Top 10 "New" Wines To Look For In The New Year

Ahh...the new year. It signifies rebirth, a clean slate. A chance to get it right and avoid the mistakes you made the year prior. Oh, who are we kidding. We all know history repeats itself. But I will say, the new year is the perfect opportunity to try some amazing new wines. As I think about the year ahead, I begin to envision the "new" wines 2011 will bring with it. So I put together a list of 10 must-try wines for the new year. If you're feeling adventerous, this year's resolution could be to try all 10 before the ball drops in 2012.


1. Vina Cono Sur - Brut Sparkling - Bio Bio Valley, Chile NV - $20
We start this top ten list with a relatively new wine produced by the young, innovative Cono Sur winery of Chile. Cono Sur is the offspring of Chilean industry giant Concha Y Toro. The winery was founded as recently as 1993, but they have quickly become a staple in the Chilean wine market. They are the second largest exporter of bottled wine in Chile in terms of value, and they are one of the most progressive wineries in the country in terms of eco-friendly winemaking practices. Cono Sur was the first winery in South America to receive a double ISO certification, one for their quality assurance procedures, and one for their environmental policies.

What makes this wine worthy of my "new" top ten list is the fact that Vina Cono Sur is one of the few Chilean wineries to make wines with grapes grown in the Bio-Bio Valley, located in southern Chile. Bio Bio is one of the most southern wine producing regions in the world, boasting a climate that is sunny yet cool. These factors create ideal conditions for growing high acid grapes, which are perfect for producing sparkling wines. In addition this bubbly is a unique blend, consisting of 90% Chadonnay, 6% Pinot Noir, and 4% Riesling. It is dry - as the term 'Brut' on the label signifies - fresh, and clean, and makes for a great pairing for your backyard deck...or seafood.


2. Koutsoyiannopoulos - Assyrtiko - Santorini, Greece 2009 - $19
This next one comes from a region that has been making wine for over 6500 years. But only recently have we started to see a surge of good quality wines. The country is focusing on native varietals and modern production methods. The result is a boom in Greece's wine quality and quantity. This particular refreshing white by Koutsoyiannopoulos is made from the Assyrtiko (aka Asyrtiko) grape, a varietal indigenous to the island of Santorini. Santorini is regarded as one of the most beautiful vacation destinations in the world. I myself would enjoy basking in the sun and enjoying this beauty with a friend, but it also pairs well with shellfish and white sauce dishes.

3. Lorca - 'Fantasia' Torrontes - La Rioja, Argentina 2010 - $15

Torrontes is the most-planted white wine producing varietal in Argentina. The grape could be considered the yin to Malbec's yang. Three varieties of Torrontes exist: Torrontes Sanjuanino, Torrontes Mendocino (aka Mendozino), and Torrontes Riojana. Torrontes Riojana is by and large the most widely planted of the three, accounting for over 20,000 acres of vineyard land in the country. When not properly cared for the grape can produce wines lack acid and are way too high in alcohol. Fortunately Lorca's Fantasia series Torrontes is well crafted, and the wine is clean, crisp, and bright, not flabby and hot. This wine is great with seafood, chicken, and ceviche.


4. Southern Right - Sauvignon Blanc - Walker Bay, South Africa 2010 - $19
Southern Right is a boutique South African producer that specializes in Pinotage and Sauvignon Blanc. It was founded as recently as 1994 by Anthony Hamilton Russell, and the Sauvignon Blanc remains the wineries best seller. The label takes its name from the Southern Right whale that frequents the cool Walker Bay, and with every bottle sold Russell contributes a donation to the Southern Right whale conservation. Not that I need a reason to feel good about drinking, but it doesn't hurt to know I'm saving the whales every time I pour a glass. This wine is racy, with citrus fruit flavors and aromas. It pairs well with salads, garlic chicken dishes, and whale...kidding! On second thought...


5. Mollydooker - 'The Violinist' Verdelho - Adelaide, Australia 2010 - $25
Named after the Australian term for a lefty, Mollydooker is an outstanding Australian producer. The winery is owned and operated by left-handers Sarah and Sparky Marquis. Sarah and Sparky have spent the last decade or so making wine and building brands around Australia. In 2005 they decided to make wine exclusively for their own project, Mollydooker. The name the Violinist comes from the days when Sarah was forced to play the Violin right handed so she wouldn't poke her right handed neighbors in the eye with her bow. All of their wines are labeled with clever, quirky names that are linked to a story about their lives.

