Wine of the Week: What Do You Pair With Pickleball? Napa Cellars 2025 Sauvignon Blanc

 

Yes, I have taken up pickleball.

I already play tennis and ping pong, and I find pickleball falls somewhere in the middle. My biggest challenge? Remembering not to give the ball my big tennis swing. Pickleball calls for a little more restraint and finesse.

Which got me thinking…what wine do you pair with pickleball?

Napa Cellars 2025 Sauvignon Blanc.

It’s a perfect match. Pun intended.

Sauvignon Blanc With a Pickleball Personality

Think about it this way: a racy, high-acid New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc feels more like tennis to me—fast, powerful, energetic and ready to charge the net.

The Napa Cellars Sauvignon Blanc is different. It still has that bright acidity Sauvignon Blanc is known for, but it doesn’t overpower you. There’s energy and freshness, but also restraint.

Kind of like the swing you need in pickleball.

This is a beautiful California Sauvignon Blanc—clean, fresh and bright, with a softer expression of acidity. There’s a wonderful briny, lemony quality running through the wine, accompanied by subtle hints of tropical fruit.

What I especially like is how the flavor carries through the entire mouthfeel. That fresh lemon and briny character doesn’t disappear after the first sip. The wine finishes much the way it begins—clean, bright and refreshing.

What’s for Dinner?

That lemony, slightly saline character immediately had me thinking about seafood. Oysters and clams would be fantastic with this wine. The wine’s acidity would brighten the shellfish while that briny note would make the pairing feel almost effortless.

But tonight, we’re pairing it with lemon basil pesto and broccoli rabe, and I think it’s going to be a great combination. The citrus in the wine should play beautifully with the lemon basil, while the acidity will help balance the slight bitterness of the broccoli rabe.

And after a few games of pickleball, dinner and a glass of Sauvignon Blanc sound pretty darn good.

Wine of the Week

Napa Cellars 2025 Sauvignon Blanc

In the glass: Bright, clean and refreshing with lemon, a touch of brininess, subtle tropical fruit and lively—but not overpowering—acidity.

Pair it with: Oysters, clams, seafood, lemon basil pesto, fresh herbs, vegetables—or apparently, pickleball.

Who knew wine and sports could be such a perfect match?

Wine of the Week: Château des Antonins Bordeaux Blanc 2023

With temperatures soaring last week, I started digging through the fridge looking for something crisp and refreshing. I came up with a 2023 Château des Antonins Bordeaux Blanc. We have to remember that Bordeaux isn't just about red wine.

Wait... Bordeaux makes white wine?

When most people hear Bordeaux, they immediately think of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.

But Bordeaux also produces some outstanding white wines that deserve far more attention than they receive.

Most dry White Bordeaux wines are blends of Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon, combining the bright citrus and freshness of Sauvignon Blanc with the richer texture and roundness of Sémillon. The result is a wine that's balanced, elegant, and incredibly food-friendly.

If you've tried New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc and found it a little too grassy, too herbal, to racy, or too intense, don't give up on Sauvignon Blanc altogether.

Instead, find a bottle of White Bordeaux.

In the Glass

The Château des Antonins Bordeaux Blanc 2023 is composed of 80% Sauvignon Blanc and 20% Sémillon, a classic Bordeaux Blanc blend.

The wine opens with fresh aromas of citrus and tropical fruit before leading into flavors of:

• Lemon zest
• Tropical fruit
• A hint of straw
• Beautiful minerality

Rather than being loud or aggressively citrus-driven, this wine is refined. The Sémillon softens Sauvignon Blanc's sharper edges, creating a wine that's refreshing without being overly racy.

On a hot summer afternoon, it absolutely hit the spot.

Food Pairings

This is one of those wines that seems to pair with just about everything.

I'd happily serve it with:

• Grilled shrimp
• Goat cheese
• Summer salads
• Grilled chicken with herbs
• Fresh seafood
• Lemon pasta
• Roasted vegetables
• Mild cheeses

It's also perfectly enjoyable all by itself while relaxing on the porch—which is exactly what I did. (We have a great front porch)

Final Thoughts

White Bordeaux may not receive the same attention as Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand but perhaps it should.

