May Wines of the Month

May Day! May Day! There’s such a broad range of events this month that choosing a wine to pair with your Mother’s Day brunch or Memorial Day BBQ can be a tedious task. But, have no fear, we’ve got you covered, even for your Cinco de Mayo celebration! Try one, two or all of these fabulous wines this month. We’ve aimed to provide you with an eclectic wine selection to consider when planning your party menus, brunch buffets, or snacks in front of the telly for a certain show’s series finale!

2011 Nicolas Ulacia Getariako Txakolina, Spain – White - $19.99/$16.99

2011 Herencia Altes Garnatxa Negra, Terra Alta, Spain – Red - $12.99/$11.04

2011 Nautilus Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand – White - $14.99/$12.74

2010 Lechtaler Teroldego Rotaliano, Trentino, Italy – Red - $13.99/$11.89

2012 Pewsey Vale Dry Riesling, Eden Valley, Australia – White - $16.99/$14.44

2011 Castaño Molino Loco, Yecla, Spain – Red - $9.99/$8.49

2011 Naia Verdejo, Rueda, Spain – White - $13.99/$11.89

2011 Statti Gaglioppo, Calabria, Italy – Red - $17.99/$15.29

2011 Tikves Rkaciteli, Macedonia – White - $13.99/$11.89

2010 Domaine de Fées Cotes du Rhone, Rhone, France – Red - $15.99/$13.59

2011 Herencia Altes Garnatxa Blanca, Terra Alta, Spain – White - $12.99/$11.04

2010 Cantele Salento Primitivo, Puglia, Italy – Red - $13.99/$11.89

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2011 Nicolas Ulacia Getariako Txakolina, Spain – White - $19.99/$16.99

The Ulacia winery is owned by Nicolas and his son Julian, whose 8-hectare vineyard lies on the hillside overlooking the fishing port of Getaria. This traditional white is a blend of two indigenous varieties, Ondarrabi Zuri and Ondarrabi Beltza. ** A Europvin Selection **

“Bright straw. Lime, fresh herbs and white flowers on the fragrant nose. Dry and light-bodied, offering tangy citrus fruit flavors and a touch of tarragon. Finishes tangy and long, with lingering spiciness and a note of bitter quinine.” 90 points, Josh Raynolds, Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar

2011 Herencia Altes Garnatxa Negra, Terra Alta, Spain – Red - $12.99/$11.04

“Another incredible value and full-throttle wine made from 100% Grenache, Herencia Altes’s vineyards are situated high on the hillside above the village of Batea, where grapes have been grown since the 15th century. This offering, from very old vines and aged completely in concrete, is a naked, unadulterated, unmanipulated effort with great minerality (from the chalky, limestone soils) and an intensity and richness (from the old vines) that are normally found in $50+ wines.

As I told Eric Solomon, at these ridiculously low prices, consumers will never suspect the wines are at this level of quality. This outstanding 2011 offers loads of kirsch, raspberry, licorice, garrigue and chalky minerality. Medium to full-bodied and dense, it is best consumed over the next 2-3 years. A killer value, it is a custom cuvee made for Eric Solomon by proprietor Nuria Altes.”  91 points, Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate; ** Eric Solomon Selections **

2011 Nautilus Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand – White - $14.99/$12.74

The folks at Nautilus have been making wine since 1985 – the early days of Marlborough winegrowing.  They are a small, family-owned winery that crafts delicious, food-friendly wines from the clean, cool and diverse valleys of Marlborough.  The striking Nautilus shell - its shape expressing natural beauty and mathematical perfection - is our inspiration to create a collection of expressive, textural, precisely crafted wines.

This is a “serious” style of Sauvignon Blanc, designed to complement food rather than overpower it and to develop in bottle.  The wine is dry and medium-weight. Less assertive on the nose than some, this wine builds through the palate with great fruit complexity and concentration, culminating in a delicious, lingering finish.  Pair with seafood ceviche or even chips and homemade salsa! **A Negociants USA Selection**

2010 Lechtaler Teroldego Rotaliano, Trentino, Italy – Red - $13.99/$11.89

Teroldego is a grape variety that comes from a small stretch of land called ‘Rotaliano’ surrounded by snowcapped ridges and peaks in northern Italy.  Don’t let the very dark color fool you. Or the intense nose of plum, spice, blackberry, briar, black currant, pine resin, and wood smoke. The palate is light to medium-bodied, smooth, round, and fairly chewy, with juicy black cherry fruit, tomato paste, and a touch of cola.  Try this with some of our Rainbow Crisp crackers, spread with Snofrisk cheese and some prosciutto on top! ** A Vias Imports Selection **

2012 Pewsey Vale Dry Riesling, Eden Valley, Australia – White - $16.99/$14.44

Louisa Rose, originally from the Yarra Valley and a cool climate enthusiast, has been making the Pewsey Vale wines since 1996.  Working closely with Vineyard Manager Darrell Kruger, who has been associated with Pewsey Vale for more than 20 years, Louisa is a firm adherent to the philosophy that 'wine is made in the vineyard' - particularly Riesling which, she says, has a unique relationship with the site.  **A Negociants USA Selection**

