There are many important factors that come into play in producing top class wines. One of the most important is something that the wineries and winemakers have zero control over, climate.

Mother Nature can be a mad scientist, and during any given year can wreak havoc on entire vineyards in multiple regions. However, there are some years when she smiles upon those same regions, and the combination of perfect climate, healthy soil and vines, and proper harvesting can lead to an abundance of great wine. Such is the case with the 2005 Bordeaux wines.

The 2005 vintage in Bordeaux has been called one of the best EVER by most experts! This is based on how the wines tasted straight out of the oak barrels before they were even bottled, and how they showed soon after bottling. Now these wines have had some time to age in the bottle and are showing what they are made of…and they are rockin!

It’s one of those years where it is hard to find a bad wine from anywhere in the region. Overall the fruit is still concentrated and lush, but the tannins are mellowing out making for smooth and velvety wines. Not only are they drinking beautifully now, but they are still in their mid life and most will continue to age even longer!

The point being these 2005 Bordeaux wines are really something special yet are dwindling in inventory. So go out and grab some while you can! There are so many sub regions, Chateaus and labels in Bordeaux that each local wine shop will probably have their own favorites in stock. I have listed a few of my go to Bordeaux value picks below (most are pretty readily available), but the truth is almost any Bordeaux with that magical 2005 number on it is going to be truly enjoyabe. Cheers!

Chateau Greysac (Medoc)  –   $10-15

Chateau Bonnet (Bordeaux) – $10-15

Chateau Morin (St. Estephe) – $14-20

Domaine Baron de Rothschild Reserve Speciale (Bordeaux) $14-20

Chateau Senilhac (Haut-Medoc) $18-25

Chateau Clairefont (Margaux) $20-25

Chateau des Graviers (Margaux) $25-30

Chateau Laroque Grand Cru Classe (St. Emilion) $37-45

Chateau Talbot Grand Cru Classe (St. Julien) $50-60

Pizza and Beer…a combination as rooted in American culture as peanut butter and jelly, spaghetti and meatballs or even Beavis and Butthead. But now that wine has taken over beer as the most popular beverage in the land, I think it’s time to start talking Pizza and Wine. But which ones are the best to drink with your favorite pie? Sure, the safe and easy move is to go with a Chianti or an Italian blend, and of course they will pair quite nicely. But why go the easy and safe route when you can be bold and daring! It’s so much more fun, and in the end, rewarding.

One of my favorite wines to pair with just about any style of pizza is a California Pinot Noir, specifically from Carneros. The light to medium bodied nature of these wines holds up well to the pizza’s consistency. Plus the cherry and spice characteristics that Carneros Pinots are famous for really bring out the robust flavors of the tomato.

If you are a traditionalist and feel the need to stick with the Italian wines, instead of reaching for a Chianti why not try a peppery Primitivo. In California they call it Zinfandel, but it is the same grape just grown in a different area. Primitivos tend to be very approachable; lots of lush dark fruit flavors and that classic peppery aspect just combines so well with the sauce… especially if you throw some crushed red pepper on your slice!

When veggies take center stage on the pizza, just the right white wine (yes… white wine) can really complement the combination of flavors. Any version of the Sauvignon Blanc grape, with its citrus flavors and crisp style, will help bring out all the goodness that vegan pie has to offer. The flinty style of the Sancerre wines tends to lend itself very well to this type of meal.

Is meat lover’s pizza more your style? Well if you like to pair your steak with a big Napa Cab or a classic Bordeaux, why not do the same with your pie?!? A pizza loaded with meatballs, sausage, ham and whatever other meat you can think of is full of big flavors. The only way to offset that is with a big wine! So don’t be afraid to reach for that bottle of Far Niente or Chateau Lascombes just because it’s pizza night. You may be surprised what a special bottle of wine can do to enhance the enjoyment of your favorite pizza pie. Salute!

Below are some of my favorite value picks for all the wines mentioned above.

Pinot Noir

Artesa Pinot Noir  Carneros, CA

Acacia Pinot Noir  Carneros, CA

BV Pinot Noir, Carneros, CA
Castle Rock Pinot Noir, Carneros, CA

Primitivo

Amano Primitivo Puglia

Cantele Primitivo Southern Italy

Layer Cake Primitivo – IGT Puglia

Sauvignon Blanc

Brancott Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough, NZ

Geyser Peak Sauvignon Blanc Sonoma, CA

Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough, NZ

Michel Redde Sancerre Les Tuilieres

Napa Cab

BV Cabernet Napa, CA

Liberty School Cabernet Paso Robles, CA

Stag’s Leap Artemis Cabernet Napa, CA

Far Niente Cabernet Napa, CA

Bordeaux

Chateau Greysac Medoc

Chateau des Graviers Margaux

Chateau Talbot Saint Julien

Chateau Lascombes Margaux

Anyone living in the NY area is thinking the same thing right about now …when did this place turn into Florida?! Not only does this heat and humidity take a toll on our bodies, our spirits and our Con Ed bills, but it also can take a big toll on our wine. Whether you have a few bottles or a few hundred, heat can destroy those bottles that you have stashed away somewhere in your home.

