Look how much of the world is based upon marketing, informational & intentional feeds we get through the media today. What often gets lost in the communications is the small, family owned & run projects, especially that respect, adhering & continuing the values & cultures of their past generations. Here are four wines which are from that category. For me, they deserve a “voice” in today’s wine world & serve as a reminder of where we came from. We begin 2023 with a different kind of explorations into the Wine World. We hope you enjoy this opportunity.
$39 PP + Tax & Tip
Wines We Will Be Tasting This Week
2019 Ratti Barbera d'Asti "Battagilone" (Italy)
The surname of Ratti is as revered as they come in Barolo country. Renato Ratti is generally recognized as The Godfather of modern Barolo & specifically the Cru, single vineyard system the region is most famous for.
In the countryside surrounding Alba, the most revered parcels are reserved for the Nebbiolo vine, especially those destined for their top Barolo bottlings. In the countryside surrounding the town of Asti, however, the finest sites are historically planted on the Barbera vine. So, here we have a barber from Asti & grown & masterfully crafted by the Ratti team. You will see first hand why there is a growing following for the incredible potential of this grape variety, especially with Global Warming affecting the vineyards. Come on, beat the crowd.
2017 Château Coutet-St Emilion (France)
St Emilion is a very unique & important enclave of the world famous Bordeaux wine growing region. It is the home to a few of the most highly lauded red wines of the world. Much can be attributed to its soils & terrain which is very different from many of the others. Furthermore, the most frequently featured grape varieties are Merlot & Cabernet Franc, which adds to the vast difference of this wine.
The wines as you will taste, can be amazing & truly captivating from a VERY different perspective. How fun is that?
2019 Reventòs | Blanc "Blanc de Blancs" (Spain)
While Champagne has been the world’s most famous sparkling wine, Italian Prosecco has also recently stepped forward to create its own niche & following. We then suggest that well grown & made Spanish Cava could & is a hotly growing niche, especially those that are quality first driven. Here is such a wine—produced from 3 indigenous Spanish grape varieties…..grown in limestone strewn soils…..& crafted by the same family who has now been doing it for 19 generations!!!!!! Yup, intentionally ultra- light, super minerally/ ethereal with completely crisp, tasty & refreshing.
2020 Bründlmayer Grüner Veltliner "L & T" (Austria)
Another of the world’s great combinations of soil & grape vine is found in Austria featuring their prized white wine grape variety—Grüner Veltliner.
While many wine drinkers are mesmerized & down to the categories of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc & Italian Pinot Grigio, sooner or later some just have to jump on the Grüner Veltliner wine train, because of its tastiness, interestingness & how so many wine professionals are enthralled by its diverse food compatibility. Having sad all of that, one of the true winemaking masters of this grape in Austria is Brundlmayer. (By the way, it does say something about its quality if we are pouring this last in this formidable line up).