Often, a rosé sparkler commands a premium over the equivalent non-rosé fizz in a producer’s range. That might initially seem hard to justify, but the reason appears to be that it’s a more expensive process.
So why not pair it with more sophisticated dishes?
Vintage rosé champagnes are often served with red meat at gastronomic dinners — they make a great show-off pairing with raw beef dishes like steak tartare and carpaccio or with rare veal or lamb, not to mention a spectacular all-pink colour combination with grilled lobster.
This weekend we tried it with veal marsala and veal parmigiana. Rather unusual and new pairing for us, but we definitely will consider it more often in the future.
Wine Swinging Ideas
So why not pair it with more sophisticated dishes?
Vintage rosé champagnes are often served with red meat at gastronomic dinners — they make a great show-off pairing with raw beef dishes like steak tartare and carpaccio or with rare veal or lamb, not to mention a spectacular all-pink colour combination with grilled lobster.
This weekend we tried it with veal marsala and veal parmigiana. Rather unusual and new pairing for us, but we definitely will consider it more often in the future.
Wine Swinging Ideas
What are your expectations for Napa Cab? We expect a robust, full-bodied, fruit-forward red wine. After tasting the 2021 Clos de Napa Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon, that's precisely what we experienced.
This alluring wine from the prestigious Oakville AVA in Napa Valley presents a rich tapestry of flavors. It is perfectly polished with a firm, concentrated core, showcasing blueberry and mocha aromas, a soft entry, and assertive tannins.
Whether roast beef and provolone panini (our pairing), fillet mignon, lamb chops, or duck breast, the 2021 Clos de Napa Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon is a versatile companion. It's a wine that will only get better with time, so if you have a few bottles, stack them up and taste periodically to observe how it evolves.
Have you had a chance to taste it yet or other Oakville Cabs? What are your favorite Napa wines?
#cabernetsauvignon
This alluring wine from the prestigious Oakville AVA in Napa Valley presents a rich tapestry of flavors. It is perfectly polished with a firm, concentrated core, showcasing blueberry and mocha aromas, a soft entry, and assertive tannins.
Whether roast beef and provolone panini (our pairing), fillet mignon, lamb chops, or duck breast, the 2021 Clos de Napa Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon is a versatile companion. It's a wine that will only get better with time, so if you have a few bottles, stack them up and taste periodically to observe how it evolves.
Have you had a chance to taste it yet or other Oakville Cabs? What are your favorite Napa wines?
#cabernetsauvignon
When sauvignon blanc is almost ready to pick we want to taste the best examples of it!
We definitely reccomend tasting Terroir Silex Sancerre 2020 by GÈRARD FIOU!
This type of sauvignon blanc comes from old sauvignon vines planted on the famous flirty hillsides of Saint-Satur. It was made in temperature controlled stainless steel vats on lees which are regularly put back into suspension by stirring for over 6 months.
Domaine Gerard Fiou Sancerre Blanc 2020 is a complex and aromatic wine with a captivating blend of scents. It offers an enticing aroma of passionfruit, delicate floral notes, grapefruit oil, a hint of shaved pencil, Pamplemousse liquor, lemon verbena, and a mineral essence reminiscent of schist. The flavors are equally delightful, featuring a bright mix of lemon, grapefruit, Meyer lemon, and orange, all underscored by a refreshing wet stone quality. The wine's texture is full-bodied and almost has an oil-like richness, adding to its luxurious appeal.
#sauvignonblanc
We definitely reccomend tasting Terroir Silex Sancerre 2020 by GÈRARD FIOU!
This type of sauvignon blanc comes from old sauvignon vines planted on the famous flirty hillsides of Saint-Satur. It was made in temperature controlled stainless steel vats on lees which are regularly put back into suspension by stirring for over 6 months.
Domaine Gerard Fiou Sancerre Blanc 2020 is a complex and aromatic wine with a captivating blend of scents. It offers an enticing aroma of passionfruit, delicate floral notes, grapefruit oil, a hint of shaved pencil, Pamplemousse liquor, lemon verbena, and a mineral essence reminiscent of schist. The flavors are equally delightful, featuring a bright mix of lemon, grapefruit, Meyer lemon, and orange, all underscored by a refreshing wet stone quality. The wine's texture is full-bodied and almost has an oil-like richness, adding to its luxurious appeal.
#sauvignonblanc
How to start a warm and sunny September weekend the right way?
Sparkling always helps!
We chose Crémant du Jura, Tissot (Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Poulsard, and Trousseau)
The Brut Lapiaz symbolizes the rough and rustic climate of Jura which gives our Crémant of Jura its unique style.
