Joe's Winos Wine Club september 2016

BioKult

Grüner Veltliner 2015

In our continued quest to bring you all things unique and excellent, this month's white is a Demeter Certified Biodynamic Grüner Veltliner. The Demeter is the most widely respected institute for Biodynamic certification and is not easily obtained. Biodynamic agriculture is the creation of the farm as a vital and self-sufficient living organism which harmonizes the life processes between soil, plants and animals. This process has been met with some apprehension due to its use of lunar and astrological occurrences as part of plant development. Whatever your opinion may be, this wine is extremely organic! Grüner Veltliner accounts for just under 30% of varietal plantings in Austria and is highly influenced by regional differences. BioKult's Grüner offers a nose of wet stone, beeswax, apricot, yellow apple, white pepper, and citrus oil. The palate has a very reductive style; rich and juicy with great mineral notes. The beeswax continues accompanied by mango, ginger and yellow apple. This delicious, highly expressive Grüner needs about 10-15 minutes to open up.

Pairings:

Tonkatsu (breaded, deep-fried pork cutlet), grilled Trout, rich creamy cheeses such as Camembert.

Castello Monaci

"Médos" Malvasia Nera

Malvasia is not commonly found bottled on its own. Modern use of this grape is mainly focused on fortified wines such as Madeira and plays a part in the Tuscan "holy wine" Vin Santo. The origins of the name "Malvasia" traces back to an early Renaissance fortress in southern Greece known in Italian as "Malvasia". This port would have acted as a trading center for wine produced in Greece then distributed throughout Europe. This limited bottling was direct imported from Castello Monaci for the Winos. The slightly meaty nose gives way to raspberry, black olive, wild strawberry, rose water, tarragon, and Hoisin. The palate is big, round and soft with powdery tannins. The blackberry and pomegranate fruit is decadent and almost liquor-like. Fans of Pinot Noir that want more richness without big tannins will find this infinitely drinkable. Enjoy after about 20 mins of opening up. We just wish it wasn't quite so rare...

PAIRINGS:

Bone-in pork-chop with a Luxardo maraschino glaze or Duck with a similar preparation.