Natural Wines with Maja Roy - RGK Cooking School Ep. 6
This week on RGK Cooking School we were joined by Maja Roy, founder of Wine Forte, who sampled 4 different natural wines for us.
To watch the full Facebook Live recording, visit our Facebook Page.
Check out the full list of wines and tasting notes from Maja below!
1. SURIOL CAVA BRUT NATURE, 2016, CATALUNYA, PENEDÉS, SPAIN
Style: sparkling white, Traditional or Méthode Champenoise
Farming: organic with biodynamic approaches
Varieties: Macabeo, Xarello, Parellada
This is very special vintage Cava coming from higher-elevation area of Penedés, region located just south of Barcelona, Spain. Suriol winery has been producing wine since 15th century however they haven’t started to make sparkling wine until 1985. They received their organic certification in 1998. Grapes for this wine were hand-harvested from 25 year old vines, fermented in underground concrete vats where they matured for 4 months. After that wine was bottles and secondary fermentation began in the bottle. Wine has been aging for 30 months in the bottle.
In the glass this Cava displays bright golden-yellow color. On the nose we find aromas of yellow apple, peach, apricot and nectarine with hints of brioche and yeast. Midium-bodied palate is refreshing, textured and filled with flavors of freshly baked bread and pastries, stone fruit and lingering minerality. Perfect when served as aperitif or with light appetizers like fresh cheese, crostini with sardines, grilled fish, spring salad, seafood.
2. ARNDORFER GRÜNER VELTLINER, 2018-1L, KEMPTAL, AUSTRIA
Style: white still wine
Farming: organic with biodynamic approaches
Variety: Grüner Veltliner
Cool weather conditions of the area of Strass in Kemptal are creating distinctively refreshing style of Arndorfer’s wine. Bright citrus and gentle herbal aromas on the nose with mineral and lightly spicy green flavors on the palate. Zesty acidity, lean structure, moderate alcohol. Fermented and matured 85% stainless steel and 15% large neutral barrels. There was no filtration or fining implemented. Perfect as an aperitif or served with fried dishes like fried chicken or Asian-inspired dishes with a lot of sweet-sour-spicy flavors.
3. SLAVCEK SIVI PINOT, 2018, VIPAVA VALLEY, SLOVENIA
Style: skin-contact still white
Farming: organic
Variety: Pinot Grigio
Refreshing Pinot Grigio made in light skin-contact style that results in gentle copper/rose gold color. Subtle aromas of stone fruit on the nose lead to textural and mineral driven body. Acidity is crisp and bright. Fermentation and maturation in implemented in stainless steel to preserve freshness and acidity. Perfect as an aperitif or served with light dishes like salads, pasta with asparagus, risottos with zucchini. Great when looking for wine that can pairs well with diversity of dishes to share around the table!
4. FOLIAS DE BACO, RENEGADO VINHO TINTO, UIVO, 2019, DOURO, PORTUGAL ⠀
Style: light red, blend of white and red grapes
Farming: organic
Variety: blend of 25 grape varieties
This wine is a blend of 25 different white and red grapes from 80 years old vineyard in Portugal in Douro valley. After hand-harvesting wine has been fermenting in old traditional granite vats and aged for 6 months in partially chestnut barrels and partially in cement tanks. Color of this wine is bright ruby red with hints of purple. On the nose there is an abundance of red cherry aromas well woven with some tart cranberry, pomegranate and rose petals. On the palate wine is dry and vibrant with great acidity and lingering mineral finish. Great to pair with dishes like pizza, felafel, charcuterie boards or just on its own as refreshing beverage.