It’s a unique, balanced blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Carménère. Wednesday December 02 2020, 5.00pm, The Sunday Times Celebrations with family and friends might be a bit different this year, but liquid refreshment from pre-mixed cocktails to wine … Can be employed. By Maria Miyashiro. 2020 has been an earth-shattering year for the American wine world. We also continued to explore the diversity of America’s less heralded wine regions, and were consistently impressed by Finger Lakes, Oregon, and particularly, Virginia offerings. This wine demonstrates the qualities that have made Marlborough famous for its Sauvignon Blanc. The pinnacle of quality, Superb "Jean-Luc Colombo is a … Words by Natasha Heard and Lisa Curtiss. 50. It’s bright and fresh, and would be a great foil for anything fried, like fish and chips. The Enthusiast Top 100 Wines of 2020; 100 Wines Under $15 of 2020; 100 Best Wines to Cellar of 2020; Top 25 Beers We Tasted In 2020; The Top 100 Spirits of 2020; 7 Best Wine Travel Experiences of 2020 Now comes the ultimate, The Enthusiast 100. The immense impact this had on its wine regions and communities emphasizes that drinking wines from the state to enjoy and support its winemaking regions is tantamount. The 8 Best Red Wines to Drink in 2020 From loveable classic varietals to funky natural bottles. Mullineux ‘Kloof Street’ Old Vine Chenin Blanc 2019 ($17), 13. Many wine writers and sommeliers are returning to the classic regions of France and … Château Peyrassol Côtes de Provence 2019 ($35), 30. This wine has bright acidity and a slight tannic grip, making it an ideal pairing for barbecue. Madeline Muzzi. One sip, and this little-known Sicilian grape just may become a newfound favorite. South Africa also impressed us with its offerings in 2020, with three wines from the nation making it onto our list. As travel has been restricted during the majority of this year, we’ve taken the opportunity to explore the world through wine. The 20 best wines for Christmas 2020. And at a sub-$100 price, this is a great bottle to pop for your next special occasion. Its frothy acidity is just alive enough to balance the fruity depth. It grips the palate with bright acidity so high, the cherry aromas carry from the nose to the palate. Inama Bradisismo Rosso Veneto IGT 2016 ($28), 22. In the colder months, sip it at cellar or room temperature and pair it with steamy venison. She reviews products for The Spruce. Photos by Tom Arena / Animation by Eric DeFreitas. It finishes with a subtle scent of orange peel and whiff of cinnamon. Either way, this wine will shine. David Williams. Jefferson Cuvee’ Pinot Noir 2018 ($36), 44. A great, crowd-pleasing red that is soft, going on supple, with a slight savory depth. Vicki Denig. Evening Land ‘Seven Springs Vineyard’ Gamay Noir 2018 ($37), 8. It has a grip on the palate and smells like sweet desserts mixed with herbs. This comes after South African wine country was been hit particularly hard by the ongoing pandemic, and strict lockdown measures meant bans on the sale and distribution of alcohol. Johannesburg boutique wine retailer Dry Dock Liquor is offering all the best in category wines for sale – buy now. To get the most out of this wine, we recommend chilling it before serving. It is light, bright, well balanced, age-worthy, and will quench your thirst. Alpha Estate Vieilles Vignes Single Block Reserve Xinomavro 2016 ($37), Wildsam Shares What Locals Love in Napa and Sonoma, How to Host a Fun and Festive Virtual Friendsgiving. This is a prestige cuvée that’s not as well known as others — like Krug and Dom Pérignon — but is one that we think should be on your radar. It’s balanced, with just the right level of acidity and focused fruit. It is best when chilled in the fridge, and can be paired with any carpaccio — veggie, meat, or fish. This Friulano from Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy, is generous with tart fruit, soft acidity, and slight weight on the palate. This no-dosage Champagne is extremely balanced. A wonderful representation of Russian River Valley Pinot Noir. A great representation of how full-bodied California Chardonnay should feel and taste, this wine is big and grips the palate with a significant amount of acid and oak. The palate is briny yet floral, making