Pikes Wines
Hills & Valleys
Riesling
Clare Valley, Australia
NECTAR WINE STYLE
Brilliant pale green with a fresh, vibrant nose displaying aromas of lemon, granny smith apple and some perfume and floral notes. Pikes’ Hills & Valley Riesling is fresh and crisp with a palate full of lemon, lime and apple flavors. The wine has a touch of sweetness balanced with nice acidity providing both length and structure to the soft finish.
Varietal: 100% Riesling
Appellation: Clare Valley, Australia
Analysis: 10.5% alcohol / volume
Residual Sugar: 11.9 g/L
TA: 7.9 g/L
pH: 3.1
Vineyard Name: Pike’s
Estate owned by: Andrew Pike and Neil Pike
Winemaker: Neil Pike
Total acreage under vine: 200
Estate Founded: 1984
Food Pairing: Great with Indian food or anything with a hint of spice.
WINERY’S NOTES:
Pikes’ Hills & Valleys Riesling is made from premium Riesling fruit sourced from growers and estate vineyards. This wine is made with immediate enjoyment in mind – although 4-6 years in the cellar won’t do it any harm at all.
ABOUT THE WINERY:
The Pike family has been crafting beverages in South Australia since 1886, starting with beer, followed by soft drinks in the 1940s, and wine in 1985. Located in the Clare Valley, their Polish Hill River Estate spans 100 hectares of rolling vineyards. Founded by Andrew and Cathy Pike with Andrew’s brother Neil, Pikes Wines grew into a true family business. After a long career in wine, Andrew joined full-time in 1998, with Cathy contributing across events, promotions, and cellar door. Their three sons have since joined the team in brewing, sales, and marketing. Pikes is dedicated to sustainable vineyard practices and producing wines that reflect their variety, site, vintage, and passion. Learn more about the winery here.
Information & Photos © Pikes Wines and Winebow Inc. – All Rights Reserved.
Il Tramonto
Limoncello Spritz
Wine Cocktail
Italy
NECTAR WINE STYLE
Il Tramonto Limoncello Spritz bursts with vibrant aromas of fresh lemon peel, bringing to mind sun-drenched citrus groves. On the palate, the signature Il Tramonto Limoncello offers a smooth, natural sweetness that’s perfectly balanced by the bright effervescence of premium Italian sparkling wine. The finish is clean and refreshing, with lingering citrus notes and a crisp, lively sparkle. It’s crisp and refreshing, simply pour over ice and enjoy!
Varietal: 100% Riesling
Analysis: 13.5% alcohol / volume
WINERY’S NOTES:
Crafted with the all-natural essence of lemon peel from the signature Il Tramonto Limoncello recipe and blended with premium Italian sparkling wine, this Limoncello Spritz brings the refreshing taste of an authentic, homemade spritz to your glass.
ABOUT THE WINERY:
Il Tramonto translates to “sunset” in Italian, and each bottle is produced to take your tastebuds on a trip to the charming, and warm villages of Italy. With deep roots in the tastes and traditions of Italy, each expression is based on centuries-old family recipes made with only the finest quality ingredients possible. Learn more about the winery here.
Information & Photos © Il Tramonto and Prestige Beverage Group – All Rights Reserved.
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July Sweet Club: Iowa
Dr. H. Thanisch
Bernkasteler Badstube
Kabinett Riesling
Mosel, Germany
NECTAR WINE STYLE
The wine shows a pronounced bouquet of very ripe red and yellow fruits with exotic and slightly spicy notes with well-integrated acidity. The slatey minerality so typical of the Mosel adds further complexity.
Varietal: 100% Riesling
Analysis: 9% alcohol / volume
Residual Sugar: 36 g/L
TA: 7.6 g/L
Quality level: Kabinett
Food Pairing: Matches delicate foods excellently, or try with veal, shellfish, roasted poultry or fish
TERROIR:
The Dr. H. Thanisch estate (the heirs Müller-Burggraef) includes over 12 hectares (over 30 acres) of the best sites in the middle Mosel valley. Black & blue slate is the predominant structure of this steep Bernkastel hillside, sloping down to the Mosel river. The terroir is reflected in the wine with its flinty minerality, a lively and refreshing Riesling with racy and stable acidity and an extraordinary potential for maturing over many years. Ripe & healthy grapes are selected from the Badstube vineyards for this wine, fermented naturally with no chaptalization.
