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...
• 
  
• 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.

Tierra Alta Cabernet Sauvignon 2010

A very regular Cabernet Sauvignon from the Colchagua Valley of Chile. I'm totally convinced that the wines from the Colchagua Valley are better when compared with the other vine growing parts of the country... It costs about 7 Euros and wouldn't disappoint you, wouldn't satisfy you deeply neither! 14%

2010 Weingut Anselmann 'im Barrique gereift' Dornfelder Trocken, Pfalz, Germany

First of all I would like to say that I've bought this wine because I've seen the gold medal over the neck of the bottle... and the second thing, I've thought that it would be nice to try a good German Red. But I really don't know if a really very good German Red exists! I'm deeply in love with some German whites but this has been a total disappointment for me. I didn't like anything about this wine. Actually we were trying 4 of us and neither of us liked it. Too acidic and no balanced taste...

Dornfelder is created in 1956 by August Herold as a crossing of Helfensteiner and Heroldrebe. However, since these two grape varieties are also crossings, its lineage includes almost every red wine grown in Germany. With a relatively high alcohol rate of 14,5%, it costed me aroud 9 Euros. Never would buy it again...

2009 Asara Estate Cape Fusion, Stellenbosch, South Africa

This is a quiete regular wine which is priced at around 6 Euros... but the fact is that since I don't really know much about the South African wines, this has been a good introduction for me. The bottle was brought to me by a friend of mine which had recently been to South Africa. Stellenbosch is an important wine producing district located 50 km east of Cape Town. It has a well drained hilly terrain and the overall climate there is Mediterranean. Seems that first vines were planted there by Huguenot settlers in 1690. 

It's a blend of Pinotage / Shiraz / Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. The grape variety "Pinotage", which is a crossing of Pinot Noir and Cinsaut, was created in proper Stellenbosch in 1925. "Pinot" part is taken from Burgundy's prestigious red grape type Pinot Noir, and "age" part is taken from "Hermitage", which is one of the several local names for Cinsaut. It has an alcohol degree of 14%. I'll definately be trying some better South African wines!

http://www.asara.co.za/winery/buy-wine/red-wines/

Emiliana Coyam Red Blend, Colchagua Valley, Chile

I would like to talk about a very special blend named "Coyam". Produced by Vina Emiliana which is Chile's one of the most important organic wineries, is a blend of 38% Syrah, 27% Carmenere, 21% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Savignon, 1% Mouvedre and 1% Petit Verdot. I've already had it several times in different ocasions and was always satisfied with it. It's a rich full-bodied red with a 14.5% alcohol level. Costs around 23USD and well worths it. 

http://www.obrienswine.ie/14--to-15-//22383/

Sunday Business Post

"2009: Alvaro Espinoza, one of our favourite Chilean winemakers, is passionate about biodynamic agriculture and winemaking. This vintage is a wildly complex blend which includes Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Carménère and Mourvèdre. The resulting wine is one of the most intense and spicy offers from Chile. It’s also one of the most variable – it’s not as glossy and sweet as the 2006 vintage; rather it is a little more savoury, but the finish is as lengthy as ever, while after an hour the glass still gives off a gorgeous waft of super-ripe fruit. (90 Points) "
Tomás Clancy - 15 May 2011

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

"The 2010 Coyam is a blend of 38% Syrah, 27% Carmenere, 21% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1% Mourvedre and 1% Petit Verdot from Colchagua that is aged in 80% French and 20% American oak for 13 months. It has a harmonious bouquet with blackberry, boysenberry, licorice and a touch of tobacco that is nicely focused considering the number of varieties contains in the blend. The palate is medium-bodied with blackberry and spice on the entry, bold and assertive tannins that do not upset that balance since there is ample weight of pure blackberry and cassis fruit that lacquer the mouth towards the full-bodied finish. This is a well made wine. Drink now-2018. "
Vintage 2010 Rated "Outstanding" 91 points - 04 December 2012

http://www.emiliana.cl/our-wines/biodynamic/coyam/?login=ok

Luigi Bosca Malbec, Lujan de Cuyo, Argentina

That wine heaven named: "Argentina" makes really very good Malbecs! Among them one of the best price/quality ratio is owned definately by Luigi Bosca! Deep ruby red colour, with aromas of red fruits, spices and black pepper. Full-bodied and well structured. Every waiter that you go into a restaurant will recommend it to you, believe me! I'm always happy with that choice, I hope that you like it as well!The price of it in Argentina is between 20-25USD. Alcohol level 14.5%.

http://www.luigibosca.com.ar/descripcion_vino.php?idv=152&idi=ing

Luigi Bosca | Malbec

Vineyards

Finca La Linda, Vistalba (Mendoza).

