I highly recommend the following:

2011 Blanco Nieva –Verdejo – Rueda/Spain  ($15.99)

2011 Chiroulet “Terres Blanches” – 50% Gros Manseng, 40% Sauvignon Blanc, 10% Ugni Blanc Cotes De Gascogne/France  ($10.99)

2010 Dutton-Goldfield “Dutton Ranch” – Chardonnay – Russian River/California  $29.99

2011 Eidosela –Albarino -Rias Baixas/Spain  ($12.99)

2011 J. Hofstatter-Pinot Grigio -Sudtirol-Alto Adige/Italy  ($15.99)

2011 Lieu Dit – Sauvignon Blanc – Santa Ynez/California   ($21.99)

2011 Moulin de Gassac “Picpoul de Pinet” – Languedoc/France  ($12.99)

2010 Jean-Baptiste Ponsot – Rully “Montpalais” – Burgundy/France  ($21.99)

Enjoy!

Gary M., Beltramo’s Wine Consultant

I have highlighted some of my personal favorites which showcase the diversity of the Sauvignon Blanc.  Please, join me on our international journey, and if you have any questions call me or stop by…

2010 Heritance, Napa Valley  ($16.99)  91 Points Wine Enthusiast: “Made without oak, this is a beautiful, stylish and elegant young wine to drink now. Blended with some Sémillon for buttery fat, it highlights lime, green grass, white peach and white pepper flavors, brightened with brisk acidity. Achieves an unusual level of control and complexity, especially at this price.”

2010 Benziger, Sonoma County ($11.99)  Bright citrus and floral aromas, followed by subtle notes of grapefruit, melon and lemon. The acidity has been softened by a touch of barrel aging, giving the wine a delicacy not often associated with Californian wines.

2009 Seresin, New Zealand ($14.99)   “91 points.  Bright yellow. Subdued, pure aromas of nectarine, spices, minerals, licorice and honey. Broad, concentrated, ripe and dry, with a tactile dusty texture to the pineappley fruit. Finishes chewy, savory and very persistent, with uncompromising dryness. Serious stuff.”   Stephen Tanzer, Wine Access, September 2011

2010 Le Claux Delorme, Loire Valley France ($12.99)   From the Valencay region, mid-way along the river comes a classy and classic example of a Loire Valley Sauvignon Blanc.  Lemon and limes with delicate nuances of flint and mineral tones on the nose and the palate matches this in combination with touches of apricot and peach.

2010 Francis Blanchet Pouilly-Fume Cuvee Silice  ($21.99)  This wine also heralds from the Loire Region, but originates in Pouilly-Fume closer to the famed area of Sancere but on the opposite bank of the river. The wine is juicy, thirst quenching, with aromas of gun smoke, wet stone and delicate white flowers. Great tone and lift on the palate, lots of citrus with a hint of white pepper.

2010 Venica Ronco delle Mele, Fruili Italy ($34.99)   This wine originates from Friuli in Northeastern Italy. The nose is very expressive, exotic flowers and a hint of pear.  A soft texture on the palate with hints of apricot, peach and citrus rinds. Very complex for a Sauvignon Blanc: my personal favorite.

James D-B., Beltramo’s Wine Consultant

In many ways, Chardonnay is a victim of its own success.  It is by far the most widely planted wine grape in California (and Washington, for that matter) because it can be grown just about anywhere a vine will grow and still produce a marketable product.  It is also a grape that is acquiescent to a wide range of wine-making styles.   It can be refreshingly clean and light when done in stainless steel and kept from malolactic fermentation.   While at the other end of the spectrum you can find opulently textured examples aged in toasty oak and dripping with buttery richness.  And let’s not forget Chardonnay’s prowess in the arena of sparkling wine.  The grape’s versatility has allowed it to satisfy a wide range of consumers, but it has also led many producers to make wines that fall flat while attempting to be everything to everyone. 

