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.}

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!

A Taste of Home-Lamoreaux Landing

A few weeks ago, I had my first weekend away since becoming a mom four years ago.  When the possibility of a weekend jaunt arose, it was clear where I wanted, no needed, to go-home.  Well, not quite home, but close.  Although I have been in Austin for nearly half of my life, Upstate New York will always be home. So a trip to the Finger Lakes, to visit one of my dearest friends, was just what I needed.

I had visited Ithaca in the mid-90s and had stopped at a winery, but was just learning about wine at the time, so I thought I would have my hosts pick a few possibilities.  I was intrigued by the wine offerings at Lamoreaux Landing, but knew that was going to be our destination after corresponding with one of the owners, Josh Wig.

Lamoreaux Landing sits above Seneca Lake with magnificent views and an inviting tasting room.  Towering windows,warm wood floors, great displays, and plenty of browsing room.  A space large enough to accommodate summer crowds, cozy enough to linger on a quiet winter day.  As impressive as the room is, it pales in comparison to the wines.

When tasting, I find that the host can make or break your experience. Laura, the Special Events Coordinator, was our host and could not have been better.  Warm, patient, knowledgeable and an all-around pleasure.    We started with the Riesling.  They do six Rieslings here, three are Single Vineyard.  All were fabulous.  The ’08 Reserve has a good balance of minerality and fruit- a touch of citrus and orange blossom. The ’10 had more of a lemony long finish.  The ’10 Semi Dry had softer, honeyed fruit and a long finish.  Of the Single Vineyards, Red Oak was our favorite.  Really big flavor.  Honeysuckle and pear, creamy and delicious.  Although grown so close geographically, each SV Riesling was so different.  Round Rock has a clean minerality (shale/slate) and a touch of gooseberries (I got currant or something, but borrowed gooseberries from their description).  Yellow Dog has more stone fruit , blossoms, and a touch of citrus.

Knowing my palate would only stand so much tasting, we skipped around after the Rieslings and tried a few that were new to me.  The 42 North was an interesting blend.  Mostly Moscato, this wine had fruit and floral notes with a touch of spice (coriander) and would be great with Thai.  The 08 Chardonnay was lovely.  Held  mostly in oak, it had the creamy roundness you would expect, but the time in stainless steel gives the fruit more of a chance to shine.  At $12.99 it is a bargain.  The Estate Red is another excellent bargain.  Cab Franc, Pinot, and Merlot.  Perfectly balanced and a perfect Monday wine at $11.99.  Finally, the big surprise for me was a 2009 T23 Cabernet Franc.  An unoaked Cabernet Franc.  I have never had anything like it.  It has all the big fruit, earthy herbs that you would expect from a Cab Franc and yet, it had a light finish.  Cranberry and soft tannins, this wine would be really versatile in pairings.  Big enough, but not too big for about anything.  Really interesting wine.

When we headed out to Lodi, I had read the accolades in popular publications.  I was impressed by the property. I was rooting for my home state so I was really hopeful that I would like the wine.  I didn’t just like the wine, I LOVED the wine.  I was blown away by the quality for the price point.  I tried things that were completely new to me and was tickled by the depth and variance in the Single Vineyard Rieslings.  And to top it all off, the people were as delightful as the wine.  I cannot recommend this winery enough.  I’d like to say the day was without but disappointment, but there was one.  A big one.  They can’t ship to Texas.  Devastating.  But all the more reason to head back home.

The Inaugural SAHMmelier Play and Taste Party starts tomorrow!

A few days ago, a friend (we’ll call her “Mama K)” posted on my Facebook page about wanting to taste the Dreaming Tree wines.  If you missed the post, Dreaming Tree is the collaborative effort of Mr. Dave “Yummy” Matthews and Sonoma winemaker, Steve Reeder.  Mama K said that if his wine was anywhere near as good as his music, we were in for  a treat.  A few days later, I found a bottle and we set up a playdate.

Then we got to brainstorming.  What if we had a few moms join us, then we could all discuss the wine?  Even better, what if several SAHMs and friends, near and far,  joined us and wrote their own reviews? And thus was born, The SAHMmelier Play and Taste Party.

Dreaming Tree Crush is currently on sale at Target for only $9.99 which makes it a perfect candidate for a “Monday Wine.”  Plus, it will be easy to grab a bottle when you are out buying diapers or detergent.  The website has a full tasting notes page on the wine, but I am going to challenge you to NOT look at it until you have tasted and given your own descriptors.  Remember, they don’t have to be “correct.”  Just enjoy the discovery!  We will post our reviews and encourage you to comment with your thoughts on the wine.  Each month we will pick a new wine and announce it a few days before the Taste and Play.  If you have a suggestion for a Monday wine , let us know.

