Box: March 2015
Unique journey from Africa to the Czech Republic
Normally when we start to put the box together, I look for a theme. Be it a country, a grape or importer, we normally arrive at some common tread holding it all together. I guess this month’s theme could be “Unique”, as even I could not come up with a better description.
First off, we did our shopping from 3 different suppliers. This gave us a huge plate to choose a some very unique wines for our box. I guarantee that these are wines you wouldn’t find on your own, and are guaranteed to please.
Start with Valle Reale from the Abruzo hills in Italy. Located in between 3 national parks, these bio dynamic wines of trebbiano and montepulciano grapes both have an extremely low sugar count. So low in fact, it is claimed that these are great wines for diabetics (I’m not a doctor, but I tried them both and could still drive home ;-). Following the “Bio” theme, we have our first ever red (and Bio) wine from Bohemia. Not that we haven’t been looking for a Czech red for ages, but this 2009 svatovavrinecke from Melnik was very impressive.
Want more unique? How about a Grand Cru from Tunisia! The fact that Tunisia was a French colony is no secret, but that they had a well established “wine” industry at the start of the 20th century is less known. The climate of this area is actually great for red wines, particularly Merlot and Syrah. And not to exclude our white wine drinkers from something exotic, we have a 100% Sultaniye from the first private wine maker in Turkey. This is a very fruity wine with hints of pineapple and mango.
After a tour-de-force like that, maybe a sure thing from Sardinia is more your thing. We have a lovely round blend with hints of chocolate and is so relaxing, best not tot drink it on the couch.
So what ever your specialty this month may be, IWCoK HAS YOU COVERED!
Vernaccia di San Giminiano D.O.C.G.
Wine description:
- Country: Italy
- Grape: Vernaccia
- Alcohol: 13%
- Style: Light and refreshing dry white wine
- Drink: Wine suitable for aging
- Supplier: La Fattoria
- Price: 279 Kč
Mike's Tip
Love you long time... This 100% Vernaccia from the Tuscan hills has a very long finish with a hint of almonds or something with some oil. Floral and fruity in the mouth, with a light nose. A good wine for the start of the party as not too complicated and very fresh.
Château Salambo Grand Cru
Wine description:
- Country: Tunisia
- Grape: Cuveé
- Alcohol: 13%
- Style: Medium-bodied red wine
- Drink: Wine for immediate consumption
- Supplier: Víno výhodně.cz
- Price: 169 Kč
Mike's Tip
I mentioned that Tunisia had a tradition of wine making dating back from the colonial times. With a climate similar to its Mediterranean neighbors in the north, wine making was a growing industry until Tunisian independence in the 1950. Only now is large scale production coming back to the country and evidently has a huge rose potential.
Svatovavřinecké Školní Statek Mělník
Wine description:
- Country: Czech Republic
- Grape: St. Laurent
- Alcohol: 12,5%
- Style: Medium-bodied red wine
- Drink: Wine for immediate consumption
- Supplier: Školní statek Mělník
- Price: 100 Kč
Mike's Tip
You globetrotters out there may know it by its' international name, St. Laurent. Some believe it to be directly related to Pinot Noir. I didn't find much Pinot taste in this one. Still crisp but strong tannins coming from the aging in oak, a fresh spicy red that will go well with hearty food. Think about a beef stew here ore some other heavy meat dish like duck. One more unbelievable wine form Mělník for 100 Kč. We were impressed!
Angora Sultana
Wine description:
- Country: Turkey
- Grape: Sultana
- Alcohol: 13,5%
- Style: Light and refreshing dry white wine
- Drink: Wine for immediate consumption
- Supplier: Víno výhodně.cz
- Price: 199 Kč
Mike's Tip
Who would of thought that a Turkish wine would prove so popular ? We did! Sultana is most common in the middle east and Australia (often used for raisin production) and is known for its' light acidity and fruitiness. Low acidity makes for a popular easy drinking white wine perfect for warm days, picnics or lunch. And we guarantee you are going to be the only one on the block with a Turkish wine you didn't smuggle back from a holiday.
Valle Realle Montepulciano
Wine description:
- Country: Italy
- Grape: Montepulciano
- Alcohol: 12,5%
- Style: Medium-bodied red wine
- Drink: Wine for immediate consumption
- Supplier: La Fattoria
- Price: 289 Kč
Mike's Tip
This wine was named the, "Best wine to have with chili" by Forbes magazine. I'm not so sure about the chili con carne part, but this is a light fresh medium bodies red, that is best drank young. I like it for its strong tannins, and the short finish. Ideal for a light dinner and even goes well with white meat. Plus it is also coming from the ultra bio producers of Valle Reale. Chill out and save the earth dude...
Perdera Argiolas D.O.C.
Wine description:
- Country: Italy
- Grape: Cuveé
- Alcohol: 13,5%
- Style: Medium-bodied red wine
- Drink: Wine with potencial 2 to 5 years
- Supplier: La Fattoria
- Price: 299 Kč
Mike's Tip
What is it about that lovely round finish that keeps bringing us back to this place! Not a pure Carignano but still very round and easy to drink. Make sure to open and let sit for a good 30 minutes before starting. We didn't and found the first few sips to be full of earth and a bit tangy. 30 minutes later, you couldn't get it out of my hand.
Valle Realle Trebbiano d’Abruzzo
Wine description:
- Country: Italy
- Grape: Trebbiano
- Alcohol: 12,5%
- Style: Medium-bodied dry white wine
- Drink: Wine for immediate consumption
- Supplier: La Fattoria
- Price: 289 Kč
Mike's Tip
Trebbiano is one of the most widely planted grape varieties in the world. And if you think you haven't tried it before, you are most likely wrong as this grape is an important component in making Cognac! Fresh and fairly acidic, it is very often used to blend with other white wines. This wine in particular has a very low sugar count and should be drank immediately (yes, RIGHT now :-)