ABOUT THE WINERY:
The wine-growing tradition of the Dr. Hugo Thanisch family can be traced back more than 350 years. In 1636, the name was mentioned for the first time in the registers of Bernkastel-Kues. The quality of the family’s wines soon extended their excellent reputation far beyond the Mosel valley. At the end of the 18th Century, the Thanisch’s acquired the Berncasteler Doctor vineyard, a very steep site with deep devon slate structure, situated behind and overlooking the rooftops of the quaint old town of Bernkastel. The Doctor name originates in a legend about Prince Boemond II of Trier who fell sick and then was cured by a wine from this vineyard. Medicinal powers of fine wines are today being re-discovered. Without a doubt, the Doctor Vineyard is the most valuable and most famous German site. Learn more about the winery here.
Information & Photos © Dr. H. Thanisch Winery – All Rights Reserved.
Love the Sweet Life?
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June Sweet Club: Iowa
Bartenura
Sparkling Moscato
Italy
NECTAR WINE STYLE
This delightful sparkling Moscato is sweet and balanced like perfectly ripe fruit. Persistent mousse of fine bubbles over a light straw color with aromas of bursting grapes, juicy peaches, honeysuckle and a hint of yeast. On the palate, this wine is refreshingly balanced with notes of apple, honey, melons and tropical fruits.
Varietal: Moscato
ABOUT THE WINERY:
Bartenura is an international wine brand renowned for its iconic blue bottle Moscato and a diverse portfolio of Italian wines. Since its introduction, Bartenura has become a prominent name in the wine industry, recognized as one of the most successful kosher Italian wine brands globally. Its offerings include a variety of wines such as sparkling Moscato, semi-sweet red wines, and innovative products. Learn more here.
Recipe Recommendation:
Sparkling Moscato Sangria:
Ingredients:
- 4 ½ oz Bartenura Sparkling Moscato
- ½ oz vodka (optional)
- ½ oz dill infused simple syrup
- ½ oz orange juice
- fresh strawberries
- green seedless grapes
- lemon wheel
DIRECTIONS:
- Combine the vodka, dill simple syrup, and orange juice, add the fruit and let it rest for at least 2 hours in refrigerator.
- Just before serving, add well chilled Bartenura Sparkling Moscato.
- Serve in a chilled wine glass.
Information & Photos © Bartenura – All Rights Reserved.
Pacific Rim & Co.
Riesling
Columbia Valley, Washington
NECTAR WINE STYLE
Flavors of apricot and jasmine with a balanced crispness and sugar level. A bouquet of jasmine, pear and apple.
Varietal: 100% Riesling
Analysis: 11.5% alcohol / volume
Total Acidity: 6.8 g/L
Residual Sugar: 25.2 g/L
Appellation: Columbia Valley, Washington
Pairing Recommendations: Perfect with spicy Thai and Mexican dishes, even rich cuisines like French and German.
Critical Acclaim:
- BestBuy – Wine Enthusiast (2022)
- 90 pts – Wine Enthusiast (2021)
- BestBuy – Wine Enthusiast (2012)
- BestBuy – Wine Enthusiast (2011)
- 90 pts – Wine Enthusiast (2010)
Production Technique:
Grapes are picked early (21-22.5 Brix), fermented at cold temperatures for 30 days, and then aged in stainless steel tanks. Fermentation is stopped at 2% residual sugar to retain as much freshness and fruitiness as possible. A slight lift of natural carbon dioxide in the wine creates a lively aroma.
ABOUT THE WINERY:
First released by Randall Grahm of Bonny Doon Vineyard in 1992, Pacific Rim Dry Riesling quickly gained a loyal following among Riesling lovers. Known for its fresh and bright characteristics, the wine was a welcome alternative to over-oaked, one-dimensional white wines. As the American palate evolved in recent years toward wines with greater complexity and crisper acidity, the popularity of Pacific Rim Dry Riesling grew. Demand and enthusiasm for Pacific Rim Dry Riesling continued to gain momentum — and the excitement around the wine inspired a radical idea… creating a winery exclusively dedicated to Riesling. In August of 2006, a small band of Bonny Doon expats moved to the Northwest from California with a common desire to craft the best Riesling in America… thus, Pacific Rim became its own winery. Learn more about the winery here.
