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· by Boris Buligaanalytics

Monthly report - July 2022

A new month has begun, so it's time to look back at tasting notes for a monthly report. Novelties, favourites, outcasts and trends.

July was a crazy month. In terms of work, in terms of wines consumed, in terms of novelties. I am happy that August begins with a short vacation. That gives me a chance to clean up my mind and come back full of mental energy to continue living and working during these war times.

This month I've organised two tasting events and attended four tasting events. And that explains why I consumed 97 wines and rated 86 (with 88 ratings total). Ok, constant background stress is also a reason for drinking that much. But at least I can say that amount of red wines increases. This month only 65% of rated wines were white (compared to 74% the previous month).

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

month rates

2021 December 74 2022 January 40 2022 May 29 2022 June 59 2022 July 88

Every month the most rated countries are Italy, Spain and France. They just shuffle. But my curiosity is in lower rows. This time Greece wines were rated seven times. And unfortunately, four of them were of poor quality, despite being made by a somewhat legendary oenologist. More on that later.

I am happy to see that I've tasted ten new regions this month. But I am just angry that I've rated so few wines from New Zealand. I know that there are many Pinot Noirs available in Good Wine. Yup, it's an official call for convives.

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

country count p avg r rms qpr

Italy 22 918.58 UAH 7.81 42.6841 Spain 17 836.57 UAH 7.44 59.8540 France 12 1 625.95 UAH 8.10 78.1038 Greece 7 826.03 UAH 5.87 7.7333 Australia 5 1 002.11 UAH 7.82 36.7383 Germany 4 900.36 UAH 7.91 418.1962 Hungary 4 660.52 UAH 7.51 5.5604 Austria 4 564.64 UAH 7.13 0.6145 South Africa 3 614.36 UAH 7.58 3.5552 Argentina 3 562.86 UAH 7.90 59.4484 Czech Republic 2 616.73 UAH 7.50 2.1355 Georgia 2 646.50 UAH 7.86 23.6626 Portugal 1 518.00 UAH 7.00 0.3278 Ukraine 1 560.00 UAH 5.50 0.0027 New Zealand 1 367.00 UAH 5.25 0.0022

Vintage-wise, I started to drink fewer wines of 2019 vintage and more of 2020 vintage. Though somehow, I've got a spike in wines of the 2018 vintage. In that sense, the balance is good. And I am happy that I've got my hands on La Biancara Sassaia 1997. Legendary year for that region. You can read more here. I've tasted it as part of Mixed Bag Vol. 2: Orange.

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

vintage count p avg r rms qpr

2021 6 490.55 UAH 7.43 2.8521 2020 22 729.84 UAH 7.04 178.3368 2019 11 859.28 UAH 7.78 37.7327 2018 16 1 089.14 UAH 8.01 43.9765 2017 7 1 011.86 UAH 7.41 8.7237 2016 5 918.82 UAH 7.82 28.0211 2014 2 1 742.50 UAH 8.25 36.6290 2013 1 1 596.61 UAH 8.80 245.9551 2009 1 897.57 UAH 8.50 102.7021 1997 1 1 408.00 UAH 8.60 105.3895 NV 16 987.34 UAH 7.23 59.7753

In terms of grapes, July is a festival because I've rated wines made of 82 grapes! And 11 of them I tasted for the first time. Though if you take a closer look, many of them are rather rare. And it's really funny to see how hard it is to move Chardonnay and Pinot Noir away from the first lines.

