We recently got a request from one of our community members asking about second wines, so we pulled together an article to explain second wines and share some great bottles. These are all great wines and are significantly more in reach price wise.

Second wines, also known as &quot;second labels,&quot; have become increasingly popular among wineries over the past few decades. These wines are made by wineries to offer a more affordable and approachable option to their consumers, while still maintaining the high quality and standards of their flagship or first wines. In this article, we will explore the concept of second wines, why wineries do it, and highlight some of the best examples from top wineries.

Why do wineries make second wines?

The primary reason for wineries creating second wines is to maintain the consistency and excellence of their first wines. For a wine to be considered a first wine, it must meet specific criteria set by the winery. This includes using only the best grapes from the estate, adhering to strict winemaking techniques, and aging the wine in the finest barrels. However, not every grape from a vineyard will achieve the same level of quality, and therefore, some grapes may not make the cut for the first wine. Instead of discarding these grapes, wineries can use them to create a second or even third wine, which still reflects the quality and style of the winery&#39;s top wine at a more affordable price point.

Additionally, some wineries also produce second wines to introduce new consumers to their brand. The cost of a first wine can often be out of reach for many wine enthusiasts, but a second wine offers a more accessible option to experience the winery&#39;s style and expertise. These wines provide an excellent entry point for consumers to discover a winery&#39;s portfolio and potentially become loyal customers.

What are the differences between first wines and second wines?

There are several key differences between first and second wines. Firstly, the grapes used for the first wine are often from the winery&#39;s best and oldest vines, whereas the grapes for the second wine may come from younger vines or different parts of the vineyard. This can result in a difference in flavor and complexity between the two wines.

Secondly, wineries tend to use different aging techniques for their first and second wines. First wines are typically aged in new oak barrels, which can impart more intense flavors and tannins to the wine. Second wines, on the other hand, may be aged in older barrels or for a shorter period, resulting in a softer and more approachable wine.

Finally, there is often a difference in price between the two wines. First wines are usually priced higher due to their superior quality and limited production, while second wines offer a more affordable option for consumers.

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Examples of the Fantastic Second Wines

1. Alter Ego de Palmer, Margaux, Bordeaux, France

Alter Ego de Palmer is the second wine of the prestigious Ch&acirc;teau Palmer in the Margaux appellation of Bordeaux. Made from a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Petit Verdot, this wine offers a glimpse of the quality and style of its first wine, Ch&acirc;teau Palmer. The 2016 vintage, with its elegant tannins and notes of black fruit, cedar, and tobacco, received a 94+ rating from wine critic Robert Parker and can be found for around $80 per bottle.

<a href="https://www.grapesthewineco.com/wines/Alter-Ego-Alter-Ego-de-Chateau-Palmer-Margaux-2020-w5970382gc">Alter Ego 2020</a>- $79.99

2. Le Petit Mouton de Mouton Rothschild, Pauillac, Bordeaux, France

Le Petit Mouton is the second wine of one of Bordeaux&#39;s most iconic and legendary wineries, Ch&acirc;teau Mouton Rothschild. This wine is only produced in exceptional years, and the quality is a testament to the winery&#39;s excellence and attention to detail. The 2015 vintage, with its concentrated flavors of blackcurrant, plum, and spices, received a score of 92 from Wine Spectator and can be purchased for around $335 per bottle.

<a href="https://www.grapesthewineco.com/wines/Le-Petit-Mouton-de-Mouton-Rothschild-Pauillac-2020-w8840018d3">Le Petit Mouton de Mouton Rothschild &nbsp;2020</a> - $335

3. Echo de Lynch-Bages, Pauillac, Bordeaux, France

Another Pauillac gem, Echo de Lynch-Bages, is the second wine of Ch&acirc;teau Lynch-Bages. This rich and complex wine is made from a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc, and has been praised for its refined tannins and flavors of blackberry, cassis, and cedar. The 2014 vintage, with its 91-point score from Wine Enthusiast, can be found for around $65 per bottle.

