Monthly report - June 2022

Every rain is praised as a divine gift during these hot days in Kyiv. But as human beings, we crave a solution we can predict and replicate on a whim. Luckily, we have wine and technology to chill it. With this melting weather, there is little wonder that 74% of wines I rated this month are white!

Wait, what? Do you count wines you drink and rate?

Haha, of course, I don't. But I do track every consumed wine in a program I've created for this purpose. And now that I have data and the Application Programming Interface (API) provided by Vino, I can easily calculate various statistics related to my wine consumption. I plan to share this kind of report every month. Expect boring stats like the number of rated wines per country, grape, vintage, etc. But also expect a full table of tasted wines, and the list of my favourites and outcasts of the month. Hope you find something interesting here. Share your ideas!

So this month has started with a beautiful Girolamo Russo Etna Rosato 2019, which I haven't tasted for almost a year. At this point in time, I consider it one of my favourite light rosé wines despite the confusingly mediocre impression when I tasted it for the first time - ☆ 7.25 vs ☆ 8.5! It's not on purpose, but the last wine of the month was another wonderful wine - Marc Hebrart Premier Cru Blanc de Blancs.

The world of wine is big, and there is always something new to explore. So this month, I have several personal novelties.

1. At a blind tasting event, I tasted my first Pinot Noir from Alsace - J.M Dreyer Elios Pinot Noir 2020.
2. Chandon Argentina Brut NV is my first traditional sparkling from Argentina.
3. Lucy Margaux Le Sauvignon Sensuel 2020 is my first Sauvignon Blanc from Australia.
4. After a long time of not drinking Bordeaux wines, and despite the hot weather, I actually tasted my first Margaux AOC - Chateau d'Arsac Margaux Cru Bourgeois 2016, and my first Saint-Estephe AOC - Chateau Laffitte Carcasset Saint-Estephe Cru Bourgeois 2016. After reading about these two left bank AOCs, I realised that my experience is pretty textbook. Margaux is refined and elegant, while Saint-Estephe is robust and rich.
5. I tasted Auxerrois blanc for the first time in my life - Pierre Frick Crémant d'Alsace 2018.
6. I tasted Passerina for the first time in my life, though as part of a blend in Illuminati Costalupo 2021.
7. Borgo Conventi Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso 2019 is my first Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso.

For the first half of the month, I rated every wine consumed, and I didn't taste any wine more than once during this period. But then I picked a few favourites for this month's table, and the ratio of rated to consumed normalised - 74%. So, according to my notes, I consumed 79 bottles and rated 59 of them. Only one of the wines was rated twice - Golan Heights Winery Mount Hermon White 2019, I just had too many bottles of this wine and wanted to share confirmation that it was worth it.

Compared to the previous month, it's a 103% of growth in terms of wines rated. Someone would think that it was a tough month for me, but I'd argue that I am just getting back to my regular numbers. Just take a look at the graph (the first months of the war are excluded). Besides, this month I participated in a blind tasting event and organised one myself. So this kind of explains the growth.

::: {#monthly-ratings .chartjs data="monthly-ratings-data" labels="month" values="rates" type="bar" index-axis="y" size-mode="dynamic"} :::

month rates

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2021 December 74 2022 January 40 2022 May 29 2022 June 59

Country-wise, this month was more fruitful than the previous, because 13 countries are present in my ratings (compared to 8 in the previous month). And this time, France is on the top of this list. We also have Hungary, Israel, Portugal, Germany and Greece on this list! In terms of quality-price ratio, our leaders are Spain and Italy.

