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 Alejandro Fernández Photo credit: Grupo Pesquera The story begins in a small village called Pesquera del Duero located on the banks of the river Duero in northern Spain. It was here in his hometown where he was born and raised that Alejandro Fernández turned from beet harvesting to winemaking. As a young boy, Alejandro’s father taught him how to make wine from the grapes of the surrounding vineyards and it became a lifelong dream to follow his father’s passion. It was Alejandro’s wish to someday make excellent wines that spoke of his homeland and in so doing, inspire the world to take notice. The beginning of Alejandro’s dream was finally realized in 1972 with his own bodega, a 16th century stone winery in the province of Valladolid where most of the winemaking took place.  Alejandro’s first grape planting was Tempranillo and he produced his first vintage in 1972 called Tinto Pesquera. By 1982, Alejandro along with a few other wine pioneers founded the D.O. Ribera del Duero, establishing official recognition for the region. And now, almost five decades later, Alejandro, his wife Esperanza and four daughters own and manage an impressive little empire under the name Grupo Pesquera.  Alejandro Fernández with his wife Esperanza and four daughters. Photo credit: Grupo Pesquera Grupo Pesquera consists of four bodegas: Tinto Pesquera, Condado de Haza, Dehesa La Granja and El Vínculo. All the bodegas are dedicated to exclusively growing Tempranillo except for El Vínculo in Campo de Criptana (D.O. La Mancha), which also produces Alejairén, a white wine.  Ribera del Duero has a high elevation and spans from the east of Aranda del Duero to Valladolid in the west. The major source of water for the vineyards in this region comes from the Duero River. The climate leans towards continental with a complexity of soils throughout the region. All the grapes for Grupo Pesquera are harvested by hand and Alejandro doesn’t let the calendar determine the harvest, only the grapes dictate when they are ready to be harvested. He feels that the harvest is the most significant element in winemaking. Alejandro uses a combination of French and American oak barrels for aging, making certain that the original character of the grapes is present and doesn’t allow the wood to define the grape. The Fernández family is dedicated to natural winemaking. Wines are neither filtered nor fined prior to bottling. Alejandro has been given the title of “Master of Tempranillo” and deservedly so. In following his intuition and not the rules, Alejandro has helped to establish Tempranillo as a fine wine in Ribera del Duero. His wines are rich and complex with an abundance of fruit-driven character. As per the rules of the D.O. Ribera del Duero, 75% of all red wines must be Tempranillo. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Malbec can make up the balance or up to 5% of Albillo or Garnacha. I recently received four samples from three of the bodegas.  2015 Condado de Haza Crianza – Ribera del Duero The Condado de Haza vineyards were planted in 1987 on a 200-acre estate located right next to the Duero River. With a focus on sustainable farming and maintaining the area’s biodiversity, chemicals are never used and an onsite purifier recycles all water. The soil is rocky and the estate experiences a cooler climate than that of the other three bodegas.  This wine is 100% estate-owned Tempranillo. After 18 months of barrel aging, the Condado de Haza Crianza is then aged for a minimum of 6 months in the bottle. The color is deep red, bordering on purple. Aromas of dark fruit, plum and sweet spice give way to a savory and understated dark fruit palate with hints of fennel, spice and chocolate. This is a straightforward wine with no pretention. It is nicely balanced with a long finish. Serve with grilled meat, hearty stews and spicy pasta. Alcohol: 14% SRP: $24 2013 El Vínculo Crianza – La Mancha After Alejandro discovered high-quality 100-year-old Tempranillo vines in the historic village of Campo de Criptana in La Mancha region, El Vínculo became the fourth estate. He signed a long-term lease in 1999 with the town’s best grape growers and assumed control of the yield of 50% of fruit dropped per year and harvest time. La Mancha is in the warmest region of the four estates and is exposed to more sun, heat and less moisture, but does experience an extreme continental climate. The vineyards have a combination of sandy and clay soil.  