The Wait Torrontes 2010

By Chris and Sherry Hardie

Malbec is known as the red grape of Argentina, but it’s a transplant from France. Torrontes is an indigenous grape that is the most widely planted white varietal in the country and is developing its own following.

Torrontes shares qualities of pinot grigio and viognier, offering lots of aromatics and tropical fruit. A good torrontes has a crisp texture to keep it from tasting flat.

The Wait delivers a delightful pour, with lots of fragrance, stone fruit and zesty citrus tastes. Allow the wine to warm slightly from refrigerator temperature for the full flavors to show. The wine carries a high level of alcohol (15 percent) for a white.

Sherry: “Geranium on the nose, with tastes of almond, light pineapple and lime.” 3-1/2 stars

Chris: “Flavors of melon, apricot, citrus and other tropical fruits.” 3 stars

Available locally for about $12.

Coming next week: Santa Cristina Antinori

Turn Me Red 2009

By Chris and Sherry Hardie

Had any zweigelt wine lately?

Neither have we. That’s why we decided to give this wine a try. (Chris maintains it had nothing to do with the attractive 1950s-style pin-up girl label.)

Zweigelt is a grape developed in the past 20 years that is a cross between blaufrankish and St. Laurent, a member of the pinot noir family. The red grape is touted in Austria (these were grown in the Burgenland region) and provides 70 percent of the body of this wine, along with 30 percent cabernet sauvignon.

The wine is fermented in stainless steel and aged in oak. The result is a medium-bodied, semi-sweet wine that is not exceptional but very approachable.

Sherry: “Soft, light-bodied with cherry and strawberry flavors.” 3 stars

 Chris: “Strawberry and cherry with a hint of cocoa on the finish.” 3 stars Available locally for about $9.

COMING NEXT WEEK: The Wait Torrontes

Cartlidge and Browne Central Coast Pinot Noir 2010

By Chris and Sherry Hardie

Winemakers sometimes limit their selections to the grapes that grow on their vineyards. Others don’t grow their own grapes but purchase them on contracts. The winemakers at Cartlidge & Browne source grapes from about 1,000 acres of vineyards throughout California in their quest to make wines modeled after the European style.

Of course, the success of either method rests in what pours in the glass, which in this case turns out to be quite delicious. The pinot is quite balanced and displays aromatics of earth and spice with bright red fruit flavors and a traditional silky finish.

Sherry: “Medium-bodied and very fruity, with a cherry flavor and a touch of pineapple.” 3 stars

Chris: “Bright strawberry and cherry with a hint of toffee on the finish.” 3-1/2 stars

Available locally for about $13.

Coming next week: Turn Me Red

Santa Rita Reserva Merlot 2008

By Chris and Sherry Hardie
South America and Chile were recipients of European grape plantings in the 1800s, which is what Domingo Fernandez did when he started a
winery in the Maipo Valley in 1880.
Today, the winery uses modern technology to produce Bordeaux variety grapes, including this reserve merlot. The wine is fermented in individual batches and aged 10 to 12 months in oak before it is blended and bottled.
 With 10 percent cabernet sauvignon added, the wine shows black fruit and red berry flavors in a very balanced and easy finish that is almost sweet. A
very approachable pour.
Sherry: “Medium-bodied with a floral taste and flavors of cherry and plum.” 3 stars
Chris: “Fruit flavors of raspberry and plum with a vanilla and spice finish.” 3-1/2 stars
Available locally for about $12.50.
COMING NEXT WEEK: Cartlidge and Browne Pinot Noir

Fünf Sassy White

By Chris and Sherry Hardie

Never underestimate the power of marketing. Sales of riesling have increased double-digits since wine giant

Schmitt Söhne uncomplicated the confusing German wine labels and introduced Relax Riesling a few years ago.

 Fünf is another label from the company, which says most fun starts at 5 p.m. (Fünf means five in German). With its large portfolio, Schmitt Söhne has more than 50 percent of the German wine segment in the U.S.

 Riesling is known as the noble grape of Germany, and its versatility can make it very light and approachable to very sweet and syrupy. Fünf is a very light, young riesling that fits the definition of a summer wine.

 Sherry: “Light-bodied with honey, apple, pear and a touch of lime.” 3 stars

Chris: “Apple, pear and citrus with a semi-sweet taste.” 3 stars

Available locally for about $6.

Coming next week: Santa Rita Reserva Merlot

Purple Cowboy Tenacious Red 2010

By CHRIS and SHERRY HARDIE
Not everyone falls off their horse one day and becomes a winemaker. That is unless you are Terry Wheatley.
Wheatley and her family have long been a part of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association.
She’s also a breast cancer survivor who came up with the Tough Enough to Wear Pink breast cancer awareness campaign at rodeos.
Wheatley also worked in the wine industry, and her inspiration for this Paso Robles, Calif., blend was inspired by her belief that all cowboys drink purple or dark red wines. It’s a blend of cabernet sauvignon, syrah and merlot that offers very tame tannins and plenty of fruit.
Sherry: “Smooth and medium-bodied with flavors of black currant and cherry.” (3 stars)
Chris: “Black licorice and black cherry flavors with a bit of cocoa on the finish.” (3 stars)
Available locally for about $10.
Coming next week: Fünf