Casa de Valor Brut Nature Cava – Cava is a sparkling wine from the Denominación de Origen (DO) status from Catalonia, also produced in other regions of Spain. 95% of all Cava is produced in the Penedès area in Catalonia. Cava can be white or rose. Only wines produced in méthode champenoise may be labeled Cava, those produced in other ways must be labeled sparkling wine. This is a dry, non dosage Brut Nature
50% Xarel-lo 25% Macabeo 25% Parellada (zero dosage), from 15 to 35 year old vines with grapes farmed and hand harvested by a third generation family. Aged 14 months on the lees in the bottle before disgorgement
The nose of revealing hints of citrus, orchard fruits and white flowers on the nose. Crisp, bright acidity and fresh citrus fruits, reminiscent of lemon cake. On the palate, there’s an attractive interplay of candied lemon and crisp acidity. Lively mousse and properly dry finish, but no hard edges. Cooper’s Price $14.99
Ferrari-Carano Tre Terre Russian River Chardonnay – Don and Rhonda Carano founded Ferrari-Carano in 1981. They were introduced to the beauty of Northern Sonoma County in 1979, and eventually purchased a 60-acre parcel in the Alexander Valley. Those vineyards piqued their curiosity about winemaking, and as a result, they began taking classes on enology and viticulture at the University of California, Davis. Realizing the potential that this area held, the Caranos began to acquire additional vineyard land, and ground was broken for the winery in Dry Creek Valley in 1985. The first wines bearing the Ferrari-Carano label were released in 1987. In 2015, Ferrari-Carano’s 24 vineyards earned California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance (CSWA) certification for their numerous efforts to preserve the land while producing memorable, sustainable wines of outstanding quality. Each lot for this wine is hand harvested, whole‐cluster pressed, then barrel fermented with native and cultured yeast. The wine completes 96% malolactic fermentation and is aged on lees and stirred weekly for 9 months. The wine is barreled again in neutral oak until bottling. This is a delicious, full‐bodied Chardonnay with aromas and flavors of Meyer lemon, apple, graham cracker, creamy marshmallow, stonefruit, brown sugar and spice, with bright fruit, nice acidity and a long, lingering finish. This wine’s rich fruit component complements mildly spiced vegetarian dishes and rich, creamy shellfish entrées. It also works well with veal, poultry, pasta and rice. Cooper’s Price $19.99
Cantine Povero Barbera d’Asti – Cantine Povero began to bottle wine in 1964 but Povero family members have always been winemakers. Their 45 hectares of vineyards are located in Piemonte, around Cisterna d’Asti: this very central position allows them to produce a wide range of typical wines of Langhe, Monferrato and Roero areas. The third generation is now managing this promising enterprise, following the production process, from the grape to the bottle. Respecting nature is the keyword, both in the vineyard and in the cellar. The careful work in the vineyards together with the innovative technologies used for the vinification process allow them to reach high quality standards with affordable prices. Povero’s ambition is to showcase the flavors and emotions of their wines, which express the uniqueness of their land.Deep ruby red in color with mild and fruity flavors on the palate. Full bodied with velvety and pleasantly dry tannins. This is a highly flexible wine that is superb with meat dishes. Excellent during the first year following the vintage. Cooper’s Price: $10.99
Domaine Andron Haut-Médoc 2010 – Domaine Andron is situated in the little village of Saint Seurin de Cadourne (just north of Saint Estèphe and not far from Pauillac) being neighbours of the famous chateau Sociando-Mallet. Three First-Cru vineyards are within 20 minutes away (Chateau Lafite Rothschild, Chateau Latour, Chateau Mouton Rothschild).
Domaine Andron dates back to the early 19th century. It became a “Cru Bourgeois” in 1892, and has first-rate vineyard with a reputation of the best wines of the Médoc. The domain is located on the famous rumps of Günziennes gravel close to the Gironde River. The soils are on deep sandy loam gravels. The vines are an average age of 42 years.
An extremely sophisticated culture, moderate yields, manual harvest at full maturity followed by careful breeding and vinification have resulted in an exceptional concentrated wine, with finesse and complexity, and was bottled without filtration.
A large core of dark currant, plum and fig fruit rolled together and inlaid with baker’s chocolate, dark tobacco and loam notes. The long, solid, muscular finish lets the fruit and loam play out nicely. Best from 2014 through 2020. Cooper’s Price $29.99
