Neat Thoughts About Food, Wine, Travel & More
I enjoyed this wine at San Francisco’s Spruce restaurant, which I highly recommend, and absolutely loved it.
On the nose, this Spanish wine is perfumed with sweet green apple and light lemony notes. In the mouth, this affordable Albarino is crisp and dry with lime zest and more green apple flavors. The finish is long with a great level of acidity.
Pairings: Pork belly, blackened chicken, grilled salmon.
Style: White
Grape Type(s): Albarino
Region: Rias Baixas, Spain
Around $20.
I had the pleasure of sampling this outstanding Riesling from Alsace at a recent wine tasting. The vines from which the grapes for this wine are gathered are over 50 years old and 100% hand-picked.
The nose is pungent with citrus and floral notes. The bold flavors are of peach, pear and nectarine with a super combination of richness and freshness. The long finish offers hints of licorice and a little smokiness.
Just a very enjoyable wine that could benefit from some cellaring.
Pairings: Buttered lobster, bouillabaisse, blue cheese dishes, Thai food.
Style: White
Grape Type(s): Riesling
Region: Alsace, France
Around $40.
I enjoy Greek wines and picked up this little number, which is easy to find, to pair with sashimi and rolls I was having from the local sushi restaurant this weekend.
In the glass, this Greek wine is a medium honey yellow – really pretty. On the nose, the 2010 Boutari Santorini Assyrtiko is lemony and peachy. In the mouth, it is rich, luscious, with lots of juicy apple notes yet there is a nice level of acidity and crispness on the finish.
This versatile wine would pair well with many things, especially grilled seafood, chicken or pork.
Pairings: Raw oysters, clams or mussels. Grilled octopus or white-flesh fish.
Style: White
Grape Type(s): Assyrtiko
Region: Santorini, Greece
Around $19
In my spring quest for maple recipes, I was thrilled to get a cocktail recipe from my sister featuring the sweet sap as an ingredient. What a great way to kick off the chilled cocktail season!
Ingredients:
Directions:
Yields 6 cocktails.
Textbook Riesling it is not, darn enjoyable it is. Pale in the glass, this New Zealand Riesling has Meyer lemon and pear on the nose. Perhaps even a little of the kerosene aromas that some Rieslings tend to display. More lemon and juicy pear on the palate with hints of lime and a bit of fizz. The finish is dry with nice acidity and minerality.
Pairings: Spicy Thai, Indian or Mexican food. Blackened chicken.
Style: White
Grape Type(s): Riesling
Region: Marlborough, New Zealand
Around $15
This wine was provided to me for sampling and I am adding to my repertoire as it is truly enjoyable.
Photo Credit: Heron Hill Winery
I’m a huge fan of the Finger Lakes and its outstanding wines. Here is an article of mine on traveling to the Finger Lakes and which wineries to visit along the way published by Jersey Bites.
Cheers,
Veronique
I had the pleasure of sipping this wine last week, first, paired with oysters on the half shell, then, with seared halibut atop risotto. This grape was new to me and I loved it both as an aperitif and as a food-friendly wine. Think – unoaked Chardonnay meets Sauvignon Blanc.
In the glass, it is golden yellow and just very pretty. On the nose, it offers bright floral, fruity notes. On the palate, there are layers of ripe honeydew melon, peach and papaya matched with a nice level of acidity. The finish is long and dry.
At this price point, it is a great white that everyone will enjoy.
Pairings: Sauteed halibut or cod. Raw oysters, clams or mussels.
Style: White
Grape Type(s): Grechetto
Region: Umbria, Italy
Around $20
This wine was provided to me for sampling and I am adding to my repertoire as it is truly enjoyable.
The pale yellow color of this French Burgundy is deceiving. On the nose, it shows bright lemony and freshly cut grass aromas. In the mouth, it’s bright and crisp with Meyer lemon and Asian pear flavors.
Pairings: Salmon tartare, sauteed white-flesh fish, white pizza.
Style: White
Grape Type(s): Chardonnay
Region: Burgundy, France
Around $19
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
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
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