Tag: wine of the week

Wine of the Week: A Rare Red from Veneto

September
30
2026
by Michael Nagy

For this week’s edition of my ‘Wine of the Week’, I present to you a 100% Cabernet Franc from northeastern Italy in Veneto, Tenuta Mosole Cabernet Franc DOC Venezia 2024, which I recently stumbled upon on a recent visit to a new wine shop.

Are you a Cabernet Franc fan? Have you ever tasted one from Italy? Do you like Italian reds, medium-bodied reds, or under-the-radar reds? Follow along if you would like to explore different Cab Francs

Because you don’t typically hear about the cool-climate Cab Franc grape from Italia, I was immediately intrigued. It is not too uncommon in the Veneto region as it is in other wine regions of Italy because of the cooler weather, climate conditions, topography, and unique microclimate.

As I mentioned in previous posts, I am always on the hunt for great value wines and hidden gems from across the globe and this fits the bill. This Cab Franc retails at just under $20 USD in Central NY and available online (it is a little over $20 on some sites). An excellent price for an Italian red with a DOC classification and from a reputable producer. Give it a search!

Veneto’s diverse landscapes, rich vinicultural heritage, and proximity to Venice and Adriatic Sea make it a remarkable wine destination. The region is often celebrated for its exceptional wines, including the elegant Soave, the full-bodied Amarone, and the refreshing Prosecco.

You can visit the iconic vineyards of Valpolicella, the serene hills of Conegliano-Valdobbiadene, and the charming countryside of Colli Euganei, where local wineries invite you to indulge in unforgettable tastings. In addition, you can experience the unique blend of culture, history, and gastronomy that Veneto has to offer.

Veneto is nestled in northeast Italy and famed for its iconic Prosecco alongside a diverse array of indigenous grape varietals such as Garganega (Soave) and Corvina (Valpolicella and Amarone). It is home to historic winemaking traditions, picturesque vineyards, and ancient villages.

The Veneto wine region accounts for approximately 18% of all the DOC wine in Italy, which ranks in the top three of all regions in Italy.

The Mosole Cabernet Franc is produced in the Lison-Pramaggiore DOC, a unique region of the Venetian plain that overlaps eastern Veneto and western Friuli whose wine production predates Roman times. The Cab Franc vines arrived there at the beginning of the 19th century, immediately becoming a fine wine in the territory.

The characteristic note of hay and black pepper together with the soft tannins on the palate make it an unmistakable wine. The vineyards contribute aromatic compounds and minerality to the wines produced here.

The smokey character of this Veneto Cab Franc can be referred to as ‘Chinon Italiano’, because it tastes like it was produced from Chinon in the Loire Valley of France, a classic CF wine region and home to some of the best CF in the world. Who would have guessed that they would share similar traits?

Its appearance is ruby red with violet hues. The aromas are pleasant with diverse spices and sweet smoke, a basket of red berries, and that typical vegetal nuance, like green pepper.

The palate is driven by more red berry fruit, red currant and dark cherry, with hints of that infamous bell pepper. Crispy black fruit punctuated by fresh herbs and minerality. A full and fruit-forward flavor, medium acidity, soft, medium tannins, well balanced, and a lingering finish.

A stellar pairing for roasted vegetables, roasted meats, like lamb and wild game, barbeque dishes, vegetarian pizza, and charcuterie.

The maceration on the skins is for an average of 8 to 10 days. Fermented in temperature-controlled cement tanks between 24 to 26°C (74 to 76°F) followed by maturation for nine months in cement tanks. The aging potential is 5-7 years till 2029-2031. Serve the wine slightly below room temp at 60-65°F (not too warm).

Tenuta Mosole also produces other reds, like worldly Merlot, Cab Franc/Carmenere blend, Rosso, and traditional whites of Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Sauvignon, local whites, Roses, Prosecco, and Brut. Find them online at Winery: IGT and Lison DOC wines in Venice Mosole estate | Mosole and Instagram @tenutamosole. Keep in mind that those sites are in Italian so you will need to translate.

Cheers & Saluti,

Michael Nagy

For questions, feedback, submit a topic, or inquiries, use new email – michael.troy.nagy@gmail.com or DM on Instagram.

Wine of the Week: A Little-Known Pinot from Napa

September
23
2026
by Michael Nagy

Though Napa Valley has historically been known for its luscious Cabernet Sauvignon, in the early days that followed Prohibition in Napa, many premium producers tried their hand at Pinot Noir and were fairly successful.