The Mollydooker Violinist is made from the Verdelho grape a white wine producing varietal native to Portugal, specifically the island of Madeira - not to be confused with the Verdejo grape of Spain. The Australian style is widely prized for its intense flavor and oily texture. The Violinist Verdelho is big and powerful with aromas of honeysuckle and lime. A great pairing for creamy pasta dishes, and it can even stand up to veal.


6. Inchanka - Bonarda - La Rioja, Argentina 2007 - $15
Inchanka, translated "Water of the Condor," is a relatively young producer in Argentina. This wine is imported by John Larchet of the World Wine Headquarters, a company that has an outstanding portfolio full of delicious treats. If you ever see a bottle with the WWHQ sticker on it, pick it up. In my experience, they only carry good juice.

This wine is made from the Bonarda grape native to Italy. In Argentina the grape is the second most widely planted red varietal. The Bonarda by Inchanka is loaded with concentrated red and black fruit aromas and flavors. The fruit is complimented by plenty of spice and a smoke-like characteristic. This wine is a great match for red meat, especially grilled.


7. Paringa - Cabernet Sauvignon - South Australia, Australia 2008 - $10
Paringa winery was established by the Hickinbotham family in the late 1990's. Their 2000 Cabernet Sauvignon was the first $10 bottle to get a 90 point rating from the Wine Spectator. What solidified Paringa's place on this top ten list is their outstanding commitment to quality. Year after year they produce value-packed wines with great flavor and character, which is more than I can say for almost any other $10 Australian wine. This red is loaded with black fruit flavors of currant and blackberry. Its weight, tannin structure, and acidity make it a prime candidate for a big ol' steak, especially a top sirloin.


8. Decoy by Duckhorn - Zinfandel - Napa Valley, California 2008 - $22
Duckhorn was founded in the mid 1970's by Dan and Margaret Duckhorn, and while this winery is by no means "new", the 2010 release of their 2008 Decoy Zinfandel marked the first vintage of this spicy devil. Duckhorn is a large, well-respected producer in Napa. They regularly receive high accolades from various industry specialists and trade magazines. The Decoy series has allowed them to showcase their Napa Zinfandel at a "non-Napa" price. For the first run of this red they produced over 9000 cases, no small amount for a market "test" batch. This juicy red pairs well with Cajun spiced pork, turkey, and beef.


9. Bodegas Volver - Tempranillo - La Mancha, Spain 2007 - $16
Volver could be my new love affair. Imported by Spanish wine icon Jorge Ordonez, this delectable red highlights the robust flavors and aromas of Tempranillo. It comes from the very large La Mancha sub-region of Spain. I say very large because La Mancha accounts for nearly one third of all the wine produced in Spain. This wine is full-bodied, with flavors and aromas of black and red fruit smothered in spice. This, coupled with its well integrated tannins, makes it a great pairing for lamb and beef. This wine gets better with each vintage, leaving me very excited for the 08'!


10. Quinta do Vallado - Red - Douro, Portugal 2007 - $19
While the Quinta do Vallado has been in the Ferreira family for six generations, it has only been in the last 10 years that we've seen the true quality this estate is capable of. It was in the late 1980's that the red wines of Portugal took a turn for the better. Before that time, grape prices were too low and growers made only enough money to sustain their businesses - updating equipment and staying current with technology was out of the question. But a surge of quality-conscious wine producers soon paved the way for what is now an encouraging wine industry.

For years the Ferreira family produced Port wines, but in 1993 they chose to steer their family winery in a different direction. It was at this time they took a quality-focused approach to red and white still table wine production. The 2007 Quinta do Vallado basic Red scored a 93 point rating in the Wine Spectator, a 92 point score in Wine & Spirits, and a 90 point rating from Robert Parker of the Wine Advocate. The wine is a blend of 5 native Portugese varietals, including Touriga Franca, Touriga Nacional, and Tinta Roriz. The wine is muscular, with concentrated red fruit characteristics. A monster like this deserves a roast, a steak, or simply a refill.


While some of these producers have been around for quite a while, it's only recently that their production has gained enough attention to be recognized on the international wine scene. Think of this list as an opportunity to try wines you've never heard of, a project, if you would, for 2011. I hate to give homework, but if it involves drinking, I figure it's not a bad assignment. I would love to hear about your "new" 2011 wines, so contact me on Facebook or via email.

For more incredible wine picks and delicious pairings, check out Cru Wine Online. We pair original recipes with delectable wines, and bring them to you in an entertaining video short, complete with a brief explanation of the wine, the dish, and the pairing.

