Battle of the Boxes ~ Round 5 ~ Pepperwood Grove Chardonnay & Pinot Grigio by Don & Sons

Posted on July 28, 2012 by

Back with an other round of “Battle of the Boxes”  In this round  we have two contenders; A Heavyweight Big Box: Chardonnay and a Lightweight Tetra Pak: Pinot Grigio, both from the Pepperwood Grove brand from Don & Sons. We’ll see which wine will win us over.

In the Heavyweight category we have:

The Big Green Box

The Big Green Box
Pepperwood Grove
Chardonnay

Pepperwood Grove ‘The Big Green Box’ Chardonnay

First Sip

This wine opens up with aromas of apricot and woodchips with a bit of clove. A mouth burst of sugar, (think marshmallows on the fire pit) and grapefruit lead to a creamy finish. This is a quaffable wine, not buttery, not a lot of oak, but plenty of clove makes me want to reach for a ham sandwich on rye bread!

2nd Sip 1 week later

I sensed much more clove when revisiting this wine. I was surprised how much the wine changed from smooth to a bit rough. I don’t know if it is a feature of the packaging or the wine. I would like to revisit this wine in bottle format to see how it compares. I found the flavors changed too much during the second tasting round, but the 20-something crowd had no problem finishing this wine.

While the packaging kept together, being stored in the refrigerator the cardboard showed a bit of softness, suggesting it may not be able to stand up to the humidity levels for an extended amount of time. The spicket held together with no leakage. Drink boxed wine with in six weeks of opening.  77% Chardonnay | 10% Chenin Blanc | 8% Pinot Grigio | 5% Viognier | Alcohol 13.9% | $19.99 for 3L | California |

In the Lightweight category we have:

The Little Green Box

The Little Green Box
Pepperwood Grove
Pinot Grigio

Pepperwood Grove ‘The Little Green Box Tetra Pak’ Pinot Grigio

First Sip

The color is almost clear but with a slight pink hue, sweet aroma of golden delicious apples. Big tropical fruit flavors lead to a slight bitter finish. Pair this wine with fresh strawberries for a refreshing summer snack.

2nd Sip 1 day later

Due to the type of packaging and the small quantity, it’s unrealistic to think this would last one week. The size of the box at 500ml is about 2 ½ glasses. Nevertheless, I left a bit of wine in the Tetra Pak to try on day 2. Results:  still consistent and drinkable; and gone in a flash.

The small Tetra Pak makes it easy to pop some in the cooler for a summer picnic and not worry about bottles breaking or re-sealing the bottle after pouring a glass. 100% Pinot Grigio | Alcohol 13.5% | $4.49 500ml | California |

Winner of Round 5 ~Pepperwood Grove Pinot Grigio.  Why? Consistency and quaff-ability. At these price points we look for crowd pleasing, easy drinking wine. The Pinot Grigio hit both marks.  The Chardonnay struggled a bit on the consistency factor during round two; the over abundance of clove distracted me. Share with me the boxed wines that won you over!

Many thanks to Winemaker Gregg Kitchens, Don & Sons and the folks at Balzac Communications for providing the wine.
Posted in Battle of the Boxes, Boxed Wine, Chardonnay, Pino Grigio | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Quesadilla and Grilled Pizza’s are abundant for this #SundaySupper with Katie Workman and Mom 100 Cookbook

Posted on July 22, 2012 by
Katie Workman Mom 100

Katie Workman
Mom 100 Cookbook

This Sunday Supper food bloggers across the nation are featuring recipes from  Katie Workman’s Mom 100 Cookbook.  Katie makes one thing clear, feeding our families doesn’t have to be stressful.  A wife and mother of two who worked in publishing for years; Katie shares the one hundred great tasting recipes that every mom  (and dad!) can  feel good about.

The Sunday Supper Group is honored to have Katie as our guest during our #SundaySupper live chat on Twitter at 7:00 pm est.  Join us and chat with Katie about spending time Around the Family Table.