Recipe Recommendation:
(It’s a battle of the Sangrias!)
White Summer Sangria
Ingredients:
- 1 green apple, cored and chopped
- 1 orange, sliced, then cut into quarters
- 1 lime, sliced
- 1 peach, sliced
- ½ cup raspberries or cut strawberries
- ½ cup orange juice
- ½ cup triple sec or brand,
- 1 (750 ml) bottle of Pacific Rim Riesling wine
- Mint for garnish (optional)
Directions:
- Place all fruit in a large pitcher. Add wine, orange juice, and triple sec and stir
- Chill in the fridge for 2 hours
- Serve in glasses with ice and some of the fruit.
Information & Photos © Pacific Rim & Co. – All Rights Reserved.
Love the Sweet Life?
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May Sweet Club: Iowa
Dr. H. Thanisch
Feinherb Riesling
Mosel, Germany
CRISP WINE STYLE
Picked early at Kabinett-level Ripeness, grapes from the Mosel vineyards are fermented to a just dry-off wine in order to produce a drier-style Riesling to pair with a wide array of foods or simply drink as an aperitif. This wine is extremely well structured with a deep golden color and powerful but also elegant characteristics: Minerals, peaches, pear cumquat, watermelon, currant grapefruit with a hint of gooseberry and raspberry. It is blended with the Badstube Kabinett from the Dr. H. Thanisch estate to increase the quality and character of the wine but it is not a 100% Estate wine.
Varietal: 100% Riesling
Analysis: 12% alcohol / volume
Residual Sugar: 23.1 g/L
Acidity: 7.9 g/L
Estate: Dr. H. Thanisch
Vines & Viticulture: Black and blue slate is the predominant structure of these steep hillsides, sloping down to the Mosel river. The terroir is reflected in the wine with flinty minerality.
Food Pairing: Asian cuisine, particularly sweet & sour dishes or sushi. Also pairs with delicately flavored poultry and seafood dishes.
ABOUT THE WINERY:
The wine-growing tradition of the Dr. Hugo Thanisch family can be traced back more than 350 years. In 1636, the name was mentioned for the first time in the registers of Bernkastel-Kues. The quality of the family’s wines soon extended their excellent reputation far beyond the Mosel valley. At the end of the 18th Century, the Thanisch’s acquired the Berncasteler Doctor vineyard, a very steep site with deep devon slate structure, situated behind and overlooking the rooftops of the quaint old town of Bernkastel. The Doctor name originates in a legend about Prince Boemond II of Trier who fell sick and then was cured by a wine from this vineyard. Medicinal powers of fine wines are today being re-discovered. Without a doubt, the Doctor Vineyard is the most valuable and most famous German site. Learn more about the winery here.
Information & Photos © Dr. H. Thanisch Winery – All Rights Reserved.
Primo Amore
Moscato IGT
Veneto, Italy
NECTAR WINE STYLE
After the grapes are selected, the juice is fermented until it reaches their desired alcohol content. The grape’s natural sugar content is then preserved by refrigeration, giving this wine its unique sweet and aromatic characters. Is straw-yellow in color with golden reflections. The nose is fruity and very inviting, with intense scents of peaches and exotic fruit. The palate is refreshing and delicately sweet with hints of stone fruit on the finish.
Varietal: Muscat
Analysis: 7% alcohol / volume
Appellation: Veneto, Italy
Food Pairing: Try with spicy food or with desserts like apple pie, ice cream, lemon merangue or cheese cake.
Information & Photos © Goody Goody and Zonin – All Rights Reserved.
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December Sweet Club: Iowa
Schloss Vollrads Estate
Qualitätswein Rheingau
Riesling
Oestrich-Winkel, Germany
NECTAR WINE STYLE
It doesn’t always have to be dry! This Riesling captivates the palate with its full fruit aroma of yellow apples, vineyard peach and white blossoms. With its well-balanced sweetness and acidity, this wine is a real pleasure to drink. Tastes great solo or with spicy, hot dishes.
Varietal: Reisling
Analysis: 9% alcohol / volume
Residual Sugar: 40.7 g/L
Total Acidity: 8.8 g/L
Quality Level: Qualitätswein b.A.
