P.S. You Were a Hit at the Dinner Party!

Without question, one of my favorite things about wine is how it brings people together.  From harvest to blending, tastings to dinner parties, community is central to the production and enjoyment of wine.  One community that has grown around the love of one grape in particular is P.S I Love You.  The producers and advocates of Petite Sirah formed the group in 2002.  Since then it has grown to over 100 members.

I was introduced to the group by Jo Diaz, the executive director and a fellow member of another group, Women Wine Writers.  I was recently the fortunate recipient of samples from P.S. I Love You.  This gave me a great excuse to bring a new group of wine lovers together to help me sample and learn more about Petite Sirah.

I taught in a multi-age setting and I still love the theory behind it.  Surround the learner with those that are farther ahead in one arena and those that are behind.  Ideas become solidified as you share and support others.  You are challenged to grow as you see new ideas practiced and applied.  All people have different gifts.  We excel in one area and need help in others.   These ideas don’t stop in the classroom.  Or perhaps our entire experience is one big “classroom.”  Either way, the same theories still apply.

Although the Petite Sirah gathering was only scheduled two days in advance, the group could not have been better planned.  One guest had more technical and production experience.  Another came with a palate trained through years of cooking.  Yet another spent years in Italy and fine dining so he brought his own unique angle.   I invited friends that love wine and the learning process and I learned from their unbiased perspectives.

I got a head start on the sampling the night before so that I could come into it with some prior knowledge.  Plus, it gave me the opportunity to try another pairing.  On Thursday, my brother-in-law made grilled Balsamic pork chops which I paired with roasted sweet potatoes and a kale salad.  We opened the 2011 Rock Wall Jack’s Dry Creek for the meal.  This wine was beautifully balanced with tons on blackberry and spice.  Hearty enough to hold up to the balsamic and pepper on the pork, smooth enough to drink by itself after the meal.  A very nice wine.  We also opened the Petite Petit by Michael David Winery.  Trust me, there is nothing “petite” about this wine.  Huge fruit, punctuated by the Petit Verdot, this one really needed some food.  Next time I plan on having some cheese with enough muscle to hold this one.  After a sampling of both ends of the PS spectrum, I felt more prepared for the full tasting.

I read a lot about pairings and asked the producers to share their favorites. We started with a cheese plate.  For dinner, I decided on venison meatballs with marinara, garlic bread and salad.  That way I could bring in the game and the hearty tomato in one dish.  Also, I could do all the work before guests arrived which is always preferred.  I chose six wines to taste that night.  I have found that, after that, my palate becomes saturated and I can’t properly evaluate a wine.  Plus, that leaves me a couple more to pair in the future.

In retrospect, I may have changed the order, but based on what I knew, courses, and price point, I put them in the following order:

1) 2010 Bogle Vineyards $11 Cheese course-Big black fruit, tar, spicy pepper, full-bodied

2) 2011 Concannon Central Coast $10 -Cheese course-Red and black berries, leather, medium-bodied. Would have served this before Bogle. A great value.

3) 2010 Stanton Vineyards $45- Served with Main Course-Absolutely delicious.  Complimented the meal nicely.  Perfumed nose. Integrated red and black fruit, balanced, big and complex.

4) 2010 Pedroncelli Dry Creek Valley$17 Served with Main Course-Super complex.  Red and black fruit, some eucalyptus and spice.  Hearty and rich layers. Full bodied and a fantastic value.

5) 2010 Wooden Valley Winery $19 Served with dessert. Cocoa and Cassis, round vanilla and almond notes.  With the addition of Zinfandel, this wine is fruit forward and approachable.

6) 2010 Earthquake $26  With a name like Earthquake, I assumed this wine would pack a big punch and needed to come last.  I was right.  Bold, hefty, in your face tannins and fruits that doesn’t quit.  Consider yourself warned and pair with something that would rank high on the Richter scale.

So what did we learn for our course in Petite Sirah?  Also known as Durif, this grape is typically used in blending, but is lovely on its own.  Depending on growing conditions and production techniques, the grape can produce very diverse wines.  We learned that this wine is made for food, specifically hearty foods.  We learned that there are some great values in Petite Sirah.  Layered, rich and under $20?  Yes, please.

The best learning is done is a safe environment.  When wine flows, conversation follows.  Questions arise, points of view differ, but, in the right setting, you all come away richer, and hopefully wiser.  Thank you P.S. I Love You for providing the opportunity to learn.  Thank you, dear friends, for teaching and learning with me.  Most importantly, thank you for creating an environment in which learning is possible.  Cheers!

