Barossa Langmeil SMG

1
Barossa Langmeil SMG

• Have you been doing the SMGs?
• The SMG craze originated at the famed
  Châteauneuf-du-Pape (Chateau of the Pope). In
  1308, Pope Clement V, former Archbishop of
  Bordeaux, relocated the papacy to the city of
  Avignon. He and subsequent Avignon Popes" were
  said to be great lovers of wine and did much to
  promote it during the seventy-year duration of
  the Avignon Papacy.
• A masterful blend of three grapes, Syrah,
  Mourvèdre and Grenache, has become quite the
  modern day cult in recent years. Maryland wine
  critic Robert Parker has taken to touting the
  lore of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Winemakers wherever
  these three varietals grow try to outdo each
  other with the best blend.
• This rich, full-bodied red from Barossa is a
  bright, jazzy blend that delivers a lively
  mouthful of cherry, mulberry and spice flavors,
  with hints of a floral note as the finish
  lingers.
• The appearance is crimson with purple hues.
  Aromas of fresh, bright blue fruits and
  raspberries mingle with subtle chocolate and
  creamy notes. Lovely, juicy blue fruits and
  raspberries dominate the medium bodied palate
  with complex characters of briary spice and white
  pepper which morph into a dark chocolate and
  cherry finish.
• You simply cant explore wine without Australia
  in there somewhere and were excited to have this
  wine as our first Aussie selection. Langmeil
  Winery, in the Barossa wine region, owns what is
  believed to be the worlds oldest surviving
  Shiraz vineyard circa 1843.
• Rated 89 by Wine Spectator, this Shiraz,
  Mourvèdre, Grenache blend pairs nicely with
  braised lamb shanks, pasta and pizza.

Find this wine at Little Washington Winery and
the Wine Loves Chocolate Tasting Room, Washington
Virginia
2
Trim Cabernet Sauvignon

• Great Cabernet Value from California
• Finding great value combined with great price can
  be very challenging in California. The high cost
  of land combined with the boutique ethos in the
  state often results in delicious, but expensive
  wines that the typical wine lover cannot afford
  to drink on a daily basis. Trim Cabernet
  Sauvignon is an exception to that rule in the
  sense that it comes from great vineyard sites and
  the winemaking is handled by a veteran, highly
  noted individual.
• Ray Signorello was born into the California wine
  industry. Now a second generation winemaker,
  Signorello owns an estate along Napas famed
  Silverado Trail, and his Cabs typically run in
  the 50 to 60 range. He is the man responsible
  for Trim. In 2011, Ray started the TRIM project
  with a few vintner friends to offer a
  well-crafted good value California Cabernet
  Sauvignon to the market. Made mostly from
  Mendocino County fruit, this is a really good
  value in a Cabernet.
• This wine is soft, richly fruited and packed with
  flavor. Its dry, tart and grippy in tannins, and
  savory in blackberry, blueberry, espresso and
  cedar flavors. Its a great Spring Summer Cab
  for enjoying with a grilled burger, steak or
  barbecued chicken. Wine Enthusiast has rated this
  one 86 points.

Find this wine at Little Washington Winery and
the Wine Loves Chocolate Tasting Room, Washington
Virginia
3
Anarkos Primitivo

• Primitivo DNA Test in the American History Museum
  
• Love Zinfandel? DNA analysis has recently
  revealed Zinfandel is the exact same grape as
  Primitivo!
• Anarkos is a label from the Accademia dei Racemi
  in Pugl. Primitivo is the Italian name for
  Zinfandel, and this bottling presents an
  excellent opportunity to sample this varietal
  from its Mediterranean home. Anarkos includes
  fruit from vineyards that are over 50 years old,
  and it is made with a reverence for the history
  of the region and the farmers that tend the old
  vineyards.
• Gorgeous black berry, cassis, and spice with
  medium acid and soft tannin. This wine completely
  surprised us at Andrews Wine Vetting Taste-off.
  It came in with a landslide as the number one
  selection by Dirt Road club tasters. So, now its
  your turn to enjoy this delightful discovery.
• We love the story behind the name Anarkos.
  Yep, anarchy is definitely happening on the
  Italian wine scene. Five years ago the next
  generation of passionate viticulturists,
  agronomists and wine makers came together with
  the common goal of promoting the production of
  quality wines and began an ambitious project of
  revaluating the local Apulian grapes. In just
  five years Accademia dei Racemi has significantly
  contributed to the enological dignity of Apulia -
  a region with one of the most ancient enological
  traditions of Italy - and thanks to specific
  researches and remarkable efforts, it contributed
  to the revaluation of local varieties, including
  the now famous Primitivo. Old world vintners and
  winemakers are watching skeptically as the new
  wave of winemakers hit the scene using all kinds
  of new ideas. Anarchy is definitely prevailing in
  Italy.
• Pairing ideas for this one - all the light
  Italian fare - pizza, mushroom risotto, red sauce
  pasta, laughter and a little anarchy!