Here are my wine selections for these delicious dishes and be sure to visit these food blogs and join us on Twitter because we will be giving away 3 copies of the Mom 100 Cookbook, you won’t want to miss out on that!

2008 Farrier “Hay Hook” Sauvignon Blanc, Alexander Valley, CA | Passion fruit and vanilla flavors with a lemony blast on the finish $18

Fresh Mozzarella Pasta Casserole by: Doggie at The Dinner Table
Grilled Breakfast Pizza & Sautéed Corn & Spinach Grilled Pizza by: Momma’s Meals
Grilled Roasted Honey Ginger Chicken by: Are you Hungry?
Thai Style Sesame Glass Noodle by: My Trials in the Kitchen
Sesame Noodles by: Cupcake and Kale Chips
Sesame Noodles with Shrimp and Vegetables by: Magnolia Days
Grilled Garlic Lemon Rosemary Chicken by: Pippi’s in the Kitchen Again
 

2009 Alexander Valley Vineyards, Mendocino County Gewürztraminer, Healdsburg, CA | Floral with hints of spice on the nose and a bit of sweetness on the finish; very refreshing. $28

Teriyaki Skewers by: Real Best Recipe
Japanese Restaurant Salad with Carrot-Ginger Dressing by: Shockingly Delicious
Rice Toppings of Garlic, Lemon, Rosemary Roasted Chicken with Summer Pineapple by: The Queen’s Notebook
 

2010 Cosentino Winery Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir, Healdsburg, CA | Floral aromas with jammy fruit flavors. A hint of smoke on the finish makes this a great pairing with these bacon dishes. $16

Pear, Goat cheese and Pancetta Grilled Pizza by: MamaMommyMom
Sauteed Corn, Spinach, Bacon and Scallions by: Mamas Blissful Bites
Skillet Spinach Corn with Edamane Cilantro & Bacon Bits by: Sue’s Nutrition Buzz
Sauteed Corn Spinach Bacon and Spinich by: That Skinny Chick Can Bake
Spicy Ranch Bacon & Avacado Quesadilla by: Daily Dish Recipes
 

2009 Alexander Valley Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, Healdsburg, CA | A highly rated elegant Cabernet Sauvignon with black cherry and earthy aromas, perfect for lasagnas! $20

Lasagna with Turkey Meat Sauce by: GirliChef
Lasagna Parcels with Turkey Meat Sauce by: Small Wallet Big Appetite
Turkey Meat Sauce by: The Meltaways
 

Hahn Winery ‘GSM’ Red Wine Blend Central Coast, CA | A red wine blended from Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre offers flavors of black cherry with a bit of pepper.   $14

Carmelized Onion & Flank Steak Quesadilla by: In The Kitchen with KP
Pizza Quesadillas by:  Meal Planning Magic
Salsa Chicken Quesadilla with homemade cilantro chimichurrie by:Juanita’s Cocina
Arroz con Pollo Portuguese Style by: Family Foodie
Arroz con Pollo Puerto Rican Style by: Cooking by the seat of our pants
One-Pot Arroz con Pollo Cuban Style by: Comfy Cuisine
Beans and Cheese Quesadilla with Tomato Salad by: Basic n Delicious
Pulled Pork with Papa Mike’s Cole Slaw by: In the Kitchen with Audrey
 

Chef’s Choice | Here I suggest you drink what you like. Pick your favorite wine to go along with your favorite pizza toppings. Share with us your selections! My favorite toppings are Artichoke, Caramelized Onion with Feta Cheese. I would pair my pizza with a Syrah from Chatom Vineyards, Murphys CA.

 Individual Grilled Pizza by: Big Bears Wife
 

Paso Port ‘Tawny Port’  Paso Robles, CA | A delicious California port style wine. Silky and delicate, won’t over power your fine desserts. $38

Fudgy One Pot Brownies by: Mrs. Mama Hen
Simple Vanilla Cupcakes by: Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
Chocolate Peanut Butter Squares by: Chocolate Moosey
Butterscotch-Bacon Apple Cookies by: What Smells So Good?
 

