White Wine Lagvinari Tsolikouri 2019. With a winemaking history that stretches back some 8,000 years, the country of Georgia is regarded as a hidden secret amongst wine enthusiasts for its excellent natural wines. Eko Glonti previously worked as a medical doctor and then a geologist before discovering a passion for winemaking at the age of 49. He founded Lagvinari winery in Georgia’s premier winemaking region, making his first vintage in 2011 in collaboration with famed natural wine writer Isabelle Legeron. Tsolikouri is an indigenous Georgian grape variety that is still little-known outside of the country. This characterful orange wine is created by fermenting and ageing the wine in large clay pots or qvevri with plenty of skin contact. This method gives the wine a striking deep amber hue as well as plenty of tannins from the skins of the grapes and a wonderfully complex flavour profile. In the glass you’ll immediately notice enticing hints of sweet caramel, persimmon, apple, and zingy clementine. On the palate there’s a generous medium body, refined tannins, and a solid core of ripe orchard fruit along with hints of toasted nuts, spice, and cedar and on the long finish.
2019
White Wine Lagvinari Tsolikouri 2019
White Wine Lakeview Cellars Vidal Icewine 2019. Lakeview Cellars was founded by Eddy Gurinskas and his wife Lorraine in 1991 who produced an impressive 2,300 cases in their first year. Today the estate specialises in producing full-bodied reds and delicate, aromatic whites. In recent years the cool Niagara climate has also helped put the region on the map for icewine since the plunging temperatures help to freeze the grapes and concentrate the sugars. This voluptuous icewine is made from the hybrid Vidal grape variety that’s primarily grown in Niagara and the northeastern US thanks to its ability to withstand cold conditions. It’s a great choice to make icewine since it’s able to produce plenty of sugar and acidity which in turn helps to make perfectly-balanced sweet wines. This classic example is bursting with aromatic notes of apricot, mango, pineapple and honey, while the first sip reveals a lusciously sweet flavour profile with ample ripe tropical fruit flavours and a long finish with a bright streak of acidity to balance the sugar. It’s a great wine to serve instead of dessert or alongside poached pears, fruit cheesecakes, or even blue cheese. It can also be cellared for a few more years if desired to add extra complexity and polish.
2019
White Wine Les Vins de Vienne Saint-Peray 2019. No need to decant. Yves Cuilleron, Pierre Gaillard and François Villard are the three winegrowers behind Les Vins de Vienne winery. Considered among the pioneers of the Northern Rhône revival, they have managed to merge their sensibilities and their different approaches to vines and wine, into a high-performance wine team. The collective commitment to the quality of the winery comes naturally from each individual experience. The harvest of this delicious Saint-Peray is manual. Fermentation takes place in low-temperature barrels and vats with exclusively indigenous yeasts. The refinement takes place for 9 months on the lees, in French oak barrels. The result is a dry, refined and expressive white wine designed to be drunk immediately, but with such a complex bouquet and such a pleasant balance that it is difficult to find. In the glass, Les Vins de Vienne Saint-Peray shows a golden yellow color. The Marsanne and Roussanne blend gives a pleasant floral bouquet made even more inviting by the hints of citrus and yellow pulp fruit. On the palate, it is fruity, rich and generous with a nice freshness. Perfect with grilled trout, chickpea soup, or simply served well chilled as an aperitif.
2019