Fascinating Wines from

Far Flung Places,

February 2nd, 2pm

This Saturday we’ll be pouring wines from some very exotic places. We have wine from Macedonia, Lebanon, Paarl, and the Island of Madeira. They are not your typical wines. Their flavors match their diverse locations. Come Explore!
 
2011 Tikves, Rkaticeli,  Macedonia $10
The Tikves winery is one of the largest and oldest in Macedonia, and uses sustainable practices in its winemaking. Rkaciteli-pronounced “rkah-tzeetely”, and meaning “red stem”-originated in Georgia (where it is spelled “Rkatsiteli”) and is one of the oldest known grape varieties. The origins of Rkaciteli date back to at least 3,000 BC, as determined by archaeological digs and carbon dated seeds. From the Barovo Vineyards at an altitude of 1800 feet on the Kozuv Mountains, the wine has a golden-yellow color giving away scents of fresh mango, peach, grapefruit and pineapple.
 
2011 Chateau Musar, Jeune Blanc, Lebanon $19
Viognier, Chardonnay and Vermentino
Chateau Musar started in 1930. Their vineyards are located in the Bekaa Valley and in Mount Barouk, around Kefraya and Aana, are certified Organic. The Bekaa Valley sits 3,000 feet above Sea level and receives an average of 300 days of sunshine annually, 39-78 inches of rain per year. The soil is predominately gravelly with a limestone base. Musar Jeune has apricot and green fig notes. Its lemony acidity is balanced by its full fruit and dry minerality.
 
2009 Tormentoso, Mourvedre, Paarl, South Africa $13
90% Mourvedre, 10% Syrah
Tormentoso’s Mourvedre comes from a dry farmed vineyard in the Paarl region of South Africa. They named the winery for drama, torment, and struggle. “All of these seem apt when you consider where our grapes are grown.” A portion of Syrah from the same region is blended to add complexity to the wine. The nose of berry fruit is complemented by fynbos (heather/bracken) and soft spice aromas, while the palate layers flavors of cloves, leathery spice and red fruit. The elegant finish is dry and savory.
 
2010 Chateau Musar, Jeune Rouge, Lebanon $19
50% Cinsault, 30% Syrah, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon
From the younger vines in their organic vineyrads, The June Rouge has aromas of cherries, cooked plums, and black currants with a hint of violets coming from the Syrah. The palate is velvety and long with rich fruit and Christmas spices.

Broadbent 5 year old Madeira $22
Negra Mole, Complexa, Tinta da Madeira and Triunfo
Madeira wine stretches back to when the island, way off the coast of Portugal, was a frequent port of call for ships loading up on wine-fortified to prevent spoilage-for their trans-Atlantic journey. The blazing heat of the sea voyage transformed the flavor of the wines, a metamorphosis now reproduced by a process called estufagem during which the wines are heated to as high as 60°C (140°F) and oxidated. The 5 year old has “sweet, nutty aromas, this is on the rich side of the Madeira taste spectrum. It has attractive fruitiness and aged citrus acidity that go together, leaving a wine that is both sweet but also fresh.” –Wine Enthusiast

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