Tuesday, July 21, 2009

#140 Mandilaria

Mandilaria... Yes it does sound a bit like some sort of mosquito borne parasite but it is in fact the most widely planted red variety in the Aegean. Now if I wasn't requiring that my varietals tasted be 70% or more of the wine I would be able to add Mavrotragano to my list also as this once nearly extinct grape makes up 10% of this bottle. But clearly I digress.

The nose is somewhat off putting and I catch more of a plastic diaper/ointment smell than anything else. It is a juicy and fruity wine with a strong punch of tannins on the finish. I was in the mood for a red wine but I cannot get past the smell... check it off the list.

Sunday, July 19, 2009

#139 Welschriesling

2006 Krizevci Winery Grasevina, Kalnik Region, Croatia.

And that is all you need to know. OK not exactly.

This one marks our first Croatian wine. Weighing in at a mere 11% a.b.v. this in a nutshell is basically a simple summer white. (despite the riesling you see in its name). According to K&L "What Croatian lovingly call Grasevina is known in the neighboring countries as Welschriesling, Olasz Rizling, Laski Rizling, or simply Riesling Italico."

Friday, July 17, 2009

#138 Athiri

From the Greek island of Rhodes comes this enjoyable 100% Athiri wine. Usually Athiri is used in blended wines to give weak whites some backbone and structure but on the island of Rhodes it is common to find this fine grape standing alone.

This bottle went quickly. It has a light citric zing, a clean dry finish and just enough structure to make it more than just an easy summer white. What is remarkable is that this wine is hiding a 13.4% alcohol content behind that delicate facade.

Monday, July 13, 2009

#137 Clairette

Another new white and another inexpensive hit. Here we have a clairette from Mas Carlot. It has a floral oak nose and a creamy mouth feel. Well rounded but with a nice dry zing on the finish. Not bad for $11.

Once again K&L had this one in stock.

Sunday, July 12, 2009

#136 Irsai Oliver

Today we have a grape that has eluded me for almost a year. When I first learned about Irsai Oliver I was determined to seek one out. Only lately was I able to find a bottle and to my delight it was Hungarian. (and $10).

This is a 2008 Szöke Irsai Oliver (link for those who speak Hungarian). My first taste was disappointing but I quickly realized I had served the wine too cold. As it approached a proper serving temperature the wine really showed its stuff. It has a floral nose and a bright acidic minerality. I actually enjoyed the wine even more later in the evening when it had arrived at room temperature. This wine is a real delight.

Thanks to K&L wines for carrying this gem and a link here to their site and a little more information about the wine. It is worth a quick read.

Saturday, July 11, 2009

#135 Maria Gomes

The quest takes us into yet more uncharted territory. This time it is a sparkling white from Portugal: Luis Pato Maria Gomes Vinho Espumante Bruto.

Fernao Pires
(aka. Maria Gomes)
"This Portuguese native is that country’s most planted grape, especially in the Ribatejo area. In Bairrada, Fernão Pires is known as Maria Gomes, and is the most familiar white grape variety. The best wines made from the grape exhibit excellent fruit character and strong aromatics, sometimes suggestive of pepper. Fernao Pires can be quite versatile, often used to produce flavorful dry, sweet and sparkling wines. The grape is also widely grown in South Africa."

This wine has a big lovely nose, floral and fruity yet it is surprisingly quite dry and crisp. This one was a real delight for $15 a bottle.