Carménère found new life in Chile, where as of 2004 nearly 15,000 acres are covered in vines. Originally from the Médoc region in Bodeaux, and widely planted in Graves until the vines were struck with oidium. It was used to produce deep, red wines and occasionally used for blending. Today, finding Carménère vines in France is nearly impossible. Many of the vines were wiped out by the phylloxera plague in the late 1800s, and thought to be extinct for some time. When the vines were replanted in France, they were difficult to find and more difficult to grow compared to other common varieties.

 

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We spent Saturday afternoon enjoying one of our favorite pastimes – tasting wine. The Corkscrew provided a stellar lineup of wines presented by H2Vino from Chicago. This was one of my favorite tastings from the past year. Here were a few of my favorites:

 

Bellanotte Armonico (Italy)

Bellanotte Armonico is a 50-50 blend of Tocai and Malvasia grapes from the region of Friuli. It offers aromas of citrus fruits, apples, peaches and pineapples. On the palate the wine presents good acidity and displays many of the same flavors from the nose.

 

St. Gregory Pinot Noir (Mendocino County)

I’m hit and miss with Pinot Noir. This one was a huge hit! It displays dark purple colors with rich aromas of black cherries, cola and earth. It’s on the palate where this wine stands out above the rest. Flavors of cola and pepper give this wine a little punch, but ripe tannins and soft acidity add finesse to the Pinot Noir.

 

Chono (Chile)

I picked this wine up while Jonathan was out of town, and made a note we needed to purchase again. Surprise, surprise, it was part of the lineup at the Saturday tasting. This wine is a Carménère, a variety I’ve tasted more of recently. The nose showcases dusty, earthy smells, and the palate is treated to flavors of bell pepper and spice.

Winery: Viña Palo Alto

Wine: Reserva 2007

Location: Maule Valley, Chile

Purchased: Friar Tuck Beverage

Price: $8.51

 

At a recent wine tasting, Jonathan and I tried Viña Palo Alto Reserva 2007. Neither of us were blown away, what do you expect for $8.00? For the price, we decided to grab a few bottles. If nothing else, it could be our second bottle one evening. Trying to decide what bottle to open one evening, I suggested opening a bottle of the Viña Palo Alto Reserva 2007. I wanted to decant the wine since it was young to see if this would make a difference.

 

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Every Friday, our local wine store hosts “Friday at Five.” It’s their version of happy hour. They provide several wines by the glass for $5 and a special $10 premium pour. Jonathan and I had never been to a Friday at Five, we usually go to the tastings on Saturday. However, this week’s e-mail stated they would have an ultra premium pour. Wine Spectator’s 2008 wine of the year, Casa Lapostolle Clos Apalta 2005, by the glass for $15. I was sold – I had to taste!

 

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As wine drinkers we all have our favorites, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay or Merlot. Looking outside our normal delights opens an entire new wine world to us. Here are a few out of the ordinary grape varieties to consider.

 

Whites

Albariño: This grape is grown in the northeastern province of Galicia, Spain and northern Portugal. There it is spelled alvarinho. It makes a delicious, light, lemony, and often slightly spritzy wine.

 

Grüener Veltliner: An Austrian grape that packs a punch! It carries spicy and musky flavors, with a peppery finish.

 

Macabeo: This grape hails from Northern Spain and is also known as viura. It’s one of the three grapes used in making Spanish cava or sparkling wine. It’s the primary white grape of Rioja.

 

Cortese: A grape that is grown in Northwestern Italy, it makes a medium-bodied wine called Gavi. Traditionally, it’s been the most prized wine of the Piedmont region.

 

Roussanne: A French Rhone variety, often blended with Marsanne, considered elegant and floral. Both Roussanne and Marsanne grapes produce dry white wines.

 

Reds

Carmenère: Once grown in Bordeaux, now this grape finds a home in Chile. Often, Chilean wines labeled as Merlot are made in part from carmenère.

 

Monastrell: A widely planted Spanish grape often used to make rosés and red wines. This is the Spanish name for what the French call mourvèdre.

 

Nero d’ Avola: This grape is also called calabrese. It creates full-bodied and complex wines from Sicily.

 

Petit Verdot: Commonly known as a Bordeaux blending grape, it adds spice, depth and color to wines.

 

Pinotage: A South African cross between pinot noir and cinsaut.