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The holidays are right around the corner and no drink is more festive than one that pops and fizzes with bubbles dancing in your glass! I drink sparkling wine anytime of the year, no special occasion needed. During the holidays … Continue reading → [...] Read more...
Do you struggle to identify aromas in wine? Have you shaken your head in frustration at tastings when a wine is being described in great detail, but you aren’t really smelling anything? If you have answered yes to either of … Continue reading → [...] Read more...
Do you make an effort to buy organic food when you make your shopping trips? Is it important to you that your wine be organic as well? I will admit over the last few years I have added much more … Continue reading → [...] Read more...
Apparently Post Malone (Posty as he is known in my house), the hit making, Grammy winning artist, is drinking more than just Bud Lite. A few months ago during the shutdown, I was watching his live tribute to Nirvana performance … Continue reading → [...] Read more...
I’ll admit it, I am not the biggest pinot grigio fan. There are times where I have been out and about at a rooftop bar in the summer and have wanted a crisp, refreshing wine to cool down with. Usually … Continue reading → [...] Read more...
As we can all agree, 2020 feels like the longest year ever and we are only half way through as I write this post. Here in Vermont our stay at home order went into effect mid March and luckily we … Continue reading → [...] Read more...
This past Saturday, March 28th there was an Instagram campaign running called #openlocalwine. The local wine I chose to highlight on the platform was Harvest Widow’s Revenge 2019 from Shelburne Vineyard, located here in Vermont. I have been visiting Shelburne … Continue reading → [...] Read more...
Years ago during my first visit to Napa Valley we stopped by Clos Du Val winery with friends for a tasting. Clos Du Val is family owned and has an important history in Napa wine.  (If you are a wine … Continue reading → [...] Read more...
Before I made the move up north I spent a lot of time visiting Long Island wine country.  There are many wineries there that are worth visiting and they are producing some very good quality wines from many different grape … Continue reading → [...] Read more...
Each year for my husband’s birthday I try to find a really good Rioja either to drink at home or to pair with a special dinner out at a fabulous restaurant.  As I have said often when I am posting … Continue reading → [...] Read more...
On my recent trip to San Francisco to visit my little sister and her newly expanded family, we took a day trip to Sonoma to visit two properties in the Foley-Sonoma portfolio: Chalk Hill Estate Winery and Roth Estate Winery.  … Continue reading → [...] Read more...
  I just got back from a fantastic extended weekend in San Francisco!  A few years ago my little sister left me in NYC to relocate to the West Coast.  It’s been difficult not seeing her as often as I … Continue reading → [...] Read more...
Last weekend we traveled to Sherbrooke, Quebec for our second family party we have dubbed Canada, Eh?  This gathering brings together both sides of our family to celebrate the birthdays of my step-daughter and mother-in-law. Activities include: water volleyball, badminton, … Continue reading → [...] Read more...
  “Don’t call it a comeback, I’ve been here for years”.  The opening line to my favorite LL Cool J song and how I am feeling about my return to blogging.  Due to demands at work I just didn’t have … Continue reading → [...] Read more...
My obsession with Triennes Rosé  began last summer on a rooftop bar in Jersey City called The Iron Monkey.  It was a gorgeous summer afternoon and we were hanging out enjoying the weather and their amazing chicken wings.  For the … Continue reading → [...] Read more...
I have come to the realization that I don’t drink enough Petite Sirah.  I love a big, bold red but always tend to gravitate towards your typical Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, or Malbec.  My friend and coworker Stefanie is always seeking … Continue reading → [...] Read more...
The holidays are here and therefore it is time to celebrate with bubbly!  I love to serve any type of sparkling wine for Christmas, New Years, and birthdays.  It feels festive and to me is sophistication and elegance in a … Continue reading → [...] Read more...
A few years ago I received a sample of Banfi Belnero Proprietor’s Reserve and was instantly impressed.  Out of all the wines from Banfi I had tried in my opinion this one was the best based on my personal taste. … Continue reading → [...] Read more...
Last weekend my husband and I celebrated our first wedding anniversary.  When he suggested we go to the Long Island wineries for the weekend I of course jumped all over the idea.  In my opinion there is really no better … Continue reading → [...] Read more...
One of the most fun aspects of learning about wine is trying a varietal that you are familiar with and being surprised with a version that tastes nothing like you are used to.  This was the case recently at New … Continue reading → [...] Read more...
  For me nothing compares to Italy.  I love the sites and tastes that a trip to this beautiful country offers and have been extremely fortunate to visit on three separate occasions.  Our last trip was in October for a … Continue reading → [...] Read more...
As many of you know I love nothing more than to head to Court Street Restaurant in Hoboken, NJ on a Saturday afternoon for a themed wine tasting.  The most recent that I attended was Wines of Spain.  Since these … Continue reading → [...] Read more...
My colleagues and I purchased tickets to the Rare Reds class held at New York Vintners.  I love any opportunity to expand my knowledge of wine and to attend a class with friends after a tedious day at the office … Continue reading → [...] Read more...
In February we had the pleasure of returning to Napa, CA but the downside was that we only had two days to spend in the area. With so little time we decided to do Napa on Saturday and part of … Continue reading → [...] Read more...
Last Friday my fiancé and I attended our second Zagat Wine tasting. A few years ago he gave me a membership to the Zagat Wine Club for my birthday and we can’t say enough positive things about it. Held at … Continue reading → [...] Read more...
I have had a wine revelation. I am not drinking enough Moscato. I didn’t even realize what I had been missing! On a recent trip to Canada we made our usual trek to the Saq Depot to stock up on … Continue reading → [...] Read more...
One of the things I enjoy most about wine is that there is always something new to discover and you can never learn everything within the world of wine.  Writing this blog and seeking more knowledge about this subject pushes … Continue reading → [...] Read more...
At the end of October 2012 I was thrilled to be able to make my dream trip to Rome and the Amalfi Coast a reality.  Italy is the one place I have always dreamed of traveling to and now that … Continue reading → [...] Read more...
For most people drinking wine is a pleasurable and relaxing experience however the process of selecting what wines to enjoy can be a very daunting task.  Wine stores and restaurant wine lists can be intimidating and at times overwhelming for … Continue reading → [...] Read more...
With the temperature swinging drastically over the last couple of weeks my mind is conjuring images of summer and the upcoming boating trips we will be planning.  Half the fun is choosing which wines we will bring aboard for our … Continue reading → [...] Read more...

Wine Adventures

Wine Around Italy-Our Italian Honeymoon
Wine Around Italy-Our Italian Honeymoon  For me nothing compares to Italy.  I love the sites and tastes that a trip to this beautiful country offers and have been extremely fortunate to visit on three separate occasions.  Our last trip was in October for a 10 day honeymoon with stays in Venice, San Gimignano in Tuscany, and Rome-my favorite city.  Below is a photo journal of some of the wines, food, and scenery we enjoyed. First stop Venice.  We stayed at the beautiful Hotel Ai Cavalieri Di Venezia.   For a very romantic dinner we went to Alle Corone at the sister hotel Hotel Ai Reali where you watch the gondolas go by your window amid candlelight.  We chose a Tedeshi Amarone della Valpolicella to accompany our meal.  It was perfect with my porcini mushroom risotto. One of the best places to relax and enjoy the view of the Grand Canal is the rooftop bar of the Hotel Danieli.  After an afternoon of wandering Venice we rested our feet here with champagne cocktails while watching the gondolas, water taxis, and cruise ships glide by. Our next stop was Tuscany.  We fell in love with San Gimignano on a cruise in 2014 and vowed we would go back.  We didn’t wait long as we made this our home base while we drove around the Tuscan countryside visiting Sienna, Florence, Lucca, and Pisa.  While walking around San Gimignano you feel like you have been thrown back into Medieval times. For me this is the most authentic old city in Tuscany and it has the most incredible views with vines and olive trees as far as the eyes can see.  We stayed at Hotel La Cisterna which is conveniently located in the main square and has balconies with breathtaking views perfect for enjoying a glass of wine. Next door to our hotel is a quaint wine bar Enoteca DiVinorum with outdoor tables facing the view. A platter of local meats and cheeses and Tuscan red wine made the perfect pre dinner snack. Exploring the quiet side streets in San Gimignano both during the day and night you can find many excellent places to eat.  Our favorite restaurant was La Mangiatoia.  We loved this place so much we ate here two nights.  The food was outstanding and the atmosphere is cozy and very romantic.  Our second time we had a Col d’Orcia Brunello Di Montalcino. Another great find for lunch was La Vecchia Nicchia. Here we had yet another meat platter and Tuscan ribollita soup paired with glasses of Chianti.  Their ribollita was the best I have had! No afternoon would be complete without a trip to the Vernaccia di San Gimignano museum for a flight of these local white wines. Wine tastings are a must when traveling here.  I was lucky enough to find My Tuscan Wine Tours run by Marialuisa Cesani and book a Brunello tasting tour in Montalcino. Our first stop was La Fornace which is now a new favorite of mine.  It’s a small production, family winery run by Fabio Giannetti. We tasted three different vintages of Brunello di Montalcino here and they were all absolutely fantastic.  I am kicking myself that I only bought half a case! After the first winery we had a wonderful lunch at Trattoria Il Leccio paired with several bottles of their local house wine. Our second winery visit was Tenuta Fanti. Here we sampled their Sassomagno, Rosso di Montalcino, and Brunello di Montalcino. I highly recommend renting a car while in Tuscany as there is nothing like winding your way through the Chianti region where the views look like this: And then it was on to Roma.  We love to stay at Hotel Barocco which is extremely convenient to all the sites we want to see and has hands down the best hotel breakfast in Italy!  Below a view of the Forum: One of my favorite afternoons was spent relaxing by the Pantheon at Albergo del Senato with appetizers and glasses of prosecco. Our last day was sunny and warm.  We had pizza and Rosé from Castellina in Chianti at Obicà in Campo del Fiori. We have been so fortunate to have made such wonderful memories in Italia.  The culture, history, food, and wine make for amazing experiences. Until next time-Arrivederci! [...] Read more...
Tasting My Way Through Rome and Sorrento
Tasting My Way Through Rome and SorrentoAt the end of October 2012 I was thrilled to be able to make my dream trip to Rome and the Amalfi Coast a reality.  Italy is the one place I have always dreamed of traveling to and now that I have had a taste of it I can’t wait to go back.  There is so much more of this gorgeous country that I need to explore.  I never thought that Rome would be my favorite city but the richness of the history and the delicious food don’t compare to any other city that I have been to.  Of course being the wino that I am,  a large part of our trip involved drinking Italian wine.  We joke when people ask about our trip that our toughest decision at each meal was whether to get a half bottle or full bottle.  Normally we would save the full bottles for dinner and just have a half at lunch.  This was probably wise since I would have been sightseeing in a wine induced haze.  Prior to our trip I didn’t normally gravitate toward Italian wines.  An occasional Chianti, Nero D’ Avola, or Montepulciano d’ Abruzzo would be ordered if we were out at an Italian restaurant but it didn’t make a regular appearance at home.  I had tasted some not so stellar versions in the past and had also read an article about how cork taint was affecting quite a large amount of their wines.  I am happy to say now that we are back from our trip we have been drinking them more at home since we enjoyed the wines on our trip so much.  We drank many of the restaurant’s house wines and several different bottles of Montepulciano d’Abruzzo.   The best part was that they were all extremely reasonable in price.   Many were between 8 and 15 euros.  We did splurge on our last night with a very nice Brunello from Banfi.  Below are some of the highlights of our taste through Italy. Famous tartufo and house wine at Tre Scalini in Piazza Navona. Had a glass of Prosecco at Enoteca Barberini.  Loved the wine decor on the walls and the live band added to the ambiance. Hands down the best gelato in Rome is at Gelateria Valentino.  We went here twice a day! Delicious brick oven pizza and house wine at Piccolo Buco. First time in the trip we didn’t get a house wine.  Really good Montepulciano d’Abruzzo that we had with our pizza at a tourist trap restaurant in the Trastevere neighborhood.  Pizza was just ok but the wine made up for it! Our first night in Sorrento we ate at La Lanterna across from our hotel.  We enjoyed this rosé which was drier than what I am used to but I loved it. Another great Montepulciano d’Abruzzo in Sorrento at Pizzeria Aurora.   The most entertaining dining experience we had was at Tavern Allegra.  The food and service were outstanding and you sing along with the owner and a guitarist.  They pass out tambourines at the end of the evening for the big finale.  I believe this was their house wine. No dinner in Italy would be complete without a night cap of Limoncello.   Sorrento is known for it’s lemons and the local Limoncello is the best! Our driver took us to La Zagara in Positano for some yummy pastries and cappuccino. Didn’t want to wait in the long lines in Anacapri so we had a liquid lunch while people watching at Due Pini with a half bottle of their house wine. A tasty bruschetta with prosciutto and artichoke hearts at Due Pini. I can’t remember the name of this restaurant where we had lunch but we got our daily dose of caprese salad and pizza with a half bottle of their house wine. Primavera was a daily stop for gelato and they had a TON of flavors! We loved La Lanterna so much we went back for a second night.  This time we sat outside and tried yet another Montepulciano d’Abruzzo. Back in Rome for our last night in Italy we splurged on a Brunello di Montalcino from Banfi with which I had my last dish of the Roman favorite cacio e pepe. I definitely ate my weight in creamy pastas, pizza, prosciutto, gelato, and caprese salad for ten days and I didn’t feel guilty about any of it!  I am hoping to have my next Italian adventure in the next two years so I can eat my way through Tuscany.  I hope I have made you very hungry (and thirsty) with this post. Buon Appetito!             [...] Read more...
