Behind the Cork™ - Summer Wines from Mack & Schuhle

It’s Summer! And time for some light and refreshing wines. Mack & Schuhle Importers have just the wines to cool and refresh you during these hot summer days!

Light wines are versatile and can be enjoyed on their own as a refreshing drink or paired with a wide range of summer dishes, from salads and grilled vegetables to seafood and lighter meats and they won’t overpower the flavors of lighter summer foods.

The flavor profiles of light wines, such as citrus, green apple, and floral notes, just shout freshness which is especially appreciated during the warm summer months.

Summer foods tend to be lighter and fresher. So, light wines will complement these foods well and enhance their flavors.

Mosketto Delicate Sweet Pink ($11.99) — Italians love to start off an evening, especially at a social gathering, with a glass of this delicious pink bubbly wine. It really doesn’t matter what time of year it is, the wine’s presence puts everyone in a good mood. The pleasant bubbles in this wine come from a natural carbonation process without the addition of CO2 or artificial flavors. It is produced in Italy from Brachetto and Moscato grapes.

This Mosketto is salmon in color with very delicate aromas. On the palate it has sweet flavors of white cherry and peach. At 5% Alcohol by volume (ABV), this is indeed a light and refreshing wine to enjoy throughout the summer (or anytime!).

Art of Earth Riesling ($11.99) — Any time is the right time for a Riesling.  Many wine lovers claim, however, that if there is one wine that is considered to be the best for warm weather, it has to be Riesling.

This Riesling is from the Reinhessen QBA in Germany and is produced in the dry, trocken style. It is pale gold in color with delicate aromas that include nectarine and citrus blossom. On the palate, this off-dry wine has flavors of green apple and pineapple with good acidity and finishes bright with some minerality.

This one is Gluten Free, Non-GMO, Organic, Vegan.

Artigiano Peach Bellini ($12.99) — It is said that Cipriani in Beverly Hills could only serve the Bellini during the summer months of the early 1900s, but nowadays this cocktail can be enjoyed year-round. A comparable alternative to the mimosa, Bellinis make an excellent brunch drink because of their fruit juice and light sparkling wine flavor.

This Belinni is from Spain and made from a blend of 100% organic white wine and peach puree. It’s got big peach flavor and is lightly carbonated. This is a sweet one with just 6% ABV.

With these hot summer months, these three wines are perfect to enjoy with friends and family. And, at these very affordable prices, make them great fits as the 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.

Media Samples Provided by Mack & Schühle

It's Summer! Time for Some Light and Refreshing Wines!

Summer is a great time to enjoy light, refreshing wines.

Light wines are versatile and can be enjoyed on their own as a refreshing drink or paired with a wide range of summer dishes, from salads and grilled vegetables to seafood and lighter meats and they won’t overpower the flavors of lighter summer foods.

Many light wines have lower alcohol content. This can be preferable in hot weather as they are more thirst-quenching and more likely to leave you refreshed.

The flavor profiles of light wines, such as citrus, green apple, and floral notes, just shout freshness which is especially appreciated during the warm summer months.

Summer foods tend to be lighter and fresher. So, light wines will complement these foods well and enhance their flavors.

When choosing a wine for summer, consider lighter styles, lower alcohol content, and wines that can be served chilled. These characteristics make them ideal for enjoying on a warm day or pairing with seasonal cuisine.

Here are just a few wines that are perfect for summer:

  • Rosé - Rosé wines come in various styles from dry to sweeter options. They can have flavors ranging from red berries to citrus, making them extremely versatile and a refreshing option.

  • Sparkling Wines - Sparkling wines go with almost any food. But, the chilled bubbles make them especially fit for summer. Prosecco, a sparkling wine from Italy, is light, fruity, and often slightly sweet. It's perfect for summer celebrations.

  • Sauvignon Blanc - This seems to be the go-to wine of summer with bright, refreshing acidity and fresh fruit flavors of citrus, green apple, and sometimes tropical fruits like passion fruit or pineapple.

  • Chenin Blanc - This is another light, refreshing wine that offers crisp acidity with flavors of apple, pear, and honey.

  • Pinot Grigio/Pinot Gris - Also a go-to summer light-bodied wine with refreshing acidity. Its flavors can range from crisp citrus to stone fruits like pear or peach.

Behind the Cork™ - 9diDANTE Vermouth di Torino Superiore IGP

9diDANTE (“Nove di Dante” or Nine di Dante) vermouths are made at the historic Dr. M. Montanaro Distillery, just five miles from the town of Barolo, the heart of Piedmontese winemaking in Italy. They are a craft operation with just seven full-time employees working in the region’s oldest grappa di Barolo distillery dating from 1885.

In its name, “Dante” refers to Dante Alighieri, author of La Divina Comedia (1320), a revolutionary work in its day.

Vermouth di Torino Superiore IGP guarantees that a minimum 50% of base wine comes from Piedmont, and stipulates a minimum alcohol content of 17% alcohol. At 9diDANTE, 100% of the base wine and at least a third of the herbs (including wormwood) are sourced from the surrounding DOC vineyards and hillsides at their home in Alba.

Their production is done in six steps: (1) Acquire the wine, (2) add spirit, (3) add selected herbs and spices individually macerated in alcohol, (4) let the vermouth rest for one and two months, (5) filter and (6) bottle.

