Best Italian: Girolamo Russo A Rina Etna Rosso
Courtesy of Vivino
Region: Etna, Sicily, Italy | ABV: 13.5% ABV | Tasting Notes: Red berries, Ash, Black pepper, Clove;
Love Italian reds from Piedmont, Tuscany, and beyond? If youve never dove into the world of earthy Sicilian reds, specifically from Etna, we cant recommend them enough.
These earthy, soil-driven wines come from the ash-laden volcanic soils of the region, which impart an undeniable mineral quality to the juice. This mouthwatering expression oozes with flavors of red berries, smoky ash, black pepper and clove.
I love a good Nerello Mascalese from Sicily. Theres something about that volcanic rusticity and high-toned cherry notes that strike a chord with me. … If the red wine is mostly mass produced, then its a no-no for me. Sylvester Inda, Wine Manager, CoolVines Powerhouse
Louis Roederer Et Philippe Starck Brut Nature Millesime 2012
This no-dosage Champagne is extremely balanced. Itâs also a vintage Champagne, meaning it was produced with grapes from a single harvest â adding to this bottleâs uniqueness. We believe that this bottle represents a trend in the direction that Champagne is moving â both the wine and the label are fun, accessible, and memorable. Louis Roederer is a large, established Champagne house, yet this wine shows that the brand knows where its customers are. And at a sub-$100 price, this is a great bottle to pop for your next special occasion.
Rating: 94
Best Ros: Domaine Des Nouelles Ros Danjou
In Anjou, one of the Loire Valleys major wine-producing zones, reds and rosés made from Cabernet Franc are of great renown. Unlike the dry rosés of Touraine, Sancerre and other Loire-based appellations, rosés from Anjou are known for being off-dry and slightly sweet. This bottle from Domaine des Nouelles is fruit-driven, bright, and loaded with flavors of sweet cherries, red currants and rose petals. Serve chilled with sweet crepes, a fresh bowl of strawberries or simply sip it solo.;
Sweet red wine is one of viticultures most misunderstood varieties. Unfortunately, many big-brand producers add loads of sugar and manipulate cheap juice to make “sweet red blends.” However, when produced at the right hands, sweet red wines can be quite delicious.;
Grahams Six Grapes Port is a fortified wine, meaning that a neutral distillate is added to a still wine to halt its fermentationthis keeps residual sugar present and adds a boost of alcohol to the final juice. “Though be careful,” warns Kaner. ” are easy to crush multiple servings, yet have 16 to 20 percent alcohol by volume.” Notes of ripe plums, black cherries, raisins and chocolate are in abundance. Port skeptics, you’re going to love this bottle.;
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Best Sparkling: Codorniu Alcohol
Courtesy of Total Wine
- Region: Penedès, Spain
- Body: Medium-bodied
Codorniu has long been a leading producer of cava, so it makes sense that their dealcoholized sparkler is just as delicious. On the palate, notes of lemon skin, white stone fruit, honey and citrus rind lead to a pleasantly lingering finish. Serve nicely chilled with fresh seafood, salads or crudité platters.;
Once you remove the alcohol, the beverage reminds you of wine, although it doesnt taste exactly like it, explains Cowez, who reveals that dealcoholized wines are generally rebuilt with natural flavors and oenological products to replicate the elements lost during distillation.;
Best Crisp White: 2018 Amisfield Sauvignon Blanc
Courtesy of Wine.com
Region: New Zealand | ABV: 12.6% | Tasting Notes: Passionfruit, Pink Grapefruit, Lemon Peel, Fresh Grass;
Fans of crisp, refreshing whites can never get enough of New Zealand sauvignon blanc. Not only is it always a great value for the price, but it also offers unique and complex flavors and aromas not commonly found in other inexpensive wines.
