Five Anconas Wines to
Expand Your Palate
By Codey Foster
Overall, we consider ourselves very lucky because
in general, our customers are fairly well versed in wine, open-minded, and
spectacularly (and sometimes unusually) willing to take home any bottle of wine
that we put in their hands. For this we consider ourselves incredibly blessed.
We’ve got a unique, eager, and intellectual customer set and it makes our jobs
easier every day. And I’m not just trying to butter you up. It’s true. And I
thank you because when you ask me to put the very best possible bottle of wine
in your hands for $17, and I can hook you up with a killer bottle of wine from an
honest, quality-minded producer—there’s no better feeling that that. In fact,
even when I go home at night, it sometimes crosses my mind that hey, I bet John
is pulling the cork on that Rioja right now, he’s going to love it. And that
thought, that little vibe, that rush, is part of why I love coming to work
everyday.
One question that I find more and more of our customers
asking me (and I’m glad they do) is, ‘What wines should I be drinking to expand
my palate?’ A great question, and although I can not speak in general terms
about every single customer that comes into the store—I thought I’d put together
a small list of wines that might serve to open your eyes to new wines, cool
producers, and promising varietals.
11) Cono Sur Viognier ($11.99 or 2/$20)—I started
drinking this wine on a regular basis only recently, and when I did, I wondered
why I’d been purchasing any Chardonnay for $18 and under with this little gem
right in front of my face. I also probably would have steered you away from
oaked Viognier in general, but this wine is bright, stylistically executed, and
a sweet value. And although I think I’d prefer this wine to the Cono Sur
Chardonnay any day, this Chilean producer does an entire range whites and reds
that are tasty, well executed, and underpriced.
22) Comoloco Monastrell ($11.99 or 2/$20)—Speaking
of underpriced, the Comoloco (my new friend) is the newest member of our two-for-twenty
and is surely one of the highest caliber reds on the table. Frankly, I think
the label is worth $10 alone (I think it’s hilarious)—but the magnitude, fruit,
and octane (15% ABV) packed into this muscular but balanced Monastrell is
pretty suave.
33) Cantina di Santadi Carignano del Sulcis Grotta
Rossa ($16.99 or 2/$30)—This Foxy and unctuous Italian red made from Carignano
(the same grape that the French call Carignan), is an awesome alternative to
your favorite Priorat. It is rustic but poised and structured bringing fourth
dense blackberry, ripe framboise, earth, and spice.
44) Anne Pichon Rousanne ($21.99)—This woman makes some
serious juice. This particular wine is made from the 1.5 hectares of Rousanne
planted on the property. Fermentation and aging occurs in French oak and the
resulting wine is bottled after 9 months. If there was any doubt that white
wines outside of Chardonnay take well to oak (even after the Cono Sur
Viognier)—this is the cold hard evidence.
55) Contadino 4 ($27.99)--This wine is
biodynamically grown and fermented outside in the open air on mount Etna, an
active volcano. It is probably the most unique red wine in our entire store and
even if you don’t learn to love it, as we have, I promise that it will be a
learning experience. As a result of this wine’s ultra-natural production, heavy
(and chunky) sediment persists in its clear glass burgundy bottle—fear not
though because this sediment is harmless and is best looked upon as an
experience all in itself. Past the sediment however, I think you will be
surprised at the lightness of this wine. Despite its ripe scorched fruit, the caliber
and gait of this bottling is delicate and focused. And yes, it tastes like a
volcano.
So there’s the list. And whether you find it redundant, eye
opening, life changing, or rudimentary--hopefully you’re able to glean at least
some kind of enrichment, motivation, or just plain pleasure from the wines. I
know I do.
Thanks, Codey. This is so helpful. Next time I find myself with fifteen bucks in your vicinity, I know what I'll do with it! And I know I speak for many other customers.
ReplyDeleteFrances