Find this wine at Little Washington Winery and
the Wine Loves Chocolate Tasting Room, Washington
Virginia
4
Savuto

• A Rare Blend of Rare Varietals
• Savuto is the epitome of an old world style wine.
  This wine is a blend of rare varietals 45
  Gaglioppo, 15 Greco Nero, 15 Nerello Cappuccio,
  15 Magliocco Canino and 10 Sangiovese. The Dirt
  Road Wine Club discovered Savuto in the last
  batch that Andrew brought over for the club to
  taste and rate. As we tasted through 23 new
  wines, all of the Dirt Road Club members rated
  this one a 10.
• In the words of Robert Parker - Odoardis 2006
  Savuto is beautiful in this vintage. This plump,
  juicy red impresses for the integrity of its
  fruit. Tobacco, mint, truffles and smoke add
  further layers of complexity. This is a gorgeous
  effort from Odoardi. Anticipated maturity
  2010-2014.
• Its different. This wine has a long history of
  being the life of the party. Roman nobles drank
  Savuto wines at feasts two thousand years ago, so
  youre in good company.
• Pair a glass of this blend with grilled pork
  tenderloin, pine nuts, grilled eggplant, grilled
  octopus marinated in wine and oregano, Sausage or
  hamburgers.

Find this wine at Little Washington Winery,
Washington Virginia
5
Falanghina

• A Rare Grape on its own Rootstock
• When we recently came up with a random list of 10
  offbeat wine-grape varieties that we thought were
  particularly meritorious, we knew it wouldnt be
  long before an eleventh strong competitor poked
  up its head. Andrew introduced us to Falanghina
  in a recent club taste-off, and the crowd went
  wild - it garnered a rating of 10 from club
  members.
• The Falanghina grape varietal is amongst the
  oldest cultivated in Italy. It is believed that
  Falanghina vines were first brought to Italy by
  Greek settlers as early as the 7th century B.C.
  Wine authorities say Falanghina may have been the
  grape used in Falernum, one of the most highly
  regarded wines of the Roman Empire.
• The appellation of this wine is a bit unfamiliar
  even to many Italian-wine fanatics. Falanghina
  thrives in the volcanic areas of Sannio, a hilly
  region of Campania, north of Naples. The flavor,
  which derives from the grapes themselves, rather
  than from finishing in oak barrels, is evocative
  of apples, subtle spices, and a pleasant vanilla
  finish.
• This grape was almost entirely wiped out by
  phylloxera. However, in 1970 it was discovered
  that a few ancient stumps of the grape had
  escaped destruction. The time-consuming process
  of regenerating the strain brought the grape back
  from near extinction.
• Its richness suggests a pairing of poultry or
  pork it went very well with chicken braised with
  fresh herbs and butter and orzo pasta.

Find this wine at Little Washington Winery,
Washington Virginia
6
Whole Cluster Riesling

• 1 of the Top 10 Wines in America
• Move over California here comes Michigan! This
  Whole Cluster Riesling was included in Food
  Wine Magazines Editor Picks for Best Wine and
  beer. In the article, wine editors Ray Isle and
  Megan Krigbaum selected ten wines as most
  exceptional of the year. This wine was selected
  as one of the top ten.
• Grape clusters are pressed whole without
  destemming or crushing. Then undergo a very cool
  fermentation process to bring out the fruitiness.
  The wine offers rich, ripe green and red apple
  flavors and aromas underscored with a note of
  lime and a hint of mineral, all on a
  somewhat-more-than medium bodied frame.
• Michigans Chateau Grand Traverse has produced
  wine on the Old Mission Peninsula since 1974 and
  is now in its 2nd generation of leadership. The
  winery is noted internationally for its excellent
  Riesling wines and has won several international
  competitions.

Find this wine at Little Washington Winery,
Washington Virginia
7
Texas Viognier Takes Gold in LA

• Oops only 325 Cases Produced
• Good things do come in very small packages. Only
  325 cases of the 2011 McPherson Vineyards Les
  Copains was produced. Then it took Gold in the
  Los Angeles International Wine competition and
  Silver in the San Francisco International Wine
  competition.
• Les Copains, French for the buddies, is a Rhone
  style blend of Grenache Blanc, Viognier and
  Roussanne. This slightly dry white gives the
  taste buds an experience of white fruits, pear
  and peach with melon and a touch of lemon to
  finish. Les Copains pairs best with cheeses,
  fruits, raw vegetables, and dishes that involve
  heavy cream sauces.
• The McPhersons have been a pioneering family in
  grape growing and wine making in Texas for over
  40 years. Owner Doc McPherson is one of the
  Fathers of the modern Texas wine industry. In
  1976 he founded the first post-Prohibition Texas
  winery.

