The Spirited Gourmet in Winchester held its semi-annual Grand Tasting on May 3 and we eagerly lined up to check out the 30+ offerings from seven local distributors. Far from presenting usual suspects and easy crowd-pleasers, the distributors challenged the crowd with lesser-known varietals and producers.  We drove in empty-handed and drove home with 17 bottles…a nice take for a brief afternoon.

Following are our favorite tastes.

Whites
D’Arenberg Hermit Crab Viognier/Marsanne McLaren Vale, 2006        $17.99
A light, crisp summer pleaser from the Australian region better known for its Shiraz. We loved the apricot/peach flavors. We didn’t buy any but recall it fondly.

Guegen Chablis 1er Cru Cote de Lechet, 2006    $29.99        Bought 1 bottle
This unoaked Chardonnay from Chablis struck Lisa as closer to a Sauvignon Blanc. Nicely balanced, crisp, with light fruit and slight minerality.

Ca ’Rugate Soave San Michele 2006        $13.99        Bought 2 bottles
A delightful Soave Classico, crisp and dry with a pale gold color. 100% from the Italian Garganega grape, a varietal unknown to us.

Nieto Chardonnay Mendoza, 2007        $10.99        Bought 2 bottles
We’ve fallen for Malbec from Argentina’s Mendoza region and now we’re hooked on this crisp but slightly creamy Chard. 

Macrostie Chardonnay Carneros, 2006    $25.99        Bought 1 bottle
Classic California premium Chardonnay. Full-flavored, buttery, oaky, wonderful (so says Gary…Lisa demurs.) 

Clos des Rochers Auxerrois Luxembourg, 2006    $16.99        Bought 2 bottles
We can’t pronounce the name of this grape (Auxerrois), and never knew Luxembourg produced wine. But that’s the joy of these wine tastings. Some know-it-all posted in Wikipedia that “Recent DNA fingerprinting suggests that [Auxerrois Blanc] is a cross between Gouais blanc and Pinot, the same ancestry as Chardonnay.” We found it a great crisp and clean summer white.

Lolonis Eugenia Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc, 2002    $31.99        Bought 1 bottle
This sweetheart from Mendocino County, CA was everything a dessert wine should be—deep flavored, sweet, and smooth.


Reds

Savignola Paolina Chianti Classico Riserva, 2004    $32.99        Bought 1 bottle
Gary raved about this wine’s deep berry fruit-forward flavors and complex structure. This is a well-crafted wine, not a factory-made Chianti.

Righetti Ripasso Valpolicella, 2005        $14.99        Bought 2 bottles
An elegant, light-bodied wine with raisin, current, fig, and berry flavors. Gary’s salivating over this wine as we write it.

Secret de Campane Vin de Pays d’Orange, 2006    $9.99        Bought 2 bottles
If you’re looking for a summer cooler but white’s just not your color, try this light, slightly peppery Grenache blend from the south of France. Serve it cooled and have a great BBQ!

Bell Cabernet Sauvignon Napa, 2003        $44.99        Bought 2 bottles
A Bordeaux blend from California that knocked Gary out and made him exceed our usual spending limit. The 2003 vintage blends Cabernet Sauvignon (85%) with Petite Verdot Cabernet Franc, and Merlot.  It was round, and full, and plush…and tasted really expensive; a superior, super-premium Cab.  Take that, Caymus and Opus One!