Looking for that perfect Sparkling Wine for New Years Eve?

Looking for the perfect sparkling wine 

to bring in 2017?

My choice again this year is going to be Rosa Regale Red Sparkling Wine by Banfi.  This wine is a crowd pleaser and it will give you something unique to bring to a party. 

The 2014 Banfi Rosa Regale Sparkling Red is an Italian sparkling wine made with 100% Brachetto grapes.  The wine comes from the town of Acqui Terme in Piedmont Italy.  The grapes for the Banfi Rosa Regale come solely from this area and bares the DOCG label on the bottle.  The DOCG label means that the wine producers followed the strictest regulations possible to make this wine.  This label for Italian wines is based on the same system as the French controlled designation of origin, meaning that Italian Government certifies that this wine was produced within the specific region using defined methods.  

In the glass, Banfi Rosa Regale is a festive cranberry color and is quite bubbly as expected.  The bubbles are a light pink color making this a fun Sparkling wine to look at - Very Pretty.  the bouquet is very aromatic with strawberries, raspberries, and rose petals.  

The taste is sweet but dry at the same time, with a crisp acidity and a fresh raspberry flavor that is enticing to the palate and offers a softness that makes your mouth smile.  The finish is long, clean and the wine dances all over your palate.  

This wine is best served chilled and is perfect for any occasion.  It is a seductive aperitif and an elegant dessert wine.  Banfi Rosa Regale will pair well with a nice chocolate mousse. 

You can find Banfi Rosa Regale 2015 at Capital Cellars for $21.99 or at Kroger for $23.99 for my readers outside of Kentucky check your local wine shop or wine and spirits store.  

Tech Information:

Alcohol: 7% by Vol. 

Acidity: 7 g/l

Residual Sugar: 109 g/l

Rating: 89

Orin Swift Cellars - Papillon Wine

Who would have thought that a bottle hosting an image barring prison tattoos would be so popular and oh so delicious. Wine maker David Swift Phinney did.  In 1995 a friend of David suggested he take the study abroad program. David took his friends offer to spend a semester studying abroad.  During his semester abroad in Florence Italy, David was introduced to wine, how it was made and he got hooked.  After David finished his university studies, he went to work for Robert Mondavi Winery.  In 1998 David decided that if he was going to work extremely hard he was going to work for himself and founded Orin Swift Cellars named after his mother and father.  His company grew into a multinational brand that now includes 300 acres of vineyards in the Southwest of France, which allows for projects in Spain, Italy, Corsica, Argentina, and many other locations around the globe.  Despite all of the growth, Orin Swift Cellars continues to operate as a small, passionate team of friends and family dedicated to make great wine.

So how did a great wine with a beautiful name as Papillon (French for Butterfly) end up with prison tattoos as it's wine label?  The wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvigon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, and Malbec; and the grapes are coming from 6 different vineyards that have been chosen because of their unique fingerprint, and intensity Orin Swift Cellars wanted a Label that is just as fitting as they vineyards the juice came from.   World renowned photographer Greg Gorman and hand model Vince Tofanelli a third generation grape grower and friend designed and created the label for the bottle.  This wine is a Bordeaux style wine that is aged 16 months in French Oak, and is a true delight to drink, and I was fortunate enough to try during an monthly meeting of the AWS (American Wine Society) in Frankfort, Kentucky.  I loved this wine and would highly recommend it.

Papillon 2007

Maker: Orin Swift Cellar

Region: Napa Valley, CA

Grapes: 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot, and 1 % Malbac

Appearance: Deep crimson with huge of magenta on the rim.

Nose: Instantly on the nose is the rich aroma of dark fruit, cedar, and mocha

On the Palate: Rich flavor of cherries, blackberries, smokiness of the oak, silky tannins and a nice lingering finish.

Southern Belle Shiraz

Southern Belle Shiraz
image from gardenandgun.com

Hello friends!  I know it has been 7 months and I have not disappeared.   I have been trying many different wines and bourbons; and now I have a lot to write about. I have made a few New Years Resolutions this year and one of them is to write more about what I like and keep up on the postings for this blog.    My first installment for the Month January is Southern Belle Shiraz.

