Tag: Wine Country

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
Argentina, Domaine Bousquet, Malbec, Red Blend, Wine

Ameri Wines by Domaine Bousquet

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Today we introduce two new wines from Domaine Bousquet. We have written about Domaine Bousquet wines a few times before and have delved into the history and the story behind the wines. You can read our previous posts here, here, and here, to learn more about Domaine Bousquet and husband and wife owners, Labid al Ameri and Anne Bousquet.

It is no small coincidence, in fact, no coincidence at all, that with Anne’s name on the Estate, the top-tier wines in the portfolio should be named after Labid. Behold, the Ameri line. We were presented with samples of the Ameri Red Blend 2020, and the Ameri Malbec 2020.

The following wines were provided as media samples for review. All reviews, descriptions, and opinions are our own. We received no additional compensation.

The Ameri wines are unique and special. They are made with only the best estate fruit during years of exceptional harvests. Thus, these wines are not made every year. The Red Blend was the first released, with the 2011 vintage. The Malbec followed with the 2019 vintage. The fruit for both wines are sourced from Domaine Bousquet’s estate vineyards located at an altitude of more than 4,000 feet, in the Uco Valley’s Alto Gualtallery zone, in the Andean foothills. As with all Domaine Bousquet wines, the Ameri duo are produced from certified organic fruit. To make these wines even more exceptional, the fruit is not just single-vineyard, but specific-cluster. Only the best clusters of grapes are used in the Ameri wines. So special are they, the bottles are numbered!

With all this hand-selecting and careful handling, you’d think these wines would be prohibitively expensive. You’d be wrong. Both the Ameri Red Blend and the Ameri Malbec have SRPs of $37.00 USD. Some internet sleuthing we did found prices even lower, around $30, at numerous online retailers.

Okay, great, but how are the wines? In a word: Exquisite. These wines punch well above their weight. In terms of price, we tasted before we looked back at the SRP, and agreed that wines of this quality were probably nearly double the actual price. In other words, seek out these wines and try them!

Rich, full bodied, and delicious, we opened these on a the night of an historic, windy storm here in Northern California. Even when the power went out, the Ameri wines kept us cozy all evening through the howling winds and driving rain.

Here’s what we thought about them.

Ameri Red Blend 2020

60% Malbec, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon,10% Syrah, 10% Merlot. Decanted 1 hour. Inky purple color. Nose of blackberry, blueberry, Marionberry, and earthy notes. On the palate, juicy black cherry, boysenberry, blackberry, and blueberry, with red cherry, cherry cola, chocolate, vanilla, and notes of black pepper. Full body, medium tannins, and vibrant acidity. Long finish of black fruit and spice.

Ameri Malbec 2020

100% Malbec. Decanted 1 hour. Inky purple with a brick rim. On the nose, blackberry, black cherry, cassis, tobacco, and smoke. Flavors of ripe blackberry, bramble, black cherry, black currant, tobacco, smoke, vanilla, and chocolate. Rich, full body with firm tannins and smooth acidity. Long finish of blackberry, black cherry, and baking spice. Very nice structure on this wine.

It’s an understatement to say we loved these wines. Our hope is that you are inspired to find them and try them. Please let us know in the comments how you enjoyed them!

Cheers!

  • By Kent Reynolds and Robyn Raphael-Reynolds
  • Photos by Robyn Raphael-Reynolds
Chile, Chilean Wine, Sample, Sauvignon Blanc, Summer of Chilean Sauvignon Blanc, Viña Morandé, Wine

Summer of Chilean SB: Viña Morandé Gran Reserva Sauvignon Blanc 2020

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At long last, our Summer of Chilean Sauvignon Blanc is drawing to a close. It has been a long, hot summer here in NorCal, but we persevered with the help of these crisp, refreshing white wines. It’s been fun reaching into the wine chiller and randomly grabbing one of the bottles. Sadly, this time when we opened the door, there was only one Chilean Sauvignon Blanc left. The final wine for this series is the Viña Morandé Gran Reserva Sauvignon Blanc 2020.

The following wine was provided as a media sample for review. All reviews, descriptions, and opinions are our own. We received no additional compensation.

