The Château Machorre is a wonderful example of some of the terrific values to be had from the 2005 vintage. With palate-pleasing notes of black fruits, plums, vanilla and toast, it is approachable now, but with a firm tannic structure, it is also a wine that can benefit from a year or two of bottle [...]
This wine, a blend of Grenache, Syrah and Carignan, is from the Côtes du Roussillon region of France. This part of France has a long history of grape-growing as well as a strong Spanish influence, thanks to the proximity to Spain which lies just over Pyrenees. The climate is very sunny and warm, which makes [...]
This is a terrific value wine from Bordeaux made from a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Merlot. The wine is made by the same team in charge of producing wines for the St-Julien property Château Teynac. Château Corconnac dates back to 1868 and the vineyards are farmed with great care, as chemicals are [...]
This Côtes du Rhône Villages, from Perrin & Fils, is a blend of 50% Syrah and 50% Grenache. The grapes are sourced from two vineyards that are leased and managed by the Perrin family, which is one of the Rhone’s most well-known producers. The wine is aged in a small percentage of large oak barrels, [...]
Marc Kreydenweiss is a winemaker from Alsace and he has ventured into the Southern Rhône to make this beautiful wine. A blend of Carignan, Syrah, and Grenache, the wine is spicy and smoky with notes of black cherries and raspberries. The grapes are grown using biodynamics, a complex type of viticulture that involves following the [...]
Joseph Drouhin is one of largest estates in Burgundy. The family-owned Domaine produces wines from close to 90 different appellations in Burgundy and is well-respected for their ability to convey terroir, or the taste of a place, in their wines. The Laforet Pinot Noir is Drouhin’s example of a Bourgogne rouge – which is typically [...]
This is a terrific value wine from the Minervois appellation, which is found in the southern part of France. The wine is a blend of low-yielding Syrah and Grenache that has been aged for one year in larger oak barrels. Chateau Rieux has been owned by Emmanuel De Soos’ family since 1866, so this is [...]
The Grand Bateau, a blend of 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, is a great example of a very affordable and drinkable value Bordeaux. It is made by Barrière Frères with input from Château Beychevelle, hence the use of the boat (symbol of Château Beychevelle) on the label. With its classic Bordeaux nose of black [...]
All too often, people dismiss wines with humorous names as being inappropriate and silly, but in this day and age with so many different wines on the shelves, you have to do something that makes your wine stand out and the Fat Bastard is definitely one of the wine names that isn’t easy to forget! [...]
Maison Joseph Drouhin is a family-owned wine company that dates back to the 1880s and it is considered one of the most reliable names in Burgundy. They own 71 hectares (177 acres) in Burgundy and produce wines from some of the most respected vineyards in the region. The Laforet Chardonnay and Pinot Noir [...]
If you are looking for an excellent quality Bordeaux that will fit nicely in your budget, then this is a great wine to look for. Made by the family that owns Château Phélan-Ségur, a well-regarded St. Estèphe property, much of the same attention to detail you would expect from a top producer is evident [...]
If you are planning a small, intimate dinner for New Year’s Eve, here is the perfect wine to serve with whatever you will be eating. The Taittinger Brut La Française is balanced and crisp with delicious notes of yellow apples and toast. It would pair well with a wide variety of dishes, from sushi to [...]
This wine is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Syrah. The grapes are sourced from vineyards in the Costières de Nîmes appellation and the wine is aged for up to a year in barrel. I love the combination of these two grapes together. It is a bit unexpected, but the marriage really works [...]
It is always exciting to find a terrific value and I knew when I tasted the Laurent Miquel Vin de Pays d’Oc Syrah (as well as Miquel’s Viognier) that I had found a real winner. This Syrah primarily sourced from vineyards in Saint Chinian in the South of France is produced from low-yielding vines that [...]
The Trimbach family has been making wine in Alsace since 1626 and they are known for producing classic wines with restraint and elegance. So often Gewurztraminer is over the top with exaggerated aromatics and too much alcohol, but this wine is nicely balanced and shows off the more food-friendly side of the grape. It also [...]
