Obscure Varietals A-Z

C’MON. BE A REBEL. TRY SOMETHING NEW.

We're kicking off 2024 featuring lesser-known varietals from around the world, starting with:

AGLIANICO

From Puglia, Italy’s heel of the boot. Dark fruit, hazelnut, coffee on the nose. Smooth with lots of dark fruit (blackberry, black cherry, dark plum), pleasantly dry, medium- to fuller-bodied. Chocolate & coffee on the finish. Great, interesting wine!

ARNEIS

From Piedmont (land of Barbera & Nebbiolo) in northwest Italy. Arneis means “little rascal” in local dialect as it’s a tricky grape to grow. But when it works, it’s so good! Seductive nose. Chamomile, white stone fruits, yellow apple, citrus, flint. Medium-bodied.

Photos: Guido & his daughter making gnocchi at home.

CARMÉNÈRE

From the Valle de Rapel in Chile. From the winery: On the nose, the strain's typical green paprika blends well with toasty notes and cocoa from the barrel. Plummy flavors with notes of tobacco & spices. Medium-bodied.

CESANESE

From Lazio, vineyards south of Rome. Small red berries, a little spice, earth & cranberry on the nose. Very smooth. Flavors of red berries, blue & blackberries, pomegranate. Spice & very fine tannins on the finish. Medium-bodied. Really fun wine.

CINSAULT

Originally a blending grape from Southern France, it is now used as a single varietal in South Africa. Red berries, cherries. Super inviting. Not heavy. Hint of olives on the palate. Long finish with a note of spice.

CORTESE

The wine is known simply as Gavi (no one knows the grape!), a small sub-region in Italy’s Piedmont. Aromas of citrus, grapefruit, and white flowers. Dry, fresh, full and minerally with a note of almond on the finish.

DOLCETTO

From the commune of Alba in Piedmont …yes, another grape from Piedmont! Lighter in body. Violets. Blueberries, blackberries. Soft spice. Touch of bitterness on the finish only makes you want more…

ELBLING

From Germany’s Mosel region. Bright. Zippy. Full of energy. Citrus. Lime. Stone fruit. Fresh finish. One of the oldest varietals in the Upper Mosel. Low alcohol = 11.5%

GAGLIOPPO

From Calabria, the arch of Italy’s boot. Herbs. Earth. Red plums. Red cherries. Super inviting on the nose. Palate adds on black raspberries. Great acidity. Medium-bodied. Complex. Fine tannins on the finish. Just what you’d expect of an Italian food wine.

GARGANEGA

Often this wine is simply known as Soave (a region) but these grapes from vineyards in IGT Veneto right next to DOC Soave. Herbal, earthy nose. Lots of ripe, yellow apples & citrus. Apples, white plums, quince on the palate. Good citrusy acidity. Medium body. So fun!

GEWURZTRAMINER

From France’s Alsace region on the border to Germany. Gewurz = spice in German. Crazy fun grape. Lychee, mango, passion fruit, rose & this special spicy je-ne-sais-quoi! Think a lamb & prune tagine.

GRACIANO

Originally a blending grape from Rioja (used in small amounts in Gran Reserva wines), this grape was grown in Washington State — Horse Heaven Hills. Plums, blueberries, earth. On the palate add in licorice & leather. Medium-body with lots going on! Lively. Great food wine.

GRECO

Another grape from Calabria, this time a white. Ripe citrus fruit (lemon, lime, tangerine), white peach, thyme, wet stone. Beautifully acidic.

LAGREIN

From Alto Adige (formerly Südtirol) in northernmost Italy, border to Austria. Violets, earth & sand on the nose. Flavors of black raspberries, blackberries, blueberries with spicy notes. Peppery, spicy, earthy finish. Medium-bodied. Not super dry. Delicious!

LAMBRUSCO

From Italy’s Emilia-Romagna, bordering Tuscany to the west. This grape most commonly presents in a delightful, deep red, sparkling wine. Bright red fruits and berries. Juicy minerality. A little earth. Dry on the finish. Low alcohol. Cheers!

NERELLO MASCALESE

This grape only grows on the lava pebble slopes of Mount Etna in Sicily. Distinct yet soft nose of volcanic minerality and red/black fruit. Smooth flavors of red plums, raspberries, black cherries still with this volcanic minerality on the finish. Super interesting, fun wine.

PICPOUL DE PINET

A world class oyster wine from France’s Languedoc-Roussillon on the Mediterranean Sea near the border to Spain. Floral notes with lovely grapefruit aromas on the nose. Fantastic acidity. Flavors of lime, tangy apple, crunchy pear. Seafood all the way!

PINOTAGE

South Africa’s signature grape, a cross between Pinot Noir and Cinsault (formerly known as Hermitage). Boisenberries! Dark raspberries & cherries, too. Fresh. Medium-bodied. Tobacco on the finish. This a tame, lovely Pinotage. So tasty & fun.

TREBBIANO-SPOLETINO

From the landlocked region of Umbria in central Italy. Citrus, peach, tiny note of pine (don't be scared) & spice. Fresh & flavorful with a note of salinity on the finish. Great wine.

... All of these wines are on the table as you walk in! We invite you to check them out!