Murray’s Cheese Bar & Abando Rioja
Murray’s Cheese Bar & Abando RiojaI can’t help it-I am obsessed with cheese.  It is by far my favorite food.  If I suddenly became lactose intolerant this would be a problem.  I could exist solely on cheese and would be happy to do so (provided I had plenty of wine to pair with it of course)!  In New York City there is the best cheese shop you could ever hope to find.  Murray’s is an absolute cheese mecca.  Whenever possible I trek to their shop in Greenwich Village or their outpost in Grand Central Terminal to check out their latest and greatest offerings.  They have the most knowledgeable staff and will give you samples to help make your decisions.  With 300 varieties of cheese on hand these decisions aren’t so easily made!   Could the  Murray’s experience get any better?  The answer to that is a resounding YES!  To my delight they have recently opened Murray’s Cheese Bar.  Located just down the block from their location on Bleecker Street, this cheese bar makes it possible to sit down and enjoy a cheese filled meal along with wine or beer.  I am impressed with the overall selection of wines available by the bottle.  There is a great variety of wine types and many top regions are represented.  There is also a decent list of wines to enjoy by the glass. Since we love our Spanish wines we chose a bottle of Abando Rioja 2005 from producer Bodegas Santalba.  We love the fullness and intense flavors of many Riojas and Abando proved to be a perfect choice.  It is comprised of 100% tempranillo grapes and is very dark ruby in color.  Flavors of dark cherry mix with a hint of caramel and give way to that spiciness that I love in my reds.  Abando Rioja exhibits a really nice acidity and presence of tannins.  We ordered two bottles of this wine while we were there and we don’t normally drink more than one bottle per evening.  At 13.5% alcohol we were feeling pretty good when we walked out!  The price was less than $50 which made it economical and we enjoyed it so much we just had to keep on drinking it. Now back to the cheesy goodness Murray’s Cheese Bar has to offer.  You can choose your cheese plate a la carte or you can try a cheese flight of varying size but the selections are chosen by the cheese monger.  They will ask you what your preferences are and work around what you like and dislike.  I also think they took into account the wine we were drinking as we had several cheeses from Spain on both of our flights.  We started with a flight of 5 cheeses and later ordered another with 3 cheeses and 2 meats.   There are entrees like a cheddar cheeseburger and mac & cheese as well as griddles which are certain cheeses that are served warm on a griddle and then spread onto bread.  We tried the Champlain Valley triple creme served with mushrooms.  It was excellent!  There is also a farmer’s market section of the menu where you can get salads and veggies.  All of these ingredients are local and very fresh.  We tried the grilled artichokes with buttermilk ranch dressing which was another delicious choice and at least I felt like I had something green and healthy to go with all of the cheese we were consuming.  Next time we visit we are planning on trying the cheeseburger as well as the grilled cheese with smoked tomato soup.  With fall upon us and cooler weather around the corner what sounds better for dinner than that?  I see many more trips to Murray’s Cheese Bar in my future along with many more trips to the gym! [...] Read more...
Vineyard 29 Cru Cabernet Sauvignon 2008
Vineyard 29 Cru Cabernet Sauvignon 2008There is a new wine love in my life-Vineyard 29 Cru Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 from Napa Valley, CA.  At a recent business dinner at Porterhouse in the Time Warner Center I was put in charge of selecting the wine for our large group.  I had heard of Vineyard 29 previously so when the sommelier had it on his list of suggestions  I knew we had to try this bottle.  This glorious red is comprised of my favorite grape varietals: 83% cabernet sauvignon, 6% petit verdot, 4% merlot, 4% cabernet franc, and 3% malbec.  When poured it is very deep ruby with an almost purple hue and has a very pronounced aroma of dark fruit.  I found the wine to be extremely well balanced with lots of blackberry on the palate leading to subtle spices that I always love in a great red wine.  The tannins are very smooth and don’t overwhelm your mouth. I love to pair Cabernet with my steak and the food at Porterhouse is always excellent.  I began with the roasted beet salad with goat cheese and then moved on to the filet mignon with classic bearnaise sauce.  Accompanying our steaks were my two favorite side dishes: truffle mashed potatoes and the macaroni and cheese.  For dessert I chose the ice cream sundae.  Hands down this is the best sundae I have ever had.  They bring you a huge bowl of hot fudge sauce on the side along with candied nuts so you can put on the toppings to your liking.  Between the amazing wine and the always wonderful food I think I came extremely close to having the perfect meal! I am looking forward to drinking many more bottles of Vineyard 29 Cru Cabernet Sauvignon and even though it is pricier than the wines I normally buy it is well worth it’s price tag.  This wine can be found online for approximately $70. [...] Read more...
Ayza Wine & Chocolate Bar
Ayza Wine & Chocolate BarIn May I had the pleasure of visiting Ayza Wine & Chocolate Bar for the first time.  I first heard of Ayza via Twitter and was immediately intrigued.  What could be better than an establishment that specializes in my three favorite things to savor: wine, cheese, and chocolate!  This wine bar is conveniently located on 31 st street in midtown Manhattan and offers both indoor and outdoor seating with plenty of heat lamps for cooler weather.  It is the perfect setting for an after work happy hour or a romantic date.  I highly recommend making a reservation as it gets very crowded even if you go earlier in the evening. The wine list has a nice variety of options by the glass or bottle with many regions represented.  Flights are also available should you want a little variety.  I ordered the Michel Torino Malbec Don David from Argentina and I really enjoyed it.  Typical of most malbec it didn’t disappoint.  My boyfriend had the Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain which is his favorite region. The food offerings at Ayza consist of standard wine bar snacks, salads, paninis, tartines, and a small selection of entrees.  We ordered the hummus dip, truffle pizza (to die for), and a plate of three cheeses.  Our cheese selections were the bucheron, aged manchego, and the shropshire blue.  The bucheron and the shropshire blue were both excellent.  For dessert you may choose from Ayza’s homemade chocolates or selections from famed chocolatier Jacques Torres.  I choose several pieces from both options and paired them with a glass of Cockburns 10 year tawny port from Portugal to end a perfect evening. Since my May visit I have gone back again and will continue to venture to Ayza for my wine and chocolate fix.  You can also venture over on Sunday nights for their romantic Couples Night as well as Girls Night Out on Tuesdays. [...] Read more...
Lambrusco Rosso “Lambrusca” Lini at Gemma
Lambrusco Rosso “Lambrusca” Lini at GemmaGemma in the Bowery Hotel has been on my list of must try restaurants for some time now but since they don’t take reservations the wait for a table is usually well over an hour.  I was taking out two of my close friends for their belated birthday dinner and the suggestion for Gemma was made.  I was filled with excitement to finally get to experience what all the fuss was about and it didn’t disappoint in food, wine, or service.  The weather was very warm and being seated outdoors I was in the perfect mood for some bubbly.  I was all set to order a simple glass of prosecco but saw the Lambrusco Rosso Lambrusca Lini and the decision was easily made.  I don’t know what it is about sparkling red wine but quite simply it makes me giddy (and quite tipsy) but that is the desired end result most of the time. Lambrusco Rosso “Lambrusca” Lini is produced in the Emilia-Romagna region in Italy by Lini 910.  It is made from Lambrusco grapes and has a dark ruby color in the glass.  With each delicious sip your tongue is bombarded by a barrage of tingly bubbles bursting simultaneously.  This was not as sweet as the sparkling reds that I have been drinking recently.  It is dryer and has just the right amount of sweetness.  It is rich in cherry and strawberry flavors and has less than 12% alcohol. For dinner we decided to order typical wine bar fare.  We built a cheese plate that included La Tur, Tallegio, Parmigiano Reggiano, and Pecorino Toscano along with a plate of prosciutto di parma.  The pizza was thin crust and topped with burrata cheese, grape tomatoes, and black olives.  The shining star out of it all was the truffled polenta fries.  Crispy on the outside like regular fries but on the inside is creamy polenta lightly flavored with a hint of truffle.  They were served with two dipping sauces but they were so amazing on their own that I barely felt the need to dip.  Gemma also has many meat, fish, and pasta entrees with an array of side dishes.  We ended the evening with creamy gelato.  For me a scoop of hazelnut and a scoop of chocolate chip. I am already looking forward to my next trip to Gemma and may even go back as early as next week so that my boyfriend can try it.  The atmosphere is perfect for a romantic date night among the dark wood interior and candles.  If you can’t get to Gemma check your local wine shop or online.   Lambrusca Lini is well worth the money and retails for less than $17. [...] Read more...
Eataly Visit/Arnaldo Caprai Montefalco Rosso
Eataly Visit/Arnaldo Caprai Montefalco RossoI recently visited Eataly in NYC, the closest you can get to all things Italian without hopping on an airplane.  A combination of Italian market and food hall, Eataly is located at 200 5th Avenue between 23rd and 24th Street.  The  creation of celebrity chefs Mario Batali, Lidia Matticchio Bastianich, and her son Joe Bastianich is a first for the US but their concept already exists in Italy as well as Japan.  There is so much to feast your eyes on and feast you will-literally!  There is 50,000 square feet to explore  for produce, meat, fish, pasta, or cheese to take home or you can dine in at one of the many seating areas all separated according to what type of Italian delites you are craving.  You can choose among Il Pesce (fish), Le Verdure (all vegetarian), La Pizza & Pasta, or Manzo which is the closest to a full on restaurant and reservations are recommended.  We chose to eat in the La Piazza section which is on a first come first serve basis.  You stand at countertop tables but have full waitress service for wines by the bottle or glass, as well as cheeses, meats, and small plates.  Our wine was a delicious bottle of Arnaldo Caprai Montefalco Rosso 2007 from Umbria.  This medium bodied red is a blend of 70% sangiovese, 15% sagrantino, and 15% merlot grapes.  Dark ruby in color with full plum and spice flavors which then give way to light vanilla notes.  Soft tannins are present and this wine has a pleasant, long finish.  To accompany our Montefalco Rosso we ordered 3 cheeses: grana padano (my favorite of the three), castelmagno, and bra tenero, prosciutto san daniele with figs, and mixed olives.  For after dinner treats there is a coffee bar and gelato counter.  The hazelnut gelato was the best I have ever had!  On your way out pop in next door to the separate wine shop where they have a decent selection of Italian wines at a wide variety of price points.  I may not be able to get to Italy as soon as I would like but now it has been brought to me!  I was so impressed by Eataly and I cannot wait to go back and try it all!! [...] Read more...
La Rioja Alta Vina Alberdi Reserva 2003
La Rioja Alta Vina Alberdi Reserva 2003Last night I took my boyfriend to STK  in the Meatpacking District to celebrate his birthday with a melt in your mouth steak and some fabulous red wine.  Being that his all time favorite wine is rioja,  I was very pleased to see a selection on the wine list that wouldn’t break the bank.  The question was would it be good and would it stand up to his current favorite Marques de Riscal?  The chosen wine was La Rioja Alta Vina Alberdi Reserva 2003 from Rioja, Spain.  It is composed of 10o% tempranillo grapes which are native to Northern Spain.  It was a dark,  vibrant red in the glass and had a delicious, earthy aroma with hints of red fruits and spices.  From the aroma in the glass I knew we had made the right choice.  There was a strong cherry taste that was slightly sour in the first pour but that wasn’t a detractor in the flavor.  For us it just gave it more of a complexity and a different flavor profile than what we normally drink.  There were undertones of vanilla, spice, and a hint of woodsmoke  present as well.  As the wine opened up the sourness lessened and the wine became more smooth and balanced on the palate.  This rioja had a nice acidity to it as well as slight tannins which made for a great presence in the mouth and gave way to a lingering and tasty finish.  It was a perfect  accompaniment to our filet mignon with parmesan truffle fries and made the entire meal all the more special.  This medium bodied red is 13% alcohol and the average retail is $20.  This wine has been rated 90 points from Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate. [...] Read more...
City Winery
City WineryThis summer I had the opportunity to attend two wine and cheese pairing classes at City Winery in NYC.  Located at 155 Varick Street, City Winery is the first fully functioning winery in Manhattan and was founded by Michael Dorf.  His vision was to create a  space in the city where you can go and enjoy amazing wines paired with great food and live music.  Along with the many concerts they have scheduled they also offer special event dinners with winemakers, a private dining room, as well as a barrel making program for individuals or corporations.   One of the coolest things I love about City Winery is that when you order one of their wines by the glass it comes straight from a barrel in the cellar through the tap and into your glass, skipping the bottle altogether.  You simply can’t get any fresher than that! The wine classes that I attended were in partnership with Murray’s Cheese, Manhattan’s oldest and most renowned cheese shop.  My favorite was in honor of the World Cup and the teams competing were France vs Italy.  It featured 2 Italian wines and 3 cheeses against 2 French wines and 3  cheeses.  While I loved all the cheeses we tried no matter what country they were from, in the end France won out for me.  No  surprise there.  I absolutely loved the French red Chateau d’Or et de Geulules Costieres-de-Nimes Les Cimels 2007.  This wine was dark ruby in color, had aromas of cherry and blackberry, and had tons of spice and dark fruit flavor.  I do have to give Italy an honorable mention for the white wine we sampled- Fruilano Bastianich 2007.  This wine was pale gold in color with a sweet honey aroma, and was drier with lemon and pear flavors.  It paired beautifully with the Petit Billy goat cheese from France.  Other cheeses that were standouts were the Pyranees Brebis, a sheeps milk cheese from France and the Taleggio from Italy.  This Taleggio from Murray’s wasn’t as ripe and soft as the ones I have bought but the flavor was still excellent especially when paired with the French red wine. I loved this concept of having 2 wine regions face off and having everyone pick their favorite.  It would make for a great do it yourself wine tasting party and the options would be endless:  Australia vs New Zealand,  Washington vs California, Chile vs Spain, I could go on and on.  Thanks to City Winery for offering these educational and fun classes.  I can’t wait to see what the next classes are on the schedule! [...] Read more...
Pinot Noir at Le Bernardin
Pinot Noir at Le BernardinLast week I dined at Le Bernardin,  one of the top five restaurants in NYC and one of only a select few to be awarded three Michelin stars.  For foodies everywhere this is culinary heaven and the epitome of fine dining in the Big Apple.  I was given the wine list which was quite literally a book-pages upon pages of every varietal you could imagine.  Being that Le Bernardin is known for their fish and seafood dishes I knew it would be quite a challenge to select wines that would not only please the six other guests at the table  but would also complement every-one’s meals, especially when everyone agreed they wanted red wine only.  My two picks for the evening were both Pinot Noir from the West Coast. Our first selection was Brick House Les Dijonnais Pinot Noir 2007 from the Willamette Valley.  This wine was very light red in the glass, so much so it had a pretty dark pink hue at the edges.  The aroma was of sweet red berries which led into  flavors of strawberries and raspberries.  A slight spiciness was detected on the back end of each sip.  This pinot is 13.4% alcohol and had pleasing acidity which led to a long and crisp finish.  It didn’t overpower my starter choices of smoked salmon topped with caviar and salted cod salad with white gazpacho sauce.  This wine retails for under $40 and has been rated 92 points by Robert Parker. Also try their Select Pinot Noir which is also a great value. The second Pinot Noir was Lynmar Estate 2006 from the Russian River Valley.  This was my favorite of the two.  Darker ruby in color, it had more body and more intense aroma and flavor.  The nose was earthier with cherries and strawberries.  There was a higher concentration of  fruit flavors with more pronounced spiciness,  but overall it was extremely well balanced.  This pinot noir is slightly higher in alcohol at 14.4% and is available for under $45 in stores.  My main course was served with this wine-black bass with a sauce of ham and green peppercorns.  The combination of the sauce with the wine seems a bit unconventional but the wine didn’t detract from it at all. Pinot Noir proves to be an extremely versatile red wine that can work for any occasion and can compliment almost any dish.  Oregon is becoming  a top producing region with most wineries using sustainable methods of production and organic grapes. [...] Read more...
