Kristina Manning, Author at Wine Blog from The International Wine of the Month Club

Beaujolais: France’s Unsung Hero

November 10, 2019 by Kristina Manning

Beaujolais remains one of France’s classic and most endearing wines, although its reputation has been maligned by the ocean of Beaujolais Nouveau that began inundating our shores each November a generation ago. Authentic, classic Beaujolais bears little resemblance to Nouveau, and it has never been better. Will the real Beaujolais please stand up?

Situated in the extreme south of Burgundy, Beaujolais is a vast region of nearly two hundred villages and communes, which are spread out on varying subsoils consisting of many individual terroirs. Unofficially, Beaujolais forms the dividing line between northern and southern France. Straddling the un-specified equivalent of the American Mason-Dixon Line, authentic Beaujolais flows in copious quantities north to Paris and south to Lyon and beyond to the delight of millions.

The Gamay Grape

In spite of inherent variations in style and quality, which reflect the differences in soil composition, altitude, and level of production among the region’s thousands of growers, one common denominator comes to fore in Beaujolais – the Gamay grape. Gamay provides the defining character and flavor of Beaujolais, and nowhere is this more the case than in the 10 cru villages of Beaujolais – the source of the finest wines of the region. Although wines bearing a Beaujolais or Beaujolais-Villages AOC can provide very pleasant drinking, the ten cru villages comprise the heart of Beaujolais and offer the consumer the finest Gamay wines in the world. In addition, each of these ten townships possesses a special terroir and an individual set of characteristics, which make for memorable drinking. These 10 cru villages of Beaujolais are Brouilly, Côte de Brouilly, Chiroubles, St. Amour, Fleurie, Regnie, Chenas, Morgon, Julienas, and Moulin-à-Vent. Although each cru has its merits and particular attributes, Morgon, Julienas, and Moulin-à-Vent are widely acknowledged to be the finest, fullest and most Burgundy-like of the wines of Beaujolais, and they enjoy an enviable reputation for ageing up to five years or more in bottle with excellent results. Some reliable producers of superb cru Beaujolais include Château de Pizay, Château de Saint Lager, Daniel Bouland, Georges Descombes, and Mathieu Lapierre. Like all Beaujolais, cru Beaujolais is best consumed cool or even slightly chilled in the company of good home cooking. Enjoy!

What to Look for in September

September 15, 2019 by Kristina Manning

In September, The International Wine of the Month Club’s Premier Series is excited to offer four exceptional wines from around the world, beginning with the 2017 Sillares Almansa Garnacha Tintorera. The wine sports an intense opaque purple robe and offers a delightful array of aromas, beginning with ripe red and black fruits, freshly cut fennel, and subtle wood smoke, vanilla, and spice tones, the latter the result of 6 months in small oak barrels. In the mouth, the juicy 2017 Sillares Garnacha Tintorera further flashes its overt charms by offering plush textured berry flavors, hints of licorice, and polished tannins. Ripe, fleshy, and brimming with flavor, the 2017 Sillares Garnacha Tintorera finishes long and pleasant, making it a delight to drink now.

Our next Premier Series feature is the 2018 Black Pearl Chenin Blanc from Mary Lou Nash, one of South Africa’s most accomplished winemakers. The 2018 Black Pearl Chenin Blanc positively sings from the glass from the moment it is poured. A beguiling nose of peach, pineapple and stone fruits infused with a citrus twist and a hint of chamomile wafts from the glass. The wine’s enticing apple and peach aromas carry through in the mouth and meld beautifully with the wine’s vibrant acidity. Refreshing and lively on the palate, and beautifully textured, too, it’s hard to imagine a more engaging young Chenin Blanc.

Next in September’s world tour of wine is the 2017 Casas del Bosque Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon. Casas del Bosque continues its meteoric rise and spate of 90+ point ratings with this month’s feature, the 2017 Casas del Bosque Valle del Maipo Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon. It has earned 92 points from James Suckling and Descordados, South America’s premier wine publication. Redolent with the savory scents and flavors of blackberry, cassis, and plum, adeptly infused with touches of dark chocolate, cedar, mint, and tobacco, the 2017 Casas del Bosque Valle del Maipo Grand Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon positively sings from the glass. Ripe tannins provide backbone and lift as well as staying power.

