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Wine Reviews

Top 15 Wines To Elevate Your 4th of July

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02/07/2021 Celebrate the 4th of July in style with quality and award-winning wines.

Layout your grill, bask in the sun, or simply have wine, why? Summer's biggest holiday is here! Whether your plan is to have a relaxed weekend in the backyard or you need to quench your thirst during those outdoor adventures, here are the top 15 wines to drink this Sunday on 4th July. Up your game this year as we bring you award-winning wines that leading sommeliers and master sommeliers have scrutinized on various factors and put them on the winning list. 

Sei Querce/2019 Sauvignon Blanc

Starting off the list with a crispy sauvignon blanc by Sei Querce Italian for “six oaks”. The winemaker and viticulturists at Sei Querce aim to produce beautiful wines that reflect directly back to the vineyard, the soil, the sun and the growing season. 

The wine has aromas of mango, guava and gooseberry. The palate continues with those tropical fruit notes with fresh rain and a clean lemon peel finis flavors.  

The 2019 Sauvignon Blanc by Sei Querce won a Silver Medal at the 2021 Sommeliers Choice Awards to make you believe that it is a quality wine when we say so. 

2018 Forthright Sauvignon Blanc

2018 Forthright Sauvignon Blanc by  Forthright Winery is a wine produced in the historic Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley. The wine is barrel-aged for two years after fermentation in both cement egg and French oak, this wine is lush and refreshing.

The judges at the Sommeliers Choice Awards said that it has riper notes of yellow apple, lemon pie. Palate tastes like pineapple upside-down cake, lemon crème brûlée, key lime pie , mango mousse.

Try this Silver Medal winning wine and experience one of the most intimate and enchanting wine visitor settings in the United States. Go visit!

Edgard & Marie Rosé

A French wine coming from The Vignoble Deroose family that produces quality wines in Corbières (south of France) is a must have this fourth. The Edgard & Marie is the second range by the Derooses and is available in red, rosé and white. 

The leading sommeliers said this wine has flavors of fresh raspberry, red currant, pomegranate . The palate has flavors of black raspberry, red currant, strawberry, pomegranate and redcurrant notes.

This Grenache Noir bagged a Silver Medal at the 2021 Sommeliers Choice Awards and will quench your thirst this Sunday. 

Kirrihill 2020 E.B's The Settler Riesling

Were you asking for Riesling? Here it is! Straight from terroir of South Australia’s Clare Valley, this wine produced by Kirrihill Wines will effortlessly make your day great. 

The sommeliers and master sommeliers discussed that this wine has tropical fruits and citrus aromas that will dominate the nose. There is flavors of underripe apple, lime pith and thyme. Pairs well with seafood dishes.

Apart from the exceptional quality that we have been raving about, the Settler Riesling won a Silver Medal at the 2021 Sommeliers Choice Awards.  

Albinea Canali Lambrusco Ottocentonero

Who’s up for an Italian Lambrusco? Albinea Canali Lambrusco Ottocentonero Crafted by  Albinea Canali which harvests its grapes in a small area that offers the highest quality in terms of soils and climate of the whole of the Province of Reggio Emilia, and transforms them into a wine that conquers the palate of even the most curious and demanding of consumers.

Tasting notes as per the leading sommeliers— This sparkling wine has ripe flavors of fresh cut raspberries and Maraschino cherries lead to a vibrant acidity. Driven by ripe apples, raspberries, and lemons.

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Enjoy this Silver Medal winning wine with your friends on July 4 at your backyard cookout. 

Dianella Chianti Riserva

This one’s for you if you like soft and balanced wine of great power with a strong taste, capable of enhancing the most difficult palates. Dianella Chianti Riserva produced by Dianella Società Agricola perfectly matches the dishes of the highest tradition of Tuscan and Italian cuisine. 

Top-class sommeliers and wine buyers said that the nose is filled with aromas of balsamic, cherries, menthol, and dried Silky almost creamy texture on the palate. A complex and jammy wine with a smooth finish. 

Dianella Chianti Riserva bagged a Silver Medal and amazed the judges with its refined structured and velvety tannins.

PALAZZO 2016 Cabernet Franc Reserve

PALAZZO 2016 Cabernet Franc Reserve by Palazzo Wine made it to the list of Top 15 and we are very happy. But first meet the creative, energetic, & fervent in his convictions SCOTT PALAZZO a man who followed his passion.  An artist at heart ... and a rolling stone by nature ... his path to becoming one of the top winemakers in Napa Valley took many twists and turns. We cant be any more thankful to Scott for crafting a blend like this.

Tasting notes by judges: Big and bold flavors of tomato leaf, blackberries and ripe plums. Palate has savory tones of herbs and potting soil. This would go great with some red meat.

The PALAZZO 2016 Cabernet Franc Reserve bagged a Silver Medal at the recent Sommeliers Choice Awards for it exceptional quality. 

Las Mulas Sauvignon Blanc

Are you a fan of Chilean wines just like we are? If not,  Las Mulas Sauvignon Blanc by Miguel Torres Chile will make sure that you become one. Their vineyard is aimed at developing the wine tourism experience through tours and an excellent restaurant awarded the title “Best regional cuisine in Chile. Go discover the tradition of Chilean winemaking under the guidance of Miguel Torres Chile. 

