Issue Number 25 – Patio Sippers Part One
I know that I had promised you an article on Saltspring Island (and it’s still coming) but I wanted to fire off some of the results of last week’s aromatic white wine tastings. We tasted a lot of different wines so instead of one massive e-mail I’ll send out 3-4 smaller ones in the next couple of weeks.
When we talk about aromatic white wines, we’re referring to white grapes with pronounced aromas and flavours. These wines can be dry or sweet with varying levels of acidity. Also, this encompasses a large number of grapes with many different characteristics. Last week we were able to taste some underappreciated and obscure white grapes – the freaks and geeks with a little something special to offer.
We start our tour in the Marche region of Italy with Marotti Campi “Luzano” Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico Superiore – Marche, Italy ($19.99 #916098). Though not really considered as an aromatic varietal, this wine has some great aromatic characteristics. A floral bouquet with hints of citrus and melon with a little minerality. The palate is medium bodied with light fruit and almond flavours, great acidity and a crisp, dry finish. Verdicchio (vehr-DEEK-Kyoh) is a great food grape and I would strongly encourage you to try this and other Verdicchios in our market.
Telmo Rodriguez “Basa” Vino Blanca, 2008 ($18.99 #586016) is from the Rueda region of Spain. The grapes are the Spanish natives Verdejo (vehr-Day-yoh) and Viura (vee-YOO-rah) with a little Sauvignon Blanc thrown in for good measure. The nose is light and floral with aromas of grapefruit and green grapes. The palate is fresh and lively with great acidity and bright fruit flavours. A medium bodied white wine with a nice long finish this is a perfect ‘tapas on a patio’ wine.
Over to the north of Portugal where the region of Vinho Verde specializes in crisp aromatic whites made from native grape varietals. Quinta da Aveleda Vinho Verde, 2008 ($13.99 #114223) is no different. Made from 3 native grapes; Loureiro (loo-REH-roh), Trajadura (trah-jah-DOO-rah) and Alvarinho (ahl-vah-REE-nyoh), this wine has a fresh and light nose with aromas of light tropical fruits and flowers. A vibrant palate with citrus flavours and green apple with crisp acidity and a refreshing finish. There is also the presence of light bubbles in the glass. This is something that is done on purpose in Vinho Verde and just adds to the refreshing appeal of the wine. I’ve also talked about Vinho Verde wines in Issues two and ten so check them out for some more information.
More aromatic whites coming your way very soon.
Cheers,
Josh