Friends, food, and wine.

"In Vino, Veritas." Pliny the Elder

After a few months I'm back to tell the tale of wine. Well, at least the wine I've had the pleasure of tasting over the last few days. Here are some of the standouts:

2006 Bonterra Merlot Organic Grapes

As the name says, this wine is made from organically grown grapes, but that's not to say it doesn't taste good. Quite the contrary, this Merlot displayed pure, ripe, red fruit flavors with a decidedly smooth finish.

2005 Mezzacorona Pinot Noir

Italy is not well known for Pinot Noir, and, while this one won't change that anytime soon, I did enjoy it's bright cherry aroma and tight acidity. It will cut right through rich (fatty?) dishes.

I enjoyed these wines with good friends and one of my very favorite things to eat: Grilled Rib Eye Steaks! We threw in grilled zucchini, yellow squash, red and green bell peppers, and red onions for good measure. Simple and tasty.

Cheers,
Tony

Red Wine at the right time!

"Wine is poetry in a bottle." Clifton Fadiman

Hello again, over the last few weeks I've had the pleasure of tasting some great red wines. These are some that stood out above the rest:

Budini Malbec 2007

Ripe and fruit forward, this deep red Malbec begs for food with a smokey tilt and drinks dilightfuly.

Rancho Zabaco Dry Creek Valley Reserve Zinfandel 2004

Ripe dark fruit is perfectly complimented by spicy earth and a lingering, smooth finish. Zin has been grown in California for over a century, this one is one of the best examples.

Talus Pinot Noir 2007

Surprizing for a low cost wine, the Talus Pinot Noir is easy on the palate, smooth, and balanced.

Testarossa Syrah Subasio 2007

True to it's name, the "red head" is bright and lively with ripe, well rounded flavors. It's willing to arouse the senses.

Valle Vista Red 2006

Regarded as California's answer to Bourdeaux's Medoc region, this red blend from Napa Valley is solid and versatile. A great cheeseburger wine!

Cheers,
Tony

Ready to drink Reds!

"Wine is made to be drunk as women are made to be loved." -- Theophile Malvezin

2007 McManis Petite Sirah
Dark, inky, and purple in color leads to deep, dark fruit flavors. Hints of smoke intertwine with the layers of flavor and continue to the satisfying finish. Pleasantly surprising!

2006 Eos Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

Pleasant aromas are followed by subtle fruit flavors up front. Next you'll experience notes of leather, earth, and tobacco. Supple tannins in the finish.

2005 Jean Luc Colombo Chateau d'aigueville Cotes-du-Rhone

Pleasing ripe fruit flavors make a great first impression. The solid structure and livelyness on the palate confirm it.

Cheers!
Tony

Tasty Reds

I had the opportunity over the past couple days to taste two very delicious red wines. Here is what I found:

2007 Shannon Ridge Wrangler Red

Made up of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Zinfandel, and Petite Sirah, this well structured blend displays ripe fruit and deep purple color. Your are first greeted by fresh aromas then treated to lush flavors that satify without being too complex for its own good.

2007 270 West Pinot Noir

Ripe and punchy right off the bat, this Pinot Noir pleases with a crisp start and a pleasantly fruity finish. Try it with roasted chicken or by itself while reading your favorite book.

Cheers!
Tony

Tiny bubbles, in the wine...

"Champagne, if you are seeking the truth, is better than a lie detector. It encourages a man to be expansive, even reckless, while lie detectors are only a challenge to tell lies successfully." -- Graham Greene

New Year's Eve is almost upon us and what better way to ring in 2009 than with a bit of bubbly! Try these sparkling delights:

Bollinger Champagne Special Cuvee
This great non-vintage Champagne has all the ripe fruit and toasty notes you would expect from a 94 point wine.

Charles Heidsieck Brut Reserve
This one is a hit! Fruit and citrus highlight this tasty Champagne. Drinks with class.

