30 October 2019 2018 Bodegas Granbazan Etiqueta Verde Albarino

2018 Bodegas Granbazan Etiqueta Verde Albarino

October 30, 2019 By

I’m unsure why I don’t drink more Rias Baixas Albariño – it’s outstanding and an incredible value! The wines from that region are refreshing, delicious, showcase the big flavors I enjoy in white wines and are food-friendly to boot.

I enjoyed this 2018 Bodegas Granbazán Etiqua Verde Albariño wine at a tasting dinner where it was served as an aperitif to go with an amuse-bouche and was pleasantly-surprised it was less than $20.  

About Bodegas Granbazán

In the 1960s, Manuel Otero y Otero purchased land that had been planted with eucalyptus and cattle feed in the hopes of converting it to vineyards. In the 1980s, his son, Manuel Otero Candeira, built Granbazán, a chateau with a beautiful building amid a vineyard pergola-trained vines.

Granbazán was instrumental is elevating the quality of wine in Galicia and for raising the reputation of Rias Baixas white wines around the world.

Bodegas Granbazán is now owned by Pedro Martínez Hernández, of Rioja estate Bodegas BAIGORRI fame, who endeavors to set new quality standards through his investments in vineyards and cellar technology.

Etiqueta Verde (‘Green Label’) is the entry-level offering from Granbazán. The grapes are hand-harvested and de-stemmed before undergoing a cool pre-fermentation maceration which helps to lock in and amplify aromas and structure.

Looks: Pale straw yellow in the glass

Smell: Intense juicy pear and grapefruit on the nose with some grassiness

Taste: Ripe melon and apple on the palate

Texture and Finish: Medium to full-bodied, crisp acidity with a bit of salinity on the finish

Pairings: Seafood, fish, roast chicken, light creamy pasta

Style: White Wine

Grape Type(s): 100% Albariño

Region: Rías Baixas, Galicia, Spain

Price: $19

Cheers,

Veronique

Filed Under: Albarino, Spain Tagged With: , , , , ,
15 May 2019 Barbolini Lancillotto Lambrusco Grasparossa di Castelvetro NV

Barbolini Lancillotto Lambrusco Grasparossa di Castelvetro NV

May 15, 2019 By

Barbolini was an early pioneer of high quality Lambrusco in Emilia-Romagna. I was glad to find this wine at a local Italian restaurant to remind myself to go get a case for summer outdoor parties. For those not familiar with Lambrusco, it’s a red sparkling wine from Italy. It’s refreshing, super food-friendly and a perfect sipper on a warm summer day. And, this bottling is $14 – a complete bargain.

Looks: Foamy and purple in the glass

Smell: Black cherry, black raspberry with some earthy notes

Taste: Big mouthful of dark cherry

Texture and Finish: Bone dry, medium-bodied but light and fresh with great acidity and light tannins. Short finish

Pairings: Charcuterie plate, pizza, red sauced pasta

Style: Red Sparkling Wine

Grape Type(s): Grasparossa Lambrusco

Region: Emilia-Romagna, Italy

Price: $14

Cheers,

Veronique

Filed Under: Italy, Lambrusco, Red Wine, Sparkling Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , ,
1 May 2019 Discovering the San Marzano Wines of Puglia

Discovering the San Marzano Wines of Puglia

May 1, 2019 By

In the past, when I thought of San Marzano, I thought of ripe, juicy, flavor-packed tomatoes. Now, San Marzano Wines (http://www.sanmarzanowines.com/en) also come to mind.

No photo description available.
Photo by San Marzano Wines

San Marzano Wines is a prominent Puglian producer, creating wines with true to their regional characteristics. Situated in the Primitivo di Manduria DOP, San Marzano is a wine cooperative (cantine) that was established in 1962, when 19 vine growers from San Marzano di San Giuseppe— whose families had farmed the land for generations—joined forces to maximize their efforts. Today, San Marzano continues a philosophy of balancing longstanding traditions with modern techniques and has over 1,200 vine growers across more than 3,500 acres of vineyards.

