Fredericksburg, Texas would be worth a visit just to take in the natural beauty of the Texas Hill Country in the spring and soak up its German heritage. But the main draw of the city, about 70 miles from Austin or San Antonio, is its reputation as the epicenter of the Texas wine scene.

With over 100 wineries, it would be impossible to visit them all in one trip, but here are a few to set you off on a memorable odyssey through a booming wine region.

Kalasi Cellars

At this 16-acre winery, guests are greeted by Dalai the Lama. That’s the first clue that this isn’t your ordinary vineyard. At nearly 6 feet tall and 300 pounds, he might look a bit intimidating, but as long as you don’t mess around with the adorable Southdown Babydoll Sheep, you should get along just fine.

Another conversation starter is the yellow and red auto-rickshaw parked outside the tasting room, a nod to Nikhila Narra Davis’ Indian heritage. She owns the winery with her husband Greg Davis, who is often spotted driving around the property in the three-wheeled vehicle emblazoned with the Kalasi elephant logo.

Inside the tasting room, wine lovers sip iconic dry reds while munching on Indian snacks. Some play it safe by selecting Malbec and Merlot, while adventurous drinkers choose the Reincarnation collection which features less familiar varietals and uncommon winemaking techniques.

The 2017 Re d’Italia reserve is a must. A triumvirate of Italian grape varieties, including the obscure Teroldego, blend together like the three tenors of an Italian opera. Lively notes of blackberry and plum mingle with hints of clove and anise.

The Davises are happy to answer any questions you have about wines, but don’t ask about terroir, a term that refers to how a region’s climate gives grapes their character. Winemakers are far too polite to roll their eyes, but they don’t care much about what they say is a romanticized concept.

“It’s a fancy word often used in marketing, but ultimately it’s following good practices in the vineyard that makes good wine,” Nikhila said.

That’s why Kalasi wines are 100% estate grown, meaning all grapes are grown on their own vineyard in the high plains of Texas. This gives winemakers more control over practices, such as pruning and harvesting, that affect the quality of the final product. (1-830-992-3037, kalasicellars.com.)

Auguste Wine

Augusta Vin’s Grand Tour begins with an outdoor ride through sprawling, verdant vineyards, where 10 sun-kissed, mostly French varietals of grapes hang gracefully from leafy vines under clear blue skies.

Guests eventually arrive at the production facility, where tour guide and sommelier Molly Galbraith explains the winemaking process. She breaks down the science behind fermentation and visitors learn how aging in oak barrels imparts complex, layered flavors.

Galbraith says the region is experiencing an exciting wine renaissance. “It’s the Wild West of wine. We’ve got a lot of real maverick winemakers here who are trying really cool, funky, forward-thinking things, and they’re recognized internationally.”

Speaking of recognition, Augusta Vin’s 2017 Petite Sirah and 2017 Tannat both won gold medals at the prestigious San Francisco International Wine Competition.

Tannat is Texas in a glass. The punchy, tannin-rich grape historically grown in southwestern France is unknown to many Americans, but in Texas it can be found in nearly every tasting room as it thrives in the warm climate. When you dig into a big plate of Texas barbecue, tannat is your friend.

The best part of the visit is the tasting on the mezzanine overlooking the production area. Start with a glass of sparkling rosé rosé with white peach undertones, and move on to gorgeous dry reds. You can keep this lovely engraved tasting glass as a souvenir. (1-830-307-1007, augustavin.com.)

Wild Seed Farms

From the patio of Wildseed’s tasting room, a couple sampled the popular Albarino, a crisp white with notes of honeydew and lemongrass, while admiring a vast carpet of fragrant bluebonnets stretching almost to the horizon .

The 200-acre wildflower farm, considered the largest in the country, now grows grapes alongside the flowers. The wine portfolio is modest but growing. This year, the farm will plant 12 acres of Malbec, Grenache and two Cabernet clones.

In the meantime, red wine lovers can savor the 2019 High Plains Tempranillo, the best-selling red. Due to its leathery notes, some call it a “bottled cowboy”, but the full-bodied wine is balanced by dark fruit.

