As a lover of wine, I'm always on the lookout for something new or unique to try. So naturally, when I found out that Jordan had vineyards, grabbing a few bottles to check out was a must!
Although I would have vastly enjoyed taking one of the winery tours offered on the company website, it simply was not in our budget. Being in a new country made me want to act like a tourist, but living in Jordan for two months wasn't meant as a vacation, rather as a steppingstone.
Sadly, without a tour, there isn't much information to be had about the winemaking processes that Jordan River uses. Perhaps someday I will go back to see the facilities and nerd out.
The site is vague, but my palate is not. After working with wine as a fine dining server and bartender for many years, I have quite a bit to say about the three bottles we tried!
Let's take a look at what we picked out...
I'm a HUGE fan of rosé, no matter what time of the year it is. I will gladly drink this wine, which should be served chilled, even on the coldest of winter nights!
Back in the states I am known to be a bit of a rosé snob. Typically I find French rosé to be superior to all others, leaving this bottle with some pretty tough standards to meet...
This grape made famous in Italy has been known to flourish in a variety of climates. However, it tends to prefer some heat during veraison.
For those unfamiliar with the term, it's just a wine nerd's phrase for the ripening process of a grape.
Since much of Jordan is desert, I was intrigued to find out how barbera fared there. It is known to do decent in areas with cooler temperatures, but I imagined that the drastic shift in temperature from night to day may lead to unique results...
And, of course I had to try a cabernet.
@Yaziris prefers very dry wine (as do I usually), so grabbing a bottle of this seemed to be a safe bet.
Although I've purchased a boxed 5$ cab before that was sweet, I'm certain that had more to do with the sort of labeling one tends to overlook when paying roughly 1.50$ per liter of wine.
My faith in the grape when bottled was firm...
Each bottle had an identical story on the back, with a bit about the varietal inside underneath.
I found myself excited to open them, especially after learning that there are volcanic deposits in the desert here! Fans of California wines can attest to the complexity that is lent to wine when it grows atop sediment infused with volcanic magic, perhaps one of the qualities that led to the state's incredible win in the Judgement of Paris.
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Although this wine does not specify directly, as far as I can tell it is vegan.
"Vegan?!" you may rightfully exclaim...
Yes, most wine is not vegan, a detail I struggled with when nursing my son who had a milk allergy in 2021. I note it here because it is significant; nearly all wine is processed with casein (milk) or fish.
From the product description and my understanding of how things are processed in the Middle East I deduced that this is almost certainly processed without either, a fact that further intrigued me...
Okay, let's open them up!
Starting off with one of my go-tos, I opened this rosé and was met with a crisp bouquet that reminded me a bit of freshly cut grass.
Something about the smell of rosé is intricately tied to early spring in my mind, despite it being a popular summer wine. Perhaps it is the herbaceous notes in its scent, bringing in a flood of new growth visualizations.
This one was no different, as I filled my glass and inhaled, I envisioned new leaves poking from branches. I saw cherry blossoms and the beads of early morning dew on trees.
The flavor did not disappoint either!
Rosé is often known for its crisp but balanced acidity, and this one lived up to the reputation.
There were lots of fruity notes, with a strong kick of citrus fruit flavor following behind. It reminded me a lot of a sauv blanc that went off the rails and decided to grow up and be a rosé instead.
Overall, I would give this a solid 7/10, which surprised me. I'd gladly pair it with creamy pastas or grilled fish, although I think it would be best with steamed shellfish.
Next up we have the barbera, which was equally impressive.
This wine reminds me of an artist, complicated and full of dimensions that you only see when looking for them.
This one had strong notes of plum and cherry on the bouquet, with something like charred cedar lingering in the background.
Here you can see its lovely color, which drew me in to take a sip...
This wine did not completely match its scent, falling a bit short on the complexity it promised.
This may be my fault, as I did not have proper glassware. This wine deserved a large piece of stemware to give it a chance to shine.
Still, I'd give it a 7.5/10. I think it would pair well with roasted meat or pasta.
Last, and maybe least, we opened the cab.
This one did not have the big red fruit bouquet that I anticipate when drinking cabernet.
It did have a nice body to it, which made up for a lot in my book. I tilted my glass and watched the legs run slowly down with happiness.
Yaz said this one was his favorite, which I get because it certainly understood the assignment in the dry department. With a nice twinge of tannins on the side of the cheeks, this cabernet did have a lovely flavor. It reminded me a bit of jam, with a slight hint of fall spices on the finish.
I think perhaps my gripe with this one is that it is unoaked, it lacked the depth I look forward to in a cabernet to a degree, but not a detrimental one. I'd still give it a solid 6.5/10; worth drinking for sure!
This one I see pairing well with the typical steak, but I'd be willing to bet that it would do even better with balsamic glazed portabellas and/or roasted potatoes.
In general, I was very shocked by these wines. I expected them all to fall flat, but they truly did soar!
Perhaps we will see Jordan on the map as a wine growing country someday. The scarcity of water and varying temperatures seem to have really benefitted these grapes in a stunning way. It reminds me not to judge a book by its cover!
So, if you see Jordan River wines at your local shop, don't hesitate to give them a chance. You may find yourself pleasantly surprised as well!
