Valdamor Albarino, Rias Baixas, Spain

When it comes to seafood, you have to stop and think a little while: "Which would be the optimum wine for that?" Of course the best reply comes from Galicia, on the north Atlantic coast of Spain! Albarino is a green skinned grape variety native to Galicia. It is also popular in the Vinho Verde region of Northern Portugal where it is called: Alvarinho. This is an aromatic variety but high in acidity. Though I have a delicate stomach, I can't live without a good albarino!

This Valdomar costs around 12 Euros a bottle. I've tasted the 2010 vintage. I think the 2011 or 2012 vintages are not so good but anyhow, a good opportunity to get to know about the albarino.

Score: 83.

The Wine-Searcher score of 83/100 is based on the following wine critic score:

Critic	Score
Guia Penin	89/100

Awards

Award Organization	Award Year	Result
Concours Mondial de Bruxelles	2011	Silver
Decanter World Wine Awards	2011	Commended
International Wine Challenge	2011	Bronze

Wunsch & Mann  Grand Cru Steingrubler Pinot Gris 2008

During my stay in Alsace, the last week of March 2013, I've had the opportunity of tasting many local varieties of white wines. This has been one of my favorites. Though it didn't manage to get a good score (81) from  "Wine Enthusiast", I quiete liked it... When I'm in Northern Italy, I always like to drink Pinot Grigio, so there in Alsace, I was glad to try Pinot Gris  as well... Alsatian wines are not so cheap. The medium price for any bottle ranges between 15-25 Euros...

Alsace grand cru LOUIS SCHERB ET FILS Gewurztraminer 2007

• Alsace grand cru LOUIS SCHERB ET FILS Gewurztraminer 2007

• Sweet but nice taste! I've really enjoyed our stay in Alsace with my Spanish friend. Entering from the open doors of the small wineries in small towns, tasting exceptional white wines! Walking through the vineyards and enjoying over and over again the wine served in their typical green stemmed small glasses, specific to Rhine area...
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• Gewürztraminer is a white wine grape variety which performs best in cooler climates. It has high natural sugar, that's why you have to know what you are buying :)))

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2004 O. Fournier Alfa Crux Blend, Uco Valley, Argentina

This has been one of the most exceptional wines that I've ever drank in my life! I think till now, the best that I've tasted from Argentina. It was my ultra special selection for my 35th birthday and it has a story as well: I've asked my friend and colleague Valeria, who lives and works in Buenos Aires to search for the bottle for me. I think she searched for over two days and finally when she accomplished the mission, she was as happy as me :)) Then the bottle traveled all the way to Brasil first, then to Turkey and then to Baden Baden, Germany, to be swallowed gently and heavenly by two wine enthusiasts!

The indicative blend is Tempranillo %50, Malbec %30 and Merlot %20. It has a mature and elegant structure, something of an exclusive class. 14,5 degree of alcohol. I've paid around 70USD and would never hesitate to pay that amount again!

Score: 92. 

The Wine-Searcher score of 92/100 is calculated from the following wine critic scores:

Critic	Score	When to drink
Wine Enthusiast	93/100
Wine Spectator	92/100
Guia Penin	91/100
CellarTracker	90/100 (23 notes from 19 users )
Decanter	18/20	2008 to 2010

Click a critic's name for details, or the score to go to their site (may require subscription).

Awards

Award Organization	Award Year	Result
Decanter World Wine Awards	2011	Commended

                                 

EDELZWICKER BLEND WINE

EDELZWICKER BLEND WINE

My love for wine took me all the way down to spectacular wine growing region of Alsace. The last week of March was definately not the best time to visit the region since it was still quiete cold, but since this trip was my birthday present to myself; I shouldn't be complaining about the cold! I've had already tried some very good Alsatian wines before I went there but only there, I've learned about the "Edelzwicker Blend". I've tried that in one of the typical restaurants and simply enjoyed a lot! Then searching about it, I've figured out that:

"Edelzwicker is an Alsatian term taken from the German words edel (noble) and zwicker (blend). The term dates back to 1644 and it was applied to differentiate those called noble ones from the lesser quality grapes. Riesling, Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer and Muscat fell into noble category while Pinot Blanc, Sylvaner, Chasselas and Auxerrois were on the other side... Edelzwicker wines were made only from noble varieties until 1970 when the term was deregulated. 

As there are so many blendin possibilities, it is extremely difficult to narrow down the flavor profile of the Edelzwicker wines. However they tend to have a clear yellow coloring and fragnant aromas.

Best with salads!

2005 Marques de Caceres Gaudium, Rioja DOCa, Spain

I love few Riojas, Gaudium is one of them! This particularly has been one of my elections for my 35th birthday and we've all loved it! One should choose this for a special ocasion... I've paid 45 Euros for the bottle. Absolutely worths it! 

http://www.frazierswine.co.uk/marques-de-caceres-gaudium-2005/

Tasting notes

Marqués de Caceres Gaudium Grand Vino 2005. Very dark, almost black, garnet colour. Rich and complex bouquet combining notes of morello cherries, coffee and tobacco with a depth of soft spice. Very full in the mouth where dense and refined tannins provide a balanced structure that mingles with mature fruit and nice complexity. This wine has the body to develop further in the bottle over years. Choose Gaudium for a special occasion. It will complement all kinds of quality meat, grilled, roasted or served in source, especially suckiling pig, roasted Lamb, beef fillet or Iberian style port. A perfect match for Fois Gras. light game dishes and cheese.

http://www.vineyardbrands.com/aspx/..%5CContent%5CColor%20Reviews%5C0075%5C0075-12-10-05-14-42-03-88.pdf

Score: 94.

The Wine-Searcher score of 94/100 is calculated from the following wine critic scores:

Critic	Score
Guia Repsol	95/100
Stephen Tanzer	92/100

2011 Castello d'Albola Friuli Aquileia Pinot Grigio, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy

For the ocasion of my 35th birthday, I've decided to make a cruise holiday and took my family with me. We've made a Royal Caribbean's Dubai Cruise all over the Arabian Gulf callig at several Emirates and Oman. Onboard, I've had the ocasion of tasting different kind of wines. This was one of it. Not bad, but not very interesting either. Though I truely love Pinot Grigio, this wasn't my favorite.