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I’ve just returned from a whirlwind press trip to Birmingham, Alabama that was filled with adventure, history, excellent Southern cuisine and a whole lot more. I’m taking a quick break before sharing this amazing city with you in a four part series.  Last evening with company coming and no time to shop, I took stock of what was available in my kitchen. I had a large spaghetti squash, fresh tomatoes from my garden and a few “salad” items to work with. I really need to go to the market today! I decided to make “squash pasta”. Using my slow cooker, I cooked the squash for about 5 hours. When done, I removed the seeds and scooped out the squash with a fork creating pasta strands. I served one dish with an arrabiata sauce and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese and the other with extra virgin olive oil and pepper. They were both delicious! A tossed salad of tomatoes and romaine with a glass of wine rounded out the meal.  The pour for the evening was a Concha Y Toro 2015 Marques de Casa Concha Chardonnay.   The grapes come from the Quebrada Seca vineyard in Northern Chile’s Limarí region which experiences a long growing season of almost 7 months. The grapes are handpicked and the wine is aged in new and used medium-toasted French Burgundian barrels for 11 to 12 months. This 100% Chardonnay is light yellow with lovely aromas of pear, hints of toasted nuts, yellow plums and melon. The palate is layered with pear, honeysuckle, a touch of lilies and a burst of lemon zest on a long finish. This is a full-bodied, crisp wine with loads of character. Alcohol: 14% SRP: $22 Surprisingly, the Chardonnay paired well with the piquant red sauce. The wine was refreshing and stood up to the spice. This is a versatile wine that will complement many dishes.   If you would like to learn more about Concha Y Toro and Chile, please check out my past stories from the menu on the right.  It’s time for me to go food shopping! Have a great day!
It’s Wine Wednesday! I hope you’re pouring something delicious into your glass tonight!   I’m flying out on a press trip tomorrow and won’t be posting here for a few days. However, if you want to find out where I’m going and what I’m doing, follow me on Twitter and Instagram! Twitter @peninablogger Instagram @ thewineknitter I will have some interesting stories for you when I return! Until next time…
Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at [email protected]  Summer is not officially over until Friday, September 22nd, but the leaves are already turning vibrant colors and the flowers seem to be giving up their desire to bloom. Sadly, my hummingbirds have begun their long migration south, signaling that autumn is indeed lurking around the corner. With the temperature falling into the low 50 degree range the other evening, I decided to open a Spanish red wine to pair with a hearty vegetable soup that I was serving. The Ribera del Duero 2012 Vina Valera Vinas Viejas hit the spot!  The Virgen de la Asunción Winery is a cooperative that was founded in 1957. It is located in the heart of the Ribera del Duero, in Spain’s northern plateau and is one of 12 founding wineries of the Denomination of Origin Ribera del Duero. The vineyards are comprised of 70, 80 and 90+ year old vines that produce high-quality Tempranillo based wines, known locally as Tinto Fino.  The Vina Valera Vinas Viejas 2012 is 100% Tempranillo (Tinto Fino). The grapes are harvested from 90+ year-old vines and the wine is aged for 14 months in new French oak barrels. The color of the wine is deep purple with seductive aromas of blackberry, cherry and spices. This is a smooth full-bodied wine that is rich with dark berries, spice, plum and hints of tobacco. Round tannins and a long fruit jam with a spice finish is heavenly! Alcohol: 13.5% About $25  If you haven’t tried wines from Ribera del Duero, pick up a bottle the next time you’re shopping for wine. You’ll be happy that you did!  And now it’s time to pick the last of the tomatoes from my garden. Have a great day!
Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at [email protected] What does a French winemaker have in common with Havana, Cuba? And how did I end up at a Cuban restaurant tasting some extraordinary wines from the Languedoc-Roussillon region of France.  It seems that Stephane Kandler, owner of Château Tourril has a passion for wine, cigars, the sea and the mystique of Cuba. Having named a few of his wines honoring these passions, Havana Central Times Square Restaurant in NYC. was the perfect choice for Stephane along with Loubaton Imports and Sud de France to host a Havana-themed wine tasting and luncheon.  Stephane Kandler, owner of Château Tourril Château Tourril is located in the commune of Roubia on a 13-hectare family vineyard in the Languedoc-Roussillon region between the famous city of Carcassonne and the Canal du Midi, in the south of France. At the origin of the Château is an ancient gallo-roman signal tower that sits on top of the estate for which the Château is named. “Tower” in French is “tour”. The vineyard is enclosed in a clay-limestone corrie surrounded by garrigue (scrubland) that acts as a barrier, protecting the vines against winds and frost. See slide show below. Château Tourril only produces wine from the AOC Minervois appellation. The grapes are harvested from Syrah, Cinsault, 100-year-old Carignan, Grenache and Roussanne vines. The entire production process takes place at the Château using modern winemaking technology. After the 2016 harvest, they made the move to certified AB organic production. Their first full organic AOC Minervois Harvest was in 2017. This year Château Tourril will be celebrating its 20th anniversary. Stephane Kandler, owner and second generation, took control of the family business three years ago after spending twenty years as a professional sailor competing in the America’s Cup. In Stephane’s words “I was mainly on the sea with salt and water. Three years ago I decided to pack my bags and go back on land. I decided to take over the family business. We started 3 years ago with a goal to become a prominent Languedoc estate, increasing quality of wine and vineyards going organic. Good for nature, the land and soil.” We tasted four Tourril wines at the event; all of them were of good quality and quite expressive.  We started with the AOC Minervois Rosé 2016 Havana. The name “Havana” was given to the Rosé because it makes one think of parties, sun and warm weather. The blend is 70% Cinsault and 30% Grenache. Having reviewed the 2015 Havana Rosé on 8/13/16, I was looking forward to trying the 2016. I was not disappointed! The color is pale strawberry with aromas of fresh fruit and hints of citrus. The palate offers cherry, citrus and lots of freshness, balanced with a smooth and zesty finish. A “playful” rosé for sure! Alcohol: 12.5% SRP: $14  The AOC Minervois White Helios 2016 is 100% Roussanne. The color is pale yellow with wonderful aromas of fresh flowers, pears and herbs. The palate is rich and silky with layers of perfume, fruit, hints of peach and vanilla. Smooth, balanced and dry! Alcohol: 13% SRP: $20  The AOC Minervois Red Philippe 2011 is a lovely blend of 40% Carignan, 30% Grenache Noir and 30% Syrah. The color is royal ruby with heady aromas of dark fruit, cherry and spice. This is a full-bodied wine that layers the palate with blackberries, currants, plums and a hint of pepper. Smooth tannins and long finish give this wine richness. Alcohol: 13% SRP: $18  The AOC Minervois Red Panatella 2011 is a beautiful blend of 80% Syrah and 20% Grenache. And of course, the wine is named after the Cuban cigar! This was definitely one of my favorites. The color is dark purple with luscious aromas of dark berries, spice and herbs. This is a full-bodied wine with so much character! The palate is silky smooth with dark fruit, anise, spice, tobacco and a smokiness that lingers on the finish. Well done! Alcohol: 13.5% SRP $20  In January 2017 Château Tourril launched a program in support of local economy and disadvantaged people. KuB© is an eco-friendly rechargeable wooden box that contains a 3 liter Bag In Box. The wood is obtained from sustainably managed forests and the boxes are manufactured locally by a specialized institution that helps disabled people. The design is clever because the box can also be used as a birdhouse without any modification. Pretty awesome! And what would a Havana themed tasting be without hand rolled cigars!  Château Tourril wines are elegant and versatile for drinking as aperitifs or pairing with foods. Take a look at their website at: http://www.chateautourril.fr
Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at [email protected] With summer coming to an end soon, many wine stores are having sales on white and rosé wines. It’s a great time to stock up on these wines, especially if you’re like me and enjoy drinking them in celebration of every season!  As I’ve said many times before, there is no hard and fast rule as to when to serve a wine or what food it should be paired with. As long as the wine complements the food, anything goes!  In addition to sparkling wines, I find rosés to be quite festive to serve at holiday time. They are great to serve as an aperitif or with cheese and fruit. Rosé also pairs well with turkey and other game. I was going to review a rosé that I recently tasted, but I am cutting this post short. With Hurricane Irma barreling towards the United States, and in particular, Miami, Florida, I have many phone calls to make to insure that family and friends are safe. And just in case someone needs a place to stay, I am preparing my home and also making a large pot of soup to soothe the soul. It’s my “go to” comfort food.  I will return on Tuesday with a very interesting story…  Be safe out there!
Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at [email protected]  All it took was opening a bottle of wine to transport me back to the enchanting island of Pantelleria that I visited this past April with my gracious host, Donnafugata. The 2016 Donnafugata Lighea Zibibbo Sicilia is 100% Zibibbo (Muscat of Alexandria) and is produced on the Sicilian island of Pantelleria.  Zibibbo is an aromatic grape originally from Egypt that ancient Arab settlers brought to the island. “Zibibbo” comes from the Arabic word “zabib” which means “raisins”. In addition to the zibibbo wines, Moscato and Passito di Pantelleria are made from this sweet grape.  An ancient Zbibbo vine on Pantelleria Island. Lighea is a dry version of Zibibbo. Although the aromas would lead one to believe that they are about to drink a sweet wine, you are in for a pleasant surprise. Donnafugata has created a beautiful balance of mildly sweet and dry wine. The color of Lighea is light yellow with exotic aromas of tropical fruit, oranges, stone fruit, honey and hints of white flowers. The palate is layered with apricots, citrus fruit and salty mineral notes. Lemon zest and apricots linger on a very long finish! Yummy!! This wine drinks well as an aperitif or serve it with fish, pasta and appetizers. Alcohol: 12.38% SRP $20  As always, there is a story behind Donnafugata labels. “From the disheveled tresses the color of the sun, seawater flowed over the green, wide-open eyes.” Thus Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa describes Lighea, the bewitching siren and principal figure in his novel. She has inspired the creation of a complex and innovative wine and an equally original label. “It was not easy to print this label”, Gabriella (founder of Donnafugata, with her husband Giacomo) recalled, “and preserve the thousand shadings of colors of Pantelleria Island, painted in the original drawing.” As I inhale the aromas of Pantelleria Island and sip this lovely wine, my thoughts return to a magical day. Pure bliss!  To learn more about Donnafugata and Pantelleria island, please read my story: Day 575 Donnafugata A 360 Degree Tour - The WineKnitter http://thewineknitter.com/1/post/2017/05/day-575-donnafugata-a-360-degree-tour.html
Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at [email protected] If you didn’t read my last post “Day 592 Susana Balbo”, please scroll down the page and do so now. It will give you insight into this amazing Argentinian winemaker, her wines and dynamic commitment to oenology. The story also includes a review of two whites and one rosé wine from Susana’s CRIOS collection.  So now that you’re hopefully up to speed with Susana Balbo, I’ll continue my exploration of a few reds from Susana’s CRIOS collection. One thing that I didn’t mention in my previous story is that CRIOS in Spanish means “offspring”. The CRIOS brand was created by Susana as a tribute to her son and daughter, who are now an integral part of the family business.  As I did in my last post, I have included the back label of each wine that shares Susana’s personal story about the wine. The 2015 CRIOS Red Blend is made with 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Malbec, 20% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc and 5% Tannat. The grapes were hand-harvested from the Uco Valley. The wine was aged for eight months in French oak. The color is dark crimson bordering on purple. Lush aromas of dark and red berries, plum and spice spill onto the palate with cherry, fennel, pepper and hints of oak. This is an earthy wine with mild tannins and is beautifully balanced. It will complement a wide range of food. Alcohol: 14.5% SRP: $15 The 2015 CRIOS Cabernet Sauvignon is 95% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc. The grapes were hand-harvested from the Luján de Cuyo region. The wine was aged for nine months in 100% French oak. The color is deep red with lovely aromas of cherry, dark berries and spice. This full-bodied earthy wine fills the palate with dark cherry, blackberries, licorice, herbs and spice. Pepper and vanilla linger on the palate for a long finish. Soft to medium tannins make this an excellent wine to accompany hearty meals as well as cheese and fruit. Impressive! Alcohol: 14.5% SRP: $15 The 2015 CRIOS Malbec is made with 95% Malbec and 5% Bonarda. The grapes were hand-harvested from the Uco valley region. The wine was aged for nine months in 100% French oak. The color of this wine is deep red bordering on purple with aromas of berries, cherry, pepper and floral notes. The palate offers layers of juicy red fruit including plum and cherry. The layers continue with blackberry, herbs and spice. Medium bodied, fresh and balanced. Simply lovely! Use your imagination when pairing with food! Alcohol: 14.5% SRP $15 I can’t wait to taste Susana’s other wine collections.
Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at [email protected] Susana Balbo is the founder and owner of Susana Balbo Wines in Argentina. Susana is not only the most well-known Argentinian female winemaker globally, but she is also the first female enologist in Argentina! With over thirty years experience in the wine industry, Susana has built an impressive career and produces some outstanding wines.  Susan Balbo From an early age, Susana strayed from wanting a traditional “female” education by electing to study nuclear physics in Bariloche. However, her parents would not let her leave Mendoza to pursue this path. So, Susana made a decision to follow the family’s wine business and in 1981, she graduated from Don Bosco University with a degree in oenology, becoming the first female enologist in Argentina and challenging the male-dominated wine industry in Mendoza. Susana’s career began at Michel Torino winery in the Salta province where she made her first wine, which was the first vintage of Torrontés from Salta in 1983. She then continued on to work at many other well-regarded wineries and also worked as a consultant winemaker for national and worldwide wineries before “birthing” Susana Balbo Wines in 1999. Her first vintage was released in 2002.  Susana Balbo Wines is located in Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza in western Argentina close to the Andes Mountains. Due to the close proximity of the Andes, the vineyards are subject to a hot, dry climate during the day and cool alpine winds in the evenings, thus allowing the grapes to develop and ripen slowly while reaching full tannic ripeness and maintaining their acidity. In addition to Susana’s two children, José, winemaker and Ana, Marketing Manager who joined the team in 2011 and 2012, esteemed winemaker and viticulturist, Edy del Popolo is also on board.  Susana with her children. With state of the art technology and a nonstop commitment to seeking innovative ways to enhance her winemaking, Susana continues to produce fresh, light and elegant wines. In addition to being renowned throughout the world for her wine-making talents and single vineyard wines, Susana is also a global ambassador for Argentina. In 2014 she was elected to serve a third term as President of Wines of Argentina. Susana produces four brands of wine that include CRIOS, Susana Balbo, Nosotros and Benmarco. I recently received five bottles of CRIOS wines that include three reds, a white Torrontés and a Rosé of Malbec. CRIOS is “the cutting edge” brand by Susana Balbo and wines are priced at $15. Although this brand was created for the Millennials and Gen X generations, these wines will appeal to a broad range of age groups. CRIOS is harvested from specific areas of Mendoza and Salta.  I’m going to start with my thoughts on the Torrontés and Rosé of Malbec. My next post will focus on the reds.  The 2016 CRIOS Torrontés Argentina is 100% Torrontés. The grapes are hand-harvested from the Cafayate (Salta) and Uco Valley (Mendoza) regions. The color is pale yellow with green highlights. The nose offers floral notes, pear, citrus and hints of vanilla. The palate has a beautiful texture with pear, green apple and lemon zest on the finish. This wine is perfectly balanced, crisp and fresh. It is the #1 selling Torrontés in the US! Alcohol: 13% The 2017 CRIOS Rosé of Malbec is 100% Malbec. The grapes are hand-harvested from the Uco Valley region. The color is deep pink bordering on cherry. The nose offers lush berries, especially strawberry and a hint of caramel cream that segues onto the palate with a hint of spice. Sour cherry and candied apple bring home the finish. A nicely balanced, dry Rosé …wonderful! Alcohol: 12% I’m looking forward to opening the CRIOS reds and I’ll share my thoughts with you in my next post.
Until then… Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at [email protected]  With the dog days of summer upon us, one might not be so inclined to reach for a red wine to drink as an aperitif. Most of us would probably opt for a chilled rosé or white wine. However, I decided to open a red wine to toast a few friends and the onset of evening. My selection was the perfect choice!  Donnafugata’s Sedàra 2015 is a delicious Sicilian red blend made with Nero d’Avola (the primary grape), Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah and a small percentage of other grapes from Sicily. The color is dark crimson with an inviting bouquet of dark berries, cherry, plum and spice. The palate offers layers of dark juicy fruit, pepper and soft tannins. This is a medium bodied wine with the aging potential of 4 to 5 years. Sedàra is an easy wine to drink. And in addition to drinking well as an aperitif, it will pair beautifully with meats, pastas, fish, cheese and fruit. Alcohol: 13.43% SRP: $16  Donnafugata produces enticing wines and I am a big fan of their whimsical labels. I'm especially captivated by their stories called “Dialogue with Art”. This is what Donnafugata say about Sedàra. “This wine carries in its heart the concreteness and sweetness of Angelica Sedara, the charming Claudia Cardinale, protagonist of the film “The Leopard” directed by Luchino Visconti. The label, which refers to the cellars at Contessa Entellina and the land in which the roots of this wine are deeply planted: in the foreground the green of the vineyard, on a white background, communicates the freshness and pleasantness of this wine and its most recent evolution.”  To read more about Donnafugata wines and the indigenous grapes of Sicily, check out my stories from this past May.
Happy Friday! Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at [email protected] Living with food allergies is a challenge for many people. Scrutinizing food labels and informing others of your allergies when dining out is critical to staying safe and healthy.  I was diagnosed with a few life threatening food allergies about 18 years ago. To be on the safe side I had business sized cards printed out displaying all my allergies. When I travel to other countries, I have the cards printed out in the language of the country I’m visiting. Due to my vigilance I have never had any issues, until the other day.  I either misread a label or I now have yet another food that I’m allergic to! After seeing two doctors I have been put on Prednisone and Benadryl for the next 9 days. Once my system stabilizes, the allergist and I will investigate and find the culprit!   Sadly, due to the medications I’m taking, I will have to take a 7 day hiatus from sampling wine. However, I will be back in full swing with lots of stories by the end of next week. You can’t keep me down for long! Until then, enjoy the weekend!
Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at [email protected] |
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