LOW ROAD WHITE

2021 Barbanera Sangiovese “inBianco,” $14.08 

The Club (and the world for that matter) is no stranger to Sangiovese. BUT! we’ve never, ever, seen it “inBianco” – or, made in a white wine style. Almost all grapes give off clear juice, it is the contact with the skins that stains the wine red. Think Champagne made from Pinot Noir. Club member Jen twisted our arm (ouch!) to serve her some at room temperature to see if it would taste like red Sangiovese. Simply close your eyes… and…. Nope. It didn’t. We all agreed that this is a wine that is better with a slight chill, as opposed to right out of the refrigerator.  Let us know how you like it. Get two in case you want to try it room temp. Why not?

2021 Chateau Saint Martin Picpoul di Pinet, $16

You’ve seen this before in a 2017 vintage. The grape, Picpoul (PEEK-POOL), is on the rise in popularity. It’s light, but not boring, and has plenty of fruit, but not sweet. It’s the perfect first wine of the day, plus a cute bottle. Open it while you cook, then serve what is left to the first guests that arrive.

LOW ROAD RED

2021 Elena Walch Schiava, $15.36

When we are able to get this wine, we do. And so what if it’s two vintages in a row? Schiava is a lightish, food-friendly red from northern Italy. The last vintage sold out quickly after our November 2021 Delivery, so hurry if you want more. This time you may get a chance to put a slight chill on it and drink it in the sun.

2019 Thymiopoulos Naoussa Xinomavro, $19.20

We have had the “Young Vines” Xinomavero from Thymiopoulos before. It was a very popular wine with the Club, but….they don’t make it anymore.  When we ask why? “The vines grew up.”  Huh. Now those same grapes are blended into this higher end (but still affordable) Xinomavro. It has a little more pepper, fuller body, and a nice long finish.  It may have graduated from lunch to dinner. Aw, they grow up so fast.

HIGH ROAD WHITE

2020 Elena Walch Kristallberg Pinot Bianco, $25.34

To adjust to climate change and plan for the future, Elena Walch bought some vineyards at higher elevations. This Pinot Bianco is grown at 2,000 feet above sea level and spends a little bit of time in oak. The result is a well-rounded, elegant wine with the great acidity that we all love from Italian whites. All the tasters and magazines you’ve heard of gave this vintage 90 to 94 points.

2021 Patrick Noel Sancerre, $38.40

This excellent Sauvignon Blanc is blended with grapes from three villages in and around Sancerre with distinct soil types. The vines are 70 to 80 years old and the wine is made with minimal intervention to highlight the grapes and soil. This is about the highest price we’ve had for a white wine. Yes, yes, it’s worth it.

HIGH ROAD RED

2018 Muga Reserva Rioja, $29

The weather in Rioja was erratic in 2018, producing some regions of fantastic grapes and  some unusable. Muga threw away most of their red grapes that year (sob!) making only two red wines. But hey, you lose some, you win some. This one scored 94 points and was a big hit at the TASTE! school fundraiser.

2020 Aia Vecchia Sor Ugo Bolgheri Superiore, $37.34

Yes, you’ve seen this old favorite. This is the new vintage. Our High Road Reds tend to be French and Italian, but this Super Tuscan meets you in the middle. It is a classic Bordeaux blend (Cab, Merlot, Cab Franc, and Petit Verdot), but distinctly Italian in flavor. The last vintage we used was 2013. And by chance if you still have one of those laying down in your cellar, let’s get together and taste them side by side. We’ll cook.