Disclaimer: These wines were provided as samples by the producers affiliated with P.S. I Love You.  The opinions are my own and those of my dinner guests.

Transitions- Part 1

Spring is a time of transitions.  Some are surficial: purging closets, boots to sandals.  Some are botanical: bud break, the emergence of a crocus.  Some are spiritual: an awakening, a yearning.  All around, there is a renewed energy, a pull.  All week-long I have felt the need to write, a to-do list of pieces that need to be written, but I haven’t had the focus or time.  I awakened this morning after ELEVEN hours asleep, with the idea of transition.  It is the theme that is both pulling me to write and connecting the jumbled ideas, which cover the aforementioned range.  To spare you the crazy of my thought patterns, I’ve decided to break it into two parts.  I’ll start with the surficial.

It has been a brutal winter for many of you, so I hesitate to share that we have had a few days in the 80s.  When the thermostat begins to hit that range, it generally means I get my first cravings for Sauvignon Blanc.  Our grill died last fall and my husband finally had time to go pick out a replacement on Saturday.  So, I headed to the store for something to grill and some SB.  I don’t know about you, but I pick fish based on what is wild and what looks the freshest.  I had a preparation in mind, so I had already gotten the sides.  My shopping buddy also thought the Coho salmon was the “shiniest” so that’s what we chose.  (BTW, I didn’t even tell him what to look for, he’s got the instinct.  His uncles would be proud.)   He also did well with the Sauvignon Blanc label picking.

I started with the Israeli couscous so it had time to cool to room temp.  I browned it in sunflower oil for about 5 minutes, boiled for 15, then drained.  I added olive oil and salt so it wouldn’t be sticky, then started on the fish.  I  drizzled with olive oil, added salt and pepper, chopped rosemary and oregano, and lemon zest.  For the salad, I used bibb lettuce, toasted pine nuts, shaved parmesan, and grilled raddichio.  While the boys grilled the fish and raddichio, I tossed parsley, oregano, lemon juice, and the extra pine nuts in the couscous.  On the side, I had Castelvetrano olives.

Since my brother-in-law moved here, we’ve shared many meals and he’s been very complimentary.  It means a lot to me since he went to culinary school.  This was the first time, however, that he’s said, “If you gave this meal to professionals, they would not tell you to add one thing.  It is perfectly balanced and complimentary.”  Who-hoo!  Love it when that happens.  Especially with a meal that is healthy and easy to throw together.

The wine I paired it with was a 2012 Doña Paula Los Cardos Sauvignon Blanc.  Bright fruit, a bit of herb and a lot of grapefruit.  This paired perfectly and, priced around $12, it is a wine you can drink anytime.

If you want something a little more elegant, the 2010 Robert Mondavi Fume Blanc would work nicely too.  It has the lively citrus and herbal notes, but the addition of 6% Semillon and 5 months in oak soften the wine a little.  The wine has some briny, savory notes that would play well with food.  This wine retails around $20 and was provided as a sample*.

Saturday was in the eighties, Wednesday was in the fifties.  Transitions are like that.  A few steps forward, a few steps back.  Progress, regression.  They can be slow and daunting, or immediate and undeniable.  Regardless of the results, the process, the learning, the discovery often has its own rewards.  Some are intrinsic and some are as simple as a delicious meal with people you love.

*{Disclosure: I was provided with the Robert Mondavi wine from PR Firm, Folsom & Associates. All statements and opinions expressed in this article are my own.}

Time to Breathe

There are some evenings that just require a little more self-care than others.  After a tough conversation with your boss,  the day your dog ate your favorite boots, the Monday after Thanksgiving.  Or any day with a three-year old tornado.  This evening, I needed a little something extra. So while my husband has my daughter out for a date, I opened a sample I have been looking forward to, a 2010 Wild Horse Merlot.

After a couple disappointing reds this past weekend, I knew good old Merlot would not let me down.  The winemaker suggested a hearty Marinara or braised beef for pairing, so I knew I was taking a risk opening it with my dinner of cheese and crackers.  But I guess I was feeling a little “wild”.   

Baked berries, cedar, and a bit of spice on the nose.  My first sip told me that the wine lived up to its name.  With some time in the bottle, this wine would mellow and turn into something special.  (If you only knew all the horse puns I resisted here.)  For tonight, the best I could do was give it some time to breathe.  I know how that feels.

