By David Setley
Though outstanding new wines are available in the store each week, humans tend to be creatures of habit. Many people have their go-to wines! However, it can be quite enjoyable to experience something new. Here are a few of the wines that have hit the shelves over the past few months that may be worth breaking your habits for.
The southernmost wine country in the Southern Hemisphere is New Zealand, known for its outstanding Sauvignon Blancs. There are wines of this varietal from NZ, but few that have the word Reserve on the label. For a very reasonably priced option that is worth a try, pick up a bottle of Tokoeka Estate Reserve Sauvignon Blanc. Tokoeka is the name of New Zealand’s indigenous Kiwi bird that is featured on the label. The flavor leans more toward passion fruit than the typical grapefruit flavor found in most NZ Sauvignon Blancs. Additionally, you will pick up more minerality in this wine. Try also the Tokoeka Pink Sauvignon Blanc from the same producer. This is 100% Sauvignon Blanc, is a lovely light blush color, and has the flavors of tropical fruit, raspberries, and watermelon. Sounds delicious, right? But make no mistake, this is a dry wine that is perfect for your late-summer enjoyment.
From the South American country of Chile, try the Sombras Del Sol Cabernet Sauvignon Santa Rosa Single Vineyard from the Valle Del Maule in Chile. If you haven’t tried a Chilean wine, now is the time! The warm Mediterranean climate of this region is perfect for growing Cabernet Sauvignon. The Sombras Del Sol Cabernet is a great wine to introduce you to a country that I would wager will become more recognized by wine consumers in the coming years. The Sombras Del Sol Cab has everything you want in a good cab: elegant aromas with flavors of red fruit and spices, with notes of chocolate that lead to a good finish.
Also from South America, the Cordero con Piel de Lobo (meaning “sheep in wolf’s clothing”) is a wonderful Malbec from Argentina. The label is artfully decorated with a sketch that depicts the name of this wine. It has the great balance of tannins and acidity that have made Argentinean Malbecs famous and has an intense flavor of dark fruit with a smooth texture. Though many of you may not consider a Malbec a new-to-you wine, this is a great one at an incredibly low price.
For some old-world new-to-store options, the Roc de l’Abbaye Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire Valley is excellent. Though it is produced with the same grape mentioned above in New Zealand, this is a very different wine. Why? Terroir! The exact same grapes grown in different soil with a different climate and winemaking traditions will produce a different wine. For those of you familiar with Sancerre or Pouilly-Fumé wines, the Roc de l’Abbaye may become your new go-to. It has the white fruit flavors of peaches, pears, and apricots, with a touch of lemon and the classic Loire Valley limestone minerality. It’s a great wine for a great value.
From the left bank of Bordeaux, pick up a bottle of Chateau Haut Grignon Medoc 2018. In true Bordeaux tradition, this is a red blend with 67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, and 2% Petit Verdot. This wine has earned scores of 88 from Wine Enthusiast. The Chateau Haut Grignon Medoc 2018 has benefited from the extended aging process. As such, you will notice a classic dryness in this wine with a well-balanced structure. Bordeaux red blends are outstanding, and the price of this one makes it very easy to give this a try.
For another old-world newbie, try an Arneis from the northwest region of Piemonte in Italy. The Arneis grape is a comeback grape, having gone nearly extinct until the 1970s when a few vineyards made the effort to reintroduce this ancient grape. I recommend the Malvira-Roero Arneis for a medium-bodied dry white wine that has the flavors of yellow apples, white peaches, and honey with a touch of almond and nutmeg. The next time you are planning an Italian meal with seafood, chicken, white sauce or pesto, give this wine a try.
Also from Italy, from Puglia (the heel of the boot-shaped country), comes the Corte Ottone Copertino Reserva. This wine is a smooth, medium-bodied red with a smooth texture and a delightful fruitiness. It is an easy-drinking wine that is great by itself, but also works with red meat or Italian meals with red sauce.
Having watched much of the Olympics over the past few weeks, I feel compelled to introduce a new-to-store wine from U-S-A, U-S-A! The Russian River Valley of California’s Sonoma Country is well known as a premier wine-producing region for two grape varietals: Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Balletto Vineyards, located there, is a relatively small family-owned and operated winery that warrants a mention. The family focuses on the two grapes mentioned above, and they pay meticulous attention when selecting the best possible grapes to produce their wines. Balletto Chardonnay Russian River Valley is an elegant 100% Chardonnay that is aged in French oak barrels. For those who prefer a Chardonnay with less oak, try the Balletto Teresa’s Unoaked Chardonnay that is aged in stainless steel instead. Both are fresh and clean and are great examples of the flavor of a Russian River Chardonnay. For red wine lovers, Balletto Russian River Valley Pinot Noir is one of the finest reasonably priced wines of this varietal that I have recently tried. It has an outstanding balance of red cherry fruit with soil earthiness. Or, for those willing to pay a bit more, the Balletto Russian River Valley BCD Vineyard wine is this producer’s flagship Pinot Noir.
I hope you consider putting aside your wine go-to for a bit to try something new. Any of these suggestions are sure to be a winner. As always, contact me with any questions at dsetley@passionvines.com, or stop into the store. Until next time, Happy Wining!
David Setley is enjoying his retirement from higher education as a wine educator and certified sommelier at Passion Vines in Somers Point, New Jersey.