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Salut,

Nicholas Barth

Certified Sommelier

Wine Director

Cru Wine Online

Top Ten Lesser Known Wine Grapes

Wine consumption has exploded here in the United States over the last decade. In 2009 we became the number one consumer of wine (by volume) consuming more than 750 million gallons of fermented grape juice. But of that astonishing number, almost 90% of the wines consumed were made up of one or more of the following grapes: Riesling, Pinot Gris (Pinot Grigio), Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah (Shiraz). I have deemed these grapes "The Great 8." With some 5000+ grape varieties used in wine production, I wanted to give a shout out to the less common varieties. Here are the top ten lesser-known wine grapes.

1. Aligote

Aligote is a white wine producing grape varietal native to the Burgundy region of France. Often referred to as Burgundy's "other" white grape, it takes a back seat to the greater Chardonnay grape in the region. Aligote is thin-skinned and well known for its apparent, almost tangy acidity. In good vintages, when grown on the best sites in Burgundy, the grape can rival the quality Chardonnays of the region. In Burgundy, Aligote grows in Chablis, the Cote d'Or and the village of Bouzeron within the greater Cote Challonaise region. In Bouzeron, the Aligote variety is king making 100% of the wines produced.

Beyond wine, Aligote is known for its role in the production of Kir, a French liqueur from Burgundy made of white wine (Aligote) and black currants. Outside of Burgundy, the grape is gaining popularity in Eastern Europe and ex-soviet countries with plantings in Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia. The grape also grows in the United States. Producer Jed Steele makes a dynamite value white using Aligote from Washinton State under his Shooting Star line. Aligote can make some fun, refreshing wines when done well.

2. Picpoul (blanc)

Picpoul, meaning "lip stinger," is an ancient grape varietal native to the southern French region of Languedoc. After Phylloxera devastated Europe in the 19th century, the grape became almost extinct. It was revived in the 20th century by the then booming Vermouth industry. Today the grape's popularity continues to grow, and when done well makes fabulous crisp whites in the Midi, specifically from the Coteaux du Langeudoc Picpoul de Pinet. The wines from Picpoul de Pinet are dry, medium to full-bodied, and display a refreshing acidity with lemon flavors. A delightful find if you can get your hands on one.

3. Torrontes

Torrontes is native to the northwest Galicia region of Spain. Like many varietals, the grape found its way to South America and has become a staple varietal in Argentina over the last decade. The popularity of Argentinian wines in the new millennium resulted in an ocean of good quality wines from the country. Argentinian producers spent the early part of the 2000's creating a cult-like following for their signature Malbec grape, native to France.

As their portfolios grew many producers looked for a white wine producing varietal to share in the popularity of their famous red. For fear of creating a calling card with a Great 8 grape variety producers from the region found success in the lesser-known Torrontes grape. Today much of the quality Torrontes is grown in the warmer, northern Argentinian region of Salta. Torrontes from Argentina is full-bodied, clean, and refreshing with an incredibly aromatic profile that is almost Muscat-like, displaying aromas of flowers and lush green apples.

4. Verdejo

Verdejo is regarded as one of the highest quality white wine producing varietals in Spain. The grape, native to Spain, shows best in the Rueda region. In Rueda, the grape is often blended with Sauvignon Blanc to make full-bodied, aromatic, herbaceous whites with nutty characteristics, that can age for the better part of a decade. Verdejo continues to gain international attention, with producers like Shaya (Jorge Ordonez) and Paso Y Paso making outstanding examples for under $15. Verdejo should not be confused with Verdelho, the Portuguese grape used in the production of Madeira.

5. Vermentino

Vermentino is a white wine producing grape variety that grows in both Italy and France. In Italy the grape is most popular on the island of Sardinia (Sardegna), most notably in the Vermentino di Gallura DOCG (DOCG is Italy's highest tier of quality wines). The grape also grows on the French island of Corsica, where it is sometimes called Malvoise de Corse because many believe it to be related to the Malvasia grape. The most exciting examples of Vermentino come from the South of France in the Languedoc and Rousillion regions as well as Provence. In Provence the grape is called Rolle. When done well, Vermentino makes white wines that can be described as aromatic and lively.

6. Bonarda

Bonarda is a red wine producing grape varietal native to Northwest Italy. In Italy the grape is best known for its work in the Oltrepo Pavese region of Lombardy, where it is used on its own and in blends. Outside of Italy, the grape flourishes in Argentina, where it's the second most widely planted red variety, shadowed only by Malbec.

