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September 11th I took this photo in 1979 from a ferry while giving my 9-year-old niece a tour of NYC.  Today I'm mourning the loss of those who died on 9/11 and my niece Sidra who passed away 2 years ago.
Penina
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 It’s interesting how a change in temperature can influence the palate. I awoke the other morning to crisp fall-like weather and my thoughts went immediately to making one of my hearty soups. I started compiling a list of ingredients to buy and perused my wine inventory for a bold red wine to serve with the soup. By the time I was ready to go food shopping, the humidity and heat had crept back in. The soup went on hold mode and the California Cabernet Sauvignon was gently slipped back into its resting place. With another heat wave on the horizon, I’ll revert back to “light” cooking and enjoying crisp, refreshing, chilled wines! Speaking of which… I popped open a bottle of 2013 Frog’s Leap Sauvignon Blanc, Rutherford, Napa Valley. This 100% Sauvignon Blanc is “made entirely from dry-farmed and organically grown grapes.” Quote taken from Frogsleap.com The color was pale straw with vivid aromas of pear, citrus, grapefruit and a hint of floral. The palate offered a tasty infusion of citrus, pear and pineapple with hints of grapefruit and melon. A combination of lemon zest and vanilla lingered on the finish. This is a crisp and beautifully balanced wine that would complement a multitude of food in addition to drinking on it’s own, as I did.  I’m off to embrace this warm but beautiful day! I’m thinking perhaps a white Burgundy might be nice for this evening!
Happy Thursday! Cheers! Penina  The last of the strawberries are ripening on my plant, signifying the end of the season. It’s that time of year again when the annuals stop producing flowers and the leaves on the trees begin their magical color show. Autumn is waiting impatiently around the corner. The “grape” news is that it is grape harvest season in the Northern Hemisphere! Harvesting usually takes place between August and October. And in the Southern Hemisphere, the harvest season is usually between February and April.  So, while I may bemoaning the fact that my swimming days are numbered, as I write this, grapes are being harvested somewhere. Which means our wine glasses will be filled in the not so distant future with the “fruits” of someone’s labor today.  I’ll be back soon with some wine reviews!
Happy Tuesday! Cheers! Penina  Nestled in the Province of Asti, in the Italian region of Piedmont, lies the town of Canelli which is home to over 10,000 inhabitants. Ancient villages, castles and bountiful vineyards perched on gentle slopes surround Canelli. The town is steeped in history and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site on June 22nd, 2014. It is also considered the birthplace of the Italian sparkling wine, Asti.  The municipality boasts many grape varieties such as Moscato, Barbera, Dolcetto, Cortese and Chardonnay. The Barbera grape is the third most planted red grape variety in Italy and the most famous appellation is the DOCG Barbera d’Asti. Almost half of all grape vine plantings in Piedmont are Barbera. The grape is a deep color and is known for producing low tannins and high levels of acid.  Photo courtesy of Coppo Winery Coppo Winery is located in Canelli and was founded by Piero Coppo in 1892. It has remained in the family for over 120 years and is now run by Piero’s four grandsons, Piero, Gianni, Paolo and Roberto. Cousins Max and Luigi who are fourth generation, have recently joined the team. Piero began building the winery in the late 18th century, creating small underground cellars to store wine. The cellars were expanded between the 1800s and 1900s and are know today as the Underground Cathedrals. Due to their historical value, these underground cellars have been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site. What began in the 1800s with Coppo making the first Italian spumante with secondary bottle fermentation and giving Canelli a place in wine history, led to Coppo’s production of red wines in the 20th century. Among their most notable red is Barbera d’Asti. In 1984, the Coppo family produced the first vintage of Barbera d’Asti Pomorosso, “making it the symbol of the winery and paradigm of a new history of Barbera”. Quote taken from Coppo website. I recently tasted three Barbera d’Asti releases from the Coppo Winery, courtesy of the importer, Folio Fine Wine Partners.  