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What do an iconic Sicilian winemaker and a famous haute couture designer have in common? Recently Donnafugata and Dolce & Gabbana collaborated to produce a stunning bottle of Rosa, a new rosé wine that happily transported me back to Sicily.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Why the collaboration you might ask? To quote Donnafugata, “ United by values such as love for our land, attention to detail, craftsmanship and the desire to make the colors, scents and history of Sicilian culture known everywhere, we decided to strengthen our partnership to represent the tradition and expertise of “Made in Italy”. Driven by the color, Dolce & Gabbana created a graphic design for the label inspired by the iconic Sicilian cart, which represents the island’s craftsmanship, culture and tradition the world over. The geometric patterns on the label depict the intricate detailing of traditional Sicilian carts. (cart photos courtesy of www.alamy.com)  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Rosa Dolce & Gabbana and Donnafugata, Sicilia DOC 2019 This 2019 vintage is an original blend of Sicily’s indigenous grape varieties, Nerello Mascalese and Nocera. The Nerello Mascalese is manually harvested from the volcanic soils of the northern slopes of Mount Etna. It contributes minerality and a fine floral component to the rosé. Nocera is manually harvested from the hills of Contessa Entellina on the western side of the island. Donnafugata chose this ancient variety for its ability to reach an ideal sugar maturation with a high level of acidity that results in a fruity bouquet and persistence in the wine. After fermentation, the wine is aged in tanks for two months and then another three months in bottle before release.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss This elegant, soft pink rosé has lush aromas of exotic flowers, strawberry and white stone fruit. Succulent flavors of strawberry, raspberry, a hint of citrus and a trace of fennel blend beautifully with minerality and fresh acidity. Enjoy as an aperitivo or serve with seafood, vegetables and light entrees. Alcohol: 12.5% SRP: $45 The bottle is so pretty that I can’t bear to throw it out. It might make a nice container for olive oil or perhaps a few long-stemmed roses!  Photo credit: Penny Weiss To read more about Donnafugata, please click on the menu at right.
Until next time… Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at wineknittercomments@gmail.com It has been quite a while since I’ve reviewed vodka. There are several well-known distilleries throughout Texas that produce popular brands of vodka such as Tito’s and NUE (click on the menu at right for reviews). Western Son, another Texas-based distillery recently caught my attention and I thought their vodka was worthy of a “shout out”.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Western Son Distillery is located in Pilot Point, Texas, which is about 53 miles north of Dallas. The distillery was created in 2011 by a small group of men who formed the JEM Beverage CO. They decided that they’d had enough of the corporate world and so pursued a dream that was realized with the birth of Western Son Vodka. The distillery is situated in a 30,000 square foot building that was formerly the Russell-Newman Clothing Company and is affectionately referred to by the locals as “The Old Panty Factory.” In addition to Western Son Vodka, JEM also produces Brazos gin, Red River whiskey, South House moonshine and Southern Son vodka. Western Son Vodka is made from 100% Texas and Midwest yellow corn. For those of you who are interested in the distillation process, this is a nicely illustrated diagram, courtesy of Western Son.  The first distillation takes place in a copper pot still and then continues on in a 20 ft. vodka column still for a 10X-distilled vodka.  Photo courtesy of Western Son As always, I sample and enjoy drinking vodka neat and I tend to rank vodka into three groups. One: Only drink this vodka neat. Two: Only drink this vodka in a cocktail. Three: Vodka can be enjoyed neat or in a cocktail. Western Son Original Vodka falls into the third category. It is flavorful enough to stand alone, but I would most likely use it in a cocktail. Its appearance is clear and clean with aromas of sweet corn, pepper and vanilla. The palate offers an earthy quality infused with a sweetness that carries through to the end with a dash of pepper, heat and a mild alcohol burn. 80 proof Alcohol: 40% SRP: $19.99  Photo credit: Penny Weiss In addition to their original vodka, Western Son also makes eight flavored vodkas that I have yet to try. The cucumber vodka sounds quite refreshing and it might be worth exploring!  Photo courtesy of Western Son Until next time…
Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at wineknittercomments@gmail.com For the past several months my wine glass and I have been touring a variety of wine regions around the globe. It can be a bit challenging when one is doing it from their living room! So, I was ecstatic when the Loire Valley Wines paid a visit to my home bearing gifts of wine and a sumptuous meal! The Loire Valley wine region is France’s third-largest winemaking region. It spans 170 miles and is located in the middle stretch of the Loire River, (France’s longest river) in central France. Loire Valley is also called the “Garden of France” noted for its vineyards, floral gardens, castles and historic towns. There are more than 4000 wineries, and 57,400 hectares of vineyards. The vineyards are situated along the river that stretches from the Atlantic coast to north-central France. Diversity in soil composition and climate along this stretch plays a key role in the production and characteristics of the wine. The Loire Valley is divided into five sub-regions each with its own characteristic grapes, appellations and styles. There are 51 appellations