It offers freshness without overwhelming acidity, complexity without heaviness, and versatility that makes it one of summer's most underrated wines.

If you're looking to expand your wine horizons—or simply want something refreshing that isn't another glass of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc—pick up a bottle of White Bordeaux.

This bottle price was under $15. A steel!

Earth Day, Veramonte Winery, and the Power of Organic Grapes

Earth Day, celebrated annually on April 22nd, is dedicated to increasing awareness of our planet's environmental issues and promoting positive change. The event, first celebrated in 1970, has since become a global movement. Every year, people worldwide come together to participate in various activities, from planting trees and cleaning up litter to discussing climate change and advocating for sustainable living. One of the key areas where sustainable living can make a difference is in the production and consumption of our food and drink.

Earth Day is an important reminder that our actions directly impact the environment. Climate change, deforestation, pollution, and the depletion of natural resources are all problems that require our immediate attention. Earth Day provides a platform to raise awareness about these issues and motivate individuals, communities, and businesses to take action to pursue a greener, more sustainable future.

One area where we can make a difference is in our consumption habits, particularly in the food and drink industry. By supporting environmentally friendly and sustainable practices, we can help to reduce our carbon footprint and contribute to a healthier planet.

Veramonte Winery in Chile is an excellent example of an organization promoting sustainable and environmentally friendly practices. Veramonte Winery is a pioneer in sustainable and environmentally friendly winemaking practices in the Casablanca and Colchagua Valley of Chile. With a deep understanding of the need to preserve the environment for future generations, Veramonte Winery has focused on organic farming practices to cultivate their grapes. These practices promote biodiversity, protect the environment, and produce healthier, more flavorful wines.

Veramonte Winery's commitment to organic farming means that their vineyards are free from synthetic pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers. Instead, they utilize natural pest control methods, such as cover crops, insect predators, and organic compost to maintain healthy vineyards. This commitment to organic farming extends throughout the winery's production process, from planting and cultivation to harvesting and winemaking.

By using organic grapes, Veramonte Winery is able to reduce the environmental impact of their wine production while also preserving the natural characteristics of their terroir. The result is a range of high-quality, environmentally friendly wines that reflect the unique qualities of the Casablanca and Colchagua Valley.

Celebrating Earth Day with Veramonte Winery

As Earth Day approaches, it is essential to recognize and support businesses like Veramonte Winery committed to sustainable and environmentally friendly practices. By choosing wines made with organic grapes, we can celebrate Earth Day and contribute to the global effort to protect our planet. As we raise our glasses in a toast to Earth Day, remember that every small action, like choosing sustainable products, can make a significant difference in the world around us.

So this Earth Day, explore the diverse and flavorful world of organic wines from Veramonte Winery, and let's toast to a greener, more sustainable future! 

Veramonte Sauvignon Blanc 2022 Casablanca Valley $13.99 Sauvignon Blanc is harvested at night so it will maintain fresh and bright acidity. The 2022 vintage began great but took a while to ripen. It hung on the vines a bit longer than usual to reach its maximum aromatic potential and concentration of flavors we all know and love from this region. A beautiful spring and summer Sauvignon Blanc. Its fresh with juicy white grapefruit and a hint of lime and salinity with puckering acidity.

Veramonte Chardonnay 2022 Casablanca Valley $13.99  The Chardonnay grapes are harvested first thing in the morning and whole clustered pressed. Some of the wne is barrel fermented in neutral oak with wild yeasts, while the rest is put in stainless steel tanks. Thirty percent of the wine goes through spontaneous malolactic fermentation. Nice minerality and silky on the palate, hint of salinity with great expression of the grape.

Veramonte Pinot Noir 2020 Casablanca Valley $13.99 The Pinot Noir grapes are harvested at night. Fifteen percent goes through whole cluster maceration and fermentation to achieve greater structure. The grapes are fermented in small open tanks with native yeasts. With hot summer and less precipitation during the winter months led to an earlier harvest. The grapes had lower yields but were very expressive and aromatic. Aromas of vanilla, hint of ashtray and earth escape from the glass. On the palate nice strawberry, vanilla, hint of acidity, silky mouth feel and tannins. 

