Saturday 21 July 2018

Summer Sippin - Vintages Release Saturday, July 21st!

Hey Fellow Wino's

I want to thank you for checking out my blog, be it for the first time, a few times or subscriber since the beginning. Not to sound like a politician, but I write this blog for people like you. People who love wine but may know very little about wine, people who may know a decent amount and those who think they could write my blog, and probably could.



I don't dip bottom of the barrel, 19-year-old style drinking "Gato Negro" wine, I also don't recommend first growth Bordeaux, but what I do is pick and choose wine's that I would drink. Wines that offer a good product at a decent price. Heck, a wine bottle most of us could afford even if it was a tad more of a special occasion.

Why should you subscribe? Simple... #UpYourWineGame 

With that said, let's jump in because I found you some serious value in my picks today.

1. 2017 Rustenberg Sauvignon Blanc, Stellenbosch, Western Cape, South Africa at $14.95
I really love wine from South Africa, the classic bridge between the New World and Europe. When tasting Pinot Noir or Cabernet Sauvignon from South Africa I find it can trick you, the fruit condition can be that of New World with its warmth and fruit forwardness, but the earth and secondary notes are certainly that of Europe. This Sauvignon blanc is planted in Stellenbosch which allows for the fresh breezes off False Bay and Table Bay to grow these grapes cool and slow. The grapes are planted at an altitude of 1,800 feet (as you know from reading my previous blogs) helps to preserve acidity (freshness and crispness) from the huge diurnal shift in temperature. Warm days, cool nights. Take it slow baby, don't rush this.

So what can we expect in the glass? Fresh gooseberry, asparagus and passion fruit. I would chill, crack on a patio and pair with summertime appies like goats cheese with a nice charcuterie plate. Maybe a nice summer salad with dill salmon....mmmm.




2. 2016 Le Fils Des Gras Mouton, Sur Lie, Muscadet, Sevre-Et-Maine, Loire Valley, France at $14.95
Ok, so the title it is long and I'll explain.

Producer: Le Fils des Gras Mouton
Sur Lie: Means the wine was aged on the dead yeasts cells from fermentation, adding an almond, brioche character to the wine, much like champagne
Muscadet: Location in the western gap of the Loire Valley, right on the cooling Atlantic Ocean
Sevre-et-Maine: Sub Appellation of the Muscadet Region, this means more site-specific which in wine usually always means better!

This wine is like a much needed fresh plunge into a pool, in a glass. I would pair Oysters and a bottle of Muscadet, match made in heaven. Fresh green apple, fresh crisp pear, saline notes (heck, right on the ocean coast) and some fresh lemon. While you can go with warm seafood like cooked mussels, fresh raw fish or seafood and Muscadet on a hot summer patio....hella yes!


For the visual learners, the yellow region below on the left is Muscadet. Look closely and you'll see exactly where Sevre et Main, it's subregion, is located within the Muscadet region.



If you really want to know that I'm going to sip this afternoon in the hot sun, this wine chilling on ice, right here! 

Vintages panel says expect yellow plum, fresh lemon and grapefruit, simply a great sipper. Don't confuse sipper with bad, this is just easy living on a dock or patio, sip the bottle and afternoon away with a smile. I'd pair this with grilled seafood such as shrimp, fish or maybe even octopus....live a little! I'll probably buy a case of this wine. This is sipping wine and food wine, perfect for both! 


My gosh have I come to love Carmenere from Chile. This Carmenere comes from Apalta, a subregion of the eminent Colchagua Valley. Again, more site-specific in this case than general Colchagua valley and I think most somms would agree, solid location. The granite soils and hillside plantings make the vine struggle just to stay alive and when the vine struggles, it produces great grapes and in turn, great wine. 

Expect fresh blackberries, black cherry, plum, vanilla, baking spice, a fresh mint note with a solid structure (good acidity and refined smooth tannins). This is one of those wines like the Finao, I could see myself buying several bottles of for later. Really solid wine at a great price. Pair with grilled meats on the BBQ, burgers or steaks with pebre (Chilean salsa) and decant 30 minutes, serve at 17C. 

* Freezer for 15 minutes assuming the bottle is a warm 23C summer temperature, the decanter for 30 min, should be just right by the time you sip. Never Ever sip red at 23C, ever.


Remember how I said South Africa is the perfect in-between while comparing New World and Old World wines? This is a great example of that! If you love Bordeaux but your friend loves Napa, compromise and drink this. You'll both be happy because you'll have the fruit ripeness of Napa and the classic full-bodied earthy experience of a fine Bordeaux. Now, it's not going to taste exactly like Bordeaux or Napa but think of this as a child between two powerhouses, a Bordeaux and Napa love child per se. 

Fresh blackberry, cassis, raspberry, anise, cedar and mint notes say the wine spectator. I think this would be a great wine for a nice evening between two friends, especially if you want to move beyond being just friends ;) 

Serve at 18C with a 30 minute decant or more and pair with two nice large filet mignon, topped with St. Agur blue cheese and black pepper with a side of green beans sauteed in butter. For fun, can you taste where the wine is from? It's literally the best of both Old World and New World. 





Happy Sipping,

Ryan 





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