Wine With Wanda

Sip & Sail: La Nuit en Rosé Wine & Food Festival in New York

image credit: Guillaume Guadet. Courtesy of La Nuit en Rosé.

Close your eyes and imagine summer breezes blowing through your hair as you sail on a yacht, sipping elegant rosé and nibbling on gourmet treats.Thanks to the organizers of La Nuit en Rosé, this chic daydream can be a reality. A three-day festival (June 25-27) hosted aboard the Hornblower Infinity Yacht in New York City, La Nuit en Rosé is the world's first festival dedicated entirely to rosé wines and champagne and more than 100 wines will be featured. Granted, the Hudson River may not be the Riviera but it is still pretty lovely and you can't go wrong with rosé + a yacht! 

image courtesy of La Nuit en Rosé

“Rosé is more than just a wine category, it is a way of life and that’s what unique about rosé. Rosé has made itself inseparable from a summer gathering, a pool party or a barbecue. Close your eyes and sip rosé, you’re immediately transported into a summer paradise. Drinking rosé is the epitome of chic!” - Pierrick Bouquet, co-creator of La Nuit en Rosé.

The international cast of winemakers participating in La Nuit en Rosé includes Champagne Nicolas Feuillate, Domaine Montrose, Wines of Greece, Wines of Navarra, and many more. La Nuit en Rosé will also showcase cuisine from acclaimed New York City chefs and restaurants - including Geoffrey Zakarian,The Lambs Club, The National, STK, Fig & Olive, Le District, and others. For an extra serving of chic, the VIP lounge will feature an Oyster Bar and a Bubble & Truffle Bar presented by Ferrari and Urbani Truffles.

La Nuit en Rosé tickets range in price from $75-$250 per person for a variety of rosé-centric events such as the opening night wine-pairing dinner presented by Wine Enthusiast or wine tasting with a light buffet. Guests are encouraged to dress for the occasion, so rev up your little black dress with a dash of pink!

For more information and to order tickets, visit the La Nuit en Rosé website.

Sipping Italy: La Scolca Gavi - A Wonderful White Wine for Summer

image courtesy Frederick Wildman & Sons

A perfectly chilled glass of white wine is so refreshing on a hot day and Gavi is one of the most elegant thirst-quenchers. Produced in northern Italy from 100% Cortese grapes, Gavi is known for its zippy acidity and zesty citrus flavors. Founded in 1919, La Scolca is the first producer of quality Gavi and they are recognized as one of Italy's most historic white wine producers.

The very dapper Angelo Gaballo, of La Scolca, arrived in  New York with Gavi to share!

If you're new to Gavi, I recommend getting started with La Scolca Gavi DOCG White Label 2014 (around $18). Fresh and crisp with lovely citrus & almond aromas, it really perks up your palate with bright acidity that is balanced by minerality. This is a great everyday wine to sip with your summer salads and light fish dishes.

image courtesy Frederick Wildman & Sons

Now that you've had your first taste of Gavi, are you ready to take it to the next level with La Scolca Black Label Gavi dei Gavi DOCG 2013 ($40)? The price is higher than the White Label because La Scolca Black Label is sourced from older vines and is aged a bit longer. All of the White Label's beautiful qualities are intensified in the Black Label. More citrusy, zesty, and flinty; this medium bodied white wine has a long finish. A great match with oysters and shrimp.



If you're planning a trip to the Piedmont region of Italy, you can book a guided tour of La Scolca.

The Queen of Cava: Anna de Codorníu, Sparkling Wine from Spain

Meet Adriana Soley -  this vivacious Barcelona native is a Brand Ambassador for Anna de
Codorníu sparkling wine.

Champagne isn't the only sip in town when you want something bubbly. In Spain, Cava is the sparkling vino that reigns supreme and Anna de Codorníu may very well be the Queen of Cava. The winery's roots trace back to 1551 and Anna was a real person - she was the heiress to this winemaking dynasty and the last person in the family to carry the Codorníu surname. In 1983, her legacy was honored with the creation of Anna de Codorníu - the first Cava in Spain made from the French grape, Chardonnay.


