26 April 2017 2015 Dirty & Rowdy Familiar Blanc

2015 Dirty & Rowdy Familiar Blanc

April 26, 2017 By

Check out the cloudiness of this baby in my photo – crazy stuff! Kitchen sink blend of aromas and flavors.  

Looks: Deep ruby in the glass.

Smell: Citrus, floral and dried apricot on the nose. What isn’t on the nose would be a better question!

Taste: Lemon lime flavors with hints of under-ride pear.

Texture and Finish: Crazy nice minerality and acidity with a medium finish.

I love these wines. This is the third vintage I buy and I continue to get sucked into the hype. Drink cool, not cold or you’ll lose all the crazy flavors.

Pairings: Fried chicken, grilled fish, seafood risotto.

Style: White Wine

Grape Type(s): 28% Chenin Blanc, 22% Pinot Blanc, 18% Chardonnay, 12% Melon, 10% Roussanne, 10% Viognier.

Region: Mendocino, Monterrey, and El Dorado Counties, California, USA

Price: $30

Fun Fact: Bottle is sealed with a NomaCorc Select Bio closure. It is a plant based, carbon neutral, breathable, recyclable, cork alternative.

Filed Under: Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Pinot Blanc, Roussanne, United States, Viognier, White Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: ,
15 March 2017 Delectable Whites by Heron Hill Winery

Delectable Whites by Heron Hill Winery

March 15, 2017 By

Even with the frigid weather we experienced this week, I cooked food ultra conducive to white wine. The Finger Lakes winery I opted to pour at two of those meals is Heron Hill Winery, one of my very favorite FLX wineries.

2014 Heron Hill Semi-Dry Riesling

I served this off-dry Riesling with spicy Indian food I prepared and it stood up to the heat beautifully while maintaining its fresh, fruit-forward flavors. On the nose, this wine offers big Asian apple aromas. On the palate, the sweet apple continues but combined with lovely floral notes. Nice level of acidity on the finish. Great value at $15/bottle.

2015 Heron Hill Reserve Morris Vineyard Pinot Blanc

Aromas of Meyer lemon and juicy pear in the glass on this crisp Finger Lakes Pinot Blanc. Green apple and peach on the palate with some sweetness followed by great acidity on a finish that resonates with minerality. Hated to share it with the mister, it’s so easy drinking. Just a wonderful Pinot Blanc at an affordable price of $20/bottle.

 

Cheers to the Finger Lakes!

Veronique

Filed Under: Pinot Blanc, Riesling, United States, White Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,
30 June 2014 Bridge Lane Wines by North Fork’s Lieb Cellars

Bridge Lane Wines by North Fork’s Lieb Cellars

June 30, 2014 By

Bridge Lane is Lieb Cellars’ second-label and through a rebranding for its 10th vintage, the white and red blends are available in bottles, in 3 liter bag-in-box (equivalent of 4 bottles) and also in disposable kegs.

The popular North Fork, NY winery says there were three reasons why Bridge Lane opted for the unusual formats:

  1. They’re eco-friendly.
  2. They preserve the wine.
  3. They’re cheaper than glass bottles.

I sampled both wines in their boxes formats – 100% recyclable plastic bag and spout and 100% recyclable cardboard box. Boxes cost $46 and have a lifespan of about 6 weeks after opening.

The keg format would be ideal for a summer casual party as it’s the equivalent of 26 bottles for an affordable $260. If tapped with a professional wine certified kegerator, it’ll last about 2 months. If tapped using a college-type party pump, it’ll last 2 days.

2013 Bridge Lane White Blend2013 Bridge Lane White Blend

I was a bit pessimistic about this wine prior to sipping it, but was pleasantly-surprised by its light yet pleasant flavor and its dryness that made it perfect as a summer sipper but was also nice with light food. Also was great that I could have a glass on a Tuesday night without having to commit to a full bottle.  

Medium-yellow with light green hue in the glass, the 2013 Bridge Lane White Blend is light-bodied and nearly completely dry. The nose is light with some green apple and citrus notes. On the palate, this white wine from Long Island offers lemon/lime and floral flavors with a dry, flinty finish.

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

Pairings: Fish, shellfish, light salad, aperitif.