Southern Belle Shiraz is the creative effort of wine aficionado Dan Philips of Southern Australia.  Philips is the palate behind the "Grateful Palate", which imports Australian wines and peddles mail-order edibles, including his bacon of the month club. At first Philips idea to age wine in bourbon barrels was rejected and winemakers refused to do it.  There is this perception that the French way is better; and French Oak is always better.  Lucky for us, Philips did not get discouraged and found wine makers to create Southern Belle Shiraz.  The sad news about this delicious wine is that it is a limited quantity and is only released twice a year.   The last release was Fall 2013.  I do not know when it will be released again but I am hoping it will be soon and I believe it will be around the next release of Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon.  Southern Belle Shiraz is aged for 18 months in the 20 year old Pappy Van Winkle bourbon barrels, which is one of the most sought after bourbons on the market, and is only released twice a year with a very strict allotment per retail outlet.  The wine and spirit shop where I work (Capital Cellars Frankfort, KY) only had two bottles of the Pappy Van Winkle 20 year old for sale and we did not have one bottle left over for behind the bar.  Now for the those who pay close attention to alcohol content, you will be happy to know that Southern Belle Shiraz has an alcohol content of 17.6% (that is 35.2 proof for all you bourbon and whiskey aficionados). This is a wine I highly recommend getting or trying if you can.

Southern Belle Shiraz

Grape:  Shiraz/Syah

Region: Australia

Appearance: Very dark purple, nearly black

Nose: intense aromas of vanilla, oak, nutmeg, and very fruity

On the palate: Fairly light, very little tannin, flavors of caramel, toffee, and possible some leather and a warm nutty flavor in the back.  The back of the palate contains notes of leather.  The warm nutty vanilla flavors may be from the Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon Barrels.  The wine is smooth and has a nice lingering flavor.

This wine is a true delight from the moment it is opened to the very finish.  It makes you wish you had more.  

Late Harvest Sweet Chardonnay

Hello my fellow wine lovers!  Over the weekend I stopped into the Liquor Barn in Lexington to pick up my favorite beer cheese, and I decided to walk around to see what they had new in their store.  I was not looking for anything particular; especially since I feel I should be supporting the place I work as a wine hostess.  Though I like to try things we don't carry in hopes that if it is good we will likely try and find away to carry it.  Needless to say I was looking at the white wines since we are starting to get into the warmer weather and I like my wine a little lighter in the summer.  I found something that caught my eye, it was this very spring looking bottle and I was surprised to see it said Late Harvest and Chardonnay.  I have seen many different brands of Chardonnay and have tasted many different ones over the years; however, I had never seen a Late Harvest Chardonnay.

This Chardonnay is made by Bodega Norton in Mendoza - Argentina and is called Sweet Chardonnay Late Harvest Series 2012. While reading the Label and saw that it was from the Mendoza region of Argentina I was kind of excited to try another wine from that region.  The last wine that I had tried from that region was the Bodega Elena 2010 Chardonnay, and it was a very good Chardonnay very rich and creamy with a nice finish. Since the label of the Bodega Norton Sweet Chardonnay had caught my eye and I noticed it was only a $10.00 bottle I just had to have it and try it.  Now it was time to research my wine to give my faithful readers some background to the wine.

Mendoza Argentina is at the foothills of the Andes mountain range.  The climate of the area is very nice in that it is mostly warm with lots of hours of sunlight.  It has a more Mediterranean characteristic making it a great place for the Chardonnay grape to flourish. The winemaker Jorge Riccitelli was awarded as "WineMaker of the year 2012" by the prestigious wine magazine Wine Enthusiast.

The sweet Chardonnay is not as sweet as I thought it was going to be.  This is very different than your normal Chardonnay.  It does not have that creamy, buttery flavor that most Chardonnay's have.  The Norton Sweet Chardonnay has citrusy and floral nose, with a natural sweetness that is well balanced.  On the palate you can taste notes of green apple, peach and I believe some pear.  The wine finishes with crisp soft floral flavor.  This wine reminds me of a Savuignon Blanc or a nice white blend.  You can pair this wine with a light salad, which is perfect for the hot summer, chicken, fresh fruit or for a special Sunday brunch.  It is best to serve this wine chilled

Look for this wine in your local wine shop!  For all you in Lexington, KY I know you can find this wine at the Liquor Barn.

It is Derby Week!

This week in Kentucky we are celebrating the 139th annual running of the Kentucky Derby!  There are so many events going on this week including the Derby wine tasting event.  This year I will not be able to make it; however, I thought I would post to my readers some of the events that are going on.   So don your hats and place your bets, and help celebrate the 139th meeting of the Kentucky Derby.

First I would like to post what is going on in my new home city.  Here in Frankfort, KY we are celebrating with a street festival on Saturday and on Friday night you will be able to find some of the happenings going around downtown. I can tell you that Capital Cellars will be having their 7th annual Kentucky Derby wine

tasting with themed wines from around the world, plus a bluegrass band "Hot Chocolate and the MarshMellows.  Capital Cellars also make the best mint juleps this side of the Kentucky River  with the most extensive Bourbon Bar in Frankfort. So on Friday night they are making mint juleps where you pick the bourbon.  Saturday is breakfast and $5.00 Mint Juleps, Mimosas, and Bloody Mary's.  