Here you can drink in the fleeting glory of spring in the Hill Country. A mile-long trail takes hikers through fields of brilliant wildflowers. Butterfly gardens and ponds teeming with koi carp the color of a Texas sunset entice visitors to linger in this enchanting garden, where the wonders of nature and the lure of wine intersect. (1-830-990-6684, wildseedfarms.com.)

Tracey Teo is an Indiana-based travel writer.

Fredericksburg, TX

Getting There : Nonstop flights from Minneapolis to San Antonio and Austin. Fredericksburg is a 1-2 hour drive from either airport.

Where to stay: Blacksmith Quarters on Barons Creek offers luxurious and unique cottages in downtown Fredericksburg (1-830-998-1981, vacasa.com/usa/Blacksmith-Quarters).

Where to eat: Eaker Barbecue serves traditional Texas barbecue with a Korean twist (1-830-992-3650, eakerbarbecue.com).

Tourist information : More information, including wine tours, is available at Visit Fredericksburg (1-830-997-6523, visitfredericksburgtx.com).

When we think of high-quality wine produced in the United States, we think first of California. However, Arizona vineyards are gaining in prestige and more and more wineries continue to enter the market, producing unique, high quality wine. The warm climate and high altitude provide a good environment for growing grapes. With low temperatures in the 40s and 50s and high temperatures in the 70s and 80s (Fahrenheit), the climate is similar to wine regions like Spain, Italy and southern France. As California becomes increasingly impacted by climate change, Arizona will gain prominence in the domestic wine market.

Tasting rooms are springing up in Old Town Scottsdale, where you can start exploring these wonderful Arizona wines. You can taste a flight or choose a drink while discovering the grape varieties and wineries. Bring home a bottle or two or join a wine club to keep the good flavors coming.

1. Merkin Vineyards

Maynard James Keenan of the rock band Tool moved to Jerome, Arizona in 1995 and decided to settle there. He discovered that the area was perfect for growing grapes and making wine. He now owns Caduceus Cellars and Merkin Vineyards with his wife, Jennifer. The vineyards cover 110 acres in Wilcox, in the southeast corner of Arizona, and near Jerome, north of Phoenix. They ship wine across the United States and you can taste and buy it in Jerome and Old Town Scottsdale.

The Old Town Restaurant is located just off the Scottsdale waterfront on Stetson Drive. Merkin Vineyards strives to provide a complete Arizona experience with its wine paired with local foods. They rely on Mother Nature to provide the perfect combination of fresh ingredients. They grow most of the menu ingredients in their gardens and orchards in the Verde Valley. What they cannot grow themselves, they buy from local farmers.

The menu ranges from small plates and charcuterie boards to pastas and pizzas. My favorites are the lasagna cupcake and the mango chutney burrata. Nothing pairs better with a good red wine than a warm brownie with peanut butter ganache and Merkin ice cream.

The Caduceus and Merkin brands offered included six varieties of white, three rosé and ten red wines. You can choose a flight and enjoy a nice sample or order a glass or bottle of your favorite. My standard choice is the Merkin Tarzan Red, a delicious blend of 65% Tempranillo and 35% Garnacha. Merkin’s friendly staff are always ready to help you decide.

The dark wood interior gives the impression of being in an elegant wine cellar. The U-shaped bar offers plenty of seating to chat with the bartender. Two large rectangular tables welcome a group of wine lovers. When the weather is warm, the large windows along Stetson Drive make little four-tops the perfect spot.

2. Arizona Bastion

Arizona Stronghold is another vineyard that takes advantage of the terrain in Wilcox, Arizona. They believe that the “wild and fierce” land of the high country here creates an ideal environment for the production of a multitude of delicious wines. They also include grapes from all over the region in making their high quality wine. Grapes need to be tough to survive in the desert, and Arizona Stronghold thinks that adds to their unique flavor.

The tasting room is a small storefront on Marshall Way. The patio, with its handful of tables and vertical heat lamps, is a great place to spend a warm evening watching people go by. You can also perch on benches around tables inside while admiring a vineyard mural on dark red walls.

