We realize that you may well have worked up a thirst while reading "Wine, Declassified," our feature about a new generation of oenophiles who are livening up the city's wine scene. So we got some of the local experts quoted in the article to share what they've loved quaffing lately. Cheers!
Some picks from The Second Glass
-2007 Alexander Valley Vineyards Temptation Zinfandel, Sonoma County, California ($15)
-2007 Bodegas Carrau Tannat Reserva, Las Violetas, Uruguay ($14)
-2009 Westport Rivers Vineyard Rosé, Massachusetts ($13)
-2009 Charles and Charles Rosé, Columbia Valley, Washington State ($14)
-2009 Martin Sepp Grüner Veltliner, Weinviertel, Austria ($15)
-2005 Gerard Bertrand Pic Saint Loup, Languedoc, France ($15)
Some picks from the recent “Esoteric Wine Bar” event at Central Bottle (196 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, 617.225.0040)
-2007 Chateau de Maimbray Sancerre Rosé, France ($29): This wine, made entirely from pinot noir, is a delicate, dry, viscous rosé with great red berry notes and a delicious roundness in the mouth — very terroir driven.
-2005 Chateau de Maimbray Sancerre Rouge, France ($30): Also made with just pinot noir, this wine is heavier than the rosé with cranberry notes and some minerality and stoniness; it’s restrained in the fruit department and also very terroir driven.
-2008 Quinta do Alqueve, Ribatejo, Portugal ($12): Made entirely from Fernao Pires, this is a lighter-style white that’s very thirst quenching, a quaffer with tropical ripe fruit notes.
-2009 Carrel Jongieux Vin de Savoie, France ($13): This all-jacquere wine from our "growing rosé section" has aromas of minted pear and white flower; it’s clean, pure, and simple with a textured and delicious richness.
-2009 Petit Bourgeois Rosé de Pinot Noir, Loire, France ($15): This bright, light, lush wine has strawberry aromas and a nice dry finish.
-2009 Ciro Librandi Rosato, Calabria, Italy ($13): This all-gaglioppo wine is dry with pretty deep, dark berry flavors and some cassis notes; it’s a heartier rosé that goes great with bold-flavored, spicy foods, like cured or grilled meats.
Some picks from BLM Wine + Spirits (1354 Commonwealth Avenue, Allston, 617.734.7700)
-2009 Pares Balta Blanc de Pacs, Penedes, Spain ($13.50): This organic blend is made from parellada, xarello, and macabeu, the same three grapes used in Spanish sparkling wine (known as cava). In this example, they are made into a still, dry white wine that's lovely, crisp, and citrusy.
-2007 Grgich Hills Estate Fume Blanc, Napa Valley, California ($35.99): Biodynamically produced, this sauvignon blanc is one of the most complex wines of its type from California. The biodynamic approach goes above and beyond organic, using the earth's natural cycles to dictate the timing of certain production aspects.
Some picks from The Wine Botega (341 Hanover Street, Boston, 617.227.6607)
-2007 Tissot Poulsard Vieilles Vignes, Arbois, France ($25): Wines from the Jura in Eastern France are rocking right now. Poulsard is a refreshing, berry- and spice-laced grape that is perfect in warmer weather. It's a great alternative to pinot noir and an instant escape to a Parisian bistro.
-NV Venturini Baldini Lambrusco Dell'Emilia, Emilia Romagna, Italy ($16): Introducing people to sparkling red wine might just be our favorite thing to do. One sip and you realize there is a whole new exciting world of wine to discover. The fizzle is fo' shizzle!
