Unusual wine varietals
 

Here are some unusual varietals that I have only sampled in the past year:

1. A Roter Veltliner from Austria

2. Sagrantino from Umbria in Italy which produces Sagrantino di Montefalco. Sagrantino produces the biggest wines that I have ever tried.

3. Torrontes from Argentina.

Finally and this is a bit off topic but it can still be classified as unusual, I tried "Les Clos" from Champagne Laherte Freres. This Champagne has all seven permitted varieties. It is a blend of 10% Fromenteau (a.k.a. Pinot Gris), 8% Arbanne, 14% Pinot Noir, 18% Chardonnay, 17% Pinot Blanc, 18% Pinot Meunier, and 15% Petit Meslier.

What other unusual and/or rare wines have people tried?

I've had various Tokaji dessert wines due to a very generous coworker. I've tried a true Tokaji Essencia (sp) which was $500 for 500mL; it came with a crystal serving spoon.

Not sure if I prefer the Essencia over a top notch BA or TBA, but it sure was delicious.

Tannat..very interesting stuff, i've found it to pair well with really big meaty dishes, like ribs, steak, etc.

Uruguay and Paraguay seem to be producing some good varieties right now, along with a couple of places here in the USA, in Virginia.

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Paraguay...?!! :eek:

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Here are a few 'strange' ones....

Caladoc
Bonarda
Petit Menseng
Anchelotta

Yup, I recall tasting a couple of Tannats from there maybe 3 years ago, they were quite interesting. It helped that the girl pouring was pretty hot though ;)

Aha... yes.... nothing like a tarty sales bimbo to push spoof juice... :D :p

Haha well she was the owner's daughter and had an advanced sommelier certification..She was just doing her job I suppose. And looking mighty fine while doing it. It was my first time tasting Tannat and I came away thinking it was a wine you have to age for a long time, I recall it being as tannic as a young Barolo, but with enough beyond that to suggest it could be delicious after a stay in the cellar.

well, i think bordeau allows 13 varieties. can you name them????? i just googled and they said 14. can you name even 10 without a google?

how many have you tasted?

Glad to see my flashback was not entirely alcohol-induced.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/dinin...varietals.html

hm, let me try without google:

1. cabernet sauvignon
2. merlot
3. mourvedre
4. petit verdot
5. cabernet franc
6. sauvignon blanc

And that's all I can think of right now.

Okay I suck. I wrote Mourvedre but I was thinking Malbec. I forgot all the allowed white varietals too.

I was going to add:

Semillion
Muscadelle
Carmenere

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Ah... tarty and daddys girl...?

Doesnt get much better than that... :D

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Some more...

Gewurztraminer
Verdiccio
Ungi Blanc
Primitivo
Dolcetto

A favorite of mine. Most people haven't tasted this, but when they do, it always gets a ^.

Surprised I haven't seen Meritage (rhymes with heritage).
This is a blend of at least 3 different red grapes (I've seen more - Cain Five). A good one will set you back $30 +. The Cain Five is around $100 or so, depending on the vintage (year).