partnered post
In 2015, Emilie Wapnick coined the term “multipotentialite,” which pertains to someone with many interests, hobbies, and creative pursuits. This word particularly resonates with me because I have a ton of interests: Languages, history, music, charity, fitness, food… and of course, wine and travel.
I have alluded to this in my previous post. Personally, the thing about wine that always appeals to me involves that feeling of traveling in a glass. For me (and a few wine scholars, I do believe), each wine reflects its region… its terroir, the people’s history, culture, philosophies, and language.
With that in mind, I decided to “travel” to several parts of the world armed with a proverbial glass through this year’s Grand Wine Experience. Admittedly it was difficult to narrow down my favorites from over a thousand different beverages… so I picked out ones that I found memorable (not easy after a few drinks, I have to say).
France
Château Bernateau Saint-Émilion Grand Cru
I did mention my interest in history. Knowing that the winery has been run by the Lavau family for 8 generations (since 1650) appealed to me. The wine was pretty good, with its depth and rich, dark fruit and dark chocolate flavors. I loved drinking it on its own, but I could certainly pair it with a meaty stew.
Italy
Vigorello Rosso Toscana IGT San Felice 2019
I may have had some bias with this one because Grand Wine’s hostess with the mostest, Ines Cabarrus-Habayeb, was interviewing its winemaker Leonardo Bellaccini when we walked in the ballroom. I decided to check it out myself and fell in love with the bottle. Bonus: It’s a Super Tuscan – stonking Tuscan wines that do not limit themselves to the region’s indigenous grapes. I loved the fact that it had beautiful notes of red fruits and Christmas spices along with what a former Italian colleague would refer to as “balsamic”… his umbrella term for all things Italian (tomato leaves, oregano, etc).
Spain
Federico Paternina Rioja Gran Reserva 2013 Marques De la Concordia
Here I am yet again with my love of history: The winery was founded by Federico Paternina in Ollauri Rioja Alta just two years before the Spanish occupation of our country ended. As I wanted to save my palate for the good stuff, I naturally went straight for the Gran Reserva… and was pleased with its velvety texture, as well as its complex notes of dark fruits and leather. I would similarly enjoy this wine on its own or with a few slices of jamon serrano.
Portugal
Fonseca Porto Unfiltered Late Bottled Vintage 2016
I got embarrassingly nerdy with the label. Late Bottled Vintage (LBV) Port uses good quality wines, has intense complex fruit flavors, and could only come from a single year’s harvest. Because it is unfiltered, it retains some of the natural sediment from grapes. This wine’s luscious notes of dark and red berries would be something I’d have after dinner with blue cheese… such as stilton or even gorgonzola.
Germany
Schloss Johannisberg Rotlack Kabinett
I am such a Prädikatswein label geek because it’s unbelievably systematic. Kabinett has the least amount of sugar from the grape in the Prädikatswein label. It doesn’t automatically mean it’s dry though. Lower ABV translates to a sweeter style, as in this bottle’s case (11% ABV). I also like the refreshing acidity brought about by the cold region it hails from (Rheingau). A little trivia: Schloss Johannisberg boasts of being the first Riesling winery in the world, cultivating the grape for 1,200 years.
Israel
Gamla Merlot
There’s something about a wine that comes from a region that gets referenced in the bible. I have written a little bit about Golan Heights in Galilee before in a previous post, talking about it being the most important if the four winemaking regions in Israel. Gamla Merlot also comes from said part of the world and is an approachable, albeit concentrated, Merlot. I liked the refreshing characteristics it has that ended up balancing the richness of the wine, and I’m admittedly partial to it being a smoky red.
Chile
Montes Outer Limits Shiraz 2022
I had to choose between a ton of memorable Chilean wines that night… and ended up with a wine that evoked some of the best memories of my (rather laughable) wine writing career. I remember being blown away by just how heavenly the Montes vineyards were when I visited exactly this time 10 years ago. I remember wanting to get a bottle of Purple Angel, but only had the budget for Outer Limits… which I saved until I got really, ehrm… thirsty in 2017. I liked the 2022 vintage, which was incredibly red fruit forward and had the necessary sweet spices that one expects from a Shiraz… but I’m keen to be hooked up with an older vintage.
Argentina
Trivento Eolo Single Vineyard Malbec 2020
I admit: Having Eolo for me that evening was all about the memories. I’ve been writing about the wine since, gosh… 2017…? I also found out that the company I used to work for (and had the privilege of having a few of their employees as brilliant students) now imports it. Eolo is Trivento’s icon wine, named after Aeolus, the Greek god of winds. Quoting my old article: “The 100-year-old vines used to make the fine Malbec grapes of Eolo benefits from altitude (a key principle in Argentine winemaking), poor soils (the poorer the soil, the more characterful the wine), and of course the winds that consistently regulate the temperatures in the vineyard”. I loved the 2020, but being a bit familiar with the label… I feel like it would really reach its peak in about 3-5 years.
Australia
Jamria (Jam Shed Sangria)
At certain points in every Grand Wine, I confess that my palate could get fatigued. I honestly welcomed the fact that I got dragged by one of my favorite people, Eric Kahn (who was sporting a pretty badass looking wine tattoo, I might add), to the Jamria booth, Jamria is what I could only describe as the love child of a slushie drink one could get from a convenience store and a sangria. Even the philosophy behind the wine is refreshing: The makers of the soft and sweet Jam Shed Shiraz encourage people to use it as a mixer.
New Zealand
Saint Clair Vicar’s Choice Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc Rosé Bright Light 2022
A Sauvignon Blanc Rosé? Yes please. This unusual blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, and Malbec has given the wine juicy, refreshing characteristics that remind me of fresh red strawberries. I can imagine the wine as something I’d have perfectly chilled while lounging around by the beach on a summer day, or with lightly flavored fish. I’d even have it with Filipino street food, such as fishballs or squidballs.
South Africa
Beyerskloof Pinotage Reserve 2019
A relatively young winery at 30 years, it has become synonymous to South Africa’s signature wine – the meaty, warm-climate loving cousin of the Pinot Noir, the Pinotage. Beyerskloof is in the iconic Stellenbosch region, where red Bordeaux grapes thrive as well. Their Pinotage Reserve has delicious notes of black fruits and cedar oak and is something I could imagine pairing with roast beef.
Japan
Shichida Junmai 75% Polished Yamadanishiki Muroka Nama (unfiltered)
I ran into Raymond Joseph, who switched to his Happi shirt and was serving sake with his signature effervescence. Seeing me he went, “Oh I’m gonna make you try this sake! It’s so characterful. It’s a conversation sake.” Dissecting the label, it was a Junmai, which meant no alcohol was added and would be a little fruity and floral. It used Yamadanishiki rice, the highest quality rice in sake production and gives savory, full flavors to the sake. Since it was unfiltered, it would be even more characterful. The sake’s rich flavors (which included a hint of umami) would even allow it to pair with something like a yakisoba, or even yakiniku beef.
Bonus:
Amahagan Yamazakura Wood Limited Edition
It was admittedly a little bit of a need for some whisky to end the evening, and partially FMOT: The bottle is pink. Yamazakura are commonly known as cherry blossom trees… Quite fitting, because the whisky does have fruity, floral notes of wild cherry blossoms, citrus, and honey. Best way to end the evening.
Photos courtesy of RVCC
Special thanks to Ms. Dawn Ignacio
