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#WIMG – On the Socials August Edition

#WIMG is a seven-minute read.

Ok, folks, We have drunk some unique and delicious wine this month, so it is time to share what we have posted on Instagram for all of you social-media-free folks. And for those who are not hashtag-aware, #wimg means “what’s in my glass.” 

#wimg#WIMG

Aridus Sauvignon Blanc 2019,

Cochise County, Arizona

I am very, very selective when it comes to Sauvignon Blanc. The flavor grapefruit and grassy profiles are typically not a match for me. I received this bottle from Aridus Wine Co in Willcox, AZ, as a sample, and I was prepared not to enjoy it. First, it is a Sauvignon Blanc. And second, my inner wine snob thought Arizona wine…Really? I was so wrong!

I LOVED IT!!!!! Really! I fought for the last of the bottle as Gary, and I drank this wine.

Here is how the website describes this wine…

“A clear, pale lemon in color, this youthful and refreshing wine showcases aromas and flavors of pineapple, pear, and ruby red grapefruit. A delicate acidity creates a juicy, fruity wine with a tasty citrus bitterness on the finish.”

This is our description of #wimg …

It’s got a light to medium body. And is a clear, light straw color. The nose is apple blossom with added richness. Gary says the nose is the aroma of Paper Whites, that small spring bulb with dime-sized blossoms that looks like a white daffodil. Gary says the acidity is medium – not over the top. For me, it’s initially delicate but turns it on as it lingers, maintaining that zing on the edges of your tongue, forcing your mouth to water.

What is on our palates could not be any more different. Gary says citrus – mostly lemon with a wet stone minerality. He can not find any grapefruit or grassy notes… My palate could not be any more different. If apples and melons could have a baby, that is what I taste on the pallet, as well as just a bit of citrus. It is OOTW – delightful. I could drink this all day. As the flavors linger, the apple/melon baby fades, and it becomes more citrus tart that just lingers on the back of your tongue.

Gary and I both are huge fans of this wine and wish we had a second bottle. I think this could be a real crowd-pleaser. Finally, I wouldn’t drink this wine too cold because you’ll miss out on all of these incredible flavors that could hide behind the chill.

It sells directly from the Aridus Wine Co. website for $28.00

This wine was provided as a media sample. We received no compensation for this post, and all opinions presented are ours.


Two Shepherds Trousseau Gris 2019#WhatsInMyGlass

Russian River Valley, Sonoma AVA

Trousseau Gris is a light-skinned mutation of the dark Trousseau grape variety, originating in eastern France. Though the mutation is believed to have occurred in Europe, Trousseau Gris is better known as a Californian variety under its synonym, Gray Riesling.

The variety has long been planted in California, although it lost ground there throughout the course of the 20th Century. Now, it is mostly planted among other vines in “field blend” vineyards along the west coast, where it is combined with all manner of other varieties. That said, there is a dedicated Trousseau Gris vineyard in Sonoma’s Russian River region, making some high-quality wines.

I must assume the grapes from the above-mentioned vineyard must be where the fruit for this particular wine hails.

The color is copper orange. The juicy acidity grabs your inner cheeks and squeezes like your grandmother. Then settles into a pleasing, soft tang that gently keeps your mouth watering. The mouthfeel is of sheer velvet. The nose confounded me and made me dig deep into my olfactory memory.
I got apple peel and early unripe strawberries. And then a floral note that reminded me of tulips. Lastly came unidentified rounded, fresh earthy, savory notes.
I asked Gary, and he concurred with my unripe strawberries. However, he also sensed notes of freshly baled hay. 

The flavors also caused me to “go deep.” Expect mild citrus notes. Also, young early apple along with pleasing but unidentified savory notes. The flavors and the acidity linger through the finish then slowly dissipate. Despite being twice confounded, I loved, loved, loved this wine. And I can’t wait to order more but will have to wait for the 2020 vintage to be released next month. This is #wimg

Two Shepherds wines are sold directly from the winery. I am not sure what the price will be for the 2020 vintage.


