Vincent Vineyards Family Reserve Sauvignon Blanc (2012) Wine Review

In my most recent outing to CA wine country, this time the Santa Ynez Valley – Los Olivos District, I enjoyed a vertical tasting at Vincent Vineyards.  It had been several years since I tasted in this area and Vincent Vineyards opened in the interim.  A vertical tasting is a tasting of several wines - in this case 5 - that are all the same varietal by the same producer. The only thing that differs among them is the vintage (year). In the case of this tasting, all were different vintages of their Sauvignon Blanc.  Sauvignon Blanc is one of my favorite varietals so I chose this vertical tasting from their tasting menu options.

What I enjoyed on the lovely 75° day, was that you could experience your tasting in their spacious tasting room with plenty of natural light or enjoy your tasting on their expansive patio. We opted for the patio tasting. We chose a table on the patio and shortly after being seated were greeted by the owner, Tony Vincent. As we started to visit, his passion for his vineyard, winery, and wines made our experience most memorable. He showed us the barrel room where they also host private events.  One wall of the room had a gigantic mural of him with the Rat Pack.  I found Tony (Anthony Vincent Zehenni) most intriguing.  Mostly that at 83 and after being successful in many different ventures, he was so passionate and determined about this, his latest.

 I had previously noticed the background music in the tasting room and patio and the music (reminiscent of the Rat Pack era) was perfect for relaxation and/or conversation. The mural, though not so subtle, is classic and classy – as is this tasting room and event space.

After our tour, we made our way back to the patio where they set a placemat in front of us, placing each of the 5 tastings on the corresponding vintage printed on the placemat.  Along with the vintage on the placemat were descriptors to assist you in your tasting.

The vintages we were tasting were 2010-2014. After tasting, I chose 2 different bottles to bring home, the 2012 Vincent Vineyards Family Reserve and the 2014 Olive Branch. 

The 2012 was my favorite the day of the tasting and continues to be. I find myself wondering how aging has affected this wine. Sauvignon Blanc is genuinely consumed younger; and this one would be about 6 years old. It was a light golden color in the glass, and on the nose it possessed tropical fruit notes with hints of stone fruit. On the palate, a pleasant minerality and nice body - perhaps the result of aging on lees and time. The finish was crisp and well balanced.

The 2014 Olive Branch is a much “lighter” representation of the varietal. The color struck me as being sort of a pale celery color. The nose, beyond subtle minerality, was almost non-existent. The wine didn’t offer anything more on the palate and was lacking in fruit and body, almost seeming “watered down”.  I think this was attractive to me when we were tasting at the winery as it was almost a palate cleanser.  Unfortunately, once home it was disappointing and would get lost in most any food pairing. 

I look forward to visiting Vincent Vineyards again. I loved the ambiance and look forward to trying more of their wines.   We enjoyed the 2012 Family Reserve on an appetizer night with Crab Rangoon. Try it  also with Lobster Risotto.  Click the links below to print or save the recipes.

Crab Rangoon

Lobster Risotto

Hatch Green Chile Wine Review

It’s almost Hatch season… almost.  Perhaps it’s the anxiety of knowing I have just enough Hatch green chiles in my freezer for one more batch of enchiladas that caused the moment of weakness – the impulse to buy a “novelty” wine, this week’s Wine Wednesday feature, the non-vintage Hatch Green Chile Wine.

Though familiar with Hatch chiles, it wasn’t until moving to the Southwest and experiencing them fresh by the burlap sackful, that I fell in love.  Each season I buy what I think will be enough to freeze and hold me till the next season only to find that it’s never enough. The flavor of these chiles is so distinct - sort of like Vidalia onions.  Though the same onion is grown elsewhere, they only taste like Vidalias if grown in Vidalia, GA.  In this case, there is nothing like the peppers grown in New Mexico's Hatch Valley.

I refer to this wine as a novelty wine because it’s geared more toward the appreciator of Hatch chiles than the wine connoisseur. I’m not sure what this says about me, but I couldn’t resist.

