Liebfraumilch, a popular wine style, translates to “Our Lady’s Milk” (as in the Virgin Mary) and has had a fascinating role in wine history. Dating back to 1744, it was an extremely expensive and sought-after wine. Then, it had to be made within close proximity to the tower of the Liebfrauenkirche church in Worms, Germany (so, a very limited area). But in 1910, the Chamber of Commerce of the city of Worms decided to take away its distinct and strict designation so that Liebfraumilch could be made in any major German wine region, and so the wine lost its exclusivity and, to some, its allure. According to the wine laws in Germany, it must be made with at least 70% of one of these aromatic white varieties: Riesling, Silvaner, Müller-Thurgau, and Kerner (this blend has all four). At just 9% ABV, the Liebfraumilch’s kiss of residual sugar is balanced beautifully by its tingling acidity. Stone fruit and citrus aromas waft through the glass, and green apple, more citrus, and a touch of minerality hug the palate. A creamy goat’s cheese or chèvre would be a delectable snack for this really remarkable wine.
Grüner Veltliner translates to the “Green Wine of Veltlin,” an area located in the lower Alps of the Valtellina region of Italy. With a hue that can appear light green, it is Austria’s most popular variety, accounting for 75% of their plantings. Interestingly, it is not Hungary’s #1 grape (or even in the top 10!); this rendition has seen an abundance of sunshine in Pannon, which is in the wine region of Dunántúl in the southwest of the country. Winemaker Peter Binderer named the brand after Lazlo Károlyi, a collaborator and an aristocrat who happens to love the grape variety. This expression from Count Karolyi is a true representation of what it does best: skyrocketing acidity complemented by lime, lemon, starfruit, gooseberry, and always a hint of white pepper. Enjoy this wine with your choice of spicy curry dishes from Oriental Garden.
Agiorgitiko is the most planted red grape in Greece, but it is one we haven’t even yet profiled at the bar! The best examples are grown in Nemea, which is in the upper part of the Peloponnese. Wine has been cultivated there for thousands of years, dating back to the 5th century BC (or perhaps earlier). Wine is referenced in the Greek myth about Heracles (we know him by his Roman name Hercules) who was sent to the region to slay the Nemean lion. Established for not quite as long, the Troupis family has been farming in Nemea since the 1970s, having grown grapes for their family until they decided to take the commercial leap. This ‘Fteri’ Agiorgitiko (‘fteri’ translates to fern and is the name of the nearby town) is a light-to-medium bodied red that would benefit from a slight chill. And the color is unique, a clear ruby with purple glints in the mid-rim. Agiorgitiko is an alternative to Pinot Noir and Beaujolais, but the variety does convey some characteristic spice. Additionally, pomegranate, cranberry, plum, and a punch of butter caramel (according to the winemaker!) make this just one fun wine. It would be gorgeous with a tomato-based dish like shakshuka, which you can find on 940’s Kitchen and Cocktails brunch menu.
The charming and picturesque town of in the province of Verona is home to the San Cassiano farm. Albino Sella planted the first vines there in 1959, and after years of toil, Albino and his son decided to sell to a local cooperative, which is extremely common throughout winegrowing regions in Europe. Albino’s grandson Mirko, who had initially pursued a career in law, caught the family farming bug, and in 2002, he began using the family’s harvest to make wines under the San Cassiano name. Today, with only 14 acres of vines, Mirko produces small lots of mostly Valpolicella, but also Garganega, the grape used in the white wine Soave, as well as international varieties Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon and world-class olive oil. Valpolicella is usually a blend of indigenous grapes, and in this case, it is 80% Corvina, 10% Molinara, and 10% Rondinella. Only 100 cases were made of this vintage, so what we are tasting is rare indeed. Layers of spiced cherries, cooking spices, almond, tobacco, and leather compound with a lasting finish. The elegance of the San Cassiano Valpolicella will elevate an order of boneless wings from Boomer Jack’s.
