Rudera 2009 Chenin Blanc

Let me preface this blog with a disclaimer, I do not know a lot about Chenin Blanc, but I am going to give it a whirl.

Rudera 2009 De Tradisie Chenin Blanc is out of Western Cape, South Africa. This wine has a bold nose with deep tones and a hint of smokiness. This varietal is usually known for it's tropical fruit notes, but I didn't pick up any of those features.

This Chenin Blanc isn't like others that I have had, it wasn't as bright, but it did have a smoothness to it. The malolactic fermentation gives the wine a creamier or "fattier" texture which is very enjoyable. It's slightly acidic, but has a subtle heaviness that coats the tongue. Sorry I don't have a better description, but it was good.

This wine would be a great option for a number of dinners. Chicken, pork, fried fish and mild curries would be at the top of my list. People are always trying to find a wine that can pair with Asian cuisine and I think this one would be well suited.

Classy Pinot Grigio

Bottega Vinaia may just be the best pinot grigio I have ever had the pleasure of drinking. This 2010 estate bottled pinot grigio is out of the Dolomite Alps in Trentino, Italy, which is known for its cool breezes and fertile soil. Look hard for this one because there was limited production and won't just be on any shelf.

Unlike most pinot grigios, this one has a great nose. On an average pinot grigio you get a slightly citrus, acidic note but this one actually smells of sweet fruit with only a touch of acidity. The nose was smoother than most and very inviting.

Much like the nose, the first sip was a burst of joy. It was very light and bright; a great palate opener. The acidity gives it a crispness, but is not sharp. The wine is full of flavor on the front of your tongue, but takes a minute to pin point what flavors you are getting. A few sips in I think what I am picking up is young apricot and a touch of kumquat, minus the bitterness of the peel. There is almost a sweet florality, similar to honeysuckle. The overall flavor of this wine has a suppleness that lingers a bit, it's unlike most thrown together pinot grigios.

Very rarely do I not pair a wine with food, but this one I won't. This is a wine you just want to drink and enjoy before your meal. I am afraid the subtle nuances of this wine will get lost if mixed with anything else. But hey, prove me wrong... let me know what you'd pair with it and I will give it a try. I have about 1/3 the bottle left.
**that being said, only realistic pairings will be considered  : >)

Nice Chard on a budget

J. Lohr is a great little winery out of Arroyo Seco, California which is just south of Monterey. They produce some great wines for perfect for every day drinking. I personally enjoy this chardonnay and their Cabernet Sauvignon on a regular basis.

The nose on this wine is really smooth. The predominant aroma is of wet stones with a gentle hint of citrus. It really awakens the senses and draws you in.

On the palate this chardonnay has a richness and complexity to it. The flavors are a little difficult to pin point, but I think I am picking up sweet corn and a bit of straw. There is a creamy citrus note, similar to a grapefruit creme brulee. It has a lovely finish that lingers and leaves you guessing what the next sip will taste like.

This wine would really pair nicely with creamy pasta dishes, seafood, fried chicken, and even a great option for Thanksgiving dinner.

Fun with Bubbles

As I have mentioned in prior blogs, I am a huge champagne (and sparkling wine) lover so this is a fun one for me to do. Not only because it's sparkling wine, but because it's a fun little can of sparkling wine.

Sophia Coppola's Blanc de Blancs is the first split of its kind, as far as I know, it's the first wine I have ever seen in a can. Plus, unlike other splits, it's sold in a four-pack so you are getting a full bottles worth of bubbly. Not to sound like a lush, but these cans are fun because you can take them out with you and not feel super self conscious because they look like a little energy drink. They are perfect for a picnic!

Not only do they travel well, look adorable and make it easy to drink champagne whenever you want, it tastes great. The nose is sweet with an aroma of melon and a little bit of a floral note.

On the initial sip, you get the sweetness in the front of the mouth. There are hints of melon and peach but a little bit of tartness and astringents as the bubbles move to the back of your tongue. The finish is short, yet delicious. This sipper is great solo but would also make a great brunch option and pairs well with fruit. This could also be a great dessert companion with creme brulee, pound cake or french vanilla ice cream with berries.

