White Wine Franz Haas Lepus Pinot Bianco 2020. Set in the picturesque village of Montagna in South Tyrol, the Haas family estate was founded in 1880 and is now in the capable hands of 7th generation winemaker Franz Haas. Since taking over the running of the family business Franz has become one of the region’s most passionate and visionary winemakers. As well as insisting on bottling all of his wines under screwcap to preserve their freshness and aromatic complexity, he also teamed up with the late Italian artist Riccardo Schweizer whose designs adorn Franz’s eyecatching labels. Lepus takes its name from the Latin word for ‘hare’ which features on the Haas family crest. This crisp and elegant white is crafted from the indigenous Pinot Bianco grape which thrives on the hillside vineyards around Montagna which are set at 400-700 metres above sea level. Thanks to the hot summers and cooling breezes from the mountains, these conditions are ideal for producing spicy and aromatic white wines. The nose opens with delicate hints of ripe green apple, almond blossom, toasted almonds and lemon zest. On the palate there is a mouthwatering freshness, well-rounded texture, light body and bright citrus and pear notes which linger on the finish. A great wine to pair with creamy cheeses, sushi, summer salads and fish dishes.
2020
White Wine Franz Haas Lepus Pinot Bianco 2020
White Wine Chateau Ste Michelle Indian Wells Chardonnay 2020. No need to decant. While Chateau Ste Michelle was started as a small wine producer in the post-prohibition era of 1912, it has grown to become of the most dominant wine houses in America. The 2015 growing season boasted warm weather that created optimal ripening for most varietals and yielded outstanding quality grapes. The warm days of the region help the grapes bring out their tropical and sweet citrus characteristics while the cool nights ensure proper structure and flavor intensity. The Indian Wells Chardonnay is made with a New World tropical quality in mind. On the nose, pineapple, passionfruit and guava come out of the glass. These fruit notes continue when tasting as well, but on the palate is when you get the creamy butterscotch note. The creamy, rich, buttery texture leads the winemaker to refer to this wine as his Pineapple Upside Down Cake Wine”. For amazing food pairings, look to try this wine with pasta or scampi with rich white sauces. The rich texture of the wine holds up nicely, but the bright acidity helps to cleanse the palate. The light but rich texture of scallops also works well with the wine. Dishes with lemon zest, tarragon and/or thyme are also a fantastic fit.
2020
White Wine Belondrade Y Lurton 2020. The northern Spanish region of Rueda is known for its crisp, fresh white wines made from the local Verdejo grape, but this example from renowned producers Belondrade Y Lurton is fermented in oak to add extra complexity and intensity of flavour. Widely regarded as one of the finest Verdejos being made in Rueda today, the wine is crafted with grapes from 22 organically-farmed plots which are each harvested by hand and vinified separately. Following fermentation each batch is aged on the lees in French oak barrels for 10 months before the winemaking team decides the exact composition of the finished wine. The wine is then bottled and spends an additional 5 months ageing in the bottle before it is ready for release. The result is a striking white wine which opens with distinctive notes of toast, dried hay, and white peaches. The first sip reveals a crisp acidity balanced by a full body and rich stone fruit flavours which linger long on the tongue. While superb to drink now alongside creamy chicken or fish dishes and various types of cheese, this wine will continue to improve if carefully cellared over the next 6 to 8 years.
2020