I was reminded of all the reasons why I love wine in box this morning when I found a note in my ‘inbox’ from one of my favorite northern California producers, Peterson Winery, presenting their latest Box Wines of the Season.
Fred and Jamie Peterson, who over the years have become more than ‘wine pals’ in the industry and now more like family, are part of a leading group of California producers that throw a small batch of their handmade juice into box. From Zinfandel, Sauvignon Blanc, Shiraz to Rosé – the father/son winemaking duo pushes the envelope yearly with their savvy marketing and delicious vino packaged into creative new designs and blends.
If you haven’t had a chance to stock your fridge with some delicious Box Selections for the season, here’s a few goodies to look over from Peterson Winery!
3L Bag in Box Wines Currently Available in Limited Quantities
2011 Old School Zinfandel, Dry Creek Valley
Our extremely popular, extremely value priced,
“easy-drinking, less thinking” Zin has been a hit the last few years, selling The juicy dark fruit, make for a “go-to” wine. Something to go to after work, when friends arrive, when dinner is served, when packing for the weekend get-away, or whenever.
3L Bag in Box price: $72 Club price: $57.60 150 bag in boxes produced (50 cases)
Our Sauvignon Blanc is from the Timber Crest Farms vineyard right across the road from our winery location on Dry Creek Road. Rich layers of lemongrass, smoky oak and tropical fruit with a touch of floral round out the tempting aromas. Clean and crisp, yet layered, our Sauvignon Blanc is a white wine that even red wine lovers will enjoy.
Refreshing, crisp, and floral, this classic pink wine is perfect for summertime gatherings, whether poolside or canoeing down a river.
Cofermenting Grenache, Carignane, and Petite Sirah cold and slow in stainless steel helps create a lovely wine perfect for warmer weather and lighter fare.
50% Grenache
25% Zinfandel
25% Petite Sirah
A complex blend from the Estate Bradford Mountain Vineyard that shows the intensity of the site while maintaining the light hearted quality a Rose should have. Red fruits, minerality, and lively acidity define this unique wine.
3L Bag in Box price: $80 Club price: $64 69 bag in boxes produced (23 cases)
2011 Zero Manipulation Carignan, Grenache Syrah Blend
Tollini Vineyard
Zero is a Rhone-style blend, built on the strong structure of old-vine Carignane, with percentages of other varietals. It’s easy-to-drink with clean vibrant fruit aromas and flavors, and has just enough structure to make it interesting without needing cellar aging. When you want a great glass of wine, think Zero Manipulation.
Our homage to the Shiraz/Cab blends from the land Down Under. Lovely fruit aromas of strawberry, mixed dark berries and plum join with hints of toasty oak, anise and earth notes. The creamy core holds rich vanilla and plum flavors wrapped with threads of smoked meat, licorice and tar. Nicely balanced with a smooth texture and easy to sip, this unique blend pairs well with your favorite everyday meals-grilled steaks, mac & cheese, pizza, burgers and more.
3L Bag in Box price: $80 Club price: $64
150 bag in boxes produced (50 cases)
If you’re looking to branch out and check out a few more International selections from the box, my pals at Solo Vino, Selby Ave, St Paul and Elevated BWS, 41st & Hiawatha, Minneapolis both carry a plethora of terrific box wines. Check em out!
In my monthly column with Edina Magazine, I list one of my favorite Pacific NW red blends for your March ‘wine drinking’ Madness…
Read.Drink.Listen
The monthly must-haves.
MARCH 2013
Read:
Gretchen Rubin explores how a dwelling becomes a home in Happier at Home: Kiss More, Jump More, Abandon a Project, Read Samuel Johnson, and My Other Experiments in the Practice of Everyday Life, a follow-up to The Happiness Project, a New York Times bestseller. While in her apartment, Rubin takes the time to do things while she is there rather than thinking about what her home could be, or is not. She creates beauty with what she has and shows her husband the affection that humans often reserve for the people who don’t live with them. Ultimately, she grows more content in the space where she lives.
