Neat Thoughts About Food, Wine, Travel & More
This Italian wine is vibrant red in the glass. The 2009 Coltibuono Chianti Classico offer spiced red berries on the nose and big berry flavors on the palate with a little chocolate and some earthiness. Nice level of acidity and long, pleasant finish.
Pairings: Pasta and red sauce. Grilled meats.
Style: Red
Grape Type(s): Sangiovese
Region: Tuscany, Italy
Around $15.
For fans of fuller-bodied sparkling wines (me, me, me), this is a super option.
There’s apple and pear on the nose. This French champagne offers an earthiness and mouth-watering apple and peach flavors with hints of vanilla. Long, dry and completely enjoyable finish.
Nicer than most champagnes at this price point.
90 Points Wine Spectator.
Pairings: Lobster, ripe berries, cheese souffle.
Style: Sparkling
Grape Type(s): Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir
Region: Champagne, France
Around $40.
Nearly black in the glass, this Argentine wine is fragrant with dark berries on the nose. On the palate, this medium to full-bodied wine offers aromas of ripe raspberries, dates and notes of pumpkin pie spices. The finish is medium in length and showcases oaky and peppery notes.
I poured half the bottle through my Vinturi wine aerator and had the rest straight out of the bottle. Aerating or decanting would be optimal for this young wine.
Pairings: Grilled rack of lamb or Thai food.
Style: Red
Grape Type(s): Malbec
Region: San Juan, Argentina
Around $10.
This wine was provided to me for sampling and I am adding to my repertoire as it is truly enjoyable.
I enjoyed this wine at San Francisco’s Spruce restaurant, which I highly recommend, and absolutely loved it.
On the nose, this Spanish wine is perfumed with sweet green apple and light lemony notes. In the mouth, this affordable Albarino is crisp and dry with lime zest and more green apple flavors. The finish is long with a great level of acidity.
Pairings: Pork belly, blackened chicken, grilled salmon.
Style: White
Grape Type(s): Albarino
Region: Rias Baixas, Spain
Around $20.
I had the privilege of sampling eight Domaine Tortochot wines at a recent event and was wowed by all of them. This wine is the ‘entry level’ wine for this producer and it’s delicious.
In the glass is purple in color pushing me for that first sniff. Beautiful fruity nose and aromas finishing with slightly spicy notes. Really nice lighter-bodied Grand Vin de Bourgogne.
Pairings: Grilled chicken or duck. Seared tuna.
Style: Red
Grape Type(s): Pinot Noir
Region: Burgundy, France
Around $40
I love Zinfandels and try to serve foods that pair well with it as often as I can. For Easter, I grilled rack of lamb and served the 2009 Four Vines Zinfandel Maverick with them for a great match.
This Zinfandel from Amador County is bold and beautiful. In the glass, it’s dark and viscous. On the nose, it’s powerful with ripe cherries and pumpkin pie spices. In the mouth it’s jammy with tons of juicy blackberries followed by a long, sweet finish. A meal in a glass, in the best possible way.
Wine Spectator – 90 points.
Pairings: Grilled lamb, peppery porterhouse steak or aged cheese.
Style: Red
Grape Type(s): Zinfandel
Region: Paso Robles, California
Around $15.
I felt fortunate to sample this outstanding Pinot Noir at a local wine tasting last week. Just everything I love about this varietal: Beautiful purple in the glass, noseful of cherries and rich yet bright flavors of ripe cherries, raspberries and wild strawberries.
This fruit forward French Pinot Noir is silky, elegant and just super.
Pairings: Roasted turkey, grilled chicken or duck and pork.
Style: Red
Grape Type(s): Pinot Noir
Region: Burgundy, France
Around $45.
I had the pleasure of sampling this outstanding Riesling from Alsace at a recent wine tasting. The vines from which the grapes for this wine are gathered are over 50 years old and 100% hand-picked.
The nose is pungent with citrus and floral notes. The bold flavors are of peach, pear and nectarine with a super combination of richness and freshness. The long finish offers hints of licorice and a little smokiness.
Just a very enjoyable wine that could benefit from some cellaring.
Pairings: Buttered lobster, bouillabaisse, blue cheese dishes, Thai food.
Style: White
Grape Type(s): Riesling
Region: Alsace, France
Around $40.
I enjoy Greek wines and picked up this little number, which is easy to find, to pair with sashimi and rolls I was having from the local sushi restaurant this weekend.
In the glass, this Greek wine is a medium honey yellow – really pretty. On the nose, the 2010 Boutari Santorini Assyrtiko is lemony and peachy. In the mouth, it is rich, luscious, with lots of juicy apple notes yet there is a nice level of acidity and crispness on the finish.
This versatile wine would pair well with many things, especially grilled seafood, chicken or pork.
Pairings: Raw oysters, clams or mussels. Grilled octopus or white-flesh fish.
Style: White
Grape Type(s): Assyrtiko
Region: Santorini, Greece
Around $19
Dark Bing cherry-colored wine in the glass. On the nose, it offers a slightly spiced, juicy berry aroma. On the palate, it features mocha notes, ripe cherry flavors that linger on a long, dry finish.
Malbec is such a versatile, food-friendly varietal and at this affordable price point, it should be on your must-buy list.
Pairings: Rare duck, stinky cheeses, grilled beef tenderloin.
Style: Red
Grape Type(s): Malbec
Region: Mendoza, Argentina
Around $12
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