Tenuta Rapitalà Nadir Syrah Sicilia DOC 2012 ($16) Full-bodied, fruit-forward, and spicy with a subtle hint of vanilla, this gorgeous Sicilian red wine is a beautiful choice for your holiday meals. Made from 100% Syrah grapes, this bold but balanced wine hits all the right notes and will pair brilliantly with roasts and red meat. A great gift for the wine lovers on your list.
Cavicchioli 1928 Spumante NV ($14) A sassy sparkler with notes of peach, honey, and sweet flowers; this aromatic Italian white wine from the Emilia Romagna region is just fun to sip. Produced from 100% Malvasia grapes, this vino is a great match with light appetizers and fish-based dishes. And, how pretty is that bottle?
The marvelous Maille Mustard Sommelier, Pierette Huttner image courtesy of Maille
Living in New York City, I often meet people with unique jobs but only Pierette Huttner can proclaim herself the Maille Mustard Sommelier. Founded in France in 1747, Maille is famous for creating the finest Dijon and wholegrain mustards. Finally, Maille has opened their first boutique in the United States on Manhattan's Upper West Side (185 Columbus Avenue, 68th Street) and Pierette is the ambassador to this flavorful world. In quintessential French fashion, Maille elevates mustard to an art form. I experienced the Maille magic first-hand when I visited their boutique in Paris, so I am thrilled that Maille has arrived in NYC.
The Maille Boutique in NYC is elegant and well-stocked. And, you can taste all of the flavors at the Mustard Bar! image courtesy of Maille
Maille flavored mustards are $9 for a 3.8 oz. jar and $14 for 7.58 oz. image courtesy of Maille
The Maille Boutique in NYC offers more than 20 mustard variations; in addition to oils, vinegars, and cornichons. Combining Dijon mustard with a surprising array of flavors like Parmesan & Basil, Apricot & Curry, and Walnut; Maille mustards aren't just for sandwiches. They can be used to easily add complexity and flavor to sauces, marinades, meats, pastas, veggies, and more. For example, Pierette suggests adding Maille White Wine Mustard with Sun Dried Tomato and Espelette Chili Pepper to scrambled eggs for a bit of Southwestern inspired kick. One of my Maille favorites is their Mustard with Honey and Balsamic Vinegar - mix it with olive oil for an easy & elegant vinaigrette!
Maille Mustard on Tap with the refillable ceramic jar ranges in price from $25 to $99. image courtesy of Maille
The NYC boutique also showcases Maille's very special Mustard on Tap in five flavors - White Wine, Chablis, Sauternes, Wholegrain Chardonnay, and the phenomenal Black Truffle & Chablis (limited edition for the holidays). Filled to order in stoneware jars from an authentic French ceramic pump, once purchased the jars can be refilled at a reduced cost at any Maille boutique.
Pierette graciously invited me to join her behind the Maille Mustard on Tap pumps. If you visit the NYC store, Pierette will help you find the perfect mustard and suggest food pairings.
To learn more about Maille and to order products, visit their website.
Looking for a fun wine to sip at an informal holiday gathering with friends? Reach for Decopas! Only $12 a bottle but full of fruit-forward flavor, there is nothing Grinchy about Decopas. Decopas means "by the glass" in Spanish and is slang in Buenos Aires for Happy Hour. Decopas Sauvignon Blanc 2013 is an aromatic dry white wine with a touch of minerality and it isn't too grassy in the way that Sauvignon Blanc often is. Decopas Malbec 2013 is a smooth & medium-bodied red that nicely expresses the nuances of Argentina's signature Malbec - rich ripe fruit with a dash of spice and earth. Both wines are estate-bottled vinos from Argentina's famed Mendoza region. Sometimes you just want a good wine without too much attitude and Decopas fits the bill. These wines are perfect for a fun evening at home with some delicious takeout. Salud!
A magnificent magnum of wine just begs to be shared - after all, it contains the equivalent of two bottles of wine in one! So, when I received a gorgeous large format bottle ofCastello Monaci Artas Primitivo Salento IGT 2010 ($93) from my friends at Frederick Wildman & Sons, I invited my pal Raffaele D'Amore, proprietor of D'Amore Wine Bar & Caffe in East Harlem, to join me for a glass. D'Amore is one of my favorite neighborhood spots - this cozy restaurant has a wonderful international wine list and a diverse menu of Italian cuisine.
Raffaele D'Amore, of D'Amore Wine Ba & Caffe, joined me in tasting Castello Monaci Artas Primitivo Salento.
And, what did Raffaele of D'Amore Wine Bar & Caffe say about Castello Monaci Artes Primitivo Salento? "Rich in the body at the nose, a lot of fruit, velvety and licorice at the palate. Light on tannins with a gentle touch of acidity and a nice long finish." That's a pretty rave review! I also loved the wine's beautiful layers of flavors - rich berry with a touch of peppery spice and a subtle hint of oak. Castello Monaci Artas Primitivo is a well-balanced and full-bodied vino.