Tell us what food and wine pairings you and your family are enjoying. Join in on Twitter at 7pm Eastern, follow the #SundaySupper hashtag and find photographs of all these lovely dishes on Pinterest! Cheers!

Posted in Cabernet Sauvignon, Gewurztraminer, Grenache, Mourvedre, Pinot Noir, Port, Red Blend, Sauvignon Blanc, Sunday Supper, Syrah | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 36 Comments

2010 Sauvignon Blanc Redwood Ranch, Sonoma | Gary Farrell Vineyards & Winery

Posted on July 15, 2012 by

The philosophy at Gary Farrell Winery is ‘grounded in a total commitment to detail – from grape to glass.”  Sourcing grapes from – and maintaining relationships with – quality growers is the foundation of this philosophy. The grapes from the 2010 Sauvignon Blanc are from Redwood Ranch, located in the southern end of Alexander Valley. Growers Jim and Gayle Reed share the same commitment to quality and practice sustainable wine-growing techniques.

Gary Farrell 2010 Sauvignon Blanc - Redwood Ranch, Sonoma

Gary Farrell 2010 Sauvignon Blanc – Redwood Ranch, Sonoma

The Wine: Light straw in color with aromas of fresh meadows. A mineral dry mouth feel with hints of grapefruit rind leads to a ‘fruit burst’ on the finish.  This in not a ‘grassy – I just mowed my lawn and I think I can taste it in my glass’ Sauvignon Blanc, rather a refined, fresh and elegant wine.  While this wine is able to stand on its own as a sipping wine, but please don’t assume this is ‘quick-quaffing-on-the-deck-wine’. The elegant nature of this wine makes it a great choice for a wedding or graduation party. This wine is perfectly at home when you are serving salad entrees for dinner, and would make an impressive hostess gift.

| Alcohol 14.1% | Retails $25 (discounts to club members) | 1,563 cases produced | Bottle closure: screw cap

Many thanks to the Winemakers at Gary Farrell Vineyards & Winery, Redwood Ranch and Vineyards and Folsom and Associates for providing the wine.

Posted in Sauvignon Blanc, Wine | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Napa Cellars Reserve Wines ~ small production wines by Joe Shirley

Posted on June 22, 2012 by

A question I get often is “What does it mean when the label says Reserve?  Is it really worth it or is it just an excuse to jack up the price?” My answer is “Maybe, sometimes.” Some winemakers may overuse the term for marketing purposes, but traditionally speaking, wines that were ‘held in reserve’ in the barrel to age more, or those that were handled with a more artful hand are rightfully granted Reserve status.

2006 Napa Cellars
Dyer Vineyard | Napa Valley
Carneros Syrah

Recently, I was sent three wines from the Napa Cellars Reserve Label to review. Winemaker Joe Shirley has selected the specific appellation and vineyards that the grapes were harvested, that and his guiding hand make these wines his artful expression of a true Napa Valley wine.

2010 Napa Cellars Mount Veeder Chardonnay  Grapes harvested from this small region in Napa Valley are picked by hand and aged a total of nine months in 100% French oak barrels. Aromas of apple and pear lead to a multidimensional mouth-feel of crisp fruit with a lingering essence of clove on the finish. This is a dry, earthy Chardonnay with no heavy buttery flavors. This wine sips great on its own, but it will be equally welcome paired with Risotto with truffle oil. | Alcohol 14.2% | Retails $29 | 525 cases produced

2009 Dyer Vineyard Carneros Syrah  Dyer Vineyard is located in the southern part of Napa Valley, the climate is cool which allows the fruit to ripen slowly and evenly. The grapes for this Syrah were handpicked and aged in 100% French oak for 18 months. Aromas of boysenberry draw you into the glass and lead you to spicy flavors and gripping acidity. Syrah is a great food wine, and this wine in particular is a welcome addition at the dinner table. Pair it with rib-eye steak and try to save a glass or two for the next day. This wine gains more depth on day two, suggesting to me that we should tuck a bottle or two in the cellar for another year. | Alcohol 13.8% | Retails $22 | 400 cases produced