this wine endlessly drinkable. It is juicy yet spicy, and is best enjoyed chilled. Cristom ‘Mt. Pair it with honey-roasted duck, or drink it on its own. Louis Roederer is a large, established Champagne house, yet this wine shows that the brand knows where its customers are. Domaine Carneros by Taittinger Ultra Brut 2015 ($46), 29. From screw-capped bottles for easy opening at socially distanced picnics, to high-end wines that can be delivered to our doors, these selections have met the unexpected needs of our newfound Covid-19 lifestyles. Mayacamas Vineyards Chardonnay 2018 ($52), 19. With its peppery, oak-influenced flavors, this bottle is ideal for any lamb dish — though you might not want to share either. Although this wine is DTC (direct-to-consumer) only, with just 140 cases produced, we strongly recommend you try to find it (and thank us later). Classic Or even if you do. Etna in Sicily, offering a white Burgundy-quality wine, sans the white Burgundy price. This wine starts with red fruit, warming spice and cedar aromas. Wondering which wines should be on your radar for 2020? It’s a bit tannic, but the wine is drinking well now. Pinot Noir from Virginia? It is balanced, full-bodied, and has notes of oak and ripe blackberries. We compiled an exhaustive list of our favorite wines this year, then whittled it down to 50 based on quality, value, and availability in the U.S. As our tastings director says, this wine is “the future of American Chardonnay.”. We recommend chilling this bottle down a bit and pairing with a charcuterie board. (Semillon doesn’t even feature in the top 10 planted varieties in the nation, and when it is grown, this grape is typically used as a blending variety.) Made with Chardonnay grown in the Dolomites, this is elegant bubbly that will make you put down the Champagne for a while. Ferraton Père & Fils Crozes-Hermitage Calendes 2016 ($34), 23. The 14 Best Sweet Wines to Drink in 2020 Pair these bottles with your favorite desserts. This is another red that’s best served chilled (and paired with a burger). The Willamette Valley is so much more than a Pinot Noir region, and this Grüner Veltliner is proof of that. Ar.Pe.Pe. In the summer, chill it in the fridge and its tart and juicy flavors will sing with beef carpaccio. A Paso Robles interpretation of the Northern Rhône blend of Syrah, Viognier, and Roussanne, Dirt Worshipper has the slightly meaty character of the Old World style, but adds a New World dose of oak. Butterscotch, banana chips, vanilla, and just the right amount of oak float on the nose of this smoothie and easy-drinking, yet complex Chardonnay. It has density and lift, with great acidity and a rich fruit core. But despite, or perhaps because of, the uncertainty this year has brought, the VinePair team has tasted thousands of wines over the last 12 months. It has a creamy mouthfeel and just the right grip on the palate. Each year, Wine Spectator editors select the most exciting wines we've reviewed for our Top 100 Wines—based on quality, value, availability and excitement. This wine represents everything there is to love about Nebbiolo. With soft, tart fruit on the palate, this wine is edging on sweet without being saccharine. Ratings reflect what our editors felt about a particular product. 10 of the Best Red Wines for Autumn 2020, to Suit Any Palate. magazine. Click here for a downloadable PDF of The Enthusiast 100 of 2020. By using our website and/or subscribing to our newsletter, © 2014 - 2020 VinePair Inc. — Made In NYC, Next Round Live: What's Happening in the Drinks Industry Now, 50. Giovanni Rosso Etna Bianco DOC 2018 ($34), 2. It’s extremely balanced, refreshing, and has great acidity. It grips the palate with river-rock minerality, while green apple and lime aromas keep it zesty and bright. This is new-wave Portuguese wine that perfectly represents the terroir in which it was made. It has a slight chewy feel that can hold up to protein. Ankida Ridge Vineyards Pinot Noir 2017 ($44), 1. It doesn’t get more “Texas” than this wine. For those who think they don’t like Merlot: Don’t miss this. Drink and enjoy this red blend any season. Here you can find the most recent Top 10 lists in detail, with photos, videos and complete reviews—ratings, prices, tasting notes and when the wines are best to drink. This wine