First is the 2011  ‘Arcosesto’ Orvieto Classico Superiore ($14.99).  Orvieto is an under-appreciated white wine from Italy.  This particular offering hails from Umbria, which lies on the eastern border of Tuscany.  Extremely low yields make for a vibrant wine packed with flavor.  The nose is crisp and clean with hints of honey and minerals.  That minerality carries into the taste which is punctuated with a bright acidity that wakes up the taste buds.  Hints of flowers and citrus are also there.  The wine has a viscous mouthfeel and can be served just below room temperature.  It will go well with fish dishes, but if you’re feeling adventurous try it with pork loin.  You’ll thank me.

Next up is the 2011 Borsao ‘Monte Oton’ Garnacha ($7.99).  This Spanish gem’s vineyards are located on the slopes of the extinct volcano, Moncayo.  The sun-drenched and arid climate makes for an opulent red wine that packs a punch.  This is an extremely fruit-forward red that will evoke the sensation for biting into a handful of fresh berries.  Think of this as Spain’s answer to Pinot Noir.  If you’re in the mood for a tuna panini, tapas, or seafood paella this is the perfect wine for you.

Last up is the 2010 Chateau Jalousie Bordeaux Superieur ($9.99).  Comprised of mostly Merlot, with a little Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon thrown in, this is a powerhouse of a wine that begs for a juicy steak.  On the nose there is a rush of earth that gives way to ripe berries.  All the while there’s the subtle hint of nuttiness that pokes up.  The flavor is awash in minerality with hints of fruit and ash.  I was very surprised to find a Bordeaux for $10 that I liked.  This is a great entry wine to introduce you to the 2010 vintage which is rapidly gaining notoriety as being one of the best in recent memory.

So there you have it:  Three exceptional wines at exceptionally budget-friendly prices.  Being crowd-pleasers, they are perfect for gatherings and big events.  Happy times and happy drinking!  Cheers!

Rob R.,  Beltramo’s Wine Staff

So the next time you have tickets to the UGC tasting, or Zap, or just find yourself at a winery where the genial host of the tasting room keeps bringing out bottles, here are four suggestions to make it more pleasure and less work.

1) Spit
No really, you really should use the spit buckets. If you’re swallowing from the first “taste” onward, how seriously are you evaluating anything much past wine number three? Even when you do spit, your palate will be sufficiently fatigued that you might want to be wary of how much you loved the next-to-last wine you tried. The only exception to this is Champagne – I still haven’t figured a way to gracefully expectorate bubbly.

2) Move
This applies particularly to tastings like Zap, where trying to follow tip #1 is hampered by someone planted in front of the spit bucket regaling the pourer with tales of their visit to the winery back in the early ‘90s. It still surprises me at trade tastings when people take root in front of a table, blocking access to the spit bucket(s) and the wine(s) being poured.

3) Ignore the numbers
Just because the tables are numbered, don’t feel obligated to do them “in order.” Quite often I’ve done tastings in “reverse” order, trying reds before whites, because the tables pouring reds were open while all the white tables were packed with attendees tasting by numbers.

4) Be brief
If you take notes, remember tip #2 – jot down your musings away from the table. And make them brief, most tastings are 2-3 hours so if you’re busy writing down all the flavor elements you find what percentage of the wines offered will you actually taste? A simple 1, 2, 3 stars is adequate – elaborate after the tasting closes down with a bite to eat and a palate-cleansing beer.

Keeping all this in mind, here are a few highlights, all for under $25, from our recent “work” tasting wines:

2012 Origine Russian River Valley Sauvignon Blanc ($15.99)

2011 Textbook Napa Valley Chardonnay ($17.99)

2011 Ostertag Vieilles Vignes Sylvaner ($19.99)

2011 Cantina Altarocca “Arcosesto” ($14.99)

2010 Domaine Berthet Rayne Cairanne ($19.99)

2010 Abbona “Bricco Barone” Nebbiolo d’Alba ($24.99)

Matt S., Beltramo’s Assistant Manager

The theme for last night’s tasting at my house was Rhone varietal Rosé.  The first one up was the 2012 Triennes ($12.99), from France.  I’m usually not much of a label guy, but any wine that has leaping wild boar on it, is alright with me.

