For our first Wine Find of 2013, we’re going back to the roots. Literally. Without the endless weaving and meandering that the roots of grapevines manage to make through some of the world’s most unique terroirs, the resulting wines we have to drink wouldn’t be so magical. Our new banners for this year’s emails feature pictures we’ve taken on our journeys to vineyards near and far. The flaking granitic soils of Priorat and the dew-laden fields of Anderson Valley make the cut for our first header. It represents for us the different geological impacts of where a grape is grown and the Wine Finds journey is all about experiencing those differences.
So let’s kick it off with 3 terroir-driven wines from divergent growing zones. Each is made by a small producer who is a steward of the land where they grow their grapes. From the steep vineyards of the Mosel to the granitic soils of Ribeira Sacra to the Alpine hills of Alto Adige, these are distinct wines whose personality is likely to grow on you. We hope you’ll give them a try.
To order wines featured in our Wine Finds email, you need to email us your request to winefinds@corkwineshop.com. We will confirm your request by the end of the business day, and if we need payment information to finalize your order, we will let you know. Prices valid for email orders only. For more details about our email-only deals, please see the FAQ section on our website.
cork club $15.50/bottle or $180/case . nonclub $18/bottle, $194.40/case
The Selbach-Oster winery is located in thesmall village of Zeltingen, so the translation of the vineyard name here is the Blue Slate of Zeltingen. Johannes Selbach runs his family’s winery, which was started in the late1600′s. This particular wine is a dry, or trocken, riesling made from estate vineyards where those roots serpentine through fissures in the rock sometimes
Leading Between the Vines Trailer
hundreds of feet below the surface. I just finished watching the wonderful new Terry Thiese movie which takes a journey to Germany with Terry, perhaps the most well recognized US importer of small producers from Germany, Austria and Champagne. The film traverses many steep terrains and is an in-depth visual study of terroir. I encourage you to watch the entire film – you can click on the sneak preview on the right to see a trailer for the film.
This bottling of Riesling is everything you hope for from Germany’s main white grape. It shows of hints of apricot with zesty lemon-lime and a bone dry finish which is quite steely. With everything from seafood to spicy cuisine, it’s a delight to clean off your palate between each bite with a wine so refreshing. It’s also an excellent value, due in part to the fact our Portland guru of German wine finds, Ewald Moseler, imports it here directly from Selbach. Try some today and kick off 2013 rediscovering terroir. Limit 1 case per customer.
THE GRANITE OF GALICIA
2011 D. VENTURA Ribeira Sacra Viña do Burato
cork club $15.50/bottle or $180/case . nonclub $18/bottle, $194.40/case
In the far Northwest corner of Spain there is a region carved out by the ebbing and flowing of the Duero river as it makes its way out to the Atlantic. The steep hills and valleys in this area are predominantly shaped from granite and the thick trunks of the vines literally appear to be growing out of solid rock. It’s clear to me after tasting wines from D. Ventura over the past 5 years that the imprint of mineral from those unique soils is an obvious and unique component of the wines.
This red is made from the Mencia grape, a feminine and delicate varietal that many feel give the Ribeira Sacra zone the potential for nuance like the great Pinot Noir vineyards in Burgundy have proven. The Viña do Burato bottling for the 2011 vintage sees the addition of a new vineyard site the owner purchased from his neighbor comprised of 65 year old vines. The result is a bit more fleshed out this vintage, with dark berry notes, a bit of iron, yet fruit forward and still restrained and incredibly balanced. I found it delightful and at 12.5% alcohol, a great mid-week choice that won’t overwhelm your palate. Viva la España! Limit 1 case per customer.
THE HILLS ARE ALIVE . . .
2010 ABBAZIA DI NOVACELLA Lagrein
cork club $19.50/bottle or $228/case . nonclub $22.50/btl or $243/case
We end our mini terroir tour in the Dolomite mountains perched atop Italy’s Alto Adige zone, so close to the Austrian border that the language found on every road sign and village shop is both German and Italian. That mixed heritage must account for the motivation of the monks at this working Abbey deciding to farm the steep, rocky slopes adjacent to their rectory. Today, it is still the work of the monks that produce the great wines of Novacella. And while the wines from this estate have long topped my list of favorite Italian whites, with the 2010 Lagrein, for me we have the first stunning red wine produced here in some time. The color is intense this vintage and practically black, while the body reveals dense textured notes that you can really sink your teeth into. It throws off wild huckleberry jam mixed with minerality and tannin. Somehow it communicates extreme Alpine and Italian all in one gulp. A worthy partner for winter stews, goulash and those rich and creamy dishes based on butter and cheese which are common in the region. Supplies on this one are small so order up quickly.
TO ORDER, please use our easy order form or send us an email at winefinds@corkwineshop.com. We will confirm your request and process all paid orders for pickup later this week.
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This bottling of Riesling is everything you hope for from Germany’s main white grape. It shows of hints of apricot with zesty lemon-lime and a bone dry finish which is quite steely. With everything from seafood to spicy cuisine, it’s a delight to clean off your palate between each bite with a wine so refreshing. It’s also an excellent value, due in part to the fact our Portland guru of German wine finds, Ewald Moseler, imports it here directly from Selbach. Try some today and kick off 2013 rediscovering terroir. Limit 1 case per customer.
In the far Northwest corner of Spain there is a region carved out by the ebbing and flowing of the Duero river as it makes its way out to the Atlantic. The steep hills and valleys in this area are predominantly shaped from granite and the thick trunks of the vines literally appear to be growing out of solid rock. It’s clear to me after tasting wines from D. Ventura over the past 5 years that the imprint of mineral from those unique soils is an obvious and unique component of the wines.
This red is made from the Mencia grape, a feminine and delicate varietal that many feel give the Ribeira Sacra zone the potential for nuance like the great Pinot Noir vineyards in Burgundy have proven. The Viña do Burato bottling for the 2011 vintage sees the addition of a new vineyard site the owner purchased from his neighbor comprised of 65 year old vines. The result is a bit more fleshed out this vintage, with dark berry notes, a bit of iron, yet fruit forward and still restrained and incredibly balanced. I found it delightful and at 12.5% alcohol, a great mid-week choice that won’t overwhelm your palate. Viva la España! Limit 1 case per customer.
We end our mini terroir tour in the Dolomite mountains perched atop Italy’s Alto Adige zone, so close to the Austrian border that the language found on every road sign and village shop is both German and Italian. That mixed heritage must account for the motivation of the monks at this working Abbey deciding to farm the steep, rocky slopes adjacent to their rectory. Today, it is still the work of the monks that produce the great wines of Novacella. And while the wines from this estate have long topped my list of favorite Italian whites, with the 2010 Lagrein, for me we have the first stunning red wine produced here in some time. The color is intense this vintage and practically black, while the body reveals dense textured notes that you can really sink your teeth into. It throws off wild huckleberry jam mixed with minerality and tannin. Somehow it communicates extreme Alpine and Italian all in one gulp. A worthy partner for winter stews, goulash and those rich and creamy dishes based on butter and cheese which are common in the region. Supplies on this one are small so order up quickly.