Patrick Vanhoucke

9.0

LONGING FOR THE SOUTH

Yesterday I drank this very nice Macedonian semi-dry T'ga za Jug red wine.

The wine is made of the native grape variety Vranec. It has an intense red color, and the distinctive taste of raisins and raspberries, which make it a nice sweet treat (hence: semi-dry).

The wine is named after the poem ‘Taga za Yug’ of the Bulgarian poet Konstantin Miladinov (1830–1862), one of the Miladinov brothers, who originate from Ottoman Macedonia. Both brothers are thought to have laid the foundation of the Macedonian literary tradition.

‘Taga za Yug’ means ‘longing for the South’ (el anhelo por el Sur): "If I had an eagle's wings, I would rise and fly on them to our shores, to our own parts [...] Here are frost and snow and ashes, blizzards and harsh winds abound [...] There the sunrise warms the soul".

When it is cold outside, and fiercely raining, I can assure you that it makes you long for the sun that warms the soul. Drinking the T'ga za Jug wine in good company and nice surroundings makes for a wonderful or sometimes even better alternative.
— 9 years ago

David Monaghan

9.3

When the brazanga royal family fled Lisbon for Brazillian shores-Napolean was intransit- they packed up all their valubables... This was the first thing on the boat... A fantastic wine full of aroma, flavours and personality... Good with anything — 10 years ago

with Baroness

Christine Speidel

8.9

Interesting! Very strong petrol aroma when it's cold. Sweetness and acidity. — 10 years ago

Vadim T

8.9

Very pleasant semi dry mix of Cayuga and Gewürztraminer wine with a little hardy Chardonnay and Louise Swenson from the shores of Lake Champlain. My hat is off in a deep respect to high quality results in a wine-unfriendly Vermont climate! — 11 years ago

Kathryn Flett

9.1

2098 vintage - very rich with a nice bite — 11 years ago

Nicholas Livingston

9.2

Interesting to sip a Pouilly Fumé Cuvée Silice from one of the most trusted values in the region at such an age. While she's in the repose of her twilight years she's not merely a beauty of a bygone time but instead lively and lovely whose company rewards whoever has a chance afternoon with her. Who would ever credit Sauvignon Blanc even one of this crystalline emerald variety as a wine that might take an age in a cool cellar? 13 years! Even through the crazing crows' feet these eyes shine brightly and despite how cray paper skin drapes over the cheek bones of Sauvignon Blanc, this is still nimble and pulses with lives yet to live -not merely memories to regale its audience of how things once were, what she once was or could have been. Honeycomb, lemon curd, nettles wilting in grassy green olive oil, and then the lime leaves...so familiar and yet always exotic of distant shores and climates so far from this northern land of four resolute seasons. As to ratings: how can any of us quantify sensual pleasures really. This was a joy no matter how you cut it and yet given my surprise at Sauvignon Blanc at 13 years on still having so much to say I cannot speak highly enough. The Blanchets do it again! — 11 years ago

Brett Pinkin

9.0

Another fine effort drinking with my padre in Naples Pelican Bay Colony Shores. Great accompaniment to fine cigars. Always appreciate a fine port. 20 year tawny tasted April 2015. Cheers! — 11 years ago

Hallie Lujah

9.0

Can't wait for this to land in our shores! — 12 years ago

Nick Hindle

9.0

Not a huge Pinot fan but this bottle in particular was extraordinary. Not too tart off the bat like some pinots, and not too light either. A good full bodied, dry Pinot that develops across the palette throughout the evening. Perfect to enjoy with a beautiful lady by the shores of Seneca Lake. — 13 years ago

Alishia Odom

8.9

Alishia had this 9 years ago

Vanessa Pritchard

9.0

Bang on for what I'd look for in an orange wine. Amber-hued, bone dry, medium acidity, and assertively tannic. The nose is of baked and very ripe apples and pears, but also has supremely savory tones. On the palate this is a salty, grippy wine, which wants rich foods with spice and complexity. A rare treat on New Zealand shores. — 10 years ago

