, crème de cassis, lime juice and soda water. In the 1970s Bobby Lazoff and Billy Rice of Sausalito, CA created a more modern version with tequila, orange juice and grenadine. It seems that Mick Jagger tried a Tequila Sunrise in 1972 during his American tour and liked it so much that he started ordering them all over America. Here is the recipe: 2.5 oz tequila 5 oz orange juice 1 tsp of grenadine Ice cubes Vodka Sunset This is my version of Tequila Sunrise because I enjoy drinking cocktails at sunset!  Photo credit: Penny Weiss The recipe is simple; mix vodka with fresh orange juice and pure pomegranate juice.
Serve over ice. The next time you’re craving a refreshing, and light cocktail, grab a bottle of sparkling wine and add a liqueur to it. Be adventurous, creative and enjoy! Until next time… Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at [email protected] When serving Tuscan wines, thoughts usually turn to pairing them with Italian food and hearty fare. Ladies and gentlemen, it’s time to think outside the box when drinking these wines. Countess Beatrice Contini Bonacossi, (“Bea” for short) family proprietor of Tenuta di Capezzana certainly thought beyond Italian food as she guided us through a tasting of her wines at Hakkasan, a Cantonese restaurant in New York City.  Beatrice Contini Bonacossi Photo credit: Penny Weiss Capezzana, established in 804 is Tuscany’s oldest wine producing estate located in the northwest corner of Tuscany in Italy’s smallest appellation called Carmignano.  Carmignano was formally recognized as a wine-producing appellation in 1716 along with its famous neighbor, Chianti. Sangiovese is the primary grape for both appellations. Unlike Chianti, Carmignano is lesser known but is rich in wine history dating back about 3,000 years ago in the pre-Roman era. Capezzana was once home to the Medici family. During the 16th century when Catherine de’ Medici married King Henry of France, she had Cabernet Sauvignon vines imported to the Capezzana vineyards, making it the first Italian planting site of French Cabernet Sauvignon. In 1920, Count Alessandro Contini Bonacossi purchased Capezzana and it has remained in the family ever since. Alessandro’s grandson Ugo was instrumental in establishing Carmignano’s own DOC in 1975 and DOCG in 1990. Today, Capezzana produces over 50% of all DOCG Carmignano, a wine made primarily with Sangiovese and small amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon and other local varieties. The estate has 247 acres of vineyards and 356 acres of olive groves. Bea said, “ We have 30,000 olive tree, some are fifty years old.” Now in its fourth and fifth generation, three of Ugo’s seven children are part of the day-to-day operations. Bea is proprietor and global ambassador, Filippo is head of the winery’s finances and olive oil production and Benedetta is the winemaker. Their brother Vittorio who passed away in 2012 was an integral part of the winery and began working with his father at the age of 18. He became an agronomist who eventually took over the management of the company, the vineyards and olive groves.  Family Photo Photo credit: Capezzana Capezzana has a unique climate due to its location being in close proximity to the Apennine Mountain range. As Bea described it, “We have a special microclimate, with warm summer days and cool breezes in the early evening. There are no sea influences due to the mountains. The winds carry moisture to the vineyards.” And as for the soil, Bea explained, “We have a diversity of soil, one can find 3 to 4 different soils in one vineyard.” Soil types are typically clay, sand and schist.  Vineyards of Capezzana Photo credit: Capezzana  Vittorio’s wish was for all of Carmignano to become organic, so he began the process in 2008 with Capezzana. Through his determination and passion, Capezzana became fully organic and was granted organic certification beginning with the 2015 vintage. It was the first certified organic commercial winery in Carmignano. Bea stated, “I hope my brother’s dream comes true for all of Carmignano to become organic one day. It is at 50% now.” We began our exploration of the estate’s wines with a sample of their organic olive oil. The olive oil was poured into small cups and Bea showed us how to taste it. We put our hand over the top of the cup and swirled it to release the aromas. Then after breathing in the aromas, we were supposed to “slurp” a mouthful and inhale nosily in order to heighten the flavors. I don’t think anyone was very demonstrative with slurping!   Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil 2018 is a blend of 60% Moraiolo, 30% Frantoio, 5% Leccino and 5% Pendolino olives. The olive oil is superb. It has fruity and earthy aromas with a hint of artichokes. The palate offers light fruit balanced with a touch of pepper and nuttiness. This is an elegant olive oil that can be drizzled on anything. It is light enough to enhance the food but not overpower it. SRP: $38 Next, we tasted a stellar lineup of red wines served with a selection of delicious appetizers and main dishes. And I must say that all the wines complemented each course.  Barco Reale di Carmignano DOC 2016 is a new vintage release made with 80% Sangiovese, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Canaiolo, 5% Cabernet Franc. The wine is aged for 12 months in Allier barrels and then rests for a minimum of 3 months in the bottle prior to release. This is a fresh and youthful wine with intense aromas of dark cherry, berries and a hint of baking spice. It has lots of fruit on the palate with blackberry and dark cherry lingering on the finish. Nicely balanced with soft tannins. Alcohol: 13.5% SRP: $17 Villa di Capezzana DOCG 2015 is a blend of 80% Sangiovese and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine is aged in barrique and tonneaux for 12 months and then rests in the bottle for a minimum of 12 months. It has lovely aromas of floral mixed with red and dark fruit and hints of spice. The palate offers lush fruit, anisette and spice. Although this is an intense wine, it is fresh with structured tannins and a lengthy finish. Alcohol: 14% SRP: $27 Villa di Capezzana DOCG 2009 is a blend of 80% Sangiovese and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine is aged in barrique and tonneaux for 12 months and then rests in the bottle for a minimum of 12 months. This wine is rich and well structured with concentrated dark fruit both on the nose and palate. Licorice, dark chocolate and spice continue onto a long finish. Silky tannins and balanced acidity add to the richness of this wine. Alcohol: 14% SRP: $65  Trefiano Riserva DOCG 2015 is a blend of 80% Sangiovese, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Canaiolo. The wine is aged in barrique and half new and half old tonneaux for 18 months, then rests for at least 24 months in the bottle prior to release. This is the estate’s first organic vintage. Bea said, “To honor my brother Vittorio, his name is on the bottle.” The wine has a lovely bouquet of ripe dark berries, cherry, plum and hints of pepper. Concentrated layers of ripe fruit, hints of herbs, pepper, spice and espresso envelop the palate. It is an elegant wine that is beautifully balanced. Alcohol: 14% SRP: $55 Trefiano Riserva DOCG 2013 is a blend of 80% Sangiovese, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Canaiolo. The wine is aged in barrique and half new and half old tonneaux for 18 months, then rests for at least 24 months in the bottle prior to release. A powerful bouquet of dark and red fruit, spice and dark chocolate set the stage for a concentration of rich dark fruit led by black cherry, plum and spice. This wine is silkier than the 2015 vintage, but all the elements remain. Alcohol: 14% SRP: $55 Ghiaie Della Furba IGT 2012 is a Bordeaux-style blend made with 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Syrah and 20% Merlot. Bea said, “My father decided he wanted to make an innovative wine.” The wine was first created in 1979 by Ugo and Vittorio and was a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot. The blend was modified in 1998 with the addition of Syrah and today the blend is as above. The wine is aged in barrique for15 months, followed by a minimum of 12 months in bottle prior to release. Aromas of red fruit, cherry tobacco, spice and herbs are enticing. The palate offers dark and succulent fruit mixed with hints of fennel and spice. It is structured and well balanced with a long silky finish. Alcohol: 14% SRP: $60  And lastly, an elegant dessert wine was poured. Vin Santo Riserva DOC 2011 is a blend of 90% Trebbiano and 10% San Colombano. The grapes are dried through natural methods on cane matting from harvest through to the following February and then vinified in traditional small chestnut, maple and cherry casks. The wine is aged for five years and in bottle for a minimum of 3 months. Bea said, “It is a wine that doesn’t follow any pattern or rule. It is my child.” Heady aromas of perfume, almonds and candied fruit spill onto the palate with added notes of fig, spice and orange zest. This is a sweet and decadent wine that pairs well with desserts and aged cheeses. Alcohol: 14.5% SRP: $55  In addition to producing elegant and expressive wines that have finesse and structure, Capezzana also has a cooking school and wine bar on the premises. It is an “all in the family” venture.
