Further to my previous post where I met sommelier Dashamir Elezi, I promised that I would write a post about the wines we sampled. Whilst I am sure that the title of “Albania’s Best Wine” could apply to many different types, and all depending on the preference of the drinker, these are the top selection of the countries leading sommelier, ergo I trust his judgement.
As a part of my very tough “research”, I sampled three white whites, one rose, one orange wine, and four red wines. I took notes at the time and I will attempt to describe what each one was like. Of course, every palette is different and I am most certainly not a wine expert, so if I have got it horrendously wrong, please do forgive me.
Shesh i Bardhe, Kantina Bardha
This white is made from a grape that is found predominantly in the Shesh area of Albania. The specific place where these unique grapes can be found is located between 150m-450m above sea level and around 30k from the sea. It is perfectly sheltered from the Skanderberg and Dajti mountain range and the result is a delicious grape and a wine that is fresh and fruity with notes of pineapple. For me, this is one of the best Albanian white wines that I have tasted and its smooth taste with a bit of a sharp kick at the end is perfect for those that love a refreshing dry, white on a summers afternoon.
Chardonnay Kavalion, Kantina Belba
Kantina Belba is known as one of the best in the country and this fine Chardonnay is made from 100% Chardonnay grapes that are grown in central Albania. The wine is strong and powerful with a great structure. It is fresh and testy, mature and balanced, and it leaves some heat on the palate after you drink it. Chardonnay can often be a controversial choice and this is definitely not a wine for those that dislike it or are on the fence. It has a strong herbal aftertaste with slight undertones of acacia, strawberry, and salvia. This is a wine for someone that loves Chardonnay and wants a particularly complex taste.
Chardonnay, Kantina Caco
This Chardonnay could not be more different from the Kantina Belba offering. Whilst it is also made from 100% Albanian Chardonnay grapes, it is very smooth, fruity, and almost sweet in its flavour. To me, this does not taste like a traditional Chardonnay and I think this is a wine that most people will enjoy with little complaint. Whilst it is delicious with its apple, exotic fruits, and salvia type tones, there is nothing particularly distinctive or original about this wine. If you are someone who wants something a little bit special from your glass of vino, this may well leave you slightly disappointed.
Pamid Rose- Kantina Caco
This is an Albanian rose that is made using a red grape which has little tannin present in the skin. A rather dark pink colour, it lends itself to standing for a few minutes before taking the first sip. It smells rather dry and acidic, not like some of the continental roses that I am used to. Tasting it is a different story however- it is very floral and perfumed with a taste of cherry, violet and rose. There is a light spice in the aftertaste and a slight hint of raspberry after a couple of sips. For me, this is a very good quality rose and I would happily drink it again.
Kallmet 2016, Kantina Kallmeti
The Kalmet grape cannot be found anywhere except in Albania. The wine should be aged for3-4 years and consumed within a further 5 years. This is a young wine and should be drunk from a larger glass which allows more air into it. Light in colour, it is a sort of translucent cherry red, comparable with a Pinot Noir. It smells like vanilla, fresh fruit and blackberries and on the palate, it is hot, sweet, and deliciously fruity.
Kavaljon 2016, Kantina Belba
Another offering from Kantina Belba, this is made from Black Shesh, Montepulciano, and Sangiovese grapes that are combined to create a powerful and distinctive wine. That said, this is a commercial wine and one that will appeal to many. It is strong and full bodied with that distinct sweet aroma that I have only ever noticed with Albanian reds. On the palate, it is dry, nutty, and oaky with a distinct taste of cherry and apple. It has a lot of live tannins and Dashamir believes it could do with another year of ageing as its equilibrium is not at its best. Almost black in colour, the smell is much sweeter than the taste but it has a lot of potential.
Derveni, Kantina Zika
This is a completely Albanian wine made from Kalmet, Puls, and Montepulciano grapes. Aged for three years in a big barrel, it has that same deliciously sweet smell that I have come to associate with Albanian red. This particular bottle was 7 years old and the tannins are still live, but not as strong as with the Kavaljon. The wine is a russet colour with a hint of cherry, and the taste is utterly divine. It is both sweet and strong, perfectly balanced with notes of mature red fruits, plum, red apple, balsamic, and aromatic herbs. It has a hint of red peppers and raspberry and for me, this is exactly what a great red wine should taste like. It tastes best after 20 minutes of breathing, and at this stage, you can even detect hints of chocolate and tobacco in both its aroma and taste. This is by far my favourite wine.
Syrah Balaj 2015, Kantina Balaj
This wine is aged for 24 months in a big barrel but to me it smells a bit more acidic than the others. It is a hot, full bodied wine from Vlore, with distinct tones of cranberry, spices, and fruits such as plums and cherries. There is a very peppery taste to the wine and even a bit of mint as well. This wine lends itself well to rich food such as wild pheasant or wild lamb, or even pasta with rich or spicy tomato-based sauces. The located where the grape is grown is around 1.5km from the sea in the South West of Albania- a prime location for growing top quality grapes. This is a nice wine but for me, I found it a little overpowering. I like my wine to compliment my food, not my food to compliment my wine.
Orange Wine, Kantina Balaj
This is something of an experiment. I have always associated orange-toned wines with low quality, but apparently, this is a big new trend in the world of wine. If done correctly- both technically and in terms of the ageing process, an orange wine can be every bit as delicious and delicate as its white or red counterparts. This particular wine was made with White Shesh grapes from Tirana and is left to ferment for three days. This had a very strong tannin on the tongue and a sort of texture to it. It tastes as if it is oaked and has strong tones of almond and summer fruits. This is not a wine for me, but perhaps with a few more years of ageing, it could be something quite special.
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