Product: 2002 Sepala Aglianico del Vulture & 2004 Crossroads Sauvignon Blanc--Destination Series: Two for under $15 Producer: Cantine Miali Approximate Retail Value: $13 Category: Wine Country of Origin: Italy Reviewer: SexHerald Staff The F Words: Flavor – Tannic when young, once refined achieves a balance of unparalleled nobility Feel – Subtly winy, almost ethereal. The color is lively red with garnet reflections Finish – Very pleasant is the slightly bitter aftertaste

Rating:

Recently, my wife and I decided to serve dinner for our downstairs neighbors as they kindly took care of our 10-year-old cocker spaniel, Raffles, one weekend. We know they drink wine, but we were not quite sure if they preferred red or white. We already had a scrumptious Italian red available, and “she who must be obeyed” gave me that ominous look saying “you better run to the store and get a great bottle of white.” Since we were serving salad and a lightly, crusted veal, I couldn’t agree more—not to mention the fact that a trip to the wine store beats going to buy pet food or some other sundry.

Rather than go for a really boring, not to mention “oakey,” California Chardonnay, I set my sights on a reasonably priced New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. My wife and I discovered the pleasure of drinking Kiwi wine (referring to the country, not the fruit) when we were in London last summer. Both wines are great deals for the under $15 category and were a big hit with our neighbors.

2002 Sepala Aglianico del Vulture

Product: 2002 Sepala Aglianico del Vulture

Producer: Cantine Miali

Approximate Retail Value: $13 a bottle

Category: Wine

Country of Origin: Italy

Flavor – Tannic when young, once refined achieves a balance of unparalleled nobility.

Feel – Subtly winy, almost ethereal. The color is lively red with garnet reflections.

Finish – Very pleasant is the slightly bitter aftertaste.

Rating - 4 stars

This is an elegant wine, culled from selected Aglianico grapes. These treasures come from the Espalier vineyards on the slopes of the Vulture. This puts you right in a part of southern area of Italy known as Puglia. The special soil and climatic conditions, the careful attention of master winemakers and the age-old experience of the Miali family produce a nectar of excellent quality capable of astonishing even the most discerning connoisseurs. This wine is perfect for even prolonged aging.

The nose is oak-free and lively with a round nose but still has enough tannin to give it heft. It is rich and full with the taste of dark fruits, tobacco and flowers; an excellent pairing with barbecued meats and game dishes. Not a bad choice for the Thanksgiving Day feast, either.

Sepala is best served at a temperature of 18-22 °C, in the large balloon glasses worthy of high-ranking wine.

2004 Crossroads Sauvignon Blanc – Destination Series

Product: Crossroads Winery

Approximate Retail Value: $14

Category: Wine

Country of Origin: New Zealand

Flavor – Crisp, tart, brimming with lime and mineral flavors.

Feel – This wine is every day drinkable with either seafood or shellfish.

Finish – Smooth and refreshing.

Rating - 4 stars

This is a fresh, fruit-driven Sauvignon Blanc, typical of the highly acclaimed Hawkes Bay, Marlborough region, which has pronounced passion fruit and gooseberry flavors with a touch of honeysuckle. The grapes harvested from the Dartmoor Valley have formed the backbone of this wine contributing an acid zing plus the signature grassy, dried herb Sauvignon Blanc flavors. A small percentage of the blend is fruit from the Cape Crest Vineyard in Te Awanga. The wine was a Silver Medal Winner at the 2005 New Zealand International Wine Show. Crossroads assumed new ownership in the year 2000 and is strongly seeing the benefits of their new image. In true unpretentious New Zealand fashion, this is a “scew top” wine; translation: You don’t need a corkscrew. If you’re looking to go Kiwi, this is a great start.