I would like to leave you with a quote taken from Capezzana website. “The taste of the area of origin is the thing that interests us most to carry on, that is the scent of the land that enters, unique and unparalleled in our wines.” Until next time… Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at [email protected] It might have been an overcast and drizzly day in Manhattan, but in the upstairs private dining room at Aldea, a Portuguese restaurant, the mood was anything but somber. A few wine writers had gathered to meet the very charismatic and engaging Domingos Soares Franco. If you don’t know his name, then you should!  Domingos Soares Franco Photo courtesy of JM da Fonseca Domingos is co-owner and senior winemaker at José Maria da Fonseca, a historic family-run winery in Portugal. Domingos along with his brother is part of the sixth generation to run this winery and the seventh generation is now joining the ranks. Domingos holds the distinction of being the first Portuguese national to graduate with a degree in Fermentation Sciences (Viticulture and Oenology) from the University of California, Davis in 1981. As he put it, “in the 1970s there were no wine schools in Portugal or nearby, so I went to America to learn.” In addition to the knowledge he acquired from being part of one of the oldest and most prestigious wineries in Portugal, he returned from America with a newfound insight that influenced his approach to vine growing and winemaking. He combines Portuguese tradition with a dash of modern thrown in. Domingos currently works with 30 grape varieties and enjoys seeking out varieties and blends that will appeal to the consumer. With a twinkle in his eyes, he said: “It’s a secret as to how I judge if a wine will make the consumer happy.” José Maria da Fonseca was established in 1834 and is one of Portugal’s most historic wine producers. Its headquarters are in Azeitão on the Setúbal Peninsula. It is the 4th largest winery in Portugal with more than 650 hectares of vineyards containing a collection of Portugal’s top local varieties. Their vineyards are located in several wine regions around Portugal that include Douro, Vinho Verde, Alentejo, Dao and Setúbal.  The Fernandes Soares Franco winery located in Azeitão is a state of the art winery that was established in 1999. The winery is entirely computerized and has a 6.5 million-liter capacity with 513 vinification tanks, including traditional presses that date back to the 20th century. The six-member winemaking team is made up of two women and four men with Domingos at the helm. Domingos admits, “I wish we had more women winemakers. Women have a much more sensitive nose”. The team works closely together engaging in research studies, experiments and innovation. Domingos is always present for the blending sessions and he still makes the blends.  Team of winemakers Photo courtesy of JM da Fonseca We began our luncheon with a special cocktail called Alambre Burbujas made with a perfect blend of Alambre Muscatel, dry Sparkling wine, honey and bitters. It was heavenly and a must serve for the summer days ahead.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Here is the recipe: Alambre Burbujas 1.5oz Alambre Moscatel 1 round of orange 2 dashes Angostura bitters .5 bar spoon honey 2oz dry sparkling wine Build: Combine Alambre, honey, orange and bitters in mixing vessel, muddle lightly to express the orange into the combination Add ice and stir to chill and combine flavors Strain into wine glass Add dry sparkling wine Garnish with Orange rind We tasted through five wines over a three-course meal.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss The first two wines were 2017 vintages. Domingos said, “2017 was a strange season with lots of rain and heat waves, but it was our best harvest in sixty years.”  From left to right: Jose de Sousa, Periquita Reserva and Domini Plus Photo credit: Penny Weiss José de Sousa 2017 Region: Alentejo The José de Sousa Rosado Fernandez Cellar, which was founded in 1878, was purchased by José Maria da Fonseca in 1986, fulfilling their dream to produce wine in Alentejo. In keeping with a 2000-year-old Roman tradition, an ancient fermentation method takes place in ceramic amphorae (also called Talha winemaking). The José de Sousa Cellar owns 126 of these pots.  Alentejo is well known for making Talha wines and it is part of the wine culture here.  