Because very few top Pinot Noir producers remain from the region, not too many vineyards dedicated to growing Pinot, and the onslaught of Cabernet, you don’t really hear about them. Traditionally, most of Napa Valley was considered too hot for this fickle, thin-skinned grape.

The Pinot Noir that I recently tasted and featuring here is from the Monterey AVA in California. Located in one of the largest American Viticultural Areas, the Monterey AVA runs from the Monterey Bay to the border with Paso Robles.

The cooling fog that rolls in from Monterey Bay each morning, combined with dramatic diurnal temperature shifts and diverse soil compositions, allows grapes to develop intense flavors while maintaining the bright natural acidity that defines world-class Pinot Noir.

With the cool maritime influence, chilling fog and strong afternoon breezes roll in from the Pacific Ocean and the Salinas Valley, creating an ideal cool climate for Pinot Noir. It is one of the most diverse in terms of climatic make-up and types of grapes grown. The most important factor for all farmers in the appellation is their location in relation to the chilly waters of the Pacific Ocean.

What distinguishes Monterey County Pinot Noir from other regions, including California’s Sonoma, Alexander Valley, and Carneros, is its distinctive balance and vibrant red fruit notes dancing between cherry and cranberry, underscored by earthy minerality and subtle spice elements. typically features bright acidity, structured tannins, and rich dark or red fruit flavors balanced by a distinct mineral quality.

The Chasing Lions Pinot Noir from Nine North Wine Company (pictured) is a red wine that showcases the best of California Pinot. The Monterey vineyard features a unique microclimate, with cool ocean breezes and well-drained soils, which contribute to the wine’s distinct character.

The winemaking process involves gentle handling of the grapes, allowing the delicate flavors and aromas to shine through. The result is a beautifully balanced wine with notes of ripe red berries, subtle spice, and a silky-smooth texture.

The Chasing Lions Pinot Noir is elegant and refined. It displays a beautiful ruby color enticing the senses with its vibrant appearance. On the nose, this wine offers a bouquet of red fruits, such as cherry and raspberry, accompanied by subtle vanilla notes from the interplay of oak.

The acidity provides a refreshing and lively mouthfeel, while the medium body adds to its overall elegance. The palate has a silky texture with delicate tannins and showcases flavors of ripe strawberries, dark raspberry, cranberries, some Bing cherry, and a hint of spice creating a harmonious and well-balanced profile.

The minerality and hints of oak, chocolate, and coffee complement without the heavy mouthfeel and fuller body.

From the Vintner – “This Pinot Noir opens with ripe cherries, orange peel, violets and black figs. True to form, the
balanced, “pinot noir” spice comes through vividly in this wine and is layered with slight flavors of oak, vanilla bean, cinnamon and clove.”

It is very versatile with a variety of dishes and pairs well with meat and vegetables, including roasted vegetables, grilled chicken, or pork tenderloin, but is also excellent drank on its own.

It is aged for 6 months in French, American & Hungarian oak with a 13.5% ABV. Ideally, drink now through November 2026.

It is a 90 points “Best Buy” from Wine Enthusiast and under $20 USD. Grab it when you can because the 2024 vintage may be sold out soon and it’s reaching its peak. I picked up this bottle in Camillus, NY, but widely available in other locations and online.

I liked it very much. I’m always on the hunt for under-the-radar and value wines that won’t break the bank, Any good, inexpensive quality red wine coming out of Napa that is not a Cabernet is music to my ears.

If you enjoyed this post and would like to see more this, please give it a thumbs up. I’m a Pinot Noir fanatic so I would be happy to share more PN recommendations and all wine.

(Cover photo from foggy Monterey, California vineyards)

Cheers & Sante,

Michael Nagy

Note: my email address, michael@michaelpour.com, is currently inactive so send all emails to michael.troy.nagy@gmail.com

Wine of the Week: Little Known Red from Austria

Zweigelt Wine of the Week
January
6
2025
by Michael Nagy

I had the pleasure of sipping this wine over the holiday season with in-laws. It was a nice change of pace from what I typically drink even though it reminds me of a nice Pinot and Lemberger all in one bottle.

Did you know that the country of Austria produces some really good wine? Can they grow red grapes and produce red wine in their cold climate? Although Austria is better known for its white wine, it does grow and produce some surprisingly good reds that are unique to the red wine world.

