15 Interesting Wine-Related Discoveries For June 2021
Summer 2021 is almost underway with the the warmer months of 2021 now in effect. While 2021 has already proven to be another difficult year for many, it has produced plenty of interesting new wines and wine-industry developments. In turn, below are 15 product recommendations and/or interesting vineyard-related news items that are keeping things interesting for wine enthusiasts.
Bonterra Organic Vineyards’ Young Red
A step in the lighter direction than the Cabernets and Merlots of winter, Bonterra Organic Vineyards’ Young Red is a complex, refreshing and chillable red wine fit for warmer temperatures on summer nights. A Grenache-based, ruby-hued wine with an exceptionally silky texture, its Grenache and Malbec blend brings blossoming aromas of ripe raspberry and cherry, while this year’s blend of Viognier brings complementary notes of apricot. This wine’s fruit forward notes and stainless-steel aging process ensure a fresh profile and youthful finish. The Young Red is best served with a chill to showcase its light, bright body and lively palate. Suggested retail price: $16.00.
The Prisoner Wine Company’s Latest Offerings
The Prisoner Wine Company’s name was inspired by the classic sketch Le Petit Prisonier by 19th century Spanish artist Francisco Goya. The sketch was part of Goya’s series entitled The Disasters Of War, as created to be a visual protest against the injustice and brutality of the Spanish War of Independence in 1808. When its first wine, The Prisoner, was released 2 decades ago as a complex blend of some of California’s best and most unusual grape varieties, it helped change the perception of what a red blend wine could be. Today, Prisoner’s Director of Winemaking Chrissy Wittmann and her team work with over 100 growers in northern California, bringing together exceptional fruit to produce a family of intriguing wines unrestricted by tradition.
Its 2019 The Prisoner Chardonnay is made of Chardonnay, Roussanne, and Gewürztraminer grapes, as bursting with aromas of vanilla, crème brûlée, and baked apple. The 2018 The Prisoner Cabernet Sauvignon is made in the same iconic style as Prisoner’s cult-classic Red Blend, featuring concentrated dark fruit flavors for a lush, full mouthfeel. Meanwhile, the 2019 The Prisoner Red Blend offers deep aromas of Bing cherry, clove and roasted fig, as wonderfully-pairable with a peppered ribeye. Everything I have tried so far from The Prisoner to date has been excellent.
Ayala was 1 of the 18 founding members of the “Grandes Marques de Champagne” syndicate in 1882, going through a golden age in the 1920s and 1930s. Ayala would ultimately rise to prominence as one of the most exported Maisons in Champagne, as known as the drink of choice in bohemian Paris and London. 2 picks below in time for Bastille Day 2021, you ask?
Its Champagne Ayala Brut Majeur NV — suggested retail price of $55.00 — is the epitome of a non-vintage brut from a great, historic House and is the finest ambassador for the House’s freshness and elegance. It is a blend of Pinot Noir (40 percent), Chardonnay (40 percent) and Pinot Meunier (20 percent). Pinot Noir and Chardonnay bring vinosity and delicacy together in a harmoniously balanced blend. The complement of Pinot Meunier adds a touch of fruitiness and liveliness.
Meanwhile, its Champagne Ayala Rosé Majeur — suggested retail price of $72.00 — is made predominantly from Chardonnay. It is crafted with the addition of a small proportion of still Pinot Noir from the best crus of the Montagne de Reims. A low dosage enables it to express its “House style,” both feminine and generous, with great elegance. The very high proportion of Chardonnay and the aging process result in a Champagne with remarkable finesse.
We may start at similar places, but once the evening begins, we're always spicing things up. #ApothicWine #HowitStarted pic.twitter.com/c275meaVS0
— Apothic Wine (@ApothicWine) October 19, 2020
E. Guigal Côtes du Rhône Blanc 2019 — suggested retail price of $18.00 — aims to showcase one of the great secrets of the Guigal family: its specialization in the great white Rhône varieties. While only 8 percent of the Rhône’s production is white, a full 25 percent of Guigal’s production is white and they are today the single largest producer of whites in the Rhône Valley. A fresh note marked by distinctive Viognier aromas of white flowers, apricot, acacia and white peach. The fruits featured come through on the palate, with plenty of richness and body. Overall, it makes for a well-rounded wine with simultaneous intended elegance, power and balance.