Choose a white or red wine flight consisting of six 1.5-ounce pours for $15 and compare the different varietals. I enjoyed the Provisioner red wine enough to bring home a bottle. They call their supplier “wine for the people” and believe they capture the soul of Arizona, reminiscent of the frontier-era small town general store. You can take a cheese or charcuterie board to allow you to continue enjoying the wine.

Pro tip: Watch this video for an overview of what Provisioner wine offers.

3. Arid

The name Laughed at comes from the Latin word for “dry”. Located in the dry, high-altitude part of southeastern Arizona, this family business has converted a 28,000 square foot apple warehouse into one of the largest wineries in the state. They combine grapes grown on their 40-acre vineyard with grapes from other vineyards in Arizona, New Mexico and California. They have strived to use organic and sustainable practices wherever possible, including drip irrigation.

The Aridus Tasting Room sits among the Main Street art galleries. Chandeliers above the bar, jazz music in the background, lighted tables and flowers give the room a sophisticated and elegant vibe. You can perch at one of the four intimate high tables spread between the walls lined with wine bottles. A space behind the bar with a long table is suitable for large gatherings.

Our server had spent many years working in the California wine country and was very knowledgeable about the art of wine making in both states. My husband and I enjoyed the red wine sampler which was four 2oz pours for $20. Each wine had a rich flavor and it was hard to pick a favourite. When I made the reservation I was able to request a charcuterie board and it was ready when we arrived.

By joining the wine club, you can receive eight bottles of their latest spring and fall vintages. You can choose a mixture of red and white wines or only red wines. The wine club also includes discounts and free wine tastings.

4. Carlson Creek

The Carlson family planted their first 7 acres of grapes in 2009. Their vineyards gradually grew to 280 acres near Wilcox, Arizona. The elevation of 4,200 feet offers warm days and cool nights similar to southern France and Argentina. As they grew, the family added more varietals and then a winery and tasting room. They often sell their grapes to 10 other wineries and craft 11 varietals themselves.

You can now taste their local wine in a tasting room along Marshall Way that feels like you’re in the middle of the vineyards. The long bar rests on wine barrels on a wooden plank floor. A pewter ceiling reflects light onto sofas and high tables, perfect for chatting wine with friends.

You can choose the five-sample tasting for $12 or choose a full glass of your favorite. For an additional fee, you can even take home your glass as a souvenir. A wonderful $15 cheese platter with artisan cheese, meat, olives and nuts helps keep your palate fresh.

Carlson Creek also hosts wine tasting classes and wine pairing events. You can join the Wine Society and receive 12 bottles of a blend of red, white and rosé wines or your choice of varietals. You can also enjoy free tastings and a discount on other purchases.

Pro tip: The space is a converted art gallery and you can always find beautiful artwork for sale on the walls.

5. LDV Vineyard

When LDV owners Curt Dunham and Peggy Fiandaca decided to start a winery, they found the perfect conditions in the southeast corner of Arizona near the Chiricahua Mountains. Their desired conditions included a mountainous environment, crystal clear water, good drainage, volcanic soil, and land that had never experienced commercial agriculture. This transformed them from ardent wine collectors into enthusiastic winemakers.

The LDV Tasting Room is just a few feet from the South Bridge on Scottsdale’s waterfront. The large patio is surrounded by a fence made of whole barrels and barrel staves – perfect for a chilly day or warm evening. Three different wine flights are offered for $15 each and they include three varietals, which change periodically. A full glass or bottle is also available for sale.

LDV offers the Sky Islander Wine Club which offers three tiers of benefits along with special events listed on their website. Check out their short blog posts, including a short video, with monthly wine tips, including what wine to pair with Girl Scout cookies and how to prepare for a party.

6. Salvatore Vineyards

Named after the grandfather of their winemaker Jason Domanico, Salvatore Vineyards focuses on meticulously crafted wines in small batches. The Domanico family originated from Sicily and Calabria, Italy. The logo on the wine bottles combines elements of the crests of these two areas. Passion Cellars, the winery, was created to capitalize on the expansion of winemaking in Arizona. The vineyard focuses on fruity white wines and complex red wines. They are setting aside their best grapes to age longer for a reserve run under the Salvatore label.