Thankfully for Chardonnay lovers, there are more top quality options on the market these days than I have seen in many years.  The folks who really want to excel with this grape are making every effort to exalt terrior, pursue balance and  preserve subtleties that are often masked by too much intervention in the cellar.  At Beltramo’s we currently have close to 200 Domestic Chardonnay selections.  The following are a few of the growing group that adeptly embrace the fine qualities this grape has to offer.

2009 Shafer ‘Red Shoulder Ranch’ Carneros ($42.99) – Shafer’s single-vineyard Carneros-grown Chardonnay is produced from small-clustered clones of grapes selected for their low yields and distinctive flavors. Fermentation takes place within individual oak and stainless steel barrels using native yeasts. The wine matures on the lees for 14 months and since it undergoes no malolactic fermentation this Chardonnay retains a lively natural acidity.  “The 2009 offers lush, luxurious aromas and flavors of melon, honeysuckle, apricot, pineapple and flint all held together with bright acidity, good structure and elegant balance.”  Winemaker Elias Fernandez

2009 Peay ‘Estate’ Sonoma Coast ($54.99) – “In most vintages, the Estate Chardonnay has a   mineral and citrus character that makes this Chardonnay unique among the vast sea of Chardonnays available. The 2009 Estate Chardonnay combines that character with the intensity we seek. The nose shows youthful pear and lemon/vanilla custard notes. With time the robustness of flavors will become part of the vibrant and powerful wet slate, citrus and lead pencil flavored mid-palate. The finish is brisk and persistent with superb acidity and cut.” Peay winery

2009 Walter Hansel ‘Cahill Lane’ Russian River Valley ($38.99) – “The 2009 Chardonnay Cahill Lane (from the old Wente clone off a vineyard in front of Hansel’s house) is a deeper wine offering notes of white peaches, pears, white currants, unbuttered popcorn, hazelnuts and subtle smoke. It is a perfumed, medium to full-bodied white that admirably showcases the purity and elegance of this vintage for Burgundian varietals.”  Robert Parker

2009 Paul Hobbs ‘Richard Dinner Vineyard’ Sonoma Mountain ($69.99) -  “The Richard Dinner Vineyard is our source for the exquisite chardonnay upon which we founded our portfolio in 1991. With a lustrous golden hue it displays lively aromas of tropical fruits, lemon custard and fresh figs. Richly textured and fully elegant, the structured palate comes alive with succulent flavors of orange blossom, citrus oil, fresh pear and dulce de leche. A creamy, seemingly unstoppable finish is enhanced by the wine’s hallmark crushed mineral characteristics.” Paul Hobbs Winery

 Mike Janeway, Domestic Wine Buyer

Located roughly 90 miles north of San Francisco cutting through the coastal range, the western tip of the Anderson Valley is only a few miles from the Pacific Ocean while the tiny town of Boonville lies 20 miles to the east inland. The Anderson Valley name is credited to the Walter Anderson Family who in 1845 left Missouri and headed out west seeking gold, new land, and new opportunity. By chance they landed in this irrefutable Eden surrounded by dense redwoods on the southwest side and grassy hills to the northeast.

It wasn’t until 1964 that the modern era of wine-growing and wine-making in Anderson Valley came into play. Leading the charge was Dr. Donald Edmeades who planted 24 acres of premium wine grapes: Gewurztraminer, Chardonnay, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Following Dr. Edmeades lead was Tony and Gretchen Husch who crushed their first grapes in 1971 and founded Husch Vineyards, Anderson Valley’s first commercial winery since prohibition. Many have pursued the success of Husch and Edmeades, notably Ted Benett of Navarro Vineyards who refers to the Anderson Valley’s emphasis “on content, not appearance” as well as the world class French Champagne House Louis Roederer which built a California sparkling wine facility in the Anderson Valley in the early 1980’s.

