Hello again!
I hope you are all doing well. I've had a busy couple of weeks, so I apologize for not posting a review last week. I spent my day off at a wonderful seminar on Crus Bourgeois Wines, (reviews to follow), and the other days preparing for inventory at our store. Not a small task, I don't mind telling you. Anyway, this week I have several delicious gems for you to share with your friends and family this Easter.
Let's kick off this week with a nice sparkling wine from Schramsberg.
I selected their Blanc de Noirs (white from the black). Made from mostly Pinot Noir with a little bit of Chardonnay, this sparkling wine is light in color and flavor. It has a very nice, elegant sparkliness to it, thanks to the fine bubbles.
On the nose, bright aromas of raspberry cream, white cherry, tangerine and a bit of hazelnut tell you that this is a special California sparkling wine.
The palate delights with flavors of tangy cherries, a hint of ginger spice, raspberry and marzipan on the finish.
Produced using the "Methode Traditionelle," or the Traditional Method (barrel fermentation, followed by bottle fermentation), Schramsberg's Blanc de Noirs presents lots of fine bubbles, which give this wine its elegant mouthfeel.
Also, by following the Traditional Method, Schramsberg has managed to produce a sparkling wine with very long lasting bubbles, as well. Pair this with just about anything you'd like. Chocolate is always a good choice. I, however, prefer to enjoy it all by itself, but you can add some sliced strawberries or raspberries to your glass, to highlight the fruit notes in the wine. Some like to drop in a hibiscus flower that has been bottled in syrup. This adds an interesting visual effect as well as flavor to your flute. Just make sure to chill this sparkling gem so that its nice and cold. Cheers!
Price Range: $27-$34
Next up I have selected the Villa Huesgen '1735' Mosel Riesling.
This is great expression of the Mosel region. Nice ripe fruit and a bit of minerality lends balance to the wine. On the nose you will notice ripe apple and pear fruit, and a bit of lemony citrus, along with a hint of chalk.
This is a young wine, and as such has flavors of ripe, tart apple and a hint of lemon curd. It also has a crisp acidity to it that almost hides the hint of chalky earth on the finish.
Enjoy this wine with a picnic lunch, or as a starter wine to go with hors d'oeuvres before enjoying that Easter dinner.
Price range: $8-$14
I couldn't leave a good Chardonnay out of your Easter basket, now could I?
The Stateland Cellars Chardonnay hails from the cool valleys of Santa Barbara, just a short drive north of Los Angeles.
Being from a cooler growing region, this is a more crisp expression of Chardonnay, bursting with ripe pineapple, tangerine and melon aromas, with an ever-so-slight hint of oak.
On the palate, the youth of this wine expresses itself in the amount of acid present. It is not unpleasant, but rather, a bit refreshing, making this a good thirst-quenching Chardonnay. Pleasing citrus flavors of pineapple, lemon and a little tangerine blend nicely for a refreshing surprise. The oak is barely detectable, and serves only to soften the acidity of this wine. This is as close to an un-oaked Chardonnay one can get, while still using oak.
Try pairing this with roasted lemon chicken served on a bed of brown rice, and maybe some steamed mixed veggies on the side.
Price range: $12-$18
To finish off this week's picks, a classic Chateauneuf-du-Pape blend from Paso Robles: Adelaida's "Anna's Red." This wine has the traditional blend of Grenache, Mourvèdre, Counoise, Cinsaut, and Syrah.
On the nose, aromas of red and black fruits invite you to try this delicious blend. Notes of red plums, blueberries and black cherries tease your nose.
On the palate, those of you who are familiar with CNDP wines, will notice instantly that this is not a light bodied French wine, but rather a bigger, bolder version of a CNDP style blend, as only Paso Robles can deliver. Notes of plum, black cherry and blueberry accompany big, round, mouth-filling, smooth tannins. There is a note of earthiness with a hint of cardamom as well. The finish is long and smooth with lingering dark fruits.
You can pair this with one of two great Easter dinners. Either honey-glazed ham, with mashed potatoes, steamed, whole green beans, and a cornbread muffin. Or roasted duck with garlic and rosemary red potatoes, sautéed in butter, with steamed carrots, sautéed in honey and brown sugar and a sourdough roll. Bon appetite!
Price range: $12-$20
Have a wonderful Easter, or whatever you celebrate. I hope you will try all of these wines, they are delicious.
And thank you for reading my reviews this week.