For Thanksgiving we served a selection of wines from around the world, all by very talented women.
Heidi Schrock , Austria; Sybille Kuntz , Germany; Elisabetta Geppeti, Italy; Barbara Spelletich, Merry Edwards, United States.
2010 update, these are still all good 5 years later.
The Winemaker: Heidi Schrock , Austria
Named "Austria's Wine-Grower of the Year" in 2003 by renowned wine magazine Falstaff, Heidi Schrock is the coolest female winemaker in Austria. Heidi has gathered experience from places like South Africa & Germany and brought it all back to her hometown of Rust. She took over the winery from her parents 20 years ago and has since spend much of her time reviving traditional wines of her Austro-Hungarian forefathers. The family motto states that tradition should be honored but also mixed with progress; for it means keeping alive the fire, not adoring the ashes.
The Wine: Weissburgunder 2004
Wine Advocate 92pts Schrock’s 2004 Weissburgunder achieved a startlingly high 14.5% alcohol (even after leaving behind a little residual sugar), but doesn’t betray it. Hazelnut, fresh apple, lemon zest, sea salt and chalk dust aromas lead to rich, nutty, fresh, juicy and crisp apple notes. Actually, the apple fruit is layered, with baked, dried and fresh stages of flavor. The pungent notes of tangerine and lemon rind as well as subtle sweet green herbs add considerable complexity, in fact, the finish here is simply sensational in its combination of sensually satisfying and thought-provoking complexity. This Pinot Blanc is a sensational value and a wine not to be missed. [David Schildknecht] - Wine Advocate
The Wine Maker: Sybille Kuntz , Germany
Sybille Kuntz and Markus Kuntz-Riedlin are two of the leaders of the Mosel regions Riesling renaissance. The husband and wife team both came from winemaking families. But their Sybille Kuntz Estate is less than 20 years old. Establishing a new Estate headed by a woman in the traditional German wine industry has been a challenge. However their dry and refined wines and stylish modern image have already made a splash on the international wine scene. They expand every year their vineyard holdings at the excellent locations in Lieser, Bernkastel-Kues and Wehlen to meet the growing demand for their wines.
The Wine: 2003 Dreistern Goldkapsel Reisling
With "DreiStern" Sybille and Markus Kuntz have created a great food wine, fermented dry and yet with all the richness and weight low yields late picking - using non-botrytis berries harvested alongside Beerenauslese (BA) and Trockenbeeren- Auslese (TBA) producing grapes all of course balanced by the natural racy acidity of the great Riesling grape. Finally, combine all these flavour elements with the mineral complexity provided by old vines (40-75 years) planted on classic Mosel grey slate, and you have a true premium Riesling. DreiStern is a wine to surprise the jaded palate of the modern consumer; with food or without it is a great example of what Germany can produce.
The Wine Maker: Elisabetta Geppeti, Italy
There are a number of quality-minded producers hidden away in the coastal regions of Tuscany, of which one of the best is Le Pupille. The coastal regions include, from north to south, Costa degli Etruschi, Montescudaio, Bolgheri, Val di Cornia, Massa Marittima and Scansano - Le Pupille is located in the latter, which is the longest established. Morellino is the local name for Sangiovese. The estate is owned by Elisabetta Geppetti.
The Wine: Le Morellino Di Scansano 2004
A richly coloured, vibrant, garnet red hue. There is lovely fruit on the nose, full of dark cherries, blackberries, plums and red fruits. Medium bodied on the palate, and nicely textured although not luscious. Behind this approachable exterior there is a firm extract, and typical acidity. Rounded cherry fruit with a layer of oak, and a savoury twist on the finish. Easy drinking and good value.
The Wine Maker: Barbara Spelletich, United States
Barbara has been a wine diva for over 27 years. Born and raised in Seattle, Washington. She started her career in the wine industry as a wine shop manager in Seattle. She worked for Ste. Michelle Winery, G. Raden & Sons, and then established her own distributorship, Zephyr Imports. This began her international travels and relationships with the finest wineries in the world. She spent every spring traveling to Germany, France, Spain, Portugal and Italy. The purpose was to visit each producer and set up containers for import into the U.S. These producers became friends and taught Barbara much about wine making, the importance of ripe fruit and the gentle way to preserve that fruit flavor. Her next step was Whitwhams Fine and Rare Wines, based in Manchester, England and Bordeaux. Life as a negociant enhanced her contact with the winemakers of all cru class. She further enhanced her winemaking skills with short courses at U.C. Davis in Table Wine Making. Barbara arrived in Napa Valley June, 1992 and started working at St. Clement Vineyards in St. Helena.
The Wine: 2002 Keefer Ranch Chardonnay
2002 Russian River Chardonnay Keefer Ranch Rich, Ripe and Refreshing. The powerful chardonnay has an amazingly rich mouth feel. Ripe and juicy pear, honeysuckle, toasted almond and lemon chiffon. These distinctive chardonnay characteristics combine with cool climate minerality, subtle lees and sweet oak flavors that linger on a long, clean and refreshing finish.
The Wine Maker: Merry Edwards, United States
Merry Edwards approaches life with graceful intensity. Whether sampling grapes in the vineyard, hand pruning her cherished roses, preparing dinner for her family, running the rapids on the Colorado River — in everything she does, Merry balances intellect with intuition. Each wine she makes benefits from her precision and perception of subtlety and elegance. During her 31-year winemaking career, Merry has earned the universal respect of winemaking peers, grape growers and academicians. A self-described perfectionist, she has constantly refined her wines and techniques. Merry does not rest on her laurels. She grows.
The Wine: 2000 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
Worthy of a place in your private collection...This is the Pinot Noir to satisfy devotees of Cabernet who contend that the former grape packs too little punch. An outstanding single-vineyard Pinot Noir .....full-bodied,richly textured and mouthwateringly luscious."
