Box: August 2016
Surprisingly Rich
It is once again that time of year for our Czech box and this time we have gone back to where we started. Many of you “old timers” will remember our first Czech wines from Tichy winery from the village of Hrusky. This time we went back and just moved over to the next plot to another family winery Capka.
Why Capka ? What convinced me were 2 wines. First a Sylvaner for it’s unique mix of spicy fruity flavor and acidity. A low yield grape, this is one you do not too often today despite that this was the most grown grape in Moravia in the past. The second was their Frankova with an unbelievable full body. How they did it I don’t know, but this 13.5% dark ruby wine deserves more than a chicken leg. It is indeed strong enough for red meat. Both chardonnays We also included a couple wines with a moderate level of sugar. This (for me) really rounds out the wines giving them a great full bodied sweet and sour taste. Lower in alcohol and best served ice cold in the hot days of summer.
We did cheat a bit and included a deep dark red from Puglia for those red wine lovers who need that drop dead heavy red fix. Nero di Troia is a local grape similar to Primitivo – big, hearty and loves the sun. This one is jet black, so be ready. And lastly we found a great surprise cuvee frizzante from northern Italy. Lightly carbonated, this is a great dry outdoor summer wine that goes with everything and does so at a value price. Bang for the buck or maybe “some bubble for a buck” – not sure :-).
Be it a full bodied white from down the road, or a black beauty from a bit further south, this months rich wines are definitely a lovely surprise !
Čapka Frankovka 2014
Wine description:
- Country: Czech Republic
- Grape: Blaufrankisch
- Alcohol: 13,5%
- Style: Medium-bodied red wine
- Drink: Wine suitable for aging
- Supplier: Winery Čapka
- Price: 216 Kč
Mike's Tip
Start by asking yourself if you have ever seen a Frankovka with 13.5% alcohol. This was the wine that convinced me that Capka was something special. Honestly a Frankovka this full bodied is a very (very) rare find. Best served with red meat, or other foods with sauces.
Čapka Chardonnay 2015
Wine description:
- Country: Czech Republic
- Grape: Chardonnay
- Alcohol: 12,5%
- Style: Light and refreshing dry white wine
- Drink: Wine for immediate consumption
- Supplier: Winery Čapka
- Price: 208 Kč
Mike's Tip
Going bananas! Seriously. It is not that unusual to get strong banana tones in a chardonnay and if you were looking for a perfect example. Here you are. After you get past the fruit, you will have the minerals o finish it off. A fine example from Hruškách:-)
Čapka Chardonnay Premium
Wine description:
- Country: Czech Republic
- Grape: Chardonnay
- Alcohol: 13%
- Style: Light and refreshing dry white wine
- Drink: Wine suitable for aging
- Supplier: Winery Čapka
- Price: 389 Kč
Mike's Tip
A Czech Chablis ? Well, certainly the quality is there, but this one has a more distinct taste of fruit and a lighter minerality. Aged in oak and now just released to market, you will be some of the first to have this treasure on your table. Full bodied and a waste without fish or a pork chop to accompany it.
Čapka Pinot Gris 2015
Wine description:
- Country: Czech Republic
- Grape: Pinot grigio
- Alcohol: 12,5%
- Style: Medium-bodied dry white wine
- Drink: Wine for immediate consumption
- Supplier: Winery Čapka
- Price: 208 Kč
Mike's Tip
Another surprisingly full bodied wine from Mr Capka. A mix of sugar and acidity gives this wine a big full taste suitable for sipping into the
evening. I would pair this with mature cheese or Asian food. Spicy will be good !
Čapka Sylvaner 2015
Wine description:
- Country: Czech Republic
- Grape: Sylvaner
- Alcohol: 12,5%
- Style: Light and refreshing dry white wine
- Drink: Wine with potencial 2 to 5 years
- Supplier: Winery Čapka
- Price: 208 Kč
Mike's Tip
Think white fruits. Peaches and nectarines with just a touch of minerals. You will almost see it in its light golden color. Fine balance of fruit an acidity, will go great with fish or other white meat dishes. This is a wine that will really go best with food - don't do this on on its own!
Čapka Zweigeltrebe rosé 2015
Wine description:
- Country: Czech Republic
- Grape: Zweigeltrebe
- Alcohol: 11,5%
- Style: Light semi-dry rose wine
- Drink: Wine for immediate consumption
- Supplier: Winery Čapka
- Price: 208 Kč
Mike's Tip
Sometimes in the summer you just want an ice cold, fruity wine that you know will make everybody around the table happy. Areasonable alcohol content, full of strawberry and raspberry taste, and slightly more sugar. This combination is best server out of an ice bucket in the back yard with big messy burgers or other relaxed food. Something spicy of the grill will go perfect here.
Il Nero
Wine description:
- Country: Italy
- Grape: Cuveé
- Alcohol: 13,5%
- Style: Full-bodied, rich red wine
- Drink: Wine suitable for aging
- Supplier: Víno pro Vás
- Price: 299 Kč
Mike's Tip
We wanted to make sure we had a deep, dark, intense red wine to break things up in a "Czech" month. What we put in was a powerhouse from Puglia. Dark fruits, spices and licorice. Big in the mouth with a good dose of tannin. Don't spill this black beauty on the carpet, you will never wash it out.
Bellagioia
Wine description:
- Country: Italy
- Grape: Cuveé
- Alcohol: 11%
- Style: Light and refreshing dry white wine
- Drink: Wine for immediate consumption
- Supplier: FANDA Group
- Price: 170 Kč
Mike's Tip
Did you know that the correct name for a cuvee is "Multivarietal" ? Maybe too much information. I kind of wanted to do more Vinho Verde without having to go back to Portugal, so we found a super value Frizzante. Dry and fantastically refreshing, the balance this lightly sparkling wine brings at this price is nothing other than unbelievable.
Keep this one in mind you your are going to need some affordable bubbles ;-)