<a href="https://www.grapesthewineco.com/wines/Chateau-Lynch-Bages-Echo-de-Lynch-Bages-Pauillac-2019-w6428939kd">Echo de Lynch-Bages 2019</a> - $58.99

4. Les Hauts de Smith Blanc, Pessac-L&eacute;ognan, Bordeaux, France

Les Hauts de Smith Blanc is the second white wine of Ch&acirc;teau Smith Haut Lafitte, a top estate in the Pessac-L&eacute;ognan appellation of Bordeaux. This wine is a blend of Sauvignon Blanc and S&eacute;millon, creating a refreshing and vibrant wine with notes of lemon, white peach, and a hint of minerality. The 2017 vintage received a score of 91 from Wine Enthusiast and can be purchased for around $40 per bottle.

<a href="https://www.plummarket.com/store/2019-chateau-smith-haut-lafitte-les-hauts-de-smith-blanc-pessac-leognan.html">Les Hauts de Smith Blanc 2019</a> - $38.99

5. La Dame de Montrose, Saint-Est&egrave;phe, Bordeaux, France

La Dame de Montrose is the second wine of Ch&acirc;teau Montrose, a historic and renowned producer in the Saint-Est&egrave;phe appellation of Bordeaux. Made from a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc, this wine offers a balance of power and finesse, with flavors of blackcurrant, plum, and savory spices. The 2015 vintage, with its 93-point rating from James Suckling, can be found for around $60 per bottle.

<a href="https://www.grapesthewineco.com/wines/La-Dame-de-Montrose-St-Estephe-2019-w24071707e">La Dame de Montrose 2019</a> - $52.99

6. Les Forts de Latour, Pauillac, Bordeaux, France

Les Forts de Latour is the second wine of the iconic Ch&acirc;teau Latour, one of Bordeaux&#39;s five First Growth estates. This wine is only produced in exceptional years, and it delivers the same level of quality and complexity as its first wine at a fraction of the price. The 2010 vintage, with its opulent flavors of blackberry, tobacco, and graphite, received a perfect 100-point score from Wine Enthusiast and can be purchased for around $500 per bottle.

7. Le Serre Nuove dell&#39;Ornellaia, Bolgheri, Tuscany, Italy

Le Serre Nuove dell&#39;Ornellaia is the second wine of Tenuta dell&#39;Ornellaia, one of Italy&#39;s most esteemed wineries in the Bolgheri region of Tuscany. Made from a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot, this wine offers a glimpse into the excellence and elegance of the estate&#39;s flagship wine, Ornellaia. The 2016 vintage, with its intense flavors of black cherry, plum, and spices, received a score of 94 from wine critic James Suckling and can be found for around $80 per bottle.

<a href="https://www.wine.com/product/ornellaia-le-serre-nuove-2020/1050279">Le Serre Nuove dell&#39;Ornellaia 2020</a> - $69.99

8. La Pignan, Ch&acirc;teauneuf-du-Pape, Rh&ocirc;ne, France

La Pignan is the second wine of Domaine de Marcoux, one of the top producers in the renowned Ch&acirc;teauneuf-du-Pape appellation of the Rh&ocirc;ne Valley. Made from a blend of Grenache, Mourv&egrave;dre, Syrah, and Cinsault, this wine offers a velvety texture and complex flavors of blackberry, cherry, and garrigue herbs. The 2016 vintage, with its impressive score of 96 from Wine Spectator. Very hard to find but a gem if you can.

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Second wines offer an excellent alternative for wine lovers to experience the quality and style of top wineries without breaking the bank. As your local wine shops or restaurant sommeliers to help guide you. These wines showcase the versatility and expertise of winemakers in producing high-quality wines at various price points. Whether you are a seasoned wine connoisseur or a curious beginner, trying a second wine can be a great way to explore new styles and regions while still enjoying exceptional quality.

We recently got a request from one of our community members asking about second wines, so we pulled together an article to explain second wines and share some great bottles. These are all great wines and are significantly more in reach price wise.

Second Wines Primer and Bottle Guide for affordable options

Wines from grapes grown in higher altitude areas with cooler climate has become quite the trend recently. This specific growing environment gives intense flavor but elegance and freshness to the final wines. To highlight and champion these conditions more and more winemakers are starting to use alto as a marketing and labelling term to show their grapes were grown in high altitude vineyards.

Decoding the wine label: Alto

Brut is a word often seen on labels for different kinds of sparkling wine. As you may have discovered when drinking these wines, it indicates that the wine is dry, meaning there is no perceived sweetness in the wine. But how about Extra Brut or Dry, what do they mean and are they the same as Brut?

