Wine & Spirits - June 2018 - 40

W&S 2018 All-Stars
COUNTRY GETAWAYS

Nervi
Or how about a mountain trek? Alto Piemonte's vineyards lie in the
shadow of the Alps, where Nervi has been making wine for more than
100 years from local varieties like erbaluce and nebbiolo. They cover all
the bases, with a brisk and sunny white, a tart and spritzy rosé and an
herb-inflected, ferrous red. (Massanois Imports, NY)

Quinta de la Rosa
While Portugal's Douro River valley is most known for its rich reds,
both dry and sweet, there are great buys to be had in its lesser-known
whites-and Jorge Moreira at Quinta de la Rosa consistently produces
some of the most elegant. His Reserva La Rosa, a blend of viosinho
and other local varieties, is saturated with notes of green apple, lemon
and caraway, ready for roast chicken, and a bargain at $20. (Winesellers, Niles, IL)

Innocent Bystander
For powerhouse wines, look elsewhere. Australia's Innocent Bystander
does graceful by focusing on Victoria's Yarra Valley. Check out the 2016
Pinot Noir, tense and floral, with a green-peppercorn spice, or the 2015
Syrah, a spicy, earthy match for grilled eggplant, shawarma, or other
Mediterranean-inflected foods. (Old Bridge Cellars, Napa, CA)

Compañía de Vinos del Atlántico
Under the umbrella of Olé Imports, Compañía de Vinos del Atlántico
selects wines from all over Spain, focusing on old vines and areas that
grow crisp, fresh fruit. The 2011 VSL Rioja is a case in point, a bright,
spicy, savory red made from old-vine graciano in Alta Rioja, as is the
Ludovicus Garnacha, a light, juicy red from Terra Alta. (Olé Imports,
New Rochelle, NY)

Marqués de la Concordia
Between its abundance of old vines and old estates, Rioja remains a rich
source of affordable wines with real character. Marqués de la Concordia
is a particular standout, with its hunger-inducing 2011 Rioja Reserva
Viña Alarde-silky, herbal, gamey, and only $18-and its vivacious 2013
Crianza, weighted for grilled fish. (The Haciendas Company, NY)

Vinaceous
Shiraz doesn't have to be dark and rich. Just ask Mike Kerrigan, who
made his name as a winemaker in the cool climes of Australia's Great
Southern and Margaret River before joining Vinaceous. Or do a sideby-side tasting of his lean, peppery Reverend Margaret River Syrah and
the brisk, bright Snake Charmer McLaren Vale Shiraz. Your white-wine
friends, meanwhile, will appreciate the cool, oceanic Reverend Chardonnay. (Craft + Estate/The Winebow Group, NY)
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WINE & SPIRITS

JUNE 2018

Yalumba
Yalumba has staked its reputation on Barossa's old vines, putting out
exemplary versions of grenache, mataro and syrah at every price point.
Its Old Bush Vine Grenache consistently overdelivers in the $20 range,
a bright, clean red with a floral delicacy to its raspberry-red fruit. The
Strapper, a blend of grenache, syrah and mourvedre, is also cool and
zesty, with gamey fruit and leathery spice that fits right in with lamb
burgers. (Negociants USA, Napa, CA)

Domaine Terra Vecchia
Want a trip to the islands? The wines Jean-François Renucci makes at
Domaine Terra Vecchia on Corsica's coast will take you there: The red, a
blend of merlot and the local nielluccio, takes you inland, to rosemarycovered hillsides and lamb, while the vermentino-chardonnay blend
smells like citrus blossoms and the sea. (The Winebow Group, NY)

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Wine & Spirits - June 2018