Behind the Cork™ - Ritual Sauvignon Blanc

2019 Ritual Sauvignon Blanc ($20.99)

This organic Sauvignon Blanc is from the Casablanca Valley in Chile. This cool climate area is located on the northwestern side of Chile’s coastal range that is less than 30 km from the Pacific Ocean.

This wine is produced from 100% Sauvignon blanc grapes that are whole-cluster pressed and allowed to sit for 36 hours. It is then divided and fermented in 30% concrete eggs, 30% neutral oak and 40% stainless steel. By doing this, the winemaker is able to create different components each with varying aromatics, flavor and textures. The wine is then aged for eight to ten months with the lees being stirred every other week, based on the fruit days of the bio-dynamic calendar.

This 2019 Ritual Sauvignon Blanc is medium gold in color and has aromas of citrus, tropical fruit and melon. On the palate it has bright fruit flavors of grapefruit and lemon, nice acidity and a smooth mouth-feel due to being aged on lees. The finish is long and refreshing.

This wine from Ritual is not your typical Sauvignon Blanc. The concrete and oak fermentation, along with the time on lees, definitely adds some wonderful texture and smoothness to this wine. Cheers!

Disclosure of Wine Sample Submission: I received this sample at no cost for review. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Sample Provided by González Byass (via Donna White Communications)

Behind the Cork™ - Veramonte Organic Wines

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2019 Organic Sauvignon Blanc ($11.99)

2018 Organic Pinot Noir ($12.99)

These organic wines from Veramonte are produced in the Casablanca Valley of Chile. Both are from organically farmed vineyards and delivers the maximum expression of their living soils.

The Veramonte organic Sauvignon Blanc is 100% Sauvignon Blanc that gets picked at night and goes straight to the press. After sitting on lees for 24 hours, it is fermented in stainless steel tanks to preserve its freshness and flavors.

The Sauvignon Blanc is pale yellow in color with bright citrus, pineapple, pear and herbs on the nose. On the palate it’s got mellow flavors, including grapefruit, moderate acidity and finishes really easy.

The Veramonte organic Pinot Noir is produced from 100% Pinot Noir. After being harvested at night, 15% of the grapes undergo whole-cluster maceration and fermentation that helps build its structure. It is then fermented in small open-top tanks with native yeast. Finally, it’s aged for eight months in French oak.

This Chilean Pinot Noir is pale ruby in color with hints of red fruit on the nose. On the palate it’s got that classic cherry and cranberry flavor of a Pinot with very light tannin and low acidity.

Both of these Veramonte organic wines from Chile are affordable and flavorful, the perfect match to be a Behind the Cork™ wine of the week. Look for these - they’re a great value! Cheers!

Imported by Gonzalez Byass USA

Disclosure of Wine Sample Submission: I received these samples at no cost for review. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Samples Provided by Rebekah Polster, Donna White Communications