Interesting Wine Info Archives - Page 14 of 22 - Wine Blog from The International Wine of the Month Club

What’s New in French Wine?

March 27, 2015 by Don Lahey

What’s new as well as what’s great about French wine today is not so much about what new French wines there are as it is about how good many of the traditional tried and true wines are from well-established appellations. France remains a true treasure trove of affordable wines of exceptional quality, and never has this been more the case than today. Aside from that nation’s top 100 collectable wines – a subjective list in its own right – there are literally thousands of reasonably priced wine treasures in France just waiting to be discovered, or more accurately, rediscovered.

As one of the planet’s two leading purveyors of wine (Italy being the other), France not only turns out a plethora of outstanding affordable wines, it also fashions a tremendous variety of delicious wines; red, white, rosé, sparkling, dry and sweet wines all make the case for France being the world’s leading source of reasonably priced, high quality wines. So, leave the top 100 wines to the billionaires and start drinking well for so much less.

If you like a dry, zippy white wine to slake your thirst and whet your appetite, consider the 2013 Château de Fontenille Entre-Deux-Mers – a delicious white Bordeaux that pleases the palate and goes down easy. Emile Beyer’s 2013 Alsace Pinot Blanc provides another tasty, satisfying, easy drinking white wine. For Chardonnay lovers and something more substantial, consider the 2012 or 2013 Domaine de la Collonge Pouilly-Fuissé from Gilles Noblet or the 2012 Jacques Girardin Les Terrasses de Bievaux Santenay. The Girardin offering impresses with its flavor as well as its elegance, and it may constitute the absolute best value in white Burgundy.

For those who prefer Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, it is hard to beat the 2009 Château Barreyre Bordeaux Supérieur. Although officially considered a petit château, there is absolutely nothing little or petite about this wine, except the price. For those who prefer the full-flavored reds of the Rhône Valley, the 2010 Guigal Gigondas and the 2012 or 2013 Chevalier Crozes-Hermitage Marius provide all the comfort and pleasure one can imagine, without breaking the bank. Better still, these are just a few of the many oenological treasures that await the savory American wine drinker. Santé!

Don

Don’s March Collectors Series Top Pick

March 24, 2015 by Don Lahey

My March Collectors Series Top Pick might be different if this were May or June, but it’s not. Very few California wineries make a Chardonnay equal to the Sonoma County Chardonnays that Benovia turns out in small batches. Beautiful could easily be a synonym for Benovia’s wines. And who makes better Rioja than Luis Valentin at Valenciso, whose 2007 Rioja Reserva made Decanter magazine’s Wine of the Year? I love these wines, but for the weather, the need for immediate gratification, and the fact that so many think that top notch California Cabernet must emanate from Napa Valley, I am going with Donati Family Vineyard’s 2011 Ezio Cabernet Sauvignon as this month’s Top Pick. Named for the founder and patriarch of the Donati Family, the 2011 Ezio pays tribute to a visionary and dispels the notion that Central Coast and Paso Robles Cabernets can’t hang with those from Napa Valley. In our panel tastings, Ezio actually blew away quite a few big name Napa Valley Cabs, so there it is. Enjoy!

Don

Winter Warmers: Wines for a Cold Winter’s Night

February 20, 2015 by Don Lahey

In most parts of the country, February is the snowiest and often coldest month of the year (or at least it appears that way to most of us who live outside the Sun Belt). To ward of the chill of a cold winter’s night, a hearty, mouth-filling red wine can work wonders. To make the best of the season and the weather outside, consider these Winter Warmers, red wines that are sure to warm the blood as well as please the palate.

Amarone – A special, fleshy, utterly decadent red wine from Italy’s Veneto, Amarone packs a punch (16%-plus alcohol) and delivers layers of luscious flavors sure to warm the bones and everything else, even without a roaring fire. Bertani, Tommasi and Tenuta Sant Antonio are all trusted names in Amarone and worth seeking out

Barolo – Barolo has been dubbed “The King of wines, and the wine of Kings,” and rightly so. It is arguably Italy’s greatest red wine and just the elixir one needs to make it through a cold winter’s night. Luigi Pira, Paolo Conterno, Querciola, Revello, Seghesio, and Silvio Grasso all make top notch Barolo.

