WINEAUX CLUB: EXPLORER, JUNE 2024
Wineaux’s wine club selections for June 2024, from the regions of Piedmont, Italy and the Bekaa Valley in Lebanon.
Hello Wineaux Explorers,
We’re kicking off the season with two selections perfectly suited to usher us into summer! Dive into the light and fragrant 2021 Casa E. di Mirafiore Nascetta, a delightful white wine from the region of Piedmont, Italy. Pour yourself a glass of 2020 Musar Jeune Rouge, a silky and vividly fruity red blend from the Bekaa Valley in Lebanon. Sit back, uncork and unwind for maximum enjoyment.
Cheers!
The Wineaux Club
Below you will find our selection’s histories and regions, expert flavor notes, as well as some mouth-watering pairing recommendations.
Wineaux Club’s June Selections, The Explorer
Casa E. di Mirafiore, LANGHE NASCETTA — 2021
2021 Casa E. di Mirafiore, LANGHE NASCETTA, D.O.C. Piemonte, Italy — Available at Wineaux
The storied history of Casa E. di Mirafiore goes back to 1878 when Emanuele Alberto Guerrieri, Count of Mirafiore, son of the first King of Italy, founded his estates in Barolo and Fontanafredda. A noble farmer-entrepreneur, he dedicated himself to wine with an absolutely modern approach. Through the years leading up to present era, Casa E. di Mirafiore publishes the first Sustainability Report (2020) and obtains the Sustainable Winery certifications from Equalitas, Vegan Product Certification and “Historic Brand” by the Italian Government that includes the most iconic Italian brands in the world.
STYLE: White
VARIETAL: Nascetta
VINTAGE: 2021
OVERALL: Floral, White fruits, Aromatic herbs
AROMAS: White flowers (jasmine), Pears, Apricot
MOUTH FEEL: Medium-Bodied, Moderate to High Acidity, Floral notes
PAIRINGS: Vitello tonnato, Fritto misto
Musar Jeune Rouge — 2020
2020 Musar Jeune Rouge, Bekaa Valley, Lebanon — Available at Wineaux
Chateau Musar was founded in 1930 by Gaston Hochar. In 1959, after studying oenology at the University of Bordeaux, his son Serge became winemaker. The civil war that tore Lebanon apart from 1975 to 1990 did not defeat Chateau Musar; Serge refused to abandon the wine, and lost only the 1976 and 1984 vintages to the war. Musar's vineyards were certified organic in 2006, the first winery in Lebanon to do so. Most of the vineyards are located in the Bekaa Valley, between two parallel mountain ranges that stretch to Lebanon's Mediterranean coastline. Grapevines have been cultivated here for at least 6,000 years: the Phoenicians (the seafaring forerunners of modern Lebanon) introduced vines and wine from Byblos to all regions around the Mediterranean.
STYLE: Red
VARIETAL: Blend of Cinsault (50%), Syrah (35%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (15%)
VINTAGE: 2020
OVERALL: Mélange of red and black fruits, Fruit forward
AROMAS: Blackcurrants, strawberries and a hint of violets
MOUTH FEEL: Soft texture, generous and richly fruited with a little black pepper and spice
PAIRINGS: Classic, smoky Texas ribs and vinegar-based BBQ, roast chicken, and grilled meats
