Tasting Notes Cave de Lugny Cremant de Bourgogne Blanc de Blancs

December 13, 2023 By

Friends brought this lovely, well-priced, crisp Crémant de Bourgogne to our home for a wine-filled weekend and we really enjoyed it as one of the afternoon sippers with munchies.

For fans of Cava and Prosecco, Crémant de Bourgogne is a great option, at a similar price point. I enjoy the warm biscuit and lemony flavors, typical of Chardonnay, this Crémant showcased. Lovely acidity also. Nice find for under $25.

In the glass: Pale straw yellow

Aromas (nose): Ripe pear and Meyer lemon aromas with baked bread notes.

Flavors (palate): Juicy green apply with citrus and nutty notes.

Texture/finish: Creamy mouthfeel, fine mousse with a medium finish

Pairings: Seafood, fish, grilled chicken

Wine type: Sparkling wine

Grape: Chardonnay

Region: Burgundy, France

Cost: $25

Adding the Cave de Lugny Cremant de Bourgogne Blanc de Blancs to my repertoire.

Cheers, Veronique

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

2022 Stellenrust Heritage Collection Chenin Blanc

November 4, 2023 By

I don’t drink a lot of South Africa wines but I should!

Very crisp and fruit forward. This 2022 Stellenrust Heritage Collection Bush Vine Chenin Blanc was perfect with scallops and risotto.

2022 Stellenrust Heritage Collection Bush Vine Chenin Blanc

Adding the 2022 Stellenrust Heritage Collection Bush Vine Chenin Blanc to my repertoire.


👃Citus and ripe peach
👄 Medium body, bright, great minerality, rich pear and nectarine flavors, bit Meyer lemon tart on the finish
💲17.99
📍Stellenbosch, South Africa

Very food friendly and also lovely as a porch sipper!

Cheers, Veronique

Filed Under: Chenin Blanc, South Africa, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , ,
3 August 2023 2021 Bodega Martin Codax Albarino

2021 Bodega Martin Codax Albarino

August 3, 2023 By

I’ve been a huge fan of Martin Codax wines for 15+ years. Love Albarino for its food friendliness, big flavors, great minerality and fantastic value.

This 2021 Bodega Martin Codax Albarino was great paired with seafood for on a warm Sunday evening.
👃Citus and ripe melon
👄 Medium body, bright, great minerality, citrus, touch of oak
💲14.99
📍Rias Baixas, Spain

Buy a case of this for the summer, it’s ideal!

Cheers, Veronique

Filed Under: Albarino, Spain, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , ,
25 July 2023 2021 Il Pino Pinot Grigio Tasting Notes

2021 Il Pino Pinot Grigio Tasting Notes

July 25, 2023 By

I don’t typically go in this direction for white wine, but on a hot summer day, this 2021 Il Pino Pinot Grigio at a $15 price point did the trick.

Classic Pinot Grigio – light, clean, crisp with refreshing citrus notes.

👃Light, faint lemony aromas
👄 Citrusy/grassy palate
👅 Dry, crisp with nice acidity

Nice Summer porch sipper.

Cheers, Veronique

Filed Under: Italy, Pinot Grigio, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , ,
15 August 2022 2020 Famille Gueguen Chablis Celine & Frederic

2020 Famille Gueguen Chablis Celine & Frederic

August 15, 2022 By

Earlier in the season, I bought several of these food friendly Chablis in anticipation of warmer weather. This 2020 Chablis is great to have on hand for outdoor sipping and served as an aperitif.

This affordable French wine would be perfect paired with oysters on the half shell then with lighter fish or summer salads.

Look/in the glass: Medium yellow

Nose/aroma: Floral, citrus rind

Palate/taste: Juicy pear/Fiji apple

Texture/finish: Medium-light body, fresh, crisp, great acidity, long finish

Pairing: Grilled/sautéed fish or chicken, pasta with light sauce, seafood, caprese salad

Wine type: White wine

Grape: Chardonnay

Origin: Chablis, Burgundy, France

Price: $27

Cheers, Veronique

Filed Under: Chardonnay, France, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , ,
23 March 2022 2020 Winzer Krems Kremser Sandgrube Gruner Veltliner

2020 Winzer Krems Kremser Sandgrube Gruner Veltliner

March 23, 2022 By

Gruner Veltliner wines are great food friendly wines that are also a good option served as an aperitif on their own. In anticipation of warmer weather, I bought several of these inexpensive wines by several producers to have on hand for outdoor sipping.

I paired this Austrian wine with oysters on the half shell then with pan seared cod and it was a great match for both.

Look/in the glass: Medium yellow

Nose/aroma: Peach and juicy apple

Palate/taste: Apple, sweet citrus, pear, little sweetness

Texture/finish: Medium body, bit of effervescence, crisp, great acidity and minerality, medium finish

Pairing: Grilled/sautéed fish or chicken, pasta with light sauce, seafood, Asian/Mexican foods with a little spice

Wine type: White wine

Grape: Gruner Veltliner

Origin: Kremstal, Austria

Price: $15

Enjoy these Gruner Veltliner wines this summer.