#WIMG#WIMG

Anarchist ‘Piquette’

California

Anarchist Wine Co. makes wine that breaks the rules. Their mainstay wines are blends that one might never consider and are delicious. But this summer, they also introduced a Piquette. A low alcohol (7%) beverage is perfect as a lighter option for the day drinker or anytime for that matter. Think wine spritzer without the added sugar of 7-up. Or think hard seltzer but fermented with wine grape solids instead of malted barley or cane sugar. I may be splitting hairs here, but this seems like the way to go as a wine drinker.

Are you familiar with Piquette? It has only recently come back into fashion. But it all started centuries ago by farmhands and vineyard workers for their own consumption. This drink dates back to ancient Rome. It’s made by adding water to grape pomace—the leftover skins, flesh, stems, and seeds after the grapes are pressed for wine. It is then fermented into a deliciously sparkling easy to drink beverage.

Anarchist Piquette is bubbly and fresh with light citrus and red fruits on the nose and palate. And it’s #wimg.

Anarchist Piquette is available directly from the winery and sells for $19.00 a bottle.

This wine was provided as a media sample. We received no compensation for this post, and all opinions presented are ours.


#WIMG

Colli della Murgia Tufjano 2018

Fiano Minutolo IGP Puglia, Italy

This wine was a selection from the Savi Society Wine Club. Gary and I were both big fans of this bright warm weather sip, so we had to be sure to include a bottle with our post-tasting purchase.

The aromas I recalled were that of clean laundry hanging outside on a clothesline from my childhood. Gary noted a bit of green grass, and our friend Eileen noted that it reminded her of sitting under a lemon tree when in full bloom.

Look for a bright, crisp sip full of citrus, especially lemon and lemon zest. Pleasing acidity cleanses your palate and begs you to take another sip.  I am so glad that we shared this bottle with friends while at the beach this past weekend. It was a great way to start cocktail hour on a stormy and muggy day.

Fiano is a white wine grape most associated with the Campania region of Southern Italy. It is also grown in other regions like Puglia. It is an ancient grape that is believed to have its origins dating back to the ancient Romans.

The berries are small and thick-skinned. Therefore, they usually produce very little juice making this variety a difficult one to be profitable. 

Modern winemaking techniques have created a resurgence in the making of Fiano-based wines. 


#WIMG

Taburno Falanghina del Sannio 2019

Campania, Italy

Falanghina, also called Falanghina Greco, is an Italian white wine grape primarily grown in the Campania region of Southern Italy. (While these tastings were months apart, it’s funny that we drank them so close to one another.) It is an ancient grape variety that may have provided a basis for the classical Falernian wine of ancient Rome. This particular wine comes from Sannio, one of the largest productions zones for Falanghina.

Gary and I drank this wine last night. We made tasting notes so that I could post about it today.  Sensory memories and recall are unique to everyone, so when our recall matched what is considered “true to the variety,” we were thrilled.

This is how it is described on wine-searcher.com – As a wine, Falanghina can have a slight pine scent but is better known for its citrus-blossom aroma, particularly bitter orange. The palate typically shows classic apple and pear flavors, depending on where it is grown, with spicy or mineral notes.

Here are our notes to compare.

The nose is spicy and filled with white floral notes, like citrus blossoms.

The mouthfeel is “cushy” with an engaging texture with a light-medium body.

The attack is clean and crisp, with pleasing, balanced acidity followed by a strong citrus note. As it hits the mid-palate, the flavors turn to crisp green apple. The finish briefly lingers and then fades away.

We really loved this wine, and I am thrilled that we have a couple more bottles.  It was part of our August Wine Society tasting at Savi Wine Bar. The member’s price is $24.95 a bottle. Non-members pay a bit more.

We first tasted a Falanghina in July of 2019. You can read about that wine here.


That is all for now.

Cheers,

Rick & Gary

 

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