I hope the Van Halen reference in the title wasn’t totally lost… That song always gets me revved up for the summer. That means its time to start keeping a few more bottles of your favorite whites in the fridge, as they tend to be ultra refreshing this time of year. With it still being a buyer’s market out there in the wine world, there are some super values on some fantastic white wines.

The Finger Lakes region of New York has come a long way in their production of the Alsatian white varietals. Standing Stone offers a very reasonable Gewurztraminer that is perfect for those summer barbecues. Very floral in nature with a nice combination of lychee fruit, spice and just a hint of sweetness. Wine Express is one of the few places you will find this diamond in the rough, and at a great price.

http://www.wineexpress.com/shopping/prod_detail/main.asp?cat=WBR&sl=0&catid=19&productID=25264&uid=0B787E79-91C7-433E-A437-F3C64D9AFAC6

Provenance is better known for its Merlot and Cabs (as it is located in Rutherford), but they make a delightfully crisp Sauvignon Blanc as well. Plenty of lemon and lime zest, apple and grapefruit on the palate. It also has a pleasant mineral component and good acidity that make it a glorious summer selection. You can pair this Sauvi Blanc up with any light seafood or chicken dish as well. It usually runs around $12-19 but Rye Brook Wines has put this on a super sale price.

http://www.ryebrookwines.com/r/products/provenance-sauvignon-blanc-2007?id=WHmCINB7

If you want to know what summer in a bottle tastes like, look no further than King Estate’s Pinot Gris. Year in and year out it is one of the standouts of Oregon’s white wine arsenal. Hints of melon and floral notes interact wonderfully with the vibrant citrus and peach flavors that linger on the palate right through to the finish. This bottle typically runs about $15-20, but the Bottle King chain sells it for under $14 and sometimes under $12.

 http://www.thewinebuyer.com/sku20372.html

For those Chard fans searching for that wine around $10 that tastes like it should run closer to $20, the search is over. The Columbia Crest Grand Estates Chardonnay is a tremendous value and will please those who enjoy the clean, crisp style of this varietal as well as those who prefer it soft and rounded with that buttery mouth feel. It has generous aromas of green apple and caramel with just the right amount of vanilla and oak to round out the finish. Beautiful on its own or paired with some hearty shellfish right off the grill! You can find this one just about anywhere and it should run between $9-12.

As always if you have a favorite summer white feel free to share it with us! Cheers.

After a shaky start to the Spring, it would seem the warm weather is here to stay. With Memorial Day fast approaching it’s time for everyone to get their A game on for the BBQ season! Since there are so many decisions you will have to make on your own; such as what cuts of beef to buy, how many sides to prepare and who to leave off the guest list (yikes!), the least I can do is give you some ideas for the wine list.

Nothing says Spring like a glass of chilled white wine on a warm, sunny day. That’s right boys, I am confident enough in my manhood to sip a clean, crisp Sauvignon Blanc as a BBQ opener….and I highly recommend it. The lemon zest and citrus flavors of a typical Sauvignon Blanc from Cali or New Zealand are not only refreshing, but go well with the popular chilled seafood apps such as shrimp cocktail or seafood salad.

If you like something a little sweeter, but not overtly sweet like Riesling, pick up a few bottles of Vouvray. This underrated area in the Loire Valley produces some of the best white wine to come out of France. Made from the Chenin Blanc grape, they are typically a little sweet but with good acidity. Flavors of apple, citrus and honey are prevalent in most styles of Vouvray.

But what to pair with all the meat that’s about to be charred? Why not look to the country that has the highest consumption rate of beef… Argentina! Malbecs from Argentina (Mendoza in particular) are the perfect companion to almost any style of meat you choose to cook. These are big wines with dark color, intense fruit flavors and nice tannic structure. They are also usually quite reasonable as compared to some of their US and French counterparts, which makes it easy to find some quality juice under the $15 mark.

I know there are those that argue California Cabs or Zin is the way to go for a standard BBQ red. Both are great, but I prefer to reach for a Syrah for a couple of reasons. The dark fruit and earthy flavors coupled with the peppercorn and meaty (even bacon fat!) components of these wines go hand in hand with char grilled beef.

There are also so many different areas of Cali where Syrah is made that you’ll find some fun variations in these wines. Ones that come from Napa or Sonoma will be quite different from those that come out of Paso Robles or the Santa Ynez Valley. Regardless, they are doing some wonderful things with Syrah all over Cali right now and it’s ready to make a name for itself!

