As evident by a couple posts last week, we are fans of out of the ordinary blends.  Today's post highlights another one of our favorites.  Shoofly's Buzz Cut blends Riesling, Verdelho, Viognier, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc to make an easy drinking white blend that we really enjoy.

The winemaker at Shoofly is Ben Riggs.  He is a rising star in the world of winemaking. (Read a great article about him here.)  He is also the winemaker for another wonderful winery we hope to blog about soon, Zonte's Footsteps.  One thing that I love about him is that he has a true passion for blending.  He also leads supports Shoofly's motto:  no flabby wines, no raisins and leave the oak for the trees! 

Shoofly's Buzz Cut exemplifies the wineries values as well as Riggs' love of blending.  He seamlessy blends 5 grapes that are not common with each other in the wine blend world.  They strive to make vibrant wines which show bright fruit.  Buzz Cut does just this. 

Riesling, Viognier and Verdelho are the three predominant varietals in Buzz Cut.  The great thing about this blend is that you taste the specific notes of each varietal.  In terms of the Riesling, there are underlying notes of honey throughout along with tropical fruits.  Viognier lends its aromatics on the nose along with peach and apricot fruits on the palate.  Verdelho balances the fruit with bright acidity and its lingering citrus notes.  Finished with a touch of Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, this blend creates a great wine at a tremendous value that is a must try.

On a side note, you also have to try Shoofly's highly rated Shiraz.

Shoofly Buzz Cut in a Nutshell:

Description:  37% Riesling, 32% Viognier, 21% Verdelho, 5% Chardonnay, 5% Sauvignon Blanc.  Floral notes combined with that of Peach on the Nose.  A Combination of Melon and Apricot on the palate with light hints of honey.  Zippy lemon notes paired with bright acid round out this great blend.

Food Pairings: Combination of Riesling and viognier make this wine extremely versatile.  You could have this alongside anything from a Veggie crudite to spicy Hispanic or Thai dishes.

Vintage/Price: The current vintage is 2008.  The price is right around $10 on most shelves.  I have seen it marked at $9.99 all the way to $14.  It is tremendous value at $9.99 and still well worth the latter.

For more information about Buzz Cut and other Shoofly wines including their wonderful Shiraz, Please go to: Shoofly Wines

A few years ago, I was in a big Pinot Gris phase.  Whenever I needed to bring a bottle of white wine to a gathering, it was my go to.  These days, I have changed my choice to its' step-brother, Pinot Blanc.

Pinot Blanc has similar DNA to Pinot Gris.  They are both mutations of Pinot Noir.  They were both first grown in Burgundy.  There production spread to regions like Alto Adige in Italy (It is known as Pinot Bianco there) as well as Alsace in France.  Wherever Pinot Noir thrvies, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris will as well.  When you think of Pinot Noir is the States, Oregon is usually the first thought that comes to mind.  Oregon should be at top of mind with Pinot Blanc as well.

Pinot Blanc has been around in Oregon since the late 1960's.  It has remained consistent in plantings and production.  It has not gained mainstream popularity because it tends to carry a higher price tag due to limited production.  There are only about 200 acres planted in Oregon.  What merits the higher price for Oregon Pinot Blanc than say California?  That answer is simple...

Oregon Pinot Blanc is actual Pinot Blanc.  It was brought directly from Alsace and verified.  California's first smattering of Pinot Blanc was not Pinot Blanc, it was a hybrid grape dubbed "Melon".  This was discovered in the 1980's.  Nowadays, more and more actual Pinot Blanc has been planted.

In terms of Oregon Pinot Blanc, a perennial favorite of mine has been from Bethel Heights.  It is a family owned winery in Oregon's Willamette Valley that was bought in 1977.  A group of friends decided to make a go at turning a passion on theirs into a business.  They started with only 14 acres on cuttings in the ground.  The vineyard stands on a former walnut grove and many Walnut trees still stand.

