19 Oct

Cabernet Sauvignon- The Classic Red

Cabernet Sauvignon is often considered a classic red wine. It is a wine wardrobe essential. Cabernet remains the most popular red wine on the market because it offers distinctive drinking in a wide range of prices and styles.

  • Dry: Cabernet Sauvignon is considered dry wine. It often tastes more dry than shiraz or pinot noir, for example, but not as dry as sangiovese-based wines from Italy.
  • Bright: Cabernet sauvignon grapes are naturally higher in acidity than merlot grapes so the resulting wine often has a more vibrant character (think of green plums verus ripe, juicy ones), especially when the grapes are grown in cooler areas such as Bordeaux.
  • Medium or full-bodied: styles of cabernet sauvignon range from elegant to powerful depending upon where the grapes are grown (warmer regions equal riper grapes, higher alcohol (13-14 percent) and fuller body, cooler regions equal less sugar in the grapes and slightly lower alcohol levels (12-13 percent). In the glass, that translates to the difference between satin and velvet, or brushed cotton and winter wool.
  • Medium to strong tannins: These are thick-skinned grapes, which mean the wines are inherently more tannic than most all other reds. If you don’t like the sometimes drying, astringent feel from tannins (see page 000 for details on tannins), cabernet sauvignon may not be to your top pick in reds. Try merlot or pinot noir.

VALUE TIP: One of the best-value Cabs on the market today comes from Gallo of Sonoma whose Sonoma County bottling (often under $10) is produced with a healthy dose of Alexander Valley grapes.

Have you tried this?

Roasted Leg of Lamb with Fresh Mint Sauce: Rub the outside of the leg of lamb with a mixture of honey, Dijon mustard, sea salt, cracked black pepper, and chopped fresh mint and rosemary. Grill or roast until cooked. For the Mint Sauce, mix chopped fresh mint with a little olive oil, salt, and lemon juice. Stir it into couscous or rice and serve with the thinly sliced lamb.

What are your favorite recipes/food ideas to go with your favorite Cab Sauv?

Share with us your favorite Cab Sauvs and why you like them.

19 Oct

Thirsty Girl Wine Tips and Terms

Here are some exclusive tips and sips from our Head Thirsty Girl, Leslie Sbrocco. Next time you find yourself at the bar by yourself, strike up a conversation with person next to you or the bartender. Wow them with your fabulous knowledge.

Cheers to that!

  • Toasting the oak staves in new barrels imparts notes of vanilla and spice to wine. After a few years of use, the barrel becomes a neutral vessel imparting little oak character.
  • Tannins are chemical compounds found in the skins, stems and seeds of grapes that impart an astringent sensation in young red wines. Tannins help wine age and pair with food.
  • A varietal wine, such as Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon, must contain a minimum of 75% of that grape variety.
  • Wines that simply say Oregon can be a blend of grapes from the state’s various growing regions, which include places like the Willamette, Umpqua, Columbia and Rogue Valleys.
  • Pinot Grigio is the same grape variety as Pinot Gris. Both mean pinot grey in reference to their pink/maroon skin color.
  • White Sauvignon Blanc is a tad untamed since it takes its name from the French word for savage. It, along with elegant red Cabernet Franc, gave birth to the hearty red Cabernet Sauvignon grape.
  • Wine Words: Crisp, bright, smooth = acidity levels in wine from higher to lower
  • Wine Words: Dry, off-dry, medium-dry, sweet = sweetness levels in wine
  • Wine Words: Light, medium and full-bodied = the feel of the wine in your mouth. These relate to alcohol and residual sugar levels. The less alcohol, the lighter the wine feels. The sweeter the wine, the richer and more dense it can feel.

What tips would you add?

18 Oct

Let’s Talk Chardonnay!

Chardonnay is one of those wines that’s great to sip and goes well with so many types of food. Not to mention it remains very popular. Any basic wine wardrobe will likely include a Chardonnay. Known for it’s mild mannered Chardonnay Wine for Womenfruitiness, it lends well to making all different kinds of wine.

Here are some core words for describing Chardonnay:

  • Dry
  • Crisp or Smooth
  • Light, Medium or full bodied
  • Fruit aromas
  • Oaky and Toasty
  • Buttery and creamy
  • Vanilla Spice and Nuttiness
  • Ripeness

LESLIE’S TASTING TIP:

In Argentina there is a popular white grape called Torrontes, which makes a wine that tastes like a cross between Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. Look for the easy-on-the-wallet version from Santa Julia Winery that ranges in price from $5-7.

Chardonnay Friendly Sauce
Creamy Mustard Dressing: Use one tablespoon Dijon mustard to two tablespoons olive oil and blend together with a fork or small whisk until creamy. Add one tablespoon of red wine vinegar or balsamic vinegar (more for a thinner, tangier dressing). Add fresh chopped tarragon and salt and pepper to taste. Spread on sandwiches, top salads, or drizzle over grilled meats.

Share your favorite Chardonnay recipes in the comments below!

French Chardonnays

LESLIE’S TASTING TIP (For Chablis): One of my favorite producers is Domaine Laroche. Their range of wines is stunning from the classic Chablis Saint-Martin (around $25) to the pricey Domaine Laroche Grand Cru bottlings that can cost more than $60-100 per bottle.

VALUE TIP (Pouilly-Fuisse): Look for wines from Saint-Véran and those labeled Mâcon-Villages, which I call the smart-buy version of Pouilly-Fuisse. These Chardonnays, which can often be found for around $10 per bottle, sport a charmingly soft texture, hints of nuts and pear notes.
What are your favorite French Chardonnays?

Have you got some favorite Chards to share? Food pairings? Share them in the comments below!

03 May

Simple Mother’s Day Ideas

On Mother’s Day, it’s all about the little things – the small, personalized gestures that show you care. This year, treat your mom to a fabulous brunch, a bottle of her favorite wine or a homemade gift. Here are some simple, yet elegant ways to show your Mother you care.

  • Decorate the table with framed photos of memorable times you’ve spent with mom.
  • Create hand-written menus that she can save as a keepsake of the day; leave space on each menu for guests to include a personalized note.
  • Serve small tasting spoons with a variety of her favorite dishes so she can enjoy a little bit of everything.
  • Create a specialty cocktail and name it after your mother or one of her best traits, such as “Margaret’s Martini” or “The Caring Karen.”
  • Show her (and everyone!) how much you care by preparing a heartfelt toast and raising a glass in your mother’s honor.

To get you started, here’s a cocktail recipe for The Legendary Lady, a twist on a typical iced tea. This delicious drink includes Godiva Chocolate Vodka, a smooth spirit infused with the essence of luxurious Godiva chocolates, for a hint of sweetness that your mother will love.

The Legendary Lady

Ingredients:

1 1/2 ounces Godiva Chocolate Raspberry Infused Vodka

3 ounces iced tea

3 to 4 lemon wedges for garnish

Preparation:

1. Combine Godiva Chocolate Raspberry Infused Vodka and iced tea in a cocktail shaker with ice.

2. Shake well and strain into a highball glass over ice.

3. Garnish with lemon wedges.

Ideal Serving Glass: highball glass

Yield:

1 drink

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