After about thirty minutes, I tried it again.  Red fruit with a backbone.  Bright cherry, round plum.  Classic Merlot and just was I was looking for tonight.  The spice and cedar added depth and balance.  Sometimes a wine just needs some time to relax into itself.  A little air, a little time, a little space.  Amen. 

It is no wonder why Paso Robles is getting so much attention.  I would love to see where this wine is going.  I know where I am going.  To my couch, with a remote, and a glass of  Wild Horse Merlot.  I promise I’ll be much more enjoyable in thirty minutes.

*{Disclosure: I was provided with this wine from PR Firm, Folsom & Associates. All statements and opinions expressed in this article are my own.}

Discoveries from Columbus Weekend

Although some would question the political correctness of celebrating Columbus Day, few would argue about the long weekend. And a long weekend means more time to drink wine, especially enjoyable when you have been doing (mostly)dry weeks. We packed this weekend with equal parts productivity and revelry. Here are some fun discoveries.

On Wednesday, I joined Gusto Tastings at III Forks for an evening of Viognier.  Anatoli Levine, who writes Talk-A-Vino, happened to be in town so I invited him to join me. I thought it was a great opportunity to see what is going on here in the wine industry. Texas vs. The World is a comparative tasting of Old World, New World, and Texas wines. We tasted seventeen Viogniers including a vertical tasting from Flat Creek Estate. As luck would have it, we sat with the winemaker, Tim Drake and his lovely wife, Spring. It was a fantastic evening. In my opinion, Texas took this one. The 2011 Flat Creek was amazing. A glorious nose and equally impressive taste. I am also a fan of McPherson Cellars and the Brennan Vineyards. We even got to do a barrel tasting of the Flat Creek 2012 which is only six weeks in to a very promising journey.

I spent Friday and Saturday consumed in garage sale drudgery, motivated only by the fact that it was for charity. I realized that, in the future, I will likely take the path of less torture and donate both the items and some money. Needless to say, I was ready for a glass of wine at the end of the day. I had been wanting to try a sample that I recently received from Mommy Juice wines*. Great name and marketing. The white is 100% Chardonnay and the red is a blend of mostly Cab Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cab Franc, with a dash of this and that. I am a tough sell on Chardonnay, especially entry-level wines, but I really liked the red blend. It was a very nice, easy drinking wine.  Berry nose with a hint of vanilla. I tasted a lot of Bing Cherry and some brighter red fruit. At about $10, it makes a perfect Monday wine. And I know many Mommy’s that need a little juice at the end of a Monday, or Tuesday, or any day.

On Sunday, the hubs and I headed out to Flat Creek Estate for Grape Jam. The event featured wines from eight wineries and music. I love seeing the growth in the Texas wine industry. Collectively, there are some very exciting things going on here and I love trying new producers. I was introduced to new grapes like Bending Branch’s Tannat and Black Spanish grapes of Dry Comal Creek. I found some new loves in Flat Creek’s Super Texan and Pinot Blanc. More importantly, I was able to spend time with some fabulous people. I talked at length with Rick Naber, the owner, and Tim Drake, the winemaker. I came away with a better sense of the challenges and the tenacious spirit of the Texas winemaker. But that is a whole different post.

On Monday, after my man trimmed the trees, and the kids and I hauled the branches, I headed to Whole Foods for a …PIE FIGHT! The event kicked off the fundraising efforts of Les Dames E’scoffier. They have some great items up for auction. No matter where you are in the country, if you love food and wine, there is something for you. Check it out at www.austinfoodfight.org. Because my partner, Scott Calvert of The Cake Plate, and I had the most Social Media buzz (thank you!) we got to go last. We faced the reigning champion, Chef Josh Watkins and his partner Jennie Chen of Miso Hungry. I was doing pretty well at dodging and weaving, but they took us in the end. Scott was a true gentleman and took most of the hits. And speaking of hits? I hit a JUDGE. In the FACE. My thumb got stuck in the melting crust and my frisbee attempt failed miserably. Oh my goodness, I was mortified and profusely apologetic. Other than my egregious throwing error, it was a great evening.

Tonight, we are headed out again to The Taste of Kenichi, an event introducing their new Executive Chef, Richard Lee. It should be fabulous! I’ll keep you posted on the yummies. Cheers!

