Tag Archives: pinot noir

My Favorite Celebrity Wines

These days it seems like every sports, television, film and music celebrity is trying to sell their own wine, tequila, gin, [fill in the blank alcohol]. It can be hard to know who is just slapping their name on a bottle for a marketing purposes, and who is actually hands-on involved in the creation of their product. It can be even harder to know which ones are actually worthwhile buying.

This would be a very long article indeed if I tried to cover every celebrity wine. I have tasted quite a few of celebrity wines, but of the ones I have tasted, there are only a few standouts. So rather than review all of them, I am going to focus on my two favorites – the ones that really blew me away with not only their quality, but with the level of involvement their celebrity owners have in the winemaking process.

At the very top of the list is Pursued by Bear by Kyle MacLaughlin (Dune, Twin Peaks, Sex in the City). He started a vineyard in his home state of Washington in 2005 as a passion project and to be close to family. He is involved in every aspect of the business, including vineyard sourcing, blending and even choosing the barrels for aging the wines. He produces a “Baby Bear” Syrah ($55) and Cabernet Sauvignon ($60) that are excellent examples of the high quality wines coming out of Washington State’s Columbia Valley. The Cabernet in particular is silky and elegant, with black fruit balanced by an earthy note, soft tannins and wonderful finesse.

The other celebrity wine that knocked my socks off was Two Paddocks by Sam Neill (Jurassic Park, Jurassic World, Event Horizon). Pinot Noir isn’t my favorite grape variety, but the Two Paddocks Pinot Noir ($45) took me completely by surprise. This wine is made in Central Otago, New Zealand, and area that is fast becoming renowned as one of the best sources of Pinot Noir in the world. It is cool, dry and gets a tremendous amount of sunlight, which develops intense flavors while retaining all-important acidity. Sam Neill started the winery (which is the southernmost vineyard in the world!) in 1993 and it is certified organic and biodynamic. Two Paddocks is hands down the best Pinot Noir I have tasted from New Zealand, and perhaps beyond. This wine is bursting with red berries, spice and plush tannins, making it full of flavor, elegant yet textured.

The Runners Up

The Runners Up are wines I have tasted and enjoyed, so I would definitely recommend them. However, they didn’t necessarily leave me with the “wow” factor that the above two wines did. Even so, they are definitely worth drinking.

Jon Bon Jovi, Hampton Water Rose (South of France), $15
Mary J Blige, Sun Goddess Pinot Grigio Ramato (Friuli, Italy), $15
George Lucas, Skywalker Vineyards Pinot Noir Rose (Marin County, CA), $35
John Legend, LVE Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley, CA), $85
Kurt Russell, GoGi “Goldie” Chardonnay (Santa Rita Hills, CA), $55

Wines To Serve This Holiday

The holidays are a time for celebration, and celebrations are a time for drinking…and eating! If you are still trying to figure out what wines are best to serve with your holiday meals, I have some excellent suggestions that will pair beautifully with any dish you will be preparing.

Feast of the Seven Fishes (or any seafood dish)

Bodega Garzon Albarino 2018, Uruguay ($18) – I grew up in an Italian household with the prohibition against eating meat on Christmas Eve. Instead, we indulged in the Feast of the Seven Fishes. Bodega Garzon Albarino is a perfect wine to pair with any of your Christmas Eve seafood dishes. It is medium to full bodied with bright flavors of citrus, peach and pear and a slightly creamy finish. This crisp, yet luscious wine will compliment, and not overpower, any seafood dish.

Charcuterie/Cheese/Antipasto

La Battagliola Lambrusco Grasparossa di Castelvetrano DOC 2017, Italy ($15) – I love to kick off my holiday with a glass of bubbly and appetizers. Not only is Lambrusco a perfect pairing with any meat and cheese board, that beautiful dark red color is festive and seasonal. This red sparkler is dry with beautiful aromas and flavors of strawberry, plum and cherry. It is fuller-bodied and higher in alcohol and tannins than many other Lambruscos, which is why I love it. It is big, flavorful and fresh.

Honey Baked or Glazed Ham

Champalou Vouvray La Cuvee des Fondrau 2016, France ($22) – If you are preparing a honey-baked or glazed ham, you will want a wine with just a touch of sweetness to stand up to the sweet glaze. This Vouvray (made from Chenin Blanc grapes) is only slightly off-dry with just a touch of residual sugar. The sugar is well balanced by bright acidity, and has flavors of apple, honey and pear. This wine is a fresh and fruity, easy-drinking compliment to a sweet/salty ham dinner.

Game Birds/Poultry (Duck, Turkey, etc.)

