2023 Will Be All About the Wine
Add up the digits for 2023 and you get 7 - a lucky number. Perhaps that is a positive omen for the new year. What better way to celebrate good fortune but with some of the finst wines available at a reasonable price points. For sure, 2023 has begun with hopeful news. According to a December 12, 2022 report by marketwatch.com, “The Global Wine market is anticipated to rise at a considerable rate during the forecast period, between 2022 and 2028.” With this forecast in mind, wine lovers everywhere should begin plans to stock their wine cellars with the following selections:
Among the best and most historical wineries of the Maremma area in Tuscany, Italy, is Castello del Terriccio, a leader of the famous Super Tuscan movement. An example of it, Castello del Terriccio Tassinaia 2017 ($35), is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.
Its name comes from a farmhouse called “Le Tassinaie,” which means “the place of the stones.'' The elegant bouquet of aromas, from black cherry to blackberry, vanilla, leather, and tobacco, make it an ideal pairing with a summer barbecue, (no worries - summer will be back before too long) a grilled steak, or a traditional platter of Tuscan cheeses and salami.
Another wise wine selection is from the picturesque estate of Castello del Terriccio, which is situated on the coast north of Bolgheri, producing a range of Toscana IGT wines led by the Cabernet-Sauvignon-based Lupicaia cuvée. Con Vento 2020 ($26) embodies the dark soul of a true Cabernet, but is light enough in its body for the connoisseur to enjoy while sitting on a porch in pleasant weather. On colder nights, this wine is perfectly paired with a livingroom romance.
Renowned California winemaker, Mayacamas, recently released two special wines harvested from the most exquisite plots on the vineyard. The 2018 'Sunset' Cabernet Sauvignon and the 2019 'Terrace' Chardonnay were harvested from historic sites that feature preferential sun exposure and unique soil composition, making these wines stand out not only in their beautiful tasting notes, but in their unique story from planting to bottling. Both bottles became available on November 15th, 2022 ($275/Cabernet, $85/Chardonnay). Not cheap, but well worth it.
The last on the list, but certainly not the least when it comes to impact, Austin Hope from Hope Family Wines is a memorable wine with a beautiful ruby hue. It features notes of black cherry, burnt sugar and a slight smokiness. On the palate, flavors evolve with vanilla foam, ripe dark fruit, roasted coffee & nuances of spice.
In the spirit of moderation, the list will end here. However, that is the joy of a avocation with wine. One can prefer white, red, rose, etc., yet still refine the list to countries, regions, years and vintners. Let’s make 2023 a year of savoring the essential flavors of life, sharing that passion with others, and appreciating the moment rather than the morality.