Wine Olympics 2010
Wine Olympics 2010I was fortunate enough to travel to Vancouver for the 2010 Olympic Games.  It was truly an experience that I will never forget.  The excitement and positive energy of the city was amazing not to mention it’s picturesque beauty of the skyline set against the mountain backdrop.  On Valentine’s Day we had dinner at Five Sails restaurant located in Canada Place.  I selected a bottle of Jackson-Triggs Proprietor’s Grand Reserve Shiraz 2006 from the Okanagan Valley in British Columbia.  This full bodied wine was deep purple in the glass and we noticed black pepper and a chocolate aromas.  Flavors of red cherry, currant, chocolate, vanilla, and spices were present on the palate.  I found this wine to be perfectly balanced with a long, smooth finish.  It is 14.3% alcohol and is fermented in both French and American oak barrels giving the wine mild tannins.  This shiraz went very well with all of our meals.  Five Sails is currently offering their special Olympic menu.  My delicious dinner consisted of Austrian style ravoli filled with spinach and ricotta cheese with a hazelnut brown butter and arctic char with a creamy sauce of mushrooms and root vegetables.  For dessert a decadent Valhrona opera cake perfect for the Valentine’s Day holiday.  This was a wonderful dinner with a gorgeous view of the Olympic rings and a fabulous bottle of wine. I must also comment on a white wine I had while stopping in Seattle on my way north.  Hudson Shah reisling was just what I needed after a very long flight from the east coast.  Hudson Shah is produced in Washington State and is made of 100% reisling.  It was straw yellow in color and had hints of honeysuckle and pear on the nose.  Peach and pear flavors were nicely refreshing combined with  mineral notes and pleasing acidity.  This wine is available for under $11 in Washington State at retail and  is also available at many high end restaurants in select cities including many of my favorites here in NYC. So far I am extremely impressed with the wines I have tried from this region.  I am really looking forward to my next trip and to trying more wines that BC and Washington have to offer. [...] Read more...
Bar Veloce
Bar VeloceThis holiday season I visited Bar Veloce in Chelsea for pre-holiday party drinks and a quick bite.  Located on 7th Avenue between 20th and 21st streets in NYC this wine bar is one of several locations that is cozy and always crowded.  Each location’s wine list features a specific region.  The Chelsea bar is all Italian wines and the food is primarily specialty paninis.  You can also get wine bar staples such as olives, bruschetta,  and a great cheese plate of chef’s selections.  While on this excursion I had a terrific gerwurtztraminer and a glass of prosecco. Maso Michei Gewurtztraminer 2007 (Trentino) is one truly great white wine.  Produced in Northern Italy close to the Swiss border it has a clear gold color in the glass.  It is perfectly balanced and crisp.  This white is full of flavor with peaches and light citrus.  I was going to write about a different Gewurtztraminerthat I had the week prior but this one blew the other away.  It pairs well with most foods especially white meats. When I want to drink something lighter than red wine and am not in the mood for mixed drinks I always go for a sparkling glass of Prosecco.  Bar Veloce features Prosecco Zardetto MV (Veneto) by the glass.  I love the way the bubbles float to the top of the glass and dance across your tongue with each sip.  This Prosecco has a honey and floral aroma.  It has a pale yellow color and tastes of apples with a hint of  lemon.  It has a great acidity and a long, clean finish.  Both of these were great choices and went well with the paninis that were ordered.  I highly recommend the prosciutto, mushroom, and truffle oil panini.  The food is reasonably priced and most wines are less than $12 per glass.  All in all an absolutely delicious visit!  Zardetto Prosecco can be found online for less than $20 a bottle and is perfect for every festive occasion! [...] Read more...
Red, White, and Rioja
Red, White, and RiojaSpanish Rioja is quickly gaining popularity here in the United States.  This past week I went to my favorite wine bar Riposo 46 located on 9th Avenue at 46th Street.  On every visit I choose a Rioja since these bottles are extremely well priced and you are guaranteed a wine with amazing flavor.  This night we selected El Coto Rioja 2005.  This red is made with 100% tempranillo grapes which create wine that has a higher acidity and mild tannins.  It’s medium bodied with cherry and raspberry flavors and light oak.  Riposo 46  has the best cheeses, pizzas, and olives to go along with all the great wines they feature.  The El Coto Rioja went extremely well with the mixed olives served warm in oil and garlic and the vegetarian flatbread pizza made even more delicious by adding prosciutto on top-not so vegetarian anymore!  A great table wine and the price can’t be beat at under $40 per bottle at the wine bar. Later in the week while perusing the aisles of my local wine store I came across a white Rioja.  Normally sticking to reds but both of us being more in the mood for white we decided to see how the white version would compare to the red we drank earlier in the week.  We purchased a bottle of Marqués de Cáceres 2007.  The white version was equally flavorful.  Light mineral notes accompanied by flavors of ripe melon, apple, and pepper.  A great wine to pair with seafood and bargain priced at under $12 at retail. [...] Read more...
Wined Up!
Wined Up!Last week I had the pleasure of visiting Wined Up which is one of my favorite wine bars in NYC.  It is located above Punch Restaurant on Broadway and 21st Street.  The spot is quiet, cozy, and romantic with an impressive suspended wine wall holding 3000 bottles of wine.  This gives way for a great variety of wines from all the  main regions but one of the reasons I keep going back is the affordable bottle options from Spain and South America.  Many bottles are well priced at  $40-$50.  There is also a decent selection of wines by the glass.  We chose a Nerola 80% Syrah, 20% Monastrell from Torres.  This spanish red has a firm body with light fruit flavor and is aged in french oak barrels giving it toasted cocoa and vanilla notes.  The wine had a slightly spicy finish and paired well with all of the food we ordered.  My favorite accompaniments at Wined Up are the La Tur (Italy) and Scharfe Maxx (Switzerland) cheeses, thick sliced proscuitto, and the mixed olives marinated in cabernet and herbs.  A delicious ending to a hard days work! [...] Read more...

Wine Tastings

Best Wines of Lockdown
Best Wines of LockdownAs we can all agree, 2020 feels like the longest year ever and we are only half way through as I write this post. Here in Vermont our stay at home order went into effect mid March and luckily we are slowly opening up a little more each week. At times this pandemic has seemed very surreal, almost like I am in a bad dream. Unfortunately, it is very real and has taken a huge toll on all of humanity across the globe. The silver lining however is that it has forced many people to reevaluate their priorities and has allowed them to spend precious moments with their families that they may not have gotten otherwise. Dinnertime in my house has been the highlight of the day. I really enjoy cooking and as many of you already know I love drinking wine! The wine buying has increased quite a bit over the last few months. Between curbside pickup, free shipping offered from some favorite wineries, and the fact that all of our grocery stores have a pretty decent selection, I’ve been able to acquire some old favorites as well as some new finds. Below are what I feel are the best wines I’ve had during the Covid-19 lockdown. These are new wines that I previously hadn’t tried before and they are featured in no particular order. MONTEVETRANO COLLI DI SALERNO IGT 2009 Prior to the stay at home order, one of our organic food stores, Healthy Living, had a huge sale on wine. This bottle may have been the best value on the shelf. Normally selling for $65 to $80, we picked this up for $34.99! Montevetrano Colli di Salerno is a dry, deep ruby red wine is from the appellation Colli di Salerno in the Campania region of Italy. It is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon 60%, Merlot 30%, and Aglianico 10%. As this had quite some age on it I was a little concerned that it may be past it’s prime hence the sale price. Fortunately, this wine is aging exactly as it should in the bottle. I decanted this for a bit prior to serving and the aromas were quite pronounced. Tons of dried fruit (prune, dried cherry), leather, and caramel. Full body, high acidity, with medium, nicely softened tannins and medium alcohol 13.5%. Sadly I went back to the store recently and as I expected this delicious wine was sold out. Time to try some newer vintages to see how they compare! VIETTI BARBERA D’ASTI TRE VIGNE 2017 Here is another Italian gem found on sale at Healthy Living from a top producer, Vietti. This dry, red wine is 100% Barbera from the town of Asti in the Piedmonte region. I found it to be deep ruby in color with medium body, medium acidity, medium tannins, and medium alcohol 13.5%. Aromas of red cherries, mushroom, and dusty leaves with flavors of blackberry, black cherry, and vanilla on the palate. I loved this Barbera so much I went back last week and bought another bottle to cellar. Best part was it is still on sale for $16.99! LOCATIONS F5 RED NV I have had several wines from Dave Phinney’s Locations project over the years and I think this is such a fun way to travel the wine world through a bottle. Locations F5 red is a blend of Grenache, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc from the Roussillon, Rhône, and Bordeaux regions in France. This dry, full bodied wine is high in alcohol 15% abv, with medium acidity and medium tannins. The nose for me was all red cherry and vanilla but primarily black fruit on the palate. Blackberry and black cherry with some baking spice and black pepper on the finish. I finished off almost the entire bottle myself and paid for it the next day with a throbbing head- but it was so good! Next up for me in this Locations series is the F rosé. I’m also very interested in trying New Zealand (NZ) and Texas (TX) if I can get my hands on them! I usually see this line of wines available from a lot of retailers. I happened to find mine in our Hannaford supermarket chain for less than $20. LLOPART BRUT RESERVA ROSÉ 2016 I enjoy a lot of different wine styles but two of my loves are bubbly from just about any region and rosé. I love to drink pink and better yet let it sparkle in my glass! This sparkling rosé is a Corpinnat, a new category of sparkling wine from Penedes, Spain. Several Spanish sparkling producers have elected to leave the Cava DO and Llorpart is one of them. This pretty, bright pink rosé is a blend of Monastrell 58%, Garnacha 21%, and Pinot Noir 21%. It is dry and made in the traditional method (second fermentation in the bottle), and 12% abv. Juicy red berries and bread aromas from the lees on the nose with smooth, strawberry yogurt on the palate. I opened this bottle to kick off my birthday celebration this year and was very happy I chose it for my special occasion. Llopart Brut Reserva Rosé 2016 was #51 on Wine Spectator’s Top 100 of 2019 and was purchased on wine.com for $26.99. NV VIGNEAU CHEVREAU VOUVRAY VIGNEAU SELECTION PÉTILLANT BRUT There are so many alternatives to Champagne that offer great value in the category of sparkling wine and this sparkling Vouvray from Domaine Vigneau-Chevreau in the Loire Valley, France is one of them. This is 100% Chenin Blanc and is also made in the traditional method. Pure gold in the glass, dry, with fine bubbles and bright acidity. Alcohol is 12.5% abv. Notes of crisp apple and lemon are followed by brioche on the finish. Unfortunately I can’t remember where I purchased this bottle and I believe it made the move from Jersey with us. I have seen this wine for sale online at a limited number of sites for under $25. FATTORIA MORETTO LAMBRUSCO GRASPAROSSA DI CASTELVETRO SECCO Back to Italy we go with this dry, red sparkling wine from Fattoria Moretto in the Emilia-Romagna region. I absolutely love Lambrusco and I definitely don’t drink enough of it. One of my all time favorite food and wine pairings is pizza and Lambrusco. Since the lockdown we have been having pizza night each week where I make pepperoni and mushroom pizza that has been a huge hit. This wine is a blend of Lambrusco and Grasparossa grapes. Medium to deep purple in the glass with medium body, medium plus acidity, low tannin, and low alcohol 11.5% abv. There is something about the combination of the black fruit flavor, earthiness, and mouth feel of this wine that I love. Lambrusco also pairs incredibly well with charcuterie plates. What’s not to love? I purchased this wine at my favorite local wine shop, Dedalus, for $22.99. If we were tallying the above list Italy comes out the winner with three wines in the top followed by France. Overall I would say with all the wine we have been consuming lately there has only been one I’ve been disappointed with so not bad on the purchasing front. I hope everyone remains safe at home and healthy and that you just might find a wine or two you love from this list! [...] Read more...
Roth Estate Winery Visit
Roth Estate Winery VisitOn my recent trip to San Francisco to visit my little sister and her newly expanded family, we took a day trip to Sonoma to visit two properties in the Foley-Sonoma portfolio: Chalk Hill Estate Winery and Roth Estate Winery.  Roth Estate Winery was our second tasting stop as it is conveniently located a stones throw down the road from Chalk Hill in Healdsburg, Sonoma County.  (For more on Chalk Hill click here).  Even though both of these wineries are owned by the same vintner, Bill Foley, there are stark contrasts to the tasting experience they offer.  Roth is the more laid back, hip little sister to the more upscale and elegant Chalk Hill.  Roth has been making highly acclaimed, affordable wines since 2001 and has been led by winemaker John Martin, who has worked at several Foley family properties, since 2017.  Bordeaux varietals from the Alexander Valley AVA as well as cool climate varietals from the Sonoma Coast AVA are produced. The architecture of the tasting room at Roth lends itself to the casual, relaxing feel that runs through Sonoma.  It is surrounded by a large patio filled with comfortable seating perfect for groups of six to eight people, as well as your typical outdoor games.  Cornhole anyone?  We had the run of the place when we arrived and we were able to snag a prime table with an umbrella to block the mid-day heat.  Outside food is allowed here and my friends brought a fantastic meat and cheese platter to share.  Since my sister is a member of the Foley-Sonoma wine club, four of us were able to try their Reserve tasting for no charge.  For non-members the cost of this tasting is $30 but is waived with a bottle purchase, the majority of which cost less than $50. The wines in the Reserve tasting were: 2017 Russian River Valley Barrel Fermented Sauvignon Blanc 2015 Russian River Valley Reserve Chardonnay 2016 Trenton Road Vineyard Pinot Noir 2016 Smokey Ridge Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel Two bonus pours at the end of the tasting included the 2016 Red Blend and the 2016 Alexander Valley Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon.  The pacing of the tasting was great until we were ready for the bonus pours.  The winery became extremely busy towards the end of our visit and we were told to come inside to the salon to receive our last pours.  There was very little space to stand and the staff looked overwhelmed so I wasn’t able to get much information on the last two bonus reds.  The standout wines for me during my visit to Roth Estate were the whites.  As I have mentioned in previous posts I am not the biggest fan of Sauvignon Blanc unless it’s from New Zealand or the Loire Valley in France.  That being said I really enjoyed the 2017 RRV Barrel Fermented Sauvignon Blanc!  There is some Sémillon added which may account for why I liked it so much.  Zippy, with amazing acidity, it was the perfect wine to begin the tasting with.  My other favorite in the lineup was the 2015 Russian River Valley Reserve Chardonnay.  I purchased a bottle to drink the following night during our Catan marathon.   I am a huge Chardonnay fan, gravitating to many types from New World versions to Chablis, to Champagne, and Blanc de Blancs, oak aged or non-oak aged!  I love the Chardonnay grape!  The 2015 Russian River Valley Reserve Chardonnay is a very drinkable, everyday Chard.  Pale gold in the glass with medium body and great acidity.  On the nose are aromas of lemon and pineapple while the palette has flavors of creamy lemon curd with baking spices on the finish.  This Chardonnay is 14.5% alcohol and only 190 cases are produced.  This does have some oak aging but I wouldn’t say it’s overly prevalent for those who don’t like that style. Overall we had an enjoyable visit to Roth Estate Winery.  We enjoyed the wines, time with our friends and family, and the scenic views of the surrounding vines.  I would like to go back for another visit to tour the cave as well as taste their Pinot Gris and Syrah.  As I finalize this post, fires are raging across California impacting hundreds of thousands of people.  The number of evacuees and structures being threatened are mind blowing. Many wineries, including Roth are closed.   Soda Rock Winery and Field Stone Winery have been destroyed in Sonoma.  I am completely in awe of the brave firefighters who are working around the clock to save lives and property.  They are true heroes.  My thoughts are with those effected and I hope these horrible fires are extinguished soon. [...] Read more...