Find this wine at Little Washington Winery,
Washington Virginia
8
Bedell White

• Imagine Marilyn Monroe enjoying this Summer
  Sipper
• This refreshing white blend is truly unique to
  Long Island. Its incredible acidity complements
  the flavors of citrus, stone fruit and lime zest,
  which quickly whet the appetite. Tropical aromas
  entice you at the first sip and saline minerality
  rounds out the lengthy finish.
• This wine is a featherweight at 11.5 alcohol and
  is faithful to the style of the North Fork in
  every way. Estate grown Sauvignon Blanc forms the
  backbone and Viognier, Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer
  and Riesling were also part of the blend. All of
  the fruit was hand harvested, whole cluster
  pressed, fermented with indigenous yeasts and
  aged in stainless steel.
• 2011 is considered one of the most unusual
  vintages on the North Fork, infamous for having
  an earthquake and a hurricane in the same week.
  Nevertheless the vineyard persevered and produced
  some of the best fruit weve ever seen. The
  summer was one of the warmest on record yet
  temperatures were rarely extreme. Yields were
  low, one to two tons per acre, so the crop
  ripened quickly, well before the late October
  rains. By late September, the turbulent
  conditions ended and Long Island settled into a
  dry weather pattern. Sugar levels are lower than
  last year leaving balanced wines with moderate
  alcohol and thirst-quenching acidity.

Find this wine at Little Washington Winery,
Washington Virginia
9
Bedell Taste Red

• Long Island Wine Madness
• Heres one wine you will never find again.
  Highest rated wine ever from Long Island, and we
  have the few remaining bottles of this 500 case
  batch. 90 points, James Suckling, Former Editor
  of Wine Spectator 90 points, Wine Spectator 90
  points, Wine Enthusiast.
• Keep your fingers crossed that someone wrote down
  the exact recipe and for another good year. We
  cant get enough of this wine.
• With the extraordinary 2010 vintage, Bedell has
  truly perfected the art of blending in this
  opulent and juicy red. Produced entirely from
  estate grown Merlot, Syrah, Petit Verdot,
  Cabernet Franc and Malbec, this supple fruit
  driven wine showcases the diversity and beauty of
  the North Fork terroir.
• Aged 12 months in a mixture of new and older
  French oak. Indigenous aromas of blueberry,
  brambles, violets and beach plums wrap around
  flavors of blackberry, black cherries, cedar, and
  coastal forest floor. Like a velvet bowl full of
  dark juicy berries, the tannins are ripe and
  soft, yet deep, well structured, and
  mouthwatering. Powerful yet completely delicious,
  this wine enjoyable now and ageworthy for at
  least the next 10 years.
• The 2010 vintage was completely extraordinary and
  is unlike any other vintage in the 35 year
  history of Long Island winemaking. An incredible
  vintage that is already being considered Long
  Islands finest.

Find this wine at Little Washington Winery,
Washington Virginia
10
Colorado Meritage

• Possibly the Highest Vineyard in North America
• Guy Drew Vineyards is located in McElmo Canyon,
  Colorado. It was founded in 1998 by Guy Drew and
  his wife Ruth, after ending their corporate
  careers in Denver. What began as a Hay Farm in
  McElmo Canyon, then gradually transformed into
  one of todays most acclaimed Colorado Vineyards.
  Guys vineyards are located at approximately 5800
  feet making these some of the highest vineyards
  in North America.
• Although many have overlooked McElmo Canyons
  promise over the years, it continually proves to
  be one of the greatest places for wine in
  Colorado. Guy Drew Vineyards grows its wine in
  Colorados scenic McElmo Canyon. Located next to
  the southwest arm of Montezuma Valley on the
  Colorado Plateau and west of the Rocky Mountains.
  This area was an ancient Anasazi trade route and
  historical fruit-growing region in Colorado. Just
  south of the winery the Ute Reservation and
  legendary volcanic Sleeping Ute Mountain rises to
  nearly 10,000 feet.
• The Guy Drew Meritage blend of 53 Cabernet
  Sauvignon, 25 Cabernet Franc and 22 Petit
  Verdot was barrel aged in two and three year old
  French oak for twelve months, then four months in
  new French oak.
• The Merlot in this Meritage contributes bright
  berry and mocha flavors with firm tannins for
  structure. The Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet
  Franc offer soft cherry and acidity to the front
  palate and balance the mouth feel for a smooth
  finish. Dark plum and black cherry notes plus
  espresso, toasted almond and vanilla spice
  full-bodied with a crimson velvet texture. Steak
  please!

