Tag: wine blog

Ramato Wines – 2021 Sun Goddess Pinot Grigio

sun goddess pinot grigio
March
28
2023
by Michael Nagy

Produced from the sun-kissed vineyards in Friuli Venezia Giulia, northeastern Italy, where the specific microclimate and the unique terroir to the Pinot Grigio grape.

Pinot Grigio is one of the most popular Italian wine styles and, while the grape shares the same genetic fingerprint with one of Alsace, France’s noble varieties, Pinot Gris, its different spelling and origination foreshadows unique styles of white wine. While Pinot Grigio has a distinctively Italian style, the grape hails from France, where it is called Pinot Gris, and is thought to have been introduced to Italy in the mid-19th century.

Eventually, the wine found success in the northeastern regions spanning Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Veneto and Trentino-Alto Adige.

When Pinot Grigio grapes are crushed and the skins are allowed to spend time with the juice, a teasing, tactile texture and coppery hue results in a distinct wine style called ramato. It comes from the word ‘rame’ which means ‘copper’ in Italian.

Rosé and orange wines can also exhibit colors that range from pale pink to salmon to deep amber, as a result of skin contact. But color alone cannot determine the wine style.

What distinguishes ramato from a rosé or orange wine is that ramato is a product of historical winemaking style from Friuli, Italy, made with Pinot Grigio grapes.

Rosés are made from a number of black grapes and orange wines are made from white grapes throughout the world.

How are Ramato wines made?

How does ramato gets its copper color from Pinot Grigio?

Pinot Grigio is not a white-skinned grape at all – its skins have a rosy-grey tone, hence the name ‘gris’ or grigio, meaning grey in French and Italian respectively. Pinot Gris/Grigio is a color mutation of Pinot Noir and the berries have a pinkish, if not entirely ‘grey’ appearance. Pinot Grigio is an easy-going conventional white wine with neutral flavors, and ramato is the copper-hued Italian farmhouse style.

Ramato’s copper-like luster is attributed to the extended maceration of the must on the skins during the winemaking process. This also adds to its unique flavors, aromas, structural complexity and tannic mass. But color also comes from the natural pigments of the grapes that seep into the juice while they are still on the vine.

Some producers use short maceration to achieve fresh and lighter wines, which often have a slight peach look. Others do longer maceration, which yields richer, autumnal shades.

2021 Sun Goddess Pinot Grigio Ramato

100% Pinot Grigio, Friuli DOC, Tauriano Estate, Spilimbergo (PN, Italy)

Gravelly soil, 393 ft altitude in the foothills of the Dolomite mountains, vineyards’ average age is 25 years old, dry, alcohol 12.5%, acidity 5.40 g/L

The nose is intense and complex, with hints of peach, melon, and blackberry. On the palate, it is round, with a subdued acidity, soft tannins, and a rich, minerally finish. If you’ve never had a ramato wine or skin-fermented white wine, it is an acquired taste because it does have a noticeable tannic component. It is very different than a typical white wine. I find that red wine drinkers tend to gravitate toward this style.

Vinification – short maceration (contact with the skins for a few hours at cold temperatures) followed by fermentation via natural yeast in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks at 64°F. The wine matures in stainless steel tanks for 4 months.

Because of the added textural component that the skin contact provides, ramato wines made from Pinot Grigio are very food friendly. Perfect as an appetizer wine before the start of the main course. It goes well with many hors d’oeuvres, charcuterie, soups and risottos. Not recommended to be sipped during or after dinner.

Cheers,

Michael

Dark, Powerful, Juicy, Lush & Spice-Driven – Syrah

syrah wine bottles
February
9
2023
by Michael Nagy

International Syrah Day is celebrated on February 16th, a few days after Valentine’s Day so no better time to celebrate this noble grape. Sign up for the free virtual wine class: “All About Syrah” on Thursday, February 16th from 7-8:30pm EST on Zoom to learn more about this grape and receive some awesome food pairings to go with it. It will be an open discussion along with Q&A throughout the class. Visit the contact page on this site and submit your email to sign up for the Zoom link. We will also give you the bottle of Syrah we will be pouring and tasting during the class so we can taste together and come up with tasting notes. Hope to see you there! 

