New Hampshire Wines

(or?some people just seem to enjoy a challenge) 

Yes, believe it or not New Hampshire has wineries. Two, in fact, both of which are producing some exciting stuff. In alphabetical order (to avoid favoritism) there?s Flag Hill Winery in Lee and Jewell Towne Vineyards in South Hampton. Both offer tasting rooms and sales to the general public and are a great diversion on a warm sunny day. Attrezzi will be carrying select wines from both vineyards, those that we believe match our strong beliefs in food and wine parings using fantastic hard to find wines.

Haven?t heard of them? Well now you have, thanks to your friends in the Attrezzi Wine Club.  As a strong supporter of locally owned small businesses, we thought carrying some of these wineries in our wine shop would prove to be a great complement. And it is.

 I?ve had occasion to taste nearly all of their wines at one time or another, formerly as a consumer and now as a ?professional? (but is tasting wine really a job?) and I am constantly impressed with the quality and diversity of the wines. I will warn you ahead of time ? they are not (nor are they meant to be) typical styles of wines that we are accustomed to. This is not to say they aren?t good (they are and have won numerous medals ? Jewell town has a list that is more than impressive). In other words, keep an open mind and explore.

First off we have to remember that wine is, above all, an agricultural product. Before any wine is made we have to have good grapes, and that means good vine techniques, care and attention, and proper growing conditions. As you all know, New Hampshire has a lot going for it ? great people, stable economy, beautiful scenery, and as we all know, a slightly ?difficult? climate. These wineries have somehow learned to embrace the weather and against all odds grow grapes and make wine. Hence my little tag line ?some people just seem to enjoy a challenge?.

So how do they do it? Well, for starters they use grape varieties we are unaccustomed to. Typically they use ?French Hybrid? grapes, or native American or European grapes that are more accustomed to colder climates. Grape varieties such as Marechal Foch, Leon Millot, Vidal, Seyval Blanc, Niagra, (don?t be intimidated by the names if you?ve never heard of them) and even various fruit wines such as apple cranberry, strawberry and Italian plum. There are also some old standbys like Riesling (that likes a cooler climate), Chardonnay, local Pinot Noir, and even a Port style fortified wine. For fun, local Maple syrups and fruits are also used, for example, Flag hill makes Maple enhanced dessert wines. In other words it?s a creative affair using New England ideas.

Yes, but how do they taste? Trust me, they are good. The whites often lean toward more of the semi dry side, though there are certainly some bone dry selections out there. The word ?foxy? is often used to describe Northeastern whites. Reds are often tart, chewy, rich, and very dry, and work best paired with food. A few reds have a nice semi sweetness that screams summertime on the beach. The dessert wines are excellent, a strong point of the region, and will make fresh fruit sing. As with any wine, each is truly distinguished by its individual character and must be tasted to be appreciated so I encourage you to try them for yourself. 

And yes, of course, Jewell Towne makes an authentic Ice Wine. How appropriate.

U