Cheers,Veronique

Filed Under: Austria, Gruner Veltliner, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , ,
19 January 2022 2006 Daniel Etienne Defaix Chablis Premier Cru

2006 Daniel Etienne Defaix Chablis Premier Cru

January 19, 2022 By

About Château de Faix and Daniel-Etienne Defaix

Daniel-Etienne Defaix is a 14th generation winemaker whose ancestors were vignerons in the 16th century at the Château de Faix, near Chablis. Etienne-Paul Defaix installed the family as vignerons in Chablis during the eighteenth century. Daniel-Etienne Defaix is excelling at continuing his family’s winemaking tradition. Daniel-Etienne Defaix only releases his wines after they’ve gone through several years of aging in the bottle. This vintage was released after 14 years of bottle aging!

About the 2006 Daniel-Etienne Defaix Chablis Premier Cru Côte de Léchet

I purchased this gem at Amanti Vino in Morristown, NJ, a wonderful wine shop where the owner curates the area’s best and most interesting wines. We enjoyed it with Greek food and it was a great pairing.

Fresh and crisp for its age with great minerality. A very nice Chablis that’s drinking well now but could hold up a few more years. I need to get my hands on more of this white Burgundy.

Looks: Golden yellow in the glass

Smell: Floral, Asian pear with some nutty notes

Taste: Ripe/juicy honeycrisp apple, sweet Meyer lemon, fresh with a little crispness

Texture and Finish: Medium-bodied, great minerality, dry finish

Pairings: Grilled fish and seafood, light creamy pasta, sushi, poached chicken

Style: White Wine

Grape Type(s): Chardonnay

Region: Burgundy, France

Price: $55

Cheers,

Veronique

Filed Under: Chardonnay, France, White Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,
12 January 2022 Champagne Louis de Sacy NV Brut Originel

Champagne Louis de Sacy NV Brut Originel

January 12, 2022 By

I purchased this wonderful grower Champagne at my favorite wine shop, Amanti Vino, in Morristown, NJ. The owner always has special finds and small production bottling that one cannot find at other stores. If you’re a fan of quality, small producer wines, check out her website.

Creamy, refined, fresh and elegant wine with flavors of ripe pear and apple with a touch of citrus and great minerality.

Smell: floral and fruity (apple) with nutty and yeasty notes

Taste: juicy pear, sweet meyer lemon, ripe stone fruit and toasted bread

Texture and Finish: fine moussy bubbles, great minerality, long finish

Pairings: oysters, seafood, sushi, light cream sauced pasta, shellfish

Style: sparkling

Grape Type(s): 55% Pinot Noir, 30% Chardonnay, 15% Pinot Meunier

Region: Champagne, France

Price: $35

I need to order more of this well-made grower Champagne, a great bottle for $35.

Cheers, Veronique

Filed Under: Chardonnay, France, Pinot Noir, Sparkling Wine, White Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,
16 June 2021 2018 Gary Farrell Russian River Valley Chardonnay

2018 Gary Farrell Russian River Valley Chardonnay

June 16, 2021 By

This 2018 Chardonnay by Russian River Valley’s Gary Farrell Vineyards proves yet again that everyone should have an open mind about California Chardonnay. Unoaked Chardonnays lovers will enjoy this wine with its nice level of acidity and cripness while more traditional Cali Chard fans will appreciate a glass of this beauty with its touch of oak.

The nose is of juicy ripe lemon/pink grapefruit. Great balance between the Meyer lemon/lime flavors and the richer flavors of honey and juicy peach. Crisp and refreshing.

Simply a beautiful example of what this Russian River Valley pioneer and Winemaker Theresa Heredia produce together. Plus, so much value at this price.

Pairings: Brie or Camembert cheese, seafood like lobster or crab, cheesy quiche.

Style: White Wine

Grape Type(s): Chardonnay

Aging: 8 months in 30% new French oak

Region: Russian River Valley, CA, USA

Price: $35

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

Filed Under: Chardonnay, United States, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,

2017 Mooncrest Sauvignon Blanc

July 8, 2020 By

This 2017 Mooncrest Sauvignon Blanc is an affordable, light, fruity easy drinking porch sipper.

Looks: Pale yellow in the glass

Smell: Pink grapefruit, grassiness

Taste: Green apple, juicy pear, sweet citrus on the palate

Texture and Finish: Light, crisp, good acidity, dry finish

Pairings: Oysters on the half shell, grilled fish, aperitif on a warm day

Style: White Wine

Grape Type(s): Sauvignon Blanc

Region: Santa Clara Valley, CA, USA

Price: $14.99

Cheers,

Veronique

This wine was provided to me for sampling by https://wineinsiders.com/ and I am adding it to my repertoire as it’s enjoyable.

Filed Under: Sauvignon Blanc, United States, White Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , ,
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