Recommended Late-Summer Sippers <$25

Earlier this summer, I posted some recommendations for summer sipping wines from my personal collection. Well, since it's Labor Day and summer is winding down, here's one last bunch of wine recommendations.
All of these wines came from my personal collection.

In the summer, I love seeking out inexpensive but exciting wines that I can pop without thinking, pour for friends and family at gatherings. I look for wines that are delicious but also capable of tossing a cup into the pan of veggies I'm sautéing without worry.

All of these wines fit the bill.  

2016 Matthiasson Rosé - USA, California, Napa Valley
$25
Pale copper color. Aromas of nettle, dandelion, crushed shells, wild strawberry, raspberry leaf, watermelon – I love this stuff. Crisp and light but packed with flavors of strawberry, white cherry, raspberry, mixed well with chalk dust, white pepper, saline, crushed shells, mint, some arugula and bell pepper notes, but they don’t dominate. Long, zesty, spicy finish. A perennial favorite of mine, and 2016 comes through. (91 points) 

2017 Cape Original Chenin Blanc - South Africa, Western Cape

$8
Pale lemon color. Aromas of white and yellow flowers, dandelion, chalk dust and white tea on top of lemon and orange. Crisp and zesty, super brisk but not light on flavor. Lemons, white peaches, mixes with chalk, saline, honey and oyster shell notes. Light and refreshing but so delicious, and this is a stellar deal at $8. South Africa delivers in that category yet again. (87 points) 

2016 Cephalonia Cooperative Robola of Cephalonia - Greece
$12
Pale straw color. Super zesty aromatic white wine with baby’s breath, dandelion, lilies, lemons, limes and oranges. Zesty and bright on the palate but surprising, pleasant creaminess. Lemon, nectarine, some white peach, juicy and fresh and mixed with floral perfume, cucumber water and sea salt notes. A lovely, fresh, crowd-pleasing summer white wine. (87 points) 

2015 Louis Latour Montagny 1er Cru La Grande Roche - France, Burgundy, Côte Chalonnaise, Montagny 1er Cru
$18
Medium yellow color. A juicy yellow apple mixes with baked pear, some honey, cinnamon, some white flowers, lovely stuff. Pretty texture, a pleasantly creamy/waxy element, with fresh acidity. Plump apple and pear fruit is delicious, and mixed nicely with nougat, cinnamon and honeybutter along with white flowers and a slight flinty/chalky note. So much  Chard for less than $20. (88 points) 

2014 Béres Furmint Tokaji Száraz-Dry - Hungary, Tokaji 

$18
Light gold color. Aromas of lemons, white peaches, white flowers, impressive chalky, limestone, quinine and mineral notes. Brisk acidity on the palate but plump fruit (lemon, white peach, apricot), but there’s a lovely salinity and chalk dustiness to it, and I love it. Some honeyed tea, mint, quinine and nettle notes. Lovely stuff, very pretty with simple sautéed veggies and penne. (89 points) 

2014 Philippe Jouan Bourgogne Passetoutgrains - France, Burgundy, Bourgogne Passetoutgrains
$20
Loved this stuff on a warm summer evening. Deep rose petal color. Nose shows roses, rhubarb, sour cherries, wild raspberry. Dusty, light tannins, crisp acidity, vibrant and fresh, with chilled raspberries, red apples and bright cherries. Notes of rose petal, rhubarb, spiced tea, tobacco. Lovely stuff, slightly chilled, on a hot day with some grilled veggies. Pinot Noir and Gamay, this is a serious contender for hot weather red of the year. (88 points)

Wine Reviews: Summer Samples from Around the Globe

I’m back with another grab bag of wines from all over the world.

I was really surprised by three Greek white wines from Domaine Papagiannakos. Made from the Savatiano grape, traditionally used for the production of Restina, these are dry, zesty, complex white wines with unique flavor profiles.

There are some tasty, inexpensive rosés, and some delicious and value-driven wines from New Zealand.

These wines were received as trade samples and tasted sighted.

