Sipping Sample at Sukie’s Wine Shop
Lets start the new year with some champagne or better yet, wine samples! Beginning on January 3rd and every Saturday after that until April, Sukie’s Wine Shop at the Village will be opening three bottles of wine for their customers to sample between 3pm and 5pm. All the featured wines will be in stock and for purchase at Sukie’s Wine Shop.
Sukie’s Wine Shop is located at 4280 Gulf Shore Boulevard North in the Village at Venetian Bay.
For more information, please call (239) 228-5823 or visit sukieswineshop.com
Sukie Recommends
Wine: The Prisoner 2011
Country: United States
Region: California
Appellation: Napa
This is currently my new favorite red. It is a blend of Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Petite Sirah, Grenache and Charbono. The kicker is the Charbono, which was made briefly famous as a single bottling by Inglenook back in the 1970’s. This red offers style and structure with wild berry, cracked pepper and mocha flavors. A “drink me now” wine, it will hold you prisoner, believe me! P.S. this label has just been purchased by Agustin Huneeus, the owner of Quintessa.
Wine: Ponzi Pinot Gris 2011
Country: United States
Region: Oregon
Appellation: Willamette Valley
The pioneering Ponzi family began planting the Pinot Gris grape in 1978, long before any other Oregon or California winery. The juice is fermented in stainless steel tanks to create a crisp, refreshing, lively wine with green apple and lime zest flavors. The balance between fruit and acidity is perfect.
Wine: Montes Cherub Rose of Syrah 2012
Country: Chile
Region: Colchagua Valley
I will never forget the first time I poured this dry rose at one of my wine tastings. I had to beg and cajole my guests to try it. They kept saying, “I don’t drink white zinfandels.” That was five years ago. I now carry over 12 dry roses in my shop, from a variety of different countries. Because of their flavor profile, they are the perfect summer wine – crisp, clean, and refreshing. Montes is one of my favorites (and it’s not just the label). It is produced from Syrah and therefore has good weight, so that it can be enjoyed casually or with burgers and pastas.
Wine: Kim Crawford Spitfire Sauvignon Blanc 2011
Country: New Zealand
Region: Marlborough
Do not mistake this wine for the regular bottling of Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc found on grocery store shelves for $18. Kim Crawford has a small parcels program – small batches of exceptional grapes are used for these wines. Spitfire derives its name from a WWII airbase in Blenheim where Spitfire squadrons were based. This area, sheltered from NZ’s cool southerly winds, allows the grapes to fully ripen, leading to a full-bodied style with tropical fruit flavors. Most NZ Sauvignon Blancs tend to have similar profiles – lots of grapefruit flavors and acidity. You will find this wine to be remarkably different and remarkably good.
Wine: Layer Cake Primitivo 2010
Country: Italy
Region: Puglia
Jason Pahlmeyer makes some of California’s most coveted (and expensive) wines. He decided he wanted to make some affordable wines for everyday consumption and launched his Layer Cake project a few years ago. He named it Layer Cake as a tribute to his grandfather, who said “the wines, if properly made, are like a great layer cake, fruit, mocha, chocolate, and hints of spice – and rich, always rich.” Jason produces five different varietals from four different countries under this label. DNA analysis shows Primitivo is genetically identical to Zinfandel. At last California’s beloved Zinfandel has heritage. I love this wine – it is soft and supple but still has the black cherry fruit and spicy kick you expect from a Zin.
Wine: Three Saints Pinot Noir 2009
Country: United States
Region: California
Appellation: Santa Barbara
This small production Pinot is produced from selected grapes from three Santa Barbara AVAs: Santa Maria, Santa Rita, and Santa Ynez. Hence the name. This is a very fruit forward Pinot, with currant, raspberry and ripe cherry flavors. It is a wine crafted for immediate consumption, meaning it won’t get any better than it is now. There is also a terrific Cabernet made under this label, which is a second label of sorts for Dierberg Vineyards, known for their upscale Pinot Noirs and Cabernets.
Wine: Yangarra Old Vine Grenache 2007
Country: Australia
Region: McLaren Vale
Yangarra is an aboriginal word for “from the earth.” This winery focuses on natural viticulture, with minimal intervention. In other words, it lets the earth do the talking. The gnarly vines on which these Grenache grapes are grown are 55 years old, lending complexity and body to a grape that at times produce a wimpy wine. When customers ask me to describe a Grenache, I liken it to a Pinot Noir, but with more depth and darker fruit. That is what you will find in this wine – finesse and power and lots of drinking pleasure.
Wine: Cono Sur Vision Sauvignon Blanc 2011
Country: Chile
Region: Casablanca Valley
You have probably seen some regular bottlings of Cono Sur wines on your grocery store shelves priced around $10. Their “Vision” portfolio focuses on creating superior wines from plots personally chosen by their winemaker for their unique terroir and microclimates. This refreshing white has lemon verbena and peach flavors, great acidity and a lovely, long finish. A lot of wine for a reasonable price.
