Wines from the Southern Hemisphere
Over the past decade, more and more high quality wines from the Southern Hemisphere are increasingly being offered in the U.S. at competitive prices. These wines are of exceptional value and can be very exciting to discover for those wine consumers who are always wanting to try something new.
The main wine producing countries in the Southern Hemisphere include Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Argentina, and Chile. Traditionally seen as bulk wine makers, these wine producing countries are quickly changing their reputations and are producing some of the highest quality, highest rated wines in the world. Examples of this are Penfold’s Grange and Henshke’s Hill of Grace from Australia.
Just recently I was strolling along the main streets of Carmel, California and found this amazing little wine shop called Southern Latitude Wines on Lincoln Street just off of Ocean Ave. Having studied wine in Australia for almost two years, I was instantly curious and I soon found myself browsing through the few, but exceptionally well-stocked, shelves organized by country of origin. After, spending quite some time reading labels and exploring the various offerings, I settled on three wines: An Argentinian Malbec, an Australian Shiraz, and a red blend from South Africa. After gauging the wine shop owner’s thoughts on these wines, I left the wine shop excited to try something not from California.
Finally, I have tasted all three wines and loved every minute of it! They were more than amazing and I can’t wait to go back to that little wine store and find my next new discovery. The following are my wine notes on each wine; these wines can be a bit more difficult to find, but please send a comment if you are having any trouble and I will do my best to help you locate any of these in your area.
2004 Mapema Malbec, Argentina, $20.99
This wine had remarkable dark red hues with aromas and flavors of rich fruit of blackberry, ripe plum, black cherry, tobacco, and dark chocolate. This wine pairs very well with any dark meat dishes. My dad and I enjoyed this Malbec with some traditional California tri-tip and we were pleasantly surprised at how well the meat and wine complimented each other.
13.5% Alc, www.vineconnections.com (Importer)
2001 Warwick Three Cape Ladies, South Africa, $20.99
This red blend is made up of Cabernet Sauvignon (41%), Merlot (29%), and Pinotage (30%) – a cross between Pinot Noir and Cinsault which originated in South Africa. This full bodied wine has fairly intense aromas of berries and coffee, but the standout character of this wine was the incredibly concentrated smoky, bacon fat, dark berry flavors. It was unlike any wine I have ever tasted and once I got used to the style, I really enjoyed a glass (or two!) of this wine.
14.5% Alc, www.warwickwine.co.za
2004 Howard Park Margaret River Shiraz, Western Australia, $21.99
The Margaret River wine region of Western Australia is growing incredibly fast, and whilst I was visiting the region the end of November ‘07, there were only a few standout wineries, Howard Park being among the best. As I was ready to head back to the U.S. the following week, I only purchased one bottle of wine at the Cellar Door, the 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon. However, I really enjoyed the Shiraz as well and was so excited to find it in my new favorite little wine shop in Carmel. Because the Shiraz grapes that go into making this wine are grown in a cooler climate, the aromas and flavors are more subtle, lacking the fruit forward intensity of your typical Barossa Valley Shiraz. In this wine, you will find opulent aromas and flavors of red cherry, ripe plum, violet perfume, with slight vanilla from oak aging. This wine will age well for the next five years.
14.5% Alc, www.howardparkwines.com.au
Wine Styles – Meritage Wines
Meritage wines aren’t something you see too much these days; however, they do still exist and if you are lucky, you can find some really interesting ones at your local wine shop. Since Meritage wines aren’t commonly promoted on a large scale, the general wine consumer doesn’t know a lot about this wine style. I certainly didn’t until a couple weeks ago when some colleagues enlightened me with an educational Meritage wine tasting.
Meritage wines are American wines ‘blended in the traditional noble Bordeaux varietals.” These varietals include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Petite Verdot, St. Macaire, Gros Verdot, and Carmenere for the reds and the white varietals include Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, and Sauvignon Vert.
According to The Meritage Association Web site (www.meritagewine.org), a group of American vintners formed the association to recognize handcrafted wines blended from the aforementioned Bordeaux varietals. The name “Meritage”, which rhymes with heritage, was chosen as it combines the words ‘merit’ and ‘heritage’ and the members felt this term accurately reflects what their wines stand for.
