Red #1: Los Vascos Cabernet Sauvignon (Chile)Los Vascos provides an excellent portrait of a great Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon. Like many great Chilean Cabernet Sauvignons, its price belies its quality. Owned by the Rothschild family, producers of some of the best Bordeaux wines (Lafite) in the world, this remarkable cousin is a fantastic value. Chilean wine is also unique because it represents the purest version of what French wines tasted like 150 years ago. Chile’s unique climate protected it from the devastation of the phylloxera blight of the late nineteenth century which enabled Chile to continue using traditional French vines at a time when the French were forced to graft their vines with the aphid resistant American vines.
Red #2: Gerstacker Nürnberger Markt Glühwein (Germany)This is the quintessential Christmas season wine. In Germany, large outdoor Christmas markets are a major attraction during the holiday season with the greatest, most renowned one being in the walled city of Nürnberg. While shopping for the holidays and enjoying the festivities of these culturally rich markets, it’s an absolute necessity to drink “Glühwein” – a warm, mulled wine served in artistic ceramic containers. In addition to having numerous spices and flavors, its warmth is essential for a holiday excursion outside, making it the perfect holiday season beverage for carolers. There are numerous varieties available in the U.S., but this one is probably the most common, has an attractive price point and hails from the great city of Nürnberg. Served warm (not boiled!), this is a must for the holiday season.
Red #3: Egervin Egri Bikaver (Hungary)Hungary makes some of the best wines in Europe. Egervin’s Egri Bikaver (Bull’s Blood of Eger) is not one of Hungary’s best wines, but it is a great introduction to Hungarian wines and a phenomenal accompaniment to rich Central or Eastern European fare. Made primarily from the Kekfrankos grape, this wine is a light red with a lot of attitude that typifies the wines of Eger – one of Hungary’s hidden gem destinations for wine lovers. Inexpensive and delicious, this wine is great with schnitzels and goulashes.
White #1: Boutari Moschofilero (Greece)
What a shame that the civilization that invented a monetary system is the one that is currently hit the hardest by that system. If you’d like to support the struggling Greek economy, there’s no better way than to buy a bottle of this wonderful wine. The Moschofilero grape is a truly Greek grape with a distinct floral and fruity (think melons and roses) bouquet and a wonderfully rich flavor that leaves hints of orange blossom and grapefruit on your palate. The Greeks brought wine to Western Civilization and continue to show their deference to Dionysus with excellent wines like this one.
White #2: Domaine La Haute Fevrie Muscadet (France)
Muscadet is a misunderstood French wine that is frequently shunned by wine snobs. It’s a shame because this lovely white wine is the perfect partner for mussels and/or oysters and other seafood. Light and slightly sparkling, Muscadet is extremely approachable with delicate hints of apple and pear that make it go exceptionally well with numerous seafood dishes and light summer fare. A quick tip on Muscadet – make sure that the bottle says “Sur Lie” (on its yeast) before purchasing; this generally denotes a better product. Try this with mussels – you will not be disappointed!
Enjoy! Cheers from the Booze Whisperer!
