LOW ROAD WHITE

2020 Elena Walch Müller Thurgau $14.92

Our annual Taste! fundraiser for the school did not disappoint! This party gives the attendees a sneak peek into wines that we may include in the Club. Fun for them and fun for us to see how they are received. And that’s where we met several of this shipment’s wines, including this one. This popular Italian white is from one of our favorite producers in Alto Adige. Müller Thurgau is a hybrid between Riesling and Madeleine Royale created in a wine breeding center in Germany by a guy named Müller. As much as we appreciate his efforts, we agree that the varietal needs a rebrand. We are going with Alto Bianco, let’s get it started.

2021 De Iuliis Hunter Valley Semillion $19.20

Semillion originated in Bordeaux but has been a thing in Australia, especially Hunter Valley, for a couple hundred years. It’s low alcohol and high acidity make it a great daytime wine. Flavor is lean, but not boring. You can lay it down to develop more body, buuuuut that means that you won’t be able to drink it in the sun now.

LOW ROAD RED

2018 Inama Carmenere Piu $18.43

The Club has had the Inama white wines before. Now, introducing one of their reds. 75% Carmenere and 25% Merlot, pairs well with food. We drank it with Club members Meredith and Kevin and paired it with Meredith’s Crab Jambalaya (she’d never heard of it either – but delicious). And, since you aren’t going to be making Crab Jambalaya, we’d recommend cheese or meat. Plus, it hails from about 20 minutes from Casa Cecchin winery near Vicenza, where my father’s side of the family comes from.

2019 Trasiego Manos Del Sur Reserva Malbec $11

As in most industries, wine prices are increasing. Be confident that we’re still fighting the good fight! And by that I mean, the hunt for inexpensive everyday drinkers. (Wines, not people.) This Malbec from Argentina is interesting enough to drink the whole bottle. Plus, the price is right to have an extra (or three!) for any occasion.

HIGH ROAD WHITE

2018 Zorzettig Myo Colli Orientali Friuli, Pinot Bianco $27.30

Pinot Bianco has been the Club favorite of northern Italian Whites. Alan Gaddi, the export manager for Zorzettig, came to our house to share their current selections. He explains that while their new winery was built to encourage biodiversity and sustainability, they do not called it “natural” wine. He made a distinction we enjoyed. He said that the “natural” progression of grapes is vinegar.  But, wine takes a winemaker.

2020 Gaillard Cotes du Rhone Blanc Les Gendrines $25.80

To say that Pierre Gaillard has been making wine his whole life is barely an exaggeration.  He planted his first vines at age 12 (plowing the fields on horseback), studied at respected wine schools in France, and now has vineyards in the Northern Rhône.  This white is 100% Voignier grow in granite soils, so expect a very floral nose, full body, and good acidity. Psst, check out his Syrah, too.

HIGH ROAD RED

2019 Gaillard Croze-Hermitage Rouge $28.16

Crozes-Hermitage Rouge means Syrah from the northern Rhône. Perfect for spring weather, it is lighter than a California Syrah, but it is not boring. Good tannins, long flavor, and the regional characteristic spice of white pepper. It is one of the only spice flavors that I feel confident identifying when we are blind tasting. But I still often get it wrong.  Pro tip: Bring this bottle to your wine-nerdiest friend and drop the white pepper knowledge. You’re welcome.

2013 Tenuta Bellafonte Collenottolo Montefalco Sagrantino $36.40

Tenuta Bellafonte is the winery, Collenottolo is the name of the wine, Montefalco is the region, and Sagrantino is the grape. If you remember the popular “Devil Banisher” Sagrantino that we have had in the past, this is the same region.  For the new members, Sagrantino is a strong, tannic grape that needs to be tamed before it is drinkable. In young, Low Road versions they blend it with Sangiovese or micro-oxidize it to speed up the aging process. But the High Road Sagrantino is treated the old fashioned way, with oak and age. Don’t be scared of the 2013 vintage, that’s what the kids in Montefalco are drinking now. And it can age even longer. But why? Drink up!