Their Pinot Blanc is always consistent.  The 2011 vintage is no different.  It has great notes of lemon zest on the nose mixed with a touch of spice.  It has a wonderful complexity on the palate with more hints of citrus as well as apple and pear.  The fruit is balanced with a bit more acidity than in years past but I love what it brings to this vintage.  Overall, it is a wonderful example of what Pinot Blanc should be.

Bethel Heights Pinot Blanc in a Nutshell:

Description: 100% Pinot Blanc.  Aromatics in the glass are that of Lemon zest with a hint of nutmeg.  The palate is highlighted with pear and apple flavors.  This wine has a wonderful mouthfeel.  This is all brought together with bright acidity on a lengthy finish.

Food Pairings:  I am a huge fan of Pinot Blanc as a compliment to summer desserts such as Peach Pie.  It also makes a wonderful pair with Oysters on the half shell or a big bowl of Mussels in garlic and butter.

Vintage/Price:  The 2011 vintage is current.  You may still be able to find the 2010 vintage on the market.  The price is right around the $18-$20 mark.

For more information on Bethel Heights Pinot Blanc as well as their other wines, Please go to: Bethel Heights Vineyard

When I began drinking wine many years ago, the only thing I went by was the label.  It had to catch my eye for me to pick it up.  Animals were my go to.  I quickly learned, thanks to my father, that sometimes a creative label was used to coverup a inferior wine.  Nowadays, a flashy label will still catch my eye from time to time while I am in shop but I am always a bit skeptical.

A label that caught my eye recently was from Shaya Winery.  My wife and I have been loving a new Venezuelan restaurant in town that serves a wonderful Tilapia and Shrimp ceviche.  We wanted to try to make it at home and I thought Verdejo would be a perfect pairing.  I went to our local shop and glanced around.  The first wine that caught my eye was from Shaya.  It featured a skinny deer on the label with big ears.  My wife came over as I was looking and endorsed the wine thanks to the "cute deer" on the label.  I was not familiar with Shaya but it was from Rueda region in Spain, so I figured how bad could it be?

Well, thank goodness the label had a deer on it and it made me pick it up.  The wine is absolutely delightful.  It turned out to be the perfect pairing for our ceviche.  It was the perfect crisp white wine for our dinner that evening.  It shows great flavors of grapefruit with a touch of peach.  The fruit is balanced by great minerality and bright acidity on the finish.  Overall, this wine quickly became a staple on our rack. If you like a crisp white wine and/or fresh seafood, this wine is for you.

I wanted to add a couple fun notes about this wine and verdejo in general.  First, the wine is actually named for Shaya deer that are native to where the vineyards are in Rueda, Spain.  Here is the first couple lines from the bottle:

"As the morning mist disperses across the undulating countryside the Shaya deer emerge from the surrounding pine forest to forage. The gnarled vineyards planted a very long time ago in the sandy riverstone soil produce the finest Verdejo in Rueda. There is a distinct minerality in these wines which compliment the abundance of fruit flavors."

Second, a fun tasting for you to have with friends is old vine Verdejo vs. new vine Verdejo.  The panel will almost certainly be mixed.  In my experience, as evident by my liking of Shaya, I prefer old vine.  The wines are usually drier, crisper and show more minerality.  New vine verdejos tend to be riper and plumper.  Either way, old or new, I am a Verdejo fan!

Shaya Old Vine Verdejo in a Nutshell:

Description:  100% Verdejo.  Pale in the glass with a touch of green.  Great fruit on the nose and palate being that of grapefruit and lime.  Good minerality throughout.  Combine that with bright acidity on the finish and you have surprisingly complex Verdejo.

Food Pairings:  Great with any fresh seafood such as shrimp or Scallops.  We enjoyed it with a ceviche.  Also would be nice with a big bowl of Linguine and White Clam Sauce.

Vintage:  Current Vintage is 2010.  This wine is usually in the $13 to $16 dollar range.  Well worth it!