*Mommy Juice wine was provided as a media sample.

I Heart NY, Even More

In February, I was first introduced to the fabulous Rieslings in the Finger Lakes region when I visited Lamoreaux Landing.  In July, the quality was confirmed with a sampling of eight Rieslings which were sent to me by the Finger Lakes Wine Alliance.  Last week, I had the opportunity to, once again, participate in a virtual tasting with eight additional producers, showcasing their 2011 Rieslings.

Let me just start with a disclaimer.  I adore Dry Rieslings.  Crisp and complex, shale and stone fruit, acidity with balance.  A delightful glass of wine.  I also love the addition of residual sugar when I am having salty cheese, spicy Thai, or pouring for my family matriarchs.  Yes, our moms love the sweeter Rieslings.  That being said, I admit that I may be an easy sell, but these wines are really easy to sell.  There is something for everyone.  Want an Old World style with yeast nose and a lemon finish?  Try Ravines.   How about the soft, floral fruit in Sheldrake Point?  Something with more classic stone fruit?  Swedish Hill is lovely.  There was so much diversity in these wines.

I learned from my last attempt at tasting eight wines at one time.  I didn’t feel like I was able to give the last few wines the attention I gave to the first few.  Also, I had a hard time focusing on the wine and the listening to the winemakers while trying to tweet.  What can I say?  I am new to this game.  So, I spread out the wines, tasting a few at a time, pairing with different foods, and taking notes so that I could really focus when it came time for the virtual panel.

When the wines arrived on Monday, my brother, who happens to be a fabulous chef,  was in town. My whole family was here so I thought it was the perfect time to start tasting.  He made a Mediterranean spread and we opened three bottles, two dry and one medium sweet.  I tried the wines from Ravines Wine Cellar, Dr. Konstantin Frank Wine Cellars, and the Fox Run Vineyards the first night.  I enjoyed all three.  We all thought they were delicious.  The Dr. Konstantin Frank seemed to pair best with the food, and they really liked the Fox Run.   My parents both prefer a sweeter wine.  The Fox Run has enough fruit and sugar to keep them happy with the complexity that my siblings enjoy.  I would drink any of them again.

I shared the Lakewood Vineyards and the Knapp Winery with neighbors.  The Lakewood had a beautiful nose-vanilla, stone fruit, and citrus.  Fruit-forward, a big mid-palate, and a crisp, clean finish.  The Knapp was really interesting.  The nose, to me, was just like the vanilla coating on the outside of white Tic Tacs.  I bet you’ve never read that in a wine description before.  Silly, I know, but that was all I could think about when I was drinking it.  This was a favorite of some of the tweeters. Some of my neighbors didn’t think they liked white wine.  It seems they just haven’t tried the right ones.

On Thursday, I planned ahead and made Tom Kha to enjoy with a glass after the chat.  I opened the wines from Lucas Vineyards, the Sheldrake Point Winery, and the Swedish Hill Winery.  I really enjoyed all three of these wines.  If pressed, I would say that the Sheldrake Point stood out to me.  I like to taste before I read the descriptors.  I picked up on the tropical, stone and citrus medley, and I noted something floral but couldn’t place it.  When I read “lilac,” it took me right back childhood and my walk to school, stopping to smell the heavy blossoms.  So, I guess I’d have to say that this wine wins on sentiment.

The winemakers all agreed that 2011 was a challenging year due to the weather.  You wouldn’t know it.   They made some beautiful wines. The price points ranged from $12-$30 so there is something for every palate and every budget.   Once again, many thanks to Finger Lakes Wine Alliance for providing me with these samples and for all you are doing to promote your local wineries.  If you want to learn more about the region and winemaking in general, their website is a great resource.   I am really looking forward to my next visit.

Disclaimer: The wines and photos were provided by the Finger Lakes Wine Alliance for review.

An Icon on, and in, a Bottle

Earlier in the summer I received two lovely bottles of wine. And I am not just referring to what was in the bottle. Biltmore Wines have created a simple, subtle bottle with an etching of an American icon, the Biltmore House. The appearance is sleek, the blends irresistible.

Biltmore Century White is a beautifully balanced blend of Gewürztraminer, Muscat Canelli, Riesling, and Symphony. Looking at that list, you would think it would be quite sweet, but with a residual sugar of 3.24%, it would be considered only “off dry.” A nice reflective wine, yellow in color, and a very inviting nose. The bright citrus and floral nose were reflected in the taste. This wine was not too sweet by itself and it would pair nicely with a variety of foods. Salty cheeses, citrus or spicy seafood, a summer dessert, or my favorite pairing Thai or Vietnamese food.