—Maureen Millea Smith is a librarian at Edina Library and a Minnesota Book Award-winning novelist.
*Available for $17.53 at Barnes & Noble in the Galleria.
Drink:
March is a fabulous month for reinvigorating the senses. It’s time to step out of hibernation and open the palate to something fresh and fun. From the Pacific Northwest, I recommend Sokol Blosser Winery’s Evolution Red, which the Oregon winery has named Meditrina (the goddess of wine). With a savvy new label, Sokol Blosser introduces this mysterious wine as a blend of easy-drinking grapes that lends itself to different food pairings: Soft enough to go with a bowl of pasta with tomatoes, textured enough for a filet of salmon, firm enough to hold its own with a grilled beef tenderloin. As for the grapes, the winery’s family alone knows the mystery.
—Leslee Miller is a certified sommelier and owner of local wine consulting firm Amusée. amuseewine.com
*Available at all Edina Liquor locations.
Listen:
With one of the purest voices since Josh Groban, Kansas native Chris Mann breaks onto the scene after finishing fourth on NBC’s The Voicelast year, with his first CD, Road. Surrounded by the best orchestrators in the business, this mellow album is a striking collection of mostly covers. Composer Paul Anka updated “My Way,” the classic Frank Sinatra song, specifically for Mann; Anka was so taken with Mann’s voice that he sought him out and offered to change some lyrics and rework the classic for the first time since he composed it. Standouts include the title track, Coldplay’s “Viva La Vida,” Lady Antebellum’s “Need You Now” and the classic “Ave Maria.”
Local musician, producer and composer Paul Peterson shares his CD pick of the month. paulpeterson.com
A bottle of wine is always a welcome gift, and ’tis the season to give gifts! We’ve commissioned two of our favorite local sommeliers, Kristin Codding and Leslee Miller, to suss out the most interesting, festive and engaging bottles at various price points. We’ve divided them into red, white and sparkling categories. And if you want to bring something fun and casual to a party, check out the $15 and under category. All of these wines are available at Edina Liquor or France 44, and each one is sure to spark conversation and merriment. Cheers!
Leslee Miller is a dually certified sommelier through the International Sommelier Guild and the Court of Master Sommeliers. She is the sole owner of Minneapolis-based Amusée, a wine-consulting and event-planning business. After time in the Pacific Northwest as director of the Archery Summit Winery in Oregon and a board of directors member for sister winery Pine Ridge of California, Miller has returned to her Midwest roots. She consults for on premise and retail accounts nationwide, works with a number of International wineries worldwide to provide consultation from the cellar to distribution, teaches wine education classes, hosts private wine tasting parties, manages commercial and residential cellars, and is a personal wine buyer. Miller is also available for corporate and private event planning.
Best Reds Under $100
Miller’s pick:
Gaja Sito Moresco, Piedmont, Italy
This wine is a blend 35 percent nebbiolo, 35 percent merlot and 30 percent cabernet grapes. Sito Moresco combines the complexity and longevity of nebbiolo with the refinement and accessibility of cabernet sauvignon and merlot. Pheasants are featured on Sito Moresco’s label to commemorate the beautiful birds that inhabit the forests adjacent to Gaja’s vineyards.
Miller’s pick: Gaja Sito Moresco, Piedmont, Italy
This wine is a blend 35 percent nebbiolo, 35 percent merlot and 30 percent cabernet grapes. Sito Moresco combines the complexity and longevity of nebbiolo with the refinement and accessibility of cabernet sauvignon and merlot. Pheasants are featured on Sito Moresco’s label to commemorate the beautiful birds that inhabit the forests adjacent to Gaja’s vineyards.
This cabernet has rich, chewy, intense licorice and cassis flavors with serious structure and backbone. It’s an extraordinary example of a Napa cabernet.
Best Whites Under $100
Miller’s pick: Domaine Didier Dagueneau “Silex” Pouilly-Fumé, Loire, France
The Silex delivers an almost inordinate diversity of floral, herbal, citrus (predominately grapefruit) and pit fruit elements (predominately nectarine), with the bitterness of fruit pits, the smoky pungency of red currant and crushed stone, as well as notes of shrimp shell reduction and iodine. It inflects a long, bittersweet yet vibrant, buoyant finish.
