EUROPE
1. Italy: Zardetto Brut Prosecco, Veneto, Italy
Add this sparkler to your next gathering and it will be the life of the party! Fresh citrus flavours dance on your tongue when sipping this bubbly. Break out the shrimp cocktail, sushi or charcuterie ó this will be the perfect companion. There is an old legend that Zardetto considers important to understanding Prosecco. In the legend, a gnome from the Venetian Alps went in search of a potion to ensure happiness. Along the way he fell into a vat of Prosecco and became jubilant. From then on Prosecco was considered the drink of joy. Pour a glass and try it for yourself!
ï Retails for about £9
www.zardettoprosecco.com
2. France: Nicolas Feuillatte Brut NV, Champagne, France
Once a legend on the New York party scene, in 1978, Nicolas Feuillatte inherited a vineyard in Champagne and began creating sparklers for friends like Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. An emphasis on red grapes in the blend creates this Champagne with flavours of apple and pear. Enjoy this as an aperitif or with fresh shucked oysters and that special someone.
ï Retails for about £17
www.feuillatte.com
3. Austria: Anton Bauer Gruner, Veltliner, Lower Austria
(pronounced GROO-ner VELT-leen-er)
An indigenous white grape from Austria, Gr¸ner Veltliner, is my personal secret weapon and a sommelier favourite. Bright flavours of citrus fruits, granny smith apples with hints of white pepper, are balanced by crisp acidity. These qualities make Gr¸ner Veltliner a great match for a variety of dishes including homemade fried chicken. In Europe they shorten the name of this grape and simply order a glass of Gr¸V (pronounced groovy) making it fun to order too!
ï Retails for about £10
www.antonbauer.at/en/start.asp?id=83
4. Spain: Pazo de Senorans Albarino, Rias-Baixas, Spain
AlbariÒo is a white wine produced in northwestern Spain on the Atlantic Coast. The region is almost entirely dedicated to fishing and winemaking. Not surprisingly this wine is perfect with anything seafood as well as Paella and vegetarian dishes. It is a medium bodied white with flavours of apricots, peaches and citrus. Marisol Bueno is not only the founder of Pazo de Senorans, but she also helped Rias-Baixas achieve recognition as one of the top wine regions in Spain.
ï Retails for about £12
www.pazodesenorans.com/eng
5. Italy: Abbazia di Novacella Gewurztraminer, Alto Adige, Italy
For something truly memorable, try this Gew¸rztraminer from an abbey in Alto Adige surrounded by vineyards. Established in 1142, it is one of the oldest wineries in the world! The high altitude and rocky soil make for a perfect growing region for Gew¸rztraminer. This intense white is fuller bodied with exotic fruit flavours and a touch of spiciness on the finish ó great paired with something as simple as Thai or Chinese takeout as well as a special holiday meal of Turkey with all the fixings!
ï Retails for about £20
www.kloster-neustift.it
THE AMERICAS 1. US: Washington State, Kung-Fu Girl Riesling (pronounced REEZ-ling) If you think Riesling is a dessert wine you haven't been paying attention! Food friendly dry Rieslings are not just found in Germany. These days California, Australia and Washington State also make stellar examples as well. The Kung Fu Girl Riesling is made by rock star winemaker Charles Smith with food friendly balance of fruit and acidity that pairs well with a variety of food including one of my favourites ó oysters. The fruitiness of this Riesling contrasts the briny salty oysters. www.charlessmithwines.com 2. Argentina: Susana Balbo "Crios"Torrontes (pronounced tor-ron-TEZ) Torrontes is an aromatic white grape with a perfumed nose and aromas of peach, nectarine as well as citrus fruits. Bright, flamboyant and affordable, this native white grape of Argentina is great alternative to Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio. Made by Susana Balbo, the most famous woman winemaker in Argentina, this Torrontes pairs nicely with Asian food, Mexican, chicken and all kinds of fish. Crios means `offspring' in Spanish and Susana cares for her wines in the same way she does for her kids…there is love in every sip! www.dominiodelplata.com 3. US: Yorkville Cellars Semillon, Mendocino, CA This white wine is made from organically grown grapes from Mendocino County and is based on the same blend used for white Bordeaux. With 75 percent Semillon and 25 percent Sauvignon Blanc this white has the best of both worlds ó the body and richness of Semillon with the crisp acidity of a Sauvignon Blanc. Intense flavours of citrus, pear and almonds are offset by a hint of grassiness. The most awarded organic winery in California should be tops on your list of green producers. ï Retails for about £12 www.yorkvillecellars.com 5. US: Lange Pinot Blanc, Yamhill, Carlton, Oregon Pinot Blanc is said to be a white relative of Pinot Noir. Once widely grown in Burgundy, this grape is known as one of the best bargains in the wine world. This Pinot