Chalk Hill Estate Winery Visit
Chalk Hill Estate Winery Visit  I just got back from a fantastic extended weekend in San Francisco!  A few years ago my little sister left me in NYC to relocate to the West Coast.  It’s been difficult not seeing her as often as I would like.   Now that my nephew has been born it was time to jump on a plane to see her and meet my new nugget!  Normally when I visit San Fran I would be spending several days in wine country, trying to cram as many wineries in per day as we could.  However, the focus of the trip this time around was on family time and sightseeing in the city center.  My sister is a member of the Foley Sonoma Wine Club.   With that membership you have access to sixteen of their sister wineries for tours and tastings in California, Oregon, and Washington State.  We decided to do one afternoon of tastings and drove to Chalk Hill Estate Winery and Roth Estate Winery (blog on Roth coming soon). Chalk Hill Estate Winery is a picturesque 1300 acre property located close to Healdsburg in Sonoma County.  This highly acclaimed winery has been making wine for over forty years and was purchased in 2010 by Bill Foley, who since 1996 has been snapping up wineries both here in the US, and also in New Zealand.  For any hockey fans reading this (like my hubby) he is also the owner of the Vegas Golden Knights.  Last year his youngest daughter Courtney Foley was promoted to Head Winemaker at Chalk Hill, continuing the focus on sustainable vineyard practices and producing wines that truly exemplify their place.  There are approximately 350 acres dedicated to growing grapes for their Estate wines and they also source many other grape varietals from various vineyard sites around Sonoma County.  Chalk Hill is known for their Chardonnay but they also produce wines with many other grape varietals, some of which include: Malbec, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Sauvignon Blanc, and Pinot Gris.  Indigenous yeasts are used and the wines see both new and used French oak (stainless steel for the whites). Our tasting experience was the Chairman’s Reserve Tasting Flight for $30 per person and is waived with membership or a bottle purchase.  The tasting began with a welcome glass of 2018 Pinot Noir Rosé followed by: 2017 Sauvignon Blanc: 65% French Oak (14% new) / 35% Stainless Steel/ barrel aging: 7 months 2017 Wright Creek Chardonnay: 100% Chardonnay / 14.9% alcohol /100% French Oak (73% new) / barrel aging: 12 months / 250 cases 2015 Syrah: 100% Syrah / 15.4% alcohol / 100% French Oak (80% new) / barrel aging: 21 months / 380 cases 2015 Clara’s Vineyard: a Bordeaux style blend of 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Malbec, and 3% Petit Verdot / 100% French Oak (89% new) / barrel aging: 21 months As a bridge between the Chardonnay and the Syrah we went off menu and tasted a Pinot Noir which I didn’t take notes on.  The standouts for me in this tasting were the Rosé, Wright Chardonnay, and the Syrah.  I purchased half a case consisting of these three wines.  I really enjoyed the Pinot and was planning on buying a bottle, but I changed my mind at the last minute and added more Syrah to my order.  My least favorite wine in the tasting was the Sauvignon Blanc.  I didn’t dislike it, I just prefer French and New Zealand expressions of that grape.   I was very impressed with the service we received at Chalk Hill Estate Winery.  In May they changed to an appointment only format of which we were unaware.  They were somewhat busy even though it was early, and they accommodated our large group without making us feel awkward or unwelcome.  If you are looking for quality wines, attentive service, and stunning vineyard views for your tasting experience then I recommend a visit to Chalk Hill!   [...] Read more...
Anniversary Long Island Wine Weekend
Anniversary Long Island Wine WeekendLast weekend my husband and I celebrated our first wedding anniversary.  When he suggested we go to the Long Island wineries for the weekend I of course jumped all over the idea.  In my opinion there is really no better way to spend a weekend than taking in gorgeous, scenic vineyards and sampling the best wines each has to offer.  We have visited the Long Island wine trail several times already as recently as May.  I am a creature of habit and tend to go to the same wineries over and over.  This trip I decided to mix it up and try mostly new places and hopefully find some new favorites.  Only two on this trip were repeats from our last visit-Mattebella Vineyards and Lieb Cellars. We started the day very early at Sparkling Pointe.  This winery was highly recommended to us by two of my friends who know I adore bubbly.  I have to admit 11:00 am may be a bit early to start a long day of drinking but it was our anniversary so it was a fitting and light way to begin our touring. The tasting room is beautifully decorated and has a Brazilian theme. My husband who doesn’t normally care for sparkling wines really enjoyed the tasting.  Our favorites were the 2013 Brut Cuvée and the Cuvée Carnival. Mattebella Vineyards was a repeat visit from our May trip.  This is a hidden gem.  We have probably driven by this winery loads of times and never even noticed it.  It has a beautiful outdoor area alongside the vines with nicely arranged seating areas for groups of varying sizes. They are known for having very good red wines so I ordered the same tasting I did last time which is accompanied by small bites to pair with each. Our favorite wine of this tasting was the 2011 Old World Blend: Now it was on to another highly recommended winery that we had yet to experience Pellegrini Vineyards. My assistant has been telling me about this winery for a while and advised us to try her favorite Gewurtztraminer.  My husband is a big fan of Gewurtztraminer and Pellegrini’s didn’t disappoint. Other notable wines here were the Bordeaux style blend Encore Red 2010, the Petit Verdot, and the Rosé.  If I hadn’t had so much Rosé still at home I definitely would have purchases a few bottles. Another stop that was a repeat from May was Lieb Cellars.  They have great indoor seating as well as a patio out front.  I really like the vibe of this place.  It’s casual and welcoming.  I also really like their presentation of the tasting on the terracotta plates. Favorites purchased between the two trips were the Reserve Cabernet Franc 2014 and the Reserve Meritage 2013 which is a blend of 47% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 17% Malbec, 2% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petite Verdot. Now on to the star of the day- Shinn Estate.  I can’t believe that I have missed this place on previous trips.  The red wines here were outstanding and some of the best I have ever had from Long Island. Of course had I broken out of my “same old same old” habit sooner and done my research on where to go for bold reds I wouldn’t just be discovering this amazing winery. Every red wine I tasted here I absolutely loved but the three that stood out the most were Estate Merlot 2013, Wild Boar Doe 2013, and Nine Barrels Reserve Merlot 2014.  I bought two bottles of each of these to take home and I am sure I will need to make another trip out East very soon to restock.  I highly recommend visiting Shinn Estate if you are planning your own Long Island wine trip. For our second day of tasting I made a reservation at Wölffer Estate and Stables in Sagaponak. I am very familiar with Wölffer wines and have purchased them regularly but had never had the chance to spend an afternoon there and do a tasting.  I have had their Rosé Table Wine many times as well as their Summer White but was really looking to try their reds for the first time.  A table on the outdoor deck overlooks the beautiful vineyard and was extremely relaxing. I started with a tasting of four of their white label wines all named after their horses which included the Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, and the red blend Fatalis Fatum.  The Fatalis Fatum was my favorite of the four and is a blend of 42% Merlot, 33% Cabernet Franc, 23% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 2% Petite Verdot.  After that with the sun coming out and warming us up I had to end with a glass of Rosé. Sadly the weekend had come to an end and we had to head back home but not before picking up a few bottles and some stemless wine glasses. Every time we tour the Long Island wineries I am reminded that there are so many wonderful winemakers producing some really excellent wines and the best part is they are so close to home.  Many are using sustainable practices and I love eating and drinking local whenever possible.  I would like to also mention some of my other favorite haunts that I didn’t visit this time around: The Old Field-great Merlot and The Commodore red.  Also pick up some farm fresh eggs to take home. Croteaux– the secret is unfortunately out.  My favorite stop to enjoy French style Rosé in a garden that will make you feel you are at a farmhouse in Provence. Paumanok– try the Festival Red as well as their Dry Rosé and Vin Rosé. Love Lane Kitchen– we have dinner here anytime we do an overnight trip.  Amazing food and a good wine list featuring the area’s wines in a cozy atmosphere. The Village Cheese Shop on Love Lane- stop here to pick up cheese and other snacks to eat between wine stops. For more information about the wineries and other stops mentioned in this blog click on names in bold for links to each.     [...] Read more...
Wines of Spain Tasting
Wines of Spain TastingAs many of you know I love nothing more than to head to Court Street Restaurant in Hoboken, NJ on a Saturday afternoon for a themed wine tasting.  The most recent that I attended was Wines of Spain.  Since these wines tend to be favorites of my fiancé  I didn’t hesitate to book it.  The tasting consisted of ten wines the last of which was a sherry.  This tasting didn’t disappoint and as usual we purchased quite a few of our favorites.  Here are the highlights: Haday Rueda 2013– This was one of three whites we sampled.  This is 50% viura and 50% verdejo grapes.  Very pale straw color and light bodied with 12% alcohol.  It is aged in stainless steel tanks and has notes of tropical fruit and citrus.  We liked this subtle white and with summer just around the corner it is perfect for our boating trips. Dominio de Tares Estay– Easily one of my favorites of the tasting.  This red wine from the Castilla y León region is very rare with only 2500 cases produced.  Made from 100% Prieto Picudo grapes from 100 year old vines and aged in both American and French oak barrels for six months.  Very dark, purplish red color with a cinnamon aroma.  Full cherry flavor with baked apples on the finish.  Very nice tannins.  This wine ages well and is 14.5% alcohol. Palacios Remondo “La Vendimia” Rioja 2012– Who doesn’t love Rioja?  This highly rated wine is 50% Garnacha and 50% Tempranillo.  It was dark ruby in the glass with vanilla and cherry aromas.  Great dark fruit and a spicy, smooth finish.  We didn’t purchase this wine but we both loved it and would purchase in the future. Dominio de Tares “Baltos” Bierzo 2012– Another highly rated red that was one of the best selections of the afternoon.  Same producer as the above Estay it is also aged in American and French oak barrels for six months but is 100% Mencía grapes.  Very old vines grown in clay and slate give a wonderful character to this wine.  Very dark ruby in the glass with a distinct vanilla aroma.  This wine is very fruit forward and smooth making it very easy drinking.  Production is higher with 6700 cases. 14% alcohol. Can Blau Monstant 2013– This red was a surprise in the fact that we had bought a bottle a few weeks prior at Buy Rite but had yet to open it.  This is a blend of Mazuelo, Syrah, and Garnacha grapes and is about 40%/40%/20% respectively.  Each of these grapes is grown in a different soil: clay, limestone, and slate which add complexity to the wine.  The more the vines have to struggle the better the wine.  Very dark ruby in the glass with spicy dark fruit flavors make this full bodied red a fantastic choice. 14.5% alcohol. We are really looking forward to drinking these wines this summer.  None of these wines were expensive and they are well worth purchasing based on the high quality they offer.  Look for these picks at your local wine shop and let me know what you think.  Spanish wines no matter what varietal or region are always an excellent choice! [...] Read more...
Rare Reds Class at New York Vintners
Rare Reds Class at New York VintnersMy colleagues and I purchased tickets to the Rare Reds class held at New York Vintners.  I love any opportunity to expand my knowledge of wine and to attend a class with friends after a tedious day at the office was a fantastic idea!  New York Vintners is located in downtown Manhattan at 21 Warren Street.  Not only are they a wine shop with a diverse and ever-changing selection but they offer a great variety of wine classes and special events.  Our Rare Reds tasting was located in the more intimate wine cellar room.  Our sommelier was extremely knowledgeable and guided us through all the wine basics while describing in detail all of the nuances of each wine we tasted.  It was fun to hear everyone’s opinions on each wine and what flavor profiles they were experiencing.  Part of the fun for me at these interactive events is that what I may taste can be completely different from what others are experiencing and there is no right or wrong aspect to it.  Upon arrival we were served an excellent Flor Prosecco while we waited for the class to begin.  After the bubbly we went on to taste six additional wines: *Sunier, Julien 2012 Morgon– 100% Gamay from the Morgon appellation of the Beajoulais region of France.  This is translucent ruby in the glass with light cherry and floral aromas.  It’s light bodied and slightly acidic with light cherry flavor.  Would pair well with salty food, lean meat, seafood, and salads.  I liked this wine but didn’t love it as i tend to prefer bolder, heavier reds. *Trousse-Chemise 2012 Pinot Noir-from the Willamette Valley in Oregon which in my opinion produces the best Pinot Noir hands down!  This was also ruby in color with raspberry and cherry aromas.  It is light to medium bodied with a slight spice and more pronounced cherry flavor.  It had a very nice earthiness to it.  Pairs well with steak, chicken, and salmon.  Can hold for three to seven years.  I enjoyed this Pinot Noir and it’s reasonably priced so I would most likely purchase this in the future. *Matias 2011 Torres Negramoll-from the Canary Islands in Spain.  This was my first experience with the Negramoll variety.  It was a brown tinted ruby in the glass and had flavors of vanilla, cherry, and strawberry.  I found this slightly smokey from the volcanic soil.  Would pair well with BBQ.  I didn’t like this wine and the opinions of others in the room were quite mixed. *Crivelli 2012 Ruché– extremely rare wine from the Piedmont region in Italy.  This was dark ruby in the glass and had a pronounced floral aroma.  The flavor profile was more complex with tart red fruit, violets, and mulling spices.  Would pair best with fatty foods.  I absolutely loved this wine.  Too bad it is so hard to find! *Fleuron 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon-an extremely smooth Cab from Sonoma, California.  Dark ruby in appearance and aged in French Oak barrels.  Flavors of soft cherry with a hint of green pepper.  I love Cabs and this one didn’t disappoint.  My second favorite of the class! *Ippolito 2011 Liber Pater Ciro-from Calabria in Southern Italy.  Very dark ruby in appearance.  Extremely fruit forward, jammy, and tannic.  I wasn’t impressed with this wine at all. Overall I loved the experience of this Rare Reds class.  My coworkers loved it so much they went back a few weeks later for the Perfect Pizza Pairings class which they all highly recommended.  All of the wines featured in this class were under $30 with the exception of the Fleuron Cabernet Sauvignon which was under $50.  There is something for everyone on this list so enjoy them if you can find them! [...] Read more...