The sommeliers were impressed. Aromatic and bright with underripe peach and tart citrus on the nose. Green herbs and ripe apples come through on the palate with a touch of white flowers lingering.

The wine claimed a Silver Medal and gives you one more reason on why should learn about the Chilean tradition. 

Casa Ferreirinha Papa Figos Red 2019

Casa Ferreirinha Papa Figos Red 2019 imported by Evaton, Inc. is a ruby-colored wine, with purple nuances. Thanks to Dona Antónia Adelaide Ferreira charismatic visionary with entrepreneurial drive. At the age 33, she took over her family’s business, Ferreira Port, the first Portuguese family owned Port House in the Douro. 

Some words by our judges— Great cherry notes, and strawberry undertones. Flavors of cherry pie develop on the palate with hints cinnamon and dried herbs.

Carrying the torch for creative, quality winemaking in the Douro becoming the region’s most historic and iconic house, Casa Ferreirinha won Silver Medal at the 2021 Sommeliers Choice Awards.

Maker Rose of Grenache (by Ser Winery)

The ladies who canned wine are here to serve up award-winning wine for discerning palates and the good of humankind. Maker Rose of Grenache (by Ser Winery) artfully crafted and canned by the Maker Wine Company is a very special single-vineyard Rosé. 

Tasting notes: Nice strawberry fruits and hints of white pepper. The wine is clean, refreshing and easy to drink.

The wine won a Silver Medal at the recent Sommeliers Choice Awards. 

A little from the ladies— “We started Maker to offer premium wine sans the snobbery. To highlight interesting varietals crafted by award-winning small producers. To tell the story of the producer that handcrafted your wine. And to package up “wine for one” in earth-conscious cans. Because we believe high-end wine isn’t just for the wealthy, distribution shouldn’t just be for the big guys, and great stories—like great wines—are meant to be shared.”

Yao Ming Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

You need to listen to this-  Global humanitarian, recently retired NBA star and future Basketball Hall of Fame inductee Yao Ming announced the establishment of his new Napa Valley winery: Yao Family Wines. His dream of creating a classic Napa Valley winery that would become a legacy for future generations of his family became a reality.

The judges loved the hints of black plum, cassis, leather, graphite and chocolate. A concentrated wine with notes of cassis, chocolate and vanilla. A powerful and youthful wine.

Yao Ming Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley won a Silver Medal at the 2021 Sommeliers Choice Awards. 

Regolo Valpolicella Ripasso

Regolo Valpolicella Ripasso by Sartori Di Verona is imported by Shaw Ross International Importers. The wine has ruby red colour with garnet hues. The grapes are subsequently pressed gently and this is followed by a skin maceration at low temperature for 8-10 days. The wine then undergoes a unique “secondary fermentation” on Amarone pomace in February, imparting the aromas and flavours of Amarone’s dried fruit. 

Sommeliers quoted that this wine is expressive with notes of blackberry, cherry, herbs and dried thyme. This wine would benefit from 3-5 years further bottle aging.

Standing true to its traditional values elevated by innovation, quality, and — above all — a boundless passion for quality winemaking, Regolo Valpolicella Ripasso won a Silver Medal at the 2021 Sommeliers Choice Awards.

Angels & Cowboys Rosé

Angels & Cowboys Rosé is crafted using traditional techniques borrowed from the great winemaking domains of Provence in the South of France.  If you are a fan of spicy floral notes then the Angels & Cowboys Rosé is a perfect companion this fourth of July. 

Tasting notes by sommeliers- A juicy wine with watermelon and strawberry fruits. A lovely red wine that is light and elegant on the palate with a bitter finish.

Delivering a standout style Angels & Cowboys Rosé claimed a Silver Medal at the 2021 Sommeliers Choice Awards.

Zonte's Footstep Lake Doctor Shiraz 2019

Australian Shiraz for the win! Zonte's Footstep Lake Doctor Shiraz 2019 by Zonte's Footstep is perfect with anything off the grill (preferably charcoal that is). We mean it when we say that this wine is going to be your best friend once you have tasted it. 

The judges quotes: High intensity of aroma of dried figs, strawberry and blueberry on the nose. Ripe blackberry and strawberry jam on the palate with hints of spice box, dried herbs and dark chocolate.

Zonte's Footstep Lake Doctor Shiraz 2019 won a Silver Medal at the 2021 Sommeliers Choice Awards. 

Fautor Winery Late Harvest Rhein Riesling 2017

Ending the list with one of the most awarded Moldovan winery, Fautor Winery’s Late Harvest Rhein Riesling 2017 which is a white semi-sweet wine. 

The master sommeliers were truly impressed by how good the wine tasted. Special mention was on the aromas that were of honeysuckle, white peach, pineapple, lime, green apple, apricot, peach, and jasmine flavors that lingered on the palate. 
 

A unique opportunity to present your wines to America's top sommeliers. The wine scores are benchmarked for on-premise channels by top sommeliers, master sommeliers, wine directors and restaurant wine buyers. Submission deadline is April 30, 2024.