Wines to get you through lockdown
Few are excited that the country has shut down again. While the severity of restrictions may vary region to region, the sentiment remains the same: Fear. Anxiety. Fatigue.
Like most, I’ve been distracting myself through growing (and drinking) my wine collection.
When I reflect back on the last two years, though it comes with some painful memories, I also feel a sense of gratitude - time is a gift bestowed upon all of us.
In some ways, I’ve learned more about wine during the pandemic than maybe ever in my career - save for wine trips where I go the source, and learn from the winemakers themselves.
I’ve compiled a list of some of the wines that have excited me the most in the last two years - bottles I go back to again and again.
Vivanterre Gamay MVB 2020
Loire, France (grapes from Beaujolais)
100% Gamay
Drink or hold
13% abv
3 different plots of Gamay, but made in Auvergne (Loire). Absolutely silly / delicious stuff, best served with a chill.
Rinaldini Pjcol Ross Lambrusco NV
Emilia-Romagna, Italy (Emilia IGP VSQ)
100% Pjcol Ross
Drink now
11.5% abv
It’s hard to top the Rinaldini family. They have rescued and incubated a disappearing indigenous grape - Pjcol Ross - from their land (Emilia-Romagna), and turned it into an incredible cult wine.
Dirty & Rowdy Enz Mourvèdre 2018
California, USA (San Benito County)
100% Mourvèdre
Drink or hold
13% abv
The passion project of iconoclast Hardy Wallace, but sadly the winery came to an end this year. This particular wine comes from the oldest Mourvèdre vines in California.
Domaine Bobinet Poil de Lievre 2019
Loire, France (AOC Saumur Blanc)
100% Chenin Blanc
Drink now
13% abv
What is there to say about Chenin? If you’re not drinking it, you’re doing it wrong.
Domaine Comte Abbatucci Cuvee Faustine Rose 2016
Corsica, France (Vin de France)
90% Sciaccarellu, 10% Barbarossa
Drink or hold
~12.5% abv
Marquee, benchmark, foundational….need I say more? Just have it on hand - your guests will thank you.
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