Category: Wine of the Month

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Wine of the Month – December 2020

Vigna Senza Nome

Braida – Vigna Senza Nome 2019

Producer: Braida 

Grapes: Moscato d’Asti

Category: White

Country: Italy

Region: Piemonte

Suggested service temperature: 6º – 8ºC

Evolution: Ready

Tasting Notes

Moscato d’Asti is a style that has never appealed much to me, to be honest. Here comes a great example on how keeping the mind open can lead us to interesting discoveries and the review of some previously defined concepts. Fresh, lively and citrusy is how “Vigna Senza Nome” from Braida first hit me. Considered a great pairing for Panettone and Pandoro, this interpretation of Moscato from Braida brings a blow of freshness and a touch of spring to the sweetness of the style. Fun and entertaining complexity with a clean finish.

Pear
Pear
Orange
Orange
Peach
Peach
Beeswax
Beeswax


Suggested Pairing:

Great marriage with pastries, fruit based desserts, panettone and pandoro.

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Wine of the Month – November 2020

Oloron 2016

Oloron – Chardonnay 2016

Producer: Bodega Oloron

Grapes: Chardonnay

Category: White (macerated)

Country: Spain

Region: Mallorca

Suggested service temperature: 14º – 16ºC

Evolution: Ready/Evolving

Tasting Notes

The bottle arrived to me through a friend, who visited the winery early in the year (before Covid hit). Even if it seems that the winery has changed the style over the years, it is worth checking for any remaining bottles of this gently macerated Chardonnay.

Opening on white peaches, grapefruit, beeswax, white pepper and roasted almonds. Crisp and mouth watering acidity, opening to a full bodied wine. Smooth on the palate, confirming the notes on stone fruit and citrus, with a little bite from green almonds on the closing. Lingering minerality enhancing the length of each sip.

Ready to drink, but the structure of the wine could allow complexity to develop even more in the following years.

Suggested Pairing:

Roasted chicken on rosemary and orange sauce, with a side of chargrilled potatoes.

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Wine of the Month – October 2020

Magia del Maipo

Magia del Maipo – Gran Reserva Corte 2010

Producer: Magia del Maipo

Grapes: Carménère & Cabernet Sauvignon

Category: Red

Country: Chile

Region: Maipo Valley

Suggested service temperature: 16º – 18ºC

Evolution: Ready/Evolving

Tasting Notes

A hard to find bottle from Chile, here in Switzerland. Still, we selected it as wine of the month for also making it to the top of my list of blends from Maipo. Fruit forward opening with blackberries, blueberry, cassis and raspberries. Cocoa powder, vanilla, coconut and toasty notes, closing with a pleasant note of mint. A fresh and well balanced wine with great depth that opens elegantly in the palate. Round tannins still showing good tension, as well as a sustained acidity after 10 years from vintage. Ready to drink but still can evolve into other layers.

Suggested Pairing:

Stewed meat with sausage or bacon, side with roasted vegetables or lentils and sauté garlic kale. This blend pairs incredibly well with black olives, for the starters your dinner (or a tapenade if you will).

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Wine of the Month – September 2020

Ribolla Gialla - Fiegl 2020

Fiegl – Ribolla Gialla 2012

Producer: Fiegl

Grapes: Ribolla Gialla

Category: White (macerated)

Country: Italy

Region: Oslavia – Friuli Venezia Giulia

Suggested service temperature: 14º – 16ºC

Evolution: Ready/Evolving

Tasting Notes:

The finding of September was the 2012 macerated Ribolla Gialla from Fiegl. Gentle maceration for 30 days at controlled temperature. Aging in tonneau for 12 months before bottling. Beautiful shine in the glass with deep golden hues. Complex and intense on the nose. Grapefruit, candied orange peel, pineapple, dried apricots, beeswax, camomille and a bit of resin. Beautiful depth that expands by the minute, long and clean finish. 

Suggested Pairing:

Slow roasted lamb, grilled (smoked is definitely a plus) aubergine. I would also add some bitterness possibly with an arugula salad with walnuts and pomegranate.

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