Jean-Luc Colombo is a very well-known wine maker and consultant in the Rhône Valley. The Les Abeilles, which is a blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre, is a very classic Côtes du Rhône and a terrific value wine. The grapes are sourced from vineyards located in the southern part of the Rhône Valley. [...]
Given that we celebrated the arrival of Beaujolais Nouveau last week, I thought that it might be a good idea to feature a different example of a wine from Beaujolais – a wine from Brouilly, which is one of the crus (think top villages) of Beaujolais. A Cru Beaujolais is made with the same grape [...]
At a recent luncheon for Wines of France, this wine was paired with a Pork Tenderloin with grits & apple compote and the pairing was absolutely fantastic. The off-dry wine, with notes of honey, apples and limes and crisp acidity, was a beautiful match for the earthy sweetness of the pork with apple compote. [...]
If you had to make a list of some of the most influential producers in Bordeaux, Christian Moueix’s name would surely be near the top. Proprietor of some of the best wineries in Bordeaux, such as Château Pétrus, as well as Dominus Estate in California, Moueix is known for his skill with Merlot. [...]
The 2005 vintage in Burgundy was excellent for both reds and whites and the Joseph Faiveley Bourgogne (made from Pinot Noir) is a perfect example of the balanced and delicious wines that were made that year. This wine offers excellent value for both Burgundy and for Pinot Noir. Approximately 50% of the wine [...]
Since the kiddies are going to be off trick ‘r treating this week, I thought it might be nice to feature a wine that is a great treat for all you grown ups out there. The trick to making great Sauternes is growing grapes that develop a very ghoulish looking fungus called Botrytis cinerea or [...]
I believe (although I could be wrong, given that I relied on a web translation site to get this information) that this wine is a bit of a hommage to the fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm. With the references to the White Wolf and “La Mère Grand” (I think that is Grandmother) and [...]
The more I drink from the Vin de Pays des Cotes Catalanes, the more I am convinced that this is a very underappreciated Vin de Pays region from France. I have found wines from this region time and time again to be food-friendly and easy-drinking and most importantly, very affordable. This wine, made [...]
It is when you taste wines like the Olivier Leflaive Les Setilles that you realize that it is unfortunate that Chardonnay has developed such a bad reputation. Not all Chardonnay is over-oaked, alcoholic and low in acid. There are Chardonnays out there that are a pleasure to drink and not all of [...]
Colder temperatures are just around the corner, so I figured it would be a good time to squeeze in one more rosé wine to help extend Indian summer! And quite honestly, whether the temperature outside is 85 or 65, this is a wine that is perfect for anytime. The Chateau d’Aqueria is a [...]
The wines that carry the Côtes du Rhône appellation are almost always a great choice when you are looking for that go-to wine. Usually a blend of Grenache and Syrah (this particular wine is about 60% Grenache and 40% Syrah), wines from this appellation are warm and ripe, but with a touch of spice, pepper [...]
Many people don’t realize that Sauvignon Blanc is grown not only in the Loire, but also in the Bordeaux region of France. While many white Bordeaux wines are a blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon, this particular one is actually 100% Sauvignon Blanc. This wonderful white grape, one of my favorites to serve [...]
Ah, Colombelle, let me count the ways that I love you. And there is so much to love and enjoy about this wine. From the eye-catching packaging to the zippy, fresh flavors and the oh-so-affordable price tag, this little wine has it all. And it is made from, drum roll, please – [...]
In honor of the end of summertime, this week I thought it would be fitting to feature not one, but two rosés, both from Provence and made from a blend of Grenache, Syrah and Cinsault. Now, while it might be time to put away all your white clothes after Labor Day, there is certainly nothing [...]
Sometimes, I’m a sucker for a rule breaker. I’ll admit that at first glance, the Mommessin Beaujolais with its aluminum bottle and screwcap closure did make my pulse quicken a little bit. I love the fact that this wine is tasty and fun, as well as creative, innovative and environmentally-friendly. The light-weight [...]