Gigondas – As the Rhône Valley’s heartiest red wine, stouter even than many Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Gigondas was once used as bonesetter, AKA wine to beef up the finest red Burgundy wines in cool years because of its strength, vigor, and substantial alcoholic content. Domaine Raspail-Ay and La Vau are two excellent examples of powerful, palate-pleasing Gigondas.

Ribera del Duero – Spain’s grandest, fullest-bodied Tempranillo based wines emanate from the hills along the Duero River. Pesquera, Condado de Haza and Dehesa la Granja (from nearby Zamora), Emilio Moro, and Montecastro are just a few of the top producers who fashion hearty reds from Ribera del Duero, a wine that provides both comfort and warmth during the long winter months.

Syrah/Shiraz – Not all Syrah- or Shiraz-based wines make great winter warmers, but the biggest and best surely do. Chapel Hill, d’Arenberg, Henschke and Torbreck from South Australia; Bellingham’s Bernard Series from South Africa; and the best California Syrahs from Joseph Phelps, Qupé , Runquist and others will more than fill the bill as winter warmers.

Enjoy and stay warm,
Don

photo credit: gfpeck via photopin cc

South African Wines: Where the Quality and Values Are

January 23, 2015 by Don Lahey

A decade ago, finding an exciting bottle of South African wine in the United States was a hit-or-miss proposition at best. Not so today. In the past decade, South Africa has ramped up both the quality and variety of wines available for export. Today, South Africa offers a wide selection of very high-quality red and white wines at affordable prices. Thanks to the strength of the U.S. dollar versus the South African rand, even the most compelling South African wines remain in the reach of most American oenophiles. Some of the most exciting recent offerings from that other land down under include:

Bellingham-Vineyard — Vineyard at Bellingham

2013 Bellingham Ancient Earth Pinotage/Shiraz: A smooth, succulent blend of Pinotage and Shiraz that is nearly impossible to resist because it goes great with all kinds of foods (or all by itself). The estate’s flagship offering, the 2011 Bellingham’s Bernard Series Syrah/ Mourvedre/Viognier, provides even more pleasure. It is a deep, rich Northern Rhône-style wine that will thrill those looking for a powerful, complex wine of noble bearing.
2012 Rustenberg Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon and 2011 Rustenberg John X. Merriman: The 2012 Rustenberg Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the finest values in Cabernet Sauvignon on the market from anywhere, while the 2011 Rustenberg John X. Merriman is the estate’s iconic super premium red Bordeaux blend that puts to shame more than a few big name Bordeaux châteaux.
2012 or 2013 Black Pearl Mischief Maker Shiraz: These two wines are a perennial favorite of Mary Lou Nash, the American-born winemaker who never misses a beat.
2012 Boschendal S&M (Shiraz/Mourvedre) and 2013 Boschendal Chardonnay: These two excellent wines offer the best value in red and white wine on the market today.
2012 Groot Constantia Pinotage: The ideal medium-bodied red wine for purists who want unadulterated Pinotage from one of the longest surviving trademarks in the world, and the oldest wine producing farm in South Africa.
2010 or 2011 Edgebaston GS Cabernet Sauvignon: A staggering Napa Valley-style of Cabernet Sauvignon that won’t set you back a king’s ransom. And, for those seeking exceptional, every-day drinkable wines, try any vintage of the Edgebaston Berry Box, an easy drinking blend of Cabernet and Merlot, or the Edgebaston Honey Shale Hill white, a delightful, fruity white wine with a zip.

Equally impressive are South African Sauvignon Blancs and Chenin Blancs from the above producers.

Salute!
Don

New Year’s Resolution: Drink the World’s Best Undiscovered Wines

January 9, 2015 by Don Lahey

Some of the world’s least known grape varieties can offer the wine world’s best undiscovered treasures, so why not make 2015 the year you drink new, exotic wines beyond the usual Chardonnay and Cabernet? At least once or twice a week, make it a point to search out little-known wines and undiscovered varietals. A whole cache of exciting wines and little-known grape varietals awaits those looking for the most exceptional of wines. Here are a few of the undiscovered grape varietals wine lovers shouldn’t miss.

