Join WINE CLUB Today!
call (803) 279 9522
(see below for pricing and perks)
The Wine buyers (Andrew and Dale) pick two wines each month for you that we love, and you will too. One white (or rose, or bubbly) and one red. The total value of wines will exceed $40, and the longer you sign up for, the better the deal! Our goal is to show excellent wines in a wide range of styles. We only choose wines we have tasted and loved. We don’t base our choices on ratings. (Although we’ll often include them, for your reference, in the write-up)
I hope everyone is enjoying the odd varietals, we have great fun with them. A customer came in yesterday, and was doing the Wine Century challenge with the goal of tasting at least 100 specific varietals. We’ve gotten her about half way there with some fairly obscure grapes, and will be trying to find the rest. This months red, a Pais, (aka “Mission”) wasn’t even on the list!
Illahe Vineyards and Winery, Viognier 2016 Willamette Valley, Oregon 20.99
We love Viognier at Wine World. The varietal is best known for its use in the Rhone valley as part of the white blend, and with many of the reds. In small percentages adds a little viscosity, some floral notes, and, believe it or not, color. (I’m told that there is a reaction between the Viognier and the reds that intensifies the color!)
Illahe is proud to produce their wines as naturally and sustainably as possible. They do not even irrigate their mature plants, and use a team of Percheron Draft horses to mow and to bring the grapes to the winery during harvest. This is an amazing value considering that this wine is hand picked and hand sorted, and you’d be hard pressed to find a Willamette Valley Viognier of this quality at such a reasonable price. (though it says on the bottle these grapes were gently pressed, Ha! See what I did there?)
This wine really tastes natural, bright, fresh, and clean with just a hint of sweetness. Crisp gala apple flavors and a touch of honey, maybe slightly under ripe pear. This will be delicious with greek yogurt, blended with a little honey and mixed with fruit.
Here’s what the winery has to say:
“The 2016 Illahe Viognier leaps from the glass with expressive stone fruit, and floral aromas of apricot, tangerine, honey blossom and wet stone. The palate is layered with peach compote, banana peel, and lavender with a touch of peppercorn. Mouth-watering acidity and an off-dry palate makes this wine a crowd pleaser.”
Bouchon Family Wines, País Salvaje 2016 Maule Valley, Chile 23.99
Now in the fourth generation of winemaking, the Bouchon family began their Chilean adventure when Emile Bouchon, in 1887, at the age of 22, was hired as a wine consultant for the Vigouroux Vineyard.
Pais, (also known as “Mission”) was the first European grape varietal planted in the New World. It was brought by missionaries from Spain and was used to make sacramental wine. It’s hardy, loves hot and dry climates, and is resistant to drought. Eventually it was displaced throughout most of the Americas in favor of varietals considered more desirable.
In Chile these vines grow up the trees and drape themselves over the foliage, requiring the pickers to use ladders during the harvest. The grapes used to make this wine are grown on vines that are an average of 120 years old. There is no oak used, all naturally occurring yeast, and the juice is unfiltered.
I love translucent light garnet color of this wine in the glass. To my nose Salvaje smells and tastes a bit like an old-school pinot noir. It has the cleanliness and brightness of a lighter burgundy, spicy raspberry and cherry with a touch of barnyard and a hint of smoke to ground the wine and give it a delightful bit of complexity that lingers. It just keeps getting better and better!
This wine screams “Afternoon Barbecue”… Throw some Italian sausage and mixed veggies on the grill, put a slight chill on the bottle and you’ll be good to go. On their website Buchon suggests: “An ideal wine to accompany Chilean dishes, such as empanadas, prietas and huaso rolls.”
Ok I’m getting hungry now, time for lunch!
Here’s the price structure of WINE CLUB:
3 months $40/month = $120 total and you also receive a FREE Riedel glass
6 months $36/month = $216 total and you also receive two FREE Riedel glasses
12 months $32/month = $384 total and you also receive four FREE Riedel glasses
All WINE CLUB members get a substantial discount on Wine Tasting Seminars at Wine World (usually 25%)
WINE CLUB members get a 15% Case discount when you pick up your club wines, since you are picking up 2 you only need to pick 10 more wines to make a case!
Sign Up Now!
Come by the shop, 133 Georgia Ave. North Augusta, SC 29841
or give us a call at 803.279.9522