Red and white Meritage wines have to be made from a blend of at least two or more of the previously mentioned varietals and no single variety can make up more than 90 percent of the blend. If a producer wants to include the name ‘Meritage’ on his or her wine label, then he or she must follow the red or white varietal blending rules as well as become a member of The Meritage Association.
The following are some exceptional examples of American Meritage wines that are definitely reminiscent of the traditional Bordeaux style. As such, these wines taste great now but will benefit from a bit of aging as well.
2005 Justin Isosceles, Paso Robles, $62
Justin Isosceles doesn’t technically say ‘Meritage’ on the label, but the blend in this wine is 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc, and 7% Merlot, a classic Meritage style wine. This wine has garnered so much attention among the top wine critics as it never disappoints, and the 2005 Justin Isosceles is no different with beautiful deep purple hues and intense aromas of rich fruit. This wine is bursting with red berries and dark cherry flavors with a hint of spice and vanilla. The Isosceles may have a touch of VA* (volatile acidity), which I believe adds to its overall complexity. This wine has incredible structure and a strong, persistent finish.
14.6% Alc, www.justinwine.com
2004 Franciscan Estates Magnificent, $50
One of the original Meritage wines from the late 80s, the Franciscan Magnificent is made up of 50% Merlot, 49% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 1% Cabernet Franc. This moderately intense wine with grippy tannic structure exhibits ripe plum, dark cherry, raspberry, and cocoa aromas and flavors. This wine has great balance and complexity. You may need to decant this wine for ten to fifteen minutes before serving.
14.5% Alc, www.franciscan.com
2004 Rodney Strong Symmetry, Alexander Valley Red Meritage, $55
The Symmetry has opulent aromas of red lollies, blackberries, spice, chocolate, black cherry, and vanilla with flavors of raspberries, strawberries, cola and sweet vanilla. This wine has pleasantly drying tannins with the balance and complexity that give way into a rich, full finish. The varietals in this blend are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc; however, exact percentages could not be found.
14.6% Alc, www.rodneystrong.com
2004 Opus One, $170
The 2004 Opus One consists of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc, 1% Malbec. This luxurious wine has incredibly smooth, silky tannins with aromas and flavors of raspberry, red cherry, cassis, spice, and sweet vanilla. This full bodied, well-balanced and structured wine was made to age well, and at that price, you would definitely expect it to!
www.opusonewinery.com
As the above wines are a bit pricey, below are two more great examples of Meritage wines that have a much nicer price tag.
• 2004 Kendall-Jackson Meritage Red Wine, $30, www.kj.com
• 2005 Coppola American Meritage, $20
*All wine contains some VA or Volatile Acidity, which is formed by the oxidation of alcohol, mainly acetic acid and ethyl acetate. In small amounts, VA can be beneficial to a wine as it adds complexity, but in larger amounts, or when a vinegary aroma is detected, it is considered a wine fault.
Pinot Noir (PEA-no NWAHR)
One cannot write a wine blog and evade discussing one of the most talked about and trendy red wine grape varieties – Pinot Noir. This grape has received much buzz over the last few years, thanks mostly in part to the wine movie, Sideways. Pinot Noir has gained some of its popularity most likely because consumers appreciate the fact that that this grape can be very difficult to grow, but even more complicated to make good, quality wine from. Once made into wine, this grape tends to reflect the terroir* of the site in which it is grown, more so than other red grape varieties.
Pinot Noir has been around for a very long time, first being planted by the ancient Romans and then being made into wine around the first century AD. These days consumers can find Pinot Noir wines from numerous countries throughout the world including France, Austria, Italy, Argentina, Australia, and New Zealand just to name a few. Some of the best Pinot Noirs can be found throughout regions in California as well such as the Russian River Valley in Sonoma, the Santa Lucia Highlands in Monterey County, and the famed Santa Rita Hills in Santa Barbara.
Pinot Noir is not always my first choice of wine to drink as I definitely have an ‘American palate’ when it comes to red wines and enjoy the rich, dark, and intensely flavorful varietals that generally are made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah/Shiraz, and Grenache. Pinot Noir is much different than these as it is generally a lighter to medium bodied wine with cherry, raspberry, earthy, floral, violet, and spice aromas and flavors. I usually think I know what to expect with Pinot Noir and therefore it can be very dull. However, every once in awhile, I will encounter a Pinot Noir with exceptional depth, and beautifully concentrated fruit flavors with silky, lingering tannins and my curiosity with this mischievous grape returns.
