Old Petite Sirah? Mais Oui!
We recently held a very special Cru Club class featuring four older vintages of Foppiano Petite Sirah. This was a treat for several reasons, and not all of them have to do with the fact that these bottles were absolutely delicious. Petite Sirah--Durif to you Francophiles out there--remains one of the most bewilderingly underrated grapes there is, so the chance to taste half a dozen of them--no matter which ones--is always an eye-opener. But popping the corks on bottles of 1986, 1987, 1992, and 1993 showed just how spectacularly the varietal ages when given the love it deserves, as Foppiano does. Complete tasting notes will appear in an upcoming Wine School blog posting, but for now, it will have to suffice to note this: The four centerpiece wines from Foppiano were stunners--deliciously understated, invariably nuanced gems whose longevity was easily matched by their charm. Look for more classes like this one later in the winter.
The Cru Club is a special program for students of our top students in our wine diploma program. If you think you have what it takes to be a member of the club, contact our fearless leader.
Find these wines near you: www.vinology.com/winefinder
As we've been known to preach here at The Wine School, the world of wine is a big place...and, to grossly misquote the boys from Liverpool, it's getting bigger all the time. Which means that it's worth your while to venture off the more familiar, well-trodden tracts of wine-land and experiment with bottlings from less-familiar spots on the globe, or with grapes you might not be all that familiar with. Here, then, are some unexpected highlights available through the state and ready to be enjoyed as soon as you buy them.
Paul Lehrner 2006 "Cuvée Claus," Mittelburgenland, Austria - This blend of Zweigelt and Blaufrankisch exhibits all the berry and spice character you'd expect, as well as a lighter frame that makes it all go down with dangerous ease. Cuvée Claus is a perennial charmer, and the state now has the 2005's ready to go. $15.49. Code: 25667.
Find these wines near you: www.vinology.com/winefinder
Dominio del Plata 2006 "Crios de Susana Balbo," Mendoza - There's nothing terribly new about Argentina, but the blend here might be unfamiliar: Syrah (which you know) and Bonarda (which you might not). But for $12.99 in PA right now, it's a wine that's worth trying. This fruity, surprisingly complex steal, from one of Argentina's top female winemakers, is bound to become a staple in your cellar...or liver. Code: 28968.
Argyle 2002 Brut, Willamette Valley - It only makes sense, of course: A cooler region that excels in the realm of Pinot Noir should produce solid sparklers. And this one is fabulous proof: Its surprising depth and gorgeous freshness are almost shocking given the $20.99 price tag. Code: 29243.
Find these wines near you: www.vinology.com/winefinder
Montinore 2006 Gewurztraminer, Willamette Valley - Yet another beauty from the land of beards and Birkenstocks. This one is every bit as exotic as the best of Alsace, but with the added weight that the New World provides. Good at any time of day...or morning. $12.99. Code: 17993.
Silvio Jermann 2005 "Were Dreams," Friuli - Still making jokes about Italian white wines? This one will cure you. Silvio Jermann, the genius of northeast Italy, produces some of the most interesting, well-crafted whites on the boot. This particular one, while not cheap, is a 750ml demonstration of exactly how nuanced Italian Chardonnay can be: It's barrel-fermented, rich but not over-the-top, and supremely elegant. $59.99 is a lot of money for a bottle of white, but not too much for an eye-opening experience. Code: 25013.
