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 It has been a busy week so far and hence the absence of posts the past few days. On Monday I attended the Terroir Tour Symposium where I was introduced to Greek wines. And Tuesday was an amazing day of tasting impressive wines from New York at the NY Drinks NY Grand Tasting. Since I will be attending a Wines of Greece event in early May which will be more comprehensive than Monday’s event, I’ll wait until then to share my Greek wine story. However, here are samples of a rose, white and red wine that I tasted at the event to hopefully wet your appetite. In a nutshell, Greece has over 300 indigenous grapes and seven wine regions that include many sub-regions. As you can imagine, Greece has many interesting wines. The list of grapes is long but Assyrtiko and Moschofilero, (white grapes) and Agiorghitiko and Xinomavro, (red grapes) are predominant and important grapes used in Greece’s wine making.  The Alpha Estate is located in Northwestern Macedonia in the Amyndeon plateau. The Rose Amyndeon 2016 is pink-salmon in color and made with 50% Xinomavro and 50% Syrah. Aromas of fresh red fruit, strawberries and hints of floral spill onto the palate. This wine is well balanced, dry and has a lengthy finish. Average price: $25  Domaine Sigalas is located in Oia, the northern part of Santorini Island. It is best known for its white wines made from the Assyrtiko grape. The Nychteri 2013 is 100% Assyrtiko. The color is golden with a nose of honey, stone fruit and lemon. The palate offers a full-bodied and complex wine, rich with fruit, spice, tart lemon and a hint of petrol. Average price: $40  Domaine Skouras is located in the Northeastern Peloponnese, in Argolida. Labyrinth 99-12 is made from sequent vintages of the Megas Oenos label that mature together in a special barrique for 18 months. It is made with 80% Aghiorghitiko and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. The color is deep red with concentrated aromas of red fruit, especially dark cherries, spice and pepper. The palate offers lush berries, medium tannins and hints of clove. This is a full-bodied wine that delivers a complex and silky mouthfeel with a lengthy finish.  My story in May will be more detailed, describing Greece’s wine history, regions, terroir and grapes. I will also share interesting stories about some of the producers.
If you’ve never tried Greek wine, then next time you’re perusing the shelves of a wine shop, buy a bottle and please share your thoughts with me! Στην υγειά σας Stin ygeiá sas! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at [email protected]  It seems that my “to do” lists are getting longer along with the daylight hours. And as I complete one task, several more pop up! My goal is to check off all items by the end of this weekend so I can put my energy into focusing on all the wine events coming up this month and next.  Looking ahead to the next few weeks, I’ll be attending several wine events, seminars and Master classes. I’m looking forward to learning more about wines from Greece, New Zealand, Italy and New York! Before I begin my “travels” next week, I want to make a quick stop in California today.  The other evening I tasted a delicious Cline Cellars 2012 Sonoma Zinfandel. Cline Cellars was founded by Fred Cline in 1982 and his brother Matt joined the team as Winemaker in 1986. The 350-acre estate is located in the Carneros District of the Sonoma Valley. Their vineyards boast some of the oldest and rarest vines in California, which includes one hundred year old plantings of Carignane, Mourvedre and Zinfandel grapes. Cline Cellars produces at least seven different Zinfandels, including an Ancient Vines Zinfandel made with vines that are 80+ years old. It is interesting to note that Zinfandel grapes are of Croatian origin. DNA fingerprinting has confirmed that both Italy’s Primitivo and Croatia’s Crljenak Kastelanski grapes are genetically identical to Zinfandel grapes. Zinfandel grapes didn’t arrive in America until around 1920. By the end of the 19th century, Zinfandel grapes were being planted throughout California and most likely originated in Croatia. According to the California Department of Food and Agriculture, Zinfandel is the third leading wine grape variety in California.  The 2012 Sonoma Zinfandel is filled with aromas of strawberry, cherry and spice. The wine is fruit forward with notes of strawberry, raspberry and cloves with hints of herbs and vanilla on the finish. Soft tannins and a silky mouth-feel combined with robust fruit flavor give this wine a rich and memorable impression. Unfortunately, I don’t have a photo of the wine due to technical failure of the camera on my cell phone. These photos are courtesy of Cline Cellars. Have a great Thursday!
Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at [email protected]  My weekend started with a visit to a friend’s home for wine, appetizers and of course some fun “catch up” talk and laughter. Being the perfect hostess that she always is, there was an assortment of wine chilling in the refrigerator as well as an abundance of reds to choose from. The choice was mine, so I opted for the William Fevre 'Champs Royaux' Chablis 2015.  Chablis region is an historic wine-producing town located in the northernmost wine district of Burgundy, France. The Chablis wine region runs along the Serein valley and across 19 communes. Chablis is called the “Golden Gate of Burgundy”. These are not typical Burgundy white wines. Due to Chablis cooler climates, the wines are lighter, less fruity and have more acidity than the warmer Chardonnay producing wine regions. Most of the terroir is limestone and clay soils, rich with fossils and oysters. William Fèvre is descended from a family that dates back to living in Chablis for over 250 years. Following in his father’s footsteps and with 7 hectares of vineyards, Fèvre began making wine in 1959. Today, the estate is owned by the Henriot family of Champagne and boasts 78 hectares of vineyards. It is one of the largest in Chablis of which 15.9 are classified as Premiers Crus and 15.2 as Grand Crus. “Practicing sustainable growing in its vineyards for nearly 12 years now, Domaine William Fèvre has just obtained “High Environmental Value” (HVE) status, the highest level of environmental certification (February 2015).” https://www.williamfevre.fr/en  The 'Champs Royaux' Chablis 2015 was chilled to perfection. The color is pale lemon with subtle floral, citrus and white peach aromas. This is a light-bodied wine with crisp acidity and mineral notes, offering fresh fruit and citrus on the palate. The wine paired beautifully with the array of appetizers!  Happy Saturday!
Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at [email protected]  With an upcoming press trip to Sicily just 8 weeks away, a friend gave me a bottle of Sicilian wine last evening to remind me of what I had to look forward to. I have written a few posts about Sicilian wine, including a story of the Donnafugata winery. http://thewineknitter.com/1/post/2016/02/day-431-donnafugata.html However, today’s post is just a quick glimpse into one of Sicily’s wineries. I will be writing more extensive articles upon my return.  Tasca d’Almerita Winery was founded in 1830. The estate is located in central Sicily, about an hour south of Cefalù. The winery is located on the Regaleali estate that stretches over 500 hectare in the lush and mountainous heart of Sicily. Count Lucio Tasca, a descendent of the original owners, owns and runs the company along with his sons Alberto and Giuseppe. Carlo Ferrini is at the helm of Tasca D’ Almerita, and is a famous Tuscan winemaker and consultant who is very prominent in the wine world.  Tasca d'Almerita Lamùri Nero d'Avola Sicilia 2012 is made from 100% Nero d’Avola grapes. The Nero d’Avola grape, which means “Black of Avola” due to its dark coloring, is one of the most important and widely planted red grapes in Sicily. Lamùri means love in Sicilian and that love transcends into making this fine wine. The color of the wine is dark ruby and is rich with aromas of dark cherry, berries, herbs and hints of floral. The palate offers dark fruit, plum and spice with floral and cherry on the finish. This is a well-structured wine with silky tannins and fresh acidity. Alcohol: 13.5% If you would like more information about Tasca d’Almerita, please visit: http://tascadalmerita.it/en/  I have many events to cover in March and I look forward to sharing with you!
