10 October 2011 5 Italian Wines to Drink on Columbus Day

5 Italian Wines to Drink on Columbus Day

October 10, 2011 By

October 10 is Columbus Day, the celebration of Christopher Columbus’ arrival in the Americas on October 12, 1492.  In honor of the famed Italian-born explorer, colonizer, and navigator, I’m highlighting 5 neat and affordable Italian wines I’ve sampled in the last few months.

Happy Columbus Day!

Cheers,

Veronique

 

 

Filed Under: Other Neat Things, Wine Reviews Tagged With: ,
5 October 2011 Perrier-Jouët Bicentennial Experience

Perrier-Jouët Bicentennial Experience

October 5, 2011 By

2002 Perrier-Jouët Belle Epoque Rosé

This week, I had the pleasure of participating in the celebration around the 200th anniversary of Champagne powerhouse, Perrier-Jouët, hosted at the beautiful Park Avenue Club in Florham Park, NJ.

The exclusive event featured Perrier-Jouët Chef de Cave, Hervé Deschamps, one of only seven Cellar Masters in the 200 year history of the famed Champagne house.  Mr. Deschamps thrilled the crowd with the sabering of a Champagne bottle.  Really neat.

The five wines that were served were fantastic.  I’m a huge fan of bubbly wines, so this event was such a special treat for me.  Here are the Champagnes we sampled:

  • Perrier-Jouët Grand Brut: Understated elegance and subtle flavors – $45.
  • Perrier-Jouët Blason Rosé: Palest pink, creamy and a bit smoky – $85.
  • 2004 Perrier-Jouët Belle Epoque Brut: Golden, yeasty, floral, crisp in the well-known flowered bottle – $150.
  • 2002 Perrier-Jouët Belle Epoque Rosé: Ripe strawberry, rich texture, long finish – fabulous – $350.
  • 2000 Perrier-Jouët Belle Epoque Blanc de Blancs: 100% Chardonnay, moussy, fresh, crisp yet rich and honey-flavored. Just the ultimate Champagne – $400.

I enjoyed all the wines, but the 2002 Perrier-Jouët Belle Epoque Rosé and the 2000 Perrier-Jouët Belle Epoque Blanc de Blancs were just very special.

Each wine was expertly paired with delicious small plates that enhanced the qualities of each of the Champagnes being poured.

I’ll be popping open Perrier-Jouët for several celebrations I have in October.  Don’t wait for the holidays to pop open this liquid gold – just do it for the special mood it’ll put you and your guests into.

Cheers,

Veronique

Filed Under: Culinary Travel Tales, Other Neat Things, Sparkling Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , , ,
28 September 2011 2005 Château Filhot Sauternes

2005 Château Filhot Sauternes

September 28, 2011 By

Tried the Sauternes on my brand new dessert wine glasses and what a nice treat.  The wine is straw-yellow in the glass and not as unctuous as I’m used to seeing in Sauternes.  On the nose, there’s candied fruit, the typical honey and some ripe tropical fruit.  In the mouth, the 2005 Chateau Filhot Sauternes is full-bodied with a deep sweetness and a very nice level of acidity.

90 points Wine Spectator.

Around $25 (375ml).

Filed Under: Dessert Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: ,
21 September 2011 2009 Los Vascos Cabernet Sauvignon Colchagua Valley

2009 Los Vascos Cabernet Sauvignon Colchagua Valley

September 21, 2011 By

Served this little gem as my second with some prime ribeyes this weekend and was pleased with the pairing.

In the glass, the 2009 Los Vascos Cabernet Sauvignon Colchagua Valley is deep garnet.  On the nose, it’s bright on the dark cherries with some stone fruit and pumpkin pie spice.  In the mouth, this project wine by Barons de Rothschild Lafite is peppy on the fruit and offers rounded tannins and a good level of acidity that makes it really enjoyable.

Super for a young Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon and at an incredible price point.

Around $10.

Filed Under: Red Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , ,
15 September 2011 Swine and Wine – Pigging Out in Northern New Jersey

Swine and Wine – Pigging Out in Northern New Jersey

September 15, 2011 By

A popular local MeetUp group I belong to is the Northern New Jersey Wine MeetUp Group where both singles and couples gather to learn about, and enjoy wines from around the world.  How fun is that!?

If you’re not familiar with MeetUp, it is the world’s largest network of local groups.

Last weekend, our group held its annual pig roast, fittingly dubbed Swine and Wine.  The event was held at the beautiful Tree Tavern, a private event destination in Wanaque, NJ.