A Taste of Zagat Wine 2014
A Taste of Zagat Wine 2014Last Friday my fiancé and I attended our second Zagat Wine tasting. A few years ago he gave me a membership to the Zagat Wine Club for my birthday and we can’t say enough positive things about it. Held at the Metropolitan Pavilion in NYC, this year’s event featured 20 tables hosting a total of 74 wines from all over the world. With all that choice it was a little overwhelming as to where to begin and how many to try! I am happy to say that we sampled many and were able to walk a straight line upon leaving! Everyone was given a chip as they entered to vote for their favorite wine. Listed below are the wines we tasted. I am using a star rating to denote if the wine was extra special and how much I loved the wine * is great and ** is excellent. Roche Lacour 2011 from France ** is now my favorite bubbly! Starmaker Viognier 2012 from California The Prospector 2012 from California ** Paumanok ‘Prestige Cuvée’ from Long Island * Saracosa Rosso di Toscana 2012 from Italy Duca di Cardino 2008 from Italy * Alessandro Gallici Prosecco NV from Italy * La Cantera Reserva 2006 from Spain * Gran Bombero 2010 from Spain ** Pagos de Tahola Rioja 2010 from Spain Pagos de Tahola Rioja Reserva 2006 from Spain * Camino Ibérico Rioja Rosado 2013 * Ermita de San Lorenzo Gran Reserva 1993 from Spain Cardal Vinho Tinto 2010 from Portugal * Piscadela Reserva 2011 from Portugal ** Le Grand Chai Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2010 from France ** Château de Colombe 2012 from France ** Alma Andina Malbec Reserve 2012 from Argentina * The Waxed Bat Reserve 2010 from Argentina ** Alambrado Malbec/Tempranillo 2011 from Argentina * Alambrado Gran Seleccion Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 from Argentina ** Don Cayetano Cabernet Reserva Especial 2012 from Chile ** Saint Tropez Rosé 2012 from France ** Baileyana Pinot Noir Rosé 2013 from California * Petticoat White Zinfandel 2012 from California La Pinta Malbec Rosé 2013 from Argentina Brennan Vineyards Viognier 2011 from Texas Stonewall Sauvignon Blanc 2012 from New Zealand ** Charles Smith Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 from Washington State ** Pillastro Primitivo 2011 from Italy ** Virginie T. Brut Champangne NV from France * Château Bel-Air Lagrave Moulis-en-Médoc Cru Bourgeois 1989 from France ** Tenuta Lamiata Brunello di Montalcino 2009 from Italy ** Meridion par Pierre Perrin Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2010 from France ** La Tirela Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2011 from Italy ** The Full Fifteen Sparkling Red NV from Australia * Mar Azur Moscato 2012 from Spain * As you can clearly see from the list above we made excellent headway into tasting as many of the featured wines as possible. With a tasting this large our game plan was to be very selective so wines we had already received in past shipments were skipped. Zagat Wine Club specializes in small production wineries which may produce limited cases each year and may be difficult to find at retail. It makes each case all the more unique and special. At the end of the evening the votes for the favorite wines of the event were cast. The winners of the competition for best wine were: 1st place: Le Coin Sauvignon Gris 2012 from France 2nd place: Château la Clariére Laithwaite Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux 2009 from France 3rd place: The Waxed Bat Reserve 2010 from Argentina The top 2 places were both by winemaker Tony Laithwaite. Since I didn’t try the first or second place wines I can’t say if I agree or not with my fellow tasters. I love The Waxed Bat Reserve and agree that it deserved to be in the top three. Their non reserve version has been my most popular blog post to date. My vote for the best wine of the night and the receiver of my chip was: The Prospector 2012 from Reed Renaudin’s X Winery in Napa, California I tried this wine early in the evening and no wine after that was able to beat it. It blends all my favorite grape varietals: Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Malbec, and Syrah. Overall the evening was quite a lot of fun and we were happy to see how much the Zagat Wine Tasting has grown and improved since the first one we attended. I am already looking forward to the next event and hoping that some of the above gems will be in our next club shipment! [...] Read more...
Be Your Own Wine Expert
Be Your Own Wine ExpertFor most people drinking wine is a pleasurable and relaxing experience however the process of selecting what wines to enjoy can be a very daunting task.  Wine stores and restaurant wine lists can be intimidating and at times overwhelming for any wine novice.  Instead of making blind decisions and worrying if your selection will be worthwhile, there are several ways that anyone can become their own wine expert. WINE TASTINGS The best advice I received in the wine world was at my very first wine tasting.  The distributor guiding us through the tasting said that the best way for anyone to learn about wine is to educate your palate by trying as many different wines as you can from all varieties and regions.  The more you do this the more you learn what you like and what you dislike.  You may like heavier, full bodied reds or you may realize you prefer dry, crisp whites.  The easiest way to do this is to attend wine tastings offered by local restaurants and wine shops.  Whether these tastings are free or require a small admission fee they are a fun and educational way to try a broad selection in one sitting.  These events also teach the proper technique for tasting a wine as well as background on the wineries and their production processes. VISIT A WINERY NEAR YOU If you have a day, a long weekend, or better yet can head to Napa for a week- take a trip to wine country and head to your nearest winery.  For a low fee you can taste a sampling of what that particular winery has to offer. Some even provide behind the scenes tours to demonstrate the wine making process.  My own visits to the North Fork of Long Island and Napa, CA provided me with what now are some of my favorite wines.  Since some of these are only available locally had I not taken the trip out there they would have remained undiscovered to me. MAKE YOUR OWN WINE TASTING A great excuse to stay in on a Saturday night-have your own wine tasting party.  My friend did this as an alternative to a traditional bachelorette party and it was a huge hit.  Each guest brought a bottle of wine they wanted to try as well as an appetizer to share.  Each wine was sampled and reviewed which encouraged discussion of the different wine styles.  At the end of the night everyone voted on their favorites.  This is another great way to try many different varietals without having to step out and buy something without trying it beforehand. PUT YOUR NOSE IN A BOOK After you have tasted your way to becoming an expert you can take your nose out of the glass for a bit and put it into a good wine book.  There are many books now available at Barnes & Noble on this topic and they provide a more economical alternative to enrolling in formal wine classes.  My wine bible is the Windows on the World Complete Course Book by Kevin Zraly 2010 edition.  This book is full of valuable information and is written in a clear and understandable format.  It also includes the wine selections that are used in the tasting portion of each of his actual classes. The more you taste and learn about what you are drinking the easier it becomes to know without a doubt what wines you will enjoy most.  Become your own wine expert because life is too short to drink bad wine! [...] Read more...
Napa Valley Trip 2011
Napa Valley Trip 2011This past August my boyfriend Andrzej and I were finally able to take a trip to California and tour Napa Valley.  I decided to tack the trip onto my Vegas business trip so we would have three full days of tasting to do.  Not a huge amount of time but enough to visit quite a few vineyards on my list and it gives us an excuse to keep going back.  Prior to our trip I consulted with my Opus Vino book, friends, and co-workers and began to map out the wineries and tasting rooms I wanted to visit.  From touring Long Island I knew we would only be able to hit 5-6 wineries per day so as to not overdo it.  I only chose wineries where you didn’t have to make an appointment.  I wanted to be on our own schedule and not have to rush and watch the clock all day. Day 1 Plumpjack (Oakville) Plumpjack was recommended to me by a very good friend who loves their wines.  I had heard only great things about their quality and since their wines are higher in price than the majority of what I normally buy and write about, visiting is an excellent way to get acquainted.  We sampled a flight of five wines the highlights of which were the Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah.  The trip was off to a great start! Peju (Rutherford) Our second stop was also due to a recommendation from a vendor of mine.  He raves about Peju and served their wines at his wedding.  We were guided through our flight by Alan who was very knowledgeable but made the tasting very entertaining as he “rapped” about the different wines they produce.  I really enjoyed the Provence and the Cabernet Sauvignon.  The grounds are very pretty and there is a cute gift shop you can browse in before or after your tasting. Sterling Vineyards (Calistoga) I made sure to add Sterling to our itinerary.  Even though their wines are readily available almost anywhere, the tasting room is perched on a hilltop and is accessible by a gondola ride.  Once up top you walk through the facility and get your wine samples at different stations around the property.  It is a genius format so that you can learn and sip as  you go.  The views from the terrace are stunning and great for photo ops.  The tasting flight was of five wines.  I particularly enjoyed the Cellar Club Riesling and the Cellar Club Malvasia Bianca which was a dessert wine. Castello di Amorosa (Calistoga) From the top of Sterling you can see Castello di Amorosa down the road.  It is a replica of a medieval European castle built by Dario Sattui.  This winery features Italian style wines.  I initially didn’t want to stop here as I thought it would be too “touristy” and that the wines wouldn’t be all that good.  I am happy to say that this was not the case.  With the purchase of your tasting you can tour the entire castle and grounds.  The tasting is done in the cellar that also houses an incredible gift shop offering all kinds of cool medieval themed items as well as all things wine.  We enjoyed all of the wines that we tasted here.  The stand outs for me were the Fantasy red, Sangiovese, and the  sweet Gewurtztraminer.  Since these wines are only available at the castle I ended up placing an order to ship home. With our first day of tasting at an end we headed to Morimoto for dinner.  I cannot say enough about this restaurant.  Of course how could it be bad when an Iron Chef owns it?  For appetizers we had the pork gyoza with bacon foam and the rock shrimp tempura.  I am still dreaming of the rock shrimp tempura and it is one of the best things I have ever eaten!  My entree was Alaskan halibut with ginger and for dessert we had the trio of ice cream sandwiches.  Definitely a meal I won’t ever forget! Day 2 Turnbull Wine Cellars (Oakville) We began our second day at Turnbull Wine Cellars.  This was a quick visit but we got a nice overview of their wines.  I recommend their Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah. Franciscan (Rutherford) While we were in Las Vegas we had dinner at my all time favorite restaurant Prime in the Bellagio Hotel.  To pair with our steaks we ordered a bottle of Franciscan Merlot and we loved it.   I had to add the winery to my list for our trip.  This winery makes some excellent wines and I loved my tasting flight.  The Rose 2010 and the Clos Reserve were amazing but my favorite was the Fountain Court named for the fountain out front. St. Clement (St. Helena) This winery is located in a beautiful restored Victorian home surrounded by pretty landscaped grounds.  The front porch is very welcoming and the decor inside is full of old fashioned charm.  Again on offer was a flight consisting of five wines mainly red varietals.  Highlights of this winery are the “Napa Valley” Chardonnay (Carneros), “Napa Valley” Cabernet Sauvignon, and the Oroppas.  The Oroppas is a blend created with grapes from six appellations in Napa and is rated 90 points by Robert Parker Jr.  All were very consistent and excellent quality wines that I would purchase in the future.  There is also a patio on the property to enjoy your wines and live music on the weekends. Rombauer Vineyards (St. Helena) Rombauer was recommended to me by several co-workers who raved about their Zinfandel.  Since Andrzej isn’t a huge Zin fan I chose a flight for us to share that had other varietals.  My favorites were the 2006 Diamond Selection Cabernet Sauvignon and the 2010 Carneros Chardonnay.  I can’t say enough about the Chardonnay.  Definitely one of the best I have tasted so far and I went on to purchase a bottle to drink on the trip. Chimney Rock (Napa) This was another quick stop as we were getting tired after a  long day of sampling.  We were under the gun as the wineries were about to close.  We were able to squeeze in a tasting here and we were very impressed with what it had to offer.  The best wines of this tasting were the 2010 Rose of Cabernet Franc, the 2006 Terlato Cabernet, and the 2007 Terlato Galaxy. After a quick rest at the hotel we headed to Yountville for dinner at Pacific Blues Cafe.   Very quaint and not expensive we had a very good dinner.  The chicken tortilla soup was very satisfying.  I loved the blue burger with blue cheese and jalapeno jelly, while Andrzej enjoyed a huge pork chop with mango salsa and garlic fries.  A perfect ending to our second day in Napa. Day 3 Our last day was the most special because we had friends drive up from San Fransisco to join us. Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars (Napa) It is very easy for people to become confused as there are two wineries with the name Stags Leap and they are on the same road not that far away from each other.  I chose this one since we weren’t required to have an appointment.  I hate to write anything negative but this was the winery that disappointed me the most.  Even after we were there early right after they opened it took forever for someone to bring out our glasses and menu to choose the tasting. The staff was also less than enthusiastic while explaining the wines in the tasting.  I chose the Napa Valley Collection Tasting flight of four wines.  While none of them were what I would consider bad wines I wasn’t wowed either.  The 2007 Artemis Cabernet Sauvignon was the best of the four.  I would not go back to this winery again but would check out the it’s neighbor of the same name to compare. Clos Du Val (Napa) One of my favorites of the entire trip!  I cannot say enough about these wines.  Everything we had we loved.  We were given samples of wines that weren’t on the tasting and you could say we were hooked.  Enough so that we as well as our friends joined their wine club.  Our favorites were the 2008 Cabernet Franc Napa Valley, 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Stags Leap District, and the special tasting of the 2000 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon. Pine Ridge Vineyards (Stags Leap) Another spur of the moment stop that wasn’t planned but turned out to be well worth our time.  They have a very cool wine vault that you can explore and the tasting was very relaxed and informative.  Our tasting was again of five wines and while they were all good I gave stars to four of them.  The 2008 Dijon Clones Chardonnay, 2007 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, 2007 Onyx, and 2007 Fortis were all excellent. V. Sattui (St. Helena) I would nickname this the party winery.  Known for it’s picnic grounds that is exactly why we went there.  This winery has a huge on site deli with all kinds of food including an incredible selection of cheeses and meat.  Our friends purchased a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon and we relaxed with our goodies on a picnic table under the shade of the trees.  V. Sattui was very crowded partly due to the BBQ they serve on the weekends.  The atmosphere was great and the food and wine were worth stopping for. Domaine Chandon (Yountville) If you love bubbly like I do then you must visit Domaine Chandon.  This winery features pretty scenic grounds and indoor or outdoor tasting bars as well as an on site restaurant.  You can choose from four different tasting menus that vary by price.  My choice was the Reserve tasting that featured Reserve Chardonnay Brut, Reserve Pinot Noir Brut, and Reserve Pinot Noir Rose.  We all picked different tastings and everyone was happy with the wines. Ma(i)sonry (Yountville) I saved the best for last!  I read about Ma(i)sonry tasting room because I was interested in trying wines from Blackbird Vineyards.  The tasting room is housed in a charming stone building that is also an art gallery with an outdoor garden with plenty of intimate seating.  The Blackbird tasting consisted of five of their wines and I was completely blown away.  These are now some of my all time favorite wines.  The 2010 Arriviste Rose is one of the top rated Rose’s in California.  The 2009 Arise is a great, everyday drinking wine.  My two favorites were the 2008 Illustration and the 2008 Contrarian.  I ended up placing a nice order while I was there but then ordered more when I returned home.  Though the majority of these wines are more than my budget normally allows for wine they are well worth splurging on. This marked the end of our time in Napa and though I was sad to leave I think I could have only done one more day of tasting before I would need a break.  I look forward to visiting Napa again in the near future and have discovered that when in doubt you can’t go wrong with many of the wines from this region.         [...] Read more...
