The descriptor "salty" is the hottest buzzword in the world of wine today. Often used by sommeliers or seen in professional tasting notes. This new flavor in wine is natural and something we like as it adds another mineral complexity. We assure you that no winemaker is adding salt during vinification and doing the Salt Bae move […]
Quarantine Recs
Written by Butz Tenchavez
As we prepare for another season of lockdown. We return to the good things that the pandemic has taught us such as daytime drinking and early happy hour.
Pouring yourself a glass makes life easier, more relaxed and civilized in times like this. Time to discover something new to love or revisit an old favorite.
To help you find a quarantine quaff, here are some recs. From a grower-Champagne in Avize, or a complex white from Portugal, lush pinot noir from Casablanca Valley and much more.
Champagne Calsac ‘L'échappée Belle’ NV P2,600
Champagne equals happiness all the time. This bottle from Calsac is alive, energetic, dry and makes us smile. Made from healthy organic 100% Chardonnay with vines aging 30 years old. Drink on its own or with salted potato chips.
Soalheiro Reserva 2017 P1,500
Soalheiro in Portuguese means sunny. We get that in tasting this bottle. The reserva is the best clusters of Alvarinho found in their estate owned vineyards then aged in new and old French barrels for a long time. This is a wonderful version of the Alvarinho. Full in flavor, radiant, rich, and satisfying.
Beaumont ‘Hope Marguerite’ 2018 P1,700
Chenin blanc is the most underrated white wine grape of all time. We love it so much and think this ‘Hope Marguerite’ is a top example in the New World. Chenin Blanc should always be zesty, crisp, and bright with acidity. This one checks all the criteria just add age worthy. This wine is opulent and tastes the way an apple orchard smells.
Bodega Valderiz ‘Juegabolos’ 2016 P2,300
This is a single vineyard Tempranillo that grows on rocky gravel stone and clay soils. A robust and luscious wine from family-run, organic and biodynamic producer Bodega Valderiz. Notes of violets, blueberries, licorice, slate, and rock minerals. Dense and silky on the palate.
Villard Expresión Reserve Pinot Noir 2018 P1,100
An easy-going Pinot Noir from cool Casablanca Valley, Chile. It’s a French Chilean style of Pinot. Light and fruity. Strawberries, cherries and sometimes blackberries. Drink chilled at any time of the day. Made by Jean-Charles Villard who is the second-generation winemaker of his family domaine.
Cheers everyone and stay safe.