First off, note that this wine isn’t made from chiles.  It is a grape wine with chiles added. Grape wines are often described as having notes/aromas of other fruits, vegetables, berries and spices etc., but those notes are the result of the varietal, soil, climate, wine making process and how it’s aged. Therefore, it tends to be a more nuanced experience. In the case of this wine, it’s one note, and it’s blatant.

I’ve not been able to find the varietals used in this wine, though I'm confident Riesling is a significant part of the blend.  The winemaker's (St. Clair Winery) fact sheet  just states that it is a “proprietary blend”.  The chiles are cold soaked in white wine and as a result the wine is infused with the flavor of fresh Hatch green chiles.

I found this to be about the palest wine I’ve ever seen – barely a hint of color in the glass. I was thrilled as I took in the unabashed, unmistakable scent of fresh Hatch green chiles. This is a semi-sweet wine with a round mouth feel and a clean peppery finish.  The pepper on the palate was not as bold as the scent on the nose, but it’s prominent and expected.

For an infused wine, I feel this is very well done.  For my personal taste, though I understand the approach, I wish it was just a little less sweet.

Pair with Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas (why not layer flavors?), or Spicy Chicken Lettuce Wraps.  Click the links below to print or save the recipes. 

Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas

Spicy Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Gérard Bertrand Cotè des Roses (2016) Wine Review

Attention Costco shoppers! Recently my husband and I decided to get a Costco membership.  The decision actually had nothing to do with wine, but this week it relates. The Costco experience - though I’m sure savings abound with each supersized item - isn’t really my cup of tea. As a result, my husband tends to make the Costco run on his day off.  It normally consists of a great deal on bottled water and whatever other irresistible deals he might come across.  Thankfully, he’s quite disciplined. 

This last week, he checked out the wine department. He found that they carry my “house white” (If you’ve been following this blog, you know what that is) at a great price so he bought several bottles.  I had given him suggestions for wines to purchase, but they weren’t based on him shopping at Costco.  Anyway, I’d suggested he surprise me with a new rosé, and so he did.  It was there that he found this week's Wine Wednesday feature, the 2016 Gérard Bertrand Cotè des Roses.

The winemaker’s website suggests that this is a bottle of wine you would give in the same way as a bunch of roses. If we’re talking about a plastic wrapped bouquet of supermarket roses, perhaps I agree. I’m not dogging supermarket roses, I’ve been gifted them, and appreciate them.  What I am referring to, is the price point.  At about $13 a bottle (around $17 elsewhere), it may be an even better choice.

First off, one has to mention the bottle – the presentation is stunning. Tip the bottle upside down and notice the base is in the shape of a rose.  The pale pink glass cork-stopper is beautiful and reseals fabulously. It’s a bottle that makes you consider repurposing.

The wine, a blend of Grenache, Cinsault, and Syrah is the color of farm-raised salmon. On the nose, stone fruit, papaya, floral notes and a hint of ripe ruby red grapefruit. Though the prevalent fruit on the palate isn’t sweet enough for this wine to be considered off-dry, it has inclinations.   The finish, though a bit lackluster, still makes for a great summer sipper.  When you don’t want anything too assertive to distract from your afternoon read on the patio, which is how I enjoyed my first glass, this is the one.

Later we enjoyed it with a dinner of Mahi Mahi Fish Tacos.  I decided to forego the tempura batter and simply grill the fish by brushing it with olive oil and lightly seasoning with sea salt and pepper. It was a pairing well worth repeating. Try also with a Boiled Shrimp Cocktail. Click the links below to print or save the recipe pairing suggestions.

Mahi Mahi Fish Tacos

Boiled Shrimp Cocktail

H&M Hofer Bio Grüner Veltliner (2015) Wine Review

Is that a bottle opener on the end of your cork screw? Why would you need that? Some of your friends are beer drinkers – gasp! Perhaps that's why, or perhaps you need a bottle opener to open your wine. 

Seeing the closure on this week’s Wine Wednesday feature, the 2015 H&M Hofer Bio Grüner Veltliner, caused me to add it to my cart.  It’s the first time I’ve seen a wine that you needed a bottle opener to open. I found this at Whole Foods (It’s made with organic grapes) and I couldn’t resist.