Below are some of my favorites and I hope they become yours as well. Enjoy the season and fire up that grill!

 SAUVIGNON BLANC

 Under $15

Geyser Peak, California

Simi, California

Brancott, Marlborough, New Zealand

 $16-30

St. Supery, Napa

Cakebread Cellars, Napa

Cloudy Bay, Marlborough, New Zealand

 VOUVRAY (Chenin Blanc)

 Under $15

Barton & Guestier Vouvray

J. Moreau & Fils Vouvray

Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc – Viognier, California (One of my favorite white wines!)

 $16-30

Vouvray Cuvee Silex Sec Vigneau-Chevreau

Huët Vouvray Sec le Haut-Lieu

MALBEC

Under $15

Gascon Malbec, Argentina

Punto Final Malbec Classico, Argentina

AVE Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina

 $16-30

Luigi Bosca Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina

Catena Zapata Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina

Pascual Toso Reserve Malbe, Mendoza, Argentina

SYRAH

Under $15

J. Lohr Syrah, Paso Robles, CA

Red Truck Red, California (Syrah based blend…. GREAT Value!)

Castle Rock Syrah, Sonoma, CA

 $16-30

Zaca Mesa Syrah, Santa Ynez Valley, CA

Burgess Syrah, Napa Valley, CA

Landmark Vineyards “Steel Plow” Syrah, Sonoma, CA

Still haven’t found the perfect gift for mom? Well look no further. After all that Mother’s do on a daily basis to ensure the happiness of the family, what better way to thank them then by letting them knock back a few! Here are some sure fire winners.

One word…. Bubbles! Champagne and other types of sparkling wines tend to bring happiness with them wherever they go. Of course, Champagne is king but can be a bit pricey. Some of my favorite California options are the sparkling whites from Gloria Ferrer, J Vineyards, Roderer Estates and Schramsberg. A nice Prosecco is also a great way to enjoy the bubbles without the hefty price tag. Zardetto and La Marca Proseccos can be found at most places and for under $12 are great values.

There is also a fun kinda wine to get for that special Mommy who deserves a break. It is called Mommy’s Time Out, and is a blend of Pinot Grigio and Garganega from the Veneto region of Italy. Is it an outstanding wine? No. However it is definitely a pleasant drinking wine especially for under $10. It’s a cute marketing idea that is sure to put a smile on that special someone’s face, especially if they are in dire need of that time out! Here is a link to one place where it is available at a great sale price….   http://www.arlingtonwine.net/sku202644.html

For whatever reason I also find that most of the women in my life are ZinHeads (fans of Red Zinfandel), especially my wife and my mom. Maybe it is the luscious fruit, or the subtle spicy aspect. Whatever it is I’m all for it as it is one of my favorite varietals as well. As far as the Zins go on the value side, anything made by the 3 R’s (Ravenswood, Rosenblum and Rancho Zabaco) will always be quality. Francis Ford Coppola’s Winery also puts out some excellent wines from the Zin grape. The entry level will run around $13-16 and the higher end Director’s Cut will run around $20-25… money well spent as it is some of the best Zin around for that price.

Lastly, WWG wants to wish a Happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers out there who deserve all the credit in the world for the job that you do. I hope your day is filled with relaxation, family, fun, laughter and of course some good vino! Enjoy…

Ever since the movie Sideways hit the big screen, Pinot Noir has become THE wine to drink… and with good reason. It can be expressive in so many different ways depending on where it is grown and how it is crafted. However, when buying the inexpensive bottles of Pinot you run the risk of getting a tart, dirty and fruity wine… not fun! Below are some easy tips to make sure you grab a Pinot that is of good value and quality.

 First off, stay away from the inexpensive brand names… like Glen Ellen or Woodbridge for example. I don’t want to knock Woodbridge too hard, as some of their wines like the Pinot Grigio and Merlot are totally drinkable. But as far as Pinot Noir goes there is a bit of a skill to making it, and is tough to do when it is that mass produced.

 The least expensive Pinot I have found that has all the pleasurable qualities one looks for is from Pepperwood Grove. It will run $6-9 and is great for an everyday wine. The grapes are from the Central Coast of Cali, so it is a bit light but has all the cherry, plum and spice that a good Pinot should have. Apollo Creek also makes a nice, light Pinot for under $8. This one is from Greece (yes Greece) and as skeptical as I was when I purchased it on a family member’s recommendation; I could not have been more pleasantly surprised!

