Wine & Spirits - August 2013 - (Page 48)

Year’s Best summer sparklers Our blind panels tasted 219 new-release sparkling wines from France, Greece, Italy, Portugal and Spain over the past 12 months. Our critics rated 15 as exceptional (90+) and 24 as Best Buys. Joshua Greene reviews Italian, Portuguese and Spanish sparklers; Tara Q. Thomas reviews French and Greek wines. Find a complete list of wines tasted and all reviews at wineandspiritsmagazine.com. 91 | Tenuta Sant’Anna GRE EC E $45 Valdobbiadene Superiore di Cartizze ^ Platinum in color, mildly off dry in flavor, this feels creamy and crisp at once. Nutty scents of slivered almonds begin to expand as the wine takes on air, building in parallel with the pale fruit. This goes down smoothly and leaves room for another sip. § Montcalm Wine Importers, NY $18 Lemnos Zibibbo (Best Buy) ^ From a winery launched in 2009 on Lemnos, this is a light, crisp sparkling version of the island’s primary variety, muscat of Alexandria. The bubbles are impressively fine for a charmatmethod wine, giving the wine’s lemony flavor a lacy feel. Underneath, there’s a quiet, honeyed richness and peachy fruit that adds staying power, but overall this is a wine of delicacy and charm. § Eklektikon, Wilmington, DE 190111 90 | Domaine Spiropoulos $25 2012 Mantinia Brut Ode Panos (Best Buy) ^ Tiny bubbles rising through moschofilero’s pale pink hue make this a particularly pretty sparkler; the leesy texture and delicate strawberry, orange and rose notes carry through on that impression. Dry and succulent, it’s a sophisticated, welcoming sparkler to open the evening. § Athenee Importers & Distributors, Hempstead, NY 190086 90 | Bellenda $19 90 | Nino Franco 90 | Torresella $17 88 | Ca’ del Sarto 190762 90 | Blink and peppercorn-scented sparkler. It’s bright with the greenness of chlorophyll and a peppery burst in the end. Delicious with prosciutto. § Banfi Vintners, Old Brookville, NY 189766 $12 Prosecco (Best Buy) ^ There’s some detail to the flavors of this Prosecco, fragrant with green pear, lavender and honeycomb scents. It tastes like spring and it will last through summer, balanced and ready to pour for guests as they arrive to dinner. § Terlato Wines Int’l., Lake Bluff, IL 189920 Prosecco (Best Buy) ^ Apple blossoms, pear scents and honey combine in this brisk sparkler. It’s clean and round, with enough acidity to cut the sweetness. Pour it with prosciutto. § Enotec Imports, Denver, CO $28 2012 Prosecco Superiore Conegliano-Valdobbiadene Miraval Extra Dry (Best Buy) ^ Alpine scents of edelweiss introduce this clean sparkler, its creamy mousse carrying some alcohol though the finish remains cool. Clean and spicy, this is a match for weisswurst. § Vision Wine & Spirits, Secaucus, NJ 189574 2012 Prosecco Superiore Valdobbiadene Riva di San Floriano Brut ^ Savory scents of wheat germ and peppery spice balance this wine’s pineapple richness, all held in a lean frame. It ends firm, with dark earth tones adding a pleasant touch of bitterness. Serve it with prosciutto. § Vin Divino, Chicago, IL Veneto Prosecco I TALY 190470 88 | La Marca $17 Prosecco (Best Buy) ^ Scents of dried grasses and sweet apples carry through this Prosecco. It lasts on nutty flavors, pleasantly balanced for sipping on the beach. § La Marca USA, Hayward, CA Valdobbiadene Prosecco 189679 91 | Ca’ Vittoria $18 Prosecco Superiore Conegliano-Valdobbiadene Brut ^ This wine’s meaty aroma brings speck to mind, a layer of umami under brighter pineapple and green apple skin flavors. It’s zesty and clean, with a touch of sweetness adding to the wine’s luscious feel. A creamy aperitif to serve with cured meats. § North Berkeley Imports, Berkeley, CA 189887 48 WINE & SPIRITS AUGUST 2013 190705 91 | Cantine Maschio 189889 $13 Prosecco Treviso Brut ^ Riunite’s entry into the Prosecco game offers an edgy, fresh peach 88 | Tenuta Sant’Anna $16 Prosecco Extra Dry (Best Buy) ^ Sweet scents of cut grass and spicy notes of green pepper- http://www.wineandspiritsmagazine.com http://www.eklektikon.com/portfolio/blink http://www.visionwineandspirits.com/home.php http://www.lamarcaprosecco.com http://www.banfiwines.com/wine/ http://www.montcalmwines.com/

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Wine & Spirits - August 2013

Wine & Spirits - August 2013
Editor's Note
Happenings
Contents
Fined & Filtered
Spirits: Rum & Ginger Beer
Athens Wine Bars
The New Naoussa
California's Heritage Whites
Insider's Guide to Sonoma
Local Snacks, Local Bubbles
Extreme Values
Introduction
Summer Sparklers
US Pinot Gris
Alto Adige/Friuli
Vinho Verde/Albariño
US Riesling
Rosés
Greece
US New Releases
Imported New Releases
Last Sip

Wine & Spirits - August 2013