Austria as a whole is still white wine country, but of the 30% or so red vineyards, the most widely planted grape is Zweigelt by far. Zweigelt (pronounced TSVY-galt) and other reds are nothing like the new world reds in California, Chile, Argentina, and Australia nor old world reds in France, Italy, and Spain. Austria’s reds are very similar in style to Germany reds.

Austria is a landlocked country in Central Europe, bordered by eight countries – Germany to the northwest, Czech Republic to the north, Slovakia to the northeast, Hungary to the east, Slovenia to the south, Italy to the southwest, and Switzerland to the west

Zweigelt is a relatively young grape variety, having been created in 1922. The grape is a cross between the St. Laurent and Blaufränkisch grape varieties, which are native to Austria. It is a versatile grape that is grown throughout Austria’s wine regions. It is well-suited to Austria’s cool climate, as it ripens early and is resistant to cold temperatures. This allows the grape to be grown in cooler, higher-altitude vineyards, which are not suitable for many other grape varieties. 

Weis Vineyards Zweigelt

When you go to buy red wine and looking for something new and different, consider Zweigelt, and in particular the one I’m featuring in this post as well as one from Weis Vineyards, German winery off Keuka Lake located in the beautiful Finger Lakes, NY. Weis also produces a Dry Rose from the Zweigelt grape. Check them out! They are one of the best wineries in New York State.

The grape generally produces medium-bodied wines with moderate acidity and tannins. The wine has a vibrant ruby color and aromas of dark berries, such as blackberry and black cherry, as well as spicy notes of pepper and cinnamon. On the palate, it has a smooth, velvety texture with flavors of dark fruit, warm spice, vanilla, and sometimes even a hint of chocolate.

Zweigelt is a very food-friendly wine that pairs well with a variety of dishes. It is especially good with meat dishes, like roasted pork, beef, lamb, and duck, as well as with hearty vegetable dishes and warm stews in the winter.

Zweigelt is also an excellent choice for those looking for a more affordable alternative to some of the more well-known red wine varieties. While it is not as well-known as some other grape varieties, Zweigelt is gaining popularity among wine lovers, both in Austria and abroad. 

Austrian wine, in general, has gained a reputation for high quality and unique flavors, and Zweigelt is no exception. In recent years, Austrian winemakers have increasingly focused on producing high-quality Zweigelt wines, and the grape has been gaining recognition and awards at international wine competitions. 

In all, Zweigelt is a versatile, affordable, and high-quality red wine grape variety that is gaining popularity among wine lovers worldwide. With its unique flavor profile and food-friendly nature, it is definitely worth trying for anyone looking for something new and exciting in the world of wine. 

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Schlosskellerei Gobelsburg Zweigelt, Niederosterreich, 2019 (cover photo)

Btw, German and Austria wines have very long wine names and sometimes hard to pronounce. This bottle of Zweigelt brings forth a nuttiness of almonds and dark cherries and berries on the nose along with a spicy and peppery aroma. It has a light-medium body and well balanced with enough acidity, although not crispy.

This Zweigelt offers a toasty character from some oak, but still fresh and youthful on the palate. It is a juicy, but elegant, energetic red wine with a nice aroma that lasts through the palate and medium finish. 12.5% alcohol.

It has reached its age of maturity in 2025 (not an age-worthy wine by tradition so drink now when it’s good). It is most likely at its peak for drinking.

Try this wine or search for more at your fine wine shop. Most local wine shops only carry 1-2 Zweigelts in inventory so call beforehand or just order this one online. You will not be disappointed! My rating is 8 out of 10 (very good). I won’t feature a wine unless it receives a score of 7 (good) and above. My personal rating system is out of 10; different from most professional ratings….Cheers, M

Wine of the Week: Chile’s Unique Carménère Wine

Carmenere
September
18
2024
by Michael Nagy

This post was fun to construct because I am a big fan of Carménère wine from Chile, South America, but it is hard to find in Central NY wine shops. As with most exported wines, especially those from fairly unknown wine regions in the world, there are few options available in the shops. Of those available, many are cheaper, lower quality, and highly commercial wines or carry a huge price tag for an everyday wine. Sure, you can find options online, but the shipping costs can be exorbitant, and because I’m old school, I like to handle the bottle and read the wine label.

In my search, I grabbed a nicely priced bottle around $18 (great value) at Vine & Barrel in Camillus, NY after scanning the bottle label with my “Delectable” app and read the reviews and info. I highly recommend downloading this app for your wine shopping needs.