You can find the Tasting Room across from the Bronze Horse Fountain near the Scottsdale waterfront. A long bar allows you to contemplate the rows of wine bottles while chatting with your server. There are also a handful of small tables under the beautiful, colorful art that adorns the walls. Various flavors of oil and vinegar are also on sale.

A visit to Scottsdale is the perfect time to sample Arizona’s growing wine scene. The Old Town Tasting Rooms provide a wonderful experience where you can begin your learning about the wonderful varietals of Arizona. You’ll probably be tempted to join one of the wine clubs to bring these flavors to friends back home.

The scientists who developed the Nutri-Score AE health food labeling system in France call for all alcoholic beverages to be labeled “F”.

This in addition to showing its sugar and calorie content, said nutritionist Professor Serge Hercberg, one of the diet’s founders.

The idea predictably infuriated the wine industry, including in Italy. The EU would be keen to use the Nutri-Score concept throughout the bloc.

From the end of next year, the obligation to carry standard nutrition information on foods will be extended in the EU to alcoholic beverages.

The Nutri-Score started in France in 2017. It is not mandatory but there are calls to do so.

High in fruits and vegetables, fiber, protein, and healthy oils usually mean A and B scores, while excess sugar, saturated fat, or sodium usually means a D or E.

When it comes to displaying standard nutrition information and ingredients, wine and most other alcohols that only have one main ingredient (grapes or cereal grains) but can have a lot of additional substances such as sulphites, have been specially exempted from carrying all the information on the bottle.

Christophe Château, from the Conseil Interprofessionnel du Vin de Bordeaux, said: “We won’t need to have an additional label on the bottle, but rather a QR code or a web link.”

He said having a low F Nutri-Score wouldn’t “make us happy, but you have to go with the flow.”

He added: “It’s a reminder that wine contains a lot of calories – around 80 for a glass of red wine. We’re confident most people will see the information as it is. We always advise people to drink for pleasure and in moderation.

Demeter, which certifies biodynamic wines, said: “We will continue to have wines certified as Demeter wines with the highest possible biodynamic principles. If Nutri-Score says it’s an F, that’s their problem, not ours.

The proposals led to a diplomatic incident when Italy’s agriculture minister wrote an open letter about it to President Macron.

“I want to know what Macron thinks of the latest Nutri-Score proposals, which now say that we should have a black F for all drinks containing a little alcohol,” wrote Gian Carlo Centinaio. “Does the French president agree with that?”

Nutri-Score has also been criticized by cheese makers, unhappy that most artisan and PDO cheeses score a low D or E because of the fat and salt.

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Alexandria, VA – Living and working vicariously through streaming media and zoom platforms has become a way of life since 2020. Virginia wineries quickly offered virtual tastings when COVID shut down tasting rooms. Wine sales in the state and across the country soared.

Spotting an entertainment trend, TV production companies quickly churned out not one but four shows for the lone Z~oenophile to binge: Beneath the vines, the kings of Napa, promised land, and Great crew.

under the vines, from AMC Networks streaming on ACORN, is a seductive tale as old as wine: two estranged family members inherit a vineyard in Central Otago, New Zealand. Urban socialite Daisy Monroe played by Rebecca Gibney and town attorney Louis Oakley played by Charles Edwards (The Crown, Diana) are vying for vino accolades with local winemaking maven Marissa after a surprise victory for Oakley Wine in a prestigious competition.

Since Kiwi vino is supposed to be all about sauvignon blanc in the United States, that’s what we’ll highlight for a under the vines frantic party. Walsh Family Wine, formerly the Northgate property in Purcellville, offers two Sauv Blancs. The 2020 Bethany Ridge and 2020 Twin Notch Sauvignon Blancs are ready to roll. Both are classics without being too herbaceous and grassy. Appropriate notes of kiwi imbue with the expected citrus of grapefruit, lemon, lime and a whisper of bergamot.

The husband and wife team of Nate and Sarah Walsh founded Walsh Family Wine in 2014. Previously, Nate was the award-winning winemaker at Sunset Hills and 50 West. Before opening their brick-and-mortar operation, he and Sarah sold their wines at farmers’ markets and garage tastings and at local restaurants. In 2014, the two Canney wineries added a Walsh Family Wine label Sauvignon Blanc to the wine list, featuring Sarah’s elegant abstract mountain ridge design, which inspired the label of Walsh family.