 

Summer Loving Bordeaux Blanc

We are into the dog days of summer and there is nothing like a great white to relax and cool off with. I know when you think of Bordeaux you think red wine, but did you known that there are 12 AOC’s in Bordeaux for dry white wines. Did you know that Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon are the two predominate white grapes of Bordeaux.

When you think of Sauvignon Blanc, Bordeaux Sauvignon Blanc is different. It’s classy, elegant and acidic, but not racy acidity that will leave you with grapefruit pith in your mouth. Bordeaux Blancs are blends and Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc that complement each other so well. Where you get a lot of citrus from Sauvignon Blanc, you get some stone fruit, apple and floral notes with Semillon that balances out the acidity in the wine.

Bordeaux Blanc is the perfect summer white. It’s easy drinking, refreshing, compliments many seafood and cheese dishes and the best is that many are priced about $15.

I had the opportunity to taste two Bordeaux Blancs which I totally enjoyed. If you see them at the wine shop, definitely reach for it.

2020 Chateau Ducasse Bordeaux Blanc - 13 ha planted in clay and limestone with an average vine age of 35 years. This is a blend of 70% Semillon and 30% Sauvignon Blanc. I will say the Sauvignon Blanc really shined through on this wine. Aromas of sweet red grapefruit, hay white flowers with a touch of minerality. The palate was soft and balanced with notes of red grapefruit, white peach, citrus, and pomelo with a hint of green grass on the finish. The wine says summer excitement.

2020 Chateau Suau Bordeaux Blanc Sec - Another great Bordeaux Blanc for the summer! This blend is 80% Sauvignon Blanc and 20% Semillon. Aromas of lemon, white flowers, white grapefruit with a hint of stone fruit. The palate is soft, elegant and easy drinking. Flavors of pineapple, white grapefruit, and citrus finish that leaves the acidity tingling on your tongue. This is a great pool, beach, boating and picnic wine.

Kiss the Ground and Wash it Down with Veramonte Wines - Happy Earth Day

Happy Earth Day! Today, we celebrate Earth and all the wonderful things the earth gives us. But, we take a lot from it. Do we ever think about giving back to earth, becoming more sustainable and ways we can protect our planet?

Veramonte Wines takes this task very seriously. Veramonte is located in Chile. Their vineyards in Casablanca is planted with their white and cool climate grapes, while the reds are planted in Colchagua.

All their vineyards are 100% organic. Their organic practices consist of the following:

• Quality Compost - they use their own compost to maximize the soil and promote balance and self-regulation of the ecosystem.
• Inter-Row Cultivation - To improve the structure and vitality of their soils, cover crops are planted in between rows. This minimizes erosion, improves soil structure and provides nutrients to the soil.
• Incorporation of Animals - Sheep and other animals act as natural fertilizer in addition, cut(eat) grass in the spring and aerate the soil (with their feet)
• Conservation of Biological Corridors - by preserving biodiversity ensures a self-regulating ecosystem, thus having healthy vines
• Pruning & Canopy Management - Ensure proper ventilation and the right amount of foliage to avoid diseases.
• Weed Control - They cultivate the land under the vines. This loosens the soil and generates structure for the vines and enhances the life and microfauna of the soil. The goal is to have healthier soils rich in micro-organisms.

Veramonte has partnered with the non-profit organization Kiss the Ground, which was created to focus its efforts on healthy soils and creating a symbiotic relationship with the earth. Their mission is to awaken people to the possibilities of regeneration.

With every purchase of Veramonte wines, they will contribute to Kiss the Ground and its mission.

Veramonte Wines is priced at $11.99

Veramonte Organic Sauvignon Blanc 2021 - An impressive Sauvignon Blanc with aromas of white grapefruit and lemon zest. The palate is soft with bright acidity and nuisances of white grapefruit, lemon and lime zest. A great summer white! (Found it at Total Wine for $7.99)

Veramonte Organic Chardonnay 2020 - Aged for eight months in oak, this Chardonnay is very easy drinking. Aromas show a hint of vanilla with honeydew melon pear and green apple. The palate is creamy with notes of pear, lemon and green apple.