Decoding the wine label: Brut

Semi-sweet Riesling, a type of wine falling out of style. It’s a shame, since these wines are perfect to pair with flavorful cuisines like Asian or Mexican, or simply drink as they come under the summer sun. The higher level of sugar left in the wine also means that the alcoholic fermentation was stopped before finishing, providing a wine with lower alcohol level and therefor easier grabbing a second glass of.

Decoding the wine label: Spätlese

Have you ever heard the word Xinomavro? Most have not. It is however a word on many sommeliers’ lips today, as it happens to be considered the grape variety with the highest quality in Greece, and one that is trending at the moment. The fact that Greece have been making wine for a long time comes as no surprise, but they have never exported an amount to make sure wine lovers around the globe tried it. With the growing wine tourism many have discovered these wines and are serving them in wine bars and restaurants in many countries today.

Decoding the wine label: Xinomavro

Chianti Classico, Valpolicella Classico, Soave Classico… Why do all these Italian wine regions have the Classico addendum and what does it mean? What is the difference for wines labeled as Classico?

Classico is a wine term in Italy seen on a few wine labels and it indicates that the wine’s from the historic center of the region, the heart. Using Chianti and Chianti Classico and their Sangiovese-based red wines as an example, Chianti is a rather large wine district within the Tuscany region. Chianti Classico is located withing Chianti as the central part and the one that originally existed. Back then this smaller region was actually called Chianti, but as the region grew the quality of the wine plummeted and the well-known characteristics of these red wines were watered down. The reputation took a hit and sales diminished. Eventually this led to the creation of Chianti Classico, which would be drawn from the original Chianti borders to recover the typicity of these wines. Today the quality of both Chianti and Chianti Classico have risen a lot due to modern techniques and knowledge about pruning, planting and temperature control in the winery.

Decoding the wine label: Classico

In the rarefied world of fine wine, where bottles can command prices equivalent to luxury cars, authenticity is everything. Laurent Ponsot's gripping memoir "FBI: Fake Bottle Investigation" reads more like a high-stakes thriller than a traditional wine book, chronicling his relentless pursuit of one of the wine world's most infamous counterfeiters, Rudy Kurniawan.

From Burgundy's Vineyards to the FBI's Most Wanted: A Winemaker's Quest for Justice

Chablis – one of the more popular styles of wine today and a region known by many. Most are familiar with the word Chablis and the light, fresh white wine with a touch of minerality it brings. Even though it’s a renowned wine, few knows what it really is.

Decoding the wine label: Chablis

Many grape varieties around the world of wine have names local to the region or country they’re grown in, even though they’re exactly the same. The most famous example would be Syrah in France where the same grape is named Shiraz in Australia. Another variety with two names is Pinot Grigio, or Pinot Gris.

Decoding the wine label: Pinot Grigio

Have you ever seen the term sur lie on a wine label? It’s not a grape and not a wine region, but a winemaking method used to give certain styles of white wine a rounder texture and a more complex flavor profile.

Decoding the wine label: Sur lie

Primo - Rockland

Michaela Quinlan, certified sommelier, and Robert Tas visit Primo in Rockland, Maine.

Wine List Review of Primo in Rockland, Maine

Michaela Quinlan

Primo

Primo:

RT: Hello and welcome to CorkRules!&nbsp;

A podcast where, in each episode,&nbsp;we will review a wine list from your favorite restaurants. I&rsquo;m your host Robert Tas along with Michaela Quinlan, certified sommelier. Hello Michaela,&nbsp;it&rsquo;s great to be back together for another episode.

MQ: Hi Robert!

RT: Before we jump in, let&rsquo;s talk about CorkRules.

We created CorkRules to demystify wine lists because we know from experience, that sometimes when we get that list handed to us, well&hellip; it can be intimidating, and even a little daunting.

Our aim is to help prepare you to navigate that list, find those hidden gems, or value wines or that special bottle that will take your dining experience over the top.

RT:&nbsp;So, sit back and listen as we review your favorite wine list.

RT: Today we are talking about Primo in Rockland, Maine. Primo describes themselves as a &ldquo;full circle kitchen&rdquo; as they manage their own greenhouses, pigs, and hens. Truly a fresh and ever-changing menu.

