Sauvignon Blanc: New Zealand vs South Africa

BARRAMUNDAYS WINE & VINYL

Southern Hemisphere Stand Off

New Zealand made its mark on the Wine Scene in the 1980's, offering Sauvignon Blanc in the form of a fruit bomb with highly aromatic notes of gooseberry, tropical fruit, and of course, that leafy green-ness that is characteristic of the varietal.  Love it or hate it, these powerful white wines made a huge impact on the wine industry, one that is still keenly felt today.

Perhaps as a reaction to the intense flavors (and hype) of these New Zealand wines, South Africa steered their Sauv Blancs halfway towards the Loire Valley, with the intention of bringing in some old world elegance to balance out all that powerful fruit. 

Do these two different regions' wines have more in common? Or are they defined more by the differences between them? Want to find out? For free?

Free tasting, and ALL price points only $8 a glass.
With DJ Ilmo spinning eclectic lounge as only he can. Cheese by Saxelby's. (Goat, of course!)

Tonight
at Barramundi
67 Clinton St.
NYC

"They Make That in White"? Spain vs France

BARRAMUNDAYS WINE &  VINYL

White Rioja, White Bordeaux

Most people have tasted or at least heard of Bordeaux- famously complex French wine, compelling and seemingly priced out of reach, and Rioja- earthy, dry, Spanish and sexy, with an ever-expanding fan-base. There's no need to describe the color of these two wines, they are usually synonymous with Red.

The Odds-on Favorite: White Bordeaux
Tonight we present a European Battle: Spain vs. France. White Bordeaux would seem to have the edge in this fight. After all, our French Contender is from the Graves appellation of Bordeaux, which is famous for its white wines.  White wines from Bordeaux are blended- Sauvignon Blanc & Semillon in varying percentages. These wines are generally speaking, fresh, crisp and fruity, with some floral notes, with more oak comes ageability, richness and depth.

The Underdog: White Rioja
On the other hand, White Rioja accounts for less than 10% of  all Rioja wines, (it shares that percentage with Rose). This wine is usually made from the crisp Viura grape, (sometimes with the addition of Malvasia and White Garnacha, or other non-Spanish varietals of late) but this main varietal is not exactly trendy or well known. One thing this wine has in common with White Bordeaux is the use of oak: in this case oak aging produces some nutty, caramelly flavors which, when done well, form a great counterpoint to the grape's natural fresh and fruity character. I happen to really like this wine, and think it deserves a bigger audience.

Taste them both for free, and vote for your favorite!

With sublime vinyl by DJ Ilmo. Saxelby's brings the cheese!

Tonight
at Barramundi
67 Clinton St
NYC

Lovely Loire Valley Whites

Barramundays Wine & Vinyl
The Garden of France..

White Wines of the Loire Valley, France
MUSCADET vs SANCERRE vs VOUVRAY

The Loire Valley wine region comprises 310 square miles, starting just West of the Atlantic Ocean, and stretching along the banks of the Loire River. A great abundance of crops are grown within its boundaries, including cherries, asparagus, and artichokes, as well as grapes, of course! An area full of gorgeous chateaux, cathedrals, and ancient villages, part of the central Loire River Valley has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Within this verdant region, a huge variety of wines are produced, 75% of them white. The reds are pretty great as well, but tonight we will taste three of the main white varieties, all very different from each other, but all with certain similarities as well: a crisp fruitiness and great balance.

Muscadet:
100% Melon de Bourgogne, grown in vineyards not far from the Atlantic Ocean, this wine is bone dry and refreshing, occasionally with a touch of salinity and minerality to complement the apple and citrus aromas. Often aged "on its lees" to enhance flavor and mouthfeel. (Lees are the solid particles left after fermentation). Perfectly paired with fruits de mer.

Sancerre:
Wines have been made in this part of France since at least the 6th century. This Sauvignon Blanc has more restrained fruit than its New World counterparts. What sets these vineyards apart is arguable the soil: whether chalk, gravel & limestone, or flint, it has a big influence on a Sancerre's aromas, and creates a counterpoint to the typical citrus and especially grapefruit flavors. Delicious with goat cheese.

Vouvray:
This versatile grape (Chenin Blanc) is capable of making very dry still and sparkling wines, as well as excellent off dry or sweet desert wines, the latter incorporating "noble rot", in the style of Sauternes. The most remarkable characteristic of this wine lies in the balance between residual sugar and its natural high acidity. These two factors result in "percieved" sweetness: a sweeter Vouvray may not seem so, due to the highly acidic counterpoint of the wine. This makes for a fascinating, if a tad confusing, tasting experience. In addition, this high acidity can create wines that are extremely age-worthy- although Vouvray is often bottled early and aged in the bottle, hardly ever oaked. Pair with rich dishes and flavorful sauces. Common aromas of apple, fig, ginger and flowers.

