9 February 2013 2010 Hermann J. Wiemer Select Late Harvest Riesling

2010 Hermann J. Wiemer Select Late Harvest Riesling

February 9, 2013 By

2010 Hermann J. Wiemer Select Late Harvest RieslingGolden in the glass, this Finger Lakes dessert wine is simply outstanding. The nose is sweet with honey and Meyer lemons. The honey continues in the mouth, in a non-cloying way, with a nice balance of sweetness and alcohol laced with notes of Asian pear.

Not many American dessert wines are better than this little number.

92 Points – Wine Spectator.

Pairings: Cheese course, stone fruit cobbler, custard-based desserts.

Style: Dessert Wine

Grape Type(s): Riesling

Region: Finger Lakes, NY, USA

Price: $52

Filed Under: Dessert Wine, Riesling, United States, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , ,
21 January 2013 2010 Quintodecimo Giallo d’Arles

2010 Quintodecimo Giallo d’Arles

January 21, 2013 By

2010 Quintodecimo Giallo d'ArlesGolden straw color in the glass, this Italian white wine offers intense floral aromas and freshly-baked bread notes. This full-bodied Greco Bianco benefits from seeing some French oak and tastes of ripe peach and apricot. Long finish with nice balance and acidity.

The Sommelier at Marea suggested this wine to our party having both fish and meat and it was a great choice.

Pairings: Fish, seafood, poached chicken.

Style: White Wine

Grape Type(s): Greco Bianco

Region: Campania, Italy

Price: $40

Filed Under: Greco Bianco, Italy, White Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: ,
12 November 2012 2007 Weingut von Hovel Oberemmeler Hutte Riesling Spatlese

2007 Weingut von Hovel Oberemmeler Hutte Riesling Spatlese

November 12, 2012 By

Had the pleasure of sampling this outstanding wine paired with butternut squash risotto recently. In the glass, it is honey yellow and leggy.

On the nose, it is bold and offers peach, clementine and tropical fruit flavors.

In the mouth, it has a chewy texture and Asian pear and Meyer lemon flavors with a superb balance and nice level of acidity. Finish is long and honeyed.

91 points Wine Spectator.

Pairings: Spicy dishes, pork.

Style: White Wine

Grape Type(s): Riesling

Region: Saar, Germany

Price: $18

Filed Under: Germany, Riesling, White Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,
7 August 2012 2008 Dr Loosen Riesling Eiswein

2008 Dr Loosen Riesling Eiswein

August 7, 2012 By

I served this delicious dessert wine at a recent party and thoroughly enjoyed it.  On the nose, this German Eiswein is lively with floral and tropical notes. In the mouth, it is not too heavy and offers honeyed peach and pear flavors. The finish on the 2008 Dr Loosen Riesling Eiswein sees a little acidity to balance the not-too-sweet flavors.

93 points by Wine Spectator.

Pairings:  Cheese course, lightly salted nuts. Fantastic sipped on its own.

Style: Dessert Wine

Grape Type(s): Riesling

Region: Mosel, Germany

Around $40

 

Filed Under: Dessert Wine, Germany, Riesling Tagged With: , , , , ,
18 July 2012 2010 Villa Calcinaia Comitale Grechetto

2010 Villa Calcinaia Comitale Grechetto

July 18, 2012 By

Had this wine with both lobster pasta and grilled Branzino and it complimented the dishes perfectly.

In the glass, this Tuscan wine is pale yellow with a slight greenish tint.  On the nose, it’s very faint, almost non-existent.  In the mouth, it’s delicate with fruity aromas of green apple and pear with bright acidity for a crisp finish.   Really enjoyable.

Pairings:  Seafood, grilled fish or chicken.  Pasta with olive oil and garlic.

Style: White

Grape Type(s): 90% Grechetto and 10% Vernaccia

Region: Tuscany, Italy

Around $15

 

Filed Under: Grechetto, Italy, White Wine Tagged With: , , , , , , ,
14 June 2012 2009 Sigalas Winery Assyrtiko

2009 Sigalas Winery Assyrtiko

June 14, 2012 By

I enjoyed this delicious Greek wine at Kellari Taverna in Manhattan with perfectly grilled octopus.

In the glass, this wine is a lovely golden color.  On the nose, this Assyrtiko offer clean, citrusy aromas.  In the mouth, it’s crisp with tropical fruit and Meyer lemon flavors.  Well balanced wine that’s perfect for summer grilling but can hold up to heartier dishes.

Pairings:  Seafood, grilled fish.

Style: White

Grape Type(s): Assyrtiko

Region: Santorini, Greece

Around $20

 

Filed Under: Assyrtiko, Greece, White Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,
10 May 2012 May is Riesling Month in the Finger Lakes

May is Riesling Month in the Finger Lakes

May 10, 2012 By

Photo Courtesy of Finger Lakes Wine Country

Being a fan of Riesling, I’m excited about May being Riesling Month.  Being a huge fan of Finger Lakes Rieslings…read article.

Cheers,

Veronique

Filed Under: Culinary Travel Tales, Other Neat Things, White Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,
5 May 2012 2010 Domaine des Salices Viognier

2010 Domaine des Salices Viognier

May 5, 2012 By

Summer’s coming and when you’re craving a crisp, light white wine that’s more floral and complex than Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio, there’s Viognier.

The 2010 Domaine des Salices Viognier offers a classic Viognier nose – floral, lemony and fresh.  On the palate, it basically tastes like it smells but with lime and a little ground clove on the finish.  Bright, crisp and pretty tasty for a $12 wine.

Pairings:  Lightly sautéed sole / halibut / sea bass, grilled scallops.

Style: White

Grape Type(s): Viognier

Region: Languedoc-Roussillon, France

Around $12

 

Filed Under: France, Viognier, White 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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