The ideal condition for storing wine (whether it’s red, white, champagne, port, etc.) is 55 degrees and between 55% and 75% relative humidity. This is why storing in a regular fridge (too cold) or just a wine rack in a normal room temperature area (too warm) can be detrimental to wine. The lesser of these evils is to put it in a regular fridge, as that will just dramatically slow down the aging process. But after longer periods of time, this will end up adversely affecting the wine too.

There are hundreds of different wine storage options to choose from for all different collections and all different budgets. The small wine refrigerators are perfect for those who have anywhere from a few bottles to a few cases. Most of them are thermoelectric units, so they are very quiet and can go anywhere in the house. There are also bigger wine refrigerator units that typically have a compressor and a front vent, like the ones in your kitchen. Those can be freestanding units, or you can build most of them into your kitchen cabinetry or bar area.

Then there are the real deal freestanding wine cellars. There are many different brands and styles to choose from. Some are just larger versions of the smaller wine refrigerators while others, like the Eurocave units, are true wine cellars. Eurocaves are made to mimic the conditions of the old French caves, so you can store your wines for decades in these units. Some prefer the furniture style cabinets that have wine cooling conditioners installed in them, so they not only serve as beautiful show pieces for your home, but will protect your collection as well.

Of course if you want to go all out you can take a room in your home and turn it into an actual wine cellar. This however is a pretty large, and potentially costly, undertaking.  It involves building out a room with a vapor barrier, proper insulation and the moisture resistant sheet rock. Then there is the cooling unit and racking to select and install. However, once it is finished it certainly becomes one of the coolest, and most functional, rooms in the house. Just be ready for the all the neighbors to be spending a little more time in your basement 😉

Have you ever saved a bottle for that perfect occasion? Yet when the time comes, you open the wine and the first sip tastes like it’s something you should be putting on your salad? I have and it was such a disappointing experience that I went out and got my first 15 bottle wine fridge and I haven’t looked back since. So if your wines are battling the heat and losing the fight, help them out a bit and look into one of these refrigerated wine cabinets.

Wine Enthusiast by far has the greatest selection and best prices for all of these wine storage units. Below is the web link to them and as always if you are looking for more information just leave a comment and I will be happy to get back to you. Stay cool out there!

http://www.wineenthusiast.com/refrigerated-wine-cabinets.asp?icid=TNVRFRGRTDWNCBNTS

Pardon the Seinfeld reference, but it is a question I get asked pretty frequently as of late. These wines are more popular than ever, yet many people still don’t know what exactly a Super Tuscan is, what it means and why the hell are they so Super anyway? I mean…do they fly around with capes on or something? So let’s see if we can clear this up a bit.

These blended wines that are made in the Tuscany region of Italy came about because of the strict regulations from the Denominazioni di origine controllata (DOC) that governs the region. For years, the wines made in Chianti had to have certain amounts of the Sangiovese grape to be called Chianti. So a few rogue wine makers felt they could make better wines going outside of the rules by blending the Sangiovese with Cabernet, Merlot and other red varietals. And thus the Super Tuscan was born (with the name being created by Robert Parker)

Since the late 1970’s some of the biggest cult wines to come out of Italy have been these Super Tuscans. Wines such as Tignanello, Ornellaia, Sassacaia and Solaia are some of the best in the world, and demand an extremely high price because of it. But as the popularity of these wines has grown, many wineries have produced Tuscan blends that offer a taste of the region at very friendly prices.

My three favorite Super Tuscans that you can usually find for around $10 or less have to be the Monte Antico Rosso, Centine by Banfi and the Vitiano by Falesco. All are Sangiovese, Cab and Merlot blends and all bring a lot to the table. Lots of lively cherry fruit and spice, very smooth and easy drinking wines. These are great for those large group pizza and pasta nights, but are big enough to hold up to your favorite beef dishes as well.

Argiano has been producing some of the best wines in this region for sometime now. Most fetch a hefty price tag, but their Non Confunditur (N.C., Green Label) can hold its own with any of them, and only costs around $20! They added Syrah to the classic mix of Sangiovese, Cab and Merlot and it brings a wonderful earthy, yet warm red fruit characteristic. This wine has beautiful balance and elegance to it; a real treat to drink on its own or with your favorite hearty brown sauce meat dish.

Ruffino has been synonymous with quality Tuscan wine, specifically Chianti, for over a century now. While they are best known for their low end Chianti and their higher end Ducale labels, their Super Tuscan Modus is one not to be overlooked. Also priced around $20-25, this is a full bodied, fruit forward blend loaded with blackberries and plum. Yet it also has hints of clove and vanilla from the oak barrels in which it has aged. A powerhouse, yet smooth and silky, this wine brings it home each and every vintage.

Of course if you have a couple hundred bucks to drop on a bottle, the cult Super Tuscans can be life changing. So don’t be afraid to pick up a bottle of Sassacaia or Ornellaia for that special occasion if it’s in the budget, as they are truly memorable wines.

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!