Archive for the ‘Wine Review’ Category
In Terms of Pink
Monday, May 5th, 2008
White Zinfandel has certainly ruined many opportunities for roses in the United States. Slowly they are appearing in restaurants and at wine bars, yet, it is only the brave that are drinking this pink sensation. The rest of us, myself included until recently, don’t want people to believe that we might be drinking White Zinfandel. In reality, the only person that will care, and should care, what you are drinking is you, unless someone else is buying your drink, but that is more geared for the topic of economics, which I won’t be covering here.
I was recently at a wine bar in Paris with friends for dinner. When it came time to order our wine, I was looking at the reds, and by accident I ordered a Cotes-du-Provence thinking it was red. The server came back with our drinks. We had a rainbow of wines sitting on our table, one ordered white, another red, and apparently I ordered a rosé. A bit reluctant at first, I considered sending it back, but quickly remembered the French customer service policy… (more…)
Tags: elixir, Paris, picnic, review, Rose, Wine, Wine Your Diet, Zinfandel
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A Twist on a Classic
Monday, April 28th, 2008
The Rhone Valley.
That’s all I have to say, it is a region that does not need a proper introduction. South of Burgundy, here is where we start to leave the Pinot Noir, Gamay, Cabernet Franc dominated reds and move into deeper Syrah, Grenache, Mouvedre and Carignan.
Chateauneuf-du-Pape is the big stand out in this region, as well as the way to my heart. Of course such quality and recognition is also accompanied by a prestigious price. If you are fortunate enough to be able to enjoy this treat of a wine on a regular basis, then give me a call and we’ll start hanging out. To the rest of us, there are great alternatives within the Rhône without going into debt.
Côtes du Rhône is the most popular of these alternatives and is available at a great value. A typical bottle will range form $12 to $20. A Côtes du Rhône is, generally speaking, a blend of Syrah, Grenache, and then sometimes Mouvedre and/or Carignan, but Grenache is the dominant force here. It’s centralized within the Rhône, displaying characteristics of the North and the South. Côtes du Rhône Villages are within Côtes du Rhône, but a bit more specific. French wine can never be simple; there always has to be a break down and then possibly two or three more after that. (more…)
Tags: cotes du rhone, elixir, Paris, review, seguret, tasting, Wine
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2006 Gadais Pacre et Fils Muscadet Savre et Maine
Wednesday, April 16th, 2008
To kick-start my new program I enjoyed the 2006 Gadais Pére et Fils Muscadet Sèvre et Maine from the Loire Valley. Something interesting was happening here, there was a sweetness on the nose of vanilla and chocolate chip cookie dough. When I tasted it though, there was a slight sweetness upfront, but then the dryness came out with a mild effervescence. On the palate I was picking up a gummy bear fruit flavor ending with sugar cookies. Sounds delicious, well it was, and this certainly has Wine Your Diet written all over it.
For those of you not familiar with Muscadet, it is a region within the Loire Valley in North West France. The grape is Muscadet, but if outside of this area will go by Melon, such as Melon de Bourgogne. This wine can be both white and red. Though the name is similar to Muscat, it is not related.
If you are looking to eat something with this, I would go with something light such as seafood. This is great wine with (more…)
Tags: effervescence, elixir, Health, muscadet, Paris, resveratrol, review, Wine, Wine Your Diet
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2005 Bordeaux, Living Up To Its Reputation
Wednesday, April 2nd, 2008
The 2005 Bordeaux reviews have not been unkind to the region. And with that said I decided I wanted to find out what everyone is talking about. I choose a wine from Graves, Albert Duran, 2005, Chateau Beauregard Ducasse. With Graves’ dignified reputation, and eloquence about it, it seemed like a good way to start. I wouldn’t say that 2005 is a year of extra outrageous wine, but I would say that it does bring together. I certainly have tasted the same quality in a table wine at a café in Paris. It has an easy drinking-ness around it that makes you want to open a bottle with friends and just chill out. I would say that this is a conversation wine, not for the fact that you will be discussing the wine, but you will be talking amongst yourselves and indulging in each others banter. This wine makes me want to call up a friend and chat. I just might, actually. (more…)
Tags: Albert Duran, Bordeaux, Chateau Beauregard Ducasse, elixir, France, Paris, review, Wine
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Champagne – A New Year Tradition
Monday, December 31st, 2007
When buying a bottle of Champagne, if the label says from “Champagne, France“,“methode traditionelleâ€, or “Méthode Champenoiseâ€, the wine is in fact truly a “Champagne“. All other wines are “Sparkling Wine”. While this does sound somewhat snobbish and aristocratic, it does serve a good purpose in protecting the brand of the area. Another example of this type of “rule” that you may be more familiar with is the Vidalia Onion, which you can easily cook with champagne, or sparkling wine, to create some great hors d’oeuvres for this New Year.
You have to check out these Champagne Onion recipes we found over at The Gilded Fork. I’m going to make them tomorrow, and have a good idea at the different flavors I can create by using different combinations of sparkling wine and onions. (more…)
Tags: appetizer, Celebration, Champagne, cork, Culture, France, Holiday, millennial, New Year, onion, recipe
Posted in Events, Food, Wine, Wine Review | View Comments
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