Served over ice with a twist of Orange peel

9diDANTE Inferno Rosso Vermouth di Torino Superiore IGP ($32)

This Vermouth is produced from a 50/50 blend of Piedmont DOC Dolcetto (Dol-CHET-oh), a red wine grape, for structure and color, and Cortese (kort-tay-zay), a white wine grape, for a lively acidity. It has a 75% wine base.

This naturally red vermouth exhibits the sour cherry notes from Dolcetto, followed by notes of orange zest, forest fruits and cardamom.

INFERNO is bright ruby in color. On the nose it has notes of cherry from the Dolcetto followed by aromas of orange zest, vanilla and fruits of the forest. On the palate is has distinct cherry notes along with cardamom and basil, some sweetness and finishes with a slight tartness.

Served over ice with a twist of Lemon peel

9diDANTE Purgatorio Extra Dry Vermouth di Torino Superiore IGP ($35)

This Vermouth is produced from 100% Piedmont DOC Arneis (ar-NAYZ), a white wine grape. It has a 84% wine base.

Pergatorio is pale yellow in color. On the nose it has very faint floral notes. On the palate is has characteristic pear and apricot notes of Arneis wines, citrus and herbal notes, with touches of sage, mint and thyme with a refreshing finish.

9diDANTE was developed to drink “da solo,” that is to say straight. Enjoy it lightly chilled, served neat or on the rocks with a twist of orange or lemon, as an aperitivo. It can also be used in a myriad of cocktails. Or, simply check out the 9diDANTE Cocktail Guide on their website.

These craft Vermouths are delicious and very affordably priced. That makes them a great fit as this week’s 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.

Media Samples Provided by 9diDante

Some Fun Facts About Vermouth

Here are a few fun facts about Vermouth:

  • Vermouth’s history dates back to ancient civilizations. Its origins have been traced to ancient China, where it was initially used for medicinal purposes. It then gained popularity in Europe, particularly in Italy and France, during the Middle Ages.

  • The name "vermouth" is derived from the German word "wermut," which means wormwood. Wormwood is a key ingredient in vermouth and is known for its bitter flavor. It was historically believed to have medicinal properties and was used to treat various ailments.

  • Production

1.     The first step in vermouth production is selecting a base wine. This wine serves as the foundation for the vermouth and can vary in style and grape variety depending on the desired flavor profile.

2.     The base wine is typically fortified by adding a neutral grape spirit, usually brandy. This step increases the alcohol content of the wine and helps preserve the flavors.

3.     After fortification, the base wine is infused with a mixture of botanicals, herbs, and spices. Common botanicals used in vermouth production include wormwood, gentian, citrus peel, chamomile, cinnamon, cloves, and cardamom.

  • Rosé vermouth is a relatively newer variation of traditional vermouth. It combines the aromatic flavors of vermouth with the fruity notes of rosé wine. Rosé vermouth is authentically made from red wine grapes – others are colored with a dash of caramel coloring.

  • Vermouth can be enjoyed in a variety of ways:

1.     On its own over ice with a twist of lemon or orange peel

2.     Served with a splash of soda water

3.     Used as a key component in cocktails such as the Negroni, Spritz, Martini or the Manhattan

  • Like wine, vermouth production varies by region, each with its own unique characteristics. For example, Italian vermouth tends to be sweeter and more full-bodied, while French vermouth often has a drier profile with pronounced herbal notes.

  • In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in artisanal vermouth production. Many craft distilleries and wineries are experimenting with small-batch vermouths, often using locally sourced botanicals and innovative techniques to create distinctive flavor profiles.

Look for a couple of really nice artisanal vermouths to be featured as the next Behind the Cork™ Wines of the Week. Cheers!

Behind the Cork™ - González Byass Lepanto Brandy

The González Byass luxury brandy Lepanto is the only Brandy de Jerez produced entirely in Jerez, Spain and the only Gran Reserva Jerez brandy that fully reflects the essence of Jerez.

Distilled in González Byass pot stills in the center of the city, it is made from Palomino grapes grown in Jerez and aged following the traditional Solera system in American oak casks that have previously contained Sherry, which ensures that both quality and flavor remain constant over time.

González Byass has been producing brandy since 1844. Since then the company has continued to purchase new alambiques and pot stills to produce high quality Brandy de Jerez.

Lepanto is distilled in two Charentais pot stills originally from Cognac dating from the 1960s. Following the second distillation the distillate is fractioned into heads, tails and hearts with only the heart, known as holanda in Jerez, being used for Lepanto. [Note that the “Heads” are the spirits from the beginning of the run that contain a high percentage of low boiling point alcohols and other compounds such as aldehydes and ethyl acetate. The “Hearts” are the desirable middle alcohols from the run. Finally, the “Tails” are the distillate containing a high percentage of fusel oil (Fusel is from the German word that means "bad liquor") and little alcohol at the end of the run.]

The brandy is then aged for a minimum of 12 years in American oak casks previously used for aging Sherry. Lepanto Solera Gran Reserva is finished in sweet oloroso casks.

If you are looking for a real treat, give this González Byass Lepanto Solera Gran Reserva Brandy de Jerez a try. It’s super! And, it’s 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.

Media Sample Provided by González Byass