The Saint-Tropez based, family-owned estate known as Château Minuty has been one of the quality leaders for the region since its founding. Minuty then became one of the most visible producers in the second half of the 20th century, a result of quality production and commercial foresight when no one in the region could imagine the global phenomenon Provence rosé would become.
Its Minuty Prestige 2020 — suggested retail price of $30.00 — is a delicate and refreshing wine looking to whisk you away to the Côte d’Azur. Prestige comes from 2 Minuty hand-harvested estate vineyards: the original estate vineyard in Saint-Tropez and Château Verez located in the hills of Vidauban. The wine is beautifully pale with pomelo highlights. Its nose is precise and delicate with notes of flowers and melon. Within the mouth, the wine is well-balanced, with notes of citrus and red fruits.
Meanwhile, the M de Minuty 2020 — suggested retail price of $23.00 — is a quintessential Côtes de Provence rosé, a style that Château Minuty has helped define. Fresh, lively and perfectly-balanced, a glass in hand aims to transport you to the seaside and the French riviera lifestyle. This wine is light and bright in color. Its nose has very intense aromas of orange peels and red currant, while its mouthfeel is smooth with a nice freshness.
Apothic — a wine brand known for challenging conventions through its innovative blends — launched its first-ever red varietal earlier in the year, Apothic Cab. Apothic notably collaborated with American actress Sarah Michelle Gellar last year, and the end-result of that was An Evening of Intrigue: Choose Your Apothic Journey. Narrated by Sarah Michelle Gellar, that event was intended to ignite curiosity and result in discovery of the perfect Apothic wine for those who dare to take the journey.
More recently than that, for National Rosé Day this year, Apothic wanted consumers to buy Rosé and wear it too via a limited-edition, free temporary tattoo created by Los Angeles-based tattoo artist Sasha Masiuk. The limited-edition temporary tattoo features intricately designed roses to marry Apothic’s iconic “A” filigree and Sasha’s bold style. Simply visit Apothic.com/rose-tattoo.html for more information on how to receive a complimentary tattoo.
Reportedly the largest winery in the U.S. to have B-Corp status, Fetzer is also said to be first U.S. vineyard to receive a CarbonNeutral certification. In turn, consumers can feel good about enjoying Fetzer’s delicious wines, all of which at an affordable cost.
Fetzer’s 2019 Riesling bursts with crisp citrus notes in the glass with a characteristic subtle suggestion of sweetness on the palate. Its 2020 Sauvignon Blanc hails from the vineyards of Chile and delivers notes of tropical fruit with a refreshing twist. Meanwhile, its 2018 Shaly Loam Gewürztraminer is crafted in an off-dry style, bringing layered aromas of melon and peach with warm cinnamon spice alongside nuanced notes of peach cobbler and pineapple upside-down cake.
Poggio Anima is a collection of various Italian native varietals representing 4 regions in Italy, typifying the cultural heartbeat of each area. The brand name translates to “Hill of Soul,” personifying the individual vineyards cultivated for each bottle. The idea of using different ancient pagan demons and angels imagery on each bottle were developed through the Eastern ideology of Yin and Yang, which is the core value of the balance in producing each Poggio Anima wine.
From the Belial 2019 Sangiovese – Tuscany, you can expect a 100 percent Sangiovese wine sourced from a single vineyard near Siena, in the Chianti Colli Senesi zone. Aromas of iris, rosemary & lavender, bright red cherries and mint explode from the glass. The youthful, easygoing palate offers juicy cherry, white pepper and clove hints alongside pliant tannins. Meanwhile, the label’s Uriel 2019 Grillo – Sicily has aromas creeping from the glass of white peaches and white plums combined with scents of wildflowers and a hint of mango. It is well-balanced and medium-bodied with a soft palate, fresh mineral notes and tropical fruit characters and a very high-toned, fresh finish. Both wines carry a suggested retail price of $15.00.
Earlier this month, Tri-Vin Imports announced this week a new addition to its Tussock Jumper wine portfolio: an organic 2020 Delle Venezie Pinot Grigio. The grapes for the Tussock Jumper 2020 Organic Delle Venezie Pinot Grigio, Italy — carrying a suggested retail price of $13.99 — are reportedly selected from low-yielding, fully organic vineyards in the eastern part of Veneto. The vines are trained in the Sylvoz-Guyot cane pruned method, with plants an average of 15 years old. Harvest was at the end of August 2020, only in the early hours of the morning to ensure that the fruit maintained its freshness as it traveled from the vineyard to the winery. Altogether, the Tussock Jumper portfolio includes 24 wines from 11 different winemaking regions, as well as a new sake from Japan.
