Author: mike_f

Taste: Big and powerful with red and black fruit flavors of raspberry, blackberry, cherry and plum, along with spicy pepper notes. Body: Full Tannin: Medium to high Acidity: Medium to high Age: Best enjoyed within a few years of the vintage. Description Primitivo (pree-meh-TEE-voh) has a long history, going back to the seventeenth century, in the southern Italian region of…

Taste: Fruity aromas infused with violets are followed by flavors of blackcurrant, blackberry, cherry, strawberry and plum that can be accompanied by tropical fruits such as banana. Spicy notes are characteristic, as well as oak flavors and, occasionally, vegetal undertones can be present. Body: Full Tannin: Medium Acidity: High Age: Most should be enjoyed within a few years, but…

Taste: Very light, delicate and refreshing, with aromas of fresh red fruit followed by soft and subtle flavors of strawberry, raspberry and cherry. Body: Light Tannin: Low Acidity: High Age: Drink while young and fruity. Aka: Also known as Blauburgunder in Austria. Description While classic Pinot Noir (PEE-noh NWAHR) is generally medium bodied with complex flavors – see classic…

Taste: Delicate savoury aromas and red fruit flavors of cherry, strawberry, raspberry and plum are accompanied by additional complex flavors which can emerge as the wines age and mature. These additional flavors include fig, truffle, wood smoke and violets as well as forest floor and animal notes of mushroom and leather. Age can add great complexity…

Taste: Mild floral aromas combine with subtle fruit flavors of apple, lemon and pear as well as a touch of spice. Crisp and fresh, but uncomplicated. Body: Light to medium Dry / Sweet: Dry Acidity: Medium to high Age: Drink while young and fresh. Description Pinot Grigio (PEE-noh GREE-zOH) is the Italian name for Pinot Gris (see Pinot Gris in…

Taste: Soft and fresh with aromas of flowers, green apples and a hint of spice, followed by creamy fruit flavors of apple and peach, together with nutty tones and a mineral finish. Body: Medium to full (can be light) Dry / Sweet: Dry Acidity: Low to medium Age: Drink while young but the best wines can age for a few…

Taste: Vivid and refreshing with aromas of citrus fruits and flower blossoms, followed by flavors of lemon, lime, green apple and sometimes grapefruit, together with subtle mineral notes. Body: Generally, light to medium (can be full) Dry / Sweet: Dry Acidity: High Age: Drink as young as possible, as it fades fast. Aka: Also known as Piquepoul, Picapoll, Picapulla, Avello and Languedocien.…

Taste: Powerful and intense with dense blackberry and plum fruit and a savory, peppery edge, along with smoky notes. Body: Full Tannin: High Acidity: Medium to high Age: A few years are required to soften their structure. The best wines have good aging potential and can continue to develop for a decade or more. Aka: Also known as…

Taste: Full, soft and fresh with aromas of grapefruit, lemon, rhubarb and wisteria, followed by flavors of citrus fruits, honey, mineral notes and a surprising, but characteristic, hint of saltiness on the finish. Body: Full Dry / Sweet: Dry Acidity: Medium to high Age: Drink within a few years of harvest, the best can age for ten years. Description Petite…

Taste: Dense and powerful with aromas of violets, dark fruits, black pepper and vanilla, followed by flavors of blackberry, cherry, plum, cassis and dark chocolate, as well as strong spicy notes. Additional smoky aromas develop with age, along with hints of clove, licorice and tobacco. Body: Full Tannin: High Acidity: Medium to high Age: Best within two to five…