By The Glass
September 8, 2012
This week, I have three brand new wines and maybe you find one or all will appeal to you. I know you probably think my job is tough. Yes, I do get to sample -- no, not drink -- a wide variety of wine and share information in articles like this one with you. But, one of the things I like the most about this opportunity is that I can provide you with information about wine that you might not know about or otherwise try. I really like seeing people sample new products and learning firsthand how products like sparkling wines can be served before a meal as an apritif and then followed by a wine. Combined together the two products can a meal particularly pleasurable.
14 Hands
Hot to Trot 2010 (252718)
Washington State
$15.99
If you're hot to trot with unbridled abandonment then I might have a wine for you. It's the 14 Hands 2010 Hot to Trot, a red blend from Columbia Valley in Washington State. The winery name, 14 Hands, pays homage to the wild mustangs that roamed the plains in that state with 14 hands referring to the general height of the horses.
This wine is a blend of Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon with a touch of Mourvdre or, as the Spanish call it, Monastrell. A ruby coloured wine with aromas of berries, both red and black and a light touch of cocoa. On the palate, I found it very smooth with a slight touch of sweetness and acidity. Berry flavours dominate with ripe black plum and soft velvety tannins. This is a wine that is simple and easy to drink on its own but could be served with beef, pork or poultry.
Fabulous Ant
2011 Pinot Noir (192518)
Hungary
$13.99
While Hungary has a winemaking history dating back to the Roman times, this wine is from the relatively new wine region of Tolna. While Tolna has always a part of Hungary's Szekszard region, it has been recognized as distinct since 1977.
I have never thought of ants as fabulous but Hungarians must have a different opinion as they have named this wine after it. The 2011 Fabulous Ant Pinot Noir has a bright ruby colour with red cherry aromas and toasty oak notes. In the mouth, it is bright and fresh with sour cherry flavours and again those toasted oak. The acidity left my mouth watering and the noticeable tannins were a bit of a surprise. I think this would be nice with tomato based pasta sauce along with spicy Italian sausage or, better yet, a Hungarian pepper stew.
Anna Spinato
Prosecco Organic (374769)
Italy
$14.99
The Prosecco grape, also called Glera, is almost exclusively used to make sparkling wines from the regions of Veneto and Friuli-Venezia Giulia Italy. They range from fully sparkling to lightly effervescent or as the Italians call them spumante and frizzante. An organic Prosecco, Anna Spinato is bright and sparkling in the flute glass with aromas of apple, zesty citrus fruits and a hint of apricot. On the palate, it was zesty and fresh with light apple and apricot flavours. The bubbles lasted to the end of the glass and the finish lingered with freshness. I would use this sparkling wine as an apritif or serve it the next time you have a Spanish frittata.
Proseccos are often used in cocktails like Bellinis. I tried one recently that had an ounce of Lillet topped up with Prosecco. Lillet is a white wine from Bordeaux that has been fortified with fruit liqueur and on first taste has a strong apricot flavour but finishes with bitter orange. Together they blend very well together and the touch of sweetness from the Lillet enhances the fruits of the Prosecco. If you are searching for a new cocktail, this one might be worth a try.
Al Spoklie is a product consultant at the B.C. Signature Liquor Store, Pine Centre. The bracketed numbers are the product codes for the B.C. liquor stores.