In the 19th century Argentina won its independence from Spain. From 1870 to 1960 the country saw a steady flow of Italian migration, and today nearly 60% of the population has some degree of Italian descent. This is why we see such a presence of the Italian Bonarda variety. Because with travelers came culture, cuisine, and wine. In Argentina the grape is made into light, juicy reds. Like the Italians, Argentinian producers also use the grape in blends.

7. Cinsaut

Cinsaut, sometimes written Cinsault, is a red wine producing varietal most commonly found in Southern France. While French producers do make wine using just the Cinsaut grape, it's widely prized for its light, soft, juicy, perfume-like characteristics that make it a perfect grape for blending. In France, the grape can be found in the Languedoc, Provence, Rhone and Corsica regions. In the Rhone the grape is most notably blended in the production of Chateauneuf-du-Pape.

Outside of France, the varietal has plantings in Africa. In Northern Africa, Cinsaut is used in Algeria and Morocco making both red and rosé wines. In South Africa the grape's popularity stems from a totally different type of blending. The country's calling card is Pinotage. The Pinotage grape, like many of us, gets its name from its parents: Pinot Noir and Cinsaut. In South Africa, Cinsaut goes by the name Hermitage because it grows in the Hermitage region of the Rhone in France, hence the name Pino-tage. Outside of Africa, the grape has plantings in the United States, where California producers are experimenting with both single varietal Cinsault as well as blends.

8. Dolcetto

Dolcetto is a completely underrated red wine producing grape varietal best known for its work in Northwest Italy. The grape thrives in the Italian Piedmont region, where it's used in the production of Dolcetto d'Alba, Dolcetto d'Asti, Dolcetto d'Grinolino, Dolcetto d'Dogliani and Dolcetto d'Ovada to name a few. When produced in a responsible manner, the grape displays delightful low-acid reds, perfect for early drinking. These lively wines show flavors of cherry and almonds and can last for up to five years. This makes them great everyday-drinkers from the Piedmont region, which is best known for producing age-worthy wines like Barolo and Barbaresco from the Nebbiolo grape. Outside of Italy, Dolcetto grows on an extremely limited scale in Argentina.

9. Petit Verdot

Petit Verdot is a thick-skinned red wine producing grape varietal native to Bordeaux, France. In Bordeaux, the grape is planted in small quantities and is mainly used by the most quality-conscious left bank producers in their blends. When used in blending, the grape adds color, depth, structure, and a perfume-like characteristic.

Producers in California also use the grape in blends, but single varietal examples also exist. When made on its own, the wines produced are age-worthy, displaying a big, robust, tannic profile with spicy characteristics. Outside of France and California, the grape also grows in Australia, specifically Riverland. One of the most notable producers of single varietal Petit Verdot is Pirramimma, whose Petit Verdot is considered a benchmark by many wine critics. Small plantings of the grape also exist in Chile.

10. Tannat

Tannat is a red wine producing grape varietal native to Southwest France (Basque). Here the grape thrives in the production of Madiran and Irouleguy. In Madiran the grape is often blended with Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc and ages for up to 2 years in oak barrels. The end result is a full-bodied wine with dark fruit characteristics. In Irouleguy the grape is used to make hearty reds and roses. Tannat is also used in blending around the village of Cahors, which is known for its full-bodied reds made from Malbec (called Cot). The wines produced from Tannat are often described as rustic, with firm tannins displaying dark berry fruit.

Outside of France, the grape's home away from home is Uruguay, where it is the country's most famous red varietal. Sometimes called Harriague in Uruguay, the grape seems to fend better in warmer climates. Here it produces softer, riper reds, with raspberry and blackberry characteristics. Small plantings of Tannat also exist in Argentina and the United States.

There you have it, a list of the top ten lesser-known wine grapes. I wanted to put this list together to showcase a few "off the beaten path" varietals. As I mentioned earlier there are thousands of grapes used to make wine, these ten were the ones I felt gave a small taste of what is out there. You may have tasted wines made from these ten varietals before or seen them on shelves, perhaps you didn't even realize it. They are fun finds, and can make for remarkable values in some cases because you don't have to pay for the name. As United States wine consumption continues to grow, so will retail sales. An increase in wine sales will force many overwhelmed retailers to hire wine geeks or pay closer attention to the global market and start looking for interesting wines. I hope this blog will help open the door to a new era of exploratory wine drinking and ultimately fun and enjoyment.

If you have a chance to try some of these wines or if there are any "lesser known" grapes you like, please let me know by emailing me, posting a comment here on the blog, or contacting me on Facebook.

Until next week, thanks for reading.

Salut,
Nicholas Barth

Certified Sommelier

Wine Director

Cru Wine Online