Wines of France Tasting 1-8-11
Wines of France Tasting 1-8-11Court Street Restaurant in Hoboken, NJ has wine tastings in it’s dining room at least two times per month from fall to spring.  Over the past several years this has become my absolute favorite thing to do on a Saturday afternoon.  Ten wines are presented by a distributor in a laid back, educational and fun setting with a particular theme, either by region as the Wines of France tasting was, or by price point.  I have particularly liked the Wines Under $25 and have found lots of wonderful wines this way and have written about several  on this website.  Since I love anything from France whether it’s a great stinky cheese or a delicious bottle of Cote de Rhone I knew I had to sign up for yesterdays event.  I was definitely not disappointed.  Ten wines were presented from nine small production French wineries all of which are imported by Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant: LASCAUX BLANC 2008-CHATEAU DE LASCAUX from the Languedoc region HIPPOLYTE-REVERDY SANCERRE 2009-DOMAINE HIPPOLYTE REVERDY from the Loire region LASCAUX ROSE 2009-CHATEAU DE LASCAUX from the Languedock region CHAMPALOU VOUVRAY 2008-DOMAINE CHAMPALOU from the Loire region BOUVIER BOURGOGNE ROUGE 2008-DOMAINE REGIS BOUVIER from the Burgandy region CLOS LA COUTALE-COUTALE CAHORS 2008-from Southwest France ST COSME COTES DU RHONE LES DEUX ALBIONS 2008 DOMAINE LECCIA ROUGE 2009-DOMAINE LECCIA-from the Corsica region CHATEAU ST MARTIN DE LA GARRIGUE ‘BRONZINELLE’ ROUGE 2008-from the Languedoc region JOGUET CUVEE LE CURE 2007-DOMAINE CHARLES JOGUET-from the Loire region All of the wines were very good and there wasn’t one that I wouldn’t purchase for myself.  I did have several favorites: the rose, the vouvray, the Coutale Cahors,  the cote du rhone, and the ‘Bronzinelle’ rouge.  The rose was the best French rose I have tasted so far while the vouvray didn’t even need to be paired with food.  It was a delicious and complex white that drinks quite well on it’s own.  The stand out reds were all well balanced and smooth on the palate with good dark fruit flavors.  Not only were they great quality but none of them were overly expensive.  Kudos to Megan at Court Street for choosing these wines and to Kermit Lynch for bringing them to the US for us to enjoy! [...] Read more...
Zagat Wine Tasting
Zagat Wine TastingLast week I had the privilege to attend Zagat’s first wine tasting for members of their wine club.  The tasting was held at Bayard’s in lower Manhattan on November 29th and I couldn’t think of a better way to de-stress on a Monday night after a hectic day at work than to drink lots of wine!  Eight tables were set up with a varied selection of 24 wines from several different wine regions.  Upon entering the tasting we were all treated with a glass of South Ridge Classic Cuvee 2008 from Sussex, England, the first time it has ever been poured in the US!  Acclaimed wine writer Hugh Johnson author of The World Atlas of Wine and The Pocket Wine Book kicked the event off with a short speech and then it was time to hit the tables, glass in hand and ready to be filled.  Pouring the wines were Zagat wine buyers and employees, as well as wine makers William Knuttel and the rock star of the wine world Charles Smith.  In addition to his superb syrah Charles Smith brought along his outstanding Phil Lane K Syrah 2008 from Walla Walla.  Needless to say we hit him up more than once for a glass!  Standout wines of the tasting for us were: Les Anges de Malassan Viognier 2009, Oc Vin de Pays (France) Perla Del Mar 2009, Alicante DO (Spain) Roche Lacour Rose 2008, Cremant de Limoux AOC (France) Charles Smith Syrah 2009, Columbia Valley (Washington State) K Syrah 2008, Walla Walla (Washington State) William Knuttel Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, Sonoma County (California) The Zagat wine club membership was a birthday gift this year from my boyfriend and it has been wonderful so far.  We just received our third case and when the box arrives it is like Christmas for me.  We can’t wait to open it up and see what fabulous wines are ours to discover.  There hasn’t been a bad bottle yet!  Most of the wines at this event we have yet to receive in our previous cases so based on how many amazing wines we tried last week I am hoping more of these wines that were featured will be arriving at our door very soon. [...] Read more...
City Winery
City WineryThis summer I had the opportunity to attend two wine and cheese pairing classes at City Winery in NYC.  Located at 155 Varick Street, City Winery is the first fully functioning winery in Manhattan and was founded by Michael Dorf.  His vision was to create a  space in the city where you can go and enjoy amazing wines paired with great food and live music.  Along with the many concerts they have scheduled they also offer special event dinners with winemakers, a private dining room, as well as a barrel making program for individuals or corporations.   One of the coolest things I love about City Winery is that when you order one of their wines by the glass it comes straight from a barrel in the cellar through the tap and into your glass, skipping the bottle altogether.  You simply can’t get any fresher than that! The wine classes that I attended were in partnership with Murray’s Cheese, Manhattan’s oldest and most renowned cheese shop.  My favorite was in honor of the World Cup and the teams competing were France vs Italy.  It featured 2 Italian wines and 3 cheeses against 2 French wines and 3  cheeses.  While I loved all the cheeses we tried no matter what country they were from, in the end France won out for me.  No  surprise there.  I absolutely loved the French red Chateau d’Or et de Geulules Costieres-de-Nimes Les Cimels 2007.  This wine was dark ruby in color, had aromas of cherry and blackberry, and had tons of spice and dark fruit flavor.  I do have to give Italy an honorable mention for the white wine we sampled- Fruilano Bastianich 2007.  This wine was pale gold in color with a sweet honey aroma, and was drier with lemon and pear flavors.  It paired beautifully with the Petit Billy goat cheese from France.  Other cheeses that were standouts were the Pyranees Brebis, a sheeps milk cheese from France and the Taleggio from Italy.  This Taleggio from Murray’s wasn’t as ripe and soft as the ones I have bought but the flavor was still excellent especially when paired with the French red wine. I loved this concept of having 2 wine regions face off and having everyone pick their favorite.  It would make for a great do it yourself wine tasting party and the options would be endless:  Australia vs New Zealand,  Washington vs California, Chile vs Spain, I could go on and on.  Thanks to City Winery for offering these educational and fun classes.  I can’t wait to see what the next classes are on the schedule! [...] Read more...

California

Clos Du Val Three Graces
Clos Du Val Three GracesYears ago during my first visit to Napa Valley we stopped by Clos Du Val winery with friends for a tasting. Clos Du Val is family owned and has an important history in Napa wine.  (If you are a wine geek like me, you may know they were part of the 1976 Judgement of Paris blind tasting.)  During our visit we were able to taste through their current offerings at the time as well as some library wines not listed.  I am not joking when I say it was love at first sip!  Since that day I have been a member of their wine club and the arrival of my quarterly shipment causes a lot of excitement in my house! Once per year I receive a bottle of Clos Du Val Three Graces in my shipment.  This red blend is the first class wine of their portfolio and the special attention to detail during the selection of the blend, as well as the production of the wine are beautifully expressed when you open the bottle.  Recently, their wine maker Ted Henry tasted this wine live on Instagram and explained how he goes barrel by barrel and selects the best of each grape varietal used to create this wine. The Clos Du Val Three Graces 2015 is a blend of 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot all grown in the Hirondelle Estate Vineyard.  The juice ferments in stainless steel tanks and is pumped over three times per day.  Aging takes place in 100% new oak barrels for two years.  Since I also have a bottle of the 2016 in my cellar, I decided Valentine’s Day dinner with my family was a special occasion that called for the sharing this very special wine.  Upon pouring in the glass: medium ruby color, with medium intensity aromas of black fruit, vanilla, cedar, smoke, and earth.  Three Graces is a dry wine, with high acidity, high tannin, and is high in alcohol at 14.5%.  It is full-bodied, with pronounced flavors of blackberry, black cherry, vanilla, and cinnamon.  The flavors are very concentrated and are present on the long finish. The 2015 is available on the Clos Du Val website but it’s a bit of a splurge at $175 a bottle.  If you are planning a trip to Napa Valley I highly suggest a visit to their tasting room.  Reservations are required ahead of time and they have several tasting experiences you may choose from.  Other wines worth tasting from Clos Du Val are their Cabernet Franc which is a regular favorite of mine, as well as the Estate Chardonnay, and the Cabernet Sauvignon from the Hirondelle vineyard. These wines are always consistent and REALLY good!  Do you have a favorite Clos Du Val wine?  Let me know in the comments. Picture above is my customized Fall 2019 shipment.  (Club shipment was Three Graces 2016 and a Pinot Noir.  I swapped out the Pinot Noir and added the Petit Verdot, Cab Franc, and Merlot.) [...] Read more...
Roth Estate Winery Visit
Roth Estate Winery VisitOn my recent trip to San Francisco to visit my little sister and her newly expanded family, we took a day trip to Sonoma to visit two properties in the Foley-Sonoma portfolio: Chalk Hill Estate Winery and Roth Estate Winery.  Roth Estate Winery was our second tasting stop as it is conveniently located a stones throw down the road from Chalk Hill in Healdsburg, Sonoma County.  (For more on Chalk Hill click here).  Even though both of these wineries are owned by the same vintner, Bill Foley, there are stark contrasts to the tasting experience they offer.  Roth is the more laid back, hip little sister to the more upscale and elegant Chalk Hill.  Roth has been making highly acclaimed, affordable wines since 2001 and has been led by winemaker John Martin, who has worked at several Foley family properties, since 2017.  Bordeaux varietals from the Alexander Valley AVA as well as cool climate varietals from the Sonoma Coast AVA are produced. The architecture of the tasting room at Roth lends itself to the casual, relaxing feel that runs through Sonoma.  It is surrounded by a large patio filled with comfortable seating perfect for groups of six to eight people, as well as your typical outdoor games.  Cornhole anyone?  We had the run of the place when we arrived and we were able to snag a prime table with an umbrella to block the mid-day heat.  Outside food is allowed here and my friends brought a fantastic meat and cheese platter to share.  Since my sister is a member of the Foley-Sonoma wine club, four of us were able to try their Reserve tasting for no charge.  For non-members the cost of this tasting is $30 but is waived with a bottle purchase, the majority of which cost less than $50. The wines in the Reserve tasting were: 2017 Russian River Valley Barrel Fermented Sauvignon Blanc 2015 Russian River Valley Reserve Chardonnay 2016 Trenton Road Vineyard Pinot Noir 2016 Smokey Ridge Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel Two bonus pours at the end of the tasting included the 2016 Red Blend and the 2016 Alexander Valley Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon.  The pacing of the tasting was great until we were ready for the bonus pours.  The winery became extremely busy towards the end of our visit and we were told to come inside to the salon to receive our last pours.  There was very little space to stand and the staff looked overwhelmed so I wasn’t able to get much information on the last two bonus reds.  The standout wines for me during my visit to Roth Estate were the whites.  As I have mentioned in previous posts I am not the biggest fan of Sauvignon Blanc unless it’s from New Zealand or the Loire Valley in France.  That being said I really enjoyed the 2017 RRV Barrel Fermented Sauvignon Blanc!  There is some Sémillon added which may account for why I liked it so much.  Zippy, with amazing acidity, it was the perfect wine to begin the tasting with.  My other favorite in the lineup was the 2015 Russian River Valley Reserve Chardonnay.  I purchased a bottle to drink the following night during our Catan marathon.   I am a huge Chardonnay fan, gravitating to many types from New World versions to Chablis, to Champagne, and Blanc de Blancs, oak aged or non-oak aged!  I love the Chardonnay grape!  The 2015 Russian River Valley Reserve Chardonnay is a very drinkable, everyday Chard.  Pale gold in the glass with medium body and great acidity.  On the nose are aromas of lemon and pineapple while the palette has flavors of creamy lemon curd with baking spices on the finish.  This Chardonnay is 14.5% alcohol and only 190 cases are produced.  This does have some oak aging but I wouldn’t say it’s overly prevalent for those who don’t like that style. Overall we had an enjoyable visit to Roth Estate Winery.  We enjoyed the wines, time with our friends and family, and the scenic views of the surrounding vines.  I would like to go back for another visit to tour the cave as well as taste their Pinot Gris and Syrah.  As I finalize this post, fires are raging across California impacting hundreds of thousands of people.  The number of evacuees and structures being threatened are mind blowing. Many wineries, including Roth are closed.   Soda Rock Winery and Field Stone Winery have been destroyed in Sonoma.  I am completely in awe of the brave firefighters who are working around the clock to save lives and property.  They are true heroes.  My thoughts are with those effected and I hope these horrible fires are extinguished soon. [...] Read more...
Chalk Hill Estate Winery Visit
Chalk Hill Estate Winery Visit  I just got back from a fantastic extended weekend in San Francisco!  A few years ago my little sister left me in NYC to relocate to the West Coast.  It’s been difficult not seeing her as often as I would like.   Now that my nephew has been born it was time to jump on a plane to see her and meet my new nugget!  Normally when I visit San Fran I would be spending several days in wine country, trying to cram as many wineries in per day as we could.  However, the focus of the trip this time around was on family time and sightseeing in the city center.  My sister is a member of the Foley Sonoma Wine Club.   With that membership you have access to sixteen of their sister wineries for tours and tastings in California, Oregon, and Washington State.  We decided to do one afternoon of tastings and drove to Chalk Hill Estate Winery and Roth Estate Winery (blog on Roth coming soon). Chalk Hill Estate Winery is a picturesque 1300 acre property located close to Healdsburg in Sonoma County.  This highly acclaimed winery has been making wine for over forty years and was purchased in 2010 by Bill Foley, who since 1996 has been snapping up wineries both here in the US, and also in New Zealand.  For any hockey fans reading this (like my hubby) he is also the owner of the Vegas Golden Knights.  Last year his youngest daughter Courtney Foley was promoted to Head Winemaker at Chalk Hill, continuing the focus on sustainable vineyard practices and producing wines that truly exemplify their place.  There are approximately 350 acres dedicated to growing grapes for their Estate wines and they also source many other grape varietals from various vineyard sites around Sonoma County.  Chalk Hill is known for their Chardonnay but they also produce wines with many other grape varietals, some of which include: Malbec, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Sauvignon Blanc, and Pinot Gris.  Indigenous yeasts are used and the wines see both new and used French oak (stainless steel for the whites). Our tasting experience was the Chairman’s Reserve Tasting Flight for $30 per person and is waived with membership or a bottle purchase.  The tasting began with a welcome glass of 2018 Pinot Noir Rosé followed by: 2017 Sauvignon Blanc: 65% French Oak (14% new) / 35% Stainless Steel/ barrel aging: 7 months 2017 Wright Creek Chardonnay: 100% Chardonnay / 14.9% alcohol /100% French Oak (73% new) / barrel aging: 12 months / 250 cases 2015 Syrah: 100% Syrah / 15.4% alcohol / 100% French Oak (80% new) / barrel aging: 21 months / 380 cases 2015 Clara’s Vineyard: a Bordeaux style blend of 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Malbec, and 3% Petit Verdot / 100% French Oak (89% new) / barrel aging: 21 months As a bridge between the Chardonnay and the Syrah we went off menu and tasted a Pinot Noir which I didn’t take notes on.  The standouts for me in this tasting were the Rosé, Wright Chardonnay, and the Syrah.  I purchased half a case consisting of these three wines.  I really enjoyed the Pinot and was planning on buying a bottle, but I changed my mind at the last minute and added more Syrah to my order.  My least favorite wine in the tasting was the Sauvignon Blanc.  I didn’t dislike it, I just prefer French and New Zealand expressions of that grape.   I was very impressed with the service we received at Chalk Hill Estate Winery.  In May they changed to an appointment only format of which we were unaware.  They were somewhat busy even though it was early, and they accommodated our large group without making us feel awkward or unwelcome.  If you are looking for quality wines, attentive service, and stunning vineyard views for your tasting experience then I recommend a visit to Chalk Hill!   [...] Read more...
