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 Bel Giorno! Yesterday I began my review of the Kobrand Tour d’Italia 2015 eight-city tour of Italy. We explored some wonderful vineyards and tasted interesting wines. I now have three more stops to make.  I made my way to Veneto, where Tony Apostolakos, the U.S. Director of Masi Agricola was waiting to guide me through a tasting of Amarone. It is interesting to note that Sandro Boscaini, the owner of Masi, is referred to as “ Mr. Amarone” due to the unique crafting of his wines. He uses the appassimento method to concentrate aromas and flavors in wine. The Appaxximento symbol can be found on his labels guaranteeing the authenticity and quality of Masi Wine. I’ll highlight a few of the wines I tasted. The 2011 Costasera Amarone was full-bodied with cherry, plum and spices. The 2008 Vaio Armaron Amarone, aged in cherry wood casks for four months, was amazing. The aroma and flavor of cherries, spices and fruit lingered on the palate. Before I departed I was treated to a taste of 1999 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico. It had a beautiful bouquet of fruit and earth, with dark fruit and spice on the palate. http://www.masi.it  The next stop was Piedmont to visit Michele Chiarlo, a family owned and run winery. Their grape varieties are Moscato, Barbera, Nebbiolo and Cortese. It is interesting to note that the wines are never blended. I tried a 2011 Reyna, Barbaresco, 100% Nebbiolo. It was flowing with dark fruit, spice and licorice. The 2007 Cannubi Barolo, also 100% Nebbiolo was full-bodied with notes of licorice, spice and firm tannins. Although I didn’t have a chance to taste the light sparkling wine Nivole, Moscato d’Asti, 100% Moscato, I was told the wine is so delicate that, Michele Chiarlo named it Nivole after the Piedmontese word for clouds. http://www.michelechiarlo.it/ My final destination was back in Tuscany with Ambrogio E Giovanni Folonari. The Folonari family began their wine making in the 1700’s and are considered among Tuscany’s top winemakers. Their portfolio is vast and with the array of bottles set before me, I knew that I didn’t have time to sample them all. So I asked Claudio Andreani to guide me through a few of the wines. We started with the 2010 Tenuta La Fuga Brunello di Montalcino. It was full-bodied and robust with dark berry and tobacco. The 2012 Tenute del Cabreo Il Borgo was smooth and earthy. Tannins were a bit chewy. Next was Tenuta di Nozzole Chianti Classico Riserva, 100% Sangiovese. Aged for 16 months in Slavonian oak vats, the wine was earthy with firm tannins. My last taste was a 1997 Tenuta Campo al Mare, Rosso, Bolgheri. This wonderful Bordeaux-style blend was rich in flavor. Dark fruit, licorice and a long smooth finish completed my day of tasting. http://tenutefolonari.com
Have a great Friday! Cheers! Penina  The days are flying by and I can’t believe that we are already approaching mid September. I am not ready to give up summer!  I must admit though that I am looking forward to making soups and breads to enjoy on those crisp autumn nights. In fact, I’m planning on making a large vat of soup this week to store in the freezer. I’ve saved up small freezer friendly containers so that I can heat up a few servings at a time.  Over this past weekend, I attended a small dinner party with a “fall” menu, including a very good 2009 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Mercer Estates, Columbia Valley, WA. The blend was 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, 2% Malbec, 1% Petit Verdot and 1% Syrah. It was aged in French and American oak barrels for 28 months. The wine was full bodied with aromas of blackberry, cherry, pepper and clove. The palate was layered with dark fruit, blueberry, cherry, pepper, anise and spices that led to a long velvety finish. http://mercerwine.com. I may not be ready to give up summer yet, but I am ready to embrace some hearty red wines! Have a peaceful Sunday. And, if you’re celebrating the Jewish New Year, then “L ‘Shana Tova”.