This Rosé is a blend of Cinsault, Syrah, Grenache, and Merlot.  The color on the wine is a pale salmon, which leads me to believe that there was minimal skin contact.

This wine expresses aromas of early spring wild strawberries with a hint of spice.  The viscous mid-palate with a punctuated finish was very enjoyable.  This wine would be a great accompaniment to any backyard gathering or lighter fare now or throughout the summer.

Moving on to wine number two, was the Charles & Charles 2012 Rosé ($9.99).  The Charles & Charles project is a collaboration between Charles Smith and Charles Bieler of Three Thieves, Bieler Père et Fils, and Sombra Mezcal. The Charles & Charles portfolio includes a red blend and Rosé from Columbia Valley vineyards. The labels showcase the intent to provoke thought of the future while honoring the past.

The composition is 81% Syrah, 16% Mourvèdre, 2% Cinsualt, and 1% Grenache.  The color is noticeably a darker hue of pink. The aroma on this Rosé is less forward on the bright berry, but makes up for it with a little citrus blossom accent.  This wine displays another great viscous midpalate that lingers for a few seconds. The Charles & Charles Rosé would be able stand up to more flavorful dishes having a more robust mouth feel.

Stay tuned; as we are just on the cusp of more exciting Rosés arriving daily.

Chris M., Beltramo’s Wine Consultant

We had the opportunity to meet young Markus Huber several weeks ago: it was a total pleasure. The Huber Family has been making wines since the 17^th century. Now in its 10th generation, the winery has established themselves as the leading producer of the region Traisental.

Many great wines of the world are grown on limestone rich soil, and the Traisental valley is the only wine producing region of lower Austria where this exact soil type can be found. The limestone soil here forms the base of the finest sites for growing wine. This unique soil formation is rich with precious minerals and helps to keep the water supply to the vines at an optimum level. It provides their 2011 Grüner Veltliner ($15.99) with an unmistakable spiciness, minerality and vivid clarity, and their 2011 Riesling “Terrassen” ($15.99) with almost painful intensity, wild perfume and precision.

After tasting through the rest of the lineup including some dazzling single vineyard wines, Markus poured a splash of his Hugo sparkling rose($14.99), an uncomplicated, refreshing blend of Zweigelt and Pinot Noir.

As the weather starts to warm, try these fresh vibrant wines, ideal as an aperitif or with grilled fish preparations.

Howard Padgett, Imported Wine Buyer 

2010 Du Cropio “Dom Giuva,” Ciro Rosso Classico Superiore, Calabria  -  $24.99

This intriguing red wine takes its name from the D.O.C. region of Ciro, and the town Ciro Marina literally sits on the coast of the Ionian Sea.  When the Greeks brought various grapes to southern Italy it was Gaglioppo that found its home in Calabria and is still the dominant grape there.  Interesting though, Gaglioppo may actually have descended from Sangiovese according to recent DNA tests, so there is a bit of controversy as to its Greek origins. Never the less, Giuseppe Ippolito, the proprietor of the Du Cropio estate has taken Gaglioppo wines to superb levels of quality. The vines sit on steep hillsides just inland from the ocean catching the stiff cooling breezes which help protect the grapes from the intense, sometimes torrid, summer heat.  The soil is poor, generally a mix of clay and limestone and, due to the steep slopes, the drainage is quite good. All these conditions contribute to producing small crops of highly concentrated fruit, the best of which is used for the wines labeled “Du Cropio.” This is not a simple wine and I suggest decanting for one or two hours to let the wine open up. The flavors are complex mix of crushed berries, licorice and minerals.   I definitely recommend this wine with grilled lamb or steak, lasagna, sausages and grilled vegetables with olive oil.

2011 Masseria Li Veli, Verdeca, Valle d’Itria, Puglia  -  $17.99

In 1999, the Falvo family,  of Avigonesi  fame in Tuscany, purchased and renovated an old property in Puglia, called Masseria Li Veli, located on the Salento plain.  In 2009, they began a project called ASKOS, the idea being to use ancient varietals for making new wines incorporating modern high standards of viticulture and winemaking.  The word, Askos, refers to a typical Greek earthenware jar for wine and olive oil and many are still found in the Salento region. You will see a photograph of one on the label for their 2011 bottling of the white grape named Verdeca, which I must say is a superb wine and highly suggest you don’t miss. This Verdeca is grown in the Valle D’Itria where the mineral and calcareous soil combined with a cool and windy microclimate have proven ideal for this unique grape.  The wine itself emanates exotic floral, citrus and tropical fruit with a plush texture and clean finish.  Have this with seafood, especially grilled with olive oil, roasted chicken with lemon or herbs, and certainly the oh so obvious of all, a Greek salad!