Unfortunately, as a general rule of thumb, you generally get what you pay for with Pinot Noir. So it is definitely worth it to spend a few extra dollars when purchasing this wine to avoid disappointment. Because Pinot Noir doesn’t have the same structure as its darker red counterparts, a Pinot Noir will typically reach its peak in five to eight years past the vintage date.
The following are some great examples of Californian Pinot Noirs.
2006 MacMurray Ranch Central Coast Pinot Noir, $16.99
This wine is lighter red in color and had a modest nose of red cherries, vanilla, and lollies. However, the palate is a bit more distinct with more complex flavors of cigar smoke, coffee, and red cherry. I was most impressed with how well balanced this wine is and the lasting finish. And at $16.99 a bottle, it is a great value as well.
2004 WildHorse Central Coast Pinot Noir, $19.99
This deep purple-red wine has aromas of red berries, leather, and barnyard with concentrated flavors of spice, vanilla, leather, and tar. Nothing seems out of place and it finishes stronger than most.
2005 Cambria Julia’s Vineyard Pinot Noir, $20
This wine has the most interesting nose as there are a variety of aromas of sweet cherry, strawberry, and vanilla which lead into beautifully intense flavors of spice, vanilla, and red berries. This very well balanced Pinot Noir exhibits a soft, lingering finish.
www.cambriawine.com
2006 Frei Brothers Russian River Valley Pinot Noir, $27.99
The aromas and flavors of this wine are wonderfully concentrated with leather, earth, and vanilla on the nose and cherry, dark berries, tar, and a hint of sweet vanilla on the palate. This medium bodied, exceptionally well balanced wine’s plush, silky tannins lead you into a blissfully lengthy finish. You will have to pay a bit more for this one, but it won’t let you down.
www.freibrothers.com
*Terroir – The environment with which a grape variety is grown; a combination of the climate, soil, and topography to name a few factors that affect the quality and characteristics of grapes grown in a particular vineyard site.
California Zinfandel
From once having worked in a region in California known for bold, intense Zinfandel, Paso Robles, and becoming very familiar with the grape and the wines it makes, I was astounded that for the most part, other regions around the world have little do with the production or consumption of Zinfandel. A couple exceptions include Italy, where a Zinfandel clone called Primitivo is commonly grown and consumed, and Croatia, where this grape is known as Crljenak.
After having spent some time studying wine in Australia, I didn’t realize how much I missed this traditional California varietal until just recently, when I tasted a flight of Zinfandel wines. In California, Zinfandel can be a very strong, full bodied wine with ripe fruit and a variety of spicy flavors. Perhaps the most popular style of Zinfandel in the U.S. is a style known as “white zinfandel” which, as we all probably know, is a pink, slightly sweeter wine enjoyed by the masses. However, in other regions, such as Margaret River, Western Australia, I interestingly found that the cooler growing climate has a positive affect on the Zinfandel grape. These wines have medium body and typically retain more spice than fruit with pepper, clove, and anise and a hint of dark berry flavors.
Zinfandel is a very important grape variety to the U.S. and is often considered America’s heritage grape. Zinfandel vine cuttings were first brought to the U.S in the early 1800s and were planted in the northeastern regions of the country. Once vine cuttings were planted in California in the mid 1850s, it was found that Zinfandel can grow incredibly well in the various California climes.
Zinfandel became hugely popular during the California Gold Rush as it could be made into a pretty decent drop, and even though this grape has had some competition from other varietal wines over the past few decades, it is still a significant part of the California wine growing and making history. It has actually become so important in fact that entire wine festivals are dedicated to this grape. Such festivals include the annual Zinfandel Festival in Paso Robles organized by the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance (www.pasowine.com), the Lodi Zinfandel Festival (www.zinfest.com), and the annual ZAP (Zinfandel Advocates and Producers) tasting in San Francisco (www.zinfandel.org).
For more information about the history and significance of this wine grape, please go to www.zinfandel.org.
Just recently I tried numerous Zinfandel wines and I personally rated the following wines the highest for their concentrated fruit and delicate oak aromas and flavors. Additionally, I was impressed that the heat from the higher alcohol content in these wines did not interfere with the wines’ aromas and flavors.
I hope you enjoy the following wines as much as I did!