There is so much going on in this beautiful bottle from Amisfieldit shows vibrant tropical notes of passionfruit, mango, lychee, and papaya alongside zesty grapefruit, lemon, and lime, fragrant honeysuckle and elderflower, and freshly cut grass. Expressive but not overwhelming, it makes a great match with freshly shucked oysters, vegetable dishes or anything with plenty of fresh green herbs.
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Planeta Frappato Vittoria Doc 2018
Planeta is a family owned winery in Sicily, focusing on sustainable winemaking practices. The family has been making some of the best wines in Italy ever since Patricia Toth became the winemaker in 2008. Aromas like rose petals, strawberries, and orange blossoms hit the nose, followed by a soft, creamy texture on the palate. One sip, and this little-known Sicilian grape just may become a newfound favorite. As it opens up, this wine continues to surprise the palate, introducing new flavors and aromas with each sip. To get the most out of this wine, we recommend chilling it before serving.
Rating: 95
Saint Emilion Grand Cru
Also scooping up an impressive silver medal at this years IWSC awards was this beautiful bottle of Saint Emilion. One of the most popular of Bordeauxs wine regions, the words Grand Cru indicate this wine has passed a special tasting panel. One reviewer: For the money brilliant. Put it in a decanter, add a little splash of port and pretend its a premier grand cru. .Dry, firm and plummy with a note of oak, this wine pairs perfectly with a beef wellington.
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Mullineux Kloof Street Old Vine Chenin Blanc 2019
A South African selection, this Swartland Chenin Blanc is incredibly balanced, with great acidity and a bit of salinity. Itâs an amazing value for the price, and is another variety that Chardonnay fans will be sure to love. Itâs bright and fresh, and would be a great foil for anything fried, like fish and chips.
Rating: 91
Jefferson Vineyards Cabernet Franc 2017
Virginia wines have been a favorite among the VinePair team this year, and this bottle is no exception. This versatile Cabernet Franc is delicious both chilled and at room temperature. It has a soft, earthy fruit core and brambly blackberry aromas, along with hints of cooked meat and cracked black pepper.
Rating: 91
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For The One Who Always Has The Best Snacks
There is no better relationship than wine and cheese, which is why Wine Down Box is one of the best wine clubs out there. Each month, small-batch California wines are paired with artisanal cheese and charcuterie.;Check out our other recommended subscription boxes, too.
Cost: Starting at $70 for a one-month subscription
Best Under $: 2017 Maison Champy Pernand
;Courtesy of Wine.com
Maison Champy, Burgundys oldest wine company, has been in business for some 300 years. You dont get that kind of longevity by messing around with the quality of your product. Their Pernand-Vergelesses chardonnay benefits from the diverse soils of their hilly vineyards and the experience of many generations of winemakers. How they managed to keep this bottle under $100 is still a mystery.
Lemon aromas with white nectarine, apple and peach flavors are on the palate. Wispy minerals add to the ripe texture making for an extended and satisfying finish.
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Best Wine Subscription Boxes And Clubs
Last updated on by Adam Bryan. This post may contain affiliate links.
This post contains affiliate links which means that I will make a small commission if you purchase a product after clicking on any of them, at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support.;
If you ever wanted to explore new wines and taste wine selection from a range of regions around the world, joining a wine club or wine subscription service is one of the best ways to start.
And with most of the wine clubs, all you need to do is take a simple quiz about your tastes and from there theyll build a flavor and taste profile thats perfect from your palette. That way, all the wines you get are tailored for you and your tastes.
Its such an amazing concept!
So, with that being said, lets jump straight into the listing of the very best wine subscription box clubs that you absolutely must join this month.
Best Chillable Red: Domaine Chapel Charbonnires Fleurie
Courtesy of Vivino
Region: Fleurie, Beaujolais, France | ABV: 13% | Tasting Notes: Dried cherries, Potting soil, Pepper
After a chance meeting at the legendary Domaine Lapierre in Beaujolais, Michele Smith and David Chapel fell in love, relocated from New York and established their eponymous estate back in 2015.
