Behind the Cork™ - Wine of the Week

2014 Colomé Estate Malbec ($25)

Established in 1831, Colomé is located in the upper Calchaquí Valley in the Salta region of Argentina.

Colomé grows the world's highest elevation Malbec. The grapes used in making this wine are grown in four vineyards that sit at elevations ranging from 5740 feet to as high as 10,207 feet. These elevations produce thicker skinned grapes that yield robust flavors and ample tannin.

This 100% Malbec comes from 90 year old vines, is aged 15 months in French oak. What is immediately striking as you pour this wine is its extreme dark color. Then you get the aromas of black and red fruits. The intense rich fruit flavors, spiciness, firm tannin and acidity all work together to make this a very well balanced wine.

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

Sample Provided by Donna White Communications

The Rhône River Valley & GSM -- The Other Red Blend from France

Last time we looked at red wine blends from Bordeaux. Their blends are dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.

But, there is another wine region in France that produces great red wine blends, and that's the Rhône River Valley in Southern France.

While there are nearly twenty different grapes grown in the Rhône valley, there are really just three varieties that define their wine. They are Granche, Syrah and Mourvèdre And the wine made from these three grapes, known as GSM, is their signature wine blend. These are full-bodied blends with big dark fruit flavors, great depth and a bit of spiciness. 

Grenache, which contributes red fruit flavors and spice, is widespread in southern France. In Spain, where it is known as Garnacha, it is part of the Rioja blend. Mourvèdre is also found in Spain where it is known as Monastrell. It gives tannins, color and great aging capability to the wine. Syrah, with its bold structure and dark fruit, is very much a French variety and is the primary grape of the northern Rhone Valley.

The bottom line to wine blends, whether from Bordeaux, the Rhône Valley, or anywhere else, is that by blending different grapes, winemakers have greater creative control of their final product.

So, look for a GSM from the Rhône Valley which may be identified as 'Cote du Rhône' or 'Cotes du Rhône Villages' on the label. These are great wines that can be found at affordable prices. If you are looking for some fine GSM wines, look for the Châteauneuf-du-Pape region specifically on the label.

Cheers!

Behind the Cork™ - Wine of the Week

2013 Manzanita Creek 8th Street Zinfandel ($12)

Manzanita Creek is a super winery in the town of Healdburg in Sonoma County. And this 8th Street Zinfandel is a really nice one.  Great jammy flavors, easy tannin and just the right amount of oak to give it a bit of spiciness. The winery lists this wine at $30, but having found it for $12 seems like a steal.  So I went back for more!  This winery is sold out of this one, but if you can find a bottle, pick it up. You won't be disappointed! 

Do You Like Red Wine Blends? Have You Considered a Bordeaux?

Image - Decanter.com

Red wine blends have become very popular. There are several very popular and inexpensive red blends with catchy names on the grocery store shelves and on menus at restaurants. If you enjoy these red blends, let me introduce you to some that are even better. Much better.

Bordeaux, in France, is one of the greatest wine producing regions in the world. Its 60 appellations include two widely known regions referred to as the "Right Bank" and "Left Bank" depending on which side of the Dordogne River it is located. 

Different dominant grapes used in each of its wines also define the two banks.  In Bordeaux, the name of the game is red blends not varietals. So, it's the combination of the grapes, soil, and climate (terroir) that defines the wines. 

In Bordeaux, wines do not identify the grapes used in their production on the label. Rather, it lists the appellation where the grapes are grown.

Each of the two banks of Bordeaux focuses on different grapes as their primary component. On the Right Bank, the dominant grape used in their red blends is Merlot, but they will also include Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. On the Left Bank, the dominant grape is Cabernet Sauvignon but their blends also include Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Petit Verdot and Carmenère.

The white blends of Bordeaux much rarer, but are predominately based on Sauvignon Blanc blended with smaller percentages of Semillion and sometimes Muscadelle or Sauvignon Gris.

So, if you've found yourself tiring of some of the popular cheap American red blends, step up your game and give a Bordeaux a try. They aren't all expensive. You can actually find some great values from Bordeaux.

Next time we'll look at another famous region in France known for its blends - The Rhone Valley. Until then, Cheers!

Behind the Cork™ - Wine of the Week

2016 Amalaya Malbec ($16)

Amalaya wines was founded in Argentina in 2010 by Donald Hess of the Hess Family Wine Estates. The grapes are grown in the Calchaquí Valley in the eastern foothills of the Andes mountain range at altitudes as high as 5900 feet. This high altitude provides intense sun in the day and cool nights to produce concentrated fruit.

More than 75% of the world's production of Malbec comes from Argentina. This one, from Salta, is made from 85% Malbec and 10% Tannat and 5% Petite Verdot. One-quarter of the wine is aged for 8 months in French oak barrels. This lets the fruit flavors shine through with only a touch of oak flavors there to enhance the fruit.

This Malbec is a deep ruby red in color with nice dark fruit aromas of plum and black cherries. Cherry and Black Cherry flavors come right through along with a bit of peppery spice, moderate tannin, and a nice finish.

If you enjoy full-bodied red wines but prefer a bit less tannin, Malbec is for you. And this one from Amalaya is a fine one to choose!

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

Sample Provided by Donna White Communications