This sparkling wine is fun to drink and even more fun to introduce to other people. It's not just a novelty item, it's a real treat.

Spectacular Syrah

This week I celebrated my birthday & my awesome husband gave me a gift that every wine lover should have: an aerator. I have had my eye on one for some time now, but just never got one. So next I needed to get my hands on something dusty so I could use my new toy.

Spann Vineyards 2003 Syrah is what I got my hands on. This wine is out of Kenwood, Ca which is nestled between Santa Rosa and Yountville, so it comes from great, fertile soil. The Kenwood region isn't as well know as other regions in the area, but has some really amazing producers, like: Kenwood, Kunde and Chateau St. Jean.

I wanted to see how big of a difference the aerator makes, so first I poured some of the syrah right into the glass, gave it a slight swirl and took a whiff. The deep red juice was very acidic on first sniff. The more prominent scent was of dark fruit, but nothing specific. then there was an underlying scent that took me a minute to put my finger on, but I decided that it was vanilla pudding. There was a velvety vanilla scent behind the tart fruit nose.

So with that scent profile, I am interested to get down to business. On first sip, the wine is astringent and tight, I could really tell it needed to open up. It's a weird comparison, but if a genie in a bottle had a flavor, I think it would taste something like this. I could tell this syrah wanted to stretch it's legs. On second sip I started to pick up the dried cherries and butterscotch. As it rolled around in my mouth the earthy notes came out and released a bit of licorice. The interesting butterscotch and licorice combo sounds off-putting, but the subtle earthiness and slight sweetness made for an amazing finish that gently lingers.

So let me start by saying, you obviously don't have to have an aerator to open up wines well. Some how people have managed all these years without, but they sure do help with the instant gratification!! So that being said, here's what I got from the opened up glass...

There was a definite scent of dark cherry, unlike before, and now the acidity is muted and the wine has a much mellower nose. The scents were cleaner and more enjoyable.

Allowing the wine to open up really brought out its juiciness. The heaviness of the wine really coated my tongue, but didn't stifle the flavors. Licorice notes were a bit more prominent and the vanilla and butterscotch were not really there. This syrah is on the dry side, but has a really fantastic finish. The finish is just long enough to think about your sip, but finishes in time to make you want another sip.

This wine is a big wine and will pair wonderfully with a number of different things. I feel like the wines complexity would be lost on a red sauce, so I would stick with red meat. When I was drinking this wine, I wanted to eat lamb. I think the best pairing for the Spann Syrah would be grilled lamb chops with a nice heavy sauce. Some other tasty options might be a well-seasoned ribeye with a rich demi glace or bordelaise, or some nice medium rare venison.

This wine is big and bold and I am a huge fan. I was lucky enough to find it at Elise Coastal Dining, here in Pensacola, FL. They have an amazing wine list and this gem was a great buy at $42. With phenomenal food, great service and awesome wine list, Elise is a great option for dinner, drinks or both.

Hess Chardonnay

Monterey is a land of amazing fog and lush soil. It's for these very reasons that such a great region for chardonnays, and strawberries. I, being a native of the central coast of California, love finding gems from this region.

The nose opens up with a tart green apple and rolls into a hint of musk melon. There is a bit more acidity on the nose than I prefer, but it is deceiving. The nose isn't overly complex, so for me it makes me wonder what's to come.

On first sip, this wine is hard to read. There is a subtle toastiness that is really nice and rolls straight back your tongue. The tropical fruit notes intertwine with the acidity making for a great balance with the toast. The finish lingers and you are left with the taste of roasted apples, apple pie...almost.

This is a great drinking wine solo or paired with the right food. I really enjoy this chardonnay with a crisp salad with vinaigrette, white fish and cheese and crackers. I would recommend, if possible, having a taste of Monterey. Start with a nice creamy clam chowder, a fresh salad of local greens, strawberries, oyster mushrooms and a bright lemony dressing. Your entree might include  pan-fried rock cod with smashed yukons and local broccoli. Lastly, cap off your meal with fresh berries and sorbet with crushed, toasted almonds sprinkled on top.

