French Wine for $25!
Yes, it is well worth it. The 2016 Chateau Malescasse is comprised of 53% Merlot, 38% Cabernet Sauvignon and 9% Petit Verdot. It will pair nicely with roast lamb or steak. A great option when you think about a nicely seared T-Bone on the grill.
French wine is glorious. That goes without saying as they have a history and a reputation that is held up by the wine laws that govern the wine practices in France. You have undoubtedly heard the terms “Old World” and “New World.” The French set the mark and established the practices that set-in motion the “Old World,” a term that typifies and places emphasis on the terroir, less alcohol, greater acidity and more earthy flavors with less intervention by the winemaker.
Champagne Harvest Kicks Off in France
We’re closing in on that exciting time of year in the world of wine — harvest! In Napa Valley, harvest generally kicks off this time of year with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes, which are used in sparkling wine.
I recently received this interesting information about the 2018 Harvest Kick Off in the Champagne region of France, which is obviously known for Champagne. The article notes that this is the fifth time in the past 15 years that the harvest has begun in August, due to an unusually wet winter and warm spring.
A Great Bargain Wine: 2015 Bodegas Alto Moncayo Veraton
The 2015 Bodegas Alto Moncayo Veraton is a great bargain wine! It delivers in every way what a more expensive bottle would deliver — with fruit, depth of flavor, and pure quality. This is an excellent sipping wine, which pairs well with many foods. It’s a Grenache that truly delivers on fruit with strawberry, black cherry, and raspberry. It has medium tannin and bright acidity.
I have purchased this bottle from two outlets: one is the Grape Tray out of Fresno, CA; and the other is The Wine Consultant in Citrus Heights, CA. Both locations can ship, yet you would need to check on inventories and the ability to ship to your state. Otherwise, it is definitely worth a call to your local store. I recommend that you act quickly, as the inventory usually moves quickly. This bottle sells for $30 or less!
Food & Wine at Holiday Time
December is upon us and the time for season celebrations abounds. With friends, family, and co-workers, it’s time to set the table. It’s time to enjoy one another and toast to the season! Wine is a welcome addition to the holiday table.
As a starter, sparkling wines set a festive spirit and brighten any event. There are several types of sparkling wines, and their bubbles will set the stage for a festive mood. They can be modest in price or expensive. One of my favorites is Prosecco, ranging in price from $10 to $25. I have a preference for Ruffino. Cava is a Spanish sparkling wine and can be quite lovely and modest in price. There are several California producers of sparkling wine such as Roederer Estate and Mumm. Of course, there is always Champagne. This is the proper name for sparkling wine from the Champagne region in France. One of my favorites is Veuve Clicquot Brut. And, of course, one could always splurge on a bottle of Dom Perignon.
How Great Can a $25 Wine Taste?
Pretty darn good! Just opened a beautiful bottle of Garnacha from Spain. Specifically, this was a 2013 from Bodegas Alto Moncayo, located in the area covered by the Campo de Borja Denominacion de Origen (DO, wine quality standard). They don’t just meet the standard, they exceed it. This is a winery that has been on my radar for several years, and I have been enjoying the consistent outstanding quality of their wine.
A Brief Price Comparison
I will admit it, I am a Napa Valley fan. Even as a child, my parents took us to picnics in the Valley with my mom’s Australian Club friends. I enjoyed the beauty early on. I first tasted the fine wine from this region as a very young adult. Oh, that would be age 21! So I do have a long history and respect for the area and a fine appreciation for the wines produced.
The Napa Valley has taken some criticism though for the price wineries charge for a bottle of wine. I understand and appreciate that, for many, it can seem a bit rich for a bottle of cabernet to cost $75 or more. Yet there are reasons. We can start with the cost of land itself. The Napa Valley is highly regulated as to how much acreage can be planted to grape vines. There are strong policies to protect the valley from erosion on hillsides, so vineyard owners aren’t allowed to plant on a certain degree of slope. There are many regulations that affect the land itself; and the cost will go up from there when we start to add in the labor prices, materials and so on.
What I do not hear a lot of is complaints about the cost of wine from other countries. Just recently, I was reading Wine Spectator and learning about hot new releases. The following caught my eye.
2012 Tres Picos Garnacha: A Great Buy and Now Available
This is an alert! I had written about the 2012 Tres Picos Garnacha many months ago as a great value. I had read the review and how well it was regarded. I have been eagerly awaiting the distribution, and I found it today in my local supermarket!!! Here is a refresher on what has been written about this wine, which usually costs under $20. I tasted this wine this evening. Right after pulling the cork, it was lush and fruity. Look for it near your home – a wonderful buy!
Sparkling Wine: A Refreshing Time!
The Super Bowl is now a few days behind us. For those who live in Seattle or have allegiance to the Seahawks, it was a great game, a glorious triumph. For others, it was a Super Dud. A blow-out does not lend itself to excitement. Nonetheless, the Seahawks and their fans should be celebrating with some wonderful sparkling wine!
Most people will refer to sparkling wine as Champagne, yet the truth is that only sparkling wine from the region in France named Champagne can truly be called that. The French have done an excellent job with their expression of sparkling wine, and many times it will come at a price. The process of getting all those little bubbles in the bottle is the result of a specific process of secondary fermentation. The grapes that are used are specific as well. Champagne is produced using Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier grapes. It is a lovely journey, which may be a bit expensive yet worth the pleasure.
Wine on the Fly
I travel frequently – flying predominately. (Yes, I have very strong arms!) So, for a wine lover on the road, it is a challenge to find quality wines. Yet as most of you know, airports have caught up with the trends in expanded wine appreciation on the part of their customers. Almost every airport has some semblance of a wine bar. Vino Volo now has 33 locations. I was stunned just last week when I was in the Salt Lake City airport and noticed the very big Vino Volo store/bar/restaurant. It turns out it is the biggest of their chain. I say go figure.