March 2011 Newsletter - Spring Has Sprung!

Spring has Sprung!

So if you're anything like us, we're betting you'd like to put that whole icy, deep winter cold mess behind you.  The end of February and beginning of March have brought sunshine, warmer temperatures, and thoughts of Spring. 

With spring comes warmer temperatures, and light, refreshing wines to compliment the outdoors.  For that, Rieslings are perfect for enjoying the sunshine.  Grown all over the world, but finding great depth in France and Germany, the Riesling grape's bright, crisp acidity and clean finish makes it perfect for sipping chilled on any spring patio. 

Many whites shine during the spring and summer, but few have the delicacy and surprise of Muscadet.  Often discarded in favor of the Bourgogne Blanc, well made Muscadet has an excellent balance of fruit, and acidity.  The Pioneer portfolio contains two outstanding examples that are among the only wine made from handpicked grapes, instead of the machine harvested grapes typical of Muscadet.

Below are a few outstanding selections of these grapes, in stock and ready to ship now.

Johannes Selbach
2008 Riesling Kabinett & Riesling Dry (Fish Label)

One of the premier winemakers in Germany, the offerings from the Selbach estate come in many different flavors and varieties.  From the entry level line, these "Fish Label" wines are clean, crisp and full of flavor.  The dry variety brings a bright, refreshing finish, and the Kabinett variety, a bit more power and finesse.  Both wines are great looking and approachable.

J & H Selbach
2008 Riesling Spatlese, Mosel-Saar-Ruwer

Selbach shines again in this Spatlese offering with a light pink-grapefruit fragrance, along with quince, slate and a barely perceptible sweetness.  Spatlese means 'late harvest,' and the ripeness of the grapes in this case have created a delightful, crisp, refreshing Riesling.

Dr. Frank's Vinifera Wine Cellars
2009 Riesling, Salmon Run
Finger Lakes Region

The Finger Lakes in upstate New York have supported vineyard sites since the 1800s.  New York state might not be the first thing that pops into your head when you think about wine production, but Dr. Frank has been producing varietals like Gewurztraminer and Pinot Noir since the early '60s.  His Riesling 'Salmon Run' is characterized by a strong acid backbone and a nose of flowers, pears and apples.  Light and refreshing, it goes perfectly with light spring and summer BBQ fair, or to enjoy in the afternoon sun following a long day.

Darting
2009 Riesling Kabinett
Durkheimer Michelsberg, Pfalz

The Pfalz is a historic wine region in the Rhineland on the western bank of the Rhine River.  Maybe not as well known as the workhorse Mosel, the Pfalz delivers wonderful examples of Riesling, and Darting is no exception.  Precise and focused with notes of cinnamon, stone, papaya and orange, this Riesling is full-bodied, but it's crisp dryness balances out that characteristic beautifuly.

Kruger-Rumpf
2008 Riesling Kabinett
Munsterer Dautenpflanzer, Nahe

The Nahe region in Germany is all that is new and fashionable.  Relatively unmined until recently, the quality of its wines have been discovered the world over through enigmatic producers such as Donnhoff.  An up-and-comer in Nahe, the estate Kruger-Rumpf has been making fine wines for a long time.  Argueably the heaviest and most serious of those listed here, this Riesling is exotic, yet extremely articulate with notes of ginger, mint and the ever pleasing slate of the region running through as the joining thread.

Domaine Pierre de la Grange
2009 Clos des Allees
Muscadet Sevre & Maine

Land of the Melon de Bourgogne grape , the Muscadet region in the Loire valley is also the land of bulk wine production, save a few well-preserved estates, including Pierre Luneau-Papin.  The family has opted to produce smaller blends from their selected plots, and the result is a wine that speaks strongly of place, and of the superior land that de la Grange holds.  The 09 Clos des Allees has an intense herbal nose, a strong spicy character, and wonderful chewy fruit.  The wine is also well-structured with a strong backbone of acidity that zings nicely.

Poiron
2009 'Quatre Routes' 
Muscadet Sevre & Maine

Poiron has estates throughout France, but his Nantais Vin de Loire are among the best.  This Muscadet is ripe with fruit and a cool, wet mineral note.  Classically it is paired with seafood such as oysters or clams, but as a patio sipper for spring and summer, it's perfect as well.  The producer notes that as this wine has aged slightly, it has become fuller and rounder.

For more information about our Muscadets or our Rieslings, ask your sales rep for more details.