For the José de Sousa 2017, a small portion of the wine is fermented in the clay amphorae followed by 9 months of resting in French and American oak casks. The remainder of wine is fermented in stainless steel tanks. The wine is a blend of 58% Grand Noir, 22% Trincadeira and 20% Aragonês all harvested from the Alentejo region. The color is deep red with succulent aromas of dark fruit and spices. Concentrated flavors of rich and juicy fruit, cherry, spice, licorice, firm tannins, nice acidity and a hint of vanilla permeate the palate. Alcohol: 14.5% SRP: $19.99 Periquita Reserva 2017 Region: Setúbal Peninsula José Maria da Fonseca holds the prestige of being the first ever to bottle wine in Portugal. In 1850 the Periquita brand, a Castelão based dry wine was the first bottled wine released from the estate.  Periquita Reserva 2017 is a blend of 56% Castelão, 22% Touriga Nacional and 22% Touriga Francesa. The wine is aged for 8 months in French and American new and used oak. Domingos explained that about 80% is new oak in order to give the wine a bit more vanilla. The color is ruby with aromas of red berries, strawberry, cherry, spice and vanilla that segue onto the palate with plum, dark cherry and hints of anise. This wine is beautifully balanced with good acidity and soft tannins. Alcohol: 13% SRP: $14.99 Domini Plus 2015 Region: Douro Sub-Region: Douro Superior This wine is a blend of 96% Touriga Francesa and 4% Touriga Nacional. Grapes were harvested from a combination of old and new vines in vineyards that span 37 acres in Douro Superior. The wine is aged for 10 months in new French oak casks.  This wine has a deep ruby color and inviting aromas of floral, dark berries, anise and hints of tobacco. The palate is layered with dense dark fruit, earth, spice and a touch of minerality. This is another easy drinking wine that has richness to it with good acidity and smooth tannins. Alcohol: 13.9% SRP: $44.99 This is a nice selection of easy drinking red blends that capture the expression of the land. As Domingos says, “I look for elegant wines, not blockbusters or powerful and oaked.” All three red wines paired beautifully with my main course of Sea scallops with morel mushrooms and spring green garlic.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Before I dive into the dessert wine, let me give you a brief history of the estate’s Alambre Moscatel. Setúbal Moscatel is a fortified dessert wine produced in the Setúbal Peninsula that was recognized as a D.O.C. in 1907. The name Alambre was taken from the estate where José Maria da Fonseca first planted the Moscatel grape variety. The name also refers to the wine’s amber color. Alambre 20 Years D.O.C Moscatel de Setúbal is made from 100% Moscatel de Setúbal. It is a blend of 19 vintages with the youngest wine being at least 20 years old and the oldest close to 80 years old. The wine is aged in used oak with no bottle aging required due to natural oxidation. This is a beautiful fortified wine that is delightfully light and filled with pleasant acidity and flavors of candied orange, dried fruit and hazelnuts. It is a delicious treat for the palate! Alcohol: 18.4% SRP: $69.00 Alambre 40 Years D.O.C Moscatel de Setúbal is made from 100% Moscatel de Setúbal. The age for this blend varies between 40 and 50 years and the best lots were selected for the production of this wine. The wine is aged in used oak with no bottle aging required due to natural oxidation. The color is dark amber with seductive aromas of floral, dried fruit and honey. Dried apricot, orange, honey, toasted nuts and a hint of baking spice explode onto the palate. It is quite amazing! Alcohol: 18.7% SRP: $149.99  40 Years on left and 20 Years on right Before our luncheon came to an end, Domingos took out a vial filled with a very dark liquid. Domingos said it contained a vintage of Moscatel de Setúbal made in 1918. He shared it with us in celebration of his father who would have turned 100 years old in 2019. We were each treated to a magical thimble full of the wine. It was “manna from heaven!” Photo credit: Penny Weiss  The Trifecta! Photo credit: Penny Weiss Domingos will be celebrating a personal milestone in 2020, which will mark his 40th harvest! Bravo!  Photo credit: Penny Weiss José Maria da Fonseca is known for its impressive portfolio of Premium, Super Premium and fortified wines. All of their wines are of high quality with many at an affordable price. Having met Domingos and sampled his wines, I can truly attest that the wines are made with care, dedication and passion.
