Chateau Montelena – A Legend
Many of you know wine is a happy place for me. Everything about wine thrills me, excites me and makes me happy. As you can tell by the smile on my face from this iconic producer, Chateau Montelena Napa Valley Chardonnay 2017, brought me to my happy place and then some! Quick recap – Chateau Montelena was the unprecedented winner at the infamous 1976 Paris Wine Tasting (a.k.a. Judgement of Paris) for their 1973 Chardonnay against their French counterparts (sorry guys). The event, organized by the late and great Steven Spurrier, had the finest French wines competing against the unknown California wines. To everyone’s amazement, the California wines – red and white — beat out their French competitors. It rocked the wine industry to it’s core. Chateau Montelena Napa Valley Chardonnay 2017 Medium lemon color for this warm climate Chardonnay. Swirl and fragrant ripe aromas of apple & pear, rich pineapple, honeydew melon, lemon zest, caramel, pastry, straw, stone, honey, cream, honeysuckle, vanilla, clove & hazelnut. Sip and It’s a bright, focused and oh so well structured full bodied Chardonnay. The sultry flavors just lingered in a fine, linear fashion. Silky and sculptured – I loved it. Enjoy with broiled bacon wrapped scallops, herb stuffed roast pork or shrimp orzo salad.
Crémant de Bourgogne Bernhard
Domaine Jean-Marc Bernhard is a small, family-owned domain that was founded in 1802 at the foothills of the Vosges Mountains in Alsace, France. Frederick is the 9th generation winemaker who’s family has been farming the 27 acres of vineyard land for over 200 years. Organically farmed from granite soils, the wines are clean, crips and fruity with a balanced minerality. This family is known for Riesling, Pinot Gris and Gewürztraminer. As with other Alsatian producers, they not only produce still but sparkling wines in this region, known as Crémant d’Alsace. This family sticks to the tradition of the region showcasing the expression of the unique Alsace terroir. The cuvée is a blend of 40% chardonnay, 35% pinot blanc, 25% riesling, all organically grown, with a light 6 g/l dosage. Pale lemon color. Sparkly aromas of rich buttery shortbread, red apple and lemon. The palate is dry with a lemony freshness in a creamy mouthful of bubbles that carries the chalk, white peach, pear, honeysuckle, straw, buttery shortbread and brioche. It’s refreshing, delicious and a great quality valued sparkling wine alternative to champagne.
Girolamo Russo ‘Nerina’ Etna Bianco 2019
Fire + wine = Etna, Sicily 🇮🇹 🇮🇹Girolamo Russo ‘Nerina’ Etna Bianco 2019 📍 Etna DOC Sicily, Italy 🍇 75% Carricante + 25% of Catarratto, Inzolia, Grecanico, Minnella & Coda di Volpe ℹ️ ‘Nerina’ is the only white cuvée from Giuseppe Russo. Organically farmed, the oldest vines are 100 years old. Made cool fermentation (70% steel and 30% barrels) with indigenous yeasts with 6 months ageing on the lees 🇮🇹Pale lemon color. 🇮🇹 Fragrant and silky aromas of lemon, grapefruit, mango, apple, pear, smoke, honeysuckle and minerals. 🇮🇹 Fresh flavors of green herbs (sage and thyme), citrus, honeysuckle, saline are carried by the vitality of the acidity of this creamy, medium bodied wine into depth and complexity of minerals, saline & smoke. It has a persistent finish that truly reflects the Etna terroir. It has the ocean, the volcano and purity of Etna in one beautiful wine. I paired it with whipped lemon ricotta with crostini and fresh veggies – swipe ⬅️⬅️ Pizza Bianca with fresh arugula and olive oil or grilled shrimp lemon thyme skewers would also be lovely together.