The Kings of Napa is from executive producer Oprah Winfrey for her OWN streaming channel. Reginald King, family patriarch and founder of the house of kings wine, dies suddenly as his family bickers over control and management of the vineyard. The show is Falcon Crest meets the Shores of Bel-Air. With episode titles like “She’s Gotta Crush It”, “What’s Port Got To Do With It?”, “How Stella Got Her Pinot Back”, “Mo Bottled Blues”, and “Judas and the Black-Owned Vineyard”, you know the bashing above the wine swirl gets real right off the bat. The Kings of Napa is “all about black excellence in motion ~ wine, style and cuisine.

So where to put your King? For that Napa experience, you can’t go wrong with Breaux Vineyards in Hillsboro. The majestic stucco and tile-roofed Tasting Palace blends Spanish mission with New Orleans razzmatazz and French savoir faire. Sitting on the Vidal Patio overlooking the vines cascading towards a horizon of rolling hills, you can easily imagine that you are in Napa.

Another option is the King Family Vineyard in Crozet near Charlottesville. Their merlot could give the house of kings and Stella a run for their Pinot. The 2018 Seven (named after the seventh chukker in a polo match), a fortified red wine aged two years in Kentucky bourbon casks, answers the question… What do port and polo have to do? with that ? Yes, there are polo matches, a polo school and classes at Roseland Polo Club.xd

But if it’s pinot noir you’re looking for, you’re headed to Ankida Ridge in Amherst. Atop an Appalachian mountain nearly 2,000 feet above sea level lies a microclimate where the impossible happens. Owners Christine and Dennis Vrooman grow some of the best pinot noir in the United States. It’s the only Mid-Atlantic wine invited to the International Pinot Noir Celebration held in Oregon each July.

An accidental winery, the vineyard was born when the contractor mistakenly cleared an extra acre of woods on the property. Chickens strut around the vines for natural pest control, while Katahdin sheep, mother nature’s weedkillers, graze on land that was once as high as Everest. If you can’t make the three hour drive or don’t like heights, Ankida Ridge ships. They also have foothills tastings and a shop in Charlottesville.

Paradise Springs is the closest to Alexandria and the first bi-coastal winery in the United States. Their Sauvignon Blanc, amusingly named 2018 F’ing Merlot, is rated 93 points by Wine Enthusiast Magazine. The 2018 K III is a delicious Rhône-style GSM blend (Grenache-Syrah-Mourvèdre) with a spicy, peppery kick, bright, not-too-fruity berries exhibiting hints of cloves, river rock and can cigar box, a perfect Big Bang expression of Central Coast bravado. Even better, opening hours in Clifton have been extended to 7 p.m. daily and Fridays to 9 p.m.

Promised land originally aired on ABC and last month moved exclusively to Hulu. Set in Sonoma, the saga pivots from 1987 when brothers Sandoval Joe and Billy Rincón, along with friend Lettie and her sister Rosa, cross the border into Mexico in search of a better life in (you guessed it ) the promised land – the wine country of California. The four arrive at Heritage House Vineyards, where they toil in the vineyards of Oliver M. Honeycroft. Joe (John Ortiz~ Silver Linings playbook, replicas) marries Margaret, Oliver’s daughter, although he and Billy are hopelessly in love with Lettie.

Fast forward to 2022. Joe has divorced Margaret, taken over the vineyard and is now married to Lettie, raising a combative blended family rivaling the Kings. Billy is an estranged priest from the family. Margaret returns from a long vacation in Europe, a successful hotel magnate reconnecting with her adult children while seeking revenge on Joe.

In an episode last month, siblings Veronica and Antonio Sandoval took part in a blind tasting of six bottles at Bottle Shock, including a 2003 Chardonnay. Chardonnay can indeed age 20 years. You’re unlikely to find a 2003 Virginia Chardonnay, except maybe in my cellar gathering dust somewhere.

