Thursday, May 1, 2008

What monkies drink in solitude, le deuxième

Since I have depleted my local retailers supply of Chidaine Bournais, I was searching for a nice white wine to have around that was a decent value. Didn’t think it would be greco, but that’s why I like to cultivate wine retailers I think have a clue, that way, I get to be surprised every now and then. BTW, I bought this at Hi-Times in Costa Mesa (link on right), not sure that it is widely distributed.

2006 Benito Ferrara Greco di Tufo

This is the big winner among wines I’ve had lately. Bizarrely, it was somewhat reminiscent of Austrian pinot blanc, if you can believe it, but leaning more tropical. There is a sort of creamy yellow fruit that I associate with pinot blanc that this shared. Most Greco leaves me a bit underwhelmed because I find they can be heavy and a bit flaccid, this was not. Driving with good mineral bite, but not particularly acidic like a Briords, but with enough to keep it very refreshing. Really made me want to sit by the sea and eat fresh octopus salad, and it says a lot that a wine can take you to a place. Lovely with food and worth every bit of the $18. Something to seek out even if you need to drink it in the near term. They also make a fancier cuvee that I haven’t tried, but will.

3 comments:

Cliff said...

Never heard of that one. I generally don't like Greco either, but Rogness included a 2004 Torricino Greco di Tufo that was just beautiful in a mixed case a couple of years ago. I've never seen it in New York, but perhaps you can get it out there? Just lovely, full ripe yellow fruits, but plenty of minerality.

Like the others, I really appreciate the notes. Please do keep 'em coming.

the vlm said...

I had never heard of it either. I was very pleasantly surprised. If you can't find it locally, it is worth a ordering a mixed case around it from Hi-Times if you can find other stuff you want.

Thanks. I was worried no one would even bother. Traffic is up in the last week, nice to see folks enjoying it.

Cliff said...

Sounds good,esp. for summer.