Alchémille Coteaux Bourguignons Blanc 2019
HAPPY WINE WEDNESDAY! It’s stinking hot in the northeast and all I want is a crisp, high acid, tart little wine. A great quality valued wine is a Coteaux Bourguignons Blanc, which is crisp Burgundy white that expands into the larger Burgundy region. 🍷Domaine Dame Jeanne Alchémille Coteaux Bourguignons Blanc 2019 Quick recap: 🇫🇷 Jeanne Piollot followed in her parents footsteps, to be a winemaker that speaks of the terroir – her father is the Père of Piollot Père et Fille, and her mother, Dominique, is the talent behind Champagne Marie Courtin. Part of what sets the Aube apart is it’s location closer to Chablis than to Reims. Technically not part of the Champagne region, just on the cusp of Burgundy’s region. She found this stunning parcel and decided to make her Coteaux Bourguignons, ‘Alchemille’ is 100% Chardonnay, 🇫🇷 It’s pure, linear minerality and acidity carries the aromas and flavors of crisp lemon, tart green apple and pear, mango, grass & wet stone. You can taste the Kimmeridgian limestone soils, with its seashell minerality, elegant structure and balanced flavors. It’s lively and finishes on mango/tropical note. Hot weather, cool and crisp Chardonnay is what is on the menu. If you are hungry, shuck some littlenecks (aka clams) with tons of lemon, quahog stuffies, crab cakes or shrimp à la plancha.
Panther Creek 2016 Chardonnay
Chardonnay is the most diverse and most planted white varietal. You either adore it or walk right past it – do not pass go, do not collect $200 (Monopoly 😆). Let me introduce you to an unforgettable Chardonnay from Oregon that will have you coming back for more. Panther Creek 2016 Chardonnay Willamette Valley, Oregon 13.5% ABV Quality Chardonnay that was aged for 16 months (25% in new French oak). This isn’t an oak bomb nor is it a citrus fruit forward wine. It’s a culmination of all that’s good in Chardonnay 😊 perfectly balanced. ❇️ Pours into the glass with lemon gold hue ❇️ Swirl and aromas of apple, Meyer lemon, honeysuckle, cashews, freshly baked bread, marshmallows with a sprinkle of yeast and coconut. ❇️ Sip and the zingy medium fresh acidity brings forth lemon zest, lime, lemongrass, tart green apple laced with honeysuckle, vanilla, brown sugar and delicate cloves. It has an overall soft silky texture with great concentration that is just coats your mouth and lingers in this cooler expression of this varietal in it’s freshness. I paired it with lemon grilled chicken and vegetable kabobs which was just perfection. You could always go the fish and seafood route – grilled lobster tails with lime chive butter or poached halibut with roasted tomatoes.
Terrassen Rosé Finger Lakes
I have a confession to make – this was my first intro to a Finger Lakes Rosé wine. Let’s take a quick tour of the region and why rosé does so well here. Fun Fact: There are 3 primary species of wine grapes in New York: European varieties (v. Vinifera), American varieties (v. Labrusca and v. Rupestris) and hybrids. ….Thanks to Dr. Konstantin Frank’s research in the 1950’s on planting of vitis vinifera varietals could do well in cool climates, we would not have the amazing Rieslings from this region today. It’s claim to fame is dry, high acidic, aromatic Riesling. It’s claim to fame is dry, high acidic, aromatic Riesling. They also make a sweet style Riesling as well. Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris, Grüner Veltliner, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Franc also due very well here. New York State wine region is rather large and split into 10 AVA wine regions. Finger Lakes AVA and the many others are clustered around the stunning scenery & glacier lakes of the Cayuga, Keuka and Seneca Lakes. The summers are hot and the winters a harshly cold. Without the lakes insulating the vineyards from harsh frosts during the winter and cooling them during the summer, it would be impossible to make wine here. Terrassen Cellars was founded by wine director Thomas Pastuszak and his sommelier wife, Jessica Brown. Their mission is to highlight the unique terroir of the Finger Lakes wine region.The amount of care and attention that goes into producing it goes above and beyond the norm. Terrassen Rosé 2019 🍇 100% Blaufränkish Jeweled dark salmon pink color rosé with delicate aromas of raspberry, red currant, strawberry, lemon peel, rose petals and chalk. This is a dry rose with savory red fruit flavors, yeast, rose petals, lemon peel and finishing on a dusty chalk minerality. It’s fresh, clean and zippy thirst quenching – creamy balanced finish. Oh so drinkable. I paired this lovely wine with Middle Eastern Spiced Grilled Chicken Thighs but you could also try a grilled lemon shrimp skewers, multicolored beet salad or roasted mushroom tart. Happy Finger Lakes Wine Month #fingerlakeswinemonth