of origin (AOP) and six protected geographical indication (IGP). Most of the wines produced here are pressed from a single varietal as opposed to most classic French wines that are blended. There are 24 grape varieties in the Loire Valley with the vast majority of production being white wine. The leading white varietals are Melon De Bourgogne, Chenin Blanc and Sauvignon. The leading red varietals are Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc and Gamay. My focus today is on Chenin Blanc. Chenin Blanc (Pineau de la Loire) This versatile grape produces dry, off-dry, sparkling and sweet dessert wines. “Unlike any other grape except Riesling, Chenin Blanc can be vinified in a range of styles from austere, mineral, and refreshing to rich, honeyed, and sweet, and its versatility surpasses Riesling in that it also makes excellent sparkling wine.” loirevalleywine.com I received three bottles of Chenin Blanc representing different styles and sub-regions of the Loire Valley.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss These wines were paired with a beautiful dinner prepared by Chef Bernard Bouissou of Bernard’s Restaurant located in Ridgefield, CT. Thanks to Loire Valley Wines, my dinner was ready for curbside pickup in keeping with “safe dining” during COVID-19. The appetizer was Warm Goat Cheese Salad with mixed greens, caramelized walnuts & pears. For the main course Chef Bernard made a mouthwatering Roast Halibut Filet with carrot risotto, asparagus, sugar snap peas and chanterelle chive sauce. I tasted all of the wines with each course and my palate was singing! La Forcine Vouvray Demi-Sec AOP 2018 Vouvray is located in the sub-region of Touraine and is especially noted for demi-sec, sparkling and sweet wine production. This particular wine is 100% Chenin Blanc, harvested from soils dominant in limestone- rich tuffeau. (A porous limestone that contributes to acidity in the grapes.)  Photo credit: Penny Weiss This off-dry wine has intoxicating aromas of floral, candy apple and a hint of citrus. A lush palate of apples, pear, honeysuckle, melon and citrus are well balanced with this mineral-rich and zesty acidic wine. It was a winning combination with the savory goat cheese! Pair with fish, white meat, cream sauces and savory cheese. Or enjoy it as an aperitif! Alcohol: 12.5% SRP: $13 Domaine de L’Echantoir “Terres Blanches” AOC 2018 This 100% Chenin Blanc is hand-harvested from certified organic vineyards in the Saumur sub-region. Vineyards are scattered over limestone slopes and are exposed to a temperate maritime climate. This wine is matured for eight months on lees in concrete vats.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Lovely aromas of white flowers, apricot and white fruit lead to a palate of pear, citrus, honeysuckle and a hint of anise with vibrant acidity. This paired well with both courses and I especially enjoyed it with the halibut. Serve with seafood, shellfish, salads and cheese. Alcohol: 13% SRP: $19 Château D’ Epiré Grand Cru D’Anjou 2017 AOC and (Appellation Savennières Controlee) Chenin Blanc is the only grape allowed in Savennières appellation, which is located in the Anjou sub-region. Grapes are hand-harvested from sandstone shale soil that contributes to the minerality and freshness of this wine. A mild climate and the benefits of south, southwest exposure adds to the grapes’ optimum ripening. 18+-year-old oak barrels are used to age the wine for nine months.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Soft white fruit aromas, citrus, floral, and honey open to succulent flavors of white grapefruit, honeysuckle, peach, minerality and fresh acidity. Aromas persist on the palate through to the finish with a hint of citrus zest at the end. This was a rich and enjoyable wine to drink with both courses. Pair with appetizers, seafood, white meat, grilled veggies.
Alcohol: 13% SRP: $24 Thank you to Loire Valley Wines for this special “dining in” experience. My wine glass and I are on cloud nine! Until next time… Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at wineknittercomments@gmail.com If you are looking for a red wine to go with summertime grilling, this red blend produced by Domaine Bousquet will definitely make your palate sing!  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Domaine Bousquet is Argentina’s largest exporter of organically grown wines. The winery is located in the Gualtallary Valley, which is situated high up in the Tupungato district of the Uco Valley. Altitudes here reach up to 5,249 ft. To read about the winery’s history, the climate, terroir and more, please click on the menu at right. The label on this wine is a striking portrayal of Gaia, who in Greek mythology was the mother goddess that presided over the earth. She is considered the personification of the Earth.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Gaia Red Blend 2018 50% Malbec, 45% Syrah and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon make up this blend. The best grapes are used for this wine and are harvested manually from Domaine Bousquet’s organically farmed vineyards. Wine aging takes place in French oak barrels for ten months.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Delectable aromas of dark berries, spice and violet are the opening act for this tantalizing wine. The palate is entertained with blackberry, dark cherry, dark plum, spices and a touch of vanilla all of which lingers on a lengthy finish. A silky mouthfeel and fresh acidity add to the richness and complexity of this wine. In addition to grilled meats, appetizers and pasta, this wine goes well with fish. Try Gaia with a chocolate dessert. It is a great finale! Alcohol: 14.5% SRP: $20 The wine paired beautifully with this grilled swordfish surrounded by red grapefruit and peaches.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Note: The photos taken at the restaurant are pre-COVID-19.
