Nif Bağları Aegean Beyaz
The Nif Bağları Aegean beyaz is not a new wine from Nif. They’ve been producing the Aegean series for several years now with white, rosé, and red blends. Always palatable in the past but nothing to get overly excited about. Then last year, Nif changed its blend. Whereas in the past the wine blended Viognier and Narince, for 2020, the winery added Solaris. My humble opinion, a much nicer blend!
Nif has not abandoned the idea of a Viognier – Narince blend though. Rather, they’ve elevated it to the eponymous Nif Serisi level. But there will be more about that another time!
Nif Bağları Aegean Beyaz, 2020
Unfortunately, I do not have the exact blend details beyond Viognier – Narince – Solaris. My guess would be that there’s some malolactic fermentation on at least the first two grapes and possibly a few short months of lees ageing.
A cool, deep lemon in the glass, the wine announced its aromatic presence before I could even swirl it. Ripe pear and rich tropical-melon fruit complimented by splashes of pink grapefruit and a bouquet of white flowers and fresh mint sprang from the glass. On the palate, more citrusy than the nose with dashes of grated lime zest and juice. Overall less rich and intense than the nose would want you to believe but still with all those fruit and floral flavors. A touch of weight from the Viognier and Narince nicely balanced by a kiss of citrusy acidity.
Very quaffable! Easily pairable with so many things really but a great summer wine to enjoy on its own if you want. I paired it with a cheese board where it did very well with semi-hard goat cheeses, sesame peanuts, and golden raisins. It also did well against a walnut rosemary pear baklava that I’d made.
If you’re interested in Nif wines, you can also read my reviews of their Solaris and Viognier (no longer a “Private Collection” label) by following the links!