If you truly believe there is only one wine for you and you’ve already found it then this advice will be of little use. But if you like to discover new things and stay on the cutting edge of wine pushing your taste buds out of their comfort zone then read on because 2015 will hold some amazing discoveries for wine lovers looking for fun new experiences. And they may be coming from some unexpected places.
The year 2015 will sadly be a tough one for American wines as Canada’s weakening dollar is putting these already pricey wines out of reach for the average consumer. So if you’re feeling California but rocking a tight budget then you’re going to need to be creative. It may be time to skip Napa and Sonoma and reach further downstream to places like Paso Robles or Santa Barbara to seek out some deals. Forget Cabernet and Merlot and start looking at the funky Zinfandel- Grenache- and Syrah-based blends.
Never had wine from the Jura region? Then this is your year. If you sit down in a hot restaurant in New York or San Francisco you are sure to see the wine list littered with trendy wines from this tiny backwoods region. Jura is a small and obscure region on the eastern reaches of France nestled in the foothills below the Alps that divide France and Switzerland. While there are some interesting reds here it is the whites that really deliver. You can expect to find some killer Chardonnays as well as a native grape called Savagnin that will rock your world. The average price here is under $30 so you can explore to your heart’s content without cleaning out your wallet.
As the price for top French wines (especially Burgundy) continues to spiral out of control look to regions such as Beaujolais to satisfy your lust for elegant silky and purely delicious wines. There has been a surge in small artisan producers popping up in Beaujolais and the wines have never been better. If you love pinot noir but find it too pricey then maybe it’s time to make the jump to Gamay — there are some crazy good wines here waiting for you to find them.
The Loire Valley is the most diverse region in France producing unique high-quality wines in every style from red to white to sparkling sweet and dry. They really do have it all and people are finally figuring out that there are some stunning values to be had. Chenin blanc is the king here and there are many great examples in our market. One of the most enticing regions in the valley right now is the Anjou where modestly priced Chenin blanc can pack incredible character and charm. Vouvray is the king of the Loire and we are starting to see some cheaper examples popping up that are also worth your attention.
Whether it’s Jura Beaujolais Loire Valley or the backwoods of California there are going to be some exciting wines to discover in 2015. Here are a few to get you started.
• 2011 Chateau de l’Echardie No. 2 Anjou Loire Valley ($26) — think honeycomb swirling with marmalade plus haunting notes of Asian spice and a hint of lime.
• 2009 Rolet Chardonnay Jura France ($25) — aromas of crushed nuts dance with an electric jolt of sea water and chalk.
• 2013 Manoir du Carra Beaujolais France ($20) — dusty graphite floats on a core of crushed blueberries with a spritz of violet.
