The weekend is upon us and you may have your favorite, expensive bottle ready to open. But there is more than enough space on the wine bar to open a few bottles of wine under or around $20. It’s always fun for me to taste then suggest wines that are at or around that reasonable price range. I hope you find the affordable wines reviewed below interesting enough to purchase and pair with a Friday night dinner or Sunday supper at home, with friends who drop by unexpectedly, or with a good book waiting for you on the back porch or by a cozy fire.
The two wines sent to me as samples couldn’t be more different. Each is food friendly, albeit with different sorts of fare, enjoyable in its own way, and at a price point which should encourage you to find a bottle at your local wine shop…especially if you’ve never tasted the varietal. I hope your palate appreciates the wines as much as mine!
The 2013 Thalassitis Santorini from Gaia Estate is comprised of 100% Assyrtiko grapes. Grown on volcanic soils in a vineyard on the southeast slope of Santorini’s Episkopi, the wine is from ungrafted, low yielding vines which are 70-80 years old. Unoaked with no malalactic fermentation this selection is the winery’s signature wine. Pale lemon in the glass, I found aromas of honey, tropical fruit, and yellow flowers. Bone dry with high acidity, this energetic wine with its fresh fruit, subtle herbal notes, and a steely zing presented a warm, pleasant finish with tastes of lemons. Upon opening, the Thalassitis was tight on the palate…it was still delicious but I felt that it needed to open and breathe for a longer period of time. Sips on the second day revealed a bounty of more juicy fruits and minerality on both nose and palate. You may want to pair this terrific example of Assyrtiko with seafood, light yet rich cheeses, and the movie, Zorba the Greek. Cost is $25.
Enjoy the wines and cheers to the weekend! ~ Cindy
