South

In our post of March 24th 2013 we reported on a tasting "North" devoted to wines from Germany, England, Canada, New York State, Northern Italy and so forth. this tasting 4 months later was of mainly Mediterranean and Southern Hemisphere wines.

Again there were surprises and we report below on the winners and losers. Once more the age, condition and provenance of the bottles was a test of the robustness of the wines. Sadly, there were disappointments which should not have been so only because of bottle variation. For example our Rossese failed to shine whereas we had thoroughly enjoyed an identical bottle from the same source only weeks previously.

So here is the balance sheet;

Winners

Chenanson (Grenache/Jurancon Noir cross). Quite a surprise given our exprience with other French crosses which can be very hit an miss affaires. Misses include Caladoc (Grenache/Malbec "Un Grenache qui ne coule pas" - a Grenache that doesn't rot) and Arinarnoa (Merlot/Petit Verdot, two bottles of which we tasted recently with varying degrees of disappointment) with hits including this Chenancon and Marselan (Grenache/Cabernet Sauvignon which we have found consistently pleasurable).

The two variations on Gamay: Gamay de Bouze and Gamay Chaudenay. Our Gamay de Bouze bottle from Henri Marionnet had really been through the wars but emerged unscathed testifying to the robustness of this wine.

The Gamay de Chaudenay from the late lamented Green and Blue Wines of Dulwich was less ancient but also in good shape.

Next came the biggest surprise of the show, the Minutolo from Puglia. This is a quite well known variety in the region although a new one on us. It is full and grapey. It not only proved the white wine popular hit of the tasting but also supplied the Slotovino Award's best white of 12/13. A major discovery we think but it is fair to say more expert opinion wasn't enthusiastic to that degree.

Nero Buono di Cori is obscure even in Lazio and again, this bottle had seen plenty of action before arriving at the tasting. Nonetheless it tasted fresh and robust and was generally admired . Definitely one to seek out where possible.

We liked Rossara although opinion was divided. It was light and pleasant in the Gropello mould but with a character of its own.

Savignon Rosso (aka. Centesimino) from our friends at La Sabbiona (Ravenna) was more generally a hit, even being one of the favourites of those much more expert than us.

Subirat Parent is another light and refreshing white from Catalonia. This sample soon went low - always a good sign.

The Sumoll came in two forms; a savoury red and a pink-ish sweetie. Very pleasant indeed.

We were very taken by the Trepat, another Catalonian which although red, may be used in Cava. We were not alone in this but expert opinion was more doubtful it has to be said.

Losers

Most disappinting was the Cesar, a very minor ingredient of some Burgundies, mainly from Irancy. Thought to be a variety from across the border in Germany known there as Roemer. We hough we had had tasted a Cesar years ago and had kept such a good memory of that particular bottle that we had thrown this variety in to the Slotovino Hall of Fame without further ado. Now we doubt that our ancestral Cesar was the grape; perhaps it had been the proprietorial name of the wine? In any case, on this showing we have to make our first eviction from our Hall of Fame, so out goes this quite nasty, mean and displeasing grape without further ado.

Poor Enantio; so difficult to find - so not worth the effort. Just lacking in any positive attributes really. It is not enough just to be obscure. Boring really.

The Nibio from Luigia Zucchi was sadly over the hill - so much so that it was useless in proving whether it is a Dolcetto or something else altogether. We should reserve judgement on this.

Like Enantio, a Vespolina in purezza is rare indeed but on this showing, not worth the trouble.

We had tried St. Macaire before - a survivor from Bordeaux now only found in Australia. Now as then, it made a very ordinary impression indeed. However more expert opinion found interest in St. Macaire so we should try this again if ever we get the chance.

Like St. Macaire, our St. Jeannet also had a fascinating back story (see notes below) but whether due to a poor bottle or thanks to lack of intrinsic merit, this blend containing St. Jeannet was unable to tell us anything.

Zalema from Huelva seemed as in the past quite hopeless. The reported tendancy to oxydisation is overwhelmingly present in the bottles we have tried. Again the experts were kinder but with the injuction to drink up young.

Not at their best in this showing

Bottles we had enjoyed previously but somehow failed to shine on this occasion included

Arbane, the fantastically obscure Champagne grape that had so impressed when offered to friends previously in the unique version by Moutard. This time, whether due to bottle variation or serving at a different temperature one could have been forgiven for asking what the fuss had been about.

Ribeyrenc; Slotovino's Red of the Year in our 2011/12 Awards was just shy in this company

as was a bottle of Colares Arenae Ramisco - one of our very favourite varieties deserving of greater recognition.

As mentioned the Rossese was not a good bottle

and the Nerello Capuccio bared no resemblance whatsoever to the heavanly example by Benanti which had convinced us that it is this Nerello which should rule rather than Mascalese.

Interesting

Of genuine interest if not of strongly arresting claims were other varieties

Bianco Gentile

Tibouren (which is nothing other than Rossese when grown in France!)

