Happy Halloween Happening Now Tasting: Clos de Torribas Reserva 2017, Penedes

 

This Halloween Happening Now Tasting ought to get highly personal. Back in those days long long ago as a young student of numerous subjects I happened to consume this very Catalan on a regular basis. Of course different vintages back then. I could image that I must have been young, not all too poor (because this one wasn't out of the lowest shelf ... actually I think back then it was even more expensive than nowadays ... which is hard to comprehend) and of course quite dumb back then. The latter might not have altered all too much I am afraid. Unfortunately I have no witty explanation why I showed such bizzare behaviour to rebuy this Tempranillo that often. Probably too long ago. I haven't had it since ... and now I am quite curious what I've been drinking in those not so good old days. That's why I'd like to give it a go ...

Happy Halloween Happening Now Tasting: Konni & Evi Silvaner Spätfüllung 2021, Saale-Unstrut Landwein

2024s, yes at least one tradition musn't go down drain, Happy Halloween Happening Now Tasting will lead my tongue into unchartered territories of my so called home country ... or so. The wines of Saxony-Anhalt resp. Saale-Unstrut (consciously excluding the few hectares of Thuringia and perhaps others) never been in my personal palatal limelight. I just hope today's wine will not ignite solid Halloween vibes! Let's hope for the best! Konni and Evi's aka Konrad und Eva from Laucha-Burgscheidungen - approx. 30 km west of Leipzig - produce interesting - alledgedly, because I never laid tongue on a wine by them ... obviously - natural wines from Silvaner and some others I really ... anyway, I digress! The Silvaner Spätfüllung (late bottling) from 2021 appears to be a  blend of grapes from old vines in Steigraer Hahnenberge, Wünschetal and Ziegental ... all vineyards speak unimbigous Greek to me. Let's just give it a go with lowest possible speed an see what will happen ...

Lap No 1

Alluring attire: juvenile amber with quite a lot of sparkle and surprisingly no dusty sediment

Conk vibes: are quite intense and spicy; cumin, curcuma, white pepper, perhaps caraway, plenty of orange zest, proper touch of saline, vital smoke, unfortunately some sensations of chewing gum and nice crisp quince … so far quite some subtle nose

Oral pleasure:  state of the art sheer acid attack, almost lush fruity flavours of oranges and quince, strong curcuma, hint of cloves, definitely some ginger, seemingly strong spice from granite and loads of salt and pepper … quite expressive, however totally dominated by the acid

So far a rather nasally pleasure - a quite profound one actually - but I stay most positive, let’s just give it some time …

Lap No 2 (about 23 1/2 hours later)

Conk still with plenty of suspenseful vibes: more cumin, a bit less curcuma and much more ginger incl. peel, a bit more lemon peel and less orange peel - overall a bit more relaxed and even more subtle - not too shabby

Today convincing oral pleasure: still quite snappy, however by far not as acid dominated as the day before - somehow Geuze kinda acid, gentle fruit flavours of oranges, lemons and even more quince, ginger stronger, curcuma a bit more shy, the entire spicy side is a bit more reserved aka integrated - overall amazingly crisp Silvaner packed with character, acid still challenging ... just saying

Happy Halloween Happening Now Tasting: Viñedos del Jorco „El Jorco” 2017, Cebreros

After almost an entire year packed with palatal confrontational therapy – meaning confronting myself with plenty of wines made from grape varieties I am not particularly fond of – today aka tonight is the perfect time to give myself another (confrontational) one. And which grape could be more suitable than my good old palatal arch enemy: Grenache (don't take it all too serious please, but I haven't had all too many enjoyable wines produced from Grenache, even less I was able to "manage" or "handle") … aaanyway, let's hop off all the way to extendet metro Madrid to Cebreros and see what kind of Grenache aka Garnacha I will challenge my tongue this time.

