Behind the Cork™ - Riva Leone Barbaresco

2017 Riva Leone Barbaresco ($24.99)

Riva Leone was a man of unique character and personality who was an ambassador for the special wines of the Langhe all throughout Europe in the early 20th Century. His legacy lives on in the Riva Leone wines which uphold the winemaking traditions of Piedmont for a new generation of wine lovers across the world.

Barbaresco wines come from the Piedmont region of Italy and are produced from the Nebbiolo (Nebby-oh-low) grape.

This Barbaresco is aged at least two years including one year in American and French oak barrels.

This wine is medium garnet in color with delicate cherry aromas. On the palate it is medium-bodied with flavors of black cherry, firm tannin and balanced acidity that leads to a nice finish. A classic Barbaresco!

The Riva Leone wines are imported by Mack & Schühle and distributed throughout the U.S.

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 Communications

Behind the Cork™ - Barone Montalto Pinot Grigio

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2020 Barone Montalto Pinot Grigio ($11.99)

Sicily is a strong and legendary land. Its climate, nature and winemaking experience make it unique.

The story of Barone Montalto began in Santa Ninfa, in the province of Trapani, in 2000. Montalto wines come from great tradition, young character and are admired by a growing audience of wine consumers.

Barone Montalto manages around 400 hectares (~1000 acres) of vineyards. The majority of their vineyards, as well as their winery, are located in Santa Ninfa, in the heart of the Belice Valley. Other vineyards are in the province of Agrigento, in the Valle dei Templi and in Noto.

This wine is produced from 100% Pinot Grigio. And, just a fun-fact, Pinot Grigio is a pink grape that is a mutation of Pinot Noir.

This Barone Montalto Pinot Grigio is pale gold in color with aromas that include hints of citrus, lemon and herbs. On the palate it is smooth and easy with flavors of pear, peach and melon. The acidity is moderate and well-balanced. The wine finishes light and easy. Cheers!

Barone Montalto wines are imported by Mack & Schühle and distributed throughout the U.S.

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 Communications

Behind the Cork™ - Phantom Chardonnay

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2019 Phantom Chardonnay ($18.99)

It’s that spooky time of year again and a great time to re-visit the Phantom. This Chardonnay is from Bogle Vineyards where the story goes that a ghostly figure wanders their cellars at night. There are fleeting glimpses of muddy work boots and blue jeans, then it’s gone. Does the Phantom really exist? They believe so and absolutely believe that it has inspired them.

This California Chardonnay has aromas of honey and vanilla that go right along with flavors of golden apple and pear along with hints spicy caramel notes from the French oak fermentation.

There’s even an app you can download called “Augmented Reality Wine Labels” that allows you to scan the front label with your phone camera so that you can experience the paranormal stories of The Phantom.

Bogle has a lot of fun with this wine. But, don’t be fooled - this is a serious Chardonnay. This Phantom Chardonnay is very attainable and very affordable, making yet again a great fit as a Behind the Cork™  Wine of the Week. And, also look for their red blend; it’s great too! Cheers!

Behind the Cork™ Helwig Frenchmen’s Creek Barbera

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2015 Helwig Frenchmen’s Creek Barbera ($35)

Dave Helwig had a dream to move to the wine country upon retirement. After searching with his wife, Nancy, for the perfect wine region to relocate to from their home in Southern California, Dave couldn’t resist the charm and simplicity the Shenandoah Valley of Amador County had to offer.

As I’ve said many times in the past, I’m a big fan of Barbera from the Amador & El Dorado counties in northern California. These Barbara’s are bigger and bolder than Italian Barbera. They are full of bright fruit flavor along with the characteristic acidity.

This wine has big black fruit flavors of blackberry, blueberry, huckleberry, plum, black currant, and black cherry. This one has soft tannins, moderate acidity and really nice finish.

If you are in or near Plymouth California, give them a visit at their beautiful winery and tasting room or check out their wines at www.Helwig.com Cheers!

Behind the Cork™ - Wines of TILIA (Part 2)

Wines of TILIA from Argentina

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Tilia’s rural origins in Mendoza Argentina connect them deeply to the land and to their community. As the first Argentine wine to carry the Bodegas de Argentina Certified Sustainable Seal, the TILIA label illustrates their journey toward sustainable viticulture in Argentina. The Tilia or Tilo tree, their wine label’s namesake, produces leaves that are made into a calming tea which is traditionally drunk after lunch or dinner, to facilitate an afternoon siesta or bedtime.

The TILIA wines come from three growing regions in Argentina:

  • The Uco Valley is considered to be one of the premiere grape-growing regions in Mendoza. Located 100 miles due south from Mendoza city, its elevation reaches between 3,000-5,000 feet.

  • The Eastern Region is one of the oldest and most traditional viticultural regions in Mendoza. Located 50 miles to the southeast of the city of Mendoza, its reaches 1,950-2,150 feet.

  • The Central Region of Mendoza is home to the oldest high-quality vineyards. It is also a desert irrigated by the Mendoza River. Located 12 miles due south from Mendoza city, its elevation reaches 2,600-3,700 feet.

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2020 TILIA Chardonnay ($11)

This wine is produced from 100% Chardonnay from Mendoza’s Eastern and Southeastern regions. It was aged for three months in French oak.

This wine is a deep gold in color and has aromas of bright, fresh apple and pineapple. On the palate it was creamy smooth with moderate acidity and nice caramel flavor from the oak aging. It finishes light and easy.




2020 TILIA Malbec ($11)

This is produced from 100% Malbec from Mendoza’s East Valley and Uco Valley. It was macerated in stainless steel tanks for 15-20 days before seeing six months in French oak. It’s medium-purple in color with big black fruit flavors, a bit of pepper, some sweet tobacco and herbal notes. On the palate it’s got chocolate flavor from the oak and light tannin with plum.




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2020 TILIA Cabernet Sauvignon ($11)

This TILIA Cab is produced from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from Mendoza’s East Valley. It was fermented for 7-10 days with maceration for ten days in stainless steel tanks. It was then aged for six months in French oak.

This Cab is deep ruby in color with very delicate aromas. On the palate it’s full-bodied with bright black fruit flavors, medium tannin, definite oak influences and medium acidity.







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2020 TILIA Merlot ($11)

The TILIA Merlot is produced from 100% Merlot grape from Mendoza’s East Valley and Central Valley. It is fermented for ten days with ten days of maceration in stainless steel tanks. It is then aged for six months in French oak.

It’s medium ruby in color with red fruit aromas. On the palate it has good red fruit flavors plum, some sugar plum and nice black cherry along with a hint of leather from the oak aging. The tannins are easy and this Merlot finishes nicely.

These reds are quite young but very drinkable now and probably could use a couple more years on the bottle. These are all really nice wines that are very affordable and attainable (See wine.com) that fit right in as Behind the Cork™ Wines of the Week. Cheers!


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

Samples Provided by Nonni Strategic Marketing LLC