WineLife365

Posts Tagged ‘White Wine’

Like a lot of other people this past Sunday night, we were glued to the TV set sayin’, “Man, she looks terrible!” or “Wow, she looks really great!”  We were also wondering if James Cameron and Jon Landau’s 10 year project, “Avatar”, would runaway with all of the Oscar trophies.  But just like so many other past Oscar nights, there was that dark horse in the bunch that surprised everyone.  This year, it was a night to remember for the folks involved with the film “The Hurt Locker”, which won six Academy Awards including “Best Picture”.

As we watched “The Hurt Locker” put a hurtin’ on fellow nominees, we were putting a hurtin’ on a couple great bottles of wine!

The first of the evening was the 2009 Finca La Linda Torrontes bottled by Luigi Bosca.  This wine was produced in Argentina and consists of 100% Torrontes grape.  Torrontes is the wonderful and distinctively aromatic signature white grape of Argentina.  If you’ve never tried a Torrontes before, this one will certainly make a great first impression on you!  There’s a lot of interesting layers of flavors swirling around in this wine.  It’s a bombshell of racy, crisp acidity, packed full of tropical flavors, that reminded me of a Pina Colada.  The 2009 Finca La Linda Torrontes was a big winner and left us wanting more.  Costing less than $10, it secures a lofty 4 star WineLife365 taste rating and also earned itself many repeat visits as the weather in our neck of the woods continues to warm up.

Next up was the 2006 La Corte Solyss Negroamaro.  This red wine is from the South of Italy in the Puglia (Apulia) region.  Negroamaro, also known as Negro amaro, is one of the most widely planted native red grapes grown in the Southern regions of Italy.  It’s grown almost exclusively in Puglia (Apulia) and also in Salento, which is located at the “heel” of Italy.  The Negroamaro grape and the winemakers in this region tend to allow these wines to express rustic, earthy, and natural tasting characteristics.  This particular Old World red showcases some really interesting mineral, herbaceous and cherry twists that will undoubtedly make you question whether you’re a fan of it or not.  We were fans of 2006 La Corte Solyss Negroamaro and give it 3 stars out of 4 on our taste scale.  One final note on this wine – I paid $12 for it at a local retailer, but I’ve seen it as high as $25 online.  I’m not sure whether or not I’d be willing to fork over 25 bones for it, but if you can find it for less than $20, it’s certainly worth a shot!

With the 2010 Oscars behind us, I can’t say that there were many moments that will replay in my mind for any length of time.  However, I did find some winners that will have repeat performances in my glass.

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From: Bordeaux, France
Price: $10.00

The first gift of 2010!  This outstanding little gem comes from Bordeaux, France.  The importer of this white wine is Monsieur Touton Selection LTD.  I mention this because the bottle does not indicate who the actual producer is of this wine.  Guillaume Touton aka “Monsieur Touton” is the man behind this wine importing company.  Mr. Touton works with several hundred producers from several countries and employs over 80 sales people whose offices are located in New York, Boston and Washington.  His company has earned a reputation as being one of the most prolific importers of French wine on the East Coast within the United States.

After tasting this particular 100% Sauvignon Blanc for the first time this past New Year’s weekend, I can see why his company has earned such a great reputation on the East Coast.

The  2008 Monsieur Touton Sauvignon Blanc possesses just the right amount of zesty sauvignon blanc flavors that let you know that it’s distinctively French, but the acidity that it delivers really pops nicely for an inexpensive white Bordeaux without the pucker up style of a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc.  I think my wife summed up this wine perfectly when she said, “It’s pretty”.  I agree, for $10 dollars a bottle, there’s a whole lot to like about the 2008 Monsieur Touton Sauvignon Blanc – especially if you’re an everyday wine drinker looking for a great everyday white to go with dinner.

I award the 2008 Monsieur Touton Sauvignon Blanc 3 stars out 4.  You won’t mistake it for a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, but this classic and affordable French Sauvignon Blanc has just the right amount of zip on it!

WineLife365 Rating: 3-Star

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Rather than replicating a list of the particular wines the large wine publications proclaimed as being the best of 2009, or even rehashing my own personal favorites, I thought I’d provide a different look at the top 10 wines that my palate said, “Got It Right!” in 2009.