2009 Stagecoach Vineyard Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon  Stagecoach Vineyard stretches from Eastern Oakville to Atlas Peak and soars 1,700 feet above the valley floor. Cool nights and long warm days extend time on the vines and allow the grapes to develop more concentrated flavors. These grapes were hand sorted and aged in 100% French oak for 21 months. Aromas of dark fruit and luscious flavors of red fruits; rhubarb and cherry give way to a very sexy finish. This is a great sipping wine, it doesn’t need food to bring out its best, however it is more than welcome to pair with a prime rib dinner.  | Alcohol 13.8% | Retails $45 | 460 cases produced

To answer the question “Is Reserve really worth it?” With these wines, I can say yes. I’ve tasted the Napa Cellars ‘Traditional Label’ wines, and found them to be great varietal examples. Great, sturdy wines, that are available at an everyday price. But when you want more complexity, and a greater wine experience go for the reserve label, and here is why:

  • The Chardonnay deserves the Reserve status because it isn’t overly done, cookie-cutter, ‘butter & oak in a glass‘ kind of wine.
  • The Syrah deserves the Reserve status because its acidity is perfect for a juicy steak and the fact that this wine got better on day two, tells me it’s a ‘cellar selection’.
  • The Cabernet Sauvignon deserves Reserve status because it was a luscious, sexy wine. If you want to buy a wine to impress someone, get this one. I wouldn’t know how it drank on day two, because it didn’t last.

Many thanks to Winemaker Joe Shirley, Napa Cellars and Balzac Communications & Marketing for providing the wines.

Posted in Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Syrah, Wine | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Madeira Tasting at the Astor Center, NYC

Posted on June 20, 2012 by

Wine Everyday was recently invited to attend the Trade Tasting of 40 Madeira Wines at the Astor Center in New York City held on Monday, June 18, 2012. Although I had a scheduling conflict, I enlisted the help of my long time wine friend and fellow wine collector, Gregg Sharenow. Gregg and I have been sipping, sharing and exploring wine together for over 22 years, and I was confident he was the right person for this event. He is here to share his first article for Wine Everyday.

Pereira d'Oliveria

1908 Pereira d’Oliveria
Madeira

I have to admit that I had to do some research before embarking on my latest wine adventure; a tasting of 40 wines from Madeira at the Astor Center in N.Y. City. I know what you’re thinking; Madeira is the sweet white wine with the wicker-covered bottles that your parents and grandparents consumed on special or not so special occasions. That was sort of my recollection of Madeira. Well, I was in for a very pleasant surprise as none of the bottles were covered in wicker and many of the wines were truly outstanding. After tasting so many terrific Madeiras, I do think they deserve a chance to occupy a place in your wine collection.

Here is some brief background information that I gathered during my research. Madeira, which is produced on the Portuguese island of Madeira off the North African coast, are fortified wines (averaging between 17% – 22% ABV) that range in style from dry to very sweet. The wine, as we know it today, was accidentally created in the 18th century when ships returned from the West Indies with unsold wine that had been exposed to excessive heat in the ships’ holds. As it turned out, the wine that returned was much preferred over the wine that had been shipped because the heat aged the wine and made it more complex.  Eventually, processes were created to heat the barreled wine for a prolonged period of time so they could avoid having to send the barrels on long ocean voyages. This heating process and the addition of neutral grape spirits (fortification) also makes the wine extremely long lived, even after opening (I’ve been told the wine will not spoil for years after opening). Of historical note, Madeira was used to toast the Declaration of Independence.