Made mostly from Chardonnay with the addition of Spanish grapes Parellada,
Xarel·lo, and Macabeo; Anna de Codorníu Brut Blanc de Blancs ($14.99) is simply fantastic. Elegant and crisp with lovely notes of citrus, tropical fruits, and a satisfying hint of warm brioche that is often found in champagne; Anna de Codorníu Brut Blanc de Blancs has the finesse of champagne at a fraction of the price.
Pretty and pink Anna de Codorníu Brut Rosé ($14.99) is a blend of mostly Pinot Noir with Chardonnay. It is crisp and refreshing with hints of cranberry, raspberry, and strawberry.  

Analogue, a cocktail & jazz bar in New York City, has two Anna de Codorníu cocktails on their list - Villa de Anna and Aphrodite's Kiss.  
image courtesy Ayano Hisa

You can even use Anna de Codorníu to mix up some sophisticated cocktails. Analogue is a lovely bar in New York City with two Anna de Codorníu cocktails on their list  - Villa de Anna (Pisco, Anna de Codorníu Brut, Amaro Montenegro, Grapefruit Cordial, Lime and Angostura Bitters) and Aphrodite’s Kiss (Chocolate-infused Solbeso, Anna de Codorníu Brut, Amaro Ciociaro, Maraschino Liqueur, Lime and Aphrodite Bitters, served with a square of Godiva Dark Chocolate).

image courtesy of Ayano Hisa

 

 

 

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Sip Like the Stars: A Taste of Cannes with Mouton Cadet Wine

Sip Like the Stars: A Taste of Cannes with Mouton Cadet Wine

  The French Riviera in New York City courtesy of Mouton Cadet - the official wine of the Cannes Film Festival for 23 years.

Alas, my invitation to the Cannes Film Festival must have been lost in the mail but I was able to experience a bit of French Riviera ooh la la in NYC at a chic event hosted by Mouton Cadet and Rent the Runway at Pier 59 Studios. The evening featured Cannes inspired fashions available at Rent the Rentway and a selection of delicious wines from Mouton Cadet - the official wine of the festival and host of the Mouton Cadet Wine Bar (apparently, this is THE place to see and be seen in Cannes!)

Even if you can't make it to Cannes, you can still sip like the glitterati - Mouton Cadet has released a limited edition bottle of their Bordeaux Rosé in honor of the festival. Featuring a film reel motif, the limited edition bottle of le Rosé de Mouton Cadet ($12) is available in NYC and the Hamptons. The wine is also available across the country in the standard yet elegant Mouton Cadet bottle for $10.


Selected by Baron Phillipe de Rothschild's winemakers from the best parcels in the Bordeaux region, le Rosé de Mouton Cadet is a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon. A beautiful shade of pink, the wine has luscious flavors of ripe strawberries and raspberries with a zippy acidity. Le Rosé de Mouton Cadet is a perfect wine for these warmer months and makes it easy to sip like a star wherever you are!

Sipping Spain: Garnacha from Cariñena

Spain is no longer the best kept secret if you're looking for fabulous wines at a great price point but there are still delicious discoveries to be made. If you want to branch out from Spanish vinos like Tempranillo, Garnacha from Cariñena could be "The Next Great Grape" you're looking for. Located in Spain's northeast region of Aragón, Cariñena's high-altitude vineyards are renowned for their ancient stone soils that infuse the wines with character and complexity. The region also boasts the most plantings of old-vine Garnacha and Cariñena in Spain and old vines can have a positive impact on the taste of wine.



I recently had the pleasure of tasting several wines from Cariñena at a fun and informative seminar led by Master Sommelier Andrea Robinson at the lovely Aldo Sohm Wine Bar in Manhattan. One of only 26 women in the world to earn the prestigious Master Sommelier credential, Andrea is a uniquely talented wine educator.

Master Sommelier Andrea Robinson explains the nuances of Garnacha from Cariñena. Andrea shared that 92% of wine industry professionals voted Garnacha from Spain as the most promising grape of 2015.

 

Beso de Vino Old Vine Garnacha 2014 is a great introduction to the wines of Cariñena. Retailing for about $9.99, this splendidly fragrant vino has nicely balanced flavors of juicy plum, raspberry, and black fruit. There is a definite minerality that gives this fruit-forward wine a more interesting structure than you might expect at this very affordable price point. And, how adorable is that label depicting Antonio the Bull enjoying a "kiss of wine?" Like Antonio, Beso de Vino is fun and approachable.

