Patti Meckley is the retail wine specialist at the Fine Wine & Good Spirits Store in east York. Her York Marketplace store is located at 2547 E. Market St.
She, like her colleagues across the state, arrange the free tastings and offer purchasing suggestions to customers among their many tasks.
To tap into a little of their wine IQ, this week will continue a "5 Questions With" series that I'd like to continue for awhile, hoping to provide some answers to my (and hopefully your) wine questions, whether it's about a special product or price point or just something related to wine.
If you have one, email me at pvigna@pennlive.com.
Here's a link to the first interview done with Meckley a couple months back.
And on to the questions for this second go-round.
Q, Tell me (and the readers) how you got into the business doing what you're doing.
A, I started as a part timer , November 1991 in the Duke street location. I then moved to North Mall and eventually started at Eastern Blvd , where I became an assistant manager and just worked my way up the ladder until I became the RWS approximately 8 years ago.
Q, Not sure how confused readers get when it comes to grapes. What down the differences between Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon and between Gewurztraminer and Gruner Veltliner ... or substitute two other grapes that consumers are often confused by.
A, The public has become very knowledgeable due to magazines and TV shows concerning grapes and travel. Gruner Veltliner are very popular especially now in the summer, Austria still being the primary grower. New York, Oregon and Washington are also growing this grape and doing an amazing job with it. It is a food-friendly wine and inexpensive. Gewurztraminers are not very popular, plus we do not have a lot of options when it comes to this grape. Riesling overrides this since we are located near a Thai restaurant. Semi dry and dry Rieslings have become increasingly popular - great with spicy foods and sushi.
Q, The usual question: Give me the names and some skinny on a few of your best bang-for-the-buck wines this month.
A, Big bangs:
2017 Walnut Block Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, $11.99. "Fresh and pure, floral, lime zest and subtle herbaceous characters. The palate is lively and well fruited with a juicy mouthfeel and a crisp, dry finish."
2015 Yalumba Old Bushvine Grenache, Barossa Valley, $19.99. Often described as one of Australia's unsung hero, this Grenache is lighter in color and body (perfect for summertime/picnic drinking) it has wonderful fruit flavors (cherries, raspberries and plums) This wine is sourced from vines planted between 1898 and 1973
2016 689 Cellars Killer Drop Red, California. This blend has 91 pts from Wine Enthusiast - "Dense and delicious fruit flavors plus a creamy, layered texture make this full bodied wine almost irresistible. It has oodles of ripe black cherry and blueberry ,with light baking spice notes that expand on the palate. It is hardly tannic and feels lush and smooth. Blend of 45% Grenache, 30% petite sirah, 20% syrah, 5%zinfandel."
2012 Bodegas Palacio Glorioso Reserva, Rioja, Spain, $21.99. James Suckling gave it 91 pts - "Aromatic nose shows a ripe plum character with chocolate undertones. Some asphalt and cacao notes, medium to full body, with round tannins and a fruity finish. Pure tempranillo. Drink now."
2014 Marietta Cellars "Arme" Red Blend, North Coast, $22.99. Parker gave it 90 pts - "Composed of 86% cabernet, 7% Malbac, 5% Merlot and 2% petit verdot and aged for 20 months in neutral barrels. Deep, garnet purple color and is scented of cassis, baked blackberries and black pepper with hints of earth, pencil shavings, mocha. Full bodied, muscular and concentrated in the mouth, it has firm, chewy tannins and a spicy finish."
Q, How popular is Pinot Noir these days and what do you like/recommend about it? Give me 4 or 5 of your favorites and why.
A, Pinot Noirs do slow down in the summer and will pick back up close to Thanksgiving. As for a few I recommend:
2015 Louis Jadot Pinot Noir, Burgundy, $19.99. Winemaker notes: This medium bodied wine is harmonious, with forward, plump fruit and a silky texture balanced by gentle tannins and elegant structure. The very typical pinot aromas and flavors of red cherries and wild strawberries are complemented by a delicious, lingering finish.
