Various Less Common Whites

Bet Shalom Wine Tasting Club, Saturday, August 18, 2021

Tasting Notes, Various Less Common White Wines

Grüner Veltliner Lagler 2019 Ried Burgberg Federspiel (Wine Folly: Grűner Veltliner is Austria's most important wine, produced in a myriad of styles, the most popular of which are lean, herbaceous and peppery wines with mouth-watering acidity. Versatile, an ideal palate cleanser. )

Wine Enthusiast: Lime peel, ripe pear and crushed arugula notes make for a most inviting, spicy, fresh nose. The body comes in with slender juiciness that adds notions of ripe Mirabelle plum to the mix. This is utterly user-friendly and refreshing, with a spicy, peppery, zesty glint on the finish.

Viognier Chateau du Trignon – Gigondas (Cotes du Rhone) 2018 (Wine Folly: Viogniuer is a rich, oily white wine that originated in the Northern Rhone and is rapidly growing in popularity in CA and Australia, often aged in oak.)

Lovely nose of anise, white peach, apricot and yellow apple. The flavors glide along with a fennel hint adding freshness and balance to the finish. While many Viognier can be rather heavy, this wine displays a lightness that makes it quite refreshing.

Riesling Domaines Schlumberger (Alsace, France) Grand Cru Saering 2017 (Wine Folly on Riesling: An aromatic white variety that can produce white wines ranging in style from bone-dry to very sweet. Germany is the world's most important producer of Riesling.” “Alsace is next to Germany and also specializes in Riesling...lean, minerally and quite dry!”

The robe is lemon yellow with light green reflections of good intensity. The disk is bright, limpid and transparent. The wine shows youth. The nose is marked, pleasant and of good intensity. We perceive a dominant of citrus fruits, (mandarin zest, lemon, crystallized orange), white flowers and a light ferruginous, bloody touch. The airing enhances these scents and reveals smoky, flinty notes and spices (ginger). The nose is open and has already a mineral hint. The perfect ripeness of the grapes expresses a splendid terroir profile. The onset in the mouth is fleshy and the alcoholic base full-bodied. The wine evolves on a rigorous medium, marked by a delicate salinity and a sparkling note. Aromas are more austere, first dominated by mineral (flint, naphtha) then by citrus fruits (yuzu zest, lime), white flowers and spices (ginger). There is a significant mineral bitterness. The finish has a good length, 8-9 caudalies, a strict vivacity and a persistent bitterness. That balance is remarkable! Despite the exposure to sunlight, the Riesling extraordinarily emphasizes the soil. With its noble bitterness, this wine is made for decades.

Chenin Blanc Gaming and McDuck 2016 (Wine Folly on Chenin Blanc: Diversity of styles from lean dry whites and aromatic sparklers to sweet golden nectars and rich, balanced acidity.) Most are grown in South Africa and France.  “you cannot fail pairing Chenin Blanc with Thai or Vietnamese cuisine.” Quince, yellow apple, pear, chamomile, honey flavors.)

There are lemon, peach, and pear flavors that showcase a decent amount of acidity. - Joe Campbell

Zarate, Albariño Rias Baixas 2019 (Wine Folly on Albariño: One of the most delightfully refreshing whites from the Iberian Peninsula. It's found in cooler areas, close to the sea, which is how it gains its salty flavors. Pairs exceptionally well with fin fish and light meats matched with leafy herbs. Lemon zest, grapefruit, honeydew, nectarine, saline. Acidic. Grown in Spain and Portugal.

92 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
"The eponymous 2019 Zárate is their entry-level Albariño, a vintage with structure and acidity, still very young, a powerful vintage with more of everything and probably a long-distance runner. It's varietal and clean, characterful, powerful and with a long, tasty finish, vibrant and almost salty.