Until next time… Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at wineknittercomments@gmail.com "Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the number of moments that take our breath away." -Maya Angelou. My first thought after being invited to explore the sparkling wines of Breathless Wines was that it was a rather unusual name for a winery. By its very definition, one might immediately think of not being able to breathe. Having just recovered from Covid-19, I admit that my thoughts did wander in that direction. But other definitions for “breathless” are anticipation, excitement, or the act of experiencing a strong emotion. And after tasting these enchanting sparkling wines, they did take my breath away but in a very positive way! The box that the wine arrived in was an eye-catching presentation with a lot of thought and love poured into it and certainly captured my attention!   Photo credits: Penny Weiss Breathless Wines, a female-led winery, was founded in 2008 and is located in Healdsburg, CA in the heart of Sonoma County’s wine country. It is owned and run by three sisters, Sharon Cohn, Rebecca Faust and Cynthia Faust. The winery was born out of a desire to honor their mother who passed away from a rare lung disease. I asked the sisters why the name “Breathless”. Sharon replied, “We are honoring our mom, Martha, who encouraged dreaming big. Our mom lived her life taking no breath for granted, even before her diagnosis, so the name Breathless fit her to a tee.” Their mother’s passion for life, to dream big and live life to the fullest was passed down to her daughters and is evident in every aspect of Breathless Wines The sisters, who refer to each other as sister 1, 2, and 3, each bring their unique expertise to Breathless. Sharon, (sister 1) Is the “glitz, glamour and panache” behind the bubbles of Breathless and handles all of their Marketing. Rebecca, (sister 2) brings her business savvy to Breathless with over 20 years of experience in the wine industry. She is co-founder of Rack & Riddle and has been the CFO of several wineries. And Cynthia, (sister 3) who is the ambassador for Breathless, has also been in the restaurant and catering area with her husband.  From left to right, Cynthia, Rebecca and Sharon. Photo courtesy of Breathless Wines I asked them why they decided to focus on sparkling wines. Sharon said, “ Sparkling wine has always been a favorite “go-to” over the years for all of us. Rebecca (sister 2) and her business partner Bruce Lundquist, started what has become the second-largest producer of sparkling wines, only behind Korbel. Custom crush for bubbles has increased in demand as they built the business from the ground up and so we had the perfect launching pad and with Penny, their executive winemaker willing to take us on, we began our quest.” Breathless winemaker, Penny Gadd-Coster, and honorary 4th sister brings her expertise and passion for producing Méthode Champenoise (traditional French method) sparkling wines. She was awarded Winemaker of The Year in 2013, just one of many awards in her 35 years of winemaking.  Penny Gadd-Coster, Winemaker Photo courtesy of Breathless Wines Breathless Wines works with select vineyards throughout the North Coast of Sonoma County and Mendocino County. Their focus is on sustainability and finding the best grape clones within these choice vineyards. Sharon said, “Penny has worked with our vineyard partners, for over 13 years. She has a love for the Pommard Clone (Pinot Noir) and searches it out as she can. Her profiling and blending of the grapes to make the Breathless wines is spot on to what the sisters are looking for time after time!” And, indeed, these wines are “spot on”!  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Breathless Brut NV Sourced from vineyards in Sonoma County, this is a blend of 60% Chardonnay and 40% Pinot Noir. Aging is 24 months.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Deep gold in color, wonderful aromas of brioche, tart apples, and a touch of floral emanate from the glass. Fine bubbles and a refreshing mouthfeel lead to a palate of melon, pear, citrus notes and a hint of vanilla that lingers on the finish. Alcohol: 12.5% SRP: $27 Breathless Blanc De Noirs NV Grapes for this wine were harvested from Sonoma County and is a blend of 93% Pinot Noir and 7% Pinot Meunier. Aging is 24 months.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss A soft salmon color sets the stage for succulent aromas of berries, brioche and a hint of spice. This is a refreshing wine with fine bubbles that enhances the flavors of strawberry, cranberry, cinnamon and a hint of spice. A touch of citrus zest lingers on the finish. Ooh, la la! Alcohol: 12.5% SRP: $32 Breathless Blanc De Blancs NV Sourced from Sonoma County, this 100% Chardonnay is aged for 32 months.