 Once you get to the $10-15 range, you start to have a little more selection. A couple of my favorites are from Castle Rock (either the Monterey County or Sonoma Coast offering) and Aquinas from Napa Valley. Both are very soft, fruit forward and have a beautiful finish. However if you find any Pinot from the Sonoma Coast, Russian River Valley (both in Sonoma), Napa Valley or Carneros (both in Napa) you really can’t go wrong.

 The two latest hot spots for Pinot are in Oregon and New Zealand. In Oregon, the Williamette Valley produces high quality Pinot. Cloudline is a solid value option, but will still run $15-20. Argyle and Erath’s Pinots are also worth a purchase and will run around $20 or so. If you are willing to move up the Pinot food chain, go for the Domaine Serene Pinots… some of the best you can find for $50-60.

 In New Zealand, Marlborough and Central Otago have been putting out quality Pinots for years now. They are generally very clean, delicate and have a subtle earthy quality that balances well with the typical cherry fruit flavors. They run about $15-30 (some higher for the single vineyard wines) with St. Clair, Kim Crawford and Mt. Difficulty being a few of my favorites.

 But if you really want to try Pinot Noir in it’s purest form, then you are going to need to do two things…. Dig deep into the bank account and get your hands on some Burgundy wines. These French gems made strictly from the Pinot Noir grape are arguably the best wines in the world. While the most expensive ones can run in the thousands (not a misprint), there is a way to sample the essence of the region without having to take out a second mortgage on the house.

 Joseph Drouhin, Laboure Roi and Louis Jadot put out a handful of reasonably priced Burgundies. The most affordable ones will have the Bourgogne region on the label. Even though they may not be classified as Burgundies, they carry the same characteristics to a degree and will run less than $20 for the most part.

 If you are looking for a special occasion Pinot Noir, there are so many to choose from that it would just be too long to list here. But feel free to comment on this blog post anytime you are looking for a recommendation and I would be happy to be of service…. Cheers!

Everyone has heard about the devastating earthquake that shook the foundations of Chile just a short while ago. While most wineries were left standing, they still took a hit. There were reports that after the quake you could smell wine in the streets from the distributing and shipping areas that got rocked by Mother Nature’s hand. So the best way to help support Chile, without donating of course, is to go out support their wine industry!!

Chilean wines overall are some of the best values around. A lot of people seem to be turned off by them because the really inexpensive ones tend to have an earthy, almost dirty, bouquet right off the bat. Even some of the really good ones tend to have this same characteristic. But in the better made wines, this scent eases up after the wine opens for a bit, and blends nicely with the spice and dark fruit that are common in the Chilean reds.

The best reds tend to come from the Maipo and Colchagua Valley. Even though most varietals are now grown in Chile, Cabernet, Merlot and Carmenere are still the Big 3. The cooler climate in the Casablanca Valley lends itself more to Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

There are some brands to look for that deliver quality in both red and whites that you can usually find for under $10. Some of them include Veramonte, Santa Rita, Los Vascos, Cono Sur and Concha Y Toro. Concha Y Toro is a monster in Chile and produces wines that can run anywhere from $5 to $100. The Casillero del Diablo for around $8 is probably the best value, but they are pretty solid across the board.

To make the next move up to the $10-20 a bottle range, Casa Lapostolle has some of the best selections out there. Their entry level wines run around $10-12 while their next level up, their Cuvee Alexandre, will run closer to $20. The Cabs and Merlots are very fruit forward, soft and just well made wines. The Chards and Sauvignon Blancs are not to be looked over, but as far as value the reds are really the way to go.

Veramonte makes a Bordeaux style blend called Primus that is just under $20 and is outstanding. It has that earthy nose at first, but if you decant it or just let it sit out for 20-30 minutes you can tell what a well crafted wine it is. I should also mention the Montes Alpha label, as their wines that run from $15-25 are also well worth a try. My favorite of their selections is the Syrah, not a typical grape grown in Chile but they do a hell of a job with it.

