February Wine Club Selections

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2016 Cenatiempo Ischia Biancolella, Ischia, Italy

Situated off the coast of Campania, Ischia is a beautiful island often visited as a vacation getaway for Italians, but they have a wonderful history of winemaking.  Rarely seen varieties such as this Biancolella are prominent here, and they greatly express the place from where they’re made.  Sea swept aromas of lime and melon mingle with true mineral flavors on the palate, a combination of volcanic soil and bright sunshine that spread across this paradise.  Try serving this wine with sashimi or linguini with an herbed butter sauce.

2016 Bodega Noemia de Patagonia Malbec "A Lisa", Patagonia, Argentina  

The rustic landscape of Patagonia doesn’t appear to be ideal for wine growing, but in the right hands this Malbec harkens to its French origins: deep plum and cherry notes are brushed with more earthy aromas, and the full mouth finish screams for hearty foods  A well-cultivated cheese board would also sing with this red.

January Wine Club Selections

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2015 Jean François Mérieau Vouvray Fleuve Blanc, Touraine, France

"Fleuve Blanc" (meaning "white river") is an apt name for Jean François Mérieau's Vouvray - on multiple levels. Dating back to as early as 1886, the Mérieau family has produced a variety of wines along the left-bank of the river Cher. The flinty clay and limestone soils surrounding the riverbank, upon which the Mérieau estate's vineyards lie, lend a strong minerality to the Chenin Blanc that is grown there. On the nose of this Vouvray, aromas of pear skins and chalk are accompanied by hints of vegetal and floral notes. While tart and crisp on the first sip, the Fleuve Blanc soon gives way to a sense of roundness on the mouth. Tasting of green apples and lemons, with notes of green tea on the finish, this mouthwatering wine would pair perfectly with oysters or crab.

        

2010 Primitivo Quiles "Raspay" Tinto Reserva, Alicante, Spain

When it comes to the wineries of Alicante, there are few whose history within the region can compare to that of Primitivo Quiles. Established in Monovar during the 1920s, the Quiles family’s bodega is one of the oldest in all of Alicante (although the family’s ties to winemaking date back as far as 1780). Primitivo Quiles’ “Raspay” Tinto Reserva has its own impressive backstory as well. In 1976, an earlier vintage of this blend was poured for H. M. King Juan Carlos I of Spain, at a dinner held in honor of his first visit to Alicante. The winery’s continued use of the Raspay’s regal label and bottle presentation are a nod to this historic event. The 2010 Raspay Reserva (100% Monastrell) has aromatics similar to that of a fine port; with notes of dark jammed fruits, raisins, cedar, and spices. Soft and round, this wine has a rich flavor of cherries, caramel, and spices. We recommend enjoying it with a hearty stew or lamb dish.

December Wine Club Selections

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2016 Domaine de la Fanette Costières de Nîmes, Rhône, France

When it comes to holiday food pairing, red wines with flavors of dark fruits and spices are at the top of our wish list. Domaine de la Fanette’s 2016 Rhone blend (60% Grenache, 25% Syrah, 15% Carignan) is the perfect example of a winter red that we can’t wait to cozy up with this season. Aromas of strawberries and cherries, stemming from the Grenache, are complemented by the savory and spicy notes coming from the Syrah and Carignan.

Meyer-Fonné Crémant d'Alsace Brut Extra, Alsace, France

Nothing starts a celebration off quite like a nice bottle of bubbly. Meyer-Fonné’s Crémant d'Alsace Brut Extra is crisp and refreshing; the perfect aperitif for any dinner or party this holiday season. This blend of Pinot Auxerrois, Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, and Pinot Noir, is dry and delicate, with notes of ripe green apples and lime on the palate. Meyer-Fonné has become well known for producing wines that possess a strong mineral backbone, and this sparkling is no exception. Made from grapes grown in the village of Katzenthal, this Crémant d'Alsace comes from vineyards that lie upon Granitic Colluvium and Alluvium soils. The striking minerality is balanced by the wine’s mouth-watering acidity, resulting in a fresh and lovely Crémant for these crisp winter nights.