Mohua Pinot Noir 2015, New Zealand ($16) – Pinot Noir is an excellent compliment to medium weight dishes like salmon, chicken, duck, and turkey. It also works really well with roasted vegetables and mushroom dishes. This Pinot is from Central Otago, New Zealand, a region that is producing excellent cool-climate Pinots at great prices. This wine is everything a Pinot should be – medium-bodied with fresh flavors of strawberry, raspberry and red cherry with a touch of herb and spice on the finish.

Beef (Filet Mignon, Prime Rib, etc.)

Orin Swift Machete 2016, California ($48) – Not only is Orin Swift’s Machete my favorite wine label ever, it is also my favorite wine in this price range, and can easily stand up to heavier meat dishes. The Machete is a blend of Petite Sirah, Syrah and Grenache. It is inky dark in the glass with rich, jammy flavors of blackberry, blueberry, fig and boysenberry, complimented by a dash of vanilla and cinnamon. It is a big, bold and fruit-forward California wine that can just as easily be enjoyed as a meal in itself, or paired with a tasty filet mignon.

Dessert

Royal Tokaji Late Harvest 2016, Hungary ($20) – The wine enjoyment shouldn’t end after the entree! Bring out the Christmas cookies, cakes and pies, then crack open a bottle of Late Harvest Tokaji. This wine is pale gold with sweet tropical fruit flavors of mango, pineapple, citrus, peach and honey. Although it is a dessert wine, it is not cloying or syrupy sweet. It has a beautiful lightness and freshness to it that lifts the sweetness.

Cheers and Happy Holidays!!!

5 Wine Pairings for any Charcuterie & Cheese Board

Tis the season for parties with families, friends, neighbors and co-workers! There is no better and more festive time to gather together those closest to you to celebrate, unwind and be merry. Yet to truly throw the perfect party, there must be outstanding food and beverage offerings.

Arguably, one of the easiest, most eye-catching and crowd-pleasing party food around is a beautiful, international charcuterie and cheese board. Every board is unique and reflects a variety of different flavors and textures sure to please even the pickiest party guest.

The staple of any charcuterie board is an array of salted, cured and smoked meats. This often includes selections such as prosciutto, jamón, salami, chorizo and pâté. A combination of hard and soft cheeses, ranging from mild to robust, will offer something for every palate. The board can be rounded out with sweet and sour flavors from olives, pickled vegetables, cornichons (those adorable tiny pickles), mustards and jams.

With such an array of flavors and textures, the idea of pairing such a curated charcuterie board with one or two appropriate wine selections can be daunting. Fortunately, it is much easier than you would imagine.

The primary flavor components of a charcuterie board are salty, spicy/smoky and fatty. Any wine selection should pair well with each of these elements. There may be a temptation to pair a big, bold red wine with a charcuterie board because of the meats, however, this would not be the ideal choice. The complex flavors in a big, red wine from tannins, oak and high alcohol will have negative interactions with the variety of flavors on a charcuterie board, making the wine taste more bitter and astringent.

The ideal pairing for charcuterie would be wines with high acidity to cut through the creamy fats, as well as fruity flavors that can stand up to the bitter salt and spice. Here are a selection of five can’t miss pairings for even the most diverse charcuterie and cheese boards.

#1. Reyneke Chenin Blanc 2017, $25

This wine is bright and fresh with a nice streak of acidity to cut through fatty meats and creamy cheeses, while ripe fruit flavors of apple, citrus and peach add a striking balance to smoky meats.

#2. Charles Smith Kung Foo Girl Riesling Evergreen 2017, $12

Riesling’s naturally high acidity is the perfect compliment to balance decadent creamy and salty cheeses. The cheeses also tone down the sweetness of the wine, bringing this pairing into perfect balance. Kung Foo Girl is brimming with lively acidity, and peach, apricot and citrus flavors.

#3. Medici Ermete Concerto Lambrusco Reggiano 2018, $20

This light, fizzy Italian red that is slightly off-dry is perfect for smoothing out those spicy and smokey charcuterie flavors. The high acidity and delicate bubbles keep the palate fresh after creamy, heavy cheeses, and the berry and bubblegum flavors make this a fun and lively wine for any party.

#4. Erath Pinot Noir 2016, $14

The best way to successfully pair red wine with charcuterie is to select a light-bodied, fruity pinot noir from a cooler climate, like this Erath from Oregon. This wine has mellow tannins that are smoothly integrated with tart cherry and raspberry flavors and high acidity that will compliment and not fight with the flavors on your charcuterie board.

#5. Tio Pepe En Rama Fino Sherry 2015, $15

If you want to wow your guests with an unexpected pairing, consider serving this Fino Sherry. Sherry is a fortified, dry white wine with aromas of bread, almonds and citrus. Legend has it that tapas was invented by a Spanish king after he drank sherry while eating cured ham, so charcuterie was made for this wine!