::: {#countries .chartjs data="countries-data" labels="country" values="count" type="bar"} :::

country count p avg r rms qpr

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France 17 1 002.09 UAH 7.73 82.0235 Spain 9 656.55 UAH 7.46 216.0546 South Africa 8 983.49 UAH 7.90 43.8626 Italy 8 605.45 UAH 7.46 40.0543 Australia 4 638.75 UAH 7.02 1.8249 New Zealand 3 547.26 UAH 6.99 0.5004 Austria 2 475.92 UAH 7.25 1.6743 Israel 2 421.52 UAH 7.50 2.7560 Argentina 2 678.50 UAH 7.20 1.2191 Germany 1 310.00 UAH 7.30 1.7002 Greece 1 360.00 UAH 7.25 1.2069 Portugal 1 1 002.00 UAH 7.00 0.1695 Hungary 1 1 000.00 UAH 8.00 9.4772

In June, I started to consume wines produced in 2021. As expected, these are the wines you buy to consume young - Spier Wines Chenin Blanc 2021, Spy Valley Satellite Sauvignon Blanc 2021, Testalonga El Bandito I Wish I was a Ninja 2021, Weinland Rheingau Rüdesheimer Burgweg Riesling Trocken 2021 and Illuminati Costalupo 2021.

On the other hand, I've tasted several older bottles. The oldest of them is Francoise Bedel L'Âme de la Terre Millésime 2006, a Champagne that spend 13 years on lees! The next oldest is Viña Tondonia Blanco Reserva 2009. The fun part is that I've tasted this bottle twice - on 2021-07-06 and on 2022-06-07. Just take a look at these dates! Mesmerising.

::: {#vintages .chartjs width="400" height="120" data="vintages-data" labels="vintage" values="count" type="bar"} :::

vintage count p avg r rms qpr

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2021 5 389.00 UAH 6.99 1.4816 2020 11 783.57 UAH 7.55 27.7116 2019 14 700.90 UAH 7.59 36.6879 2018 5 793.31 UAH 7.75 14.2189 2017 7 815.48 UAH 7.48 28.6321 2016 3 763.00 UAH 7.04 1.0090 2015 1 496.84 UAH 7.50 2.3382 2013 1 890.00 UAH 8.00 10.6485 2011 1 1 000.00 UAH 8.00 9.4772 2009 1 1 649.24 UAH 9.00 648.0658 2006 1 3 250.39 UAH 9.00 328.8270 NV 9 672.15 UAH 7.30 7.2137

In total, I rated wines made of 40 distinct grapes. I am happy that this list includes three new members, Auxerrois blanc, Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso, and Passerina. As well as many less popular grapes like Inzolia, Baga, Colombard, Lado and Carricante. The most popular grapes are Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir and Chenin Blanc. Considering the heat, there is little wonder that 3 of them are white.

::: {#grapes .chartjs width="100" height="140" data="grapes-data" labels="grape" values="count" type="bar" index-axis="y" size-mode="dynamic"} :::