Completing this month’s Premier Series portfolio is Malabaila di Canale’s 2018 Favorita, a tiny production that may be lesser known than the estate’s Roero Arneis but every bit as delicious as its more celebrated sibling and immediately more accessible. Produced from a tiny vineyard of less than 4 acres Favorita (the Piedmontese name for Vermentino), Malabaila’s 2018 Favorita offers a delightfully floral bouquet redolent with the scents of freshly picked apricots and peaches infused with an invigorating freshness. Crisp and vibrant in the mouth with a hint of almond the 2018 Malabaila Favorita comes across as the quintessential Northern Italian white wine – a delightful combination of pure light fruit, racy acidity, and an invigorating finish that is apt to make one beg for more. Elegant, balanced, and perfectly nuanced Malabaila’s Langhe Favorita satisfies the palate as well as the soul.

The International Wine of the Month Club’s Collector Series is thrilled to reveal September’s three award-winning wines. Beginning this month’s three nation tour is the 2016 Titus Andronicus Napa Valley Red, a gorgeous Bordeaux blend that melds juicy smooth Napa Valley fruit with the suavity and finesse of top notch Classified Bordeaux from St. Julien. Ripe berry aromas infused with succulent hints of chocolate, earth, and spice leap from the glass. In the mouth, the wine’s beguiling olfactory reappears to grace the palate with a delightful cache of black fruits, spice, and woodland flavors. Superbly structured silky tannins carry the 2016 Andronicus to a long and lovely finish with nary an edge, which makes it hard to believe that this wine weighs in at 15.1% alcohol. The 2016 Andronicus exhibits balance and complexity, and it over delivers in every way.

Our next April Collector Series offering is the 2017 Domaine Chevaliers Les Pends Crozes-Hermitage, a delicious Rhône white that ranks among the top white wines of the appellation. The wine’s sun-kissed golden hue first caught our eye, but the wine’s enticing potpourri and spice box aromas and flavors truly sealed the deal. The term “hedonism in a glass” was uttered more than once by our panel members as the redolence of honeysuckle, summer flowers, exotic fruits, and soft intoxicating spice tones flowed from the glass to grace the nose and palate. In the mouth, the 2017 Les Pends expands exponentially, revealing a seductive mélange of fruit, spice, and juicy acidity. The superb harmony and texture of this 100% Marsanne wine places it in a league of its own. Although the 2017 Les Pends has not yet been reviewed by the major wine magazines, the 2017 Les Pends is a clear stand-out, eclipsing even Chevalier’s excellent 2010 and 2013 Les Pends, wines with multiple 90+ ratings.

Rounding out this month’s Collector Series is the 2012 Valle Secreto Valle Secreto’s Private Syrah-Cabernet Sauvignon-Carmenère, the estate’s special reserve. Displaying a deep purple color that remains nearly impenetrable, this reserve offering is comprised of equal parts Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Carmenère – three very compatible, richly colored grape varietals. From the moment it is poured, full-blown aromatics soar from the glass and rich polished flavors set the 2012 Valle Secreto Private apart. Reminiscent of classified Bordeaux, the 2012 Valle Secreto Private offers up a staggering bouquet of blackberry, cassis, herbs, unsmoked tobacco, and dark chocolate, all which are neatly framed by a pleasant patina of oak. Better still, deep, complex flavors reminiscent of the wine’s bouquet emerge in the center of this wine, bolstered by ripe tannins that add energy and lift, not to mention wonderful balance and a satisfying finish. A seductive pungency permeates the wine, too, rendering the 2012 Valle Secreto Private Reserve both utterly satisfying and immensely intriguing. In short, the 2012 Valle Secreto Private rocks.