Region: Rheingau, Germany
Winemaker: Ralf Bengel and team
Vinification: 100% Stainless Steel Vinification
Serving Suggestion: A suitable complement to Spicy Asian dishes (soup meat or stir-fry). Well chilled, it also makes an excellent aperitif.
WineStyles’ Wine and Cheese Pairing: Pair with a mild blue cheese to complement the fruity notes of this wine. Learn more about our wine and cheese pairings here.
Terroir: The soil is a mixture of Taunus quartzite, argillaceous shale and calcareous loess soil. Their vineyard slopes are all south facing, allowing them to capture the best sunshine. The Taunus mountain range offers protection from the northern winds with its forests and creates the ideal conditions for their vines.
Vintage/Winemakers Notes: A great comeback of classic Rheingau Riesling. Schloss Vollrads were able to harvest twice in 2021, once in February and once in October. Sounds unusual but it was not due to climate change. It was due to the fact that they were able to conclude the 2020 vintage with an ice wine harvest on February 10, 2021, a chilly day with -9° C, the Riesling ice wine 2020 was harvested with a good must weight of 189 degree Oechsle. As the year progressed, the weather in 2021 turned out to be very capricious and unpredictable. After three exceptionally hot and dry years, it was finally humid and cooler in 2021. As a result, they had a long winter and a cool spring, which led to a late bud break in the end of April. Humid weather, frequent rain and only a few bright sunny days summed up the weather in summer. Vineyard employees were challenged, and through their enormous effort, they had ensured that losses due to mildew could be avoided. Due to the late bud break, ripening also began later than in previous years, in the last days of August. The grapes had taken their time and the harvest did not begin until October. Which is a convenient time, because the ripening phase at cooler temperatures allows the Riesling grapes to develop a finely fruity aroma, and the wines can develop into the typical Riesling elegance and filigree. With a hard-working harvest, the grape quality had developed to the ideal level of Kabinett and Spätlese. With a selective harvest technique, they were able to harvest the vineyards at the right time. The grapes from their prestige sites could be characterized with abundant and mesmerizing aromas, it was then, again with experienced harvest hands, the grapes were carefully selected and picked.
Photo and Information courtesy of © Schloss Vollrads Estate – All Rights Reserved
October Sweet Club: Iowa
Raimund Prüm
Essence
Riesling
Mosel, Germany
NECTAR WINE STYLE
Pale gold in color. On the nose, aromatic, with scents of apricot, green apple and peach. On the palate, fresh fruit flavors of pineapple and apricot are perfectly balanced by a racy acidity and mineral character.
Analysis: 10.5% alcohol / volume
Variety: 100% Riesling
Appellation: Qualitatswein, Germany
RS: 21.3 g/L
TA: 5.7 g/L
Serve: Enjoy on its own or with a range of light appetizers, seafood dishes, BBQ, perfect with Asian cuisine and all styles of spicy food.
Accolades: 91 point review Wine Spectator 2021
WineStyles’ Wine and Cheese Pairing: This wine, with its bright acidity and floral notes, pairs wonderfully with aged Gouda. The nutty and caramel flavors of the Gouda complement the wine’s fruitiness and balance its acidity beautifully. Learn more about our wine and cheese pairings here.
Winemaking: Grapes are hand harvested in mid-October and undergo a gentle crush. The juice is fermented for four weeks in stainless steel tanks then bottled under Stelvin closure to preserve its character.
About Raimund Prüm:
The Prüm family’s roots in the Mosel region of Germany date back as far as 1156, making it one the country’s preeminent winemaking dynasties. Their incredible Riesling portfolio reflects traditional winemaking practices with exceptional single vineyard designated wines in every style. Family-owned S.A. Prüm, founded in 1911 by Sebastian Alois Prüm, has been in the hands of Raimund Prüm, head winemaker and Sebastian’s grandson, since 1971. Under Raimund’s leadership the property has earned a reputation as one of the most successful wineries in Germany’s celebrated Mosel wine region.
Luccio®
Special Collection Moscato
Piedmont, Italy
NECTAR WINE STYLE
Fresh, fragrant, and frizzante with bright, floral aromas that give way to flavors of ripe stone fruit, tangerines, and honey.