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Pale lemon in color this sparkling wine opens to delightful aromas of sweet apple, baking spice, citrus and tropical fruit notes that spill onto the palate with a creamy and fine effervescence. Pear and a touch of vanilla linger on the finish that begs for another sip. Alcohol: 12.5% SRP: $34 I love wine labels and this one is certainly an attention-getter. Sharon explained how they chose this particular label. “We searched high and low for a label for Breathless. Our vision was of the hikes we took with our parents while backpacking in Yosemite and Yellowstone and every day hikes in Sonoma County. We would reach the summit and turn around to admire the view and were always reminded of how lucky we were to live and experience the beautiful nature all around. We were breathless from the hike and the view. We just couldn’t translate that to the bottle no matter how hard we tried. Our sister Cynthia found this beautiful 1915 vintage poster while googling champagne under Wikipedia. We all agreed it perfectly embodied our mom and her spirit. This label represents how our mom, Martha, lived life every day, always celebrating large and small accomplishments and time together. The woman on our label is not only a tribute to our mother but to all the men and women who teach and remind us to take each breath we are given as a gift to be cherished.” Have a glass of Breathless sparkling wine and enjoy the journey it takes you on. And remember, just breathe.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Until next time…
Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at wineknittercomments@gmail.com A few years ago I reviewed Hess Select Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 and Pinot Noir 2016. They were impressive wines with a lot of character at a very friendly price! So, I was delighted to receive new vintage releases of these memorable wines.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss For those of you who may have missed my story on Hess wines, here is a quick recap. Donald Hess is the founder of Hess Wines, a family-owned, fifth-generation company in Napa Valley, CA. In the 1970s, Donald made a business trip to Napa Valley and it was during this visit that he took an interest in mountain winegrowing. He learned that the Mount Veeder mountain vineyards were an ideal area for growing grapes, which produce unique character and flavor due to the microclimate and soils.  In 1978 Donald made his first land purchase on Mount Veeder, a property in which winemaking and farming go back as far as 1876. This property is now the site of the Hess Collection Winery. By 1982, Donald had acquired 900 acres and in 1986 he opened the Hess Collection Winery to the public. Dave Guffy became Director of Winemaking in 1999 and Donald formally retired in 2011, passing on the baton to son-in-law Timothy Persson as CEO and daughter Sabrina, the fifth generation of the Hess family.  Tim & Sabrina with their children. Photo courtesy of Hess Collection Hess Wines focuses on sustainable farming practices and state of the art winemaking. In addition to its mountain vineyards, Hess Wines has estate vineyards in areas such as Pope Valley and near the Carneros region of the Napa Valley. They also produce wine in Argentina and South Africa. Hess Select Central Coast Pinot Noir 2018 The grapes for this 100% Pinot Noir are harvested from the Sarmento Vineyard in the Santa Lucia Highlands region of the Central Coast. Sarmento Vineyard is located on the benchlands of the Gabilan Mountains in Monterey, where the Pacific breezes cross the range each afternoon to cool the vineyards, resulting in extended ripening over a long, moderate growing season. (Benchland is a thin stretch of level ground at the foot of slopes or mountains.)  Aging of this wine took place in French oak for up to 12 months. It opens with alluring aromas of berries, cherry, spice and vanilla. The palate offers lush layers of dark cherry, dark plum, raspberry and a lingering hint of baking spice and cherry. A beautiful marriage of silky tannins and acidity complete this irresistible Pinot Noir. Pair with grilled meat, fish, light pasta and appetizers. Alcohol: 14.5% SRP: $19  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Hess Select North Coast Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 This is a blend of 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Petite Sirah, 7% Malbec, 5% Merlot and 1% Syrah. The grapes are harvested from the North Coast, which is known for its mild Mediterranean climate and well-drained volcanic and gravelly soils. These prime vineyard sites produce flavorful fruit with layers of natural acidity and balanced tannins.  This wine is aged in 27% new French and American oak for 18 months. It has succulent aromas of dark berries, cherry, spice and earth. Mouthwatering flavors of rich dark fruit highlighted by plum and blackberry blend with spice, vanilla, clove and cocoa that linger on the palate. Pair this wine with grilled meat, BBQ fare, hearty fish, pasta and pizza. Alcohol: 13.5% SRP: $19  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Both wines are perfect for year-round pouring and will pair beautifully with a myriad of cuisine!
