17 August 2017 2015 Heart & Hands Sparkling Riesling

2015 Heart & Hands Sparkling Riesling

August 17, 2017 By

I’ve been a member of Heart & Hands’ Claddagh Club, its wine club, for several years and enjoy that, once in a while, I’m contacted about something totally unexpected by this stellar Finger Lakes winery. This time, it was about its sparkling Riesling with bottle cap enclosure – how could I pass that up? The one thing I regret is only buying a half case.

Looks: Palest of yellow in the glass with tiny bubbles.

Smell: Apple and pear aromas with hints of citrus.

Taste: Green apple and tropical fruit flavors with a dry, bright, crisp finish.

Texture and Finish: Nice minerality and acidity with a medium finish.

This bubbly is great as an aperitif but it’s also very food friendly.

Winemaker’s note(s): Crafted in the traditional method: primary fermentation in stainless steel, then bottle fermented and aged en tirage on the lees.

Pairings: Fried chicken, grilled fish, seafood.

Style: Sparkling Wine

Grape Type(s): Riesling

Region: Finger Lakes, NY, USA

Price: $26.99

Filed Under: Riesling, Sparkling Wine, United States, White Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , ,
5 July 2017 Tasting Notes – Scarpetta Frico Frizzante

Tasting Notes – Scarpetta Frico Frizzante

July 5, 2017 By

I was in Providence, RI for the holiday weekend and was served this fun bubbly at Slow Rhode. I admit I’m always a bit suspicious of wine served in vessels other than bottles, but this was nice. No metallic after taste, good bubbles, light, and refreshing. Think Prosecco but a little lighter on the amount of bubbles.

Looks: Palest of yellow in the glass with tiny bubbles.

Smell: Apple aromas with faint floral notes.

Taste: Apple flavors with a dry, crisp finish.

Texture and Finish: Crazy nice minerality and acidity with a medium finish.

I had this bubbly from Italy as an aperitif but enjoyed it so much that I paired a second can with roasted sunchokes and pan seared squid. I just ordered four, six-packs to take to the beach with us!

Pairings: Fried chicken, grilled fish, seafood.

Style: Sparkling Wine

Grape Type(s): Trebbiano, Glera, Chardonnay

Region: Mendocino, Monterrey, and El Dorado Counties, California, USA

Price: $3.99 for a 187 ml (6-ounce) can

Filed Under: Chardonnay, Italy, Sparkling Wine, White Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , ,
17 May 2017 2012 Weingut Stadt Krems Riesling Reserve Grillenparz Kremstal

2012 Weingut Stadt Krems Riesling Reserve Grillenparz Kremstal

May 17, 2017 By

Friend shared this bottle with me over oysters and fish. Love this style wine and never a bad bottle by this producer.

Looks: Greenish yellow in the glass.

Smell: Citrus/Meyer lemon and juicy peach on the nose.

Taste: Delicious lemon/lime flavors with some wet stones notes.

Texture and Finish: Rich yet light. Crazy nice minerality and acidity with a long finish.

Pairings: Oysters/shellfish, grilled fish, seafood risotto.

Style: White Wine

Grape Type(s): Riesling

Region: Kremstal, Austria

Price: $30

Filed Under: Austria, Riesling, White Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , ,
26 April 2017 2015 Dirty & Rowdy Familiar Blanc

2015 Dirty & Rowdy Familiar Blanc

April 26, 2017 By

Check out the cloudiness of this baby in my photo – crazy stuff! Kitchen sink blend of aromas and flavors.  

Looks: Deep ruby in the glass.

Smell: Citrus, floral and dried apricot on the nose. What isn’t on the nose would be a better question!

Taste: Lemon lime flavors with hints of under-ride pear.

Texture and Finish: Crazy nice minerality and acidity with a medium finish.

I love these wines. This is the third vintage I buy and I continue to get sucked into the hype. Drink cool, not cold or you’ll lose all the crazy flavors.

Pairings: Fried chicken, grilled fish, seafood risotto.

Style: White Wine

Grape Type(s): 28% Chenin Blanc, 22% Pinot Blanc, 18% Chardonnay, 12% Melon, 10% Roussanne, 10% Viognier.

Region: Mendocino, Monterrey, and El Dorado Counties, California, USA

Price: $30

Fun Fact: Bottle is sealed with a NomaCorc Select Bio closure. It is a plant based, carbon neutral, breathable, recyclable, cork alternative.

Filed Under: Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Pinot Blanc, Roussanne, United States, Viognier, White Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: ,
19 April 2017 2012 Joseph Drouhin Santenay

2012 Joseph Drouhin Santenay

April 19, 2017 By

Brought this lovely Pinot Noir to my favorite gourmet pizzeria in anticipation of having forest mushroom pizza and it was a stellar pairing.

Looks: Deep ruby in the glass.

Smell: Wild strawberries with some earthy notes on the nose.

Taste: Raspberry and cherry flavors with woodsy notes.

Texture and Finish: Round, nicely-balanced with medium tannins and medium finish.

Young wine but very drinkable and enjoyable Burgundy. Good price point.

Pairings: Mushroom-based dishes, roasted/grilled salmon, pork, turkey.

Style: Red Wine

Grape Type(s): Pinot Noir

Region: Cote de Beaune, Burgundy, France

Price: $29

Filed Under: France, Pinot Noir, Red Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , ,
12 April 2017 2012 Jean Edwards Cellars Petite Sirah

2012 Jean Edwards Cellars Petite Sirah

April 12, 2017 By

I decanted this California Petite Sirah for 45 minutes before drinking, drank it over 60 minutes and it opened up beautifully.

Looks: Darkest purple in the glass.

Smell: Dark fruit/berries with some peppery notes on the nose.

