11 February 2014 10 Valentine’s Day Sparkling Wines Under $50

10 Valentine’s Day Sparkling Wines Under $50

February 11, 2014 By

specials-valentines4Valentine’s Day is this week, yes guys and gals, and for those looking for an intimate night in, that might mean rushing to the wine store for some bubbly. Here are 10 affordable sparkling wines to toast the year’s most romantic night with.

La Marca Di Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco (Trevisio, Italy) – light, crisp and offers a pleasant dry finish that’s citrusy and fresh ($12).

Pierre Sparr Crémant D’Alsace Brut Rosé (Alsace, France) – features rich strawberries-and-cream with a hint of citrus flavors ($15).

Roederer Estate Anderson Valley Brut (Anderson Valley, California) – rich and slightly oaky sparkling wine with light Asian apple aromas but with bolder flavors of ripe, juicy pear and nutty notes. Great clean, crisp finish ($22).

Schramsberg Mirabelle Brut Rosé (Napa Valley, California) – pale pink in the glass with a light strawberry aroma, juicy fruit flavors and a slightly spicy finish ($25).

Nicolas Feuillatte Brut NV (Reims, France) – very clean, light-to-medium style ($25).

2012 Heart and Hands Wine Company Brut Rosé (Finger Lakes, NY) – this dry sparkling Pinot Noir offers wild strawberry and citrusy notes with creamy bubbles ($27).

Heidsieck & Co Monopole Blue Top Champagne Brut (Epernay, France) – creamy, mousse-like with tiny bubbles that coat the mouth and provide a dry, long finish ($40).

Bollinger Special Cuvée (Champagne, France) – creamy, rich, well-balanced, with citrus, toasted almonds and rich pear flavors ($40).

Domaine Carneros Cuvée de la Pompadour NV (Napa Valley, CA) – wine by French Champagne house Taittinger, this rosé offers ripe strawberry flavor with a nice level of acidity ($42).

Perrier-Jouët Grand Brut (Epernay, France) – understated elegance and subtle flavors ($45).

Cheers,

Veronique

Filed Under: Other Neat Things, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , ,
8 February 2014 2012 Les Vignobles Gueissard Bandol Rosé

2012 Les Vignobles Gueissard Bandol Rosé

February 8, 2014 By

2012 Les Vignobles Gueissard Bandol RoséI’m always excited when I find a Bandol rosé on a by the glass at a restaurant. This affordable wine is full-bodied yet delicate with a beautiful light salmon color. The aromas of fresh fruit laced with a little citrus are intoxicating and it took me a bit to pull my nose out of the glass for a first sip. The beautiful fruit continues on the palate with hints of white flowers. Nice balance and acidity.

I need to buy a case of this for the summer as it’s perfect for sipping before dinner and is also very food-friendly.

Pairings: Chicken, fish, light pork dishes and served as an aperitif.

Style: Rosé Wine

Grape Type(s): 35% Mourvedre, 40% Cinsault, 20% Grenache, 5% Carignan

Region: Bandol, Provence, France

Price: $18

Filed Under: France, Mourvedre, Rose, Blush Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , ,
6 February 2014 Virtual Tasting – Southern Hemisphere Wines

Virtual Tasting – Southern Hemisphere Wines

February 6, 2014 By

South Hemisphere WinesLast night, I participated in a #WineChat event on Twitter. The featured wines were from the southern hemisphere, specifically New Zealand, Australia and Argentina. The three white wines were described as “Summer Sippers”.

I’ve explained the idea of virtual wine tastings in previous posts but for those of you who are new to virtual wine tastings, this is what the story is:

  • Get a bottle of the wine varietal or brand being featured.
  • Invite friends to share the wine and experience with you (or snuggle in your pajamas in front of the computer if you prefer).
  • Sip and share your thoughts about the wine(s) with other tasters around the world using the designated hashtag on Twitter and/or Facebook!

Here are my tasting notes from the three featured wines – Brancott Estate Flight Song Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand, Graffigna Pinot Grigio from Argentina and Jacob’s Creek Reserve Riesling from Australia:

2012 Graffigna Centenario Pinot Grigio

Light in color with a hint of green. This is a light, easy drinking, sipping wine with a floral nose and a bright, fresh citrus palate. As the wine warmed up a bit, it developed tropical fruit flavors that I enjoyed.