Happy Wine Wednesday! Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at [email protected] Perhaps it is because I’ve been surrounded by a “pink” theme for the past few days, but I’ve been craving rosé wine lately. In my last post I shared my thoughts about a lovely sparkling rosé from the Vinho Verde region of Portugal.  So now let’s travel to another continent and explore a delicious rosé from Lazy Creek Vineyards located in Anderson Valley, Mendocino County, California. It is the second oldest vineyard in the valley dating back to the early 1900s when an Italian family established the 95-acre property for farming. In 1969, Hans and Theresa Kobler, natives of Switzerland, purchased the property and converted the old barn into a winery and planted Pinot Noir, Gewürztraminer and Chardonnay vines that they brought by suitcase from Europe! After a “fruitful” run of 26 years and 19-planted vineyards, it was sold again in 1998 to Josh and Mary Beth Chandler. Ten years later in 2008, Don and Rhonda Carano purchased the 95-acre ranch which now had about 40 acres of grapes including Riesling. Don and Rhonda are no strangers to growing grapes, having first purchased a small ranch in 1979 in the Alexander Valley where they grew a few acres of Gewürztraminer. Their passion and commitment to sustainability transcends to the wines that they produce. Lazy Creek Winery was recently awarded a sustainable certification by the Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance.  Don and Rhonda Carano Photo courtesy of Lazy Creek Vineyards  Lazy Creek Vineyards Lazy Creek Vineyards 2015 Rosé of Pinot Noir is a noteworthy wine made from 100% Pinot Noir. The color is light coral with delicate floral aromas mixed with strawberry, grapefruit and melon. The palate offers strawberry, honeydew and watermelon with hints of nectarine. This medium bodied wine has richness to it but is light at the same time. A dry and crisp finish gives way to flavors that persist for a satisfying conclusion. Serve chilled with just about any food. Thumbs up on this rosé! http://lazycreekvineyards.com Alcohol: 14.2% SRP: $22 Have a happy Friday and a magical weekend!
Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at [email protected] Valentine’s Day is almost here and quite a few romantics are getting a head start by celebrating this weekend. Flowers, candy and hearts of all different sizes and designs are on display everywhere, as well as specially designed bottles of sparkling wine to mark the occasion. I especially love the mini bottles with little heart embellishments.  With pink and red being the main theme for Valentine’s Day, rosé sparkling wine is a perfect choice to serve. Sparkling rosés are festive and range in color from light salmon to dark cherry and evoke the sentiment of the holiday. Rosés may be thought of as more of a spring and summer wine, but I enjoy them all year long and they pair beautifully with just about every type of food!  Rosés are produced all over the world and can differ greatly in amount of dryness, fruit, flavor and price. Most of my rosé reviews have been about wines from France, Italy, Washington, CA and Spain. So, in keeping with my habitual curiosity of tasting wines, I recently tried a very inexpensive bottle of Casal Garcia Vinho Verde Rosé produced by the Aveleda Winery in Portugal.  Vinho Verde is the largest DOC (Denominação de Origem Controlada) of Portugal and is located in the northwestern corner. The region grows a variety of grapes in fertile, granite and sandy soils with rainy, humid and cool temperatures created by its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean. This particular rosé is a blend of Vinhão, Azal Tinto and Borraçal grapes. The color is vibrant cherry with strawberry and raspberry aromas that segue onto the palate. It is mildly effervescent with a dry yet creamy mouthfeel. The fresh fruit is nicely balanced with acidity and a hint of citrus zest leads to a crisp finish. Alcohol: 9.5% Price: $8.50  Considering the price of this rosé, it is a great value for quality sparkling wine and proves that one doesn’t always have to spend a fortune to show how much you care. Your heart and love will pair well with any wine! Whether you’re celebrating Valentine’s Day with loved ones, friends, family or just want to celebrate “you”, go ahead and indulge in some chocolates such as champagne truffles and pop a bottle of “pink”!  Have a sweet and bubbly Valentine’s Day!
