2018 Was a Doozie. Good Thing There Was Wine
I know it’s March, dang near April, but I thought, “Why not start with a list of some wanders from 2018.” Technically, we’re still fresh into the New Year - since January and February were just practice months, am I right!? So if you are looking for some good finds to celebrate the spring try these out!
*Disclaimer: I couldn’t wait to officially review these selections (hangs head in shame), so this is a short list. However, they were delicious, and that’s motivation enough to share.
Gruet Sauvage — Blanc de Blancs
Origin: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Type/Blend: 100% Chardonnay
Alcohol Vol.: 12.5%
Taste: Sparkling, dry, clean
Flavors: green apple, lemon & grapefruit
Retail Price: $20 | I Paid: $7.29 (on clearance)
Fun Fact: “New Mexico now has more than 60 wineries and produces 900,000 gallons of wine annually.” (Carpe Travel)
Seven Daughters — 2017 Moscato
Origin: Piedmont (region), Italy
Type/Blend: Moscato, 100% Muscat
Alcohol Vol.: 7%
Taste: Fresh, fruity, bright
Aromas: Peach, honey
Retail Price: $14 | I Paid: < $14 (on sale)
Fun Fact: “Muscat is the only fine wine grape that doubles as a table grape.” (Temecula Valley Winegrowers Association)
Rinaldi ReDream — Malvasia Frizzante
Origin: Piedmont (region), Italy
Type/Blend: Red Wine, 100% Malvasia
Alcohol Vol.: 7%
Taste: Pleasant, sweet, frothy
Flavors: Honeysuckle, raspberry, citrus, cherry
Retail Price: $20 | I Paid: $20
Fun Fact: “The [frizzantes] have small, light bubbles which are much lighter than those you will find in other sparkling wines like Champagne or wines made using the Méthode champenoise.” (LoveToKnow)
Jade Cove — 2016 Sauvignon Blanc
Origin: Marlborough (region), New Zealand
Type/Blend: Sauvignon Blanc
Alcohol Vol.: 13.0%
Taste: Crisp, Dry
Flavors: Citrus, tropical fruits
Aromas: Honey, guava, lemon, dried herbs
Retail Price: $12 | I Paid: $12
Fun Fact: “Due to its location, New Zealand vineyards are the first on our planet to see the sun each day.” (Grape Collective)
W.B. Bridgman — 2016 Riesling
Origin: Yakima Valley (region), Washington
Type/Blend: Riesling
Alcohol Vol.: 12.1%
Taste: Crisp yet perfect balance of sweet & dry
Flavors: Mangos, peaches
Aromas: Peach, floral
Retail Price: $14 | I Paid: > $14 (on sale)
Fun Fact: “William B. Bridgman was one of the first to plant wine grapes in the Yakima Valley.” (Precept Wine)
Cuttings — 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon
Origin: Oakville, CA
Type/Blend: 80% Cabernet Sauvignon; 20% Blend of Petite Sirah, Syrah and Zinfandel
Alcohol Vol.: 15.4%
Taste: Deep, rich, complex
Flavors: Blueberry, dark cherry, cocoa
Aromas: Fresh roasted coffee, black currant, vanilla bean, brown spice, wild berries
Retail Price: $55 | I Paid: $13 (on clearance)
Fun Fact: “Inspired by the age-old method of using cuttings from idyllic sites for the propagation of new vines, this Cabernet Sauvignon showcases some of our favorite hillside vineyards.” (The Prisoner Wine Company)
Are you itching to try these sips? Let me know your thoughts.