Parducci True Grit Reserve Petite Sirah 2013
Parducci True Grit Reserve Petite Sirah 2013I have come to the realization that I don’t drink enough Petite Sirah.  I love a big, bold red but always tend to gravitate towards your typical Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, or Malbec.  My friend and coworker Stefanie is always seeking out Petite Sirah but it wasn’t until we went to Napa together and didn’t see it on offer at any of tasting rooms that I wondered why it wasn’t more readily available. Until then I hadn’t given it too much thought.  My local wine shops don’t have much to choose from in terms of this varietal either.  You may see 4 to 6 different options and that’s pretty much it. Recently I stopped into Pure Liquid located in the Oculus in downtown Manhattan on my way home from work.  Not only is this wine store extremely convenient but they also have a very good selection of better wines at reasonable prices.  On Fridays they have tastings from 4-7 pm and on this particular Friday they were tasting Parducci True Grit Reserve Petite Sirah 2013 from Mendocino, CA.  One sip and I knew I had to purchase a bottle to get the full experience of what was inside.  In the glass it is a very dark ruby color.  This is very full bodied and after a few swirls there is a very prominent aroma of smokey, BBQ meat.  Blackberry fruit gives way into subtle spices and a smooth finish.  The alcohol on this is 14.5%.  This wine just kept getting better as we got further into the bottle so I recommend letting it open up a bit before drinking. Parducci is run by the Thornhill family and has been making wine for 85 years and counting.  They are known for sustainable practices and a commitment to water conservation to make their award winning wines.  In addition to the Petite Sirah there is also a Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and a Reserve Red blend in the True Grit Collection. Parducci True Grit Reserve Petite Sirah not only got the thumbs up from me but from my Petite Sirah loving friend and with retails under $30 it is an excellent buy.  I would love to see more Petite Sirah options available and encourage everyone to share their favorites in the comments. [...] Read more...
Napa & Sonoma Whirlwind Weekend
Napa & Sonoma Whirlwind WeekendIn February we had the pleasure of returning to Napa, CA but the downside was that we only had two days to spend in the area. With so little time we decided to do Napa on Saturday and part of Sonoma on Sunday. Since Sonoma is so spread out we concentrated on Sonoma Valley wineries. My goal is to explore Healdsburg next when I have at least four days to spend tasting. Here are the highlights of the wineries we visited: Day 1 Napa *Provenance-this was our first time visiting and it was extremely busy. It took a while to get through our tasting as the staff seemed frazzled trying to get to everyone and keep track of where they were on their sheets. The Provenance wines were pretty good. Stand outs for me were the Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. *Grgich Hills-I have had their wines at restaurants but had yet to make a pit stop to the tasting room in person. The staff was very friendly and welcoming. My favorite was their Cabernet Sauvignon. *St Clement-this was a second visit for us and I have to say I really like the atmosphere there. The property is beautiful and you can enjoy a glass or two on the deck while enjoying the view. I love their Merlot and Oroppas and since they were running a case sale we were able to stock up on these. *Mumm– I am a bubbly fanatic and this by far was the highlight of my day! I happen to love Mumm as the quality is excellent and the pricing is quite reasonable. A few years ago I served it for New Year’s. They definitely don’t skimp out on the sample sizes here as we each received three full sized glasses. I chose the DVX flight which included DVX black label 2006 and 2007 as well as DVX Rose 2008. *Beau Vigne- a family run boutique winery with a tasting room in Yountville. They are known for their Cabernet Sauvignon. They offer two tasting options Grand Vin or Grand Cru. I chose the Grand Vin tasting of four different Cabs. The 2011 Soda Canyon, 2011 Romeo, and the 2011 CULT were all excellent. Day 2 Napa/Sonoma Valley *Castello di Amorosa– we stopped here right when they opened on our way to Sonoma as we were with friends who hadn’t been before and I think it’s a must see. The castle and grounds are spectacular and I love how the tasting is done in the cellar within the gift shop. It has a truly wonderful Medieval feel and makes for scenic photo opportunities. My top choices here are Gewurztraminer Dry, Gioya, Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, and my personal favorite La Fantasia, a sparkling red. *Valley of the Moon-very pretty grounds and an open, airy tasting room made for a great first stop in Sonoma. They offered four different tasting options including a barrel tasting. I opted for the Valley of the Moon exclusive flight of five wines. The best in my opinion were the 2009 Sonoma Valley Sparkling Brut, 2010 Sonoma County Zinfandel, and the 2010 Sonoma Valley Estate Barbera. *Ravenswood– here it’s all about the Zinfandels which I don’t seem to drink enough of anymore. I did my entire tasting strictly with Zins. My top pick was the 2011 Estate Zinfandel.  Only 350 cases were produced.  The motto here is ” no wimpy wines”.  My motto: “drink more Zin”! *Sebastiani– by the time we got here we were famished. I did a quick flight of five reserve wines before we grabbed a table in the warm sunshine for a picnic. Snacks such as cheese, crackers, and salami are available here for purchase. Highlights of the reserve tasting were the 2012 Steel Chardonnay, 2011 Robert’s Vineyard Pinot Noir, and the 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon. *Buena Vista-this is California’s oldest winery founded in 1857. Hands down one of the best wines I have ever tasted is their Legendary Badge. I had this wine recently during my birthday dinner and will most likely write about this specifically in the near future. My friend was searching for Petite Sirah our entire trip and this red blend features it beautifully. *Gundlach Bundschu or Gun Bun for short- Friends of ours are members of their wine club and recommended we add this to our itinerary. You can mix and match current releases to customize your tasting. I really like this format so that you don’t get stuck tasting varietals in your flight that you don’t care for. I loved the 2010 Merlot so much I had to bring some home with me! *Nicholson Ranch-our final stop on our whirlwind weekend. We were so tired by this point we decided to just purchase a bottle of the 2007 Syrah and chill out on the deck. It was a perfect end to our long day of wine! If you plan on visiting Napa I highly recommend the Vintage Inn in Yountville. The staff was very helpful with a problem with our rate and were quick to remedy the situation. Our room was one of the separate cottages with a fireplace. For dinner we ate at Redd Wood and my new Napa fav Bottega. My mouth is watering as I write this! California wine country never disappoints for great food, wine, and incredible scenery. I am already dreaming of my next visit! [...] Read more...
Clos Du Val Ariadne 2010
Clos Du Val Ariadne 2010With the temperature swinging drastically over the last couple of weeks my mind is conjuring images of summer and the upcoming boating trips we will be planning.  Half the fun is choosing which wines we will bring aboard for our voyages and sip while enjoying warm breezes and breathtaking sunsets.  If we love a white or rosé wine we always refer to it as a “good boating” wine.  Clos Du Val Ariadne 2010 is definitely a good fit for our term.  We had the pleasure of visiting Clos Du Val during our Napa trip and were so impressed with the quality and consistency of their wines that we joined their Joy wine club.  Every quarter we receive two bottles and they all have been delicious! I haven’t been drinking a lot of white as I tend to save them for warmer evenings but this Ariadne is the exception to my rule.  This creamy white is a blend of 68% Sémillon and 32% Sauvignon Blanc grapes and is a pale straw color in the glass.  I get a slightly floral aroma and citrus flavor with a hint of oakiness.  It has great acid and is slightly sweet on the finish making it a good choice for food with bold flavors.  We paired ours with snacks of blue cheese, summer sausage, and garlic stuffed olives.  Clos Du Val Ariadne is 13.5% alcohol and can be purchased online via www.closduval.com for less than $20 per bottle. [...] Read more...
Napa Valley Trip 2011
Napa Valley Trip 2011This past August my boyfriend Andrzej and I were finally able to take a trip to California and tour Napa Valley.  I decided to tack the trip onto my Vegas business trip so we would have three full days of tasting to do.  Not a huge amount of time but enough to visit quite a few vineyards on my list and it gives us an excuse to keep going back.  Prior to our trip I consulted with my Opus Vino book, friends, and co-workers and began to map out the wineries and tasting rooms I wanted to visit.  From touring Long Island I knew we would only be able to hit 5-6 wineries per day so as to not overdo it.  I only chose wineries where you didn’t have to make an appointment.  I wanted to be on our own schedule and not have to rush and watch the clock all day. Day 1 Plumpjack (Oakville) Plumpjack was recommended to me by a very good friend who loves their wines.  I had heard only great things about their quality and since their wines are higher in price than the majority of what I normally buy and write about, visiting is an excellent way to get acquainted.  We sampled a flight of five wines the highlights of which were the Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah.  The trip was off to a great start! Peju (Rutherford) Our second stop was also due to a recommendation from a vendor of mine.  He raves about Peju and served their wines at his wedding.  We were guided through our flight by Alan who was very knowledgeable but made the tasting very entertaining as he “rapped” about the different wines they produce.  I really enjoyed the Provence and the Cabernet Sauvignon.  The grounds are very pretty and there is a cute gift shop you can browse in before or after your tasting. Sterling Vineyards (Calistoga) I made sure to add Sterling to our itinerary.  Even though their wines are readily available almost anywhere, the tasting room is perched on a hilltop and is accessible by a gondola ride.  Once up top you walk through the facility and get your wine samples at different stations around the property.  It is a genius format so that you can learn and sip as  you go.  The views from the terrace are stunning and great for photo ops.  The tasting flight was of five wines.  I particularly enjoyed the Cellar Club Riesling and the Cellar Club Malvasia Bianca which was a dessert wine. Castello di Amorosa (Calistoga) From the top of Sterling you can see Castello di Amorosa down the road.  It is a replica of a medieval European castle built by Dario Sattui.  This winery features Italian style wines.  I initially didn’t want to stop here as I thought it would be too “touristy” and that the wines wouldn’t be all that good.  I am happy to say that this was not the case.  With the purchase of your tasting you can tour the entire castle and grounds.  The tasting is done in the cellar that also houses an incredible gift shop offering all kinds of cool medieval themed items as well as all things wine.  We enjoyed all of the wines that we tasted here.  The stand outs for me were the Fantasy red, Sangiovese, and the  sweet Gewurtztraminer.  Since these wines are only available at the castle I ended up placing an order to ship home. With our first day of tasting at an end we headed to Morimoto for dinner.  I cannot say enough about this restaurant.  Of course how could it be bad when an Iron Chef owns it?  For appetizers we had the pork gyoza with bacon foam and the rock shrimp tempura.  I am still dreaming of the rock shrimp tempura and it is one of the best things I have ever eaten!  My entree was Alaskan halibut with ginger and for dessert we had the trio of ice cream sandwiches.  Definitely a meal I won’t ever forget! Day 2 Turnbull Wine Cellars (Oakville) We began our second day at Turnbull Wine Cellars.  This was a quick visit but we got a nice overview of their wines.  I recommend their Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah. Franciscan (Rutherford) While we were in Las Vegas we had dinner at my all time favorite restaurant Prime in the Bellagio Hotel.  To pair with our steaks we ordered a bottle of Franciscan Merlot and we loved it.   I had to add the winery to my list for our trip.  This winery makes some excellent wines and I loved my tasting flight.  The Rose 2010 and the Clos Reserve were amazing but my favorite was the Fountain Court named for the fountain out front. St. Clement (St. Helena) This winery is located in a beautiful restored Victorian home surrounded by pretty landscaped grounds.  The front porch is very welcoming and the decor inside is full of old fashioned charm.  Again on offer was a flight consisting of five wines mainly red varietals.  Highlights of this winery are the “Napa Valley” Chardonnay (Carneros), “Napa Valley” Cabernet Sauvignon, and the Oroppas.  The Oroppas is a blend created with grapes from six appellations in Napa and is rated 90 points by Robert Parker Jr.  All were very consistent and excellent quality wines that I would purchase in the future.  There is also a patio on the property to enjoy your wines and live music on the weekends. Rombauer Vineyards (St. Helena) Rombauer was recommended to me by several co-workers who raved about their Zinfandel.  Since Andrzej isn’t a huge Zin fan I chose a flight for us to share that had other varietals.  My favorites were the 2006 Diamond Selection Cabernet Sauvignon and the 2010 Carneros Chardonnay.  I can’t say enough about the Chardonnay.  Definitely one of the best I have tasted so far and I went on to purchase a bottle to drink on the trip. Chimney Rock (Napa) This was another quick stop as we were getting tired after a  long day of sampling.  We were under the gun as the wineries were about to close.  We were able to squeeze in a tasting here and we were very impressed with what it had to offer.  The best wines of this tasting were the 2010 Rose of Cabernet Franc, the 2006 Terlato Cabernet, and the 2007 Terlato Galaxy. After a quick rest at the hotel we headed to Yountville for dinner at Pacific Blues Cafe.   Very quaint and not expensive we had a very good dinner.  The chicken tortilla soup was very satisfying.  I loved the blue burger with blue cheese and jalapeno jelly, while Andrzej enjoyed a huge pork chop with mango salsa and garlic fries.  A perfect ending to our second day in Napa. Day 3 Our last day was the most special because we had friends drive up from San Fransisco to join us. Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars (Napa) It is very easy for people to become confused as there are two wineries with the name Stags Leap and they are on the same road not that far away from each other.  I chose this one since we weren’t required to have an appointment.  I hate to write anything negative but this was the winery that disappointed me the most.  Even after we were there early right after they opened it took forever for someone to bring out our glasses and menu to choose the tasting. The staff was also less than enthusiastic while explaining the wines in the tasting.  I chose the Napa Valley Collection Tasting flight of four wines.  While none of them were what I would consider bad wines I wasn’t wowed either.  The 2007 Artemis Cabernet Sauvignon was the best of the four.  I would not go back to this winery again but would check out the it’s neighbor of the same name to compare. Clos Du Val (Napa) One of my favorites of the entire trip!  I cannot say enough about these wines.  Everything we had we loved.  We were given samples of wines that weren’t on the tasting and you could say we were hooked.  Enough so that we as well as our friends joined their wine club.  Our favorites were the 2008 Cabernet Franc Napa Valley, 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Stags Leap District, and the special tasting of the 2000 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon. Pine Ridge Vineyards (Stags Leap) Another spur of the moment stop that wasn’t planned but turned out to be well worth our time.  They have a very cool wine vault that you can explore and the tasting was very relaxed and informative.  Our tasting was again of five wines and while they were all good I gave stars to four of them.  The 2008 Dijon Clones Chardonnay, 2007 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, 2007 Onyx, and 2007 Fortis were all excellent. V. Sattui (St. Helena) I would nickname this the party winery.  Known for it’s picnic grounds that is exactly why we went there.  This winery has a huge on site deli with all kinds of food including an incredible selection of cheeses and meat.  Our friends purchased a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon and we relaxed with our goodies on a picnic table under the shade of the trees.  V. Sattui was very crowded partly due to the BBQ they serve on the weekends.  The atmosphere was great and the food and wine were worth stopping for. Domaine Chandon (Yountville) If you love bubbly like I do then you must visit Domaine Chandon.  This winery features pretty scenic grounds and indoor or outdoor tasting bars as well as an on site restaurant.  You can choose from four different tasting menus that vary by price.  My choice was the Reserve tasting that featured Reserve Chardonnay Brut, Reserve Pinot Noir Brut, and Reserve Pinot Noir Rose.  We all picked different tastings and everyone was happy with the wines. Ma(i)sonry (Yountville) I saved the best for last!  I read about Ma(i)sonry tasting room because I was interested in trying wines from Blackbird Vineyards.  The tasting room is housed in a charming stone building that is also an art gallery with an outdoor garden with plenty of intimate seating.  The Blackbird tasting consisted of five of their wines and I was completely blown away.  These are now some of my all time favorite wines.  The 2010 Arriviste Rose is one of the top rated Rose’s in California.  The 2009 Arise is a great, everyday drinking wine.  My two favorites were the 2008 Illustration and the 2008 Contrarian.  I ended up placing a nice order while I was there but then ordered more when I returned home.  Though the majority of these wines are more than my budget normally allows for wine they are well worth splurging on. This marked the end of our time in Napa and though I was sad to leave I think I could have only done one more day of tasting before I would need a break.  I look forward to visiting Napa again in the near future and have discovered that when in doubt you can’t go wrong with many of the wines from this region.         [...] Read more...