Blanc from Oregon is a light-bodied, refreshing wine that goes well with seafood and light fare. You may get a tingle on your tongue from this wine as a result of its high acidity. Acidity makes this a food friendly wine not only can it stand up to other acids but cut also offset fats as well. Pinot Blanc is sometimes called a `poor man's Chardonnay' but I think this wine is great regardless of your budget! Want to try more Pinot Blanc? Look for Pierre Sparr Pinot Blanc from Alsace; it is not only tasty, but also reasonably priced. www.langewinery.com 6. US: Hogue Geneis Riesling, Columbia Valley, Washington Riesling is the noble grape of Germany, but it is also grown with much success in the US (both in the Pacific Northwest and upstate New York). Known for its abundance of fruit flavours, balanced by lively acidity, the Riesling grape is one of the most food-friendly white wines. Eastern Washington has warm days and cool nights perfect for growing Rieslings. Hogue's Riesling is a medium-bodied white with flavours of apricot, tangerine, and sweet lemon. There is a touch of sweetness on this Riesling, making it a great pairing for foods rich with spices ó think Thai, Asian or Indian. Too many people think that Riesling is always sweet when in fact most are made dry or off-dry making them perfect pairings for dinner not dessert! www.hoguecellars.com
AUSTRALIA 1. Brokenwood "ILR" Semillon 2003, The Hunter Valley Produces one of the most unique styles of Semillon in the world, and Brokenwood's "ILR" Semillon is a prime example. On the bone dry palate, citrus flavours meld with a zesty mineral edge, taking on a richness and depth. With notes of line, fresh herb, and vanilla, this unique wine is a stunning example of regional expression. www.brokenwood.com.au 2. Shaw and Smith Sauvignon Blanc 2009 James Gosper, Director North America, Wine Australia, says, "Adelaide Hills produces a very pure Sauvignon Blanc with tropical flavours powering out of citrus freshness." Shaw and Smith's Sauvignon Blanc, crafted from grapes grown in Adelaide Hills, possesses aromas of restrained sauvignon grassiness with riper fruit characteristics. The palate is lively and fresh with pure fruit varietal flavours and crisp acidity. www.shawandsmith.com 3. Leeuwin Estate Chardonnay 2005 The Margaret River in Western Australia, has a dramatic maritime influence, meeting currents produce a constant and daily cool ocean breeze. This influence keeps daytime temperatures very mild and allows a long slow ripening period. Coupled with very cool evenings, this climate produces very distinct and powerful fruit intensity. Leeuwin Estate Chardonnay is no exception - its intensely lifted aromas of ripe yellow pear skins, citrus blossom, nectarine & ripe peach are accompanied by hints of fig & cashes from barrel maturation. www.leeuwinestate.com.au 4. De Bortoli Estate Grown Chardonnay 2007 This Yarra Valley Chardonnay, brings with it smooth citrus notes with flinty, nutty aromas on the nose. Long mineral and fruit showing complexity provide just the right balance on the palate. The Yarra Valley, at the foothills of Victoria's "Snowy Mountains", in the south-eastern corner of Australia is very cool region, producing wines with a very fine "spine" of acidity and delicate lime flavours. www.debortoli.com.au 5. Cape Mentelle Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2008 This blend from the Margaret River region packs a lively lemon & lime zest with crunchy sugar-snap pea and wheat grass at first. This gives way to a generous texture and fruit weight balanced by long, even citrus acidity. www.capementelle.com.au Wine Australia www.wineaustralia.com/uk
ABOUT LAURIE FORSTER Laurie Forster, The Wine Coach® is a wine educator and author of the award winning book The Sipping Point: A Crash Course in Wine. Forster's speciality is creating unique corporate keynotes, team building events and group tasting seminars. For more information visit: www.thewinecoach.com
THE AMERICAS 1. US: Washington State, Kung-Fu Girl Riesling (pronounced REEZ-ling) If you think Riesling is a dessert wine you haven't been paying attention! Food friendly dry Rieslings are not just found in Germany. These days California, Australia and Washington State also make stellar examples as well. The Kung Fu Girl Riesling is made by rock star winemaker Charles Smith with food friendly balance of fruit and acidity that pairs well with a variety of food including one of my favourites ó oysters. The fruitiness of this Riesling contrasts the briny salty oysters. www.charlessmithwines.com 2. Argentina: Susana Balbo "Crios"Torrontes (pronounced tor-ron-TEZ) Torrontes is an aromatic white grape with a perfumed nose and aromas of peach, nectarine as well as citrus fruits. Bright, flamboyant and affordable, this native white grape of Argentina is great alternative to Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio. Made by Susana Balbo, the most famous woman winemaker in Argentina, this Torrontes pairs