Style: White Wine

Grape Type(s): 29% Chardonnay, 26% Pinot Blanc, 18% Riesling, 14% Viognier, 9% Sauvignon Blanc, 4% Gewürtzaminer.

2012 Bridge Lane Red Blend2013 Bridge Lane Red Blend

After enjoying the white blend, I was more open-minded when I sampled the red blend. The 2013 Bridge Land Red Blend is purplish red in the glass with faint cherry aromas. This North Fork dry red wine is medium-bodied with the cherry carrying on to the palate along with some pumpkin pie spice on the finish. The Merlot gives this wine some roundness.

Pairings: Pizza, casual barbecue, summer sipper for those who prefer reds.

Style: Red Wine

Grape Type(s): 46% Merlot, 37% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Petit Verdot, and 5% Malbec.

Where to Find Bridge Lane

Go online: Bridge Lane wines are available through www.BridgeLaneWine.com  or www.Amazon.com.

Hit the East End: Visit any of Lieb Cellars’ three tasting rooms on Long Island’s North and South Forks.

Stop by your favorite retailer or restaurant in the NY Metro area: Don’t see Bridge Lane? Ask for them!

Fly away: Enjoy a glass of Bridge Lane before you jet from JFK: Terminal 4 at Blue Smoke on the Road; Terminal 5 at 5ive Steak, AeroNuova and Deep Blue restaurants; and Terminal 8 at Vino Volo restaurant and retail store.

Cheer for the Mets: Bridge Lane wines are served at NYC’s Citi Field.

Pop over to PA: Purchase wines at PLCB stores, Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, and the Pennsylvania Convention Center.

As of May 2014, Bridge Lane wines will also be available in wine shops and restaurants in NJ, CT and MA.

Cheers,

Veronique

These wines were provided to me for sampling and I am adding them to my repertoire as they’re truly enjoyable.

Filed Under: Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer, Malbec, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Pinot Blanc, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, United States, Viognier, White Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , ,
14 May 2013 2010 Albert Mann Cremant D’Alsace

2010 Albert Mann Cremant D’Alsace

May 14, 2013 By

2010 Albert Mann Cremant D'AlsaceWarmer weather’s among us and for me, that calls for bubbles. If you like French Champagne but not the cash outlay, try Cremant D’Alsace.  This Alsatian wine offers bright aromas of juicy pear and lemon zest and crisp apple flavors. Simply a super bubbly with tons of creamy, moussy bubbles great for any occasion.

Pairings: Fish, seafood, pasta with light creamy sauce, or as an aperitif

Style: Sparkling wine

Grape Type(s): Pinot Blanc, Auxerrois, Pinot Gris and Riesling

Region: Alsace, France

Price: $20

Filed Under: By Country, France, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Riesling, White Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , ,
16 April 2013 2011 Kellerei Kaltern Caldaro Pinot Bianco Weissburgunder

2011 Kellerei Kaltern Caldaro Pinot Bianco Weissburgunder

April 16, 2013 By

2011 Kellerei Kaltern Caldaro Pinot Bianco WeissburgunderMedium yellow in the glass, this Alto Adige Pinot Blanc offers a big noseful of Asian pear. The bright, fresh fruity flavors are of apples, pears and Meyer lemons. Nice level of acidity on the finish.

Perfect to serve summer party guests as they munch on light appetizers.

Pairings: Fish or served as an aperitif

Style: White Wine

Grape Type(s): Pinot Blanc

Region: Alto Adige, Italy

Price: $16.99

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

Filed Under: Italy, Pinot Blanc, White Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , ,
7 April 2013 2009 Trimbach Pinot Blanc

2009 Trimbach Pinot Blanc

April 7, 2013 By

2009 Trimbach Pinot BlancLove the slightly greenish color of this Alsatian wine. Also love the very floral aromas if offers. The 2009 Trimbach Pinot Blanc is rich with flavors of peach and ripe lemons. This French Pinot Blanc makes me crave seafood.

Pairings: Fish, seafood, especially seared scallops

Style: White Wine

Grape Type(s): Pinot Blanc

Region: Alsace, France

Price: $16

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

Filed Under: France, Pinot Blanc, White Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , ,