Behind the Cork™ - Fournier Crianza

2016 Fournier Crianza ($30)

This Fournier Crianza is from Ribera del Duero in Spain. It is produced from 100% Tinta del País grapes which are more commonly known as Tempranillo.

The grapes come from the terraced sides of the Duero River which winds through more than two kilometers along the edge of their property.

Their Tempranillo vines average being more than 25 years old with some plots being more than 60 years old.

The “Crianza” designation means that a wine must be aged at least for one year in oak and spend one year in the bottle before being sold. This Fournier Crianza was aged in 80% French oak and 20% American oak barrels.

The Fournier Crianza is medium ruby in color. It has black cherry, black fruits and spice on the nose. On the palate it is full-bodied with firm tannin. After decanting for a couple of hours the tannins softened a bit revealing its more delicate flavors and a hint of tartness on the finish.

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Disclosure of Wine Sample Submission: I received this sample at no cost for review. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Sample Provided by Rebekah Polster, Donna White Communications

Behind the Cork™ - Hess Select Pinot Noir

2018 Hess Select Pinot Noir ($19)

Founder Donald Hess instilled in his family business the thought that one should “nurture the land and return what you take.”

The Hess winemaking team likes to explore California’s Central Coast growing region when searching for great Pinot Noir, with a fondness for the famed Santa Lucia Highlands region.

The Sarmento Vineyard from the Santa Lucia Highlands is featured in this vintage of Hess Select Pinot Noir. Located on the benchlands of the Gabilan Mountains of Monterey, where the Pacific breezes boldly cross the range each afternoon to cool the vineyards, resulting in extended ripening over a long, moderate growing season.

On the nose, this Hess Select Pinot Noir has wonderful aromas of black cherry, plum along with earthy notes. On the palate you get medium-bodied flavors of black cherry and dark stone fruit in an almost jammy fruit bundle. Winemaker Dave Guffy says this wine has “…elegant aromas leading to luscious layered fruit flavors, most notably of rich red raspberries and black plum. This delicious palate is highlighted by a touch of clove all wrapped in well-structured, silky tannins.”

Finding a California Pinot Noir at this price and with such wonderful flavors is indeed a treat. Look for this Hess Select Central Coast Pinot Noir. Cheers!

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Disclosure of Wine Sample Submission: I received this sample at no cost for review. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Sample Provided by Donna White, Donna White Communications

Behind the Cork™ - Terre di San Venanzio Fortunato Brut Prosecco Superiore

Terre di San Venanzio Fortunato Brut Prosecco Superiore (~$20)

Prosecco is a semi-fragrant sparkling wine variety produced in Italy and made from the Glera grape. Glera has very delicate fruity and floral fragrances.

Terre di San Venanzio takes great efforts to preserve the aromatic components of their grapes so that they are at their optimum freshness. They achieve this through strict temperature control. The must goes into the tank at a constant temperature of 15° C (59°F). Then, the first fermentation occurs at a temperature between 18° C and 20° C in order to preserve the freshness of the fragrances. From the end of fermentation until the start of the second fermentation (which produces the bubbles), the wine is kept at a temperature of 8° C.

This Terre di San Venanzio Fortunato Brut Prosecco Superiore is a straw yellow color. On the nose, it is very light and delicate with aromas of green apple and pear. On the palate it is light and refreshing. The Charmat method of producing this Prosecco results in a lightly-fizzy slightly sparkling wine. It has hints of pear and peach with just a hint of sweetness with its 9 grams/liter of residual sugar (RS). (Note that the Brut designation can have 6 to 12 g/l of RS compared to a Dry with 17-32 g/l or an Extra Dry with 12-17 g/l).

Prosecco is a wine which is best drunk young because after about a year it loses its freshness and the floral and fruity fragrances which are the hallmark of this wine. So look for this Terre di San Venanzio Fortunato Brut Prosecco Superiore and enjoy it chilled as you would any other white wine at about 45° F. Cheers!

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Disclosure of Wine Sample Submission: I received this sample at no cost for review. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Sample Provided by Terre di San Venanzio (Italy)

Behind the Cork™ - Terre di San Venanzio Prosecco

Behind the Cork™ - Terre di San Venanzio

Here are a couple more wonderful Proseccos from Terre di San Venanzio in Italy.

The Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore Extra Dry (shown on the right) hails from 100% Glera from the best D.O.C.G. hills of Valdobbiadene. Its bouquet has delicate aroma of pear and white flowers such as Acacia and Jasmine. On the Palate, it is light and refreshing with soft bubbles and just a hint of sweetness (15 g/l RS).

The Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore “Fortunato” also is from 100% Glera and grown in the Valdobbiadene hills. This one uses highly selected grapes from their best vineyards. With scents of yellow apple, pear and white peach, this Prosecco is also light and refreshing with a touch more sweetness on the palate (20 g/l RS).

Both of these Prosecco offerings from Terre de San Venanzio are wonderful on their own and pair with most any thing you choose. Cheers!

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Disclosure of Wine Sample Submission: I received this sample at no cost for review. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Sample Provided by Terre di San Venanzio (Italy)

Behind the Cork™ - Hess Select Pinot Gris

2019 Hess Select Pinot Gris ($12)

The Hess Select line of wines are perfect for Behind the Cork™ because they are affordable and attainable. And, they taste great!

This Hess Select Pinot Gris (Pee-noh-GREE) is from California vineyard sites that assures plentiful sunshine for a consistent and long grape growing season. This provides flavorful fruit with layers of character.

The Hess Select Pinot Gris has flavors of pear and sweet lemon, moderate acidity and a creamy mouthfeel.

The Hess winemaker, Dave Guffy, says of this wine that it is “fermented..in stainless steel, without oak influence, in order to accentuate the beautiful tropical characteristics of the wine and retain freshness. It undergoes some lees stirring to highlight the naturally crisp stone fruit flavors.”

If you’re looking for a refreshing wine you enjoy with cheese & crackers or with poultry and seafood, this Hess Select Pinot Gris will be a great pairing. Cheers!

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Disclosure of Wine Sample Submission: I received this sample at no cost for review. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Sample Provided by Donna White, Donna White Communications