Tag wine pairing

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: La Crema Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2023

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The 2023 La Crema Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir is a strong example of California cool-climate Pinot Noir and cool-climate winemaking. The Sonoma Coast AVA has warm days and cool nights, leading to tranquil, foggy mornings. It is these diurnal shifts that develop the complex and nuanced Pinot Noirs we have come to know as hallmarks of this region. 

La Crema Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2023 is very approachable now but has the structure to evolve over the next five years. 

A translucent ruby-red color in the glass with a delicate garnet rim hints at it being a young wine. Aromas of red cherry, strawberry, and cranberry dominate. Silky and medium-bodied, this wine is well-balanced, featuring plenty of juicy fruit flavors, gentle tannins, and lively acidity that frame its profile as being both fresh and food-friendly.

La Crema Sonoma Valley Pinot Noir 2023 is versatile and pairs well with a variety of food choices. It is an enjoyable pairing with roasted chicken, grilled pork chops, roasted lamb, and earthy mushroom dishes. 

It is a good buy at around $28, and with a 90-point rating from Wine Enthusiast magazine, I think this is a wine you should consider when adding a California Pinot Noir to your wine rack.

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