Generally speaking, what are your 4 favourite red varieties (or blends) and 4 favourite white varieties (or blends.) For example, Cabernet and Cabernet blends would be on choice.
I think this might be more interesting with 2 red and 2 white since 4 each seems like a lot. For me:
Reds: Nebbiolo, Pinot Noir, Sangiovese, Syrah
White: Viognier, Gewurtzramminer, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris
Otto, This thread and your post has introduced me to the existence of a wine named Timorasso and your high personal ranking will lead me to look for a bottle. So there’s that. -Jim
Thank you for your kind words, Jim. It’s great that thread like these manage to benefit some people.
If you really are going to check out Timorasso, I heartily suggest looking for Walter Massa’s and Claudio Mariotto’s bottlings - although I’ve yet to taste a Timorasso I didn’t love, so basically any Timorasso purchased blind will most likely be a great pruchase. The best examples of this variety can combine almost Viognier-like fruit and concentration with Riesling-like freshness and minerality, effortlessly combining the best of the two worlds. And the best of all, almost all the Timorasso wines seem to show exceptional aging capabilities for white wines. It certainly is one of the greatest Italian white varieties out there - if not the greatest!
Kiitos paljon Otto. Going to Ruche country next week (Castagnole) and I see that Timorasso country is nearby. Certainly visiting some winemakers there. Never tried the wines
My list
Nebbiolo from Northern Italy
Pinot Noir from Burgundy and Champagne
Syrah from Northern Rhone
Cabernet Franc from Loire, Bordeaux and Tuscany
Riesling from Alsace, Austria and Germany
Chardonnay from Burgundy and Champagne
Viura from LdH
Chenin Blanc from Loire
Going to Ruche country next week (Castagnole) and I see that Timorasso country is nearby. Certainly visiting some winemakers there. Never tried the wines
I’ve only visited Alba, Alto Piemonte and Carema (+ Aosta Valley) during a trip to Piedmont, but since Tortona (the subregion where all of the major Timorasso producers are located) is only 30 km / 18 miles away from Castagnole Monferrato, I really encourage you to make a small detour and report your findings.
If you’re into Ruchè, are you familiar with Scarpa? They’re located some 10 km / 6 miles south from castagnole Monferrato. Lots of great wines and from what I’ve heard, they’ve got a great catalog of back vintages as well.
We will certainly go to visit the 2 winemakers you mentioned
I have been attending the Festa del Ruchè in Castagnole some years. It is great fun and great food. I usually visit some of the winemakers too. We live in a ancient tall house built in the city wall with beautiful views to the other hilltop villages
Legally Scarpa are not allowed to call the wine Ruchè, but I will seek it out
Pinot noir ('Merican and French (and Champagne,) yay!)
Cab ('Merican and French, yay! Add Chile, too.)
Zinfandel
Cab Franc
White
Chardonnay (Kind of by default, it’s what I drink the most of when drinking white and I get 'Merican and French, again…and some Champagne! Over-all and easy call. Blanc de Blanc…mmmm.)
“Riesling”
Sauvignon Blanc (Wine from this grape has been getting better and better the last few decades.)
Pinot Blanc (and I get more countries, again!)