ely wines for Summer #010 – Final part!
July 29, 2014 Leave a comment
Here goes a recap on some of the wines we’ve featured over the last couple of weeks. I’ve attached the list of wines below- hopefully you had an opportunity to try at least some of them. If you haven’t, don’t worry- there is plenty of time left in this summer, and many of these wines are ely favourites, so they might be around into autumn.
What will I be drinking for the rest of the summer- well, in moderate quantities (obviously) and in no particular order…
German Riesling must be the ultimate summer wine, low in alcohol, crisp, fresh and with perfect fruit/acid balance. My #1 choice.
Italian whites – Italy is producing some wonderful white wines from native varieties which have far more character than you may have come to expect from Italian whites. Look out for-Pinot Bianco, Gavi, Lugana, Soave, Vermentino, Verdicchio, Falanghina, Fiano, Greco and Grillo. And when you’ve done them, try Favorita, Erbaluce, Fruliano, Grechetto, Pecorino, Inzolia, Catarratto and Zibibbio. When you done with all of them, give me a shout and I’ll list some more!
Look east! We are finally starting to see more and more wines from Eastern Europe on our shelves, and some are mighty impressive. For whites in particular look to Slovenia, Slovakia, Croatia and Greece.
Lighter reds . Sounds obvious for summer, but where to look? Well start with the stunning Pinots from Germany and Northern Italy- there is one of each listed below. Beaujolais may be struggling to regain the reputation it once had, but that is usually when they start making their best wines- a simple Beaujolais villages , served cool, in the garden with lunch or a light dinner makes for a perfect summer evening.
Sherry, Sherry,Sherry. Did I mention Sherry? It may still have its detractors, but its (fanatical) followers are getting louder and louder. Fino or Manzanilla, well chilled, with some straight-forward nibbles – olives, cured meats etc. – is a match made in winey heaven.
ely wines for summer 2014:
Paparuda Pinot Noir, Timisoara, Romania 2012
Raphael Palacios ‘Bolo’ Godello, Valdeorras, Spain 2013
Wagner Stempel Riesling, Rheinhessen, Germany 2013
Franz Haas Pinot Nero, Alto-Adige, Italy 2010
Nyetimber English 2009 Classic Cuvee
Domaine Decelle-Villa Cote de Brouilly, Burgundy, France 2012
Cullen Sauvignon Blanc Semillon ‘Mangan Vineyard’, Margaret River, Western Australia 2011
G.D. Vajra Dolcetto d’Alba, Langhe, Piemonte 2012
Domaine Felines Jourdan Picpoul de Pinet, Coteaux du Languedoc 2013
Taittinger Champagne NV, France
Broglia la Meirana Gavi di Gavi, Italy 2013
Les Deux Cols ‘Cuvee Alize’ Cotes du Rhone, France 2012
Lucien Crochet ‘Le Chene’ Sancerre 2012
Domaine de Millet rosé Cotes de Gascogne 2013
Wagner Stempel Spätburgunder, Rheinhessen, Germany 2012
Hernando y Souridais ‘Antidoto’ Ribera del Duero, Spain 2011
Meursault ‘Les Vireuils’ Domaine Chavy-Chouet 2010
Domaine de la Janasse Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2009
Join us for an ely wine tasting evening and learn more about wines.
Each week a guest speaker will present a selection of wines from the given region and we’ll serve up a supper dish to match. All wine tastings take place at ely bar & brasserie and start at 7pm. See more at http://www.elywinebar.ie/about/wine-apreciation/ely-wine-tastings
Aldo has gradually increased the area under vine to the current 40 hectares, ten of which are planted with Nebbiolo for his Barolo, located in such prized vineyards as Bricco delle Viole, Fossati, La Volta and Coste di Vergne. The vineyards are situated about 400 metres above sea level in the village of Vergne, in the commune of Barolo, on the western border of the zone. This is also where he grows his Dolcetto, which is a grape Giuseppe suggested is often considered an ugly duckling in Piedmonte but he likes to think of it as a moody teenager- it needs constant attention and showering with love in order to fulfil its potential. This one certainly does – it possesses a wonderful depth of colour, a fragrance of blue and black berries and a herbal hint on the finish. There is a crisp, dark berry acidity, ripe but firm tannins, and a long, savoury finish.
Southern England shares the same soil type that runs through Champagne, and while the temperatures are ever so slightly cooler, it is still warm enough to achieve perfect ripeness in the grapes.
Domaine Decelle-Villa Cote de Brouilly, Burgundy, France 2012
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