Staff Picks: What to Drink This Week
Things our staff thinks you should drink.
2020 Matic, Ya Yeh, Sauvignon Blanc,Štajerska, Slovenia - $21.99
The Matic Sauv Blanc is unusual in the fact that it is fermented on the skin for 21 days and then matured in a concrete egg from September to March. Yaye or Jaje means egg in Slovenian hence the adorable little chicken and egg on the label! This leads to a richer mouth-feel and texture with flavors and aromas of white peach, citrus and fresh cut grass. This wine is produced naturally with no fining or filtering, spontaneous fermentation with wild yeasts and no additives.
-Nick Z
2019 Ludovic Chanson Gavroche, Sauvignon Blanc, Montlouis-sur-Loire - $28.99
You've heard about the great New Zealand Sauv Blanc shortage of 2021. So, let's take a look at some other Sauvy B's to help us with our withdrawal. Of course, I'm going to take you to the Loire in France where Sauvignon Blanc reigns supreme. The winemaker, Ludovic Chanson, left his job in pharmaceutical research in 2007 and spent a year learning how to make wine. In 2008 he took over a 6.5 ha property in Montlouis, a small AOC that sits on the left bank of the Loire River opposite Vouvray. It has been organically farmed since 2006 and has since been certified. He mostly grows Chenin Blanc here but a small portion is dedicated to Sauv Blanc. This Sauvignon blanc is made in a natural style and takes the grape to the next level with texture and power! This isn't the citrus-forward version that can give you a real case of palate fatigue, but a wine full of tropical fruit and minerals that really flexes with food (hello goat cheese) and warm summer nights.
-Angie
2019 Alois Lageder, Chardonnay, Alto Adige, Italy - $17.99
Dedicated to the holistic farming practices of Biodynamics, Alois Lageder believes, as French leading Biodynamic winemaker Nicolas Joly said, "Wine should be a pure reflection of its soils and of the entirety of its environment. We should question everything that takes us further away from that fact." Although one does not normally think of Chardonnay in relation to Northern Italy, Alois Lageder has found, for generations now, that it takes to the limestone laced chalky gravel soils of the cool and sunny high country of Italy's Alto Adige (the historical Austrian Südtirol) very happily, indeed. With organic Biodynamic farming practices in place, a true expression of place is in every note of this wine. Never touching oak or going through malolactic fermentation, it is all about the grape. Bright aromas of white peach, citrus, white flowers, and smoky minerals extend to a palate of ripe tropical fruit balanced by saline verve and zesty acidity with a pleasing silky finish. Great tension and balance. If you are tired of Chardonnays that are oaky butter bombs (I know I am!) or want to explore white wine from Northern Italy beyond Pinot Grigio, you must try this. And at $18 a bottle, you're definitely winning!
-Patrick
2020 Meinklang, Burgenland Weiss, Austria - $18.99
While discussing Sauvignon Blanc options outside of New Zealand as a focus for this week's reviews, I wanted to step way outside the box and, with perfect synchronicity, a customer came in looking for a blended Slovenian wine (which we did not have at the moment). Now, the Meinklang White may be the perfect substitute for that wine, but I'm not expecting wholesale Kiwi defectors. However, it has some interesting points if you're looking for a fresh perspective. Firstly, the blend is Gruner Veltliner, Welschriesling and Muscat and it is dry. The contrasting qualities of these grapes create a fair amount of depth. The front end tends toward ripe tree and orchard fruits with a slightly oily texture. the mid palate brings green apple, starfruit and a fresh herbal edge. The finish leans into bright citrus fruit in a cutting and refreshing way. As an added bonus it tends to open into new and exciting flavors when paired with Summer foods.
-Dave
Libelula Tequila - $28.99 (750ml)
Libelula is a masterfully blended tequila. Composed of 80% blanco and 20% reposado, it offers a pleasant experience for both the seasoned and newer tequila drinker. Created for the purpose of making the perfect Combier Margarita back in 2016, Libulela is dangerously smooth tequila that is excellent for not only drinking straight but mixing in your favorite tequila based cocktails.
Two weeks ago, I brought a bottle to a campfire with some friends. While I typically bring some whiskey and beer, I felt like mixing things up and brought this tequila. My friends were scared of tequila in general, traumatized by memories from their early twenties of drinking some of the cheapest and gnarliest tequilas known to humanity. One sip was all it took, however, to change their minds; I watched as their eyes widened and they sat the bottle down whispering "wow."
Libelula possesses aromas of cooked agave, vanilla, a slight mintiness, and citrus. Many of these notes are present in the flavor profile as well, along with a slight sweetness and light pepperiness. This tequila starts smooth and finishes smooth, lingering on your tongue long enough to entice you to drink more but not so long as to overstay its welcome. Just be careful when drinking with friends because it can be quite difficult to get it back.
-Quinn