This dark and powerful red is rich in flavor and smooth in acid and tannins with a peppery, spicy finish. It can be sometimes described as ‘meaty’ and ‘savory’. Some other common descriptors could be ‘juicy’, ‘lush’, and ‘spice-driven’. Syrah “sear-ah” is a lesser known, heavier red wine than Cabernet Sauvignon because it isn’t one-dimensional or highly commercial. It really tests the terroir, viticulturist, and winemaker because it is demanding in the vineyard and requires lots of heat and sunshine (the French use galets, which are small rocks that absorb heat, which helps with ripening).

It originated in the Rhone Valley of France, but is also common in Chateauneuf du Pape (Southern Rhone, used to add structure) and Languedoc-Roussillon (Southern France), and is the most planted grape in Australia, where it is known as Shiraz. California, Washington State, Spain, Argentina, and South Africa produce a lot of Syrah/Shiraz as well. You will sometimes see it in the marketplace as a part of a blend called GSM Blend (Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvedre) in Northern Rhone and other places or Red Blend, which can be any grapes.

Syrah vineyards in California

Syrah and Shiraz are the same grape and share the same DNA profile. The difference is that it is Syrah in France and other Old World wine regions (won’t tell you it’s Syrah on label), and it is known as Shiraz in Australia and South Africa. (Much like Pinot Noir is known as Pinot Nero in Italy.) Even though the grape is the same, Australian Shiraz wines are fruitier than the floral and dense French Syrah wines. 

It grows best in dry and warm climates. That’s why the best Syrah vineyard plots of northern Rhone are found at the hilltops of Cote Rotie’s “Roasted Slope” and in Hermitage. The hilltops get maximum exposure to the sun, and the soils are well-drained with a little limestone. The limestone retains the heat and produces concentrated Syrah grapes.

They are good as young wines because of their high acidity. These acids make them taste lighter than they actually are even though it is considered a full-bodied wine. They age well (7-10 years), but close up in the middle years so wait a while. Australian Shiraz is a great example. When they are ready, you get lovely aromas and flavors of truffle, mushroom, dried leaves and tobacco, and currant, which require keen attention to detail – a thinker’s wine. Syrah wine is also a favorite among wine collectors for its remarkable age-worthiness.

Most modern winemakers are making a lighter, French-style of Syrah that’s lower in alcohol and more layered in its flavor profile. Sonoma in California is one example of moving in that direction. But France has been working with Syrah for centuries and has mastered it. Try a light and less expensive Syrah from smaller appellations like Crozes-Hermitage or Saint Joseph in the Rhone Valley and then work your way up to a fine Cote-Rotie, elegant Hermitage, and a fierce Cornas, which can be expensive. Unfortunately, some of the better Syrahs from France and Shiraz from Australia are not being imported to the US.

Food Pairing – Darker meats and exotic spices bring out the fruit notes of blueberry, blackberry, black cherry, boysenberry, and plum from Syrah. Try it with Indian tandoori, spiced pork, lamb gyros, French and Spanish cuisine, and for some, a great steak (with mushrooms especially), grilled veggies, Epoisses cheese, and dark chocolate.

Great vintages – 

US (California, Central Coast) – 2019

US (California, North Coast) – 2019

Australia Shiraz (Barossa Valley/McLaren Vale) – 2016 – 2019

France (Northern Rhone reds) – 2015 – 2020

Recommended Wines (highest-rated and affordable). Not sure their availability where you live. Just google and search or ask clerk at the wine store for the best Syrah). French Syrah are generally expensive so expect to pay more than $50/$60.

Holus Bolus 2020 Prequ’ile Vineyard Syrah (Santa Maria Valley) – $40

Future Perfect 2021 The Joy Fantastic Vineyard Syrah (Sta. Rita Hills) – $68

Thacher 2019 Homestead Hill Vineyard Syrah (Paso Robles, Willow Creek District) – $52

Epiphany 2019 Thompson Vineyard GSM Blend (Santa Barbara County) – $45 

Dossier 2021 Syrah Rose (Columbia Valley) – $28

Drum Roll 2018 Seurat Syrah Syrah (Columbia Valley) – $18 (BEST BUY)

Dave Harvey 2020 Syrah (Columbia Valley) – $26 (BEST BUY)