Originally from Morocco, Malek Amrani is a successful entrepreneur with his very own wine label (The Vice Wine), a self-taught Level 3 Sommelier, a Triathlon Certified Coach, and a 2019 TEAM USA Triathlon athlete. Amrani was so passionate about his vices that he named his business after them, proving that you can have your “Vice” and drink it too. Prior to finding success within his current roles, he had helped build several widely-successful brands including Bulleit Bourbon and Don Julio. I had the pleasure of interviewing Amrani a few years back, which can be read here.
Some notable interesting current releases from The Vice Wine include a “Napa Valley in a can” duo, the Orange of Semillon “Brooklynites” (2020), the limited-edition Sauvignon Blanc Rosé 2019 (an atypical and unintentional “blend”), and the Cabernet “Extra Añejo” from Mount Veeder (2015). Especially interesting is that Mount Veeder offering, which I have had the pleasure of trying, is aged like a fine Extra Añejo tequila.
Oh, and speaking of Mount Veeder, the Mount Veeder Winery 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon — suggested retail price of $44.00 — is a wonderfully-rich wine that perfectly-accentuates summer BBQ dishes like filet mignon or pork chops without falling flat. The unique rugged mountain conditions on Napa Valley’s Mount Veeder produce grapes with intensely-concentrated dark fruit and rich tannins. An excellent selection for wine enthusiasts who savor a bold flavor, Mount Veeder Winery’s Cabernet Sauvignon has notes of red fruit, peppercorn and olive, which fill the palate and lead to a long, lingering finish.
Gazela is an innovative brand that focuses on easy-drinking wine styles, different formats and new trends. With its light, refreshing and slightly-bubbly wine, this Portuguese brand invites those who enjoy easy-drinking and refreshing wines to include Gazela as part of their everyday life. With a presence in more than 50 countries around the world, Gazela has become a wine for everyone and for all occasions.
While many of us are prioritizing health and wellness, Gazela is aiming to prove that you do not have to sacrifice your glass of wine this summer. Gazela slim cans offer easy-drinking with just 87 calories per serving and a low ABV of 9 percent. Drink directly from the can alongside fresh salads,
seafood and other summer dishes, or simply on its own as an aperitif. Regardless of how you enjoy it, Gazela’s cans are now available at wine retailers across Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Texas, Missouri, Colorado, Washington, California and Arizona at just $2.99 per can, while Gazela’s bottled wines can be found across the U.S. at restaurants and bars.
Sonoma-Cutrer’s 40th Anniversary Chardonnay
Last month, California wine pioneer Sonoma-Cutrer — as located in the heart of the Russian River Valley — released an outstanding label via its 40th Anniversary Chardonnay, as part of its highly-anticipated annual Winemaker’s Release. Commented Chardonnay Winemaker Cara Morrison: “The 40th Anniversary Winemaker’s Release showcases Sonoma-Cutrer’s Chardonnay style of crisp acidity balanced by ripe fruit and oak complexity… It is a privilege to dedicate this beautiful wine to our visionary founding winemaker Bill Bonetti who passed away peacefully just a few months after blending, and to continue to carry on his vision.”
In selecting the fruit for this wine, the winemakers chose grapes from three closely spaced blocks of Sonoma-Cutrer’s estate vineyards, Les Pierres, The Cutrer, and Vine Hill, which allowed them to craft a varietal that is the ultimate expression of the winery’s classic style. In the cellar, Grand Cru winemaking techniques were used including minimal settling, bâttonage and sur lie aging for 10 months. The wine was fermented and aged in new and used French oak sourced only from the Orleans Forest in central France. Sonoma-Cutrer’s longtime partners the Gauthier family purchased, split, milled and seasoned the wood, and under the winery’s strict guidelines, the barrels were produced by Remond, Rousseau & TW Boswell Cooperages. Sonoma-Cutrer’s Winemaker’s Release 40th Anniversary Chardonnay — carrying an ABV of 13.9 percent — is available at a suggested retail price of $69.99 at some select retail locations as well as direct from the winery at www.sonomacutrer.com.
