Behind the Cork™ - Masciarelli Colline Teatine Rosato

2022 Masciarelli Colline Teatine Rosato ($14)

Mention the Abruzzo wine region of Italy to fellow wine lovers and chances are the conversation will swiftly turn to Masciarelli (Mass-shee-ah-RELL-ee). Few wineries have done more in recent decades to affect the Abruzzo wine industry, moving it into the 21st century, and shattering for good the stereotype of this southern Italian region as little more than a source of cheap, rustic wines and supermarket brands.

Masciarelli produced their first vintage in 1981, and to this date, all of their wines remain estate grown.

The Colline Teatine IGT, where the grapes for this rosato are grown, has a Mediterranean climate and breezes from the nearby Maiella mountains. Within the Colline Teatine, Masciarelli has plots in three areas:

- Casacanditella: At 1,247 feet, between the Majella Massif and the Adriatic Sea. Vineyards are planted with Montepulciano and protected from drought by cisterns.
- Bucchianico: In a landscape of Mediterranean scrub, Montepulciano and Trebbiano enjoy extra sunlight due to imposing gullies which reflect sunlight on vineyards planted at 1,181 feet.
- Ripa Teatina: The area, at 656 feet, is planted with Cabernet Sauvignon, Montepulciano and Trebbiano.

This Masciarelli Colline Teatine Rosato is produced from 100% Montepulciano D’Abruzzo grapes that are pressed with minimal contact with the skins to achieve this beautiful salmon color. It is fermented in stainless steel tanks to preserve its bright fruit flavors. It has subtle aromas of strawberry and cherry. On the palate it has delicate flavors of strawberry, candied cherry and citrus notes. It is light and refreshing with good acidity.

A delightful, refreshing Italian rosato like this one from Masciarelli, that is also quite affordable, certainly deserves being called this week’s Behind the Cork™ Wine of the Week. Cheers!

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

Sample Provided by Masciarelli Winery via Creative Palate Communications

Behind the Cork™ - Gaia Wines from Domaine Bousquet

Gaia, the Greek goddess of the Earth, has been the Bousquet family’s inspiration since founding the winery in 1997. Gaia labels depict the goddess in a festive headdress of colorful fruits and flowers.

Gaia wine are crafted with French winemaking sensibility and made from 100% organic fruit grown at a cool 4000 foot altitude.

Gaia (Guy-uh) red and white blend wines are a multi-varietal cornucopia of estate-grown grapes. This Old World tradition of blending varieties is updated to highlight modern, non-classic New World pairings. The primary grape comprises around 50% of the mix. With each year’s vintage, the bounty from the estate is blended a bit differently to reflect what Mother Nature has offered.

So, if you are looking for reasonably priced red wines from Argentina, look no further! Here are four options that offer incredible value without compromising on flavor:

2020 Gaia Organic Red Blend ($20) - This wine was produced from 50% Malbec, 45% Syrah and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. It was fermented with selected yeast for 12 days with Maceration for 14 days. It was then aged for 10 months in French oak. It is medium purple in color with subtle aromas of red and black fruits. On the palate, this full-bodied red blend has flavors of black fruit and green peppercorn, with firm tannin. (14.5% ABV, 5.32 g/L Acidity, pH = 3.67 and 2.2 g/L Residual Sugar)


2020 Gaia Cabernet Franc ($20) - This organic wine was produced from 100% Cabernet Franc grapes. They were fermented with selected yeasts for 12 days with Maceration for 14 days. It was then aged in French oak for 10 months. It is medium purple in color with a strawberry jam and red fruit aromas. On the palate, this full-bodied wine has flavors of rich strawberry and raspberry along with tart cherry, firm tannin, good acidity and a hint of tartness on the finish. (14.5% ABV, 5.77 g/L Acidity, pH = 3.68 and 2.16 g/L Residual Sugar)

2019 Gaia Malbec ($20) - This organic wine was produced from 100% Malbec. It was fermented with selected yeasts for 12 days with Maceration for 14 days. It was then aged in French oak for 8-10 months. It is medium purple in color with bold aromas of blackberry and blueberry. On the palate, this full-bodied wine has flavors of black and red fruits, smooth tannin and a wonderful finish. (14.6% ABV, 5.85 g/L Acidity, pH = 3.58 and 2.56 g/L Residual Sugar). This wine was given 91 points by Wine Enthusiast and James Suckling.

Gaia Cabernet Sauvignon ($20) - This wine was produced from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. It was fermented for 15 days with Maceration taking place for a full 30 days. It was then aged for 8-10 months in French oak. It is deep purple in color with aromas of sweet and jammy red and black fruits. On the palate, this full-bodied wine has flavors of black cherry with firm tannin. (14.5% ABV, 5.32 g/L Acidity, pH = 3.67 and 2.2 g/L Residual Sugar)

Overall, these four reasonably priced and widely available wines from Gaia showcase the country's diverse and vibrant wine scene, offering a range of flavors and styles to suit every palate. Thus, they are a perfect fit as this week’s Behind the Cork™ Wines of the Week! Decant each of these for at least one hour before serving, then enjoy! Cheers!

