Zestos
2020
- Country and region: Spain, Madrid
- Producer: Zestos
- Blend: 100% Garnacha
- Alcohol content: 14.5%
- Tasting notes: fruity, strawberry, plums, full body, soft tannins
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Moldova
Moldova has a very long history of winemaking (3000 BC) and has the highest density of vineyards in the world.
It grows both international varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc as well as some indigenous grapes like Feteasca Rara, Feteasca Neagra, Feteasca Alba, Feteasca Regala.
There are 2 famous underground cellars in Moldova – Cricova and Milestii Mici. Milestii Mici holds the Guinness world record for the largest wine collection in the world.
Moldova is divided into 4 PGIs:
- Value lui Traian
- 60% of the wines produced here are red
- Sweet fortified wines
- Region with the driest and warmest climate in Moldova
- Stefan Voda
- Indigenous grape – Rară neagră
- The famous Negru de Purcari is produced here
- Grape varieties: Merlot, Fetească Neagră, Saperavi, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Griș
- Codru
- Region with the coolest climate
- White grapes are mainly grown here: Feteasca negara, Muscat Ottonel, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay
- Sparkling wines are produced here as well
- Red varieties: Codru blend
- The famous underground cellars are located here: Cricova and Milestii Mici
- Divin
- Covers all of Moldova
- Produces spirits distilled from wine
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Ed Knows Rosé,
2021
- Country and region: Moldova, Valul lui Traian
- Producer: Vinaria Bostavan
- Blend: 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Feteasca Neagra, 20% Merlot
- Alcohol content: 13.5%
- Tasting notes: fruity, red currant, peach, herbs, fresh, well balanced
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Lagrein
Lagrein is grape from Trentino-Alto Adige in the North of Italy. Although its home is Italy, today you can find some Lagrein in Australia and California as well.
It is a grape that produces full bodied red wines with a deep inky color that are high in tannins but with a pleasant acidity.
Since the Alto Adige region is so close to Austria, Lagrein wines can often have Italian and German labels. As a red wine you can find it under the name of Lagrein Scuro in Italian and Lagrein Dunkel in German. The grape can also produce a great rosé which in Italian will be called Lagrein Rosato while in German Lagrein Kretzer.
Lagrein is often produced as a varietal wine but can also be used in blends especially with Syrah and sometimes Dolcetto. The latter blend can be found in some Australian producers. A younger Lagrein will be aromatic with notes of plum and berries.
Keep reading about Lagrein here.
Maurizio Brogioni, Bianco, 2021
- Country and region: Italy, Tuscany, Greve in Chianti
- Producer: Maurizio Brogioni
- Blend: Sauvignon Blanc
- Tasting notes: green apple, pear, minerals, fresh and light, well balanced, not too acidic
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I’m Natural Don’t Panic
- Country and region: Spain, Castilla y León
- Producer: Bodegas Coruña Del Conde
- Blend: Tempranillo
- Alcohol content: 13.5%
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Verdicchio
Verdicchio is a white grape variety that comes from Italy. Today it is mainly grown in Marche in Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi DOC and Verdicchio di Matelica DOC.
Verdicchio produces wines that are mostly light and fresh, consumed young although it can also produce some more complex wines that can age up to 10 years. Its naturally high acidity levels means that it can produce some very crisp white wines but also sparkling wines.
The notes that are typical for these wines are: citrus, lemon, pear, (almond for aged wines).
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Appellation Paraje Altamira, 2019
- Country and region: Argentina, Mendoza, Uco Valley, Paraje Altamira
- Producer: Catena
- Blend: Malbec
- Alcohol content: 13.6%
- Tasting notes: blackberries, plum, tobacco, elegant, mineral, spicy, French oak, medium body, soft tannins, well balanced.
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Barolo – home of Nebbiolo
Nebbiolo which is a grape from Piedmont in Northern Italy which is difficult to grow as it has thin skins and is late ripening the latter contributing to its ability to retain.
Nebbiolo loves sunlight which is why it is planted on slopes so it gets enough sun which helps it develop higher sugar levels. Without enough sun and warmth, there is a risk for the grape remaining too acidic and unripe.
Nebbiolo produces wines that are high in acidity and tannin which are both qualities that give it great aging potential. The wine usually has a brick-like color and is translucent.
Keep reading about Nebbiolo here.
My cup of wine 