I served as sommilier at a very festive 50th birthday party a couple of weeks ago. We served some great wines that everyone loved, so I thought I would share them with you.
We found these wines at the Total Wines in River Edge NJ, and all are great values. The theme was "New Wines to Explore." The whites were grapes many people have never tried, the reds were all New World wines from the Southern Hemisphere.
Conde de Caralt Semi-Seco Cava Spain $8.99
From Penedes, Spain- This elegant blend of Macabeo, Parallada and Xarel-lo has a brilliant light yellow color and a clean, fresh nose with hints of yeast and peach blossoms. The supple palate is off-dry, carrying notes of apple and cream across a fresh, cleansing acidity.
The Whites - New Grapes to Explore
Con Class Rueda Spain 7.99
Vendimia Excepcional - Exceptional Vintage, Fresh, Melon, Lemon, Light-bodied. "The 2008 Con Class is 80% Verdejo, 10% Viura, and 10% Sauvignon Blanc aged on its lees in stainless steel. The Verdejo was sourced from organically farmed vines ranging in age from 60-100 years. Aromas of baking spices, melon and citrus are enticing. This leads to a ripe, tasty, balanced wine that will provide pleasure over the next 12-18 months." - 88 Points Jay Miller - The Wine Advocate
Rueda is a Spanish Denominación de Origen (DO) for wines located in the Community of Castile and León Province of Valladolid, 17 are in the north of the province of Segovia,
Meinhard Forstreiter Grooner Gruner Veltliner Austria 10.99
Clear greenish hue with aromas and flavors of crisp, green apple, citrus and minerality. Racy acidity with tartness on the mid-palate and finish.
Grown in the Kremstal region of Austria takes its name from the historic town of Krems and is sandwiched between the Kamptal wine region to the north and Wachau to the south. Its vineyards are locatd on either side of the Danube river, which almost bisects Kremstal's wine-growing areas.
Indaba Chenin Blanc South Africa 9.99
Crisp, Melon, Apple, Medium-bodied – from Western Cape, South Africa- A South African classic known as Steen, this un-oaked Chenin Blanc shows kiwi and melon nuances on the nose followed by a crisp, medium-bodied palate filled with tropical melon and citrus fruit flavors ending in a long finish with a touch of spice.
“Indaba” is the Zulu word for “a meeting of the minds,” a coming together to discuss issues of importance
The Reds - All from the Southern Hemisphere
Pisano Pinot Noir Rio Pajaros Uruguay $13.99
From Progreso, Uruguay - Elegant, Raspberry, Floral, Full-bodied. Brilliant ruby red. This wine is deep, complex and elegant. Well defined raspberry and floral notes with violets and spices. The palate is balanced and mature, with smooth plum and anise layers along with raspberry jam and black cherry flavours. Silky, long tannins. River of the birds. The original name, Urugua'ý, in Guaraní, means "river of the painted birds".
Phebus Malbec MMC Argentina 7.99
Mendoza, Argentina- Fresh and powerful red blend with 70% Malbec, 15% Cabernet and 15% Merlot. Fruit and spices explode first on the nose and then on the palate leading to a juicy finish. Great accompaniment to grilled meats, pasta or Thai food.
Rocky Gully Shiraz Australia 14.99
Shiraz Viognier
Intense, Floral, Cassis, Full-bodied. Int'l Wine Cellar - Frankland River, Australia- "Inky ruby. Smoky dark fruits, violet, tobacco and licorice on the nose, with a more exotic candied berry quality emerging with aeration; this smells a lot like a wine from the northern Rhone."
Frankland River is the coolest and most isolated wine-growing region in Western Australia. Over millions of years the Frankland River has cut through the region’s ancient surface rocks to create gravel-loam soils of moderate fertility that are ideal for growing grapes
To End – A touch of Sweetness
B Lovely Late Harvest Riesling Washington State 9.99
Made in the Columbia Valley - Sweet, Apricot, Floral, Medium-bodied. Refreshing and clean with a hint of sweetness, fills your mouth with light apricot and honey flavors. Perfect with dessert or as an after-dinner drink.
If you would like to hire us to be the sommilier for your next party or event call 973-868-1439 or email peter@manoavino.com
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