Today, the duo is making some of the regions most exciting and easy-drinking wines, including this stunning cuvée from Fleurie. High-toned flavors of raspberries, dried cherries, potting soil, pepper and fresh-cut herbs lead to a thirst-quenching finish.;
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Winemakers Selection Fairtrade Paarl Chenin Blanc
This South African Chenin Blanc is one from the Winemakers Selection range a line of Lidl wines that are carefully curated by wine experts. Its lovely dry, citrus and honey flavouring is what earnt this bottle a IWSC bronze medal in 2020 AND the approval of Master of Wine Richard Bampfield. Available at under £5 a bottle, its certainly drawn in rave reviews too, with one review declaring: Another good offer from lidl, great value for money! Sip on this summer alongside a pasta primavera or garlic prawns.
What Are The Flavors In Chardonnay
Primary: Chardonnays flavors swing from lemon zest and chalky minerality to baked apple and tropical fruits like pineapple. There are two reasons for this wide range in flavors: climate and harvest date. The cooler the climate, the more citrus notes become apparent in the grapes. The same applies to grapes that are harvested earlier. In warmer climates and later harvests, grapes develop more sugar and lose some acidity. Its flavors develop into riper, richer fruits. These are called primary flavors, because they derive directly from the grape.
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Best Australian: 2017 Vasse Felix Heytesbury Chardonnay
;Courtesy of Wine.com
Between the regulating ocean breezes, the warming coastal current, and the oldest gravel loam soils in the world, Australias Margaret River region on the continents south-western tip has a confluence of ideal conditions for making excellent wine. The folks at Vasse Felix exploit this pristine landscape to their best advantage with their Heytesbury Chardonnay. The 2010 vintage won 11 wine show trophies and put their chardonnay on the map. This 2017 vintage is a delicious continuation of that tradition of excellence and acclaim.
Oaky and buttery, with notes of lemon, grapefruit, peach and honeydew, this bottle harbors both nutty and toasty elements with a crisp acidity. The fruit flavor is strong with this one and its immensely satisfying, boasting a hearty finish on the way down.
Domaine Carneros By Taittinger Ultra Brut 2015
Pop this Napa sparkler when youâre craving Champagne but donât have that Champagne cash. Or even if you do. It starts with a welcoming nose of brioche, flaky pastry and soft, earthy fruit. Following that, a firm grip on the palate, with vibrant bubbles and a heightened perception of acidity cleanses the palate. Itâs a joy to drink, so donât wait too long for the right moment.
Rating: 94
A wonderful representation of Russian River Valley Pinot Noir. Itâs impeccably balanced, elegant yet powerful, and not overly acidic. It fills the palate with cherry, white pepper, and cinnamon flavors, pleasurable to the very last sip.
Rating: 94
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Can You Drink Wine On A Keto Diet
You sure can! In fact, wine is one of the most keto-friendly alcoholic beverages. Thats great news for anyone who just cant stomach alcohol like spirits.
However, not all wines are suitable for a keto diet. A glass of white or red wine can have anywhere from one to 12 grams of carbs per serving or sometimes even more!
Ology: How We Select Test And Rank The Best Wines On The Market
In order to select the best wines, we looked at the individual features of each category and what makes a successful wine within that. We took into account the level of tannins and alcohol percentage, the flavour profile and heaviness of each wines body as well as its complexity.;
We also looked into each bottles crispness, whether it was oaked or unoaked, the success of each vineyard over the years and the price of each bottle.
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Best White: 2019 Dr Loosen Dr L Riesling
Courtesy of Wine.com
Region: Germany | ABV: 8.5% | Tasting Notes: Yellow Apple, Pear, Peach, Lemon Curd;
Forget everything you think you know about rieslingthis seriously underrated variety makes some of the greatest serious white wines in the world, but it is also responsible for some of the best introductory styles. Riesling comes in every level of sweetness imaginable, from bone dry to lusciously sweet, but most beginners will want to start with an off-dry version like this best-selling classic from Dr. Loosen.;
Vibrant acidity keeps this wine from being cloying, and ripe citrus, orchard, and stone fruit flavors make it delightful to drink. The best part is that, like most rieslings, this food-friendly wine is pretty low in alcohol, so it wont cloud your judgement if youre tasting it alongside other wines.