::: {#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

Pinot Noir 12 1 222.03 UAH 7.88 251.1600 Chardonnay 12 895.79 UAH 7.35 16.9655 Xarel-lo 5 378.82 UAH 6.77 1.7139 Macabeo 5 353.26 UAH 6.66 1.2261 Malvasia di Candia Aromatica 4 1 149.29 UAH 7.92 64.4832 Merlot 4 782.58 UAH 7.90 51.4646 Parellada 4 360.33 UAH 6.46 0.6634 Palomino Fino 3 1 422.87 UAH 8.12 142.0426 Cabernet Sauvignon 3 801.45 UAH 7.93 59.3407 Sauvignon Blanc 3 753.26 UAH 7.21 46.9912 Vidiano 2 750.00 UAH 3.69 0.0004 Grillo 2 791.00 UAH 7.90 62.9811 Assyrtiko 2 941.00 UAH 5.41 0.7257 Trousseau 2 1 227.50 UAH 7.86 10.0555 Poulsard 2 1 558.36 UAH 8.35 44.9420 Chenin Blanc 2 995.00 UAH 7.88 15.1994 Glera 2 921.14 UAH 7.30 0.6151 Blauer Portugieser 2 468.55 UAH 7.25 0.9273 Zibibbo 2 1 326.55 UAH 8.25 64.9795 Savagnin 2 992.33 UAH 7.90 43.0834 Pinot Gris 2 1 036.37 UAH 7.75 6.0106 Sangiovese 2 902.52 UAH 7.48 2.1784 Rondinella 2 732.02 UAH 7.51 3.9184 Molinara 2 732.02 UAH 7.51 3.9184 Corvina 2 732.02 UAH 7.51 3.9184 Grüner Veltliner 2 568.00 UAH 7.00 0.3287 Xinomavro 2 825.12 UAH 7.86 14.4496 Cariñena 1 621.29 UAH 7.50 1.8699 Barbera 1 494.22 UAH 7.75 6.5678 Athiri Lefko 1 750.00 UAH 3.00 0.0000 Tempranillo 1 334.00 UAH 7.40 2.3346 Liatiko 1 750.00 UAH 5.00 0.0006 Alicante Henri Bouschet 1 620.00 UAH 7.20 0.5787 Trebbiano 1 1 031.18 UAH 6.50 0.0287 Ortrugo 1 1 031.18 UAH 6.50 0.0287 Rkatsiteli 1 690.00 UAH 8.20 33.4085 Garganega 1 1 408.00 UAH 8.60 105.3895 Pecorino 1 1 003.00 UAH 8.25 28.8284 Ribolla Gialla 1 515.00 UAH 7.50 2.2558 Furmint 1 865.00 UAH 8.00 10.9563 Dolcetto 1 413.00 UAH 7.25 1.0520 Caiño 1 826.00 UAH 7.50 1.4064 Mencía 1 826.00 UAH 7.50 1.4064 Brancellao 1 826.00 UAH 7.50 1.4064 Dornfelder 1 689.43 UAH 7.50 1.6851 Listán Negro 1 1 530.00 UAH 8.00 6.1943 Blaufrankisch 1 651.00 UAH 7.25 0.6674 Vijariego Blanco 1 1 024.00 UAH 7.50 1.1345 Malvasía Volcánica 1 1 024.00 UAH 7.50 1.1345 Nebbiolo 1 1 695.00 UAH 8.00 5.5913 Gewürztraminer 1 800.00 UAH 7.50 1.4522 Cinsault 1 581.79 UAH 7.75 5.5792 Nero d'Avola 1 781.04 UAH 7.75 4.1559 Frappato 1 781.04 UAH 7.75 4.1559 Rotgipfler 1 471.55 UAH 7.25 0.9214 Riesling 1 471.55 UAH 7.25 0.9214 Zierfandler 1 471.55 UAH 7.25 0.9214 Pelaverga Piccolo 1 500.00 UAH 7.50 2.3234 Grenache 1 1 762.00 UAH 8.25 16.4102 Verdelho 1 518.00 UAH 7.00 0.3278 Arinto 1 518.00 UAH 7.00 0.3278 Viosinho 1 518.00 UAH 7.00 0.3278 Pinot Meunier 1 1 500.00 UAH 7.20 0.2392 Muskateller 1 710.00 UAH 7.00 0.2392 Bianchetta Trevigiana 1 792.28 UAH 7.20 0.4529 Verdicchio 1 792.28 UAH 7.20 0.4529 Malvasía de Sitges 1 820.00 UAH 7.25 0.5299 Huxelrebe 1 760.00 UAH 7.00 0.2234 Würzer 1 760.00 UAH 7.00 0.2234 Müller-Thurgau 1 760.00 UAH 7.00 0.2234 Hárslevelű 1 840.00 UAH 7.50 1.3830 Malbec 1 897.57 UAH 8.50 102.7021 Moscato Giallo 1 1 290.00 UAH 8.00 7.3467 Vermentino 1 1 290.00 UAH 8.00 7.3467 Cortese 1 983.00 UAH 8.00 9.6411 Saint-Laurent 1 439.77 UAH 7.50 2.6417 Zweigelt 1 439.77 UAH 7.50 2.6417 Field Blend 1 603.00 UAH 7.50 1.9266 Sauvignon Gris 1 1 078.73 UAH 8.00 8.7856 Cabernet Franc 1 1 126.75 UAH 8.00 8.4111 Muscat Blanc 1 515.23 UAH 7.50 2.2547