Age of the vineyards

50 years.

Altitude

960 m.

Yield

7000 kg/ha, 49 hl/ha.

Variety

100% Malbec.

Winemaking

Handpicking, selection of clusters, de-stemming and manual grain selection. Fermentation is conducted in stainless steel tanks at a controlled temperature of 28°C with selected yeasts. After the alcoholic fermentation is completed, the wine is transferred to new and second-use French oak casks where it rests for 12 months. Lightly filtered while bottled.

Ageing in barrels

12 months.

Tasting notes

Intense purple colour, with aromas of ripe red fruit, spices and black pepper. The intensity of the entry in the mouth is complemented with the softness and sweetness of tannins. Full-bodied and well structured. Sober, with a remarkable varietal typicity.

Ageing potential

10 years.

Recommended wine serving temperature

16°C to 18°C.

Recommended pairings

A perfect match for grilled or roasted red meat, deer and hard cheese.

Technical data

Alcohol: 12.8º - pH: 3.6 - Total acidity: 5.06 g/l - Residual sugar: 2 g/l -Extract: 25 g/l

Winemakers

José Irrera / Vicente Garzia.

2009 Rutini Malbec, La Consulta, Argentina

For me Rutini is one of the best Malbec produced in Argentina. I really enjoy drinking Rutini. The last time I was in Argentina with my group it was one of the most ordered one. I would definately order it again and again. The price I pay to this wine in Argentina is around 40USD. In some web pages it shows up around 13 Euros but I've never seen this price in Argentina...

Score: 89.

The Wine-Searcher score of 89/100 is calculated from the following wine critic scores:

Critic	Score
Wine Enthusiast	89/100
Wine Spectator	89/100

Category:	Red Wine
Varietal:	Malbec
Region:	Argentina » Mendoza
Producer:	Felipe Rutini
Alcohol:	13.5%

Felipe Rutini

The 2009 Rutini Malbec has a concentrated nose with elements of wild berries, tobacco and vanilla. The palate is full, with rich black fruit flavors and a long, lingering finish with a touch of black pepper spice.

Wine Advocate

The 2009 Malbec displays a brooding bouquet surrendering notes of brier, spice box, floral aromas, and black cherry. Smooth, succulent, and friendly, this tasty effort finishes with no hard edges. It is meant for drinking over the next 4-5 years.

Score: 90. —Jay Miller, December 2011.

Wine Spectator

A brawny style that stays fresh due to bright acidity backing the blackberry and raspberry notes, carrying floral and spice hints, with a fine, minerally finish. Drink now.

Score: 89. —Nathan Wesley, August 31, 2012. 

2010 Rutini Trumpeter Malbec, Tupungato, Argentina

One of the nice Malbec options that you can find widely everywhere. Though doesn't have very high scores, for me it's a good wine. Especially I never forget the one that we took outdoors just beside the Beagle Channel. Never forget: The best wine is the one that makes friendships!

100% Malbec, 13% alcohol level.

Score: 85.

The Wine-Searcher score of 85/100 is calculated from the following wine critic scores:

Critic	Score
Wine Enthusiast	86/100
Wine Spectator	85/100
CellarTracker	83/100 (19 notes from 14 users )

2010 Ruca Malen Malbec Reserva, Mendoza, Argentina

Last 2 weeks I was in two of the wine heavens named Argentina and Chile. Nearly whatever you order and  taste in these countries has a nice taste. In one of our dinners, we've ordered this wine which was one of the more economical choices in the menu. Well, not the best Malbec but didn't disappoint us neither! It has a market price around 12 Euros, dry, full bodied and 14,5%.