I came up with this recipe last summer when I was trying to use up what I had in the house while sneaking in some veggies. Sometimes we have to get creative with the veggies, right? Although a bit time-consuming to chop everything, it allows for flexibility with how you build each bowl. The freshness of the veggies plays well of the citrus in the wine and the spice is tempered with the sweetness of the wine. You can generally count on the sweeter grapes above playing well with any spicy Asian cuisine. The peanut sauce is a little harder, but it worked well enough.

At $15.99, this bottle is a little more than a Monday wine and a little less than most weekend wines. I just that just makes it a great anytime wine. Cheers!

Thai Meatballs with Veggie Vermicelli and Peanut Sauce

• 1 lb. Ground Chicken
• Vermicelli
• 2 carrots
• grated
• 1 cucumber thinly sliced
• 1/3 cup Panko bread crumbs
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp grated ginger
• 1/2 tsp. turmeric
• 1/4 sweet onion
• thinly sliced
• 2 limes
• 1/4 cup peanuts
• 1/4 c peanut butter
• 1/4 c coconut milk
• 1 tbsp. soy sauce
• 2 tbsp. chopped mint
• 2 tbsp. chopped cilantro
• 1/4 c rice wine vinegar
• 2 tsp sugar
• 2 tsp. salt
• 1 tbsp. olive oil
• red pepper flakes (optional)

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Combine sugar, rice wine vinegar and onion in a bowl. Let that sit.

3. Mix ground chicken, egg, Panko bread crumbs, 1 grated carrot, ginger, 1 tbsp of mint, 1 tbsp cilantro, 1 tsp. salt in a bowl.

4)Form small meatballs (about 1 in. diameter) and place on baking sheet.

5) Bake in a preheated oven for 17-20 minutes or until firm and cooked through.

6) While the meatballs are baking, cook the vermicelli as directed.

7. Run the noodles under cold water to stop the cooking process.

8. In a large bowl, toss the noodles in the vinegar mixture and 1 tbsp olive oil. Squeeze the juice of 1/2 a lime over the
noodles. Set aside.

9. Make peanut sauce by combining peanut butter, coconut milk, soy sauce, the juice of half a lime. You may add red pepper flakes if you want heat.

10. Top the noodles with grated carrots, peanuts, cucumber, the remaining mint and cilantro.

11. The meatballs and peanut dipping sauce can be served on the noodles or on the side. Serve with mint garnish and a lime wedge.
This can easily be made gluten-free by using potato flakes instead of Panko bread crumbs and a rice pasta. Try other vegetables in the meatballs (sweet potato, kale finely chopped) or on the salad (red cabbage, tomatoes) as to meet your child’s needed nutrition and preferences.

*{Disclosure: I was provided with this wine from PR Firm, Folsom & Associates. All statements and opinions expressed in this article are my own.}

Cheers to “Fewer Tensions”

Wine makes daily living easier, less hurried, with fewer tensions and more tolerance.
~Benjamin Franklin

Things have been a crazy here lately, so posts have taken a back seat.  They are always a little crazy… okay… a lot crazy, but this month has been a rough one.  I spent May with sick children, house guests, and purging for a charity garage sale.  I have spent June on pain meds, messing with Insurance companies, and trying to replace my totaled car after getting rear-ended.  This is my first car accident and what a mess. Thank God that my children were fine.  I can’t say the same for me, but I am getting there.  Needless to say, with all of those “tensions” I have needed a little “more tolerance.”  Here is a quick recap of some recent findings.

My husband had to do the grocery shopping the first weekend after the accident and he picked up some Bison Ribeyes.  They were delicious.  We paired them witha 2009 Gundlach Bundschu Tempranillo- a meatier Tempranillo with a big dark berries, a hint of spice and smoke, and a long sweet finish.  It paired really well with the earthiness of the grilled meat.  Super tasty.

June 16th would have been Robert Mondavi’s 99th Birthday and the fine folks at Folsom and Associates provided me with some of his wines to share in the live toast.  We opened the Riesling.  The toast was a poignant tribute to the man who helped put Napa Valley wines on the map.  I encourage you to read up on his story and his contributions to the wine world and the community.  The Riesling paired really nicely with the smoked cheddar.  Fuller in body and not as sweet as some, this wine had a very nice balance of fruit and floral.  A great Monday wine.