“Fresh and inviting, tangy and appealing, with green apple and peppermint flavors that linger on the refreshing finish. Drink now through 2020.” 91 points, The Wine Spectator

“…opens with fragrant aromas of peach blossoms, orange peel and kumquat with hints of chalk dust and fennel seeds. This light-bodied, dry and refreshingly crisp Riesling has great intensity of expressive flavors through the long finish. Drink it now to 2020+.” 90+ points, L. Perrotti-Brown, Parker’s Wine Advocate

2011 Castaño Molino Loco, Yecla, Spain – Red - $9.99/$8.49

“…This organically farmed vineyard has produced an amazing value… Unusually for a Spanish wine, it is finished with a screw cap, but it is a wonderfully soft, delicious, well-made blend of 80% Monastrell (Mourvedre) and 20% Syrah. A deep plum color is followed by a fruit-filled wine with low tannin and a silky, plump texture. As the old time-honored wine expression goes, “if it tastes good, it must be good.” This delicious 2011 is priced as wines were when I was in college in the late 1960s. Drink it over the next year.” 87 points, Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate; ** Eric Solomon Selections **

2011 Naia Verdejo, Rueda, Spain – White - $13.99/$11.89

If you like Sauvignon Blanc or Grüner Veltliner, you’ll love this wine.

“…88% fermented in stainless steel, the rest in older oak casks of varying size):  Light gold. Tightly wound citrus and mineral aromas are complemented by chalky minerals and white flowers. Sharply defined lime and orange zest flavors gain heft with air, taking a turn to pear and nectarine while retaining focus. Finishes refreshingly brisk and long, with resonating spice and mineral notes.” 91 points, Josh Raynolds, Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar

2011 Statti Gaglioppo, Calabria, Italy – Red - $17.99/$15.29

This is a lovely alternative to a Valpolicella or a Chianti! ** A Vias Imports Selection **

“…is one of the truly great value-priced reds in Southern Italy. Freshly cut flowers, mint, red berries and spices waft from the glass, all backed up by surprising richness and pure depth. Served lightly chilled, it is a great choice once warmer springtime temperatures approach. Sweet floral notes add lift on the articulated finish. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2015.”  89 points, A. Galloni, Parker’s Wine Advocate

2011 Tikves Rkaciteli, Macedonia – White - $13.99/$11.89

Macedonia is a mountainous, landlocked country in southeast Europe with a long history of wine production. Tikves, the major wine region, is on the plains in the center of the country. The origins of Rkaciteli date back to at least 3,000 BC, as determined by archaeological digs and carbon-dated seeds.

The fascinating and delightful nose produces scents of orange blossom, jasmine, white peach and apples. On its complex palate, look for pineapple, fennel, papaya, marzipan and apricot. With wonderfully zingy acidity, Rkaciteli is a delightful, refreshing white.

This wine makes a lovely aperitif to sip on its own, but it also pairs wonderfully with food. Its acidity and bright flavors make it exceptionally versatile. Fish and shellfish are natural pairings, as are Asian flavors such as Malaysian curries, Vietnamese noodles or Thai rice dishes. The Rkaciteli's elevated acidity will allow it to work with citrus- or vinegar-based salads and vegetable dishes. ** Eric Solomon Selections **

2010 Domaine de Fées Cotes du Rhone, Rhone, France – Red - $15.99/$13.59

This co-op, located just south of the village of Chateauneuf du Pape in the sector known as the Gard, has been a perennial top-bargain pick in The Wine Advocate.

“… located just to the west of Lirac, called Domaine des Fees. … equal parts Grenache and Syrah, aged completely in concrete tanks, is stunning. Gorgeous notes of roasted meats, Provencal herbs, sweet black cherry liqueur, and licorice as well as spice jump from the glass of this dense, ruby/purple-tinged wine. Fresh, full-bodied and juicy, with a velvety texture, it is a beauty that would be best drunk over the next 3-4 years. Think of it as a Chateauneuf du Pape wearing a Cotes du Rhone mask.” 90 points, Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate; ** Eric Solomon Selections **

2011 Herencia Altes Garnatxa Blanca, Terra Alta, Spain – White - $12.99/$11.04

If you like southern French whites, you’ll love this!  ** Eric Solomon Selections**

“…(raised on its lees in stainless steel tanks):  Pale gold.  Deep, dusty pear skin and mineral aromas are complemented by quinine and dusty herbs.  Nervy lemon and orchard fruit flavors gain richness with air, picking up a bitter nuance.  Notes of chalk and anise linger on a dry, focused and chewy finish.  Very grown-up in style for a white wine at this price point.” 89 points, Josh Raynolds, Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar

2010 Cantele Salento Primitivo, Puglia, Italy – Red - $13.99/$11.89

Primitivo: The Original Zinfandel!  Or so the experts say… It’s hard not to see the similarities between this lovely variety and California’s own pride and joy.  The nose creates a delicate combination of Morello and sour cherry and prune. Floral and spicy notes follow in a superbly persistent finish. Gentle tannins, impressive acidity combine with the classic delicacy and alcoholic content of Primitivo in the flavors of this once forceful but now elegant and noble wine. (Unlike Zin, the alcohol doesn’t go through the roof). Pair with rich meat sauces and aged cheeses. ** A Vias Imports Selection **