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Wines for Valentine’s Day 2015

February 9, 2015 by Don Lahey

Men and women are different, and, when it comes to wine, men and women don’t always think alike or share the same tastes in wine. Valentine’s Day is all about love and making that special someone feel special, so consider that special someone before you give them a Valentine’s Day wine gift or choose a wine to share.

Tips for Guys: You may love that big, brawny Cabernet that you drank at the steakhouse last week with the guys, but chances are she won’t be so enamored. Why not appeal to her sensual self and desire for romance with a fine bottle of Champagne or Prosecco? Many good sparkling wine choices abound, beginning with Magenta Brut – a tasty, reasonably priced traditional style Champagne. For a fuller, more complex Champagne, consider Joseph Perrier Cuvée Royale Brut. However, if a lighter and more delicate sparkling wine is in order, any Valdobbiadene Prosecco from Umberto Bortolotti is sure to provide charm and send the message I am thinking of you. And, if she prefers red, Pinot Noir can say “I love you, too.” There is no shortage of fine Pinot Noir from California on the market. Fore Family Vineyards, Pietra Santa, and Solomon Hills are just a few producers of excellent fairly priced California Pinot Noir that should appeal to her.

For the Ladies: Men are visual creatures and delight in adventure and surprises. Power is usually more exciting to them than subtlety, so unless he just can’t wait for another glass of the Chardonnay you adore or the delicate, complex Pinot Noir you crave, consider something more appealing to him. A big, full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon from California, South Africa or elsewhere that he has never had before will make a statement to him. Edgebaston GS and Rustenberg John X. Merriman are two of South Africa’s finest Cabernet-based wines that should appeal to your guy’s senses as well as his taste for adventure. Châteauneuf-du-Pape and rich Syrah or Shiraz offerings will likely strike his fancy as well. Domaine du Grand Tinel and Domaine du Vieux Lazaret craft several excellent Châteauneuf-du-Papes worth considering, while Australia, California, and South Africa all produce a bevy of great Syrah/Shiraz. Chapel Hill and Mr. Riggs from South Australia are two Shiraz producers that are hard to beat.

So, guys and gals: compare notes at the end of the evening, taste each other’s wines, enjoy the communion, and have a happy Valentine’s Day together.

Don

Three Aphrodisiacal Food & Wine Pairings to Spice Up Valentine’s Day

February 6, 2015 by Kristina Manning

The end of next week graces us with (what is supposed to be) the most romantic holiday of the entire year. Hopefully, your night will be spent with a special someone, eating out at a four-star restaurant or cooking a three-course meal fit for the Food Network. But here’s a little tip: the food and wine you choose for your special dinner can play a major role in what happens after you eat. So with a little help from Aphrodite, the Goddess of Love, we’ve laid out some food and wine pairings that will ensure your Valentine’s Day is as romantic as the all the commercials promise.

Chili Peppers

Adding chili peppers to your V-Day dinner is an obvious choice if you’re looking to spice things up. Not only will the Capsaicin found in chili peppers speed up your heartbeat and sweaty up your palms after just one bite, but eating chili peppers also releases endorphins, a chemical in your brain that can immediately fuel up your sex life. Now that’s chemical romance.

Perfect wine pairing: Sauvignon Blanc

Sauvignon Blancs are typically dry wines with flavors of citrus fruit, melon, fig, and herbs. Sauvignon Blancs can range from dry to semi sweet, and everything in between which can help toward tempering hot and spicy dishes. Though on the dryer side, one of our personal favorites is the Château de Fontenille Entre-Deux-Mers 2013. This Sauvignon Blanc blend is a mélange of scintillating citrus, fig and melon with an underpinning of minerality for the ideal combination of sweet and spicy.

Oysters

Since more than 200 years ago, raw oysters have been declared the pinnacle of all aphrodisiacal foods. Oysters are said to be the first edibles used to increase sexual desire in the second century by the Romans and by legendary lover, Casanova. The compounds found in raw oysters such as zinc, D-aspartic acid and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) help to raise your libido and can also raise the levels of estrogen and testosterone found in your body.

