Author: mike_f

Taste: Crisp and refreshing with aromas of lime, lemon, clementine, marzipan, honey and a peppery spiciness, followed by succulent citrus fruit flavors and marked minerality. Body: Medium to full Dry / Sweet: Dry Acidity: High Age: Can be drunk young, but also ages very well. Description Assyrtiko (a-SEER-tee-ko) is a very high quality grape indigenous to the island of Santorini in…

Taste: Exotic floral and fruity fragrance with flavors of apple, pear and apricot together with nutty elements and mineral notes. Body: Medium to full Dry / Sweet: Dry Acidity: Low to medium Age: Drink while young and fresh. Description Arneis (ar-NAYZ) is an elegant grape variety from Piedmont in northwest Italy, which almost disappeared by the early 1970s. Fortunately, there was…

Taste: Aromas of white flowers with citrus and stone fruit flavors of lemon, lime and peach, accompanied by mineral notes. A light oak touch can add some complexity. Body: Light to medium Dry / Sweet: Dry Acidity: High Age: Generally should be drunk young, within two years of release, but the best wines can age well in bottle for several…

Taste: Aromas of red and black fruits, with hints of cassis and spices are followed by flavors of cherry, raspberry, mulberry and blackberry, leading to a slightly bitter, but very pleasant, finish. Oak can add additional vanilla and smoky notes. Body: Medium Tannin: Medium Acidity: Medium to high Age: Drink within a couple of years of release. The best…

Taste: Intense and complex perfume of rose petals, lavender, lychees and Turkish delight with a musky spiciness. Body: Full with high alcohol. Dry / Sweet: Dry, off-dry, medium-dry or sweet (if in doubt ask supplier). Acidity: Low Age: Drink while young and fresh. Description Gewürztraminer (guh-vurts-TRA-MEE-NER) is one of the most individual and distinctive of all grape varieties. It has…

Taste: Aroma of flowers (honeysuckle) and dried fruits with tropical fruit flavors of banana, mango, melon and peach, along with hints of honey and spice. Body: Full with a rich texture. Dry / Sweet: Dry to medium-dry Acidity: Low Age: Drink while young Aka: Also known as Grauburgunder in Germany and often labeled as Ruländer when made as a sweet wine in…

Taste: Aromas of acacia, hawthorn, lemon and brioche are followed by flavors of apple, pear, citrus fruits and herbs, together with mineral notes and a nutty finish.  Note: many poor examples are sharp and lacking in flavor. Body: Light to medium Dry / Sweet: Dry Acidity: High Age: Generally drink within two years of release, but the best wines can…

Taste: Aromas of flowers (honeysuckle), grass, citrus and stone fruits are followed by flavors of apple, apricot, grapefruit, lemon, peach and honeydew melon, along with a fine mineral (stone / seashell) edge. Body: Light (many from Spain can be more medium bodied with a soft texture). Dry / Sweet: Dry Acidity: High Age: Drink while young and fresh, although the…

Taste: Concentrated and complex. Aromas of black fruits, violets, herbs, leather and smoky notes are followed on the palate by flavors of prunes, blackberries, coffee, chocolate and even tar.  Body: Full Tannin: High Acidity: High Age: Generally requiring 3 to 5 years to soften its tannic structure. Modern production techniques mean that some wines are ready to drink on…