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03.08.12

 

David Whelehan is with us this morning to take us through some of the more unusual and exotic offerings.

 

These wines are all available from Searsons, good independent wine shops nationwide and restaurants.

 

www.searsons.com

 

Zenato Custoza 2011 

€9.99

 

An interesting blend of Italian grapes, Garganega, Trebbiano, Trebianello, Cortese, Chardonnay. Hailing from the DOC of Custoza in the Veneto area, this light, unoaked  refreshing white, is perfect for summer sipping. This style of wine is best drunk you when the fruit is jumping out of the glass.

 

Available from Searsons, good independent wine shops nationwide and restaurants.

 

Domäne Wachau GV Terrassen 2011

€14

 

Origin & Terroir

The grapes for Grüner Veltliner Federspiel Terrassen were carefully hand-picked from steep terraced vineyards throughout the Wachau valley with its specific microclimate and meagre primary rock soils. It exhibits a very typical and consistent style of Grüner Veltliner from Wachau with plenty of fruit and a pronounced mineral character.

 

Grape Variety

Grüner Veltliner is Austria's most important grape variety with a share of approximately 1/3 in the total production. In Wachau in general and at Domäne Wachau in particular, this percentage is even higher at more than 50%. A multiplicity of styles can be produced from the Grüner Veltliner grape. A prime example is this medium bodied Federspiel.

 

Classification

Federspiel wines have a maximum alcohol content of 12,5%. Chaptalisation is strictly forbidden. The name Federspiel is derived from falconry which was a very popular leisure time activity among the nobility in medieval times. The falcon stands for the remarkable elegance of these dry white wines. Federspiel® is a registered trademark of Vinea Wachau Nobilis Districtus e.V.

 

Vinification

The vines are cultivated in the classical Lenz Moser-trellis system with an average yield of 7000 kg/ha. The grapes for this wine were harvested in the middle of October. Our modern grape reception system enables us to select only 100% healthy grape material. Gentle pressing, sedimentation overnight, temperature controlled fermentation in stainless steel define the vinification process. A moderate reductive treatment guarantees a fresh and fruity, yet well structured wine.

 

Tasting Notes

Bright straw yellow, offering enticing aromas of white pepper and gooseberry and hints of ripe yellow apple. Medium bodied with a crisp acidity, very balanced and spicy in the finish. A typical Grüner Veltliner at Federspiel level, subtle and very racy.

 

Serving Recommendation

Serve well chilled at 9°C. Drink now or store to mature for 2-3 years. A perfect accompaniment to the traditional Austrian cuisine such as the famous "Wiener Schnitzel" as well as fish, seafood and poultry.

 

 

Available from Searsons, good independent wine shops nationwide and restaurants.

 

 

Zenato Bardolino 2011

€9.99

 

The village of Bardolino, is one of the most picturesque in the Veneto area and it is here that this light refreshing style of red which is akin to Valpoloicella is made. Made from the same blend of grapes as Valpolicella, the Corvina, Rondinella and Molinara, the resulting juicy style of red with lots of cherry like aromas and flavours is perfect for summer sipping. The tip is to drink this when it is young and exuding lots of fruit.

 

Available from Searsons, good independent wine shops nationwide and restaurants.

 

 

Zenato Cormì 2008

€20.85

 

This is one of these wow wines and strikes a near perfect chord between being complex yet juicy and accessible.

An elegant and full bodied red wine obtained from an accurate selection of Corvina and Merlot grapes, both coming from Valpolicella vineyards. It is the result of a major investment in Valpolicella focused mainly on vinifying native grape varieties, like the native Corvina, with the international variety, Merlot.

 

 

Grape variety: 50% Corvina and 50% Merlot.

 

Geographic position and vineyards characteristics:

Corvina is grown in the Valpolicella zone, in Sant'Ambrogio di Valpolicella; Merlot in the zones bordering Valpolicella.

 

Wine-making: red vinification with maceration on the skins for 12/15 days to enhance fully the

characteristics of the grapes and the terroir. Alcoholic fermentation is followed by first racking and

pressing. When the wine has undergone complete malolatic fermentation, it is matured in tonneaux and

large barrels for 12 months. Then sojourns for a further six months in the bottle.

 

Nose: red fruit like blackberry and black cherry.

Palate: the great minerality and freshness of Corvina is balanced with the fatness and sweetness of Merlot.

Gastronomical combinations: ideal with typical Mediterranean dishes, roasted and grilled meat,

salami.

 

Available from Searsons, good independent wine shops nationwide and restaurants

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION

 

www.whelehanswines.ie

Twitter - @whelehanswines