is sure to please Chardonnay lovers. It smells like a meadow and is creamy and floral on the palate. With its screw-cap bottle, ripe fruit aromas, and zippy flavor, this bottle is easy to drink and can fit almost any occasion — and would be an ideal case-buy. Learn about Liquor.com's Editorial Process. By Natasha Heard on 2nd December 2020 . Following that, a firm grip on the palate, with vibrant bubbles and a heightened perception of acidity cleanses the palate. Pinot Noir fans will covet this Sicilian red made in the volcanic soils of Mount Etna, with its inviting aromas of strawberry jam and soil. Drinks to suit every budget, including supermarket best buys, chosen by Observer Food Monthly’s wine expert. It’s time for more people to recognize the awesome things South African Semillon is capable of. Jefferson Vineyards Cabernet Franc 2017 ($28), 36. Planeta is a family owned winery in Sicily, focusing on sustainable winemaking practices. Godello is an overlooked Spanish white variety that deserves a spot on your radar. Below are four 'Top 10' shortlists of wines which deliver more for your dollar, according to the world's top wine critics. Alois Lageder ‘Riff’ Pinot Grigio 2019 ($10), 43. Bright aromas of honey, pears, white flowers, and black pepper hit the nose, followed by a frothy mouthfeel and vibrant palate. By using our website and/or subscribing to our newsletter, you agree to our use of cookies and the terms of our, Thanks for signing up! Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process. Proof that Cabernet Franc can thrive in New York, this wine from the Finger Lakes region has inviting cherry and soil aromas, and is vibrant and juicy on the palate. So, What Is Organic Wine? This wine practically defines balance: The acidity is nearly perfect, letting the tart fruit flavors sing without overwhelming the palate; the texture is rich yet refreshing and not overly tannic; and it hugs the palate with notes of fruit and pepper. America’s 100 Best Wine Restaurants of 2019, Wine Enthusiast's 2019 Wine Star Award Winners, Top 100 wines to stash away in the cellar, California Privacy Rights Do Not Sell My Information. With its kiss of oak, it will surely be a newfound favorite of Chardonnay lovers looking to try something different. Last month, we used those selections to put together a list of the Top 100 wines for $15 or under. This Sonoma Coast Gewürztraminer is one for dry Riesling lovers — balanced, drinkable, and a perfect accompaniment to spicy dishes like hot wings or vindaloo. We've received your email address, and soon you will start getting exclusive offers and news from Wine Enthusiast. Denner Vineyards Dirt Worshipper 2018 ($62), 11. It’s beautifully delicate on the palate, and is quite affordable for the quality. The soft, plush textures of Merlot wash over the palate, while a warming perception of wood smoke and cedar swim through the wine, mingling with cracked black pepper. With darker evenings and colder nights settling in, there’s little more satisfying than popping the cork on a bottle of fruity red. It has a subtle depth and lovely acidity, with aromas of citrus and pear. By Camille Berry. If you love great Chardonnay, this bottle is worth the price tag. By Rachel Fellows. Aromatic: These white wines feature strong perfumes and aromas and tend to be sweet, although some may be dry. By continuing to use our Services and/or submitting the above information, you agree to our use of cookies and the terms of our It has intense black and blueberry flavors, with a slight waft of this variety’s inherent orange peel aroma. What are the best wines? The bans have since been lifted, meaning that alcohol, including wine, can now once again be sold, but it is going to take some wineries a long time to recover. This deep, soulful red wine will welcome you with the subtle smell of white pepper and herbs, washed over by the sweet savoriness of aged balsamic and the tartness of currant jam. Well-loved categories like Argentine Malbec, New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc and California Pinot Noir are present and accounted for, but there’s also plenty to discover beyond the mainstream, with Italian Lambrusco, Washington Grenache, Tasmanian sparkling wines and beyond. 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