Jessica Sturman

9.0

Nervy, full of sour cherry, cran-rasb fruit leather, with a strong backbone of acidity, and shores of dark minerality. Lithe. — 10 years ago

Keith Crump

9.0

Clean with great acidity plenty of lemon and apple very refreshing on a hot Auckland evening thanks to Maison Vauron for brining these wines to NZ shores — 10 years ago

Eric Guido

9.4

With the 2010's about to hit our shores, why not look back a decade further? The ’99 Paje showed gorgeously. A bouquet of woodland fern, mint and cedar gave way to dried cherry, plum and dark floral tones. It was feminine with lively acidity and youthful tannin still showing. Cherry and strawberry dominated with a hint of spice, turning to cranberry as it carried across the mid-palate. The finish was unbelievably long with tart red fruits and earthy floral tones. I simply did not want this experience to end. — 11 years ago

Amanda Rehn

9.4

A blend of natives from the western shores of Lake Garda- fresh, vibrant and tongue smacking acidity- super sassy- super delicious. — 11 years ago

Michele Hrinko

9.6

Tastes like white grapes right off the vine! #sweet #wine #bartolai #nepa — 11 years ago

with Marty

Humberto

9.4

Nothing like trying this beauty in its home Sicilian shores, you begin to understand what is all about — 11 years ago

Christy Canterbury MW

Master of Wine

8.9

Very happy to see & taste a highly sophisticated Armenian wine on US shores. Restrained elegance w/ solid black fruit concentration. — 11 years ago

Alejandra Magana

10

Delicious Tuscany red blend. Made 100% with negro amaro grape, grown on the shores of the gulf of Taranto in Puglia. Shows a dark ruby red color with intense and fruity perfume. Full bodied, soft with firm tannins. — 13 years ago

grj 2008

9.4

At a nice French restaurant in Miami Shores. Very nice wine to share with the table. Very smooth, faint peppery finish. Low tannins. Love it. Now hesitation in drinking this again! — 10 years ago

Carol McNeff

9.8

I love this wine... bold and dark, excellent price range and can even be found in some grocery stores. Dave found it at Rouse's in Gulf Shores. — 10 years ago

Pinotman /// Andreas

9.0

Dark, complicated. Bought in Port Townsend WA. Earth, tobacco and chocolate on the nose. Complex long tannic. Blueberry. Complicated the best Pinot of the trip. Met the winemaker interesting guy. ---------- Ok here is Suzanna another old friend she thinks fruit and tannins - tobacco under feeling. good velvet silky. Like touching an Octopus in Maui with your tongue of the shores in Maui .surreal ---- Amazing description. — 10 years ago

with Dustin

Renee Crawford

9.2

Bold flavor for Merlot. Delicious. Dave likes — 11 years ago

Giampiero Nadali

Wine Blogger Aristide

9.2

2014 - San Martino della Battaglia is one of the smallest DOC in Italy, that counts 30K bottles for 8 producers. This white is based on Tuchì grapes (actual name for Tocai), it represents a bold move to reaffirm its past identity and visibility to the market niche of Tocai/Tuchì aficionados. An amazing small jewel to discover on the southern shores of Lake Garda. — 11 years ago

Sage Shimoda

9.0

Don't underestimate Canadian wines. Impressive work here. — 11 years ago

boyd

9.0

Super fun and brought to us from the shores of the amalfi coast. — 11 years ago

Derek Mossman Knapp

9.2

I do not normally get excited about SB but this is drinking terrifically 5 years on. Very well crafted on the shores of Lake Colbun. — 11 years ago

Thomas Pastuszak

Sommelier/Wine Director The NoMad

9.1

A great new direction in Chenin: so excited for this to be hitting our shores — 12 years ago

.

9.2

A portion of the proceeds goes to help the Gulf recovery effort. Tasty AND charitable. — 12 years ago

Eleanor Dake

8.9

Affordable crowd pleaser. Was good with shrimp boil in Gulf Shores. — 14 years ago