Bénédicte and Stéphane Tissot are a winemaking couple based out of Arbois in the Jura region. They favor natural wines as opposed to industrial ones, and wines that show off nature’s gifts versus winemaking.
Deep, effervescent gold with a fine bead is just a pleasure to look at. A nose of yellow, white flowers, pear skin and fine lees invite tasting, opening to a full experience of tangy light orchard fruit, pollen dust, honey and white pepper on the dry, full palate.
We paired it with pork meat dishes and it totally worked out for us!
Sparkling always helps!
We chose Crémant du Jura, Tissot (Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Poulsard, and Trousseau)
The Brut Lapiaz symbolizes the rough and rustic climate of Jura which gives our Crémant of Jura its unique style.
Bénédicte and Stéphane Tissot are a winemaking couple based out of Arbois in the Jura region. They favor natural wines as opposed to industrial ones, and wines that show off nature’s gifts versus winemaking.
Deep, effervescent gold with a fine bead is just a pleasure to look at. A nose of yellow, white flowers, pear skin and fine lees invite tasting, opening to a full experience of tangy light orchard fruit, pollen dust, honey and white pepper on the dry, full palate.
We paired it with pork meat dishes and it totally worked out for us!
What can 22 to 40 year old vines can deliver? Together with a talented winemaker, an outstanding wine like Terrassen Gruner Veltliner 2018 by Rudi Pichler.
There was a slight frizzante feel when we started tasting it, but soon we were carried away by the super elegant mouthful with a long finish.
On a nose, it impressed us with a lovely citrus blossom notes, green pear, grapefruit, grass, kamquat and a hint of plastic.
On a palate, it continued with lemon, white grapefruit, almond and wet stone.
We kept this bottle for a couple of years to see if gruner can become more than we are used to , and we are glad we tried.
Typically, Gruners are light, and we always try to pair them with fish that is not overly spiced. It really helps the wine to shine without much food distractions.
We feel like this gruner is a prize for the most focused wine taster. It is also the best one we tasted this year.
#grunerveltliner
There was a slight frizzante feel when we started tasting it, but soon we were carried away by the super elegant mouthful with a long finish.
On a nose, it impressed us with a lovely citrus blossom notes, green pear, grapefruit, grass, kamquat and a hint of plastic.
On a palate, it continued with lemon, white grapefruit, almond and wet stone.
We kept this bottle for a couple of years to see if gruner can become more than we are used to , and we are glad we tried.
Typically, Gruners are light, and we always try to pair them with fish that is not overly spiced. It really helps the wine to shine without much food distractions.
We feel like this gruner is a prize for the most focused wine taster. It is also the best one we tasted this year.
#grunerveltliner
It's been awhile since we tasted Solena pinot noir. This one was rather light body, but we recognized the fruity and aromatic profile. Maybe a little more oak than we expected. One of our friends was asking for more while she stated she never liked pinot noir... until now 😉
#pinotnoir
Wine Swinging
#pinotnoir
Wine Swinging
In 2012, winemakers in Oregon's Willamette Valley faced challenging weather conditions, but Archery Summit's winemaker expertise shone through in crafting two standout Pinot Noirs.
For an average vintage, most recommend drinking Willamette Valley's Pinots upon release and aging them for five to eight years at most.
We took a gamble on the 2012 Archery Summit Pinot Noirs to mature them for over a decade, which paid off more than expected!
The Archer's Edge and Renegade Ridge wines were lively, fresh, and filled with red fruit and earthy notes, making them a must-try for wine enthusiasts... For more details on these wines, visit our website.
For an average vintage, most recommend drinking Willamette Valley's Pinots upon release and aging them for five to eight years at most.
We took a gamble on the 2012 Archery Summit Pinot Noirs to mature them for over a decade, which paid off more than expected!
The Archer's Edge and Renegade Ridge wines were lively, fresh, and filled with red fruit and earthy notes, making them a must-try for wine enthusiasts... For more details on these wines, visit our website.
We discovered bubbles that are rare even in the Champagne region of France. It's the 2017 Late Disgorged Brut from Domaine Carneros. This sparkling wine stands out because it ages in the bottle for a whopping six years, which is way beyond the minimum three years required for vintage labeling in Champagne.
The aging process on the lees gives it some incredible depth and those delicious brioche and biscuit notes. The blend is 52% Pinot Noir and 48% Chardonnay, creating a beautiful flavor balance. You'll pick up on hints of dried apricot, toasted almond, lime, and freshly baked bread when you smell it. It's such a harmonious combination!
