Tag wine pairing

Wine Review: Montes’ Classic Cabernet Sauvignon

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Montes’ Cabernet Sauvignon is Chile’s most recognizable red wine produced by the celebrated Viña Montes’ estate in the Colchagua Valley. This winery is credited with bringing premium Chilean winemaking to wine lovers globally. Their Cabernet Sauvignon is offered in two tiers: the approachable “Classic” series and the more robust premium “Alpha” series. 

Montes’ Classic Cabernet Sauvignon features aromas of ripe red and black fruit- think strawberry, plum, and fig carried on a medium body with flavors of red fruit and dark chocolate. Balanced acidity, silky tannins, and a touch of French oak support its easy-drinking profile. It’s a blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Merlot with a 14% ABV, making it a natural fit for grilled steak, as well as beef short ribs, lamb chops, and, surprisingly, those gourmet burgers that you see on just about every menu lately. 

If you are looking to add an affordable weeknight Cab to your wine rack that delivers dependable quality without the intense concentration and complexity of much higher-priced Cabs, then you should take a closer look at Montes’ Classic Cabernet Sauvignon. It is easy to find, and at around $10- $15 a bottle, it is a good value for a Cabernet Sauvignon rated 90 pts by James Suckling. 

Photo Credit: Viña Monte’s’

Wine Review: Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough New Zealand 2025

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Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough New Zealand 2025 is the poster child for a widely distributed budget-priced summertime wine that checks all the boxes. This New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc is made from 100% Marlborough region-grown grapes. It opens with aromas of grapefruit and melon, followed by citrus and tropical fruit flavors. Crisp and light with bright acidity, it makes a perfect match for summer fare. It pairs nicely with seafood, especially shellfish, but also works well with summer salads, goat cheese, and grilled vegetables. We paired it with pasta and basil pesto made from our own organically grown basil and a tomato salad made from our Sun Sugar cherry tomatoes, which we also grow organically. Rated at 90 pts by James Suckling and 94 pts by Decanter magazine. You can easily find it for $15 a bottle, often for much less.

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?

Wine Review: Madame de Beaucaillou Haut-Médoc 2022

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Château Ducru-Beaucaillou Madame de Beaucaillou Haut-Médoc 2022 is a premium second label red wine from the prestigious Château Ducru-Beaucaillou. Château Ducru-Beaucaillou is an elite 2nd Grand Cru Estate in the Saint-Julien appellation of Bordeaux, France. 

A second label wine, by definition, is a premium wine, most often produced by a Bordeaux winery using grapes from the same estate as their top-tier wines, but for various reasons are not used in their Grand Vin bottling. Second label wines offer an opportunity to experience the same technical precision in winemaking and dedication to quality that the estates’ winemakers apply to their Grand Cru, but at a much lower price point. These wines tend to be very approachable and can be enjoyed in their youth. I strongly suggest researching this category of wine and exploring the possibilities they afford to investigate a niche in Bordeaux you haven’t considered available to you until now. 

The following is my review of Madame de Beaucaillou Haut-Médoc 2022. 

It is a fine example of a Saint-Julien wine. A blend predominantly of Merlot (66%) supported by Cabernet Sauvignon (23%) and Petite Verdot (11%). A bewitching dark purple color in the glass, with notes of blackberry, followed by flavors of blackberry, plum, and French oak, all carried on a well-structured, medium-bodied frame and perfectly balanced acidity. Supple, fine-grained tannins carry through a long, lingering finish with a hint of spice. Pairs well with roasted red meat, especially lamb.

I highly recommend this wine. It has also scored impressively with these well-known experts. James Suckling 93 pts, Wine Enthusiast 93 pts, Jeb Dunnuck 92 pts, and Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate 91 pts, just to name a few. Second label wines offer a treasure trove of value that you can easily discover if you follow the map to where X marks the spot. 

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.

Wine Review: Bogle Petite Sirah 2021

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Bogle Petite Sirah 2021 is a good choice for anyone looking for a dark, full-bodied California red wine that is approachable and not as “big” as many of the California Cabernet Sauvignons are. Notes of dark berries lead to flavors of dark berries, think blackberry and blueberry. It has a long finish featuring balanced tannins and acidity with a hint of oak. Best paired with hearty fare like grilled red meat, lamb, burgers, or pasta in red sauce. Always a bargain at less than $15 a bottle. 

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