Stone Castle Vineyards & Winery
Stone Castle Vineyards and Winery is the leading winery in Kosovo, and it is forging a path for this Balkan wine region that elevates it to the level of some of Europe’s more renowned wine appellations. Much like visionary winemaker Robert Mondavi, known for leading California wine to world-class status, Stone Castle’s Rrustem Gecaj has brought his unwavering belief in the region’s viticultural potential, considerable business acumen, and love for his homeland to put Kosovo on the international wine map.
In 2006, the Gecaj family acquired what was formerly a large, state-owned winery known as “NBI Rahoveci,” which the Yugoslavian government built in 1953. Rrustem Gecaj renamed it Stone Castle Vineyards and Winery, and along with his extended family, specifically his two sons, Avni and Avdi, he passionately-committed to revitalizing a fertile agricultural region that boasts a 2,000-year history of winemaking. He made a significant investment in transforming the winery to a state-of-the-art premium winemaking facility and in replanting vineyards using modern viticultural practices. Like Robert Mondavi, whom he admired, Rrustem Gecaj also used his resources to elevate the region’s other vineyards and winemakers.
All of Stone Castle’s wines are made from estate-grown grapes from the heart of the Rahovec Valley, known locally as the “Tuscany of Kosovo.” Since they revitalized the winery and launched Stone Castle, the Gecaj family has received more than 100 international awards for their wines and has succeeded in expanding distribution to other markets in the Balkans, Western Europe, Africa, and now the U.S. They are immensely proud that the Stone Castle labels denote the wines are a product of Kosovo. Its Gecaj Estate is the signature wine of Stone Castle, a blend of fine estate-grown Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot that come from the Gecaj family’s mountain vineyards, as aged in American and Hungarian oak barrels. Meanwhile its Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve — as produced with hand-picked Cabernet Sauvignon grapes during the late harvest — is aged in French oak and offers black currant and raspberry notes with fine tannins and a long finish.
As founded by Chrishon Lampley, Love Cork Screw is serious about producing quality signature wine varietals that are delivered right to your doorstep with a wine club subscription. As also available in select Walmart locations, Total Wine and via Walmart.com as of this month, Love Cork Screw has offerings for all sorts of wine aficionados.
Good Times Good Friends is a medium-bodied, flavorful Pinot Grigio with a crisp and clean apple and pear character. Hard Knock Life is a Concord/Sweet Red to be enjoyed with light meals, appetizers, or pizza and pasta dishes. We Go High is a Rosé featuring hints of berry on the nose with almond and citrus on the palate, vibrant coral color. Many of the label’s offerings carry a low suggested retail price of $18.00.
Last but definitely not least… As seen on Shark Tank, BeatBox Beverages makes an acclaimed wine-based ready-to-drink beverage. Reportedly the fastest-growing single-serve wine brand, BeatBox’s drinks have been dubbed “The Tastiest Portable Party Punch.” At 11.1 percent ABV per punch, it is best to enjoy 1 BeatBox tetrapak at a time. The brand’s excellent flavor offerings include Tropical Punch, Fruit Punch and — my personal favorite from what I have tried so far — Fresh Watermelon. Notable BeatBox investors include Mark Cuban, Rob Dyrdek, and DJs Party Favor, Louis The Child and Good Times Ahead.
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Darren Paltrowitz Darren Paltrowitz is a New York resident with over 20 years of entertainment industry experience. He began working around the music business as a teenager, interning for the manager of his then-favorite band Superdrag. Since then, he has worked with a wide array of artists including OK Go, They Might Be Giants, Mike Viola, Tracy Bonham, Loudness, Rachael Yamagata, and Amanda Palmer. Darren's writing has appeared in dozens of outlets including the New York Daily News, Inquisitr, The Daily Meal, The Hype Magazine, All Music Guide, Guitar World, TheStreet.com, Businessweek, Chicago Tribune, L.A. Times, and the Jewish Journal. Beyond being "Editor At Large" for The Hype Magazine, Darren is also the host of weekly "Paltrocast With Darren Paltrowitz" series, which airs on dozens on television and digital networks. He has also co-authored 2 published books, 2018's "Pocket Change: Your Happy Money" (Book Web Publishing) and 2019's "Good Advice From Professional Wrestling" (6623 Press), and co-hosts the world's only known podcast about David Lee Roth, "The DLR Cast."
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