A) a varietal
B) a region in California
C) a cheap white wine, usually packaged in a box
D) a region in France

The answer is:
D) a region in France

Chablis is indeed an appellation(wine region) in France. It is actually a district within the Burgundy region, where Chardonnay is the grape of focus. Wines from Chablis are flinty, steely and have crisp edges, nothing like California Chardonnay. Typically they are vinified in stainless steel. Oak is rarely used and only for stylistic expression. You would never find an over-oaked Chardonnay in Chablis.

The charm of Chablis is its affinity to shellfish and fish. The green apple and citrus notes can really Raise seafood to another level. This works because the soil makeup of this area is limestone, rich with fossils and oyster shells—at one point in time this area was part of the ocean floor.

You can age Chablis so they evolve into a foxy lady…a golden hue and a spicy edge will develop.

a) a varietal grown in Spain, typically blended into Cava
b) a famous winemaker from Istanbul
c) an emerging wine area in Argentina
d) a varietal grown in Spain, typically blended into Sherry

And the answer is:
a) a varietal grown in Spain, typically blended into Cava

Xarel.lo (pronounced char-rel lo) is typically blended with Parellada and Macabeau to make Spain’s unique sparkling Cava. Wine Unleashed is proud to present this hard-to-find bottling of Xarel.lo unblended and still. This is a red alert for the Wine Geek looking to taste something unique. This prolific varietal creates a wine that has some body with great acidity. There is richness, minerality, and pear notes, which are all balanced with the acidity. Pair this with some seafood and you will have a stunning pairing.

A) Greenish yellow
B) Bluish silver
C) Brownish Pink
D) All of the above

Answer:
D) All of the above

Poor little Pinot Gris, it can’t decide what it‘s going to be. That's the problem when you are a mutant clone of Pinot Noir. Yes, Pinot Gris came about in Burgundy because of Pinot Noir's unstable DNA, so you can still find Pinot Gris today in the vineyards there.

Pinot Gris (a.k.a. Pinot Grigio, Pinot Beurot, Tokay d’Alsace, Rulanda, Grauer Burgunder, Malvoisie and a few other versions) is grown in Germany, Alsace, Languedoc, Austria, Loire Valley, Switzerland, Greece, Italy, Oregon, California, New Zealand and a few other countries. The resulting wine varies in color, style and flavor, depending on where it's grown. In Alsace they're fuller in body and sometimes spicy. Italy makes them crisp and light. California's is similar to Italy, but sometimes a little fuller on the palate and also with a pepper edge.

In the end, it doesn’t matter what country you favor. This year-round favorite is even more fun in the summertime with salads and for just lounging around poolside.

Where is Albariño predominantly grown?

a) Rías Baixas
b) Lodi
c) Tuscany
d) Rioja

Answer:
a) Rías Baixas

Albariño is Spain’s gift to the white wine world. It’s predominantly grown in the upper NW corner of Spain in an area called Rías Baixas. The styles from this area can vary. Don’t get me wrong, the wines are of very good to high quality because the demand for this grape has grown over the past few years and is quite posh. But the style, meaning light and dry, varies from wines produced in stainless steel with very little process that needs to be drunk within 18 months of production (the customary way they are produced) to ones that have been put through malolactic fermentation, along with being aged in barrels that have some longevity attached to it. Both can be dry and crisp with signature peach tones, but body levels can vary a little.

In either style, you should reach for seafood to compliment the presence of Chardonnay, the slight aromatics related to Sauvignon Blanc and the mineral notes similar to Riesling. Albaríno is grown in other areas of the world (like California and Australia) but the best are from Spain.

This month, we have a formidable competitor from California—Odisea Wines from Lodi. Odisea showcases how good Albariño can be outside of Spain and reiterates Wine Unleashed’s mission—bringing small production/hard to find wines to you.

A) Grown in Bordeaux, Australia and in small amounts in South Africa and California.
B) An Alternative to Chardonnay
C) Has an affinity to oak
D) Always produces a sweet wine

_______________________________________

Answer: Always produces a sweet wine

Sémillon is mostly known for being grown in the Bordeaux region of France, and is blended with Sauvignon Blanc to create Bordeaux Blanc—a dry wine. Also, in Bordeaux, when botrytis (noble rot) appears, it produces a sweet wine that is blended (80% Sem and 20% SB with a little of muscadelle) to create a sweet wine called Sauterne. Botrytis doesn’t always occur and when it does, the wine grower is faced with difficult and timely picking conditions, thus the expensive price tag attached to it.

A 100% Sémillon from France is pretty hard to find, but Australia, California and South Africa all produce 100% bottlings. Australia is probably your best bet because they grow a lot more of it there than in California and South Africa.

Sémillon is a classic variety that’s often overlooked by the average consumer. I always welcome it because it’s an alternative to Chardonnay (not as full bodied), has an affinity to oak and ages well.

This month we have a rare bottling from Etude Wines, California. Join now or you will miss out on this opportunity.