Until next time… Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at [email protected] Navarra is one of seventeen autonomous regions in Spain located in the north-central end of the country, southwest of the Pyrenees and adjacent to France. Navarra’s capital, Pamplona, is world-famous for the Running of The Bulls. Ernest Hemingway’s passion for watching bullfights and his curiosity about the Running of The Bulls brought him to visit Pamplona several times.  Ernest Hemingway in Pamplona. Photo courtesy of Ernest Hemingway Collection After experiencing The Running of The Bulls on his trip in 1925, he began writing the novel, “The Sun Also Rises” based on real people and events that took place on that particular visit. The book was published in 1926. Navarra is not just about bulls, however. It is steeped in history, has at least fifty natural preserves, offers quality cuisine and is a D.O. (Denominación de Origen or Designation of Origin) wine region. The Navarra D.O. was created in 1933 and there are approximately 11,500 hectares of vineyards that occupy about half the area of the municipal region. Although Navarra is a small region there are three climates. The Atlantic climate is cool and humid, Continental climate is transitional with extreme winters and summers and the Mediterranean climate is semi-arid with moderate winters and hot summers Due to Navarra’s diverse topography and climate, five distinct winemaking subzones were established within the D.O: Ribera Baja, Ribera Alta, Tierra Estella, Valdizarbe and Baja Montaña. A wide range of soils can be found in each subzone, adding to the characteristics and expression of the wines produced.  Map credit: Run With Navarra Wines The principal grape varieties found in Navarra are Chardonnay, Garnacha Blanca, Malvasia, Moscatel de grano menudo, Sauvignon Blanc, Viura, Cabernet Sauvignon, Garnacha Tinta, Graciano, Merlot, Mazuelo, Pinot Noir, Syrah and Tempranillo. Wines of Navarra recently sent me two samples from the subzones of Ribera Alta and Valdizarbe.  Bodega Inurrieta is a family-owned winery located in Falces, about 45 minutes south of Pamplona and is in the Ribera Alta subzone. “Inurrieta” in Spanish means “area of ants” and is a tribute to the current owners of the winery, the family Antoñana. The winery was founded in 1999. The climate in Ribera Alta is Mediterranean-Continental with very little rainfall, cold winters and hot summers. Bodega Inurrieta has 230 hectares of vineyards planted on three elevations, each with a different soil makeup. Sand and silt are on the first level, a significant amount of clay on the second level and fragmented limestone bed on the third level. They grow six different grape varieties, one of which is Sauvignon Blanc.  Inurrieta Orchídea 2018 is 100% Sauvignon Blanc. The color is pale lemon with inviting floral aromas mixed with citrus, pear and pineapple. The palate offers pear, grapefruit, honeysuckle and a touch of lemon zest on the finish. It has a beautiful balance of mouthwatering acidity and a creamy mouthfeel due to four months of tank aging on fine lees. It’s very refreshing and the value is amazing! Alcohol: 13% SRP: $12 Bodegas Nekeas, once a cooperative in the valley, (The Valley of Nekeas) is now a privately owned winery located in Añorbe, a municipality in the subzone of Valdizarbe. It’s origins date back to the 15th century but it was brought back to life in the 1960s. All eight founding families remain in control today. Valdizarbe is at the northern boundary of D.O. Navarra’s vineyards. The subzone climate is humid and lush with greenery and vegetation. Soil type in the vineyards is dependent upon the elevation. Bodegas Nekeas has 560 acres of planted vines where they grow both indigenous and international grape varieties.  Bodegas Nekeas El Chaparral de Vega Sindoa 2016 is 100% Garnacha. El Chaparral is named after a small Spanish oak tree called Chaparro that surrounds the area where the vineyards are found. The grapes for this wine were hand harvested from vines between 85 and 110 years old that are situated in the Valley of Valdizarbe at an altitude of 1,800 – 2,000 ft. It is believed that these Garnacha plots are the most northern in Spain and the closest to the Atlantic Ocean. The climate here is Continental with both Mediterranean and Atlantic influences. The wine was aged for five months in new and used French oak.