Nino Franco Rustico Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG
Italy’s number one sparkling wine comes from Northeastern Italy. The best Prosecco wines are noted from the hilly sub-region of Valdobbiadene. Meant to be drunk young, a fresh and fruity sparkling wine. Uses a different winemaking method than Champagne (called the tank method). Made in sparkling or semi-sparkling style (spumante and frizzante) Mainly made from Glera grape but they can add up to 15% of other indigenous & international varietals. It ranges from Brut (the driest) to Dry (the sweetest) Regions: Prosecco DOC, Conegliano Valdobbiadene – Prosecco DOCG and Asolo Prosecco DOCG Nino Franco’s Rustico Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG Nino Franco was founded in 1919. Made in the heart of the Prosecco DOCG zone and is known for it’s high quality Prosecco. 100% Glera Delicate aromas of green apple, pear, lemon, honeysuckle, peach & crushed minerals. The crisp acidity carries this light body sparkling’s fresh flavors of green apple, pear, lemon, honeysuckle, peach, hay, wet stones and cream. Perfect as an apératif or with antipasto, salted almonds, cured meats, soft cheeses (Brie & Camembert) or mild cheeses (Fontina), focaccia, mini quiches, sushi, white asparagus risotto, poached cod, spicy asian food.
Bordeaux Right Bank Hidden Gem
Maltus = Garagiste = World Class Wines What is a Garagiste? It’s a Bordeaux winemaker, along the Right Bank, who produces only small amounts of wine, usually from single vineyards. I’m going to let you in on Bordeaux BEST KEPT SECRET……. Pezat…. WHO????? Jonathan Maltus of Chateau Teyssier? Artistic winemaker of Le Dome?? Yes, that’s him. This is their entry level Rouge Bordeaux Superior. He is known as the rebel “garagiste” Jonathan studied engineering in the U.K. but also was a passionate wine lover. One day he said to himself – I want to make wines that respect and uniquely reflect the terroir while also breaking the rules of Bordeaux. He wanted to do something new, unique while keeping with tradition. So, he found himself shopping for vineyards, and wound up buying Chateau Teyssier as well as vineyards in Vignonet at southern limit of the St. Emilion which today amounts to about 30 hectares. An award winning winemaker leaving his mark and producing outstanding wines both in Saint Emilion and Napa Valley. Pezat Bordeaux Superior 2016 These lovely grapes for the Bordeaux Superior are from the vineyard “La Plagnolle” in Saint-Emilion. Following cold maceration to extract color and flavor, the wine is fermented in stainless steel tanks. The wines are aged for 16 months with 20% in new oak. I poured a glass and took 1 whiff (yes a big inhale) and all I smelled with the Right Bank….85% Merlot 15% Cabernet Franc makes up this harmonious blend. Jeweled ruby color. Aromas of red plum, cedar, blackberry, dark cherry, pencil shavings, earthy, chocolate tomato leaf & leather. The acidity is balanced with the soft, claylike tannins that stick to your gums (that’s a good thing by the way). Generous supple fruit (red plum, cherry, blackberry), cedar, bramble, pencil shavings, leather, savory, bell pepper, vanilla, tobacco violet, finishes on ripe cherry tomatoes, licorice & mint. It has a nice rustic quality to it with a medium round body mouthfeel. Now this cult following and rightfully so is so well integrated and smooth you won’t even notice the 14.5% abv – unless you have too much and when you stand up you’ll feel it 😂 It’s sleek, elegant in it’s smoothness and so well integrated with the concentrated fruits, you won’t be able to stop. Start with an aged hard cheese plate? Yes. Grilled bison steaks? Yes. How about a Tuscan rosemary beef stew? Double Yes. This is the kind of wine I would 100% bring to someone’s house for dinner and a) they would think I spent $50 on the bottle and b) EVERYONE would fall in love with it, as I have.