If you are going to be in Louisville checkout the Maker's Mark Lounge where they are partying all week for the Derby with their Derby Line up.  Wednesday they are having a Derby inspired  Woodford Reserve cocktail competition.  They are also having $5.00 drink specials featuring Woodford Reserve, Grey Goose, and Bacardi cocktails all night.  Maker's Mark Lounge is also hosting a Bet on Brunch from Thursday - Saturday, plus a hopping after party on Sunday. Checkout their website for more information.  For more of what is happening in Louisville checkout the flyer for Metrofest 2013.  

If you cannot make it to Capital Cellars, Maker's Mark Lounge or to Louisville and want a Mint Julep.  Here is a Mint Julep recipe and pod cast to go with it.  Remember this is a difficult drink to make and I have tried last year for our 1st Kentucky Derby and I was not as successful.  You will have to tell me if you are more successful. 

Mint Julep

1 oz of simple syrup

2 sprigs of mint

2 1/2 oz of Bourbon 

Gently bruise one sprig of mint in the bottom of a julep glass with simple syrup.  Add half of the bourbon and fill with crushed ice.  Swirl with a bar spoon until the outside of the glass frost.  Add more ice and the remaining bourbon. Stir again to frost the glass and garnish with a sprig of mint. 

* Woodford Reserve is the official bourbon of the Kentucky Derby.  However, feel free to use which ever bourbon you think is worthy of your drink.  

Wine Tasting Club Week 6

Welcome Wine Enthusiast!

This weeks wine is another white since we are moving into the warmer weather!  I do promise to have another red up soon though.

This weeks wine selection is a Sauvignon Blanc from the United States.

Wine Selection
Two Vines  Sauvignon Blanc Columbia Crest
Country of Origin:  United States Washington State
Alcohol: 13%
Color White (light straw color)
Cost:$ 8.99 - $13.00

Two Vines Sauvignon Blanc Columbia Crest

The Two Vines Sauvignon Blanc * Columbia Crest 2011 scored an 87/100 for Wine Spectator.  This wine is bright in flavor and zesty with a juicy finish.  

You can find this wine in the following location:

New York:

Rochester, NY:  Marketview Liquor 1100 Jefferson Rd, Rochester NY

New York City:  Great Wines and Liquors 929 Lexington Ave. New York, New York

Washington D.C.

Chevy Chase Wine and Spirits 5544 Connecticut Ave, Washington D.C.

Colorado

Applejacks Wine and Spirits 3320 Youngfield St. Denver, CO

Washington

Mad Wine 2700 4th Ave S, Seattle, WA

Belgium

Mig's World Wines 43 Chaussée de Charleroi, Brussels

Germany

Terra-Vinum  112 Lokstedter Weg, Hamburg

Happy Tasting!

Wine Tasting Club Week 5

Welcome to another week of Wine, and it is Wednesday!

Normally I like to try and alternate between red wine and white wine each week.  However, since it is almost 80 degrees here in Frankfort, KY, I felt that it might be a little warm outside for a red.  So this week is another white wine.  This wine was featured in my Sip into Spring wine  tasting weekend at Capital Cellars, and received great reviews.  Now I want to put it to the test in my virtual wine tasting club.

This weeks wine is a Gewurztraminer from Germany.

Wine Selection
Valckenberg Gewurztraminer
Country of Origin: Germany
Alcohol: 11%
Color: White ( light yellow)
Cost: $10.00 - $20.00

Valckenberg Gewurztraminer

The Valckenberg Gewurtraminer scored an 88/100 through cellar trackers.  This wine is a full body wine that is off dry in flavor. The wine has a pleasant aroma of flower blossoms and flavors of melon and peaches.  This is a nice wine for Spring or Summer.  I look forward to your reviews.

You can find this wine in the following locations:

New York 

Marketview Liquor: 1100 Jefferson Rd.  Rochester

Sip Fine Wine: 67 5th Ave. (St. Marks and Prospect Place) Brooklyn

Mister Wrights: 1593 3rd Ave ( Between 89th and 90th streets) NY, NY

Washington, D.C.

Pearson's Wine and Spirits: 2436 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington D.C.

Kentucky

Capital Cellars: 227 West Broadway, Frankfort KY

Germany

Clever Wein: 16 Heestweg, Hamburg 22143

Happy Tasting and I look forward to seeing you on the discussion board!