State of the Vine

State of the Vine

A "Best Kept Secret"


I found this wine when I was perusing the aisles at Whole Foods in Clarendon, and feeling slightly overwhelmed by the many choices. Luckily, someone was working in the wine section who came to my rescue!

After asking me a few questions about what types of wines I like, what I was looking for, I was told to try this one...it was even referred to as a "best kept secret!" 

Secrets are no fun in the wine community so here it is!



Bodegas Sobreno, Finca Sobreno, Crianza, 2010
Varietal, Region: Tempranillo, Toro, Spain
Price: about $14
Available at: Whole Foods, Clarendon and Total Wine*, Sterling
My Tasting Notes: An intense red, dark fruit, slighty oaky and medium amount of tannins, full bodied and notes of plum and violet.
My Verdict: Great "old world" red with lots of character. May be best in colder weather but who am I to follow any rules? :)
Important Tip: DECANT, DECANT, DECANT! I can't tell you how much of a difference it made with this wine. I'd decant for at least half an hour to an hour before enjoying.

*Full Disclosure: The one I found at Total wine is a 2009. It's probably pretty tasty but I can't guarentee it!

Blue Plate: A Summertime White


This is the wine club white for July.


Blue Plate, Dry Chenin Blanc, 2011
Varietal, Region: Chenin Blanc, Clarksburg, CA
Price: about $20
Available at: Grateful Red
My Tasting Notes: Crisp and refreshing with hints of lemon and pear. Nice minerality. High Acidity but well balanced.
My Verdict: Perfect for red and rose drinkers who might need a break from the norm. Nice and light, too, and you won't wake up with that white wine hangover! 
Interesting Fact: South Africa is currently the largest producer of this grape. 

Summertime Rosés



I can be picky when it comes to roses, so here are two I really enjoy.


The "Under $20"



Meinklang Prosa Frizzante Rosé

Varietal, Region: Pinot Noir, Burgenland, Austria
Price: About $15.99/bottle
Available at: Whole Foods, Clarendon
My Tasting Notes: This is a darker rosé, made with Pinot Noir grapes. Notes of red berry fruit, cherries and cranberries and nice crisp bubbles. Slightly sweet and just a touch tart.
My Verdict: This is one of my favorites and made biodynamically. It was my first wine from Austria. As nerdy as this may sound, I felt like I struck gold after trying this bottle. If you're like me, and sometimes you can't decide between a red wine, a sparkling rose or something else entirely, this one is a great "middle ground," a perfect refreshing bubbly for wine drinkers who want to try something new!




The "Upscale" 



Maison Mont d'Azur Cloud Chaser Rose 2012

Varietal, Region:  35% Grenache, 30% Cinsault, 12% Mourvedre, 11% Carignan, 8% Syrah, 3% Tibouren, Cotes de Provence, France
Price: About $30/bottle
Available at: Pascal and Sabine in Asbury Park, NJ, and various online retailers.
My Tasting Notes: A fantastic light rose, dry but not too dry, slight mineral taste with hints of raspberry and strawberry and peach.
My Verdict: This was a wine we had while at brunch with friends who live in NJ. All the ladies had this one and said they loved it! It's absolutely one of the best roses I've had. I haven't found it locally yet but I'm working on it. And let me add that the food was amazing. I wish we lived closer!




Happy Summer...Cheers!

*The Grape Unknown: Virginia Malbec & Green Pig Bistro



Jacey Malbec, NV
 
Vineyard: Jacey Vineyards, Wicomico Church, VA
Restaurant, Neighborhood: Green Pig Bistro, Clarendon
 Price: $10/glass, $30/bottle
 
My Tasting Notes: This is a full bodied wine, with notes of blackberry and plum. A slight mineral taste, with noticeable tannins that give it a little "bite."

 My Verdict: A pleasant surprise, definitely worth a glass!

The Grape: I was surprised to see a Virginia Malbec on the wine list. Through the vineyard "intel" I've gathered in Virginia, the grape is not often grown here and when it is, it's typically used as a blending grape, not as a wine on it's own.



To Note: This vineyard is on the Chesapeake Bay Wine Trail ...and apparently you can arrive by boat!!



Cheers!




Read Part One of *The Grape Unknown!