Alsace is a historically disputed area of France that combines cuisines and wines from Germany and France for a unique tasting experience. When I visited Colmar the lively nightlife was fueled by copious amounts of food and wine in a convivial atmosphere, populated by friendly people who found it easy to laugh, despite the legacy of warfare and changing loyalties.
Domaine Pierre Sparr has been making wine since the 18th century. The estate vineyards were totally wiped out during WWII and rebuilt by Pierre Sparr, and now the next generation is following in his footsteps. The Pierre Sparr 2008 Pinot Gris exhibits a forward perfume with white plum and musk melon. In the glass it’s medium gold with greenish flecks. Layered fruit with underlying chalkiness combine for lush weight in the mouth. It finishes with medium length and plenty of fruit. $16.79/750ml.
It’s easy to get bored with wines from California. Cutesy labels, sophomoric puns, unusually bad label art, misleading place names, and, worst of all, uninspired winemaking. But we can forgive one or two of the above if the last shows a spark of life. Such is the Lodi Zinfandel bottled by Wine Trees. The 2010 Zinsane Lodi Zinfandel is lively purple and opaque in the glass. The nose is pregnant with blackberry perfume and prickly brambles. The initial attack of berry is layered with notes of bitter chocolate and moderate tannins that pave the way for a nice finish with plenty of ripe fruit. $10.99/750ml.?
2009 was a great year in Burgundy. Many folks don’t realize that the region also includes Beaujolais. Domaine Lucian Lardy has been producing wine for three generations, now employing the “lutte raisonne” method of vineyard management, emphasizing minimal intervention and respect for the environment. The vineyards are located in Fleury, one of the Grand Cru villages. Vines are planted on very thin soil that overlays granite bedrock, giving the vines very little to work on. The 2009 Lucien Lardy Beaujolais-Villages is dark purple with an opaque middle. The nose shows very energetic cherry aromas. Cherry fruit wraps around a beam of focused acidity and notes of juicy raison with a very long finish. $10.99/750ml.?
Vino Nobili di Montepulciano has suffered recently from high pricing and monochromatic wines with little character. It’s refreshing to see one that exhibits the dusty, dried cherry, hints of salt and chewy dates, and sweet saddle leather characteristic of the varietal, and at an affordable price. Podere san Giovanni 2005 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano fills the order nicely. Incredibly, the wine improves after opening for several days, taking on added nuances of bitter cacao, anisette, and smoke. Made from 90% Prugnolo Gentile, 5% Cannaiolo, and 5% Mammolo. Don’t miss out on this one: $14.99/750ml. It gets you the REAL taste of Tuscany, without flying there.?
Spain is of course never far from my thoughts, and a full flavored, hard chunk of Manchego cheese from our specialty cheese department, some black and green olives (with pits, of course) and almonds, with a glass of Cesar Florido Moscatel Especial, brings up Hemingway-esque fantasies of dusty arenas, Pedro Almodóvar’s nervous women, Luis Buñuel’s Un Chien Andalou, or the plays of Garcia Lorca-yeow, I could go on and on…$10.79/375ml.
Our tasting schedule this week:
Friday, Feb. 3rd, Oakshire Brewery, 5pm-7pm.
Saturday, Feb. 4th, Fattoria di Félsina, Chianti Classico 2009, I Sistri 2008 Chardonnay, Vin Santo di Chianti Classico 2000, 4pm-6pm.
15% discount on wine cases of 12/750ml, and 10% on mixed cases.
For phone orders call 541-338-8455, 541-510-1616, or online at jimc@marketofchoice.com.
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