To be honest, I didn’t have high hopes. It’s like the first time I saw a bottle of wine with a screw cap, could it be any good?

Well, yes it can be.  I loved it. It’s one of the best Grüner Veltliners I have ever had.  Notes of pear, honey, and orange blossom on the nose presented slightly sweet with big fruit and white pepper on the palate.  It was lively on the tongue, evidence of stainless steel fermentation, and it delighted with a long finish.  It was a perfectly balanced wine, which makes it extremely versatile.

So, do you have to finish it all in one setting? No, not unless you want to. Though you can’t put the bottle cap back on, one of my wine stoppers seals it nicely.  I wrote this blog post last night while sipping on a glass, and have plans to enjoy it with Parmesan Encrusted Tilapia for dinner tonight.  Next time, I’ll plan ahead, and serve it with Wiener Schnitzel Hamburg Style, Lyonnaise Potatoes and Lettuce Salad with Hot Bacon Vinaigrette, and relive some fond food memories of days spent in Austria. Click the links below to print or save the recipe pairing suggestions.

Parmesan Encrusted Tilapia

Wiener Schnitzel, Lyonnaise Potatoes, and Lettuce with Hot Bacon Vinaigrette

Ernie Els Big Easy Red (2014) Wine Review

On Saturday night, our neighborhood wine club held its monthly gathering where each couple brings a bottle of wine and an appetizer.  This month’s theme was South African wines. I went to AJ’s Fine Foods, the best hope for something other than the limited mass production options at the local big box stores. (This is where I’m tempted to go off on a rant about the lack of wine shops in areas, especially here in AZ, where wine can be purchased in grocery stores and then big box stores, eliminating boutique wine shops with interesting finds, but I digress.) 

I was fortunate to find a bottle of Protea Chenin Blanc which I’ve reviewed in the past, and also this week’s Wine Wednesday feature, the 2014 Ernie Els Big Easy Red.  I chose to take the Chenin Blanc to the event because I was familiar with it, but also because it paired well with the Cucumber Salmon Canapés I brought as an appetizer. 

I decided to open the Big Easy Red on Sunday and as I suspected, it paired perfectly with the Grilled Lamb Chops I had planned for dinner.

Big Easy as the label states, is “big in stature, gentle in character”.  A blend of 61% Shiraz, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Mourvedre, 5% Grenache, 4% Viognier, and 4% Cinsaut. On the nose, notes of black raspberry, ripe cherry, and baking spice. On the palate, slightly herbal, with ample fruit and noteworthy pepper on the finish. This dry wine features moderate to slightly assertive tannins.

As I mentioned, we enjoyed this with Grilled Lamb Chops, try also with Braised Beef Tips and Mushrooms. Click the links below to print or save the recipe pairing suggestions.

Grilled Lamb Chops

Braised Beef Tips with Mushrooms

2016 Granbazán Albarino Etiqueta Verde Wine Review

It’s white wine season! Well it is in Phoenix anyway.  Though the temperatures this time of year are the very reason I moved to the Valley of the Sun, this year has been exceptional with highs hovering around 80° F every day for the last week, and forecast for the coming week as well.   So, you aren’t reading this to get a weather report? Sorry, I can’t help myself.

This week’s Wine Wednesday feature the 2016 Granbazán Albarino Etiqueta Verde is the perfect wine for warm sunny days.  From the Rias Baixas region of Spain, this Albarino (pronounced Al-boh- REEN- Yoh) is a great representation of the indigenous varietal. Etiqueta Verde translates as “green label”, denoting the entry-level offering from Granbazán.

On the nose, honeydew, kiwi, and grassy notes. It’s wonderfully zippy and refreshing on the tongue with herbal and citrus notes on the palate. The finish is crisp and citrusy, with a bit of salinity lingering.  The Rias Baixas is a coastal sub-region of the Galicia region in Northwestern Spain, and the cool, damp sea air contributes to this delicious wine. If you like Vermentino; try this Albarino. We enjoyed this with Lobster Risotto (used it in the recipe too). Try also with Steamed Mussels. Click the links below to print or save the recipe pairing suggestions.