Find this wine at Little Washington Winery,
Washington Virginia
11
Chenin Blanc from Vouvray

• A Treat From the Loire Valley
• The Chenin Blanc grape achieves greatness in the
  Loire Valley, where its intensely aromatic and
  zippy personality is often balanced with a touch
  of sweetness.
• No matter how its vinified, the grape always
  makes for luscious, interesting wines that often
  can stand the test of time. First impression -
  very tangy and full. Loaded with minerals and
  aromas of white and yellow acacia flowers,
  apricots, and pears.
• This refreshing Summer sipper has the flavors of
  sweet elements but the feel of eating a lemon or
  a grapefruit. My mouth felt very strange and sort
  of peppery after this wine. A great aperitif or
  lovely with white fish or blue veined cheeses.

Find this wine at Little Washington Winery,
Washington Virginia
12
Skyline Red from Idaho

• We want to go to this Blending Party
• Talk about a brew ... this Red Blend from Idaho
  showcases totally unique rich plum and cherry
  fruit layered with earthy and spice notes.
• Aged 18 months in 30 new American oak, the blend
  in this wine consists of no fewer than eight
  varietals, including 60 Cabernet Sauvignon., 14
  Merlot, 11 Tempranillo, 7 Petite Sirah, 4
  Petite Verdot, 1 Malbec, 1 Syrah, 2 Grenache.
  We would definitely love to be at this blending
  party. They took it down to the nitty gritty with
  1 and 2 percent varietals to put finishing
  touches on the perfect mix.
• It opens with aromas of cordial cherries, white
  strawberries and dark plum that lead to
  hedonistic flavors of plum and black currant jam.
  A beautiful long fruit finish is supported by a
  well balanced tannin structure. This wine won a
  gold medal at last years Idaho Wine Competition.
• On October 15th, Wine columnist Dave McIntyre,
  Washington Post, recommended this wine with an
  excellent rating to cure the fall chill. He
  states Im a big fan of this winery for its
  outstanding Riesling, delightful chardonnay and
  succulent syrah. The juicy Skyline Red blend
  defies any paradigm of a red blend from anywhere
  around the world by combining Bordeaux, Spain,
  California and the Rhone in one. Its a wine that
  could be found nowhere else but America, and it
  shows a sense of adventure that comes through in
  the glass.

Find this wine at Little Washington Winery,
Washington Virginia
13
Lora Tempranillo/Syrah

• A Blend from La Mancha
• Lora Wines come from an astonishing place the
  region of Cuenca, in the eastern end of La
  Mancha. Here, the high plateau that dominates the
  center of Spain, is at its highest altitude, the
  soils are rocky and the weather turns cold. Pine
  and holm trees start to climb towards the near
  mountains and the vines struggle to survive
  between the warm sunny days and the desert cold
  nights.
• Bright ruby-coloured, this wine has an excellent
  nose of violets, black cherry and earth notes.
  Its ageing in oak barrels gives the wine spicy
  aromas such as vanilla, pepper and toasty notes.
  On the palate it is soft and silky, delicate and
  round, with great balance between fruit, oak and
  spiciness. A perfect match to a wide range of
  food, such as grilled lamb and veal, a nice
  warming casserole, some good Spanish Tapas, all
  kinds of cheeses or just a glass on its own.
• A little secret? Try it with dark chocolate!

Find this wine at Little Washington Winery,
Washington Virginia
14
Juan Benegas Malbec

• Mendoza Malbec the Darling of America wine
• Once every decade or so a wine grape comes along
  that transcends region, winery, or even common
  sense to become a brand unto itself. Remember
  five years ago, when Pinot Noir was all the rage?
  And prior to that, when Shiraz from Australia
  logged time as Americas darling red wine? And
  even before that, when California Merlot was the
  big thing?
• Malbec has now joined that illustrious club of
  brand unto-itself varietals. Nowadays, the
  hottest wine in this country is Argentinean
  Malbec. Dense and dark, with full-bodied richness
  that few other grapes besides maybe Cabernet
  Sauvignon, warm-climate Syrah and Tempranillo can
  mimic. Diverse, rich and perfect for savoring
  slowly, Argentinean Malbec is Americas current
  go-to red.
• Malbec is an old grape varietal from France,
  where it was grown throughout the country but was
  particularly common in Bordeaux. The phylloxera
  epidemic of the late 1800s started a precipitous
  decline in popularity due to Malbecs
  susceptibility to pests, frost, and mildew.
  French wine makers were fed-up with the fragile
  vine and most plantings were replaced with
  hardier grapes like Cabernet Sauvignon and
  Merlot.
• Our Malbec pick is the Juan Benegas from Mendoza.
  Pair this one with roasted or stewed beef, duck,
  crockpot lamb shanks, sausage, mushrooms, and
  spice-laden sauces.