Behind the Cork™ - Virgen Natural Red Blend

2021 Virgen Natural Red Blend ($13)

Domaine Bousquet is a family-owned winery in Mendoza, Argentina that is nestled in the mountain community of Tupungato. Their wine is organic and vegan. From the vine to the processing of the grapes to their focus on biodiversity and permaculture, their wine sets the standard for elegant, sustainable organic wine that is perfect for a gathering with friends or a quiet evening at sunset.

Domaine Bousquet “Virgen” wines are pure, not only made from organic fruit but has no sulfites added, thereby qualifying for fully organic USDA certification.

This Virgen Natural Red Blend is produced from 35% Malbec, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Cabernet Franc. It undergoes cold maceration for 48 hours and fermentation for 10 days with indigenous and selected yeasts. It sees no oak aging.

This wine is deep purple in color with medium aromas of dark fruit and some peppery notes. On the palate, this dry wine has nice red and black fruit flavors including tart cherry along with medium tannin and acidity.

This is a tasty wine at a great price that fits right in as this week’s Behind the Cork™ Wine of the Week. Cheers!

Alcohol: 14%, Acidity-pH: 5.62/3.68, Residual Sugar: 1.84 gm/L

Behind the Cork™ - Beronia Crianza

2019 Beronia Crianza ($14.99)

This Beronia Crianza, from the Rioja region of Spain. Their innovative nature led them to pioneer the use of mixed oak barrels, a combination of American oak staves and French oak ends. The marriage of the two results adds a unique combination of complex aromas and flavors. American oak is widely used throughout Rioja. Hard and almost impermeable, but with a looser grain, it imparts pronounced flavors of vanilla, coconut and sweet spice. The grain of French oak is much finer than its American counterpart, and gives more subtle flavors and toasty, nutty characteristics. French oak also contributes to the soft, silken tannins found in aged red wines.

This Beronia Crianza is made primarily from Tempranillo, along with just a bit of Garnacha and Mazuelo (a.k.a. Carignan). By Rioja regulations, a Crianza (“kree-ahn-tha”) wine must be aged for a total of two years with at least one year in oak barrels. In the case of this wine, it was aged over a year in the mix oak barrels. It was then bottled and left to rest for three months prior to its release.

This wine is medium ruby in color and has nice aromatics including red fruits (cherry and raspberry) and herbal notes. On the palate this Beronia Crianza has big red fruit flavors, medium tannin and a really nice lingering finish with a bit of crisp acidity.

This Beronia Crianza Rioja is imported by González Byass USA and nicely fits as an affordable and attainable Behind the Cork™ wine of the week! Cheers!

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

Sample Provided by González Byass via Donna White Communications

Behind the Cork™ - The Wines of Beronia from Rioja Spain

Nestled in the heart of la Rioja Alta region of Spain, the Beronia winery sits beneath a plant-covered roof, partially underground, and blends seamlessly into the hillside to preserve the natural beauty of the landscape. From their initial design conception and build of the winery to the geo-thermal temperature control and efficient waste management, every care is taken at Beronia to preserve nature’s balance. Sustainability is integral to their philosophy of producing great wines.

2022 Beronia Rosé ($12.99): This rosé produced from 60% Tempranillo and 40% Garnacha. It is pale salmon in color with delicate aromas of cherry and strawberry. On the palate, the light-bodied, dry rosé (13% ABV) has delicate flavors of candied cherry and strawberry, refreshing acidity and an easy finish.

2019 Beronia Reserva ($24.99): This Beronia Reserva is produced from 95% Tempranillo, 4% Graciano and 1% Mazuelo. It is pale purple in color with medium-high intensity aromas of black fruits, especially cherry. On the palate, this full-bodied Reserva has flavors of black cherry, black berry, medium tannin and distinct notes of oak from spending at least one year in oak, per the requirements for a “Reserva” wine in Rioja.

2015 Beronia Gran Reserva ($29.99): This Gran Reserva is produced from 94% Tempranillo, 5% Graciano and 1% Mazuelo. It is medium purple in color. On the nose it has plum and black cherry with notable oak from its 28 months in French oak (2-year requirement for a Gran Reserva). On the palate this full-bodied wine has big dark fruit flavors including black cherry, medium tannin and medium-high acidity.

Each of these wines from Beronia’s Rioja Alta region are great tasting and affordable, thus being a great fit as this week’s Behind the Cork™ Wines of the Week. Salud!

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

Samples Provided by Beronia Winery via Gonzalez Byass and Donna White Communications