Light red wines for the holidays

La Purisima Monastrell 2013

La Purisima is a small co-op winery in Yecla, Spain -  a region I've never heard of until now. I must admit I was initially attracted to this wine by its sublime label, but the wine itself was just as beautiful. The wine is 100% Monastrell and aged in oak for 3 months, which allows the intense fruit and crisp acidity of the Monastrell grape shine through. Perfect for all occasions and a VERY good value. 

Nose: light, silky, perfumy; milk, violets

Tongue: soft tannins, light bodied, juicy, fruit forward at first (strawberries) with lingering floral and herbaceous undertones

Price: $9.99

Rating: 4/5

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Thymiopoulos Young Vines 2013 Naoussa

I love trying out new varietals, which can be a hit or miss. I had never had great experiences with the Greek wines I ordered in restaurants, so I had low expectations for this one, but I was pleasantly surprised. This wine was complex, balanced, and well rounded. It is also light-bodied and great for sipping on. I am now looking forward to trying their other un-pronounceable varietals and blends!

Nose: light and floral, hints of chocolate, violets, starfruit. Cream undertones

Tongue: light bodied, yeasty; flavors of hawthorn, strawberry. Peaty aftertaste

Price: $14

Rating: 4.25/5

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Bebame Red 2012

Finally, a domestic wine from El Dorado County, CA. The Bebame Red is a blend of 93% Cabernet Franc and 7% Gamay Noir - grapes one does not typically associate with California. Nor does this taste like the usual big obnoxious California reds on the shelves these days. This wine carries a lot more finesse - like a waltz vs. hip-hop (that is, california cab)- and as with the theme today, is light bodied and highly quaffable. Would definitely buy more bottles next time.

Nose: warm and nutty, with flavors of almonds, strawberries, and grape
Tongue: light but juicy, spicy, with a finish of vibrant acidity. Fruit forward with hints of raspberries; a kick of ceyenne pepper lingers in the aftertaste; very well rounded

Price: $18

Rating: 4/5

Wines for the Lazy Summer Days

Got this elegant white from a tasting at the local wine store. I am loving the Gruner Veltliner and Pinot Gris wines that Oregon is producing. It's a terroir to rival big California without the inflated price!

Nose: refreshing notes of honey, lemons. Stemmy

Tongue: lemons, honeysuckle, muscat, and rich lychee jelly. Rich, off-sweet, succulent. Slightly creamy. Very layered and complex for a white

Price: $15

Rating: 4.25/5

Made from 100% Lugana (AKA Verdicchio) grapes in Sirmione, Italy. Never was a fan of the Italian Pinot Grigios so popularized in the States, but Italians really know how to make AMAZING wines with their indigenous grapes! This is a great example of them. Sip it on the porch or with some sharp cheeses, seafood, or Asian food. You won't regret it! Also love the label design on this one :)

Nose: fresh, lemony, tart. Notes of granny-smith apples, peaches, and pears

Tongue: Semi-dry, ripe on the tongue, with flavors of melons and honey. 

Price: $16

Rating: 4/5

A red wine for summer? Why not? Marquette is a relatively new grape grown in the Northeastern States designed to withstand the cold weather. Shelburne Vineyard of Vermont makes a light-bodied yet complex wine with this grape that makes for a wonderful sipper in the hot summer days by the pool. Drink it slightly chilled.

Nose: woody, notes of mulch, mud, desert, roasted marshmellows, asparagus, and artichokes

Tongue: light-bodied and velvety, floral and peppery. Flavors of dark berries, hickory, cherry, and violets

Price: $18

Rating: 4/5

Two amazing wines for your money: La Sabonite Rouge & 2011 Oltrepo Pavese Malvasia Piume

This is the only red wine produced by Sabonite, and this $15 red, though vintage-less and deemed a "table wine", it tastes like a gem. Very quaffable and refreshing on the tongue. Be careful about having too much!

Nose:  spicy, roasty, & nutty with mineral backnotes. Aromas of slate, cloves, caramel, marshmellow, vanilla, and cedar

Tongue: light bodied, with barely noticeable tannins. Smoky and complex in flavors - bell peppers, spice, smoke, tomato, chestnuts, vanilla, and butterscotch - balanced with refreshing minerality. 

Price: $15

Rating: 4.25/5

I've had very good experiences with all of the Martide red wines I've tried. Their beautiful watercolor labels of their vineyard farm animals are definitely a plus. The Piume (meaning 'plume' in Italian), made of Malvasia grapes, is special in every way. I was first struck by the deep honey orange color. The distinctively delicious aroma and mouth-feel makes this one of my favorite whites. To be drunk alone or with spicy food and sharp charcuterie. 

Nose: full of tropical fruits and sweet honey - flavors of pineapple, mango, juicy, very perfumed, citrus blossom, wildflower honey, biscuits 

Tongue: med-bodied with dry finish. Tart flavors are prominent, with upfront notes of lime, almonds, quince and lychee. Remniscent of the New England fall foliage.

Price: $18

Rating: 4.5/5

Sure cure for the winter blues: curl up and drink the 2010 Castello di Verrazzano Chianti Classico

2010 Castello di Verrazzano Chianti Classico

I thought I had been forever sick of Chianti after my Chianti binge some 1 year ago, but I guess I just never tasted the right one.The Verrazzano Chianti is a classic Chianti but without domination by the savory cured-meat taste that characterizes many Chiantis I've attempted recently. This Chianti is sophisticated, velvety on the palate, and harmonic. Perfect for those staying-in freezing winter nights :o)

Nose:  immediate notes of cedar, caramel, warm vanilla, lavender honey, and date. Fruit flavors of strawberry and black cherry comes through after the wine opens up with some aeration.

Tongue: spicy and mouth-filling. Medium bodied with a velvety texture. Flavors of warm ceder, hikory, coriander, cardamom and salted sticky toffee. Acidic finish.

Price: $18

Rating: 4.5/5