Herb's "Must Try" Wine Choices
Wines you've never heard of but should try!

WHITE WINES
2005 Aragosta Vermentino
Vermentino, native to Sardinia, offers an excellent alternative to Pinot Grigio. This example, from a better vintage, shows ripe lime flavors with mineral undertones. It’s inherently dry, but shows enough ripeness to bring out the fruit. On the mid-palate you'll find more lemon/lime fruit flavors with mineral notes. The finish has good length with crisp melon flavors. This is an interesting white because it has many nuances. This wine has a very slight spritz which only adds to the appeal. Please don't serve this one too cold or you'll miss these flavors. Great alternative Italian white.

2005 Torbreck Woodcutter's Semillon
I’ve found that Semillon can be a tricky grape, but if it’s done right it can be a wonderful wine as with this example. This one has lovely aromatics – honey and peach notes. It has a smooth mouthfeel with ripe honey, melon, and citrus flavors. All of this is balanced with great acidity, which makes Semillon one of the few age-worthy whites. The finish is quite lengthy with honeyed melon flavors. If you’re looking for something different then this is your choice. 

2005 Laxas Albariňo
This wine demonstrates the beauty of the Albariňo grape. This wine has lovely aromatics – litchi fruit, melon, and floral notes.  It’s elegant yet refreshing on the palate with lime and melon flavors entwined in a floral background. Dry and flavorful with a lovely mouthfeel throughout plus apricot and peach on the crisp finish. This one is a must try.

NV Zefiro Prosecco
I think Prosecco is an underappreciated sparkling. I haven't tasted this Prosecco in awhile and I wanted to make sure it was still a great value. It is. It has a fresh aroma of lemon curd and melon flavors. On the palate it has golden delicious apple flavors, a slightly riper fruit profile. It's crisp, clean, and fresh on the mid-palate with more ripe lemon notes. There's never a bad time to open a bottle of Prosecco. It’s a clean and refreshing easy-drinking sparkler that’s perfect for any occasion, such as a picnic, the end of a long day, or the celebration of a day ending with the letter “Y”!

NV Hill of Content Sparkling Shiraz
Ignore the bottle cap because it is no indication of the quality within. This is a neat sparkler made from Shiraz. On the palate you’ll find spicy, dark berry fruit that has the perfect amount of ripeness. The vintner has deftly managed to blend Shiraz fruit flavors and bubbles to make an immensely enjoyable wine. It’s the perfect starter wine for your next party.

2005 Feudi di San Gregoria Falanghina
Here’s another entry in my  “Just Say No to Pinot Grigio” campaign. Italy has so many unique whites that it’s a shame to limit yourself to one varietal.  Falanghina is an ancient grape with roots back to the Romans and is grown to the north of Naples.  This wine has lovely aromatics with peach and banana aromas. On the palate you’ll find stone fruit flavors that are balanced with crisp acidity. This wine sees no oak, but has surprising richness. The finish is quite lengthy with nice fruit.

Herb's "Must Try" RED WINES