Meritage: California’s Best Blend

September 10, 2019 by Kristina Manning

Meritage is California’s answer to Bordeaux. It is also a term that has come in vogue to describe New World blends that are made from traditional red Bordeaux varietals. Therefore, a meritage wine is essentially a blend of three or more traditional red Bordeaux grapes with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc the most notable participants. Malbec and Petit Verdot are the other likely players and Carmenère a possibility but rarely a component. There are no legal or proscribed percentages for each grape variety in a meritage wine, so producers are permitted to vary how much of each varietal finds its way into the final offering, much as the great Bordeaux Châteaux vary their cépages or blends depending upon the estate’s desired style of wine and the vagaries of each particular vintage.

Nearly all meritage wines eschew the name of a single varietal on the label because varietal bottling requires that at least 75% of a single variety (in California and in most other states) be present in a blend to be labeled as a single varietal. The minimum requirement for varietal labeling in Europe and in most other New World producing wine countries is 80%. Because three or more grape varieties are included in the blend, meritage offerings are often more complex and nuanced than their single varietal counterparts. In addition, it is often the small percentages of other Bordeaux varietals in California’s greatest Cabernet Sauvignons that make producers’ varietal bottlings standout.

Some truly notable California meritage offerings include Pahlmeyer’s Proprietary Red, an iconic wine that ranks among the best California can offer, and Titus Andronicus, Napa Valley Red, a wonderfully decadent, seamless Bordeaux style red that merits serious consideration as the finest value in top-notch California meritage.

Salud!
Don

What to look for in May 2018

May 18, 2018 by Kristina Manning

In May, The International Wine of the Month Club’s Premier Series is proud to offer four superlative wines from four countries on three continents. The first in this superlative series is the 2014 Fore Family Vineyards Napa Valley Merlot from the Meister Vineyard. With Fore Family’s Merlot, put aside any preconceived notions about Merlot being a light, less than stalwart companion to Cabernet. In Fore Family’s 2014 Meister Vineyard Merlot, a deep, nearly impenetrable color underscores the wine’s hearty structure and extroverted personality. Ripe firm tannins underpin layers of rich cassis fruit, hints of tobacco leaf, and cacao in the nose and flavor profile of this wine, calling to mind the finest Merlot based wines of Bordeaux’s legendary St. Emilion appellation. This is a wine destined to age well for up to a decade or more.

Our next Premier Series feature is the 2016 Tenuta Le Calcinaie Vernaccia di San Gimignano from the great Simone Santini, who always fashions pure, exemplary Vernaccia di San Gimignano from organic grapes. It appears that Santini’s 2016 Tenuta Le Calcinaie Vernaccia di San Gimignano is not only truly exceptional, it is the finest Le Calcinaie he has produced to date – no mean feat considering the previous vintage, the delicious 2015 Le Calcinaie Vernaccia di San Gimignano, made Wine Spectator’s Top 100 List. Nevertheless, in 2016, Santini has again raised the bar on Vernaccia, Tuscany’s emblematic white grape variety. Rare among Tuscan white wines for its flavor, freshness, and longevity, Vernaccia di San Gimignano owes its 800 year reign as the region’s most lauded white wine to the predominance of the relatively rare Vernaccia clones that thrive in the environs of San Gimignano. The 2016 Tenuta Le Calcinaie Vernaccia di San Gimignano, produced from 100% Vernaccia di San Gimignano from Simone Santini’s estate, cuts a fine figure in the glass; a glint of gold, a hint of the soft green of the magical Tuscan landscape, and a golden yellow glow reminiscent of the Tuscan sun give this wine real eye appeal. Better still, this wine is pure, aromatic, and seductive on the palate. The 2016 Le Calcinaie Vernaccia di San Gimignano offers up a refreshing draught of fruit, soft scents of almond blossom, subtle mineral tones, and twists of ripe citrus and raw almond that add length and vibrancy from the first sip until the last.