Pablo Morandé is a visionary, and reputed to be the first to plant grapes in the Casablanca Valley in the 1980s. He founded Viña Morandé in 1996 to further his vision for the future, and showcase the varied and diverse terroirs of Chile. Among other innovations, Viña Morandé launched a high-density planting program, with up to 10,000 vines per hectare. High-density planting allows growers to take better advantage of soil moisture and solar energy. In addition, Viña Morandé utilizes concrete eggs for fermentation, and large, oak foudres for aging. The result is high-quality wines that highlight the diversity of the Chilean terroirs.

With that, on the Autumnal Equinox marking the end of summer, we introduce the final wine in our Summer of Chilean Sauvignon Blanc.

Viña Morandé Gran Reserva Sauvignon Blanc 2020

Pale straw color. Nose of citrus and tropical fruit. On the palate, lemon zest, quince, pineapple, mango, white grapefruit, and notes of straw and hay. Light body with tart acidity and a medium finish.

We hope you have enjoyed following along on the journey through our Summer of Chilean Sauvignon Blanc. If you have the chance to try this wine, or any of the others in this series, please leave a comment to let us know how you liked them.

Cheers!

  • By Kent Reynolds and Robyn Raphael-Reynolds
  • Photos by Robyn Raphael-Reynolds
Casas del Bosque, Chile, Chilean Wine, Sample, Sauvignon Blanc, Summer of Chilean Sauvignon Blanc, Wine

Summer of Chilean SB: Casas del Bosque La Cantera Sauvignon Blanc 2020

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At long last, we are moving out of 100°+ temperatures, and can see autumn on the horizon. There’s even rain in the forecast for today! But we still have a few more days of summer, so our journey continues! The penultimate wine in our Summer of Chilean Sauvignon Blanc is the Casas del Bosque La Cantera Sauvignon Blanc 2020.

The following wine was provided as a media sample for review. All reviews, descriptions, and opinions are our own. We received no additional compensation.

Casas del Bosque is located in Las Dichas, on the extreme west of the Casablanca Valley. The winery was founded in 1993 by the Cúneo family. The estate takes it name from the ancient pine forests, olive trees, and small adobe houses in the area. Casas del Bosque roughly translates to “Forest Houses.”

Casas del Bosque has 89 hectares under vine, planted with cool climate varieties, including Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Malbec and Cabernet Franc. They also source Cabernet Sauvignon and Carmenere from vineyards in Maipo, Colchagua and Cachapoal.

In addition to their passion for crafting fine wines, Casas del Bosque also promotes the region through wine tourism. They offer a wide range of tasting and tour options, including a harvest experience and bicycle tours, and also operate three restaurants, ranging from vineyard-centric casual, to gastronomic fine cuisine.

The western location of the vineyards are the coolest in the Casablanca Valley, which help promote excellent conditions for crisp Sauvignon Blanc wines. The name, La Cantera, is derived from an old granite quarry and the red clay soils in the area. The vines are planted in these rich soils, providing fresh minerality and structure.

Casas del Bosque La Cantera Sauvignon Blanc 2020

Soft golden color. Aromas of pineapple, citrus, and straw. On the palate, lemon lime, pineapple, quince, fresh cut grass, and a healthy dose of cat pee. The wine is light bodied, with vibrant acidity, yet a surprisingly soft, smooth mouthfeel. Long, citrus and tropical fruit finish. Perfect pairing with fish tacos.

Another fantastic Chilean Sauvignon Blanc to enjoy the waning days of summer. We hope you have the opportunity to try this wine. If you do, please let us know how you liked it by leaving a comment.

Cheers!

  • By Kent Reynolds and Robyn Raphael-Reynolds
  • Photos by Robyn Raphael-Reynolds
Chile, Chilean Wine, Matetic Vineyards, Sample, Sauvignon Blanc, Summer of Chilean Sauvignon Blanc, Wine

Summer of Chilean SB: Matetic Vineyards EQ Coastal Sauvignon Blanc 2020

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We’ve made it past Labor Day Weekend in the United States, the unofficial end of summer. Yet it seems Mother Nature didn’t get the memo this year! We’ve just survived a record-setting heatwave in Northern California, with temperatures in the 110° to 115° range this past week. Thank goodness for dry, crisp, refreshing white wines. Remember, summer doesn’t actually end until September 22! As we continue our Summer of Chilean Sauvignon Blanc, we cracked and enjoyed the Matetic Vineyards EQ Coastal Sauvignon Blanc 2020.

The following wine was provided as a media sample for review. All reviews, descriptions, and opinions are our own. We received no additional compensation.

