Bohigas Brut Reserva Cava – N.V. Thinking of Valentine’s Day? Then it’s time to bring out some bubbly and let the fun begin. Spanish Cava’s are renowned world-wide in that their characteristics rival French Champagne, from some similar soil to production methods. Although French Champagne, in my opinion, is a different drink altogether, I happen to like the crispness of Spanish Cava, not to mention the reasonable price tag. I do not usually reserve a sparkler for only special occasions, I regularly drink bubbly year round, so don’t wait and pop open a Cava tonight. The Bohigas wines come from an area near the town of Òdena in Cataloina, Spain,…
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Ferrari-Carano 2012 Sonoma Chardonnay One of my absolute favorite California Chardonnay’s is the Ferrari-Carano offering from Sonoma County. Today I will comment on the 2012 vintage. (Note: They also make a Reserve Chardonnay from Napa, which is bigger and buttery and I will reserve specific comments for another day). The Ferrari-Carano Winery was founded in 1981 by Don and Rhonda Carano and is located in Sonoma County’s Dry Creek Valley. If you enjoy pairing food with wine, be sure to visit the Ferrari-Carano website where Rhonda has a number of recipes. So if you are adventurous and have a passion for good food and wine, then try some of her…
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2011 Barbera d’Asti Lavignone Not wanting to pound down some beers while watching the Super Bowl, I was looking for an exceptional red that could go well with a variety of homemade “Tapas”. Dishes from shrimp to beef empanadas with spicy sauce, Voilá! I came across 2011 Barbera d’Asti Lavignone from the Pico Maccario Winery, who have a real passion for Barbera. The winery is currently run by 2 Brothers, Pico & Vitaliano. Their grandfather, Carlo Maccario, created the winery and it bears the name of the first-born son, Pico, according to the traditions of the Piedmont region (area in Northwest Italy, near Mediterranean coast). The Pico Maccario Winery, located…
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Valadoria, Serralunga d’Alba, 2007 Barolo Visiting with my daughter Christine, she called me at the last minute and wanted a Barolo. Not having immediate access to my cellar, I stopped at a wine shop (not my usual place) and began looking for something nice and approachable to drink now. When I came across this Barolo from Valadoria, I said Eureka! It’s been a while since I tried one, but remembered it’s an approachable wine from a notable producer, the Lanzavecchia Family, at a reasonable price. Check out their website as they have an English translation as well. You will see that their wine making dates back to the beginning of…
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Looking for something easy to drink to stand up to a chicken dish that has a big flavor from some of the ingredients, like olives and capers? I came across a 2007 El Coto Rioja Crianza, Special Cuvee. I have had the El Coto Reserve offerings and thought they were great wines and I was eager to try this one. El Coto’s roots date back to 1970 and it took 5 years to get their first bottle to market. In 1997 they became the first Spanish Winery Group to be listed on the stock exchange. The 2007 El Coto is 100% Tempranillo grapes from three zones having different soil compositions:…
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Domaine du Vieux Lazaret Chateauneuf du Pape – 2010 We decided to try a long standing restaurant, the Red Pheasant Inn & Restaurant, in Dennis, MA, owned by Bill and Denise Atwood. The Red Pheasant is a 200 year old barn with a lovely “Inn-Type” atmosphere with several warm and cozy rooms to dine in. When we looked at the menu, I was leaning towards duck with a port wine reduction, my wife Elaine had eyed a nice rich fish dish with butter, capers and wine sauce, and my daughter Christine chose a steak, grilled with a crispy finish. The dilemma was to choose a wine that could possible complement…
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La Caña Albariño 2012 Sitting here waiting out the storm I decided I wanted something bright and crisp reminding me of warmer times, so I grabbed a bottle of La Caña Albariño. Wine maker Alistar Gardner (from New Zealand) hand selects Albariño from old vines planted in 1966. About 75% of the wine is fermented in stainless steel tanks and the balance is fermented in French Oak until bottling. The winery is located at the southern tip of the Salnes valley in Rias Baixas, close to the Atlantic Ocean. The soil is poor composed of granite and is highly acidic due to it’s proximity to the Atlantic. Vivid yellow appearance…
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Last night I tried Gary’s Vineyard 2010 Pinot Noir from Loring Wine Company. Loring is a boutique winery located in California’s Santa Lucia Highlands. I met Brian Loring last year at a private tasting and literally walked past his pricey screw top bottle until I engaged in a conversation with him. We discussed his Stelvin Closure system and how it benefits his wine and it’s longevity. After my tasting, I was extremely impressed and bought a half a case of wine last year. I just opened a bottle and let it decant for 45 minutes before drinking. Wow the fruit really popped, wild cherry and sweet subtle spice. Chewy not thin with…
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