Michaela, I can&rsquo;t wait to hear what do you think of their wine list?

MQ: Primo features an exciting selection of Old World and New World wines, along with half bottles, and magnums. A standout selection to pair with their beautifully fresh menu.

RT: That&rsquo;s really great, as you looked at the list did you see anything jump out at you?

MQ: A region that jumped out at me right away was the 2020 Chateau de Segries from Tavel. Tavel is located in the Southern Rhone Valley of France and is known to produce top Rose. This highly rated, organic, full-bodied rose consists of Grenache, Cinsault, and Syrah, and features aromas and flavors of ripe cherries, raspberries, licorice, with a mineral finish. This is a beautiful pairing with cheese, light fish, and herbed proteins.

RT: That is for sure unique. Did you find any others that caught your eye right away?

MQ: A white wine that caught my eye was the 2019 Skouras Salto Moschofilero Wild Yeast from Greece. The Moschofilero grape is floral, medium bodied, and is fermented with wild yeast, resulting in a creamy finish. Notes of white flowers, citrus, pear, and melon, along with bright acidity make this wine an excellent companion to lightly sauced or herbed proteins.

RT: So Michaela, their list seems to have lots of range but was there anything that you would say is a &ldquo;must-try&rdquo;?

MQ: A must try to pair with any herbed dish would be the organic and biodynamic, 2014 Clau de Nell, Grolleau from the Loire Valley. The Grolleau grape is light to medium bodied showcasing ripe black cherries, blackberries, herbs and earthy notes. Consider this classic and savory wine.

RT: These are some great calls. So, you know I&rsquo;m getting thirsty and will need to order a bottle with my dinner, where would you guide us?

MQ: Another stand out to consider would be the 2017 Pablo Bea &ldquo;Pipparello&rdquo; Riserva from Montefalco in Umbria, Italy. Also, organic and biodynamic, this red blend of Sangiovese, Montepulciano, and Sagrantino, features black cherries, cassis, mulled spices, with round tannins on the smooth, lingering finish. Another companion to fresh herbs and rich proteins.

RT: Ooh, Terrific. Michaela, speaking of price, sometimes people have a budget in mind.&nbsp;Any other great value wines you&rsquo;d point us to?&nbsp;

MQ: A stellar quality and value wine to consider would be the 2021 Rallo Ciello Catarratto from Sicily. The Catarratto grape is similar to Sauvignon Blanc with aromas and flavors of grapefruit, citrus, minerality, bright acidity, but slightly fuller-bodied with the Italian classic almond finish. Enjoy this wine as an aperitif or with shellfish.

RT: That sounds great. What is your other value selection?

MQ: Another favorite quality and value region to consider would be the 2019 Chateau de Montmirail from the Vacqueyras located in the Southern Rhone Valley of France. This stand out red consists of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvedre is full-bodied with ripe black cherries, white pepper, sage, minerality, and a soft finish. Another complement to richly sauced fish or smoked proteins.

RT: Now Michaela, what if I have a big client dinner or special occasion where I want to take it up a notch?

MQ: A truly perfect wine to pair with any special event would be the 2017 Ridge Monte Bello Cabernet Sauvignon of the Santa Cruz Mountains of California. While Ridge wines are always highly rated, the 2017 vintage received 100 points from Jeb Dunnuck. With a touch of Merlot, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Franc, this incredible wine showcases ripe blackberries, cassis, licorice, minerality, pine, and notes of cocoa. It is rich, full bodied, and fragrant, with firm, round tannins from the historic single vineyard of Monte Bello. A standout wine to add to any special occasion.

RT: Michaela Thank you so much for all your great suggestions and helping us navigate Primo&rsquo;s wine list. I can&rsquo;t wait to go try them myself. &nbsp;To our audience, thank you all for joining us here on CorkRules.

If you would like us to review one of your favorite restaurants, please send us email to: <a href="mailto:Info@corkrules.Com">Info@CorkRules.Com</a> or visit our web website where we have a request form available and we will do our best to get it in the queue as quickly as possible. We are looking forward to being with you on another CorkRules episode soon. In the meantime, please check out our website for other episodes of your favorite restaurant wine lists.&nbsp;

And finally, drink what you love and please make sure you drink responsibly.

Thank you.

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End

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