Compleo Cuvée Noire 2021

The colour is medium garnet. On the nose black cherries and raspberries. In the mouth soft, sweet and fruity. The aftertaste is very inviting and last for some time.

This wine is made by Staatskellerei Zürich under the Vin de Pays Suisse denomination. It is a blend of 60% Pinot Noir, 36% Gamaret and 4% Syrah.

Gamaret is a red grape variety from Switzerland, bred in 1970 at the Federal Research Institute of Changins through the crossing of Gamay and Reichensteiner. Continue reading “Compleo Cuvée Noire 2021”

Cuvée 1858 Blanc 2019

The colour is medium gold. On the nose honey, almonds, dried apricots, banana, ginger. In the mouth filling, elegant and tasty. The aftertaste is savoury and last for quite a while.

This top of the range Valais white wine is made by Bonvin with Petite Arvine, Heida and Amigne grapes. All three grapes are peculiar to Valais. The fermentation and the maturation on lees are carried out in new oak barrels. Continue reading “Cuvée 1858 Blanc 2019”

Terre Alte 2020

The colour is pale straw. On the nose pears, white peaches, orange peels and white flowers. In the mouth grapey and refreshing. The aftertaste is medium long.

This wine is made with 100% Merlot grapes vinified off the skins.

White Merlot del Ticino was born in 1986, when a local Cooperative, faced with chronic grapes’ oversupply, decided to produce a white wine. Other producers followed suit. Nowadays the share of Merlot grapes vinified in white in Ticino is more than 30% of the total production.

Merlot is the main grape of Canton Ticino, where it has been imported from France for experimental purposes at the beginning of the 20th century, during the post-phylloxera period.

Currently Merlot covers about 80% of the planted area in a Canton with some 3’600 grape growers and 200 or so winemakers. Approximately 1’000 hectares are devoted to viticulture.

White Merlot is not my kind of wine. Nevertheless, I find this exemplar made by Gialdi a pleasant Apero wine.

I bought this bottle at the winery for 16 CHF.

Country: Switzerland
Region: Ticino
Grapes: Merlot
Type: White
Vintage: 2020
Producer: Gialdi
Price range: Medium (15-30 US$)
Pascal’s Enjoyment Index: 3/5

IAR Cornalin 2020

The colour is pale ruby. On the nose wild strawberries, pepper and clove. In the mouth light and simple, but balanced and pleasant. The aftertaste is medium long.

This wine is made by the Institut Agricole Régional (I.A.R) of Aosta, a foundation established in 1982 to carry on the mission of the École pratique d’agriculture, an institution founded in 1951 as a vocational education and training school in the agricultural sector, managed by the Congregation of Canons of Gran San Bernardo. Continue reading “IAR Cornalin 2020”

Comptes de Champagne 2011

The colour is medium straw, with very fine, long-lasting bubbles. On the nose very elegant, with notes of cream and almonds. In the mouth well balanced and very tasty: delicious! The aftertaste lasts for a pretty long time.

This prestigious champagne is made by Taittinger with 100% Chardonnay grapes. All grapes come from Grand Crus classified vineyards. It is a Brut with 9g of sugar per litre. Continue reading “Comptes de Champagne 2011”

Chateau Lafite Rothschild 2010

The colour is deep ruby. On the nose at first muted. After some time, white chocolate, cheddar, mocha, charcoal. In the mouth gripping, but elegant tannins.  This wine has a very solid structure and (hopefully) a great potential, but needs a lot more time cellaring before being able to express its full personality. Despite its youth, this wine presents a very harmonious character. The aftertaste is long. Continue reading “Chateau Lafite Rothschild 2010”

Chateau Lafite Rothschild 1982

The colour is deep ruby, intense and bright. Despite the 40 years of age, it is only slightly turning into garnet. On the nose surprisingly fruity, mainly red cherries. After some time, the bouquet turns more towards cigar box kind of aromas. In the mouth very smooth. The tannins are ultra-fine. The aftertaste is very pleasant and very long. Continue reading “Chateau Lafite Rothschild 1982”

ADN de Meunier Rosé Brut

The colour is deep salmon, with very fine, medium-lasting bubbles. On the nose canine rose, strawberries, bred crust. In the mouth firm tannins, which is unusual for a Champagne, and lightly salty. The aftertaste is medium long.

This Rosé Champagne is made 100% with Pinot Meunier grapes from the Marne Valley by Christophe Mignon, an independent vigneron that cultivates his vineyards and makes his wines in harmony with the lunar calendar and according to biodynamic principles. Continue reading “ADN de Meunier Rosé Brut”

Mustiaio Governo 2018

The colour is medium ruby. On the nose red fruits, such as red cherries, raspberries and strawberries. In the mouth simple but balanced and enjoyable. The aftertaste is short but pleasant.

Mustiaio Governo is made with a blend of Merlot, Sangiovese and Syrah by Mustiaio winery, located in the Maremma region of Tuscany. Continue reading “Mustiaio Governo 2018”

La Turque 2006

The colour is medium garnet. On the nose spices, smoke, meat, leather, wet ground, dark fruits, cocoa, black olives. A nose that is constantly changing and that is fun to keep revisiting. In the mouth smooth and powerful, with a good acidity. The tannins come through on the finish. There is only one thing holding this wine back from greatness: a mild vegetative note mild palate. The aftertaste is long.

La Turque is made by Guigal with 93% Syrah and 7% Viognier grapes under the Côte-Rôtie appellation of the northern Rhône. Continue reading “La Turque 2006”