The popularity and abundance of the big six grapes is undeniable, and we're pretty sure that
one of those varietals ranks as one of your favorites. But do you yearn for something new?
Well, it's time to throw on the fedora hat and strap on the bullwhip for some Indiana Jones-style
adventure; we've got a roster of new wines that you may or may not have heard of, but they
definitely deserve your attention.
Let's start with two terrific whites with some very unusual monikers:
Grüner Veltliner
The top wine grown in and exported by Austria, Grüner Veltliner (GREW-ner felt-LEE-ner) is a
lean and mean, light to medium-bodied combination of citrus, grass and minerals. The use of oak
is minimal at best, so the grape's steely, acidic nature shines through.
The herbaceous nature of
Grüner (the preferred way to shorten up that long name, though others call it GV) is closely
related to the essence of Sauvignon Blanc , though Grüner's character tends to be a bit
more fruity and mild. Given this flavor profile, Grüner works exceptionally well with food,
especially vegetables. A meal such as halibut and green vegetables like asparagus is the
absolute perfect match for the crisp Grüner.
As we mentioned earlier, Grüners are the pride of Austria. We'd recommend trying
bottles from these winemakers: Nigl, Schloss Gobelsburg, Donabaum and Velt. One .
Gewürztraminer
It's unfortunate, because the wine's frightening name keeps people from ordering this
delicious, unique white. Let's get the pronunciation out of the way: guh-VERTS TRAH-me-ner.
Luckily, most drinkers cut that down to just Gewürz.
What about the wine? Gewürz means spicy, and the wine certainly lives up to that. But
the spice in this slick white is balanced by a variety of other aromas, including roses,
apricots and ginger. However, if you're familiar with the taste or smell of lychee (probably
more from a lychee martini than the actual fruit), then you'll instantly recognize that scent
in Gewürz. The texture is rich and full-bodied, balanced with medium acidity. All of
that combines together to create a wine unlike any other white, pairing up with meals from
Thai dishes to salmon to sausage and sauerkraut.
Gewürz is produced across Europe and in the United States as well. Our favorites come
from Alsace, France, specifically
Trimbach and
Hugel .
And now, let's shed some light on a couple of interesting reds :
Malbec
Although the grape has sometimes been used for centuries as an ingredient of the famous wines
produced in Bordeaux , France, today the grape is beginning to shine and gain popularity
standing on its own. In Argentina, Malbec is revered and used to create the best reds that
the country has to offer. The wine offers up wicked aromas of cherries and chocolate,
with licorice and smoke also present in many cases. The color is dark, nearly black, and
the body is medium to full. Taste? Think Merlot on steroids, with a nice combination of
fruit and earth but missing the major tannin that you'll find in a Cabernet Sauvignon .
Malbec goes perfectly with red meats, especially steaks. Next time you're settling into a
dinner featuring a big, juicy ribeye or bone-in filet, hunt down a Malbec and give it a shot.
We recommend trying the wines from
Trapiche and
Punto Final , or if you want to splurge go for the excellent but expensive Catena Alta.
Ribera del Duero
Rioja is the best known wine produced in Spain , but for a richer, more expressive
experience we suggest moving west to the region of Ribera del Duero for some intense
reds. The wines here are made from the Tinto Pino grape with other grapes such as
Cabernet Sauvignon, and the flavor profile is full of plums, blackberries and jam.
We're talking full-bodied, complex powerhouses designed to match up to lamb, pork and veal.
Note that the wines from Ribera del Duero are less tannic than pure Cabernet or Bordeaux,
so they can be consumed at a much younger age and enjoyed.
One of the finest wines in the world comes from this region, Spain's legendary
Vega Sicilia. The Unico bottle, which costs several hundred dollars retail, is especially
cherished and considered the best wine that Spain produces. For more affordable options to
try, look towards the fantasticly fruity Pesquera .
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