Codding’s pick: J.J. Vincent Château Fuissé, Pouilly Fuissé 2010
This wine has a beautiful golden color and a flavor with hints of melon, orange peel and honey. It’s backed by a soft minerality and acidity.
Best Sparkling Under $100
Miller’s pick: Domaine Carneros Ultra Brut ~ Carneros, California
This cuvée epitomizes the elegant Domaine Carneros style. With near-perfect balance, its incredibly fine mousse delivers aromas of honeysuckle, lime peel, lemongrass, lychee and toasted almond. Creamy, round and long, the wine’s mouth-feel belies its minimal dosage.
Quince, roasted nuts and spice are evident in this toasty bubbly with a focused, modest finish. Simply gorgeous!
Best Red Under $50
Miller’s pick: Numanthia Termes: Toro, Spain
This wine is 100 percent tinta de toro grape, also known as tempranillo. Fresh, fruity notes (black fruits, raspberry, dark sherry) are nicely integrated with spices, tobacco and toasted aromas (vanilla, chocolate, cinnamon). The palate has a silky texture and is concentrated, well-structured and elegant. The finish is long and complex, with spices, tobacco, raspberries and blackberries notes.
Codding’s pick: Benovia Pinot Noir 2009, Sonoma, California
This is a silky red wine with notes of sweet cherry, flowers and spice. It has a structured, well-integrated body with a finely woven aftertaste of mineral, oak and berry.
This wine is pale sunshine-yellow and has aromas of fresh floral, citrus, melon and hints of almond. An unoaked, dry, medium-bodied white wine with crisp acidity, the Arneis is a well-balanced, elegant wine with good complexity and a lingering finish.
Codding’s pick: Le Portail “Champalou” Vouvray 2009, France
Luscious mouth-feel with bright but even grapefruit, melon and peach notes. Creamy but acidic, this wine is an excellent food match, able to stand up to anything with spice, depth and weight. Heavenly with butternut squash soup!
Best Sparkling Under $50
Miller’s pick: Pol Roger “White Foil” Champagne, France
Yeast and toasted brioche surround the round, creamy nose of this delicious sparkling wine.
A mix of floral, apple and berry aromas and flavors highlight this firmly structured, elegant bubbly, which is harmonious and vibrant, with a lingering finish.
Codding’s pick: Argyle Brut Rosé, 2008, Oregon
These fine, focused bubbles lead to pretty, elegant dried floral notes. Simply delicious!
Best Red Under $25
Miller’s pick: Ernie Els “Big Easy Red,” Stellenbosch, South Africa
A blend of 60 percent shiraz, 20 percent cabernet sauvignon, 6 percent mourvèdre, 6 percent grenache, 5 percent cinsaut and 3 viognier grapes. An alluring kaleidoscope of black fruits, Christmas cake, licorice and cinnamon tempt your nose, leading to a dense and full-bodied palate. Abounding with spice from the dominant shiraz, cabernet sauvignon adds punchy tannins and a robust structure. Floral and savory notes from mourvèdre, cinsaut and viognier all contribute to the exotic rhythm of the Big Easy.
A sexy Spanish red laced with blackberry, currant, clove, and a hint of lavender. This one is hands-down my favorite wine find of the year!
Best White Under $25
Miller’s pick: Olivier LeFlaive “Les Sétilles” Bourgogne Blanc, Burgundy, France
The fruit in this wine comes from 70 percent puligny and 30 percent meursault aged with 50 percent older wood. The very fresh and intensely floral nose also reflects hints of lemon-lime and earth, both of which can also be found on the nicely rich, round flavors that are not only intense and delicious but also deliver better than average complexity.
Codding’s pick: Menetou-Salon, Domaine Jean Teiller, 2010, France
A delicious white from the Loire Valley, this beauty produces herbaceous notes of verbena, straw and gooseberry. The finish is clean and mouthwatering.