Happy Halloween Happening Right Now Tasting - Cà dei Frati I Frati Lugana 2018

My Halloween “Happening Now Tasting“ tradition is back (at least this year). I guess an introduction for "this" is not really necessary! It is certainly highly famous. And the photo says more than enough … Let's get the job done ...

Happening Now Tasting 35: Weingut Bernhard Ellwanger Roter Riesling Großheppacher Steingrüble 2014, Württemberg

It' about time to continue my hyper "Happening Now Tasting" auchtonotous palatal trip throughout Europe's wine nations (at snail pace I am afraid). Today I’d like to stick to local waters! Germany! Roter Riesling or Red Riesling from Württemberg! Roter Riesling is an ancient mutation of Weisser Riesling (aka the well-known Rhine Riesling). At present there are, or better there are again – because since 2002 it got a little bit more fashionable again, round about 30 ha of Roter Riesling in all German viticultural areas combined. The amphelographic features of this red fellow are mostly identical to the ones of its famous white relative. Well, apart of the colour of the skin. Obviously! The hue does look a bit like the one of Pinot Gris. It is believed that the origins of Roter Rieslings are in the River Rhine valley between Karlsruhe and Worms. Today's one comes from the Remstal in Württemberg. The vines for Weingut Bernhard Ellwanger's Großheppacher Steingrüble Roter Riesling 2014 are round about 5 years old. So, not even a teenager. Let's have our first sip ... 

Happening Now Tasting 34: Sella & Mosca Torbato Terre Bianche Cuvée 161 2014, Alghero

One thing is more than just sure: there are doubtlessly niente problemi to find wines from super scarce, super autochthonous and super great grape varieties in super bella Italia! In combination with the right – well, actually not the best term to use in this case, I guess ;-) – music, this Happening Now Tasting must be a real ripper! Like last year I'd like to pay a visit to bellissima Sardegna. More precise, to Alghero on the north western coast of the island. This area of of Sardinia was, and still is - at least in respect of the local language, influenced by Catalan-Aragonese culture. This certain influence even applies to today's super scarce varity called Torbato. Some wine historians suggest that Torbato,was brought to Sardinia in the middle ages by settlers – or, if you like conquerors - from Aragon. Today just about 50 hectares of Torbato are still alive and kicking, Besides Sardinia it is only cultivated on a few hectares in Côtes du Roussillon area. There it is called Tourbat or Malvoisie du Roussillon. My Torbato was produced by the local wine giant Sella & Mosca. Actually so far the only producer who dedicated itself to the "restoration“ of this old traditional variety. The vines for today's Torbato Terre Bianchi Cuvée 161 2014 were cultivated on highly meagre coastal white limestone and assorted white marine sediments. Well, after all it is called Terre Bianchi. Harvest was between late September and early October 2014. Plenty of skin contact and temperature controlled fermentatio for 20 days in stainless steel (approx. 90%) and used oak barrique barrels (approx. 10%) were the next steps of vinification. The subsequent aging in stainless steel was quite short. Let's have the first sip ... 

Happening Now Tasting 33: La Crotta Di Vegneron Pinot Noir 2013, Vallée d'Aoste

For my thirty-third „Happening Now Tasting“ I have arbitrarily chosen another northern Italian Pinot Noir! Actually, for some inexplicable reasons I only taste Italian Pinots in my trusted Happening Now mode! Anyway, this time I am going for one with a considerable amount of presumed „Joie de vivre“. Hence, it has to come from Vallée d'Aoste. As you can imagine in such a mountainous Alpine terrain like in Aosta there isn't too much space for stuff like viticulture. On a mere (and wildly scattered) surface of approximately 250 hectares French(/Swiss) varieties like Pinot Noir, Gamay, Petite Arvine, Chardonnay and autochtonous Petite Rouge are calling the shots. Today's Pinot Noir 2013 was produced by the cooperative society La Crotta di Vegneron in Chambave. The grapes were cultivated on a wide range of vineyards situated between 450 and 650 meters above sea-level. The predominant type of soil are morainic and loosly sandy solis with medium speep slops. After harvest in the middle of September 2013 the grapes underwent a pre-fermentative cold maceration for 24 hours and were subsequently fermented for approximately 10 days in stainless steel. The aging time, as well in stainless steel, took another 8 months. So I am rather positive to assume: this one will be a crisp, fruitful and easy drinking Pinot!? Well, we'll see! Right now ...