nicely with Asian food, Mexican, chicken and all kinds of fish. Crios means `offspring' in Spanish and Susana cares for her wines in the same way she does for her kids…there is love in every sip! www.dominiodelplata.com 3. US: Yorkville Cellars Semillon, Mendocino, CA This white wine is made from organically grown grapes from Mendocino County and is based on the same blend used for white Bordeaux. With 75 percent Semillon and 25 percent Sauvignon Blanc this white has the best of both worlds ó the body and richness of Semillon with the crisp acidity of a Sauvignon Blanc. Intense flavours of citrus, pear and almonds are offset by a hint of grassiness. The most awarded organic winery in California should be tops on your list of green producers. ï Retails for about £12 www.yorkvillecellars.com 5. US: Lange Pinot Blanc, Yamhill, Carlton, Oregon Pinot Blanc is said to be a white relative of Pinot Noir. Once widely grown in Burgundy, this grape is known as one of the best bargains in the wine world. This Pinot Blanc from Oregon is a light-bodied, refreshing wine that goes well with seafood and light fare. You may get a tingle on your tongue from this wine as a result of its high acidity. Acidity makes this a food friendly wine not only can it stand up to other acids but cut also offset fats as well. Pinot Blanc is sometimes called a `poor man's Chardonnay' but I think this wine is great regardless of your budget! Want to try more Pinot Blanc? Look for Pierre Sparr Pinot Blanc from Alsace; it is not only tasty, but also reasonably priced. www.langewinery.com 6. US: Hogue Geneis Riesling, Columbia Valley, Washington Riesling is the noble grape of Germany, but it is also grown with much success in the US (both in the Pacific Northwest and upstate New York). Known for its abundance of fruit flavours, balanced by lively acidity, the Riesling grape is one of the most food-friendly white wines. Eastern Washington has warm days and cool nights perfect for growing Rieslings. Hogue's Riesling is a medium-bodied white with flavours of apricot, tangerine, and sweet lemon. There is a touch of sweetness on this Riesling, making it a great pairing for foods rich with spices ó think Thai, Asian or Indian. Too many people think that Riesling is always sweet when in fact most are made dry or off-dry making them perfect pairings for dinner not dessert! www.hoguecellars.com
AUSTRALIA 1. Brokenwood "ILR" Semillon 2003, The Hunter Valley Produces one of the most unique styles of Semillon in the world, and Brokenwood's "ILR" Semillon is a prime example. On the bone dry palate, citrus flavours meld with a zesty mineral edge, taking on a richness and depth. With notes of line, fresh herb, and vanilla, this unique wine is a stunning example of regional expression. www.brokenwood.com.au 2. Shaw and Smith Sauvignon Blanc 2009 James Gosper, Director North America, Wine Australia, says, "Adelaide Hills produces a very pure Sauvignon Blanc with tropical flavours powering out of citrus freshness." Shaw and Smith's Sauvignon Blanc, crafted from grapes grown in Adelaide Hills, possesses aromas of restrained sauvignon grassiness with riper fruit characteristics. The palate is lively and fresh with pure fruit varietal flavours and crisp acidity. www.shawandsmith.com 3. Leeuwin Estate Chardonnay 2005 The Margaret River in Western Australia, has a dramatic maritime influence, meeting currents produce a constant and daily cool ocean breeze. This influence keeps daytime temperatures very mild and allows a long slow ripening period. Coupled with very cool evenings, this climate produces very distinct and powerful fruit intensity. Leeuwin Estate Chardonnay is no exception - its intensely lifted aromas of ripe yellow pear skins, citrus blossom, nectarine & ripe peach are accompanied by hints of fig & cashes from barrel maturation. www.leeuwinestate.com.au 4. De Bortoli Estate Grown Chardonnay 2007 This Yarra Valley Chardonnay, brings with it smooth citrus notes with flinty, nutty aromas on the nose. Long mineral and fruit showing complexity provide just the right balance on the palate. The Yarra Valley, at the foothills of Victoria's "Snowy Mountains", in the south-eastern corner of Australia is very cool region, producing wines with a very fine "spine" of acidity and delicate lime flavours. www.debortoli.com.au 5. Cape Mentelle Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2008 This blend from the Margaret River region packs a lively lemon & lime zest with crunchy sugar-snap pea and wheat grass at first. This gives way to a generous texture and fruit weight balanced by long, even citrus acidity. www.capementelle.com.au Wine Australia www.wineaustralia.com/uk
ABOUT LAURIE FORSTER Laurie Forster, The Wine Coach® is a wine educator and author of the award winning book The Sipping Point: A Crash Course in Wine. Forster's speciality is creating unique corporate keynotes, team building events and group tasting seminars. For more information visit: www.thewinecoach.com
