This morning I woke up in a “pink” mood inspired by a recent sample delivery. The box contained two bottles of rosé, one from California, the other from Languedoc Roussillon, and a variety of tinned fish sourced from Galicia, Spain. Perhaps canned fish has taken a backseat to eating freshly caught fish, but this writer happens to like tinned fish, especially sardines. Although it has been a while, I used to prepare sardine salad made from packed sardines in olive oil or mustard sauce and served it on crackers or toast as an appetizer with white wine. So, this sampling has inspired me to think outside the box again! Let’s talk about the wines. Josh Cellars Rosé 2022 Joseph Carr formed his own wine company in Napa Valley after spending a decade as a world-class sommelier and another decade as a wine industry executive. His dream was to have his own family-owned winery, so in 2005 he began making wines under the label ‘Joseph Carr.’ In 2007 Carr launched Josh Cellars as a tribute to his dad, Josh. Grapes for the Josh Cellar wines are sourced from top California wine-growing regions to create wines with character and complexity. This wine is a rosé blend made with undisclosed grape varieties. Nose: Flowers, red berries, and white stone fruit. Palate: Light and dry with notes of strawberry, citrus, white peach, and crisp acidity. Alcohol: 12.5% SRP: $14.99 Pairing suggestions: Enjoy as an aperitif, or serve with light appetizers, ceviche, fresh fruit, and tinned tuna straight from the tin, mixed in a salad or on crackers. Fleurs de Prairie Rosé 2022 Made by the family-owned Les Grands Chais de France, "Fleurs de Prairie" is named in celebration of the free-spirited wildflowers carpeting their vineyards in the South of France. The grapes for this wine are sourced from vineyards throughout the Languedoc region, some of which have vines that are 50+ years old. The blend for this wine is 43% Grenache Noir, 40% Syrah, 9% Carignan, 5% Cinsault, and 3% Mourvèdre. Nose: Floral, ripe red berries, citrus, and a hint of minerality. Palate: This is a dry, fresh and lively rosé with aromas segueing onto the palate with strawberry and a hint of melon. Crisp acidity and a touch of citrus linger on a long finish making this the perfect sipper at the end of the day. Alcohol: 13% SRP: $20 Pairing suggestions: Drink as an aperitif, or serve with light appetizers, salads, seafood, grilled chicken, and tinned sardines on toast. And now a word about the tinned fish! The Siesta Co. is based in California, but all of its tinned seafood is sourced from fisheries in Galicia, Spain. The fish is wild-caught and sustainably fished, such as using line poles to prevent overfishing. And each tin contains all-natural ingredients packed in organic extra virgin olive oil. White Tuna in Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil Ingredients: Albacore tuna, organic extra virgin olive oil, sea salt Sustainably line caught through pole fishing to preserve the flavor and texture of the tuna while ensuring the seabed is not damaged. Sardines in Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil Ingredients: Sardines, organic extra virgin olive oil, sea salt
Sustainably caught off the coast of Galicia, Spain, these wild, all-natural, bone-in scale-free sardines are hand packed individually. Siesta Co. products are available in 3-pack/5-pack and variety packs. There are five fish types to choose from. Pour a glass of rosé and enjoy these fish pairings. Your palate will thank me! Until next time… Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at [email protected] 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. 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.) 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. 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. 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 [email protected] 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. 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.” 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. 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. 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 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 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 [email protected] In my last post I raved about a wonderful bottle of Zinfandel that was consumed before dinner was served. So of course I opened another bottle of wine to complement the meal. The 2009 J. Lohr “Seven Oaks” Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon was the perfect choice. Located halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco, the Paso Robles appellation produces Bordeaux and Rhône varietals. Due to the 50-degree temperature swings and very little moisture, the Cabernet fruit tends to be more intense, with concentrated fruit and soft tannins. The 2009 is a blend dominated by 79% Cabernet Sauvignon with 9% Petite Sirah, 5% Petit Verdot, 2.5% Merlot 2.5% Syrah and 1% Cabernet Franc. The wine was dark red, bordering on purple, with aromas of dark cherry, plum, spice and hints of vanilla. The palate offered a beautifully structured wine with layers of rich dark cherry, plum, blackberry, spice and a tease of vanilla bean and oak. Silky tannins and a “jammy” mouthfeel led to a long finish. The wine paired beautifully with the Parmesan crusted salmon, Kale & Ricotta ravioli and sautéed spinach with mushrooms! Alcohol 13.5% http://www.jlohr.com Have a great Wednesday!
Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at [email protected] Hopefully everyone has been enjoying the holidays so far. All the wonderful posts on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram certainly depict the joy, love and celebrations that are going around! I have been doing my fair share of celebrating, dining and wining as well and is the excuse for my absence here for a few days! I have much to catch up on, but the holiday season is far from over, so my posts will be spread out over the next week or so. To get the season off to a fun start, I had dinner with a friend prior to Christmas at a lovely French restaurant. We ordered a bottle of 2009 Rombauer Napa Valley Merlot that carried us through appetizers and entrees. This elegant Merlot is blended with 12% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Petite Verdot. The color is dark ruby with enticing aromas of dark berries, plum and black cherry. The palate offers juicy notes of blackberry, plum and oak with smooth tannins and a silky mouth-feel. The wine paired beautifully with the appetizer of Mini Pumpkins filled with Mousseline, Wild Mushrooms and sautéed shrimp and the cod and lobster entrees. Koerner and Joan Rombauer founded Rombauer Vineyards in 1980 with first, second and third generation family members running it today. An interesting note: Koerner’s great aunt was Irma Rombauer, author of the “Joy of Cooking”. http://www.rombauer.com Whatever you’re celebrating, I hope it’s filled with love, laughter, family and friends! Happy Monday! Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at [email protected]
In between the snow and frigid temperatures this past weekend, I ventured out for a holiday party and some good cheer. However, most of my time was spent nesting at home and enjoying friends. Since the cold weather had me craving warm and hearty meals, I put my slow cooker to good use. I made vegetable lasagna, red lentil chili and barley and chickpea risotto. If you would like the recipes, please email me. To accompany the meals, I gravitated towards “generous” red wines. One of the wines opened was a 2014 Marques de Casa Concha Cabernet Sauvignon, another wonderful treat from Concha y Toro. Marcelo Papa, one of five lead winemakers at Concha y Toro, makes the Marques de Casa Concha wines. It is also interesting to note that Marcelo Papa is winemaker for the very successful Casillero del Diablo wines which I have tasted and reviewed. The grapes for Marques de Casa Concha are handpicked from single vineyards, except for the Cabernet Sauvignon, which is a blend from the Puente Alto and Pirque vineyards located close to the foothills of the Andes Mountains in the Maipo Valley of Chile. The blend is 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc, 1% Merlot and 1% Syrah. The color is midnight ruby with lively aromas of dark fruit and black cherry. Smooth and silky on the palate, the wine is layered with rich and lush fruit, blackberry, plum and spice. Hints of pepper and fennel mingle with the fruit on a long finish. Needless to say, this wine would pair well with any hearty meal! Alcohol: 14.2% Price: $25 I can’t wait to open the Concha y Toro Marques de Casa Camenere and Chardonnay. Happy Tuesday!
Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at [email protected] |
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