Analysis: 5.5% alcohol / volume
Variety: 100% Moscato Bianco di Canelli
Region: Asti, D.O.C.G., Piedmont, Italy
Critical Acclaim:
- Double Gold – San Francisco International Wine Competition | 2022
- Highly Recommended, Best Buy – Beverage Testing Institute | 2021
- Highly Recommended, Best Buy – Beverage Testing Institute | 2020
WineStyles’ Wine and Cheese Pairing: This sweet and bubbly Moscato goes well with fresh goat cheese. The creamy texture and tangy flavor of the goat cheese enhance the fruity and floral notes of the wine, creating a delightful contrast. Learn more about our wine and cheese pairings here.
About Luccio Wines:
Luccio® wines are made and imported from the finest winemaking regions in Italy. Since 1994, Luccio has represented Italian passion in a bottle with offerings ranging from semi-sweet Moscato’s to a full-bodied Chianti. Learn more here.
Photo and Information courtesy of © Prestige Beverage Group – All Rights Reserved
September Sweet Club: Iowa
Schmitt Söhne
Riesling Auslese
Mosel, Germany
NECTAR WINE STYLE
This Auslese (selected harvest) Riesling is produced from grapes that remain on the vine until extremely late in the year. Individually selected overripe grapes result in a full-bodied, luscious wine with hints of apricot, nectarine and honey. It has intense flavors and a lingering finish.
Analysis: 8.5-9% alcohol / volume
Variety: Riesling
Appellation: Mosel, Germany
RS: 52-56 g/L
TA: 8-9 g/L
Pairing Recommendation: Enjoy with cheeses, fruits, richly seasoned foods and desserts. Or enjoy as a wine cocktail or sipping after a memorable dinner.
Serve: Chilled
WineStyles’ Wine and Cheese Pairing: A perfect cheese pairing for this wine would be Gorgonzola Dolce. Gorgonzola Dolce is a creamy, slightly sweet blue cheese that balances the wine’s sweetness with its mild tang, while the creaminess complements the wine’s rich texture. The fruitiness of the Riesling will also contrast beautifully with the savory elements of the cheese. Learn more about our wine and cheese pairings here.
Winemaking: Auslese is picked at ultimate ripeness, sometimes two months after harvest season has started. This allows the fruit flavors to develop and ripen. During picking, the grapes are handled very carefully to avoid bruising, letting the natural sweetness shine through. Harvested in the cool early morning, the grapes are brought quickly to the winery, destemmed and placed in stainless steel tanks that help retain the Riesling’s crisp acidity. The wine is kept cool, between 50-65 ºF, during fermentation.
Vineyards:
Schmitt Söhne Auslese Riesling hails from select vineyards along the Mosel River in Germany. Mosel is regarded as the oldest wine-growing region in Germany, believed to have been established by the Romans around 50 AD. It is one of the most northernly wine regions in world. Mosel vineyards are famous for their steep south-facing slopes and blue slate soil, reflected in the balanced minerality of Schmitt Söhne’s Auslese Riesling.
About Schmitt Söhne Wines:
Family-owned and operated, over 200 years ago the Schmitt ancestors settled in the small village of Longuich, along the Mosel River, and began managing vineyards and producing wine. Now in the fifth generation, Schmitt Söhne is one of Germany’s largest and most successful wine exporters around the world. While they have continued to develop their winemaking techniques and technologies, the family has never lost sight of their traditions. Learn more here.
Pacific Rim
Sweet Riesling
Columbia Valley, Washington
NECTAR WINE STYLE
This wine is wonderfully aromatic with notes of honey, pear and orange blossom. On the palate, it is sweet, with bright acidity, pineapple and white peach.
Analysis: 8% alcohol / volume
Variety: 100% Riesling
Appellation: Columbia Valley, Washington
RS: 73.3 g/L
TA: 7.2 g/L
Pairing Recommendation: Ideal with fiery fare – especially Thai, Szechwan, Mexican, Middle Eastern, and Caribbean cuisine. Or enjoy with one of their suggested recipes >
WineStyles’ Wine and Cheese Pairing: Sweet wines from our ‘Nectar’ section pair well with an herbal cheese, such as a gorgonzola. Learn more about our wine and cheese pairings here.