If you are looking for real value and can afford to spend a few bucks, there are a couple of wines from Chile that stand up to the best in the world. The Clos Apalta from Casa Lapostolle was the #1 wine according to Wine Spectator in 2008, and deservedly so. Year in and year out this Carmenere, Cab and Merlot blend just plain kicks ass…and at $60-70 a bottle it better! The other standout is the Concha Y Toro Don Melchor Cabernet. This is just pure pleasure and always gets ratings in the mid 90’s. Not cheap either (around $50-60), but I would take this one over most of the big California “Cult” Cabernets just on sheer value alone.

Most of the wines listed above are pretty widely available, but below are a few links to some local and online places to purchase.

http://www.wine.com/V6/Veramonte-Cabernet-Sauvignon-Reserva-2007/wine/97356/detail.aspx

http://www.wineexpress.com/shopping/prod_detail/main.asp?cat=WBR&catID=19&sl=0&productID=26072&uid=2F03C432-DC2E-4D8B-8039-0F6301D4C119

http://winelibrary.com/wines/70380-Casa+Lapostolle+Cabernet+Sauvignon+750ML

http://www.ryebrookwines.com/r/products/montes-alpha-syrah-2006?id=GoXSHifS

http://www.ryebrookwines.com/r/products/casa-lapostolle-clos-apalta-2006?id=GoXSHifS

So does pouring wine into a decanter really make a difference or is it just something people like to do because it looks cool? Well, a little bit of both! Below are the basics of decanters broken down into the 5W’s.

WHAT – A decanter is a glass container that you use to pour a bottle of wine into before serving. They vary in style and price. The more expensive ones tend to have more crystal and are finely crafted. However, there is nothing wrong with an inexpensive decanter. It will not ruin the wine as they all serve basically the same purpose. Think about buying a vase…the cheaper ones don’t ruin the flowers; they may just not be as impressive to look at.

WHO – Anyone that wants each bottle to live up to its full potential… or just wants to be known as the Decanting Dude or Dudette.

WHEN – You can use a decanter any time with any wine (Red, White and even Sparkling). However, it will really only make a difference with either very young wines that are not fully mature, or older wines that have been bottled up for so long that they need to breathe. Most average California wines come out of the bottle ready to drink, but the higher end wines will benefit from decanting. For the most part I find French and Italian wines improve the most after the decanting process.

WHERE – Wherever you like! But it is usually a crowd pleaser so you may want to do it in front an audience.

WHY – For the right wines, it will help the aeration process. When air hits the wine, it allows the flavors and aromas to come out that may otherwise stay hidden. The older the wine, typically the more time it needs in the decanter to fully open up.

HOW – The simplest way is just to pour the wine from the bottle directly into the decanter. You can also use a funnel which will help with the aeration and if the funnel has a screen, it will catch the sediment. Sediment is the funky solid stuff at the bottom of older bottles of wine. It is a sign of a good wine, but not something you want to be drinking (or chewing).

If you want to decant by the glass, then the Vinturi Aerator is a great option.  It works like a decanter for a single glass of wine. It may look like one of those gadgets that you would buy and doesn’t work, but it does….and REALLY well! If you go to the wine country in Cali almost all of the wineries have one in their tasting room so that their younger wines can open up quickly.

If you’re wondering where to get a decanter, my friends at Wine Enthusiast have the best selection and great prices. And if you have further questions, their knowledgeable Wine Storage Consultants will have all the answers! Check out the link below…

http://www.wineenthusiast.com/decanters-aerators.asp?icid=TNVDCNTRSRTRS

 

The other night I had the pleasure of tasting the latest releases from Tinto Figuero Winery at Solera in NYC. This family run winery is located in the Ribera del Duero region of Spain which neighbors the Rioja region. Like Rioja, the majority of wines in this region are made from the Tempranillo grape. At Tinto Figuero, it is the ONLY grape, or varietal, that they use in crafting their wines… and they do a hell of a job!

 In Rioja wines are classified by how long they are kept at the winery, as well as how long they are aged in oak, before they are released. For example, a Rioja that is classified as “Crianza” means that it has spent a year aging in oak and at least two years overall at the winery before release. Tinto Figuero just lets you know how long it’s been aging in oak. So they call their version of Crianza simply 12 months in barrel. It’s very direct, and will help those confused by the classification system that may think Crianza is a region or a grape. Let’s face it, if you don’t know about Spanish wines it is a very easy mistake to make!