Blandy’s 1994
Madeira

As I mentioned, the wines are produced in styles from dry to sweet and most of the better wines possess great balance as their acidity levels offset the sweetness. The sugar content depends on the grape variety used to produce the wine. There are several varieties that can be blended to produce Madeira (predominantly Tinta Negra). However, the finer wines are produced from one of four single white grape varietals.  From dry to sweet, the grapes are Sercial, Verdelho, Boal and Malvasia (aka Malmsey).  Generally, you will find bottles labeled by grape varietal, cask aging (5, 10, 15 or more years), Vintage (single year wine aged for a minimum of 20 years) or Colheita (single vintage wine aged no less than 5 years).

After drinking almost 40 wines, I discovered that I enjoyed the 15 year old, Vintage and Colheita wines most. The 15 year wines were definitely rounder with a softer mouth feel than the younger wines, although the younger wines were quite good as well.  Some of the much older wines I tasted were the Oliveiras Boal 1968 and 1908 and Verdelho 1912.  All of these wines were well balanced, wonderful wines that did not seem to lose anything from their many years in cask and bottle. If you could find these wines on your wine store shelves, they would retail for more than $500. Some of the terrific and much more affordable wines I tasted retail between $35 – $50 and many of the five year wines can be found for less than $20. Here are some of my favorites that are reasonably priced and can generally be found on U.S. wine store shelves; Broadbent Malvasia 10 year ($40), Broadbent Colheita 1996 Fine Rich ($45), Henriques & Henriques (H&H) Malvasia 15 Years ($39), H&H Boal Single Harvest 2000 ($?), Rare Wine Company Charleston Sercial, Boston Boal, New York Malmsey Special Reserves ($45 each), Cossart & Gordon 10 Year Boal ($35), Blandy’s Colhieta Malmsey 1994 ($50), Borges Verdelho 20 Years ($TBD).

Broadbent Madeira

Broadbent Madeira

Flavors that dominate these wines include caramel, vanilla, toffee and citrus. Pairing food with the different wine styles could be a lot of fun. As one of the vendors suggested, the Sercial is best consumed with spicy dishes like grilled shrimp with spicy paprika. The Verdelhos suggested pairing is with cream soups and foie-gras. The sweeter wines like the Boal’s and Malmsey’s are great on their own as a dessert wine (I found the Malmseys to be rich and syrupy with a delicious explosion of toffee and caramel flavors that last on your palate for very long time) or with rich foods like blue cheese or chocolate. Most of the vendors suggested that the wine be served at cellar temperature.

Whatever Madeira style you choose, I don’t think you could go wrong. They are well balanced, delicious wines that have only recently landed on U.S. wine drinkers’ radar.  This is a nice wine to introduce to people who have never experienced them before. I also think they are a pretty good value since they last so long after opening. Enjoy!

Many thanks to The Dunn Robbins Group for the invitation to this grand event.

 

Posted in Madeira, Port, Wine, Wine Festival | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Why buy wine by the case? Here are 12 “Cheaper-by-the-Dozen” Reasons

Posted on June 16, 2012 by
Inevitable by Leanne Laine Fine Art

Inevitable by Leanne Laine Fine Art

I’d like to share with you an article I recently wrote for 12most.com.

If you are not familiar with the 12most concept it’s a group of writers who share their articles in the format of lists and every list has 12 items.  I’ve written nine 12most articles since last fall, so I’ve become accustom to formulating my thoughts into lists of 12.  Since one of my favorite items comes packaged in boxes of 12, it only seemed appropriate that I write an article about buying wine by the case!

While searching for an appropriate image for this post, I asked my artist friend Leanne Laine for a suggestion. Her selection is “Inevitable.” She explains by saying “because it’s inevitable that you’re going to buy more wine anyway!” I hope you enjoy it!

12 Most Cheaper by the Dozen Reasons to Buy Wine by the Case

As a seasoned wine consumer and shopaholic; here are 12 reasons why you need to buy your wines by the case.