White Wine Grapes

Garganega might not be on the tip of everyone’s tongue, but it sure does know how to please the palate. Garganega is a grape indigenous to Northern Italy, and it is, in fact, the premium grape variety responsible for just a handful of authentic, exceptional estate-bottled Soaves. Commercial Soave contains a high percentage of innocuous Trebbiano grapes and does no justice to the elegant, rich flavor of Garganega. Unfortunately, few Soave producers make Soave from 100% Garganega, but those that do are worth seeking out. Look for Tamellini, Inama or Anselmi for exceptional Garganega-based wine.

Another little-known white grape varietal is Godello from Galicia and Bierzo in Northwest Spain. Overshadowed by Albariño, the region’s better-known grape, Godello is just beginning to emerge from its compatriot’s shadow. Godello produces a softer, richer and, often, more complex wine than Albariño. Two exceptional values in Godello grapes emanate from Casal Novo, in Valdorreas, and Pazo de Arribi, in Bierzo, though many others are worth seeking out.

Red Wine Grapes

Mencia grapes, from Spain’s cool northwest corner, deserve more recognition. Though it languished in obscurity until recently, Mencia grapes are, by most accounts, a very old varietal whose origins go back nearly two millennia. A resurgence of interest in Mencia in Spain, and now elsewhere, may make this grape the world’s next hot varietal. Mencia produces complex, potentially long-lived wines that evolve slowly, which has made some aficionados dub it the Burgundy or Pinot Noir of Spain. Losada, Dominio de Tares, and Pazo de Arribi are three especially reliable producers. Losada fashions three particularly outstanding Mencia wines in various styles and at different price points, all of which offer exceptional quality and value.

With a name like Tannat, you would think the grape variety would garner a bit more attention. But not so. Tannat, the grape that gives us the name tannin, has remained hidden and forgotten for far too long. Although Tannat does contain an ample amount of tannin, modern Tannat is no mean monster, and is no chewier than a good Cabernet or Syrah. Indigenous to Southwest France, but more closely associated with the finest wines of Uruguay — yes, I said Uruguay — Tannat can stand on its own as a varietal, or blend harmoniously with Merlot or Malbec. Artesana, one of Uruguay’s best boutique wineries, fashions a particularly fine Tannat that is well worth seeking out. Pair it with a good steak or rich stew and you may never order Cabernet again.

Learn more about the different wine grape varietals here!

Salute!
Don

photo credits: TARLANT via photopin cc

Bursting the Bubbles: Champagne and Sparkling Wine Basics

December 30, 2014 by Don Lahey

In America, sparkling wines, and Champagne in particular, have become synonymous with celebration and holiday revelry, but fine sparkling wine can turn any Friday evening, Saturday dinner party, or mid-week meal into a special occasion. So, why wait until New Year’s or some other once-a-year celebration to bring a little sparkle into your life?

Let’s start off with the Champagne basics.

Is Sparkling Wine the Same as Champagne?

All that sparkles is not Champagne. Champagne comes in a variety of forms, including still (no bubbles) and sparkling. Since most of the world has only been exposed to Champagnes that sparkle, the name “Sparkling Wine” has been used interchangeably with Champagne and any other wine that bubbles.

How Exactly is Traditional Champagne Made?

Real Champagne hails from the Champagne district of France and is made only from proscribed grapes using a painstaking process known as the Méthode Champenoise, or the Champagne Method, a traditional method of production in which the wine undergoes secondary fermentation and ageing in the bottle. This secondary fermentation process is what makes bubbles.

What is Cava?

Cava is Spain’s answer to Champagne. The best examples are made using the same painstaking method as Champagne and are labeled as Méthode Traditionnelle, or Traditional Method. Good Cava, like Mont-Marçal Brut Reserva Cava 2011, is a proven crowd-pleaser, and constitutes one of the best buys in sparkling wine, as it can be purchased for a fraction of the cost of Champagne. This is one of the reasons why Cava is currently the #1 selling Champagne method sparkling wine in the world!

What is Prosecco?

Prosecco, the sparkling wine of Venice and Italy’s Veneto, is a light, charming wine that seems to be all the rage around the country. It is not always made in the same painstaking way as Champagne or the best Cava, but it can play to a crowd. Wedding planners and those looking for a mid-week treat take note: for a truly authentic Italian Bellini, mix white peach juice with Nino Franco Prosecco Rustico Brut, the original Prosecco introduced in the early 20^th century.