A mélange of 77 percent chardonnay, 15 percent pinot bianco and 8 percent raboso piave grapes. This brut spumante is fresh and elegant, with layers and layers of flavors. Elderberry, anise, Italian summer melon, beeswax and seashells live within so many tiny bubbles. Totally delicious!
Codding’s pick: Roederer Estate Brut, Anderson Valley, California
A delicate yet toasty sparkling wine with apple, acacia blossom, pear, and anise notes.
Best Red Under $15
Miller’s pick: A to Z “Night & Day,” Rogue Valley, Oregon
This wine is a blend of 30 percent merlot, 30 percent syrah, 14 percent sangiovese, 13 percent cabernet and 13 percent cabernet franc grapes. It has aromas of ripe blackberries, huckleberries, blackcurrants and graham crackers with honeycomb, dark chocolate, black pepper and tobacco. Full and generous, the wine opens to reveal flavors of these red and black fruits, as well as violets and cherry bark incorporated with ripe tannins and moderate alcohol that all harmonize on the palate and lead to a beautiful finish.
Soft, lush fruit focusing on cherry, strawberry, and plum laced over licorice, oak and spice. This is a phenomenal find in this category.
Best White Under $15
Miller’s pick: Tamari Reserva Torrontes, Mendoza, Argentina
This is a very elegant and delicate white with appropriate varietal aromas. Notes of white grapefruit are highlighted, as are white flowers like jasmine, with rose notes and some hints of tropical fruit. It is a wine with nerve and balance. The mouth is fruity, floral and spicy, with an enjoyable finish.
Fresh, with notes of honeysuckle, pear and white flowers. Zippy, yet round a supple with loads of honeycomb and bright lilac. Pleasing to the palate for any occasion.
This Italian sparkler has the most subtle, delicate effervescence with fresh lemon curd and vanilla on the palate; the perfect accompaniment to brunch.
The nine Best Picture contenders for the 85th Academy Awards are a fine representation of the best films of 2012. Most of us have probably seen at least one of them, a few aficionados may have seen them all, but the movies assuredly grow even more entertaining when they’re paired with a wine demonstrating similar traits.
Minnesota sommelier Leslee D. Millerrecommends nine fabulous wines that correspond to all the Best Picture nominees. Miller is a graduate of both the International Sommelier Guild and Court of Master Sommeliers. She also owns Amusée, a wine consulting and event-planning firm, based in Minneapolis. Her energizing personality and great passion for wine and food are evident in her work with customers and friends.
Educated in the Pacific Northwest, Leslee returned to her Midwest roots and now offers services in consulting and staff training for restaurants, international winery consulting, personal wine buying, commercial and residential cellar management, wine writing, corporate and private event planning, wine education classes and private in-home wine tasting parties.
Miller enjoys film as well as wine. Her most-loved movie is True Romance, a zany 1993 crime story starring Christian Slater and Patricia Arquette. And topping her “food film” list: Ratatouille. As for her own bets on this year’s winners, she’s a big Tarantino fan and is hoping Django Unchained takes home “Best Picture.”
We tapped into her expert palate, enjoyment of films and passion for sharing the love of wine in these delicious pairings, which run the gamut from bold reds to delicate whites. On Sunday, pour the wine she matched to your favored Oscar hopeful and enjoy the culture that both wine and film bring into our lives.
Nine Top Film Contenders Meet Their Wine Match
Amour
Miller’s notes on the film: In the final months of her life, a retired music teacher and her husband of sixty years struggle with the debilitating effects of two strokes on both her health and her quality of life. Themes: true love, end of life, aging, care, France.
Miller’s notes on the wine: A movie based on true love only deserves something just as committed and extravagant.
What I love about older-vintaged Burgundies, especially those from Domaine Dujac, are their ability to transform any moment. This is truly a producer and wine that lends itself to not only to the meaning of ‘love at first sight,’ but to ‘the love of your life.’ Soft, supple and alluring – a spectacular wine with strength and perseverance.