This wine is 100% Tempranillo and aged for 18 months in American oak barrels and 6 months in the bottle prior to release. The color is deep red with wonderful aromas of ripe red fruit, plum, spice, violet and vanilla. Intense flavors of berries, plum, cherry liquor, earth, spice and toasted wood greet the palate. Round tannins and acidity are perfectly balanced with a long and persistent finish. Serve with grilled meats, poultry and stews. This is a lot of wine for the price tag! Alcohol: 14.5% SRP: $19 2015 El Vínculo Alejairén – La Mancha This is Grupo Pesquera’s first white wine with the first vintage released to the market in 2007. It is made from 100% Airén grapes; an indigenous white grape planted throughout central Spain and in particular the La Mancha region. It is drought-resistant and adapts well to hot, dry conditions and poor soils. The grape juice has mostly been used to make brandy and fortified wines such as port and sherry. The grapes for this wine are harvested from old vines in the Paraje la Golosa vineyard. It is aged 24 months in American oak barrels and a minimum of six months in the bottle.  This wine is a tantalizing honeyed orange color with apricot, floral and oaky notes of vanilla and coconut on the nose. The palate is laden with hazelnut, apricot, baking spices and brioche. This is a dry wine with bright acidity and lots of character. Serve with an array of appetizers, light pasta and fish. The name Alejairén is derived from both Alejandro and the grape, Airén. Alcohol: 13.5% SRP: $30 2014 Tinto Pesquera Crianza – Ribera del Duero This 100% Tempranillo is produced from their flagship bodega covering 200 hectares of vineyards near the Duero River. The grapes are harvested from 40-year-old vines that grow in sand, gravel, clay and limestone. Aging takes place for 18 months in American oak barrels and then 6 months in the bottle.  The color is reminiscent of black cherries with lots of dark berries, dark cherry and sweet spice aromas. A succulent layer of flavors envelops the palate with ripe fruit, dark cherry, plum, nutmeg and chocolate. It is beautifully balanced with silky tannins and a long finish. Hands down, this is a rich and elegant wine. Pair with meat, game, stews and an assortment of hard cheese.
Alcohol: 14.5% SRP: $35 I fully understand now why Alejandro Fernández is called the “Master of Tempranillo”! His bond and respect for the land upon which his grapes grow are apparent in every bottle of these expressive wines. Cheers to Alejandro and his family! Until next time… Cheers! Penny To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at [email protected] Okay, I am not patiently waiting for spring to arrive and I am quite tired of having to endure bone-chilling temperatures. So, I thought I would cheer myself up with a taste of some heartwarming wines from Marques de Casa Concha.  For those of you who are new to my blog, I have written many stories and reviews of the iconic wines of Concha y Toro located in Chile. For an in-depth look at their history, brands, vineyards, wines and winemakers, please click on the menu at right. Today, I’m keeping it short and sweet. Marques de Casa Concha is a renowned brand of Concha y Toro and is known for its fine collection of single vineyard varietals produced by noted winemaker Marcelo Papa. All Marques de Casa Concha grapes are hand harvested from single vineyards except for the Cabernet Sauvignon, which is a blend from the Puente Alto Vineyard and Pirque Vineyard located close to the foothills of the Andes Mountains in the Maipo Valley of Chile. The grapes for the Carmenere are sourced from the celebrated Peumo vineyard, located in the Cachapoal zone of Chile’s Rapel Valley.  The climate is semi-arid Mediterranean with a strong impact from the Andes Mountains creating extreme temperatures between night and day. The grapes experience a longer ripening period allowing for aromas that are more intense and concentrated. Marques de Casa Concha Carmenere 2016 is 100% Carmenere. Aging takes place in new and used French oak barrels for 18 months prior to release. The color is deep red, bordering on purple with aromas of dark cherry, cranberry, black raspberry and spice. Fresh acidity and round tannins add to the dark berries, plum, spice, pepper and vanilla on the palate. The wine is elegant and I am happy to sip it as an aperitif, but it will pair nicely with roasted meat, game, pasta and cheese. Alcohol: 13.5% SRP: $25  Marques de Casa Concha Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 is aged for 18 months in new and used French oak barrels and then aged for an additional month after bottling. The color is dark ruby with abundant aromas of cherry, plum, spice and dark berries that segue onto the palate. Lingering flavors of smoke, pepper and hints of vanilla give way to a lengthy finish. Silky tannins and concentrated flavors add to this expressive wine. Serve with hearty stews, meat, fish and hard cheese. Alcohol: 13.5% SRP: $25  As always, Marques de Casa Concha wines never disappoint my palate!
