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 Monday was a rainy day. And, what better way to spend it than sampling wines of The House of Burgundy’s 2016 Grand Annual Tasting inside the ballroom of The Harmonie Club in NYC.  Many countries and producers were represented at the event. I began my tour tasting wines from countries that I had never tried before, such as Bulgaria, Turkey, Lebanon and Japan. I then explored wines from Argentina, France, Greece, Italy and the USA. In addition to the wines, I tried a wonderful spirit from Turkey called Efe Raki. I heard countless and fascinating stories about wineries steeped in history and I tasted some memorable wines that I would love to share with you. Since I am short on time today, I’ll tell you about a few wines/spirit and save the rest of my stories for future posts. I was quite impressed with Vini Wines from Bulgaria. Imported by Bulgarian Masters Vintners and produced specifically for them, Vini Wines is the best-selling Bulgarian wine brand in the U.S. The wines are produced in Bulgaria’s Southern Thracian Valley, an area that has a long history of wine production. The 2015 Vini Sauvignon Blanc (100%) was crisp with notes of citrus and peach. Nice acidity and a pleasing finish make this an easy wine to pair with many foods. The 2015 Vini Pinot Noir (100%) was full of dark fruit and spice with hints of cherry. The tannins were ripe. Spice and hints of vanilla lingered on the finish. All the Vini wines have an alcohol content that ranges from 12% to 13%. The price point is around $8.99 and worth exploring!  Heading over to Turkey, I was dazzled and intrigued by the Efe Raki display. Efe Raki is an unsweetened alcoholic drink made from dried or fresh grapes and flavored with anise seeds. It is similar in taste to Ouzo. Raki is also called Lions Milk due to the fact that the clear liquid turns milky when water is added. Served in typical Raki glasses, this is a drink that goes well with light appetizers or mixed in cocktails. I tasted the Efe Fresh Grapes Raki (Green bottle) The aroma of aniseed was quite strong and pleasantly intoxicating but was softer on the palate than ouzo or Pernod. Alcohol is 45% and the price range is $15 to $21 depending on which bottle you buy. Check out their website which has lots of interesting information about Raki history and tradition. http://www.eferaki.com  Have a happy Wednesday!
Cheers! Penina
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 Photo courtesy of Jack Tweedy-Belleville, Ontario A beautiful Harvest moon ushered in the weekend. And, autumn officially begins on September 22nd. Outdoor pools are closing and activities are shifting to hiking, biking, fall festivals, apple picking and finding pumpkin patches.  Although I’m not ready to give up on “light and summery” meals yet, I am starting to mentally pair some hearty reds with more substantial fare. I hope to have lots of wine recommendations for you in the coming weeks. I’ll be back on Tuesday with a post on a Grand Tasting that I will be attending in NYC.  I’m off to enjoy the last swim of the season. Happy Sunday!
Cheers! Penina Most people hear the word Moscato and immediately think “dessert wine” or “holiday wine”. I certainly broadened my palate and way of thinking when I partook in a Moscato D’Asti D.O.C.G. Master Class held this week by IEEM and the Consorzio for the Promotion of Asti at the Astor Center in NY. The class was led by Italian Wine expert Gregory Dal Piaz and Frederico Ceretto of Ceretto Winery.  The participating wineries were Azienda Agricola Caudrina, Coppo Canelli, Marenco, Michele Chiarlo, Saracco and Ceretto.  To begin with, Moscato is the name of a grape variety, a generic term. It is grown all over the world. Moscato d’Asti wines are exclusively made from Moscato Bianco grapes which are cultivated in the Piedmont region of Northern Italy in designated areas around the town of Asti. Moscato Bianco is considered one of the oldest grapes in the Piedmont region and can be traced back to Roman times. Grown in calcareous and sandy soil, the Moscato Bianco grapes produce an aromatic substance that signifies the onset of harvest time which takes place in early September. The grapes are hand harvested and put through manual presses. The resulting pulp and juice are then refrigerated at very low temperatures in stainless steel tanks so as not to allow fermentation. After a determined period of time, usually a week, the wine is then fermented in stainless steel tanks until alcohol content reaches the right level of sweetness. The wine is then chilled down to stop fermentation. The long and cool natural fermentation preserves the fruit aroma. Moscato d”Asti wines are light and semi-sparkling with varying degrees of sweetness. The alcohol content is low and by law is not allowed to go higher than 5.5%. The basic characteristics of the wine include lively acidity with aromas of flowers, white peaches, apricot, orange blossom and sage. They tend to be light and well balanced with fresh fruit and subtle effervescence on the palate. Moscato d’Asti pairs well with savory and sweet food as was demonstrated in the class. The wines from Saracco, Caudrina and Ceretto were paired with the cheese, meat and quiche. The sweet tarts were paired with wines from Coppo Canelli, Michele Chiarlo and Marenco. The contrast of flavors between wine and food actually complemented each other, showing the uniqueness and versatility of Moscato d’Asti.  In addition to holiday meals, this is a perfect wine to serve with an array of appetizers, light fish, cold cuts and not too sweet desserts. Or, serve just as an aperitif! Next time you’re looking for a delicate, low alcohol and lively wine, reach for a bottle of Moscato d’Asti. In fact, pick up a few bottles and have a fun tasting with a few friends! Cheers!