Happening Now Tasting 31: Weingut Stadlmann Zierfandler Anninger 2013, Thermenregion

So far on my "Happening Now Tasting" voyage throughout autochthonous Europe I have been to places like Galliac, Sardegna, Württemberg, Euskadi and a few days ago to beautiful Crete. This time I'd like to make a quick stopover in one of Austria's most diverse viticulure areas called Thermenregion. This Thermenregion (= somthing like thermal baths region, originating from Aquae resp. today's Baden bei Wien) is situated right on the southern outskirts of Vienna. The predominant soil is mosty fine-grained sandy loam and localy substantial layers of limestone. On just about 2100 hectears of land grape varieties like Rotgipfler, Zierfandler, St. Laurent, Pinot Noir, Neuburger, Zweigelt and Portugieser contribute to a wide spectrum of flavours and unique characteristics. One of the masters of those „not so well known“ grape varieties is Johann Stadlmann and his son Bernhard from Weingut Stadlmann in Traiskirchen. My autochthonous choice for today is Stadlmann's crisp entry level Zierfandler Anninger from 2013. Zierfandler might be the auto'-signature grape variety of Thermenregion. On just 85 hectares around Gumpoldskirchen this rich in extract and late ripening natural decendent of Roter Veltliner x something Traminer'sh can show plenty of meaty character and tender aromatics of exotic fruits and spicy lemons. Let's have a look ...

Happening Now Tasting 30: Domaine Zacharioudakis Vidiano 2013, Κρήτη

With the following post I'd like to approach the versatile cosmos of autochthonous Greek grape varieties. Like in my previous hyper-auto' “Happening Now Tasting” posts I need to limit myself to just one "pure" varietal. Unfortunately! This time I found it really difficult to choose One from such a rich "national" bounty. Well, anyway … my selection fell on a varietal with rich body, transfixing creamy taste, a diva-like attitude (in the vineyard - mostly), robust juiciness and of course as originally intended minuscule quantities. A varietal often considered as Greece’s version of Viogner. Its name? Vidiano!? Ohh yeeaass, I admit it! Prior to my challenging choice I have not even heard of it (either) …! Vidiano is grown in small scale (apparently just about 70 hectares) on the island of Crete. Especially around the area of Rethymnon and Heraklion. My Vidiano from 2013 derives from rocky, calciferous as well as sloping highland grounds in the area of the Messara Plain south of Heraklion. It's producer? The locally well known and impressively established (check the website) Domaine Zacharioudakis. The grapes for this Vidiano where organically cultivated and underwent an apparently unusual – at least for wines from Vidiano – five months ageing in French oak barrels. Let's check it out ...

Happening Now Tasting 29: Señorío de Astobiza Astobiza Txakoli 2014, Txakoli de Álava

Wouldn't have thought to be such a resolute dry season'ist! It's been about a fortnight since last drop of wine. Can you believe that?! Well, I can't, ... anyway ... I guess temperatures well in the very upper thirties might have helped a bit with my uncanny determination. But I digress ... as always… today, I'd like to contiune with my exploration of hyper-autochthonous varietals. This time I am going for some rare stuff from Spain. Well, concerning this wine some might disagree, but that is another story! (At least) Today, Hondarribi Zuri and the Basque country are still in the very North of Spain. Hondarribi Zuri – I am rather glad not to have a videoblog cause I have no idea how to pronounce that – is actually The white grape variety of the Spanish Basque Country. It is cultivated on slightly more than 100 ha in the tiny Basque DO's of Txakoli de Álava, Getariako Txakolina and Bizkaiko Txakolin. My Hondarribi Zuri from 2014 comes from Txakoli de Álava. It was produced by the still relativly new, however already very well renowned Señorío de Astobiza winery in the town of Okondo, in the Jandiola area. Enough dryness for today! Still pretty hot and lazy out- and inside! Let's have the first sip ...