Argo
Miller’s notes on the film: Set in Tehran during the 1979 hostage crisis; a movie of thrilling action, suspense and intrigue. Themes: intrigue, espionage, disguise, Canada, Iran, film.
Pairing: Inniskillin ‘Winemaker’s Series, Three Vineyards’ Cabernet Franc ~ Niagara Peninsula, Canada
Miller’s notes on the wine: A movie like this must be matched with a wine just as bold and spicy. This one is wildly spicy with handsome aromas of dark cherry, vegetal spice, black pepper and rich tobacco. An adventure in your glass!
Beasts of the Southern Wild
Miller’s notes on the film: A fantasy film filled with family ties, drama and adventure set in Louisiana. Themes: family ties, fantasy, ice, disaster, Antarctica, Louisiana bayous.
Miller’s notes on the wine: A movie as such deserves something as juicy and exciting as the characters of this venture. This wine is juicy and loaded with delicious aromas of blue and red fruits. Encapsulating and alluring, adventuresome yet at the same time, quaffable and exceptionally comforting. A wine for the senses.
Django Unchained
Miller’s notes on the film: An unbelievable tale of brutality, heroism and revenge in the pro-slavery, antebellum South. Produced in pure Tarantino form, this is certainly not a movie for those faint of heart. Themes: antebellum South, anger, slavery, racism, violence, revenge, retribution, blood.
Miller’s notes on the wine: Bravo, Mr. Tarantino! While certainly one should only recommend a bottle of Jack to pair to this film, there is the strong possibility that a rich, over-the-top, highly loaded, fruit bomb Shiraz from Australia would do the trick. Obnoxious alone is its alcohol content, and in the same sentence it screams ferocity, with loads of black licorice, spice and sweet condensed cocoa. This wine should come with a warning label!
Les Miserables
Miller’s notes on the film: A musical based on Victor Hugo’s epic novel of politics, justice, religion and familial love. Themes: French Revolution, uprising, friendship, love, running from the past, new identity, redemption, and grace.
Miller’s notes on the wine: A film derived of such pedigree only deserves a wine of the same. Champagne is a region within the wine world associated with history, identity and rigidity. One of my favorites and the oldest established house in the Champagne region is Ruinart. Their NV Blanc de Noir is literally one of the sexiest, most sturdy, luxurious sparkling wines of its kind. One that demands your attention yet begs to be understood.
Life of Pi
Miller’s notes on the film: A fantasy film jam-packed with thrilling adventure, paired with the essence of the true meaning to friendship and survival. Themes: India, zoo animals, tiger, ocean, storm, hope, adventure, friendship.
Miller’s notes on the wine: This bottle of cabernet has a sense of spirit, combined with a menagerie of bold, spicy aromas of juicy, jammy fruit – truly, an adventure from the first sip to its last.
Lincoln
Miller’s notes on the film: A film that speaks to the history of our country’s 16th president, Abraham Lincoln, based upon the final months of his presidency and the tumultuous journey of his endeavors that would forever shape America’s history. Themes: 13th Amendment, Civil War, politics, slavery, emancipation, family, peace, president.
Miller’s notes on the wine: Is there really a wine as noteworthy to pair in this era of history? A winery with such depth and history, one of the oldest in the country, is Freemark Abbey of California’s Napa Valley. This Cabernet has tremendous personality, depth and unbelievable balance. Firm, structured and absolutely a wine built year after year for the history books.
Silver Linings Playbook
Miller’s notes on the film: A heartfelt film based upon loyalty and love intertwined with an unexpected silver lining. Themes: bipolar, obsession, Italian family, gambling, silver linings, surprise.
Miller’s notes on the wine: A red wine based upon the same familial loyalty, truth and passion for its kind. This bottle is loaded with notes of licorice, leather, violet, spice and dark berry fruit – a wine built for the ages, derived from a true sense of commitment and passion for the industry.