Auclair 2019 Artz Vineyard Syrah (Red Mountain) – $35

Echolands 2019 Syrah (Walla Walla Valley) – $38

Cheers,

Michael

Best Bubbly to Drink for the New Year

champagne and sparkling wine
December
28
2022
by Michael Nagy

A New Year’s Eve dinner or party without a bottle of bubbly seems sacrilegious. Most of us don’t have a clue when it comes to the best Champagne because it’s not something we shop for or sip on a regular basis. The market is flooded with so many options these days and most of the bottles we see aren’t true Champagne. The term Champagne refers to wine specifically produced in the Champagne region of France, about 100 miles east of Paris. Champagne is best known for its high entry-level prices and close ties with royalty and celebration, which make it perfect for nights like New Year’s Eve. But in recent years, alternative sparklers have also grown in popularity, many of which are crafted just like Champagne, but cost far less. It can be quite pricey to splurge on in a large party atmosphere. Other Champers doesn’t necessarily mean the bottle is inferior, but rather, indicates where it is from and how it was made.

Unfortunately, that discussion will have to be tabled for another time. For the purpose of this discussion, we will focus on all kinds of bubbles that I recommend for the season. What’s the best Champagne to buy? It often comes down to your budget, what’s accessible in your area, the grape varietal, and the sweetness level you desire. Regardless, try to sip on the good stuff when the clock strikes midnight.

This short list features a wide range of sparkling wines at varied prices. If these seem out of your price range, then go with cheaper versions or big-batch bottlings for large parties and save the pricier ones for toasting and intimate get-togethers.

Andre Clouet Champagne

Champagne André Clouet, “Grande Réserve” Brut Grand Cru

Champagne / Montagne de Reims, Bouzy, France

After marrying the base vintage with older reserves, which includes a blend dating back to 2002, it is then bottled and aged in the cellar for no less than 48 months. Once disgorged, the bottles are typically topped off with a dosage of 6-8 grams of sugar. With the excellent terroir, extended lees aging, and winemaking, it is a well-balanced combination of creamy complexity, rich fruit, and minerality that is hard to find in this price range (~$45). It features delicate bubbles and has a golden-yellow core that moves to green reflections on the rim. Aromas of sliced yellow apples, pineapple core, preserved lemon, freshly made brioche, and honeysuckle, jump from the glass. The concentrated palate evolves to deliver red fruits with hints of red currant alongside lemon curd and toasted nuts. It hovers around full-bodied with a rich mouthfeel, crisp acidity and stony minerality which is the appeal of all great Champagnes.

Fitz -Ritter Riesling Sekt Extra Trocken

Germany, Off-Dry/Semi-Sweet. 100% Riesling

100% Riesling. A golden colored sparkling that has the nose of a classic Riesling with hints of floral – lilac and rose petals along with a citrusy palate that is enhanced by the bubbles. Notes of pear, honeysuckle, and apricot. If sweetness is your thing, then this “sekt” from Germany will satisfy your palate. Clean and fresh. It drinks a lot like a spatlese. The minerality is very prominent in this wine. Great value at around $20 if you can find it.

Roederer Estate Brut

Roederer Estate Brut

California, Mendocino County, Anderson Valley. 60% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Noir

Crisp and elegant with complex pear, spice and hazelnut flavors. It is fresh and lightly fruity with great finesse and depth of flavor. Created in California’s Anderson Valley and owned by iconic Champagne house Louis Roederer, this playful, medium-bodied sparkler is perfect at around $30. Very similar to a classic Champagne in its style.

Domaine Sebastien

2019 Domaine Sebastien Brunet Vouvray Brut “La Rocherie”

Vouvray AOC, 100% Chenin Blanc 

If you are looking for a French sparkling wine, this is a great choice at around $28. Made from the chenin blanc grape in the Loire Valley, it has a mousse-like body and texture of delicate fruits of apricot, peach, yellow apple, and citrus peel.

Murgo Metodo

Murgo Metodo Classico Brut Rose

Italy, Southern Italy, Terre Siciliane. 100% Nerello Mascalese

Rose anyone? Made from Sicilian nerello mascalese grapes, this has a unique smokiness to it derived from the soil surrounding Mount Etna, an active volcano. They macerate the grapes on their skins for about 24 hours to extract the delicate salmon-pink color and then produce the sparkling in the same manner as Champagne. Aromas of dried cherry, redcurrant, strawberry and pink peppercorn infuse with volcanic minerality to provide a brilliant finish.