Until next time… Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at wineknittercomments@gmail.com There is a rumor circulating that I’ve been having an ongoing love affair with Sicily. I must confess it is true and it can be confirmed by all the stories I’ve written about this magical island throughout the past several years. The wines of Sicily never cease to impress me. And the fiery passion and pride of the vineyard owners and winemakers are awe-inspiring.  Photo courtesy of Mandrarossa Sicily is the second-largest wine-producing region in Italy with Puglia being first. However, Sicily takes first place for the actual number of vineyards in a region and with so many wineries spread throughout the island, exploration is endless. Since travel is on the back burner for now, my visits to Sicily for the foreseeable future will be through the amazing wine samples that I receive. My latest wine delivery is Mandrarossa, a brand created by Cantine Settesoli located in Menfi, on the southwestern side of the island.  Cantine Settesoli was founded in 1958 and is the largest winery in Sicily. It is a source of ongoing research and innovative ideas. I had the pleasure of visiting the estate and tasting an array of wines from their portfolio a few years ago. However, I didn’t have a chance to taste Mandrarossa wines. So, I was quite excited to open these bottles.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Mandrarossa is Settesoli’s top brand and it emerged in 1999 after an ambitious team of industry experts got together and spent over 20 years in a mission to create high-quality wines of both indigenous and international varieties from Sicily. Their goal was to “produce wines that represent the true essence of the territories they come from.” They spent years studying soils and microclimatic conditions that eventually led to identifying top estates (the ideal habitat) with the best variety/terroir combinations for allowing each grape variety to fully express its potential. “Since 2014 an international team of agronomists and soil experts, together with Mandrarossa enologists, have carried out a scientific study on limestone soils and this has defined them a micro-region with a high-quality potential. The mapping of these soils has revealed wonderful vineyards where it is possible to grow local grapes generating wines such as “Bertolino Soprano” and “Terre del Sommacco”, the new wines of Mandrarossa Contrada.” Mandrarossa vineyards stretch across these limestone soils on intense sun-soaked slopes with cool sea breezes. These factors contribute to the authentic expression of the terroir.  Photo courtesy of Mandrarossa Grillo (white) and Nero d’Avola, (red) are indigenous grapes of Sicily. Nero d’Avola (Calabrese) is considered the number one Sicilian red and has been enjoyed since the end of the 17th century. It is one of the oldest indigenous grapes of Sicily and the most widely planted red variety. Nero d’Avola fills approximately 18% of vineyards. Grillo, one of Sicily’s best-known grapes, is found throughout western Sicily and is noted for its citrus flavors, sweetness and mild acidity. Due to the grape’s high sugar levels, it is ideal for the production of fortified wines. Historically, Grillo was used in the production of Marsala wine but Catarratto has now taken the lead. And due to the innovation of new winemakers, Grillo has a wide range of styles, from crisp and savory, to structured and mature. It is interesting to note that in 1848 Grillo became a hybrid of Zbibbo and Catarratto. Bertolino Soprano Grillo Sicilia DOC 2017 The grapes for this 100% Grillo are sourced from vineyards along the southwest facing hills of Menfi at 482 feet above sea level. Sea breezes and limestone soils contribute to the character and uniqueness of this wine. After fermentation, the wine ages for one month in steel and concrete vats. Further aging of 11 months takes place in large oak barrels.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Engaging aromas of floral, stone fruit and delicate citrus notes set the stage for this crisp, fruit-driven wine. The palate offers fresh stone fruit with an emphasis on peach, including notes of citrus and minerality. It has a lengthy finish with a lingering touch of lemon and peach. Enjoy as an aperitif or pair with appetizers, grilled fish, light pasta and vegetables. Alcohol: 12.5% SRP: $42.99 Terre Del Sommacco Sicilia DOC 2016 This is 100% Nero d’Avola with grapes sourced from limestone vineyards along the southwest facing hills of Menfi, 1,017 feet above sea level. This wine is aged for eight months in steel and concrete vats followed by 19 months in large barrels. A minimum of eight months is spent in bottle before release.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss On the nose, it is very aromatic with dark fruit, black cherry, baking spice and a hint of herbs. The palate is layered with juicy ripe berries, plum, black cherry, spice and a touch of earth. This is nicely structured with fine tannins and refreshing acidity. It will pair beautifully with roasted meat, game, stews and seared tuna. Alcohol: 14% SRP: $49.99 Both wines are a beautiful expression of the wine-growing area of southwestern Sicily. Curious as to how the pandemic and global warming may have impacted production, Filippo Buttafuoco, chief agronomist at Mandrarossa responded to my inquiry. “In Sicily, we haven’t faced major problems with global warming. We are fortunate to have a regular climatic trend and fresh sea breezes that ensure minerality, freshness and correct development of the grapes’ production.” “COVID-19 has had no real effects on the vineyards; nature has not stopped. Our winegrowers continue to take care of the plants and in about 20 days we will start a harvest that promises to be extraordinary.” As you can see by the photo, all precautions are taken and masks are mandatory, even in the vineyards.  Photo courtesy of Mandrarossa I look forward to the day that I’m allowed to travel again. I can’t wait to return to Sicily and be swept away by this captivating island!
