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Bastille Day is celebrated in France every July 14th, and in many French-speaking regions worldwide, including the USA. The French also refer to this day as “Le Quatorze Juillet” (the 14th of July) or “La Fête Nationale” (the National Day)  Image courtesy of National Geographic On July 14th, 1789. a group of revolutionaries stormed the Bastille prison in Paris, marking the start of the French Revolution. The Bastille was a symbol of the tyrannical rule of the Bourbon monarchy. Without going into a detailed history lesson, suffice it to say King Louis XVI and his wife Marie Antoinette were overthrown, ending the “Ancien Régime.” The Bastille prison was torn down by the order of France’s new revolutionary government, with the last stone removed in 1790. King Louis XVI was publicly beheaded on January 21st, 1793, making him the only French king to ever be executed. Marie Antoinette met the same fate at the guillotine on October 16th, 1793.  Image courtesy of National Endowment for the Humanities Although it was a violent time, Bastille Day is celebrated in France with parades, fireworks, food, wine, and dancing. And even though I never need a reason to pour a glass of wine, it’s a perfect time to open a bottle of French wine and toast Bastille Day! Here are three wines that will tickle your palate on Bastille Day or any day of the year!  Photo credit: Penny Weiss C’EST LA VIE Pinot Noir-Syrah Pays d’Oc IGP 2020 This brand was created by Maison Albert Bichot. The Bichot family was established in Burgundy in 1350. Founded in 1831, Domaines Albert Bichot currently owns six estates throughout Burgundy. This wine is a blend of 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Syrah, with grapes sourced from the Languedoc-Roussillon. It is vinified and finished in stainless steel.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Nose: Floral notes, red berries, and a hint of spice. Palate: Vibrant and smooth with strawberry, raspberry, ripe cherry, and a dollop of spice. Alcohol: 13% SRP: $13 Pairing suggestions: Enjoy on its own or with grilled fish, meat, cheese, and light bites. Slightly chilled on a hot day, this wine is quite refreshing. Trenel Beaujolais Cuvée Rochebonne AOP 2021 Maison Trenel was founded in 1928 by Henri Claudius Trénel and is in the heart of the South Burgundy and Beaujolais wine regions. The grapes for this 100% Gamay are sourced from the regional appellation “Beaujolais,” east of the “Pierres Dorées” area, on three parcels east-oriented and facing the Mont Blanc. The wine is aged for five months in cement tanks and is unfined and lightly filtered before bottling.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Nose: Fruity aromas, red berries, cherry, spice. Palate: Aromas segue onto the palate with crisp and juicy notes of strawberry, raspberry, cherry, and a touch of pepper lingering on the finish. Alcohol: 12.5% SRP: $21 Pairing suggestions: Soft cheese, cheese tarts, quiche, fish stew, seared tuna, and roasted chicken. La Perrière Mégalithe Sancere 2016 Saget La Perrière is a family-run company in the Loire Valley, France. With 890 acres of vines in the finest appellations and six estates, it carries on the tradition of nine generations dedicated to producing fine wines. The estate’s 106 acres of Sancerre vineyards (Sauvignon Blanc grapes) are in the Bannay, Verdigny, Saint-Satur, Crézancy, and Vinon districts. Megalithe is the icon wine of Saget La Perrière. The first vintage was produced in 1998. The goal of Megalithe is to showcase the beauty of aged Sauvignon Blanc. The grapes are hand-harvested, and “after a gentle pressing, 40% of the must is fermented in new 300-liter oak barrels from Allier. The wine stays in barrel for eight to nine months, and the lees are stirred regularly to give the wine weight and complexity. To preserve the character of Sauvignon, the other 60% of the must is vinified and matured with particular care in steel vats.”  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Nose: Elegant and complex aromas of honeysuckle, apples, apricots, stone fruit, vanilla, and a touch of flint. Palate: Rich texture with a beautiful balance of salinity and ripe fruit. This wine has so much character! Alcohol: 12.5% SRP: $45 Pairing suggestions: Enjoy as an aperitif or with lobster, seafood, goat cheese, and salads. Until next time…  Joyeux jour de la bastille!
Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at wineknittercomments@gmail.com The curtain has finally lifted, and the summer of 2022 will be filled again with festive outdoor concerts, fairs, and picnics. So whether you’re headed to an event, the beach, or enjoying leisure backyard time at home with family and friends, apply the sunscreen and grab a cooler because I’ve got you covered with some easy-to-transport wines and a few other thirst-quenching treats.  Photo credit: Ethan Robertson Grand View Research said, “The global canned wines market size was valued at USD 211.4 million in 2020. The rising demand for convenient, portable, and single-serve beverages is the key driver for the market growth.” According to a new report from Grand View Research in May 2021, “The global canned wines market size is expected to reach USD 571.8 million by 2028, registering a CAGR (compound annual growth rate)of 13.2%. Canned beverages are highly convenient due to the compact size of cans. Moreover, there has been a growing demand for portable and less fragile wine containers than glass. These factors are projected to support the market growth.” Francis Ford Coppola Sofia Brut Rosé Canned Wines Located in Sonoma County, this iconic winery produces more than 40 wines on-site and is now offering brut rosé in Mini Cans! Sofia Brut Rosé (a tribute to Coppola’s only daughter.) is an off-dry, light, effervescent wine and a perfect addition to the picnic basket.  This rosé is a blend of 40% Pinot Grigio, 22% Zinfandel, 20% Grenache 15% Pinot Noir and 3% Chardonnay. It is refreshing and crisp with notes of floral, peach, strawberries, and a touch of lemon zest on the finish. Alcohol: 11.5% SRP: $20 for a 4-pack Each can holds 187-ml of wine. Pairings: Enjoy as an aperitif or with BBQ fare, paté, cheese, and dessert. Domaine Bousquet Le Petit Canned Wines These certified organic wines are produced from grapes grown in the cool Argentine foothills of the Andean mountains. Domaine Bousquet is Argentina’s leading producer and exporter of certified-organic wines. They are the first to present canned wines from Argentina made from certified organic grapes. “Le Petit” is “The Little One” in French. The fruit for both wines is from the 2021 harvest sourced from vineyards in Tupungato, Alto Gualtallary, at 4000 ft. altitude.  Le Petit Bubbly Rosé This wine is a blend of 50% Pinot Noir, 30% Syrah, 10% Pinot Gris, and 10% Viognier and is made using the Charmat method. It has lots of fresh berry aromas, and the palate offers a dry, crisp wine with refreshing fruit and soft bubbles. Alcohol: 12.5% SRP: $13 for a 4-pack/$3.50 per can. Each can holds 250-ml of wine. Pairings: Enjoy as an aperitif or with shellfish, salads, and fruit. Le Petit Malbec This 100% Malbec oozes juicy black and red berry aromas that segue onto the palate with a bit of earthiness and fig. A touch of spice lingers on the finish. Alcohol: 14% SRP: $13 for a 4-pack/$3.50 per can. Each can holds 250-ml of wine. Pairings: It’s a perfect match for BBQ or hard cheese and fruit. In addition to premium single-serve wines, premium boxed wines are also gaining popularity. Their portability and the lure of a smaller carbon footprint are appealing. Boxed wines usually come in 3-liter to 5-liter sizes, making it easy to accommodate your entertaining needs. Also, boxed wines are easy to transport and unbreakable, and each 3L box is equivalent to four bottles of wine! And the wine will stay fresh for 30 days or longer in the refrigerator if it’s in a vacuum pack. Sandy Giovese Vino Rosso Boxed Wine Amy Ezrin is the founder of Sandy Giovese wines and teases that the character name “Sandy Giovese” is her alter ego. The name is a playful spin on the Sangiovese grapes used to make this boxed wine, which is 85% Sangiovese and 15% Trebbiano. It is produced from organically-farmed grapes sourced from vineyards in Italy’s Le Marche region, located on the Adriatic Sea.  Nose: Red fruit, violets, and a hint of herbs. Palate: Cherry, cranberry, crisp acidity, refreshing and light, an easy-drinking wine. Alcohol: 12% SRP: $34.99/3L box Pairings: Aperitif, pasta, pizza, BBQ, grilled chicken, fruit & cheese platter. Domaine Bousquet Natural Origins Rosé 2021 Boxed Wine Along with bottled and canned wines, Domaine Bousquet also produces a line of organic “bag in a box” boxed wines. Fruit for Natural Origins line is sourced from the upper reaches of the Tupungato Valley, known for producing grapes with an abundance of aroma, flavor, and freshness thanks to large day-night temperature differentials and the intense Andean sunlight. The box states that the wine will stay fresh for 90 days after opening!  Photo credit: Penny Weiss The organic grapes for this rosé are a blend of 50% Pinot Noir, 30% Syrah, 10% Pinot Gris, and 10% Viognier. Nose: Red berries, cherry, and a hint of floral. Palate: Strawberry, cherry, and a touch of spice with fresh acidity. Refreshing and perfect for an outing. Alcohol: 12% SRP: $20/3L box Pairings: Aperitif, seafood, shellfish, salads, grilled chicken, or fruit and dessert. And, if you’re looking for festive and unusual single-serve, low-alcoholic beverages, these treats from SQZ will brighten the party. SQZ SQZ is located in Lanark, Illinois, and is owned by Anthony Curcio, CEO, and mastermind behind these low-alcoholic beverages. Anthony’s grandfather, Lorenzo Curcio, was known for his fruit wines made in the region of Calabria, Italy. And so, this family tradition was passed on from generation to generation, with Anthony taking it to another level.