Top 10 wines in the US press

In recommending wines from Italy Jon Bonné picks a wine that “shows the best of Etna’s style” while Bill St John highlights an “amazing and gorgeous” Amarone.

The San Francisco Chronicle‘s wine editor Bonné visited Etna and highlighted how much the region had changed since his previous visit four years ago. He said that in that time “Etna has become Sicily’s diva, enjoying a whirlwind popularity.”

He added: “It is easy to see why Etna’s charms resonate. While their lightness of step evokes a fond comparison to Pinot Noir, they also share a rectitude and earthy depth with Nebbiolo.”

St John, writing in the Chicago Tribune, features Amarone della Valpolicella, writing: “The wine is high in alcohol (15 to 16%), sometimes ever-so-slightly sweet and powerfully flavoured.

“Because of the exceptional ripeness of both fruit and tannin, it is also softly textured, rich and luxuriant. All these traits account for the ‘big’ part of ‘Amarone’.”

Click through the following pages to find out which wines these and other US wine writers have recommended over the last week.

Grosjean Freres Vallée d’Aoste Cornalin Vigne Rovettaz 2010

In the New York Times, Eric Asimov gave this wine three stars, writing that it is “lovely, lightly spicy aromas, slightly exotic and a bit funky with a smooth, silky texture.”

Asimov’s tasting panel picked this wine as its number one choice from Valle d’Aosta, Italy.

He added: “The 2010 Grosjean Frères Cornalin, from the Rovettaz vineyard, a spicy, pleasantly textured, slightly funky wine with intriguing exotic flavours. Every time I’ve had this wine in a restaurant, I’ve very much enjoyed it.”

Donnas Vallée d’Aosta Rosso Supérieur Vieilles Vignes 2008

This wine was the New York Times’ tasting panel’s second favourite from the region, Asimov described it as “completely different” to the Cornalin.

He wrote: “Clear Nebbiolo flavours, unbridled and perhaps unpolished but with force and character.”

Asimov added: “It was pure, forceful and modestly tannic, with perhaps a little more polish than the other Donnas wine in the tasting.”

Schoenheitz Cremant d’Alsace Brut

Paul Gregutt in the Seattle Times picked this as his wine of the week, writing that “sparkling wines from Alsace are often based, as this is, upon Auxerrois — a sharp-edged, high-acid white grape”.

He added: “This blends in some Pinot Blanc as well, from vines up to 25 years old. It has the crispness of Cava, with a bit more fruit flavour.”

Heartland Stickleback Red 2009

In the Wall Street Journal Will Lyons recommended this wine, which he described as “a delightful blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz and the Italian varietals Dolcetto and Lagrein”.

Lyons added: “There’s tradition here, in a hint of tobacco flavour that calms the more familiar Australian enthusiasm.”

2010 Passopisciaro Sicilia Rosso

This is the Etna wine that Jon Bonné recommends in the San Francisco Chronicle, he described it as a “standard bearer” for Etna’s north side.

He added: “This blend, using vines between 70 and 100 years old from a relatively cool vintage, shows the best of Etna’s fine-boned style. Burnt sage, rose petal, a turnip-like earthiness and subtle mulberry flavours, with classic minerality under it all. It’s slightly young, so consider ageing it a bit.”

2010 Robert Oatley Signature Series Shiraz, McLaren Vale

Fred Tasker in the Miami Herald writes about Shiraz and Syrah, writing: “Shiraz, in sunny Australia, is often softer, sweeter and smoother than its Rhône Valley forefather.”

He described this wine as having a “hint of oak, aromas and flavours of strawberries and cloves, rich and smooth.”

2007 Tedeschi Capitel Monte Olmi

In the Chicago Tribune Bill St John features Amarone, which he said would work well “with the deep and complex sauces of Mexican cooking, or as a braising liquid for firm-fleshed fish,” adding that Amarone’s strength “allows it to age well too.”

In terms of this wine, he wrote: “From a single vineyard; amazing and gorgeous, it pushes its aromas of dark fruits and earth into your nose, tingles your tongue with freshness and vivacity, then lingers after the sip.”

NV Broadbent Vinho Verde, Portugal

In the Dallas Morning News, Michael Flynn described this wine as “easy to drink and true to type. It’s the perfect patio wine.”

He added: “It’s simple, but delicious. I could drink this by the pool all afternoon — it’s like adult limeade. I think a lot of people would love this.”

Domaine Guindon Muscadet, 2011

Michael Petersen of the LA Daily News picked this as his white wine of the week.

He wrote: “From the Loire Valley in France, this is a refreshing white with good minerality and a slightly salty finish. It’s crisp and clean, with fresh aromas and flavours of green apple and pear.”

Cecchetti, 2011 Austerity Proprietary White Wine California,

Sandra Silfven in the Detroit News recommends this white, which is a blend of Chardonnay and Riesling, she wrote that “the two varietals are quite compatible.”

She added: “The Chardonnay is definitely steered by the Riesling, making it crisp and refreshing. I like it. It would make a great pairing with sweet shellfish.”