Here's a link about the awards of the winery. Doesn't seem bad ;))

http://www.bodegarucamalen.com/A-Ruca_Malen_MA.pdf

Score: 84. When to drink: 2012 to 2017

The Wine-Searcher score of 84/100 is based on the following wine critic score:

Critic	Score	When to drink
Decanter	16/20	2012 to 2017

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

Awards

Award Organization	Award Year	Result
Concours Mondial de Bruxelles	2012	Gold
Decanter World Wine Awards	2012	Bronze

2011 Viu Manent Carmenere Reserva, Colchagua Valley, Chile

Chile! The country that's most famous for its Cabernets! Though belonging to the cabernet family, there's another type of grape which is even better than cabernet and which has been a long time secret of the Chilean wines: The Carmenere! Every time I take a group to Chile, I recommend them to taste at least once, a bottle of Carmenere. Originally planted in the Medoc region of Bordeaux; after the pyhlloxera plague of 1867; it's now rarely found in France. It's been a secret beacuse the Chilean producers were thinking that it was a type of Merlot. Only in 1993 an enolog from France tasted it, but he wasn't convinced. He wanted to see the leaves and then took it with him to France to examine and just after that it was confirmed that this was good old Carmenere...!

This one from Viu Manent is a really good one and you can go for it in a restaurant, wouldn't disappoint you. It has an average market price of 7 Euros and with this price it has an excellent price/quality ratio!

2009 PAMUKKALE ANFORA SHIRAZ

2009 PAMUKKALE ANFORA SHIRAZ

This was recommended to me by one of the participants of my tours. He was drinking wine in every meal and told me not to underestimate this wine. Made of 100% Shiraz grapes and has a alcohol level of 14%, not very much of my style but one of the better options which you can find in the Turkish supermarkets around 11 Euros. Pamukkale winery though has a great reputation in Turkey and does surely produce better wines with higher price levels...

http://www.pamukkalesarap.com/en.html

Here is a very knowledgeable link about the Turkish wines and a little bit of its history in our country.

http://www.wine-searcher.com/regions-turkey

2010 MELEN Cabernet Sauvignon

2010 MELEN Cabernet Sauvignon

This is from my home country! We have some good wines as well but the problem about our wines is: we really do have some very high levels of taxes that's why Turkish wines never have a good price/quality ratio. Instead of paying around 30-40 Euros for a moderate Turkish wine, you go for a really good Italian / Spanish wine... The Cabernet of Melen wasn't a very nice bet though. The taste was a little bit of acidic and not full bodied as I like. Wouldn't order it again.

http://www.melenwinery.com/english/mainpage/

2010 Pascual Toso Sauvignon Blanc, Maipu, Argentina

When it comes to white wine, Sauvigon Blanc is one of my favorites... And usually I like most of the things that are produced in Argentina! When you put all these together you think that you'll have a wonderful bet but the reality is not so, unfortunately. I've tasted this wine while we were dining in a restaurant in Antigua, Guatemala. It's been one of the strongest white wines I've ever tested, nearly 14%. But the fact is that the taste is not well balanced so it was a little bit of wild taste (high acidity). I wouldn't order it again. I think it costs around 10-11Euros (the market price).

http://www.winesofquality.co.uk/shop?region=argentina&product=pascual-toso-sauvignon-blanc-2010~a01

Established in 1890 by Pascual Toso from  Piemonte in Italy, this is one of the oldest and  most prestigious wineries in Argentina, and since  its foundation has been characterised by their  ongoing innovation.  In 2007 Toso was awarded IWSC Argentinean Wine Producer of the Year. 

Toso’s vineyards are situated 715 metres above sea level at Las Barrancas,  in Maipú within the Mendoza river highland.  The region is dry with warm summers, cold winters, and excellent sunlight levels which are perfect for the development of flavour, colour and tannins. All fruit is handpicked at optimum ripeness, with only natural yeasts used. 

The vines are grown using the espalier training method. The fruit is hand harvested during February.  The fermentation for this wine develops at low temperature and once this process is over, a fresh, fruity and very fine wine is obtained.  Prior to bottling the wine is filtered, this allows the wine to have a bright appearance in the glass.

The wine presents a very nice pale colour. Fine and delicate citrus and herb aromas.  Very harmonic and balanced in mouth with delightful fruits that linger, quite rich with pink grapefruit and melon full bodied.

