Another best of 2017 list is out - this time it's the best wines of 2017 from Tastings.com.
Tastings.com is the official website of the Beverage Testing Institute. They taste a lot of wine, and are also known for the famous World Beer Championships. I'll talk about the best beers and booze in another post, promised.
So who made the cut?
There were a lot of wines chosen, but we'll just take a look at the best overall, rather than varietal specific.
Best Vintage Champagne in the World
One of my favorite things on the planet is a glass (or two) of bubbles and the Best Vintage Champagne in the World goes to Janisson & Fils 2006 Grand Cru Brut, Champagne, a growers (meaning small production, not a big name, basically the equivalent of an indie rock band versus a major label band) Champagne.
What Tastings.com has to say about this wine:
Brilliant yellow straw color. Toasty, roasted aromas and flavors of glazed fruit graham cracker crust tart, cocoa butter, coffee yogurt, and peanut brittle and caramel corn with a lively, finely carbonated, dry light-to-medium body and a peppery, elegant, very long honeysuckle, dried pineapple and coconut, passionfruit and butter glaze, and mixed peppercorns in honey finish with well-integrated, silky tannins and light oak. A delicious, toasty champagne with understated elegance and underlying tropical fruit.
Sounds good. Just give me a straw. It retails for $50. Learn more here.
Best Non-Vintage Champagne in the World
The cheaper cousin to a vintage Champagne is the NV (non-vintage). The winner in this category is Louis Revoir NV Brut Cuvee Prestige, Champagne. Despite my research, I couldn't find anything out about this producer.
What Tastings.com has to say about this wine:
Brilliant light gold color. Baked, attractive aromas and flavors of toasted brioche, honey baked apples, and orange marmalade with a velvety, lively, finely carbonated, dryish medium-to-full body and an intricate, very long toasted brioche, baked apples, orange marmalade, and tagine spices finish with fine tannins and a suggestion of oak. Fantastic champagne, full of flavor, nuance, brawn and beauty.
Nuance, brawn and beauty - just how I describe myself. Ha! A mere $30 or so at retail. Learn more here.
Best White Wine in the World
Yup, you read it right, the Best White Wine in the World goes to Corner 103 2016 Grenache Blanc, Alexander Valley.
I was super excited to see this wine on this list! I have half a case of this wine in my cellar - and it's sold out!
What Tastings.com has to say about this wine:
Pale golden amber color. Citrusy, elegant aromas of pink grapefruit, fresh cut grass, and vanilla bean with a satiny, lively, dry-yet-fruity light-to-medium body and an elegant, long fresh mint and dill, allspice and apricot, lilac, and wet pebbles finish with well-integrated, silky tannins. A silky mouthfeel and long, satisfying finish give this wine staying power.
It's a great sipper for a warm day or a seafood pairing. Sadly, it's sold out, so you won't be able to get your hands on it, but if you see a grenache blanc at your local wine story or a winery - grab it! You'll love it! Learn more about this wine here.
Best Rose in the World
Rose all day is how we roll in the spring and summer and it's no surprise that it's a French rose from Provence, the motherland for all things rose, that won Best Rose in the World.
Retrofollies 2016 Rose, Coteaux Varois de Provence is the winner, and it's one of 10 or so that Ravoire & Fils, the producer, makes.
What Tastings.com has to say about this wine:
Dusty pink coral color. Floral, attractive aromas of spring blossom, juicy bartlett pear, raspberry, and clove with a supple, crisp, dry medium body and a complex, very long raspberry, currant, key lime pie, and chervil finish with well-integrated, fine, fruit tannins and no oak. A delicious and perfumed rose with a great sense of place.
I have spring fever just reading the description. Sadly, it appears to be sold out, but you can check out other roses made by the producer of Retrofollies here.
Best Red Wine in the World #1
There was actually a tie! The first of the two Best Red Wines in the World is Cielo 2013 Centanni, Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG. Amarone is one of the most coveted red wines in the world. It's a big, bold wine that comprises two Italian grapes: Rondinella and Corvina, which are the primary varietals used to create Amarone.
What Tastings.com has to say about this wine:
"Dusty garnet black color. Floral, elegant, mature aromas of Christmas pudding and sweet black cherry, orange blossom and violet candy, new leather, and chocolate cookie with a velvety, dry-yet-fruity medium-full body and a thought-provoking, endless dried forest berries, salted caramel chocolate truffle, polished wood, and dusted jerked meats finish with fine, silky tannins and moderate oak. Life’s puzzle pieces finally come together when drinking this wine."
Aside from being a winning wine, it has two additional bonuses: only 15% ABV and it retails for around $32. Sold! Learn more here.
Best Red Wine in the World #2
The tie for Best Red Wine in the World goes to Grifo 2015 Puglia Nero di Troia IGP, another Italian red!
This rich red is from the Uva di Troia grape, which is grown in Ruvo di Puglia, north of the town of Bari, in Southern Italy.
What Tastings.com has to say about this wine:
Brilliant ruby color. Candied, sweet, fruity aromas and flavors of blueberry sorbet, vanilla gelato, lavender and violet candy, and turkish bazaar with a satiny, vibrant, fruity light body and a medium-long mocha mousse and candied mint leaf finish with well-integrated, soft tannins. A delicious fresh and fruity wine with great complexity; lip-smacking.
"Lip-smacking?" Send it my way, please, with a rich red pasta dish! Even better, it's only $25 bucks. Learn more here.
Best Dessert Wine in the World
This one ain't cheap: $147 is the average retail price for the declared Best Dessert Wine in the World, Alea Ludendo 2013 Elba Aleatico Passito.
It's a perfect way to finish a meal, according to Tastings.com:
Deep purple color. Fruity, floral aromas of sugared plums, pressed violet, honeycomb, sweet cigars, and dark chocolate with a round, vibrant, sweet medium body and a smooth, layered, long ginger, saffron, dried figs, mint creme, and molasses cookies finish with well-integrated tannins and light oak. A delightful and nuanced Dessert Wine to finish an excellent meal; just lovely.
For the price point, it better be the best way to end a meal, or I want my money back! Learn more here.
Best Fortified Wine in the World
If dessert wine is too sweet for you, perhaps you're more of a port fan. I was surprised to see a Californian winery take the cake on this title -Robledo NV Mamma Maria's White Port, Sauvignon Blanc, Lake County.
This wine is actually made about two miles from my house!
Their sauvignon blanc is a popular wine in the US, so it's no surprise that their special port, made from a white grape, is an award winner.
It's a perfect way to finish a meal, according to Tastings.com:
Golden amber color. Interesting, inviting aromas of hay, dried fruits, toasted nuts, and toffee with a round, vibrant, moderately sweet medium body and a warming, subtle, very long dried apricot, salted butterscotch, caramel corn, and peppermint finish with well-integrated, silky tannins. An endless white port to delight your guest’s taste buds; a must-try.
Pair with your favorite cheese plate! It retails for $42 and can be purchased directly through the winery, which is the first Latino owned winery in the USA, here.
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STOPI love this one! Retrofollies 2016 Rose, Coteaux Varois de Provence
Rose all day!!!
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Oh sarahvain I was going to say Amarone, but Best Vintage Champagne in the World.. sounds too good. Janisson & Fils 2006 Grand Cru Brut, Champagne is my choice!