Codorniu Brut Rose

Spring is here which is the prefect time to start drinking those beautiful roses! Codorniu is the world's oldest and second-largest producer of bottle-fermented sparkling wine, known as cava, made by the traditional champagne method and it was founded in Catalonia, Spain in 1551. The Codorniu Brut Rose is made from 100% Pinot Noir grape grown in the Catalonia region of Spain. Catalonia is located in the southeastern portion of the country surrounding Barcelona. This sparkling wine is made from the traditional method with the secondary fermentation occurring in the bottle.  

The Codorniu Brut Rose is a pale pink color.  On the nose are aromas of bright red cherry, raspberry, banana peel, banana runt candy, wet stone minerality, sweet orange blossom, fresh strawberry, and white stone.  On the palate are notes of ruby red grapefruit, sweet orange, ripe mango, banana peel, dried cherry, unripe raspberry, fresh lavender, and minerality for days! This wine was a VERY pleasant surprise and one that I hope you all will enjoy throughout the upcoming spring months.

Louis Guntrum Dry Riesling

Louis Guntrum Dry Riesling 

Louis Guntrum Dy Riesling

The most northern winemaking regions of Germany straddle the 50^th parallel making it among the world’s coolest vineyards.  Riesling makes up twenty percent of Germany’s grape plantings.  Rieslings vary in flavor from dry to very sweet.  The level of sweetness is determined by the residual sugar that is left in the grapes after harvest.  Later harvests produce more sugar while earlier harvests produce less.  The levels of sweetness are known as the Pradikat levels which are (driest to sweetness) Kabinett, Spatlese, Auslese, Beerenauslese, Trockenbeerenauslese, and Eiswein. The Louis Guntrum Dry Riesling is sealed with a crew top and has an alcohol level of 12 percentage. 

The Louis Guntrum Riesling is a star bright pale yellow color.  On the nose are hints of tart peach, nectarine, peach blossom, steely minerality, petroleum, apricot blossom, ripe apricot, tart pineapple, and diesel fuel.  On the palate are notes of ruby red grapefruit, key lime, meyer lemon, honey, pear, sweet orange, ginger, minerality, tart peach, and white flower.  This wine finishes with screaming acidity! Can you feel it in your cheeks?

In general, dry Rieslings pair best with:

• Roasted or slow cooked duck, pork, goose, and chicken
• Roasted vegetables with a natural sweetness such as red onion, bell pepper, carrot, squash, and eggplant
• Cheese of gouda, goat, gruyere, asiago, port salut, and mild cheddar
• Exotic and flavorful cuisines of Thai, Vietnamese, Chinese, Indian, and Southwestern

Crios Torrontes

Crios Torrontes

 

 

 

Crios Torrontes

The Crios Torrontes is produced by José Lovaglio, the son of Susan Balbo.  Susan Balbo has produced a wider variety of wines than any other winemaker in Argentina. Susana was also the first Argentine winemaker to be hired as a consultant to make wine outside of Argentina. The label Crios features a series of three connected and overlapping hands, an image that represents Susana and her children. Crios actually means offspring. This wine is produced from 100% Torrontes grape grown in Cafayate, Altamira, and La Rioja vineyards.  The Crios Torrontes is sealed with a screwtop and has a 13.9% alcohol level. 

 The Crios Torrontes is a pale green-tinged yellow color. On the nose are aromas of peach pit, white pear, peach flowers, sweet orange rind, pineapple, wet stone minerality, ripe nectarine, and sweet key lime pie.  On the palate ruby red grapefruit, Meyer lemon, wet river stone, orange rind, white flowers, honeysuckle, white pepper, unripe nectarine, and fresh peach. This wine finishes fruity and floral, but is dry. Overall, one of my absolutely favorite wines!

This wine is a wonderful partner with:

• smoked meats

• shellfish such as scallops, crab, and lobster

• cooking techniques that bring out the sweetness in foods such as caramelizing, smoking, and deep fat-frying

• all cheeses!

