GIFT BUYING GUIDE IN NATURAL WINE
It’s that time of year where we give out gifts to those we care about and if you’re reading this, those you care about enjoy wine! Here are some Natural Wines for those of you looking to get loved ones into the category and some for you shopping for the Natty Wine Fan in your life.
Getting into it- One thing people new to the world of Natural Wine are always afraid of is getting a wine that taste like vinegar or something that might smell like it has been rolling around a barnyard for a little bit. But have no fear for these wines listed below are the kind that will make them say “I didn’t know Natural Wine could taste like that.”
2020 Bovin white wine, Loire Valley. - $25.99 per bottle
A fun blend of Chenin Blanc, Romorantin, Sauvignon Blanc and Pineau Menu this wine has great fruit flavors and is really well balanced. Floral on the nose, on the palate there are notes of guava with bold savory herbal characteristics. Vibrant orange zest pairs with the herbal flavors and leads to a touch of green pepper. Delicate grapefruit creates a citrusy finish.
2021 Ampelos Cellars Sta. Rita Hills Piquette, Lompoc, CA.- $18.99 per bottle
Taking dehydrated Grenache and Syrah grapes and bringing them back to life, this is a Piquette with some dark fruit characteristics. Dried figs and dark cherries coat the palate and bring a richness that you wouldn’t expect from a wine typically known for its light flavors. Light minerality and hints of vegetal notes cut down on the richness of fruit bringing the profile back to the norm.
2021 John Almansa Terre De Bardet, France.- $20.99 per bottle
Cinsault, Cabernet and Syrah are what make up this light body red from France. Delicate tart cherry fruit upfront leads to hints of white pepper. Soft hay flavors create a dry finish.
2021 Soto Vino Wines Texas Glou Glou, Texas High Plains, TX.- $28.99 per bottle
This 100% unfined/unfiltered Aglianico is a great example of the Glou, Glou style of chillable red wine. There is a candied mouthfeel throughout your drinking enjoyment, that really reminds me of how your mouth feels after eating a few Jolly-Ranchers. Even the fruit carries a candied quality, both cherry and strawberry fruit taste a little more like Jolly-Rancher flavors than fresh fruit. But that doesn’t make this wine sweet, just means that there are no tannins but bright fruit flavors.
Buying for Natty Fans- Someone in your inner circle is always bringing Natural Wines to gatherings. Sometimes they are good, sometimes you wonder why they want to torture you with something that is supposed to be pleasant. Getting a bottle from the list below will put a smile on their face.
2019 Domaine Rietsch Tout Blanc, Alsace.- $27.99 per bottle
An even split of Riesling and Auxerrois this is exactly the kind of dry white wine one would expect coming out of Alsace. Bold savory herbal characteristics and soft notes of nectarine walk the tight rope together and keep a balance between the too. The herbal flavors bring a touch of spice, but it is mellowed out due to the richness of the nectarine. Delicate notes of lemon and hints of peach skins give the wine a feel of tannic structure before the fruit becomes more present. The bold savory profile from the beginning comes back at the end.
Azimut Metode Tradicional Brut Nature, Spain.- $18.99 per bottle
A combination of Macabeu (40%), Xarel-lo (30%) and Parellada (30%) this sparkling has a very nice balance of full/rich and crisp/lean. Baked pear and toasted almonds create a fruity and hearty profile. While typically in a sparkling wine if it has fruit and nuttiness like this, you expect the wine itself to have a bit of sweetness. But this Spanish sparkling is dry though out and even finishes with some lemon zest.
2020 Seabold cellars Adroit Gamay, San Benito County.- $25.99 per bottle
All grapes are coming from the Siletto estate vineyard. The wine is 95% whole cluster and goes through carbonic maceration before spending 6 months in neutral barrique. Hints of cherries and red plums lead to subtle tannins that help create a dry mid-palate. Dryness leads to soft black cherry fruit on the finish.
2021 Schutzenhof Roka, Burgenland, Austria.- $28.99 per bottle
While you’re enjoying this wine, look up the history of Uhudler wines from Austria. American grapes that were brought to Austria to fight Phylloxera are only allowed to be blended together and not mixed with any Austrian grapes. There’s a lot more to it than that. Made with Concord, Delaware, Elvira and Ripatella grapes this is the only wine I’ve ever had in my life where if someone said “This tastes like grapes” they wouldn’t be saying it just to be funny. This wine tastes like an adult grape juice! There is some soft bramble fruit to give it some depth but also amazing about this wine is the acidity. This bright pop of acidity keeps the flavor profile light on your palate. There is a grape powder kind of finish.