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss The packaging for these low-alcohol fruit wines is unique and whimsical. And if you don’t mind using glass outside, the concept of Mason jars is brilliant, and they are reusable!  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Each Mason jar contains 375 ml of wine. The fruit wines are hand-crafted and made in small batches using only natural ingredients. Lemon juice, water, cane sugar, and yeast are used as the base. All added flavors are sourced from real juice, with no extracts or preservatives. The water is locally sourced deep well water that is triple filtered to ensure consistency in each batch made. The juice is naturally fermented and blended in stainless steel tanks. All six flavors, including the newest, Key Lime-Jalapeno, are refreshing and range from crisp and tart to mildly sweet or spicy! Drink as is, or get creative and use SQZ in cocktails! Alcohol: 9% SRP: $29.99 for a six-jar pack. (equivalent to three bottles of wine) Single jar-$4.99 each For those who prefer to pour from a bottle instead of canned or boxed wine, here are a few premium screw-top rosés to pack in the cooler. No corkscrew needed!  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Bodegas Salentein Portillo Rosé 2021 Bodegas Salentein is located in the Uco Valley of Mendoza, Argentina. This privately-owned estate was established in the late 1990s and boasts almost 5000 acres, of which 1,124 acres are planted to vine. Many of their vineyards are situated at some of the highest elevations in the world. The grapes for this 100% Malbec are sourced from Valle de Uco appellation. Nose: Red berries, cherry, and floral. Palate: Fresh strawberry and raspberry with nicely balanced acidity. Light and refreshing! Alcohol: 13% SRP: $10.99 Diora La Belle Fête Rosé of Pinot Noir 2021 Diora is a brand of Delicato Family Wines, owned and run by the Indelicato family. Based in Monterey’s AVA, on Californias’s Central Coast, they have 1800 acres planted with vines. The grapes for this rosé are sourced from their estate San Bernabe Vineyard, and the wine is a blend of 88.2% Pinot Noir, 6.1 % Syrah, and 5.6% Grenache. The majority of the blend was fermented in stainless steel, with a small portion in neutral oak for a touch of creaminess to the palate. After two months, the wine was bottled. Nose: Cherries, red berries, and a hint of grapefruit. Palate: Aromas segue onto the palate with crisp acidity and notes of watermelon. It is dry and light, another great wine for the picnic basket. Alcohol: 12% SRP: $19.99 Saget La Perrière “La Petite Perrière” Rosé 2021 La Perrière is a family-run company located in the Loire Valley, France. With 890 acres of vines in the finest appellations and six estates, it carries on the tradition of nine generations dedicated to producing fine wines. This 100% Pinot Noir is sourced mainly from their estate vineyards in Touraine (Loire Valley), and a part of the blend is sourced from the South of France through their long-term partners. Nose: Fresh fruit notes of strawberry, floral, and a hint of minerality. Palate: This is a lively wine with juicy strawberry, raspberry, and a touch of grapefruit to balance it. Alcohol: 12% SRP: $13.99 Pairings for these three rosés: Enjoy as aperitifs or serve with seafood, salad, light pasta, BBQ, grilled chicken, or fruit and cheese platter. All the canned, boxed, and bottled wines should be served chilled. If iced tea is your go-to beverage, then here is a delightful collection of all-natural teas to brew and sip over ice while lazing in the hammock or sailing around the lake. Adagio Teas This family-owned company is aptly named Adagio (a musical term meaning “slow” or “at ease.”). Relaxing and slowing down the pace while drinking these refreshing teas works for me!  Photo credit: Penny Weiss They have two facilities, one in New Jersey and one in the UK. And all of the teas come directly from farmers around the world.  The full-leaf, pre-measured pouches make the tea easy to prepare. Add water to a quart-size pitcher, toss in the pouch, and refrigerate for a few hours or overnight. There is an abundance of flavors to choose from, and sampler boxes are available. There are 40 varieties, such as herbal blends, chai, black, oolong, and the list goes on! One of my favorites is the Purple Papayaberry Iced Tea. It is blended with Hibiscus, Butterfly Pea Flower, Apple Pieces, Rose Hips, Orange, Papaya Flavor, Blueberries, Strawberries & Natural Blackberry Flavor. It’s perfect for a hot summer day. SRP: Iced tea sampler sets are $14 for six pouches that make one quart of tea per pouch. Purple Papayaberry is $8 for six pouches.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Summer is in full swing, and it’s time to kick off your shoes, embrace the outdoors and indulge your palate!