The color of the wine is dark ruby bordering on garnet. Aromas of raspberry, sweet flowers and spice segue onto the palate with red plum, baking spice, vanilla and a touch of pepper on a long finish. The wine is perfectly balanced and is rich and smooth with a playful mouthfeel. Alcohol: 15% SRP: $15 Both wines are light and easy to drink and will pair well with an array of food from fish to meat. I’m looking forward to tasting more wines from the other subzones of Navarra. So much to explore! Until next time… Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at [email protected] It’s springtime and everyone is opening up bottles of white, rosé and sparkling wines to celebrate the warm weather and Mother’s Day this weekend! I, on the other hand, opened a bottle of red wine to sate my curiosity and palate! In 2014, I opened one of two bottles of 1997 Estancia Meritage Alexander Valley that I had tucked away in my cellar. It was quite good considering how old it was so I decided to wait a year or two before opening the second bottle. However, I forgot all about the wine until I stumbled upon it today while looking for another wine. I never intended to wait this long before opening it and now I wasn’t sure what I would find after 22 years had passed since the grapes were harvested.  Alexander Valley appellation is at the northern end of Sonoma County and is home to many microclimates, but overall a Mediterranean climate dominates the region. Elevations range from 400 to 2500 feet and soils are rocky and diverse. Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay are the most widely planted grapes here, but many other varieties such as Zinfandel, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc also grow in this appellation.  Estancia Meritage Alexander Valley 1997 is a Bordeaux-style blend of 59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 11% Cabernet Franc. The wine is aged in American oak for 20 months, of which 57% is new oak. I was not surprised that the cork decided to crumble when trying to remove it, so I decanted the wine through a strainer.  I was happy to see that the wine was a rich garnet color with encouraging fruit aromas as I decanted it. Luscious aromas of dark cherry, black plum, earth and hints of spice greeted me. My palate was treated to a surprising amount of fruit, spice, dried cranberry, fennel and pepper. The wine was silky with a soft but lengthy finish. Wow! This wine may be past its best, but it is still very drinkable and I am impressed! This was quite a treat! The back label has a quote from David Perata, Alexander Valley Vineyard Master. "This Bordeaux-style blend is a sophisticated and elegant expression of the highest quality fruit from the Alexander Valley." Yes, indeed! Alcohol: 13.5%  And now on to the rosés and sparkling wines to celebrate Mother’s Day!
Until next time… Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at [email protected] While visiting a wine and spirits store the other day I came across a bottle of vodka that I was not familiar with. It was slightly hidden amongst the high priced vodkas and what especially caught my eye was the price tag of $10. It was platinum premium vodka, 8x distilled and made in Ukraine. Intrigued, I decided to buy it.  The bottle is frosted from the freezer! According to Slavic folklore, the rusalka is a mysterious creature fashioned in the shape of a beautiful woman who lives inside rivers or lakes and supposedly has feet, not a fishtail.  Drawing credit: Linda Kindt These demon-like creatures sleep during the day and then sometimes appear in the evening hours to dance and frolic by the water’s edge or in the woods. The rusalki love to entice men to follow them into the water and once under the rusalki’s spell these unfortunate men meet an untimely death. There are many versions to this story, including the one printed on the back label of this vodka. “According to the old distillery tale. Rusalka (Mermaid) lived at the bottom of the Dnieper River. One night, Rusalka spotted a handsome master-distiller; she fascinated him with songs and dancing. Inspired by her beauty, he created a crystal clear and exceptionally smooth vodka. Our vodka tradition started with a selection of fine grain, natural artesian water and production process that passed on from generations to the present time. Maybe there is a Rusalka waiting for you?” Vodka is the primary spirit produced in Ukraine and most are produced in the Russian style to be flavorless and extremely smooth. I could not find the name of the distillery on the bottle. In fact, there is very little information to go on other than that it is a product of Ukraine.  Rusalka Platinum Filtered Vodka is made from selected grains and natural artesian water and is 8x distilled. The vodka was poured cold from the freezer and served “neat”. It is clear in color with slight aromas of floral, vanilla, pepper and a trace of fruit. This is an extremely smooth vodka with subtle flavors of fruit, vanilla, spice and just a trace of cherry on the finish. This is a perfect vodka to enjoy neat or in a cocktail. I’m quite impressed and you can’t beat the price! I'm definitely adding this bottle to my vodka collection.