The Anderson Valley AVA, one of ten AVA’s in the Mendocino County, is a 15 mile stretch that has become well known for its cool climate grape varietals like Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and the aromatic whites such as Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer and Riesling. And with 28% of vineyard acreage certified organic or bio-dynamic, Mendocino wine country is considered the “greenest” wine region in the U.S… I highly recommend making a trip through Mendocino and visiting all the down to earth and friendly wineries but if time doesn’t permit you, please come on into Beltramo’s and try some of my favorite Mendocino wines:

Husch Anderson Valley Gewurztraminer 2009 ($11.99): Producer’s notes: “aromas of pineapple, honeysuckle…flavors of ripe melon, lychees and an inviting spice character.” An excellent value wine!

Terra Savia Mendocino Chardonnay 2009 ($11.99): Made with estate grown organic grapes, this is one of my favorite un-oaked Chardonnays. An excellent food wine, with a very refreshing style with plenty of citrus fruit flavors.

Drew Gatekeepers Blend Mendocino Ridge Pinot Noir 2009 ($27.99): A blend of two ridge top vineyards 2000+ ft. in elevation and less than 10 miles from the ocean: Manchester Ridge Vineyard and Perli Vineyard. Heavy aromas of rose, violets, tea leaf; hint of spearmint; light mineral notes.  Full of lively flavors of dark cherry, spices. A bit Burgundian in style.

Goldeneye Anderson Valley Pinot Noir 2009 ($49.99): A blend of four different estate vineyards: Confluence, Gowan Creek, Narrows, and Abel Vineyards. Excellent tannic structure, supported by ripe cherry and blueberry flavors, balanced use of oak and refreshing acidity.

Roederer Estate Anderson Valley Brut ($17.99): A multi-vintage cuvee made in the traditional Roederer style, known for its body, finesse and depth of flavor. 60% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Noir. Notes of crisp apple, lemon tart, and touch of yeast. Flavors are creamy with pear and baked apple characteristics.

Roederer Estate Anderson Valley Brut Rose ($24.99): 60% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay. Slight Salmon tinge, wonderful crisp acidity and full round flavors of bright cherry, strawberry, red apples and touch of minerality.

Will Sundquist- Beltramo’s Wine Consultant and Assistant Manager

So if you’re looking to take a break from the usual and try something different, these are happy days. Of course, trying something different should be enjoyable and need not be that far removed from the wines you know. If you can’t figure out which varietal a wine is made from, or can and have no idea what it might taste like, ask us and we can make a comparison. We can give you an idea of what to expect and set you up with something new and interesting.

If your usual is a dry white, try the Berroia Txakolina ($17.99)which is 90% Hondarrabi Zuri and a delicious example of the primary white wine of the Basque region of Spain. Light-bodied and crisp, it has a refreshing character accented by just enough spritz to tickle your tongue. From the Monterey area, try the Cambiata Albariño ($17.99), a varietal originally from further west in Spain and into Portugal that enjoys being planted in California as well. Still light-bodied but with a bit more texture than the Txakolina and dry but not as crisp on the finish, it has established a fan base with us that will readily admit new members.  

For whites that are fragrant but not heavy, enjoy the aforementioned Irsai Oliver ($10.99) from Matyas Szoke in Hungary. It is delightfully fragrant, the parent grapes are Gewurztraminer and Muskat after all, and there is texture as well as weight with a lingering finish. A little less fragrant but possessing textbook old-vine texture and depth is the Albert Mann Auxerrois ($17.99), an organic wine from Alsace. Domaine Albert Mann was recently selected Winemakers of the Year by the Revue du Vin de France and this bottling is one of very, very few that I’ve seen of this cross between Gouais Blanc and Pinot Noir. Another stunning old-vine white is the Scala Dei “Les Brugueres” ($29.99) from the Priorat region near Barcelona. This is made from very old Grenache Blanc vines grown on steep “soil” that is a delight and education to sit down with and follow as it evolves in the glass. For a wine with such texture to have its intrigue outweigh its unctuous is remarkable and worth much more than the price of admission.

