What has wine done for me lately?
via GIPHY
There are so many! After receiving my WSET-2 certificate from the American Wine School, I started working a few hours a week at Underdog Wine Co. in Kansas City, Missouri (plus, the company was recently named the best wine shop in America by America’s 50 Best Wine Stores). One of the top 50 wine shops) wine lover! ) and have been doing some freelance writing for the SOMM TV online magazine (a must-get streaming service if you love wine or food!). marvelous.
And, while at FBG, I was also given some new wines to try – and let me tell you, new job responsibilities aren’t terrible.
Read on for some bottles I’ve tried that made me feel like a heart-eyes smiley emoji with every sip.
Wine Folly Wine Club Access via Wine
I have loved Wine Folly for a long time, so when we received the quote it was a no brainer to try shipping from Wine Folly Wine Club via Wine Access.
Every other month, the Wine Club will send you four bottles of educational wine (cost $120, plus tax and shipping per shipment). Our focus is on warm climate wines from producers in Spain, South Africa, California, and Australia that are super delicious and hard to come by. Along with the bottle, it comes with detailed tasting notes and basic information about how warmer climates affect wine and which varieties grow at higher temperatures.
How about the wine you ask? so good. I invited some friends over to taste them (always a pleasure), and while we each had our favorites, there wasn’t one we didn’t like or wouldn’t drink. And it’s always fun to taste the differences between varieties and regions side by side. (Don’t want to open all four bottles at once? You could totally open one bottle a night at a time—or consider investing in a Coravin so you don’t have to uncork an entire bottle.)
I’m a wine geek at heart, so I really like the educational portion of the Wine Folly wine club, but Wine Access has many other fun clubs at a variety of prices and themes, including Sunset Mag Wine, which offers wine from the West Coast. Wine and the Michelin Guide curated with sommeliers from Michelin-starred restaurants. (See all the clubs here.) Wine Access also sells wine by the bottle, with a fine collection of wines from around the world that you don’t find every day in your grocery store.
Anything by Unico Zelo
Obviously, there isn’t an Australian Unico Zelo wine that I don’t like.
Because for the past few months, I’ve been drinking Sea Foam: a delicious salty, fruity Pet Nat made with Fiano and Vermentino.
Perfectly balanced Fiano, a wonderful combination of lemon, nectarine and toasted almonds:
Esoterico, a lively little skin-contact (orange wine) blend of Fiano, Zibbibo, Moscato Giallo, Gewurtztraminer and Greco, with flavors of mango, nectarine and spice, with plenty of minerality (don’t mind kitchen renovation) in the background):
I also can’t forget Fresh AF, which smells as interesting as its name. It’s a blend of Nero d’Avola and Zibibbo, light, fresh, juicy…well, you know.
And, I love them all. Truffle Hound is the next one I’m going to try, but, let’s be honest: if I see a bottle of Unico Zelo that I haven’t tried yet, I’m going to buy it. (And, at $25-$35 a bottle, they definitely feel special, but not so Especially if I gather them for the birth of a child or other significant event. )
Adobe Road Winery
Last but not least are two wines sent to me by Adobe Road Winery that are not meant to be played with.
Founded in 2002 by former professional race car driver Kevin Buckler and his wife Debra Buckler, Adobe Road Winery sources its grapes from Cali’s Sonoma and Napa counties Some of the most historic and premium family-owned vineyards.
To be honest, I don’t drink a lot of Cali chard, but the 2019 Chardonnay Petaluma Gap, Sangiacomo Vineyards, Roberts Road ($31) was lovely. Ripe peach and nectarine flavors with plenty of tartness give it a bright freshness, oak-aged but not overpowering. Think baking spices with a creamy bite that’s rich but not too heavy.
Then there’s Carbon, which isn’t shy, so to speak. This is a dark, inky blend of 48% Petite Sirah, 26% Malbec, 22% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Petit Verdot, and the bottle design itself is as thick as its taste (seriously, In a pinch you can use this bottle as a dumbbell) ). You’ll get aromas of black cherry, licorice and rich toasted oak, leading to flavors of ripe plums and crushed blackberries, plus a hint of violet and lots of tannins, giving you a crazy long finish. Again, this isn’t a wine for the faint of heart, nor is it something I’d drink every night (especially at $85 a bottle), but it’s definitely delicious when you’re in the mood for a drink.
What wines have you had recently that put you in a good mood? Share the love in the comments! —Jenn