Located in Southern Italy in the Salento region of Puglia, Castello Monaci is committed to producing quality wines with indigenous grapes. Made from 100% Primitivo grapes, Castello Monaci Artes 2010 is a rich and expressive red wine. It paired beautifully with the hearty homemade pappardelle pasta with meat sauce on D'Amore's menu. If you find yourself in Salento, visit their tasting room. And, if you're in NYC, sip and mangia at D'Amore!
PS. Over the summer, D'Amore was featured on ABC7 and yours truly was asked to share my opinion about this neighborhood gem - click here to watch the video.
Why settle for one beautiful blend, when you can have two? The Whip 2013(white, $22) and The Spur 2011(red, $25) are two fantastic wines from California winemaker Murrieta's Well that brilliantly showcase the artistry of blending a selection of grape varietals to create a unique sip.
Murrieta's Well wows with their incredibly aromatic white wine, The Whip. Deftly blending 7 grapes - Semillon, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Orange Muscat, Viognier, Gewurztraminer and White Riesling; I loved The Whip's crisp & luscious flavors of peach, melon, green apple, with a hint of citrus. The fruit really shines through but The Whip is not too sweet and has a nicely balanced acidity.
The Spur is a robust blend of five varietals - Petite Sirah, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, and Cabarnet Franc. Aged for 14 months in a combination of oak barrels, The Spur has beautiful black cherry flavors with a hint of spice and anise. Smooth!
Murrieta's Well has quite the legacy in California - the estate was originally cultivated in 1883 with vineyard cuttings from the esteemed Chateau d'Yquem and Chateau Margaux in France. The historic property was revived in 1990 and focuses on crafting blends that showcase the very best attributes of the terroir. Visit the Murrieta's Well tasting room in Livermore Valley, just 40 miles east of San Francisco, to sample their estate blends.
Hibernating at home is made ever more pleasant with a beautiful glass of wine - at least my tastebuds get to travel! Courtesy of Santi Valpolicella Classico Superiore DOC Solane 2011 ($17), I was transported to Italy's famed Veneto region and what a delicious journey it was. Rich cherry flavors with a hint of spice, earth and anise, this full-bodied & smooth red wine is perfect for these chilly winter nights. A blend of Corvina (70%) and Rondinella (30%) grapes, Santi Solane undergoes a second fermentation with the addition of Amarone grapes & skins - this is known as the "Ripasso" method and adds another level of complexity to the wine. A real beauty of a wine and only $17!
With his flowing mane of silver hair and steely gaze, Peter Yealands has a certain rock-star quality so I wasn't completely surprised to hear him describe his approach to winemaking as "mavericky". With past lives as a general contractor, deer farmer, and marine farming innovator, Peter had never even set foot on a vineyard when he purchased 70 derelict acres in Marlborough, New Zealand in 1998. Fast-forward 16 years, and Yealands Family Wineshas expanded so dramatically that they are now New Zealand's single biggest vineyard. I had a chance to sample Yealands wines and meet the man behind the label at a tasting in New York City at the wonderful Marea restaurant. Yealands winemaker Tamra Kelly-Washingtonwas not in attendance but her lovely wines represented her very well.
Of course, New Zealand is recognized around the world for their sublime Sauvignon Blanc and Yealands is an excellent representation of the varietal. Peter Yealands Sauvignon Blanc 2014($15.99) paired beautifully with Marea's lobster salad. The wine has luscious tropical notes of guava and papaya that are artfully balanced by a hint of minerals and herbs - remarkably nuanced flavors for such a young wine. The YealandsEstate Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc2013($24.99) was also a beauty - citrusy & herbaceous with excellent acidity. I was impressed that both of these wines had only the slightest hint of the grassiness that often dominates Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand.
The Peter Yealands 2013 Pinot Noir($18.99) was perhaps the biggest surprise for me. I looked back at my notes from the tasting and I wrote "Wow!" To translate that wow into a more eloquent description, let's say that I found this wine supple and elegant, with rich dark cherry notes and a touch of spice. A very versatile wine, it paired well with my seafood lunch but I think it would really shine alongside some delicious New Zealand lamb. I would not be upset if Santa left me a case of Peter Yealands Pinot Noir 2013 under the tree!
I've never been to New Zealand but each sip of Yealands Family Wines made me feel a bit closer. Now added to my travel wish-list is a visit to the Yealands vineyards - a seemingly magical place committed to sustainable practices and where chickens are serenaded with music, adorable babydoll miniature sheep roam the property, and the wine is mavericky delicious! If you find yourself in Marlborough, you can visit Yealands and sample their wines at their Cellar Door tasting room.