San Marzano Wines are focused on highlighting the region’s traditional varieties, primarily Primitivo, Negroamaro and Malvasia Nera (plus some others). The cantine weaves tradition, passion and modern techniques to produce a range that highlights the character of each grape and the terroir.

2015 Anniversario 62 Primitivo di Manduria

The Anniversario 62 Primitivo di Manduria is 100% Primitivo, and its name celebrates the year that San Marzano was launched. This is a big boy and while nice now with some decanting, it shows the aging potential of this wine.

Looks: Intense ruby in the glass

Smell: Stone fruit, jammy cherries with notes of mocha

Taste: Black cherry jam, with notes of licorice and coffee

Texture and Finish: Full-bodied, rich tannins, dry long finish

Pairings: Beef/lamb/game (think Pappardelle with pork ragu)

Style: Red Wine

Grape Type(s): 100% Primitivo

Region: Puglia, Italy

Price: $33.99

2015 Il Pumo Negroamaro Salento IGP

Il Pumo Negroamaro Salento IGP is named after pumo clay pottery very popular in the region and the clay soils the wines in the Salento peninsula are grown in. This budget-friendly wine is great during the week, with takeout pizza or on its own.

Looks: Purple/red in the glass

Smell: Bright red berries with floral notes

Taste: Ripe red berries/fruit with some plum and a little spice on the finish

Texture and Finish: Medium-bodied, velvety texture, great acidity, medium finish

Pairings: Grilled red meat, pizza, antipasto, cheese plate

Style: Red Wine

Grape Type(s): 100% Negroamaro

Region: Puglia, Italy

Price: $8.99

Cheers,

Veronique

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

Filed Under: Italy, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , ,
27 March 2019 2017 Domaine Henry Pelle Menetou Salon Morogues

2017 Domaine Henry Pelle Menetou Salon Morogues

March 27, 2019 By

About Domaine Pellé

Domaine Pellé, the largest producer in the Menetou-Salon appellation, is in Morogues, a small village to the west of Sancerre. Domaine Pellé’s history only dates back to 1959, but records show the Pellé family was making wine in the Loire region long before that.

Vines grow over 40 hectares of limestone-clay soils very similar to those found in Sancerre. Two-thirds of the vines are Sauvignon Blanc and the rest is Pinot Noir. The estate practices sustainable methods in the vineyards and very gentle pressing of the grapes in the winery.

Wine Overview

I ordered this wine at a tapas restaurant where I knew I’d be eating a variety of seafood-based dishes – great pick! The wine is a nice example of Sauvignon Blanc from this region – bright, crisp with super acidity that’s ultra food-friendly.

It’s difficult to find Sancerre at this price point and the ones that are, just aren’t this good.

Looks: pale yellow in the glass

Smell: citrus (grapefruit and Meyer lemon), wet stone, melon

Taste: grapefruit, lime, melon and a little grassiness and salinity on the finish

Texture and Finish: light and fresh with a tiny bit of creaminess on the finish

Pairings: cheeses (Brie, Feta, goat), oysters, seafood, sushi

Style: white Wine

Grape Type(s): 100% Sauvignon Blanc

Region: Loire Valley, France

Price: $19

Cheers,

Veronique

Filed Under: France, Sauvignon Blanc, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,
13 March 2019 2017 Martin Codax Albarino

2017 Martin Codax Albarino

March 13, 2019 By

I used to drink a lot of Rias Baixas Albariño and loved it…not really sure why I ever stopped – it’s delicious, refreshing, food-friendly and inexpensive! I enjoyed this wine at a sea side seafood restaurant on a recent vacation and promised myself I’d go back to it after returning to the USA.

Martin Codax was one of most important Galician men of the middle ages. Bodegas Martin Codax was founded in 1986 and has grown into one of the most respected wineries in Galicia’s Rías Baixas region.