For red drinkers Italy is a playground these days, there are the hundreds of native varietals and more and more they are being made into serious wines rather than the carafe of Vino Rosso that used to be their destination. Two medium-bodied examples are the Colle Ticchio Cesanese ($15.99) from the Lazio region, a perfect match for the hearty pasta dishes we’re eating in mid-winter, and the Vestini Campagnano “Kajanero” ($15.99), which is due an award for quality and for combining Pallagrello, Casavecchia, Pizzutella and Aglianico. Both of these wines have the classic Italian combination of food-wine weight, spice and acidity that enable them to cozy up to a range of dishes and hold your attention if the food is not equally detailed. One of the few, if only, bottlings of Charbono ($19.99) that you’ll ever see comes from Summers Estate in Calistoga. Summers has preserved this vineyard and makes a fruit-driven, subtly spicy red that is food-versatile and thoroughly enjoyable to sip on its own.

Those of you seeking reds with more structure can look into the Aglianico by Bisceglia ($14.99) or the Zweigelt by Beck ($15.99). These wines both offer more structure and a core of fruit but have smooth, polished tannins and the core is not dense, they are drinkable now and inexpensive to boot! The Bisceglia ($14.99) comes from the lower slopes of an extinct volcano and has a typical Aglianico minerality overlaid with fruit that is unobstructed by oak. The Beck Zweigelt ($15.99) is an affordable look at the high quality of Austria’s red wines. The Beck has the structure but not the density of a Cabernet, with brighter, more red-tone fruit and just a touch of blueberry that is reminiscent of Australian Shiraz without the jammy texture.

So if you’re looking for a change of pace, try these and then ask us to set some more aside. Or tell us what you liked about your new varietal and we’ll give you a couple more to try.

Matt S., Beltramo’s Wine Consultant

Australia

The Yalumba winery produces high quality from $10.00 to $100.00. The Y Series wines across the board are bargains worth your attention. I particularly liked the 2010 Cabernet ($10.99). Winsor Dobbin, Sauce Magazine – Tasmania (Aus) writes: “The Yalumba Y wines are a perfect option when cash is tight and you need a quality bottle of wine. The 2010 Cabernet is a dark purple color with blackcurrant, crushed flower and violet aromas, full-blooded fruit flavors with spice, oak and mocha notes. In short it’s a quality cabernet offering lots of bang for your buck.”

Pewsey Vale Winery continues to turn out some of the finest, juicy, mouthwatering dry Rieslings for value on the planet. The 2011 Eden Valley Riesling  ($14.99) is no exception. Produced from cool climate, high altitude vineyards, this Riesling sizzles with lime/citrus, hard candy and mineral aromas and flavors. Beautiful palate feel, mouth-coating and long.

France

I had the opportunity to taste through the new releases from Domaine Cazes last year in France. The wineries specialties are the delicious sweet wines from Rivesaltes, but they also make tasty table wines. Try the 2010 Le Canon du Marechal Blanc ($12.99). This was one of my favorite whites from my trip through southern France. An aromatic, delicate white blend of Muscat and Viognier made of Certified Bio-dynamic grapes.

Another find from southern France made exclusively from Viognier is Chateau de Pennautier’s  Viognier de Pennautier ($10.99). This winery dates back to 1620 and made their first wines in 1701. If you want to taste what Viognier is like without the influence of heavy-handed barrel spice, this wines for you. Pure, fragrant, floral, peach aromas and flavors. Never heavy or sweet. Clean and fresh. Compare to California Viognier at two to three times the price.

A miniscule 500 cases of the delicious 2010 Chateau Astruc Ste Eulalie Minervois ($10.99) is produced. An impressive blend of Syrah, Carignan, and Grenache, this wine is a knockout. Sophisticated aromas of violets, gentle smoke, spice and berries. Fleshy, impeccable balance. A top-notch alternative to more expensive Rhône wines.