Veramonte Organic Carmenere 2020 - Aged in French oak for eight months, the 2020 Carmenere is full of red and black fruit. The palate is smooth and balanced and has a nice even finish.

Winephabet Street Season 2 Episode 19 - S is for Sancerre

Welcome to Winephabet Street Season 2  Episode 29- S is for Sancerre.  Winephabet Street is a monthly series where Lori Budd of Draceana Wines and I work our way through the alphabet exploring wine and wine regions one letter at a time. The show is live on the third Monday at 8pm and is free, but you must register to attend. Put it on your calendar, pour yourself a glass of wine and hang out with us.

Sancerre is a wine region located in the central Loire Valley. It looks over the river Loire. It’s basically known Sauvignon Blanc, but Pinot Noir also grows there and they produce a Pinot Noir and a Sancerre Rose.

The Loire Valley is quite large and Sancerre is closer to Burgundy than it is the center of the valley. They were granted AOC status in 1936.

The soil of Sancerre is what brings the complexity and minerality to the Sauvignon Blanc. The freshness comes from the minerality not the acidity.

In my glass: Anthony & David Girard 2018 Sancerre Les Monts Damnes. What an elegant Sancerre it is. Remember Sancerre white wine is Sauvignon Blanc. These Sauvignon Blancs are sophisticated, put on the red stilettos and go out for the evening Sauvignon Blanc. A dinner party wine. Aromas of grapefruit, pear and tart green apple. The palate has a bit of an oily texture with notes of grapefruit, meyer lemon and honeysuckle.

Watch the webinar or listen to the podcast as Lori and I explore the region, the history, the wine and food pairings.

Webinar

1

Podcast

Celebrate Earth Day with Veramonte Organic Wines

As Earth Day approaches it’s time for us to recognize the importance of the earth and what it gives us every day. Growing up, I didn’t think of anything about my surroundings and the impact we have on it, but I did know, not to swim in the Hudson because of the PCBs. I didn’t fully understand the effects of pollution of all kinds until I was an adult.

Fast forward to last year when the pandemic hit. All of a sudden there wasn’t as much traffic and the air quality improved, the sky bluer and you could hear nature more clearly.

Now let’s think about our soil. Each layer of soil contributes nutrients to the grass, flowers and vegetables you grow. It is reflected in what you eat and the beauty of the landscape you look at each day. It is so important to watch what we put into our earth.

Growing grapes is hard and growing organic grapes even harder but many wineries are opting for organic methods. It is better for the environment and we have to take care of the environment, just like we care for our children.

In celebration of Earth Day I am celebrating with Veramonte and applaud them for what they are doing to save the environment. Veramonte is located in the Casablanca Valley of Chile. They follow organic and biodynamic practices to ensure the best conditions for their vines to develop. The vines truly reflect the soil they are grown in.

What are some of the characteristics of an organic vineyard? Well, the soil is healthy. Many times the animals and insects that occupied the soil before humans began messing with it return. As the vine develops it is aided by all the natural agents of the environment.

Veramonte banned the use of pesticides to protect and care for the ecosystem. By eliminating the use of chemical fertilizers and herbicides the earth is more nourished, the soil regenerates itself, is healthy and reflects the true terroir in the grapes and wine. They incorporated the use of animals in the vineyard. They fertilize the land, mow the grass and aerate the soil with their hooves as they walk through the vineyard.

Veramonte Organic Sauvignon Blanc 2020 SRP $11.99 - This wine says summer in your glass all the way. Light straw in color with aromas of lime zest and white citrus lead to a palate of juicy grapefruit and white peach

Veramonte Organic Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 $11.99 - This Cabernet spent 8 months in neutral oak. The wine really expresses the terroir it’s grown in. Slight balsamic notes on the nose with red and black fruit and a hint of vanilla. On the palate, the wine was smooth with mouth-watering tannins, a mix of red and black fruit and a touch of herbs.

Thank you to Donna White Communications and Gonzalez Byass for providing me with samples of this wine.