Duzsi Tamas Kekfrankos Rosé
Great quality rosé wine is made everywhere these days & not just in Provence. Why not expand your Rosé WINE MIND and give a dry, flavorful wine from Hungary a try. Yes, I said Hungary 😉 Duzsi Tamas Kékfrankos Rosé 2019 Szekszárd, Hungary 100% Kékfrankos Kékfrankos is an Austro-Hungarian variety is grown widely across Central & Eastern Europe. It goes by other names such as Blaufränkisch (Austria) or Gamé (Bulgaria). There is much debate between Hungary and Austria as to which came first Kékfrancos or Blaufränkisch – it’s the chicken or the egg situation. However evidence does show that Kékfrancos did come first. Kékfrancos is predominantly found in southern Hungary. It’s an early-budding and late-ripening variety that needs warm conditions to ripen fully which is why it thrives in the warmer regions of Szekszárd and Villány. The varietal used to be known as the jug table wine. But over the last 10-15 years it has evolved – producers saw the potential of the varietal and have been creating increasingly elegant and balanced Kékfrankos wines with fresh acidity. It’s a crowd pleaser for it’s light and fruity characteristics with lively acidity. Family-run winery Duzsi Tamas is one of Szekszard’s most award winning producers of rose wine. Located in southern Hungary, Szekszárd has a Mediterranean climate and a mix of loess and limestone soils. Spontaneous fermentation with native yeasts, and aging in stainless steel. Organic farming. This salmon-pink colored rosé has delicate aromas of raspberry, pomegranate, melon, blood orange, grapefruit, lime, gooseberry, minerals and white peach. The cocktail fruits are complemented by zesty acids for a light, elegant peppery mineral finish. You’ll like this if you like… Rose from the Languedoc-Roussillon. Pairs beautifully with cedar plank salmon (pictured here), halibut mango fish tacos, BBQ veggie skewers or soft cheeses. Great QPR at $15
Old Vine Verdejo
Verdejo is a white varietal found almost exclusively in Rueda, Spain 🇪🇸 . This is it’s happy place 😊 thanks to the sandy soils, altitude and high diurnal temperature shifts. These factors contribute to its higher spectrum acidity and lively flavors of lime, melon, peach, fennel and grass. It is a great alternative to Sauvignon Blanc as well as an ideal food pairing wine. Bodegas Jose Ordóñez Nisia Las Suertes Verdejo, Old Vines 2018 🇪🇸 Santiuste de San Juan Bautista Rueda D.O. Fun fact: This is the only part of the appellation that completely ungrafted vines and phylloxera resistant super fighters due to the sandy soils. 🍇Average age of the vines are 90 years old, 100% dry farmed, organic goblet vine trained, hand harvested. Fermented in neutral French oak & aged for 12 months sur lie with battonage. 🇪🇸 Bodegas Ordóñez philosophy of the winery is to produce authentic Verdejo the old-fashioned way, by working with traditional vineyard sites and using old school winemaking techniques. 🍇 100% Verdejo 🍷 Creamy texture with a bouquet of freshly cut honeysuckle (think cream, lemon and honey all mixed together) with fresh fruits (green apple, honeydew melon, pineapple, lime, passion fruit, white peach), minerals, grass and fennel to round it out with a sweet spice finish of honeyed vanilla & white pepper that just hums in your mouth. It’s lovely acidity carries the flavors for a long time. Ultimate pairing is grilled lime swordfish skewers with a lime cilantro shallot vinaigrette.