Until next time… Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at [email protected] This year marks the 65-year anniversary of Playboy, founded by Hugh Hefner in 1953. He was a producer, illustrator, entrepreneur, journalist and editor, but is best known for creating Playboy magazine which he turned into an international venture. He passed away in 2017, leaving me with classic images of “Hef” entertaining at his Playboy mansion, surrounded by Playboy bunnies and always wearing his trademark silk smoking jacket and carrying his pipe.  The Playboy logo is a profile of a rabbit wearing a tuxedo bowtie that made its first appearance in the 2nd issue of the magazine.  The logo was eventually used to design the official Playboy bunny costume that made its debut in 1960 at the first Playboy Club in Chicago.  Today Playboy Enterprises is one of the most recognized consumer brands in the world. It receives most of its revenue from the media division and the licensing of its brand for use in consumer products. In celebration of the 65-year anniversary, Winemaker Lot 18 and Playboy Enterprises, Inc. teamed up to produce the ‘Playboy California Red Wine Blend’, a limited edition available only at Lot 18. And last week, Lot 18 gifted me a bottle.  Lot 18 curates, markets and retails fine wine online. Founded in 2010, they strive to cull unique wines that represent the highest quality and value. The label for Playboy California Red Wine Blend features the iconic Playboy Bunny costume, paying homage to Playboy’s ancestry. It is complete with a gold mosaic bodice, ears and bowtie. Try as I might, I was unable to find out who actually made the wine or what grapes were used for its production, other than the fact that the grapes were sourced from California.  Playboy California Red Wine Blend is a non-vintage red blend. The color is deep ruby bordering on purple with heady aromas of cherry, plum, raspberry and spice. Dark fruit and pepper are the first sensations on the palate, followed by dark plum, black cherry, blackberry, fennel and a grand finale of pepper, fennel and chocolate that lingers for a lengthy finish. I enjoyed this wine as an aperitif but it will easily pair with grilled meat, stews, hearty fish and an assortment of cheese.
Alcohol: 13.9% Price: $25 The wine is impressive and knowing what grapes were used to make it might make the wine more interesting, but the information won’t make it any less or more palatable. It goes back to my mantra “if you like the wine, that’s all that really matters!” Until next time… Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at [email protected] It’s that time of year again for hearts, flowers and everything pink! Yes, Valentine’s Day is fast approaching.  So, to get in the spirit of the holiday and in keeping with the pink theme, I opened up a bottle of rosé from the south of France.  Provence is no stranger to winemaking, and most winemakers from this region would agree that Côtes de Provence, the largest appellation here, is the heart of rosé wine production that also makes the vast majority of rosé wine in Provence.  Château Montaud is located in the heart of the Maures Mountains on the site of an old Roman villa. As with most wineries in the Côtes de Provence, Château Montaud is family owned. Francois Ravel started the winery in 1964 and today, his grandson Frederic Ravel presides over this 840-acre estate.  