What is Brut?

Brut is normally the driest of sparkling wines in a producer’s portfolio, though some producers will offer a Brut Zero, Nature or Natural dry sparking that will be drier still.

What is Extra-Dry Sparkling Wine?

Extra-dry sparkling wine is not very dry – it’s actually sweeter than Brut, though it is not a dessert wine.

What Does Sec or Dry Mean?

Sparkling wines labeled Sec, Dry, Demi-Sec, Doux, Dolce or Sweet are quite sweet, as many of the names suggest, and are probably best served with dessert.

What Does Non-Vintage or NV Mean?

Most Champagnes and sparkling wines are products of more than one vintage. This is why they are labeled as Non-Vintage or NV.

What are Champagne Bubbles Called?

The frothy head of sparkling wine is known as the mousse. And although tiny bubbles are often considered a sign of quality, the size of the bubble can vary, so relax and enjoy.

Serving Tips

When Should You Serve Champagne or Sparkling Wine?

Most sparkling wines, and Champagne in particular, make great aperitifs and equally fine accompaniments to many kinds of foods, so don’t be shy about pairing sparkling wines with meals. However, most high-quality sparkling wines are best enjoyed early in the evening or with a meal rather than at the end of an evening or with dessert when the palate is fatigued.

What Glassware Should You Use for Champagne or Sparkling Wine?

Although tall, thin flutes remain in vogue for sparkling wine, almost any fine thin bowl-shaped glass will do. No need to run out and buy a whole new set of glasses.

How do American Champagnes Compare to French Champagnes?

Many Californian and Oregonian sparkling wines made using the Traditional Method are truly top notch. The best examples, like the Signal Ridge Bubbles Brut Sparkling Wine, can compete with high quality French Champagne at a lower price. No wonder so many French Champagne producers have set up shop on this side of the Atlantic!

How Should You Serve Champagne or Sparkling Wine?

Champagne along with other sparkling wines are truly under pressure, so always give sparkling wine a good chill (40° or less) before opening, and remember to exercise caution while opening, pointing the bottle away from people and delicate objects.

Treat yourself or give a gift to the Champagne lover in your life with one of The International Wine of the Month Club’s four wine club memberships. Learn how our international wine clubs work here.

Christmas Cookie & Wine Pairings

December 18, 2014 by Kristina Manning

With the holidays in full swing, one thing is for sure – there are going to be holiday themed cookies everywhere! There is also going to be plenty of wine going around so here are a few pointers to help pair your wine with your favorite holiday cookie!

Sugar Cookies: Napa Cellars Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2013 – Mellow out the sweetness of the sugar cookies with the clean flavors of melon, fig, quince, tropical fruit, and fresh citrus.

Snowballs (aka Russian Tea Cakes or Mexican Wedding Cookies): Cambridge Cellars Limited Monterey Chardonnay 2013 – Our not so traditional California Chardonnay has a nice balance of Golden Delicious apples, dried pineapple and soft mineral tones.

Snickerdoodles: Magenta Cuvée Supérieure Brut Champagne N.V. – Champagne always goes well with cookies and this one is an easy, smooth-drinking wine that is perfect to help glide those tasty Snickerdoodle cookies right down. It offers up savory scents and flavors of golden apples, apricots, currants and oven baked bread straight from the oven.

Gingerbread: Freeman Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2010 – The perfect cookie for a nicely balanced Pinot Noir with bright pure berry flavors, Asian spice tones, and wood smoke.

Peanut Butter Thumbprints: Boschendal S&M (Shiraz Mourvèdre) 2012 – Melt in your mouth Peanut Butter & Chocolate pairs nicely with a complex wine like this one. The notes of dark cherries, wild berries, plum, white pepper and wood smoke waft from the glass.

Peppermint Fudge: Valle Secreto Private Syrah-Cabernet Sauvignon-Carmenère 2011 – We love this big blend of Syrah (55%), Cabernet Sauvignon (25%) and Carmenère (20%). It offers up a staggering bouquet of blackberry, cassis, smoke, and dark chocolate, all which are framed by subtle hints of oak.

Cheers!
Kristina

Images from: www.FoodNetwork.com

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