Find this wine at Little Washington Winery,
Washington Virginia
15
Gruner Veltliner

• A Biodynamic Wine from Austria
• Meinklang Burgenland white is a blend from the
  Burgenland region in Austria. The hot summer days
  in southern Austria and the long cool evenings
  allow for wonderful ripening of the grapes and
  produce this powerful wine. 20 of the vineyards
  in Austria are organic. That is the largest
  percentage of any European country.
• This organic wine is from a family farm dedicated
  to the art of biodynamic winemaking. For those
  who for those who arent familiar with
  biodynamics, it is an approach to farming that
  incorporates organic techniques and then goes
  beyond with crop rotation, biodiversity and other
  holistic farming methods. It also can be a little
  on the new age side with farming activities based
  on the moon cycle and practitioners doing things
  like burying cow horns filled with manure and
  ground quartz in the vineyards. The approach
  considers that there are astronomical influences
  on soil and plant development. Biodynamics sees
  an entire farm as a single organism, with
  something that they call a life force.
• This wine is a ripe basket full of fruit on the
  nose, with exciting aromatics like peach, lemon,
  pineapple and apple. It seems to evolve to new
  aromas with every sniff. The palate brings a bit
  of light effervescence and an ever-so-slight
  touch of sweetness with delicious peach and apple
  flavors, drizzled with citrus. The finish is
  looooong, with tangy peach flavors lingering for
  a near eternity. One taste and you will become a
  biodynamic fan. This is Delicious. Enjoy this one
  with salads, seafood, light pastas and
  appetizers.

Find this wine at Little Washington Winery,
Washington Virginia
16
Cherry Wine

• Sangria, Wassail, Mulled Wine, Glühwein or Glögg
• Whether you call it Wassail, Mulled Wine,
  Glühwein or Glögg, this delicious concoction of
  fruit and spices makes a perfect drink for the
  holiday season and stretches all the way through
  the winter months. Served warm, it takes the
  chill out of any wintry evening.
• Wine was first recorded as spiced and heated in
  First Century Rome. The Romans traveled all
  across Europe, conquering much of it and trading
  with the rest. The legions brought wine and
  viticulture with them up to the Rhine and Danube
  Rivers and to the Scottish border bringing their
  recipes.
• Glühwein (glow-wine, from the hot irons once
  used for mulling) is popular in German-speaking
  countries and in the region of Alsace in France.
  The oldest documented Glühwein tankard is
  attributed to Count John IV of Katzenelnbogen, a
  German nobleman who was the first grower of
  Riesling grapes. This gold-plated lockable silver
  tankard is dated to c. 1420.
• Glühwein is usually prepared from red wine,
  heated and spiced with cinnamon sticks, cloves,
  star aniseed, citrus, sugar and at times vanilla
  pods. It is sometimes drunk mit Schuss (with a
  shot), which means that rum or some other liquor
  has been added.
• Glögg is the term used for mulled wine in Nordic
  countries. They like it with a shot of vodka or
  brandy.
• For the perfect Summer Sangria Pour the wine
  into a pitcher and add I lemon, ½ lime and 1
  orange quartered. Refrigerate for 3 hours, no
  longer or the rinds will start to make it taste
  bitter. Viola, you have the perfect sangria!

Find this wine at Little Washington Winery,
Washington Virginia
17
Cover Drive Cabernet Sauvignon

• From the Cigar Strip of South Australia
• From the reknowned Coonawarra Terra rossa cigar
  strip of South Australia, this Cabernet
  Sauvignon is now planted on the old Penola
  cricket ground, which first saw a ball bowled in
  anger and the flashing cover drives of the local
  champions in 1950. Sadly, the ground closed in
  1996. Soon after Jim Barry purchased the 30 acre
  property and planted a Cabernet Sauvignon
  vineyard.
• We very much enjoyed this wine. Its one of those
  wines that makes you think of all kinds of one
  word descriptors, beside fruit, for all those
  enhancing characteristics. You can tell this is
  Cabernet with some typical black licorce,
  graphite, herbal, and slightly vegative aromas
  and flavors. Rich dark red color. Penetrating
  nose of cassis, fennel, blackberry, black cherry,
  flowers, cedar.
• Fresh and lively as it enters the palate, this
  one is complex enough to break the 90 point glass
  ceiling. Slow down and enjoy the nose. After you
  have discovered it alone, pair it with a little
  slice of Brie and watch it totally change again.
  This is a Cab Sauv that will hold its own with
  the buttery potato and fatty steak on the grill,
  or surprise you with a less fatty cut of meat.