2017 Lekker Rosé - South Africa, Western Cape
SRP: $17
Pale watermelon color. Tart and spicy aromas of strawberries, white cherry, raspberry leaf, nettle. Light-bodied (11.5%), really zippy and easily gluggable, with white cherry, red apple and tart strawberry notes. Lots of dandelion, nettle, white pepper. Fun, zesty stuff. A blend of Grenache and Merlot. A collaboration between winemaker Nico Grobler of Eikendal Vineyards and La Brune Wines in South Africa, and a firm called Wine Awesomeness. (85 points)

2016 Nik. Weis Selection Urban Riesling - Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer
SRP: $15
Pale lemon color. Classic nose of limes, white peaches, also some honey and yellow flowers. Juicy and ripe on the palate but this boasts zippy acidity on a light frame (9.5% alcohol). White peaches, guava, limes, mixed with notes of honeyed tea, slight mineral and river rocks. Delicious, classic, not super deep or complex, but a solid Mosel introduction for the price. (86 points)

2016 Les Domaines Paul Mas Cote Mas Rosé Aurore - France, Languedoc Roussillon, Vin de Pays d'Oc
SRP: $11/1L
Pale watermelon color. Smells like rose hips, watermelon rind, white tea, some honey and clove, too. Plump but fresh with a bright and fun personality, vibrant and fruity with strawberries and white cherries. A nice kick of white pepper, nettle and cut flower stems. Solid one-liter buy that should be a hit at parties. 50% Grenache, 30% Cinsault, 20% Syrah. (86 points)

N.V. Cote Mas Crémant de Limoux Brut Rosé - France, Languedoc Roussillon, Languedoc, Crémant de Limoux
SRP: $15
Light copper color. Bright aromas of strawberries, watermelon, quince, some freshly baked biscuits. Tart and a bit lean in body but bright acidity, fine bubbles, lots of fresh red fruits (cherries, strawberry, apple), along with some seashell and baby’s breath, hints of biscuits. Not too complex but put together very well, and quite delicious. Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc and Pinot Noir. (87 points)

2013 La Pinot Pinot Noir - California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands
SRP: $19
Pale ruby color. Nose of raspberries, red cherries, rhubarb and cherry fountain cola. Medium-bodied, light tannins, fresh acidity, framed well with candied but lighter-styled red fruits (wild raspberry, red cherries). Notes of white pepper, rhubarb, sweet cola, rose hips. Fresh and lively but lots of ripe fruit. Uncomplicated but fun. (86 points)

2016 Catalina Sounds Sauvignon Blanc - New Zealand, South Island, Marlborough
SRP: $16
Pale straw color. Aromas of sea salt, lime, apricot, sliced salsa peppers and white pepper. Bright and zesty on the palate with slight waxy texture but so tangy. Apricot, peach, lime, sliced bell peppers, sea salt, lemon zest. Classic profile, shows significant complexity for the price. (87 points)

2016 Crowded House Sauvignon Blanc - New Zealand, South Island, Marlborough
SRP: $13
Pale straw. A burst of lemongrass, summer rain on a green field, white peaches, lemon zest and nettle. Medium-bodied with refreshing acidity, this is full of kumquat, lime, white peach, juicy but tart. Notes of saline, shells, the greens are nuanced, not too overt, with nettle and lemon verbena. Textbook, but a lot of depth with a super zesty finish and some minerals and honey. So good for the money. (88 points)

2015 Catalina Sounds Pinot Noir - New Zealand, South Island, Marlborough
SRP: $19
Medium ruby color. Juicy black cherries, raspberries, cola, violet petals, cinnamon and clove. Medium-bodied, silk texture, soft tannins, medium acidity, bright cherries and red plums. Some roses, cola, clove. Soft, easy style, delicious, shows some solid complexity. Aged 10 months in 20% new French oak. (88 points)

2016 Nanny Goat Pinot Noir - New Zealand, South Island, Otago, Central Otago
SRP: $23
Light ruby colored. Nose of candied red cherries, strawberries, spiced cranberry sauce, some roses. Silky and tangy acidity with light tannins. Fun, juicy, ripe red cherries, strawberry jam. Notes of cocoa, rose petals, rhubarb. Easy-drinking style with wide-ranging appeal. This wine sees 15% new oak for eight months. (87 points)

2015 Domaine Papagiannakos Savatiano - Greece, Attica, Markopoulo
SRP: $17
Medium yellow color. Aromas of sea salt, shells, honeyed tea, apricot and lemon curd. Lively and bright but rich textural elements, wonderful balance with this lemon curd, apricot and orange marmalades. I love the beautiful contrast between chalky, oceanic, mineral notes with these white pepper and spice elements, and the fruit is so delicious. 12.5% alcohol. (88 points)

2016 Domaine Papagiannakos Savatiano - Greece, Attica, Markopoulo
SRP: $17
Medium yellow color. Bright and zesty aromas with lots of floral complexity, crushed chalk, with a core of lemon zest and guava. Plush texture but medium-bodied (12.5%), fresh acidity. Delicious tropical fruits play off of lime and lemon zesty. Chalky minerals and honeycomb/spiced tea elements are beautiful together, and I love the depth and complexity of this wine, all while being super easy to sip. (89 points)

Greek orange wine? Yes, please!

