Vino Vino, Austin, TX

Please note that Vino Vino will be closed all day on Super Bowl Sunday, February 5.

Anyone who’s ever dined at Vino Vino or who’s tasted with wine director and owner Jeff Courington knows that Jeff is a certified Rhône freak: he just loves the meaty, earthy style and bright acidity of these wines and the reds are always a go-to when he’s looking for a pairing with the second courses on our menu.

Many of the Rhône wines that make it on to Jeff’s list are imported by wine industry legend, Kermit Lynch, who was among the first to champion unfiltered wines from the Rhône back in the 1970s before the style was popular. In Jeff’s view, if you filter a wine like this, you’re essentially bottling only half of the wine. In fact, one of the things that makes the wines of the Rhône so unique is their chewy mouthfeel — a meal in a glass!

Here’s what the folks at Kermit Lynch’s Berkeley, CA outpost have to say about his personally blended Côtes du Rhône:

The growing success we have enjoyed over the last three vintages is proof enough that the KL Côtes du Rhône fits both the taste profile and quality standards that our customers have come to expect. Since 1929, this winery has been bringing local vignerons together from the outlying areas of Avignon in the Southern Rhône to produce delicious wines that epitomize the region’s complex terroirs. Kermit works closely with winemaker Jean-François Pasturel to develop the blend. Pasturel is thrilled to be able to have the chance to produce a Côtes du Rhône he does not have to filter to death. It is his tête de cuvée, his pride and joy.

Featured by the glass this week at Vino Vino…

HAPPY HOUR AT 5:30 PM TONIGHT!

The northwest Italian region of Piedmont (meaning the foot of the mountains) is generally known for its red wines: Barbera and Dolcetto, Barbaresco and Barolo…

But they also grow and raise some excellent white wines there.

When it comes to Italian white wines in general, owner and wine director at Vino Vino Jeff Courington always seems to be reaching for one of his personal favorites: Gavi (appellation) made from Cortese (grape variety).

The Cortese grape is all about freshness and bright acidity. The village of Gavi where this wine is grown is located about halfway from the upper Mediterranean sea and the foothills of the Alps. As a result, it enjoys cool air coming down from the mountains heading toward the sea. The cool air helps to keep the vineyards ventilated (thus preventing rot and mildew) and it keeps the fruit cool at night during the summer as the berries reach complete ripening.

Palladino is an OLD SCHOOL producer: no spoof here! Classic, clean, crisp Gavi, ideal for seafood and spicier dishes here at Vino Vino.

Please note that Vino Vino will be closed on Monday December 5 for a private event.

Anyone who’s ever tasted wine with Vino Vino owner Jeff Courington knows that his favorite wines come from the southern Rhône Valley of France. And while he’s a huge fan of Italy as well, his knowledge of Rhône wines is rivaled by few other wine directors in Austin.

This week’s pick is a glorious Gigondas by the Domaine de Cabasse: mostly Grenache, with smaller amounts of Mourvèdre, and a little bit of Syrah.

When we tasted this wine the other night, it exploded with earthy and red fruit flavors (think plum), with bright acidity, and a rich mouthfeel. Simply gorgeous wine that paired brilliantly with Chef Esteban’s chicken cooked two ways.

100 per cent Sauvignon Blanc from Bordeaux, 100 per cent delicious!

The Copain 2010 Anderson Valley Tous Ensemble from Pinot Noir is showing BEAUTIFULLY right now, one of our favorites. Bright red and black berry fruit with gentle tannin and balanced acidity… Great seafood wine… Calamari, anyone?