I love Gruner. To me, it just screams summer. Especially the big, green, Austrian 1-liter bottles from Etz or Allram. Because, you know, on a hot summer day, sometimes 750ml just isn't enough!
But recently, Nick from The Willows Market was kind enough to hand me a bottle of Zocker Paragon Vineyard Gruner Veltliner Edna Valley 2011. No chunky oversized Austrian liter, no, this is an elegant, restrained, American, non-super-sized 750ml bottle. I had never had a domestic Gruner. This was delicious, refined, crisp, refreshing but sophisticated -- perfect on a hot summer night with a lobster salad. I think the first time I had Gruner, it was at a Vietnamese restaurant, and I think this wine would balance really nicely with the slightly spicy, complex cuisine.
For the record, we were given a bottle to taste for this blog. We have not received any other compensation for this posting.
Monday, July 1, 2013
Sunday, September 9, 2012
New Bubbly Find from the Willows Market Wine Tasting
We had a great time at the most recent Willows Market wine tasting. With Laura Donovan from The Estates Group as our guide, we were able to sample three selections that are all currently available at the market:
- JCB No. 21 Brut Cremant de Bourgogne
- Shell Creek 2007/2008 Petite Sirah
- Clos du Val 2009 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
The Shell Creek Petite Sirah comes from just east of Paso Robles. It was so interesting to compare the '07 and the '08. The '08 had a much more fruit-forward punch, while the '07 was more subtle and refined.
The Clos du Val Cab is just a delicious classic, the perfect dinner party wine. It's rich and elegant and just cries out for a beautiful filet.
But for me, the highlight of the tasting was the sparkler (of course). Not a true champagne, the JCB No. 21 comes from the Cote d'Or, Burgundy's "gold coast." Pale gold in the glass, with lots of very fine bubbles, the flavor is soft and light, with a lovely, creamy finish. This would make a lovely choice for brunch (don't cover it up with OJ, just drink it!), or for sipping any afternoon. It's elegant and refined, but not too serious. The price is right -- it retails under $30 -- so this will become my go-to bubbly to keep on hand in the fridge.
Cheers!
- JCB No. 21 Brut Cremant de Bourgogne
- Shell Creek 2007/2008 Petite Sirah
- Clos du Val 2009 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
The Shell Creek Petite Sirah comes from just east of Paso Robles. It was so interesting to compare the '07 and the '08. The '08 had a much more fruit-forward punch, while the '07 was more subtle and refined.
The Clos du Val Cab is just a delicious classic, the perfect dinner party wine. It's rich and elegant and just cries out for a beautiful filet.
But for me, the highlight of the tasting was the sparkler (of course). Not a true champagne, the JCB No. 21 comes from the Cote d'Or, Burgundy's "gold coast." Pale gold in the glass, with lots of very fine bubbles, the flavor is soft and light, with a lovely, creamy finish. This would make a lovely choice for brunch (don't cover it up with OJ, just drink it!), or for sipping any afternoon. It's elegant and refined, but not too serious. The price is right -- it retails under $30 -- so this will become my go-to bubbly to keep on hand in the fridge.
Cheers!
Sunday, August 12, 2012
Wine Tasting in the Willows, part I
Q: What's better than having a neighborhood market in my own back yard with a huge selection of wines and a friendly staff?
A: When the Willows Market hosts a wine tasting!
And so it was last Thursday, the inaugural tasting in what is planned to be a weekly series on Thursday evenings. Menlo Park wine guru Joe Merlino was on hand to pour 4 wines, and a nice cross-section of the community gathered around to taste, compare notes, and chat. And there I was, to sip and take notes, purely in the interest of this blog, of course. Here's a bit of what I overheard and noted:
1. Jean-Luc Colombo 2011 Cape Bleue Rose ($9.99)
"light and refreshing on a warm summer night"
"perfect for this weather"
"refreshing, crisp"
"tart, citrusy, almost a grapefruit flavor"
"very drinkable"
"nice tang"
I have to admit, I didn't love this wine the first time I tried it (earlier this summer), but it is growing on me. I definitely felt the tart, pink grapefruit tang up front. But on a really warm evening, it truly is refreshing, almost bracing.
2. Jean-Luc Colombo 2010 Les Abeilles de Colombo Cote du Rhone ($9.99)
"velvety"
"licorice, fennel, anise notes"
"chocolatey"
A neat bonus is that a portion of the producer's proceeds from this wine go to fund efforts to help research and restore honeybee colonies.
3. Bodega Salentein 2009 Killka Collection Malbec ($11.99)
"dark red and fruity"
"cinnamon spice"
"rich"
From Mendoza in Argentina -- on my bucket list!
4. Two Hands 2010 Sexy Beast Cabernet Sauvignon ($37.99)
"it's a sexy bomb"
"light on tannins"
"rich, fruity"
This wine is DELICIOUS! Never thought I'd describe a wine as sexy, but I would say this is perfect for a special date-night dinner at home. Yummy.
A: When the Willows Market hosts a wine tasting!
