Neat Thoughts About Food, Wine, Travel & More
Wine in a Box
Since I recently started a new job search, I’ve made lists of things I’d cut back on. Wine and good food just cannot be skipped no matter what, so I thought I’d get my social media wine friends to help me compile a list of 10 affordable wines that they’ve recently discovered or are enjoying these days.
Please leave me a comment by 2/20/10 with a nice value wine you’ve enjoyed that you feel should make my top 10 list.
Cheers!
'01 Ramirez de la Piscina
What a great example of a medium-bodied Spanish Tempranillo. This aged wine is brownish brick in color with a spicy, earth-like nose. The wine is concentrated with enjoyable vanilla undertones and rich berry flavors. The only thing I was missing when I enjoyed this wine was a fabulous paella.
Around $20.
’07 Dog Point
Not the limeade-watery Sauvignon Blanc typical of many affordable bottles. This wine from Marlborough, New Zealand, is medium to full-bodied and offers pleasantly intense herbal and ripe fruit flavors. This wine has a longish finish and some texture to it.
For fans of Cloudy Bay, this is perhaps a better wine and a must-try.
Pairings: Fish, seafood, especially seared scallops
Style: White Wine
Grape Type(s): Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Marlborough, New Zealand
Price: $20
'04 Gundlach Bundschu PN
Was given this wine as a birthday present and really enjoyed it. This wine is a gorgeous, dark ruby color in the glass. It’s simply pure velvety silkiness with tons of ripe cherries and a hint of vanilla. Good wine on its own, but especially great with food. Served this with roast chicken and it was stellar.
Around $32.
2008 Hirsch Gruner Veltliner
Sampled this wine as part of a tasting menu at Bouley last weekend. For those of you who enjoy fresh and crisp Gruner Veltliner, this is a good rendition. This Weingut Hirsch wine has a citrus, apple, herbal aroma that had me sniffing for several minutes before taking a first sip. This wine offers a mouthful of juicy fruit that’s incredibly food-friendly. The finish was smooth with just a trace of pepper.
Around $23.
The 2008 Zuccardi Mendoza Chardonnay Viognier is light, citrusy and made with very little to no oak. It’s crisp and dry and perfect for seafood or fish. The thirst-quenching quality of this wine makes it ideal for Summertime get-togethers.
Nice wine for folks like me, who don’t enjoy big, buttery Chardonnays, but who enjoy that varietal when done in this manner.
Around $12.
Hosted a dinner party last night where red was de rigueur. The three bottles I selected varied from good to ugly.
The Ugly
2006 Rock River Cabernet Sauvignon
Used this as a cooking wine but had to sneak a sip also. Dark ruby in color without the expected accompanying fruit flavor. Somewhat flat, but acceptable to simmer beef in.
Around $7.99
The Okay
2007 Dingac Winery Plavac Peljesac Peninsula
Bought this somewhat obscure wine at the recommendation of an acquaintance and was a little disappointed. A cousin grape of Zinfandel, Plavac Mali is light in alcohol at 12%. This wine is light-bodied, soft on the nose and reminded me of a Beaujolais. I tasted a tiny bit of pepper and some light cherry. Can’t tag this wine as ‘the bad’, but wasn’t up to ‘the good’ either.
Around $14
The Good
2006 Ramey Claret Napa Valley
This is a well-balanced wine with herby, fruity aromas. It’s dark purple in color, full-bodied and very food-friendly. Good wine for the price.
Wine Spectator: 91 points.
Around $30
Sagramose
Peppery, dark and a nice wine to pair with Italian foods, especially ones with red sauces. Young with medium tannin and should be decanted before tasting.
Well-priced at around $20.
Galil
Uncorked this full-bodied Israeli wine with a filet mignon fondue recently and was pleased with my selection. This wine is dark ruby in color, rich with ripe cassis, offer a medium finish and shows great legs.
About $15 per bottle.
This is THE Chardonnay for folks who don’t enjoy big, buttery California Chardonnays. It’s not heavy on the oak, but has enough of it to make it…interesting. This New Zealand wine is similar to a French Chardonnay and is dry with a fresh, complex taste.
Around $30.
PS: Good call pairing this wine with smoked salmon Jean-Guy
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