Until next time… Cheers! Penina This article was originally published to Santé Magazine To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at wineknittercomments@gmail.com Whether celebrating Easter, Passover, or a “just because” moment, I have a few wines and recipes to grace your table and please your palate. Easter Jean-Luc Colombo Cornas “Terres Brûlées” 2018  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Jean-Luc Colombo winery is located in the northern appellation of Cornas in the Rhône Valley, France. Cornas is the smallest appellation in the Rhône Valley, consisting of approximately 325 acres, and is dedicated to producing only red wine from the Syrah grape. The Mediterranean climate and decomposed granite soils contribute to the richness and character of these wines. Terres Brûlées means “burnt earth,” which refers to the long hot days balanced by the cool nights. Grapes for this 100% Syrah are hand-harvested from 30+ -year-old vines. The wine is aged 21 months in oak barrels (10% new, 90% one-to-five-year old barrels). Nose: Dark cherry, dark berries, plum, and baking spice. Palate: Rich with blackberry, plum, and black cherry, reminiscent of exotic jam. Notes of vanilla, cocoa, spice and a trace of minerality linger on a long finish. An exceptional wine! Alcohol: 14.5% SRP: $63.99 Pairings: Roasted white meat, game, lamb, seared tuna, and hearty stews. I was seven years old the first time I tasted lamb and after that I insisted that my mother make lamb chops for me at least once a week. Seven years later, our family was invited to a traditional Greek Easter meal where I feasted on leg of lamb for the first time. I was hooked! Roasted Leg Of Lamb With Vegetables (serves 8 to 10)  The beauty of this recipe is that you can add any vegetables you like to the pan. My favorites are small potatoes, baby carrots, and onions. Ingredients: One 5 to 6 pound trimmed bone-in leg of lamb 4 to 5 garlic cloves minced One tablespoon of olive oil Chopped fresh parsley, thyme, rosemary (a tablespoon of each) One tablespoon of Dijon mustard Kosher salt and pepper to taste. Cut up veggies such as new potatoes, carrots, zucchini, and onions. Directions: Line a large roasting pan with aluminum foil and preheat the oven to 350℉. Pat lamb dry and using a sharp knife, score the top side of the lamb, making shallow cuts all over. Combine the rest of the ingredients in a small bowl. Place lamb fat side up on a rack in the prepared roasting pan. Spread the garlic mixture evenly over the lamb, making sure to rub it into the scored cuts. (I like to use my hands to rub the mixture into the lamb.) Add a small amount of dry white wine to the bottom of the pan, and then add cut-up vegetables of your choice. Place pan in preheated oven and roast until it reaches an internal temperature of 135℉ or until desired doneness. Occasionally baste the vegetables and add more liquid to the pan if necessary. Let rest 15 to 20 minutes before slicing. Note: Consult a chart for roasting time per pound to achieve doneness as to rare, medium-rare, etc. Passover Having sat through many family seders growing up, I endured the wine that was always served. It was a sickeningly sweet wine that managed to insult my palate even in my early youth. There had to be a better kosher wine! And over time, wine producers began making quality kosher wine. Alavida Malbec Organic and Kosher 2021  Photo credit: Penny Weiss This 100% Argentine reserve-level Malbec is the latest release from Origins Organic Imports, owned by Anne Bousquet and her husband, Labid al Ameri. who also own Domaine Bousquet. They have been producing certified organic wines since 1997. This wine is USDA-certified organic and kosher, a first from Argentina. “Alavida” is a riff on “to life” in Spanish - itself a riff on the traditional Hebrew toast “L’chaim!”