Looks: Bright straw yellow in the glass

Smell: Intense citrus on the nose with herbaceousness

Taste: Ripe apple and juicy apricot/peach

Texture and Finish: Medium to full-bodied, little spritz on the finish

Pairings: Seafood, fish, roast chicken, light creamy pasta

Style: White Wine

Grape Type(s): 100% Albariño

Region: Rías Baixas, Galicia, Spain

Price: $12

Cheers,

Veronique

Filed Under: Albarino, Spain, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,
6 March 2019 2013 Penfolds Koonunga Hill Chardonnay

2013 Penfolds Koonunga Hill Chardonnay

March 6, 2019 By

I was at a beach side resort looking through the casual restaurant’s wine list and saw this wine that I hadn’t had in a while so decided to order it, although I’m not typically a Chardonnay fan…unless it’s old and French! It was just lovely on a warm night and not a buttery/oaky bomb, which is always appreciated. Best part – it’s $12 retail back in the USA!

Penfolds is one of the most well-known wine producers in Australian and helped set the landscape of fine Australian wine. It makes wines of all price points, both red and white.

Looks: Straw yellow in the glass

Smell: Pineapple and citrus

Taste: Ripe apple, peach, pear, pineapple and a little lime on the finish

Texture and Finish: Medium-bodied, creamy texture, nice level of acidity

Pairings: Seafood, fish, roast chicken, light creamy pasta

Style: White Wine

Grape Type(s): 100% Chardonnay

Region: South Australia

Price: $12

Cheers,

Veronique

Filed Under: Australia, Chardonnay, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , ,
30 January 2019 2017 Gulp Hablo Garnacha

2017 Gulp Hablo Garnacha

January 30, 2019 By

I’m a fan of visiting boutique wine shops where professional advice leads to finding bottles that are gems. This is the case when I visit Amanti Vino in Morristown or Montclair, NJ (https://www.amantivino.com). Proprietor Sharon Sevrens has made recommendations over the years on bottles I wouldn’t have otherwise tried, always with great results. This time, she pointed me in the direction of this value-priced Grenache from Castilla La Mancha, Spain that was fantastic!   

This is a fun, bright, mouth-watering, juicy Grenache from Spain that’s perfect for Tuesday pizza night or outdoor BBQs. Won’t break the bank at around $12 but it drinks much better than bottles in that price range I’ve had of late. This wine is made by natural-wine star winemaker Juan-Antonio Ponce and is certified biodynamic.

Comes in a one liter bottle.

Looks: bright red in the glass

Smell: Bright red berries with notes of violets

Taste: Tart red berries/fruit with a bit of earthiness

Texture and Finish: Light-bodied, great acidity

Pairings: Beef/lamb tacos, pizza, antipasto, charcuterie plate

Style: Red Wine

Grape Type(s): 100% Grenache

Region: Castilla La Mancha, Spain

Price: $12

Cheers,

Veronique

Filed Under: Grenache, Red Wine, Spain, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,

2013 Alba Vineyard Cabernet Franc Heritage

January 23, 2019 By

About Alba Vineyard

Alba Vineyard (www.albavineyard.com) is a 93-acre estate nestled in the rolling hills of Warren County, on the north side of the Musconetcong river valley, a tributary of the Delaware River. Alba is a part of the Warren Hills AVA and is situated in the central New Jersey town of Milford.

I’ve written about Alba Vineyard and its beautiful winery and tasting room in prior articles. The place is magical and I highly-recommend a visit, in the summer for the gorgeous courtyard where one can enjoy a bottle while listening to music and munching on food prepared by local restaurants, or in the colder months for a sampling of the wines in the warm and cozy tasting room.