grape count p avg r rms qpr

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Chardonnay 13 859.16 UAH 7.53 91.4114 Sauvignon Blanc 9 546.49 UAH 7.37 2.5526 Pinot Noir 9 1 234.29 UAH 7.94 113.3292 Chenin Blanc 8 782.58 UAH 7.53 36.8173 Macabeo 7 661.57 UAH 7.58 244.9818 Cabernet Sauvignon 4 741.00 UAH 7.09 0.9312 Parellada 3 372.24 UAH 7.11 1.5029 Xarel-lo 3 372.24 UAH 7.11 1.5029 Merlot 3 854.67 UAH 7.42 1.0752 Syrah 2 910.50 UAH 7.31 1.2595 Malvasia di Candia Aromatica 2 1 169.62 UAH 8.28 458.2533 Cabernet Franc 2 665.32 UAH 7.25 0.9607 Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso 1 541.53 UAH 7.50 2.1452 Passerina 1 222.00 UAH 6.50 0.1333 Trebbiano 1 222.00 UAH 6.50 0.1333 Riesling 1 310.00 UAH 7.30 1.7002 Colombard 1 820.00 UAH 7.20 0.4376 Monastrell 1 985.00 UAH 7.60 1.7696 Grenache 1 985.00 UAH 7.60 1.7696 Zweigelt 1 496.84 UAH 7.50 2.3382 Auxerrois blanc 1 917.03 UAH 7.50 1.2668 Welschriesling 1 455.00 UAH 7.00 0.3732 Malagousia 1 360.00 UAH 7.25 1.2069 Garganega 1 600.00 UAH 7.00 0.2830 Pinot Meunier 1 3 250.39 UAH 9.00 328.8270 Manzoni Bianco 1 442.27 UAH 7.50 2.6267 Torrontés 1 598.00 UAH 7.50 1.9427 Lado 1 598.00 UAH 7.50 1.9427 Treixadura 1 598.00 UAH 7.50 1.9427 Albariño 1 598.00 UAH 7.50 1.9427 Godello 1 598.00 UAH 7.50 1.9427 Doña Blanca 1 598.00 UAH 7.50 1.9427 Baga 1 1 002.00 UAH 7.00 0.1695 Furmint 1 1 000.00 UAH 8.00 9.4772 Cinsault 1 1 619.00 UAH 8.50 56.9379 Inzolia 1 733.04 UAH 7.75 4.4280 Gamay 1 675.00 UAH 7.25 0.6437 Carricante 1 815.00 UAH 7.50 1.4254 Sangiovese 1 675.00 UAH 7.25 0.6437 Nerello Mascalese 1 814.75 UAH 8.50 113.1420

And now the most fascinating part. The favourites and outcasts of the month. Usually, this list matches the list of the best-rated/worst-rated wines, but sometimes I want to emphasise a label or two. In June, my favourites are:

• ★ 9.0 Francoise Bedel L'Âme de la Terre Millésime 2006 - a truly amazing Champagne that displays effects of the long ageing on lees. The best sparkling wine of the month. Francoise Bedel is one of my favourite producers. Even her basic wines are delicious and worth buying.
• ★ 8.5 Sadie Family Pofadder 2020 - the best red wine of the month, delicate, juicy and sophisticated. If only the price was lower!
• ★ 8.5 Domaine de la Taille Aux Loups Bretonniere Cuvée Parcellaire Monopole 2017 - the best white wine of the month. Multilayered with an amazingly long evolution of the taste. It still has potential. Alas, I don't have any bottles left.
• ★ 9.0 Viña Tondonia Blanco Reserva 2009 - without comments, this is a legendary wine that is rightfully placed on this list.
• ★ 8.2 Crystallum Peter Max Pinot Noir 2018 - delicious and juicy Pinot Noir by an excellent producer from South Africa. It definitely was a smart buy.
• ★ 8.5 Girolamo Russo Etna Rosato 2019 - complex and delicious rosé for an attractive price, even after the price adjustment.
• ★ 8.5 Sadie Family Skurfberg 2020 - approachable and friendly yet complex and multilayered Chenin Blanc by a skilful winemaker.
• ★ 7.5 Golan Heights Winery Mount Hermon White 2019 - my favourite table wine of the month. The price tag is not ideal, but the real value of UAH is yet to be discovered.

The outcasts of this month are those that disappointed me. I mean, there are wines that I rated lower, but that was totally fine and expected. But these labels...

• ★ 6.5 Costador Metamorphika Chenin Blanc 2017 - it might be a faulty bottle or serving issue, but still I have not expected it to have so many issues. I tried this wine on the second day, and the experience was slightly better but still disappointing.

• ★ 7.0 Chandon Argentina Brut NV - despite being my first traditional sparkling from Argentina, the experience was not fascinating. A mediocre crowd-pleaser with a high price tag. Not for me, not for you, believe me.

• ★ 7.0 COZs vn-c2 bg 2017 - tasted blind and was shocked. I wanted to taste this wine for a long time, but now I am glad that I didn't buy a bottle myself. Overly straightforward. And I don't believe in its potential.