Pearmund Cellars’ award-winning Old Vine Chardonnay, grown on the Merriwether Vineyard in Fauquier County, is Virginia’s oldest Chardonnay vineyard. It was named Virginia Grand Cru Vineyard by the American Grand Cru Society. This extraordinary wine is 100 percent malolactic fermentation, sur-lie, and aged for nine months in French oak barrels. A classic buttery and woody Swiss chard. Try it, you will like it!

The crew on Great crew don’t descend much from Chardonnay. They’re all about big, bold reds. Great crewairing on NBC, is Black Friends of the 20s. Six friends, three guys and three girls, with a brother and sister among the group, meet at a wine bar in Los Angeles’ Silver Lake neighborhood called Cru.

For episode 9 on March 1, the team headed to a vineyard in Santa Barbara. Paradise Springs maybe? Stream the show on Peacock to find out. To quote the crew, “Bespoke this! Check your feelings. It’s time to drink.

So let’s hang crew for a bottle of white, a bottle of red, maybe a rosé instead. Make yourself comfortable near the screen, face to face with under the vines from Napa Kings in the Promised land with your Great crew.

ICYMI: Spring is sprouting with new restaurants in town

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Iconic images of cool-climate Monterey County reflected in new versions of J. Lohr Bay Mist White Riesling and J. Lohr Wildflower Valdiguié

San Jose, California – (February 15, 2022) – J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines is proud to unveil J. Lohr Monterey Roots, a new line of wines highlighting J. Lohr’s history of excellence in viticulture and winemaking in Monterey County. Setting the new standard, award-winning J. Lohr Bay Mist White Riesling and J. Lohr Wildflower Valdiguié migrated from the J. Lohr Estates wine portfolio to J. Lohr Monterey Roots.

The packaging of the 2021 J. Lohr Monterey Roots vintage releases reflects iconic images of cool-climate Monterey County. The White Riesling label offers an artistic interpretation of Monterey’s spectacular coastline, and the Wildflower Valdiguié label features a multicolored painting of the region’s native wildflowers. Both wines carry the Certified California Sustainable seal on their back labels. This distinction means that at least 85% of a given wine was made with grapes from certified sustainable vineyards, that the wine was made in a certified sustainable winery, and that 100% of the grapes come from California vineyards. Wines began shipping to US markets in early February.

“As a child, I remember coming to Monterey with my father, Jerry Lohr, in 1972 when we started planting our first vineyards, which included our original plantings of Riesling and Valdiguié,” says Steve, CEO and second generation co-owner. Lohr. “Today we cultivate over 1,400 acres of vineyards in Monterey. We have always been very proud of our Monterey roots and champion what makes this area so special. Our Riesling and Valdiguié are the quintessence of Monterey wines. They are also two of the hidden gems in our portfolio. Presenting them in their own level will give them the spotlight they deserve.

Bay Mist White Riesling and Wildflower Valdiguié are made from grapes grown on J. Lohr’s estate in the Arroyo Seco region of Monterey. To ensure beautiful aromas and vibrant fruit, the wines are fermented and aged without the use of oak and are bottled with convenient Stelvin screw caps. The J. Lohr Bay Mist White Riesling offers mouth-watering layers of honeysuckle, ripe pear, Meyer lemon and lychee and contains less than 90 calories per 4 oz serving. One of the most unique red grapes grown in California, J. Lohr’s Wildflower Valdiguié is a bright, juicy red with enticing flavors of fresh berries. Like Riesling, it has less than 90 calories per serving and is best served chilled.

“As the former Executive Director of the Monterey County Vintners and Producers Association, I know firsthand what a pivotal role J. Lohr played in shaping Monterey’s reputation as a renowned wine region. world,” says Rhonda Motil, vice president of marketing for J. Lohr. “Our Monterey wines always highlight the influences of the cool-climate region. With J. Lohr Monterey Roots, we’re engaging the next generation of wine drinkers by focusing on the fun, adventurous, attitude-free spirit of these wines. The fact that these wines are certified sustainable and contain less than 90 calories per glass appeals to both the values ​​and lifestyle choices that many new consumers are seeking and embracing.

