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.