1.  Anything But Chardonnay Brotherhood – 2009 proved to be another exciting year for wine drinkers who were looking for something other than Chardonnay.  Riesling, Torrontes, Vinho Verde, and Viognier (to name just a few) “Got it Right” in 2009.

2.  I Prefer My Chardonnay “Naked” – In 2009 we started seeing more Chardonnay producers leaving the trees in the forest and getting “naked” or “unoaked”.  So, before you scratch Chardonnay off of your wine checklist, you may want to look again!

3.  Acidity Is A Good Thing – In 2009, I experienced a lot of terrific white wines that brought the acidity to the party.  The places that rocked me most throughout 2009 were Chile, Portugal and New Zealand.

4.  Italy Is Not Just For Pinot Grigio And Chianti Anymore – Man, if you haven’t experienced an Italian sparkler this year, you’re missing out!

5.  The Wine Treasure Chest Called France – All I can say here is that the French sure know how to make fine white wines, and cheap tasty ones too!  Treasure hunters might want to start digging in the Gascony, Languedoc and Loire Valley aisles.

6.  I Never Met A Red Headed Spaniard That I Didn’t Like – I’m probably a little bit biased on this one, but damn – I had a lot of great Spanish reds in 2009 and Garnacha spoke to me like Rain Man in my ears.

7.  There’s A Lot To Like Down South! – Gadzooks I tell you – I had a love fest with many a Carmenere and Malbec this past year.

8.  California Can Still Smoke’em – Nobody brings the noise like Cali.  I had a few Cabs and red Zins that nearly took me to the moon and back in 2009.  Big, bold and 100% California gold in those hills!

9.  I Like My Wines Shaken Not Stirred – Industry insiders say that most inexpensive blended wines are an afterthought to utilize the leftover grape lots.  Well, sometimes the “leftovers” are better!  I didn’t meet too many a Meritage in 2009 that I didn’t find enjoyable – especially in the under $15 club.  Additionally, the wines created by those wineries who strive to produce Bordeaux-style blends, using only the very best grapes, weren’t too shabby either.

10.  But, I’ve Never Heard Of That Place Or Grape… – In 2009, retailers introduced wine lovers to a few more, far away, and unpronounceable places that are making exciting wines while adding a few new grapes to our growing wine vocabulary.

The question is – Were you too afraid to try any of them?  If you were reluctant or a bit intimidated in 2009, do yourself a favor and taste drive something new in 2010!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone!

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From: France
Price: $9.99

Is your white wine up to the Challenge?

Looking for that perfect crowd pleasing white wine to bring to a Christmas party?  Or, maybe just a great inexpensive wine to give to someone as a gift this holiday season?  Here’s the answer my friend to your holiday dilemma, and it’ll only cost you $10 bucks.  This little treasure comes from France – which of course means that you’ll be instantly greeted by a label in all of its French splendid glory, chock full of unfamiliar French words that will undoubtedly have your brain muttering the words of Mr. Grinch, “How-be Who-be What??” .  After a little label intimidation game, you’re then distracted by the look of the bottle.  It is long and slender and has a Grinch-looking body that by this point has you saying, “Pooh-pooh to the Whos!”, and has you heading back to your ‘ole familiar wine boundaries.  But wait, before you go running back to that safe haven in aisle 3, do yourself a favor and taste drive one of the most heavenly killer values on the planet right now for under 10 smackers.  Here’s all you need to know about this stunning wine before having your taste buds bustin’ loose under the mistletoe with excitement. 

Picpoul is the grape and Pinet is the village within the Languedoc region of France for which this wine calls home.

This white wine pops with gigantic acidic fruit flavors like grapefruit, lime and pineapple from start to its glorious zesty finish.  Not only is the Le Jade great on its own, but it’s also extremely food-friendly and has the chops to stand up to anything from say bacon-wrapped scallops over Southwestern seasoned mixed vegetables to a melted Manchego cheese and Italian Sopressata quesadilla (I speak from experience on these two).