When you taste it, expect a luscious experience with poached pear, honeydew melon, and even a bit of apple pie. There are some spicy ginger notes too, with a tangy finish reminiscent of tarte au citron—it's heavenly!
This wine would be perfect with king crab or clam linguine, but it would pair beautifully with hard cheeses like Gruyere or Jarlsberg.
The aging process on the lees gives it some incredible depth and those delicious brioche and biscuit notes. The blend is 52% Pinot Noir and 48% Chardonnay, creating a beautiful flavor balance. You'll pick up on hints of dried apricot, toasted almond, lime, and freshly baked bread when you smell it. It's such a harmonious combination!
When you taste it, expect a luscious experience with poached pear, honeydew melon, and even a bit of apple pie. There are some spicy ginger notes too, with a tangy finish reminiscent of tarte au citron—it's heavenly!
This wine would be perfect with king crab or clam linguine, but it would pair beautifully with hard cheeses like Gruyere or Jarlsberg.
2019 Forstmeister Geltz-Zilliken Saarburger Rausch Riesling Kabinett
The 2019 Forstmeister Geltz-Zilliken Saarburger Rausch Riesling Kabinett is a fantastic wine worth checking out. It's made from grapes grown right in the heart of the Saar district (Mosel), and the unique soil—Devonian slate and diabase—gives it an interesting flavor profile. The grapes are all hand-picked, which adds to the quality, and the wine is aged in neutral Fuder barrels, keeping its character intact.
When you take a sip, you will notice its lively fruitiness balanced with a pleasant acidity and a touch of sharpness. It offers bright grapefruit and citrus aromas, and the flavor has lingering notes of bitter orange and kumquat. The wine is creamy and very succulent, making it a pleasurable experience. With an alcohol content of 8.5% and a sweet touch of residual sugar, it works great with dishes like Asian curries, light cheeses, and, if you feel adventurous, Berliner Leber, calf's liver in Berlin style with apples and onion.
The 2019 Forstmeister Geltz-Zilliken Saarburger Rausch Riesling Kabinett is a fantastic wine worth checking out. It's made from grapes grown right in the heart of the Saar district (Mosel), and the unique soil—Devonian slate and diabase—gives it an interesting flavor profile. The grapes are all hand-picked, which adds to the quality, and the wine is aged in neutral Fuder barrels, keeping its character intact.
When you take a sip, you will notice its lively fruitiness balanced with a pleasant acidity and a touch of sharpness. It offers bright grapefruit and citrus aromas, and the flavor has lingering notes of bitter orange and kumquat. The wine is creamy and very succulent, making it a pleasurable experience. With an alcohol content of 8.5% and a sweet touch of residual sugar, it works great with dishes like Asian curries, light cheeses, and, if you feel adventurous, Berliner Leber, calf's liver in Berlin style with apples and onion.
The Game of Thrones is on, folks! It's November 5, 2024, and it's time for Americans to choose their next president. No matter how we feel about it, what happens in the States never stays in the States! 😉
To celebrate the occasion, we thought it would be fun to choose a wine from a country that used to be a Kingdom and still has a King today. Plus, we wanted to keep it neutral so that both candidates could feel great about celebrating with it. There are a few countries that fit the bill!
Introducing Bermejo Malvasía Volcánica Brut Nature, an extraordinary sparkling wine from Lanzarote, known as the toughest of the Canary Islands for wine-making.
From the very first sip, you'll be greeted with delightful aromas and flavors of baked apple, pear, lemon tart, vanilla, toffee, pie crust, and a touch of chalky minerality. It's creamy, full-bodied, and has a zesty refreshing acidity, with just a hint of saltiness. The finish? It lingers on with delightful notes of pear-lemon candy.
To celebrate the occasion, we thought it would be fun to choose a wine from a country that used to be a Kingdom and still has a King today. Plus, we wanted to keep it neutral so that both candidates could feel great about celebrating with it. There are a few countries that fit the bill!
Introducing Bermejo Malvasía Volcánica Brut Nature, an extraordinary sparkling wine from Lanzarote, known as the toughest of the Canary Islands for wine-making.
From the very first sip, you'll be greeted with delightful aromas and flavors of baked apple, pear, lemon tart, vanilla, toffee, pie crust, and a touch of chalky minerality. It's creamy, full-bodied, and has a zesty refreshing acidity, with just a hint of saltiness. The finish? It lingers on with delightful notes of pear-lemon candy.