Wine Aerator
August 14, 2008 | by Jason Bordley | Gadgets
While thumbing through the new Crate & Barrel catalog, I came across this little gadget. It is the Vinturi Wine Aerator. So what is a wine aerator you ask. The wine aerator basically acts like a decanter, less the decanter and hours of waiting. You simply pour your wine through the aerator, and as the wine travels through the aerator and into your glass, it is mixed with air allowing the the wine to “open” up. The description in the catalog claims that this can produce the same results as decanting for 1 1/2 hours. [Crate & Barrel]
QPR Wines in Our Economy
August 13, 2008 | by Lorrie LeBeaux | Value
Let me first say that wine is a lifestyle. It includes wine, food, art and decor. I read the Editor In Chief’s letter to his readers in the August 2008 House Beautiful magazine, and Stephen Drucker seemed to sum it up by saying, “I can’t not mention the economy anymore. It’s in the news, it’s at the gas pumps, it’s in the air every day.” To everyone who hesitates that decorating is a luxury at this unsettled moment, I’d like to say that I think home is more important than ever, not a last priority in your budget, but a first. I feel the same way about home and wine and food, it’s a lifestyle that many choose or it chooses us. The concept of “QPR” or quality -price-ratio, just means a good wine for the price, meaning it could cost more. I call those wines “Bang for the Buck” wines. They are reasonable in price, taste good, and won’t hurt your wallet in the economic times we live in. Wine is one of life’s little luxuries to me, as is a good bottle of olive oil or a salt collection. These are things that make a meal more than a meal, especially when paired with a nice wine. QPR wines mean more than a deal to me, it’s the consistency of the winemaker, meaning that you don’t have to worry about vintages, just the winery’s specific varietal. So, I’d like to share a few of my QPR wines with you. So, here’s my list.
2007 Kendall-Jackson Grand Reserve Malbec Rosè
August 12, 2008 | by Lorrie LeBeaux | Rosè
Kendall-Jackson has made it’s reputation on providing wines that are attainable for all to experience. Their Grand Reserve 2007 Malbec Rosè is no exception. It is like spring and summer in a glass. This wine offers flavors of strawberries and watermelon with a fresh and fruity nose with floral hints of roses. The wine is 100% Malbec, all sourced from Napa County. The color is a deep hue of salmon, that makes it okay for men to “drink pink.” This wine is only available in Kendall-Jackson Tasting Rooms and online at www.kj.com This wine would pair well with a grilled chicken salad, or pork and vegetable kabobs. The wine retails for $18.00.
2005 Ferrari-Carano Siena
August 12, 2008 | by Lorrie LeBeaux | Reds
This Italian inspired red wine is 68% Sangiovese and 32% Malbec. I was discouraged by a wine merchant in New Orleans over 4 years ago not to purchase this wine, he recommended another red, so I passed on the Siena. Well, I got a bottle at my local wine shop in Little Rock, AR, The Grapevine. My wine “go to guy ” at the store Glenn said I would not be disappointed, and indeed I was not! The wine was filled with dark fruit flavors, spice and notes of toasted oak. The mouth feel was velvety and just lip smacking good. This wine is great with classic Italian fare and I paired my “glasses” with steak. The wine cost about $30.00. I got it on sale for $19.99, and I consider it a “QPR”, which translates to a “bang for the buck” wine.
2007 Pascual Toso Malbec
August 12, 2008 | by Jason Bordley | Reds, Tasting Notes, Value
Every once in awhile you stumble across that great buy of the year. For me, that buy was a 2007 Pascual Toso Malbec. What pulled me to this bottle, other than the $8.99 price sticker, was the information on the tag. At the end of the description it stated that it had received a 91 point rating from Wine Enthusiast and a 90 point rating from Robert Parker (I would later find out these ratings were actually for the 2006 vintage, not the 2007). It’s not very often that you see this ratings on a wine priced under $10, let alone under $9. So into my cart it went.
Women of the Vine by Deborah Brenner
August 11, 2008 | by Lorrie LeBeaux | Reads
Talk about “cracking the ceiling”. Hillary Clinton did it in politics with women and Deborah Brenner did in a field dominated by men, the world of wine. Deborah Brenner has written a book about women of the vine, some winemakers, wine writers, vineyard owners, sommeliers, and wine enthusiast groups for starters. You get to know these women for more than women of the wine world, but as women who have the everyday struggles women have, balancing work, family and self. I loved the easy read, each chapter highlighting another women of the vine. This book is not just for women, but for anyone who wants to take a look at the contributions made by women today in the world of wine. The book cost is $22.95 and the publisher is John Wiley and Sons. This book can be purchased at www.amazon.com.
Segura Viudas Brut Reserva Heredad Cava
August 9, 2008 | by Lorrie LeBeaux | Sparkling Wine
This Cava, Spanish Sparkling Wine, is bottled in Torrelavit Spain. The alcohol content is 12% and it is a wonderful sparkling wine that seems like a Spanish twin to Champagne. It retails around $22.99, and it’s worth every penny. It is light to medium bodied with enough structure to stand up to a meal or for someone who wants a sipper with a little backbone. The bottle is as lovely and the contents. So lovely that it can be turned into a work of art, after the party is over. Go to www.wisteria.com and put in Achilles Poirot Wine Bottle Candle Holder and see the possibilities of those beautiful wine bottles. Cheers.
The Chemistry of Pairing
August 8, 2008 | by Lorrie LeBeaux | Entertaining, Pairings
For all the wine enthusiasts, foodies, and avid home entertainers, the pairing of wine and food is a serious issue. How can one feel truly credible if the wine does not pair well with the food? Well, it can make or break a great meal, and leave the hostess feeling a little incompetent in an area in which they relish competency. I’ve come to realize that there are some very simple rules to success in the concept of wine and food pairings.
2005 Concannon Pinot Noir Limited Release
February 28, 2008 | by Jason Bordley | Tasting Notes
So tonight I had the 2005 Concannon Pinot Noir Limited Release. For the most part, it was OK. Not much more…just OK. Right off the bat, the nose was heavy with fresh tart cherries and cherry liquorice. On the palate I tasted notes of cherries and raspberries. And, well, that was about it. Majorly lacking in the complexity area.
Not something I would probably purchase again, but for $12, I can’t say it was a total waste of money, just that I wouldn’t purchase it again.
2006 Clos Du Bois Riesling
February 27, 2008 | by Jason Bordley | Pairings, Tasting Notes
I’m not big on Riesling but this wine could make me change my mind. I served it with chicken and a black pepper maple sauce. It was able to hold its own against the sweetness and spiciness of the sauce.
The wine itself had notes of pears, apples, peaches, and white cranberries. It was well balanced and had a nice finish. I would definitely give it 90pts.
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