2015 Solena Estate Grand Cuvee Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, quoted at $30.00 chairmans price is $17.99. 90 pts Wine Spectator, Sept 30, 2017 - "Sleek and focused, with floral cherry and cranberry aromas and well built green tea, clove and spice flavors that finish with refined tannins. Drink now thru 2024"
2016 Planet Oregon Pinot Noir, Oregon, $21.99. Vinous Media 91 pts - "Brilliant red. Fresh red berries, cinnamon and a hint of woodsmoke on the fragrant nose. Raspberry and cherry cola flavors are braced by tangy acidity and a touch of blood orange. Sappy, penetrating and precise, a jolt of peppery spices enlivens the long, gently tannic finish."
2016 Babich Pinot Noir, Marlborough, $16.99. Wine Spectator 90 pts - "Perfumed, with dried lavender and Earl Grey tea details that highlight the charm of this wine. Cranberry and raspberry notes linger on a silkier frame. Drink now thru 2027."
Q, I like Vinho Verde, just as something light for these hot summer days. I know they are a light-bodied Portuguese white. What should consumers know about it (in addition to the fact that it's inexpensive) and a couple that you like.
A, Vinho Verdes are quite inexpensive, and once people try them they keep coming back for more! They should be consumed young.
I have here:
2017 Arca Nova, $8.99: This is an artisanal wine in a tall green bottle that really refreshes and at an incredible price! Lemon, lime and green apple flavors with a crisp and fizzy palate. A little more going on texturally than the competion!
2016 Guigas, $8.99: It's elegant and fruity. Young, fresh, slightly feminine with perfect acidity.
Tastings: Meckley generally plans free tastings at the store from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays.
Thursday's list of wines to be poured
2015 Gorghi Tondi Coste a Preola Grillo, quoted at $19.99 now only $7.19 from Sicily, Italy
Winemaker Notes: "Bright yellow color softened by greenish reflections. The elegant bouquet is intense and penetrating, with notes of passion fruit, mint, pineapple and white peach. Very characteristic of this grape type. Soft, well balanced and persistently fragrant with a lively acidity on the finish."
Reneixenca Cava Brut NV, quoted at $22.00 now $7.79 from Spain
Winemaker Notes: "A particulary fine style of Cava. Elegant and rich, with finebubbles. Full bodied on the palate." Steve Pollack, wine buyer for the Chairman's selection program - "Lemon and green apple with bright yellow fruits and refreshing bubbles. A great toast. This season's sparkler."
2015 Claudie Pequet Regnie, quoted at $26.oo our reduced price is $10.19 from Beaujolis, France
Winemaker Notes: "Regnie features raspberry, red currant, sloe and blackberry aromas. Its flavor profile of red berries is both fresh and structured, leading to a very aromatic wine with good length and a touch of mineral and spice."
2012 Domaine Durban Muscat Beaumes de Venise, was $14.99 now only $8.99 for this stunning 375ml Dessert wine
Bright and freshness in the glass. The old fashioned vinification keeps the spirits as low as possible, so that it holds the sweetness longer
Friday's list of wines to be poured
2016 Love over Money Evolucio Furmint White Blend Tokaj, was $12.99 now $7.19
Intense aromas, ripe peach and floral. Elegant, rich and mineral, great balance between the intense acidity and discreet residual sugar, it is pleasing and refreshing. Some summer fruits with white pear, citrus and hints of almond on the finish.
2016 Cantine Povero Tenuta Fratelli Arneis Roero Lange Docg, now only $7.79
The freshness and floral notes that open to the nose, followed immediately by notes of green apple, pear and lime, with a delicate minerality. Thewine has a taste that is clean, fresh and well done, without wood notes. Persistent on the palate, medium bodied, perfect with summer salads and fish.
2014 Domaine Saint Honorat Cotes du Rhone, quoted at $20.00 now only $7.79
Winemaker Notes: "Purple color, explosive fruit, black currant, wild strawberry, raspberry, a little bit earthy. Silky tannins. A well balanced wine." Steve Pollack, wine buyer for the Chairman's selection program-"Raspberry and cherry, round and juicy. Medium bodied and fruit driven."
2014 RBK Cellar Selection Flat Rock Red, quoted at $20.00 now $7.79
Winemaker Notes: "An exciting, fresh and fruity nose is followed by a combination of ripe berry fruit flavors, perfectly intertwined with subtle oak and spicy characters that complement the silky elegant tannins, ensuring a very pleasant and smooth aftertaste. Steve Pollack, wine buyer for the Chairman's selection program-"Sweet cherry liquer, plum and cranberry notes. Nicely balanced, finishing with ripe tannins."
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Here's what has already run in the series.