Le Blanc de Greysac 100% Bordeaux Sauvignon Blanc

When I think of a Bordeaux white wine I think of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon blend. Perhaps because I never had a straight Sauvignon Blanc from the region, as white wine produced in Bordeaux is usually a blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon.

Le Blanc de Greysac - 100% Bordeaux Sauvignon Blanc

Wait, there is a straight Sauvignon Blanc produced by Jean Guyon from Château Greysac - Le Blanc de Greysac. A very enjoyable Sauvignon Blanc! The grapes, hand selected by Jean Guyon, harvested during the night and fermented in stainless-steel tanks shows great expression of Sauvignon Blanc from the region.

Aromas of lemon, lime, wet stone with a hint of white grapefruit turns into a palate that is smooth and balanced with just enough acidity to make you smile. The soft white grapefruit and citrus flavors softly illuminate your mouth with a crispness to make you want another glass.

Very reasonably priced at $19.95 makes this Bordeaux White - 100% Sauvignon Blanc affordable for every day.

About Jean Guyon

Jean Guyon is an interior designer who has redecorated luxurious homes and palaces throughout the world. It was during a visit to Medoc that turned his passion for wine. He embarked on his winemaking journey to make nice wines for his friends. This has grown to Domaines Rollan de By where you will find his entire portfolio of wines from the Medoc region.

Jean Guyon’s mission: “In creating each of our wines, we want to offer the best interpretation of the quintessence of the Medoc, the singular expressions of four inseparable factors: our terroirs, our grape varieties, our environment and know-how.”

I think he did just that in his Sauvignon Blanc.

Down Under with Kathrin Jankowiec Winemaker at Villa Maria Wines

Villa Maria wines is a wine brand that stands out to me as representing New Zealand wines. I remember the first time I tasted their portfolio at a wine tasting in New York City a few years back. I was impressed. I was very happy that I got asked in October to be a part of an online tasting with Snooth and Kathrin Jankowiec the winemaker at Villa Maria. I learned a bit about the Marlborough region of New Zealand, a region I hate to admit, am not the familiar with.

About Kathrin

We all kind of get into this crazy wine industry by accident. But when we fall, we fall hard and love it! Kathrin has a similar story. She is from Germany and was a teacher there and never did she expect to be making wine in New Zealand. She really didn’t know anything about wine except that it was red and white. She took some time off her teaching job and decided to travel the world. When she got to New Zealand she had run out of money and need to work. This was just at the time of harvest. Wineries are always looking for help during the harvest. She managed to find a job at a small family owned winery. It was never her intent to continue in the industry but it was her A-HA moment. She stayed with the winery for a while and then came opportunity to join the winemaking team at Villa Maria. She couldn’t pass it up and she took it.

The Marlborough Region

If you look at New Zealand it is divided into two islands, North Island and the South Island. The Marlborough region is famous for their Sauvignon Blancs is located at the top of the south island. Just so you know when you head north, the weather gets warmer (unlike here when you head north the climate gets colder). The Marlborough region is surrounded by two large mountain ranges to the north and south that protect them from the rainy weather. It’s the sunniest part of New Zealand.

 "The Maori refer to the Wairau Valley as “Kei puta te Wairau” translation: whole in the sky. The clouds get stuck in the mountains and the sun shines in the valley."

There are three regions in the Marlborough area; Wairau Valley, Awatere Valley and Southern Valleys. In the summer they have warm days and cool nights. With this weather they get ripe fruit during the day, but the chilly nights allows the grapes to retain their acidity for the Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir. There is a range of soil types influenced by the river and glacier system.

About Villa Maria

Villa Maria was a one man show that began in 1961 when George Fistonich was 21 years old and purchased five acres from his father in Mangere Auckland. He began with an acre of vines. He made his first wine in 1962 with grapes he harvested from his one acre plot.

In the early 1970’s George began to hire a staff as the company began to expand. Today Villa Maria employs over 250 people, grows 28 different varieties of grapes and exports wine to over 60 countries.

