My idea of the perfect Thanksgiving white is one that has ripe fruit, good body and texture, and balancing bright acidity. The Apollo's Praise Gruner Veltliner is all of those things and more, and it's a terrific bargain too. I never thought I'd feature a wine from the Finger Lakes region of New York, much less a Gruner Veltliner, but one taste of this, and that all changed.
This is one of the most exciting domestic white wines I've tasted this year, and it will absolutely thrive with Thanksgiving dinner. With a great core of food-friendly acidity along with flavors of peach, lemon, pineapple, white pepper, and mineral, this round but nervy white is exceptional.
My personal rating for this one is 94 points, and at just $19.99/bottle, it's a great deal, and I'm beating the prices of several New York state retailers!
Bravo to winemakers Kelby Russell and Julia Hoyle, founders of Apollo's Praise, one of the hottest young wineries in the United States. While their winery might be new, the duo have plenty of experience working in the famed Lahoma Vineyard, a 20-acre site on the west side of Seneca Lake. The duo now own the entire site, and the whites they're making are gaining a lot of attention.
I'm amazed that this is just the second vintage of this wine. It certainly does not drink like a "beginner wine," as there's a lovely textural contrast to the wine I associate with more "elevated" Gruners from Austria. Concentrated and creamy yet fresh and energetic, it pops with vitality and nerve from start to finish.
The critics are beginning to notice the Apollo's Praise Gruner Veltliner -- James Suckling rated it 94 points, calling it "zesty and energetic" with "some creaminess from the lees contact, but the freshness pushes this into the background." Good call James! Vinous Media had great things to say too, rating this one 92 points:
"Lemon, salt, herbs, pineapple, and a hint of toasted almond run through this tense and nervy but round Gruner."
If you told me 20 years ago that world-class Gruner would be made in the US, I would have thought you were crazy, but I'm open-minded, and I trust my palate. My palate really likes this one, which was presented to me by ex-Table Wine manager Sarah Chandler : )
Just $19.99/bottle and over 25% off the regular price of $27.99/bottle. We bought enough to fill a small swimming pool, so order away!
Josh Spurling
Owner, Operator, Wine Monger
Table Wine Asheville
