Wine News

Hello Everyone! I hope everyone enjoyed the Superbowl and were able to indulge in some delicious food and drink. I had the good fortune of enjoying a classic bubbly favorite, a bottle of Duval-Leroy Brut NV (I just can’t get enough Champagne!)

I have some exciting Georgetown Wine News to report, two new wines will be arriving this week and there’s some great press on a new vintage of a store favorite.
As many of you know Stephanie is our resident Italian Specialist and she does not hesitate suggesting some of her personal Italian favorites as well as some wacky, hard-to-pronounce grape varieties. One of her favorite regions (among many) is Montefalco in Umbria. It is an area that is somewhat under rated locally and throughout the states. The most prominent red grape grown in this region is Sagrantino. This grape produces the prized Sagrantino di Montefalco, a wine that can be produced in a range of styles from a sweet dessert style to a rich, full-bodied dry red. This wine is a beautiful and unique example of its terroir, as Sagrantino only grows in Umbria and the best in Montefalco (think Sangiovese to Montalcino). Arnaldo Caprai is one of the pioneering winemakers of fine wine in this region and produces exceptional Rosso di Montefalco and Sagrantino di Montefalco.

Arnaldo Caprai’s 2007 Montefalco Rosso DOC is showing beautifully, with an unbelievably aromatic nose of ripe red fruit, vanilla, mild herb, tobacco and liquorice notes. For an introductory level Montefalco Rosso the structure, harmony, and length on this wine is unbelievable. Robert Parker gave this wine 89-91 points, here’s his review:

“Caprai’s Montefalco Rosso, the entry-level wine, is made of 70% Sangiovese and 30% Sagrantino. Although the wine is clearly made to be enjoyed on the young side, in exceptional vintages the Rosso is also capable of developing quite nicely in bottle. The 2007 Montefalco Rosso reveals lovely fragrance in its fruit and an expansive, caressing personality. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2014.”

The next wine I have to report on is also Italian. This is an unbelievable Italian white wine coming from Alto Adige. Alto Adige is one of the most northern regions in Italy and borders Austria. The region, Trentino-Alto Adige produces both red and white wines with Alto Adige specializing in the white production (although there are some awesome classic method sparklers coming from Trentino). The Kofererhof Kerner is a wine that we have had in the past and has been a long standing staff favorite. Their 2008 Kerner is showing better than ever! Kerner is an intriguing white grape variety of Germanic origin. It usually produces more medium-bodied, rich wines with wonderful acidity. Robert Parker gave this wine 93 points! Here’s his review:

“The 2008 Kerner flows with the essence of passion fruit, lime, honey and jasmine. The expansive, generous style suggests notes of botrytis-like sweetness that add wonderful complexity. The 2008 is an especially rich, generous vintage for this wine. This is a gorgeous effort from Kofererhof. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2012.”

Okay, switching countries…

The last bit of wine news I have is on a new Spanish wine that will be arriving this week. I just tasted this wine for the first time a couple days ago and was really pleasantly surprised. The wine is ‘Care’ 2008 Syrah Tempranillo blend. This is an awesome value Spanish wine from the D.O. Cariñena. It’s a youthful red showing amazing depth, with black cherry, intense floral notes and intriguing spice.

Ask Ryan or Stephanie to show you any of these wines next time you’re in the store. We hope you’ll love them as much as we do!

P.S. Try the Kerner next time you dine at Thai Orchid, this wine is sure to make a dynamite pairing with most of their menu!