Top 10 wines in the US press

Urban Riesling 2014, Nik Weis Selection, Mosel, Germany

This “refreshing beauty” showcases the signature “floral, citrusy, minerally, flinty character” of the Mosel, “derived from vineyards on slate-based soils rising above the river”, said Sandra Silfven of this Riesling writing in Detroit News.

“It has delicate sweetness balanced by a spine of acidity”, she said.”This is not an estate Riesling, but made from grapes off vineyards around the town of Mehring where Nik Weis’ father-in-law is a grower. Remember, $14 is the suggested price — you will no doubt find it for less.”

Price: $14

Marina Cvetic Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC San Martino Rosse 2010, Italy

Silfven also recommended this Montepulciano, which is fermented in stainless steel and aged in French oak.

“This red has bright aromas of blackberry, chocolate, rose petal and vanilla”, she said. “In the mouth, dry dusty tannins and a spine of acidity embrace the delicate dark berry notes and floral tones. Montepulciano is a grape variety and should not be confused with the famous Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, which is made from Sangiovese in Tuscany.”

Price: $28

Villa Gemma Bianco Colline Teatine IGT 2014

Completing a trio of wine recommendations, Silfven praised Villa Gemma’s 2014 Bianco, describing it as a “summer-perfect dry white” made from Trebbiano and filled out with filled out Cococciola, and Chardonnay.

“It’s dry with lots of personality and sees no oak” she said. “Aromas of melon, citrus, pineapple, apricot and banana are enticing. Flavors are floral and citrus, with some green apple and a subtle honeyed note on the midpalate. It has a nice spine of acidity for balance and the finish is dry.”

Price: $15

Hugl, Niederösterreich 2014, Grüner Veltliner, Austria

Rebecca Murphy, writing in the Dallas Morning News, recommended this Grüner Veltliner produced by the Hugl family in Austria – a country whose wines were once “relatively unknown” in the US.

“Times have changed”, she said. “You can now find Austrian Grüners, and vintners from California, Oregon and New Zealand, among others, are joining the party. And why not? Grüner can be a delicious, versatile, food-friendly wine. It can even stand up to foods like asparagus and artichoke, which can be decidedly antagonistic to pair with wine.

“The Hugl family made this wine for your nightly dinner. It comes in a liter bottle with a screw cap, so you can serve a couple of glasses for dinner tonight and store the rest in the fridge for dinner tomorrow. It has fresh, lively flavors of grapefruit and stone fruits highlighted with floral, flinty, spicy and peppery notes. It’s dry, round and juicy in the mouth, with vibrant acidity. This wine can pair with a spicy vegetarian stir-fry or, yes, an artichoke with aioli sauce.”

Price: $15 to $17

Vale do Bomfim Douro DOC 2012, Portugal

Although Port still dominates wine sales from Portugal, its red and white wines “have gained major recognition around the world because they are so good”, according to Dennis Sodomka writing in The Augusta Chronicle. 

“The Vale do Bomfim is one of the better values from the Douro region, with fresh, complex flavors at a bargain price”, he said. “The wine is a deep purple red in the glass, with pleasant aromas of flowers, berries and spice. On the palate you notice plums, spice, black cherry and raspberry. This dry wine has good acidity, which makes it perfect for matching food, and a long finish. It is an intense wine with concentrated flavors.

“The grapes come from the winery’s centuries-old Quinta do Bomfim and Quinta da Senhora da Ribeira vineyards. The blend changes every year. For the 2012 vintage it is 50% Tinta Barroca, 20% Touriga Franca, 10% Touriga Nacional, 10% Tinta roriz and 10% other varieties. These same grapes show up in Port, but in a much different style.”

Price: $11-14

19 Crimes Red Wine 2014, Southeastern Australia

Gil Lempert-Schwarz, writing in the Las Vegas Review Journal, recommended this “utterly affordable” Australian blend of Shiraz, Pinot Noir, Grenache and Cabernet Sauvignon.

“On the nose: The wine exudes tremendous ripe crushed blackberry fruit, including boysenberry, black currant and elder fruit”, said Lempert-Schwarz. “Then there is some creme de cassis, faint oak references, vanilla custard, creme brulee and fruit-driven minerals with just a touch of “heat” as well.”

“On the palate: There is impressive concentration with gobs of jammy black currant, boysenberry marmalade, concentrated extracted blackberry fruit — featuring superb balance with the fruit and tannins in complete harmony — and then nicely complemented by minerals and a hint of star anise. The midpalate is a firmly structured and seamless fruit effort with excellent delineation going into the lengthy finish that shows blackberry extract throughout, even hints of sweetness.”

Price: $9

2013 Scarpetta Frico Bianco

“Italy’s Friuli-Venezia Giulia region is home to innumerable fabulous white wines, but it’s not that easy to find one for under $20”, said Bill Ward of this Italian white writing for The Star Tribune.

“Enter the 2013 Scarpetta Frico Bianco ($14), a marvelously refreshing summer quaffer with aromas so fresh and floral that you might just want to smell it. But then you’d be missing out on lemon and green-apple deliciousness and a crisp, vibrant texture and finish. This blend (70% Friulano, 30% Chardonnay) is made for seafood of all sorts (delight friends at your next Friday-night fish fry), grilled summer veggies and most any green salad.”

Price: $14

Sauvion Vouvray Chenin Blanc 2014

This Vouvray from the Loire Valley was flagged up as “a favourite” of Yannic Dozier’s – general manager of Oeno Wine Bar in Wichita, Kansas, and Master Sommelier – writing in the Wichita Eagle.

“With the aroma of ripe pears, tart yellow apples, lemon zest and, honeysuckle, this wine starts off with a touch of juicy apple sweetness but immediately dries out with a mouth-watering citrus/white cherry finish. It’s seductive and viscous in its lingering texture.”

He added: “It’s very versatile and an excellent introduction to the quality and care that goes into classic French white wines.”

Price: $12 to $15

Xarmant Txakoli 2013, Spain

Dave McIntyre, rounded up a selection of more unusual wines writing for the Washington Post, including this Txakoli from Spain.

“Txakoli (pronounced, more or less, “CHOC-oh-lee”), from northern Spain’s Basque country, is a sommelier’s darling: a crisp, racy white wine with smoky, mineral flavors that come alive with charcuterie or other aperitifs”, he said.

Price: $15

Dreamfish Sauvignon Blanc, Romania

“There is no vintage date on the label, but the lot number suggests this is at least mostly 2014”, said McIntyre of this oddly vague Romanian Sauvignon Blanc.

“It is simple, straightforward Sauvignon Blanc from a region that we will probably see more wines coming from in the next few years.”

Price: $8