22 April 2015 2012 Salinia Twenty Five Reasons Petillant Naturel

2012 Salinia Twenty Five Reasons Petillant Naturel

April 22, 2015 By

Salinia Twenty Five ReasonsThe 2012 Salinia, Twenty Five Reasons is a skin-fermented petillant Sauvignon Blanc. For those not familiar with “petillant” is a sparkling wine that contains only half the pressure of champagne.

In the glass, this natural wine is nearly cloudy with fine bubbles. On the nose, it’s light with citrusy and yeasty notes. On the palate, it’s Meyer lemons and a touch of a just slightly sweet fruit, maybe pear. The finish is dry with good balance of acidity and minerality.

Only 420 bottles of this vintage were produced and, as of most wines with cult-like followers, sold out before the labels were printed.

About the name: “In each bottle there are 25 ounces, each ounce, a reason to be passionate”. I’ll buy that. 

Pairings: Lightly-prepared fish or seafood. Perfect as an aperitif.

Style: Sparkling Wine

Grape Type(s): Sauvignon Blanc

Region: Sonoma, CA, USA

Price: $22

Filed Under: Sauvignon Blanc, Sparkling Wine, United States, Wine Reviews Tagged With: ,
21 March 2014 Venegazzu Montelvini Asolo Prosecco Extra Dry DOCG

Venegazzu Montelvini Asolo Prosecco Extra Dry DOCG

March 21, 2014 By

Venegazzu Montelvini Asolo ProseccoThe wine is intensely yellow in the glass with light floral and apple aromas. Tiny bubbles for a creamy mouthfeel. The wine is clean and fresh with the apple carrying on to the palate with just a bit of honey.

I served this as an aperitif initially but it held up nicely to Prosciutto and mango starter.   

Pairings: Fish, shellfish, sushi/sashimi.

Style: Sparkling Wine

Grape Type(s): Prosecco

Region: Veneto, Italy

Price: $15

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

Filed Under: Italy, Sparkling Wine, White Wine, Wine Reviews 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: , , ,
23 October 2013 Famiglia Pasqua Wine Tasting

Famiglia Pasqua Wine Tasting

October 23, 2013 By

WinesI recently attended a wine pairing dinner at Millie’s Old World Meatballs & Pizza and had an opportunity to sample Famiglia Pasqua wines provided by recently opened Cambridge Wines of Morristown.

Here are my tasting notes:

  • Famiglia Pasqua Prosecco DOC ($10) – extra dry sparkler with lively fruity flavors.
  • 2012 Famiglia Pasqua Pinot Grigio ($10) – light, dry white with hints of floral and citrus notes.
  • 2012 Famiglia Pasqua Sangiovese ($8) – full-bodied with bright fruit from its young age.
  • 2010 Famiglia Pasqua Passimento ($13) – baby Amarone with fruit-forward, spiced nose and round, silky texture from 40% Merlot.

Cheers,

Veronique

Filed Under: By Country, Italy, Merlot, Pinot Grigio, Sangiovese, Sparkling Wine, White Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , ,
14 February 2013 Pierre Sparr Crémant D’Alsace Brut Rosé

Pierre Sparr Crémant D’Alsace Brut Rosé

February 14, 2013 By

Pierre Sparr Crémant D'Alsace Brut RoséIn the glass, this Crémant D’Alsace is bright pink. It looks like it’ll have a strawberry aroma and indeed does. The strawberry carries over in the mouth, but it’s laced with citrus and a little clove. The bubbles / texture is creamy and silky. Nice level of acidity and a clean, dry finish.

This Pierre Sparr Crémant D’Alsace Brut Rosé will please cocktail party wine drinkers and more serious wine fans.

Pairings: Use as an aperitif at a cocktail party with or without food. Seafood in light sauces, poached chicken.

Style: Sparkling Wine

Grape Type(s): Pinot Noir

Region: Alsace, France

Price: $15

Filed Under: France, Pinot Noir, Red Wine, Rose, Blush Wine, Sparkling Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , ,
27 October 2012 Bollinger Special Cuvee

Bollinger Special Cuvee

October 27, 2012 By

Bought two bottles of this Champagne last weekend and loved the first one. I popped the second one last night’s for #champagneday, a virtual tasting of all things Champagne.

This Champagne is golden in the glass with tons of tiny bubbles. On the nose, the Bollinger Special Cuvee offers Asian apple and buttered toast notes. In the mouth, it is creamy, rich, well-balanced with a great level of acidity. There are notes of Meyer lemon, ripe pear and toasted almonds. Very nice Champagne showing better than many at twice that price.

93 points Wine Spectator.

Pairings:  Smoked salmon, caviar, poached chicken, lobster, risotto.

Style: Champagne / Sparkling Wine

Grape Type(s): 60% Pinot Noir, 25% Chardonnay, 15% Pinot Meunier.

