WE LOVE SEPTEMBER

 

Yes, getting back to work may be tough. However, despite summer holidays are over, we must have a positive attitude. In fact, September is full of great things. Just think about them for a second. What about the soporific vacation stories and the tedious display of corny photos of sunsets from your dear coworkers? And the return to the thrilling daily routine? And the endlessly long commutes that suck the life out of you? Not to mention the increasingly lousy weather, the skyrocketing school costs, that endless debate over climate change and, particularly, those damned 5 extra pounds there's no way to get rid of!

So, didn't we tell you? September is full of great things! Speaking of which, in Enterwine we've prepared a list of some great wines. Six ridiculously good values to begin the new season in the best way possible.



The first one is a rosé wine from La Rioja, Ramón Bilbao Rosado 2013. The wine is a varietal Grenache quite similar to those old “Claret” Riojas made along the lines of the dark rosés from Bordeaux that were extremely popular in the English market many years ago. Macerated for a period of 4 hours and naturally filtered through gravity, the wine was fermented in stainless steel tanks at a low temperature. It has a clean, bright rosy colour with orange tinges, and on the nose it displays notes of wild berries, apricot and mandarine oranges, along with some touches of spices and jasmine. On the palate the wine is fresh and supple, with lively flavours of citrus, cherries, strawberries, kumquat and white flowers. Great acidity and a long, fruity finish. Perfect with appetizers and seafood.


Now we move to Empordà, a region in northern Catalonia known by some connoisseurs as the “Catalan Toscana” -not least because of the quality of the wines produced there-. Verd Albera 2013 is an irresistible white wine by the Martí Fabra winery made from a wise blend of Chardonnay, White grenache and Muscat. Fermented in stainless steel tanks, the wine was aged on its lees for 6 months. It has a clean, straw yellow colour with lemon tinges, and on the nose it shows delicate aromas of peach, ripe bananas, melon flesh, aromatic herbs and aniseed. The palate is also complex and elegant, with notes of peaches, apricots, lemon jam and grapefruit rind. Distant tropical remembrances, a slightly unctuous texture and a crisp acidity give way to a long finish with some hints of citrus. Beautifully crafted.


And now for something completely different... From Jumilla, Juan Gil 4 Meses 2013 is a young red wine that, vintage after vintage, shows a remarkable consistency of style and quality. Entirely made from old-vines Monastrell (aka Mourvèdre) grown at an altitude of 700 metres above sea level, the wine was fermented in stainless steel tanks and aged in oak barrels for over a period of 4 months. This Monastrell has a medium-low, cherry-coloured robe with a violet rim, and on the nose we find notes of balsam, black fruit and exotic spices. The palate is fresh and yummy, with loads of ripe red fruit, black pepper and liquorice. Ripe tannins go hand in hand with an opulent body and an extremely precise acidity. Long finish with some spicy remembrances. A wine for red meat lovers.


Next is... Another red? -Sorry, no. Instead, we present an out-of-the-ordinary white. Via Nova Godello 2013 is a varietal white wine made from Godello, a recently rediscovered indigenous grape from Galicia that has been hailed by many distinguished wine critics, both in Spain and abroad, as the most promising “new” white grape appeared in decades. This wine comes from a vineyard located in Valdeorras, the cradle of Godello, at an altitude of 700 metres above sea level. The vines are planted on steep, 40% slopes and grow in soils composed of slate. Lemon-coloured with golden tinges, the nose smells of yellow and white fruit, aromatic herbs, wet earth and smoke. The palate is fresh and graceful, with notes of citrus, a tense acidity and some herbal touches. Very expressive, with a medium body and a tremendous acidity that cleans your mouth and leaves you ready for the next sip.


Valdeorras is not only home to great whites, but also to some interesting red wines. Valdesil Valderroa 2013 is a varietal red crafted from Mencía, another long-forgotten local variety that produces full-blown, tense, atlantic reds. This one has a low, clean, ruby-coloured robe with fuchsia tinges and, on the nose, it offers rich aromas of strawberry candies, plums, menthol, undergrowth and liquorice. The wine enters majestically in the mouth, showing a smooth body and notes of wild berry jam, balsam, hints of violets and some spicy sensations. Tannins are ripe and acidity is bright. The aftertaste brings some floral remembrances and leaves a forest-like feeling. Simply great.


The last one is a red wine from Terra Alta, one of Catalonia's most rapidly growing wine regions. Herencia Altés Garnacha Tinta 2013 is a varietal Grenache coming from vines grown in clay limestone soils that have very low levels of organic matter. Handpicked and carefully selected, the grapes were fermented in stainless steel tanks and macerated for over a period of 6 days. Not filtered before its bottling, the wine has a low, ruby-coloured, almost rosy robe with a bright violet rim. The nose begins with hints of red fruit, balsam and black liquorice, but if one has the felicitous idea of moving the glass in a circular motion, those aromas transform into wild berry jam, plum marmalade and some intriguing touches of blue flowers. On the palate, the wine shows predominant notes of ripe cherries and plum jam over a background of balsam and flowers. Mellow tannins, well-balanced acidity and a pleasantly fruity aftertaste. What a surprise!

Six great wines that will help you discover the bright side of September. Enjoy!