Fall Wine
Hello and welcome back Leschi! We hope that everyone had a safe and healthy summer. As we ease away from fresh cut grass, hot summer nights and days by the lake—and get into cooler evenings, light jackets and football season, let’s take a look at a few wines that will help make this annual transition easier for us all.
Ten wines from around the world. Bubbly, pink, white, and red. We begin the Fall Top Ten by enticing your palate with a red and a white from Switzerland of all places! Cheers and enjoy! ~KB
Switzerland Wine
2019 Avalanche Fendant Switzerland $19.99
Fendant is Chasselas from the Valais region of Switzerland. This wine boasts delightful aromas of lemon blossom, fresh lemon zest and wet river rock lifted by a whiff of peppermint. Strong backbone of minerality, with pronounced flavors of apple, pear, and lemon curd. ~Distributor notes
2018 Avalanche Pinot Noir Switzerland $22.99
Lovely Pinot Noir from the Valais in Switzerland. Enticing aromas of red cherries and just-picked raspberries. The palate shows flavors of black cherry and raspberry, with a subtle touch of Christmas baking spices. Well-structured and well balanced, with silky tannins and a smooth finish. ~Distributor notes
Bubbly
Cedergreen Cellars Pet-Roc Frizzante Yakima Valley NV $21.99
A secret subterranean cuvee made from sparkling Chenin Blanc with more minerality than Touraine tuffeau! Barrel fermented, stirred and stored on the lees for 10 months. Serve well chilled for 2 Bars of spanking, sparkling fun. Five grams of dosage puts us in an Extra Brut state of mind. ~Winemaker notes
Rosé
2020 Monte Xanic Grenache Rosé Limited Edition Baja Mexico $16.99
Aromas full of strawberries, raspberries, lemon and grapefruit. The palate is balanced and refreshing. Stone fruits, citrus and white flowers like orange blossom. Fresh, full of flavor and long-lasting. ~Winemaker notes
2020 Mirabeau Rosé Cotes de Provence $17.99
Blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Cinsault. Classical Cotes de Provence rose, offering aromas of yellow peach, pear, freesias and strawberries. Generous, with a good citrus fruit dimension. Notes of cherry and raspberry make this a real crowd-pleaser. ~Winemaker notes
White
2020 Thurston Wolfe Albariño Yakima Valley $16.79
High but not overwhelming acidity, vibrant peach/ nectarine, and a dry taste create the perfect marriage in this high-quality wine. Albariño is a fantastic choice for pairing with exquisite dishes like ceviche, fish tacos, seafood pasta, and shrimp. ~Winemaker notes
Red
2020 Viná Maitia Aupa Pipeño Chile $10.99
80% Pais/20% Carignan. Light in color with bright notes of crushed raspberry, wild strawberry, and rose petals with hints of dried herbs, mint leaves, fennel and thyme. This fruit driven, easy drinking wine has fresh acid with low tannin and can be enjoyed with a slight chill. ~Distributor notes
2017 Lyrarakis Red Wine Crete Greece $13.99
Deep red color. Delicate balance of delicious dark fruit highlighted by sweet spice and peppery notes. Rich and long with deep fruit acidity and a piquant aftertaste. Pair with grilled red meat, game and piquant types of cheese. ~Winemaker notes
Cabernet Franc makes up 37% of this blend, with the rest Merlot (29%), Cabernet Sauvignon 23%) and Petit Verdot. Aromas are locked up on first pour, with notes of whole orange, raspberry, cherry and herb that show freshness. Soft, plush fruit flavors follow. ~Wine Enthusiast, 90-points, ~Vinous, 90-points
2018 St Cosme Gigondas France $39.99
Full-bodied and generous, it’s round and supple, with no hard edges to hamper the easy flow of asphalt, red raspberries and black cherries across the palate. Boasting ample but not excessive concentration, it’s a lovely, seductive example of Gigondas to enjoy over the next decade or so. ~Robert Parker, 93-points
Kenneth Benner, a Seattle area native, is a trained chef and has worked in such restaurants as Barbacoa, B.O.K.A. Kitchen + Bar, and Dahlia Lounge. Ken is the wine buyer at Leschi Market. He has a passion for learning, a meticulous palate, and a tenacity for searching out the best for his customers while offering some of the most highly coveted wines in the area. His monthly column is intended to inspire and explore new choices in wine, learn about wine with his readers, and share his knowledge and experience in the wine world. Check out the latest at www.LeschiMart.com or to request to be added to email updates at wine@leschimarket.com.