Wine Maven – May/June 2014

Maven has a Latin accent this issue, enjoying wines from Spain and Brazil. Jean Leon 3055 Chardonnay
Makes you a believer in the grape again; fragrant apple/pear aromas lead to elegantly dry flavours with just the right amount of acidity for versatility, so you can have with food or a glass after work; All in all, lovely.

Jean Leon 3055 Merlot/Petit
Verdot blend; firm ripe tannins support bright and spicy red fruit. Drink with red-sauced pastas, grilled beef, lamb souvlaki.Jean Leon is the real deal— the grapes have European organic certification, the snappy packaging garnered a wine marketing prize last year at Vin Italy, and at a delicious price. Fantastic value, under $20.

Salton Moscato Intenso
Light and fresh tasting with a fine bubble, moderately sweet yet refreshing. At 7.5 per cent alcohol a glass with weekend breakfast is not untoward. Under $20.

Curious to make your very own Brazilian national cocktail, the Caipirinha? Use the same cachaça as Pampa, smooth and silky. Under $40.

In stock now: Faces, the official wine of FIFA World Cup by noted Brazilian wine producer Lidio Carraro.

Faces Tinto is a masterful blend of 11 grape varieties Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Teroldego, Touriga Nacional, Tannat, Ancel-lotta, Nebbiolo, Tempranillo, Pinot Noir, Malbec and Alicante Bouschet. The idea, 11 grapes in the wine and 11 members of the team reflects the national terroir of Brazil in grapes and in sport. Clever idea, and the result is a robust and flavourful red wine that tastes great, no matter who is winning.

The Branco (white) is a fresh and fruity blend of Moscato, Chardonany and Italian Riesling, ideal for sipping with cheese and fruit.

“With Faces, we seek to represent the Brazilian soul — lively, cheerful and creative. We believe that it will be the ball on the foot and the wine in the glass,” says winemaker Monica Rossetti. Both in better wine shops, under $20.