We will never say no to a good Sauvignon Blanc, as this versatile white grape can be grown all over the world with very interesting flavors exhibited.
Gabrielskloof's Amphora Sauvignon Blanc is an interesting one as the wine is naturally fermented in clay amphora and aged on the gross lees for a number of months before bottling- a bit of a nod to historic winemaking pre-stainless steel.
What resulted is an interesting Sauvignon Blanc with some unexpected complexities!
When it comes to red wines grown on Mount Etna, we often trend to Nerello Mascallese- the primary grape used in Etna DOC wine.
But some wineries go against the grain and grow Sicilian grapes that are not approved in Etna DOC blends. Gambino Vini on the eastern slopes of Etna is one such producer, and their lineup of Nero d'Avola has us ordering more again and again.
Gambino Vini's Duvanera is one such bottle that we always have at least one of on hand at all times, and it only takes a few sips to realize why that is.
El Pino Club's Sea Floored is a nod to the ancient sea floor where Sta. Rita Hills are now found, which enjoy a breeze from the Pacific to help keep these light reds refreshing and crisp.
For those who like a lighter style Pinot Noir from California, this is a bottle to consider!
Gran Selezione is a somewhat new classification for Chianti, and rises one step above Riserva categorically. Similar rules apply for production area limits and grape requirements (must be estate grown, and >80% Sangiovese), the bottles require 30 months of total aging, a slightly higher alcohol floor (13%), and at least three months in bottle before release.
While these rules are not too different from Riserva, they do allow for some interesting, estate grown wines all the same. Tenuta di Capraia Effe 55 was one such bottle, and the six year old bottle we opened could just as well spent another decade or so in our cellar!
So whether you enjoy this one now or hold it for later, an impressive wine is in your future.
Turbiana is quickly becoming one of our favorite lesser-known white grapes as this Lugana native always delivers with an impressive flavor profile, a bit of texture, and more.
Tommasi's Le Fornaci Lugana follows in this path nicely. While perhaps a bit lighter in flavor intensity than others we've had in the region, this one showcases why we are falling in love with this unique grape!
We always love stumbling upon older bottles in the wild, and when we saw Domaine de Nizas Le Clos from 2013 (over a decade old) available at a local bottle shop, we knew we had to give it a try.
While it is possible that this Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvedre blend from Languedoc was perhaps past its peak, it still had a great of liveliness in it that made for a delicious pour!
Sicilian-made Grillo is quickly becoming one of those grapes that we enjoy no matter how it is made. Young? Delicious. Oaked? We can dig it. A bit older? A lot have developed some nice character with time, too.
So while we were in Sicily, we made sure to buy as many bottles of Grillo as we could to bring home. One bottle was Marco de Bartoli Vignaverde, which, true to name, drinks like a light and refreshing wine all with the character of Grillo we know and love!
Tenuta Regaleali is a wine producer we had our sights on when visiting Sicily but, sadly, did not make it out to visit. So when we found a bottle of their Guarnaccio (Perricone) in the store, we knew we had to pick it up to take home.
While perhaps a lesser-known grape by Sicilian standards, this one packed a punch and showcases why Sicily is one of the most versatile, and delicious, wine regions in Italy!
Occhipinti has quickly become one of our favorite producers in Sicily, and this Vittoria-based winery makes some of the finest Frappato and Nero d'Avola you'll find on the island.
But this one makes more than these famous grapes, and their SP68 Bianco is one such bottle featuring Albanello and Muscat of Alexandria- or as it is known in Sicily, Zibibbo!
After finding this one in a store in Ragusa, we knew we had to pick up a bottle to take home with us and enjoy later- partly for being one of the only bottles containing Albanello we have ever seen. For those who like bright, semi-floral bottles, this one is for you!
The Corsican grape Sciacarellu is often fairly hard to come by, and until recently we've only ever found it used as a blending grape in small percentages. But Domaine Giacometti offers a varietal bottle in their Sempre Contentu, and we were quite eager to try this one out as soon as we received it.
For lovers of a warm climate Pinot Noir, this grape should definitely be on your radar as it is quite similar!
