1. Finger Lakes, New York, USA
Dr. Konstantin Frank Riesling Reserve Medium-Sweet 2023
If you’re a Riesling lover like me but haven’t heard of or tried the wines from Dr. Konstantin Frank, you’re in for a treat! This winery is a pioneer of Vinifera winegrowing in the Finger Lakes region of New York State. The 2023 Riesling Reserve Medium-Sweet shows an exceptional balance between purity and richness; its charming sweetness is perfectly offset by its crispness. This wine is amazing with strong and salty blue cheeses like Stilton or Roquefort.
🔗 Discovering wine
🔗 @drfrankwine
2. Beamsville Bench, Ontario, Canada
Hidden Bench Felseck Vineyards Chardonnay 2021
This fantastic Canadian Chardonnay offers impressive weight and freshness. French oak is present and adds an extra layer of complexity and richness. Hidden Bench winery’s 2021 Felseck Vineyards Chardonnay will charm Burgundy aficionados while showcasing one of Canada’s great terroirs: Beamsville Bench in the province of Ontario. I would pair this wine with powerful cheeses like Époisses or lighter ones like Brie de Meaux.
🔗 Discovering wine
🔗 @hiddenbench
3. Gualtallary, Mendoza, Argentine
Catena Zapata Adrianna Vineyard White Stones 2020
Adrianna Vineyard is a true Grand Cru. The parcel’s high elevation and stony soils — in Argentina’s Gualtallary region — as well as the Catena Zapata winery’s perfect viticulture and precise vinification make this wine a unique expression of Chardonnay. It is pure and lean but shows great length and depth. On top of the classic Chardonnay aromas, the 2020 White Stones displays notes of fresh herbs like tarragon and mint, enhancing its complexity. This wine pairs well with cheeses that have good tanginess and saltiness like Ossau Iraty or Manchego.
🔗 Discovering wine
🔗 @catenawines
4. Garzón, Maldonado, Uruguay
Bodega Garzón Albariño 2022
When we think of Albariño, we often think of the Iberian Peninsula, but this resistant grape is perfectly suited to Uruguay’s Maldonado terroir. Bodega Garzón’s 2022 Albariño is elegant, refreshing and shows beautiful aromas of citrus and minerality. I would pair it with dry goat cheeses like Valençay or Rocamadour.
🔗 Discovering wine
🔗 @bodegagarzon
5. Vallée du Limarí, Coquimbo, Chili
Tabalí Talinay Sauvignon Blanc 2022
The Sauvignon Blanc from Tabali winery’s Talinay vineyard is often viewed as one of Chile’s best. Planted in the limestone soils of the Limarí Valley, Talinay is located 12 kilometers from the Pacific coast and enjoys a constant cool sea breeze. The 2022 vintage is full of energy, displaying beautiful citrusy and herbal notes. This makes it a perfect pairing for grassy goat cheeses like Crottin de Chavignol.
🔗 Discovering wine
🔗 @vinatabali
6. Gualtallary, Mendoza, Argentine
Gran Enemigo Torrontés 2019
The El Enemigo wines project led by Alejandro Vigil and Adrianna Catena is truly wonderful. Their Cabernet Francs are world class, but I’d like to focus on their Torrontés: the 2019 Gran Enemigo is the best I’ve tried. It displays pungent aromas of tropical fruits, high floral tones and a strong mineral impression. On the palate, it has remarkable fruit intensity but with a fresh and creamy texture. I would pair it with cheeses that have a strong personality like Munster. .
🔗 Discovering wine
🔗 @elenemigowines
7. Eola-Amity Hills, Willamette Valley, Oregon, États-Unis
Lingua Franca Estate Chardonnay 2022
This Chardonnay from the Lingua Franca winery in Oregon’s Eola-Amity Hills is an incredible value year in and year out. It has everything I am looking for in a great Chardonnay: weight, freshness and purity. It also displays striking aromas of lemon blossoms and green apple, and has a marked saline quality on the nose and on the palate. This is a world-class wine that I would pair with some of my favorite cheeses, like Comté or Beaufort — the older the better!
🔗 Discovering wine
🔗 @linguafrancawines
8. Dundee Hills, Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA
Kelley Fox Wines Maresh Vineyard Liminal Pinot Noir 2023
I’ve only recommended white wines because I think they pair best with cheese. But the best pairings are the ones that make you happy, so, of course, it’s totally fine if you prefer reds! One I would suggest is Kelley Fox Wines’ Maresh Vineyard Liminal Pinot Noir 2023. Sadly, this might be Kelley Fox’s last bottling from the Maresh Vineyard, in Oregon’s Dundee Hills, which was planted in 1970 on their own roots. On the nose, you’ll find concentrated strawberries and raspberries with a touch of spices like cinnamon and cloves. On the palate, this wine is light, lively and shows amazing elegance. I would pair it with a young mimolette, a cheese with distinctive character that can enhance the fruitiness in this and other red wines.
🔗 Discovering wine
🔗 @kelleyfoxwines
Author: Joris Gutierrez Garcia
