January Featured Wines – Zolo Zero Rose & Zolo Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina

January 2, 2025 · by ·

We are starting 2025 with wines from Chile’s neighbor, Argentina. Bodega Zolo is part of the Tapiz family of vineyards and wineries. Opened in 2000 the winery is located in Agrelo in the nothern part of the Mendoza Province just over the Andes Mountains from Sanitago, Chile. The Tapiz group encourages visits to all of their wineries plus they have added a hotel and a restuarant in Maipu south of Mendoza. They are very involved in sustainability practices and research and development of new concepts in wine production. One of their projects is through their Wapisa Atlantic Wines from Patagonia. (We actually featured Wapisa Sauvignon Blanc in October 2020.) Based on popular science that 3 years of aging in a cellar are equivalent to 1 year of aging under water, they decided in 2019 to launch a research project just off the coast of the province of Rio Negro, in the south Atlantic Ocean to test this theory. Visit their website to see what they learned.

With “Dry January” on some people’s calendar, we are also trying a project to see if no-alcohol wines win favor. Both of our Zolo wines are Malbecs. 2023 Zolo Malbec is a traditional Malbec. Zolo Zero is just what it says, a no alcohol rose made from Malbec grapes. When Michelle, my wine rep, mentioned it, she said Berlin Beer Company had used it for a sangria using lots of fruit. I thought this would be worth a try to see if a couple of no-alcohol wines would be worth carrying. Once more, winee club members are my test market!

NV Zolo Zero Rose, Argentina $15

This rose made from Malbec grapes is an aromatic rose, full of berries, mainly strawberry. Light body with nice mid palate. Nice and sharp acidity that makes it delicious. This is a dealcoholized wine with less than 0.5% alcohol. It has 25 calories in a 5 oz. serving.

2023 Zolo Malbec, Argentina $15

The red color of this Malbec is intense with violet tints. Explosion of aromas of red fruits such as strawberries, plums and cherries hits the nose. Oak provides notes of chocolate and vanilla. It is called a fresh and kind wine. Alcohol: 13.6%

Filed Under: Wine · Tagged: , , ,

April Featured Wines -2013 Domaine Roland Lanvantureux Petit Chablis, France & 2013 Clos La Coutale Malbec, Cahors, France

April 1, 2016 · by ·

lavantureux.petitchablis.n-v.resized-300x219

2013 Domaine Roland Lanvantureux Petit Chablis, Lignorelles, France $15

This month’s white selection is 2013 Roland Lavantureux Petit Chablis from the Chablis region in the northern most wine district in Burgundy. White Burgundy, or Chablis, is  made from Chardonnay grapes. Approximately 85% of the Chablis are  unoaked. What makes a “Petit Chablis” is a non-distinguishable difference in grape appearance but it does have a slightly different profile. This wine has a subtle minerality on the nose with slight tropical fruit. The palate shows a dry, silky mouthfeel with a long tropical fruit finish. This is a perfect pairing for rich fish (salmon and tuna.)

closlacoutale.cahors.2009.resized.withvintage

2013 Clos La Coutale Malbec, Cahors, France $22

The red selection is 2013 Clos La Coutale Malbec, from Cahors in Southwest France.  The area around Cahors produces wine, primarily a robust and tannic red wine. To achieve the Cahors appellation a wine must be made from at least 70% Malbec (also called COT) grape, with a maximum of 30% Merlot or Tannat grape varieties added to the blend. Philippe Bernede, the winemaker at Clos La Coutale, uses 20% Merlot to soften the Malbec tannins. This wine is deep red and robust with dark fruit on the palate. As you begin to use your grill, keep this wine in mine for barbecued pork or beef – or anything smokey.

 

Filed Under: Wine · Tagged: , , , , , , ,

October Featured Wines – 2014 Sposato Sauvignon Blanc & 2014 Sposato Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina

October 1, 2015 · by ·

Sposato Family Vineyards

After six years of researching, studying and visiting the area, the Sposato Family purchased land in the heart of Argentina’s Wine Country. They sought this opportunity based on their 23 years of working with land, soil, irrigation and plant material while running their top rated landscape company, Sposato Landscape Co., Inc. in Milton, Delaware.

The farm was purchased in 2012 as virgin ground. A new irrigation system, electric and other improvements have been installed, with more to come as the winery becomes fully operational. The Sposato Family Vineyard is located in Mendoza, Argentina at the foothills of the Andes Mountains. It is located between two notable wineries, with others just minutes away. Although the Sposato’s have planted 185 acres of their vineyards, harvest is still in the future. At this point their winemaker sources grapes from various estates for each of their wines.

Sposato SB

2014 Sposato Sauvignon Blanc, Mendoza, Argentina      $12

This wine is true to Sauvignon Blancs grown in the high elevation vineyards in the Mendoza region. It has aromas of grapefruit, passion fruit, herbs and spices. It has notes of orange blossom that are persistent through the finish. A perfect white for fall recipes such as chicken roasted with lemons and thyme. Alcohol: 13.1%

Sposato Malbec

2014 Sposato Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina                          $12

The grapes used in this Malbec were selected from estate vineyards at various altitudes. It has a great Malbec concentration. The wine was aged in oak barrels for 6 months, revealing high intensity of black fruits, raspberries and violets. Slow roast a pork loin with dried fruit and garlic then pop the cork on this Malbec. Alcohol: 13.8%

Filed Under: Wine · Tagged: , , , ,