Think that’s a tongue twister? Maybe that is just what you need to shake up your wine choices. When you get tired of the same old varietals like Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot look to the world to give you a new harvest of choices.
Most of us are going to be doing more entertaining at home this season. Why not throw a new varietal into the mix. This will surprise your guests and put just a little more fun into your party. It will also awaken your own wine palate. You will start to appreciate all wines even more… even the same-old-same-olds.
To get things started, I am going to describe four white and four red varietals. Some you will have heard of and some will be new to you. It is safe to say that most of you have not had the opportunity to taste them. Maybe I can spark your interest enough for you to go out and try these… that should lead to your receptiveness to try even more varietal varieties. Bet you can’t say that after a few glasses of wine.
White:
Gruener Veltliner from Austria
Lively yet dry, spicy, mineral and can be light to medium bodied. This is Austria’s most popular wine. Many restaurants are starting to have it in their wine list now. If you like Pinot Grigio you will enjoy this one. It could become a huge hit here in the US but the vineyard growth acreage is limited.
Albariño from Galicia Spain
It is known as Alvarinho in Portugal. Medium bodied, aromatic, crisp, usually made un-oaked. Some say it resembles a Riesling or Viognier. With the new interest in Spanish wines in the US… this one could be a huge winner.
Assyrtiko from Santorino, Greece
Very dry, minerally with lots of acidity, is light bodied. If you like dry white wines… this one is for you. Many consider this Greece’s best white varietal. It comes from the beautiful volcanic island of Santorini.
Fiano from Campania, Italy
Aromas of pears and hazelnut, medium to full bodied. The origins of the variety go back all the way to the Romans. The Campania region in Italy has produced two other excellent whites… Falanghina and Grecco di Tufo but the Fiano is best of the three by far. Fiano di Alvellino is the best of all.
Red:
Nero D’Avola from Sicily, Italy
Sometimes the variety is also called Calabrese. It is dark red in color and strong in tannins. Nero D’Avola is a truly delicious tasty wine. It is arguably Silcily’s leading red varietal. Sicily’s recent resurgence as an important Italian wine region has pushed Nero D’ Avola into the international spotlight as red wine to be savored.
Tempranillo from Spain
It is also sometimes called Tinta Roriz and Tinta de Pais. Rich red color and full bodied it is Spain’s great noble wine. It is the main varietal in the Riojas and Ribera del Duero. Spanish wine is gaining favor here in the US and this varietal is actually showing some real promise being grown in California.
Lagrein from Alto Adige, Italy
These wines are usually deep colored, robust, spicy, high in acidity and tannin. The grape is actually related to Syrah. As Alto Adige wines have emerged in the US market, Lagrein’s popularity has grown as a reasonably-priced alternative to Tuscan and Piedmonte reds.
Petit Verdot from Bordeaux, France
This late ripening grape variety is tannic, very dark red in color with rich violet flavors. In Bordeaux it is still used in blends. It is coming into its own as a varietal to be enjoyed on it own merits. It is being grown in more and more places where the weather permits. In California this grape ripens more easily thus laying the way for future fame.
That is a start for you. You might have to do a little hunting for some of these beyond your mass-market wine store. The hunt will be fun and the anticipation will add to the enjoyment of trying something new.
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