The warm Mediterranean climate with hot summers, mild winters and low rainfall are ideal for growing grapes. The vines grow on long schist and sandstone terraces with cool breezes that emanate from the Mediterranean Sea. Château Montaud practices sustainable farming and integrated farming techniques, keeping the number of treatments required to a minimum. They grow varietals such as Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault, Tibouren, Cabernet Sauvignon, Rolle and Chardonnay. Their winemaking techniques encompass advanced technology and traditional winemaking methods. Château Rosé Montaud Côtes de Provence 2017 is a blend of Cinsault, Grenache, Tibouren and Carignan. This aromatic blend is an inviting color of pink salmon with notes of fresh red fruit, strawberry, cherry, cranberry and hints of minerality. The palate is filled with flavors of cherry, strawberry, a trace of pepper and a touch of “the sea”. It is a very refreshing rosé with the perfect balance of acidity, minerality and dryness. Drink as an aperitif or pair with light fare such as seafood, shellfish, cheese, salads and light pasta. Alcohol: 12.5% SRP: $9  Now that I’m getting in the mood for Valentine’s Day, it’s time to decide what sparkling wines to chill! What will you be drinking?  Until next time…
Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at [email protected] Although we’re in the throes of winter with below zero temps and howling winds, I was recently reminded that spring is just two months away. The other day a package arrived at my door and when I opened the box and saw the contents, I immediately had visions of warm days lazing on the porch, lakeside picnics and splashing in the pool.  SQZ BEVS produces handcrafted, all natural lemon wine, including Lemon Grass, Key Lime and Cranberry flavors.  The packaging is whimsical and I love the concept of the Mason jars. Each Mason jar contains 375 ml of wine. The convenient carriers are made from recycled paper and are hand folded, requiring no glue.   Anthony Curcio SQZ is located in Lanark, Illinois and is owned by Anthony Curcio, CEO and mastermind behind these lightweight alcoholic beverages. Anthony is no stranger to winemaking. His grandfather, Lorenzo Curcio was known for his fruit wines made in the region of Calabria, Italy. This family tradition was passed from generation to generation with Anthony taking it to another level. The wines are made in small batches using only natural ingredients. The water is locally sourced, deep well water that is triple filtered to ensure consistency in each batch made. Only lemon juice, water, cane sugar and yeast are used. The juice is naturally fermented and blended in stainless steel tanks. SQZ is best served cold and that is how I sampled them. Original Lemon Wine is their flagship wine made with lemons, yeast, pure cane sugar and water. The color is pale yellow with aromas of lemons and floral and a hint of yeast. The palate offers citrus with a perfect blend of tart and sweet with lemons lingering on the finish. Alcohol: 9%  Lemongrass is made with lemongrass and green tea blended with the Original SQZ ingredients. The color is pale orange with hints of tea and lemon on the nose. The palate offers a very lively blend of the ingredients with a subtle tartness on the finish. Alcohol: 9%  Cranberry is made with fresh cranberries and the Original SQZ ingredients. The color is bright red with aromas of berries and citrus. The palate offers a tangy mix of fruit and lemons. The tartness offsets any sweetness and the flavors persist on the finish. Alcohol: 9%  Key Lime is made with key limes and the Original SQZ ingredients. The color is lemon-green with subtle aromas of citrus and floral. The key limes dominate the palate, but it works! It is a delightful balance with just the right amount of zing and hints of sweet. Alcohol: 9%  My favorites are Key Lime and Cranberry but I found all the flavors to be refreshing with their own unique style. And, it was fun to drink the wines right from the jar! Use your imagination and add these lemon wines to vodka, sparkling wine or add fruit to them and serve over ice. And the bonus is that the empty Mason jars can be used again!