Cheers! Penina  With an impending snowstorm on its way, my thoughts are turning to comfort food and red wines. Last month I made a big vat of vegetable bean soup, poured it into airtight pint sized gelato containers and stored them in the freezer. I do this with a lot of freezable recipes such as chili and stews. It’s a great way to store food and makes for an easy, no fuss meal. Just thaw as many containers as you need, then heat and serve! Several of my friends liked the idea so much, that they are doing the same thing. And the bonus is, you have an excuse to buy and enjoy gelato…just say that you’re running out of containers!  So, while the containers of soup are thawing, I’ll tell you about the wine I chose to pair with the soup.  Marques de Casa Concha is an outstanding brand of Concha y Toro and is known for its fine collection of single vineyard varietals produced by noted winemaker Marcelo Papa. The grapes for the 2014 Carmenere are sourced from the celebrated Peumo vineyard, located in the Cachapoal zone of Chile’s Rapel Valley. The Carmenere grape is a member of the Cabernet family and was originally planted in the Medoc region of Bordeaux, France. It is considered part of the original six grapes of Bordeaux. The name Carmenere comes from the French word crimson. The Carmenere grape was first imported to Chile in the 19th century which now has the largest area of planted Carmenere in the world. Today, Carmenere grows chiefly in the Colchagua Valley, Rapel Valley, and Maipo Province of Chile and produces the majority of Carmenere wines.  The Marques de Casa Concha 2014 Carmenere is a medium -bodied wine made with a blend of 88% Carmenere and 12% Cabernet Sauvignon. The color is an intense dark red with hints of light purple on the rim. The aromas of dark fruit, cherry, spice and a touch of floral are very inviting. The palate offers an amazing rush of black pepper that is immediately infused with layers of plum, dark fruit, essence of oak (from 16 months in French oak), dark chocolate and hints of vanilla and spice on the finish. Soft tannins, velvety mouthfeel and beautifully balanced, this is a wine that speaks. Alcohol: 14% SRP: $25 Although I paired this wine with a hearty soup, it would certainly complement meat, game and fish entrees such as tuna and swordfish. Try some Manchego or Brie cheese with this wine. Trust me, it’s an interesting combo!  My guest was happy that I saved some wine to serve with the soup!
Have a great Wine Wednesday! Cheers! Penina  It’s Super Bowl weekend and the parties have already started.  For the past two weeks recipe suggestions for the big day have inundated my Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts. Some of the recipes are quite impressive and unique ranging from simple fare to “food” footballs. Just google “recipes for Super Bowl” and be prepared to click on hundreds of links!  Since I will be attending a Super Bowl party, my only preparation this year will be bringing my famous and delicious warm Crabmeat Dip. If you would like the recipe, please email me. Everyone seems to have an opinion as to the appropriate wine one should open for Super Bowl night. As far as I’m concerned, the only thing that matters is that you enjoy what you open. And I personally think that any wine goes with football! In fact, maybe wine isn’t the answer. Perhaps your “go to” drink might be vodka, scotch, beer, cognac, soda or juice! I plan on bringing a bottle of 2014 Domaine Dutron Pere et Fils Saint- Véran, a lovely white Burgundy produced in the southernmost appellation of the Mâconnais region of Burgundy. The wine should pair nicely with the crab dip.  Whatever you eat or drink, enjoy the game! I hope your team wins!
Cheers! Penina 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]  After tasting and enjoying so many wonderful Bordeaux wines the other day, I was at a loss as to what wine to open for my dinner guest that evening. I still had Bordeaux on my palate, but I needn’t have worried. My guest came bearing a gift of a most welcome bottle of wine. We opened a 2005 Nickel & Nickel “Ponzo Vineyard” Russian River Valley Zinfandel. The partners of Far Niente founded Nickel & Nickel winery in 1997. Their mission was to produce 100% varietal, single vineyard wines.  Ponzo Vineyard Photo courtesy of Nickel & Nickel The Ponzo Vineyard is located adjacent to the Russian River. The first vines were planted around 1920 on flat, sandy loam soil that produces more dramatic concentrated fruit. The cork was soft and crumbly so we decanted the wine through a strainer. I was happy to note that the color was dark ruby with fruit and spice aromas. Considering the wine’s age, it had a lot of depth and character. Layers of rich fruit, spice and pepper were more present than I anticipated. The wine was silky with lingering moments of cherry and spice on the finish. It drank beautifully! The wine paired nicely with the cheese spread, but we drank it all before dinner was served! I’ll tell you about what we drank with our meal in my next post! http://www.nickelandnickel.com  Have a peaceful Sunday!
Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at [email protected] |
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