PRODUCTION:
The winery picks their Riesling grapes early (20-21 Brix). Using only native yeasts and fermenting at low temperatures in stainless steel tanks – there is no use of oak barrels or malolactic fermentation. They stop the fermentation at about 7% residual sugar, and clean the wine rapidly to retain as much freshness and fruitiness as possible. They leave a fair amount of natural carbon dioxide in the wine to create a lively mouth feel.
ABOUT THE WINERY:
First released by Randall Grahm of Bonny Doon Vineyard in 1992, Pacific Rim Dry Riesling quickly gained a loyal following among Riesling lovers. Known for its fresh and bright characteristics, the wine was a welcome alternative to over-oaked, one-dimensional white wines. As the American palate evolved in recent years toward wines with greater complexity and crisper acidity, the popularity of Pacific Rim Dry Riesling grew. Demand and enthusiasm for Pacific Rim Dry Riesling continued to gain momentum — and the excitement around the wine inspired a radical idea… the creation a winery exclusively dedicated to Riesling. In August of 2006, a small band of Bonny Doon expats moved to the Northwest from California with a common desire to craft the best Riesling in America… thus, Pacific Rim became its own winery. Learn more about the winery here.
Photo and Information courtesy of © Pacific Rim – All Rights Reserved
May Sweet Club: Iowa
Carl Sittmann
Riesling
Mosel, Germany
NECTAR WINE STYLE
The Carl Sittmann Riesling features notes of green apples, pears, and apricots on the nose. Its sweet peach and apple flavors are delicately offset by crisp acidity, ensuring the wine remains elegantly refreshing and not overly sweet.
Analysis: 9.5% alcohol / volume
Varietal: 100% Riesling
Region: Mosel, Germany
WineStyles’ Wine and Cheese Pairing: Reach for a tangy goat’s milk cheese to complement the wine’s acidity and fruity notes. Learn more about our wine and cheese pairings here.
Photo and Information © Carl Sittmann – All Rights Reserved
Terra d’Oro
Moscato
Amador County, California
NECTAR WINE STYLE
Inviting aromas of honey, white peach, honeysuckle, pineapple and lemon zest lead into vibrant flavors of Meyer lemon, pineapple and a hint of anise. The wine has a pleasing viscosity on the palate and finishes with fresh acidity. This makes the Terra d’Oro Moscato extremely versatile and enjoyable with a meal as well as after it. Try it with spicy Asian cuisine, or a fruit tart.
Analysis: 9.5% alcohol / volume
Varietal: 100% Moscato
Acidity: 0.63 g/100mL
pH: 3.27
WineStyles’ Wine and Cheese Pairing: If you’re looking for a dessert pairing, mascarpone cheese topped with some tart fruit jam is a fantastic choice. Its creamy texture and mild flavor with a punch from the jam will pair well with the sweetness of Moscato, making it suitable for desserts or as a simple, luxurious treat. Learn more about our wine and cheese pairings here.
Vineyard Notes:
Moscato, also called Muscat, is grown in nearly every wine-producing region in the world, resulting in an array of styles. It is believed the name derived from the French word “Musque”, meaning “perfumed”— a fitting moniker for this intensely aromatic variety. Grapes were sourced from several select vineyards to create a wine with that perfect balance of sweetness and acidity.
Winemaker Notes:
When making the Moscato, the goal was to craft a wine that is full of flavor with perceptible sweetness, yet is still light on the palate. The Terra d’Oro Moscato is crafted in a different manner than their other varietals. Grapes are destemmed and crushed in stainless steel tanks and left overnight before pressing. This “cap and drain” method keeps the grapes in contact with their skins for an extended period, delivering greater varietal intensity. After gentle pressing, 70% of the juice is inoculated with yeast. The remaining unfermented juice is kept at a very low temperature and then added back into the blend after fermentation to create a lightly sweet and refreshing wine with a lower alcohol.