 Now on to the wines. We tasted their 2007 4 month in barrel, which was a very pleasant and approachable wine. Good dark fruit and a bit of a meaty aspect, which I dig. Next we tasted the 2005 12 month in barrel, or their Crianza, and it was a little tight (it needed some air to bring out the true aromas and flavors) in the beginning. But after some time in the glass, the oak aspect and tannins started to mellow, and the berries and cream started to come out. It finished with subtle liqourice flavors….reminiscent of anisette.

 Then we tasted the big dogs. First was the 2004 15 month in barrel, their Reserva, and this one was the star of the night. Just an extremely well structured wine. The cedar and vanilla, which come from the aging process in the oak barrel, combined so well with the dark fruit. The tannins were soft and supple and it ended with a long, fruit filled finish. It also paired very nicely with the Roasted Duck dish prepared at Solera….delicious!

 Lastly, we tasted their 2004 Noble (pictured above) which is aged 21 months in oak and another 15 months in the bottle in the cellar! Even after being decanted for 3 hours prior to tasting, this wine was still very young, but you can tell it will be something special…and at $130 a bottle it should be! Very fresh cherries and blackberries on the nose, with nice hints of cedar and cigar box type aromas. This one had some really cool chocolate and eucalyptus flavors that paired quite well with the chocolate served after the meal. Again, this is clearly a serious, special occasion wine that needs another few years of aging before its real potential can be realized.

 Having tasted many wines from this region before, I have to say that Tinto Figuero’s are now certainly among my favorites. They are somewhat new to the US market so keep an eye out at your local wine shop or favorite Spanish restaurant for their selections. These wines are not what you would call inexpensive (price range from $19-130), but they provide true quality across the board. 

I understand that Station Plaza Wine in Bronxville will be carrying at least one of their releases. Below are links for the winery, Solera and Station Plaza Wines.

http://www.tintofiguero.com/english/labodega.htm

http://www.solerany.com/

http://www.stationplazawine.com/

Nothing finishes off a meal, or even starts one off, like a nice chilled glass of dessert wine. These white wines are made with grapes that are picked off the vines much later in the season, which is why they are also called Late Harvest wines.  Because of this, they tend to have higher sugar levels which makes for some sweet and tasty juice.

One of the best values I have found is the Nederburg Special Late Harvest from South Africa. It’s made from mostly Chenin Blanc grapes and at around $10 for a full 750 ML bottle (most dessert wines are sold in 375 or 500 ML bottles) it’s tough to beat this deal. Sure it’s a little rough around the edges, but it still has those floral and honeysuckle components that you want in a dessert wine.

Selaks, a winery in New Zealand, makes a very tasty and affordable Icewine which you can get at most places for around $15….but it is only a 375 ML bottle.  Both can be found at The Westchester Wine Warehouse on 119 in White Plains.

Two of the most respected and highest rated wines in the world are actually dessert wines. Sauternes from France and Tokaji from Hungary are made from grapes that are affected by a fungus, which is nicknamed the noble rot. This rot causes the grapes to raisin a bit making the wines delightfully sweet. 

These classic dessert wines tend to come with a hefty price tag, but if you are willing to spend a couple of bucks there are some values out there. As far as Sauternes go they range from around 15 bucks to thousands of  dollars for the really classic Chateaus such as D’Yquem. However, Chateau Guiraud makes a great one for under $30. The ones that run around $15-20 can be good as well, they will just be a little lighter in texture and flavor. Zachy’s in Scarsdale has a nice selection of Sauternes….

 The Tokajis demand around the same price as the Sauternes (except for the really high end Chateaus), but for $30-40 you can grab the Royal Tokaji Wine Company Red Label, which is almost always in Wine Spectator’s Top 100 wines. It has amazing honeysuckle, cinammon and apple flavors that will also pair well with a variety of hard cheeses. But you really can’t go wrong with any Tokaji you find in the $15-20 dollar range as well.

 In California, Dolce is King of the dessert wines. It is produced by Far Niente in Napa and they use the same grapes (Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon) and techniques used in Sauternes. It is absolutely delicious, but you need to dig deep for the “Liquid Gold” as it is usually priced around $50-70 for a 375 ML.

There is a small winery in Sonoma called Moshin Vineyards that puts out a wine very similar to Dolce called Moshin Poshin No. 7. I had the chance to taste it next to the Dolce and they are very comparable. However, at around half the price it is definitely a favorite of the WWG. You can’t find this one at many stores, but the link is below if you want to order directly from the winery. (If you do, try some of their Pinots as well…..great juice all around!)

http://www.moshinvineyards.com/HTML/wines.html