13 April 2012 World Malbec Day – Celebrate from the Comforts of Home

World Malbec Day – Celebrate from the Comforts of Home

April 13, 2012 By

World Malbec Day, April 17th, offers an interesting platform for Malbec lovers to compare wines of this varietal, share their thoughts about them on Twitter and Facebook, see what other tasters have to say and add new wines to their favorites list.

If you’ve never participated in an online wine tasting, it’s great fun:

  1. Buy your favorite bottle of the featured grape varietal, in this case, Argentine Malbec.
  2. Invite some folks to share the experience, or snuggle in your JPs in front of the computer.
  3. Sip and share your wine comments with other tasters from around the world!

What I’ll be uncorking for the big day:

  • 2010 Graffigna Centenario Malbec, an affordable ($12) little number from Argentina.

Remember to use the hashtag #MalbecDay to participate in the celebrations on Twitter (are we connected there? @foodwinechickie) or share your tasting notes on the Wines of Argentina Facebook page.

About Malbec:  Malbec is medium to full-bodied and offers ripe fruit flavors of plums and blackberry with notes of vanilla, spice and tobacco.

Typical Malbec Food Pairings:  Red meats are the perfect pairing for Malbec, but it can also stand up to spicy Mexican, Cajun, Indian or Italian foods.  BBQ is great matched with Malbec.

Salud!

Veronique

Filed Under: Other Neat Things, Red Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,
11 April 2012 2009 Four Vines The Maverick Zinfandel

2009 Four Vines The Maverick Zinfandel

April 11, 2012 By

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.

 

Filed Under: Red Wine, United States, Wine Reviews, Zinfandel Tagged With: , , , , ,
10 April 2012 2009 Domaine Delagrange Volnay Vielles Vignes

2009 Domaine Delagrange Volnay Vielles Vignes

April 10, 2012 By

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.

 

Filed Under: France, Pinot Noir, Red Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , ,
9 April 2012 2009 Domaine Frédéric Mochel Riesling Altenberg de Bergbieten Cuvee Henriette

2009 Domaine Frédéric Mochel Riesling Altenberg de Bergbieten Cuvee Henriette

April 9, 2012 By

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.

Filed Under: France, Riesling, White Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,
28 March 2012 2010 Boutari Santorini Assyrtiko

2010 Boutari Santorini Assyrtiko

March 28, 2012 By

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

 

Filed Under: Assyrtiko, Greece, White Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,
23 March 2012 Maple White Sangria

Maple White Sangria

March 23, 2012 By

In my spring quest for maple recipes, I was thrilled to get a cocktail recipe from my sister featuring the sweet sap as an ingredient.  What a great way to kick off the chilled cocktail season!

Ingredients:

  • 1 bottle of dry white wine
  • ½ cup pure maple syrup
  • 1 lemon, sliced
  • ½ honeydew melon either cubed or balled with a melon baller
  • 24 green seedless grapes
  • 2 kiwis, peeled and sliced
  • 1 cup Vodka
  • 2 cups soda water

Directions:

  1. In a large pitcher, combine all the ingredients.  Allow fruit to permeate the liquids for at least an hour.  Served in ice-filled glasses.

Yields 6 cocktails.

 

Filed Under: Cocktails, Fruits, Maple Syrup, White Wine Tagged With: , , ,
19 March 2012 ZED Moscato Rosé – Blushing Surprise

ZED Moscato Rosé – Blushing Surprise

March 19, 2012 By

If you read this blog, you’ll have figured out that I love rosé and sparkling wines.  I just find them perfect as an aperitif or with many foods and one can typically find a favorite at an affordable price.

The winemakers at Australia’s Jacob’s Creek have developed an easy-drinking, affordable sparkling rosé that is certain to please most palate.

In the glass, ZED Moscato Rosé is pale pink and simply festive in appearance.  On the nose, it offers maraschino cherry / strawberry aromas.  In the mouth, the wine is a little sweet with nice acidity and note of raspberry and Asian pear.

As I was enjoying a glass of ZED, I began thinking how nice it would be used in a cocktail.  Out comes the shaker with a shot of good quality Vodka, a slash of Triple Sec and a squeeze of lime – delicious!

Just a pretty wine that’s tasty on its own and delicious in a cocktail.

Style: Rosé

Grape Type(s): Moscato

Region: Australia

Around $15

This wine was provided to me for sampling and I am adding to my repertoire as it is truly enjoyable.

 

Filed Under: Rose, Blush Wine, Sparkling Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , ,
6 March 2012 2007 Villa Maria Private Bin Riesling

2007 Villa Maria Private Bin Riesling

March 6, 2012 By

Textbook Riesling it is not, darn enjoyable it is.  Pale in the glass, this New Zealand Riesling has Meyer lemon and pear on the nose.  Perhaps even a little of the kerosene aromas that some Rieslings tend to display.  More lemon and juicy pear on the palate with hints of lime and a bit of fizz.  The finish is dry with nice acidity and minerality.

Pairings:  Spicy Thai, Indian or Mexican food.  Blackened chicken.

Style: White

Grape Type(s): Riesling

Region: Marlborough, New Zealand

Around $15

This wine was provided to me for sampling and I am adding to my repertoire as it is truly enjoyable.

 

Filed Under: Riesling, White Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,

The Finger Lakes for Wine Lovers

March 1, 2012 By

Photo Credit: Heron Hill Winery

I’m a huge fan of the Finger Lakes and its outstanding wines.  Here is an article of mine on traveling to the Finger Lakes and which wineries to visit along the way published by Jersey Bites.

Cheers,

Veronique

 

Filed Under: Culinary Travel Tales, Dessert Wine, Red Wine, Sparkling Wine, White Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,
28 February 2012 2008 Luigi Bosca Reserva Malbec

2008 Luigi Bosca Reserva Malbec

February 28, 2012 By

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

 

Filed Under: Argentina, Malbec, Red Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,
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