For Father’s Day, we went to the Farmer’s Market and picked up some Grass-Fed tenderloin, wax beans, and tomatoes.  What can I say?  My husband likes red meat.  I try to limit him to once a week max, and he makes sure he gets some on holidays.  We wanted something big enough to carry the beef, but not over power the vegetables.  We went with Wellington’s Grenache (2007).  They call it a “two-day wine” so I knew we had to aerate.  I poured it through the Vinturi (Thank you , Tony!) and into a decanter.  This was a gorgeous wine.  Cherry, red berries, a bit of tobacco and a super long finish.  About a minute after a sip, I got a ton of rhubarb.  I wish I had another bottle so I could see where it was going, but I don’t.  They are out of stock on it, too.  It was great while it lasted. 

We will have to open something special when I find a replacement for my poor “baby.”  I hope she was able to give her parts to a deserving Volvo wagon.  I’ll keep you posted.  In the meantime, cheers to “fewer tensions”!

Life in The Big House

If you reside in the Austin area, you may have heard some squealing a couple of weeks ago.  It may or may not have been coupled with some jumping up and down.  I got my first samples.  Somehow, it felt like validation for me and I was super excited.  A big thanks to Folsom & Associates for the wine and the free entertainment for my family. 

I received three wines from Big House Wines: Big House Red, Big House White, and Unchained “Naked” Chardonnay.  I talk a lot about “Monday Wines” on here.  Those are wines that you don’t have to think too much about opening.  Want just one glass without the waste-guilt?   Don’t feel like pairing it to do it justice?  Open a Monday wine.  They come in at under $10 and are perfectly potable.  Any of these would make great Monday wines. 

I couldn’t find any evidence to confirm or deny, but I would imagine their approach to the blends is similar to what I do some days in the kitchen.  I don’t start with a vision, but instead look to see what I have available to me and what I can do with it.  How else could you come up with theses extensive blends?  Take a look:

Big House Red 2011:

19% Grenache, 17 % Syrah, 16% Tempranillo, 14% Petit Verdot, 6% Mourvedre, 4% Sagrantino, 3% Malbec, 3% Sangiovese, 3%Merlot, 3% Touriga, 2% Aglianico, 2% Negro Amaro, 1% Teraldego, 1% Petit Syrah, 1% Tannat, and 5% other reds.

Big House White 2010

 22.7% Malvasia Bianca, 15.9% Gruner Veltliner, 15.7% Sauvignon Blanc,9.2% Gewürztraminer, 7.9% Riesling, 7.3% Chenin Blanc, 6.1% Muscat Canelli, 5.2% Viognier, 4.5% Verdelho, 4.4% Albarino, 1.1% Pinot Gris

Surely that was not a grocery list, right?  But, instead, a careful blending to bring out the best of the ingredients at hand.  Sounds fun.   From the Red, I got a pleasant, plum nose.  Sour cherry, plum, berry and a hint of violet on the palate.   The White had a lot of tropical fruits and Spring flowers with a bit of lemon bite at the end (thanks, I presume, to the Gruner).  This was my favorite.  Typically, I prefer unoaked Chards for sipping.  I think this one could have used a bit of oak to smooth out the finish, but that is a matter of preference. 

Any of these wines are perfectly sippable for Monday wines or large gatherings.  To that end, they even have environmentally (and wallet) friendly casks which work equally well for the “just one glass” drinkers or the party hosts.  If blends aren’t your thing, they also to plenty of single varietal wines as well.  They are easy drinking, easy pairing, and easy on the budget.  Cheers to Monday Wines!

 

 {Disclosure: I was provided with wine from Big House Wine’s PR Firm, Folsom & Associates to write this review. All statements and opinions expressed in this article are my own.}

Spring Fling Taste and Play Reviews

If you are a SAHM or a parent, you will not be surprised to read that my plans for Wednesday’s Taste and Play were interrupted.  Shocking, I know.  But when your sweet boy wakes up from his nap with a fever of 102 just as your guests arrive, that happens.  Fortunately, all the moms and my sister, Nikki, took it in stride.  I quarantined him in my room and went back and forth while they tasted and played.  It made for a lovely afternoon for them, but not the best for my tasting, so my “notes” will be brief.