2014 Coppo L’Avvocata Barbera d’Asti DOCG 2012 Coppo Camp du Rouss Barbera d’Asti DOCG 2010 Coppo Pomorosso Barbera d’Asti DOCG  The 2014 L’Avvocata is Coppo’s entry level Barbera d’Asti. It is made with 100% Barbera grapes and aged in stainless steel tanks. The color of the wine is dark cherry bordering on ruby. The aromas of cherry, plum and a bit of earth spill over into a subtle fusion of fresh berries, raspberries, spice, pepper and a hint of sour cherry on the palate. It is a medium to long finish. The wine is clean and nicely balanced with soft tannins. This is a great wine to pair with pasta, piquant red sauce, meaty fish and bold cheeses. Alcohol 13% Price: $15 (SRP)  The 2012 Camp du Rouss Barbera d’Asti is made with 100% Barbera grapes and aged in French oak barrels. The color of the wine is deep ruby with cherry, red raspberry, tobacco and spice on the nose. On the palate this full-bodied wine leads with sour cherry seguing into hints of plum, pepper and oak with a long and crisp finish. This is another well balanced wine with soft tannins, making it a perfect wine to drink alone or pair with a hearty lasagna! Alcohol: 14.5% Price: $21.00 (SRP)  The 2010 Pomorosso is Coppo’s signature Barbera d’Asti. Made with 100% Barbera grapes, it is aged for 14 months in French oak barrels. The color of the wine is dark ruby with purple hues. It has intense aromas of spice and cherry with hints of blueberry and oak that are layered and continue onto the palate. A blast of pepper and hints of tobacco linger on a long finish. Again, as with the previous wines reviewed, the Pomorosso is full-bodied, crisp and clean, with mild tannins. This wine will complement any hearty meal such as stews, meat entrees or one of my famous soups! However, I found it also paired well with the Manchego and Piave del Sapore cheeses! Alcohol: 14.5% Price: $50.00 (SRP Barbera d’Asti wines pair beautifully with a wide range of food. So, if you’re looking for full-bodied Italian red wine with lots of character and low tannins, put a little swirl in your glass and try Barbera d’Asti!
To learn more about Coppo’s history, wines and integrated farming and biodynamic techniques, please visit their website. http://www.coppo.it/en/ Cheers! Penina  With Labor Day Weekend fast approaching, everyone is scrambling to lap up the last days of summer. Whether it is traveling by car, plane or the rails, we’re all trying to savor and hold on to summer just a little bit longer.  I recently purchased a bottle of tequila to make margaritas for an “end of the summer” party. Prior to the festivities, I opened the bottle to have a little taste. My friend and I agreed that the tequila was so flavorful, that it might be a shame to mix it with anything else. Cabo Wabo Tequila Blanco uses 100% pure Weber Blue Agave to make their tequila. The agave is grown in the lowlands of Jalisco. They take the best of the piñas and chop them into very thick quarters which are then cooked in stainless steel autoclaves. A thicker cut of the distillate is taken giving the tequila a more intense agave flavor. Hence, the name “Cabo Wabo Thick Cut Tequila”. The tequila is double distilled and then immediately bottled in beautiful hand blown artisan bottles. The aromas of sweet fruit and flowers segued onto the palate mingled with an “earthiness”. Traces of vanilla and spice were present on the finish. We found the tequila to be quite smooth with a hint of oiliness. I have yet to try the tequila in a mixed drink, but I’ll be sure to let you know! Alcohol: 40% 80 proof Price: about $35 to $40 Mexican born Sammy Hager, legendary musician of Van Halen, founded Cabo in 1996. The company has since been sold, but Sammy’s name lingers on in association with Cabo. I will definitely have to try Cabo Wabo’s Reposado and Añejo tequila. http://www.cabowabo.com  Have a great Sunday!
Cheers! Penina  Since it’s “Wine Wednesday” I thought I would mention a very nice wine that I tasted recently while visiting with a friend.  Not my photo! It was one of those sultry late afternoons that we’ve been experiencing of late and we were both in the mood for a cold refreshment. He happened to have a 2013 Leitz “Dragonstone” Riesling on ice. This wine comes from the Rheingau region of Germany and is 100% Riesling. The aromas were intoxicating with sweet fruits, lemon and a touch of floral. The palate went from sweet to piquant quickly and was beautifully balanced. A touch of herbs and tart apples lingered on. It was the perfect wine to end the day and begin the evening! Check out the winery’s website. http://www.leitz-wein.de/en/ Here’s a little tidbit: Although Riesling is grown worldwide, the grape originated in Germany where it has been cultivated since the 1400s.  Cheers!
Penina  In my last post I reviewed nine bottles of wines from Chile. Needless to say, I had a lot of wine remaining in the bottles.  One of the perks of reviewing wine is sharing the leftovers with my “wine lover” friends. So, when word went out, they were lined up at the door with wine glasses and wine tote bags in hand! It was a fun weekend! I’ll be back this week with more adventures and wine reviews. However, it’s a beautiful day and I’m off to embrace it!