Zero Dark Thirty
Miller’s notes on the film: A truly heroic film based on decade-long hunt for al-Qaeda terrorist leader Osama bin Laden after the September 2001 attacks. Themes: persistence, terrorism, CIA, intelligence, Morroco, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Navy SEALs.
Miller’s notes on the wine: Zinfandel, a grape that has truly made its mark in in the U.S. and a winery, in this case, with the most appropriate ‘Zero Dark Thirty’ paired name: Victory. This wine has explosive dark fruit character, enormous body and exceptional concentration. It is meant to be consumed by those of the same bold mindset.
Looking for a way to spruce up your next holiday gathering or girls night in party? Look no further, Twin Cities Wine Sommelier Leslee Miller of Amusée, has just the right answers to adding a little pizzazz to your wine for your next event.
What ingredients are best for making your own signature ‘Wine-Tail’ or ‘Winter Sangria’?
Check it out for yourself and use these easy, fun and affordable tips yourself at your next gathering!
Don’t miss this super fun, yet informative ‘How to Entertain with Wine’ video with Twin Cities Sommelier, Leslee Miller of Amusée. Learn what pairs best to a number of different cooking techniques to poultry, what wine with chocolate and fun items like shrimp cocktail and other entertaining goodies.
Need a couple of last minute Thanksgiving Turkey Dinner Wine Ideas?
Charles Smith ‘Secco Bianco’ ~ Veneto, Italy
Fresh and elegant. Layers and layers of flavors. Elderberry, anise, Italian summer melon, beeswax and seashells live within so many tiny bubbles. Totally delicious!
Thanksgiving Pairing: A perfect starter or even better…serve with the main course, turkey!
Casamaro Verdejo ~ Rueda, Spain
Pungent citrus fruit and zest on the nose, with a complex bouquet of herbs and white flowers. Racy lemon and lime flavors follow up with an intriguing floral honey aroma. If you’re a fan of Sauvignon Blanc, this is a great wine for you.
Thanksgiving Pairing: Great with the salad course. Goat cheese, fresh pear and drizzled honey – a fab starter for an elegant Thanksgiving dinner.
Crios Malbec ~ Mendoza, Argentina
Aromas of freshly crushed black cherries and toasty/smoky oak frame the exuberant fruit, while flavors of cherries, spice and jammy fruit lend a hint of spice and sandalwood on the nose.
Thanksgiving Pairing: A ‘pair to all’ kind of wine! But, if you’re planning on grilling your turkey this holiday season, this is the wine. Perfect with the smoky bits of your turkey & gravy.
Terra Burdigala Causse Rouge ~ Bordeaux, France
95% Merlot & 5% Cabernet: An easy-going blend, with aromas and flavors of black cherry and vanilla. Medium-bodied, with a supple mouth-feel and alluring nose.
Thanksgiving Pairing: Pair this wine to a traditional Thanksgiving stuffing, whoah! An absolute match made in heaven. Earthy, round and absolutely delicious, yes please! Also perfect with root vegetables and a grilled or smoked turkey.
Emeri Pink Moscato ~ Australia
Velvety with fresh strawberry and raspberry fruit aromas – a little sticky and sweet, but just the answer to dessert!
Thanksgiving Pairing: No need to head down the traditional ‘dessert wine’ aisle this season, Pink Moscato is the answer to ALL your last course needs, especially for your traditional pumpkin, pecan and apple pie!
Sommelier Leslee Miller knows a good wine when she tastes one – and she also knows a good deal when she sees one! To celebrate the season this year and spice up your holiday gatherings, try our November Wine of the Month – Christkindl Glühwein for only $4.99. (Availability and price of alcoholic beverages vary by store.) http://www.aldi.us/us/html/product_range/2744_19364_ENU_HTML.htm
After a long hiatus taken by the Girls & Grapes group, our gaggle of gals brought it back together this past week to review the Rhone and a few of its surrounding areas.
Attached is the much anticipated list of wine reviews with tasting notes, price-points, values, and pairings. Catch ‘em while they’re hot and (as always) take our suggestions ALL at your own risk. Salut!