Matetic Vineyards has it roots in Eastern Europe. The patriarch of the family business, Jorge Matetic-Celtinja emigrated to Chile in 1892, from a town in the Austro-Hungarian Empire that is now Rijeka, Croatia. He settled near the southern tip of Chile, in Punta Arenas. Fast-forward more than 100 years to 1999, when Jorge’s descendants planted vines in the Rosario Valley, in Casablanca, becoming pioneers in cool-climate viticulture in the region. The EQ line of wines was born with the first harvest in 2001. Grape varieties in that year included Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Syrah.

The Matetic family wasted no time in embracing organic and biodynamic farming practices, beginning that transition the very next year, in 2002. Certification was achieved in 2004.

The winery itself opened in 2003 and features a beautiful blend of modern architecture with the use of natural wood and stone from the nearby region. Environmentally friendly with gravity flow, the winery continues the sustainable tradition. Matetic Vineyards also built a boutique hotel, La Casona, which opened in 2004, and ushered in a commitment to wine tourism in the area.

The vineyards for this Sauvignon Blanc are planted just 3 ½ miles from the coast, in granite-rich soils. Cool mornings and sunny afternoons contribute to ideal growing conditions, resulting in fresh, crisp wines. As always, the proof is in the bottle!

Matetic Vineyards EQ Coastal Sauvignon Blanc 2020

Golden straw color. The nose is pineapple and citrus. On the palate, flavors of pineapple, lemon, lime, and quince, with notes of mango, passion fruit, and grass. Light body with zesty acidity, yet quite easy drinking. Great with seafood and also nice sipping on its own.

The Matetic Vineyards EQ Coastal Sauvignon Blanc 2020 is a fantastic representation of the unique terroir that Chile has to offer. We thoroughly enjoyed this wine, and are confident that you will, too! If you try it, please let us know in the comments what you think of it.

Cheers!

  • By Kent Reynolds and Robyn Raphael-Reynolds
  • Photos by Robyn Raphael-Reynolds
Chile, Chilean Wine, Sample, Sauvignon Blanc, Summer of Chilean Sauvignon Blanc, Viña Koyle, Wine

Summer of Chilean SB: Viña Koyle Costa La Flor Sauvignon Blanc 2021

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Our Summer of Chilean Sauvignon Blanc rolls on! We may never grow tired of these tasty, racy wines, and are ever grateful for them on what has been a summer for the record books with more than 35 days over 100°! Next up on our journey is the Viña Koyle Costa La Flor Sauvignon Blanc 2021.

The following wine was provided as a media sample for review. All reviews, descriptions, and opinions are our own. We received no additional compensation.

The people at Koyle Family Vineyards sound like our kind of people. Their tag-line on their home page is “A Great Family – Wine Runs Through our Veins”. Koyle Family Vineyards history spans six generations, beginning with Don Francisco Undurraga Vicuña in 1885. It was he who imported vines from France and Germany and plant them in Chile. The original winery was named Viña Undurraga, in 1903, became the first Chilean winery to export wines to the United States.

The Koyle Family Vineyards name was born in 2006, after Alfonso Undurraga and his son Cristóbal began planting grapes on the rocky slopes of the Andes Mountains, in Alto Colchagua. Three years later, in 2009, Koyle Family Vineyards began the process of becoming biodynamic and working with the International Demeter Biodynamic Federation. Their mission is to create wines that respect their origin and highlight the terroir of the region.

The Viña Koyle Costa La Flor Sauvignon Blanc 2021 is an exceptional wine that certainly expresses the character of the Chilean region. The grapes are from vineyards located just five miles from the sea, in granite soils rich in quartz and clay. The wine is sur-lie aged for four months to soften the natural, sharp acidity.  

Viña Koyle Costa La Flor Sauvignon Blanc 2021

Golden straw color. On the nose, citrus, tropical fruit, and cat pee. On the palate, flavors of big notes of quince, with lemon zest, pineapple, pear, white peach, grass, and minerals. Dry with tart acidity and a medium finish.

If you like a zesty, racy, puckery Sauvignon Blanc, this is the wine for you! It was super refreshing as we tried to cool down from another scorcher. If you try it, please let us know what you think by leaving a comment.

Cheers!