Before I share my favourites and outcasts of the month, let me briefly talk about the novelties of the month. It's either a new grape or a new region. As they say, the world of wine is incredibly vast.

As you can see, I was not lying when I said that July was crazy. So many new grapes and regions. But now the time has come for the trickiest part of the monthly report - the list of favourites. To help myself, I am going to select favourites in specific categories.

  1. My favourite traditional sparkling of the month is ★ 9.0 Ulysse Collin Les Maillons Blanc de Noirs Extra Brut (2017) NV. It could be Cascina Bertolotto Spumante Brut Metodo Classico NV because it was a blast during Mixed Bag, but I hope you understand my choice. Besides, I already included it in the favourites list in May.
  2. My favourite petnat of the month is ★ 7.5 Fio Wein Piu Piu Petnat Rosé NV. If you want white petnat, then I recommend ★ 7.5 Lucy Margaux Pinot Gris Comme de Fleurs 2020. Still available.
  3. My favourite skin contact wine is ★ 8.5 Gentle Folk Summertown blanc 2019. Aside from being well crafted and delicious, it also offers something new in terms of bouquet and palate. I am happy that I've shared it with others as part of Mixed Bag Vol. 2.
  4. My favourite white wine is ★ 8.6 La Biancara Sassaia 1997. A legendary year and incredible wine even at its peak.
  5. My favourite red wine is ★ 8.5 Domaine du Pélican Poulsard 2018. Nuff said. Delicate and complex expression of Poulsard by the skilful winemaker. Still available.
  6. My favourite wine with a unique style is ★ 8.8 Victoria E. Torres Pecis Vino de Solera de Listán Blanco 2013. I am pretty sure it's my first non-fortified Solera system wine. I simply fell in love with complexity, depth and palate. Still available.
  7. My favourite sparkling wine below 600 UAH is ★ 7.5 Els Vinyerons Pregadéu 2020. Incredible Cava with a fresh take on region style. Still available.
  8. My favourite still white wine below 600 UAH is ★ 7.4 Weinert Carrascal Chardonnay 2021. It's just tasty and generous. Still available.
  9. My favourite still red wine below 600 UAH is ★ 7.75 Testalonga Baby Bandito Chin Up 2021. The problem with this Cinsault is that it's quaffable to an unhealthy extent. Luckily, they are not available anymore. And this makes me sad. Other reds in this line are worth noting.
  10. And the wine I want to emphasise is ★ 8.5 Marco de Bartoli Integer Grillo 2018. Some would say that I just love Sicily. And that would be correct. But this Grillo became so beautiful after spending more time in the bottle that it's hard to forget.

And now, instead of listing all the outcasts of the month, I want to tell you about Iliana Malihin and Spyros Chryssos. Two talented people from two islands - Crete and Santorini. They united the effort to craft a future for their land using pre-phylloxera vines. On the 29th of July, we tasted a set of their wines without knowing anything about them. And the next day, after collecting information about tasted wines, I read an email by Jancis Robinson with disturbing news.

