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Converted from paper version of the Broad Ripple Gazette (v09n01)
The Wine Scene - by Jill A. Ditmire
posted: Jan. 06, 2012
Top 10 Thirsts but no Worsts for 2011
1. Vinho Verde-It's a region in Portugal and also a style of wine. I visited the scenic area in the northern part of Portugal in February and fell in love with its crisp, fresh, fizzy white wine. Low in alcohol but dry in style makes a perfect food/every day sipper bottle and my "house wine". The Vinho Verdes that end up in my glass are:
Cruzeiro Brancho-from Villa Norte Winery housed in an 18th century stone home set amongst hills, trees and a running stream with waterfall. I saw a man herding sheep down a nearby path the day we were there. Old world style in new world market.
Gazela-produced by the same folks who make Mateus wine. (Didn't we all drink Mateus at one point? The swan on the bottle.) Quintessential Vinho Verde.
Broadbent Vinho Verde-big name importer brings fizzy fun with a gorgeous label. And a screw cap closure. Life is GOOD!!
2. Wines of Portugal-I have been loving the WINE of this country since I first visited 5 years ago. Everyone knows about its "ports" but the "still" wines from the Douro Valley, Dao, Vinho Verde and Alentajo regions are stupendous. Great values as most are still under $10. Red wines from the Douro and Dao regions are bold, rustic and packed with aromas and flavors of red fruit (plum,currant,black cherry). The whites from the southern Alentajo region are all dry and range from light easy going citrusy styles to wines with smooth lush tropical notes.
3. Wines of Languedoc region of France-Set in the south west part of the country with high pedigree neighbors like Cognac, Bordeaux, Rhone, and Provence, this scenic area is often looked upon as the step child of French wines. The area produces more wine than any other in the country but they just don't get the respect. Mon Dieu! It's probably one of the most beautiful places in the world as its quaint towns line the Mediterranean sea and have the Andes mountains to the west. Chateau des Karantes is one of my favorites. The wines are spot on and perfect with food. The owner is from Detroit, Michigan and during my visit we exchanged that "Midwest Mojo" when I said, "Hey you're from Michigan" and he said, "And you are from Indiana and we have a distributor there." HEAVEN! VERY limited supply of the dry crisp red Rose des Karantes and lively dry white Blancs des Karantes in Indiana so get it while you can.
4. Dry Creek Vineyards, Sonoma County California-Owners Don and Kim Wallace have STILL got it going on. The winery belonged to Kim's father for years and has remained in family hands for decades. You can taste the passion and quality in any of DCV's award winning wines. Many consumers only drink white wine in the summer. Here's a hint, try DCV's latest vintages of Fume Blanc and Chenin Blanc and I guarantee you will be drinking white wine year round.
5. Groom Wines and Colby Red-Winemaker and AGG (all around great guy!) Daryl Groom made Australian Shiraz a world wide phenomenon when he crafted "The Grange" for Penfolds Winery, Australia. His talents brought him to the US where he brought accolades to California's Geyser Peak Winery. Daryl always kept his own vineyards in his motherland and just a few years ago started releasing Groom Wines from Australia-a fabulous Zinfandel, a bold, rich Shiraz and a stunning Sauvignon Blanc. Daryl's son Colby is now a healthy teenager but before he was 10 he had 2 open heart surgeries. Father and Son teamed together to create a lush red blend called Colby Red. Proceeds from this wine support heart health research. My choice for a great wine anytime would be Colby Red. And if you want to REALLY taste what fantastic winemaking skills, passion and knowledge are all about, then pick up a bottle or two of Groom Shiraz or Groom Sauvignon Blanc. Vavavoom means Groom! (www.groomwines.com)
6. Gloria Ferrer Sparkling Wines-September brought me back to Sonoma County to judge the Sonoma County Harvest Festival. All wines must be made with grapes from the county. The exciting elegant sparklings from Gloria Ferrer Winery (www.gloriaferrer.com) took top honors and also blew my mind at a dinner at the winery one nite. Even a 10 year old vintage still showed tropical fruit and creamy lushness. Gloria Ferrer sparkling wines are affordable and widely available. If you visit Sonoma County, be sure to take in the breath taking views of the vineyards from the GF Tasting room's outdoor terrace. Almost as enjoyable as a bottle of its bubbly. Oh wait, you CAN have a bottle of bubbly while you take in the views.
7. Gruner Veltliner-Sometimes its dry sometimes its sweet but its always a great grape for food. Overlooked by many but appreciated by me especially when its from the Hugo Winery in Austria. This wine reminds me of Fresca without the sweetness. I get lovely aromas and flavors of lime and lemon with just a touch of minerality in the finish. Keep your eye on this grape as I think 2012 could be the year the rest of the world realizes its versatility. And if not, well then that just means MORE for me!
8. Horchata RumChata-Liqueur extraordinaire. Cordial with class. It's rum with cream. YES! Rum with cream. Think cinnamon graham crackers. Put it in coffee. Pour it over ice cream. Dab it behind your ears.
9. Fromm Four Star Nutritionals Family Dog Food-NO I haven't actually tasted it but from the description of what is in the bag,"fresh beef peas, potatoes, eggs, fresh fruits and vegetables", I DO think about wine pairings and maybe, maybe, maybe.... But more importantly my doggy boy Harp LOVES this food. His deceased brother Guinness was always the "picky eater". (Yes, the Wine Lady named her dogs after beer.) But as Harp heads toward boofday #14 he seems to spend more time looking at me over his food bowl with a face that says, "you REALLY expect me to eat this?!" Fortunately my next-store-neighbor City Dogs Grocery on Mass Ave (www.citydogsgrocery.com) introduced us to this line of all natural product. Harp loves Beef Frittata and Chicken A La Veg. Even in dog years he is still too young for wine, so I just enjoy a glass while he wolfs down his food. And in that glass is any one of #1-8 above.
10. Bourbon Baby!-After a 20 year hiatus from "spirits" I had a magnificent reunion recently as I now must purchase and sell liquor for my shoppe/cafe. Lucky me! Craft spirits have less gunk and more goodness and Indiana distillers are getting in on the game. Backbone Bourbon, a straight batch is sultry, sleek, smooth. Temptation Bourbon has a subtle sweetness, with caramel, nutty smooth finish. One of my old school favorites was a drink called "Skip and Go Naked's"-it consisted of frozen lemonade, frozen oj and bourbon. You mixed it, froze it and then served it as a slush. I say everything old is new again. Happy 2012!!
Jill A. Ditmire is an Omnimedia wine specialist, AWS certified wine judge, freelance broadcast journalist and 20+ year home owner in the Warfleigh neighborhood of Broad Ripple. Send your questions and comments to Jill at jill@broadripplegazette.com
Also on INSTAGRAM @jaditmire
Also on INSTAGRAM @jaditmire
jill@broadripplegazette.com
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