2013 Domaine Papagiannakos Savatiano Vareli Skin Contact - Greece, Attica, Markopoulo
SRP: $23
Rich gold color. Aromas of almond, beeswax, white tea, chalky notes, oyster shell, all on top of apricot and lemon curd. Rich, waxy textural dynamic but only 12%, so it’s light/medium-bodied, and this brisk acidity throughout makes for fascinating balance. Apricot, orange marmalade, lemon curd, along with almond, sea salt, honeyed tea. Lots of depth and nerdy orange wine complexity, but this is such a balanced and straight delicious wine as well. Love it. (90 points)

<85 points
2016 Jean-Claude Mas Arrogant Frog Lily Pad Pink Rosé - France, Languedoc Roussillon, Vin de Pays d'Oc
SRP: $
Light watermelon color. Red and white flowers on the nose along with under-ripe strawberries, sweet roses and honeysuckle. Zesty and bracing, a bit sharp with white cherries, red apple peel and under-ripe strawberry tips. Leafy, white pepper notes. Fun but not the most balanced rose. 100% Syrah.

This post first appeared on the daily wine blog Terroirist.

Greek Wines: Surprisingly Delicious and Affordable

This post first appeared on the daily wine blog Terroirist.

Okay, I don’t have a ton of experience tasting Greek wine. There are a couple reasons for this: I haven’t visited the country; the labels are confusing and plastered with words I can’t pronounce; and I don’t come across many Greek bottles here in the States.

But I’ve been missing out.

I recently tasted through six Greek wines and found lots to like. I’m especially intrigued by the unique flavor profiles and food-friendly approach of wines made from the indigenous red grape, Agiorgitiko. For my palate, the wines from Claudia Papayianni stole the show, especially the Viognier-Assyrtiko blend, which would be killer with all sorts of seafood.

These Greek selections come from Stellar Imports, and they were received as trade samples and tasted sighted.

2013 Claudia Papayianni Viognier/Assyrtiko - Greece, Macedonia, Chalkidiki
SRP: $25
Light gold color. Hugely aromatic, popping with lime, lemon and grapefruit zest, mix in some lemon oil, honey and wildflowers. Zesty and tangy on the palate, with mouth-tingling acid, but also some richness to the body. Lime and lemon mixes with white peach and apricot fruit. Laced with dandelion, white tea and margarita with salt. Some interesting pith, wax and nutty elements that evolve with air. Not your average hot weather quaffer, this is complex and possibly has more to show in the cellar. I’m quite surprised by how damn fine I find this wine. A 50/50 blend of Viognier and Assyrtiko that harnesses the best of both varieties in a bright but tropical mix. (90 points)

2014 Palivou Estate Vissino Rosé - Greece, Peloponnisos, Nemea
SRP: $17
Vibrant light ruby color. Smells like candied apple, strawberry jam, mixed with roses and rhubarb. Palate shows moderate acid on a medium-bodied frame. Red apple peel, grapefruit and wild strawberry mixed together, the wine also has an airy sense of hay, wildflowers and sea breeze. White pepper spice and sea salt notes linger on the finish. A crisp, fun, delightful blend of 90% Agiorgitiko, 10% Syrah. (86 points)

2013 Nasiakos Agiorgitiko - Greece, Peloponnisos, Nemea
SRP: $17
Bright red cherries and currants on the nose with roses and smoke, a Beaujolais-like element of granite and violets. Fresh and bright, a medium-bodied wine with some balanced acid. Juicy red cherry and currant fruit, even some fresh watermelon flavors, along with hints of red licorice, cinnamon and light roast coffee, which add a slight level of complexity. A drink-me-know approach, this begs for a sunny bistro and some tapas. (85 points)