Cinzano Asti
I'm not the biggest fan of Spumante, too sweet for my taste, but this one has a muted sweetness and fresh fruit that shine through.

Gloria Ferrer Blanc de Noirs
Frothy and mouth watering; drinks with ease!

Henriot Souverain Brut Champagne
This is a fancy Champagne with rich, full flavors and an elegant finish.

Korbel Champagne Brut
Made in the traditional Methode Champonoise, this California brut is here to please; drinks dry yet soft.

Moet & Chandon White Star
Creamy and soft fruit flavors abound in this fine Champagne. Great for French 75!

Mumm Napa Brut Prestige
This gold medal winner is a winner in my book. Drinks fast and easy!

Toques et Clochers Cremant, 1998 (Magnum)
Fantastic Frech sparkling wine comes on with a creamy mouth-feel and fine bubbles.

Veuve Clicquot Brut Yellow Label
Round, ripe, and ready to drink with approachable citrus notes.

Zefiro Prosecco
truly a tasy Italian, this Prosecco brings a delicate palate up to speed with fine touches of peach. Try it by itself or with an ounce of peach puree for every three ounces of Prosecco.

May your new year be filled with God's grace, joy, and blessing!

Cheers!
Tony

Hola Tinto!

"Here's to the corkscrew - a useful key to unlock the storehouse of wit, the treasury of laughter, the front door of fellowship, and the gate of pleasant folly." -- W.E.P. French

I had the pleasure of visiting my friends Kathy, MC, and Chris last week for some meatball sandwiches and a few laughs. Kathy served up these delectable delights that soothed the heart and palate and we made our sorrows cease with wine from Sicily and Spain. We savored these sorts:

Alabanza Tinto, 2004
What a find! This full flavored yet soft finishing red caught me off gaurd. I thought, hey, why not try a low priced red from Spain since I've had some great ones before (the Panarroz Red, 2006, a classic MGS blend). This one came through with fruit and cheer for only $2!

Planeta La Segreta Rosso, 2007
Sicily is calling out! A wonderful blend of Nero D'Avola, Merlot, and Syrah, this rich, tasty red fills the palate with sumptuous fruit and a satisfying finish. What a perfect pair with our meatball sandwiches!

I picked them both up at my local BevMo. The Planeta La Segreta Rosso was also very nicely priced, only $10. Lot's of smiles for not a lot of coin.

Cheers,
Tony

I celebrated, did you?

Well, if you didn't know, then you may blame me, but consider yourself reminded for next year. What am I talking about you ask? I'm talking about REPEAL DAY baby! Repeal Day, the day that prohibition was repealed and the citizens of the USA were once again allowed to legally enjoy alcoholic beverages. That day was December 5, 1933. A week and a half ago marked the 75th anniversary of Repeal Day which I celebrated with a few cocktails and in the company of good friends! Here's what we imbibed:

Negroni

1 oz Bombay Sapphire Gin (or your favorite)
1 oz Campari
1 oz Cinzano Rosso

Gently shake, or stir if you prefer, with cubed ice then strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a thin slice of orange peel if desired.

Manhattan

3 oz Fighting Cock Bourbon (or your favorite)
1 oz Cinzano Rosso
2 dashes of Angostura Bitters

Gently stir all ingredients with cubed ice in a cocktail shaker then strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a maraschino cherry.

We then had this cocktail that I put together on a whim, which can be enjoyed two ways:

2 1/2 oz DiSaronno Originale
1/2 oz Campari
3 oz tonic water

Pour the DiSaronno and Campari into a ice-filled highball glass, fill with the tonic water and garnish with a slice of orange.

Or this;

2 1/2 oz DiSaronno Originale
1/2 Campari
a dash of Peychaud's Bitters

Gently shake or stir ingredients in a cocktail shaker and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a thin slice of orange peel.

Remember next year to "celebrate the right with the right to celebrate!"

Cheers!
Tony