Albanella

 Catalanesca

 Pallagrello Bianco

Negoska. This had come with a warning that it would be the most tannic wine you would ever taste which would explain its function as a wine for blending. Not unpleasant, it would indeed be something to consider with a rich Greek lamb stew as one of our experts suggested.

Albarin Blanco

 Dona Blanca (highly praised by one of the experts)

Montuo/Montua (Chelva)

Tinta Rome

Pais (aka Listan Prieto)

Bukettraube

"South" was always going to be more fun than "North" but there are compensations in both categories. As our old violin teacher used to say, there was good in every school of composition. You only need to seek it out.

That list in full; many thumbnails are courtesy of 'Wine Grapes' for which many thanks.

France

Moutard Diligent Champagne ARBANE Vieilles Vignes, Buxeuil 2005. 12%

“Old aromatic but virtually extinct variety from Southern Champagne” (Wine Grapes) 1 ha. Planted (2006).

Antoine Arena BIANCO GENTILE, Corse. NV. 13%

 6 ha. Southern Corsica. Re-discovered by Antonio Arena and others in the mid 1990s.

Domaine Sorin-Coquard “Cuvee Antique” CESAR, Bourgogne 2011

Aka. Romain or Römer probably originated in Germany. Not brought over by Julius Caesar!

Domaine des Trois Orris CHENANSON, Joep Graler, Languedoc, 2010. 14%

Grenache/Jurancon Noir cross mostly used in blends.

Element Terre GAMAY CHAUDENAY, 2007. Vin de table francias. Mis en bouteilles Julien Courtois, La Cour Moreau, 41230 Soings en Solange. 13.5%

Red-fleshed mutation of Gamay Teinturier de Bouze.

Les cepages oublies, Henri Marionnet GAMAY DE BOUZE, La Charmoise, 2006. Vallee du Cher, Loire. 12%

The first Gamay Teinturier to be discovered.

Thierry Navarre, Cepage oublié du Langedoc, RIBEYRENC. Vi n de table francais NV. Roquebrun, Languedoc. 11%

Aka. Aspiran Noir. Nearly extinct. Revived by Thierry Navarre. Slotovino red discovery of the year 2011/12.

Clos Cibonne TIBOUREN, Cotes de Provence 2011. 14%

TIBOUREN = Rossese. Grape of St. Tropez. NB. Parts of the South of France belonged to the Kingdom of Savoy until 1860.

Italy

 Rocche del Gatto ROSSESE, Riviera di Ponente 2011. 13%

 See Tibourien

Fattoria Mancini, Roncaglia ALBANELLA, Colli Pesaresi, 2009. 13%

“Now confined to the Pesaro region.” (Wine Grapes)

Cantine Olivella “Kata” CATALANESCA, I.G.T. del Monte Somma, 2011. Parco Nazionale del Vesuvio, Italy. 13%

 “Very old high acid white Italian variety suited to both Table and Glass. Exclusive to Campania” (Wine Grapes).

Azienda Agricola Roeno ENANTIO, Terradeiforti, Valdadige, 2007.14%

Formerly known as Lambrusco a Foglia Frastagliata. Now called Enantio. Rare and difficult to find.

Soc. Agricola Polvanera MINUTOLO, Gioia del Colle IGT, Puglia.2011. 12%

Speciality of Puglia rescued in 2000 from the brink of extinction by oenologist Lino Carparelli.

Feudo di Sant’Anastasia, Randozzo (Catania). ‘Al-Cantara’ NERELLO CAPPUCCIO “La Fata Galanti” I.G.T. Sicilia. 2010. Italy. 12.5%

Unusual to be found on its own. Softer than Nerello Mascalese.

Cantina Cincinnato NERO BUONO DI CORI, Lazio IGT Rosso, 2006. 13.5%

Castelli Romani. Usually blended with Montepulciano or Cesanese.

A.A. Rugra di Luigia Zucchi, Picula Rusa NIBIO, Tassarola, Gavi (Piemonte), 2008 . 14%

Is it Dolcetto or a separate variety as Luigia Zucchi claims?

Vestin Campagnano PALAGRELLO BIANCO Terre del Volturno I.G.T., 2011,Campania, Italy. 13.5%

Considered extinct when discovered by Peppe Mancini in the 1990s.

Emilio Bulfon, PICULIT NERI, delle Venezie IGT2012. 13%

Unrelated to Picolit; another revival by Emilio Bulfon. He has succeeded in having this and others  included in the Italian national register of varieties.

Emilio Bulfon, SCIAGLIN, Pinzano al Tagliamento, Friuli, 2012. 13%

 Ancient variety saved from extinction by Emilio Bulfon.

Zeni Vigneto Legiare ROSSARA. Campo Rotaliano, Trentino. Vigneti delle Dolomiti, 2010. 11%

Another offspring of Gouais Blanc. Usuallu blended with Teroldego or Negrara.

