Enigma 2018

The colour is deep ruby. On the nose sour-cherries, cinnamon, toffee and smoky notes. In the mouth fresh, with a good structure. The taste is mainly of chocolate and the aftertaste is medium long.

This wine is made by CAGI (Cantina Sociale di Giubiasco) under the IGT Svizzera Italiana denomination with a blend of Marselan, Arinarnoa, Carminoir and Cabernet Franc. Continue reading “Enigma 2018”

Oremus Tokaji Aszu 3 Puttonyos 2014

The colour is medium gold. On the nose papaya, mango, ananas and golden raisin. In the mouth smooth, sweet and fresh. The aftertaste is pretty long.

Tokaj is Hungary’s most famous and respected wine region, thanks mostly to its nectar-like, botrytized Tokaji sweet wines. The region is located in the northeast of Hungary, near the border with Slovakia. Continue reading “Oremus Tokaji Aszu 3 Puttonyos 2014”

Marsala Vergine “Baglio” Florio 2003

The colour is medium gold. On the nose dry fruits under spirit, toasted hazelnuts and honey. In the mouth smooth, dry and tasty. The aftertaste is slightly bitter and last for quite a while.

Marsala is a fortified wine produced in the region surrounding the Italian city of Marsala in Sicily. Marsala is made using a process called in perpetuum, which is similar to the solera system used to produce Sherry in Jerez, Spain. Continue reading “Marsala Vergine “Baglio” Florio 2003”

Absinthe Esmeralda

The colour is transparent with slightly greenish reflex. On the nose mainly anice and liquorice, which are clearly perceived also in the mouth. Very hot, due to the high alcohol content (72%). The aftertaste is savoury and pleasant. It last for a long time. When water is added (as it should), the colour becomes a cloudy milky white, the flavours more nuanced and the alcohol less prominent. Continue reading “Absinthe Esmeralda”

Teran 2018

The colour is medium purple. On the nose fruity, blueberries and cherries, with some rhubarb. In the mouth light, with a pronounced acidity. Both, aroma and taste, are surprisingly clean for a natural wine. The aftertaste is medium long.

This natural wine is made with 100% Teran grapes by Skerk under the Venezia Giulia IGT. Continue reading “Teran 2018”

Malcantone Bianco di Cademario 2018

The colour is medium yellow. On the nose mirabelles, white peaches, banana, grapefruit, almonds. In the mouth very smooth and tasty, but less opulent than on the nose. The aftertaste is not very long, but pleasantly fruity.

This white wine is made by Cantina Monti. It is a blend of white grapes: more than 50% Müller-Thurgau, with Chardonnay and a bit of Pinot Gris. The pressed must is fermented and aged in barrique. Continue reading “Malcantone Bianco di Cademario 2018”

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”

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”

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”