SRP: $3.99 per jar. SRP for the four-pack is $14.99-$16.99. Go to sqzbevs.com to find a store near you. As we prepare for yet another snowstorm, I’m going to sit here, pretend it’s warm outside and sip a jar of Key Lime wine! Until next time… Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at [email protected] Verona is located in Northeast Italy’s Veneto region. It is renowned as the setting for Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet and it is also the backdrop for his comedic play, The Two Gentlemen of Verona. What comes to my mind however when thinking of Verona are “the two brothers of Verona” Riccardo and Alessandro Pasqua, representing the third-generation of Pasqua Vigneti é Cantine.  Alessandro & Riccardo Pasqua Photo: The Wineknitter Over the course of a three-hour luncheon, Riccardo and Alessandro shared their passion, enthusiasm and dedication for winemaking that was clearly expressed in the fabulous wines I tasted. This dynamic duo was born and raised in Verona and they are a force to be reckoned with. Not only do they share an impressive business acumen, but they are also quick-witted, have a strong work ethic, a great sense of humor and they love and live life to the fullest. The history of Pasqua Vigneti é Cantine began in 1925 when the first generation left their home in Apulia for Verona to embark on a new business. Going from the wine and retail trade to becoming a winery, they acquired new vineyards and made affordable table wine, making Pasqua a household name. The second generation, led by Umberto Pasqua, joined the company in the 1960s opening doors for exportation, establishing innovative research for vines and grafting techniques. In the mid-2000s a new headquarters and manufacturing plant was established in San Felice, located in the heart of the family’s vineyards. It is an environmentally friendly, gravity-fed winery complete with cellars, a laboratory and temperature-controlled warehouse. The winemaker is Giovanni Nordera, a cousin of the family. The winery produces approximately 14-15 million bottles of wine per year!  Pasqua Vigneti é Cantine Photo credit: Pasqua The third generation made their entrance in 2007, beginning with Riccardo who had a vision for expanding Pasqua’s market. With the support of his father Umberto, Riccardo along with his wife and children, moved to New York City in 2009 and created Pasqua USA LCC. Within just a few short years and hard work, the revenues allowed Riccardo and Umberto to buy out the other family members, which was finalized in 2017. In 2014, Riccardo’s younger brother Alessandro became Vice President of Americas and moved to NYC taking over Pasqua USA, LCC. Riccardo returned to Italy a few weeks later to handle the day-to-day management of the company. Riccardo became CEO of Pasqua in 2015. Umberto is President of Pasqua and he and his sons Riccardo and Alessandro remain co-owners of Pasqua Vigneti é Cantine.  Umberto Pasqua with Alessandro & Riccardo Photo credit: Pasqua The Veneto wine region has a variety of diverse microclimates, soils and indigenous grapes. The territories surrounding Verona are famous for such wines as Amarone, a Valpolicella blend typically made from Corvina, Rondinella and Molinara grapes and Soave, a white wine made with Garganega grapes.  Wine producing areas around Verona Pasqua has complete control over 741 acres of vineyards (1/3 is estate-owned) spread out from Lake Garda to Soave, with many of Pasqua’s vineyards located in Valpolicella Estesa. Their newest addition of 25 acres is located in Soave. We tasted through five wines at the luncheon, beginning with Pasqua’s Romeo and Juliet Passione & Sentimento wines. The label was inspired by Shakespeare’s star-struck lovers and is a tribute to “all great passions, just like our family’s passion for wine”. The label is a photograph of the messages left daily by visitors on the 20-foot wall outside of Juliet’s house on Cappello Street in Verona. Riccardo and Alessandro felt “it was important for the label to equate Verona with Italy”. And when it comes to making these wines, Pasqua is definitely showing lots of creativity in the winemaking process. Alessandro said, “the Rosso breaks about 10 rules!”  