Diana Kelley, Regional Manager America, Tempos Vega Sicilia
The eighth episode of Wine With Wanda on Instagram Liveshowcased Tempos Vega Sicilia. For many wine lovers, just hearing the words Tempos Vega Sicilia elicits a powerful emotional response. Their wines are legendary. But why? To answer that question, Diana Kelley, Regional Manager America for Tempos Vega Sicilia, joined me in a lively conversation that explored their winemaking philosophy and commitment to quality and authenticity that prevails at their four wineries in Spain and their winery in Hungary.
To watch the conversation, click the video above or view it on YouTube.
Aromatic, crisp, and lively, Oremus is a refreshing dry Furmint with great minerality.
During our conversation, we tasted Oremus Mandolás Tokaji Furmint 2017 ($29.99) from their estate in Hungary and Pintia 2014 ($79) from vineyards located on the banks of the Duero River, within the Toro Appellation in Spain. Diana shares detailed tasting notes in the video.
100% Tinta del Toro, "Pintia 2014 has a frank, expressive nose; intense sweet fruity aromas well integrated with a nuance of spicy woodiness."
Joan Kautz, Co-owner and Vice President of International Operations, Ironstone Vineyards
The Sierra Foothills may be best known as the epicenter of the California Gold Rush, but the region also has a rich wine history and the Kautz family has played an essential role. They settled in Lodi 1926 and opened their first winery in 1968. This family business has grown tremendously over four generations and their holdings in Lodi and the Sierra Foothills now span more than 5,000 acres. They protect these precious acres, and the environment, by adhering to sustainable viticulture practices.
I had the pleasure of learning more about the Kautz legacy, and their Lodi and Sierra Foothills wines, in an Instagram Liveconversation with Joan Kautz, a fourth generation member of this influential winemaking family. If you missed the IG Live chat and tasting, watch it above or on YouTube. Equipped with broad knowledge of agriculture, wine making, and consumer trends; Joan has held the position of Vice President of International Operations for the family’s wine portfolio since 1993. Under her leadership, the Kautz family's wines are available in 50 countries around the world.
2018 Ironstone Vineyards Chardonnay "Our Chardonnay exhibits refreshing aromas of fresh green apples, citrus, and tropical fruits. As it dances across the palate, light citrus layered with fresh peaches fills the mouth as soft vanilla and oak notes linger. Good acidity gives it a crisp balance with a creamy medium-length finish."
2017 Ironstone Vineyards Reserve Cabernet Franc "Our Reserve Cabernet Franc is an elegant, rich yet soft wine. With fleshy black cherry, blackberry, and spicy oak aromas this seductive Cabernet Franc is worth drinking now or cellaring for a special occasion. Succulent, dark fruit flavors of plum, black cherry with a hint of sweet oak fills the palate and gives way to a smooth, medium finish."
"Going organic is a choice, and for us, feels like the right thing to do. Our intention is to nurture the ecosystem of the soil and the vines and give back to its roots as naturally as possible. Ultimately, I believe the resulting wine is better and truer to its terroir.” Erica Crawford, Founder & CEO of Loveblock Winery
When Erica and Kim Crawford stood on the hills high above the hustle and bustle of Marlborough's Awatere Valley, they fell in love with the breathtaking view below and the untamed land at their feet. They aren't kidding when they say "Loveblockwas forged from a love affair with a view and a challenge."
When Erica founded Loveblock, she hired the best winemaker she knows -- her husband and award-winning winemaker Kim Crawford. I met Kim several months ago and his commitment to authentic and quality winemaking has earned him well-deserved accolades in New Zealand and around the globe.
I recently interviewed Erica for my Instagram Live series. Watch the video above or on YouTube. During our conversation, we discussed Loveblock's commitment to low intervention farming, which they believe enables the wine to show its true and naked terroir. We also discussed Erica's disdain for wine snobs! You'll even learn why so many wines from New Zealand are bottled under screw cap. Grab a bottle of Loveblock, watch the video, and discover why “Loveblock is a true love story, it is one of depth and dedication." Erica and I tasted three Loveblock wines during our chat.