And so it was last Thursday, the inaugural tasting in what is planned to be a weekly series on Thursday evenings. Menlo Park wine guru Joe Merlino was on hand to pour 4 wines, and a nice cross-section of the community gathered around to taste, compare notes, and chat. And there I was, to sip and take notes, purely in the interest of this blog, of course. Here's a bit of what I overheard and noted:
1. Jean-Luc Colombo 2011 Cape Bleue Rose ($9.99)
"light and refreshing on a warm summer night"
"perfect for this weather"
"refreshing, crisp"
"tart, citrusy, almost a grapefruit flavor"
"very drinkable"
"nice tang"
I have to admit, I didn't love this wine the first time I tried it (earlier this summer), but it is growing on me. I definitely felt the tart, pink grapefruit tang up front. But on a really warm evening, it truly is refreshing, almost bracing.
2. Jean-Luc Colombo 2010 Les Abeilles de Colombo Cote du Rhone ($9.99)
"velvety"
"licorice, fennel, anise notes"
"chocolatey"
A neat bonus is that a portion of the producer's proceeds from this wine go to fund efforts to help research and restore honeybee colonies.
3. Bodega Salentein 2009 Killka Collection Malbec ($11.99)
"dark red and fruity"
"cinnamon spice"
"rich"
From Mendoza in Argentina -- on my bucket list!
4. Two Hands 2010 Sexy Beast Cabernet Sauvignon ($37.99)
"it's a sexy bomb"
"light on tannins"
"rich, fruity"
This wine is DELICIOUS! Never thought I'd describe a wine as sexy, but I would say this is perfect for a special date-night dinner at home. Yummy.
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Wine Tasting at the Willows Market
The Willows Market is hosting a wine tasting event on Thursday, August 9 from 4:30-7:30 p.m. The event will be held in the Market's Belgian Beer cove, and only persons age 21 and older can enter the tasting area.
Joe Merlino will be pouring 4 wines:
Joe Merlino will be pouring 4 wines:
1. Jean Luc Colombo, Cotes Du Rhone 2010 (French)
2. Jean Luc Colombo, Rose 2011 (French)
3. Two Hands - Sexy Beast, Cabernet 2010 (Australia)
4. Killka, Malbec 2010 (Argentina)
We'll be there -- come on by and let us know what you think!
2. Jean Luc Colombo, Rose 2011 (French)
3. Two Hands - Sexy Beast, Cabernet 2010 (Australia)
4. Killka, Malbec 2010 (Argentina)
We'll be there -- come on by and let us know what you think!
Monday, April 9, 2012
Tablas Creek
What better way to wind down spring break than catching up with friends? And so it was that I found myself on Easter Sunday afternoon sharing a glass (ok, several glasses) of wine with Willows neighbors.
After finishing the last of an open bottle of J Pinot Gris (a favorite "house white" for its delightful drinkability and practical screw top), we moved on to something new: Tablas Creek 2009 Vermentino. We found this wine to be light and refreshing, with a hint of citrus -- perfect for an Easter Sunday afternoon.
Next, we moved on to another Tablas Creek bottle, the 2009 Bergeron. This wine was delicious, and totally different from the first, with hints of vanilla, caramel, and toasty oak. It smells and tastes a bit like burnt marshmallow -- in a good way. It was great with a slightly spicy appetizer.
Thanks to neighbors Laurie and Doug Bauer for introducing us to Tablas Creek. They are big fans of the Paso Robles winery, which grows traditional Rhone varietals. Laurie and Doug also make their own wines with friends under the Wren's Nest label. They were kind enough to share a bottle of Syrah with me last fall, which I loved.
After finishing the last of an open bottle of J Pinot Gris (a favorite "house white" for its delightful drinkability and practical screw top), we moved on to something new: Tablas Creek 2009 Vermentino. We found this wine to be light and refreshing, with a hint of citrus -- perfect for an Easter Sunday afternoon.
Next, we moved on to another Tablas Creek bottle, the 2009 Bergeron. This wine was delicious, and totally different from the first, with hints of vanilla, caramel, and toasty oak. It smells and tastes a bit like burnt marshmallow -- in a good way. It was great with a slightly spicy appetizer.
Thanks to neighbors Laurie and Doug Bauer for introducing us to Tablas Creek. They are big fans of the Paso Robles winery, which grows traditional Rhone varietals. Laurie and Doug also make their own wines with friends under the Wren's Nest label. They were kind enough to share a bottle of Syrah with me last fall, which I loved.
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Holiday Bubbles
"What bubbly will you be drinking for the holidays?"
Once asked, the question could not go unanswered. "You tell me," I said.
The answer: Gosset Excellence Brut Champagne NV. Good answer!
The lovely bottle, with its old-school, elegant label, looks like it popped straight out of a black-and-white movie (think The Thin Man). The creamy yellow wine sparkles with plenty of fine, tiny bubbles. It's pleasantly dry, with an almost mineral taste.
"F-ing delicious," to quote my co-conspirator. "If you drank enough of this, you just might turn into Kate Spade."