Photo credit: The Wineknitter Romeo & Juliet Passione & Sentimento Bianco Veneto IGT 2017 is made with hand-harvested 100% Garganega grapes. The appassimento technique is used to make this wine. Grapes dry in trays for a short time to enhance the sugar and floral aromas prior to maceration and fermentation. Part of the wine is then aged in French oak for a few months and then blended. This is a very aromatic wine with layers of citrus, stone fruit and hints of apricot and perfume on the finish. It is refreshing and crisp. Serve as an aperitif or with cheese, fish, fowl and salads. Alcohol: 13% SRP: $16  Romeo & Juliet Passione & Sentimento Rosso Veneto IGT 2016 is made with 100% hand-harvested dried grapes of 40% Merlot, 30% Corvina and 30% Croatina. This is another appassimento-style wine. Grapes are dried for 4 to 6 weeks. The wine is aged for about 3 months in large cherry barrels (second use). The color is ruby with lovely floral, berry and spice aromas. The palate offers cherry, plum and dried fruit and is beautifully balanced with soft tannins and a lingering finish. Serve with hearty cuisine, stews, and aged cheese. Alcohol: 14% SRP: $16  Famiglia Pasqua Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG 2013 is made with hand-harvested Corvina, Rondinella, Corvinone and Negrara grapes. The grapes dry in wooden crates for 4-5 months prior to fermentation. The wine ages in oak barrels for 18-20 months and then an additional 3-4 months aging in bottle. This is a seductive wine with rich aromas of dark berries, chocolate, vanilla and spice. The palate is layered with blackberry, cherry, fennel, spice and hints of earth. This is a beautiful blend of acidity and natural sweetness. Dark berries continue on a long finish. This is a full-bodied wine with silky tannins. Pair with grilled meats, game, hearty stews and hard cheese. Alcohol: 15% SRP: $46  The grapes for the Mai Dire Mai wines are sourced from Pasqua’s single vineyard, Montevegro, a 23-hectare vineyard located at an altitude of 350 meters, with basalt and calcareous soil, providing optimal mineral content. Mai Dire Mai Valpolicella Superiore DOC 2013 is made with 50% Corvina, 30% Corvinone, 10% Rondinella and 10% Oseleta. Grapes are hand-harvested from a single vineyard. The vines are a mixture of new and 40+ years old vines and the limestone in the soil gives this wine its mouthwatering acidity. The wine is aged in French oak tonneaux and barriques for 18 months, (70% new oak and 30% second use.) This is an elegant wine with a ruby red color and lush aromas of dried fruit, cherry, tobacco and spice. The palate offers savory notes of dark dried cherry, clove and espresso. The balance is perfection between the acidity and tannins. The finish is long and the subtly is heavenly. Serve with meats, pasta, firm fish and stews. Alcohol: 15% SRP: $46  Mai Dire Mai Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG 2011 is made with 65% Corvina, 15% Corvinone, 10% Rondinella and 10% Oseleta. The grapes are hand-harvested and dried in crates for 4 months. The wine is aged in new French oak casks (70% 225 liters and 30% 500 liters) for 24 months. This is a decadent and sumptuous Amarone. Riccardo said it perfectly, “it is elegant, versatile and dry to the bone”. Intense aromas of dark plum, cherry, earth and spice set the stage. The wine is full-bodied and complex with the palate offering layers of dark fruit, dried cherry, cloves, dark chocolate and hints of spice. This is a well-balanced wine with silky tannins and a lot of finesse. Pair with pasta, meat, aged cheese and dark chocolate. Alcohol: 16.5% SRP: $100  All of the wines that I tasted are expressive of the terroir and demonstrate the family’s desire to bring back “old school style” wines in addition to being adventurous! Riccardo said, “we want to start a new trend for Amarone and put Valpolicella back on the map, old style. We have the terroir and time to develop, no matter how long it takes”.
As the luncheon drew to a close, Riccardo hinted of a “secret project” that they are working on. Hmmm…I can’t wait to find out! The Pasqua family definitely thinks outside the box and I’m sure whatever they are working on, it will be impressive. The company sells wines in fifty countries worldwide, so find yourself a bottle of their wine and join these “pioneers” in a toast to a “Family Passion!” Until next time… Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at [email protected] With frigid temperatures and bone-chilling winds last evening, it seemed like a perfect time to light a fire and open a bottle of red wine.  What to open? My selection of red wines is extensive but after 10 minutes of quickly perusing labels, I finally chose a bottle of Trivento Malbec, a sample sent to me a few months ago.  In case you are new to my site and haven’t read my previous stories on Bodega Trivento, here is a quick summary. Bodega Trivento is located in Mendoza, Argentina at the foothills of the dramatic Andes Mountains that extend along the entire length of the country, separating it from Chile.  