  • By Kent Reynolds and Robyn Raphael-Reynolds
  • Photos by Robyn Raphael-Reynolds
Chile, Chilean Wine, Sample, Sauvignon Blanc, Summer of Chilean Sauvignon Blanc, Viña Garcés Silva, Wine

Summer of Chilean SB: Viña Garcés Silva Amayna Sauvignon Blanc 2020

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What a summer it has been! We can hardly believe it’s almost September and we still have several Chilean Sauvignon Blancs to share with you. Next up in our Summer of Chilean Sauvignon Blanc is the Viña Garcés Silva Amayna Sauvignon Blanc 2020.

The following wine was provided as a media sample for review. All reviews, descriptions, and opinions are our own. We received no additional compensation.

The Amayna Sauvignon Blanc is rather distinctive. In addition to being two years old, middle-aged by Sauvignon Blanc standards, the Amayna Sauvignon Blanc was sur-lie aged for six months, leading to a fuller expression than most Sauvignon Blanc wines, while still being crisp and refreshing.

Viña Garcés Silva is a multi-generational venture, with a history of a variety of agricultural products. In 1999, the family decided to enter the wine industry and planted Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir grapes on their ocean-view land. They started wine production in 2002; the first winery in Chile’s Leyda Valley.

The Garcés Silva family has a vision to not only crafting high quality wines, they are also committed to social and environmental responsibility. They strive to provide a work environment that values and enhances their staff members’ quality of life. In addition, they prioritize sustainable farming and wine making to maintain environmental balance.

The list of awards on their website is impressive, and created a sense of anticipation as we twisted the cap on the wine bottle. One sip confirmed the awards are well deserved!

Viña Garcés Silva Amayna Sauvignon Blanc 2020

Pale straw color. The nose is bursting with tropical fruit and citrus. On the palate, flavors of ripe pineapple, mango, quince, lemon lime, and notes of Bartlett pear. Light body with racy acidity. A delightful refresher on a hot summer evening.

We hope you have the opportunity to try this tasty Chilean Sauvignon Blanc. If you do, we are sure you will enjoy it as much as we did.

Cheers!

  • By Kent Reynolds and Robyn Raphael-Reynolds
  • Photos by Robyn Raphael-Reynolds
Chilean Wine, Montes, Sample, Sauvignon Blanc, Summer of Chilean Sauvignon Blanc, Wine

Summer of Chilean SB: Montes Wines Limited Selection Sauvignon Blanc 2021

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Montes Wines is one of the most recognizable names in Chilean wine production. Known for their stunning, bold red wines like Montes Alpha M and the Purple Angel, we were happy to learn they produce equally impressive white wines, too. As we continued our Summer of Chilean Sauvignon Blanc, the Montes Wines Limited Selection Sauvignon Blanc 2021 was the next to be drawn from our cellar.

The following wine was provided as a media sample for review. All reviews, descriptions, and opinions are our own. We received no additional compensation.

We feel very fortunate to have received the samples of crisp refreshing Chilean Sauvignon Blanc wines, just in time for what has proven to be a particularly toasty summer. Here in NorCal in the greater Sacramento area, we have experienced a run of nearly 3 weeks of temperatures over 100°, many 105° or more! So, we have really been enjoying these wines to help cool off and relax in the evenings.

Montes Wines was established in 1987 by Aurelio Montes and Douglas Murray, who had a vision of elevating Chilean wines on the world stage by producing wines far superior to what was available from Chile at the time. They brought in two more partners, Alfredo Vidaurre and Pedro Grand, the next year. Their 1987 vintage Montes Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon was the first of their wines to gain notoriety and worldwide acclaim. People started to take notice of Chile as a serious wine producing country.

Montes Wines are widely available at a variety of retailers and at various price points. We’ve enjoyed a number of their red wines in the past, but the Limited Selection Sauvignon Blanc 2021 was our first experience with one of their white wines. While we were sure it would be good, given the producer’s reputation for crafting fine wines, we were not expecting to be as blown away as we were!

Montes Limited Selection Sauvignon Blanc 2021

Wow! This is good! We know Montes reds, but this is our first white. Pale straw color. Initial aromas of pineapple and cat pee (in a good way), followed by quince. On the palate, pineapple, white grapefruit, pear, lemon zest, and citrus, with saline and minerals. Light body with well balanced acidity and a crisp, clean finish.

This is a truly stunning wine, and we hope you have an opportunity to try some. If you enjoy and appreciate a finely made Sauvignon Blanc, you will not be disappointed!

Cheers!

  • By Kent Reynolds and Robyn Raphael-Reynolds
  • Photos by Robyn Rahael-Reynolds