For more information on Shaya as well as other Spanish Wines, please visit: Oro Wines

So, in general, I am a fan of blends.  I think there are grapes that compliment each other well and when blended, can make extraordinary wine.  What I am usually not a fan of are "kitchen" sink wines.  These are the high production juice blends from companies of the leftovers.  I feel as though it takes away from the art of wine-making.

So you can imagine what I thought when a friend brought over a bottle of Sokol Blosser's Evolution White from the Willamette Valley in Oregon.  I look at the back label and it says:

"As luck would have it, a random number of varietals took a liking to each other and decided to become a lush, off-dry, somewhat tropical wine with a crisp finish."

If that wasn't enough for my heart to skip a beat, I then find out their are 9 varietals in the wine!  9!?! I calmed down soon after and we sat down to dinner.  After a few minutes, oohs and aahs started coming from the table.  I decided to put everything aside and give it a whirl. In my head, I was wanting to take a sip, spit it in my glass and push the glass away.  The opposite happened.

I took a sip and couldn't believe how enjoyable the wine was.  It is a nice, everyday white with good tropical fruits.  It is not overly sweet but it does have a touch of honey on the finish.  It is balanced by just enough acidity.  I don't think luck made this wine as the label implies.  It took a lot of time and effort to make 9 grapes work together.

It took some research but I think I have cracked the 9 varietal code.  It is not on the label or the website.  I know that Muller-Thurgau, Pinot Gris and Riesling are in it because they are grown at Sokol Blosser in Oregon.  Also, I believe Semillon, Muscat Canelli, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay and Sylvaner are added to the party to make the final product.

Wife bonus: The label is printed on recycled paper and the bottle does not have a foil cap.  Always have to point out organic, environmentally friendly notes for her!

Sokol Blosser Evolution White in a Nutshell:

Description:  9 varietal blend.  Great tropical fruit on nose and palate.  A tad sweet with hints of pear and citrus throughout.  The finish is borderline syrupy thanks to a touch of honey but it is balanced well with a bit of acidity.

Pairing:  Food friendly.  Would pair well with a Chipotle BBQ sauce on ribs, chicken, etc.  Also would be good with any sushi that is topped with Spicy Mayo!
 
Vintage/Price: This is an edition wine, not a vintage thanks to the blend.  It is $15 dollars on the Sokol Blosser's website.  I have seen it at Costco and Fine wine shops for $15 to $18.


For more information on Evolution White and other wines from Sokol Blosser, please go to: Sokol Blosser Winery.

Ever heard of Xarel-Lo?  Odds are you probably haven't unless you are extremely knowledgeable.  What you probably have heard of though is the sparkling wine Cava.  (A widely known brand of Cava is Friexenet.)  Cava is primarily made of 3 grapes.  Those are Macabeo, Parellada and Xarel-Lo.  Recently, companies have been adding Chardonnay as well as Pinot Noir in Rose versions.

It is extremely rare to find Xarel-Lo (also known as Pansa Blanco) as a single varietal wine.  It is because it can be difficult to grow due to it being prone to frost damage.  It is also known to be highly acidic if not produced right.  If made right and their are no problems with the grapes, it can make a wonderful white wine.  Leave it to Jorge Ordonez Selections to bring us something a little different and completely knock it out of the park.

I will admit, I have only tried one other Xarel-Lo in my lifetime and was not overly enthralled.  That is not the case with Marques De Gelida Xarel-Lo. It is a game changer.

I love what the label says on this wine so I will let it do the talking:

"Our estate vineyards are bathed in warm Mediterranean sun while being protected from harsh north winds by the jagged mountains of Monserrat.  The chalky sandy soils are the perfect environment for growing the delicate varietal, Xarel-Lo.  The subtle minerality it adds to the delicate floral and bright fruit flavors create a well balanced glass of white wine, perfect for a summer day."