Wine: Discoveries Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2011
Country: United States
Region: California
It is pretty much a given that to enjoy a quality California Cab you are going to have to reach fairly deep into your wallet. So it’s always a challenge for me to find a cabernet that is sweetly priced to pour as the house Cab in my restaurants. I have featured at least ten house Cabernets over the last 30 years, and the Firestone is by far the best. I shouldn’t be surprised – Firestone Vineyard, on the brink of closing, was acquired by Bill Foley, a maestro when it comes to resurrecting wineries and reestablishing their credibility. This wine, 76% Cab, 9% Cab Franc, 8% Syrah and 7% Petite Sirah, is soft and fruity, but has depth and weight, and actually tastes like a Cabernet, unlike other inexpensive, generic California Cabs.
Wine: Laetitia Estate Pinot Noir 2011
Country: United States
Region: California
Appellation: Arroyo Grande Valley
Laetitia used to make two “regular” bottling of Pinot Noir – one, produced from purchased juice, was strictly for restaurants, the other, made from estate fruit, for retail. Two years ago they decided to drop the restaurant brand and stick with the estate bottling. A wise decision, as the estate Pinot was far superior. And they lowered the price on this wine, another wise decision. I carry over 75 pinots – this is my top seller. The quality-value ratio is high on the Richter scale. Talley Vineyards established Arroyo Grande as a legitimate source for great Pinot Noirs – Laetitia is riding on their coattails.
Wine: Andre Brunel Cuvee Sommelongue Cotes du Rhone 2009
Country: France
Region: Rhone Valley
These days it’s hard to find a good French red that is reasonably priced, but this wine from highly respected producer Andre Brunel fits the bill. The blend is predominately Grenache with a bit of Syrah and Mourvedre. The grapes come from a small parcel contiguous to Chateauneuf du Pape vineyards. The juice is fermented in stainless steel tanks – there is no oak influence. The result is a supple, fresh, fruity wine that is enticing in its youth. Only 1,300 cases produced.
Wine: Benvolio Pinot Grigio 2011
Country: Italy
Region: Friuli
Italian Pinot Grigios have improved dramatically. There was a time that I wouldn’t think of drinking one – I found them to be thin and weak, with no substance. Now producers like Elena Walch and Villa Russiz are producing stellar Pinot Grigios, at price points that would have shocked consumers five years ago. The Benvolio is my pick for a very good one at a “fits into my budget for everyday drinking” price. It is dry and medium-bodied, with some minerality, nice acidity and flavors of lemon and pear.
Wine: Pascual Toso Malbec 2010
Country: Argentina
Region: Mendoza
One recent day I walked into my shop and was approached by a massive man (he could easily qualify as a Steeler’s linebacker). As we spoke I found his personality and passion for wine matched his physical profile. I am speaking of Enrique Toso, producer of some of Argentina’s finest reds. I have been a staunch fan of his value priced Malbec for years, featuring it in the wine shop as well as a perennial restaurant wine by the glass selection. Malbec was traditionally a grape produced in France’s Bordeaux region and blended with other grapes like Cabernet. Argentina has developed a reputation for producing wonderful 100% Malbecs. This wine is full-bodied and hearty, but without the monsters tannins found in Cabernets and Syrahs.
Wine: Mount Nelson Sauvignon Blanc 2011
Country: New Zealand
Region: Marlborough
The Mount Nelson property, in the Wairau Valley of New Zealand’s Marlborough region, was purchased in 2003 by the Antinori brothers, producers of Italy’s illustrious Ornellaia. This wine mirrors some of the traditional traits one expects from NZ Sauvignon Blancs – crisp acidity, natural exuberance and what I refer to as “raciness” – while displaying restraint and elegance. It is the perfect wine to sip by the pool or at a barbecue, but also matches well with shellfish and sauteed fish.
Wine: Borsao Tres Picos Garnacha 2011
Country: Spain
Region: Campo de Borja
A quick geography lesson: Spain has 17 autonomous regions, all of which are now producing wine. 20 years ago Rioja, Ribera del Duero and Andalusia were the only regions exporting wine to the US. Now we are seeing wines from Galicia, Priorat, Jumilla and on and on. This wine comes from a very small region, Campo de Borja, east of Rioja and south of Navarra. Deep and sweet, this Garnacha (aka Grenache) has ripe red fruit flavors, with great mouthfeel and a long, silky finish. Due to its subdued tannins, it can be enjoyed without food, or matched with grilled fish or a big, juicy burger.
Wine: Ringbolt Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Country: Australia
Region: Margaret River
When you mention Australian Cabernet, most wine consumers immediately think of the expensive, full-blown, high alcohol Cabs from Barossa Valley. However, cooler growing regions like Margaret River, Coonawara and Padthaway are also producing quality wines at a comfortable price level. A few years back I had an Aussie wine manager, James Alexander, who extolled the virtues of Margaret River wines. He, like me, prefers elegance and finesse to power and muscle when it comes to red wines. He talked me into carrying Ringbolt Cabernet, and it is now a staple in my shop. Customers ask, how can a $16.50 Cabernet be as good as you say it is? I have a stock reply – buy it and that will answer your question.
