11 February 2012 2009 Blufeld Riesling Medium Sweet

2009 Blufeld Riesling Medium Sweet

February 11, 2012 By

Did I have high expectations from a wine from an ornate bright blue bottle?  Not really.  Was I pleasantly surprised when I got a taste?  Yes.

This inexpensive German Riesling offers juicy ripe apple and floral notes on the nose that got me excited to take a first sip.  In the mouth, it’s moderately sweet with a mouthful of peach and a pleasant level of acidy to balance out the sweetness.

Pairings: Tuna sashimi, raw oysters, blackened shrimp or chicken.

Style: White

Grape Type(s): Riesling

Region: Mosel, Germany

Around $10

 

 

Filed Under: Germany, Riesling, White Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,
11 February 2012 2010 Laurent Miquel Nord Sud Viognier

2010 Laurent Miquel Nord Sud Viognier

February 11, 2012 By

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

 

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

5 Valentine’s Day Sparkling Wines under $25

February 10, 2012 By

Are you planning a romantic Valentine’s Day dinner at home or need a sparkling wine to bring to a local BYO?  Here are five sparkling wines under $25 to toast Valentine’s Day with:

Cheers,

Veronique

 

 

Filed Under: Other Neat Things, Sparkling Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , ,
8 February 2012 2008 Cliff Lede Cabernet Sauvignon Stags Leap District

2008 Cliff Lede Cabernet Sauvignon Stags Leap District

February 8, 2012 By

Beautifully-made Napa Cabernet.  Deep purple in the glass, this wine displays a deep berry, very fragrant nose in the glass.  In the mouth, it’s rich and well-balanced with plummy qualities and traces of coffee and cocoa.

Wish I could put a couple cases in my cellar to drink in 10 years.

Pairings:  Grilled beef. Cheese course.

Style: Red

Grape Type(s): Cabernet Sauvignon

Region: Napa Valley, California

Around $60

 

 

Filed Under: Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Wine, United States, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,
7 February 2012 2005 Quinta da Gaivosa Lordelo Tinto Douro

2005 Quinta da Gaivosa Lordelo Tinto Douro

February 7, 2012 By

One super wine.  It’s big and bold yet refined.  Made from 100 year-old vines, this wine tastes of jammy sweet red fruit with deep earthy flavors and fine tannins.

If you ever have the chance to sample this Portuguese wine from the Douro region, jump at it.

Pairings:  Grilled beef or lamb.  Pasta with red sauce.  Macaroni and cheese.

Style: Red

Grape Type(s): Touriga Nacional, Tinta Amarela, Sousao

Region: Douro, Portugal

Around $80

 

 

Filed Under: Portugal, Red Wine, Sousao, Tinta Amarela, Touriga Nacional, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , ,
3 February 2012 2009 Pascal Cotat Sancerre Les Monts Damnes

2009 Pascal Cotat Sancerre Les Monts Damnes

February 3, 2012 By

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

 

 

Filed Under: Dessert Wine, France, Sauvignon Blanc, White Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , ,
2 February 2012 2006 Wild Oak by St Francis Merlot

2006 Wild Oak by St Francis Merlot

February 2, 2012 By

Dark ruby in the glass, this Merlot offers a ripe cherry nose with some earthy notes.  In the mouth, it’s a combination of dark berries with some chocolate undertones.  The finish is uber dry and lovely.

This wine could really use some breathing time and decanting for a good 30 minutes to help open it up.

Nice Merlot, especially at this price point.

Style: Red

Grape Type(s): Merlot

Region: Sonoma, California

Around $20

 

 

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

Top 10 Wines Under $20 for 2011

December 18, 2011 By

I am fortunate to have sampled wines from many regions, varietals and styles this year.  While it is difficult to narrow down the list of affordable wines I have particularly enjoyed this year, here is a list, in no particular order.

Top 10 Wines Under $20 for 2011:

2008 Heron Hill Ingle Vineyard Pinot Noir ($20) – Finger Lakes, NY.

2009 M. Chapoutier Les Vignes de Bila Haut ($12) – Cotes du Roussillon, France.

2008 Joel Gott Cabernet Sauvignon 815 ($17) – Napa, California.

2009 Segal’s Fusion Dry Red Wine ($16) – Galilee Heights, Israel.

2006 Chateau d’Arcins Haut Médoc ($20) – Bordeaux, France.

2006 Campo Viejo Rioja Reserva ($10) – Rioja, Spain.

2009 Jagdschloss Spatburgunder Brut Rose ($15) – Rheingau, Germany.

2009 Semeli Mountain Sun Rose ($14) – Nemea, Greece.

2009 Red Newt Circle Riesling ($13) – Finger Lakes, NY.

2009 Nobilo Sauvignon Blanc ($11) – Marlborough, New Zealand.

Have you tried any of these affordable wines?  Please leave a comment with your thoughts about them.  Haven’t tried them yet?  Please do and let me know how you liked them!

Cheers,

Veronique

 

Filed Under: Other Neat Things, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , ,
16 December 2011 5 Sparkling Wines under $25

5 Sparkling Wines under $25

December 16, 2011 By

‘Tis the season to shop for bubbly and with all the options available at wine shops, it is difficult to make sense of it all.  Here are five sparkling wines under $25 to pop open during the holidays:

Cheers,

Veronique

 

 

Filed Under: Other Neat Things, Rose, Blush Wine, Sparkling Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , ,
16 December 2011 Nicolas Feuillatte Brut NV

Nicolas Feuillatte Brut NV

December 16, 2011 By

This is a very clean, light-to-medium style Champagne with green apple and nutty aromas.  In the mouth, it has honey and bread dough notes.  Nice bubbly at this price.

 

Style: Champagne / Sparkling Wine

Grape Type(s): Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay

Region: Reims, France

Around $25

Filed Under: Sparkling Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , ,
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