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Wine Review: Sonoma-Cutrer Sonoma Coast/ Russian River Ranches Chardonnay 2024

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Sonoma-Cutrer Sonoma Coast Russian River Ranches Chardonnay is made from 100% Chardonnay grapes, has an ABV of around 14%, and typically retails for around $30.

It has a beautifully clear, bright pale straw color in the glass, reflecting its cool-climate origins. Aromas of apple and pear give way to complex scents of citrus peel and floral notes. On the palate, it walks a fine line between California richness and restrained elegance. Featuring a medium body, it delivers flavors of lime curd, baked pear, and baking spices. Its trademark lively acidity and a creamy, light mid-palate are a result of being aged in French oak barrels. The finish is remarkably clean and persistent. 

For over thirty years, this bottling has remained the benchmark for premium, accessible, and approachable California Chardonnays. Sonoma-Cutrer Vineyards consistently delivers a wine that satisfies both lovers of classic oaked styles and contemporary aficionados seeking high-acid freshness. The bright acidity makes this Chardonnay a perfect pairing for grilled salmon, buttery crab-inspired fare, or rich mushroom risotto. 

Sonoma-Cutrer Russian River Ranches Chardonnay is a solid choice when you want a Chardonnay that you can count on and never disappoints. Rated 90 pts by James Suckling

Photo Credit: Sonoma-Cutrer

Wine Review: Masciarelli 2022 Montepulciano D’Abruzzo

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Masciarelli 2022 Montepulciano D’ Abruzzo is a popular and affordable red wine made from 100% estate grown Montepulciano grapes in the Abruzzo Region of Central Italy. A beautiful ruby red color in the glass leads to a medium body and smooth tannins that are nicely balanced with the flavors of black cherry and blackberries, plus a hint of spice. It is very food-friendly and pairs well with pasta, pizza, and red meat, both grilled or roasted. Masciarelli 2022 Montepulciano D’ Abruzzo is aged in stainless steel to preserve its freshness because it is meant to be enjoyed while it is young. An excellent introduction to wine from this region, and it can be easily found for less than $12 a bottle, making it a great value for a wine of this quality. 

Narcisi Winery’s Fig & Goat Cheese Pizza paired with Narcisi Rose 2024

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You may remember Narcisi Winery from a post I published last year. It is a winery, restaurant, and entertainment venue built on the theme of being a Tuscan Villa in Gibsonia, Pennsylvania. We are frequent visitors there and returned last week to enjoy a relaxing lunch and a bottle of their Rośe. 

Narcisi Rośe 2024 is a Sangiovese-based Rośe that is lighter in body and tannins with floral notes plus ample acidity. It paired well with our salads on mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, red onions, dried cranberries, candied walnuts, Feta, and citrus vinaigrette. Next was the Fig & Goat Pie from their artisanal pizza menu. A Fig & Goat Pie is both sweet and savory, topped with fig jam, goat cheese, caramelized onions, crispy prosciutto, and a drizzling of balsamic fig glaze. Drop the mic! What else can I say?

Review: Herman J. Wiemer Vineyard Riesling Semi-Dry 2021

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Herman J. Wiemer Vineyard is world-famous for producing critically acclaimed Rieslings and other wines from their cool-climate estate vineyards on the western side of Seneca Lake in the Finger Lakes Region of New York. This winery blends traditional and modern winemaking methods into a harmonious fusion that showcases the benefits of its biodynamic farming practices. Their dedication to high quality is achieved by using indigenous wild yeasts to make wines in small lot fermentations that yield wines with an intense sense of place, or as the French call it, “terroir”. 

We paired the Herman J. Wiemer Vineyard Riesling Semi-Dry 2021 with our brown sugar-cured ham on Christmas. The balance and slight sweetness of this wine worked perfectly with the sweet and salty flavors of the ham. When pairing wine with a main course of ham, look for one that has a hint of sweetness to complement the ham’s saltiness. Riesling is always my first choice because it can be found in a wide range of styles, but Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc are also excellent options. If you want a red, look for a light-bodied one; a nice Pinot Noir will never disappoint.