Loveblock Pinot Gris 2018, Marlborough ($22.99) Dry but fruit-forward with lingering flavors of stone fruit and lime. Quite luscious!
Loveblock Sauvignon Blanc 2019, Marlborough ($28) Not aggressively zesty but absolutely vibrant, this elegant Sauvignon Blanc is crisp and juicy with flavors of white peach, tropical fruits, and a hint of herbs. 2% Pinot Gris in the blend adds a lush roundness. Rated 90 points by Wine Spectatorand recently featured as their Wine Pick of the Day.
Loveblock Pinot Noir 2018, Central Otago ($29.99) Rated 93 points by Wine Spectator and #46 on their Top 100 Wines of 2019, this medium-bodied Pinot Noir has vibrant red fruit flavors and a hint of earthy mushroom.
Winemaker Eddy Leiber-Faller of Domaine Weinbach in Alsace, France was the special guest on the fifth episode of Wine With Wanda on Instagram Live. Planted with vines since the 9th century and established as a winery in 1612 by Capuchin Friars, Domaine Weinbach was acquired by the Faller brothers in 1898 and has been in the family ever since.
100% Pinot Gris. "Subtle and delicate nose of honey, with smoky and buttery notes. Rich and well-structured on the palate, with a creamy and rich texture to finish."
Watch our chat and tasting here or on YouTube. We sipped Domaine Weinbach Pinot Gris Cuvée Laurence 2017 ($56.99)and Domaine Weinbach Riesling Schlossberg Grand Cru Cuvee Ste. Catherine 2017 ($64.99)while discussing Eddy's return to the family business after a career abroad in banking, the charms of Alsace, and biodynamic and organic winemaking. Eddy even gave me some recipe tips!
Did you know that Alsace is one of the most geologically diverse regions in the world and has 13 distinct soil types? Those soils really imbue wines from Alsace with a tremendous mineral character and the region is renowned for their superb white wines. Domaine Weinbach is an excellent example of the beauty of wines from Alsace.
100% Riesling from 40-60-year old vines."Elegant and balanced, this wine reveals delicate floral aromas with a mouth- watering minerality. This full-bodied Riesling holds a lean acidity which is well-suited to food pairing."
“Tradition is important, but it is the beginning of the process.” - Dominga Cotarella
The dynamic Dominga Cotarella of Famigila Cotarella recently joined me for a lively conversation on Instagram Live. In 1979, Dominga's father, Riccardo, and his brother Renzo founded the famed Falesco winery. Riccardo is one of Italy's most famous consulting enologists, and Renzo is the longtime CEO and chief winemaker for Antinori. In 2016, Dominga, and her cousins Marta and Enrica, officially took control of the family business. To mark this new chapter in their winemaking journey, they renamed the business Famiglia Cotarella to emphasize the family behind the label.
Watch the video here or on YouTubeto learn more about the Cotarella family, their winemaking philosophy, and the hospitality school they founded several years ago, Intrecci.
During our conversation, Dominga and I tasted two of Famiglia Cotarella's celebrated 100% Merlot wines, the single-vineyard Montiano 2015 ($66) and Sodale 2015 ($25).
First produced in 1993, Montiano is a compelling and full expression of Merlot. Rich, juicy, and concentrated but impressively fresh and graceful, Montiano shows that Merlot can be pretty and powerful.
Also 100% Merlot, 2015 is the first vintage of Sodale. It is the softer, fresher, and more approachable cousin to the acclaimed Montiano. An approachable yet impeccably made wine that is perfect for easy and elegant everyday drinking.
The third episode of Wine With Wanda on Instagram Live featured award-winning journalists and authors Mike DeSimone and Jeff Jenssen, the World Wine Guys. This dynamic duo’s best selling books include one of my go-to resources Red Wine: The Comprehensive Guide to the 50 Essential Varieties & Styles (co-author, Kevin Zraly). Our lively chat explored how their wine writing career started by faxing a pitch to Wine Spectator, their love of Spain, suggestions on which wine regions to visit, and the charms of comfort food paired with fine wine!