Now, don’t worry.  We are all responsible moms and will only be tasting.  There won’t be time for more than a sip or two amongst the bedlam of little ones anyway.  But, it will be a great social escape at the end of a long day.    So, how about it?  Want to play?

Monday Wines- Sprechen Sie Riesling?

October is a great time to celebrate all things German, so this edition of “Monday Wines” is dedicated to Riesling.  Too often, it gets poo-pooed for being too sweet, but, if that is your reaction, you have probably not given it a fair shake.  I prefer Kabinett Trocken, in general, but sometimes a little sweetness is just what you need. You won’t find a much better pairing for Thai and other Asian cuisine, especially if it has some heat.  The crisp, sweet Willhelm Bergmann Piesporter Spatlese was a perfect foil for this chicken and vegetable stir-fry.  It really complimented the garlic and soy flavors without overpowering the food.

To choose a Riesling that you might enjoy, it is important to learn the designations based on the level of sweetness.  Stacy Slinkard on about.com provides this chart and the following descriptors.

“The ripeness classification system communicates when the grape was picked, so it’s an indicator of initial grape sugar levels not final bottled residual sugar levels. The wines in ascending ripeness level order are as follows:

Kabinett – This is the Riesling classification that is made from the grapes that are the least ripe, producing the lightest style of Riesling wine. They tend to have lower alcohol levels (in the 8-10% range) and are made in a drier style. As a Riesling wine, this is a fantastic option for pairing with a wide range of foods. Consider pairing a dry Kabinett with sushi, shellfish, goat cheese or Thai food.

Spätlese- Literally translated as “late picking” refers to the Riesling grapes that are picked late during the harvest season. This Riesling typically has a medium-body and ups the flavor intensity, due to its extra days of sunshine. This Riesling classification can be made in either a dry or sweet style. Consider pairing the drier form with creamy sauces, rich poultry or pork based dishes or crab; keep the sweeter version of Riesling for serving with Asian or Mexican fare – something with a bit of spice.

Auslese- Translated as “out picked” designating ripe grapes picked out from a specific cluster of berries. This Riesling can also be crafted into either a dry or a sweet version. This is the first Riesling range that may exhibit true dessert wine status. However, many Auslese wines are made in the dry style and make for an elegant pairing partner for heartier fare.

Beerenauslese(BA for short) – This Riesling is made into the luxurious dessert wines that are sought out for their compatibility with a myriad of dessert options but specifically peach-based desserts, caramel delights and even foie gras.

Trockenbeerenauslese(TBA for short) – Translated as “dry berry select picking” designates a late harvest, Botrytis picking, where the berries have started to shrivel on the vine, concentrating the sugars). These Trockenbeerenauslese wines are the ultra concentrated, nectar like dessert wines that can claim quite a price. Give them a go with blue cheese, apple pie, fruit-filled desserts and sweet treats in general.

Eiswein– These are the famous dessert wines that are harvested from highly concentrated grapes that have actually frozen on the vine and are then pressed to produce a low-yield, high-flavor rich dessert wine.

There are also label residual sugar indicators to keep in mind: if the wine is dry, it is labeled as “Trocken” (dry); “Halbtrocken” (German for “half-dry,” meaning “off-dry”) and keep in mind that sweeter Rieslings can be made in either Kabinett, Spatlese, Auslese or Beernauslese (BA) and Trockenbeerenauslese (TBA) styles, it just depends on balance between the acidity, sugar, pH and alcohol.”

So, now that you know more about the Riesling designations, what are some good, reasonable choices?  Recently World Market here in Austin had a Riesling tasting so I was able to try a few.  Some I really enjoyed, with others I would pass.  There are quite a few that fall in to the “Monday Wine” category with a price point of under $10.00.  Here are some tasting notes on Rieslings I have recently tried:

Funf- (5.99) Non descript.  Fruity and sweet, but not much going on.  You can do better.

Relax-(7.99) I enjoyed this more than the funf but still nothing to write home about.  A little more going on.  Still lightly sweet, a bit of citrus, apple/peach notes. 

Wise & Heimer-(7.99) Bright, apple and pear.  It gets points for the name,too.  I would try this one again for sure.

Ziergarten-(11.99) My favorite of the ones at World Market.  More complex than the others, it would make a good Monday wine.  A slightly herbacious note went along with the fruitand it was on the drier side.  But there are still others I like more.

Willhelm Bergmann Piesporter Spatlese- (14.99) Slightly sweet, crisp, honey fruit.  Smooth and easy to drink.

You can find some really impressive Rieslings.  The Germans have a pretty good track record for precision, right?  But if you are still a little shy of this varietal, try a reasonable one with your next Chinese take-out.  If you like it, invest a little more on your next bottle.  There are many others worth trying, but don’t take my word for it.  There is only one way to find out if you would enjoy a drier variety of Riesling.  Pop one open.