Happening Now Tasting 28: Weingut Graf Adelmann Urban trocken 2012, Württemberg

Guys, let me tell you something! As you all – well, probably – know! At the moment I am working off some hyper autochthonous and scarce grape varietal stuff. One, for a start, from each grand wine growing nation. So far I had this Prunelart fellow from Galliac in France and a Sardenian called Nieddera! Today, I'd like to taste a Teutone wine made from an at least equally hyper-autochthonous and rare grape varietal! And now to the telling part! It was quite an unexpected difficult task to detect a varietal which complys with my specific and of course super subjective requirements! Well, for instance there is Blauer Gänsfüßer from Pfalz region. Unfortunately this fellow is also still scarcely resident in Jura under the name Argant. So, not suitable! Another one, this time from Württemberg, could have been highly suitable. The name? Blauer Affenthaler! Unfortunately this stuff is close to impossible to buy. Just a few vines left. Pity! Wines from much better distributed varietals would have been Blauer Silvaner from Franken or Gelber Orleans from Pfalz / Rheingau or even a rather famous and super ancestral varietal called Heunisch. But these would have been kinda boring, far too well known and already rather well covered and most importantly probably far labour-intensive to procure for a lazy guy like me. So, I just popped over to my extended neighbourhood and grabbed a bottle of the even more scarce Urban or Blauer Urban. About a hundert years ago Urban was a pretty wide spread grape varietal in the South-West of Germany, in Northern Italy (probably its origin), in a very few areas of Austria and Hungary. Today, only two wine producers offer pure “monovarietal” wines made from Urban. One of these producers is the well renowned winery of Graf Adelmann in Württemberg region. Enough typing for today! Here we go, let me introduce you Urban ...

Happening Now Tasting 27: Vini Contini Nieddera 2011, Valle del Tirso

Here we go! Today it is time for my second exploration of a hyper-autochthonous grape variety. Last time I presented Galliac’s rusty-raunchy delicacy Prunelart from Domaine Plageoles. This time I’d like to make a quick stroll to Sardinia’s Valle del Tirso to introduce you guys to the “little black one” or Nieddera. Nieddera, a varietal I haven’t heard about till recently, is almost exclusively cultivated in Province of Oristano on the sandy and slightly loamy banks of Sardinia’s longest river Tirso. Today Nieddera is cultivated on no more than approx. 110 ha. Its actual origin isn’t certain at all. Most ampelographic studies assume its origin in Phoenicia or Carthage. But enough of my profund history lesson! Today’s specimen from 2011 was produced by one of Sardinia’s larger producers Contini. Those "little black ones" were fully destemmed, fermented, pressed - obviously - and aged for appox. 12 months in barrique barrels. What do you say?! Let’s shut up and have a sip … hell I am excited!

Happening Now Tasting 26: Domaine Plageoles Le Prunelart 2009, Gaillac

On the “Happening Now Tasting” posts ahead I plan to send my tongue on a voyage of discovery to wine-growing regions with hyper autochthonous and scarcely existing grape varietals. Today I'd like to start with a “test subject” from the South-West of France. In Galliac there is a variety named Prunelart. Prunelart is a small-berry and dark blue variety which is almost extinct. Until the phylloxera crisis Prunelart was one of the most widespread varietals in Galliac. Today only 10 to 12 hectares are still in cultivation in the entire Sud-Ouest. Prunelart shows distinct similarities to Malbec. Genetically (alongside Magdeleine Noire des Charentes the co parent of Malbec) as well as aromatically (I'll taste the possible resemblance soon). The main reason for Prunelart's imminent extiction - besides the effects of phylloxera - might be its capricious nature. Especially Plasmopara viticola and Botrytis cinerea are two of its unfortunate frequent visitors.