Cheers! Penny  The skies have finally opened up and rain is pouring down onto the parched earth. The trees and plants are smiling with relief! And I am happy that my rain dance worked!  For the last few days, my time has been divided between appointments and socializing sweet Mabel, the little puppy from Puppies Behind Bars program. www.puppiesbehindbars.com. As busy as my schedule has been, I did manage to take a little “me” time to taste a lovely wine with a friend the other evening. It was an extremely hot and humid night, so we were both craving a cold and crisp wine.  We chose 2014 Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough, New Zealand. It was light and crisp, but impressive. It had intense aromas of grapefruit, lemon, tropical fruit and fennel. The palate offered ripe citrus, herbs, stone fruit and a wonderful chalky minerality. It was a very refreshing wine with a long finish. http://www.cloudybay.co.nz Much to do before the day ends.
Have a great Thursday! Cheers! Penina  Labor Day is over, kids are back in school and the “fashionistas” are already promoting winter wear. However, I am optimistically looking forward to an Indian summer. I still have many wines to taste while enjoying the sunsets from my deck.  The other evening the temperature had dropped into the low 60’s and my friend was in the mood for red wine. We opened a 2005 Kuleto Estate Zinfandel from Napa Valley. The color was dark ruby with a tinge of purple. It had dark berry, cedar and plum on the nose. The palate offered blackberry, anise, pepper and spice. Tannins were a bit chewy with a medium finish of jam flavors. Alcohol 15.2% The wine paired well with the mussel and shrimp stew. http://www.kuletoestate.com Wishing you a blissful Tuesday!
Cheers! Penina  It’s already Thursday and I’m still trying to catch up with everything. It’s a juggling act at best!  On “Day 80”, September 6th, 2014, I posted a quick review of 1988 Chateau Coufran Haut – Médoc. I remember how impressed we were that it had held up so well throughout the years considering it was not stored under the most ideal conditions. When my friend came over for dinner on Tuesday evening, he asked if we might open my last bottle of 1988 Chateau Coufran Haut - Médoc. And so, a year later, as we swirled and sipped, we were again awed as to how well this wine stood the test of time! It was better than the first bottle.  The cork was solid and came out with ease. It was decanted, with no visible sediment, which is unusual for a wine of this age. The color was dark brick red with aromas of cherry and dark berries. The wine was soft and uncomplicated with gentle flavors of cherry, pomegranate, a hint of spice and licorice. As the wine continued to open up over the course of the evening, the fruit became a bit bolder on the palate. The finish was medium. It was an exceptional wine for its age. http://www.chateau-coufran.com The 76 hectare vineyard is situated on the Left Bank close to St. Estephe. The vineyard, which dates back to the mid 1700’s, was originally planted with Cabernet Sauvignon. The Miaihe family purchased the property in 1924 and in the early 1930’s they ended up ripping out most of the Cabernet vines and planting 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet grapes in the vineyards. This is quite unique for the Haut - Médoc. I would love to taste their more recent vintages as a comparison to the 1988 bottle. Have a great Thursday!
Cheers! Penina  The past few days have been extremely busy and quite productive. So, I was grateful to spend a few low-key evenings relaxing with friends. I need to get caught up, so let me back track a few days.  An early evening swim on Sunday was followed by dinner with a friend. The “supermoon” was still full and magnificent as we dined al fresco on lobster salad and a bottle of 2010 Brokenwood Semillon from Hunter Valley, Australia. When one thinks of Semillon, we usually associate it with France because it is the major white grape in the Bordeaux region and the 3rd most planted grape in France. However, it has taken a stronghold in many other parts of the world including Australia. Semillon has been compared to Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay, depending on where it is grown.  The Brokenwood Semillon we tasted was an interesting color of pale straw with a green hue. It had wonderful aromas of citrus, green apple and honeydew. On the palate there was an initial sweetness that segued into green apples, lime and a hint of pear. The wine was full of character with a long crisp finish and reminiscent of Sauvignon Blanc. http://www.brokenwood.com.au When I have more time, I’ll discuss the major role that Semillon plays in the world of Sauternes, especially my favorite Château d'Yquem!
