Top 10 Wines Under $20 for 2011

December 18, 2011 By

I am fortunate to have sampled wines from many regions, varietals and styles this year.  While it is difficult to narrow down the list of affordable wines I have particularly enjoyed this year, here is a list, in no particular order.

Top 10 Wines Under $20 for 2011:

2008 Heron Hill Ingle Vineyard Pinot Noir ($20) – Finger Lakes, NY.

2009 M. Chapoutier Les Vignes de Bila Haut ($12) – Cotes du Roussillon, France.

2008 Joel Gott Cabernet Sauvignon 815 ($17) – Napa, California.

2009 Segal’s Fusion Dry Red Wine ($16) – Galilee Heights, Israel.

2006 Chateau d’Arcins Haut Médoc ($20) – Bordeaux, France.

2006 Campo Viejo Rioja Reserva ($10) – Rioja, Spain.

2009 Jagdschloss Spatburgunder Brut Rose ($15) – Rheingau, Germany.

2009 Semeli Mountain Sun Rose ($14) – Nemea, Greece.

2009 Red Newt Circle Riesling ($13) – Finger Lakes, NY.

2009 Nobilo Sauvignon Blanc ($11) – Marlborough, New Zealand.

Have you tried any of these affordable wines?  Please leave a comment with your thoughts about them.  Haven’t tried them yet?  Please do and let me know how you liked them!

Cheers,

Veronique

 

Filed Under: Other Neat Things, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , ,
16 December 2011 5 Sparkling Wines under $25

5 Sparkling Wines under $25

December 16, 2011 By

‘Tis the season to shop for bubbly and with all the options available at wine shops, it is difficult to make sense of it all.  Here are five sparkling wines under $25 to pop open during the holidays:

Cheers,

Veronique

 

 

Filed Under: Other Neat Things, Rose, Blush Wine, Sparkling Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , ,
16 December 2011 Nicolas Feuillatte Brut NV

Nicolas Feuillatte Brut NV

December 16, 2011 By

This is a very clean, light-to-medium style Champagne with green apple and nutty aromas.  In the mouth, it has honey and bread dough notes.  Nice bubbly at this price.

 

Style: Champagne / Sparkling Wine

Grape Type(s): Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay

Region: Reims, France

Around $25

Filed Under: Sparkling Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , ,
15 December 2011 2008 Naveran Dama Cava

2008 Naveran Dama Cava

December 15, 2011 By

Lovely, aromatic wine with juicy peach aromas and tons of floral and ripe pear and apple flavors.  The 2008 Naveran Dama Cava offers a rich, long finish.  Great sparkling wine at this price point.

Style: Sparkling Wine

Grape Type(s): Chardonnay Blend

Region: Catalunya, Spain

Around $20

 

Filed Under: Sparkling Wine Tagged With: , , ,
14 December 2011 Roederer Estate Anderson Valley Brut

Roederer Estate Anderson Valley Brut

December 14, 2011 By

Rich and slightly oaky sparkling wine that’s become a favorite.  The nose is light Asian apple but the flavors are bolder with ripe, juicy pear and nutty notes.  Great clean, crisp finish.

Style: Sparkling Wine

Grape Type(s): Pinot Noir and Chardonnay

Region: Anderson Valley, California

Around $22

 

Filed Under: Sparkling Wine Tagged With: , , ,
14 December 2011 Schramsberg Mirabelle Brut Rosé

Schramsberg Mirabelle Brut Rosé

December 14, 2011 By

Just love a sparkling rosé – it’s so…festive!  This one is pale pink in the glass with a light strawberry and yeasty nose.  In the mouth, the Schramsberg Mirabelle Brut Rosé offers juicy fruit flavors with a slightly spicy finish.

