Boise Coop Wine Shop

Three Wines, Three Continents

• August 3, 2010

Here are three very different wines from three very different parts of the world. The one thing they have in common is great quality at a great price.

2008 Taltarni 3 Monks Sauvignon Blanc, $13.99

Established in 1969, Taltarni was one of the founding wineries in the iron-rich Pyrenees region in Victoria, Australia. John Goelet, a direct descendant of the Guestier wine merchant family of Bordeaux, discovered the Taltarnie Vineyard through a wordwide search for a site comparable to the great vineyards of Bordeaux. Their distinctive labels, featuring a 17th centruy cartouche, represent the attention to detail and the French elegance and finesse that are hallmarks of all Taltarni wines. Their Fumé Blanc is a dry, crisp and elegant interpretation of Sauvignon Blanc with none of the heady perfume characteristics that dominate other wines of this varietal. The crisp flavours are provided by using Tasmanian Sauvignon Blanc.

2008 Ruta 22 Malbec, $10.49
The Patagonian region of Argentina offers a cool, cry climate with large temperature variations and complex soils that are perfect for growing Malbec. This wine is named after the maine route used to travel from east to west in that country. It’s a deep ruby-red in color with vanilla aromas and smooth blackberry flavors. There’s an appealing smoky character with touches of mocha, and firm, but approachable tannins. A great choice for a summer barbecue.

2007 Hogue Genesis Syrah, $11.99
The Hogue family planted its first vineyard over 25 years ago and soon realized that Washington’s climate and soils had the potential to nurture world-class wines. The Hogue Cellars mission has always been to make wines that fulfill the promise of the land, using superior viticulture and winemaking techniques. Today, the family’s original vision is celebrated in Genesis wines, which are crafted with the highest quality fruit from acclaimed vineyards throughout Columbia Valley. Washington Syrah exhibits dark, juicy fruit character, brilliant color, a complex varietal gaminess, and a relatively low tannin level. The 2008 vintage offers aromas of grape, bramble, and strawberry, offset by a minty-floral character. Up-front flavors of black cherry, strawberry, and nectarine are backed by earthy oregano and cumin. It’s supple and spicy on the finish. Pair with rich, bold dishes—roast duck, tri tip with juniper berries, venison chili, or barbecued pork ribs.