The delicious food was catered by Frank Hewitt and Augie Viviani, the owners of Party Chefs of Haskell, NJ (973-492-8182), whose specialties are pig roasts, clam bakes and lobster bakes.  Frank and Augie showed a real passion for their business and fixed a super meal for us.  Served along the perfectly-seasoned and roasted pork with dreamy lacquered skin, was a buffet of tangy bean salad, fresh Jersey corn with drawn butter, two salads, roasted vegetables and flavorful yellow rice.  There were also hamburgers and hot dogs.  Super, and affordable, party concept that I highly recommend.

Wino Bob, one of the group organizers, poured a 2006 Oriel Femme Fatale Bordeaux Rose ($20), a luscious wine with bright strawberry flavors and nice acidity, the 2010 Hogwash ($15), a light rosé, perfect for summer fun and the 2008 Tamas Double Decker Red ($10), a Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah and Barbera blend which pairs nicely with grilled meats.

In New Jersey?  Come join us for the next celebration, and if you do, come say hello!

Cheers,

Veronique

Filed Under: Other Neat Things, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,
5 September 2011 2003 Clos du Marquis Saint Julien

2003 Clos du Marquis Saint Julien

September 5, 2011 By

My dad uncorked this little gem during my last trip home to Quebec and what a treat it was.

The color in the glass is deep and purple.  Just really pretty.  The nose offers stone fruit and black licorice with some spiced notes.  In the mouth, this Bordeaux is rich and luscious with black berries, dark chocolate, a little coffee and some nutmeg notes.  The finish is long, sweet and velvety with the right amount of acidity.

This is a second label wine for Chateau Léoville Las Cases yet a very solid, first-rate wine.

Around $60.

Filed Under: Red Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,
28 August 2011 2008 Jacob’s Creek Reserve Barossa Shiraz

2008 Jacob’s Creek Reserve Barossa Shiraz

August 28, 2011 By

I had the pleasure of sampling several Jacob’s Creek Reserve wines at a recent tasting and the 2008 Jacob’s Creek Reserve Barossa Shiraz was among them.

In the glass, the wine is deep ruby and viscous.

On the nose, it features powerful plummy, spiced notes.

On the palate, the plummy nose carries over on this Australian Shiraz.  It’s a chewy big mouthful with tons of freshly ground pumpkin pie spices with a rich, slightly sweet long finish.

Perfect with braised meats.

Around $13.

Filed Under: Red Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: ,
28 August 2011 2009 Jacob’s Creek Reserve Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon

2009 Jacob’s Creek Reserve Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon

August 28, 2011 By

I had the pleasure of sampling several Jacob’s Creek Reserve wines at a recent tasting and the 2009 Jacob’s Creek Reserve Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon was among them.

For fans of big, beefy Cabs like me, this is a very affordable option.

In the glass, the wine is dark purple.

On the nose, it’s black berries, vanilla with woodsy anise notes.

On the palate, this Australian Cabernet Sauvignon is full-bodied with crushed ripe berries and plums.  The finish is rich, slightly oaky and long.

Might benefit from some cellaring, but a nice option to pair with a grilled steak on a Tuesday night.

Around $10.

Filed Under: Red Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: ,
27 August 2011 2009 Jacob’s Creek Reserve Adelaide Hills Pinot Noir

2009 Jacob’s Creek Reserve Adelaide Hills Pinot Noir

August 27, 2011 By

I had the pleasure of sampling several Jacob’s Creek Reserve wines at a recent tasting and the 2009 Jacob’s Creek Reserve Adelaide Hills Pinot Noir was among them.

I’m a huge fan of Pinot Noirs and enjoy Australian Pinots so was looking forward to trying this one.

In the glass, the wine is ruby and appears to be of medium weight.

On the nose, it’s typical Adelaide Hills Pinot Noir – bright cherry, ripe strawberry with notes of oak.  A bouquet that’s right up my alley.

On the palate, this Australian Pinot Noir is lively with ripe berries, touches of clove and nutmeg with oaky notes.  Light tannins are displayed on the long finish.

An affordable addition to one’s cellar.

Around $13.

Filed Under: Australia, Pinot Noir, Red Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , ,
26 August 2011 2009 Jacob’s Creek Reserve Adelaide Hills Chardonnay

2009 Jacob’s Creek Reserve Adelaide Hills Chardonnay

August 26, 2011 By

I had the pleasure of sampling several Jacob’s Creek Reserve wines at a recent tasting and the 2009 Jacob’s Creek Reserve Adelaide Hills Chardonnay was among them.

As those of you who know me already know, I’m not a passionate fan of Chardonnays, especially oaky ones, so I had my reservations about sampling try this Australian oaked Chardonnay.

In the glass, the wine is a little greener in color than I’m used to seeing in Chardonnays of other regions.

On the nose, this wine is bold with lemons and yeasty notes.

On the palate, this Adelaide Hills wine is rich, sourdoughy with plums and Meyer lemons.  The finish is both nutty and crisp with oaky notes.

Around $11.

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