Vineyard 29 Cru Cabernet Sauvignon 2008
Vineyard 29 Cru Cabernet Sauvignon 2008There is a new wine love in my life-Vineyard 29 Cru Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 from Napa Valley, CA.  At a recent business dinner at Porterhouse in the Time Warner Center I was put in charge of selecting the wine for our large group.  I had heard of Vineyard 29 previously so when the sommelier had it on his list of suggestions  I knew we had to try this bottle.  This glorious red is comprised of my favorite grape varietals: 83% cabernet sauvignon, 6% petit verdot, 4% merlot, 4% cabernet franc, and 3% malbec.  When poured it is very deep ruby with an almost purple hue and has a very pronounced aroma of dark fruit.  I found the wine to be extremely well balanced with lots of blackberry on the palate leading to subtle spices that I always love in a great red wine.  The tannins are very smooth and don’t overwhelm your mouth. I love to pair Cabernet with my steak and the food at Porterhouse is always excellent.  I began with the roasted beet salad with goat cheese and then moved on to the filet mignon with classic bearnaise sauce.  Accompanying our steaks were my two favorite side dishes: truffle mashed potatoes and the macaroni and cheese.  For dessert I chose the ice cream sundae.  Hands down this is the best sundae I have ever had.  They bring you a huge bowl of hot fudge sauce on the side along with candied nuts so you can put on the toppings to your liking.  Between the amazing wine and the always wonderful food I think I came extremely close to having the perfect meal! I am looking forward to drinking many more bottles of Vineyard 29 Cru Cabernet Sauvignon and even though it is pricier than the wines I normally buy it is well worth it’s price tag.  This wine can be found online for approximately $70. [...] Read more...
Rodney Strong Chardonnay 2009
Rodney Strong Chardonnay 2009A while back I had purchased two bottles of Rodney Strong wine at my local wine store and blogged about how much I enjoyed their pinot noir.  I finally got around to trying the chardonnay and like the pinot noir it did not disappoint.  Located in Sonoma, Ca this winery is environmentally friendly, using sustainable farming methods for the vines as well as harnessing solar  power.  I love that more and more winemakers are being more conscious about their production methods especially since I have been pushing myself to make more environmentally sound choices in my daily routine.  Rodney Strong Chardonnay is a pale straw color when poured and has pronounced aromas of citrus and pear.  When I choose a chardonnay I am one of the rare wine drinkers who prefer a more oaked and buttery style.  I found this wine to have a really good balance between fruity acidity and the butter notes and would appeal to the wine lovers who tend to avoid the flavors that oak ageing brings.  The lemon and apple flavors touch the tongue first while the creaminess that I love comes toward the end of each sip.  I served this wine with shrimp and tomato orzo with feta cheese and it made a nice pairing with this meal.  This chardonnay has 13.5% alcohol and is very well priced at under $25 per bottle.  Overall I have to say that these wines by Rodney Strong  are an excellent value and I would definitely purchase them again in the future. [...] Read more...
Rodney Strong Pinot Noir 2008
Rodney Strong Pinot Noir 2008On my latest trip to replenish the wine fridge I purchased both a pinot noir and a chardonnay from Rodney Strong Vineyards.  For dinner we were serving a roast pork tenderloin and a red onion quinoa salad.  Instead of selecting a white to pair with the pork I decided to reach for the pinot.  It turned out to be the perfect pairing.  Rodney Strong Pinot Noir 2008 from the Russian River Valley in California  is a pretty ruby red color that gets progressively lighter towards the outer edges until it’s almost clear.  It is produced from pinot noir grapes but there is 2% syrah mixed in.  It is aged in 100% french oak barrels giving a more flavorful taste profile to this wine.  It has a sweet, strawberry and vanilla aroma and intense cherry and strawberry flavors with a hint of cinnamon.  This red wine is very well balanced and medium bodied.  There are subtle tannins present and a good acidity.  Rodney Strong Pinot Noir is almost 14.5% alcohol and is an excellent value at under $20 per bottle.  I will definitely be purchasing this wine on a regular basis! [...] Read more...
Le Petit Pauvre Chardonnay 2007
Le Petit Pauvre Chardonnay 2007I may have been on a temporary break from writing about wine but I was certainly drinking my share since my last post!  For my birthday my boyfriend purchased me a membership to the Zagat Wine Club.  My first case has arrived and I am already diving in and tasting the offerings.  Le Petit Pauvre Chardonnay 2007 is one of their white wine picks.  Produced in Monteray County, CA this dry and full bodied white is created from 100% chardonnay grapes sourced from several wineries in the state.  In the glass it was a very pale straw color.  It had a minerality to the aroma as well as hints of lemon and pear.  The flavors in this Chardonnay were very different from the Chardonnays I have been drinking lately.  I don’t think this wine has undergone malolactic fermentation since there wasn’t a strong buttery flavor that I have come to love.  It was however refreshing and crisp with very tropical fruit flavor and great acid.  This wine is aged in French oak and is on the stronger side with the alcohol at 13.9%.  I enjoyed Le Petit Pauvre Chardonnay with citrus halibut and an orange and red pepper couscous.  Paired with poultry, fish, or cheese it is a great choice and is very reasonably priced at under $20 per bottle. [...] Read more...
Pinot Noir at Le Bernardin
Pinot Noir at Le BernardinLast week I dined at Le Bernardin,  one of the top five restaurants in NYC and one of only a select few to be awarded three Michelin stars.  For foodies everywhere this is culinary heaven and the epitome of fine dining in the Big Apple.  I was given the wine list which was quite literally a book-pages upon pages of every varietal you could imagine.  Being that Le Bernardin is known for their fish and seafood dishes I knew it would be quite a challenge to select wines that would not only please the six other guests at the table  but would also complement every-one’s meals, especially when everyone agreed they wanted red wine only.  My two picks for the evening were both Pinot Noir from the West Coast. Our first selection was Brick House Les Dijonnais Pinot Noir 2007 from the Willamette Valley.  This wine was very light red in the glass, so much so it had a pretty dark pink hue at the edges.  The aroma was of sweet red berries which led into  flavors of strawberries and raspberries.  A slight spiciness was detected on the back end of each sip.  This pinot is 13.4% alcohol and had pleasing acidity which led to a long and crisp finish.  It didn’t overpower my starter choices of smoked salmon topped with caviar and salted cod salad with white gazpacho sauce.  This wine retails for under $40 and has been rated 92 points by Robert Parker. Also try their Select Pinot Noir which is also a great value. The second Pinot Noir was Lynmar Estate 2006 from the Russian River Valley.  This was my favorite of the two.  Darker ruby in color, it had more body and more intense aroma and flavor.  The nose was earthier with cherries and strawberries.  There was a higher concentration of  fruit flavors with more pronounced spiciness,  but overall it was extremely well balanced.  This pinot noir is slightly higher in alcohol at 14.4% and is available for under $45 in stores.  My main course was served with this wine-black bass with a sauce of ham and green peppercorns.  The combination of the sauce with the wine seems a bit unconventional but the wine didn’t detract from it at all. Pinot Noir proves to be an extremely versatile red wine that can work for any occasion and can compliment almost any dish.  Oregon is becoming  a top producing region with most wineries using sustainable methods of production and organic grapes. [...] Read more...
Au Bon Climat Chardonnay
Au Bon Climat ChardonnayI never thought I would say this but I have found a 100% chardonnay that I am currently enamored with and have actually been buying on a regular basis.  The discovery of Au Bon Climat Chardonnay 2008 was made at a recent Court Street wine tasting.  I cannot stress enough to people who want to learn about wine how important it is to attend tastings and try as many different wine varieties as possible.  They are not only educational but so much fun to sit through.  They have led me to many excellent wines including this current pick.  Not one to ever order or buy a bottle of Chardonnay since it has always been my least favorite white wine variety, I was amazed with Au Bon Climat from the first sip.  Produced in Santa Barbara, CA this wine is medium bodied and aged in French oak, adding to it’s flavor and depth.  The aroma was soft and buttery with notes of melon.  The flavors of tropical and citrus fruits marry well with a good acidity and a slightly mineral finish.  Au Bon Climat works well with food but is also great on it’s own.  It is well worth it’s price tag and can be purchased for less than $20. [...] Read more...
Mark West Pinot Noir
Mark West Pinot NoirI have spent the last two days shopping Hoboken’s various wine retailers to see what new selections would catch my eye.  At several locations Mark West Pinot Noir 2008 was prominently featured so I decided to see for myself what this much respected red wine had to offer.  Produced in Graton, Sonoma County, CA by Mark West Winery this pinot noir has a lot of bang for the buck and won’t empty your wallet.  Their focus at Mark West Winery is to create affordable wine that anyone can enjoy by retaining the same elements and quality of a pricier pinot.  After two nights of drinking heavier, more tannic cabernet sauvignon this wine was a most welcome change.  It had a beautiful light translucent ruby color in the glass and a mouthwatering strawberry aroma.  The palate was very fruit forward with concentrated cherry, raspberry, and strawberry flavors with some spiciness from it’s oak aging.  I paired this wine with three different  cheeses: brie, Port Salut, and aged gouda.  It paired well with all of the cheeses and would be the perfect red wine to pair with just about any dish.  I am not surprised that Mark West Pinot Noir won it’s category in a blind tasting.  If you prefer a lighter style red wine that is full of fruit but not too sweet you will really like this pinot noir.  It is a delicious and versatile red wine and is available for under $13. [...] Read more...
Ridge Geyserville Red 2007
Ridge Geyserville Red 2007From time to time I will include in my blog wines that aren’t necessarily expensive but go slightly above the $25 per bottle parameter that is the premise for this blog.  One such wine is from the ever popular producer Ridge out of Sonoma County, CA-the Ridge Geyserville Red 2007.  Ridge has been producing highly rated red wines for over 40 years.  This is the first of their wines that I have tasted.  The Geyserville Red is a zinfandel blend composed of 58% zinfandel, 22% carignane, 18% petite syrah, and 2% mataro.   This variety has an earthy aroma with flavors of blackberries and plums.  Notes of pepper, spices, and some light oak were also present.  The presence of tannins and acidity give way to a really nice finish.  This wine has all the character and flavor that I look for in red.  If you are looking for a good quality wine to take to a dinner party this would be an excellent choice.  It retails for less than $50 per bottle and can be held for a decent period of time.  Ridge Geyserville Red has been rated 91 points by Wine Spectator. [...] Read more...
Zaca Mesa Viognier 2008
Zaca Mesa Viognier 2008Yesterday I had the opportunity to attend another amazing wine tasting at Court Street restaurant in Hoboken, NJ.  We tasted 10 top rated wines several of which I will be writing about in future posts.  We started with 4 whites and I was excited to see that one of my favorite varietals was on the list.  Viognier is a white grape that is produced in the Rhone Valley in France.  Zaca Mesa winery located north of Santa Barbara, CA in the Santa Ynez Valley is producing what I feel is an excellent version of this wine.  They are the first winery to plant this varietal in the area.  Zaca Mesa Viognier 2008 has both rich aroma and bold, crisp flavors.  This wine is first aged in stainless steel and then transferred and aged in French oak barrels.  In the glass is a clear pale golden color with a strong floral nose.  This white has an intense burst of flavors on the tongue.  I tasted pear and citrus with hints of peaches.  It is medium bodied and has a long finish with great acidity.  You can pair this wine with spicy dishes and seafood.  I recommend this white for wine drinkers who favor less sweet and slightly drier whites.  Zaca Mesa Viognier is rated 90 points from Wine Enthusiast  2008 and is available for less than $20 per bottle. [...] Read more...
Silver Palm Cabernet Sauvignon
Silver Palm Cabernet SauvignonMy absolute favorite wine is Silver Palm Cabernet Sauvignon.  This award winning wine is produced by Silver Palm Wines in California.  I first fell in love with this fabulous red wine at a tasting a few years ago.  I purchased several bottles and just finished my last one this Thanksgiving.  This is without a doubt the most smooth and flavorful cabernet I have yet to taste.  The varietal breakdown is 82% cabernet sauvignon, 10% merlot, 5% syrah, and 3% petite syrah.  Upon opening the beautiful bottle which is accented in platinum, you experience mouth watering aromas of cherries, coffee, pepper, and wood smoke.  Upon sipping there is a perfect blend of flavor with cherries, currants, vanilla, and spice.   These flavors are intensified due to aging in oak barrels for 15 months.  If you love spicy, smoky, reds or are a cabernet drinker in general this is a wine you definitely have to try.  My bottles were from the 2005 vintage which was only available in restaurants previously.  You can now purchase this wine online for less than $20 per bottle.  I LOVE Silver Palm Cabernet and cannot wait until my latest order is delivered! [...] Read more...