Neat Thoughts About Food, Wine, Travel & More
I felt fortunate to sample this outstanding Pinot Noir at a local wine tasting last week. Just everything I love about this varietal: Beautiful purple in the glass, noseful of cherries and rich yet bright flavors of ripe cherries, raspberries and wild strawberries.
This fruit forward French Pinot Noir is silky, elegant and just super.
Pairings: Roasted turkey, grilled chicken or duck and pork.
Style: Red
Grape Type(s): Pinot Noir
Region: Burgundy, France
Around $45.
I had the pleasure of sampling this outstanding Riesling from Alsace at a recent wine tasting. The vines from which the grapes for this wine are gathered are over 50 years old and 100% hand-picked.
The nose is pungent with citrus and floral notes. The bold flavors are of peach, pear and nectarine with a super combination of richness and freshness. The long finish offers hints of licorice and a little smokiness.
Just a very enjoyable wine that could benefit from some cellaring.
Pairings: Buttered lobster, bouillabaisse, blue cheese dishes, Thai food.
Style: White
Grape Type(s): Riesling
Region: Alsace, France
Around $40.
The pale yellow color of this French Burgundy is deceiving. On the nose, it shows bright lemony and freshly cut grass aromas. In the mouth, it’s bright and crisp with Meyer lemon and Asian pear flavors.
Pairings: Salmon tartare, sauteed white-flesh fish, white pizza.
Style: White
Grape Type(s): Chardonnay
Region: Burgundy, France
Around $19
Laurent Miquel produces Viognier exclusively and from sipping this affordable little number, I’d say he knows what he’s doing.
On the nose, it’s hugely fragrant with lots of intense floral notes jumping out of the glass. In the mouth, it continues on the floral path with ripe pear and peach flavors.
Pairings: Raw oysters or clams. Bouillabaisse. Pork chops.
Style: White
Grape Type(s): Viognier
Region: Languedoc-Roussillon, France
Around $12
Domaine Pascal Cotat
The pale green color of this wine in the glass is a little deceiving to what this rich wine tastes like. On the nose, it’s an explosion of tropical fruit. In the mouth, it’s opulent with juicy grapefruit, lime and papaya. Nice mineral levels that complement the lushness of this Sancerre. This wine has a 14.5% alcohol level and can improve with some cellaring.
Style: White
Grape Type(s): Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Loire Valley, France
Around $50
Vibrant purple in the glass (like it already). There’s a little smoke on the intense ripe fruit nose (like it even more). On the palate, it’s a mouthful of cherries with a medium body that offers a long sweet finish (love it).
Style: Red Wine
Grape Type(s): Pinot Noir
Region: Burgundy, France
Around $25
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