Tomorrow’s post will be about an incredible 1988 vintage wine I had last night. Happy Wednesday! Cheers! Penina Tuesday seemed to fly by without any work drama or otherwise for a change. The weather was nice and I was really looking forward to getting together with friends.  The evening began at my home with an aperitif of 2014 Mussel Bay Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough, NZ. The color was pale gold with aromas of tropical fruit, citrus and grass. The wine was medium bodied and had a slight effervescence to it. The palate offered an interesting range of tropical fruit with grapefruit and herbs lingering on the finish. This is a nice summer “go to” wine and decently priced.  As the sun began to set, we continued on to a friend’s home where we dined and wined. I love these progressive “food and wine” evenings. We drank 2013 La Crema Chardonnay from the Russian River Valley. I guess my host had a few bottles left over from the boat ride we went on a few weeks ago. This is my review from 7/19/15: “It was a beautiful straw color with a nose full of apple, citrus and oak. The palate was layered with pear, apple, toasted nuts, honey and citrus. It was full-bodied and well balanced. The finish was long and smooth. The wine was barrel aged for nine months and alcohol was 14.5%.” http://www.lacrema.com The wine paired beautifully with grilled salmon, corn and tomatoes.  I’m going to spend some time later today selecting two of my knitted art wear designs for an upcoming Art Show in early October. In a perfect world, I would have made something just for the show, but I have been inattentive to my knitting needles this summer.  There is a full moon tonight and the skies will be clear for viewing!
Happy Wednesday! Cheers! Penina  Wednesday turned out to be a day and evening full of surprises, not all good, but manageable. At times, I felt as though I was navigating an unwieldy car through hairpin turns with no brakes! I went from the shock of losing a friend and saying good-bye to a chapter in my life to gaining insight and embracing the new paths ahead…and so the day unfolded.  However, it all ended in a magical sunset sail with good friends! Wine and dinner overlooking the harbor was beyond perfection.  We drank 2012 Chardonnay, Hess Collection Napa Valley. The color was light straw with lovely aromas of citrus, apple and pear. The palate offered green apple, citrus, pineapple and a hint of oak with nice acidity. It was a medium finish at best. http://www.hesscollection.com
And now, on with the day! Have a great Thursday! Cheers! Penina The weekend was filled with social and work obligations. So I am remiss in not posting anything for a few days. I need to catch up on reviews and some fun moments, but not today.  Well…I will give you a quick review on a wine I had the other evening. It was a 2013 Palazzone Terre Vinate Orvieto Classico. This Orvieto blend comes from a small estate in Umbria. The blend is 50% Procanico, 20% Grechetto, 30% Verdello, Malvasia & Drupeggio. It was a perfect sunset drink before dinner. The wine was pale gold with fruit and flowers on the nose. On the palate it was dry but refreshing with hints of nuts and peaches. It definitely had a “bite” to it, but the finish was delightful with floral and pear lingering. http://www.palazzone.com  I have much to do as I’m hosting a little get together this evening. I have shopping to do and food to prepare. However, the wine and vodka are already chilling! Happy Monday
Cheers! Penina  As predicted, another rainstorm came through towards the end of Tuesday. Fortunately, I had already finished grilling the vegetables. After the storm passed, the sun finally came out to give us a beautiful and dry evening.  I wrapped up the grilled veggies and drove to my friend’s house for a relaxed evening of good food, wine and laughter. We ate baked salmon en papillote, grilled vegetables and roasted potatoes.  The wine was a 2013 Liquid Farm White Hill Chardonnay. This wine comes from the ancient terroir of Sta. Rita Hills, located on the Central Coast of CA. Although the wine is named for it’s “Chablis-like characteristics”, it should not be confused with Chablis. This is all chardonnay! The color was soft gold with a nose full of citrus, earth and flowers. The palate was multi-layered with lemon, grapefruit, stone fruit, honeysuckle and a hint of nuttiness. This was a well-balanced wine with a long finish. www.liquidfarm.com  My “vodka guy” made a delivery today! Hooray…the freezer is stocked again. And, I’m looking forward to an end of the day swim and cocktail! Happy Wednesday
Cheers! Penina |
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