Tirriddis NV Barrel Fermented Blanc de Blanc Sparkling Blend

Washington State, Columbia Valley. 100% Chardonnay

Fermented in 100% new French Oak, it displays rich aromas of brioche, pepper, honey, and lemon- flavored candy. Flavors of mandarin orange and lime expands the palate. As it sits, flavors of red raspberries and white chocolate appear. It is medium bodied with a creamy texture and a plethora of bubbles on the surface. Get it around $36.

Seasonal Spotlight – Wine Pairings & Ham

holiday ham wine pairings
December
17
2022
by Michael Nagy

Welcome to my first blog post on this new platform just in time for the holidays. Hope you have fun in here. Please keep following and bookmark this page.

If you traditionally have ham for Christmas dinner, here are some basic rules to pairing wine with your favorite holiday ham.

As a general rules, go with fruity wines. Ham, with its sweet-and-saltiness, pairs best with wines that have a touch of sweetness, a substantial amount of acidity and ample, bold fruit. Great wines with ham are Riesling, Moscato, Chenin Blanc, Rosé, Lambrusco, Grenache, and Zinfandel, but don’t stop there. There are so many wines to choose because ham is very versatile.

The general profile of ham is sweet, salty, textured and rich, but you will find variations depending on the style of ham and the way the ham is prepared.

Dry-Cured, Aged Ham

Thinly-sliced, bold flavored hams with a chewy texture and typically higher salt content.

A classic example of this style of ham, that nearly all of us know, is the Italian favorite, Prosciutto. You’ll find ham in this style typically served in micro-thin layers that melts in your mouth as an appetizer.

Examples – Prosciutto, Bayonne Ham, Serrano Ham

Recommended Wines:

The high saltiness factor and dryness of this ham screams sparkling wine. You’ll also do very well with a sparkling Rosé or even a sparkling red. Other great pairing options include table Rosé, crisp, high minerality and herbaceous white wines, like Gruner Veltliner, dry Sherry (Fino or Manzanilla), and dry Madeira (known mostly as a cooking wine).

Savory and Smoky Ham

Medium to thick cut sliced ham with a medium to bold flavor that’s not sweet.

This style is typically smoked but ranges in size from full-sized fresh hams that you bake in the oven to pre-sliced ham that you buy at the grocery store. This is a less-sweet style of ham so the best wine pairings will be different. Since this style of ham is juicier and not as salty as a dry-cured ham, it is one of the better choices to match with lighter red and rose wines.

Examples – Black Forest Ham, Country-Cured non-glazed Ham, Mortadella, Spam (processed, if you’re into that)

Recommended Wines:

With less sweetness and more texture, you will love this with a medium-bodied fruity red that has moderate acidity. There is a great range of wines to choose from in this style and here are a few favorites to know – Garnacha or Grenache-based reds (such as GSM Blend from Rhone Valley in France), Zinfandel, new-world style Pinot Noir from Oregon or California, Zweigelt (from Austria), Dornfelder (Germany), deeply colored Rose, the Corvina-based red wines of Italiy – Valpolicella, aged Tempranillo (Spain), Nebbiolo (Italy), Sangiovese (Italy), Primitivo-Negroamaro blends from Puglia, Italy and “Secco” (dry) Lambrusco (Italy).

Sweet and Salty Ham

These are typically medium to thick cut hams with a chewy texture and noticeably sweet flavor.

Think Canadian bacon. Since this style of ham is sweet and often served with breakfast and Eggs Benedict, you want to match with wines that are also pretty sweet or have a strong fruitiness on the palate.

Examples – Canadian Bacon, Honey Baked Ham, Glazed Baked Hams, Mortadella

Recommended Wines:

The best way to pair with foods that have sweetness is to have a wine with sweetness too. On the dry side, pick a Riesling, Chenin Blanc or White Zin/Merlot. On the sweeter side go for Moscato, Brachetto d’Acqui (Italy), Vin Santo (sweet dessert wine) and White Port. You can probably get away with more new-world style reds including Australian Shiraz, South African Pinotage and American Petite Sirah.

Have a great holiday season!

Cheers,

Michael Nagy

Wine Glass

DON’T MISS A DROP

Get notified when new articles are poured

We don’t spam!