Style: Rosé Sparkling

Grape Type(s): Pinot Noir and Chardonnay

Region: Napa Valley, California

Around $25

 

 

Filed Under: Rose, Blush Wine, Sparkling Wine Tagged With: , , ,
13 December 2011 Lucien Albrecht Crémant d’Alsace Brut Rosé NV

Lucien Albrecht Crémant d’Alsace Brut Rosé NV

December 13, 2011 By

This wine from Alsace is pale salmon-colored in the glass and offers sweet strawberry and ripe cherry aromas.  In the mouth, it’s typical (and lovely) Crémant – moussy and creamy.  Luscious, yet light, strawberries-and-cream flavors.

Style: Rosé Sparkling

Grape Type(s): Pinot Noir

Region: Alsace, France

Around $25

 

 

Filed Under: Rose, Blush Wine, Sparkling Wine Tagged With: , , , ,
21 November 2011 2010 Merry Edwards Russian River Sauvignon Blanc

2010 Merry Edwards Russian River Sauvignon Blanc

November 21, 2011 By

Yes, I’m continuing my homage to Merry Edwards, but this time, it is not Pinot Noir I’m clamoring about, it is Merry’s delicious 2010 Russian River Sauvignon Blanc.

On the nose, this wine is floral with a ton of tropical fruit notes.  On the palate, there is pink grapefruit, Meyer lemons, a drizzle of honey and Asian pear.

The wine’s six month fermentation in seasoned French oak barrels created a Sauvignon Blanc with real backbone and depth.  This isn’t a pale, watery Sauvignon Blanc made to be sipped as an aperitif on a hot summer day.  It’s a rich, well-balanced, bright wine that is wonderful paired with fish or seafood but can also hold its own with spicy dishes.

Super wine for fans of Gewürztraminer and dry Riesling.  A bit of a splurge for some Sauvignon Blanc drinkers, but certainly worth every penny.

Style: White Wine

Grape Type(s): Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Musque

Region: Russian River Valley / Sonoma, CA

Around $30

Filed Under: Sauvignon Blanc, United States, White Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , ,
19 November 2011 5 American Pinot Noirs for Thanksgiving

5 American Pinot Noirs for Thanksgiving

November 19, 2011 By

Thanksgiving is an American tradition of family, friends, food and football.  When it comes to which wine is best paired with the star of the meal, the turkey, there are many opinions.

Here are five of my favorite American pinot noirs that pair beautifully with your bird, and its accompaniments.

  • 2007 Hirsch Vineyards San Andreas Pinot Noir – about $65, from California, click here for tasting notes
  • 2007 Merry Edwards Russian River Valley Pinot Noir – about $45, from California, click here for tasting notes
  • 2006 Tantara Bien Nacido Adobe Pinot Noir – about $50, from California, click here for tasting notes
  • 2004 Gundlach Bundschu Pinot Noir – about $30, from California, click here for tasting notes
  • 2007 Ravines Wine Cellars Pinot Noir – About $20, from the NY Finger Lakes, click here for tasting notes

Have any turkey day wine favorites?  Please share them!

Cheers,

Veronique

Filed Under: Other Neat Things, Red Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,
17 November 2011 2006 Tantara Bien Nacido Adobe Pinot Noir

2006 Tantara Bien Nacido Adobe Pinot Noir

November 17, 2011 By

I simply love this wine.  It’s not easy to come by in New Jersey, where I live, but when I’ve been able to secure a few bottles, I’ve enjoyed it tremendously.

The 2006 Tantara Bien Nacido Adobe Pinot Noir is dark ruby in the glass and pretty full-bodied for a California pinot noir.  On the nose, there’s a ton of dark raspberries with notes of nutmeg and clove.  On the palate, it’s all about ripe cherries with lots of earthiness, cherry cola, allspice and notes of mocha.  The finish is long and silky/velvety.  Just a perfect wine paired with roast chicken, wild mushroom risotto or grilled salmon.

Tantara Winery is a smaller producer and only about 200 cases of this little gem were produced, so get your hands on a bottle and enjoy.  Read about my love of Tantara here.

Style: Red Wine

Grape Type(s): Pinot Noir

Region: Central Coast, CA

Around $50

Filed Under: Pinot Noir, Red Wine, United States, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,
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