Pairings: Delicate fish, seafood, served as an aperitif

Grape Type(s): Pinot Grigio

Region: Tulum Valley, Argentina

Price: $11

2013 Brancott Estate Flight Song Sauvignon Blanc

For fans of cool label marketing, this is a winner. The bottle is just so pretty. This is the ultimate light wine, nearly clear in color in the bottle. There are light lemony and grassy aromas and ripe Meyer lemon flavors that finish on a zippy, zesty citrus note. At 88 calories per pour at 9% alcohol – bridal shower-ready wine.

Pairings: Serve as an aperitif or with a light salad

Grape Type(s): Sauvignon blanc

Region: Marlborough, New Zealand

Price: $15

2012 Jacob’s Creek Reserve Adelaide Hills Chardonnay

Pale greenish in the glass with a citrusy, light caramel nose. Big fruit, little jammy plum, nice minerality with a little oak. This isn’t your buttery oak bomb. I tend to like this lightly oaked style. Could be interesting with some cellaring.

Pairings: Spicy dishes (Thai, Indian, Mexican), pork  

Grape Type(s): Chardonnay

Region: Adelaide Hills, Australia

Price: $15

These three bottles were sent to me as samples and are being added to my repertoire.

Cheers,

Veronique

Filed Under: Argentina, Australia, Chardonnay, Food & Wine Events, New Zealand, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, White Wine Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,
29 January 2014 2012 Brancott Estate Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

2012 Brancott Estate Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

January 29, 2014 By

2012 Brancott Estate Marlborough Sauvignon BlancI’ve enjoyed Brancott Estate Sauvignon Blanc on lots of occasions as it’s such an easy-drinking, food-friendly white that most people like. It’s a perfect wine to have on hand for dinner parties as the price point is just right at around $13 and it pairs well with many lighter dishes or as an aperitif.

The aromas that pop out of the glass scream “Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc” – ripe tropical fruit with zesty citrus. I served this wine with slightly spicy crawfish etoufee and the Asian pear, Meyer lemon and grassy flavors came through with a bit of sweetness to cut through the spice.

Pairings: Seafood, fish and served as an aperitif.

Style: White Wine

Grape Type(s): Sauvignon Blanc

Region: Marlborough, New Zealand

Price: $13

 

This wine was provided to me for sampling and I am adding it to my repertoire as it’s truly enjoyable.

Filed Under: New Zealand, Sauvignon Blanc, White Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,
13 January 2014 2010 Miguel Torres Salmos

2010 Miguel Torres Salmos

January 13, 2014 By

2010 Salmos TorresDeep inky red in the glass, the 2010 Salmos Torres isn’t for the faint of palate. There are big chocolaty, dark fruit and pumpkin pie spice aromas that had me clamoring for the first sip. The wine is rich, smooth with light tannins. The dark fruit with light vanilla is present and endures through the long finish.

Pairings: Grilled or roasted meats, aged cheeses.

Style: Red Wine

Grape Type(s): 50% Cariñena, 30% Red Grenache and 20% Syrah

Region: Catalunya, Spain

Price: $35

Filed Under: Carinena, Grenache, Red Wine, Spain, Syrah / Shiraz, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , ,
9 January 2014 2012 Graffigna Centenario Elevation Red Blend

2012 Graffigna Centenario Elevation Red Blend

January 9, 2014 By

2012 Graffigna Centenario Elevation Red BlendYes, this is a $10 wine. No, it shouldn’t be disregarded based on cost as it drinks well beyond its price.

In the glass, it’s inky and really handsome. The grapes in this blend complement each other so well with jammy stone fruit flavors mixing with dark berry and cherry ones. This wine screams for food and I served it with a pork crown roast which was a great pairing. Slightly tannic on the finish with ripe, dark fruit that lingers on the palate.

Pairings: Grilled meat, tomato sauce-based dishes, roast pork or poultry.

Style: Red Wine

Grape Type(s): 20% Bonarda, 20% Cabernet Saugivnon, 20% Malbec, 20% Syrah, 20% Tannat

Region: Tulum Valley, Argentina

Price: $10

This wine was provided to me for sampling and I am adding it to my repertoire as it’s truly enjoyable.