Gary M., Beltramo’s Wine Consultant

Francois Mitjavile, producer of St. Emilion’s famed Château Tertre Roteboeuf, upon seeing the beauty of the land and quality of the soils promptly purchased a 23 acre parcel of land in the Côtes de Bourg which he would come to call Roc De Cambes.  The vineyards lay on top of clay and limestone soils which feed the well aged vines, an average of 45 years old, which in turn produce the ripe and highly concentrated berries which eventually end up in the deft hands of Mr. Mitjavile and his staff.  Treating the Roc De Cambes vineyard as well as winemaking with the same care used at Tertre Roteboeuf, Mr. Mitjavile is able to coax the very best of what Côtes de Bourg can be.  These wines are a blend of predominantly Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon with just a touch of Malbec.  The grapes are allowed ample hang time and picked only when ripe, even if that means waiting several weeks longer than the majority of the Côtes.  We currently have the 2009 Roc de Cambes for $64.99 – while exuberant and full of life now, it will benefit with a few years ageing.  However if you’re looking for the mature side of the Côtes de Bourg we have the more rustic and well evolved 2006 Roc de Cambes for $49.99.

Bill A., Beltramo’s Wine Consultant

Much to my delight we had an unscheduled double-header on Feb. 26, tasting with the head of an esteemed German winery and later briefly holding a renowned bottle that is more a piece of history than a bottle of wine.  Our guest that day was the charming Sofia Thanisch, of Weingut Wwe. Dr. H. Thanisch, where the family wine growing tradition dates back to 1636 and the estate was founded in 1895.

Sofia is the fourth woman in a row to run the estate and will be succeeded by her daughters, and we were fortunate to taste through the estates’ 2010 bottlings.

The Rieslings produced by Thanisch from their 16 acres of vines are classic Mosel wines, elegantly balancing the fruit and acidity within a framework of subtle minerality. The wines may seem delicate and lighter than some but some time spent with them begins to reveal the breadth of flavors and layers of complexity that are there. We are happy to currently carry two ends of the Thanisch spectrum, the 2010 Bernkasteler Badstube Riesling Kabinett, $19.99, and the 2010 Berncasteler Doctor Riesling Auslese, $59.99. The Badstube vineyard is positioned a little higher up off the river, and its Rieslings are classic Kabinetts – lively and fresh, with acidity that rewards both immediate gratification and time in the cellar. The Berncasteler Doctor vineyard is one of the wine world’s benchmarks, and the 2010 Thanisch Auslese will be a reference point example of its quality for a very long time.  Elegant and perfectly balanced, even in today’s infancy it has layers of complexity and will develop many more over the next 10-30 or more years. In a word, sublime. For more history, including why the vineyard is named “Doctor”, please visit the Thanisch website – http://en.thanisch.com/en/index.html.

The second half of the double-header came courtesy of a customer and was unscheduled, evolved in an unexpected direction, was quite touching in its background, and resulted in a meeting with a very rare bottle. A customer came to see us with two cases of wine that had recently become accessible again after years of storage where they couldn’t be reached. After some discourse with my colleague Gary, she was kind enough to offer me a look at what she’d brought. This is typically an occasion for some degree of tap-dancing where we ooh and aah to some degree while thinking “sure hope they don’t want us to put a value on this vinegar.” Looking into the box, the capsules were dusty and aged-looking without signs of decrepitude, so I pulled the first bottle out. A Madeira with a fading label, importer strip from an East Coast firm (wonder if they’re still around?), an interesting start but let’s have a look at this obvious Bordeaux. 1922 Lafite!?! Knowing she had my attention now, the customer suggested with a twinkle in her eye that I take a closer look at the vintage on the Madeira. Faded but clear – 1795. Quick now, who was President, had the French had their Revolution, what was going on in the world that year? As more bottles from the ‘20s and ‘30s came out of the box, the story was told of an “uncle” who ran the kitchen and took care of the hotel manager’s daughter frequently enough that he became known as Uncle. From Europe and clearly knowledgeable about wine, he had assembled and bequeathed to his niece a case of white and a case of red of some high-quality wine. High-quality then and extraordinary now, great wines with sentimental value far surpassing their potential at auction. The last bottle was the real jaw-dropper, the 1945 Mouton whose label commemorates the end of World War II and a miraculous, tiny vintage. As I had it in my hands and we chatted about the possible locations for enjoying the wine (Dad and Uncle’s hotel, retirement farm in the country), I thought more of the history symbolized by the numbers on the label and the sentiment behind what I was holding than the potential elixir within. During my years here I’ve tasted and sold a number of famous wines, great wines from great producers in great vintages. All of which are now second-place to a wine I didn’t taste a drop of.

