Great Wines that are Under the Radar
Like many other shortages in the market today, you can expect some wine regions to not have as much wine as normal. Whether it be from low yields, frost, freeze or fire, many wine-growing regions are currently low on grapes. New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, Sancerre from the Loire, Pinot Noir from Oregon, Champagne and some reds from California, among others, are all expected to have less wine than in previous vintages.
Luckily, there are many great wines available from around the world to fill in those gaps. Many of these wines are not as well-known, but are of high quality and great to pair with food.
WEINGUT TEMENT SAUVIGNON BLANC KALK & KREIDE (Styria, Austria): I have tried many Gruner Veltliner and Rieslings from Austria, but never before this past spring had I tried a Sauvignon Blanc from there. I was amazed how delicious this wine was, and surprised that I had never heard of the wine or the producer. Weingut Tement is run by Armin Tement, who joined his family winery in 2005. His father had already established Weingut Tement as a benchmark producer for Styrian Sauvignon and Moullon (Chardonnay). Armin still works alongside his father, as well as his mother, brother, and wife. The Tement winery makes outstanding single-vineyard Sauvignon Blanc, but the Kalk & Kreide is their flagship wine. “Blossoming with a wide spectrum of citrus aromas, plus some quince and wild herbs,” says James Suckling, a famous wine critic. “Complex texture, the chalky acidity beautifully integrates at the long finish.” Made from organic grapes.
WEINGUT TEMENT SAUVIGNON BLANC GRASSNITZBERG: This is one of the outstanding single-vineyard Sauvignon Blancs from Tement. “A deep cool and intensely fruity nose with mango notes and fine smoky spice, it is complex, elegant, and fine on the palate,” says Robert Parker, a wine critic and author of The Wine Advocate. “This is a full body, juicy, ripe, savory, salty and gripping Sauvignon Blanc from Grassnitzberg. It needs plenty of time to shine.”
RAIN SAUVIGNON BLANC (Marlborough, New Zealand): Rain is an invigorating Sauvignon Blanc. Meticulous fruit selection and cold fermentation contribute an abundant spectrum of tropical and herbal aromas, passion fruit and gooseberry fragrances. This wine has depth, good texture, and balance, the finish is long and invigorating. Delicious!
CHAN DE ROSAS ALBARINO CUVEE ESPECIAL (Rias Baixas, Spain): The Chan de Rosas winery uses traditional methods of making Albarino, with grapes from small independent growers from across various regions of Rias Baixas; some of the vineyards are more than 70 years old. The combination of different vineyard sites produces wines that are well-balanced and a true reflection of Rias Baixas. The wines show a perfect balance of ripeness and natural acidity. This Albarino has aromas of flowers, green apple, citrus, and hints of vanilla. It is crisp, clean, rich and full-bodied. Perfect with shellfish.
DOMAINE VALERY RENAUDAT REUILLY BLANC LES LIGNIS (Val de Loire, France): Valery Renaudat grew up in the farming community of Barry in the Loire Valley. After traveling to Oregon, Bordeaux, and Burgundy, he returned to his family’s estate. At the age of 25, Valery set off on his own with slightly over 6 acres of land.Valery is making astounding wines, of great value for the area of Val de Loire. The white wine is made from Sauvignon Blanc. It is a soft, creamy wine, full of crisp apple fruit, with a bit of lemon. It has bright beautiful acidity. Will pair nicely with seafood, chicken, cheese, salads.
DOMAINE VALERY RENAUDAT REUILLY ROUGE LES LIGNIS: The red wine from Renaudat is made from Pinot Noir. The limestone soil adds a freshness and tension to the Pinot Noir, making it great with food. There are flavors of black cherry and blueberry, medium-bodied with juicy fruit and a long finish. Pair with poultry, salmon, cheese, veal or pork. Better than some Bourgogne at half the price.
MICHEL GUIGNIER BEAUJOLAIS (Morgon, France): Michel Guinier is a fourth-generation vigneron located in Morgon, and many of his vines are up to 70 years old. Michel is committed to producing the most natural wines possible and is in the process of converting his estate to fully organic certification. This Beaujolais is a very bright, friendly wine with cherry and strawberry flavors, light acidity, and crispness. It has a bright juicy finish. Perfect with burgers or pizza.
ALTOVINUM EVODIA OLD VINES GARNACHA (Calatayud, Spain): Spain continues to impress with its outstanding red wine values! “Based on 100% Garnacha, the 2019 Evodia is a killer value that delivers incredible Garnacha flair, at a crazy good price,” Suckling says. “Kirsch, blackberry, acacia flower, violet, and sandalwood notes give way to a medium- to full-bodied, seamless, beautifully layered wine with fabulous tannins, no hard edges, and a great, great finish. This is the finest wine at this price point in the world.”
OLIVIER RIVIÈRE RAYOS UVA (Rioja, Spain): This delicious wine is made from a blend of Tempranillo, Graziano, and Garnacha. Suckling: “It is a crystal-clear red with crushed raspberry, current, citrus, and cedar aromas and flavors. It is medium to full-bodied, with firm, creamy tannins, and stone and slate undertones. This wine is always an excellent value.”
BUCKLIN ZINFANDEL BAMBINO FIELD BLEND OLD HILL RANCH (Sonoma Valley, Calif.): Old Hill Ranch was founded in 1851, it is probably the oldest vineyard in Sonoma. It was purchased in 1981 by Otto Teller, the stepfather of current winemaker Will Bucklin. Bucklin has interned at Lafite Rothschild, worked at Hardys Wines in Australia, Navarro Winery in Mendocino, and was the winemaker at King Estate. Hel now makes some of the best Zinfandel blends in California. The Bambino opens with lush juicy fruit, it has great depth, balance, and character.
Provence, France also had low yields, down 30%, but there are now so many new rosé producers from all regions of the world that there should be plenty of pink to go around. Here are two new rosés that we love. They both happen to be from Italy.
LA SPINETTA IL ROSÉ DI CASANOVA (Tuscany, Italy): Made from 50% Sangiovese and 50% Prugnolo, this pretty rosé has notes of peach and strawberry. Vinous Media, a prestigious media firm specializing in wine, says “it is full and crisp with beautiful balanced fresh fruit, strong minerality, and great length. It has the elegance of a Provençal rose combined with the structure of an Italian red.”
POGGIO AL SOLE PRIMAVERA ROSATO (Tuscany, Italy): This picturesque estate lies in the heart of the Chianti Classico region. Natural farming and low yields create wines with incredible power, intense extraction of fruit, and well-integrated tannins. The rosé from this estate, called Primavera, is light in color with a floral nose and is made from 100% Sangiovese. Pretty notes of strawberry and tangerine combine with wonderful freshness and elegance.
If your favorite wine is unavailable this summer, maybe take a chance on something new and different.
You might find some new favorites! Enjoy!
Please drink responsibly.
