August Wine Focus: Summer sippers!

[JC (NC)]

Rahsaan, the posting was on the Wine Doctor's site (Chris Kissack) in an article on Savenniere wines and wines of Anjou.

[Rahsaan]

Rahsaan, the posting was on the Wine Doctor's site (Chris Kissack) in an article on Savenniere wines and wines of Anjou.

Thanks, he definitely knows what he's talking about.

Although when I go to his Epire page (http://www.thewinedoctor.com/loire/epire.shtml) the only reference he makes to demi-sec styles is talking about the 96 Epire. Otherwise, he seems to think (as do I, although with less extensive experience) that while Epire might have gotten a bit more 'generous' in style with recent vintages they still tilt towards the more backwards and less modern end of Savennieres.

[Bob Parsons Alberta]

WTN: `08 Lucos Albarino Rias Baixas, Spain.

$26 Cdn, from Pazos de Lusco, 13% alc, cellared one year as I thought needed some extra time to knit together. www.lusco.es. Serve not too chilled is best imo.

Colour is a medium to deep lemon, was quite watery a year ago! Nice aromatics here with lime and white fruits to forefront.
Initial entry thought is dry, quite complex, soft citrus finish. Some minerality shows, medium-bodied, no tropical fruit thankfully. Held up well overnight, perhaps a tads more tartness? "No chance of mistaking for Sauv Blanc" from across the table...but some do eh.

Food was pork scallopini, sauteed shrimp...fair match.

[Bob Henrick]

Nice report Bob. I too like the Albariño wines from NW Spain. In particular I like their acidity, and the fact that I think I can almost taste the sea in their (briny?) flavor. A good Albariño and some peel and eat Langostino's and I could watch the gypsies dance the Flamenco all night long! I found a pretty decent one here (not great one) for just under $10.

[James Roscoe]

A good gypsy Flamenco dancer for $10?!?!?!?!? Nice!!!

[Jenise]

Hey all! Sorry I haven't been around for awhile - the craziness of summer has all but completely overwhelmed me the past several months - but it is good to be back on WLDG!

My favorite summer sippers, or "patio pounders", as I like to refer to them are rosés. Here are a few of my favorites:

2010 Bieler Père at Fils, "Sabine", Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence Rosé
2010 Nigl, Zweigelt Rosé, Kremstal, Austria
2010 Domaine Gris des Bauries, “Les Estras”, Côtes du Rhône Rosé

Cheers & happy sipping!

Joy, you've been gone too long! I like "patio pounders" btw, made me laugh. A habit formed in Alaska when we actually had a deck is to call all summer wines "deck wines" even though what we now have is a patio. We hadn't been able to figure out a reasonable and more accurate transition--you've solved that.

[Jenise]

Last weekend we had a chile roasting party in which three other couples helped us torch and bag-for-freezing 52 lbs of New Mexico's finest. Various Mexican beers and several Vinho Verdes were served, of which the one that just made everyone go AHHH, including me, was the ruby-bright 2010 red VV from Casal Garcia (which my husband hilariously and unintentionally mispronounced as 'Casual Garcia', as it shall hereafter be known). I don't know that I had a more satisfying drop all summer long, especially the hot last six weeks, than this. Fruity, dry and softly effervescent, it left me craving more. Sadly, I'd only bought one bottle, or I don't think anyone would have touched anything else.

[Carl Eppig]

2010 Masciarelli, Colline Teatine, Rosato IGT ($9.99 NH Liq Store). Alcohol level: 12.5%. Very nice with Gemilli in our own basil pesto, and broiled Italian sausages. Last day of the month; sigh!

[Dave Erickson]

La Cigarrera Manzanilla. At our house, this stuff has, at least for the time being, eclipsed all rosés (except maybe the Clos Roche Blanche).

[Tim York]

Côtes de Provence (rosé) Pétale de Rose 2010 - Château la Tour de l'Évêque, Régine Sumeire - Alc.13.5%, made near Pierrefeu from 40% cinsault, 35% grenache, 11% syrah, 5% mourvèdre, 3% cabernet sauvignon, 3% ugni, 2% sémillon and 1% rolle.

After a rotten July and August, summer seems to have begun in September but, if the weather forecasters are to be believed, it will only last two or three days. Let us be thankful for what we are getting. Meals on the terrace under an open parasol are possible for almost the first time and this is our first bottle of pink.

And a very nice one too. More serious than many with quite some backbone, its attractive and generous aromas of red fruit and garrigue and the fruit on the palate opened up at a warmer temperature (c.14°C) than intuitive for a pink. A good food wine; 15.5/20+.

[Bob Parsons Alberta]

Hard to believe your first "pinkie" this year Tim.

[Bob Parsons Alberta]

WTN: `10 Terras Gauda Rias Biaxas Abadia de San Campio, Sp.

First time I have seen the entry level but lots of TNs on the O Rosal over the years.
12.5% alc, $18 Cdn, LOT AB30/10

Light to medium yellow. Nose appeals with citrus, green apple, some floral. Initial entry thought was not too acidic, dry, medium bodied. I read a report about sweet ripe fruit! No way forumites, white stone fruit, citrus, lime, tad chalky perhaps. Have half-bottle left, will come back later.