Not a bad Tuesday, as the man said “let’s play two.”

Matt S., Beltramo’s Assistant Manager

We have three interpretations of this variety at Beltramo’s that will win you over and grab your attention.

To understand this wine variety, it is important to first look to Spain, as this is where the variety is believed to have been growing since 500 BC.   The 2011 Castillo Del Baron Monastrell ($12.99) is a wonderful example of not only the quality of these wines but also the value. This wine displays vivid perfumed aromas of dark cherries and white pepper with a punctuation of acidity. At this price, it is a wine that may be enjoyed frequently with a wide array of food styles.

In France, Mourvèdre is grown in the Southern Rhone but more dominantly in the Provencal region of Bandol.  In Bandol, Mourvèdre is the main grape, but also has partnering varieties blended with it. Currently, we have the 2009 Tempier Bandol ($39.99), which displays a deep ruby color, aromas of dark fruit and intense smooth tannins.  After five or six years of aging, the wine will develop notes of leather, forest-floor and small red fruit.

A great example of a 100% Mourvèdre being produced in California is, 2010 Halcon Vineyards Esquisto Mourvèdre ($19.99) from Yorkville Highlands.  This vineyard is located at around 2500ft, in Mendocino County, on fractured shale, mica-schists and quartz rich rock depleted soils that resemble that of Côte-Rôtie.  This truly is a labor intensive vineyard site that entails de-leafing and dropping of fruit for this Mourvèdre to ripen.  Owner/Grower Paul Gorden states that only about one ton of fruit an acre was harvested in 2010 to make this wine. Starting out with focused minerality, followed by notes of blueberry and dark fruit, this Mourvèdre is definitely sure to spark conversation at your next gathering!

Chris M., Beltramo’s Wine Consultant

If you’ve had a child born between 2007 and 2010 you are assured of finding high-quality, age-worthy wines from several regions to “put away” for 20+ years. Fortunately it has become very rare that I have to fall back on the old adage that year xxxx was great for people but so-so for wine. As a bonus, since it’s so hard for these new consumers to communicate their tastes in wine, parents should feel free to focus on their favorite regions and then decide if their offspring should start their wine experience at the mountaintop. Here are a few wines, including whites and Magnums, from recent vintages that would certainly be worthy of this tradition.

2007
J.L. Chave Hermitage Blanc ($175.00)
Poggio Antico Brunello di Montalcino “Altero” ($79.99)
Leonetti Reserve Cabernet ($149.99)
Robert Mondavi Reserve Cabernet ($99.99)
Cain Five ($89.99)
Heitz “Martha’s Vineyard” Cabernet ($179.99)
Warre’s Port ($69.99)
Fonseca ($79.99)
Quinta do Noval ($74.99)

2008
Philippe Colin Chevalier Montrachet ($199.99)
Vietti Barolo Rocche ($115.00)
Giacomo Conterno Barolo “Cascina Francia” ($149.99)
Altare Barolo “Arborina” ($99.99)
Keever Cabernet “Yountville” ($89.99)
Chateau Montelena “Estate” ($109.99)
Ridge Monte Bello 1.5 Liter ($295.00)
Chateau Ducru Beaucaillou ($149.99)
Chateau Montrose ($125.00)

