Seeking to Define Natural Wine

Except for the absence of tie-dye, the second annual Natural Wine Week in San Francisco could have been an event right out of 1967.

Palate Press Wine of the Week: 2008 Domaine Lecomte Quincy Vielle Vignes

Pale straw yellow and aromatic, with a salty, floral nose. On the palate it has brilliant acidity: citrusy, but with pear and basil, too. It tastes like jasmine in full bloom. It offers an herbaceous finish that’s spicy but languorous. It takes its time. Restrained and elegant, this wine poses an Old-world counterpoint to the explosively grassy, lemony Sauvignon blancs found in the New.

2008 Domaine Lecomte Quincy Vielle Vignes – Loire Valley, France

Pale straw yellow and aromatic, with a salty, floral nose. On the palate it has brilliant acidity: citrusy, but with pear and basil, too. It tastes like jasmine in full bloom. It offers an herbaceous finish that’s spicy but languorous. It takes its time. Restrained and elegant, this wine poses an Old-world counterpoint to the [...]

2008 Ranga Ranga Sauvignon Blanc – Marlborough, New Zealand

Clear, medium intensity, golden yellow color. Clean nose, aromatic; grass, green vegetable, asparagus, pea shoots, citrus. Dry wine, medium intensity and body, alcohol is slightly off balance, long finish; lemon and lime, green vegetal. Read more on oe•no•phile.

2008 Denis Jamain Reuilly – France

Clear, medium-pale intensity, golden yellow color. Clean nose, aromatic; grass, grapefruit, unripe cherries, citrus, lime. Dry wine, medium-full body, medium-high acidity, long finish; fresh grapefruit and lemon. Read more on oe•no•phile.

2009 Patricia Green Sauvignon Blanc – Willamette Valley, OR

Clear, pale, gold color with a soft green tinge. Clean nose, medium-light intensity (perhaps it was too cold?); stone fruit, apple, grass, cut hay. Dry wine, medium body, acidity, and finish, waxy mouthfeel as the acidity dissipates; lots of citrus, lime, stone fruit, tart green apple. Read more on oe•no•phile.

2009 Veramonte Sauvignon Blanc Reserva – Casablanca Valley, Chile

Citrus, pineapple, and gooseberry, all with a grassy background, are reminiscent of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc before the Kiwis started filtering everything through the litter box. Flavors are clean, citrus bright, but it is slightly fat, not quite in balance. The gooseberry comes out stronger, tilting into “where’s that darned cat?” as the wine warms up, so serve it while it is still chilled, or keep it cool. Finish is mid-length. Drink with any very fresh white fish, or just with a very hot day.

2008 DeLille Cellars Chaleur Estate Blanc – Columbia Valley, WA

My wife and I were both blown away by this wine—huge nose for a blanc, with all kinds of great elements: grapefruit, lemon, honey, fig, and minerals. It’s buttery, but not oaky, allowing the wine to completely cover the palate, quickly, and not set off any oak alarms. Picked up a few bottles of this at the winery and debating whether or not I should pick up more. This will be a mainstay white in our house, no question. Read more on RJ’s Wine Blog.

Indigenous American Grape Varieties, A Primer

Can American Vitis species produce wines that compare with those made from vinifera on a global stage? If so, will the wine traditionalists ever accept them? While continued research and experimentation with these varieties will hopefully answer these questions, perhaps an educational introduction will get the ball rolling.

2008 Bouké Wines White Table Wine – Long Island, NY

This lovely and impossibly easy to drink white wine is a blend of chardonnay, pinot grigio, sauvignon blanc and gewürztraminer. Stainless steel aged, it exudes tropical fruits, orange blossom, bergamot notes and a hint of honey. All that pairs marvelously with our leafy green salad.

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