Later on Tuesday we heard devastating news from Christos Fatouros in Crete, who wrote about the subject of his entry, 'nearly 80% of the pre-phylloxera vines owned by villagers that Ms Malihin had brought together were burned by wildfires, along with centuries-old olive trees. The people of Melampes are farmers and are now facing a grim future.' We therefore decided to publish his entry on Wednesday, with a link to a crowdfunding initiative to help these Cretan farmers whose livelihood has literally gone up in smoke.

Photo by Iliana Malihin

You can support their effort to restore viticulture on island on giveandfund.com.

All ratings

These are all the ratings of the month. Remember that you can search for specific terms and sort any column.

date country producer name vintage rate QPR

2022-07-31 South Africa Testalonga Testalonga Baby Bandito Follow Your Dreams 2021 2021 7.50 1.8699 2022-07-30 Italy Cascina Tavijn Cascina Tavijn Bandita 2019 2019 7.75 6.5678 2022-07-29 Greece Shima L.P Winery Shima L.P Winery Thrapsathiri 2020 2020 3.00 0.0000 2022-07-29 Spain Els Vinyerons Els Vinyerons Saltamartí 2020 2020 7.40 2.3346 2022-07-29 Greece Shima L.P Winery Shima L.P Winery Vidiano Old Vines 2020 2020 5.00 0.0006 2022-07-29 France Domaine Huet Domaine Huet Le Haut-Lieu Sec 2017 2017 8.25 21.4184 2022-07-29 Greece Shima L.P Winery Shima L.P Winery Liatiko 2020 2020 5.00 0.0006 2022-07-29 Spain Alfredo Maestro Alfredo Maestro Don Perdigón Pet-Nat NV NV 7.20 0.5787 2022-07-29 Germany Wasenhaus Wasenhaus Spätburgunder 2020 2020 8.00 10.8435 2022-07-29 Greece Ρίζες 2 Ρίζες 2 Βιδιανό - Ασύρτικο (Vidiano - Assyrtiko) 2020 2020 1.50 0.0000 2022-07-28 Greece Ktima Ligas Ktima Ligas Spira 2019 2019 8.20 20.3100 2022-07-28 Australia Gentle Folk Gentle Folk Summertown blanc 2019 2019 8.50 81.3769 2022-07-28 Italy La Stoppa La Stoppa Ageno 2019 2019 6.50 0.0287 2022-07-28 Italy La Stoppa La Stoppa Ageno 2018 2018 8.50 91.0893 2022-07-28 Georgia Tsikhelishvili Wines Tsikhelishvili Wines Alvani Rkatsiteli 2018 2018 8.20 33.4085 2022-07-28 Italy La Biancara La Biancara Sassaia 1997 1997 8.60 105.3895 2022-07-28 Italy Marco De Bartoli Marco De Bartoli Integer Grillo 2018 2018 8.50 89.0651 2022-07-28 Australia Lucy Margaux Lucy Margaux Pinot Gris Comme de Fleurs 2020 2020 7.50 1.2280 2022-07-27 Germany Wasenhaus Wasenhaus Vulkan 2020 2020 9.00 836.3204 2022-07-27 Italy De Fermo De Fermo Don Carlino Pecorino Colline Pescaresi 2018 2018 8.25 28.8284 2022-07-27 Italy Piera Martellozzo Piera Martellozzo Terre Magre Ribolla Gialla NV NV 7.50 2.2558 2022-07-27 Hungary Oremus Oremus Mandolás 2016 2016 8.00 10.9563 2022-07-27 Spain Victoria E. Torres Pecis Victoria E. Torres Pecis Vino de Solera de Listán Blanco 2013 2013 8.80 245.9551 2022-07-26 Italy