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”

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”

Ratafia Didier Barbe

The colour is pale amber. On the nose fruits under spirit, walnuts, wood. In the mouth smooth and sweet. Well balanced. The aftertaste is drying and last for a pleasant while.

Ratafia is made from the standard Champagne grapes, using left over grape juice of the harvest from the third or fourth press, to which alcohol is added to avoid fermentation. Various herbs, aromatic plants and walnuts may be added for a couple of months of maceration. Continue reading “Ratafia Didier Barbe”

Sur le Grand Marais

The colour is pale gold, with medium fine, short-lasting bubbles. On the nose cream, melon honeydew and pears. All very subtle. In the mouth not very tasty. A bit flat. The aftertaste is fresh, but short.

This Blanc de Noirs is made by Liébart-Régniet with 100% Petit Meunier grapes. All grapes come from a single parcel, 60% from the 2017 vintage and 40% from the 2018 harvest. Continue reading “Sur le Grand Marais”

1694 Classification 2008

The colour is deep garnet. On the nose meaty, smoky, spicy, with some prunes. In the mouth very tasty with a bitter finish. The aftertaste last for a while.

This wine is made in the Stellenbosch wine region of South Africa by Rust en Vrede. It is a blend of 57% Shiraz and 43% Cabernet Sauvignon. Continue reading “1694 Classification 2008”