Filed Under: Argentina, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Red Wine, Syrah / Shiraz, Tannat, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , ,
6 January 2014 2012 Jacob’s Creek Red Blend

2012 Jacob’s Creek Red Blend

January 6, 2014 By

 

2012 Jacob’s Creek Red BlendThe 2012 Jacob’s Creek Red Blend is deep garnet in the glass and offers dark berry, cherry, chocolate flavors with a little oak and smokiness. Not heavily tannic which makes it a good option to enjoy at any time and for no special occasion at all. We poured this bottle with our Sunday gravy and it held up nicely…especially at under $10.

Pairings: Grilled meat, tomato sauce-based dishes, pizza.

Style: Red Wine

Grape Type(s): 66% Shiraz, 18% Cabernet, 12% Grenache and 4% Petit Verdot

Region: South Eastern, Australia

Price: $6

This wine was provided to me for sampling and I am adding it to my repertoire as it’s truly enjoyable.

Filed Under: Australia, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Petit Verdot, Red Wine, Syrah / Shiraz, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , ,

2011 Herdade do Esporão Monte Velho White

January 2, 2014 By

2011 Herdade do Esporao Monte Velho WhitePortuguese winery Herdade do Esporão is likely the best-known in the Alentejo wine region. Its white wines are affordable, available and delicious.

The 2011 Herdade do Esporão Monte Velho White is medium straw color in the glass and offers fruity, juicy citrus aromas and ripe apricot and Meyer lemon flavors. Zippy acidity and minerality.

Pairings: Seafood, fish and served as an aperitif.

Style: White Wine

Grape Type(s): 35% Antao Vaz, 35% Roupeiro and 30% Perrum

Region: Alentejo, Portugal

Price: $10

This wine was provided to me for sampling and I am adding it to my repertoire as it’s truly enjoyable.

Filed Under: Antao Vaz, Perrum, Portugal, Roupeiro, White Wine Tagged With: , , ,
27 December 2013 10 New Year’s Eve Sparkling Wines Under $50

10 New Year’s Eve Sparkling Wines Under $50

December 27, 2013 By

ChampagneThe USA, Italy, Spain, Australia, New Zealand and many other countries produce tasty sparkling wines that differ widely in term of style, price and production method. Here are ten solid options that are easily accessible for your New Year’s Eve celebrations.

Sparkling Wines under $50

  1. La Marca Di Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco (Trevisio, Italy) – light, crisp and offers a pleasant dry finish that’s citrusy and fresh ($12).
  2. 2012 Heart and Hands Wine Company Brut Rosé (Finger Lakes, NY) – this dry sparkling Pinot Noir offers wild strawberry and citrusy notes with creamy bubbles ($27).
  3. Roederer Estate Anderson Valley Brut (Anderson Valley, CA) – flavors of ripe pear with nutty notes ($22).
  4. Schramsberg Mirabelle Brut Rosé (Napa Valley, CA) – nice yeasty aromas and juicy fruit flavors ($25).
  5. Nicolas Feuillatte Brut NV (Reims, France) – very clean, light-to-medium style ($25).
  6. Pierre Sparr Crémant D’Alsace Brut Rosé (Alsace, France) – features rich strawberries-and-cream with a hint of citrus flavors ($15).
  7. Heidsieck & Co Monopole Blue Top Champagne Brut (Epernay, France) – creamy, mousse-like with tiny bubbles that coat the mouth and provide a dry, long finish ($40).
  8. Bollinger Special Cuvée (Champagne, France) – creamy, rich, well-balanced, with citrus, toasted almonds and rich pear flavors ($40).
  9. Domaine Carneros Cuvée de la Pompadour NV (Napa Valley, CA) – wine by French Champagne house Taittinger, this rosé offers ripe strawberry flavor with a nice level of acidity ($42).
  10. Perrier-Jouët Grand Brut (Epernay, France) – understated elegance and subtle flavors ($45).

Happy New Year!

Veronique

Filed Under: Other Neat Things, Sparkling Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , ,
13 December 2013 2010 Bruno Colin Premier Cru Chassagne Montrachet La Boudriotte

2010 Bruno Colin Premier Cru Chassagne Montrachet La Boudriotte

December 13, 2013 By

2010 Bruno ColinThis 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

Filed Under: Chardonnay, France, White Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , ,
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