In the mid-1990s Concha y Toro, Chile’s leading wine producer, purchased a collection of eight vineyards spreading across the Maipu, Tupungato, Uco Valley, Luján de Cuyo, San Martin and Rivadavia districts of Mendoza, making it one of the largest wine estates in Mendoza with over 3,185 acres of vines planted. All eight vineyards of Trivento are equipped with state of the art technology, drip irrigation systems and a dedicated team of winemakers and technicians. Winemaker Germán di Cesare oversees the production of Trivento’s premium ranges such as Amado Sur, Brisa de Abril and Golden Reserve wine collection. The name “Amado Sur” loosely translated means “Southern Love”. The name refers to the harmony between Malbec and the unique growing conditions in Mendoza that are so well suited to producing quality Malbec. Trivento Amado Sur Malbec 2016 The grapes for Amado Sur are sourced from the vineyards of Luján de Cuyo, Maipu and Tupungato. The blend is 70% Malbec, 20% Bonarda and 10% Syrah.  Each varietal is vinified separately and aged for 8 months in French oak barrels before blending. The wine is then aged for an additional 6 months in stainless steel tanks and then bottle aged for 5 months. The color is deep ruby with alluring aromas of ripe red fruit, dark berries, cherry, dark plum, spice, vanilla and hints of floral. These aromas segue onto the palate with added anise and pepper. Dark cherry and spice linger on a long finish. The wine is full-bodied with smooth tannins, perfectly balanced and beautifully blended. It is interesting to note that Trivento was one of the first Argentine wineries to experiment with Malbec-based blends. Serve with meat, poultry, pasta, chili and hearty soup. Alcohol: 13% SRP: $15  For a more in-depth look at Trivento, their wines, climate and growing conditions, please read my stories which can be found by clicking on “Trivento” in the categories menu at right.
Until next time… Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at [email protected] Happy New Year! Many bottles of wine were opened over the holidays, most for tasting purposes, but there were quite a few wines that got my attention. One of the “pours” that had me going back for seconds was a bottle of Cline Family Old Vine Zinfandel.  Cline Family Cellars was established in 1982 and is a family owned and operated winery with Fred and Nancy Cline at the helm.  Fred and Nancy Cline Photo credit: Cline Family Cellars Fred learned winemaking from his grandfather and it was in 1982 that he produced his first vintage in Oakley, CA. In 1989, Nancy and Fred purchased a 350-acre horse ranch in Carneros and developed it into a wine vineyard. They moved the winery to Sonoma County. Their vineyards are located in Oakley (Contra Costa), which is home to some of the oldest grapevines in California, in Carneros their estate vineyards and in Sonoma Coast also known as Petaluma Gap. Each vineyard location has its own distinct climate and soil that dictates the types of grapes grown and the overall expression of the wine produced.  Cline Family Cellars practices sustainable farming using such practices as hand hoeing and bringing in sheep and goats to eat the weeds. “We make every effort to reduce soil erosion and other harmful ecological footprints. Our self-nourishing system of minimal human intervention yields excellent quality crops.”  Photo credit: Cline Family Cellars Lodi is home to the oldest Zinfandel vines in California. Some of these ancient vines are over 100 years old. There are seven district AVAs within Lodi. The grapes used for the Cline Old Vine Zinfandel 2016 wine were harvested almost entirely from the Mokelumne River AVA. Vineyards include the Fowler Ranch dating back to 1942, Hubert and Harney vineyards planted in 1962 and the Alpine vineyard planted in 1968, making some of the vines used for this wine over 70 years old. Why use old vines? Old vines have roots that are deeper and stronger, allowing the vine to benefit from a larger selection of nutrients and minerals. Also, older vines produce fewer grapes, so there is more focus and concentration on the low yield grapes on the vine. The result is a richer and more expressive wine.  The Old Vine Zinfandel 2016 is 100% Zinfandel. The wine was aged for 8 months in 35% new French oak. The color is dark ruby with aromas of cherry, red currant, strawberry and spice. The palate offers dark cherry, raspberry and plum with traces of pepper, vanilla and coffee. The wine is full-bodied with velvety tannins and a long finish with just the right amount of jamminess. This wine will pair well with most hearty recipes of meat, poultry and fish. If leaning towards fish, choose a dense one such as tuna, swordfish and shrimp. Tangy sauces and robust pasta will also pair well with the wine.
