Signed in as:
filler@godaddy.com
Signed in as:
filler@godaddy.com
Imagine pressing just one drop of nectar from each grape to produce a wine. Does that really happen? What is the process? The wine must be prohibitively expensive!
The answers are: yes, we’ll explain, and not terribly.
Icewine is something of a delicacy in the wine world. Grapes remain on the vine long and into winter until the point they freeze and then they are picked. At Peller Estates Winery in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada, home of our March of the Month, the 2019 Million Icewine VQA Niagara Peninsula, they do this with their Vidal grapes at -10*C (14*F). The sugars and other dissolved solids in the grape do not freeze, but the water does, allowing a more concentrated grape nectar to be pressed from the grape. Because the balance of sugars and water have been shifted, the result is a lusciously sweet wine suitable as an aperitif.
The wine is a medium gold color, approaching amber. Expect a very pure array of fruit on the palate: citrus, stone, and tropical. There is wonderfully refreshing acidity to provide backbone, and a long, lingering, honey finish. It is such a treat. Pair this with your dessert or after-dinner cheeses. And because the sugar levels are so high, this wine only reaches 11% ABV, making it (slightly) guilt free!
Icewine is not poured the way a typical glass of red or white wine is poured. It is best savored in small quantities. That is why Peller Estates Winery makes our March wine of the month in a 200 mL bottle. Given what it takes to make this wine, it is a surprisingly good value at $55. We highly recommend it.
Learn more about Peller Estates Winery, purchase their wine, and follow them here:
@pellerwines
The tag line on our Peninsula Underground logo is, “Find Great Wines.” To do so, you often must step outside your comfort zone. There are so many exciting wines in the world—wines that make your palate come alive. But if you are used to drinking the same two or three varietals, how will you ever come to appreciate other great wines? If you want to improve your aerobic fitness, you need to run more. If you want to increase your muscle mass, you need to lift more weights. If you want to upgrade your wine palate, you need to drink different wines.
The first step in expanding your wine horizon is our February wine of the month, the 2021 St. Avalo Nero d’Avola Los Olivos District Santa Barbara County.
Nero d’Avola is the most important red-wine grape in Sicily and has more recently popped up in Valle de Guadalupe and Mendocino County. This expression from St. Avalo is deep purple in color and has a pronounced intensity of aroma and flavor. There are a plethora of identifiable characteristics that are impressively balanced. Primary descriptors: blackberry, black raspberry, blueberry, black currant, violet, black currant leaf, and wet wool. Secondary: toast, butterscotch, and chocolate. Tertiary: savory and vegetal. This wine has fruit on the midpalate that adds layers of complexity on the velvety finish. A high acid, high tannin, full-bodied treat that can be enjoyed now or over the next 7-10 years. We scored it a 93.7 a few months ago and scores will only go up from there. Outstanding.
We were first introduced to Diana & Oliver Ramleth, and the impressive team at St. Avalo, in our 2023 Under the Radar California Competition, where they took home Best in Class for their Pinot Grigio and Vermentino. Their first release of reds (Sangiovese, Dornfelder, Gamay Noir, and Pinot Noir, in addition to the Nero d’Avola) has been a revelation. And, with a new tasting room soon to open in Los Olivos, word will spread quickly about this new gem in the wine world.
We so appreciate St. Avalo’s contributions to the industry by making outstanding varietals that give us a chance to grow in our wine journey. For that reason, the 2021 St. Avalo Nero d’Avola Los Olivos District Santa Barbara County is our February wine of the month.
Purchase, learn more, and follow St. Avalo here:
@StAvaloWine
If you believe that a new year is about starting fresh—a clean slate—then shouldn’t your first wine of the year be symbolic of this mindset?
A big, heavy Cabernet Sauvignon or Sagrantino suggests more about comfort, the status quo. Fat and happy. They don’t set the tone for renewal. What does?
Albariño.
From Rías Baixas in Galicia in the northwest Iberian Peninsula—a region know as green Spain—Albariño grows near the European frontier of the Atlantic Ocean. Go west, young grape! It thrives in cooler climates (winter renewal) and does well with rainfall (cleansing). It is typically fermented in inert vessels, like stainless steel, to preserve the pronounced aromas of citrus, stone fruit, and apple. It is fresh and clean with high acidity and salinity.
To get us in the mood for this winter rebirth, we chose the 2021 Albariño de Fefiñanes D.O. Rías Baixas as our January wine of the month. It is a wonderful expression of the variety with red apple, honeysuckle, brininess, and high acidity. The wine dances about the palate in a way that wakes up your senses. It is rejuvenating. A perfect start to the new year.
Best of all, you can buy this wine for less than $35. We picked it up at Hi-Time Wine Cellars for $31.98. A fantastic value.
Your January does not need to be dry to start fresh—your wine just needs to set the proper tone. Try the (dry) 2021 Albariño de Fefiñanes D.O. Rías Baixas, our January wine of the month, and you’ll see what we mean.
Learn more about Bodegas Fefiñanes here:
@BodegaFefinanes
Purchase from Hi-Time here:
Copyright © 2024 Peninsula Underground - All Rights Reserved.
Powered by GoDaddy Website Builder
We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.