My question to you and every white wine making winery out there is this:  Can your $20 or less white wine do that?  I personally believe that the Le Jade, at just under $10, might very well be the most exceptional and versatile inexpensive white wine on the market right now.  To this point, I’m making a challenge to all wineries around globe – If you think that your less than $20 white wine is better then this French beauty, then I’d like to hear about it!

As for the 2008 Le Jade, Picpoul de Pinet – It’s the tops in my book!  Pour it, enjoy it, or just get crunked (if that’s your thing) this holiday season – 4 Stars.

Cheers!

WineLife365 Rating: 4-Star

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The economy may not be too rosy these days, but that doesn’t mean you have to stop drinking wine.  It just means that you need to make wiser buying decisions!

 I’ve assembled my current Top 10 House Wine Favorites that I guarantee will put a smile on your face and a few more greenbacks back in your wallet.

1.)  2008 Cave de Pomerols Picpoul de Pinet HB (France) – A perennial house favorite of mine.  This wine retails in most parts of the world for about $8.99 a bottle.  It just might be the most versatile inexpensive white wine on the planet.

2.)  2008 Domaine de Bernier Chardonnay Vin De Pays (France) – The French are truly remarkable Chardonnay makers in my opinion.  How they can tame the unruly beast known as Chardonnay and bottle this delicious and elegant tasting wine for $7.99 is beyond me.

3.)   2008 Domaine Des Cassagnoles Vin De Pays (France) – There are many great wine secrets in France – Gascony, which is located in southwest France is one of them.  This white wine is utterly superb for $8 a bottle.

4.)    2008 Inca Torrontes / Chardonnay (Argentina) – This white wine is not for everyone, but this interesting 80/20 blend is fresh, current, and flat out dynamite with Tex-Mex and/or spicy foods.  The best part is that this adventure into the great unknown will only set you back $8 bucks – Ca-Ching!

5.)    2009 Cono Sur Sauvignon Blanc (Chile) – It doesn’t seem to matter what the vintage is for this wine.  The folks at Cono Sur have been making outstanding inexpensive Sauvignon Blanc, as well as Riesling, for years and lots of wine drinkers are taking notice.  At $7.99 a bottle, it’s a phenomenal value!

6.)    2007 Altovinum Evodia Old Vines Garnacha (Spain) – My gift to you – You will be scratching your head for days wondering how this spicy number is only priced at $9.00.

7.)    2007 Penfolds Koonunga Hill Shiraz / Cabernet (Australia) What more can I say, besides that Penfolds makes outstanding red wines whether it’s their cheap stuff like this one or their “ultra – premium” Grange.  Remarkably consistent year in and year out, this $8.99 Aussie standout is a ridiculous no-brainer.

8.)    2007 McManis Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon (USA) – I had to flip a coin between McManis and Columbia Crest Vineyards in Washington State.  Both McManis and Columbia Crest make terrific value reds, but the McManis line-up packs a bit more punch for $10 bucks.

9.)    2007 Bianchi “Elsa” Malbec (Argentina) – I’ll be honest, I’ve been a little down on Malbec as a whole in recent years.  Carmenere from Chile’s Maipo Valley has really captured my attention.  However, this Malbec is just as good or better than any Chilean Carmenere that I’ve tasted in the $10-12 dollar range, but this particular Malbec will only set you back $8 bucks.

Apologies for the stock photo. I forgot to take a picture before drinking!

10.)  2007 Las Rocas de San Alejandro Garnacha (Spain) – This red wine, my friends, is one of the greatest red wines on the planet – at any price level.  This has been my “go to” wine so far in 2009.  It’s an amazing red that many industry insiders have known about for years.  Do yourself a favor and buy a bottle and see for yourself why the so-called experts rave about it.  One disclaimer however, this wine does break my $10 threshold.  Unfortunately, you’ll have to ante up a whole .99 cents more to taste the brilliance of this Spaniard.  But I guarantee you that the extra .99 cents that you fork over for this beauty will be far better than anything off of the McDonald’s $1.00 menu – trust me!

One final note, don’t get too hung up on the vintages that I’ve listed above; these 10 wines consistently hit it out of the park year after year!

Enjoy!

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