2010 will be another very good to excellent year for the Rhône and Southern France as you can tell by my enthusiasm for the afore mentioned wines. Domaine Paul Autard’s Côtes du Rhône ($12.99) is good barometer of the quality produced from the region in 2010. Importer Russel Herman writes:”The Côtes du Rhône is made from 85% Grenache and 15% Syrah grapes just outside the Châteauneuf du Pape appellation in Courthezon. It’s a smoky, complex wine loaded with warm raspberry fruit, showing many of the best attributes of Châteauneuf du Pape. It is ready for current drinking… and represents one of the best values from southern France.”

Another tasty value from the Rhône in 2010 is the Les Vignerons d’Estezargues d’Andezon Côtes du Rhône ($10.99). Robert Parker The Wine Advocate rated this wine 91 points and says: “The classic cuvee, which has long been selected by importer Eric Solomon, is their 2010 Domaine d’Andezon, a blend of 90% Syrah and 10% Grenache. While there are critics of Syrah grown in the southern Rhone, even the cynics agree that the old-vine Syrah from the Gard has a special character to it. This wine comes from 40+-year-old Syrah vines and 60+-year-old Grenache vines, bottled unfined and unfiltered after being aged in both tank and concrete. Dense ruby/purple, with a stunning nose of blackberry liqueur and jus de viande (beef/meat juices), it’s thrilling, intensely pure, full-bodied mouthfeel, good freshness, and striking floral character all combine for one of the very best bargains in dry red wine that readers are likely to find anywhere in the world. This is super and should continue to drink well for another 3-4 years.”

Italy

I wrote about  Cleto Chiarli’s Lambrusco ($10.99) in an earlier article in November 2011. It’s worth noting again the merits of this delicious fizz, in this context as a value sparkling wine: “Obtained by a careful grape selection of the ancient “Grasparossa” vine cultivated on the hills surrounding Castelvetro village in the Modena province. Deep ruby red color with a pink froth. Fruity aroma and palate, typical of this varietal, which are very pleasant indeed. Thanks to a rational and slow fermentation the wine has a distinct softness and delicacy. It can be a wine for dessert as well as a wine for the typical dishes of the local cuisine.” Dalla Terra Importer 

Argiano hit it out of the park with the new release of the 2009 Non Confunditur ($15.99). “Non Confunditur” is the Latin term written on Argiano’s crest and was the motto of the former owners, the Lovatelli Gaetani d’Aragona family. A blend of Tuscan and French grapes, the 2009 might be the best vintage for this wine I’ve tasted. Clove/allspice, savoury aromas. Black fruit, spice flavors. Juicy acidity adds a nice punch to the wine.

Two wines I’d highly recommend from Vietti winery in Piemonte are the 2009 Barbera d’Asti Tre Vigne ($15.99) and the 2007 Barolo Castiglione ($39.99). Vietti winery writes about the Barbera d’Asti Tre Vigne: “Ruby purple color with ripe red cherry aromas with hints of mineral and vanilla. A dry, medium bodied red wine with refreshing acidity and soft tannins. Well balanced with good integration of oak, good complexity and a finish of red cherries.” You might say $40.00 for a bottle of wine a value?  But hold on. The Barolo Castiglione bottlings from Vietti can, in most vintages, represent the best value in Barolo. The 2007 again, might represent the best value in Barolo. This wine is flying off the shelf and will easily eclipse the phenomenal success of the 2004 vintage. Rated 93 points from Antonio Galloni at The Wine Advocate, he writes: “The 2007 Barolo Castiglione deftly balances the open, radiant personality of the vintage with considerable underlying structure. Warm, dense and full-bodied, the 2007 Barolo Castiglione flows effortlessly across the palate with generous fruit and fabulous overall balance. The wine was even better when I tasted it from bottle a few months later. It is another overachieving wine from Vietti and a bottle that is exceedingly fairly priced.”