1. Money

Most every retailer will offer a discount if you purchase wine by the case. Do your wallet a favor, buy a case and save some money!

2. Variety

Not sure you want 12 bottles of the same wine? Mix up the case with a variety of bottles, and you’ll still get the discount!

3. Co-op

Chip in with a friend and split the case.

4. OPEC

With the price of gas now days, why would you even think of making 12 separate trips to the wine shop? Make 1 trip, buy 12 bottles and save gas!

5. Wine rack

Because I HATE seeing an empty wine rack! A case of wine fills in the empty spaces nicely!

6. Unexpected guests

End the shame of not having wine on hand when you have friends drop by.

7. Gifts

When Hubby forgets to mention you’ve been invited to the Boss’s house tonight! Now you can just grab a bottle of wine for the perfect Hostess gift!

8. Evolution

Drink the wine over time, and see how the wine evolves. Hopefully, if you’ve selected well, you’ll be in for a treat!

9. Efficiency

Unless you have a crush on the hunk at the wine shop, why would you want to make 12 trips back for the same bottle of wine?

10. Hoarding

Get those last 12 bottles of your favorite vintage before someone else does! Clear that shelf!

11. Home decor

Think of all the clever things you can make with those great wooden wine case boxes.

12. End the guilt

End the guilty feeling of pulling the last bottle out of the wine rack. If you bought that case, you’d have 11 more left!

Remember, if you aren’t going to be drinking all the wine within a few weeks, store it properly so it will last and age gracefully. Let me know what your wine buying habits are, I’d love to know! Cheers!

Article previously published on 12most.com and republished by its author Eileen Gross.  Special thanks to Leanne Laine  for use of her beautiful artwork.
Posted in 12most, Wine | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Battle of the Boxes ~ Round 4 ~ 2011 Big House Red

Posted on June 9, 2012 by

Round four of “Battle of the Boxes”.  If ever a box wine will ‘hold you captive‘ Big House Red will!

Big House Red 3L BoxWinemaker Georgetta Dane who playfully refers to herself as ‘Warden’ produces a variety of wines a stones throw from the state penitentiary in Soledad, California known as ‘The Big House’. The playful use of prison jargon is used throughout; a visit to their website will show you just how playful they can get, but they are very serious about their wines.

First Sip

The Big House Red is a fruity, not sweet, red blend of a myriad of grapes, check the line up below. The Grenache and Syrah are the most forward of the flavors, but they don’t crowd out the others.  The wine is ‘very-berry‘ on the nose, with aromas of dark berries being prominent; followed by cranberry and cherry flavors with a finish of vanilla. To test the crowd pleasing appeal of this wine, I rounded up my usual suspects and got the ‘thumbs up’ from all even from the self-declared ‘white wine only’ lovers. Pair this wine with your summer barbecues and don’t hesitate to serve it slightly chilled with your next crab feast!

Grape Line Up

19% Grenache
17% Syrah
16% Tempranillo
14% Petite Verdot
6% Mourvèdre
4% Sagrantino
3% Each | Malbec | Sangiovese | Merlot | Touriga
2% Negro Amaro
1% Each | Teraldego | Petite Sirah | Tannat
5% Variety of other Esoteric Reds
 

Second Sip ~ 1 week later

This box barely lasted one full week. I ‘crowd tested‘ this with a group of 20-something’s and they left me with just enough to do my ’1 week later’ test. The wine stayed true to form, and no residual plastic taste at all.  Please drink with in six weeks of opening the spigot, all boxed wines will start going down hill at that point.

Winner of Round 4 ~ Big House Red 2011  Why?  If ever there was a crowd pleasing wine and with 3 liters there is certainly enough of it to go around, this is the quintessential picnic wine!

Are you still fighting the box? If so, I’ll be back with more, but in the meantime, I want to know which boxed wines knocked you out.

