Bar Veloce

Posted on December 21, 2009 by admin

This 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-GewurztraminerMaso 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.

prosecco zardettoWhen 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!

Posted in Gewurtztraminer, Prosecco, Wine bars/Restaurants | 1 Comment

Zaca Mesa Viognier 2008

Posted on December 6, 2009 by admin

08ViognierYesterday 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.

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Silver Palm Cabernet Sauvignon

Posted on November 27, 2009 by admin

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!

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Viva la France-Cote du Rhone

Posted on November 19, 2009 by admin

PerrincotesdurhoneSince I gravitate towards all things French, it is no surprise that I also love French wines.  At many of my local wine shops there are plenty of inexpensive Cote du Rhone offerings.  By far my immediate favorite is Perrin & Fils Cote du Rhone Villages 2006 from Chateau de Beaucastel in the Rhone Valley.  I first tried this version at a wine tasting and was blown away by how great it was.  I went on to order several bottles and have really enjoyed each experience upon drinking them. 

The reason I am so impressed with this red is the explosion of flavor that comes with every sip.  A blend of 50% syrah and 50% grenache, it’s slight  floral and licorice aromas lead into full rich black cherry and plum flavors with a light spice and a hint of oak.  There are mild tannins present and there is a smooth and long finish on the palate.  I find this wine on the lighter side even though it is categorized as medium bodied.  This makes it a great companion not only to grilled meats and cheeses but  it also pairs well with spicy Thai and Indian cuisines.  It is rated 90 points by Wine Spectator and retails under $18.

Posted in France | 1 Comment

Kono Sauvignon Blanc

Posted on November 12, 2009 by admin

kononewzealandLately I am hearing a lot of buzz regarding wines produced in New Zealand particularly Sauvignon Blanc.  I decided to taste for myself what this gorgeous country is offering with their wines.  I took a chance and picked up a bottle of Kono Sauvignon Blanc 2008.  This white is produced in Marlborough which is New Zealand’s largest wine growing region and is now recognized by wine experts for turning out the best Sauvignon Blanc in the world.  The initial taste of this wine was clean and crisp with a distinct citrus flavor reminding me of juicy grapefruit.  This white has a pleasant acidity which gives it a nice long finish on the palate.  I definitely would pair this wine with seafood and poultry dishes.  Kono is a huge hit for me and will now be a regular purchase since it is extremely affordable at less than $11 a bottle!

Posted in New Zealand, Sauvignon Blanc | Leave a comment