. Grapes for this wine are sourced from vineyards in the Andean foothills at 4000+ feet. 90% of the wine is aged in used oak and 10% in new oak. Nose: Dark cherry, dark berries, baking spice, earthy mushrooms, and floral. Palate: Aromas segue onto the palate with vibrant fruit, plum, smooth tannins, and a hint of fennel. Alcohol: 14.5% SRP: $19 Pairings: Charcuterie board, grilled or roasted meat, fowl, pasta, or veggie casseroles. Savory Passover Noodle Kugel (Serves 6 to 8) courtesy of 1,000 Jewish Recipes by Faye Levy  This is a delicious kugel, unlike the sweet kugels you might be accustomed to. Ingredients: 8 oz. Passover noodles 4 to 5 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 large onions, chopped Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste 1 teaspoon paprika, plus a little more for sprinkling 2 large eggs, beaten Directions: Preheat the oven to 350℉. Cook noodles in a large pot of boiling salted water for about 3 minutes until almost tender. Drain, rinse with cold water, and then drain again. Transfer to a large bowl. Heat 3 to 4 tablespoons of oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add onions and sauté for 15 minutes or until very tender and light brown. Add salt, pepper, one teaspoon paprika, and sauté for about 5 minutes or until well browned. Cool slightly. Stir onion mixture into noodles. Adjust seasoning; mixture should be seasoned generously. Add eggs and mix well. Oil a 2-quart baking dish and add noodle mixture. Sprinkle with the remaining tablespoon of oil, then dust with paprika. Bake uncovered for one hour or until set. Serve from the baking dish. Note: For a heartier kugel add sautéed mushrooms and/or broccoli. Just Because! Saget La Perrière Blanc Fumé De Pouilly 2018  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Saget La Perrière is a family-run company located in the Loire Valley, France. With 890 acres of vines in the finest appellations and six estates, it carries on the tradition of nine generations dedicated to producing the best wines. More commonly known as “Pouilly Fumé,” the “Blanc Fumé de Pouilly” appellation is the original name of this 100% Sauvignon Blanc wine. Its classification is one of the oldest in France and goes back to 1937. The term “Blanc Fumé” (smoky white) refers to the thin smoke-colored layer covering the grapes at the time of harvest and the unique aromas of gunflint famous in the wines of Pouilly sur Loire. This wine is aged on fine lees for six months, then bottled and aged for six to eight months in the cellar. Nose: Floral, citrus, minerality, and a hint of herbal. Palate: Floral notes continue with ripe fruit, grapefruit, flint, minerality, and lemon zest on the finish. It is fresh and lively! Alcohol: 13% SRP: $34.99 Pairings: Enjoy as an aperitif or serve with seafood, grilled chicken, goat cheese, or light appetizers. Scallops with Cannellini Bean Purée (serves two) Double or triple the recipe to make more servings.  This recipe is done in three stages but is worth the time and effort.
1) Bean Purée Ingredients: 1/2 cup canned cannellini beans, rinsed and well-drained. 1 teaspoon unsalted butter Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste. Directions: Place drained beans and butter into a food processor fitted with a metal blade and process until smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and process again for 30 seconds. 2) Coulis Ingredients: 1 red bell pepper, seeded and diced 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 clove garlic, finely chopped (about 1/2 teaspoon) Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste Directions: Combine diced pepper, olive oil, garlic, and a pinch of salt and pepper in a food processor. Blend until liquefied. 3) Scallops Ingredients: 2 tablespoons coriander 2 tablespoons mustard seed 2 tablespoons black peppercorns 2 tablespoons pink peppercorns 2 tablespoons olive oil 4 dry sea scallops 1/2 cup of baby greens Directions: Preheat the oven to 400℉ Combine all spices in a spice or coffee grinder and grind to a powder. Pour into a shallow bowl. Heat olive oil in a nonstick ovenproof skillet over high heat until it sizzles. Dip both sides of the scallops in the spice blend and place them into the skillet in a single layer. Sear for about 3 minutes per side or until golden brown. Transfer the skillet to the oven and heat for 5 minutes. Divide and scoop the white bean puree into the center of each dish, and arrange two scallops on top of each mound. Drizzle with red pepper coulis and garnish each plate with greens. Of course, one can enjoy these wines and recipes all year round! Until next time… Cheers and bon appétit! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at wineknittercomments@gmail.com |
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