Boxing Match
Photo Source: via Pinterest
California Red Blend | Alcohol 13.5% | Retails $22 3L | $9.99 750mL
Thank you to  Folsom and Associates , Winemaker/Warden Georgetta Dane and Big House  for providing the wine.
2009 Vintage photo used for graphic purposes only, reviewer tasted the 2011 vintage.
Posted in Battle of the Boxes, Boxed Wine, Grenache, Petit Verdot, Petite Sirah, Red Blend, Red Table Wine, Wine | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

2011 Mosel Valley Riesling | Cupcake Vineyards

Posted on June 3, 2012 by

Cupecake VineyardsSince 2008 Cupcake Vineyards have been producing wines from California’s Central Coast, Italy, New Zealand and Argentina. I’ve had the opportunity to review their Angel Food , Red Velvet and Prosecco wines; with the Angel Food being my most popular post ever! Now, winemaker Adam Richardson is adding to his extensive portfolio this German Riesling. Sourced from grapes from the Mosel River Valley, where grapes are hand harvested along precariously steep inclines from vines that have been formed into heart shapes.

The Wine: Ripe melon and citrus aromas with a refreshing palate and a bit of lemon zest on the finish. This Riesling isn’t bone dry, yet not super sweet either. Folks who shy away from Riesling because they don’t care for sweet wine should pour a glass of this and embrace it!

The popularity of the Cupcake Vineyards brand makes this wine easy to find; the suggested retail price of $13.99 (I’ve spotted it in my local shop for $8) and an alcohol level of 10% makes this easy to keep on hand for sipping on a hot summer day and to pair with spicy Asian dishes

This wine was provided as a media sample. Many thanks to Folsom and Associates, Adam Richardson and Cupcake Vineyards.
Posted in Riesling | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Caliente wines from South America!

Posted on May 30, 2012 by

Caliente: translation ‘hot’; as in hot-sellers. Thanks to the popularity and our current love affair with Malbec, it has opened us up to other tremendous wine values from South America.  Here is a list of some South American wines I’ve tried with budget friendly pricing!

1. Catena Malbec Argentina | $15

Found on many wine lists and well stocked in wine shops; this is a less expensive offering than their Alta line.

2. Catena Chardonnay Argentina | $14

A well made Chardonnay at this price point is a steal!

3. Casillero Del Diablo Carménère Chile | $10

Carménère is a member of the Cabernet family of grapes, a medium body wine with fruity flavors and smoky essences.

4. La Posta Cocina Blanco de Blancos Argentina | $14

An unoaked blend of Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Torrontes medium body and refreshing.

5. Casa Lapostolle Cuve Alexandre Cabernet Sauvignon Chile | $23

Slightly higher priced than the others in this list, and requires a bit of decanting to reach
is fullness.

6. Crios de Susana Balbo Torrontes Argentina | $11

A bargain Torrontes you’ll want to take along on picnics!

7. Zuccardi Q Malbec Argentina | $20

The Q stands for Quality. The Zuccardi wines are outstanding and a great value.

8. Santa Julia [+] Viognier Argentina | $10

A refreshing delicious wine with peach aromas is a staple at my house.

9. Santa Rita 120 Cabernet Sauvignon Chile | $10

Named to honor the 120 patriots who battled for Chile’s independence in 1814; it’s a great crowd pleasing wine. I’ve served this and their Sauvignon Blanc at large parties at my home.

10. Clos De Los Siete Argentina Blend of Malbec, Merlot, Syrah & Cab Sauvignon | $15

Let this decant for an hour or two, a bold blend earthy wine.

11. Tierra de Luna Syrah-Malbec Argentina | $10

I first tried this wine as a happy hour offering at Mediterraneo in Hermosa Beach, CA. I thought I’d move on to other wines as the night progressed but stayed with it, it was that good! I was thrilled to see it offered at my local wine shop in Annapolis, MD for way under $10

12. Cono Sur Sauvignon Blanc Chile | $15

Available pretty much everywhere and at bargain prices even lower than $15, not a complex wine, but certainly keep on hand for summer barbeques.

