When many local dining establishments require a brilliantly selected red wine list with a sharp eye on value, they rely on Erin Ungerman.
With years of experience around the restaurant market, she’s now called the go-to wine representative who discovers a few of the more interesting under-the-radar and new-to-market bottles. She travels the globe as vice president and director of sales for New France White wine Co., checking out vineyards and learning the stories behind the grapes and vintners.
We saw Ungerman’s white wine badgers display throughout the pandemic through her collaboration with chef Karyn Tomlinson, owner of St. Paul’s Myriel, on Karyn’s Quarantine Kitchen area. Tomlinson would develop delicious takeout offerings, and Ungerman would pick the best white wine to take the meal to the next level.
All that makes her the ideal source to both response food-and-juice pairing concerns and to recommend choices for the bubbly holiday ahead. Ungerman not just knows all the great pours, but where to find them in your area. Here are her leading six suggestions:
Pomalo Pet Nat
Tasting keeps in mind: “This bottle originates from the Dalmatian coast in Croatia. Made from 100% Debit, which is a regional white varietal, this red wine is tidy, brilliant and fresh. If one could bottle sunshine, citrus and sea salt, well, this would be it. ‘Pomalo’ suggests to take it easy, to relax, no tension, slow down, no worries, and is rooted in the coastal and island lifestyle and the general frame of mind of the Dalmatians– an excellent 2023 resolution!”
Expense: $20-$23.
Readily available at: Henry & & Son, Mpls.; France 44, Mpls.; Edina’s community liquor store; Thomas Liquors, St. Paul; The Vine Shop, Hopkins.
J. Laurens Les Graimenous
Tasting notes: “A stunning bottle of bubbles for the cash originating from the Limoux area of France, which has a long history of making champagne in the conventional technique (standard suggesting the exact same method Champagne is made). This crémant is intense, crisp and clean with small fragile bubbles that have a little dance celebration in your mouth. This is Champagne quality without the Champagne price tag.”
Cost: $19-$22.
Readily available at: South Lyndale Liquors, Mpls.; Kowalski’s, numerous areas; Haskell’s, several areas; France 44; Surdyk’s, Mpls.; Top 10 Liquors, a number of areas; Chicago Lake Liquors, Mpls.
Huber Sparkling Rosé
Tasting notes: “A wonderful pink sparkler from Austria, coming from a winery that has remained in the same household for 200-plus years– 10 generations. A blend of pinot noir and zweigelt, this is soft and creamy, filled with tips of strawberries and a pop of citrus on the finish. This wine makes me wish to break out the disco ball and some ABBA.”
Cost: $18-$20.
Available at: South Lyndale; France 44; Sip Better, Mpls.; Little White Wine Shoppe, St. Paul; G-Will Liquors, three places; Violet Red wine, Mpls.; Thomas Liquors; Byerly’s, several locations; Haskell’s areas.
Voirin Jumel Brut Tradition Champagne
Tasting keeps in mind: “A growers’ Champagne this helpful for this rate is shocking. It’s 50% Grand Cru chardonnay and 50% Premier Cru pinot noir, and aged three years on the lees. Rich, velvety, warm, with small fragile bubbles. This is a real winner.”
Cost: $39-$42.
Readily available at: Chicago Lake Liquors; France 44; BrightWines, North St. Paul; Little Wine Shoppe; South Lyndale Liquors; North Loop Liquor, Mpls.; Domacin, Stillwater; Zipps Liquors, Mpls.; Alcohol Boy, St. Louis Park; South Lyndale Liquors.
Keush Origins Brut
Tasting notes: “A gorgeous Armenian sparkling wine coming from an area with a 6,000-year-old viticulture history. Made similar to Champagne but with local grape ranges. This sparkler is complex and abundant, with tons of minerality. An unique and tasty bottle to pop on New Year’s Eve.”
Cost: $23-$25.
Readily available at: North Loop; Cork Dork, Mpls.; Zipps; Solo Vino St. Paul; Violet White Wine; Sip Better; France 44; Thomas Liquors; Tessa’s Office, Rochester; Stinson Wine, Beer and Spirits, Mpls.; South Lyndale Liquors; Top 10 Liquors; Kowalski’s.
Billecart-Salmon Brut Rosé Champagne
Tasting notes: “If you want to ball out on New Year’s Eve, this is the bottle for you! The Rolls-Royce of Champagne Rosés. Timeless, stylish and glamorous. This bottle does not dissatisfy.”
Expense: $99-$105.
Readily available at: Drink Better; Dabbler Depot, St. Paul; France 44; South Lyndale Liquors; Thomas Liquors; Top Ten Liquors; Surdyk’s; 1010 Washington Red Wine & & Spirits, Mpls.; Liquor Barn, Long Lake; G-Will; Haskell’s; Total Wine, several locations