Amesguren Ameztoi 2008 Getariako Txakolina Rubentis (Northwest Spain) Full of leafy floaters Im assuming tartrates, but note that they dont settle very quickly and showing no signs of fatigue despite the precipitation. All the strawberry/strawberry leaf and zippy, fizzy punch are still present and vibrant. I often feel that this should be ladled from a large, ice-filled bowl rather than cooped up in a bottle. And I meant that affectionately. (3/10)
Castello di Lispida 2002 Amphora Bianco (Veneto) Corked. (3/10)
Radikon 2003 Ribolla Gialla (Venezia Giulia) Creamy, with that odd tension between stone fruit and ripe red berries that so often marks this grape when made in this fashion. Theres skin tannin, but its milder than normal (possibly a consequence of the vintage, though if so it runs counter to the excess/underripe-tannin problem that plagues so many 2003s), and while the wine feels heavy on the palate, it lightens considerably by the time the finish rolls around. A good, not great, Radikon ribolla, but considering the elevated starting position theres no real shame in that. (3/10)
Affligem Nol Christmas Ale (Belgium) Like drinking a Christmas cake, dark with spiced molasses and very nearly liquid dessert, this is very much an acquired taste. I think it would be better sipped from tiny cordial glasses rather than consumed in normal beer quantities. (3/10)
Mionetto MO Spumante Sergio Extra Dry (Veneto) Soft, soft, soft. Prettified fruit and the suggestion of unidentified flowers. Pillowy. Did I mention this was soft? (3/10)
Castello di Lispida 2002 Amphora Bianco (Veneto) Corked. (3/10)
Radikon 2003 Ribolla Gialla (Venezia Giulia) Creamy, with that odd tension between stone fruit and ripe red berries that so often marks this grape when made in this fashion. Theres skin tannin, but its milder than normal (possibly a consequence of the vintage, though if so it runs counter to the excess/underripe-tannin problem that plagues so many 2003s), and while the wine feels heavy on the palate, it lightens considerably by the time the finish rolls around. A good, not great, Radikon ribolla, but considering the elevated starting position theres no real shame in that. (3/10)
Affligem Nol Christmas Ale (Belgium) Like drinking a Christmas cake, dark with spiced molasses and very nearly liquid dessert, this is very much an acquired taste. I think it would be better sipped from tiny cordial glasses rather than consumed in normal beer quantities. (3/10)
Mionetto MO Spumante Sergio Extra Dry (Veneto) Soft, soft, soft. Prettified fruit and the suggestion of unidentified flowers. Pillowy. Did I mention this was soft? (3/10)