Today's “test object” was produced by Bernard Plageoles of Domaine des Tres Cantous (or just Domaine Plageoles). The densely cultivated vines (approx. 5000 vines per hectare) are growing on gravely loamy soils in Galliac region. After fermentation the „Le Prunelart“ 2009 was aged for 12 months in concrete tanks on its lees. Well, let's have a curious look …

Happening Now Tasting 25: Līgatne Vīna Brūkleņu pussaldais vīns, Gauja Latvia

I am not quiet sure how to start this post. I better keep it short and let the tasting note speak for itself. Might be the best way to handle something like that! Just a few facts in advance: First – I never ever had something like that before in my life, which makes me a perfect expert to assess this indeed pretty special stuff; Second: I really don't know what to expect from this stuff, haven't encountered too many cowberry wines so far; Third: the berries for this "wine" from Līgatne Vīna were harvested in the area of the National Park of Gauja, mostly woods and swamps, in central Latvia, were fermented for approx. 12 months and the juice haven't been enriched at all; Fourth: What the hell ... let's see how this stuff is rocking ….

Happening Now Tasting 24: Ca' Di Frara Pinot Nero 2009, Oltrepo Pavese DOC

I am pretty thirsty! Thirsty for something new, something Pinot'y, something not too complicated and surely nothing sophisticated. Believe it or not, I haven't had wine or other booze for almost a fortnight. What a horrible thing to do, right!? Anyway, tonight I'd like to make a short trip to Lombardia in Central North of Italy. Besides the famously sparkling Franciacorta region, and a few other small and not so small viticulture areas, there is a DOC and DOCG (only for fizzy stuff) called Oltrepo Pavese in the Province of Pavia. The main varietals in this region are Barbera, Pinot Nero, Malvasia, Riesling, Cortese, Moscato and plenty of internationalists. And now comes the tough part of this introduction: I am honestly ashamed to admit ... tonight will be my very first Pinot Nero from there! Puhhh, I really did it! Well, let's cut the drama crap and keep it concise! This personal prime experience was produced by the well established Ca' di Frara winery. The grapes for their only still Pinot Nero from 2009 were cultivated on different calcareous and clayey vineyards throughout Oltrepo Pavese. Apparently this one is a stainless steel fermented and aged Pinot … well well well, anyway let's have a try!

Happening Now Tasting 23: Thera Şarapçılık Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2009, Mugla

Herkese selâm! Still incapacitated, still too displeased to write my usual wine blather, however always willing to give offbeat wine potations a try! Today I am willing to provide my palate with another Turkish wine adventure. Not an autochthonous like at various occasions on this blog. This time I am going fully international on it with a classical blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. The offbeat character of this wine might be its origin. Turkish wine from Central and Eastern Anatolya (and perhaps sometimes from the European part of Turkey) might be somehow prominent – at least here and there (and unfortunately most of the time nowhere). Wine from the Aegean mainland coast isn't well known at all. 

In 2006 half way between Izmir and Antalya alongside the Mediterranean coast two German wine enthusiasts from Ahr Valley – Frank Josten and Herrman-Josef Kreuzberg of the fairly respectable Weingut Kreuzberg – started with their local partner Mustafa Al a mostly daring and microscopically tiny project called Thera. 

The grapes for today's blend – 70 % Cabernet Sauvignon and 30 % Merlot – were cultivated in Yerkesik and Yenikoy in Mugla Province on an elevation of 300 to 700 meters above sea-level. The 15 to 18 months aging took place in lightly toasted Allier oak barrels. So … enough input for today. My wrist and tendon sheath is starting to hurt again. What a relief, even in times of incapacitation and pain there are a few positive aspects. I leave it up to you to imagine which ones I mean … anyway let's have a sip before the preventable blather is about to have an unfortunate comeback ….

