Raise Your Glass
A few of the Chattanooga area’s experts share their top choices for wine in 2023 – plus, tips on how to pair, pour, and savor flavor like a sommelier.
Alison Matera, WSETdip
General Manager
Riverside Wine & Spirits
Sparkling
Domaine De L’Espérance Christian Etienne Cuvée Tradition Brut NV
Champagne, France
The “Tradition” is a very expressive champagne from the Christian Etienne house where the fruitiness of the pinot noir dominates. Etienne is a traditional man trying to do what it takes to keep his tiny nine hectares – located in the town Aube – producing extraordinary fruit. The vines are sturdy, digging deeply into the pure limestone and chalky soils surrounding the house, and they are meticulously cared for. This wine features a classic champagne nose, terrific body weight, elegant mousse, and long finish. Champagne is finally getting the recognition it deserves as a brilliant food wine.
Red
Les Darons Languedoc by Jeff Carrel 2020
Languedoc, France
Grenache and Carignan have long been cultivated in Southern France and represent the “forefathers” of the Languedoc appellation’s red wines. Les Darons – made with 75% Grenache, 20% Syrah, and 5% Carignan – is an homage showcasing these classic varietals, and it’s accessible with lots of character. Packed with ripe, red, and dark fruit aromas, this Languedoc red has plenty of spice and a streak of underlying minerality. Red wines from this region can often deliver great quality for the money, and this one is no exception.
White
Cantina La-Vis Dipinti Sauvignon 2021
Trevenezie, Italy
This sauvignon blanc is grown in particularly suitable areas of high ground at the mouth of the Cembra Valley, where the daily temperature ranges help to preserve the grape’s aromatic qualities (for now). It produces clean wine with hints of green, possessing an intense bouquet reminiscent of elderberry, peach, and ripe fruit. On the palate, it’s zippy and medium-bodied with a savory mineral taste and a splendid finish of ripe fruit. This wine’s quality comes from hard work, including manual harvesting in late September and soft pressing in an inert environment. This is my favorite go-to white wine at the moment – lots of flavor at a great price!
Rosé
Château Fontanche Les Uyeres Rosé 2021
Saint-Chinian, France
Sitting happily in the foothills of the Cévennes is the Saint-Chinian appellation, one of the most prestigious of the Languedoc region of France. Here, the vines of the Château Fontanche are planted on the region’s limestone plateau – and the result is their spectacular rosé, made of 40% Grenache, 40% Syrah, and 20% Cinsault. This handcrafted wine is pale pink in color with aromas of white flower, fresh red fruits, apples, and peaches. On the palate, the wine is fruity, bright, dry, and refreshing, with a smooth texture and a lively fruity finish. I love drinking rosé year-round; it’s very versatile and food-friendly.