Neat Thoughts About Food, Wine, Travel & More
When this wine was poured into my glass I had to let out a “wow” to the beautiful dark ruby hue. On the nose, this affordable Italian wine is both sweet and spicy with bushels of wild strawberries. In the mouth – wow again. This Barbera is big, bold, woodsy with caramel notes and lush berries. Was great alone, but fabulous with Arancini starter and my tomato-based seafood soup. Can’t believe this wine’s only $17 retail.
Around $17.
Wine Spectator: 89 Points.
Found this wine on a by-the-glass wine list and had to try it on the first warm day of Spring in New York. In the glass, it’s much darker and brighter than you’d expect from a rose, more strawberry than the muted pink I typically see. On the nose, the strawberry continues with sweet and intense aromas. On the palate, it’s a bit of a different story. Although this Greek wine from the region of Nemea offers a bit of sweetness, it’s the pop of acidity that gives the ripe, spicy cherry flavors its brightness and freshness.
Not only would this Greek rose made from the Agiorgitiko grape be perfect for sipping on a warm sunny day, its intensity would hold up well to grilled fish, roasted vegetables or even some BBQ chicken or ribs.
Around $14.
Established in 1970, Ponzi Vineyards is one of Oregon’s oldest winery.
Served this Pinot with salmon in puff pastry and it was a great pairing. This Willamette Valley wine is bright crimson in the glass with more strawberry than raspberry on the nose. It’s sharp enough to work with the buttery puff pastry but offers tons of cherry and red berry flavors that are so distinct of this varietal. The finish is long, intense but with a hint of sweetness.
Loved this wine.
Wine Spectator: 90 Points
Around $35.
This affordable New Zealand wine is bigger and bolder than I anticipated. On the nose, it’s ripe, caramelized ruby grapefruit. The palate offers fresh-cut grass, Meyer lemon, juicy peach and passion fruit with spicy notes on the finish. Nice Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc at a great price point.
90 Points Wine Spectator.
Around $11.
Love that this wine shows grace and balance even at this affordable price point. The nose is light, even a bit faint but on the palate there’s nice ripe berry flavors, hints of dark chocolate and wet bark. The medium finish on the Bordeaux is slightly tannic. Top Saint-Emilion? No. Pretty nice, affordable Grand Cru? Yes.
70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon.
Around $16.
Celebrated with this bubbly over the weekend and just loved everything about it. The Heidsieck & Co Monopole Blue Top Champagne Brut is the color of oats in the glass with a nose that’s both yeasty and pear-infused. On the palate, it’s what Champagne should be: creamy, mousse-like with tiny bubbles that coat the mouth and provide a dry, long finish.
At this price point, forgo the Yellow Label for this little gem.
Wine Spectator 91 points.
Around $40.
This French Chardonnay is bright golden yellow in the glass and just pretty to look at. The nose is floral with Meyer lemon notes. In the mouth, this Pouilly Fuissé is nutty with ripe pear / golden apple and a pleasant level of minerality. The finish lingers. Paired this Chardonnay with grilled diver scallops over risotto and it was super.
I’m not a fan of huge buttery Chardonnays, but this wine is light and refreshing enough to convince me to make it part of my repertoire.
Around $25.
Took a little while to stop staring at this deep purple-hued wine long enough to take a sniff, but was greeted by woodsy, spiced, ripe dark fruit aromas that gave a prelude to a tasty French beauty. On the palate, this wine is full-bodied, powerful and showing notes of dark chocolate, dark cherries. The finish is medium and just a bit tannic after decanting.
Paired this Bordeaux with roasted prime rib of beef and thought it was perfect. Really should decant this wine for it to fully open up.
Pretty great Cru Bourgeois at the right price point. Adding to my must-buy list.
60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 39% Merlot, and 1% Cabernet Franc.
Around $20.
Bought this Pinot Noir as my 3rd bottle at a recent dinner party and was relatively pleased with it, especially at this price point.
It’s lighter than most California Pinots in the glass and offers a light nose of strawberries and under-ripe cherries. In the mouth, this wine is also light with some mouth-puckering, a little spice and a longish finish.
Overall, this is a decent wine that I don’t need a special occasion to enjoy and that has enough presence to be served beyond a Tuesday night.
Around $10.
Made of three varietals, Tempranillo, Graciano and Mazuelo, this Rioja is dark cherry ruby with a pale ring in the glass that reminds me of some of my favorite California Pinot Noirs. On the nose are aromas of wet wood, stone fruits and vanilla. On the palate, this lighter-bodied Spanish wine offers cherries, some rosy notes and a creamy, velvety mouthfeel with a slightly spicy, smooth, long finish.
Had this wine with a platter of cured meats and it was super. Would be great with grilled meats such as pork or chicken and with heartier fish like swordfish.
This wine was provided to me for sampling and I’m adding to my repertoire as it’s truly enjoyable.
Pairings: Grilled meats, lasagna bolognese
Style: Red Wine
Grape Type(s): 85% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano, 5% Mazuelo
Region: Rioja, Spain
Price: $10
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