Happy Monday! Cheers! Penina Wines of Chile Visits Whole Foods Markets Over the past few months, I have written several posts pertaining to Chilean wines. I have described the land, talked to wine producers and reviewed some amazing wines. For a better understanding of Chile, its regions and grapes, please go to http://thewineknitter.com/1/post/2016/06/day-482.html.  Recently, Wines of Chile sent me nine bottles of wine to taste and review. These wines representing eight regions throughout Chile will be available in Whole Foods Markets nationwide for the “Country of Origin In-Store Program” from August 24th through October 26th, 2016.   Odfjell 2016 Armador, Sauvignon Blanc, Casablanca Valley Odfjell Winery is located in a small corner of the Maipo Valley. Started 25 years ago by Norwegian born ship owner, Dan Odfjell, it is a family run business carried on today by his sons Laurence and Dan Jr. Odfjell Winery prides itself in producing unique wines with an emphasis on sustainability. Armador, which is the Spanish word for “ship owner”, is 100% Sauvignon Blanc harvested from their vineyard in Casablanca Valley. The color is soft yellow with a green tinge to it. A floral bouquet with citrus and pear continues onto the palate with light fruit and citrus notes. This is a crisp wine that would make a great aperitif or served with light meals. http://odfjellvineyards.cl Alcohol: 14% Price: $12.99  Viña Errazuriz 2015 Max, Chardonnay, Aconcagua Costa Don Maximiano Errázuriz founded Viña Errazuriz in 1870. It is a fifth generation family owned winery. Eduardo Chadwick Claro is president of Viña Errazuriz and a descendent of the winery’s founder. Errazuriz was the first estate to plant vines and cultivate the coastal area of Aconcagua Valley and also one of the first wineries to be granted the Certification of Sustainability. The Viña Errazuriz 2015 Max Chardonnay Reserva is 100% Chardonnay. The color is straw with citrus, tropical fruit and pear on the nose. The palate is layered with citrus, lush fruit and a creamy mouthfeel. Lemon and flowers are persistent on a long crisp finish. This is a refreshing wine that would pair well with most meals. http://www.errazuriz.com Alcohol: 13.28% Price: $17.99  Autoritas 2014 Pinot Noir, Valle Central Autoritas wines are produced by Luis Felipe Edwards in the Valle Central region. The name Autoritas is derived from the Latin word Auctoritas that means respect and prestige. The 2015 Autoritas is 100% Pinot Noir. The color is dark cherry with aromas of berries, spice and pepper. The palate offers cherry, plum and spice with almost no tannins to speak of. This is a very clean and uncomplicated wine. You can’t beat the price! http://www.lfewines.com Alcohol: 13.5% Price $7.99  Boya 2014 Pinot Noir, Leyda Valley (San Antonio Valley) Boya Winery is a boutique estate winery located just five miles from the ocean. Matias Garces Silva is founder of Boya Winery and pioneered winemaking in Leyda, a sub-region of the San Antonio Valley in the coastal zone. Fittingly, Boya means, “buoy” in Spanish. Boya 2014 Pinot Noir is 100% Pinot Noir with a dark ruby color. The wine has intense aromas of fresh fruit, strawberry, tea rose and a hint of spice. The palate is nicely balanced with ripe fruit and spice. Soft tannins with a little pepper on a medium finish add to the character of this wine. http://www.boyawines.cl Alcohol 13% Price: $14.99  Criterion 2014 Carménère, Colchagua Valley Criterion Cellars is located in the southernmost region of Chile. Colchagua is the southernmost portion of the Rapel Valley and one of Chile’s best-known wine regions. It is noted for the Carménère grape. This is a dark skinned grape that was originally planted in the vineyards of Bordeaux and has found its home in Chile. The 2014 Criterion Carménère is 100% Carménère. The color is deep crimson, bordering on purple. The nose offers black fruits, spice and a hint of earth. The palate is layered with dark cherries, blackberries, pepper, cocoa, coffee and soft tannins. The finish is medium to short, but has all the elements for an enjoyable wine. http://www.criterioncellars.com Alcohol 13% Price: $13.99  Mayu 2014 Carménère-Syrah, Elqui Valley Mayu Winery located in the Elqui Valley at the northern edge of Chile, was founded in 2005 by Mauro Olivier. The focus of Mayu winery is “only the production of Premium wines originated in the Elqui Valley with unique style and personality.” The arid desert climate and cold nights are ideal for growing grapes, leading to more concentrated aromas, deep