Sud de France Picpoul de Pinet- Languedoc-Roussillon
Best Buck for Buck!
Crisp, green apple, fresh, lively – lovely!! An excellent value for approx. $12 on the shelf.
Sud de France Reserve de la Saurine Rosé – Vin de Pays du Gard, France
Sour cherry, watermelon, basil. We love this and it’s only $9 on the shelf!
Prima Donna Tavel Rosé – S Rhone
Alcohol, cherry chapstick, no bueno – we no likey.
Domaine des Remizières Crozes Hermitage(white) - N Rhone
Grapes: Marsanne, Roussanne
Lemon Curd, the toasted nut notes to this wine make it a lovely pairing to this pinenut cous cous we’re having (from Surdyks) – great food wine!
Domaine Durand Cornas(Syrah) – N Rhone
Big, massive -Tar, smoke, blkberry, blk pepper, dust, and tastes a bit charred. We’re okay with it, but at the same time, it’s a bit massive and obtrusive.
La Domeliére Rasteau(Dry Grenache) – S Rhone
$20 We love, love, love!! Supple, spicy, strawberry, pretty- amazing with Surdyk’s pickled beets!
Domaine de la Solitude Châteauneuf-du-Pape (2005)
- S Rhone
Winner Winner Chicken Dinner!
Christmas spice, clove, mace, all spice – violet. We love this!! This is the winner so far!! On the shelf for approx. $60
Meaty, smokey, organic smelling, Big Red Cinnamon finish, tannin, sileage – big ass balls!!! We could drink the H-E-Double Hockey Stick out of this!!!
We guessed Hermitage, Crozes Hermitage, Cote Rotie
A perfect pairing to our greek seasoned grilled lamb chops!!
Emmanuel Darnaud Crozes-Hermitage – N Rhone
White pepper, blkberry, boysenberry ihop syrup, pencil shavings – we think carbonic maceration (bubble gum)
Not expecting this! 100% Syrah We do not likey this!! Not worth the $30 on the shelf.
GJ Syrah , Vin de Pays des Collines Rhodaniennes(2010) - N Rhone
A Girls and Grapes Best Buy!
Smells like green and spicy and pokey!
‘What the hell is a nettle anyways?’ Lil Lindz. This wine screams it!
White pepper, cranberry. Barnyard and husky farmy but slightly muted.
Actual juice is a St Joseph Syrah “What?, It’s a Vin de Pays!” $18 – We think this is a steal!! Everyday drinking Syrah-This is an outstanding Bang for your Buck!!
Clos de L’Oratoire Châterauneuf-du-Pape(2007) – S Rhone
Stinky, smells a bit maderized – raspberry, cranberry- cooked – massive vintage
As many of you already know, I write monthly for a number of
publications across the nation.Whether
it be a regular piece recommending wines, or a cameo spot amongst a national
wine or food publication, my work as a writer keeps me quite busy.
Many times, because I write so many of my pieces so far in
advance, I rarely remember what wine I actually recommended for the upcoming
month.So when the publications are
delivered to my own front door, I always find myself flipping through and
hunting down the wines I wrote about. Surprised with the verbiage I end using to describe my favorite wines, I
always find myself wanting a glass of the selection at that second.
This month when I thumbed through METRO Edina’s February
Issue, I had just that feeling, knowing that I truly recommended one of my
favorite wines of ALL TIME.
Check it out…
DRINK
February is a lovely month to
share a great bottle of wine with someone special, because love is absolutely
in the air. While a number of wines will be recommended for this month
dedicated to L-O-V-E, I’m a much bigger fan of finding a wine that will
electrify the senses and evoke conversation this particular time of year. The
Numanthia Termes (Tempranillo) from the very small region of Toro, Spain, is
just that wine ($35). The nose gives scents of dried violet, dark chocolate,
peppery dried meats, with a hint of candied spice. The mouth is intense with
mouth-watering blackberry, cherry and stewed marionberry fruit combined with
firm, yet velvety tannins. Ridiculously sexy! If this doesn’t spark a lively
conversation, you may not have the right date.
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