Think Outside the Grape: A Look at the Wines of Mary Taylor

Anjou Blanc 2022 is a classic 'bistro wine' that you might imagine sharing on an evening in Paris paired with a goat-cheese salad or fish in cream sauce.

By Gina Trippi

Mary Taylor is the rare female in the wine industry who does it all. She is an importer and serves as a negociant buying grapes, juice or wines from growers directly, then producing her own wines.

While Mary is passionate about Old World wine, she knows the labels can be confusing, so she decided to do something about it. Mary told Decanter magazine:

“People are really confused in the U.S. between place and grape, so I want them to easily identify my brand and let that guide them to try a number of wines they wouldn’t normally pick off a shelf.” Mary looks for “a true sense of place.” For Mary, this means local farmers who protect tradition and don’t bend to trends.

In addition to her entry level priced wines that explore “place,” her line of sparkling wines from around the world, Mary is also building women-run wine distribution companies with partners.

To women, she says “stand firm, take serious initiative, defend other women, live loudly and know that there is no time for perfectionism.”

At Metro Wines, we have nine wines from Mary Taylor. Let’s take a look at three favorites.

Bobal 2020

Finca El Molar is in the wine-making region of Manchuela. This high-altitude region is situated between two rivers and boasts a very sunny and dry climate while the area wind refreshes the night during ripeness.

All Finca El Molar wines are certified organic. 100% Bobal from 45-year-old vines grown in limestone and loam soil. Intense red color, smooth body, red fruit aroma, fresh, and well-balanced tannins. Fermented in stainless steel. Only 12.5% ALC.

Anjou Blanc 2022

When the property was sold to the local Cardinal in 1576, he put up an old Latin sign that translates to “Here by conscience and wisdom all things are conducted.”

This wine blends the fresh acidity of the “Anjou Blanc’s” limestone with the flinty, richness of the estate’s classic style offering a beautiful presentation of Anjou with honeyed notes of apricot giving way to a tangy mineral finish.

A classic “bistro wine” that you might imagine sharing on an evening in Paris paired with a goat-cheese salad or fish in cream sauce. Just don’t serve it too cold, according to Mary, to avoid masking its full depth and aromatic complexity.

Frizzante Veneto

Citrus, Asian pear, Acacia honey, jasmine and a touch of sea salt grace the nose and palate with this charming frizzante. Lovely and fresh, the ‘frizzante’ element of the wine expresses itself as a light spritz in the glass.

Pair this wine with ravioli and sea scallops, herbed mushrooms, tomato and basil salad and, especially, holiday Italian desserts such as almond cookies and cannelloni.

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