We started with the 2011 Castillo Perelada Garnatxa Blanca ($12).   This is my first White Grenache, so I can’t compare it to others.  It was really interesting and different.  By the time I was able to taste this pour, my glass had already warmed.  After chilling it again, it was a totally different wine.  Crisp, huge mid-palate, and a smooth, long finish.  It was hard to discern specific fruits.  There were herbal, grassy characteristics and more citrus than tropical or stone fruits.  An intense, crisp white.  That doesn’t seem to happen too often. The ladies gave it a thumbs up.

We then moved to 2010 McPherson Viognier,($13).  As typical of many Viogniers, this one has a lovely nose.  Jasmine or honeysuckle and peach.  Stone fruits with a sparkle of citrus, honey, and a long creamy finish.  This wine feels and tastes and lovely as it smells.  I can’t say the same for our last tasting.

I wanted to ladies to try a dry Rosé, and when I saw that this one was Alicante, I wanted to try it.   I chose a 2010 Acquagiusta Rosato ($15) out of Tuscany.  The website describes it as having a “notable aromatic persistence.”  I would agree with that, I just wish it was an aroma I wanted to continue smelling.  Some people enjoy the “brett” (barnyard) qualities found in a lot of Italian wines.  I do not.  A bit can add an earthy complexity, too much can detract from what might have been a tasty wine.  I will just say that this wine had too much in the nose for my taste.  Granted, the taste was much more enjoyable than the aroma.  I got some strawberry, some greens.  Overall, there just wasn’t enough going on for me to really get excited about it.  I have not found too many Rosés at this price point that I love.  I did really enjoy Chateau L’Ermitage.  If you have one, please share it in the comments.

So which wine was the favorite?  Three cheers for Texas Wine winning this Taste and Play.  The McPherson was the unanimous favorite.   Texas Wine Gal informed me that they have an Albarino available at their Tasting Room.  Can’t wait to get to try it!  In the meantime, I will be picking up more of this Texas winner.  So what did you think?  Were you able to try any of these wines?  I look forward to reading your comments.  Have an idea for the Summer edition?  Share that as well.  Cheers, y’all!

Welcoming Spring without the Cha-ching-3 Monday wines

Last Thursday, my better half was hosting a networking event at his office and I was in charge of selecting wines.  We were serving sushi from “How Do You Roll” (YUM!) and we hit 90 degrees that day, so I opted for two whites and a red.

Back in November, I did a piece called Change of Seasons about the wines I choose as we transition out of the summer months and into the fall:

The change of seasons can be a hard time for fashion if you don’t want sweat in your corduroys and you’re over your sundresses.  It can also be hard on wine choices when you are really wanting to open a Zinfandel and you are done with Sauvignon Blanc.  Now, don’t get me wrong.  I love my sundresses as much as I love my Sav. Blancs, but I am ready to usher in big reds and cozy sweaters.

With the temperatures we have had lately, “Spring” seems like a bit of a misnomer.  This is like the height of summer for some of you.  Regardless, when it comes to sipping wines, I am moving away from bold reds and into lighter varietals.  Busting out the sundresses.  With that in mind, I wanted a medium bodied white, a crisp white, and a light red. They wanted to stay around ten dollars a bottle so I chose these Monday Wines:

Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc/Viognier

One of my favorite go-to whites.  Crisp and light.  The Viognier adds a little body to the Chenin Blanc and brings out the best in both. Citrus, blossoms, peach, a bit of green. Love it.  $9.99

’10 Salneval Albarino

I will be buying a lot more of this Spanish gem. Floral nose, stone and tropical fruits, bit of minerality, honey-smooth body.  Big enough to charm red wine drinkers.  A very versatile and tasty wine! $9.99

’07 Mazets de Saint Victor Cotes du Rhone

Red fruit, a bit of spice.  Not overly complex, but very nice for sipping on a warm day, or a cold one.  A Grenache/Syrah/Mourvedre blend typical of the region,  this is a very nice Spring red and a great value. $9.99

For those of you whom are primarily red drinkers, no matter the temp, Snooth did a piece on Spring Reds that is worth looking at for the photos alone. Also, check out Denise Garner’s informative piece on Light to Medium bodied reds.  Some great advice on varietals and pairings.  But if you are feeling wild and trying a white, perhaps an Albarino or Viognier might be just what you are looking for.  Happy Spring and Happy Tasting!