Premium White and Red Wine Selections: Tasting Profiles

Posted on Mar 9, 2026 in Humanities

2023 Vignaverde Grillo – Marco De Bartoli, Sicily

  • Grape: Grillo
  • Style: Fresh, aromatic white with medium body.
  • Fermentation: Stainless steel, preserving citrus, green apple, and herbal notes.
  • Aging: Short, mostly in stainless; sometimes a few months on fine lees for texture.
  • Notes: Lemon zest, white flowers, Mediterranean herbs, a subtle almond finish.

2019 Grüner Veltliner Spitzer Graben Smaragd – Graben Gritsch

  • Grape: Grüner Veltliner
  • Style: Elegant, dry, medium body, pronounced minerality.
  • Fermentation: Stainless steel or neutral large barrels; partial lees aging adds texture.
  • Aging: Often 8–12 months on fine lees; sometimes in old oak.
  • Notes: White pepper, green apple, citrus, flinty minerals, subtle herbs.

2023 Chardonnay & Weissburgunder – Heiligenblut, Rheinhessen

  • Grapes: Chardonnay, Weissburgunder
  • Style: Medium-bodied, balanced, bright acidity with a creamy mid-palate.
  • Fermentation: Stainless steel with some neutral oak or large barrels for subtle texture.
  • Notes: Green apple, pear, white flowers, delicate toast or nuttiness from barrel.

[səgō] Weiß – Hofgut Dahlem, Rheinhessen

  • Style: Natural-style white, textured, sometimes with skin contact.
  • Fermentation: Spontaneous/native yeasts; may use amphorae, concrete, or neutral barrels.
  • Aging: Short-term lees contact; emphasis on terroir and freshness.
  • Notes: Light citrus, white stone fruit, subtle herbs, mineral undertones, sometimes slight tannins.
  • Personality: Rustic, expressive, slightly funky, a true reflection of the vineyard.

2011 Timorasso – Cantina di Tortona, Colli Tortonesi, Italy

  • Grape: Timorasso
  • Style: Full-bodied, age-worthy white with firm structure.
  • Fermentation: Barrel or stainless; often aged on fine lees for complexity.
  • Aging: Several months to a few years; develops almond, mineral, and honeyed notes.
  • Notes: Almond, pear, citrus peel, mineral backbone, subtle floral hints.

2021 Muscat Turckheim – Domaine Zind Humbrecht, Alsace

  • Grape: Muscat
  • Style: Aromatic, perfumed, fresh with pronounced floral character.
  • Fermentation: Stainless steel to preserve primary aromatics; sometimes partial barrel for texture.
  • Notes: Grapefruit, orange blossom, rose, exotic fruit nuances.
  • Acidity: Moderate-high, keeping aromatics lively.

2016 Teroldego – Foradori, Italy

  • Grape: Teroldego
  • Style: Medium to full-bodied red, juicy dark fruit, earthy and herbal undertones.
  • Fermentation: Stainless steel or neutral oak, minimal intervention to highlight terroir.
  • Aging: Several months in large neutral barrels; can age further in bottle.
  • Notes: Blackberry, cherry, juniper, slight spice, mineral edge.
  • Tannins: Silky but present; structure supports both fruit and savory elements.

2003 Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese – Kerpen, Mosel

  • Grape: Riesling
  • Style: Sweet, botrytized, with incredible balance and aging potential.
  • Fermentation: Stainless steel or old barrels; slow, low-temperature to preserve aromatics.
  • Aging: Many years, develops honey, petrol, and mineral notes.
  • Notes: Honey, apricot, pineapple, slate/mineral, subtle floral notes.
  • Acidity: High, balancing sweetness beautifully; essential for age-worthy Auslese.