Neat Thoughts About Food, Wine, Travel & More
This medium-bodied Cote de Beaune Chardonnay offers a very pretty floral nose with Asian pear notes. In the glass, the 2010 Bruno Colin Premier Cru Chassagne Montrachet La Boudriotte shows big fruit with nutty, lightly oaky undertones and a nice level of acidity on the finish. Just a lovely white Burgundy.
Pairings: Roast chicken, seafood, white fish
Style: White wine
Grape Type(s): Chardonnay
Region: Burgundy, France
Around $65
The medium-bodied Rosé is crafted from hand-harvested grapes. It’s salmon in color and just pretty to look at. What’s in the bottle isn’t too shabby either.
This French Rosé has an intense floral nose with a bit of strawberry. It has incredible peaches and juicy, ripe cantaloupe flavors with bright acidity and a long pleasantly dry finish.
Can’t recall a better, more elegant Rosé.
Pairings: Just about anything would be great with this wine. Nice as an aperitif or paired with seafood, poultry, pork, etc….
Style: Rosé
Grape Type(s): 50% Mourvèdre, 28% Grenache, 20% Cinsault, 2% Carignan
Region: Provence, France
Price: $40
Bought this inexpensive Bordeaux in Quebec in anticipation of a couple dinner parties I was attending and thought it was a nice wine for the price point.
This inky-hued wine offers beautiful fruit and nutmeg undertones. Round from the Merlot with solid body and tannins from the Cabernet Sauvignon.
This is the same producer who makes Château Pape Clement Pessac Leognan Grand Cru priced at over $350.
Pairings: Poultry, pork chops, grilled beef.
Style: Red wine
Grape Type(s): 75% Merlot, 22% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Malbec, 1% Cabernet Franc
Region: Bordeaux, France
Around $13
It’s hot and muggy outside and for many, including me, the weather calls for light, refreshing white wines. While I’ve poured my share of Assyrtiko, Sauvignon Blanc and Albarino this summer, I’m now craving reds that pair well with burgers, ribs and steaks.
15 Red Wines to Uncork at Summer Barbecues:
Wines for Burgers:
Wines for Ribs:
Wines for Steaks:
What are some of your affordable reds?
Cheers,
Veronique
Golden in the glass, the 2009 Marquis de Chasse Sauternes offers typical aromas of honey and dry apricot. In the mouth, it’s rich with ripe pear and honey flavors with a little nutmeg notes on the finish. Sweet yet well-balanced – very pleasant for such a young Sauternes.
Pairings: Cheese course, foie gras, most desserts
Style: White wine
Grape Type(s): Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Muscadelle
Region: Bordeaux, France
Price: $24 (500ml)
Warmer weather’s among us and for me, that calls for bubbles. If you like French Champagne but not the cash outlay, try Cremant D’Alsace. This Alsatian wine offers bright aromas of juicy pear and lemon zest and crisp apple flavors. Simply a super bubbly with tons of creamy, moussy bubbles great for any occasion.
Pairings: Fish, seafood, pasta with light creamy sauce, or as an aperitif
Style: Sparkling wine
Grape Type(s): Pinot Blanc, Auxerrois, Pinot Gris and Riesling
Region: Alsace, France
Price: $20
I love Riesling. Sweet, semi-dry, dry – it doesn’t matter, I enjoy it all. While I’m partial to German and Finger Lakes Riesling, there’s no denying that the Alsatians do it very well also.
Pale yellow in the glass, this Alsatian Riesling offers aromas of apple and pear. In the mouth, it’s not sweet at all and has Asian pear and floral flavors. Enjoyable dry finish.
Pairings: Shellfish, especially lobster
Style: White Wine
Grape Type(s): Riesling
Region: Alsace, France
Price: $20
This wine was provided to me for sampling and I am adding to my repertoire as it is truly enjoyable.
Love the slightly greenish color of this Alsatian wine. Also love the very floral aromas if offers. The 2009 Trimbach Pinot Blanc is rich with flavors of peach and ripe lemons. This French Pinot Blanc makes me crave seafood.
Pairings: Fish, seafood, especially seared scallops
Style: White Wine
Grape Type(s): Pinot Blanc
Region: Alsace, France
Price: $16
This wine was provided to me for sampling and I am adding to my repertoire as it is truly enjoyable.
In the glass, this Crémant D’Alsace is bright pink. It looks like it’ll have a strawberry aroma and indeed does. The strawberry carries over in the mouth, but it’s laced with citrus and a little clove. The bubbles / texture is creamy and silky. Nice level of acidity and a clean, dry finish.
This Pierre Sparr Crémant D’Alsace Brut Rosé will please cocktail party wine drinkers and more serious wine fans.
Pairings: Use as an aperitif at a cocktail party with or without food. Seafood in light sauces, poached chicken.
Style: Sparkling Wine
Grape Type(s): Pinot Noir
Region: Alsace, France
Price: $15
I had the good fortune to be a guest at a wine dinner where a friend brought this wine. What a great pairing to the pork belly dish I had.
In the glass, this Bandol is deep purple and leggy. Had a hard time pulling myself away from sniffing this blackberry, earthy and mushroomy-scented wine to taste it. This Mourvedre blend is big, meaty and dense. In the mouth, it’s all about the dark fruit, licorice, spruce and earth. I only detected a little of the funk associated with this appellation. Big wintertime wine that could benefit from seeing the decanter.
Pairings: Game, roasted beef or lamb.
Style: Red Wine
Grape Type(s): Mourvedre Blend
Region: Bandol, Provence, France
Price: $32
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