Top 10 wines in the US press

2011 Terre di Monteforte Valpolicella Superiore

Lettie Teague, writing for the Wall Street Journal, picked five easy-drinking reds from the Veneto region in Italy, many of which are “uncomplicated, pleasurable, and reasonable”, said Teague.

Focusing on Valpolicella, Teague picked this example from Terre di Monteforte, which she said was “easily the best buy of the tasting”.

“This is a juicy, ripe red with just enough stuffing to stand up to barbecue and lively enough to drink on its own”, said Teague. “It’s one of several wines made by a consortium of growers who turn out a well-regarded Soave as well.”

Price: $10

2013 Brigaldara Valpolicella

Having tasted through a dozen or so Valpolicellas with a “diverse” tasting group, Teague said “not a single person could recall ever having tasted a Valpolicella”, which she said “seemed to underscore (in a completely unscientific fashion) just how unpopular the wines have become.”

“Some of the wines deserved discovery, while others did not”, added Teague.

Of this 2013 Brigaldara Valpolicella Teague said: “Although there have been vineyards planted at Brigaldara for centuries, only in the past few decades has the family been making wine from their grapes. This bottle is a hallmark for a good Valpolicella wine: dense yet lithe, with a lively red-cherry aroma.”

Price: $15

Brancaia TRE, IGT Toscana 2013

Staying in Italy Sandra Silfven, writing for Detroit News, recommended this IGT Toscana – a blend of Sangiovese, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.

“This Super Tuscan blend is an affordable wine for its category and packed with big fruit, lovely tannins”, said Silfven. “It’s 80% Sangiovese filled out with Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon and is young and tightly wound, but when you give it some air in the glass or decant it, it begins to reveal its layers of fruit and supple tannins. It offers aromas and flavors of cherry, wild berry, plum, almond, spice and dark roast coffee bean. It’s medium-bodied, with good tension between the fruit and acidity.”

Price: $23

Segura Viudas Gran Cuvée Reserve Cava NV

Silfven also recommended this Reserve NV Cava from Segura Viudas, which she said “takes things up a notch by adding Chardonnay and Pinot Noir to the usual Spanish grapes”, with nine different base wines used.

“Dry, complex, refreshing with fruity, rich, elegant flavors”, said Silfven. “Add streams of fine bubbles, crisp acidity and alcohol and you have another great buy from Segura Viudas. This new addition to the Segura Viudas line is aged a minimum of 15 months in contact with the lees. It’s 85% Macabeo and Parellada, the typical grapes for Spanish Cava; the rest is Chardonnay and Pinot Noir — those two are the game changer, lifting up the whole package with more richness and complexity. What a dry, delicious, crisp bubbly!”

Price: $14

Bisol Crede Prosecco Superiore DOCG 2014, Valdobbiadene, Italy

Dennis Sodomka, writing in the Augusta Chronicle, shone a light on this ” crazy good” Prosecco from high-end producer Bisol.

“The palate features apples and pears and a hint of minerality and balanced acidity”, he said, adding: “The Crede is produced using grapes from several vineyards in the historical heart of the appellation. Crede is a type of clay-laden soil with particular characteristics that greatly benefit the grapes. Glera grapes are combined with Pinot Blanco and Verdiso, producing freshness, elegance and versatility in the wine. The 2014 blend is 85% Glera, 10% Pinot Blanco and 5% Verdiso.”

Price: $24 to 26

Argyros Assyrtiko 2014, Santorini, Greece

Greek wines are enjoying something of a renaissance at the moment, a trend backed up by Dave McIntyre who this week recommended an Assyrtiko from the island of Santorini writing in the Washington Post.

“Here’s another fine example of the outstanding white wines from the Greek island of Santorini. It’s opulent with orchard fruit — peaches, nectarines and apricots — while still bracing, with firm acidity. A perfect partner to grilled fish.”

Price: $27

Chakana Estate Selection Red Blend 2013, Mendoza, Argentina

McIntyre also recommended this “savory” blend of Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah from Mendoza, a wine he said “bursts with red-fruit flavors and a hint of sunshine, held together with wood-spice notes from barrel aging.”

Price: $27

2014 Ameztoi Getariako Txakolina, Spain

Irene Virbila, of the LA Times, picked a selection of wines to cool down with in the heat of summer.

“In warm weather, there are a couple of rules to keep in mind. For the whites, nothing too rich or oaky. And for reds, nothing too tannic”, she said. “Break out that ice bucket for both the whites and the reds — the wine police won’t arrest you — and your red will suddenly go from flabby to focused and refreshing.”

Of this Spanish white from one of the top estates in Basque country, Virbila said: “Ameztoi’s Txakolina (a.k.a. Txakoli) is bone dry, bright and scented with lime, and ever so lightly pétillant (fizzy). It has a wonderful minerality and a trace of salinity that makes it an ideal pairing for raw oysters and clams, seafood platters, sushi and more.”

Price: About $20

2013 Masseria Li Veli “Askos” Verdeca Valle d’Itria, Puglia, Italy

Vibila also recommended this Italian white from Puglia made from an ancient grape variety called Verdeca and a touch of Fiano Minutolo.

“Scented with citrus and flowers, this fruity aromatic white has an enticing minerality and lively acidity, making it ideal with summer foods such as shrimp, crab and seafood pasta or risotto”, said Virbila.

Price: From $16 to $18.

Minassian-Young Vineyards Estate Zinfandel  2013, Paso Robles, California

Finally Michele Parente, of the San Diego Union Tribune, recommended this “opulent and ultra-ripe” Zinfandel from Minassian-Young in California’s Paso Robles.

“Young is a San Diego native; his family owns Julian’s apple-growing Calico Ranch Orchard. And with a degree in fruit science from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Young knows his fruit, and it shows in this 100% dry-farmed (not irrigated) Zin — it’s a classic powerhouse, with mouthwatering, jammy fig, raspberry and blackberry notes and hint of clove. It’s big (15.5% alcohol), but it’s balanced.”

Price: $16.95 to $25