The Best Chardonnays We Drank This Year
As one of the most widely planted grape varieties in the world, Chardonnay is a one of the rare wine grapes that is able to perform well in a variety of climates, soil types and production methods. From the flinty, restrained versions grown in cool-climate regions like Chablis in Burgundy to the richly fruited offerings from sunny, warm Australia, quality Chardonnays abound. Iterations include oaked and unoaked styles that range from some of the most expensive wines in the world to some of the most accessibly priced.
After tasting nearly 2,000 Chardonnays throughout this year, the reviewers at Wine Enthusiast have selected their best pours for our three Top Lists of the year: Top 100 Best Buys, Top 100 Cellar Selections and the Enthusiast 100.
Here are the 18 best Chardonnays we drank the year, organized by those we suggest drinking now and ones to cellar for later. Best of all? Every wine on this list just so happen to be under $100.
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Best Sweet: 2019 Banfi Rosa Regale Brachetto
Courtesy of Wine.com
Region: Italy | ABV: 7% | Tasting Notes: Raspberry, Strawberry, Red Cherry, Rose Petal;
This northern Italian sparkler is festive, fun, and irresistibly tasty. Made from a red grape called brachetto, it smells and tastes of candied fruit and fragrant flowers. Its similar in style to moscato, but with red berry fruit rather than citrus and tropical notes and is a gorgeous cranberry hue in the glass. Banfis bottling is the gold standard for this attractive, elegant style of wine, with its raspberry, cherry, and strawberry fruit and a perfume of rose. Its perfect on its own or as an accompaniment to dessert, especially when paired with rich, creamy dark chocolate treats like mousse or ganache.
Best For The Cellar: Chteau Coutet Barsac
Barsac is located in the southwestern area of Bordeaux and is known for its lusciously sweet dessert wine production. Here, sauvignon blanc and sémillon are left on the vine to be infected by noble rot , otherwise known as botrytis. This rot sucks the moisture out of the grapes, which in turn, concentrates the fruit and leads to rich, sticky-sweet dessert wines. Coutet is one of the most renowned producers within the appellation. At a great value, this wine will withstand the test of time.
Enjoy it with pungent blue cheese, foie gras or French-inspired pastries for an incredible experience. “Savory and salty foods pair so nicely with sweet wines,” says Strong. “I love roasted chicken or bacon with any sweet, botrytized white wine from Bordeaux, Hungary or Austria.”
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Luis Seabra Xisto Ilimitado Branco 2018
This is new-wave Portuguese wine that perfectly represents the terroir in which it was made. This bottle demonstrates the amazing value of wines from this region, and is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. It has bright acidity and minerality on the nose. The palate is briny yet floral, making this wine endlessly drinkable. If you see this wine, buy a bottle â this is a great wine at a great price.
Rating: 95
Best French: 2017 Domaine Du Pavillon Meursault Premier Cru ‘les Charmes’
;Courtesy of Drizly.com
Sometimes you get a craving for a chardonnay that can only be satisfied by going to the source: the Burgundy region of France where the variety got its start. For a deeper dive, you could hardly do better than with the Domaine Albert Bichot whose founding dates back to 1831, but whose family lineage in the Burgundy region dates back all the way to the mid-1300s. For all we know, the Bichot family and chardonnay fruit might share some DNA; a notion that wouldnt shock you if you had a taste of this smoldering bottle, a pure Burgundy any way you drink it.
This is nutty, lemony and floral with a tender texture and sturdy structure. There are flavors of peach, apple and butter pecan. Drink it sitting down because the finish could take a while.
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