Until next time… Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at wineknittercomments@gmail.com It’s summer and weather permitting, spending time outdoors is heavenly after sheltering in place for so many months. Reading a good book, gardening, playing lawn games, swimming or chilling with family and close friends is just what we need. For many of us, our backyards are where we will be spending our summer vacation. So, let’s make the most of it! Whether you’re firing up the grill or cooking indoors, here are some lovely red wines to sip while dining.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss In warm weather, one tends to reach for chilled white, rose or sparkling wines. I’ve never thought of wine as seasonal and tend to drink a variety of styles all year long. And, sipping red wine with grilled steak or seared tuna during the summer months is more than acceptable and shouldn’t be dismissed! These are five note-worthy and summer-friendly red wines to satisfy your palate. Fontanafredda Briccotondo Barbera Piemonte DOC 2018 Fontanafredda, whose origins date back to 1858, is a 305-acre estate located in the Langhe region of Piedmont, Italy. 250 acres of vineyards spread throughout Serralunga d’Alba, which is a cru site of Barolo. Additional properties are situated in the communes of Barolo and Diano d’Alba. Fontanafredda is the largest contiguous wine estate in the Langhe. In 2009, Piedmont native Oscar Farinetti bought Fontanafredda and with this new ownership, sustainability became a special focus. Today, Fontanafredda is the largest certified organic company in Piedmont, beginning with the 2018 harvest.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss This is 100% Barbera harvested from vineyards across Monferrato and Langhe. It is aged partly in new Allier oak barrels and partly in large Slavonian oak casks for six months. Perfume scents mingle with dark berries, plum, cherry and spice. These aromas segue onto the palate with sweet blackberries, sour cherry, pepper, anise and a hint of baking spice. Supple tannins and bright acidity make this wine an easy-drinking addition to grilled meat, fowl, cheese and pizza! Alcohol: 13.5% SRP: $16 Bottega Vinaia Pinot Noir Trentino DOC 2017 Anselmo Martini is the lead winemaker for Cavit Winery located in northern Italy, in the province of Trentino. They have been producing wines for more than 50 years. In the 1990s, Martini realized the potential for a handful of exceptional vineyards in the Trentino region. These family-farmed vineyards are the source of Bottega Vinaia estate-bottled wines that express the Trentino terroir.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss This wine is 100% Pinot Noir. “After traditional fermentation, the juice macerates for eight days to extract color and body from the skins. Malolactic fermentation is then carried out in wood for increased aromatics.” Lovely aromas of floral, cherry, cranberry and spice lead to a palate of cherry, pomegranate, red plum and spice. It is dry, light-bodied, has silky tannins and is nicely balanced with the fruit. Pair with red meat, poultry, appetizers and salads. Alcohol: 13% SRP: $17.99 Salentein Reserve Malbec 2018 Bodegas Salentein is located in the Uco Valley of Mendoza, Argentina. Many of their vineyards are situated at some of the highest elevations in the world. This privately-owned estate was established in the late 1990s and boasts almost 5000 acres of which 1,124 acres are planted to vine.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss The grapes for this 100% Malbec are hand-harvested from vineyards of 1,110 to 1,300 meters above sea level. The wine is aged for 12 months in French oak barrels. It opens with delicious aromas of violet, dark berries, plum and tobacco. The palate offers lush fruit flavors of dark cherry, blackberry, dark plum and a touch of baking spice and vanilla. This wine is well structured, has soft tannins and will pair beautifully with grilled meat and poultry, hearty pasta and aged cheese. Alcohol: 14.5% SRP: $18.99 Rocca delle Macìe Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG 2016 The estate of Rocca delle Macìe is nestled in the gently rolling hills of Tuscany in the heart of the Chianti Classico zone. This is a family-run estate that was purchased by the late Italo Zingarelli in 1973. At the time of purchase, there were only two acres out of 230 acres under vine. Today, the family has six estates throughout Tuscany comprised of 1500 acres with a total of more than 500 acres under vine.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss This is a blend of 90% Sangiovese, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Merlot. It is aged for two years in French oak and then rests for three months in bottle. Intense aromas of dark berries, dark cherry, plum and spice lead to a layered palate of rich fruit, anise, earth and spice. Fine tannins and good structure make this a noteworthy and expressive wine and a perfect choice for grilled meat, game, seared tuna and aged cheese. The winemaker suggests decanting for one hour before serving and serve at room temperature. Alcohol: 14.5% SRP: $27.99 Château Greysac Médoc Cru Bourgeois 2015 Château Greysac is located in the Médoc hamlet of Begadan, north of St. Estephe, in the Bordeaux wine region of France. It was built in the 1700s and passed ownership a few times while consistently paying homage to the terroir, winemaking and making improvements. Jean Guyon, the owner of Domaine Rollan de By, purchased Château Greysac in 2012. The vineyard sits on 150 acres with vines that are 20+ years old.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss This is a beautiful blend of 65% Merlot, 29% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Petit Verdot. It is aged for 12 months: 50% in new barrels and 50% in used wine barrels, all 100% French oak. It opens with heady floral aromas, dark berries, spice, and a touch of earth. An explosion of dark, rich fruit entertains the palate with dollops of spice, herbs, earth, tobacco and fine tannins with the bonus of a lengthy finish. It is expressive with structure and sophistication. Put aside a few bottles and open again in a few years. It is a great wine to pair with grilled meat, poultry, hearty fish and aged cheese.