Spain

Celler Pinol’s Ludivicus Tinto ($10.99) is a must buy. A blend of Garnacha, Syrah and Carinena from the Terra Alta district in the Tarragona province of northeastern Spain. Lovely, pure, fresh berry flavors that possess a hint of tension in the finish. Delicious.

The 2010 Bielsa ‘Viñas Viejas’ Garnacha ($10.99) is another stellar, value offering from  this producer from Campo de Borja. Easy to like, uncomplicated aromas of raspberry, cranberry and cherry kirsch. Fleshy, seamless texture.

Howard Padgett, Imported Wine Buyer

I was also able to get a sneak peak at some of the wines that won’t hit the marketplace until next spring as well as grill numerous winemakers on the state of this year’s harvest.  On that last note, the synopsis is that yields will be way down while quality will be dependent on the ability of vineyard managers to mitigate rain induced mold issues and foster the grapes to ripeness in a growing season that has been quite cool.

Here are a few highlights from the tasting that can currently be found on our shelves or purchased though our website:

2008 Kazmer & Blaise “Boon Fly’s Hill” Carneros Chardonnay – $44.99

Sourced from a small knoll within the Poseidon’s Vineyard in Carneros, this wine is age entirely in tight grained Hungarian oak barrels for 21 months.  It is a beautifully detailed Chardonnay with aromas of white flowers, blanched almond, apple tart and spice.  The mouth feel is structured and precise with vivid green apple flavors, a splash of minerality, great acidity and a subtle toasty nuance that lingers through the finish.  Only 197 cases were produced.

2010 Luli “Santa Lucia Highlands” Chardonnay – $17.99

My favorite thing about this wine lies in the wine making.    Here we have a wine that is vinified in 50% stainless steel, 50% neutral oak and untouched by malolactic fermentation.  This allows the essence of the grape to shine without the accoutrements of the winemaker’s hand.  The aromatics reveal a lovely tropical fruit note along with flavors of white peach and caramelized apple.  There is plenty of textural concentration as well as a vibrant acidity which helps to make this wine an agile food paring candidate.

2009 Freeman “Sonoma Coast” Pinot Noir – $39.99

With winemaker (and Beltramo’s alum) Ed Kurtzman in the cellar, this winery has been quietly turning out delicious wines for almost a decade.  Their most recent release of Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir showcases all the character of the 2009 vintage for this area.  It is a wine with bright acidity, tightly wound structure and beautiful depth of fruit.  The aromatics are a lively mix of pomegranate, sweet spices and rosewood.  The expression on the palate is a bit more reticent but the long finish reveals layers of subtlety indicative of future gratification.

2009 Roar “Rosella’s Vineyard” Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir – $49.99

Roar winery owner Gary Francioni is also the owner of the fabulous Rosella’s vineyard located in central portion of the Sana Lucia Highlands.  Coincidentally, this is another wine showcasing Ed Kurtzman’s deft hand with Pinot Noir, although in a very different style.  Effusive aromas of dark cherry, spice and savory herbs are backed up by a lush and seamless mouth feel.  It is certainly a more robust style of Pinot, but solid acidity means the wine never falls out of balance or becomes cumbersome on the palate.

Mike Janeway – Domestic Wine Buyer

Before tasting the wines, our special guest, Valentina Cirasola, gave a great presentation on the “The ItalianTable and Dining Etiquette.” Throughout the event Augustine and Angela Buonocore of La Biscotteria in Redwood City provided authentic and delicious focaccia, biscotti, and grissini to accompany our wines. Lastly, they treated us with delicious cannoli, to enjoy as a conclusion to our tasting.

The tasting itself was terrific, featuring selected Italian wines from lesser known regions and/or varietals. The theme, “Italian Wines, The Roads Less Traveled,” showcased our imported wines buyer, Howard Padgett’s, efforts in expanding our unique selection.

