This close to the holidays, the Girls & Grapes group got together one last time to celebrate ‘all things wine’.  In fact, our mission this month…bring a wine that you thought of as ‘luxurious’.  Or, a wine that really was one of the first wines or wineries that shaped your passion for wine. 

For many of us, the wines that spelled L-U-X-U-R-Y were the bubblies that we’d come encounter with.  From Champagne to northern California, and running the gamut of tasting notes from yeasty to soft and voluptuous, the bubbles were exquisite. 

At the same time, ’wine regions’ drove the conversation of P-A-S-S-I-O-N.  From the austerity of French Burgundies to the earthy spice notes of Chianti and the smells of the red Jory clay soils of Oregon – the wines of this category evoked feeling and desire to share.

Lastly, it was a nite of EXPERIENCE, TRUST, PASSION & FRIENDSHIP.  A nite of sharing ‘all things wine’ amongst those who appreciate it immensely and enjoy the stories that come with it. 

From our Girls & Grapes group to yours, we wish you a very Happy Holiday season filled with all of the above. 

Enjoy our tasting notes!!

Girls & Grapes- A Luxury Holiday Tasting

#2:Lemony, slightly pink bubble, very minerally w a hint of yeast
Love this wine, feels very balanced – zingy acidity – cherries
Schramsberg Querencia ~ St Helena, CA
Composition: 82% Chard +  18% Pinot Noir  ~ Wine club exclusive – Approx $45

 #3:  Meyer lemon – yeasty – lime – green apple – almond husk – lemon curd
(If we were painting this wine) Wispy lines – Easter egg yellow, pinks and greens- lovely
Briny – could be good w oysters – very brite.  We approve!
(Allison is getting visions of little  Irish Dancers at the top of her head.  I guess that means ‘happy’??)

Gaston Chiquet Champagne ‘Special Club’  ~ Champagne, France  (Pricepoint: $150) 

These guys have been making Champagne since 1919

Composition: 70% Chard  & 30% Pinot Noir ~ This winery does not use oak

Intermezzo: Chicken w Morel Mushroom Cream Sauce

 #4:  Banana runt- candy – wet wool and pineapple
Leslee guessed Chenin, then said fat Pinot Gris
Some of the chicas said Chardonnay…feels so FAT.
It ‘s Chappellet Chenin Blanc from Napa – one of our favorite producers!
Winery exclusive – Approx $25-$30

 #5:  Girls are talking ‘brushed silk jammies’ (nice tasting notes!) with this wine.
Lemony – aioli – full – grey slate w heaters underneath your feet
Direct and lovely!

Louis Carillon & Fils Puligny-Montrachet ~Burgundy, France  

(Approx $60-$70 on the retail shelf – found, most likely, @ Haskells)

#6:  Flinty , round, feminine – round, white floral
It’s like the purple bra comes back out, but it’s not quite full.  
Erin says, ‘Does that mean, it’s a Demi-Cup?’
Domaine Roulot Meursault ~ Burgundy, France
C’mon- who could pass up a Chardonnay like this?  This is L-O-V-E.   (We’re not sure of the pricepoint)

#7:  Tart, Cranberry, Vanilla
Sangiovese Chianti Classico – very approachable.
Ruffino Aziano Chianti Classico – $15.99 @ Princeton Liquors

Intermezzo:  Spicy Italian Sausage & Orchiette Pasta

#8: Green bell pepper – coconut- mosquito repellent – tastes a lil’ like chocolate
 Mounds & Almond Joy!  We love deez nuts!!!!!!!
(The ‘Would u rather’ game broke out ?? – Okay, maybe we shouldn’t have drank those 1st two bts of bubbly)
Heart’s Desire Claret  ~ Sonoma, CA - $18 @ Pairings Wine Market

 #9: Sparky coconut – Dk Bing cherry compote syrup – blackberry thickness
Dk cocoa – chocolate fountain
Allison wants to lay on the floor & absorb it all in.  (Bon Iver is playing in the background)
Leonetti Cabernet ~ Walla Walla, WA
Winery Exclusive -  Approx $130

Intermezzo: An 80′s Dance Party Broke Out!    Hi-Lites: The Tootsy Roll Dance (a dance lesson by Erin)

#10:  Cherry spice & Italian herbs
2008 Avignonesi Rosso ~Tuscany, Italy
I love this producer- one of my favorite Sangiovese(s)  

(Approx $40 on most retail shelves, can be found most stores)

#11:  Dk stewed cherry – wet earth & tobacco
Sweet tobacco fruit – like swisher sweets – dk cherry wood – Sweet cookie dough-a little stewie from the fruit side-lacking acidity for balance
Archery Summit 2003 Premier Cuvée Pinot Noir ~ Willamette Valley, Oregon

 (Approx $65 on the retail shelf at the time of its current sale)

#12: Burnt caramel,  roasted hazelnut – Dk nut and heavy burnt cream
El Maestro Sierra Oloroso ~ Jerez, España
Lovely way to end a meal or a great nite with friends!

