Springtime Sipping with M. Chapoutier, Royal Tokaji, Passaggio Wines, and Biokult
Hello Friends,
Just about every day, as wine o'clock approaches, you can find me uncorking or unscrewing a new wine adventure. Being a wine enthusiast, a wine writer, and someone who appreciates the liquid expression of place, a person’s vision, and Mother Nature’s influence, I find wine to be one of the most intriguing beverages out there. It is an area of interest where you never run out of great people to meet and new things to taste and learn.
With warm weather on the horizon for many of us, the four wines selected for this post are perfect picks for spring and summertime sipping. In these wines you will find an agreeable companion to light seasonal fare and bottles to enjoy at outdoor events on the lawn or backyard get-togethers with family and friends. For further information and where you can find these wines, please see my tasting notes below.
Maison M.Chapoutier Domaine Tournon 2015 'Mathilda' Rosé (SRP $16): Made from Grenache grapes, this pale salmon colored rosé is deliciously fresh with light touches of bright strawberries and watermelon, rounded off by notes of rose petal and peach. The palate is lean with refreshing acidity, ending in a crisp dry finish. This wine is delightful on its own, but truly versatile on the table with lighter fare. It would make an excellent picnic companion, too. You may have noticed the circular bumps on the label. Since the mid 90s, producer Michel Chapoutier has put Braille on his labels as tribute to Maurice de la Sizeranne, who invented the first abbreviated version of Braille and whose family owned Mr. Chapoutier’s renowned Hermitage vineyard, La Sizeranne. Region: Victoria, Australia. Other info: ABV 12%, screw cap enclosure, imported by The Country Vintner in VA. Click here to find this wine.
Royal Tokaji 2013 "The Oddity" Dry Furmint (SRP $19.99): Furmint is one of the key white grapes used in making the world-famous botrytized dessert wines of Tokaji. Furmint is also vinified into a dry wine, which is what we have here. This medium-bodied example offers bruised apple, floral, and subtle mineral [stony] aromas that merge with tangy citrus flavors and trailing hints of almond. It’s well balanced with a firm spine of acidity, giving it a crisp, medium-long tart finish. This wine is versatile and a ready partner to a wide variety of foods. Consider adding a few bottles of dry Furmint to your spring and summertime sipping rotation this warm weather season. Region: Tokaj, Hungary. Other info: ABV 13%, screw cap enclosure, imported by Wilson Daniels LTD in CA. Click here to find this wine.
Passaggio Wines 2014 Russian River Valley Sauvignon Blanc (SRP $28): Based in Sonoma County, Passaggio Wines is owned by winemaker & certified social media rock-star Cindy Cosco. In 2004, Ms. Cosco retired from a fifteen year career in Law Enforcement to pursue her passion for winemaking. Her winery specializes in small lots of handcrafted wines; sourcing quality fruit from some of California’s top sites. The 2014 Russian River Valley Sauvignon Blanc is fresh and lively with aromas and flavors redolent of lime zest, lemon curd, and tangerine, with a dash of hay and a discreet underpinning of minerality. This wine is light and streamlined in the mouth, with crisp, mouthwatering acidity that keeps you coming back for more. Enjoy this delicious refresher with summer salads, cold dishes, and picnic fare. Only 48 cases of this wine were produced. Region: Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California. Other info: ABV 13%, screw cap enclosure. Click here to find this wine.
Biokult 2015 Rosé Secco (SRP $16.99): The Biokult brand is produced by the Michlits family who are one of the most influential and creative organic wine-growing families in Austria. This refreshing example is produced from organically grown 100% Pinot Noir grapes. For this sparkler, a second fermentation took place in stainless tanks. The resultant wine is sleek, lively, and effervescent, with aromas and flavors of sweet red cherries and ripe strawberries followed by potpourri-like qualities and floral notes. Racy acids and an understated spritz, cleanses the palate and readies you for another sip. I enjoyed a flute while gardening one afternoon and later with a grilled chicken & seasonal fruit salad. Serve chilled and pair this wine with picnic fare, summer salads, or tapas. On its own, this wine is an ideal refresher for a warm summer day. Region: Neusiedlersee, Austria. Other info: ABV 11%, all stainless, cork enclosure, imported by Natural Merchants, INC in CA. Click here to find this wine.
Have a question about this post? Feel free to drop me an e-mail at myvinespot@yahoo.com or hit me up on Facebook or Twitter. Stay tuned ...more to come. Happy Sipping, my friends! Disclosure: These wines were provided for review (save for the Furmint). Thoughts are my own.