About J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines

Founded forty-eight years ago by Jerry Lohr and still family owned and operated today, J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines grows, produces and bottles a full line of internationally recognized wines from its more than 4,000 acres. from certified sustainable California vineyards in Monterey County. Arroyo Seco and Santa Lucia Highlands, Paso Robles and St. Helena appellations in Napa Valley. Offering an expressive range of styles that showcase the fruit of its estate, J. Lohr crafts eight levels of award-winning wines: J. Lohr Signature Cabernet Sauvignon, J. Lohr Cuvée Series, J. Lohr Vineyard Series, J. Lohr Gesture, Exclusive J. Lohr Pure Paso red wine, J. Lohr Estates, J. Lohr Monterey Roots and ARIEL Vineyards. The company’s online home is jlohr.com.

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When asked what they think of Greek white wines, most wine drinkers will think of Retsina and wince! Retsina has the distinctive smell and taste of pine resin or Pinesol. And that is an acquired experience!

For something completely different, do yourself a favor and pick up a bottle of 2020 Boutari Moshofilero ($18.99; 91 points). Boutari was established in 1879 and it is one of the best wineries in Greece.

This is a lovely aromatic Greek white wine made from the native Moshofilero grape of the Peloponnese. It has a pale straw color with a hot pink tint. The Moshofilero releases an enchanting aroma of spring flowers washed down with a few squeezes of citrus. This refreshing dry white wine is fresh and crisp with notes of ripe apple, grapefruit and lemon and ends in a long fruity finish.

This is a perfect wine for seafood: calamari, Manhattan clam chowder, grilled octopus, ceviche, fish tacos… the possibilities are endless! And it certainly doesn’t taste like Retsina. It’s instantly delicious!

Boutari also offers a red wine made from native Xinomavro grapes, Boutari 2018 Naoussa ($19.99; 89 points). It was first produced at the turn of the 20th century and now bears the original label. If you want a red that isn’t created in a ripe, fruity style, Boutari Naoussa is your ‘cup of tea’!

The Naoussa has a medium-light terra cotta hue. Its aroma has multiple components: tea, beet and tobacco with cherry and tomato, and cranberry and earthy. It reminded me of drinking a Pinot Noir.

On the palate there is a light body with lots of terroir with hints of herbs and spices. The tannins are rather strong for a wine with this light substance. It is definitely a table wine! When I tasted the Naoussa with a rack of lamb, the wine revealed its best character. It brightened up with more fruit than it was obvious to taste solo!

Besides lamb, enjoy it with moussaka, beef souvlaki or roast chicken with rosemary and oregano.

My final recommendation is the Monte del Fra 2019 Bardolino ($16.99; 90 points). Last week I highly recommended Monte del Fra Custoza Superiore, a white with four indigenous grape varieties. Today’s Bardolino is also a blend of native Italian varietals: 65% Corvina, 30% Rondinella and 5% Sangiovese, from 55-year-old vines. Bardolino is Valpolicella’s lesser-known neighbor in the Veneto region of northeast Italy.

There is a medium garnet color in the glass, and on the nose expect dark and red fruits with spice. Savor the juicy, crisp flavors of red and black cherries, kirsch, with medium-light tannins, a kiss of cinnamon and cloves, and a subtly bitter finish.

Monte del Fra Bardolino goes well with pork tenderloin, tuna poke or spaghetti alla puttanesca.

All of today’s Italian and Greek wines are available at BC Liquor Stores.

Whether you prefer a glass of translucent Irsai Olivér or a deep ruby ​​Egri Bikavér is a matter of personal taste. However, when it comes to the question of which is healthier, we probably couldn’t give a quick and straightforward answer. Do you wonder that in the battle of red wine against white wine, which intoxicating nectar would reign supreme? The differences go well beyond the choice of grape varieties of the region from which they come. Read on to find out which wine turns out to be the healthier choice.

Caveat: While wine is delicious, it won’t give you superpowers, nor should it be considered a health drink to sip every day after your gym class.

Nutritional comparison

Both types are more or less similar when it comes to their sugar and carbohydrate content. The main difference between red wine and white wine is related to the color of the grapes. If we break down the chemical profile of wine, we are left, after alcohol and water, only with polyphenols. These micronutrients include tannins, pigments and flavonoids among thousands of other plant compounds.