Sorry, we're talking wine here...
This is definitely a wine to consider for any occasion. The label isn't super exciting, so it's easy to walk past, but you should keep an eye out for this one.

On sale... for a reason

I picked up this Cab Sauv on sale at Richie's Liquor store (amazing selection & pricing!) and I quickly figured out why they were trying to push this wine out the door. I have seen 337 on a few different wine lists, so thought it would be a safe purchase, but maybe these restaurants are getting a great price too...

I found it humorous to read the wines web page and see what they say about their "gem". The use words like "exudes seductive aromas", and "velvety, luscious finish." I beg to differ. I found this wine to be very reminiscent of  Lodi (where it's from): hot, lifeless and forgettable.

The nose is hot and hollow with a whisper of spice. The flavor is earthy but not very deep. I really want there to be something there, but there's not. I feel like I found some dried up, dusty grapes on the ground and ate them. The finish is short and I was kind of happy about that. This wine doesn't really carry a flavor I want lingering around in my mouth. I guess I got another 3/4 bottle of wine to put in my spaghetti sauce.

On to another...

High note from Santa Barbara

So this is a delightful chardonnay I picked off our wine list at work, The Fish House and am pleasantly surprised. This gem is from Santa Barbara, which has a great climate for producing smooth, balanced chardonnays.

The nose is bright, but mostly of toasted oak. On first sip, I get passion fruit and tropical fruit flavors. As the sip continues, it finishes with a wonderful toasted almond note. The finish is nice and draws you in to have another.

Sanford chardonnay is a great option for the price and would be a great addition to any dinner. I drank it with some leftover grilled chicken and it was great and I think it would also pair well with blackened shrimp, grilled veggies, and even dessert.

This chardonnay was a special treat and wouldn't hesitate to order it.

Venturing into new territory...

So it is in my humble opinion that Sutter Home Winery in Napa, California tainted the world of pink wines for everyone. That being said, I am no expert on Rose wines but I did feel an urge to familiarize myself with them. This "urge" was fueled partially by curiosity and partially by the comeback of roses' on wine lists and in wine publications. 

In an effort to get a more rounded perspective I tried two different roses; one more traditional and the other a little alternative. I would also like to recommend not serving roses straight from the refrigerator, they will be too cold. I found the wine a bit more interesting as it warmed up slightly. I would suggest serving it around 58-62 degrees or so.

I started with Calcu Rose from Spain. The color was a light, but bright pink. The nose was faint, but there was a hint of grapefruit. The flavor was also of grapefruit and not much else, but I did enjoy the citrus notes. There was a slight sweetness to the wine, but all in all, I found the wine to be pretty flat. I guess I can kind of see where this would fit in with the wine world. It would be nice as a lunch wine, going well with lighter fare or at brunch if your not a fan of champagne. It's also mellow enough for people who are just beginning their wine journey and want to look beyond pinot grigio.

My second attempt was with the more classical Adelsheim Rose, out of Newberg, Oregon. The color on this one was a deeper pink and had more alcohol scent on the nose. Unfortunately, the flavor on this was really hollow. There was a slight floralness to it, roses perhaps and a very slight strawberry sweetness, but not overly so. But then again, I could just be imagining these things just because I am drinking a pink wine. Again, pairing for this rose would be something on the lighter side, perhaps a strawberry salad with grilled salmon or maybe a caprese sandwich.

In summary, roses are better than a white zinfandel, but barely. From my limited tasting experience, I found them to be extremely lacking and hollow in flavor. I don't really see them fitting into my wine world, unless I was to receive it as a gift (that is NOT a request).

          

**Calcu was purchased at Aragon Wine shop on 9th Ave and the Adelsheim can be found all over.

Michael Pozzan 2009 Chardonnay

Pozzan's 2009 Chardonnay is 100% Russian River Chardonnay. I find this wine to be a very no nonsense white that is will most likely only be enjoyed by true chardonnay lovers. This wine is not for those of you who "kinda like white wine and think some chardonnays are okay..." It has been aged in french oak for 6 months and you can taste it, but not in  a bad way.

