Two Fun Wines in the Found Not Lost

As I was purchasing a client’s summer supply of wine I ran across rosé from Austria.  Definitely did a double take and instinctively grabbed the bottle off the shelf because first it was dry pink wine and second I had never tasted it.  The wine was from Loimer in their Lois line.  This line is economical and that is rare in the world of Austrian wine.  Loimer’s website reveals that this is 100% Zweigelt which is one of the standard Austrian red grapes.  When vinified into red wine it is lightly spicy, enjoyably herbal and filled with forest berries.

This is what I found in the rosé:

The wine is very lightly pink with a brassy note and the delicate color is a prelude to the delicate flavor.  Wild strawberry, white strawberry, and nuances of raspberry are blended with a touch of white pepper, tart red apple and a surprising citrus note that lies somewhere between lime and guava.  If you like tart this wine is for you as it offers razor-sharp acidity.  I suggest you drink it with a meal more so than alone to temper the tartness.  Cool experience as Zweigelt Rosé has never passed my door before.

Right after I picked up this wine a long time favorite caught my eye…there is a reason I shop at Galley Gourmet.  Forgotten, or slightly ignored, Italian white grapes have created a soft spot with me.  Finding a new one is a thrill for sure but finding a wine maker who is exceeding all expectation with a grape I already know is even better.  In this case please meet Marchetti because he makes the best Verdicchio that I have tried.  Marchetti leaves some of the harvest for an extra dose of hang time and in the process creates the Tenuta del Cavaliere Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico Superiore.

Here is what I found in this remarkable Verdicchio:

Candied lime mixed with ripe pear, perfect peach, and the realm of apple options are present in the nose and taste.  The texture of the wine borders on unoaked chardonnay but is not cloying or creamy.  The wonderful melange of fresh fruit is comparable to fruit salad and the silky texture is cut by the tropical citrus note that drives the finish.  Really delicious wine and it was $21.99, what a steal!