Francesco Boschis Francesco Boschis Dogliani Vigne in Pianezzo 2016 2016 7.25 1.0520 2022-07-26 Spain Els Vinyerons Els Vinyerons Lluerna 2021 2021 7.40 2.2456 2022-07-26 Italy Cinque Segni Cinque Segni Vigna Pura Grillo 2020 2020 7.25 0.7943 2022-07-25 Spain Adegas Guimaro Adegas Guimaro Camiño Real 2017 2017 7.50 1.4064 2022-07-25 Greece Domaine Sigalas Domaine Sigalas Santorini 2020 2020 7.50 1.0263 2022-07-25 Germany Fio Wein Fio Wein Piu Piu Petnat Rosé NV NV 7.50 1.6851 2022-07-25 Spain Suertes del Marques Suertes del Marques El Chibirique 2017 2017 8.00 6.1943 2022-07-25 France Domaine du Pélican Domaine du Pélican Trois Cépages 2018 2018 8.20 14.1509 2022-07-25 France Domaine du Pélican Domaine du Pélican Poulsard 2018 2018 8.50 61.9623 2022-07-25 Austria Heinrich Heinrich Blaufränkisch 2017 2017 7.25 0.6674 2022-07-25 Italy Castello dei Rampolla Castello dei Rampolla Chianti Classico 2018 2018 7.75 3.0421 2022-07-25 Spain Victoria E. Torres Pecis Victoria E. Torres Pecis Piezas #4 Malvasia Seco 2018 2018 8.00 6.1460 2022-07-25 Spain Soco Vinicola Soco Vinicola Soco Blanco 2020 2020 7.50 1.1345 2022-07-25 Spain Muchada-Léclapart Muchada-Léclapart Elixir 2017 2017 8.00 5.7507 2022-07-25 Italy Sandro Fay Sandro Fay Valtellina Superiore Valgella Riserva Carteria 2014 2014 8.00 5.5913 2022-07-24 Hungary Hummel Hummel Villányi Portugieser 2020 2020 7.25 0.9273 2022-07-23 Spain Els Vinyerons Els Vinyerons Pregadéu 2020 2020 7.50 2.8645 2022-07-22 South Africa Testalonga Testalonga Baby Bandito Stay Brave 2021 2021 7.50 1.8152 2022-07-22 France Pierre Frick Pierre Frick Gewürztraminer Macération Pur Vin 2018 2018 7.50 1.4522 2022-07-21 Italy Villa Calicantus Villa Calicantus Soracuna 2018 2018 7.80 5.5200 2022-07-20 South Africa Testalonga Testalonga Baby Bandito Chin Up 2021 2021 7.75 5.5792 2022-07-20 Italy Arianna Occhipinti Arianna Occhipinti SP68 Rosso 2019 2019 7.75 4.1559 2022-07-20 Italy La Stoppa La Stoppa Ageno 2018 2018 8.50 91.0893 2022-07-19 Argentina Bodega Catena Zapata Bodega Catena Zapata Appellation Tupungato Chardonnay 2020 2020 7.75 6.9955 2022-07-19 Spain Hoya de Cadenas Hoya de Cadenas Cava Brut Nature NV NV 7.40 2.3992 2022-07-18 Austria Loimer Loimer Gluegglich Weiß Glückliches NV NV 7.25 0.9214 2022-07-18 Italy Bel Colle Bel Colle Verduno Pelaverga 2020 2020 7.50 2.3234 2022-07-18 Spain Comando G Comando G Rozas 1-er Cru 2018 2018 8.25 16.4102 2022-07-18 Portugal Quinta de Chocapalha Quinta de Chocapalha Branco 2017 2017 7.00 0.3278 2022-07-16 France Pierre Trichet Pierre Trichet L'Authentique Premier Cru Brut NV NV 7.20 0.2392 2022-07-16 France Gérard Bertrand Gérard Bertrand Cote des Roses Rouge 2020 2020 7.40 1.3561 2022-07-16 Austria Loimer Loimer Pet Nat 2020 2020 7.00 0.2392 2022-07-16 Spain Villa Clara