Alcohol: 13.5% SRP: $29.99 Impressive…right? (don’t walk…run to a store to buy a case!) Most of the above wines can be served slightly chilled. Don’t chill beyond 30 minutes or the wine might get dull and lose character. I hope this entices you to reach for red wine the next time you fire up the grill or pack a picnic meal. Until next time… Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at wineknittercomments@gmail.com Who says I can’t travel? Whether it’s preparing a regional dish or pouring a glass of wine, tasting the expressions and nuances of a wine region is the next best thing to being there.  Contessa Entellina Photo credit: Penny Weiss Three years ago I was a guest of Donnafugata, an iconic and impressive winery in Sicily. My three-day visit with the Donnafugata team was memorable and my palate was introduced to an array of wines and mouth-watering cuisine. While staying at the Contessa Entellina estate, José Rallo (fifth-generation of this family-owned company) and Antonino Santoro, (winemaker) guided us through a notable selection of wines, one of which was Anthìlia, DOC, 2016. I was not a stranger to many of the wines, but it was the first time I tasted their Anthìlia and it was heavenly. Looking back at my notes from that morning, I wrote, “This wine has a beautiful fruity and floral bouquet with a palate of stone fruit, soft citrus and the sea.”  Photo credit: Penny Weiss From time to time I receive samples of Donnafugata wine and it always transports me back to the magical island of Sicily. So, I was very excited when a bottle of Anthìlia arrived a few weeks ago. I hadn’t had this particular wine since my visit with Donnafugata.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Anthìlia DOC 2019 Lucido (Cataratto) is the dominant grape in this wine and is blended with other autochthonous and international grapes. The grapes are fermented in stainless steel and then aged in tanks for two months. Before release, the wine spends at least two months in bottle. This wine is just how I remembered it three years ago! Seductive aromas of floral and stone fruit segue onto the palate with peach, apricot, citrus, a dash of salinity and refreshing acidity. Every sip transported me back to Sicily! Enjoy as an aperitif or with light pasta, seafood and salads. “It is the first wine to have been conceived at Donnafugata and still remains to this day in the hearts of many admirers.” Alcohol: 12.5% SRP: $17 I enjoyed this wine with a simple pasta dish made with sautéed zucchini, red pepper, lemon and herbs. It is topped with grated Parmesan and extra virgin olive oil. If you would like the recipe, please email me.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss In addition to my pasta dish, here are two recipes courtesy of Donnafugata in the hopes of inspiring you to bring a touch of Sicily into your home. They pair beautifully with the Anthìlia. Spaghetti In Zucchini and Ricotta Sauce  Photo credit: Donnafugata Time 50 minutes Difficulty Intermediate Ingredients
Rinse the zucchini, cut off the ends and thinly slice. Heat the oil in a saucepan that can hold the pasta and lightly brown the peeled, lightly crushed cloves of garlic. When the garlic has colored, discard and add the zucchini. Keeping heat high and mixing continuously, fry them until they turn golden and then salt. Put the ricotta into a deep serving bowl and mash with a fork to reduce it to a cream. Cook the spaghetti al dente, drain and cook over high heat in the saucepan with the zucchini. Pour into the serving bowl with the ricotta, add the grated cheese, a generous amount of freshly ground pepper, and minced basil leaves. Mix well and serve piping hot. Shrimp Flavored with Lemon  Photo credit: Donnafugata Time
45 minutes Difficulty Low Ingredients (4 serves) 800 gr freshly caught shrimp extra virgin olive oil parsley pepper salt juice of 2 freshly harvested lemons. Instructions Peel the shrimp without washing them; flavor them one hour before serving with salt, pepper and chopped parsley. Add the oil and marinate. Five minutes before serving the shrimp, add the lemon juice. Recipe from Salvo La Rosa – Ristorante “La Siciliana” – Catania Chill the wine, prepare a meal and bring Sicily into your home for an evening! Until next time… Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at wineknittercomments@gmail.com Summertime usually brings with it lots of get-togethers with family and friends and fun activities such as outdoor concerts, swimming parties, barbecues, sporting events and beach time. However, this summer we have an intrusive and uninvited guest, COVID19. And, unfortunately, this pandemic brought a whole new meaning to the word “socializing”. Even though it’s going to be a bit more challenging, there are still many activities that can be enjoyed solo or in small groups.  