Alcohol: 14% SRP: $10.99 To quote Nancy Cline, “Our success is based on coming up with a product of high quality and still maintaining value, allowing everyone to enjoy it”. Not only is this wine impressive, but the affordable price is as well! Until next time… Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at [email protected] There was a time not too long ago when I would open a bottle of wine and either share it with a friend or two or pour myself a glass, re-cork the wine and save it for another day. But with wine samples constantly arriving, plus having to taste a multitude of wines for certification courses, the opened bottles were beginning to pile up.  Of course, I’m always happy to pass on many of the opened wines to friends and family, but there are numerous wines that I would like to go back and taste again at another time. So, after looking at all of the options for ways to “re-cork” my wine, I reached out to Coravin. And by now, many of you are shaking your heads wondering what has taken me so long! The Coravin System is a unique way to pour wine and then preserve the wine without ever removing the cork from the bottle! This system allows you to pour a glass at a time, eliminates oxidation and preserves the wine for months. And, you can re-Coravin the bottle multiple times! A medical-grade needle is inserted into the cork; wine is pumped out of the bottle and into the glass while Argon, an inert gas, replaces the space in the bottle. After removing the needle, the cork’s natural elasticity closes up the hole within a minute. Obviously, this technique cannot be used with a synthetic cork or sparkling wine.  When my Coravin Model Two arrived, I unpacked it and then watched the “how to “videos that Coravin provides on their website. I was ready to try it. I chose a bottle of wine that I was planning to open for dinner the following evening. With the wine bottle in its protective sleeve and an empty glass next to it, I performed the operation flawlessly. All I can say is “very cool”! The Coravin System is definitely going to give me more flexibility with tasting and preserving wine.   With protective sleeve in place and glass waiting to be filled.  The Coravin needle is in place on top of the cap and is ready to be inserted.  Voila! Wine is in the glass and the cork has already closed. Of course, I will always have my corkscrew close by because sometimes one just has to “pop the cork”! A big thank you to Coravin for sending me the system which is now giving me carte blanche to my wine cellar and beyond. And, let’s not forget the wine I used as my test subject. 2009 Bodegas San Prudencio Depadre Rioja DOCa is made with 50% Tempranillo and 50% Garnacha from the vineyards of Rioja Alavesa in Spain. I last tasted this wine about two years ago and it just keeps getting better. The color is dark purple with intense aromas of dark fruit, spice and hints of floral. The palate is layered with cherry, blackberry, fig, spice, coffee beans and a long finish topped with pepper and a hint of vanilla. This is a full-bodied wine with soft tannins and one gets enveloped in the depth and character it has to offer. Alcohol: 13.5%  I’m looking forward to using my Coravin system and finally opening wines that deserve some attention!
Until next time… Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at [email protected] All it took was a 15-degree drop in temperature and a cool breeze for me to start thinking about making a batch of soup and pumpkin muffins. The temporary change in weather also motivated me to open a bottle of red wine. Having tasted a lot of lightweight wines the past few months, I was “jonesing” for some Chianti.  Chianti Classico appellation is located in Tuscany, Italy situated between Florence and Siena and is the most esteemed and ancient area in the Chianti winemaking zone.  Chianti Classico is a small wine region that produces DOCG wines with very specific rules. The blend must be at least 80% Sangiovese grapes. Chianti Classico Riserva is made with the best Sangiovese grapes and requires a minimum of 24 months maturation, including 3 months of bottle aging. Every bottle of Chianti Classico has a pink label with the Black Rooster seal, authenticating the wine. The label is a symbol of the Chianti Classico Wine Consortium. The bottle must also bear the DOCG label (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita), which under Italian wine law is the highest designation of quality among Italian wines.   Tomaiolo Chianti Classico Riserva 2012 DOCG is a blend of 90% Sangiovese and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine is aged in oak casks for 24 months and one year in the bottle. The color is deep ruby with aromas of cherry, blackberries, spice, violet and oak. The palate offers dark cherry, dark fruit, cranberry, toast and a long finish of cherry and cocoa. This is a full-bodied, dry wine with soft tannins. Pair with grilled meats, pasta and red sauce, and seared tuna. SRP: $12.99 Alcohol: 13%  I never did make the soup or pumpkin muffins, but there’s always next week!
Until next time… Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at [email protected] |
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