Penina It was a “red” wine weekend. In addition to tasting some wonderful wines such as Hess Collection Cabernet Sauvignon, I had a delicious Malbec on Sunday evening. It was one of those spur of the moment throw together meals. Fortunately, I had enough food on hand and a lot of imagination. Sautéed shrimp, veggies and tortellini made for a satisfying one dish meal.   The 2013 Catena Malbec from Mendoza, Argentina was the perfect complement to dinner. Concentrated aromas of raisins, dark cherries, earth and a hint of cocoa grabbed our attention. The palate offered blackberries, plum, spice and floral notes. Soft tannins and a silky mouth-feel added to the richness of the wine. The lengthy finish with spicy notes was perfect. Alcohol: 14% I will definitely have to explore more of this winery’s selections. http://www.catenawines.com  I have a few wine seminars and tastings to attend this week in NYC. I’m looking forward to learning about some interesting grapes and sharing it all with you! Have a great Monday!
Cheers! Penina September 11th I took this photo in 1979 from a ferry while giving my 9-year-old niece a tour of NYC.  Today I'm mourning the loss of those who died on 9/11 and my niece Sidra who passed away 2 years ago.
Penina  It’s interesting how a change in temperature can influence the palate. I awoke the other morning to crisp fall-like weather and my thoughts went immediately to making one of my hearty soups. I started compiling a list of ingredients to buy and perused my wine inventory for a bold red wine to serve with the soup. By the time I was ready to go food shopping, the humidity and heat had crept back in. The soup went on hold mode and the California Cabernet Sauvignon was gently slipped back into its resting place. With another heat wave on the horizon, I’ll revert back to “light” cooking and enjoying crisp, refreshing, chilled wines! Speaking of which… I popped open a bottle of 2013 Frog’s Leap Sauvignon Blanc, Rutherford, Napa Valley. This 100% Sauvignon Blanc is “made entirely from dry-farmed and organically grown grapes.” Quote taken from Frogsleap.com The color was pale straw with vivid aromas of pear, citrus, grapefruit and a hint of floral. The palate offered a tasty infusion of citrus, pear and pineapple with hints of grapefruit and melon. A combination of lemon zest and vanilla lingered on the finish. This is a crisp and beautifully balanced wine that would complement a multitude of food in addition to drinking on it’s own, as I did.  I’m off to embrace this warm but beautiful day! I’m thinking perhaps a white Burgundy might be nice for this evening!
Happy Thursday! Cheers! Penina  The last of the strawberries are ripening on my plant, signifying the end of the season. It’s that time of year again when the annuals stop producing flowers and the leaves on the trees begin their magical color show. Autumn is waiting impatiently around the corner. The “grape” news is that it is grape harvest season in the Northern Hemisphere! Harvesting usually takes place between August and October. And in the Southern Hemisphere, the harvest season is usually between February and April.  So, while I may bemoaning the fact that my swimming days are numbered, as I write this, grapes are being harvested somewhere. Which means our wine glasses will be filled in the not so distant future with the “fruits” of someone’s labor today.  I’ll be back soon with some wine reviews!
Happy Tuesday! Cheers! Penina  Nestled in the Province of Asti, in the Italian region of Piedmont, lies the town of Canelli which is home to over 10,000 inhabitants. Ancient villages, castles and bountiful vineyards perched on gentle slopes surround Canelli. The town is steeped in history and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site on June 22nd, 2014. It is also considered the birthplace of the Italian sparkling wine, Asti.  The municipality boasts many grape varieties such as Moscato, Barbera, Dolcetto, Cortese and Chardonnay. The Barbera grape is the third most planted red grape variety in Italy and the most famous appellation is the DOCG Barbera d’Asti. Almost half of all grape vine plantings in Piedmont are Barbera. The grape is a deep color and is known for producing low tannins and high levels of acid.  Photo courtesy of Coppo Winery Coppo Winery is located in Canelli and was founded by Piero Coppo in 1892. It has remained in the family for over 120 years and is now run by Piero’s four grandsons, Piero, Gianni, Paolo and Roberto. Cousins Max and Luigi who are fourth generation, have recently joined the team. Piero began building the winery in the late 18th century, creating small underground cellars to store wine. The cellars were expanded between the 1800s and 1900s and are know today as the Underground Cathedrals. Due to their historical value, these underground cellars have been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site. What began in the 1800s with Coppo making the first Italian spumante with secondary bottle fermentation and giving Canelli a place in wine history, led to Coppo’s production of red wines in the 20th century. Among their most notable red is Barbera d’Asti. In 1984, the Coppo family produced the first vintage of Barbera d’Asti Pomorosso, “making it the symbol of the winery and paradigm of a new history of Barbera”. Quote taken from Coppo website. I recently tasted three Barbera d’Asti releases from the Coppo Winery, courtesy of the importer, Folio Fine Wine Partners.  