Narcisi Winery: Tuscany in Southwestern Pennsylvania

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Nestled amongst the rolling hills of Southwestern Pennsylvania just eight miles north of Pittsburgh you can find a little piece of Tuscany. A visit to Narcisi Winery in Gibsonia is like taking a quick trip to Tuscany without having to use your passport. 

This family owned and operated winery and restaurant is built on the knowledge of generations of Italian winemakers and traditional family recipes.  Whether you are dining alfresco on the patio under the canopy of grapevines or strolling the grounds and vineyards, you can’t resist being swept up in the Italian ambiance of your surroundings. 

A diverse menu of wines ranging from their “Flagship” red “Stella” that is a take on a “Bordeaux blend”, through a nice lineup of reds, whites, blushes, rosés, and fruit wine, guarantees that there is something to satisfy anyone’s taste. 

In addition to the patio and outdoor wine and pizza bar that features a wood-fired pizza oven, you can also dine in the beautifully appointed restaurant. 

If you are in the mood for a beer they have you covered with a beer garden featuring a diverse selection of beers on draft or bottled. As you enter the beer garden area you pass between towering plantings of hop vines that enhance your experience. Check out the raised bed vegetable gardens. next to the beer garden. 

Entertainment is always front and center at Narcisi Winery. A bandstand and lawn play host to live music on a regular schedule. 

If you want or need a break to escape your normal day-to-day routine, I suggest you explore this little taste of Tuscany in Southwestern Pennsylvania. 

narcisiwinery.com 724-444-4744 Photo Credit: Narcisi Winery

Wine Review: The Federalist Zinfandel Lodi 2019

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The latest entry in my ongoing series of reviews featuring enjoyable and affordable wines that are widely available highlights a Lodi, California Zinfandel. The Federalist Zinfandel Lodi is not the Zinfandels of folklore that were rendered from zinfandel grapes shipped from the Cucamonga Valley of California in crates adorned with colorful labels depicting the cultural heritage of the region. Those wines were big, bold, “over the top” wines with high alcohol content. What made those wines unforgettable wasn’t their high quality but the physical link they provided to the immigrant communities, which made them feel connected to their homelands and the cherished memories of people and places they left behind in search of a better life in America.

The Federalist Zinfandel Lodi 2019 is a good example of a Zinfandel from Lodi, California. It displays a bold but restrained body with flavors of dark fruit and cherries that complement its tannins, leading to a surprisingly smooth finish. It can be easily found for less than $20 a bottle and at that price point represents a good “QPR” (Quality-Price Ratio) value buy.

Wine Review: E. Guigal Côte du Rhône Rosé

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I have always advocated for drinking Rosé year-round, but I must admit that I enjoy it more during the warmer months, when it pairs well with the lighter fare of the season. Rosé is a flavorful choice to enjoy with grilled fresh fish, pork, or chicken, along with locally sourced “farm to table” produce/products. I am hearing that some sommeliers are even pairing it with steak. Well, that’s interesting. What do you think? Rosé from southern France is synonymous with the daydream of spending a leisurely afternoon relaxing at a sun-drenched seaside bistro while basking in the sights, sounds, tastes, and aromas of the region’s idyllic lifestyle. 

We can’t all just jet off to the French Riviera on a whim, but we can certainly get a taste of the good life by enjoying a nice bottle of rosé. 

E. Guigal is a dependable producer of quality wine from the Southern Rhône Valley. E. Guigal Côte du Rhône Rosé is a classic expression of a well-balanced southern Rhône rosé with delicate notes of citrus and raspberry leading to a medley of red fruit flavors. The beauty of this wine isn’t limited to its color in your glass, but to its budget-friendly price of less than $20, and that you can easily find it almost anywhere.

Photo Credit: E. Guigal

It’s Sauvignon Blanc Season!

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Warm weather has arrived, and with it the tradition of drinking lighter wines, like Sauvignon Blanc and Rosé. The reason this long-standing annual tradition continues is that it is enjoyable and satisfying on so many levels. 

