Wine New Year’s Resolutions
There's lots of buzz around new years resolutions, and if one of your goals in 2022 is to expand your palate, get out of your comfort zone, and try some new, unique wines, this one's for you! Read on for five interesting wines to try in 2022!
Pinot Meunier (pee-no moon-nee-yay)
Champagne is traditionally made from a blend of the Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier grapes, with Pinot Meunier being the least commonly known of the three varietals. However, some producers use 100% Pinot Meunier to produce their champagne, and it's always a treat! I loved this one by Mary-Sessile - it has fresh citrus flavors with a touch of creaminess. We paired this bottle with a big charcuterie board and it was perfection!
Mourvèdre (mor-veh-druh)
Cabernet Sauvignon lovers, try a Mourvèdre! You may have had Mourvèdre in a GSM (Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre) blend, but it can be difficult to find Mourvèdre as a single varietal wine. When Mourvèdre stands alone, it has full body, dark fruit flavors, and floral, black pepper, and thyme aromas. My current favorite Mourvèdre is from Kehret Vineyards, a bottle you'll be seeing in the Wine Club's February release! It pairs nicely with both hard and soft cheeses and all types of grilled meats. Check out the details of the Wine Club and get a jumpstart on your resolution to try a great Mourvèdre!
Assyrtiko (ah-seer-teeko)
Assyrtiko was one of my first white wine loves! It's native to Santorini, Greece and it gives me Greek island vacation vibes every time I sip it. Assyrtiko is crisp and known for its high acid and tart lemon, lime, and passionfruit flavors -it's a wine to try if you're a fan of Sauvignon Blanc! A common food and wine pairing principle is that "what grows together goes together", so it's no surprise that this Greek wine pairs perfectly with seafood and tomato and feta salad! Try an Assyrtiko from the popular Domaine Sigalas.
Blaufränkisch (blauw-fronk-keesh)
The Blaufränkisch grape's origins are in Austria, and it has a distinctive taste, unlike any other red wine: it has light/medium body, high acid, and high tannin (the compound that causes the drying sensation in your mouth while you sip), along with blackberry, cherry, chocolate, violet, and black pepper flavors. Blaufränkisch makes a great compliment to dishes native to Austria like Vienna sausage, red potatoes, and cheesy dumplings (another example of "what grows together goes together"). This one by Moric is a great introduction to Austrian Blaufränkisch!
Pét-nat (an abbreviation for “pétillant naturel”—a French term that roughly translates to “naturally sparkling")
Pét-nat's are sparkling wines that can be made from any grape variety using one of the earliest methods of sparkling wine production called “methode ancestral”. These wines are unfiltered so often appear cloudy in the bottle, but that doesn't mean there's something wrong with the wine! Donkey and Goat is well known for the variety of Pét-nats they've produced over the years, and their current release made from the Chardonnay grape is a great one! It leads with citrus flavors and a hint of vanilla sweetness, and will pair perfectly with your Sunday brunch!
Comment below and let me know what you think of each wine, and tag me in your photos drinking wines from my list of top picks – I love to see it!
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Cheers!