2009
Chevillon Nuits St Georges “Les Cailles” ($115.00)
Michel Gros Vosne Romanee “Clos des Reas” ($124.99)
Pierre Gelin Fixin ($34.99)
Joseph Voillot Pommard “Les Rugiens” 1.5 Liter ($199.99)
Forman Cabernet ($84.99)
Pride Cabernet “Estate” ($67.99)
Phelps “Insignia”( $159.00)
Far Niente Cabernet 1.5 Liter ($260.00)
Ridge Monte Bello 1.5 Liter ($299.99)
Taylor Fladgate ($84.99)
Fonseca ($84.99)

2010
Christian Moreau Chablis “Valmur” ($69.99)
William Fevre Chablis “Les Preuses” ($79.99)
Bonneau du Martray Corton-Charlemagne ($149.99)
Faiveley Mercurey “Clos des Myglands” ($32.99)
Lamarche Echezeaux ($149.99)
Gros Frere Echezeaux ($129.99)
Hirsch Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir “San Andreas Fault” ($59.99)
Talley Pinot Noir “Rincon” ($54.99)

Matt S., Beltramo’s Assistant Manager

Although there are Pinot Noir plantings all over Germany, there are four appellations most known for the Pinot they produce: Rheingau, Pfalz, Ahr, and Franken.

Known primarily for growing soft, peachy Riesling, Pinot Noir comes as a distant second in Rheingau, with a mere 10% of grape acreage being dedicated to the red grape.  In the Western end of Rheingau around the city of Assmanshausen, lies the epicenter for Rheingau’s Pinot.  August Kesseler, a wine grower in the Rheingau often referred to as the “Prince of Pinot,” produces the 2008 Kesseler Spatburgunder ($17.99).  With flavors of dark berries and soy sauce and a lively acidity, this wine will pare well with Asian cuisine with tangy sauces, charred or seared chicken, and pork.

The second largest wine region in Germany, Pfalz, sits in the West of Germany with the Haardt Mountains separating Pfalz from Alsace, France.  The climate is generally drier and warmer than the rest of Germany, allowing Pinot Noir to ripen more fully.  The soil types in Pfalz are sparatic, with types ranging from sandstone and loam to limestone and granite, producing Pinots of many different styles.  Friedrich Becker, one of the best up and coming Pinot Noir producers in Germany, produces a wide range of defining Spateburgunder.  The 2009 Becker Estate Pinot Noir (available in store only), is rich with lively acidity, spice, and strawberry, while the 2007 Kammerberg Spatburgunder ($114.99) is incredibly rich and robust and can age in the cellar for over a decade.  Both pinots are grown on limestone soils, giving the wines lively acidity and Burgundian characteristics.

The Ahr, one of the smallest appellations in Germany, is the most northerly red wine producing region in the world.  Despite being so far north, the climate in the Ahr is actually warmer then the Mosel, in that the Ahr is surrounded by steep slopes of volcanic slate from Eifel Mountains which protect the grapes from cold winds and also retain warmth from the sun, allowing the grapes to ripen fully with sharp acidity.  Although most Pinot from the Ahr is lighter in body and color the 2011 Meyer-Nakel “Blue Slate” ($49.99) is on the heavier side.  With smoky minerality supporting luscious cherry and plum notes, this wine competes nicely with richer styles of Pinot from California.  Meyer-Nakel is well-known in the area for the use of oak barriques, which lend their toasty spice aromatic notes and help make this complex Pinot age worthy.

Lastly, located in the center of Germany north of Pfalz, Franken is historically known for its beer and for its awkwardly shaped bocksbeutel bottles in which they bottle their outstanding sylvaner.  That being said, some very excellent bottlings of Pinot are appearing in Franken, most notably the 2007 Rudolf Furst ‘R’ Spatburgunder, Centgrafenberg ($99.99).  Planted on sandstone and limestone soils, Furst Spatburgunder is incredibly Burgundian in style, with many layers of spice, earth, and cherry fruit.  It has spiney acidity when young, but will continue to develop and mature in bottle for eight to ten years.

Although Germany will always be associated with its excellent Rieslings, there are many excellent examples of classic wines to be found, if you are thorough or have a good guide.  If you are shopping for something a little different (or, dare I say it, better!) than your everyday California Pinot and Red Burgundy, give Spatburgunder a shot.

Jimmy L., Beltramo’s Wine Consultant