Do You Know Xinomavro?

November 1st was International Xinomavro Day! But are you familiar with this wine?

Let’s take a look at this lesser known wine.

Xinomavro (ksino-mav-roh) is native to Greece where it is almost exclusively grown. And, it is known as the finest red wine that Greece has to offer.

The word Xinomavro itself is a conjunction of the Greek words for acid and black, though this is sometimes translated as black and sour.

Xinomavro is typically a medium-full bodied wine with high tannin, high acidity and low sweetness. It has fruit flavors of raspberry, strawberry, plum along with spices such as allspice and anise, and even sundried tomato!

Xinomavro wines, with their high acidity, can age nicely for many years.

So, next time you come across a Xinomavro wine be sure to give it a try. Cheers!

Behind the Cork™ - Domaine Bousquet Uco Valley Cabs

Mendoza’s Uco Valley produces more than stellar Malbec. This high-altitude locale near Argentina’s border with Chile has started to make a name for itself with some pretty impressive Cabernet.

Certified organic fruit, high-altitude terroir and a French-Argentine profile have translated into a recipe for success for Domaine Bousquet.

The estate’s naturally elegant, environmentally friendly wines are now found in 61 countries around the globe, and Domaine Bousquet is Argentina’s leading name in exports of wine made from organically grown grapes.

But there is another simple reason for Domaine Bousquet’s success: “We just want to make the finest wines possible and sell them at prices people can afford,” says co-owner Anne Bousquet.

 Here are five prime examples of affordable fine wines from Domaine Bousquet:

  • Domaine Bousquet Reserve Organic Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 ($18)

  • Domaine Bousquet Alavida Kosher USDA-Certified Organic Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 ($18)

  • Domaine Bousquet Gaia Organic Cabernet Franc 2021 ($20)

  • Domaine Bousquet Gran Organic Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 ($25)

  • Domaine Bousquet Ameri Single Vineyard Organic Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 ($36)

Look for each of these Domaine Bousquet Cabs to be featured in upcoming Behind the Cork™ Wine of the Week blogs. Cheers!

Riesling -- A Misunderstood Wine

Riesling is a wine that is most famously produced in Germany where nearly half the world's Riesling grapes are grown. Other great producers of Riesling include the Alsace region of France, Australia, Austria, Uruguay, Canada and the United States. Riesling that is grown in cooler climate regions result in highly aromatic wines with great acidity and big, bright fruit flavors. But mention a Riesling and most often you'll hear "Oh, that's a sweet wine."

One of the reasons that Riesling is considered "a sweet wine" is because it has flavors of sweet fruits - green apple, apricot, nectarine, peach, pear, and pineapple. Flavors that our brain associates with sweetness. Another reason for Riesling's sweet flavors is the fact that it is rarely aged in oak. Not having the rich, toasty and butter flavors of oak lets Riesling's bright sweet fruit flavors shine though. Also, Riesling is rarely blended with other grapes. So, what you get are the pure sweet fruit flavors of the Riesling grape. And the final reason that Riesling is considered sweet is that many Rieslings are, well, intentionally produced to be sweet.

But not all Rieslings are sweet. They can span the range from dry to sweet. The Alsace region of France is known for its dry Riesling. And warmer climates, such as California, Oregon and Washington, produce dry Rieslings that typically have more muted fruit flavors, are more medium to full-bodied.

So, yes, Riesling can be a bit confusing. But, not all Rieslings are "sweet." The key is to look at the wine’s total Residual Sugar (RS). If you find one with a RS level less than 17 g/L, it is considered dry (i.e., not sweet). If you find one with a RS level greater than 17 g/L, it will indeed be sweet.

Ever Wonder? Does Ireland Produce Wines?

Photo by Yan Ming on Unsplash

Ireland does produce wine, but not in the traditional sense that many might expect from countries with extensive vineyards.

The Irish climate, characterized by mild temperatures and significant rainfall, is not particularly conducive to growing the traditional grape varieties used for wine production. However, there are a few vineyards in Ireland that have emerged in recent years, primarily in regions like the southern counties of Cork and Waterford.

One notable winery in Ireland is Kinsale Mead Co., located in County Cork. While primarily focused on mead—a honey-based alcoholic beverage—they also experiment with grape wines. Kinsale Mead Co. has gained attention for its innovative approach, combining traditional methods with local ingredients. They produce a variety of meads, from dry to sweet, and often incorporate local herbs and spices, showcasing the flavors of the region.

Another interesting vineyard is Longueville House, which has its own small vineyard where they produce limited quantities of wine, primarily focusing on fruit wines. They emphasize sustainable practices and local produce, offering a unique experience in the Irish wine landscape.

Both of these producers reflect the growing interest in winemaking in Ireland, even if on a smaller scale!

Irish wineries often focus on cool-climate grapes such as Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, and some are exploring hybrid varieties that are more resilient to the Irish climate. While the scale of production is small and the volume limited, Irish wines have been gaining recognition for their quality.

The burgeoning wine scene in Ireland is complemented by the country's rich culinary heritage, making wine an intriguing part of the broader food landscape. As the industry continues to grow, it may further establish Ireland as a niche producer of quality wines.