Alcohol: 40% 80 Proof SRP: $10 I have lots of wines to share with you in the coming weeks! Stay tuned! Until next time… Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at [email protected] Celebrating wines and their regions has become a “thing”. And, I’m all for it! For those who may not be familiar with a particular wine grape or region, this is a great way to introduce them. And for aficionados, it’s a wonderful excuse to pop open a bottle to join in on the celebration. But, whom am I kidding; I never need an excuse to drink wine! May 9th is National Moscato Day. The Gallo Family Vineyards created National Moscato Day in 2012 to help promote and celebrate this popular wine. Moscato is the Italian word for Muscat Blanc, which is considered one of the oldest wine grapes in the world. Moscato originated in the Piedmont region of northwestern Italy in the Moscato d’Asti appellation, which earned its DOCG status in 1993. Being such an ancient grape, Muscat can be found throughout the world but is best associated with Italy. Moscato is known for its sweet flavors such as orange blossom, peaches, honeysuckle, lemon and light alcohol content. It comes in a variety of styles from still to semi-sparkling and sparkling. To help celebrate National Moscato Day, Castello del Poggio sent me a bottle of their Moscato wine to taste.  Castello del Poggio was established in 1706, and is located in the Monferrato area in the Province of Asti in Piedmont. The property has 430 acres of which 390 acres are dedicated to vineyards. The climate is mild continental with calcium rich clay and alluvial gravel soil. Castello del Poggio Moscato IGT is pale yellow with heavenly aromas of peach, honeysuckle and citrus. The palate offers a semi-sweet wine with slight effervescence and gentle flavors of peach, honey, apricot and a hint of pear. The acidity balances the sweetness making it a very pleasant wine to drink. Sip as an aperitif or pair with spicy food, cheese and dessert. Alcohol: 7% SRP: $12.99  Join in the fun on May 9th and pour yourself and friends a glass of Moscato wine! Have a happy National Moscato Day!  Until next time…
Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at [email protected] There are 250 indigenous grape varieties officially registered in Portugal, many of which cannot be found anywhere else in the world. The Alvarinho, Baga and Touriga Nacional grapes are probably the most widely known by name. A lesser-known grape by the name of Alicante Bouschet is my focus today. Portugal is divided into fourteen regional wine areas, each with its own unique geography and climate.  Map credit: viniportugal The Alentejo wine region covers a third of Portugal in the southern half of the country and enjoys a Mediterranean climate. The wines produced here come in a range of styles, influenced by the diversity of the climate and soil. The soil of Alentejo varies throughout its eight sub-regions. In fact, it has the most diverse soil of any region in Portugal. Interspersed amongst the mountains, hills and valleys, one can find soil with clay, limestone, quartz, granite, schist, sandstone and marble. Most of the soils are non-calcareous, meaning they are neutral or more acidic. Alentejo has 51,000 acres of planted vines that enjoy 3000 hours of sunshine annually. More than 80% of the grapes grown here are red, but whites are gaining momentum, especially Antão Vaz, the star grape of the region. And speaking of stars, Alicante Bouschet is the signature red grape of the Alentejo region. Alicante Bouschet is a teinturier grape variety. Simply put, the flesh and juice are red in color. There are very few red grapes that have red flesh. Most wine grapes have white flesh and juice, even the dark-skinned grapes.  Alicante Bouschet grape halved. Photo credit: Catavino Alicante Bouschet is the result of a French crossbreeding of Petit Bouschet and Grenache. It was introduced to Alentejo over 100 years ago and first planted at Herdade do Mouchão. Alicante Bouschet’s nickname is “Tinta de Escrever” (writing ink) for its production of inky colored red wine. In addition to its distinctive inky color, Alicante Bouschet wines are fruit forward and laden with dark fruit, spice and noted for their massive structure and firmness. I received five samples of Alicante Bouschet from Alentejo for review. They were all impressive!  