Pairings: Wine + Chocolate

Written by Leslee Miller / Photography by Steve Henke / Cambria Style Magazine ~ November, 2011

Leslee Miller of Amusée Wine takes the mystery out of pairing wines with chocolate.

Pairing wine to chocolate is not exactly as hard as some will tell you. Most, in fact, say it is impossible. I say, “Bring it on!” I’m always up for a good food/wine pairing challenge, and chocolate just so happens to be one of my favorites. With a few easy tips under your belt, pairing wine to chocolate will become a snap for even the toughest of libation critics. In fact, when paired correctly, there’s not much that tops this match made in heaven!

                Pairing Tips

1. First rule of thumb for really any combination that involves ‘sweet treats’ is to find a wine or libation that is just one degree sweeter than the food on your plate. Pairing a very acidic wine to any dessert, will leave the palate feeling tart and bitter.

 2.  One of the best tips for pairing to different forms of chocolate – be it milk, dark or white – is to always think of pairing from a    ‘weight’ standpoint. For example, more intrícate chocolates/desserts pair best to lighter bodied wines and darker, heavier chocolates/desserts fit to a more full bodied wine. Often times chocolate can overpower a wine. Using one that has the weight to counter-balance the palate is important. Fortified wines like Sherry, Madiera & Port are great pairing examples for heavier, richer sweets.

3.  Serve wines that pull out the natural ingredients of the dessert. Whether your chocolate is plumped full of bacon or passionfruit, it’s important to think about what pairs best to the salty, savory or gooey inside of your dessert. Fruited fillings love a juicy, fruity wine like a Zinfandel or a sparkling sweet while ingredients like salt and bacon pair best to rich fortifieds like Sherry & Madeira.

4.   Experiment. Try on every example you can think of!  Pair the thinkable with the unthinkable – after all, it’s your palate.

Most importantly, if it tastes good to you, that’s all that matters.  Salut!

Holiday gift guide 2011: For the oenophile

Vita.MN Article:  November 24, 2011

By Christy DeSmith, photo by Tom Sweeney

Forged in the crucibles of the West Coast wine industry, sommelier and event planner Leslee Miller recently returned to her native Midwest to launch Amusée, a wine consulting and events firm. Check out her plum wish list, filled with ideas for the foodies and winos on every shopping list.

1. GoVino Glassware 

Check it out — these good-looking glasses are shatterproof and reusable, plus they don’t mess with the taste of your wine (unlike the ubiquitous red Solo cup). Says Miller, “They’re great for on-the-go wine drinking!” (available at Byerly’s Wine Shops, www.lundsandbyerlys.com • $11.99)

2. “What to Drink With What You Eat” by Andrew Dornenburg and Karen Page

The definitive guide to pairing food with wine, beer, spirits and even coffee and tea, this 2006 book is the staple of any bon vivant’s library. “I give it a zillion times a year as a gift — people go crazy for it!” says Miller. (available at Cooks of Crocus Hill, www.cooksofcrocushill.com • $35)

3. Cheese Deluxe Basket

Miller adores the selection of foodstuffs at France 44, which emphasizes small-batch farmers and food producers from around the world. “This basket comes with a whole slew of cheeses, chocolates, biscuits, crackers, even a cheese board and cheese knife,” says Miller. (available at France 44, 4351 France Av. S., Mpls. • www.france44.com • $114.99)

4. The “Swirl” Decanter by Riedel

“Who doesn’t want a brand-new decanter for the holidays?” asks Leslee. This vaguely psychedelic, vaguely laboratory-inspired style is definitely cool. Considering it’s from luxury producer Riedel, the price isn’t bad, either. (www.riedel.com • $44.99)

5. Vinturi Wine Aerator

Give the gift that helps sippers enjoy better reds. “This gadget is great for decanting wine one glass at a time,” says Miller. (available at Pairings Wine Market, 6001 Shady Oak Rd., Minnetonka • www.pairingsfoodandwine.com • $30)