2014 Coppo L’Avvocata Barbera d’Asti DOCG 2012 Coppo Camp du Rouss Barbera d’Asti DOCG 2010 Coppo Pomorosso Barbera d’Asti DOCG  The 2014 L’Avvocata is Coppo’s entry level Barbera d’Asti. It is made with 100% Barbera grapes and aged in stainless steel tanks. The color of the wine is dark cherry bordering on ruby. The aromas of cherry, plum and a bit of earth spill over into a subtle fusion of fresh berries, raspberries, spice, pepper and a hint of sour cherry on the palate. It is a medium to long finish. The wine is clean and nicely balanced with soft tannins. This is a great wine to pair with pasta, piquant red sauce, meaty fish and bold cheeses. Alcohol 13% Price: $15 (SRP)  The 2012 Camp du Rouss Barbera d’Asti is made with 100% Barbera grapes and aged in French oak barrels. The color of the wine is deep ruby with cherry, red raspberry, tobacco and spice on the nose. On the palate this full-bodied wine leads with sour cherry seguing into hints of plum, pepper and oak with a long and crisp finish. This is another well balanced wine with soft tannins, making it a perfect wine to drink alone or pair with a hearty lasagna! Alcohol: 14.5% Price: $21.00 (SRP)  The 2010 Pomorosso is Coppo’s signature Barbera d’Asti. Made with 100% Barbera grapes, it is aged for 14 months in French oak barrels. The color of the wine is dark ruby with purple hues. It has intense aromas of spice and cherry with hints of blueberry and oak that are layered and continue onto the palate. A blast of pepper and hints of tobacco linger on a long finish. Again, as with the previous wines reviewed, the Pomorosso is full-bodied, crisp and clean, with mild tannins. This wine will complement any hearty meal such as stews, meat entrees or one of my famous soups! However, I found it also paired well with the Manchego and Piave del Sapore cheeses! Alcohol: 14.5% Price: $50.00 (SRP Barbera d’Asti wines pair beautifully with a wide range of food. So, if you’re looking for full-bodied Italian red wine with lots of character and low tannins, put a little swirl in your glass and try Barbera d’Asti!
To learn more about Coppo’s history, wines and integrated farming and biodynamic techniques, please visit their website. http://www.coppo.it/en/ Cheers! Penina  With Labor Day Weekend fast approaching, everyone is scrambling to lap up the last days of summer. Whether it is traveling by car, plane or the rails, we’re all trying to savor and hold on to summer just a little bit longer.  I recently purchased a bottle of tequila to make margaritas for an “end of the summer” party. Prior to the festivities, I opened the bottle to have a little taste. My friend and I agreed that the tequila was so flavorful, that it might be a shame to mix it with anything else. Cabo Wabo Tequila Blanco uses 100% pure Weber Blue Agave to make their tequila. The agave is grown in the lowlands of Jalisco. They take the best of the piñas and chop them into very thick quarters which are then cooked in stainless steel autoclaves. A thicker cut of the distillate is taken giving the tequila a more intense agave flavor. Hence, the name “Cabo Wabo Thick Cut Tequila”. The tequila is double distilled and then immediately bottled in beautiful hand blown artisan bottles. The aromas of sweet fruit and flowers segued onto the palate mingled with an “earthiness”. Traces of vanilla and spice were present on the finish. We found the tequila to be quite smooth with a hint of oiliness. I have yet to try the tequila in a mixed drink, but I’ll be sure to let you know! Alcohol: 40% 80 proof Price: about $35 to $40 Mexican born Sammy Hager, legendary musician of Van Halen, founded Cabo in 1996. The company has since been sold, but Sammy’s name lingers on in association with Cabo. I will definitely have to try Cabo Wabo’s Reposado and Añejo tequila. http://www.cabowabo.com  Have a great Sunday!
Cheers! Penina  Since it’s “Wine Wednesday” I thought I would mention a very nice wine that I tasted recently while visiting with a friend.  Not my photo! It was one of those sultry late afternoons that we’ve been experiencing of late and we were both in the mood for a cold refreshment. He happened to have a 2013 Leitz “Dragonstone” Riesling on ice. This wine comes from the Rheingau region of Germany and is 100% Riesling. The aromas were intoxicating with sweet fruits, lemon and a touch of floral. The palate went from sweet to piquant quickly and was beautifully balanced. A touch of herbs and tart apples lingered on. It was the perfect wine to end the day and begin the evening! Check out the winery’s website. http://www.leitz-wein.de/en/ Here’s a little tidbit: Although Riesling is grown worldwide, the grape originated in Germany where it has been cultivated since the 1400s.  Cheers!
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