Let me know if you’ve enjoyed any of these wines, or if you’d like to propose a #13 to this list. Cheers!

Article previously published on 12most.com and republished by its author Eileen Gross
Artwork (published with permission)  by Leanne Laine Please visit her website to view some beautiful artwork!
Posted in 12most, Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenere, Chardonnay, Malbec, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, Torrontes, Viognier | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Red, White and Rose for this Memorial Day #SundaySupper

Posted on May 27, 2012 by

Its Memorial Day weekend the traditional kick off to the Summer Season, but before we dive into the potato salad, let’s take a moment to remember all those who gave the ultimate sacrifice so we may have our freedom.

This week our #SundaySupper Group is cooking up their favorite Memorial Day dishes. From the drinks to the desserts this is not your ordinary ‘hot dogs and hamburger cook-out.’  With a menu this diverse I thought I would suggest some wines that are great summer sippers, as well as being crowd pleasing and easy on the budget!

Rosé wines are desperately misunderstood, they are not made from pink grapes; they are also not sissy wines. Find rosés from the Rhône region of Southern France to go with summer salads and to sip while tending the hot grill. Dry, with floral aromas they’ll cool off your brow as well as quench your thirst. Try Domaine Guy Mousset from Côtes du Rhône or Château De Nages from Costierès de Nîmes. Both cost right around $10

Pinot Grigio is a great summertime wine. Try Fish Eye from Australia; fruit flavors of melon, lemon and peach give this wine its refreshing character. You’ll find it for around $7.

Contrary to what you may have heard, Merlot is not dead. Tried and true from Bogle Vineyards this Merlot will pair well with nicely charred chicken breasts from the grill or pulled pork sandwiches. Cost around $12.

Zinfandel is a nice spicy wine that I love with juicy steaks and burgers. Peachy Canyon has one called ‘Incredible Red’. I find it at Trader Joes for right around $11

Now, on to the food!

Perfect Cocktails

Best Margaritas Ever by Supper for a Steal
Sparkling Watermelon Sangria The Weekend Gourmet

 

Salads

Creamy Bacon and Avocado Pasta Salad by Daily Dish Recipes
Sweet and Savory Ham and Mango Salad by Rambling Notebook
Summer Pasta Salad with Lemon Lime Dressing by Mama’s Blissful Bites
Soba Noodles with Swiss Chard and Mushrooms by Soni’s Food for Thought
Malaysian Pickled Vegetables by Cookistry
Wedge Salad & Homemade blue Cheese Dressing by In the Kitchen with KP
Grilled Cesar Salad with Homemade Caesar Dressing by The Messy Baker

 

From the Grill

Grilled Balsamic Pork Kebobs by Momma’s Meals
Grilled Chicken Lettuce Wraps by That Skinny Chick
Grilled Shrimp Po Boys with Radicchio Slaw Pescetarian Journal
Bourbon Soy Sauce Pork Chops and Tilapia Family Foodie
Green Chile Bacon Cheeseburgers by Damn Delicious

 

Classics

Kalua Pulled Pork by Juanita’s Cocina

 

Desserts

Mocha Latte and Chocolate Hazelnut Pudding Cups by Mrs. Mama Hen
Ice Cream Pie by Make Dinner Easy
Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Ice Cream Rice Crispy Treats by Chocolate Moosey
Lite Mango Coconut Ice Cream with Berry Ginger Topping by Sue’s Nutrition Buzz
Stars and Stripes Pound Cake by Big Bear’s Wife
Chocolate Lava Cake Cositas Bonitas
Mango cardamom Cupcakes Beetle’s Kitchen
Watermelon Muffins The Meltaways
 

Tell us what you are serving this Sunday Supper around your Family Table!

To learn more about the Sunday Supper Movement visit Family Foodie.

Posted in Cotes du Rhone, Merlot, Pino Grigio, Red Table Wine, Rose, Sunday Supper, Wine, Wine Pairing, Zinfandel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments