OTHER IMPORTS

A Chardonnay in a Bordeaux bottle? Yes, and it is really tasty! The Ana "Owner's Choice" is a reserve-level offering from the Jidvei Winery located in the Tarnave-Jidvei DOC of Transylvania, Romania. Wines from this area have been made for a long time: Herodotus wrote about them in 600 BC. Winemaking in this former Roman province really took off in the 12th century when Saxons from the Rhine and Mosel valleys migrated to Tarnave.

The vineyards are located on hillsides 400 to 600 meters above sea level. The grapes are chilled immediately after harvest then fermented to dryness in 600 liter barrels. We found this delightful Chardonnay to have aromas and flavors of green apples, hazelnuts, white nectarines and a touch of vanilla. While the wine is fruit forward it has a clean, crisp, dry finish. It received a Gold Medal at the 2016 Concours Mondial de Bruxelles. We drank this with fish tacos and thought it was both delightful and a great value.

This clean, crisp, flavorful white is made from organically farmed Zilavka (zhee-lav-ka) grapes grown in the Mostar region of Bosnia-Herzegovina. This indigenous grape variety is ideally suited to the Mediterranean climate and limestone plateaus of Citluk where it has been grown for over a 1000 years. Utilizing organic and biodynamic principals and the lunar calendar, Josip Brkic satisfies his responsibilities to land and family and his desire to make wines of terroir. Fermented with native yeast, aged briefly on the lees and bottled unfiltered, this effortless, pear and tarragon scented white will go well with seafood, fish, chicken, and pasta with white sauce.

The Caloz family established their domaine in 1960, setting up their home and cellar in the village of Miege which sits midway between the town of Sierre, at the southern end of the Valais, and the famous ski area of Crans-Montana. Fernand Caloz, father of the current proprietaire, began the arduous process of tending the vines in this mountainous region where the vineyards sit on steep terraces and must be worked by hand. Conrad Caloz, son of Fernand, joined by his wife, Anne-Carole, now manages the affairs of this small family domaine."La Mourzière" is a terraced slope that produces wines of finesse and elegance.

At some 750 acres, Chateau Kefraya is the second-largest winery in Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley; the vineyards, planted in the 1950s, line the steep terraces of Mount Barouk at an elevation of 3,000 feet. Done entirely in stainless steel and cement, Les Breteches is a Cinsault-driven blend similar to a Cutes du Rhone that shows clear crimson red in the glass and presents fresh jammy aromas of red fruit. Velvety smooth in the mouth, it has flavors of plums and cherries that are supported by silky tannins and good acidity into a round finish.

The flagship Musar bottling, this blend of cabernet sauvignon, cinsault and carignan is lush and rich, save for the gust of spice that comes in on the acidity and brightens the finish. It’s wild and warm, a Mediterranean red with a forest floor complexity that keeps it engaging for hours.

Moreno Coronica's Dry Malvazija Istarska is considered a bench mark example of this indigenous variety. On the nose you find aromas of peppery citrus, lemon blossoms and sea shells, gently folded with a typical note of saline. On the palate you find juicy, refreshing grapefruit flavors leading to a zesty finish. This is an unbeatable white with fresh grilled shellfish doused in Istrian olive oil. Enjoyed over the course of a few days it blossoms, becoming fuller, softer and more candied aromatically. This crisp white was vinified in stainless steel; it spent approximately 6 months on the lees.

The Crnko farm is located on the eastern side of Slovenia, north of Maribor and just south of the Austrian border. All the fruit is estate grown and comes from the family's 6 hectares of mixed white varietals. The vines are planted in the regions unique marl soils and sustainably farmed. The 2015 is a blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Ravenec (Muller-Thurgau), Laski Riesling (Welschriesling). It has only 11% alcohol and is as drinkable and refreshing as wine comes. Riesling dominates the aromatics offering juicy tangerine and quince notes to the silty minerality that Crnko wines often share. As a beverage it is thirst quenching and light on its feet with invigorating acidity that makes it difficult to set down. During the summers in the village of Jarenina, locals mix it with sparkling water and then proceed to consume it long into the night.

Winemaker Burkhard Schuchmann makes this ORANGE or AMBER wine from the native Georgian white grape variety Rkatsiteli. The grapes (including skins and seeds) are fermented in massive clay vats called qvevri. These amphora-like vats are buried in the earth which keeps the fermenting wine cool. This is the way wine was made in Georgia 3,000 years ago. The white grapes transform into a sunset-colored tea-like Rkatsiteli, fragrant with dried fruit, spices and roasted chesnuts. On the palate the wine is firmly dry, gently tannic and positively food-friendly.

From importer Blue Danube: "Genetic analysis has found that Malvasija Dubrovacka was the same variety as Malvasia di Lipari, an aromatic white grape of Sicilia, possibly introduced by the Greek. Grown in the Konavle valley-a small wine region just southeast of Dubrovnik-since the 15th century, Malvasija Dubrovacka has returned to the wine scene 10 years ago. This wine is sourced from low-yield vines, harvested early to preserve the fresh fruit aromas. The grapes are immediately pressed and the juice is cold fermented in stainless steal without maceration under controlled temperature. After fermentation using selected yeasts, the wine remains in stainless steel tanks for about six months before being filtered and bottled. The wine is dry and crisp with herbal notes. Enjoy it with olives, pršut (prosciutto), sheep's milk cheese, and grilled calamari.

Edi Simcic, one of Europe's greatest and most sought-after winemakers, makes this stunningly powerful age-worthy blend of 80% Merlot, 10% Cabernet and 10% Cabernet Franc. Extremely low-yields give this red rich layers of plum, dark tea, and woodsmoke. Decant or allow this to breathe for an hour before serving with beef or lamb.

The Edi Simcic winery in Slovenia is one of Europe's most highly regarded wineries. This reserve-level Rebula (know as Ribolla Gialla in Friuli, Italy) displays subtle white flowers on the nose leading to very pleasing citrus and apple flavors. Lovely now, this is a white that can actually age well.

El Ixsir (Elixir) is the top wine produced by the Ixsir winery located just outside Batroun, Lebanon. The excellent 2011 is composed of 55% Syrah, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Merlot. On the nose you find aromas of blackberries and red fruits and a hint of woody spice. On the palate silky, lush fruit flavors are balanced with good structure and a long finish. Drinking very well now, this wine should age until at least 2020. The Wine Enthusiast gave this 91 points praising the black cherry aromas on the nose and flavors of cherry, cassis and anisette.

JAMES SUCKLING 92 POINTS - "Dark purple in color, IXSIR's top cuvee boasts a nose of ripe blackberries, red fruits, and a hint of woody spice. On the palate, there is a sudden silky lushness, backed up with a wonderful freshness and a flattering structure. Aged for 24 months in French oak barrels, this wine boasts a finish that is powerful, sustained, and balanced."

A fruity yet dry white with cream, apple and pear aromas and flavors. Full body. Fresh and clean. A chalky undertone gives the wine texture. A 70% Viognier/30% Chardonnay blend aged in half used/half new French oak puncheons.

The Rdece is a 50/50 blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot from the Goriska Brda region of Slovenia. Erzetic allows three weeks of maceration, ages the wine for 18 months in a mixture of used and new French oak barrels, then matures the wine in seven-foot clay amphora set in the cellar floor. This red has a deep garnet color and a nose of dark berries with a hint of earthiness. On the palate ripe red fruits are followed by hints of anise and spices. The wine finishes with soft tannins. This vintage received a commendation in the Decanter 2010 World Wine Awards.

This pleasant, clean, fruity yet crisp Pinot Grigio comes to us from father and son team Edi and Aleks Simcic (SEEM chitch) in the Primorska region of Slovenia, just a stone's throw from Italy's Friulian border and the Colli Orientali. Green apples on the nose; good fruit in the mouth balanced by good acidity on the finish. Great value!

This red, sourced from high altitude vineyards in Lebanon's Batroun district, is composed of 35% Cabernet Sauvignon; 26% Caladoc (a cross of Malbec and Grenache); 22% Syrah and 17% Tempranillo. Decanter magazine gave this 91 points: "...this is a beautifully integrated wine made with the help of Chateau Angelus' Hubert de Bouard. Lifted cassis, capsicum, herbs and violets meld with silky tannins and fresh acidity."

Delightful off-dry, easy to drink Gewurztraminer from Romania. Perfect with chicken, fish, and mildly spicy Asian food.

Kavaklidere is an award-winning winery located in Anatolia, Turkey. Their 2013 Ancyra (Ankara) white is composed of 100% Narince (Nah ren juh), an indigenous grape variety from Anatolia. This dry white displays citrus, floral and white fruit aromas and flavors. It goes well with fish, shrimp, octopus salad, grilled chicken and lightly sauced pasta dishes.

Made from late harvest Saperavi grapes and grown in the Kakheti region of the republic of Georgia. Red in color, full of berries and sweetness.

Joze Kupljen launched the brand Vino Kupljen in 1976 but the Kupljen (koop linn) family has been growing and making wine at their estate since 1836. The vineyards and estate are located in Ljutomer- Ormoz wine district. The grapes for this dry Pinot Gris (Pinot Grigio) are sourced from the Mon Royal Vineyard. This crisp white offers complex aromas and flavors that are layered with green apples, pears and citrus and a touch of minerality. It is dry and fullbodied on the palate. Wonderful with seafood, vegetables and spicy dishes. This vintage received a Silver Medal in New York.

Winemakers Brunier and Hebrard Ghosn describe this red blend as a "refreshing vin plasir". It is a delicious blend of 35% Cinsault; 35% Grenache noir; 15% Syrah and 15% Tempranillo. The grapes were grown at an altitude of 900 to 1,200 meters in their Beqaa Valley vineyard. Blue and black fruit aromas and flavors lead to a hint of spice on the finish.

Kadarka 1880 is a natural red from the oldest known Kadarka vineyard in the world. The vineyard is located in Serbia, on the border with Hungary and the vines were planted in 1880. Kadarka is a native Balkan grape, which, according to one theory, originates from the shores of Lake Skadar on the modern Albania-Montenegro border. The wine was made with no added yeast, fermented in open vat and aged in big old oak casks for 12 months. There is no added sulphur. Decant before serving to allow the wine to open up and release its bouquet.

Founded in 1923, Domaine Ouled Thaleb is a leader in the revival of Morocco's wine industry. The winery is located ten miles northeast of Casablanca facing the ocean. Winemaker, Alain Graillot, a Frenchman from the Rhone Valley, works with sustainably farmed indigenous varietals and international varieties like this delicious Syrah. The 2012 Syrah boasts spicy black fruit flavors balanced by moderate acidity and supple tannins.

WINE ENTHUSIAST 90 POINTS - "Deep ruby red to the eye, this red wine has a nose of cherry, pomegranate and lemon peel. It comes on bright, offering flavors of cherry, peach, eucalyptus, rose petal and pencil lead. Velvety tannins coat the palate into a finish that is a luscious mélange of cherry and orange zest with a touch of mint."

Serve with Moroccan or Middle Eastern cuisine or any rich beef or lamb dish.

Aromas of black chery, espresso bean and white chocolate tease the palate in this Moroccan blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Syrah.br>
Not all of North Africa consists of sand dunes and desert. Morocco's best vineyards, nestled at the bottom of the Atlas Mountains, benefit from cooling breezes from the Atlantic Ocean. Ouled Thaleb is the oldest continuously operating winery in Morocco; the vineyards were planted near Ben Slimane in the 1920s. The winery is ten miles northeast of Casablanca facing the ocean. The winemaker, Alain Graillot, a Frenchman from the Rhone Valley, has his own property in Crozes Hermitage. He stumbled upon some beautiful vineyards while bicycling in the Zenata region of Morocco, and ended up starting a relationship with the winery. The 2013 Médaillon is a blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Syrah aged for 12 months in French oak. Dark purple garnet color. Cabernet aromas are predominant on the nose: black cherry, cassis and plum. In the mouth this red is juicy with cherry and black currant flavors, integrated oak and soft tannins. Serve with Moroccan or Middle Eastern cuisine or any rich beef or lamb dish.