Best Wine Pairings for Thanksgiving

The holiday season is a time of revelry, celebration and most of all, gluttony! There is nothing more heart-warming than gathering around the holiday table with family and friends to enjoy an enormous meal prepared with love, except when that meal is also paired with the best wines for the holidays.

However, it is particularly difficult to pair wines with holiday meals because no two tables are the same, and no two meals are prepared the same way. The main course could be turkey, ham, lamb or prime rib. Side dishes can span a huge range of flavors, like sweet potatoes, green beans, stuffing and cranberry sauce. There can be international dishes from regions like Asia and Mexico. Not to mention the endless variety of spices to flavor everything.

Food should take center stage on the holidays, which means any wine pairing should compliment the meal and not fight for all of the attention. The best approach to selecting a wine for your holiday table is to choose a versatile, food-friendly wine that pairs well with many different dishes, and to select wines that most of your guests will enjoy. Here are some excellent holiday wine pairings.

The Chook Sparkling Shiraz NV, $15

Before you reach for that bottle of champagne, consider surprising your guests with a glass of bubbly they have probably never tasted before, and may not even know exists! The Chook Sparkling Shiraz is a red sparkling wine from Australia. It is dry, medium-bodied and bubbling over with juicy plum, blueberry and chocolate flavors. It is both soft and refreshing with velvety bubbles, and pairs astonishingly well with holiday meals, especially roasted poultry and meats. This is a fresh and vibrant wine to kick off your holiday celebration, and should be enjoyed well-chilled and served in champagne flutes.

Famille Hugel Classic Riesling 2017, $20

When most people think of Riesling, they think of sweet white wines. However, Rieslings are made with a range of sugar levels from completely dry to lusciously sweet. This Famille Hugel Classic Riesling from Alsace, France is a dry, light-bodied wine with ripe fruit flavors and aromas of pear, apricot, green apple and lemon. The refreshingly high levels of mouth-watering acidity in this wine make it an excellent pairing option with lighter foods such as fish and turkey. It also beautifully compliments spicier dishes, like curries, as well as hard-to-pair vegetables including mushrooms and asparagus.

The Hilt Chardonnay Santa Barbara 2015, $27

Chardonnay is an excellent choice for your holiday table, but it must be the right style of Chardonnay. Many Chardonnays, especially those from California, tend to be overly oaky and buttery. This style can easily overwhelm the delicate flavors of turkey, white potatoes and other fixings. The better choice is a more restrained style of Chardonnay like The Hilt Chardonnay 2015 from the cooler central coast of Santa Barbara, CA. This wine has a bright, flinty minerality with rich flavors of lemon, pineapple and peach rounded out by delicate floral notes and aromas of honey and nuts. It has a touch of light oak to give it structure, but the oak is well-integrated and does not overwhelm the fruity, floral characters of this gorgeous wine.

The Four Graces Pinot Noir 2017, $20

Pinot Noir is much like Chardonnay in that the style of wine will determine whether or not it’s a good pairing for your holiday meal. Some Pinot Noirs can be big, rich and jammy with higher levels of mouth-drying tannins that can overpower your taste buds and reduce your ability to fully enjoy the variety of flavors on the table. Medium-bodied Pinot Noirs from cooler regions like Oregon and Burgundy will better pair with a wider variety of foods. The Four Graces Pinot Noir 2017 is from the cool Willamette Valley in Oregon. The wine has bright red fruit flavors of cherry, raspberry and cranberry with just enough pepper and smokey notes to balance the fruit. Its bright acidity cuts through richer dishes, while the smooth tannins don’t overwhelm dishes with more subtle flavors.

Carlisle Zinfandel Papera Ranch Russian River Valley 2016, $50

Zinfandel is the perfect crowd-pleaser – both fruity and spicy, and balanced by soft tannins. It is supremely tasty without being overbearing. The richer, fruit-forward nature of Zinfandel pairs well with anything from turkey to beef, white potatoes to sweet potatoes, stuffing to cranberry sauce, and it accentuates sweet spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. Wow your guests with a truly outstanding bottle of Carlisle Papera Ranch Russian River Valley Zinfandel 2016. This wine is elegant, yet powerful, with complex flavors of blueberry, cherry, chocolate, tobacco and pepper. The refined fruit and silky tannins make this a stand-out wine that your guests will notice, but it won’t take all of the spotlight away from that delicious holiday meal.

Fonseca 20 Year Tawny Port, $40

No holiday meal is complete without a sinfully delectable dessert, or three. Hold off on pouring the coffee until after dessert. Instead, pair those pies, cakes and pastries with a Fronseca 20 Year Tawny Port. After aging in oak barrels for 20 years, this port has developed a rich amber color with complex flavors of dried cherries, fig, raisins, caramel, cinnamon, honey and sweet tobacco. All of those rich flavors accentuate a variety of sweet and nutty holiday desserts like pecan pie, almond cake, caramel cheesecake, creme brulee, cherry pie, chocolate mousse, dark chocolate layer cake and more!