Villa Clara Cava Brut NV NV 7.00 0.5660 2022-07-15 Italy Costadilà Costadilà 280 slm NV NV 7.20 0.4529 2022-07-15 Czech Republic Krasna Hora Krasna Hora Blanc de Noir Sekt 2018 2018 7.50 1.4637 2022-07-15 Spain Clos Lentiscus Clos Lentiscus Gentleman 2016 2016 7.25 0.5299 2022-07-15 Germany Marto Marto Crazy Crazy 2020 2020 7.00 0.2234 2022-07-15 Ukraine Prince Trubetskoi Winery Prince Trubetskoi Winery Blanc de Blancs 2017 2017 5.50 0.0027 2022-07-15 Italy Ca Dei Zago Ca Dei Zago Valdobbiadene Metodo Classico Dosaggio Zero 2018 2018 7.40 0.7426 2022-07-15 France Hudelot-Noëllat Hudelot-Noëllat Bourgogne Pinot Noir 2019 2019 8.00 8.7428 2022-07-15 France Jacques Lassaigne Jacques Lassaigne La Colline Inspirée NV NV 8.00 3.1709 2022-07-15 Hungary Hummel Hummel Karašica PetNat Hárslevelű 2020 2020 7.50 1.3830 2022-07-15 France Ulysse Collin Ulysse Collin Les Maillons Blanc de Noirs Extra Brut (2017) NV NV 9.00 237.5150 2022-07-15 Italy Cà del Vént Cà del Vént Sogno Blanc de Blancs Pas Operé 2014 2014 8.50 51.4986 2022-07-13 Spain Lacrima Baccus Lacrima Baccus Brut Reserva 2019 2019 7.20 1.2000 2022-07-13 Argentina Weinert Weinert Cavas de Weinert Cask Selection 2009 2009 8.50 102.7021 2022-07-12 Australia Momento Mori Momento Mori Fistful of Flowers 2020 2020 8.00 7.3467 2022-07-08 Hungary Hummel Hummel Villányi Portugieser 2020 2020 7.25 0.9273 2022-07-08 Italy Cascina Degli Ulivi Cascina Degli Ulivi Filagnotti 2016 2016 8.00 9.6411 2022-07-07 Czech Republic Krasna Hora Krasna Hora Ruby 2020 2020 7.50 2.6417 2022-07-07 Australia Jacob's Creek Jacob's Creek Sparkling Rosé NV NV 7.00 0.3297 2022-07-05 Italy Cascina Bertolotto Cascina Bertolotto Spumante Brut Metodo Classico NV NV 8.20 26.9316 2022-07-05 Georgia Pheasant's Tears Pheasant's Tears Poliphonia 2019 2019 7.50 1.9266 2022-07-05 France Éric Chevalier Éric Chevalier Cirrus 2018 2018 8.00 8.7856 2022-07-05 France Matassa Matassa Cuvée Alexandria 2019 2019 8.50 91.7147 2022-07-05 France Domaine du Pélican Domaine du Pélican Savagnin Ouillé 2016 2016 8.50 60.9222 2022-07-05 Australia Patrick Sullivan Patrick Sullivan Rain Field Blend 2019 2019 8.00 8.4111 2022-07-05 Italy Villa Calicantus Villa Calicantus Sollazzo 2018 2018 7.20 0.4862 2022-07-04 Argentina Weinert Weinert Carrascal Chardonnay 2021 2021 7.40 2.3846 2022-07-03 Italy San Leonardo San Leonardo Vette 2019 2019 7.50 1.5286 2022-07-03 Austria Weingut Bründlmayer Weingut Bründlmayer Hauswein Grüner Veltliner 2021 2021 7.00 0.3986 2022-07-02 New Zealand Félix Solís Félix Solís Pulpo Sauvignon Blanc NV NV 5.25 0.0022 2022-07-02 Greece Kir-Yianni Kir-Yianni Paranga Sparkling NV NV 7.50 2.2547 2022-07-02 Spain Mas Pere Mas Pere Selecció Brut Cava NV NV 5.50 0.0038 2022-07-01 Spain Bach Bach Cava Gran Brut NV NV 6.00 0.0141