The year 2021 is upon us, and while the icy winds from the north make us feel like bringing out fresh white and sparkling wines and champagne, we have some other recommendations for wines to enjoy during these months of cool to low temperatures.
If we take into account that full-bodied wines should be served at a maximum of 65 degrees, then we must take advantage and taste wines that do not require too much cooling to drink. Such is the case of Chardonnays, more specifically, wines that have matured five to seven years in the bottle.
Be it the oaky Chardonnay from California or the elegant less oaky but highly complex Burgundy whites also made with the Chardonnay grape, some labels that stand out are Mersault, Puligny-Montrachet, Le Montrachet, Chablis Grand Cru, and more. Wines aged in the cask from 2012 to 2016 will be ready for consumption in 2021. Also, the fine and complex German Rieslings from high-quality wineries such as Von Winning, Joh Jos Prüm and Robert Weil from 2016 and 2017 are ideal right now.
And let’s not forget the delicious and complex French white wines made with Sauvignon Blanc grapes from the Sancerre region that start to become interesting from the fifth year of their harvest. All these white wines are served between 50 and 55 degrees.
However, this climate is ideal for the world of red wines, everything from Pinot Noir to Spanish Tempranillos, Merlot, Zinfandel, Italian Sangiovese, and Syrah to multi-grape blended wines. What you must remember is to enjoy them between 60 and 65 degrees.
WHITES:
• Demessey Rully 1er Cru, Chapitre, 2014, Cote Chalonnaise, Borgoña, France $998.00
• Paveil De Luze Blanc, 2012, Margaux, Burdeos, France $984.00
RED:
• IL Molino di Grace, IL Volano, 2014, Toscana, IGT, Italy $279.00
• Valdubon, Reserva, 2015, Ribera del Duero DO, Spain $528.00
• Solar Viejo, Reserva, Rioja DOC, Spain $424.00
• Varvaglione, Primitivo di Manduria, Papale, 2015, Puglia, DOC, Italy $462.00