color and developed tannins. Mayu is the Incas word for “river of stars in the Milky Way”. The 2014 MAYU Carménère-Syrah Reserva is a blend of 55% Carménère and 44% Syrah. The color is deep ruby with purple hues. It is an interesting combination of aromas, from ripe fruit to earth and spice. The palate offers dark cherry, plum, spice and hints of vanilla lingering on a medium finish. It has depth, but yet light enough to serve in the warm days still ahead. http://mayu.cl Alcohol: 14.5% Price: $12.99  Erasmo 2010 Reserva de Caliboro, Maule Valley In 1995 Count Francesco Marone Cinzano, owner of the Col d'Orcia estate in Montalcino, Tuscany, brought his expertise and knowledge to "Riserva di Caliboro" in the Maule Valle of Chile to produce high quality wines from grape clones imported from France. The 2010 Erasmo Reserva de Caliboro is a single vineyard handcrafted wine. The blend is 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc. The color is deep ruby with aromas of dark berries, earth and a hint of floral. This is a full-bodied wine with a beautiful richness to it. Layers of blackberry, cherry, candy apple, licorice and pine give way to soft tannins and a long velvety finish. This is a wine to drink now and right through winter. Alcohol: 14.5% Price: $19.99 http://www.erasmo.bio  De Martino 2014 Estate Organic Cabernet Sauvignon, Maipo Valley De Martino winery was established in 1934 when the De Martino family moved to Maipo from Italy. The winery is now run by the family’s third and fourth generation and is one of the leading organic producers in Chile. They have vineyards in seven regions throughout Chile. The 2014 Estate Organic Cabernet Sauvignon is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. The color of the wine is ruby with subtle aromas of cherry, red and black fruit with a hint of mushrooms. The palate offers lush fruit with traces of tobacco, earth and lingering spice on the finish. Medium-bodied with mild tannins. Very nice! http://www.demartino.cl Alcohol: 13.5% Price: $12.99  Casa Silva 2014 Los Lingues Vineyard, Cabernet Sauvignon, Colchagua Valley Viña Casa Silva is a family owned winery that was established in 1997 and is located in Colchagua Valley. Although recently under a new name, the family’s passion for winemaking began in 1892, when Emilio Bouchon arrived from France. The fourth and fifth generation decided to make wines under their own label, creating a new family winery, Viña Casa Silva. The 2014 Los Lingues Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. The color is deep garnet with lovely aromas of dark fruit, strawberries, anise and pepper. The palate is lush with juicy red fruit, hints of tobacco, and soft tannins. The finish is medium with a touch of pepper lingering. This wine would pair well with a hearty meal! http://www.casasilva.cl/home Alcohol: 14% Price: $17.99 With all the above wines costing below $20.00, this is a great opportunity to “visit” Chile at Whole Foods Market and experience some wonderful wines. There is a wine for everyone and every occasion!
Salud! Penina  Just a quick hello between tasting wine and writing. I’ll be back soon with some great recommendations from South America!
Happy Wednesday! Cheers! Penina  Although it was a busy “work” weekend, I managed to take some time to catch up with old friends, enjoy a little swimming and dining as well. As is so often said, “it’s good to pause and take time to smell the roses” or in my case, the bouquet of wine! With the temperatures still hitting over the 90 degree mark, I opened my last bottle of 2014 Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough New Zealand that had been chilling in my refrigerator for most of the summer. I reviewed this wine about a year ago, but it is definitely worth mentioning again. The color was pale straw with citrus, tropical fruit, floral and herbs on the nose. The palate was layered with fruit, green apple, grapefruit and a flirtatious amount of lemon that tickled the mouth. This is a light and crisp wine with an edge of bitterness on the finish, but works. http://www.oysterbaywines.com Alcohol: 13% Price: $15.00  The wine complemented a light summer meal that I prepared for my guest. Poached salmon served over fresh romaine, farmer’s market beans and cherry tomatoes tossed with a light Caesar dressing. It was perfect in every way! As we dined, the sky lit up with an incredible lightning show and I was quite happy to be inside!  Have a peaceful Sunday!
Cheers! Penina |
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