The Wines

When I think of Villa Maria I think of Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir. To me they have always been a good house wine as they are fairly inexpensive and tasty. I never realized they had single vineyard wines, rose wines and a sparkling Sauvignon Blanc in a screw top bottle at that. My mind and palate has been opened.

2017 Villa Maria Bubbly - The goal of this wine is to capture the essence of New Zealand in the bottle. They want to keep the flavor profile forward and the fruit is sourced from a few of the wine regions because they didn’t want to to be a Marlborough aromatic fruit bomb. Nice hints of pale green in color. Crisp lemon and lime with white grapefruit. Slightly carbonated, light and refreshing. SRP$15

2017 Villa Maria Private Bin Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc - Fruit is sourced from all three sub regions in Marlboroug and each contribute different characteristics to the wine. Lots of acidity in this wine. A hint grassy with citrus, pineapple and passion fruit with grapefruit pith on the finish. SRP$14

2016 Villa Maria Taylors Pass Vineyard Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc - Taylors pass sits on the southern side of Marlborough. It’s a cold and windy valley with large mountains in the background that are always snow-capped. This wine has a much richer mouth feel. Subtle grapefruit, crisp acidity and lemon zest on the finish. This went very well with Chilean Sea Bass. SRP $26

2017 Villa Maria Hawkes Bay Private Bin Rose - This rose is predominantly Merlot from the north. Harvested at 21 brix the wine is light salmon in color. Lots of juicy plum, strawberry. As the wine warms up I found hints of Jolly Rancher strawberry. SRP $15

2016 Private Bin Marlborough Pinot Noir - The grapes for this wine come from the Wairau and Awatere Valley area. Light in color, notes of dark cherry, red currant and raspberry. SRP$18

2015 Taylors Pass Vineyard Marlborough Pinot Noir - This Pinot spent 14 months in a mix of 25% new French oak and 75% seasoned French oak. Soft acidity with floral and red fruit notes with hints of earth and strawberry compote lead to a touch of spice on the finish. Went nicely with lamb chops! SRP $42

Celebrating Sisters with Sisters Wine

Tis the season for celebration and being with friends and family. To celebrate each other, our relationships and look to a new year.

Sisters come in all forms. You have your biological sister (yes I have one, Donna) and you have your sisters from a different mother. They are your girlfriends that are there for you, that you share your intimate thoughts, ones that empower and support you. Sisters are there for you even if you don’t speak often because of our busy lives, but you pick up just like it was yesterday when you have the time to catch up.

The Sisters wine is a wine you should share with your sisters. It’s about celebrating all what you achieve and the girlfriends that support you and are there for you. The Sisters wine is for women like me and you that do extraordinary things every day. You might not think you are doing anything extraordinary, but you are trust me! I know I wouldn’t be where I am today without the love and support of my sisters, my friends who have been by my side, encouraging me, supporting me and being there for me.

Sisters Wine is a great wine to celebrate the sisters in your life this holiday season. Based in New Zealand all of the grapes for the wine are sourced from the Marlborough region.

The Sisters 2017 Sauvignon Blanc SRP $15.99 - This is a great Sauvignon Blanc to take on a picnic to the beach. Just like I did with my “sister” Jen. We both work hard all day and there is nothing like a walk down the street to the bay for a picnic and watch the sunset. The wine had beautiful notes of passion fruit, lemon grass and displayed flavors of lemongrass, citrus, orange rind with a hint of sweetness. The wine went fabulous with our shrimp and orzo salad and the sunset.

The Sisters Pinot Rose 2017 SRP $15.99 - $18.99 - This Rose I shared with my sister Donna. Small price to pay for a bed for a few nights. Spending quality time with her over a bottle of wine is precious sister time. Red raspberry and strawberry, soft on the palate with a slight hint of sweetness.

Side note: I really love the labels of this wine! It really expresses everything that us “sisters” go through. Work hard and play hard and celebrate with Sisters.

Wines of New Zealand: Framingham Wines

Built in 1997 and accredited as 100% sustainable by the Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand in 2009, Framingham Wines of Marlborough New Zealand produces Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Noir and Viognier.

Their vineyards were planted in 1981 and have amongst the oldest Riesling vines in the Marlborough region.

