Category: Beyond the Fig

Austria, Austrian Wine, Beyond the Fig, Blaufränkisch, Weeknight Wine

Do You Know Blaufränkisch?

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Who doesn’t love a good Blaufränkisch? We’ve really come to enjoy Blaufränkisch lately. Such a fun, easy drinking wine that seems to defy definition. For those unfamiliar, Blaufränkisch is a black-skinned red grape; the second most popular variety in Austria. In some regions it is known as Lemberger or Franconia.

Long thought to be identical to Pinot Noir, recent DNA testing has revealed that, though related, Blaufränkisch is a separate variety; one that we find less pretentious and a much better bang for your buck!

The Schreiner Blaufränkisch 2021 is a fantastic example of what this grape can deliver. We secured this 1L bottle from our local shop, @beyondthefigwine, where it retails for $18. (As club members, we paid even less!) As Tuesday evening dinner came together; a casual meal of Sweet Korean BBQ Steaks (from the @sprouts butcher case), rice, and a pickled cucumber salad, we reached for this bottle.

Superb value for a fun, weeknight wine. Inky garnet color. Blackberry, black cherry, plum, and baking spice on the nose. Flavors of ripe blackberry, bramble, black cherry, boysenberry, and plum, with cedar, clove and other baking spices, and hints of leather and cigar. Full body with soft tannins and balanced acidity. Don’t let the low price, 1-liter size and the breakaway screw cap fool you. This a serious wine with a lot going on. Complexity beyond its price point!

And, hey, it’s got a knife and fork on the label so you know it’s a food wine!

Let us know what you know about Blaufränkisch!

  • By Kent Reynolds and Robyn Raphael-Reynolds
Beyond the Fig, Carthusian Monks, Chardonnay, Slovenia, Wine Geek, Wine Lover, Wine Tasting, Wineries, Winery, Winevana

Slovenian Chardonnay FTW!

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Let’s get this out of the way up front. We’re picky about our Chardonnay. Big, buttery oak bombs? Nope, not for us. We prefer elegant, dry, crisp versions. Lucky for us, the Sanctum Medved Chardonnay 2023 is exactly that.

Burgundian in style, this Slovenian Chardonnay ticks all the boxes. We recently learned, from our esteemed wine poet Tyler at @beyondthefigwine, that as early as the year 1200, French Carthusian monks have been working with Burgundian Chardonnay vines in Slovenia, turning out Burgundy quality wines, completely under the radar! Whole bunch pressed, and fermented with only naturally occurring, native yeast, and aged 12 months in neutral, French oak barrels, this is a wine that truly expresses terroir.

Clear, golden color. The nose is pear, citrus, and tropical fruit. On the palate, crisp yellow apple, green apple, Asian pear, citrus, and minerals with chalky notes. Medium-plus body with crisp acidity and a fresh, vibrant finish.

This is exactly our preferred style of Chardonnay. If it’s your style, we know where you can get some.

  • By Kent Reynolds and Robyn Raphael-Reynolds
Beyond the Fig, German, Germany, Pinot Noir, Spätburgunder, Wine, Wine Blog, Wine Blogger, Wine Club, Wine Lover, Wine Pairing, Wine Review, Wine Tasting, Winery

Spätburgunder! Pinot Noir German Style!

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Why just call it Pinot Noir, when you can venture to Germany and declare Spätburgunder!?

That’s right, German Spätburgunder is the same grape most know as Pinot Noir. Such a versatile grape, presented in many different styles, from light and elegant, to big and bold.

Tonight, we opened the Weingut Steintal Buntsandstein Spätburgunder 2020. This is a spectacular wine, tasting great now and with the potential for a few more years of aging. Paired with Roast Chicken with Meyer Lemon and Smoked Paprika (recipe from discovercaliforniawines.com) with its smoked paprika seasoning, it was a match made in heaven.

Ruby color in the glass. Aromas lead with smoke and baking spice, with notes of cherry, raspberry, and mushroom. On the palate, delightful flavors of plum, red cherry, earthy notes, minerals, and tobacco smoke. Medium body, soft tannins, and perfectly balanced acidity. A spectacular Spätburgunder.

Have you had a German Spätburgunder? Let us know in the comments what you thought!

  • By Kent Reynolds and Robyn Raphael-Reynolds
Beyond the Fig, Frappato, Involtini, Italian Wine, Italy, Nero d'Avola, Pistachio, Sicilian Wine, Sicily

2023 Occhipinti SP68 Rosso

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When your wine shop owner tells you that one of this month’s club selections, the 2023 Occhipinti SP68 Rosso pairs well with his sister-in-law’s pistachio-crusted pork involtini, you find a recipe and try it out. First, I had to look up involtini, cuz I’d never heard of it. Then, I couldn’t find pork cutlets, so I used beef instead. All I can say is: “WOW!” What an a wonderful mouthful of flavor, and yes, this is an amazing wine pairing!

The 2023 Occhipinti SP68 Rosso, from Sicily, is 70% Frappato, 30% Nero d’Avola. Winemaker Arianna Occhipinti is a rising star in the wine world and we will seek out her wines in the future.

Ruby color in the glass. On the nose, fresh red cherries, strawberry, and red currant notes. Flavors of cherry, raspberry, cranberry, and lychee, with minerals, baking spice, and hints of licorice and smoke. Medium body with youthful tannins and bright acidity. Medium finish of red fruit and floral notes. A beautiful and elegant wine.

  • By Kent Reynolds & Robyn Raphael Reynolds