Happening Now Tasting 22: Azienda Agricola Roberto Voerzio Barolo Brunate 1994, Barolo

Thanks to a semi-nasty, and perhaps mostly imagined, tendonitis, which was induced by my geriatric mouse, I am not as wine post productive as usual. In terms of writing wine none-sens - as if you guys might expect something else from me - I am willing to make a tendon-sacrificing exception. In today's Happening Now Tasting I'd like to devote myself to a well aged Barolo from highly famous Roberto Voerzio. I've been looking forward to this Barolo Brunate from the outstandingly miserable 1994 vintage for quite some time ... well, actually since last week after I spotted this neglected beauty in a local wine shop. Let's have a slup ... hopefully not a veggie one ...

Happening Now Tasting 21: Domaine Gérard Boulay Sancerre Chavignol 2009, Sancerre

My recent „Happening Now Tastings“ haven't been all too blissful! I very much hope today I'll be a little bit more lucky!? This time I am off to Loire region, to the East, more precisely to Sancerre, to Sancerre Rouge … - I am afraid?! At least the producer is highly regarded as one of the grand masters of Sancerre wines - … Sauvignon Blanc wines. His name: Gérard Boulay from the lil' village of Chavignol. This Chavignol is also the very name of today's Pinot Noir. The vines for this Sancerre Rouge were cultivated on limey clay (organic, … - not the clay, of course). The outcome of these village vineyards was fermented for approximately 18 days and aged, without sulfuring … - oh oh, for 16 months in 30 % new barriques. Fining or filtering weren't on the agenda either. Well, forgive me for those irresponsibly confusing … - comments. After writing this introduction am not quite sure were this is heading. I am just a bit afraid this “Happening Now Tasting” might get a little bit “difficult” again. Anyway, let's see how this Sancerre Rouge Chavignol 2009 from Domaine Gérard Boulay is performing …

Happening Now Tasting 20: Domaine de Triennes St. Auguste 2006, VdP du Var

What happens when you combine the aspirations and venture'ism of famous wine personalities like Jacques Seysses from Domaine Dujac and Aubert de Villaine from Domaine de la Romanée-Conti? Well, for instance … today's wine, I suppose! In the late 1980's both gentlemen and their mutual Parisian friend Michel Macaux started the search for new horizons beyond the fair hills of Burgundy. Eventually they found the old Domaine du Logis de Nans in the Var region east of Aix en Provence. The vineyards in this part of Var region are dominated by clay and limestone soils. In 1990 the winery was renovated and renamed to Domaine de Triennes. The new name was chosen to symbolize a reference to the Triennia festival of Bacchus, the Roman god of agriculture and wine, as well as a reference to the three founding members of Triennes.

Today's St. August from 2006 is the flagship wine of the estate. It is a red blend made of Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot (average yield of 30 to 35 hl per ha) which were separately aged for approx. 12 months in used Dujac pièce barrels. Let's have a look into this one ...

Happening Now Tasting 19: Bodegas Insulares Tenerife Viña Norte Blanco 2012, Tacoronte-Acentejo

And another premiere on my lil' blog! Wine from the Canary Islands. More precise from Tenerife. This one isn't my first wine from Tenerife. This very basic entry level white one has been produced from grapes of the classical Fino and Manzanilla varietal Palomino – or be a bit more precise – again, Listan Blanco which is the common name for Palomino on the Canary Islands. These Palomino grapes were cultivated on predominately volcanicsoils of D.O.P. Tacoronte-Acentejo northern solpes. I guess, I haven't had too many dry Palomino wines in my life. So probably another premiere! Not sure about that, though!? Let's keep it concise and crisp (hopefully)... and have a good long slurp!