Perfect wine pairing: Viognier

Originally from the Northern Rhône region in France, Viogniers are medium-dry to dry and are lighter flavored wines that usually have flavors of tree fruits, nuttiness, and undertones of spice with peachy aromas. The Château du Trignon Viognier Côtes-du-Rhône Blanc 2013 offers finely honed fruit flavors and subtle complexity that will pair perfectly with raw or cooked oysters.

Chocolate

Everyone loves chocolate. Whether it’s liquid or solid, hot or cold, chocolate always seems to bring us instant joy. This is probably because of the “feel good” chemicals found inside chocolate, namely Serotonin and Phenylethylamine. This inseparable chocolate-happiness connection is far from a recent discovery, as the Aztec emperor, Montezuma, is rumored to have consumed up to 50 goblets of chocolate each day in order to fuel his sexual desires. Sounds like he’s trying to overcompensate for something!

Perfect wine pairing: Shiraz

Slightly softer and more subdued than Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz (aka Syrah) is still full of flavor with bright notes of red and dark berries, peppery undertones, and fine tannins. The Bellingham Ancient Earth Pinotage Shiraz 2013 with a luscious and lively core black cherry and mulberry flavors wrapped in a light patina of oak, it pair perfectly with any chocolaty dessert.

For more information on pairing wines with your favorite meals, visit our Food & Wine Pairing Guide and be sure to see our 2014 3 Aphrodisiacal Food & Wine Pairings.

Girl Scout Cookies and Wine Pairings

February 2, 2015 by Kristina Manning

If you’re like us, you can’t pass on buying a box (or ten) of Girl Scout Cookies on your way out of the store. While relaxing with one of your wines from your wine club, here are some pairings to help polish off some of those Girl Scout Cookies in the kitchen.

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

Don’s January Collectors Series Top Pick

January 20, 2015 by Don Lahey

Whether it is Domaine Fournier’s super premium 2012 Cuvée Silex Sancerre or any number of the month’s exceptional reds, all of January’s Collectors Series features should please the most discerning of palates. We had an unusually high level of interest from our membership in this month’s Primary Collectors Series red wines, which necessitated us choosing two outstanding Italian wines for the same category: the 2008 Il Palazzino Bertinga and the 2010 Revello Barolo. Each expresses the essence of its respective region. The 2008 Bertinga hails from one of Tuscany’s most renowned vineyards and producers, and it epitomizes the greatness of Cabernet, Merlot, and Petit Verdot in Tuscany. Revello’s 2010 Barolo emanates from several choice vineyards in La Morra, Barolo’s most renowned commune. Moreover, Revello’s Barolo captures both the elegance and power of Barolo, and this is particularly true in the outstanding 2010 vintage. For these reasons, the 2008 Il Palazzino Bertinga and 2010 Revello Barolo share this month’s Top Pick.

Enjoy!
Don

Don’s January Premier Series Top Pick

January 19, 2015 by Don Lahey

The January 2015 Premier Series offers an exceptional lineup of wines from three different countries. It took an unusual amount of searching and tasting to come up with the four wines we ultimately chose for this month. With that said, Massone’s Vigneto Masera Gavi has always been a personal favorite. And who makes better Cru Beaujolais than Château Pizay? Beautiful, balanced Viognier is very hard to come by, too, but Château du Trignon nailed it with their 2013 Côtes-du-Rhône Blanc. Yet, this month’s Top Pick goes to the 2013 Bellingham Ancient Earth Pinotage/Shiraz, a smooth, satisfying red wine that simply blew us away. There is plenty to like about this wine’s savory aroma and lively black cherry and mulberry flavors, all which come wrapped in ripe tannins with nary an edge. In fact, our two tasting panels for the 2013 Ancient Earth Pinotage Shiraz enjoyed this wine so much that they immediately stopped spitting and began drinking – always a good sign for the wine, but a bad omen for the wines to follow. One sip of the 2013 Bellingham Ancient Earth Pinotage/ Shiraz and you’ll see why we stopped spitting. In addition, this excellent wine is an International Wine of the Month Club exclusive.

Enjoy!
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

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Chili Peppers

Oysters

Chocolate

Thin Mints

Samoas®/Caramel deLites™

Tagalongs®/Peanut Butter Patties®

Trefoils/Shortbread

Do-Si-Dos™/Peanut Butter Sandwich

Thanks-A-Lot™

Lemonades

White Wine Grapes

Red Wine Grapes