What we loved about this wine was its distinct lack of sweetness. Unlike a lot of other bubblies that leave you feeling drunk and fat, this left me feeling vivacious, effervescent, and utterly fabulous.
Needless to say, I'll be stocking up for the holidays.
For the record, we were given a bottle to taste for this blog. We have not received any other compensation for this posting.
Once asked, the question could not go unanswered. "You tell me," I said.
The answer: Gosset Excellence Brut Champagne NV. Good answer!
The lovely bottle, with its old-school, elegant label, looks like it popped straight out of a black-and-white movie (think The Thin Man). The creamy yellow wine sparkles with plenty of fine, tiny bubbles. It's pleasantly dry, with an almost mineral taste.
"F-ing delicious," to quote my co-conspirator. "If you drank enough of this, you just might turn into Kate Spade."
What we loved about this wine was its distinct lack of sweetness. Unlike a lot of other bubblies that leave you feeling drunk and fat, this left me feeling vivacious, effervescent, and utterly fabulous.
Needless to say, I'll be stocking up for the holidays.
For the record, we were given a bottle to taste for this blog. We have not received any other compensation for this posting.
Monday, September 5, 2011
Chardonnay
"There are two kinds of girls in this world: those who do, and those who don't." Drink chardonnay, that is. For every girl who wants ABC (anything but chardonnay), there's another who's rarely more than an arm's length from a bottle of Rombauer. But here's the thing: chardonnay is a versatile grape, and for those who think they don't like it, because they don't like the big, oaky, buttery, quintessential and sometimes overpowering chards that have become so popular in some circles, there are plenty of other options. Steer clear of the c-word, and you might be missing some really lovely wines. We recently sampled three surprising chardonnays -- all different, and a little something for everyone.
Viu Manent Valle de Colchagua (Chile) Chardonnay 2010: An initial clover aroma was followed by a distinctive honey taste. This wine had a smooth, creamy mouthfeel with a rich viscosity. Overall, it was a flowery, light, happy, easy-drinking, girly wine -- and felt more like a pinot blanc than a chardonnay.
Cameron Hughes Evergreen Series Los Carneros Chardonnay 2007: No shortage of oak here -- we found this wine actually woody. But the initial hit of oak was followed by a nice hint of butterscotch. Happily, we discovered that with flavorful cheeses, the wine became much more drinkable and appealing. (I blame the wine for causing me to demolish a wedge of Humboldt Fog and half a baguette -- and loving every minute of it.)
Noble Vines Single Vineyard 446 Monterey Chardonnay 2010: This is one of the newest offerings in The Willows Market's extensive inventory, and Nick sent me home with a bottle insisting that I try it -- who am I to argue with Nick? We found it immediately appealing, with bright, citrus-y notes and a hint of pineapple. The zingy fruits and silky-smooth mouthfeel were balanced with a slightly buttery, toasty finish. I'll be stocking up on this to keep in the fridge for a great everyday white.
Personally, I like the big, buttery, oaky California chardonnays -- and I like un-oaked chards, and a lot of styles in between. If you think you don't like chardonnay, don't be afraid to experiment, and you just might find something you like. And if you think it's Rombauer or bust -- well, in a future tasting, we'll find some alternatives with a similar style that won't break the bank.
For the record, The Willows Market supplied us with one free bottle of each of these wines. I have not received any other compensation for this posting. I have linked to other web sites for convenience; however, I take no responsibility for the content of any third-party web sites.
Viu Manent Valle de Colchagua (Chile) Chardonnay 2010: An initial clover aroma was followed by a distinctive honey taste. This wine had a smooth, creamy mouthfeel with a rich viscosity. Overall, it was a flowery, light, happy, easy-drinking, girly wine -- and felt more like a pinot blanc than a chardonnay.
Cameron Hughes Evergreen Series Los Carneros Chardonnay 2007: No shortage of oak here -- we found this wine actually woody. But the initial hit of oak was followed by a nice hint of butterscotch. Happily, we discovered that with flavorful cheeses, the wine became much more drinkable and appealing. (I blame the wine for causing me to demolish a wedge of Humboldt Fog and half a baguette -- and loving every minute of it.)
Noble Vines Single Vineyard 446 Monterey Chardonnay 2010: This is one of the newest offerings in The Willows Market's extensive inventory, and Nick sent me home with a bottle insisting that I try it -- who am I to argue with Nick? We found it immediately appealing, with bright, citrus-y notes and a hint of pineapple. The zingy fruits and silky-smooth mouthfeel were balanced with a slightly buttery, toasty finish. I'll be stocking up on this to keep in the fridge for a great everyday white.
Personally, I like the big, buttery, oaky California chardonnays -- and I like un-oaked chards, and a lot of styles in between. If you think you don't like chardonnay, don't be afraid to experiment, and you just might find something you like. And if you think it's Rombauer or bust -- well, in a future tasting, we'll find some alternatives with a similar style that won't break the bank.
For the record, The Willows Market supplied us with one free bottle of each of these wines. I have not received any other compensation for this posting. I have linked to other web sites for convenience; however, I take no responsibility for the content of any third-party web sites.
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