20 June 2013 2011 Ravines Dry Riesling

2011 Ravines Dry Riesling

June 20, 2013 By

2011 Ravines Dry RieslingI’m certain that if you’ve read me regularly, that you know what a fan of Ravines Wine Cellars and Finger Lakes Riesling I am. The 2011 Ravines Dry Riesling I poured over the weekend reminded me of why I love the wines from Ravines so much.

On the nose, there are lovely aromas of Asian pear and Meyer lemon. In the mouth, the lemon turns to lime and the pear to crisp apple flavors. The finish offers the perfect level of acidity and crispness.

It was delicious with the rich lobster I served at my 4th Annual Food & Wine Chickie Lobsterfest.

WS 90 points.

Pairings: Shellfish, seafood, grilled fish, spicy Asian food

Style: White wine

Grape Type(s): Riesling

Region: Finger Lakes, NY, USA

Price: $17

Filed Under: Riesling, United States, White Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , ,
18 June 2013 Super Value and Taste for Summer from Banrock Station Moscato

Super Value and Taste for Summer from Banrock Station Moscato

June 18, 2013 By

Banrock Pink MoscatoLast weekend, I hosted my 4th Annual Food and Wine Chickie Lobsterfest and was really pleased with the two wines I poured for an aperitif. Both were sipped along a variety of foods ranging from light to very rich and stood up nicely.

2012 Banrock Station Pink Moscato ($8), delicate pink in the glass with refreshing, lightly floral flavors. The small amount of fizziness and nice level of acidity balance out most of the sweetness.

2012 Banrock Station Moscato ($8), lightly citrusy on the nose, tropical fruit flavors and bright and refreshing finish.

Banrock MoscatoThese wines from Australia’s McLaren Vale region are affordable, approachable and delicious.

Cheers,

Veronique

These wines were provided to me for sampling and I’m adding to my repertoire as they’re truly enjoyable.

Filed Under: Australia, Muscat, Rose, Blush Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , ,
10 June 2013 2005 LAN Rioja Gran Reserva

2005 LAN Rioja Gran Reserva

June 10, 2013 By

2005 LAN Rioja Gran ReservaThis Spanish Rioja is inky black in the glass and offers aromas of ripe cherries with herby and a little funky notes. Chocolate-covered cherries and dark berry flavors on this great example of Rioja. It’s a little tannic and peppery on the finish.

Pairings: Grilled meats, spicy food, barbecue

Style: Red Wine

Grape Type(s): 85% Tempranillo, 10% Mazuelo and 5% Graciano

Region: Rioja, Spain

Price: $25

Filed Under: By Country, Red Wine, Rioja, Spain, Wine Reviews
10 June 2013 2010 Cakebread Cellars Zinfandel Red Hills Lake County

2010 Cakebread Cellars Zinfandel Red Hills Lake County

June 10, 2013 By

2010 Cakebread Cellars ZinfandelI brought this California Zinfandel to a camping trip to pair with my World’s Easiest Baby Back Ribs and it was a nice pairing.

It’s deep purple in the glass with stone fruit and mocha aromas. For those of you who love huge fruit bombs, this is likely not the Zin for you. It’s medium-bodied with cherry and chocolaty flavors and a velvety mouth feel.

Pairings: Grilled meats, spicy food, barbecue

Style: Red Wine

Grape Type(s): 94% Zinfandel, 6% Petite Sirah

Region: Lake County, CA, USA

Price: $30

Filed Under: Petite Syrah, Red Wine, United States, Wine Reviews, Zinfandel Tagged With: , ,
5 June 2013 2007 Echeverria Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc

2007 Echeverria Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc

June 5, 2013 By

2007 Echeverria Late Harvest Sauvignon BlancThis dessert wine is strikingly golden in the glass and offers ripe, juicy peach aromas. There’s a rich, coating mouthfeel, honey and fig jam flavors and a nice level of acidity on the finish of this little beauty.

The 2007 Echeverria Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc held up nicely to the caramel panna cotta but it was paired with at a recent dinner I attended.

Pairings: Cheese course, stone fruit or caramel desserts

Style: Sweet / Dessert Wine

Grape Type(s): Sauvignon Blanc

Region: Curico Valley, Chile

Price: $19.99 (375ml)

Filed Under: Chile, Dessert Wine, Sauvignon Blanc, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , ,
30 May 2013 2010 Selbach Oster Riesling Kabinett

2010 Selbach Oster Riesling Kabinett

May 30, 2013 By

WinesPerhaps it’s because we’ve vacationed in Mosel and visited and stayed at an inn that poured Selbach-Oster, but I just enjoy these wines tremendously.

I uncorked this German Riesling at a recent lobster dinner in Canada and it was a super pairing. On the nose it’s floral with wet stone aromas. Although a Kabinett, which tend to be slightly sweet, this wine is drier than I expected (for which I was grateful) with green apple tartness and peach lusciousness flavors. The finish is crisp on this well-balanced Mosel Riesling.

Pairings: Shellfish, seafood, grilled fish, spicy Asian food

Style: White wine

Grape Type(s): Riesling

Region: Mosel, Germany

Price: $23

Filed Under: Germany, Riesling, White Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , ,
22 May 2013 2009 Marquis de Chasse Sauternes

2009 Marquis de Chasse Sauternes

May 22, 2013 By

SauternesGolden 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)

Filed Under: France, Muscadelle, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , ,
14 May 2013 2010 Albert Mann Cremant D’Alsace

2010 Albert Mann Cremant D’Alsace

May 14, 2013 By

2010 Albert Mann Cremant D'AlsaceWarmer 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

Filed Under: By Country, France, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Riesling, White Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , ,
12 May 2013 2009 Villa Puccini Toscana

2009 Villa Puccini Toscana

May 12, 2013 By

2009 Villa Puccini Toscana$10 Sangiovese that’s actually good – yes, it’s possible. Medium-bodied Italian wine with a great plum nose. Fruit-forward, rich flavors. Super table wine.

Pairings: Pasta with red sauce, macaroni and cheese, roasts

Style: Red Wine

Grape Type(s): 90% Sangiovese and 10% Merlot

Region: Tuscany, Italy

Price: $10

Filed Under: Italy, Merlot, Red Wine, Sangiovese, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , ,
10 May 2013 2000 Seavey Vineyard Caravina Cabernet Sauvignon

2000 Seavey Vineyard Caravina Cabernet Sauvignon

May 10, 2013 By

2000 Caravina Napa ValleyI uncorked this wine that had been in my cellar the other and simply loved it. This Bordeaux-style wine offers earthy and stone-fruit aromas and a well-balanced, plummy-in-the-mouth Cabernet Sauvignon with all the finesse and elegance a California Cab should have.

Pairings: Grilled meats, pasta with Bolognese sauce, mild blue cheese

Style: Red Wine

Grape Type(s): Cabernet Sauvignon

Region: Napa Valley, CA, USA

Price: $65

Filed Under: Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Wine, United States, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , ,
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