The flavonoids are responsible for the good-hearted reputation of this divine alcoholic drink.

Bad news for white wine lovers: these beneficial natural substances are mainly found in grapes (also in dark chocolate, berries, red cabbage and onions, but these do not make you funnier or a better dancer) which are dark.

Apart from flavonoids, red wine does only slightly better in its vitamin and mineral content compared to white wine. They contain equal amounts of magnesium and vitamin B6, both valued at 4% of the daily reference intake (RDA). However, red outperforms white in their levels of iron (4% of the RDI vs. 2% for white) and potassium (5% of the RDI in red vs. only 3% in white).

Read more: The best Hungarian wines have been awarded, here are the winners

Advantages of red wine over white wine

Although the health-promoting attributes of wine outweigh all other types of alcoholic beverages, not all wines are created equal. Some types contain a lot more “good stuff”. For example, the antioxidants found in red wine promise more health benefits compared to white wine.

Antioxidants have the power to reduce oxidative stress in the body, which is linked to many modern chronic diseases such as cancers and cardiovascular disorders.

You may have heard of the “French paradox” that has baffled scientists for decades. Taken in all the Camembert and Roquefort the French eat, they somehow seem to be less vulnerable to heart disease than Americans who have less saturated fat in their diets. Experts suspect that this may be because red wine is an obligatory companion to almost all French dishes (you need to wash these juice snails with something). Presumably, the protective effect is the result of the high flavonoid content in red wine. Numerous studies have proven that moderate consumption of red wine can reduce the risk of coronary heart disease by 30-40%.

Besides all this, red wine is also known to lower bad cholesterol in your system. To mention something good about white wine as well, people looking to reduce their sugar intake should definitely opt for a light colored glass.

Read more: Hungarian wine from Villány becomes the best in the world

What to look for?

It’s wine time and you can’t wait to treat yourself to a glass (or two) but still want to stay on the healthier side? There are a few telltale characteristic traits you can look for in this case. If you want to lose a few pounds, opt for less sweet dry wines, that is to say, they hide less sugar. You won’t compromise your fitness goals with a few sips of Etyeki Kúria Sauvignon Blanc, Feind Sauvignon Blanc, Cassiopeia Merlot de Villány or Badacsonyi Pinot Gris. It may also be a good idea to opt for low-alcohol wines such as Riesling, Chardonnay and even Sauvignon Blanc.

If you don’t care about calories but want to ripen all the promising health benefits of wine, look for dark red options from famous Hungarian wine regions such as Eger, Villány and Szekszárd.

That said, take our advice with a grain of salt. There are so many wonderfully delicious wines, you shouldn’t limit yourself. Take a wine tour through the Hungarian countryside and explore all the rich and exciting flavors the country has to offer. Treat yourself to a glass of sweet and fruity Tokaji Aszú or a velvety Soproni Kékfrankos with notes of plum and blackcurrant and savor every luscious drop.

Hungary in the world’s top wine tourism destinations!

Oenophiles, whether experts or simple enthusiasts, all know Red, White and Rosé Wines, the colors come from the manipulations during the production. Specifically, they come from the skin of grapes. Virtually all wine juices are clear and relatively the same.

White wines produced by separating the juice from the greenish skins immediately after crushing. Red wines allow the grapes and blackish skins to begin fermentation, only to separate later. Perceptually, one can feel that rosé wines are that area between the other two, just less skin time.

Three is a comfortable potential pick we’re comfortable with, sort of a Goldilocks solution. We easily manage three. A winemaker obtains the color and tannin characteristics of a wine during fermentation. Just like in brewed tea, the longer the tea bag is in hot water, the darker the color will become and the more astringent the drink will be. In many ways, it’s an apt comparison: because the same tannins that make a wine like Cabernet Sauvignon as harsh as a young wine, also produce the bitterness of tea.

This factor softens in wine with years of ageing, both in barrels and in bottles. It improves alternatively by associating itself with a less tannic wine like Merlot or Malbec, typical in Bordeaux. The grape variety is also a factor in controlling color and bitterness. Pinot Noir is a lighter, thin-skinned variety that will never produce a dark black color, and is generally a softer, silkier tasting wine with less tannin.