They are a boutique winery and craft small batch wines.  I had the opportunity to sample three of their wines at a recent Wines of New Zealand tasting.

2014 Framingham Sauvignon Blanc, Wairau Valley, Marlborough - 10% of this wine was fermented in oak barrels which tones down the acidic mouth feel.  Flavors of grapefruit, and passion fruit fill your palate.  Very nicely balanced and good mouth feel. SRP $19.99

2013 Framingham Classic Riesling, Marlborough - A nice balanced semi dry Riesling.  Layers of stone fruit, lemon and orange citrus. Slight hint of petrol.  This wine did spend 6 months in used French oak which created a softness on the palate.  SRP $24.99

2013 Framingham Pinot Noir Wairau Valley, Marlborough -  Aged 10 months in used French oak, this Pinot Noir showed dark red fruit throughout.  It had a little grassy minerality on the palate with hints of smoky oak that lead to a nice berry finish.  SRP $29.99

Summertime in a Glass

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For this podcast I am joined by Bryan Diaz of Summertime in a Glass.

Summertime in a Glass is an organization based around the Sauvignon Blanc grape. The Sauvignon Blanc grape is a classic varietal that has a lot going for it.  Summertime in a glass advocates for the grape. It wants to build a community around consumers and people in the wine industry as a place to learn and share ideas.  Their mission is to promote, educate and entertain the industry on Sauvignon Blanc.

 You can find Summertime in a Glass online at www.summertimeinaglass.org

 They are also very active on social media and you can find them on Facebook Twitter Pinterest YouTube Instagram Google+

 Enjoy the podcast!
(If you have a problem playing the podcast, visit UncorkYourMind.com )
 

Sauvignon Blanc Day and Prom

Last Thursday was a big day in the Gioquindo household.  It was Melanie's Senior Prom and national Sauvignon Blanc day.  (and it was 100 degrees outside with 100% humidity) After I got the Greek Goddess off to her prom I had my wine night ladies over for a blind tasting of 5 Sauvignon Blancs from different regions of the world.  Joining us was Kathy's daughter who recently graduated from college with a degree in Art History. (there is a reason why I am telling you this, which you will see in the video).

I brown bagged the wine and since it had cooled off we sat outside. Each person was given a sheet of paper that was labeled 1-5 and each number you had to circle what region you thought the wine was from.  The regions being Chile, California, France and New Zealand.  There was also room for tasting notes.  Here's what was said about the wines


Wine # 1  Aroma: crisp, sweet, fruity, citrus, grassy, lemon, green apple
                Taste: acidic, light, bright,fruity,crisp, lemon peel, citrus
Wine #2   Aroma: mild, woody, earthy, floral, gooseberry, lime, soft,
               Taste: grassy, lite, peppery, very fruity, dry aftertaste, not as acidic, soft grapefruit, well balanced.
               green apple, aggressive, rich, velvety, smooth
Wine #3  Aroma: flowery, spicy, vanilla, grassy,spice,
               Taste: bitter, after taste, boring, no flavor jumps out, weak, mild, spicy, peppery
Wine #4  Aroma: fruity, honey,port, flowery, orange
               Taste: lavender, strong after taste, almondy, lime zest, flavored water, honey, mild
Wine #5 Aroma: citrus, crisp, grapefruit, tangerine, floral, fruity
              Taste: orange, after taste is bitter, citrus, grapefruit,melon, full bodied, fruity, mellow


It's pretty amazing how six people taste and don't always smell and taste the same. None of us got all the regions correct.  I think the highest number of correct guesses was 3.


The wines tasted were:
Morro Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2009                               California (#4)

Goldwater Sauvignon Blanc 2010                                New Zealand (#2)

Los Vascos Sauvignon Blanc 2011                              Chile (#1)

Jaja Sauvignon Blanc 2010                                          France (#3)

La Petite Perriere 2011                                                France (#5)

Here's a video of our evening.  Note Sarah's explanation of the "Fluxxus" movement.  If it wasn't for here none of us would know what that was.  Sorry it got pretty dark out during our tasting.