When I opened the bottle and poured, I was surprised by the intense purple color. When I smelled the wine, I received a strong aroma of spicy peppers and clove. When I tasted the wine, I fell in love with the ripe fruit and low tannins. I was so impressed that I decided to make it my featured wine of the week – “Odfjell Armador Carménère 2022”, which will be discussed in detail. It is widely grown and produced in Chile’s Maipo Valley and Maule Valley. In addition, the story behind the wine is very intriguing.

Carménère (“car-men-nair”) is a medium-bodied red wine that originated in Bordeaux, France, where it is called “Cot”. It is considered to be the unofficial grape of Chile because, with few exceptions, it is not grown anywhere else in the world, except in Bordeaux blends and other blends. The wine is admired for its supple red-and-black berry flavors and herbaceous green peppercorn notes. Carménère is very similar in body and texture to classic Merlot. Similar wines – Carignan, Sangiovese, Valpolicella, and Cabernet Franc.

Here are some fun facts about Carménère –

  • Carménère is a half-sibling of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, and its parent is Cabernet Franc.
  • Carménère is a very slow ripening grape, and is often the last one picked during harvest, about 4-5 weeks after Merlot.
  • Carménère was first brought to Chile in the mid 1800s and was thought to be Merlot until 1994.
  • Carménère is nearly extinct in its homeland, France, but is the 5th most important grape of Chile.
  • Carménère has possibly been around since Roman times.
  • Expect to pay between $18-$20 for a good Carménère and $35-$40 for a higher quality Carménère. The one featured here is in the lower price range, but in my humble opinion, drinks like a premier or reserve Carmenere.

The majority of Carménère hails from within the Central Valley of Chile. This is the largest wine-producing zone in Chile, and it contains several regions to know. Chile’s central valleys, sheltered by the coastal ranges, and in some parts climbing the eastern slopes of the Andes, remain relatively warm and dry. The conditions are ideal for producing concentrated, full-bodied, aromatic reds rich in black and red fruits. 

Maipo Valley is the northernmost region of the Central Valley Region. Quality Carménère from this area is somewhat lighter with floral notes of cherry, hibiscus, and rose with a subtle granite-like minerality. These more refined and elegant aromas come from altitude but also cooling influences from the Andes.

Maule Valley is the southernmost area in the middle of the region and is also the oldest. Chile’s first vines were planted here in the late 16th century: Look for Cabernet Franc, spicy herbaceous Cabernet Sauvignon and Carignan from here.

FOOD PAIRING

The moderate tannin structure and fresh acidity in Carménère make it an easy red to pair. Leaner grilled meats with savory sauces like Chimichurri, green salsas, mint, or pesto will complement the herbal qualities of the wine and make it taste fruitier. The signature dish of grilled beef with chimichurri is a great match for the wine, in general. I would love to try it with my Hungarian family’s Traditional Stuffed Green Peppers and “pigs in the blanket”. Carménère will even do well alongside darker white meats, including turkey and duck. Pinto and white bean soup is a great pair for vegetarians.

Other pairings – Goat Cheese, Mozzarella, Pepper Jack, Feta Cheese, Roasted/Stuffed Peppers, Garlic, Thyme, Beans, Lentils, Peppercorns, Red Chili’s.

WINE OF THE WEEK – Odfjell Armador Carménère 2022

The producer, Odfjell, has 210 acres of 100% organic and biodynamically farmed vineyards in Chile’s Maipo Valley. Odfjell was a former Norwegian shipmaker. Norwegian horses control weeds, provide better soil drainage, transport grapes during harvest without compacting the soil, and are used for pediatric hippotherapy. The winery was the first in South America to employ a gravity-flow system to ensure the gentle handling of the fruit throughout the winemaking process. Pretty cool story!

This delicious Carmenère is made with Odfjell’s best organic grapes, grown both in Padre Hurtado and Maule Valley. Respecting the typicity of the variety, its fruits were harvested early to allow for more freshness and acidity. A wine that shows the best of the two valleys – Maipo Valley lends minerality, Maule Valley contributes with the balsamic notes and the lushness that give life to this special Carmenère.

Alluring purple color with aromas of dark fruits, licorice as well as hints of spice notes such as black pepper, green pepper, cloves, and jalapenos. The palate is medium-long and refreshing with ripe fruit flavors and soft tannins. Composition – 89% Carmenère, 7% Syrah, 4% Cabernet Sauvignon and alcohol at 13.5%, which is on the lower side for Carmenère and Chilean reds.

Cheers,

Michael

Wine Glass

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