For many, the mere mention of Sauvignon Blanc brings images of New Zealand and France to mind. While it is hard to go wrong when selecting a Sauvignon Blanc from either the North or South Island of New Zealand or the Loire Valley and Bordeaux in France, there are also outstanding examples of this wine being produced in other regions. California, Chile, Argentina, and Australia also make great Sauvignon Blanc. 

Sauvignon Blanc offers a diverse variety of taste profiles that vary widely from mouth-watering fruit-driven wines laden with citrus aromas to ones exhibiting a savory character filled with vegetal undertones that drift in the direction of green bell peppers and freshly mown grass. 

Depending on your personal preferences, you can find a Sauvignon Blanc that is made in a style and at a price point that meets your tastes and budget. 

It is no coincidence that SB shows up on dining tables as the seasons change. This versatile white wine boasts citrus notes that enliven seasonal fare while its bright acidity cuts through creamy sauces and buttery dishes. The perfect complement to seafood, shellfish, and any lightly prepared fish. Sauvignon Blanc really shines when paired with charcuterie boards. 

Consider these four well-made Sauvignon Blancs from California, New Zealand, and France. All are moderately priced, at around $30, and widely available. 

Rutherford Hill AJT Sauvignon Blanc 2022 (USA) Wine Spectator 94 pts James Suckling 91 pts Jeb Dunnuck 90 pts

Saracina Sauvignon Blanc Mendocino County 2023 (USA) Wine Enthusiast 95 pts

Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc  Marlborough 2023 (New Zealand) Wine Spectator 93 pts

Domaine Philippe Raimbault Les Fossiles Sancerre Blanc 2023   (Loire Valley, France)

Photo Credit: finewineandgoodspirits.com

Albarino From Galicia, Spain

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The Spanish region of Galicia is located on the northwestern corner of the Iberian Peninsula, north of Portugal. It is a verdant territory bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the west and mountains to the east. The capital Santiago de Compostela is home to the cathedral where the remains of the apostle Saint James are believed to be buried. 

The rugged coastline and cold waters of the Atlantic are the source of the region’s bountiful seafood while the diverse inland areas provide unmatched agricultural products. Galicia is a rising star among food lovers and boasts thirty seven Michelin-starred restaurants. 

The wine producing district within Galicia is Rías Baixas. Rías Baixas is a Spanish Denominación de Origen (D.O.) wine region. It has a cool maritime climate with granite soils that contribute to its crisp dry aromatic white wine having high acidity, notes of citrus, and subtle salty character. Galician Albariño has long been the preferred white wine to pair with any of the seafood harvested from its abundance offshore waters and dramatic coastlines. 

If you are interested in trying a well-made Rías Baixas Albariño in the $20 range I recommend La Val Albariño 2022. It is bright with lively acidity, tangy citrus flavors, a lingering finish, and Albariño’s signature salinity. James Suckling rated this wine 91 pts. 

To learn more about this region you can watch two excellent food and travel hosts that have visited it recently. Award-winning travel show V is for Vino founder and host Vince Anter explores the wines and winemakers of Rías Baixas in Season 4 Episode 2. This episode and all his shows are available to view free on YouTube, as well as, other outlets. CNN presents Eva Longoria: Searching for Spain. She journeyed to Galicia in Season 1 Episode 5. Eva focuses more on the Michelin-starred restaurants of Galicia and local culture. 

Galicia is a fascinating part of Spain, totally unlike the traditional preconceptions of Spain we have grown accustomed to. The world is rediscovering what “Green Spain”, as Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria, and the Basque Country are often called, has to offer in terms of food, wine, beautiful landscapes, and lifestyle. 

Photo Credit: Google, finewineandgoodspirits.com, V is for Vino, CNN

Stanley Tucci’s “Tucci in Italy” has Premiered

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If you loved Stanley Tucci’s food and travel show “Searching for Italy,” which became a phenomenon during the pandemic, you will be happy to hear that Stanley’s new show “Tucci in Italy” has just premiered. The five-part series began airing Sunday, May 18, 2025, on the National Geographic Channel and can also be viewed streaming on Disney+ and Hulu the next day. It may have taken a while, but we can once again traipse around five different regions of Italy with Stanley, enjoying their food and culture without leaving home. “Ciao di nuovo” Stanley!