Free tasting, and truly a steal at only $8 a glass. With the eclectic vinyl stylings of DJ Ilmo. Cheese pairing by Saxelby's in the Essex Market.

Tonight
at Barramundi
67 Clinton St
NYC

AROMATIC WHITES: New Zealand vs France

BARRAMUNDAYS WINE & VINYL
Follow your nose..
Gewurzstraminer vs New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc


Gewurztraminer
Love it or hate it, there's not much room for ambiguity here. This varietal creates perhaps the most aromatic of all wines, and the apex of its expression happens in Alsace, France. Originally from Germany, Gewurztraminer thrives in the rich clay Alsatian soil, producing full bodied, powerfully scented wines, with lots of spice (ginger, cinnamon) and exotic fruit notes (lychee) as well as rose petal and perfume aromas. Whew. Detractors cite this wine's low acidity and powerful fruit while others adore its huge presence. Where do you stand?


New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc
This wine has great aromatics like its French competitor, but also has the racy acidity so beloved of foodies worldwide. Take a deep whiff if you love the aroma of fresh cut grass, grapefruit, tropical fruits (passionfruit), or even cat's pee and asparagus! All of these agressive aromas tend to polarize wine-lovers as well. I don't think that you could possible have two wines more different.

Tonight's battle should be Very Interesting..

DJ Ilmo spins vinyl.
Saxelby's brings the cheese.

at Barramundi
67 Clinton St.
NYC

SPANISH BATTLE: WHITE VS RED RIOJA!

BARRAMUNDAYS WINE & VINYL

a taste of Spain..

Tonight we celebrate the glorious wines of Spain. We'll be tasting a Rioja Reserva (100% Tempranillo), and a less well known, but equally scrumptious White Rioja (100% Viura).

Join us! Cheese by Saxelby's and Music by DJ Ilmo.

at Barramundi

67 Clinton St

NYC

                                                                                                   

Lightweight Championship!

BARRAMUNDAYS WINE & VINYL
Three Light Whites for Summer


After a long hot subway ride home from work you open your fridge and what is waiting for you? A nice cold bottle or two of light bodied white wines, hopefully. These three different wines will cover the gamut of aromas and flavors, but one thing they have in common is that they are crisp and refreshing, and pair wonderfully with the foods of Summer.

 Muscadet
A classic choice for seafood, especially shellfish and oysters, a well-made Muscadet has citrus and apple notes, with a touch of salinity and minerality. The wine is often left "sur lie",  or on the lees for a period of time to create a fuller mouthfeel and more articulated flavors. (Lees are the solid particles left after fermentation). The grape is 100% Melon de Bourgogne, from the Loire Valley.

Chablis
100% Chardonnay also from the northernmost wine district of Burgundy, France, the cool climate creates a wine with a refreshing acidity which is mostly absent from other styles of Chardonnay, such as those from California. Another difference here is a lack of oak in the majority of everyday Chablis, which makes it different in style from other Burgundies as well as new world styles. Some great food pairings include shellfish, fresh vegetable risotto, simple grilled fish with butter, and more depending on the intensity of the wine.



Sauvignon Blanc (New Zealand)
This wine usually has an intense flavor profile of fresh cut grass, gooseberry and tropical fruit flavors, with herbacious aromas. New Zealand wine is known for its great balance of fruitiness and acidity. Pair with green vegetable dominated foods, like roasted vegetables, or lighter vinegar based dressings and sauces. Also delicious with goat cheese.

Join us tonight, and vote for your favorite! Free tasting, and all three are only $8 a glass, (up to half off the usual price)!

Cheese by Saxelby's and Excellent Eclectica by our own DJ Ilmo.

Tonight
at Barramundi
67 Clinton St
NYC

SAUVIGNON BLANC BATTLE: 

France vs New Zealand

 BARRAMUNDAYS WINE & VINYL

For many people, the long hot days and balmy nights of early Summer demand a cool glass of Sauvignon Blanc. In the U.S., this often means New World choices such as wines from New Zealand or California. However, a wine consisting of 100% Sauvignon Blanc grapes and a vastly different flavor profile can be found in France: Sancerre.

Sancerre hails from the Loire Valley, and is characterized by aromas and flavors of gunflint, herbs, grass and chalk (from calcium in the limestone soils). High in acidity, and crisp, this is a perfect wine for food, with some citrus and gooseberry flavors.

New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc rose to rock-stardom in the 1980's- one critic likened tasting your first New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc to having sex for the first time. Certain regions of the country, like Marlborough, are considered to be among the best places in the world to grow Sauvignon Blanc, creating wines that marry the acidity of the Old World with the exotic fruit flavors of the New World. Typical aromas include passionfruit, grapefruit, and even cat pee!

Celebrate Summer tonight at Barramundi. Free tasting, and by the glass for only $8. 

DJ Ilmo spins the tunes, Saxelby's brings the cheese!

Tonight

at Barramundi

67 Clinton St

NYC