Find this wine at Little Washington Winery,
Washington Virginia
18
Niel Santofimia

• Were not telling who really made this!
• A stunning red from the Spanish wine region of
  Almansa in La Mancha, Niel Santofimia is a ripe,
  juicy, knockout. A blend of Garnacha Tinta and
  Merlot, this will be your new go-to red for the
  chilly Fall days. A cant miss selection, the
  Niel Santofimia really highlights what our Dirt
  Road Wine Club is all about, outstanding value!
• The secret goes that a certain famed Spanish
  winemaker had a hand in this one though it is not
  allowed to be mentioned out loud or the price
  would skyrocket. Whatever happened here, the
  result was a very nice wine. The Garnacha Tinta
  varietal is enjoying a new lease of life thanks
  to modern viticultural and winemaking practices,
  which enhance its dark fruit and chocolate
  characters.
• Opaque ruby. Black and blue fruits on the highly
  fragrant, smoke-accented nose. Juicy, penetrating
  blueberry and bitter cherry flavors display very
  good clarity and pick up sweetness and spiciness
  with air. Fine-grained tannins give shape and
  grip to the long, spicy finish.
• Carl I fell in love with this wine when we
  tried it. See if you get the cherry and smokey
  peppery finish Carl gets or the vanilla bean
  finish I was getting. This is an excellent BBQ
  wine. Oh, also try it with pork ribs, venison,
  duck, cream cheese stuffed bacon wrapped
  jalapeños and grilled veggies. Superb value.
  Rated 90 Points.

Find this wine at Little Washington Winery,
Washington Virginia
19
Kellerei Kaltern LaGrein

• Knocked it out of the ballpark with this one!
• Have a special event youre attending for which
  you want to wow everyone with your vino prowess?
  Just call us! One of our club members needed a
  wine that would knock everyones socks off at a
  Northern Italy gourmet event he was attending. He
  challenged us to choose the perfect bottle.
  Andrew selected this wine for him and man, did
  that ever work out! The chef came bursting out of
  the kitchen to shake hands with Ron, declaring
  that that was the best pairing of food and wine
  he had ever experienced.
• Lagrein is sort of the Dolcetto of Alto Adige,
  the bold but flexible everyday red that pairs
  perfectly with cheese, sausage and savory main
  courses. This ones a beauty, ripe and dark and
  loaded with earthy cherry and plum fruit and
  bitter chocolate notes. The texture is generous
  and round - making it a nice sipper - the
  surprisingly bright acidity and fine tannins
  really let it shine at the table.
• Kellerei Kaltern - Caldaro is one of the most
  important wine producers in Italy. Kaltern is a
  wine village in Northern Italy, near Verona,
  above Lake Kaltern, the warmest lake in the Alps.
  Wine-growing around Lake Kaltern is structured on
  an extremely small scale. Most of the more than
  440 wine growers in this area possess less than
  one hectare ( 2 acres). The vineyards are almost
  entirely worked by hand, For these small wine
  growers it is practically impossible to make wine
  from their own grapes and then market it. The
  creation of producer co-operatives was an
  economic necessity, offering vintners access to
  the knowledge of experienced cellar masters and
  the use of the technical infrastructures
  necessary for the production of high-quality
  wines.
• Pair this wine up with game, darker meats, hard
  cheeses.

Find this wine at Little Washington Winery,
Washington Virginia
20
Stone Hill Vignole

• Oldest Operating Winery in the U.S.
• Established in 1847, Stone Hill Vineyards in
  Herman Missouri grew to be the second largest
  winery in the United States. The wines were world
  renowned, winning gold medals in eight world's
  fairs, including Vienna in 1873 and Philadelphia
  in 1876. "Unfortunately, the advent of
  Prohibition in 1920 destroyed the wine industry
  in Missouri, and the winery's spectacular arched,
  underground cellars (the largest series of
  vaulted cellars in America) were used for growing
  mushrooms.
• Vignoles (veen-yole) is Missouris premier white
  grape varietal. This wine is in the rich full
  bodied category of whites, displaying lovely
  varietal aromas of pineapple, strawberry and
  lime. Although this wine contains a hint of
  sweetness, its natural vibrant acidity gives it
  a delightful dry palate impression, making it the
  perfect wine to enjoy as an aperitif or paired
  with flavorful foods that might overwhelm a more
  delicate white.
• Try this wine with anything a chef would bring
  out with a lemon (crab cakes, trout, oysters,
  salmon, shellfish, salad) and youll have a
  perfect match. And try it with creamy sauces,
  ham, turkey, fennel, ginger, almonds oily fishes.
  Oh, and this one is a perfect pairing with the
  Little Washington Winery Tasting Room deck.