We started with the beautiful and very classy NV Monte Rossa Saten ($34.99) sparkling wine from Franciacorta in Lombardia, a blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Bianco fermented in bottle. Then followed the 2009 100% Petite Arvine white wine by Les Cretes. The texture is rich, but not heavy, floral nose, citrus and passion fruit with an obvious minerality. The Petite Arvine wines are terrific if you want something on the exotic side. We recommend the excellent 2009 Swiss bottling from Cave du Vieux-Moulin ($32.99) which we currently have in stock.

We tasted the 2010 “Praepositus” Kerner ($27.99) by Abbazia di Novacella from the Isarco Valley in the far northern region of the Alto Adige. Kerner, a cross-bred grape of Riesling and the red Schiava, purportedly gets its name from the name of a German writer of drinking songs. The Riesling influence is obvious with a subtle pear like character as well as minerality followed by fresh clean acidity.

The first red of the evening was a 2009 Pelaverga “Basadone” from Castello de Verduno ($21.99) in Piemonte. A lighter bodied wine, it reminded me of a cross between Nebbiolo and Bourgogne Rouge in weight and texture and had spicy overtones. The superb 2006 Tuscan red, Villa di Capezzana’s Carmignano ($25.99), located just west of Florence is a blend of 80% Sangiovese and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon.  This wine showed good density, elegance, sweet red fruit, and a very persistent finish.

We had the opportunity to taste a grape that most people have never heard of, the 2006 Tazzelenghe, produced by Conte d’Attimis-Maniago ($32.99) in the Colli Orientali del Friuli. This was a fairly hearty and robust wine of dark red fruit and bright acidity. It is definitely a good wine for grilled or roasted meats and game. Then we tasted a Nebbiolo, but with a twist. This was the 2007 Sforzato di Valtellina “Albareda” ($54.99) by Mamete Prevostini, a wine made by drying the grapes (about 30 days) before fermentation. It was one of the overall favorites with beautiful dried floral and red fruit character. The last red, 2004 Montefalco Sagrantino by Terre de Trinci ($49.99), definitely made a bold statement. From the region of Umbria, the aromas and flavors were broad and complex, ranging from black fruit, slight vanilla and spices.

Then came the finale, and what a finale it was! We tasted the fabulous Sicilian 2007 L’Ecru Passito by Firriato ($34.99), a dessert wine which is a blend of Zibibbo and Malvasia. It showed scents of honey, orange peel and dried figs with a texture that really glides. It really is a fascinating exotic wine, and I highly recommend this for the upcoming holidays, or just anytime.

Gary M.,  Beltramo’s Wine Consultant

The abbey was founded in 1142 by the Augustinian order of monks. Unlike other orders, such as the Benedictines, Augustinian monks are more of a ‘working’ order than a contemplative one, without the required vows of silence. The abbey is one of the few monastery-wineries still in existence today.

Today, the abbey’s winemaking and viticultural duties are handled by Celestino Lucin and Urban von Klebelsberg respectively. Celestino Lucin has been the cellar master at the Abbazia di Novacella for more than ten years now. Originally from Trentino, he moved to Alto Adige in the 1980’s and to the Abbazia little more than a decade ago. Working with Urban, he completely rebuilt the cellars and restructured the vineyards of the celebrated ancient abbey.

Celestino and the abbey have received numerous accolades including “Winery of the Year” in 2008 from Wine & Spirits magazine and “Winemaker of the Year” from Gambero Rosso in 2009. Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate has rated the Kerner Praepositus 90+ points each of the last four vintages.

I’ve been a fan of the wines made at Abbazia di Novacella for over a decade. The 2010 whites have just been released and continue the string of brilliant wines made from this winery. We chose three of our favorite wines from the lineup; The Kerner 2010 ($19.99), the Kerner Praepositus ($27.99), and the Sylvaner Praepositus ($27.99). The Praepositus wines are the abbey’s prized labels and are rare and in short supply. Don’t miss them!

Howard Padgett,  Imported Wine Buyer