Chile is considered one of the most pristine winemaking regions in the world. Phylloxera, which in the later part of the 17th century devastated vineyards throughout Europe, Australia, New Zealand, North Africa, and even neighbor Argentina, has had little impact in Chile. This is because it is sandwiched between mountains, an ocean, a desert, and vast icefields. Ventisquero’s motto is “Challenging Spirit,” with innovation being a primary pillar of their brand. In a nod to Patagonia, which lies in the far south of Chile, Ventisquero (which means glacier) has named this particular line for ‘Grey,’ a famous glacier that is about 17 miles long that can be experienced at the Torres del Paine National Park. This wine is made from 100% Carménère, Chile’s adopted grape from Bordeaux, and it comes from a single block of vines that exhibit the best that the grape can offer. The result in your glass is blackberry, blueberry, and black cherry exploding together with some savory notes like pepper, spice, earth, and graphite. A natural wonder all its own, the ‘Grey’ is best served alongside pork, so grab whatever pork dish the Insurgent Food Truck has on menu (pork belly or loin—it all works!) and enjoy!
Arguably one of the most famous regions in the world, Bordeaux wines can sell for hundreds of dollars, and, for premier crus, the price can fetch four figures. There are businesses set up to sell such wines before they are even released, called en primeurs, as many collectors consider fine wines an investment. While we don’t have any premier crus to share this month, we do have a Bordeaux of exceptional quality crafted from rock star winemaker Guy Bailly. It is not uncommon to see winemakers who have a premium brand, like Château le Bourdieu, who also have a more value-driven second line, à la Château Meilhan; the difference is that both lines are made in the exact same estate. For a fraction of the cost, Château Meilhan does not skimp on quality. With 47% Cabernet Sauvignon, 50% Merlot, and 3% Petit Verdot, this Left Bank Bordeaux seduces with ripe black plum, blackcurrant, blueberry, licorice, spice, and smoke. A very French dish like duck confit would be a perfect accompaniment.
Los Haroldos has a story that needs to be made into a movie. The protagonist would be Haroldo Santos Falasco riding his bicycle through small town Chacabuco, near Buenos Aires, marketing and delivering his wines to locals. These wines had been his dream since 1939. From their website, “Haroldo thought big and the bicycle he used to deliver wines began to become too small for him,” and his dream grew each year until currently, the Los Haroldos name is exported to 42 countries worldwide. Haroldo became affectionately known as “Don Lolo” to his children and grandchildren, and his bicycle now sits on display in their world-class barrel room. Now Jorge Felasco sits at the helm, and the brand has been renamed ‘Los Haroldos’ in honor of his father and brother, and in a play on words, an angel can be seen on each label. This red blend utilizes three Bordeaux grapes that Argentina does so well, composed of 60% Malbec, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 15% Petit Verdot. Its violet aromas evolve into ripe cherries, blackberries, blackcurrant, and spice on the palate. A grilled pepper steak or the smothered steak from Cartright’s Ranch House would hit the spot.
Tempranillo goes by so many different names throughout the Iberian Peninsula, it is almost legendary! An early ripening grape that thrives in the heat, Tempranillo can be known as Ull de Lebre in Catalunya, Tinta de Toro in Toro, Cencibel in La Mancha, Tinta Roriz or Aragonéz in Portugal, and Tinta Fina in Ribera del Duero, which is where Bardos is crafted. Situated at an altitude of over 3,000 feet, near the headwaters of the Duero River, the vineyards are considered extreme: “When we created Bardos, we had the option of settling in the prestigious Golden Mile, as big wineries do, or complicating our lives and settling in the coldest, highest and most difficult area of the entire denomination.” Winemaker Raúl Acha was up for the challenge, hand-harvesting and creating wines that find the balance between power and elegance. This wine is mostly Tempranillo with a small amount of Albillo Mayor, an indigenous white variety. Aged 12 months in oak vessels of different sizes, the Bardos imparts blackberry, plum, black cherry, spice, vanilla, and tobacco with velvety tannins. Change up your cuisine routine and have a glass with some Afro-Fusion food from Hera’s Kitchen, which is located inside TWU at Oakland Café.