Herdade Do Rocim Alicante Bouschet 2016 is 100% Alicante Bouschet manually harvested from the winegrowing sub-region of Vidigueira located in Southern Alentejo. It has the most temperate microclimate of the region and the soil is predominately granite and schist. Fermentation takes place in stone lagares and the wine is aged in French oak barrels for 12 months and bottle aged for 6 months.  Aromas of dark cherry, berries and hints of violets segue onto the palate with black and red fruit, spice and fennel with lingering notes of plum and dark cherry. Nice acidity balanced with firm tannins add to the quality of this wine. Alcohol: 14.5% SRP: $20 Casa Relvas Herdade De São Miguel Alicante Bouschet 2015 is 100% Alicante Bouschet mechanically harvested at night from the winegrowing sub-region of Redondo. Vines grow in soils of clay and schist. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel vats with maturation in French oak.  The nose offers fresh ripe fruit, blackberry, baking spice and earth. Cherry, plum, pomegranate, hints of herbs and lots of spice spill onto the palate with a satisfying finish of balanced acidity and tannins. Alcohol: 15% SRP: $23 Herdade Dos Grous Moon Harvested 2016 is 100% Alicante Bouschet hand-harvested at night from the Albernoa based vineyards in lower Alentejo. According to the winery, “the grapes are hand-picked in the cycle of greater influence of the moon in sap transport.” Vines grow in sedimentary schist and greywacke soils. Fermentation and maceration begin in traditional lagares (containers made of granite) and ends in new French oak barrels, aging there for 12 months.  Concentrated aromas of dark berries, cassis, baking spice and vanilla envelop the nose. Layers of dark cherry, plum, blackberry and pepper tease the palate with a nice balance between the tannins and acidity. A silky mouthfeel and long finish add to the richness of this wine. Alcohol: 14% SRP: $25 Dona Maria Grande Reserva 2012 is a blend of 50% Alicante Bouschet 20% Petit Verdot, 20% Syrah and 10% Touriga Nacional. The grapes are selected from old vines in the northern Alentejo area of Estremoz where the soil is clay and limestone. The grapes are vinified in ancient marble lagares using the traditional foot-treading method and the wine is aged in new French oak barrels for one year.  Heady aromas of dark fruit, floral, anise and cocoa lead the way to an intense palate of dark ripe fruit, spice, hints of violet, vanilla and smooth tannins. The finish is long with a lingering taste of dark cherry. Alcohol: 14.5% SRP: $45 Herdade do Mouchão Red 2013 is 100% Alicante Bouschet sourced from the Carapetos Vineyard, the estate’s oldest vineyard planted in 1988 in northern Alentejo’s Portalegre area. The soil is a Mediterranean mix of clay and sand with a Mediterranean climate of cold winters and hot summers. “The wine is only produced in years when grapes attain exceptional ripening quality.” Once harvested, whole bunches of grapes are foot-trodden twice daily in stone tanks and then fermented, racked and aged in large wooden casks for three years. Once bottled, the wine ages for an additional 2 to 3 years.  I’m starting my description of this wine with a big “Wow”! Seductive aromas of concentrated dark berries, dark cherry, floral, sweet spice and earthy notes had me salivating for my first sip of this wine. A rich texture of flavors danced around my palate offering lush fruit such as black cherry, black plum, sweet spice, pepper and notes of balsamic. Hints of licorice and chocolate lingered on a long finish. This is a beautifully balanced wine with firm tannins and acidity. An elegant wine, for sure!
Alcohol: 14% SRP: $60 Alentejo producers and growers embrace and practice sustainability with a mission to protect their fragile eco-system. In 2014, the Alentejo Regional Wine Growing Commission created a voluntary initiative for grape growers and wine producers called Wines of Alentejo Sustainability Programme in order to improve social, environmental and economic welfare. Needless to say, Alicante Bouschet will now be a part of my wine collection. Alentejo wines continue to impress me and they are definitely worth exploring. 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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