Region: Champagne, France

Price: $55

Filed Under: France, Sparkling Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: ,
20 July 2012 Pasqua Treviso Extra Dry Prosecco

Pasqua Treviso Extra Dry Prosecco

July 20, 2012 By

This is just one of those affordable sparkling wines that is great as an aperitif and also paired with food.

This Prosecco is golden in the glass with tons of tiny bubbles.  On the nose, it offers big fruity aromas and in the mouth it’s creamy, foamy with bubbles with a very dry, pleasant finish.

Pairings:  Bubbly pairs well with many things ranging from a cheese and cold cut platter to lobster to beef tenderloin to dessert.

Style: Sparkling

Grape Type(s): Prosecco

Region: Veneto, Italy

Around $10

 

Filed Under: Italy, Sparkling Wine Tagged With: , , ,
2 June 2012 Louis Roederer Brut Premier NV

Louis Roederer Brut Premier NV

June 2, 2012 By

I got this bottle to pop open at my mom’s 65th birthday celebration.  What could be more festive than Champagne on a milestone birthday?

On the nose, this French Champagne offers apple, vanilla, yeasty aromas.  In the mouth, this wine is creamy with a big mouthful of tiny bubbles.  The finish is buttery and a little smoky.  Just delicious and way better than other Champagnes at this price point.

Pairings:  Lobster, fish, foie gras.

Style: Champagne

Grape Type(s): 40% Pinot Noir, 20% Pinot Meunier and 40% Chardonnay

Region: Reims / Champagne, France

Around $40

 

Filed Under: France, Sparkling Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , ,
27 April 2012 Spruce – A Divine Food Experience in San Francisco

Spruce – A Divine Food Experience in San Francisco

April 27, 2012 By

Spruce, located in the posh Presidio Heights neighborhood, is an elegant yet comfortable restaurant where locals and food and wine enthusiasts meet to unwind and savor spot-on meals accompanied with interesting wines.

At Spruce, Chef Mark Sullivan features seasonal menus showcasing the freshest organic produce, naturally-raised meats and line-caught fish.  His fabulous food is paired with wines selected by Andrew Green to complete the outstanding gastronomic experience.

Some of the enticing starters at Spruce are the Heritage Pork Consommé ($14) – Swiss chard, Hamada cherries and smoked lardo, the White Bean Caramelle ($17) – haricot vert, speck with a mustard emulsion and the Hudson Valley Foie Gras ($23) – Vadouvan waffle, pear jelly and pistachio.

Making an entrée selection is beyond difficult considering the tempting options.  Slow Roasted Beef Short Rib ($31) – red wine farotto, erbette chard, young carrots and horseradish velouté, the Grilled Kona Kanpachi ($35) – preserved garden vegetables, clams, rice and Satsuma vinaigrette and the Charred Berkshire Pork Tenderloin ($30) – crispy pork belly with shelling beans.  Although of the highest quality, the Kanpachi was closer to an appetizer portion.  The Berkshire pork with its decadent pork belly counterpart and the short rib with the faro “risotto” were both stellar.

The wine list reads like a novel and features a good balance of affordable, interesting wines and classic cult favorites.  There are over 30 wines by the glass options and an extensive half bottle selection perfect for pairing with several courses.  Our party opted for the Gonet Medeville Brut Tradition NV, 2009 Fillaboa Granja Albarino Rias Baixas, the 2009 Coltibuono Chianti Classico and finally the 2005 Chateau La Tour Blanche Sauternes to end the meal.

Desserts like the warm apple pie with stout caramel ($10), the beignets with chocolate sauce and crème Anglaise and the Meyer lemon curd cake ($10) sound tantalizing, but with the exquisite dessert wine and port list, the artisanal cheese selection ($16) seems like an idyllic fit.

Spruce won’t disappoint food and wine enthusiasts with the highest of expectations.  I look forward to returning.

3640 Sacramento Street, San Francisco, CA 94118 (415-931-5100).

Hours: Monday – Thursday: 11:30AM – 2:30PM, 5PM – 10PM.  Friday: 11:30AM – 2:30PM, 5PM – 11PM. Saturday: 5PM – 11PM.  Sunday: 5PM – 10PM.

 

Filed Under: Red Wine, Restaurant Reviews, Sparkling Wine, White Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,
26 April 2012 Gonet Medeville Brut Tradition NV

Gonet Medeville Brut Tradition NV

April 26, 2012 By

For fans of fuller-bodied sparkling wines (me, me, me), this is a super option.

There’s apple and pear on the nose.  This French champagne offers an earthiness and mouth-watering apple and peach flavors with hints of vanilla.  Long, dry and completely enjoyable finish.

Nicer than most champagnes at this price point.

90 Points Wine Spectator.

Pairings:  Lobster, ripe berries, cheese souffle.

Style: Sparkling

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

Region: Champagne, France

Around $40.

 

Filed Under: Chardonnay, France, Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir, Sparkling Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , ,
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