Happy holidays!

Back to School Wines

Back to School time can either drive you to drink from the stress of trying to get kids up and out early, dealing with massive amounts of homework, frenemy drama, and constantly rushing kids to multiple sports and activities. Or it can be a cause to raise your glass in celebration for getting back on a schedule, not having to pay for summer camp anymore, not having to find ways to keep the kids busy/entertained, and getting some breathing room.

No matter your situation, here are a few wine recommendations to celebrate or cope with Back to School, expertly paired with your child’s grade.

Preschool/Kindergarten

No first day of school is harder than when your little one goes off to school for the very first time. For many moms, this is the first time their child has been away from them for any length of time, and certainly the first time their child is being left in the care of “strangers” for the day. Tears are very likely to be shed. For those moms crying into their wine on the first day, I am recommending a wine with some salinity (a salty character).

Albariño is a white wine from the Galicia and Rias Baixas regions of Spain, located on the Atlantic coast. This is a light-bodied wine that is both fruity and floral. It has lemon, lime, peach, and nectarine characteristics with a slightly bitter finish reminiscent of grapefruit. Due to its proximity to the ocean, the sea air imparts a slightly briney character on the wine. This wine is fresh and zippy and should be drunk young. It is excellent paired with seafood.

Recommended: La Cana Albariño, Rias Baixas, Spain, $17

Elementary School

The elementary school years are the easiest and most fun. Kids at this age love to learn and relish every lesson, while homework is still generally light and they are not yet overwhelmed by workload and exams. The kids grow attached to their teachers and make lots of new friends. Elementary schools still have classroom parties and field days. These fun years deserve an equally fun and easy-drinking wine. Nothing is more cheery than a glass of pretty pink rosé.

Rosé can made from several different grape varieties in a number of different styles, from light to full-bodied, and dry to sweet. The most popular style of rosé is from Provence, France, which is typically light, crisp and dry with aromas of strawberry, watermelon and roses. For a slightly fuller-bodied style, try a rosé from Spain or California.

Recommendation: Bodegas Muga Rosé Rioja, Spain, $15

Middle School

Middle School is an awkward time for many children with lots of changes. School is getting more difficult and friendships are beginning to develop lots of drama. However, these are also the years where we hold on to our childrens’ sweet innocence even harder before they truly grow up. Middle school requires a wine that is getting more serious, but is still approachable and enjoyable.

Pinot Noir is a finicky grape that can be difficult to grow due to its delicate, thin skin and need for a moderate climate. However, when done right, it produces a lighter-bodied, easy drinking wine with juicy red fruit characters of cherry and raspberry, and notes of flowers, vanilla and mushroom. It is one of the most popular wines in the world, with the very best coming from Burgundy, France (along with very high prices). Other regions that produce excellent Pinot Noir at more moderate prices are Oregon and New Zealand.

Recommendation: A to Z Wineworks Pinot Noir, Oregon, $17

High School

High school – the dark years. You now have cranky and rebellious teenagers who think all adult are idiots, grunt rather than speak, and hide in their rooms for hours on end huddled with their smart phones. Schoolwork is so difficult that many parents (me included) cannot offer any help, exams are an everyday occurrence, preparing for college is a full-time job, and sports and other activities are all-consuming. The dark years require an equally deep, dark wine.

Cabernet Sauvignon is the world’s most popular wine, and for good reason. It is full-bodied and concentrated with black fruit characteristics (blackberry, black cherry, black currant) and toasty flavors from oak aging. It’s a big wine that can easily handle big moments in life. Cabernet Sauvignon from Bordeaux, France is renowned the world over. Napa Valley is equally well regarded (and my personal favorite). Yet both regions have prices that match the high demand. Excellent Cabernet can still be had at more moderate prices in regions such as Chile, Argentina and Australia.

Recommendation: Concha y Toro Marques de Casa Concha Cabernet Sauvignon, Chile, $20

College

You made it this far, now it’s time to celebrate! Although there is still plenty of parenting ahead of you, you have gotten your children though to independence and adulthood. There’s no time like the present to pat yourself on the back and raise a glass to a job well done.

Sparkling wine (simply known as “bubbles”) is the perfect companion for celebrations. There are several different ways of producing sparkling wine, which I promise to cover in a future blog post. However, only sparkling wines produced in the Champagne region of France can be labelled as Champagne, and these also command some of the highest prices. Not to worry, though. There are plenty of delicious bubbles out there at very reasonable prices, including Cava from Spain, Prosecco from Italy and Sparkling Wine from California.

Recommendation: Gloria Ferrer Sonoma Brut, $19

Cheers!

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