Top 10 wines in the US press

Jon Bonné reveals a wine which is “precise, luscious and aromatic”, while Irene Virbila recommends a “stunner” from Italy’s south.

Bonné, writing in the San Francisco Chronicle, recommends a Vermentino from California and he describes it as “one of those itinerants, an amiable white grape that ventured around its native Mediterranean – and then beyond.”

He added: “Its wanderlust is of a quieter sort than, say, Chardonnay’s global domination. As white grapes go, it never seems to lose its character. It is sunny yet almost never flabby, fresh but not bony. It thrives in the heat.”

While just a little further down the US west coast, S. Irene Virbila in the Los Angeles Times picks out a white wine from Puglia. She writes: “Made from an ancient grape variety called Verdeca with a small percentage of Fiano Minutolo, it has a delightful nose of flowers and white peaches.”

Find out more about these and other wines recommended in the US press over the last seven days.

Milbrandt Vineyards 2006 Traditions Merlot

Paul Gregutt in the Seattle Times had a financially challenging January in mind in recommending this wine, he wrote: “In tough times, even the grandest of wines is getting caught in the cost crunch, but plenty of wineries are finding the ways to offer both good wine and good value. Washington state’s Milbrandt Vineyards, which has the advantage of growing its own grapes, is one such winery.”

In relation to the wine, he added:  “This outstanding blend offers smooth berry and cherry fruits, spice, tobacco, liquorice and smoke, folded into a lush and chocolaty finish.”

2009 Channing Daughters Winery, Sculpture Garden red table wine

Howard Goldberg in the New York Times, wrote of this wine: “Predominantly Merlot, this provocative, nuanced blend incorporates small quantities of Teroldego, a grape prominent in the Trentino region of north-eastern Italy, and Blaufränkisch, a native variety popular in Austria.”

The wine is from Bridgehampton, New York.

Evening Land Chardonnay 2010

Writing in the Washington Post, Dave McIntyre found a wine, which has come from a project in the US that has been focusing on “Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from around the world”.

He wrote: “Though pricey for a ‘basic’ Bourgogne, this tastes more like a Meursault: rich and full, with plenty of minerality and toasty oak to balance the depth of the fruit.”

Torbreck Woodcutter’s Semillon 2010

McIntyre also recommended this Australian Semillon, which he said is “one of the world’s more underrated white wine values”.

He added: “This example is softer than most, its acidity cleverly cloaked by a limpid, mouth-filling texture and a soft, citrusy palate. It has a long finish that makes the wine delicious by itself and with casual foods.”

2011 Masseria Li Veli Verdeca

S. Irene Virbila, writing in the Los Angeles Times, described this wine as a “stunner for a white wine from Italy’s south”.

She went on to say that the wine is “richly fruity, but that’s balanced with a tart acidity and a bit of minerality.”

2010 Bio Vio Marené Riviera Ligure di Ponente Pigato di Albenga

Jon Bonné described this as a “serious wine”, adding that it is: “Savoury and richly textured, with a saline juiciness and an exotic side: salted peach, shiso leaf, wax bean.”

2011 Ryme Cellars His Las Brisas Vineyard Carneros Vermentino

Bonné also recommended this Californian wine, about which he wrote: “Many skin-fermented wines are uneven nowadays, but this is precise, luscious and aromatic: Think rosemary trapped in amber, with ripe nectar flavours and a saline bite.”

2011 Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais-Villages, Beaujolais

Fred Tasker in the Miami Herald helps his readers to pick out some good quality but cheaper wines that can be enjoyed “when the Christmas credit card bills start rolling in”.

He wrote that this wine is “not Beaujolais nouveau, but full-fledged Beaujolais, with more body and fruit, it’s still a tender wine, with intense red raspberry flavours, best served chilled with deli meats, rotisserie chicken, tuna salad.”

2011 Pepi Sauvignon Blanc

And for those who may prefer a winter white, Tasker also recommended this Californian Sauvignon Blanc, which he described as, “light and crisp, with flavours of white grapefruit and lemons, good with light fish dishes.”

2010 Zantho Zweigelt Burgenland

Bill St John, writing in the Chicago Tribune is another who tells his readers about some quality bargains to be had, with this Austrian wine made from a grape that he “stumbled upon last year to great effect”.

He added: “You’ll find it in the 2010 Zantho Zweigelt Burgenland Austria, and its wide-open, appealing aromas and flavours of dark berries and cranberry, flecked with black pepper and brown spice, in a straightforward red meant to go with a wide range of foods.”