The first bonus is that it is organically grown.  This is huge in my house because my wife loves anything organically grown.  The 2nd bonus is that it retails right around $13 a bottle.  I think it is well worth the price for not only a great wine but also for the interest that will ensue at your next gathering.   It's just as fun to say as it is to drink!

Marques De Gelida Xarel-Lo in  a nutshell:

Description:  Crisp and Bright.  Slightly floral nose with hints of lime zest.  Great flavors of citrus and stone fruit on the palate.  Good lemon-like acidity on the finish.

Pairing:  A nice compliment to a big plate of Sashimi.  Would also go great with appetizers such as Escargot or Thai Spring Rolls.
 
Vintage/Price: Current vintage is 2011.  Like I mentioned earlier, it will cost you right around $13 dollars.  Well worth the cost.  I would pay $20 for it because of the uniqueness of this wine.


For more information on Marques De Gelida Xarel-Lo and other wines from Jorge Ordonez, please go to: Grupo Jorge Ordonez

First thing is first.  It is no secret that Vinho Verde's literal translation is "Green Wine".  What some don't know is that It is named after the wine's age though rather than the color.  Verde or "Green" describes it as a young wine.  Being true to the name, Vinho Verde is meant to be drank immediately rather than stashing in your cellar. In fact, the reason for the recent flux of Vinho Verde's in the market is thanks to the screw cap.  With a cork, they never made the trip over the Atlantic very successfully.  

Vinho Verde comes to us from Portugal.  It is a blanket name for a wine that can consist of many different grapes.  The most popular is Alvarinho.  You may better know it as Albarino in Spain.  Others grapes found in Vinho Verde are Arinto, Loureiro, Trajadura, Azal and Pedernã.  Overall, no matter the grapes used, they tend to share similar characteristics.  They are crisp and usually on the dry side.  They are not meant to be thought about and debated.  They are simplistic and thanks to the usually low alcohol content, they can be quite quenching on a hot day. 

Vinho Verde is getting very trendy as of late.  So much so that our favorite ice cream shop, Jeni's, in Columbus, Ohio has created a flavor using it.  It is a Wheatgrass, Pear and Vinho Verde Sorbet and it is delcious. Check it out here at Jeni's Ice Cream.

Gateway is a newer label in the United States.  The blend here is Arinto, Loureiro, Trajadura and Azal.  It is one of my favorite  Vinho Verde lines I have tried.  If I could describe it in one word, it would be bright.  It is a crisp white that goes down almost too easy.   It is extremely refreshing and shows a nice hint of citrus and pear.  It has a nice touch of acid on the end that gives it a nice bite.

Gateway Vinho Verde in a Nutshell:

Description:  Almost clear in color with a hint of green (Could be name playing tricks on me).  Bright white wine with hints of citrus and pear.  Lively finish thanks to razor sharp acidity.  Easy to drink.

Pairing: I enjoy it as an appetizer or along with our salad course of a meal.  Could also work well with a flakey baked cod or another white fish.
 
Vintage/Price: Always drink Vinho Verde that is within a year of production.  The Gateway is a 2011.  It is a bit expensive compared to others that have flooded the market but I believe it to be well worth it.  It should be in the $12 range.

For more information on the wine, please go to: Gateway Vinho Verde

First things first, I apologize for dropping off the blogosphere for the past few days.  I have been in the dark, literally, in Ohio for the past 4 days due to a wind storm that came through last Friday.  It did not stop me from enjoying my 4th of July with family.  It also did not stop us from checking out some different wines.

In honor of the 4th of July, I wanted to write about an eye opener from my home state. 

The wine is a Viognier and Roussanne blend from Kinkead Ridge.  These are two varietals that are not extremely different compared to others I have written about.  What makes this wine off the beaten path is the fact that it is made in Ohio.  The winery has the ability to grow these varietals thanks to it's location on the Ohio River.  While Ohio is seeing a ton of growth in the wine making industry, it is still trying to find it's nice.  I am pleased to say that I believe Kinkead Ridge has found theirs'.