Next in this month’s exciting quartet is Ernesto Catena’s biodynamically produced 2014 Tikal Natural from organic grapes, a masterful blend of Malbec (60%) and Syrah (40%). Tikal’s 2014 Natural from a vineyard in Mendoza’s renowned Vista Flores region adds further evidence to Argentina’s ability to craft world-class red wines that do not require bank loans to enjoy. A more natural, plush, and thoroughly satisfying red wine will be hard to find as the 2014 Tikal Natural captures the essence of biodynamic farming. It offers a stunning pomegranate color, fresh cherry and wild raspberry aromas as well as a hedonistic array of fruit, spice, mocha and vanilla flavors to tantalize the palate. Bold-flavored, smooth and immensely satisfying, it may be difficult to drink other red wines after tasting the 2014 Tikal Natural.

Rounding out this month’s diverse offerings is the newly released 2016 Château Ducasse Graves Blanc, a traditional style white Bordeaux that underscores the success of white Graves in the superb 2016 Bordeaux vintage. This youthful white wine displays a brilliant crystalline color with a flash of green along with a delightful array of floral and fruit aromas to entice the nose. Dry, yet rich in flavor and texture, thanks to the preponderance of Semillon in the blend, the 2016 Château Ducasse Graves Blanc underscores the charm of Bordeaux’s most revered white wine. With Semillon the leading player and Sauvignon Blanc playing a strong supporting role, the 2016 Château Ducasse Graves Blanc captures the inherent beauty of white Graves: delicacy, minerality, and light, refreshing fruit flavors reminiscent of honeydew melon and pomelo. In true Graves fashion, the 2016 Château Ducasse Graves Blanc drinks well now but will continue to improve in bottle for several more years.

The International Wine of the Month Club’s Collectors Series is proud to offer three exceptional wines again in May, beginning with the 2015 Losada Altos de Losada Bierzo Mencia. Thanks to ideal weather in 2015 and Amancio Fernández’s deft hand, the 2015 Losada Altos de Losada Bierzo Mencia ranks as another great success from this superb property. The 2015 Altos de Losada offers a deep purple robe and an alluring set of aromatics. Savory notes of blueberry, black cherry, purple plum, and Asian spices caress the nose and grace the palate. Bold but balanced, Amancio Fernández’s 2015 Mencia offers lush flavors, profound depth, and true elegance from the first sip until the last. The wine’s pure, concentrated fruit flavors seem to sink into the very marrow of this wine, while intriguing spice tones and a subtle minerality are carried gracefully by the wine’s fine grained tannins. Although deceptively drinkable now, the 2015 Losada Altos de Losada is capable of improving in bottle for a decade or more. The recipient of many well-deserved 90+ ratings from James Suckling, Wine Advocate, and Wine Enthusiast among others, the 2015 Losada Altos de Losada deserves a special place at table as well as in the cellar.

Our next May Collectors Series offering, the 2015 Morgan Highlands Santa Lucia Highlands Chardonnay, is a focused, elegant wine that combines the finest attributes of New and Old World winemaking, or as one panel member quipped, “Morgan has put the best of Burgundy and California all in the same glass.” The 2015 Highlands Chardonnay includes 67% fruit from the Double L Vineyard and the balance from outstanding neighboring estates in the Santa Lucia Highlands, including McIntyre and Tondre. It offers a heady aroma of ripe apple fruit, buttered brioche and lemon curd to caress the nose. And in the mouth, the wine’s ripe pure fruit flavors are enhanced by buttery caramel flavors, a touch of ginger, and a racy minerality that provides balance and focus.

Completing this month’s Collectors Series is the rare 2012 Pasanau Finca La Planeta from the serious, warm-hearted Albert Pasanau. Pasanau has fashioned an exceptional and complex Priorat in his 2012 Finca La Planeta, a wine that has earned 94 Points from Wine Enthusiast. Exhibiting a deep, nearly impenetrable color from predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2012 Pasanau Finca La Planeta appears at first glance to be more like young classified Bordeaux than typical Priorat. Adding to the intrigue is the wine’s bouquet, which is more than slightly reminiscent of Château Lafite, with deep, brooding black fruit flavors and hints of graphite. In true Pasanau fashion and not unlike great Bordeaux, the 2012 Finca La Planeta is bold and beautiful, yet a bit reticent upon first emerging from the bottle. Afford it time to breathe and the wine’s deep berry, spicy plum, graphite, thyme, and crushed black pepper flavors will come front and center, unfolding slowly, almost imperceptibly, to fill the mouth with seductive notes. Full-bodied, intense, and endowed with an iron core, Finca La Planeta is a combination of Bordeaux hauteur and Spanish warmth, a wine that will drink well now through 2025.