Lobster Risotto

Steamed Mussels

Yalumba Old Bush Vine Grenache (2014) Wine Review

When you find a wine that you like, do you tend to try other offerings by the same brand?  Well, I do, and in the case of Yalumba, the winery behind this week’s Wine Wednesday feature, the 2014 Old Bush Vine Grenache, I’m finding them to be a trusted name for quality wine at an affordable price. I’ve reviewed 3 other wines by Yalumba (reviews are archived under varietal categories on this blog) and each wine is distinctly different.

I’ll go one step further, when you find a brand that you like, do you ever plan to visit the winery?  Well, I do that too. Yalumba is a family-owned winery spanning 5 generations and over 167 years. They are one of four wineries around the world with their own cooperage -  making their own barrels. When I visit Australia, I want to make the Barossa region and a visit to Yalumba part of my trip.

The grapes for this wine are sourced from low-yielding vines planted between 1898 and 1973.This old bush vine Grenache is extremely versatile for food pairing, and in my opinion, a great choice if you’re having a party - a red wine that could please the masses. If you like Beaujolais, try this wine.

In the glass, it’s a lovely ruby color. The nose features raspberry, cassis and violet notes.  On the palate, raspberry and cherry with prominent spice and pepper on the finish. It’s a wonderful medium-bodied wine and the subtle use of French oak keeps this dry wine very food friendly. We enjoyed it with Bistro Burgers (put some in the burgers too).  Try also with Maple Chipotle Glazed Cedar Plank Salmon.  Click the links below to print or save the recipe pairing suggestions.

Brittany's Bistro Burgers

Maple Chipotle Glazed Cedar Plank Salmon

Santana Savor - Mumm Napa - Wine Review

Toast the New Year with Santana!

Recently, my husband Lee and I were able to steal away for a day trip to Napa. As they like to say in Napa, “Cab is king”. Though I’m not all that crazy about Cabernet Sauvignon, I keep trying, thinking eventually I’ll find the one that will change my mind.  Though Cab is king, there is still plenty in Napa for me to enjoy. We visited several wineries and tasted at three of them. We always plan where we’ll visit before we leave and route our tour accordingly.  This time, Lee chose the wineries, but as we drove past Mumm Napa, I asked that we include it and make it one of our tastings as I was familiar with Mumm Champagne and sparkling wine and I thought just maybe we might find our bubbly for this NYE. As it turned out, we did.

Mumm Napa came about when Guy Devaux was sent by G.H. Mumm, of the renowned Champagne house in Rheims, France, to discover the ideal area in the U.S for growing Champagne grapes. The first vintage was produced in Napa in 1983.

We tasted several delicious sparkling wines (Sparkling wines can only be labeled as Champagne if they are from the Champagne region in France and if certain traditional wine producing methods of the region are used.)

As we tasted, we learned about Mumm’s Santana series.  This is a collaboration with rock guitarist Carlos Santana.  A portion of the proceeds benefit the Milagro Foundation established by Carlos Santana and his family.  The foundation provides grants to tax-exempt community organizations that work with children in the areas of education, health and the arts.

There are currently three wines in the series.  We chose Santana Savor, a blend of 47 % Chardonnay, 45% Pinot Noir, 6% Pinot Meunier and 2% Pinot Gris. Oh, how I love blends! The wine presents notes of stone fruit; apricot and peach as well as apple and shortbread. It is very fruit forward and subtly sweet on the finish. Because it is slightly sweet, it will pair well with one of Lee’s favorite dishes, Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas. If you’re having hors d’ oeuvres this NYE, it would also pair well with Cucumber Salmon Canapés . Click the links below to print or save the recipes.

I wish you all the best life has to offer in 2018!

Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas

Salmon Cucumber Canapés

Brancott Estate Flight Song (2016) Wine Review

How many calories are in a glass of wine? Well, that all depends.  It was when I came across this Wine Wednesday’s feature, the 2016 Brancott Estate Flight Song Sauvignon Blanc, that I considered this question more closely.  I noticed the label said it is “crafted to be 20% lighter in calories”.  This sort of surprised me.  Of course, I’m familiar with the Skinny Girl wines, though I’ve never tried them.  To be honest, though I enjoy wine, I don’t feel I consume enough that the 20% savings in calories is worth the compromise of the wine experience.  However, it did cause me to pause because I don’t remember seeing a well-known label such as Brancott touting a low-calorie wine.  So, I shelled out the $15.99 and gave it a try.

Before I get into my review of the wine, I think it pertinent to point out where the calories in wine come from.  Generally, it’s either sugar or alcohol. Low calorie wines also tend to be lower in alcohol.  In the case of this week’s wine, it is 9% ABV. A popular equation I came across to determine the calories in a glass of wine is to multiply the serving size x % alcohol by volume x 1.6.  This equation works best for dry wines. A serving of wine is generally considered to be 5 oz. with about 5 glasses in an average bottle.  So, in the case of Flight Song, using this equation, multiply 5 oz. x 9 ABV x 1.6, and you get 72 calories. Their website indicates that there are 88 calories.  As you can see the equation isn’t exact, but it can get you in the ballpark. Keep in mind also, that some sweeter wines like Moscato are lower in alcohol, but the additional sugar could make it higher in calories than a dry white with a higher alcohol content.

So, after all that, how was the wine?  Was it the best Sauvignon Blanc I’ve ever had? No. But, it was far from the worst. I thought it might seem watery or lackluster, but I found it to have the qualities I’ve come to love in a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc.  On the nose, tropical fruit, grapefruit and green vegetables. On the palate it exhibited nice body and was well balanced with the citrus notes stealing the show. I found it to have a short finish – not evolving the way other favorite Sauvignon Blancs do, but in the end, I wasn’t disappointed with the purchase. 

I noticed that the regular Brancott Sauvignon Blanc has about 119 calories per 5 oz. serving and 13.5% ABV. Over the course of the holiday party season, that 34 calories per glass could allow you a few extra hors d' oeuvres and the lower alcohol content isn't necessarily a bad thing either.  Speaking of hors d' oeuvres, Flight Song would pair well with Salmon Cucumber Canapés, Crab Rangoon and Boiled Shrimp Cocktail.  Click the links below to print or save the recipes.

Salmon Cucumber Canapès

Crab Rangoon

Boiled Shrimp Cocktail

Cosa Obra Sauvignon Blanc (2016) and Proprietor’s Blend (2013) Wine Review

Saturday afternoon, I was shopping at AJ’s Fine Foods, and was fortunate to be able to enjoy their Saturday tasting. This week they were featuring wines from Cosa Obra of Sonoma County.  There were 3 wines offered; a Sauvignon Blanc, a Pinot Noir, and a red blend.

I have to admit, as winemaker Gregory Hayes introduced the wines, I wasn’t all that enthused about trying a CA Sauvignon Blanc.  You see, for the longest time, if I had to choose a favorite varietal, it would be Sauvignon Blanc.  I have loved the crisp citrus, sometimes grassy, sometimes mineral notes, but usually prefer the New Zealand or French styles of this varietal. It seems the CA winemakers like to introduce oak, or too much oak for my taste, and I don’t care for that in my Sauvignon Blanc.  I say this, but at the same time, lately, I have found myself to be somewhat bored with my favorite varietal. 

Gregory poured the Sauvignon Blanc tasting. I swirled and sniffed and was “wowed’ and “wooed” by the nose. Lush tropical fruit, peach and orange blossom. The wine had a wonderful viscosity, more body than most Sauvignon Blancs and was very well balanced.  There was a luscious fruity finish, so much more than the typical citrus burst.  He mentioned that the wine was probably not chilled as much as it should be, but I thought it was perfect. At this temperature, there was nothing to hide behind. The wine is fermented in stainless tanks, but does just a short amount of time in neutral French Oak.  Fabulous!