La Sabbiona SAVIGNÔN ROSSO, Ravenna Rosso I.G.T., 2010, Faenza. Italy. 14.5%

 Aka. CENTESIMINO. Revived from some vines which had escaped Phylloxera found in a garden by Pietro Pianore,

Cantine del Castello di Castellengo VESPOLINA Coste delle Sesia DOC, 2011. 12.5%                

A progeny of Nebbiolo. Losing ground to Barbera in particular in Piemonte. Example by kind donation of Ben Bevan.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

Greece

Ktima Yannis Dalamaris, Dalamara Winery NEGOSKA, Regional Wine of Imathia, Greece. 2007. 12.5%

Usually blended with Xinomavro, Ktima Dalamaris makes a monovarietal in good years such as this.

Spain

Vinedo de Alta Montana ‘Nibias’ ALBARIN BLANCO. Vinedas Chacon Buelta S.L.,Cangas, Asturias, Spain. 14%

“ Very minor variety from the far North of Spain” (Wine Grapes), 49ha. in 2008.

Gorvia Quinta da Muradella DONA BLANCA (SIRIA) D.O. Monterrei 2006, 14%

Very old variety planted in N.W. Spain and Portugal.

Hnos Lopez Martin S.C. Ribera del Mudejar Vino Blanco Seco Montuo, MONTUA (CHELVA) Archez, Axarquia (Malaga) 2012. 14.4%

Surprisingly widely grown in Spain both as table and wine grapes.

Bodegas Ponce, Buena Pinta MORAVIA AGRIA (60%), GARNACHA TINTA (40%), Iniesta, Manchuela, 2011. 13%

MORAVIA AGRIA “Obscure variety from Esatern Castilla-La Mancha” (Wine Grapes). Sr. Ponce tells us he will soon produce a 100% MORAVIA AGRIA.

Finca Valldosera SUBIRAT PARENT, Massis del Garraf, 2011. Olerdola, Alt Penedes, Barcelona, Spain. 12%

 Very old variety from Estramadura in South West Spain. In Catalunya, it may b used for Cava.

Heretat Mont Rabi Gaintus SUMOLL, Alt Penedes, 2005. 13.5%

Sumoll = Vijariego Negra from Andalucia. Found mainly in red blends from Catalunya and Canary Islands. This dry example is the generous contribution of Charles Taylor.

Heretat Mont Rabi Advent SUMOLL, Alt Penedes, 2008. 15%

This sweet version is also thanks to Charles Taylor.

Hnos Lopez Martin S.C. Ribera del Mudejar TINTA ROMÉ, Archez, Axarquia (Malaga). 2009, 2007, 2002. 12.7%, 14% & 14.3%

Very old variety indigenous to Axarquia, Malaga. Many locals use it for home wine production. Very rare indeed.

Hnos Lopez Martin S.C. Ribera del Mudejar TINTA ROMÉ Rosado (Semidulce, Archez, Axarquia (Malaga) 2010. 13.5%

Even the shop 50m from Bodega Lopez-Martin in Archez does not sell their wines. Sabores de Andalucia may be the only place they are available other than the cellar door.

Vinos Sedella Mediterranean Mountain Wine TINTA ROMÉ, GARNACHA, 2009. 13.5%

One of the only wines even containing a proportion of Tinta Romé to be found in a retail outlet (in this case Lavinia at Malaga Airport!).

Josep Foraster TREPAT, Montblanc, Conca de Barberà Denominacio d’origen 2010. 13%

The first Festa del Trepat was held in 2010 in Barberà de la Conca. May be used as a constituent of pink Cava.

Vina Barredero, Blanco Joven, ZALEMA, Condado de Huelva, 2012. Andalucia, Spain. 12%

“Light and pretty neutral with slight note of almonds and the unfortunate tendancy to oxydise” (Wine Grapes).

Portugal

Arenae Colares RAMISCO 2005. Colares, Portugal. 13%

“Demanding and endangered Portuguese variety” (Wine Grapes). Ungrafted vines. Only 23h. remaining.

Australia

Calabria Private Bin ST. MACAIRE, New South Wales, 2006. 14%

 “Obscure Bordeaux variety now disappeared from its homeland” (Wine Grapes). Less than 1 ha. remains in Bordeaux.

South America

Gardeweg-Lapierre-Luyt, El PAIS de Quenehuao, Elaborado en bodega de Inia, Cauquenes, Chile 12.5%

Pais = Listan Prieto. Old variety from Castilla la Mancha taken to Mexico, California, Chile, Canary Islands and new Mexico. Eradicated by Phylloxera in Spain.

Finca El Reposo SAINT JEANNET, Mendoza (40% St. JEANNET (90 year old vines), 30% Sauvignon Blanc, 30% 90 year old Chardonnay). 2010, 13%

Saint Jeannet is a village opposite Bellet, 25km from Nice where wine is made in ‘Bonbonnieres’ (large jars). The grape St. Jeannet was taken from there by the Benegas family in 1912 and planted in Argentina. It no longer exists in St. Jeannet itself and is now found only on a plot located in Cruz de Piedra, Mendoza. Only available in this blend.

South Africa

Nieuwoudt, Cederberg BUKETTRAUBE 2011. 13.5%

Bred in Germany, now most successful in South Africa (88 ha.).