Coconut Curry Shrimp

October 13, 2017 by Kristina Manning

This ultra flavorful dish comes together in under 30 minutes and is perfect for fall! Try pairing it with this month’s Hermanos Valle de Cafayate Salta Torrontés.

Ingredients:

2 Tablespoons Butter
1-1/2 pound Raw Shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 whole Medium Onion, finely diced
4 cloves Garlic, minced
1 Tablespoon Curry Powder
1 can (13 1/2 Oz. size) Coconut Milk
2 Tablespoons Honey (more to taste)
1/4 teaspoon Kosher Salt (more to taste)
1 whole Lime, juiced
Hot Sauce, optional
12 whole Basil Leaves, chopped, plus more for garnish
2 cups cooked Basmati Rice

Instructions:

Heat the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, turning them over halfway through, until fully cooked. Remove to a plate and set aside.

Add the onion and garlic to the skillet and stir to cook for 2 minutes. Sprinkle the curry powder over the onions and continue cooking the onions, stirring, for another couple of minutes. Reduce the heat to medium-low and pour in the coconut milk, stirring to combine. Add honey, salt, and lime juice, and allow the sauce to heat up until bubbling gently. Add shrimp into the sauce, tossing to coat, and allow it to simmer for 2 to 3 minutes or until slightly thickened. Taste the sauce and add more salt, lime juice, or honey depending on your taste. Stir in the basil. (Add hot sauce if you want a little kick.)

Serve shrimp and sauce over a bed of cooked basmati rice, garnishing with more basil. Delicious!

Recipe and photo by Ree Drummon courtesy of thepioneerwoman.com

Capellini With Spicy Zucchini-Tomato Sauce

September 15, 2017 by Kristina Manning

This dish comes together quickly and is sure to be a crowd pleaser. Try pairing it with Bodega Sommos Xiloca Calatayud Garnacha 2015 which is featured this month in our Premier Series.

Ingredients:

3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 28-ounce can whole San Marzano tomatoes
Kosher salt
1 medium zucchini, cut into small chunks
1/2 pound capellini
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
Grated parmesan cheese, for topping

Directions:

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes and cook until the garlic is just golden, about 1 minute. Crush the tomatoes into the skillet with your hands and add the juice. Add 1/2 teaspoon salt and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the sauce is slightly thickened, about 15 minutes. Add the zucchini and cook until crisp-tender, about 5 minutes. Season with salt.

Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the capellini and cook as the label directs. Drain and add to the sauce along with the basil; toss to coat. Top with parmesan.

Recipe and photo by Food Network Magazine courtesy of www.foodnetwork.com

Argentinean Barbecued Steak

August 18, 2017 by Kristina Manning

Ingredients:

3 pounds skirt steak
3 tablespoons olive oil
Salt
Chimichurri Sauce, recipe follows

Chimichurri Sauce:

1/2 cup red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (from 1/2 lemon)
3/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
3 tablespoons chopped fresh oregano leaves
2 garlic cloves, roughly chopped
1/3 cup olive oil
1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Salt and pepper

Directions:

Preheat your grill to high or preheat a ridged grill pan until very hot.
Rub the steaks with the olive oil and season them with salt. Grill the steaks for 3 to 4 minutes on each side for a medium-rare to medium, or longer for medium-well or well done. Serve with Chimichurri Sauce

Chimichurri Sauce:

To make the Chimichurri, place the vinegar, lemon juice, parsley, oregano, and garlic in a blender and puree. With the motor running, add the olive oil, blending until the sauce comes together. Add the red pepper flakes and salt and pepper, to taste.
Place in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 1 day. Serve at room temperature.

Yield: 1 1/2 cups

Recipe from Ingrid Hoffmann courtesy of www.foodnetwork.com

Older Entries »