2006 Seghesio Sonoma County Zinfandel, $20
This rich purple colored wine is full of life with intense aromas of black berries, raspberries, black cherries, spice and interestingly, a hint of coconut. Beautifully balanced and intense flavors of red fruits, cherry, raspberry, spice and vanilla come through on the palate. This medium bodied wine has an incredibly fruity finish; the tannins, acidity, and fruit in this wine, hint that it will age well for the next five to ten years.
Alc. 15.4%, www.seghesio.com
2006 Seven Deadly Zins, Lodi, $17.00
A typical Lodi Zinfandel, this medium bodied wine has a remarkable combination of ripe cherries, raspberries, and subtle vanilla aromas with smoky plum and cherry flavors and a lingering fruit finish. This wine is definitely ready to drink now but should stay fresh for the next 3-5 years.
Alc. 14.5%, www.lodivineyards.com
2005 Sin Zin, Alexander Valley, $20.00
This inky red-purple Zin exhibits aromas of black berry, black raspberry, clove and peppery notes with fairly intense dark cherry, vanilla, spice and black fruit flavors in the mouth. This medium bodied wine is very well balanced and finishes surprisingly strong. Drink now or for the next 3-5 years.
Alc. 14.5%, www.avvwine.com
*Please drink responsibly
Chardonnay from the North Coast
You can’t find a better time of the year to bring out the Chardonnays. As the days get longer and the nights warmer, Chardonnay can be both refreshing to sip on as well as enjoyed with an array of summer meals. California Chardonnays are world renowned for their distinct style but are often criticized by wine critics as having way too much overly extracted oak flavors, in other words, an ‘oak bomb.’ Despite this denigration, Chardonnay is still the most widely planted white wine grape in California and thus is the most widely purchased varietal wine in the US wine market today. (www.WineInstitute.org, 2007).
Chardonnay, an indigenous grape to Burgundy in France, can be broadly categorized into two different wine styles – Old world (France, Italy, Spain, Germany, etc.) and New World (California, Australia, Chile, Argentina, etc.). The old world style tends to showcase more subtle aromas with minerally and citrus fruit flavors such as lemon, grapefruit, butter, nuts, with higher acid and a touch of oak. New world wine styles have more prominent aromas and flavors of tropical fruit, apple, butterscotch, vanilla with low acid and a lot of oak. However, don’t just assume that if you are tasting characteristics from an Old World style wine that it is just that, and vice versa. Recently, Old World wine countries are producing more and more wines in the New World style to appeal to a broader range of wine consumers. Interestingly, some New World wine producers, such as California, are also changing their wine styles and are using Old World techniques to create their elegant Chardonnay wines.
So it can be a bit tricky, but no one is expecting you to be a wine expert right? All that is expected of you is to pick out a great tasting wine for your friends and family, and with the help of my wine reviews, I hope that will be the easy part.
The following wines were chosen because they are all characteristic of the distinctive California Chardonnay style. Although these top choices all have been aged in oak barrels, they are very well balanced and exhibit beautifully concentrated fruit flavors. And if you are trying to build up your wine cellar, the structure of the following wines hints that they will age for the next 2-5 years.
2005 Sterling Vineyards Napa Valley Chardonnay, $17.00
This wine is very well balanced and smells of citrus and concord grapes with vanilla, apple, and stone fruit flavors. This full bodied wine, influenced by oak aging, has a beautiful, lingering finish.
www.sterlingvineyards.com
2006 Frei Brothers Russian River Valley Chardonnay, $17.99
A party in your glass! This wine shows aromas of tropical fruit and apricot and honey, butter, vanilla, green apple, citrus fruit, and pear flavors. The acidity and oak lend to this medium to full bodied wine with incredible balance. The flavors stick around in your mouth long after the last drop has been swallowed.
www.freibrothers.com
2004 Simi Russian River Valley Chardonnay, $24.99
Butterscotch, honey and vanilla aromas fill your glass with peach, vanilla, and apricot flavors of medium intensity. The oak adds to the complexity of this well-balanced wine and finishes strong.
www.simiwinery.com
2006 La Crema Sonoma Coast Chardonnay, $15.99
Yummy, intense aromas of buttery popcorn with stone fruit fill your nose and you will discover pear, apple, stone fruit, and vanilla flavors in your mouth. This wine has good body and a pleasantly long finish. A great California Chardonnay all around.
www.lacrema.com
*Please Drink Responsibly