The coloring is a lovely golden, straw color; which to me warns me that it may be heavy. This wine walks the line... It has a great round mouth feel, but is a little short on the finish. It's not tanic or acidic, so there is a nice smoothness to it. At first breath, the nose gives away it's lushness. There are notes of apples and a hint of vanilla. Upon tasting, my mind goes to apples on the stove top being wilted down in brown butter. A hint of butterscotch, almost. but there is no upfront sweetness. As it cascades around my taste buds, there is a hint of mango and honeydew. The slight fruitiness plays well with the richness of this wine.

I have been enjoying this lovely pour solo and would be great any time of the day. The wine maker thinks it would make a nice aperitif, and I tend to agree. If I were to pair it though, it would be fabulous with a nice seared piece of foie gras with a mango anise chutney over brioche. Or perhaps, go the simple route with an aged cheddar grilled cheese sandwich; crust removed, please.

Any which way you take it, this well-rounded chardonnay should not be missed. Not sure were to get it in Pensacola, but for you west coasters, I picked it up at BevMo! for around $14.

Watermelon Gimlet

Okay, now obviously this isn't a wine, but oh boy is it delicious! Boys & Girls you are going to want to hang up that tired, old Cosmopolitan and give this drink a shot. Nothing says summer like an ice cold watermelon and nothing is more quenching and refreshing than a good squeeze of lime, so this drink is perfect for those hot, sultry summer nights.

There are a couple versions for this drink, just depends how fancy you want to be...we'll start with the simple method:
In a rocks glass filled with ice pour 1 1/2 oz watermelon vodka (I like Three Olives), about 1/4 oz of lime juice and top with soda water. Give it a stir and garnish with a lime wedge. Easy Peasy

For a little fancier...
in a shaker can, muddle 4 lime wedges. Add 2oz watermelon vodka and top with ice. Give it a shake and either strain into a martini glass or pour over fresh ice into a rocks glass. Top with soda water and garnish with a lime.

For your socialite garden party...
Buy a watermelon and cut in half. Use a very small melon-baller and ball out about 25-30 small watermelon balls. Put in a dish in a single layer and freeze. In a large pitcher, muddle a bunch of limes, maybe 3 limes, cut up and add your watermelon vodka; hold in the fridge until party-goers arrive. Strain just before service. When it's time to serve, set out your martini glasses and put 4 or 5 frozen watermelon balls in each glass. Pour your gimlet into each glass and garnish with a lime, in this case, a twist might look better.

ENJOY!

Silver Palm Cabernet Sauvignon

This California cab is probably my favorite wine right now. The grapes are sourced from the North Coast where the cooler temperatures are perfect for a balanced Cabernet Sauvignon. I love it's easy drink ability, that it goes so great with grilled items (perfect for summer), and that it's reasonably priced. Don't let this simple, classy bottle frighten you, it won't break the bank.

The nose on this wine is deep and earthy with hints of oak and plum. I found it to be a little "hot", but it mellowed out as I drank; the second half of the glass has a much smoother nose. This cab has great color and legs. The mouth feel is rich and full bodied.

Just like the nose, this wine really opens up with time. The wine drips of dark fruit and chocolate with a bit of smoke. The flavors come through best on the back of the tongue, so the finish isn't as long, but it does leave you wanting more.  

Food pairing with this wine is pretty easy, because it goes with a lot of things. I would advise to stay away from anything too salty, but that's the only thing I would stay away from. As I mentioned, grilled items are a great option. I think barbecue chicken, grilled veggies and slow-cooked ribs will complement the slight smokiness of the wine. Italian food, especially pizza, would be a great option because it can compete with the spice and would compliment the cheesiness.

This great red is a smart option when dining out, since people will be eating different items and it marries well with an array of things. My only complaint on this wine is that it's only found in restaurants, not in the stores. Lucky for me, The Pensacola Fish House & Atlas keep it in stock and I can get my hands on it.   