Viognier has long been one of my favorite white wines.  It was really what first took me off the beaten vine so to speak.  I found it a wonderful alternative to Chardonnay and used it as a vehicle to take my dinner guests away from their comfort zone. Viognier displays more aromatics on the nose and usually shows a touch more fruit.  The bad thing about Viognier was that it is tough to grow which of course made it hard to find.  Fast forward 10 years to now and Viognier is being produced in many different spots around the world rather than just in its' native France.

Roussanne on the other hand is still not extremely popular outside of France's Rhone region (Fun Fact: Marsanne and Roussanne are the only two white varietals grown in Rhone).  The biggest characteristic it is known for is its' high acidity.  Because of this, it is almost always used in a blend rather than being a single varietal.  It can also display nutty flavors and be a tad bitter.

So why does a Viognier/Roussanne blend work?  The old saying opposite attracts applies here.  Viognier is highly aromatic with low acid, a touch of sugar and good fruit.  Roussanne is highly acidic and tart.  They balance each other extremely well and make a wine with brilliant complexity.  Kinkead Ridge has taken advantage of this.  They have produced the best Ohio wine I have tasted to date.

Kinkead Ridge Viognier Roussanne in a Nutshell:

Description:  Extremely aromatic nose with great floral notes.  Typical flavors on Viognier on display such as apricot and orange blossom.  Sharp acidity on the finish making it dry on the palate. 

Pairing: A great wine to enjoy with a homemade chicken salad.  Would also be the perfect compliment to a family clam bake or shrimp boil.
 
Vintage/Price: Current vintage is 2011.  I had a bottle of 2008 and 2010 that I opened recently.  The price should be around the $16 dollar range.


For more information on Kinkead Ridge and their wines, please go to: Kinkead Ridge

My wife and I recently had some friends over for a dinner party.  I like to pull out a wine to create conversation.  No wine has created as much conversation as Mitolo's "Jester" Vermentino.

I was a big fan as well as a few others.  I like a crisp, dry white wine which tends to have more minerality than fruit.  Others that wanted (my wife included) a more fruit forward white, did not have a 2nd glass.  With that being said, I still receive text messages almost a week later now asking for the name of that "one wine we all were talking about".

Vermentino is a grape that is best known in the Corsica and Sardinia regions of Italy.  The climates there on the Mediterranean shares similar characteristics of McLaren Vale in Australia.  That is what sparked the decision for Mitolo to produce it's only white varietal to date.  (On a side note, they make a wonderful Syrah that everyone should try.)

Mitolo's Jester Vermentino is tough for me to describe.  It has a ton of flavor but its not fruity.  The flavors here are more mineral. It also shares grassy notes like that of a fresh Sauvignon Blanc.  It is extremely crisp thanks to an low alcohol level of only 10%.  Because of this, there is low sugar making it dry as well.  It has a nice balance of acidity on the finish.

Mitolo Jester Vermentino in a nutshell:

Description:   Pale Straw yellow in color. Faint hints of melon and stone fruits.  Grassy notes with great minerality.

Pairings:  Enjoyed it with a scallop and quinoa stir fry.  Great with a shrimp or crab salad as well.

Vintages/Price:  Current vintage is 2011.   There is still some 2010 left on the shelves as well.  Should find it between $13 and $17. 

For more information, please visit  http://www.mitolowines.com.au/index.cfm?method=products.productdrilldown&productID=4C6EC21C-1CC4-81AE-7517-6F82D10BD11B

I attended a wine tasting this weekend at a local wine bar.  The usual suspects were on display at the tasting (Pinot Noir, Cab, Riesling, Chardonnay, etc.)  The one wine that stood out to me was Evolúció Furmint.  I have had limited exposure to Hungarian Wines over the past few years and when I have drank them, they were typically for dessert.  This wine caught me off-guard and made the tasting delightful.