Taste: Blackberry flavors with plum, tobacco and leather notes.

Texture and Finish: Well-structured, balanced and elegant. Long finish with peppery notes.

This is still a young wine but delicious after some decanting. This proves once again that there’s not a bad Jean Edwards Cellars wine to be had.

Pairings: Beef short ribs, roasted lamb, grilled steaks.

Style: Red Wine

Grape Type(s): Petite Sirah

Region: Calistoga, Napa Valley, California, USA

Price: $35

Filed Under: Petite Syrah, Red Wine, United States, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,
5 April 2017 Top Rosé Wines Under $15

Top Rosé Wines Under $15

April 5, 2017 By

Those of us living in a cold climate are eager to get the rosé uncorked, marking the unofficial start of the Spring-Summer season. I enjoy rosé wines year-around – heavier in the winter and lighter in the summer and below are examples of nice, accessible rosé wines for under $15.

2015 M. Chapoutier Belleruche Côtes du Rhône Rosé (Rhone Valley, France, $10.99)

Fresh and bright floral aromas with some saline notes on this medium-bodied French rosé. In the mouth, the flavors are of raspberries and bright citrus followed by a dry finish. 50% Grenache, 40% Syrah and 10% Cinsault.

2015 E. Guigal – Côtes du Rhône Rosé (Rhone Valley, France, $12.99)

Bright salmon color in the glass, this French rosé wine has raspberry and ripe strawberry aromas that carry over to the palate. Elegant wine with great balance and structure. This family has been making rose since the ‘40s and know what it’s doing. 60% Grenache, 30% Cinsault and 10% Syrah.

Gruet Rosé Brut NV (New Mexico, $12.99)

Bright deep pink in the glass, this New Mexico rosé has a fine mousse bubbles and big ripe strawberry flavors. The floral nose has berry notes. Nice level of acidity on the finish. 100% Pinot Noir.

2015 Marques de Caceres Rioja Rosado (Rioja, Spain, $12.99)

Bright strawberry-peach color in the glass. Big floral and red berries aromas. On the palate, this Rioja rosé offers flavors of red berries and cherries with licorice notes. 96% Tempranillo, 4% Garnacha Tinta.

2015 Chateauneuf de Pierrevert – Domaine La Blaque Rosé (Provence, France, $14.99)

Pale peach color in the glass with citrus, floral aromas. This dry Provence rosé wine has berry and citrus zest flavors with lots of acidity and minerality on the finish. 50% Grenache, 50% Syrah.

Happy rose drinking!

Veronique

Filed Under: France, Grenache, Pinot Noir, Rose, Blush Wine, Spain, Syrah / Shiraz, Tempranillo, United States, Wine Reviews Tagged With: ,
15 March 2017 Delectable Whites by Heron Hill Winery

Delectable Whites by Heron Hill Winery

March 15, 2017 By

Even with the frigid weather we experienced this week, I cooked food ultra conducive to white wine. The Finger Lakes winery I opted to pour at two of those meals is Heron Hill Winery, one of my very favorite FLX wineries.

2014 Heron Hill Semi-Dry Riesling

I served this off-dry Riesling with spicy Indian food I prepared and it stood up to the heat beautifully while maintaining its fresh, fruit-forward flavors. On the nose, this wine offers big Asian apple aromas. On the palate, the sweet apple continues but combined with lovely floral notes. Nice level of acidity on the finish. Great value at $15/bottle.

2015 Heron Hill Reserve Morris Vineyard Pinot Blanc

Aromas of Meyer lemon and juicy pear in the glass on this crisp Finger Lakes Pinot Blanc. Green apple and peach on the palate with some sweetness followed by great acidity on a finish that resonates with minerality. Hated to share it with the mister, it’s so easy drinking. Just a wonderful Pinot Blanc at an affordable price of $20/bottle.

 

Cheers to the Finger Lakes!

Veronique

Filed Under: Pinot Blanc, Riesling, United States, White Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,
1 March 2017 2013 Williams Selyem Vista Verde Vineyard Late Harvest Gewurztraminer

2013 Williams Selyem Vista Verde Vineyard Late Harvest Gewurztraminer

March 1, 2017 By

2013 Vista Verde Vineyard Late Harvest GewürztraminerIt’s the first time I’d bought this dessert wine in my Williams Selyem allocation and won’t miss that opportunity again!

Classic ultra floral / tropical fruit Gewürztraminer aromas. In the mouth, this wine has lovely Asian pear, ripe sweet melon flavors with non-cloying sweet notes. Perfect level of acidity to balance out the sweetness, which dessert winemakers don’t always successfully accomplish.

Pairings: Pear/peach tart, foie gras, crème brulée. 

Style: Dessert Wine

Grape Type(s): Gewürztraminer

Region: San Benito County, California, USA

Price: $40

Filed Under: Dessert Wine, Gewurztraminer, United States, White Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , ,
28 February 2017 2006 Santenay Bouchard Pere & Fils

2006 Santenay Bouchard Pere & Fils

February 28, 2017 By

2006 Santenay Bouchard Pere & FilsPale ruby in the glass but with an earthy, deep ripe cherry nose. The palate of this medium-bodied wine is of cherry/juicy berry flavors and some mineral notes. Smooth, silky texture and an earthy/mushroomy finish.

This southern Cote de Beaune wine was uncorked at my father’s home in Quebec and could be difficult to find.

Pairings: Roasted poultry, grilled salmon, mushroom risotto.

Style: Red Wine

Grape Type(s): Pinot Noir

Region: Cote de Beaune, Burgundy, France

Price: $25

Filed Under: France, Pinot Noir, Wine Reviews Tagged With: ,
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