Friday, May 04, 2007

Friday Wines - Power Failure Edition

I was going to write these on Wednesday night because I've been so lax lately. Worked a late shift and when I got home the power was out for about a 20 square mile radius. Crack one of these fine bottles next time the power goes out at your house.

White wine under $20

2005 Way Kuhl Dry Riesling Mosel-Saar-Ruwer QbA ($11)
If you haven't tried dry Riesling yet, this summer is the time to try it! This wine tastes exactly the way the label describes it - light, crisp and dry, with flavors of lime, slate and a touch of honey. It's all tightly held in place by great acidity and a precision known only in German wines. Yes, I know it isn't officially summer yet, but have you been to Texas in May?

Red wine under $20

2005 Bodegas Los Llanos Pata Negra Roble Valdepenas DO ($12.50)
This is classic Spanish red - light to medium bodied, restrained cherry fruit, raw cacao and leather earthiness. There's tannin here, but 3 months in oak barrels trims the edge off quite nicely. Like most Spanish reds, this will pair well with food, whether you smoked it or caught it on a line.

White wine over $20

2005 Storrs Chardonnay Santa Cruz Mountains ($26)
Surprise, surprise, I chose a Chardonnay for my white over $20! I usually avoid Chards here simply because there are so many of them in this category. Y'all know I prefer my Chardonnay the way I prefer my women: complex. Aromas of butterscotch and hazlenuts dominate, with a little pear and golden apple following. In the mouth, you'll get some citrus kick, a little of the pears and a lot of secondary flavors like the aforementioned hazelnuts, caramel and clove-honey-vanilla oak rather than the coconut and butter you get in a traditional Cali Chard. This sounds like it's sweet, but it's not because the acid keeps the fruit balanced.

Red wine over $20

2003 Takler Heritage Cuvee Szekszard ($25)
This is Hungarian wine and I think it will eventually turn out to be the next big value in the wine world. They use lots of native grapes with funny names and there'll be a learning curve for them, but you'll get used to them. Let's get you started down that path so you can start drinking the wines right away - long before your friends hear anything about Hungary.

The Heritage Cuvee is a blend of five (5) grapes: 38% Kekfrankos (the same grape as the German Blaufrankisch), 25% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc and 7% a Hungarian grape, Kadarka. Frankly, I'd put it up against any medium to heavy bodied red from the California at the same price point - smoky red fruit, nice structure, good balance, and a long finish. Don't take this for New World wine, though - the ripeness is tempered with silky tannins, sophisticated earthy tones and fine balance. Take the time to make real, slow cooked Hungarian Gulyas (Goulash) and revel in the decadent East.

Enjoy your weekend. It's my Wednesday!

Mark

Labels: budget wines, but it sure tastes good, Hungarian wine, I may not be able to pronounce the grapes, value wines