The Cellar: Values from the Southern Hemisphere

Steffen Rasch, GoLocalProv Wine Writer

The Cellar: Values from the Southern Hemisphere

This week I thought I would feature two wines that are available locally for under $20 from the Southern Hemisphere. The wines, a Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand and a Carmenère from Chile, are delicious by themselves and ideal by the BBQ. The white is for cooling you down while you’re grilling, while the red pairs with the game sizzling away on the grill.

This week’s featured white wine is the 2013 Dashwood Sauvignon Blanc. New Zealand styled Sauvignon Blanc remains very popular with American wine drinkers and after having tasted the Dashwood I am reminded why. It’s just a great tasting wine. It is as simple as that; fresh and vibrant with enticing aromatics and mouthwatering acidity – super easy drinking and refreshing like few others. Oh, did I mention that it retails for around $10!? The ’13 Dashwood displays many of the characteristics one would expect of a NZ Sauv Blanc in this price range, including those of free cut grass, grapefruit and lemon.

This week’ featured red wine is a little different as it is made from the dark-skinned Carmenère grape, a variety that is widely overlooked and very underappreciated in my opinion. If you have never tried a Carmenère before I urge you to ask you wine merchant for one. Originally from Bordeaux Carmenère has since traveled to Chile where it has found itself a new world home as well as a new expression. 

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Unlike the unpredictable sometimes cool and rainy Bordeaux, Chile’s abundance of sunshine makes for consistently ripe Carmenère grapes. When fully matured, Carmenère has a tendency to display many of the soft and lush, dark-fruit characters of Merlot. However, there is also a distinct herbaceousness in most Carmenères that some people don’t like. Personally, I love that characteristic and alongside notes of coffee, pepper and chocolate it often makes for a truly unique wine drinking experience that goes well with a lot of different food, especially game.

This week I sampled the 2012 Carmenère ‘Grande Reserve’ from Domaines Baron de Rothchild’s Chilean Brand Los Vascos. The grapes for this 100% Carmenère, which is aged for 12 months in French oak barrels, are sourced from vineyards in Colchagua Valley – an up and coming wine region where a lot of good red wines are produced. Los Vascos only made 6.000 cases of this critically acclaimed $17ish wine which displays blackberries, fresh green herbs and dark chocolate. Overall this wine is a delicious and savory experience and a great representation of what I think a well-made and well-priced Carmenère bring to the table. Seek it out.

Cheers,

Steffen Rasch is a Certified Sommelier and Specialist of Wine. Feel free to email him at [email protected] with any wine-related questions or learn about wine in person by signing up for one of his tastings through the Providence Wine Academy. The next tasting is Sunday, July 12th, during which participants will be exploring the wines of Central & Eastern Europe.

10 New England Wine Getaways

Newport Vineyards

Newport Vineyards is the perfect Rhode Island destination for wine lovers year round. Visit the winery this weekend for tastings and tours, featuring an array of award winning wines.

909 E Main Road, Middletown, RI. (401) 848-5161.

Carolyn's Sakonnet Vineya

Carolyn’s Sakonnet Vineyards in Little Compton is much more than just a winery—it is a place to get away from the stresses of life and indulge your senses, a place to try new things, a place to focus on you. The vineyard is open every day, and invites you to come for a tasting and tour. Try their Petite Red, Vidal Blanc, and many more of their distinctive wines.

162 W Main Road, Little Compton, RI. (401) 635-8486.

Greenvale Vineyards

Visit Greenvale Vineyards in Portsmouth to sample their estate grown and produced wine, made in small batches. While at the estate, try seven different wines and keep the wine glass for only $12. While you are tasting, take in the gorgeous views of both the vineyard and river. Besides tasting the wines, Greenvale also invites customers to tour the winery and learn about the history and process of winemaking at the vineyard.

582 Wapping Road, Portsmouth, RI. (401) 847-3777.

Maugle Sierra Vineyards

For a trip to a vineyard that includes much more than just wine, hop over the border to Ledyard, CT, to check out Maugle Sierra Vineyards. The vineyard hosts live music on Fridays and Sundays to compliment your wine tasting experience. Pack a dinner or light fare and enjoy a tasting session in the Sierra Room while you take in the sunset.

825 Colonel Ledyard Highway, Ledyard, CT. (860) 464-2987.

Nickle Creek Vineyards

Nickle Creek Vineyard is a family owned and operated Rhode Island wine treasure. The winery, located in Foster, makes it their mission to handcraft the most unique, high quality wines in the business. All wines are created in small batches, giving them a distinctly unique taste. This weekend, visit their tasting room to try their variety of wines. On your way out, be sure to pick up a bottle of Foster Nights to get you through those chilly New England evenings.

12 King Road, Foster, RI. (401) 369-3694.

Nashoba Valley Winery

Take the bite off the winter chill this weekend and take a drive to Nashoba Valley Winery in Bolton. The winery hosts tasting events everyday from 10am-4:30pm For $5, receive a free tasting glass and samples of up to five different wines. Some favorites include Strawberry Rhubarb Wine, Holiday Special Cranberry Apple (a new release in November 2013), and New English Cider. If you are in the mood for something other than wine (if that’s possible), check out their beer selection as well!

100 Wattaquadock Hill Road, Bolton, MA. (978) 779-5521.

Bishop’s Orchards Winery

The wines from Bishop’s Orchards Winery and Farm Market in Guilford, CT, have won over 179 medals since the winery opened in 2005. The tasting room at Bishop’s is open seven days a week year round, so no time is off-limits for wine tasting. Head over on the weekend to enjoy a winery tour pre or post tasting session. While visiting the winery, also be sure to check out the market for fresh baked goodies.

1355 Boston Post Road, Guilford, CT. (203) 453-2338.

Diamond Hill Vineyards

For a cool twist on classic wine labels, look no further than Diamond Hill Vineyard in Cumberland. At Diamond Hill, you can get custom designed wine labels perfect for any occasion. If you’re interested in tasting the wines, visit their elegant tasting room for samples of their high quality wines such as Cranberry Apple, Estate Pinot Noir, or Blackberry.

3145 Diamond Hill Road, Cumberland, RI. (401) 333-2751.

Westport Rivers

Westport Rivers Vineyard & Winery

Tucked away on the southern coast of Massachusetts, Westport Rivers Vineyard & Winery, located about an hour’s drive from Worcester, is worth the trip. For only $10, you can take home a special edition etched wine glass and enjoy a tasting of up to six of their award-winning wines. While the tasting room is open Monday-Saturday, free winery tours are also offered to the public every Saturday from 1-3pm.

417 Hixbridge Rd, Westport, MA. (508) 636-3423.

Travessia Winery

Found on the southern Massachusetts coast about 30 minutes outside of Providence, is Travessia Winery in New Bedford. This micro-winery puts a twist on traditional wine culture with its cool urban flair. Travessia is open for sales and tastings Wednesday-Sunday, and invites customers to come in and enjoy their unique variety of wines.

760 Purchase Street, New Bedford, MA. (774) 929-6534.

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