Looks: Inky purple-red in the glass

Smell: Dark fruit with some smoky notes

Taste: Rich flavors of dark raspberries with some vanilla and mocha notes

Texture and Finish: Full-bodied, silky mouth-feel, medium finish

Pairings: Beef, lamb, venison, rich tomato sauce-based dishes

Style: Red Wine

Grape Type(s): 100% Cabernet Franc

Region: Warren County, NJ, USA

Price: $40

Cheers,

Veronique

Filed Under: Cabernet Franc, United States, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , ,

2014 Dirty & Rowdy Shake Ridge Ranch Mourvedre

January 16, 2019 By

About Dirty & Rowdy

The Dirty (Hardy and Kate Wallace) and Rowdy (Matt and Amy Richardson) families came together for a simple purpose – make wines that they actually want to drink. In 2010, they did just that when they formed a small family partnership based in Sonoma, Dirty & Rowdy Family Winery (www.dirtyandrowdy.com), that sources fruit from the highest quality northern California sites.

2014 Dirty & Rowdy Shake Ridge Ranch Mourvèdre

We had the pleasure of meeting Hardy Wallace at a tasting in NYC a few years back, and after hearing the winery’s story and tasting the amazing wines, we became wine club members and have been taking advantage of our yearly allocation ever since.

Amadour County is situated southeast of Sacramento in the Sierra Foothills. This is where the highly acclaimed Shake Ridge Ranch Vineyard is located, around 2,000 feet above sea level. Planted in 2003 with additional vines added in 2009, Shake Ridge Ranch has been organic since 2013.

Looks: Bright purple-red in the glass

Smell: Dark fruit with some spiced notes

Taste: Rich flavors of raspberries/cherries with some licorice and leather notes

Texture and Finish: Medium-bodied, lighter mouth-feel than I expected, silky tannins, good minerality on the finish

Pairings: Beef, lamb, venison

Style: Red Wine

Grape Type(s): 100% Mourvèdre

Region: Amador County, CA, USA

Price: $45

I won’t promise that finding the 2014 Dirty & Rowdy Shake Ridge Ranch Mourvèdre will be an easy feat, this has been in my cellar since I bought it as part of my allocation and less than 300 cases were produced, BUT, it’s a beauty if you can locate a few bottles.

Cheers,

Veronique

Filed Under: Mourvedre, United States, Wine Reviews Tagged With: ,
9 January 2019 2015 Cristom Mt. Jefferson Cuvée Pinot Noir

2015 Cristom Mt. Jefferson Cuvée Pinot Noir

January 9, 2019 By

I know this 2015 Cristom Mt. Jefferson Cuvée Pinot Noir was a baby, but I still opted to uncork it on New Year’s Eve to pair with some of the meats served at my fondue party. While it could have used some additional time in the bottle, the wine was lovely, much like the 2014 vintage was.

Cristom Vineyards (www.cristomvineyards.com) began 25 years ago as a collaboration between an engineer and a biochemist who each had a deep-rooted respect for the land, the natural winemaking process, and Pinot Noir.

Today, second-generation winegrower and owner Tom Gerrie leads winemaker Steve Doerner and the tenured viticulture team in tending the Estate vineyards, and producing elegant, dynamic wines, recognizable by Cristom’s hallmark style of whole-cluster fermentation by native yeasts.

The Mt. Jefferson Cuvée is Cristom’s flagship Pinot Noir, a blend of the Cristom estate Pinot Noir along with exceptional fruit sourced from neighboring vineyards in the Willamette Valley.

The 2015 vintage is similar to the 2014 vintage and will be remembered as a warm year that produced extremely high-quality fruit of great intensity.2015 will likely be considered among the better vintages in Willamette Valley winegrowing history.

Looks: Bright red in the glass

Smell: Big, ripe raspberry aromas with chocolate notes

Taste: Rich flavors of raspberries/cherries with some licorice notes

Texture and Finish: Rich silky texture. Medium-bodied, some tannins on the finish with great acidity

Pairings: Poultry, salmon, mushroom-based dishes

Style: Red Wine

Grape Type(s): 100% Pinot Noir

Region: Willamette Valley, OR, USA

Price: $29.99

Filed Under: Pinot Noir, United States, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , ,
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