2011 Nasiakos Agiorgitiko - Greece, Peloponnisos, Nemea
SRP: $19
Deep ruby color. Black and red cherries and some currants on the nose, along with smoke, rose hips and smashed rocks. Palate shows lots of vibrant acidity, smoothing out the dusty tannic structure and making the wine bright and easy to drink. Flavors of currants, cherries and berries, red and black equally divided. A very zesty wine with notes of balsamic, green olive and black pepper glaze. Interesting smoke, cedar and hazelnut notes on the finish. (86 points)

2012 Palivou Estate Single Vineyard Selection - Greece, Peloponnisos, Nemea
SRP: $25
Medium ruby color. I get aromas of cherries, but kind of like they’ve been left out in the sun a bit, along with some red currant jam, violets and roses. With time, some pretty loamy and rocky aromas come out. On the palate, fine tannins and refreshing acidity, a clean and fresh wine but some moderate structure. Bright red cherries and raspberry fruits are matched with notes of hazelnut, cedar and vanilla. Accents of granite and dusty soil linger on the finish. Drink in the near term. Made from Agiorgitiko. (87 points)

2008 Claudia Papayianni Chalkidiki - Greece, Macedonia, Chalkidiki
SRP: $25
Medium ruby color. These aromas are interesting things: wild raspberries and strawberries (throw the leaves in, too), notes of pickle, white pepper and roses, some underlying mushroom and tobacco. High acid on the palate, the tannins have been toned down a bit but still sport a fine-dusty structure. The acid tears across this wine, cutting through the tart wild red berries. I like the complex notes of tobacco, oregano, garlic and white pepper. I also get a sense of wet earth, moss and downed trees from this wine, a damp forest of goodness. A nerdy, interesting, but ultimately food-friendly wine that make a great ringer in a blind tasting. Not a ton of structure for long cellaring, but it is drinking just fine right now. 50% Xinomavro, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Syrah. (89 points)

Guest Post: A Wine and Food Tour of Santorini

This is a guest post from Winerist, a travel website dedicated to bringing unique and unforgettable experiences to food and wine enthusiasts worldwide. From staying with winemakers in California to cycling through the vineyards of Chile, Winerist believes that wine and food travel can be simple.

It’s often argued that Santorini is home to Greece’s best wines. Perhaps, we think it’s your duty as a wine traveler to head straight to Santorini and settle this debate.

With so much to do and see, we’ve narrowed down some of our favorite tours and hotels to help you along the way. And whether you agree or not, one thing’s for sure: Santorini is Greece’s little gem — a beautiful paradise for wine travelers.

 

Santorini Panorama and Wine-Tasting Tour
This tour begins with a stop off at Santorini’s famous volcanic caldera where you will receive an introduction to the history and unique scenery before heading to the famous Black Beach. You will then make your way to a traditional winery to learn about winemaking and sample wines as well as delicious, local appetizers. Finally, the day will end with a scenic drive to the highest point in Santorini where you can marvel at the breathtaking views surrounding you.

Cooking and Tasting Experience
So you’ve sampled the wine and food on offer in Santorini, but how about trying your hand at preparing your own Santorinian feast? You will master popular Greek dishes with the help of a local chef, using fresh, local ingredients. Discover the best techniques to bring out the most intense flavors before finishing the day off by enjoying your food with a glass of wine.

Vedema Resort
Built around a 400-year-old wine cellar, Vedema Resort is the perfect destination for Santorini’s wine tourists. Surrounded by vineyards and luscious views, this luxury hotel presents the treasures of the Mediterranean. In this beautiful villa you’ll experience a real slice of the relaxed philosophy that captivates Santorini.

Loizos Stylish Residences
Everything about the Loizos Apartments screams luxury, style and comfort. Located in Fira, Santorini’s beautiful capital, the hotel offers luxurious accommodation with stunning views of the island’s caldera. This hotel caters to its guests, so if you need advice on where to go, what to see or where to eat, the friendly staff will be happy to help.

Astrea House
If you’re planning on travelling with a large group of friends of family, this is the hotel for you. Astrea House is a beautiful villa in Fira overlooking the impressive caldera and the inviting Aegean Sea. It sleeps up to 8 people and is the perfect, authentic accommodation for wine travelers looking for a villa close to the island’s action complete with captivating views. 

Planning a trip to Santorini? Check out our Expert Travel Guide for more information.