Just about every day, as wine o'clock approaches, you can find me uncorking or unscrewing a new wine adventure. Being a wine enthusiast, a wine writer, and someone who appreciates the liquid expression of place, a person’s vision, and Mother Nature’s influence, I find wine to be one of the most intriguing beverages out there. It is an area of interest where you never run out of great people to meet and new things to taste and learn.
With warm weather on the horizon for many of us, the four wines selected for this post are perfect picks for spring and summertime sipping. In these wines you will find an agreeable companion to light seasonal fare and bottles to enjoy at outdoor events on the lawn or backyard get-togethers with family and friends. For further information and where you can find these wines, please see my tasting notes below.
 |
| Maison M.Chapoutier Domaine Tournon 2015 'Mathilda' Rosé |
Maison M.Chapoutier Domaine Tournon 2015 'Mathilda' Rosé (SRP $16): Made from Grenache grapes, this pale salmon colored rosé is deliciously fresh with light touches of bright strawberries and watermelon, rounded off by notes of rose petal and peach. The palate is lean with refreshing acidity, ending in a crisp dry finish. This wine is delightful on its own, but truly versatile on the table with lighter fare. It would make an excellent picnic companion, too. You may have noticed the circular bumps on the label. Since the mid 90s, producer Michel Chapoutier has put Braille on his labels as tribute to Maurice de la Sizeranne, who invented the first abbreviated version of Braille and whose family owned Mr. Chapoutier’s renowned Hermitage vineyard, La Sizeranne. Region: Victoria, Australia. Other info: ABV 12%, screw cap enclosure, imported by The Country Vintner in VA. Click here to find this wine.
 |
| Royal Tokaji 2013 "The Oddity" Dry Furmint |
Royal Tokaji 2013 "The Oddity" Dry Furmint (SRP $19.99): Furmint is one of the key white grapes used in making the world-famous botrytized dessert wines of Tokaji. Furmint is also vinified into a dry wine, which is what we have here. This medium-bodied example offers bruised apple, floral, and subtle mineral [stony] aromas that merge with tangy citrus flavors and trailing hints of almond. It’s well balanced with a firm spine of acidity, giving it a crisp, medium-long tart finish. This wine is versatile and a ready partner to a wide variety of foods. Consider adding a few bottles of dry Furmint to your spring and summertime sipping rotation this warm weather season. Region: Tokaj, Hungary. Other info: ABV 13%, screw cap enclosure, imported by Wilson Daniels LTD in CA. Click here to find this wine.
 |
| Passaggio Wines 2014 Russian River Valley Sauvignon Blanc |
Passaggio Wines 2014 Russian River Valley Sauvignon Blanc (SRP $28): Based in Sonoma County, Passaggio Wines is owned by winemaker & certified social media rock-star Cindy Cosco. In 2004, Ms. Cosco retired from a fifteen year career in Law Enforcement to pursue her passion for winemaking. Her winery specializes in small lots of handcrafted wines; sourcing quality fruit from some of California’s top sites. The 2014 Russian River Valley Sauvignon Blanc is fresh and lively with aromas and flavors redolent of lime zest, lemon curd, and tangerine, with a dash of hay and a discreet underpinning of minerality. This wine is light and streamlined in the mouth, with crisp, mouthwatering acidity that keeps you coming back for more. Enjoy this delicious refresher with summer salads, cold dishes, and picnic fare. Only 48 cases of this wine were produced. Region: Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California. Other info: ABV 13%, screw cap enclosure. Click here to find this wine.
 |
| Biokult 2015 Rosé Secco |
Biokult 2015 Rosé Secco (SRP $16.99): The Biokult brand is produced by the Michlits family who are one of the most influential and creative organic wine-growing families in Austria. This refreshing example is produced from organically grown 100% Pinot Noir grapes. For this sparkler, a second fermentation took place in stainless tanks. The resultant wine is sleek, lively, and effervescent, with aromas and flavors of sweet red cherries and ripe strawberries followed by potpourri-like qualities and floral notes. Racy acids and an understated spritz, cleanses the palate and readies you for another sip. I enjoyed a flute while gardening one afternoon and later with a grilled chicken & seasonal fruit salad. Serve chilled and pair this wine with picnic fare, summer salads, or tapas. On its own, this wine is an ideal refresher for a warm summer day. Region: Neusiedlersee, Austria. Other info: ABV 11%, all stainless, cork enclosure, imported by Natural Merchants, INC in CA. Click here to find this wine.
Have a question about this post? Feel free to drop me an e-mail at myvinespot@yahoo.com or hit me up on Facebook or Twitter. Stay tuned ...more to come. Happy Sipping, my friends! Disclosure: These wines were provided for review (save for the Furmint). Thoughts are my own.
Live, Love, Laugh, Tweet, Sip, Enjoy!