About the Winery:
Amador’s first winery established after Prohibition was founded in 1970 by renowned winemaker Cary Gott, and he released the first wines under the Terra d’Oro label in 1973. Terra d’Oro’s early success with Amador Zinfandel and other wines, in particular Italian varietals, were key in helping re-establish the region’s reputation for fine wine. In 1988, the Trinchero family, which had been purchasing grapes from the Amador region for 20 years, purchased the winery and 240-acre vineyard. Over the years, the family invested in subsequent vineyards, and in early 2000, completed construction of a new, state-of-the-art winery at the site of the original winery, designed to unlock the potential of each acre of Terra d’Oro’s vineyards. Today, Terra d’Oro farms produces award-winning wines from its 800+ acres of sustainably farmed vines in Amador County and the Clarksburg AVA. Learn more about their sustainable practices here.
Photo and Information © Terra d’Oro Winery – All Rights Reserved
February Sweet Club: Iowa
Charles Smith Wines
Kung Fu Girl Riesling
Washington State
NECTAR WINE STYLE
“It takes an unconventional winemaker to make a totally unexpected dry Riesling. One night, Charles was eating Chinese takeout and watching a fight scene in a notorious martial arts film when he had an idea: a killer white wine made to be paired with Asian food. Just like that, Kung Fu Girl was born. And it’s been kicking ass and taking names ever since.” – Charles Smith Wines
White peach, mandarin orange and apricot are delivered with a core of minerality that makes this dry Riesling shimmer with energy and freshness. Another epic vintage of Kung Fu Girl.
WINE DETAILS:
Varietal: 100% Riesling
Region: Washington State, USA
Pairings: Spicy ramen, sriracha pork tacos, Chinese takeout
Accolades:
- 90 points – Wine Enthusiast, February 2017
- Best Buy – Wine Enthusiast, February 2017
- Top 100 – Wine Spectator, December 2016
- 90 points – Wine Spectator, December 2016
- 90 points – Wine Advocate, June 2015
WineStyles’ Wine and Cheese Pairing: Pair with a spicy, herbal cheese. Learn more about our wine and cheese pairings here.
About the Winery:
Few winemakers have a story quite like Charles Smith. Although he was born and raised an hour from Napa Valley, California, Charles didn’t discover his love for wine until he moved to Europe. While living abroad, he managed a number of rock bands, including the famed Danish duo The Raveonettes. It was the wining and dining of a rock n’roll life on the road that sparked Charles’ passion for great wine. In 1999, while on a road trip to Walla Walla, Washington, Charles met a winemaker who convinced him to start making his own wine, true to his own story and vision. And in 2001, Charles released 330 cases of his first vintage. Eight years later, he would be named Winemaker of the Year by Food & Wine magazine and again in 2014, by Wine Enthusiast. Learn more here.
Information and photos © Charles Smith Wines – All Rights Reserved.
Willamette Valley Vineyards
Riesling
Willamette Valley, Oregon
NECTAR WINE STYLE
This riesling is classic and versatile. On the nose, this semi-sweet wine opens with a bouquet of poached pear, delicate florals and green apples. On the palate, the luscious mouthfeel displays flavors of melon, pear and nectar. The finish is wonderfully persistent with a perfect balance of sweetness and refreshing crispness. Serve well-chilled and allow it to warm in your glass for optimal enjoyment of aromas and flavors.
WINE DETAILS:
- Analysis: 10.5% alcohol / volume
- Varietal: Riesling
- Appellation: Willamette Valley, Oregon
- Pairings: Pair with spicy Asian or Mexican dishes, German-inspired dishes like sausage and schnitzel, and desserts like fruit pies, crème brûlée, or a savory artisan cheese plate.
WineStyles’ Wine and Cheese Pairing: Pair with an aged Gouda or Fontina cheese. Learn more about our wine and cheese pairings here.
About Willamette Valley Vineyards:
The “budwood” of Willamette Valley Vineyards began long before its founding in 1983 by vintner Jim Bernau. His Dad, a Roseburg attorney, was hired by California winemaker Richard Sommer to secure one of the first winery licenses in Oregon since Prohibition. Jim’s Dad allowed small tastes of Richard’s wine at the dinner table, lighting a path that led Jim from home winemaking to studies at UC Davis and eventually Beaune, France. In 1983, with the encouragement from winemakers making their move from California, Jim cleared an old pioneer plum orchard in the Salem Hills, hidden underneath scotch broom and blackberry vines to plant Pinot Noir. Learn more here.
Information and photos © Willamette Valley Vineyards – All Rights Reserved.
Love the Sweet life?
“Wine” not try our Sweet Club!
WineStyles Tasting Station 