A Flowery Song

Background: Dry white representative from St. Julian’s line of inexpensive wines; the “St. J” wines are generally priced in the $5-$8 range from the winery, slightly higher from a retailer (not that any of their wines are likely to break the bank). Fermentation in 80% stainless steel, 20% neutral oak; aged five months on the lees.

Nose: Musty nectarines and lemons.

Taste: Fruity and dry, with notes of tart green apple and cherry. Plenty of acidity.

Overall: Nothing outstanding; food-friendly and easygoing.

Background: Hungarian white wine made with 100% Cserszegi Fűszeres. What, I hear you ask, is Cserszegi Fűszeres? Well, it’s a hybrid of Tramini (Gewürztraminer) and Irsai Olivér. Irsai Olivér is itself a cross between Pozsonyi Fehér and Csabagyöngye. And Csabagyöngye is reputed to be a Bronnerstraube/Muscat Ottonel hybrid. All that is to say, it’s an obscure mutt of a grape from Hungary, and probably aromatic. Produced and bottled by Hilltop Neszmély.

Nose: Honeyed peach and apricot, floral rose hips, and a hint of petrol.

Taste: Off-dry, with good acidity to balance the hint of sweetness. Grapefruit (juice and pith), light minerality.

Overall: Very nice indeed. Crisp acidity pairs well with spicy dishes or shellfish.

Background: This dry white wine from Greece is produced by Cambas Winery from Moschofilero grapes grown at high altitude in the Mantinia region.

Nose: Light and flowery, with some hints of rose petal, peach, and lime.

Taste: Also very light, with fresh flavours of peach and plum and some surprising minerality. Medium acidity and a lingering limestone finish.

Overall: Very laid back and easy drinking. Perfect for sipping in the summertime, which throws the fact that I’m drinking it the day after a light snowfall into stark relief. Good thing I never claimed to be good at adhering to proper seasonal thinking.

Background: Another wine from St. Julian that I considered doing for WBW, this Syrah was aged for 12 months on French oak and weighs in at 12% ABV.

Nose: Raspberries and peppercorns right up front, with some oaky vanilla and blueberry jumping in.

Taste: Rich berry fruitiness, soft rounded tannins, and a light tartness. More peppercorns and some toasted oak in the finish.

Overall: Very nice indeed. Elegant balance and deep, layered flavours.

Background: 2005 saw a radical shift in this Napa Valley winery's approach to Chardonnay. Forgoing the popular treatment of this grape, which involves oak aging and malolactic fermentation, they joined a growing trend by shifting to an oak-free fermentation and aging process.

Appearance: Yellow-green bottle with a synthetic cork. Pours a pale yellow.

Nose: Fresh green apples and aromatic pears.

Taste: Complex yet restrained fruity components. In addition to the fruits from the nose we encounter lemon, pineapple, and honeydew melon. Fresh acidity on the front and a hint of newly baked bread in the silky smooth finish.

Overall: I'd call it a success. If you're looking for a buttery, toasty, in-your-face wine, look elsewhere. If, on the other hand, you've always wondered what California Chardonnay actually tastes like underneath the wood and lactic acid, you're in the right place.

Background: Dry white wine, aged in neutral barrels for nine months.

Presentation: Green bottle. Pours a brilliant straw.

Nose: Slightly earthy, slightly diesel-mild fruitiness presents mainly as peach, with some green apple notes.

Taste: Fruity, with refreshing minerality and a bracingly acidic backbone. Fruit as in the nose, with some additional lime citrus character. A hint of loamy earth.

Overall: Refined and balanced. All-around just an excellent wine, and well deserving of its reserve designation. Drinkable now, but has some aging potential.

Background: St. Julian is the largest Michigan winery and is located in Paw Paw. I received this new release as part of my first shipment from their Wine and Brandy Club.

Presentation: Green screw-top bottle. Pours almost clear, with just the slightest tinge of yellow. 11% ABV

Nose: Apricots and citrus. Extremely fruity.

Taste: Crisp and light; lemon and apricot interplay on a bracing background of minerality. Sweet and fruity at the start, but with a slightly drying finish and a perfect amount of acidity.

Overall: Very good. Not too sweet, with intense fruit that's not overpowering.

Background: This pink wine comes from the Bonny Doon Vineyard in California. “Vin gris” is a traditional French term for wines made from red grapes with no maceration, usually fermented to dryness. The “de Cigare” is a reference to the fact that this is a pink version of Bonny Doon's “Le Cigare Volant”, a dry red wine.

Presentation: Clear glass bottle with a screw-top closure. Pours a clear light pink with orange highlights. 13% ABV.

Nose: Fresh and fruity; grapefruit and strawberry.

Taste: Bone-dry but fruity, with mild acidity and some floral notes. Slightly astringent finish.

Overall: Clean and refreshing, full-bodied. Pairs well with spicy Asian foods.