• traditional holiday fare such as goose, ham, turkey, duck, and sweet potatoes...yum

• polenta, baked squash, risotto, and roasted root vegetables

Valdinera Rose

Valdinera Nebbiolo Rose

 

Valdinera Nebbiolo Rose

Spring is here which is the prefect time to start drinking those beautiful roses! The Valdinera Rose is made from 100% Nebbiolo grape grown in the Langhe region of Piedmont, Italy.  Piedmont is located in the northwestern portion of the country and it is known for red wines made of Nebbiolo and Barbera.  This wine is sealed with a screw cap and has an alcohol level of 13.5%.

The Valdinera Rose is a pale pink color.  On the nose are aromas of bright red cherry, raspberry, banana peel, banana runt candy, wet stone minerality, sweet orange blossom, fresh strawberry, and white stone.  On the palate are notes of ruby red grapefruit, sweet orange, ripe mango, banana peel, dried cherry, unripe raspberry, fresh lavender, and minerality for days! This wine was a VERY pleasant surprise and one that I hope you all will enjoy throughout the upcoming spring months. 

Some great food pairing ideas for roses are:

• Seafood items of grilled tuna, fresh salmon, and shrimp with a creamy aioli

• Charcuterie such as salami, mortadella, prosciutto, and chorizo

• Cold salads or vegetables such as tuna nicoise, asparagus, and green beans

• Grilled cheese sandwiches made with rich, creamy cheese!

Saint Clair Vicar's Choice Pinot Noir

Saint Clair Vicar's Choice Pinot Noir

 

 

 

 

 

Saint Clair Vicar's Choice Pinot Noir

The Saint Clair Vicar's Choice Pinot Noir is produced in Marlborough, New Zealand with fruit sourced from the Wairau Plane including the Omaka and Waihopai Valleys.  The Saint Clair Family Estate is owned by Neal and Judy Ibbotson who are known as viticulture poineers in Marlborough since 1978.  The Saint Clair name originates from the vineyard property with was first settled by the SinClair family.  This wine has an alcohol level of 13.5% and is sealed with a screw top.

This Pinot Noir is a rich garnet color.  On the nose are elements of black currant, ripe red cherry, strawberry, thyme, rosemary, fresh flowers, fresh coffee, black pepper, lavender, and red licorice.  On the palate are notes of fresh black cherry, fresh earth, mild tobacco, minerality, cranberry, ripe raspberry,  dried leafs, saw dust, and fresh cut cedar.  The Saint Clair Pinot Noir is a fresh tasting Pinot that is almost too good to drink...almost. Enjoy!

O'reilly's Pinot Gris

O'Reilly's Pinot Gris

O'reilly's Pinot Gris

The O'reilly's Pinot Gris is produced by the Owen Roe Winery in Oregon.  Jerry Owen, on the the vineyard side, and David O’Reilly, who makes the wine, have formed Owen Roe with a simple purpose: to produce excellent wines from grapes grown and cultivated in the best vineyards in the Pacific Northwest.  These vineyards are in the Willamette, Mid-Columbia, Yakima, and Walla Walla valleys. Each vineyard is contracted by the acre, with strict controls on yields and vine development. The same high principles are found in the winery.  This particular wine is produced from the Columbia Valley vineyards. Pinot Gris is better known as the Pinot Grigio grape.  The O'reilly's Pinot Gris is sealed with a natural cork and has an alcohol level of 13.5%.

This wine has a golden color with green hues.  On the nose are hints of apple blossom, white flowers, honeydew melon, ripe apricot, fresh cut red apple, sweet orange, and fresh earth.  On the palate are flavors of canned apricot, red apple juice, mango, agave, overripe pear, wet stone minerality, lime zest, and green apple blossom.  The O'reilly's Pinot Gris finished crisp with well rounded fruit flavors.  The perfect Thanksgiving wine so enjoy!

Halloween Candy & Wine!

 

 

 

 

Halloween Candy and Wine?! What?! 

Here is a list of some of the more popular Halloween candies that will surely be floating around your house for the next couple of weeks and the wine that pairs well with them.  Don't believe me? Well, try it yourself!

• Snickers                                                         Tawny Port
• Reese's Peanut Butter Cup                        Pinot Noir
• Almond Joy                                                  Prosecco
• Hershey's                                                      Zinfandel
• Sweet Tarts                                                  Sauvignon Blanc
• Nerds                                                           Dry Riesling
• Twix                                                               Ice Wine