• ★ 7.0 Weingut Tement Temento Green 2020 - one of my favourite table wines of the previous summer, this year is bland and soulless. I was almost crying.

  date country producer name vintage rate QPR

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  2022-06-30 France Marc Hebrart Marc Hebrart Premier Cru Blanc de Blancs Brut L539/2021.03.16 NV NV 8.00 7.1797 2022-06-29 South Africa Crystallum Crystallum Peter Max Pinot Noir 2018 2018 8.25 31.1287 2022-06-29 Italy Borgo Conventi Borgo Conventi Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso 2019 2019 7.50 2.1452 2022-06-28 Australia Jacob's Creek Jacob's Creek Classic Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 2016 6.00 0.0154 2022-06-28 Italy Illuminati Illuminati Costalupo 2021 2021 6.50 0.1333 2022-06-27 South Africa Spier Wines Spier Wines Signature Chenin Blanc 2021 2021 7.40 2.8049 2022-06-27 Australia Jacob's Creek Jacob's Creek Classic Chardonnay 2017 2017 7.20 0.8970 2022-06-26 Germany Weinland Rheingau Weinland Rheingau Rüdesheimer Burgweg Riesling Trocken 2021 2021 7.30 1.7002 2022-06-26 Argentina Bodega Catena Zapata Bodega Catena Zapata Catena Chardonnay 2020 2020 7.40 1.7137 2022-06-26 South Africa Stellenbosch Hills Stellenbosch Hills Chenin Blanc 2019 2019 7.20 0.5980 2022-06-24 New Zealand Brancott Estate Brancott Estate Letter Series T Pinot Noir 2019 2019 7.20 0.5133 2022-06-24 Spain Viña Pomal Viña Pomal Viura Malvasia 2017 2017 7.50 1.6837 2022-06-21 South Africa Testalonga Testalonga El Bandito Skin 2019 2019 7.50 1.0102 2022-06-21 Spain Costador Costador Metamorphika Chenin Blanc 2017 2017 6.50 0.0435 2022-06-21 South Africa Sadie Family Sadie Family Skurfberg 2020 2020 8.50 71.9052 2022-06-21 France Domaine de la Taille Aux Loups Domaine de la Taille Aux Loups Bretonniere Cuvée Parcellaire Monopole 2017 2017 8.50 75.2510 2022-06-21 France Les Vignes De Paradis Les Vignes De Paradis Chenin 2019 2019 7.40 1.2846 2022-06-21 South Africa Testalonga Testalonga El Bandito I Wish I was a Ninja 2021 2021 7.20 0.4376 2022-06-20 Australia Lucy Margaux Lucy Margaux Vin de Soif 2020 2020 7.00 0.2031 2022-06-20 France Clos du Tue-Boeuf Clos du Tue-Boeuf Le Petit Buisson 2020 2020 7.50 2.0185 2022-06-20 Spain Jaume Serra Jaume Serra Cava Organic Brut NV NV 7.00 0.5958 2022-06-18 Israel Golan Heights Winery Golan Heights Winery Mount Hermon White 2019 2019 7.50 2.7560 2022-06-17 France Gérard Bertrand Gérard Bertrand Héritage Kosmos 888 2019 2019 7.60 1.7696 2022-06-16 Spain Codorníu Codorníu Cava Clasico Brut Nature NV NV 7.30 1.5734 2022-06-15 Austria Weingut Bründlmayer Weingut Bründlmayer Zweigelt 2015 2015 7.50 2.3382 2022-06-15 France Maison du Vigneron Maison du Vigneron Crémant du Jura NV NV 7.20 0.7973 2022-06-15 France Pierre Frick Pierre Frick Crémant d'Alsace 2018 2018 7.50 1.2668 2022-06-15 France Domaine de