Bigger is better, at least when it comes to wine and the size of the bottle, and we’re going to prove it to you this Friday. The larger format bottle is typically considered inferior, but throughout Europe, this is not the case. Trust us, we’re not going to be pulling out big bottles of bulk made, processed wine………on the contrary, these all come from very small, highly esteemed producers from throughout the Euro-zone and they all sell for less than 20 bones!
We’ll start with a few whites, including some beautiful Erbaluce from Italy’s Piemonte zone, a gorgeous Gruner Veltliner from Austria and an off-dry Riesling from Germany’s Mosel River Valley. We’ll end with 3 reds, starting with a dry Dornfelder from Germany, followed by a chuggable red blend from Austria and ending with a 91 point rated Chianti that you’re gonna’ love. Don’t miss your chance to taste, learn and save every Friday at Table Wine. $5/person…..Free for Grape Nuts
The Wines
Prices range from $14 to $18 and all are packaged in liter bottles
1. 2011 Orsolani Erbaluce di Caluso – The Orsolani family have been champions of this little known grape for over 50 years. Grown in Caluso, in Italy’s Piemonte zone, Erbaluce produces a dry, fragrant, mineral infused beauty of a wine that should be served ice cold on back porches and/or alongside fresh fish and vegetables.
2. 2011 Der Pollerhof Gruner Veltliner – It’s been awhile since we’ve payed homage to one of the top selling warm weather whites in the store. If you don’t know what Gruner Veltliner is (we just call it Gruner), then you need to get with the program. It is Austria’s most important varietal, and it produces dry white wines with a nice mix of apple, grapefruit, herb and pepper notes. This one is an absolute no brainer!
3. 2011 Spater-Veit Riesling Feinherb – Not all German wines are cloyingly sweet, and if you think they are, you’ve probably tried just the ones in the blue bottles on the bottom shelf at every grocery store. Feinherb literally translates to dry, with just a little kiss of sweetness. Based in the village of Piesport on the Mosel River, the Spater Veit family estate is practicing organic and this wine will make your mouth tingle with super bright flavors of green apple, lime, peach and mineral.
4. 2010 Schloss Muhlenhof Dornfelder Trocken – I challenge you not to like this wine and provide a good reason for doing so! Just kidding folks, but this is unlike so many of the mass produced, super sweet German reds on the market. Trocken means dry and this one is exactly that, although it is super friendly and packed with juicy-ripe berries and cherries.
5. 2009 Pittnauer Burgenland Rot – Gerhard Pittnauer works his land biodynamically to create expressive, easy-drinking wines like this fruity, elegant, delicious blend of pinot noir, zweigelt and St. Laurent. It is bright and lively, smooth and packed with supple red fruits.
6. 2010 Travagnoli Chianti Rufina – From one of the top producers in the Rufina sub-zone of Chianti comes this 91 point rated (Stephen Tanzer) Sangiovese based wine. With a lovely core of ripe and sweet and cherry and berry fruit along with complex spices and herbs, this should sell for a lot more!