Find this wine at Little Washington Winery,
Washington Virginia
21
Frisk Prickly Riesling

• Did you know there is a Snow-capped Alpine Region
  in Australia?
• This zippy Riesling is a good for any situation
  kind of wine. Why? Because this wine has a little
  party in a bottle action going on. (akathe
  Prickly.) Floral and weighted, with notes of lime
  sorbet, rose petals and a hint of fennel. But
  more on that in a minute.
• The Frisk Prickly Riesling from Australia is
  getting all the attention of the wine writers
  these days. Spectator, Enthusiast, you name it,
  theyre talking about this one. 89 Riesling and
  11 Muscat Gordo makes it a wine that Riesling
  fans will enjoy as well as Moscato lovers.
• It pours more like a Pinot Grigio with virtually
  no color, but the aroma makes you remember why it
  is a Riesling. With smells of ripe citrus fruits
  and floral the nose gets you ready for a light
  bodied mouth feel with flavors of orange, peach,
  lemon and lime, with a slight mineral finish.
• Our favorite part is the little fizz. So it is
  like sparkling wine light (in taste and profile)
  and perfect for a hot summer day. Because of its
  profile it would be an awesome match for Thai or
  Asian Food. And its low alcohol level means you
  can drink a bottle (or two) and not end up
  feeling too bad the next day. Honestly, this is
  an awesome summer wine and should appeal on some
  level to about everyone who drinks it even us
  die hard red wine fans. Rated 88 by Wine
  Spectator.

Find this wine at Little Washington Winery,
Washington Virginia
22
Don Tiburcio Bordeaux Style Blend

• Bordeaux Style Blend from Mendoza
• Stop reading this and go open this wine right
  now.
• All winemakers like to try their hand at crafting
  the perfect Bordeaux style blend. This one is
  from Argentina, king of the big Malbecs, so it is
  Malbec heavy with all the usual Bordeaux
  varietals - Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc,
  Petit Verdot and Merlot.
• Deep purple in the glass with a hint of smoke and
  tobacco on the nose at first that fades after a
  bit of swirl and turns into crushed fruit aromas
  from the Malbec. Dark cherry flavors that just
  barely hit you in the back of the jaw with just
  the right amount of tannins before moving into a
  smooth finish. Youd never believe that this
  wine has 14.5 alcohol/volume.
• This wine is the perfect drag out the grill for
  the season wine. Pair it with a steak on the
  grill and the combination of the red meat and the
  flavors from the wine are amazing. Were pretty
  sure you could pair the Don Tiburcio with just
  about anything (or nothing at all), but something
  bold in flavor itself is called for with this
  blend of flavors. The slight tannic finish will
  pair well with red meat, pastas, and BBQ.

Find this wine at Little Washington Winery,
Washington Virginia
23
Mano-a-Mano from LaMancha

• Our Manly Man Favorite
• Mano a Mano is 100 tempranillo, fermented in
  stainless steel and aged in new French oak for
  seven months. A sister (or should we say brother)
  product of our favorite Spanish tempranillo,
  Venta la Ossa, this one has also been discovered,
  garnering an impressive 89 Points from
  International Wine Cellar.
• Take a good look at this wine in the glass.
  Bright violet color, and, yes - it does have
  gorgeous legs. Smoky blackberry and cassis on the
  nose and in the mouth, with a hint of cracked
  pepper adding spiciness and vivacity. Velvety,
  smooth wine, with solid but harmonious tannins
  adding grip to the smoke-accented finish.
• Its a little bit of a hot wine (14.5 alcohol)
  so it will warm your chest nicely.
• Tempranillo is an especially good pairing with
  classic Spanish cuisine like tapas and paella, as
  well as strong flavors and roasted meats.