*Disclaimer: I received these wines as a sample from Pasternak Imports

Wines of Chile - Natura

I am blessed to have wonderful friends and to share great wine with them. As part of a tasting trial I was sent a bottle of 2008 Natura, Sauvignon Blanc form Valle Casablanca Chile. This wine is also organic.

No one better to test a Sauvignon that to share it with Ann, the Sauvignon Blanc Queen.

I thought this wine was wonderful. Very crisp smell and soft acid. On the palate it was lemony, sweet and sour.

We had this with jerk chicken and Salmon and it went very well. In fact, it subdued the sweet and sour of the lemon and smoothed it out.

Oops..the Secreto of the Cheeky little white with a Spicy Splendor

The title sounds like a good soap to watch. But all those phrases are names of wines I recently tasted. Mistakes and Secrets. The story of someones life wrapped up in a couple of wine bottles. In the Hudson Valley?

Oops...the wrong wine showed on the table, or so I thought. Did someone make a mistake and thought it would be funny to label their wine oops? Would you purchase a wine called oops. Well, oops ended up in my wine cellar. I brought it over to friends house for dinner and they were questioning my selection. oops? That's a winemakers mistake. Or maybe NOT.

We opened the Spicy Splendor Carmenere 2007 and what a spicy wine it is. Before we let it breath, we all took a sip. WOW! What serious black pepper! The spice on the finish illuminates the sides of you tongue like wild fire. Hence, the Carmenere grape is known for the black pepper, and this is 100% Carmenere. It will definetly light a fire under your seat.

As we let this wine open the hints of plum started to appear. The spice on the nose begins to disappear to a more earthy aroma. The wine does get softer as it breathes. I would recommend decanting this wine before drinking it. As it breathes spice is still there,but not as strong and the plum and coffee flavors come out.

The oops 2007 Spicy Splendor retails for about $12. It's orgin is the Central Valley in Chile.

oops Spicy Splendor has a sister..yup oops Cheeky little white also from the Central Valley of Chile. Obnoxious as can be, Cheey little white is a blend of 85% Sauvignon Blanc and 15% of Carmenere. I was quite surprised to see the Carmenere in this blend. The color is vey pale. On the nose I smelled a blend of pink grapefruit and lime. Those are the flavors that stood out as I tasted. I enjoyed this wine, there wasn't a lot of acid causing me to pucker with a grapefruit finish. The wine was smooth with just the right amount of acidity. Was very enjoyable, especially on a nice spring day on the deck.

oops Cheeky little white retails for about $12.

Now the secret is out. 2008 Viu Manent Secreto Sauvignon Blanc. Nice sexy seductive label. This Sauvignon Blanc is 85% Sauvignon Blanc and 15% other. This is from the Casablanca Valley region of Chile.

On the nose there was melon. Slightly minerally, it showed a lingering of grapefruit. On the finish, the grapefruit was subtle which gave the wine a nice smooth finish. This was a very nice Sauvignon Blanc. It would pair very well with Scallops. It sells for approximately $14.

I am really liking these Chilean Sauvignon Blancs!

Don't judge a wine by it's label. The label doesn't have to be sophisticated to be good.

Disclaimer: I receive these wines as a sample from the folks at Wines of Chile. Did you know that Chile is the forth largest importer of table wines.

Wines and Restaurants

Friday evening we went out for dinner at Hotel Madeline in Tivoli. One thing I like about eating out is trying different wines.

We arrived early and had a glass before our friends arrived. I tried a 2005 Sauvignon Blanc called Indaba from South Africa. This was very good, but not as crisp as the New Zealands I like. It had soft citrus flavors with a slight taste of lemon on the side of your tongue. My husband had a glass of 2006 Altos Malbec from Mendoza. This was earthy with smoke on the finish.

The wine list at the restaurant reflected wines from all parts of the world. When you are out at a restaurant, it's always fun to taste wines you normally don't see. People tend to stick to what they know, XYZ winery from Napa etc.. but when you are out, it's a great opportunity to experiment and taste different wines from different regions of the world.

Next time you are out at a restaurant and they have a nice wine list, try something different from a region of the world you haven't tried.