Country: Argentina
Vineyard Location: Barrancus, Maipú District, Mendoza
Producer: Pascual Toso
Type: Still White Wine
Grape variety: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
Style: Fresh and Crisp
Vintage: 2010
Alcohol: 14% ABV
Serve at: 5 – 8˚c
Bottle size: 75CL
Serve: As an aperitif, with pasta, seafood white meats and vegetarian dishes

2008 Domecq Bodegas Tarsus 'Tarsus' Reserva, Ribera del Duero, Spain

Like many of the Riberas, Tarsus won't disappoint you! This was one of the wines that we've taken during our last Christmas dinner with my Armenian friends. Since Ribera is a full-bodied wine, made a great combination with all the cold cuts of the table. I've pais around 18Euros for the bottle and has a alcohol level of 13%.

Score: 90.

The Wine-Searcher score of 90/100 is based on the following wine critic score:

Critic	Score
Guia Penin	90/100

Warre's Otima 10 Year Old Tawny Port, Portugal

Are you a sweet wine lover? Then here's a very very interesting option for you! Here in Turkey we are not so much mad about the dessert wines but of course in many countries a successful dinner shouldn't end up without a sweet drop of wine! Portugal is one of my favorite countries and I always discover a new culinary delight every time I visit that country. Warre's 10 year old Tawny Port is one of my lastest discoveries and I never think to return from Portugal without grabbing one bottle. (Those are sold in special, 250cl small bottles) Costs around 26 Euros.

http://www.warre.com/section.php?id=1062

OTIMA

Warre’s has established itself as one of the most forward thinking Port producers, balancing its long tradition with total dedication to premium quality and successful innovation.

Warre’s launch of Otima 10 & 20 Year Old Tawny caused a revolution in Port that introduced a completely new concept to consumers, helping to rejuvenate Port’s image in the main markets. Otima is now widely acknowledged as the most successful new development in the Port trade for over 25 years.

The merit of Otima was to show Port’s versatility as an all year round, anytime drink, appealing to both women and men, dispelling many of the myths attached to Port.

The clean, modern design was matched by an excellent wine that has been winning Gold and Silver medals at the world’s leading blind tasting competitions year after year, leaving no doubt that the quality of the wine is on par with the outstanding, award-winning packaging.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

OTIMA 10

2010 Decanter Wine Awards
GOLD MEDAL
 

2009 International Wine Challenge
GOLD MEDAL

2009 Decanter Wine Awards
GOLD MEDAL

2008 International Wine & Spirit Competition
SILVER MEDAL

2008 Decanter Wine Awards
SILVER MEDAL

2007 Decanter Wine Awards
SILVER MEDAL

2006 International Wine Challenge
SILVER MEDAL

2005 International Wine Challenge
SILVER MEDAL

OTIMA 20
 

2008 International Wine & Spirit Competition
SILVER MEDAL

2008 International Wine Challenge
SILVER MEDAL

2008 DECANTER AWARDS
SILVER MEDAL

2007 International Wine Challenge
SILVER MEDAL

2006 International Wine Challenge
SILVER MEDAL

2005 International Wine & Spirit Competition
SILVER MEDAL

2005 International Wine Challenge
SILVER MEDAL

International Wine Challenge

Otima 10 is a superb, light and beautifully balanced Ten Year Old Tawny Port that is clearly different with a striking ultra-modern package designed to appeal to a new, younger generation of Port enthusiasts.

Otima 20, introduced in 2005 in response to the overwhelmingly positive reception of Otima 10, extends the brand into a more luxurious level.

“A 10-year-old tawny port with a light, delicate palate which is simply superb when served chilled, either on its own or at the end of a meal”.
Jonathan Ray, Daily Telegraph

“...drop-dead gorgeous in the taste department. This is simply the best tawny around, just chill the bottle a touch, pour and mellow out”.
Matthew Jukes, Daily Mail Weekend

Otima 10: 90 points out of 100
“A ripe and rich tawny. Loads of caramel, honey and dried fruit.. Full-bodied, sweet and very toffee like on the palate. Long finish”.
James Suckling, Wine Spectator

Otima 10: 17 points out of 20
“A robust and rich Port of superior character and elegance”.
Joao Paulo Martins, Portuguese Wines

Otima 20: 90 Points out of 100
“A lush, soft Port, with nutty aromas rounded out by scents of coffee and caramel.
Caresses the palate with flavours of coffee and creme caramel, blending in a bit of orange peel on the finish. There’s not a rough edge to be found”.
Joe Czerwinski, Wine Enthusiast