Courtesy of everydayhealth.com Happily, food and drinks will always continue to be part of most festivities. So, with that in mind let’s shake things up a bit and introduce a few spirits and cocktails into your summer fun. Whether you’re watching a sunset from the comfort of home or enjoying a backyard picnic, these spirits are palate pleasers! Tequila Bribón Blanco This tequila is produced from one of the top three tequila families in Mexico. Fully matured seven to ten-year-old agaves are hand-harvested and cooked for 18 hours at 100°C. The agaves are then shredded and the juice is fermented in tanks and then double distilled.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss This 100% agave tequila is un-aged, clear in color and has subtle aromas of floral, pepper, fruit notes and savory. These aromas continue onto the palate with coconut, pepper and a trace of floral on the finish. Enjoy on the rocks or in your favorite cocktail. Margarita anyone? Alcohol: 40% 80 proof SRP: $24.99 Tequila Cherry Sunrise. Cocktail recipe courtesy of Bribón. Fill glass with ice and pour the following into it. 1.5 oz Tequila 1.5 oz orange juice 1.5 oz Cherry Heering (pour this to the side, not directly on top)  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Diplomático Reserva Exclusiva Rum Diplomático is an independent family-owned company located at the foot of the Andes in Venezuela. This rum is a blend of exclusive rum reserves that are aged up to 12 years. It is carefully crafted with attention to detail from the selection of the purest sugar cane honey to fermentation, distillation, then barrel aging, and finally blending the matured spirits.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Seductive aromas of caramel, vanilla and candied orange peel float onto the palate with hints of cinnamon, ginger and toffee. This is a smooth and elegant rum that I feel is best enjoyed neat or on the rocks. I have included a cocktail recipe recommended by Diplomático for your tasting pleasure. Alcohol: 40% SRP: $42.99 Signed & Sealed created by Jon Lister, Brand Ambassador UK  Image courtesy of Diplomático Add all the ingredients to a stirring glass, fill with ice, stir and strain Ingredients 40 ml Reserva Exclusiva 30 ml Strawberry infused Cocchi Rosa 3 dashes of Lavender bitters Serve straight up Grace O’Malley Blended Irish Whiskey This is the first Irish Whiskey to be named after a woman. Grainne Ni Mháille/Grace O’Malley was a 16th century Irish Pirate Queen. She was born into Irish nobility and was a natural leader, gifted negotiator and a fearless mariner. Grace was far from ordinary, just like this whiskey, which has 46% malt content, one of the highest in the blended whiskey category. It is a special blend that combines whiskeys with age statements from three to ten years old. Each batch of whiskey is aged in a range of barrel types including French oak, ex-bourbon, and ex-rum casks.  Photo is courtesy of Grace O'Malley Aromas of caramel, honey, nuts and orange zest segue onto the palate with hints of malt, vanilla and toasted oak. This is a smooth whiskey that keeps on talking in a long finish. Enjoy neat, over ice or in a cocktail. Below is a cocktail recipe taken from the Grace O’Malley website. Alcohol: 40% SRP: $34.99 MANHATTAN SMOKE SHOW WITH GRACE O’MALLEY BLENDED WHISKEY The Manhattan Smoke Show is a variation of the classic Manhattan. This is a boozy cocktail by nature and this version is no different in that respect. The Manhattan Smoke Show uses different spirits from around the world. The base ingredient is Grace O’Malley Blended Irish Whiskey. Cherry Liqueur complements the currant and vanilla notes in the whiskey. Vermouth is included and is typical of a Manhattan cocktail. The smokiness in this version comes from the Mezcal, while the Ancho Chile Liqueur also adds a subtle smokiness, spiciness and sweetness to this drink.  Image courtesy of Grace O'Malley MANHATTAN SMOKE SHOW 30ml Grace O'Malley Blended Irish Whiskey (1oz) 20ml Mezcal (.75oz) 15ml Ancho Chile Liqueur by Ancho Reyes (0.5oz) 20ml Heering Cherry Liqueur (0.75oz) 15ml Sweet or Amber Vermouth (0.5oz) Stir all the ingredients together with ice. Strain into a small coupe-style glass and serve. Disaronno Velvet Disaronno is a liqueur made in Italy. It has a very distinct aroma and delicious flavors of almonds called Armelline (the seeds of apricot stone), sweet fruit, Madagascar vanilla and pure caramelized sugar. Disaronno Velvet has all the familiar flavors of the classic version, but it is also creamy and smooth with a touch of chocolate and vanilla.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss This is a refreshing and perfect “cooling off” drink to enjoy throughout the summer. And thanks to its low alcohol content, this cream liqueur is a great alternative to other spirits. The best way to enjoy Disaronno Velvet is to serve it over ice. A dash of Disaronno Velvet in iced coffee is delicious as well! Enjoy! Alcohol: 17% SRP: $29.99  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Please share your original cocktail recipes with me and I will be happy to publish them! In the meantime, put a smile on your face, rise to the challenge and let’s embrace the summer of 2020.
Until next time, Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at wineknittercomments@gmail.com |
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