 

Slightly more expensive at $15-$20 but still a tremendous value, Bodegas San Valero Particular Old Vine Garnacha 2012 is a symphony of silky spice, anise, and dark berries. Robust and velvety, this wine is elegant but not uptight.

 

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Must See & Eat in NYC: Little Italy in the Bronx (Arthur Avenue)

You don't always need to travel far to have a great adventure! I recently had a wonderful time with my family exploring "Little Italy in the Bronx" aka Arthur Avenue. There are so many delicious things to eat along Arthur Avenue and it is great to see small businesses thriving in New York! Below are a few photos from my hometown adventure!  You can view the entire album on Facebook.

Calabria Pork Store

Cigar rollers showcase their talents at the Arthur Avenue Retail Market.


Olives galore at Arthur Avenue Retail Market.


Delicious food from Zero Otto Nove restaurant. Arugula Salad with fresh squeezed lemon, olive oil and Parmigiano-Reggiano. 
Meat balls with spicy tomato sauce, and polenta.

A Wine Inspired by Mom: Rafael et Fils "Pour Rosie" Chardonnay

  Marc Rafael, grower & producer, of Domaine Georg Rafael/Rafael et Fils. The winery was founded by his father in 1996. 

Winemakers are inspired by many things but creating a wine in homage to one's mother is surely the grand cru of gestures. I recently met the charming Marc Rafael of Rafael et Fils and sampled the "Pour Rosie" Chardonnay 2012 ($28) that was inspired by his mom. An estate-grown 100% Chardonnay from the Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley, this medium-bodied wine is creamy but not too buttery with vivacious tropical notes of pineapple, mango, and lemon that are balanced by a subtle minerality. This lovely wine is a delicious tribute to his mom that we can all enjoy. Cheers!

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Sipping Sicily: The Heavenly Wines of Tenuta Rapitalà

When a winery's name translates to "Beautiful Garden of God", you expect wines that are ethereal, powerful, and simply divine. Well, I am happy to say that Sicilian winemaker Tenuta Rapitalà produces wines that elegantly meet these celestial expectations.

The first Sicilian winery to plant French varietals, Rapitalà is truly a marriage of cultures - in 1968 French-born Count Hugues Bernard de la Gatinais married Gigi Guarrasi from Palermo and inherited the Guarrasi family estate that had been destroyed by an earthquake. Working together, they rebuilt the winery and replanted the vineyards and in 1976 the first harvest destined for bottling was made. Today, the Rapitalà legacy is carried on by their son Laurent. I recently had the opportunity to meet Laurent and sample the Rapitalà wines - passion and artistry is evident in every sip.


 Laurent Bernard de la Gatinais is joyfully carrying on the legacy of excellent winemaking started by his parents. 
One of my Rapitalà favorites is their Tenuta Rapitalà Alto Nero d'Avola Sicilia D.O.C. 2012 ($23). Nero d'Avola is the quintessential Sicilian grape and Rapitalà captures its complexity and lushness perfectly. Deep ruby red and silky, this single vineyard sip is full bodied with beautiful red-fruit and subtle spice flavors. 

Chardonnay may not the be the first varietal the comes to mind when you think of Sicilian wine but Tenuta Rapitalà Grand Cru Chardonnay Sicilia I.G.T 2013 ($37) is a refreshing expression of this ubiquitous grape. Fermentation begins in stainless steel and is completed in French oak -  this technique creates a wine that is fruit forward but multifaceted. The floral softness of Chardonnay is anchored by the subtle wood notes and there's a definite Mediterranean feeling and pleasant salinity to this Chardonnay.

Pinot Noir and Nero d'Avola mesh together brilliantly in Tenuta Rapitalà Nuhar d'Avola/Pinot Nero Sicilia D.O.C. 2012 ($18). Soft and silky Pinot Noir is emboldened by this merger with the dramatic Nero d'Avola. Beautifully balanced with soft tannins and a long finish, I would be happy to make this wine my house red!

To learn more about Tenuta Rapitalà wines, visit their website.

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