As I was enjoying my tasting, Gregory mentioned that the wine was 100% Sauvignon Blanc and Sauvignon Musqué. When I sat down to write this, my curiosity led me to learn more about this Musqué. A Musqué is a clone or mutation of the parent grape that has Muscat (highly perfumed) qualities. Sauvignon Musqué is not yet recognized as a varietal, thus, though unique, is still considered Sauvignon Blanc. This discovery was quite exciting to me. My favorite varietal, once again, claimed and owned its distinction as my favorite varietal.  Though the importance of exceptional fruit must be noted, this fruit, thankfully, ended up in the right hands. 

I went on to taste the other two wines, both very fruit forward options.  I also purchased the Proprietor's Blend, a red blend of 96% Syrah and 4% Grenache.  I enjoyed the dark fruit, blackberry and blueberry and the wonderful peppery finish as well as the deft use of oak.

We enjoyed the Proprietor's Blend with Beef Fajitas on Sunday evening, and I look forward to uncorking the Sauvignon Blanc very soon.  I also plan to make Cosa Obra a stop on my next CA wine tour. Click the link below to print or save the recipe pairing suggestion.

Beef Fajitas

Bodegas Shaya Arindo Verdejo (2013) Wine Review

It was in August that my husband treated me to a birthday dinner at VB Lounge, a place in Chandler, AZ, I had been wanting to check out.  As per usual, I had perused the menu prior to our arrival, and my taste buds were set.  The server handed me the wine list, I ordered, only to have her come back and say that they were out of what I’d requested – gasp! She then suggested a Verdejo, pronounced Vare – DAY – oh, which wasn’t on the wine list, but she highly recommended. It turned out to be a wonderful suggestion, and I was reminded of a varietal that I enjoy and don’t often purchase because there isn’t usually a broad selection and you have to ask or search it out at the wine shop.

My next trip, I was sure to bring home a Verdejo - this week’s Wine Wednesday feature, the 2013 Shaya Arindo.  The grapes for this wine are sourced from a vineyard in Segovia in the Rueda region of Spain where the primary varietal is Verdejo. Wine labeled as Rueda Verdejo must be at least 85% Verdejo. This wine is 100% Verdejo.

The wine exhibited a beautiful golden color. On the nose, tropical fruit, honey and a noticeable minerality. The wine though fermented in stainless, still possessed a creamy, silky mouthfeel that I found surprising while still providing a familiar well-balanced acidic finish.  I liked the body of this dry white wine, making it more versatile for pairing.

We enjoyed this with steamed mussels and I used the wine in the mussels as well. Try also with Prosciutto Pasta Roulade.  Click the links below to print or save the recipe pairing suggestions.

Steamed Mussels

Prosciutto Pasta Roulade

Bulgariana Cabernet Sauvignon & Syrah (2011) Wine Review

When I think of different countries and/or regions known for wine production, I must be honest, Bulgaria isn’t one of the first that comes to mind.  This week’s Wine Wednesday feature, the 2011 Bulgariana Cabernet Sauvignon & Syrah Blend piqued my curiosity and caused me to do a little research.

In the 80’s, Bulgaria was the world’s second largest producer of wine, but the collapse of communism caused the industry to decline. However, it is on its way back to the extent that the Thracian Valley is one of Wine Enthusiast’s Top 10 Wine Travel Destinations for 2017. Who want's to go?

The Thracian Valley (Southern Bulgaria) produces Mavrud (a red varietal thought to be indigenous to the area) as well as Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon among others.

Bulgariana is a 50%/50% blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. It has an intense deep garnet color.  On the nose, blackberry, cassis, very very ripe plum and coffee. On the palate, it wasn't as aggressive as I might have expected from a wine of 14.8% alcohol by volume. It started out very fruit forward, slightly sweet and sort of jammy in the middle with a welcomed peppery finish.

Incidentally, the wine wasn’t quite as sturdy the second day. It was a touch sweeter, though it kept its peppery finish, which made it a great pairing for barbecue and sloppy joes. We enjoyed this with Grilled Lamb Chops with Walnut and Herb Pesto the first night and Chipotle Chili Sloppy Joes the next. Try also with venison or bison. Click the links below to print or save the recipe pairing suggestions. 

Grilled Lamb Chops with Walnut and Herb Pesto

Chipotle Chili Sloppy Joes