Find this wine at Little Washington Winery,
Washington Virginia
24
Begali Valpolicella

• An Amarone Ripasso Wine
• Situated in the charming Valpolicella region of
  Italy between Piemonte and the hills of
  Castelrotto, near Verona. Since the early 1900s,
  the Begali family has passed their winemaking
  tradition and a passion for working the familys
  land from generation to generation. The vineyards
  are set amongst cherry orchards which are spread
  out over hills and slopes.
• This wine is the best ever version of Tigiolo, a
  blend of yet another wonderful wine grape from
  Italy - Corvina, blended with Rondinella and
  slightly dried Cabernet grapes. The grapes are
  left to dry during the months of September and
  October before processing. The wine is aged in
  oak barrels for 24 months before being bottled.
• The initial impact is bewitching, and then the
  highly drinkable palate develops intriguingly
  into an excellent rapport between powerful
  extract and elegance. Tasting Deep red, intense
  aromas, spicy, dry and well-rounded.
• Receiving 89/100 points by reviewers and
  retailing for 39, this is the Dirt Road Wine
  Club Deal of the year. The start of your year
  sets the tone for the entire year. Open this
  bottle and enjoy!
• Pairing ideas - roast pork tenderloin, roasted
  beets, Italian sausage wild mushroom risotto or
  red sauce pasta.

Find this wine at Little Washington Winery,
Washington Virginia
25
Ten Sisters Sauvignon Blanc

• Ten Sisters (and a Brother) See him in There?
• We like to refer to this special find as a
  Virginians wine from New Zealand! Well, one of
  the sisters lives in Charlottesville so we can
  claim it, right?!
• Taste and commit this wine to your memory as the
  base line for what a good Sauvignon Blanc should
  taste like. Marlborough has ideal growing
  conditions for Sauvignon Blanc, and the Ten
  Sisters rendition of the wine is classic.
• This wine was rated 89 by Wine Spectator. Ten
  Sisters Sauvignon Blanc also took the Bronze
  medal in the Old Ebbitts Grill Oyster pairing
  competition.
• This is a very crispy, bright, acidic wine with
  elegant layers of intense fruit, balanced by a
  long well-rounded finish. Its the perfect
  pairing for all of those dishes a chef squeezes
  lemon over when he serves them ... crabcakes,
  shellfish, white flaky fishes like trout, as well
  as goat cheese, garlic, chicken.

Find this wine at Little Washington Winery,
Washington Virginia
26
Conde Valdemar Rioja Reserva

• A Masterpiece of Wine
• In Europe, France has Bordeaux, Italy has 2000
  rare varietals and Spain has the Rioja blend,
  considered to be one of the worlds best
  masterpieces of wine.
• This blend of 90 Tempranillo and 10 Mazuelo was
  aged for 17 months in barrels and 24 months in
  the bottle before being released. Dark
  crimson-colored, it reveals an alluring nose of
  cedar, spice box, tobacco, black cherry, and
  blackberry. On the palate it displays
  considerable finesse, a silky texture, and
  excellent balance.
• Rated 90 by Robert Parker, this bottle will offer
  prime drinking from 2012 to 2021. Pair it with
  stew, red meats and sausage.

Find this wine at Little Washington Winery,
Washington Virginia
27
Girardet Baco Noir

• The grape varietal Andrew wants us to grow
• Baco Noir (pronounced BA-koh NWAHR) is a hybrid
  red grape produced from a cross of Folle Blanche,
  a French wine grape, and an unknown variety of
  riparia indigenous to North America. You know,
  the kind of grapes that grow wild in the Blue
  Ridge mountains behind Little Washington winery.
• Girardet pioneered the grape to the west coast
  and when a WS writer discovered it, he announced,
  the best red wine in Oregon is Baco Noir.
• So, here is an interesting marriage of a red and
  a white varietal. Go figure, the result is a very
  nice full bodied red wine.
• Baco Noir produces a deeply tinted, acidic red
  wine that is fruit forward and often carries
  aromas of juicy blackberries, caramel and dark
  roasted coffee. Debut flavors of plum and
  blueberry finish with toasted vanilla and
  chocolate. Aging potential is 58 years.
• A very unique and intriguing varietal, for most
  it is love at first sip!

Find this wine at Little Washington Winery,
Washington Virginia
28
I Sassi Aglianico

• ahl-YAH-nee-koe
• Bring out your list of varietals youve never
  tried Aglianico is a black grape grown in the
  Basilicata region of Italy. In early Roman times,
  it was the principal grape of the famous
  Falernian wine. Sassi is a small family-owned
  boutique winery located in the township of Neive,
  named one of the most beautiful villages in
  Italy.
• This wine is almost shiny the deep purple color
  throws a tiny bit of sediment in the glass as you
  swirl, a sign of the wine being unfiltered (which
  we like here).
• The nose has a bit of Zinfandel style blackberry
  jam but goes beyond that, with notes of pepper,
  dusty clay, cocoa powder, and cedar.
• In the mouth the flavors hit lots of cassis and
  cocoa tones with chewy, slightly gritty tannins
  similar to Mourvedre or the deeper Malbecs.

Find this wine at Little Washington Winery,
Washington Virginia