My Picks: Vintages On-Line Exclusives -- January 27

Here’s my shopping list for today’s Vintages On-Line Exclusives Release.

What am I looking for? Three things.
Organic: wines certified biodynamic or organic.
Off the Beaten Track: lesser-known or underappreciated varietals and blends, or regions
Value: wines at less than $30. I break that rule once today.

Organic
No luck today.

Off the Beaten Track

GLORIA FERRER SONOMA BRUT NV, Sonoma County (USA); #0192898; $24.00; 13% ABV
The Champagne that we see here is often over-priced, but there’s bargains in other great sparkling wines (Cava, Prosecco). Here’s a deal from Sonoma. Made from mostly Pinot Noir with some Chardonnay, using Methode Champenoise. Extra-dry, the way I like it.

TALAMONTI KUDOS 2004, IGT Colline Pescaresi, Abruzzo (Italy); #0146316; $25.00; 14% ABV
A blend of the native varietal Montepulciano d'Abruzzo (70%) and Merlot (30%). Drinkable now and until 2014.

PIRIE ESTATE PINOT NOIR 2007, Tasmania (Australia); #0148163; $36.00; 14% ABV
Tasmania is doing some great things with Pinot Noir. This PN is from a new cool climate vineyard at higher elevation. Consume now or keep through to 2015. The winemaker suggests pairing the wine with “Steamed wallaby shank pudding”.  Anybody know where I can get some wallaby in Ottawa?!

Subscribing to this blog through RSS or email is easy! Just click on the subscribe link to the left ←