Top 10 wines in the US press

We round up the top 10 wines featured in the US press in the past week

Eric Asimov in the New York Times turns his attention to an unusual grape, and says “the flicker of interest in California Trousseau is a sign that the state’s wine industry may evolve in unexpected directions, and that its past was more complex than is often thought.”

Howard Goldberg, also in the New York Times, turns his attention to pizza wines, and gets authoritative recommendations from Long Island vintners with Italian backgrounds.

Meanwhile, Katie Kelly Bell on Forbes.com says: “When you are shoveling in spicy, intense cuisine you need a clean-up crew combination that can refresh the palate and get it ready for the next bite; Albariño is your wine.”

Lettie Teague in the Wall Street Journal celebrates New Yorkers’ love of a bargain and highlights several of the city’s restaurants offering corkage-free nights to customers.

Roanoke Vineyards Marco Tulio 2009 (US$24)

Howard Goldberg in the New York Times chooses this as his favourite pizza wine as recommended by the Long Island vintners of Italian background: “hearty, earthy, soulful 2009, which is mainly Cabernet Franc”.

Pugliese Vineyards Long Island Sangiovese 2008 (US$16.99)

Sangiovese, says Goldberg, “is rare on Long Island”. However, he reports: “The light, palate-refreshing 2008 goes with a ‘grandma Sicilian’ pie, which comes from Michelangelo in Cutchogue, Peter Pugliese, one of the winery’s owners, wrote.”

Stephan Vineyards “Stephan Ridge by L’Aventure” 2010 (US$25)

Irene Virbila in the LA Times says: “Made from wines [Stephan] Asseo opted not to use in his estate blend, the Stephan Ridge is quite the bargain. It’s got a beautiful nose of black cherries and red plums, a smooth velvety texture, firm tannins and sweet sweet fruit”.

Laxas Albariño Rias Baixas 2011 (US$18)

Katie Kelly Bell on Forbes.com says “this wine’s green crisp edges call to mind ripe apple and citrus with pretty peach notes to compliment the mineral.”

Valminor Albariño Rias Baixas 2011 (US$18.99)

Bell says this is “quite like a nice southern girl, sweet (in a ripe fruit way) with a touch of sass. Minerality on the palate keeps the rich peachy citrusy fruit interesting.”

Inama Vin Soave Soave Classico 2011 (US$15)

“Thirst” in the San Francisco Chronicle says this is “the real treat, showing surprising kick in a plush 2011 vintage. Full of pretty, savory chive accents, with lemon zest and mineral austerity that balances ripe peach fruit.

Fontezoppa Verdicchio di Matelica 2011 (US$17)

The San Francisco Chronicle says that “showing a touch of coppery funk, like the best part of a Belon oyster, this is full of mint and fresh lime flavors, and a structure that will match richer-fleshed fish.”

Francesco Rinaldi & Figle Vecchie Vigne Gavi 2011 (US$22)

The San Francisco Chronicle says “accents of corn silk, dried apricot and scapes make it the rare Gavi that earns its DOCG stripes. In the glass, a toffee-like note appears, making it even more compelling.”

Andiron Alexander Valley Semillon 2009 (US$20)

Fred Tasker in the Miami Herald describes this wine as “very dry, with aromas of camellias and flavors of honey, golden apples and limes, great with rich dishes with creamy sauces.”

Big House Winery “Big House White” Monterey 2011 (US$10)

Tasker recommends this as “crisp and rich, with flavors of ripe peaches and mangos and a hint of lime”.