Furmint is a grape grown in the Tokaj region of Hungary.  Tokaj, like mentioned above, has been known for years because of their dessert wine.  They have also been producing dryer style furmint's that rarely find their way to the States.  They have started showing up recently thanks to smaller importers looking to diversify their portfolios. 

Boutique Wine Collection is an upstart wine importer based out of Philadelphia.  They have built a fascinating portfolio that includes lesser known wines from Austria, Hungary, Portugal and South Africa.  They also have wonderful labels from France and Spain as well.  The other thing they do well is bring in wines that are unique and that will not empty your wallet.  Evolúció Furmint is a perfect example of this.

Evolúció's Furmint is in a dryer style but dry is not the first word I would use to describe it.  It has a wonderful nose with big apple and floral notes.  The wine explodes in your mouth.  It is extremely crisp and refreshing.  The taste matches the nose with green apple flavors mixed with a touch of citrus.  The finish is flavorful with a touch of acidity and good minerality.  Be careful, this wine goes down easy.  A bottle or two may not be enough for patio session with friends on a sunny summer day!

Evolúció Furmint in a Nutshell:

Description:  100% Furmint.  Fruits shown are Green apple with hints of citrus and apricot.  Lively Minerality and a touch of acidity.  Slightly dry finish that lingers for a bit and leaves you wanting another sip.

Pairings:  A warm summer day might be the best pairing.  In terms of food, I enjoyed it with a beer can chicken roasted on the grill and it was perfect.  Would also be great with a Spinach Salad topped with shrimp.

Vintages/Price:  Current vintage is 2011.   The price point is steal at right around $12 a bottle!


For more information, please visit http://www.boutiquewines.info/wine.php?supplier_id=101&winename=Evol%FAci%F3&varietal_id=72&country_id=10

My wife and I took a trip last summer to Niagara Falls.  We had some friends tell us that we needed to take a day and tour the Ontario wineries in and around Niagara on the Lake.  We did not expect much....

We were delighted with the experience that ensued.  We visited about 6 wineries and their tasting rooms.  We were surprised with many wines that we tried and ended up filling our trunk.  There was one wine thought that stuck out in both of our minds when we got home.  At Reif winery, their specialty is Kerner.  I had never tried it before but thank goodness I did.  It has become a staple in our house.

Kerner is a hybrid of Riesling and Trollinger.  It is a white grape that is not grown many places.  You will find small plantings in it's native Germany as well as Canada.  The one that you will be predominantly in the United States though is from a favorite winery of mine. 

Abbazzia Di Novacella is found in the Alto Adige region of Italy.  It is just south of the Alps and it provides interesting climates that allows them to grow varietals that are uncommon in Italy.  They produce Lagrein, Sylvaner, Kerner, Gewürztraminer and Veltliner.

My wife and I differ on our taste in wine as many couples do.  In terms of whites, she likes sweeter varietals such as Riesling and Pinot Gris.  I tend to lean more towards wines with more minerality. Kerner is a perfect middle ground for us.  It is not too sweet and not too dry.  It is very light and crisp while also providing bright acidity on the finish.  It is perfect for sipping in our hammock on a hot day.  Please, do yourself a favor and introduce yourself to this grape.  It is a friend that will be in your life for a while!

Abbazia Di Novacella Kerner in a Nutshell:

Description:  Pale Straw in color and floral on the nose.  Light and crisp with great minerality.  Nice touch of ginger on the finish.  Fruit here is apricot and stone fruit.

Pairings:  Perfect for a picnic that includes a Caprese Salad and Prosciutto wrapped Melon.    

Vintages/Price:  Current vintage is 2010.   Everywhere that I have seen this wine, It is right around $20.  You may also find 2009 vintage on sale around the $15 range which is well worth it.


For more information, please visit http://www.kloster-neustift.it/en/wine-cellar/wine-cellar.html