The Holidays are upon us, full of parties, festive dinners and rubbing elbows with family and friends. This Saturday we will be pouring some wines to set off those occasions. These wines are hardly typical, but then so are the holidays. Break out of the everyday winter gloom and come celebrate.
2007 Delmas Blanquette de Limoux ($12)
80% Mauzac & 20% Chardonnay
Organic and Vegan
Blanquette de Limoux may be the world’s first sparkling wine, dating as far back as 1531 when the monks of the Benedictine abbey of Saint-Hilaire, near Limoux, were producing a somewhat unusual white wine in their cellars. Inside its glass flask, with a cork top – very rare for wines at this time – it acquired a natural sparkle. It caught on. The Blanquette de Limoux is made from Mauzac, a traditional variety that gives body and aroma, and Chardonnay that reinforces the bouquet and adds freshness and finesse. The Delmas is a creamy-textured, full-bodied wine with a fine yeasty character, subtly fruity, with toasty green apple and lemon flavors. It’s great for effervescing any party or dinner.
2009 Cave de Vignerons de Buxy,
Montagny 1er Cru “les Chaniots” ($20)
This Chardonnay comes from Premier Cru Vineyards located in Montagny with soils of brittle limestone and calcareous clay. The nose is dominated by floral hints which gradually give progress to honey and dried fruits. It is a full-bodied, elegant fine wine that can add a touch of class to any occasion.
2006 Prorprietà Sperino, Uvaggio ($20)
65% Nebbiolo, 20% Vespolina, 15% Croatina.
From the north of Piedmont, comes this special Nebbiolo blend made with the same care as a Barolo or a Barbaresco. The grapes are handpicked, and co-fermented for 19 days. The wine then remains sur lie for 9 months before being aged for 18 months in a mix of oak barrels. The wine is complex with aromas of rose, earth, smoked meats and a touch of vanilla followed by full berry flavors with notes of tar and spice. The Uvaggio is an exceptional wine made for any exceptional dinner or gathering.
2007 Montmartel Visan ($15)
50% Grenache and 50% Syrah
Montmartel is a family run estate in Visan, a village in the Côtes du Rhône. The vineyards are certified Organic. The wine has more Syrah than most Southern Rhônes. Full good fruit, lush body, and the right bit of age on it. It is great with food and rich enough for drinking just by itself. It would be the hit at any party.