la Touraize Domaine de la Touraize Crémant du Jura Millésimé 2018 2018 7.75 4.1108 2022-06-15 France Mouzon-Leroux Mouzon-Leroux L'Atavique NV NV 8.25 20.3151 2022-06-14 Spain Jaume Serra Jaume Serra Cava Brut Nature NV NV 6.50 0.1343 2022-06-13 Austria Weingut Tement Weingut Tement Temento Green 2020 2020 7.00 0.3732 2022-06-12 Greece Ktima Papaioannou Ktima Papaioannou Malagouzia 2020 2020 7.25 1.2069 2022-06-12 Spain Juvé y Camps Juvé y Camps Reserva de la Familia Gran Reserva Brut Nature 2017 2017 7.50 2.0695 2022-06-11 Italy Zeni Zeni Garganega Veronesse Vigne Alte 2020 2020 7.00 0.2830 2022-06-10 New Zealand Spy Valley Spy Valley Satellite Sauvignon Blanc 2021 2021 6.50 0.0940 2022-06-10 Spain R. López de Heredia R. López de Heredia Viña Gravonia Blanco Crianza 2013 2013 8.00 10.6485 2022-06-10 France Francoise Bedel Francoise Bedel L'Âme de la Terre Millésime 2006 2006 9.00 328.8270 2022-06-10 Australia Lucy Margaux Lucy Margaux Le Sauvignon Sensuel 2020 2020 7.75 3.5320 2022-06-10 Israel Golan Heights Winery Golan Heights Winery Mount Hermon White 2019 2019 7.50 2.7560 2022-06-08 Italy Foradori Foradori Fontanasanta Manzoni Bianco 2019 2019 7.50 2.6267 2022-06-08 Spain Fedellos do Couto Fedellos do Couto Conasbrancas 2018 2018 7.50 1.9427 2022-06-07 Portugal COZs COZs vn-c2 bg 2017 2017 7.00 0.1695 2022-06-07 France JM Dreyer JM Dreyer Elios Pinot Noir 2020 2020 7.75 3.6471 2022-06-07 France Simon Bize et Fils Simon Bize et Fils Bourgogne Les Perrières 2017 2017 8.00 8.2411 2022-06-07 Spain R. López de Heredia R. López de Heredia Viña Tondonia Blanco Reserva 2009 2009 9.00 648.0658 2022-06-07 Hungary Lenkey Pinceszet Lenkey Pinceszet Betsek Korposd Furmint 2011 2011 8.00 9.4772 2022-06-07 South Africa Sadie Family Sadie Family Pofadder 2020 2020 8.50 56.9379 2022-06-07 Argentina Chandon Chandon Argentina Brut NV NV 7.00 0.1883 2022-06-06 Italy Tasca Tasca Tenuta Regaleali Nozze d'Oro 2018 2018 7.75 4.4280 2022-06-06 France Raoul Clerget Raoul Clerget Crémant de Bourgogne Brut NV NV 7.25 0.6437 2022-06-05 Italy Tasca Tasca Tenuta Tascante Buonora 2019 2019 7.50 1.4254 2022-06-05 Italy Barberani Barberani Foresco 2019 2019 7.25 0.6437 2022-06-04 France Philippe de Charmille Philippe de Charmille Crémant de Loire Brut NV NV 7.00 0.3871 2022-06-04 New Zealand Marlborough Sun Marlborough Sun Sauvignon Blanc 2020 2020 7.25 0.6921 2022-06-03 France Chateau d'Arsac Chateau d'Arsac Margaux Cru Bourgeois 2016 2016 7.50 1.1652 2022-06-02 France Clos du Tue-Boeuf Clos du Tue-Boeuf Vin Blanc 2019 2019 7.50 2.5816 2022-06-02 France Chateau Laffitte Carcasset Chateau Laffitte Carcasset Saint-Estephe Cru Bourgeois 2016 2016 7.50 1.3024 2022-06-02 South Africa Storm Storm Vrede Pinot Noir 2019 2019 8.50 77.4642 2022-06-01 Italy Girolamo Russo Girolamo Russo Etna Rosato 2019 2019 8.50 113.1420

Thanks for reading!