Château Grande Cassagne is located in Costieres de Nimes, an appellation in the southern part of the Rhone Valley. This wine, a blend of 60% Syrah, 35% Grenache, and 5% Mourvèdre, is a terrific example of the quality and value that can be found in this region. The wine is notable for its [...]
I love the concept behind this wine: take Merlot grapes from two terrific locations in France to blend together a wonderful and affordable wine that is balanced, fresh and elegant. Too often, Merlot is made into an “over-the-top” wine. It can be alcoholic and excessively oaked – just the type of wine [...]
The Bourgogne Blanc category for Chardonnays from Burgundy can offer outstanding value and flavor for discerning wine drinkers. Here is a Chardonnay with just the right mix of oak and fruit, perfect for a variety of summertime meals. Domaine Faiveley was founded in 1825 and is one of the largest land-owners in [...]
Every once and a while, you need to do something nice for yourself. What better way to treat yourself than with a half bottle of Champagne? Affordable and just right for two, the Moet & Chandon White Star Champagne is the perfect way to end an evening – or maybe even get [...]
Domaine des Valanges was founded in 1980 by Jocelyne and Michel Paquet. This wine is made from the Domaine’s holdings in the Macon-Villages appellation. Wines produced from certain villages within the appellation can use the name of the village on the label, which is why the appellation on the label is Macon-Fuisse. [...]
Most people are familiar with Sauvignon Blancs from the villages of Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé in the upper part of the Loire Valley. However, there are also some other areas of the Loire Valley where good value Sauvignon Blanc is made. One name to look for is Sauvignon de Touraine. This AC, [...]
While most people know about Beaujolais Nouveau - the young wine that is released on the third Thursday of November - many people don’t realize that there is much more to the Beaujolais region than just the Nouveau wines. There are many vineyards in the region that are known for producing affordable red wines [...]
The Barons de Rothschild Réserve Speciale Bordeaux Blanc is a terrific wine for everyday drinking. It is a blend of 60% Semillon and 40% Sauvignon Blanc. While predominantly Semillon, the nose of the wine showcases the Sauvignon Blanc component with aromas of grapefruit peel, lemons and limes. On the palate, the Sémillon [...]
All too often we think of sparkling wines as only appropriate for celebrations or toasts. Well, no more! Here is a great (and affordable) sparkling wine from Alsace that is ideal for your dinner table. Yes, that’s right, serve this wine with your dinner – I promise you that you won’t be [...]
Marc Kreydenweiss is a winemaker from Alsace and he has ventured into the Southern Rhône to make this beautiful wine. A blend of Carignan, Syrah, and Grenache, the wine is spicy and smoky with notes of black cherries and raspberries. The grapes are grown using biodynamics, a complex type of viticulture that involves [...]
I don’t know about you, but we eat a lot of chicken and fish in my house and when I am looking for the right wine to pair with those foods, I’m not always in the mood for a white. That’s when I turn to Pinot Noir. Pinot Noir is one of the [...]
I don’t know about you, but there is little else that says summer to me like a lovely dry French Rose. The Domain Houchart is consistently excellent and the 2007 vintage is absolutely delicious. I love that they are using a screwcap for the wine - it is perfect for the fresh and [...]
Sometimes Viognier can seem a bit opulent and heavy, which can make it more of a cold weather wine. But the Laurent Miquel Viognier from the Vin de Pays d’Oc is bright and lively and perfect for enjoying on a beautiful June evening. This wine would be wonderful for sipping as an aperitif [...]
Don’t forget that June means Father’s Day. What are you going to get for the Dad who has everything? In addition to the usual tie and subscription to his favorite sports magazine, I recommend picking the Christian Moueix Saint-Emilion up for Dad, too. This wine is a beautiful blend of spice, vanilla, [...]
People are always asking me for a great wine to pair with Thai or Indian food. The Pierre Sparr Alsace ONE is a terrific and tasty choice. ONE is a blend of the major grapes grown in Alsace: Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Muscat, Riesling and Gewurztraminer. The nose might smell sweet and [...]