Two Wines, One Producer

2010 Layers

As a red wine drinker, it takes a good white to make me take notice and the 2010 Layers has done just that. With the hot weather we've had, the Peter Lehmann Layers is a great way to wash away the day. With it's beautiful blend of Semillon, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Gewürtztraminer and Muscat, it hits many notes.

The cool, refreshing wine starts off very subtle with a slightly acidic beginning, but then rolls around and awakens nearby taste buds. You start to pick up the crisp apple and peach, then finish off with a hint of mellow fruit blossoms and spice. The wines roundness really lets it flow over your tongue and pick up all its subtle flavors. Your mouth will beg for you to take another refreshing sip.  

I like this wine and would drink it with just about anything. For this time of year, pairing it with a nice crisp salad, garden-fresh tomatoes & cucumbers or sushi would do it justice. If you're in the mofor something a little more substantial, go for a nice piece of grilled fish with lemon or maybe chicken satay.

2008 Shiraz

Peter Lehmann wines are considered to be some of the better wines coming out of Australia and his 2008 Shiraz doesn't stray from that. The slightly tart start can be a little deceiving; but when given a moment to open up, the dark cherry and blackberry fruit notes come through. As the wine swishes and swirls, it really starts to mellow out. The finish is light, with a subtle barrel flavor that rounds it out nicely.

I find this wine to be such a gem because it is nice and light, not sweet and not to dark. This is a great wine to eat with. It's mellow enough for a juicy burger but stand up enough to pair with a nice tuna steak. This shiraz would be a great on a Sunday evening with a nice meatloaf supper or a rich, braised chicken dish. It's decent legs really carry this medium bodied wine through dinner.

Heidsieck & Co Monopole

I love champagne and I wouldn't push this one out of bed! Heidsieck is one of the oldest champagne houses in France and there is a reason why...they make good bubbly. The Monopole Blue Top is a great representation of the great champagne they produce, using 70% Pinot Noir, 20% Chardonnay, 10% Pinot Meunier grapes.

The Monopole has a lovely, delicate nose that is slightly smokey. The small bubbles dance across your tongue bringing with them subtle floral notes and a tart apple flavor. Every drink is well balanced, drawing you back for another sip.

At the price point, this isn't one of my every day drinkers, but if you've got a couple friends who can enjoy a nice glass of champagne, this is a good one to steer towards. You don't need a special occasion for bubbly, a simple Tuesday will do. Not just because Tuesday is sushi night (and this champagne does pair well with sushi), but because you've made it through the first part of your week, or maybe it's your "Friday" or maybe just because you wanna! What ever reason you have, take some time out and spoil yourself a little with this great bottle. Maybe with some fresh oysters, cold sushi or cheese and fruit.



James & Bell Zinfandel

I'll be honest, I didn't expect much when I was looking at the label and saw that this wine was from Morgan Hill. The climate isn't exactly made for great Zinfandel. Well, my distrust continued as I began to pour the first glass and it looked like a cheap, pale pinot noir. 

As I suspected, this wine was CRAP! This zin was a 2006, so you would hope for a little something going on, but I don't think time would ever do this juice any good. To start off, it was tart and that's being nice. There was no body, no character and no real flavor. It was just a sour grape juice. I hate to be so right. 

**Let me also state that this was not something I picked up off the shelf in a wine shop, or even Wal-Mart. I bought a groupon for a website (wineinsiders.com) that was a great deal. When I was looking at the limited options they had to offer, I couldn't find any info on any of the wines they carried. So I was purchasing blind. I had already bought the groupon and wanted to get my moneys worth, plus there is also the chance you'll come across some hidden gem... this was not that gem.  

Bell Chambers Chardonnay

So this 2009 California Chardonnay is simple. It's approachable and enjoyable by anyone. It's light and middle of the road, but not in a bad way...
There are subtle oaky notes that are nice, but not over-powering. There are fruit notes of pear anf honey dew melon at first sip, but the wine finishes slightly short.
It makes for a great sip on a hot night (which seems to be almost every night here, lately)
I wouldn't pay over $8/btl in the store and would probably be disappointed if ordered out (somewhere decent), but great as an at home sipper. Don't be ashamed to serve this to your friends; just don't over pay!