Wine With Wanda

If You’re Not Drinking Merlot, You’re Missing Out!

 

image courtesy of MerlotMe

It baffles and perturbs me that some wine drinkers are still shunning Merlot. Really, if THAT movie (Sideways) has placed negative thoughts about Merlot in your head, please consider this an intervention. Now is the time to replace that problematic film’s erroneous messaging with this mantra: Merlot is elegant. Merlot is delicious. Merlot bashers are missing out on some mighty fine wine.

image courtesy of MerlotMe

Praised for its lushness and approachability, Merlot isn't aggressive but it's no wimp; it absolutely has the capacity for power and finesse. I was recently invited to participate in the #MerlotMe campaign, an online effort focused on sharing the diversity and beauty of Merlot. I was happy to add my voice to the powerful chorus of Merlot lovers.  

During the duration of the campaign, I tasted many excellent wines that were powerful examples of Merlot's many charms. However, there were three wines that really captivated me. Whether you’re a Merlot devotee or one of those pesky detractors, I’m convinced these wines will impress you. And although my selections are from California, great Merlot wines are produced around the globe. Get a glass and explore!


Pahlmeyer Merlot 2016, Napa Valley, California ($90) 
What a majestic Merlot! I shared this bottle with one of the most discerning sommeliers I know and he shared my enthusiasm for this exceptional wine. Truly, he can’t stop singing its praises. And I can’t blame him. Pahlmeyer is an elegant retort to Merlot bashing. Rich and concentrated but not unwieldy, it is supple and rich with voluptuous berry flavors and sassy hints of spice and tinges of earth and herbs. As the flavors open in the glass, it really takes you on a journey. This is a wine to savor.
96.5% Merlot, 2.5% Malbec, 1% Cabernet Sauvignon


Seavey Merlot 2016, Napa Valley, California ($65)
Plush and rich, this impressive wine beautifully showcases Merlot’s capacity for complexity and finesse. Gorgeous plum and dark berry flavors get added oomph from hints of savory herbs, violet, graphite, and chocolate. There’s a rugged minerality to this Merlot that melds seamlessly with the voluptuous fruit. Only 302 cases made of this sensational sip.
95% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon

Chelsea Goldschmidt Merlot 2017, Salmon’s Leap, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County, California ($20)
Named after winemaker Nick Goldschmidt’s daughter, Chelsea Merlot is feisty and elegant. Rich and juicy but not jammy, Chelsea has ripe red and black fruit flavors with perky pops of spice and graphite. A really pretty and polished wine that doesn’t break the bank!
100% Merlot

Sparkling Spotlight: Meet Régis Camus, The Rare Talent Who Makes Rare Champagne

It takes a winemaker with exceptional talent and confidence to craft a champagne that lives up to the audacious name Rare. Régis Camus is such a winemaker. Quite frankly, Régis is the standard by which I judge all other champagne makers. And I’m not alone in my high opinion of his skills – Régis has been honored 8 times as Sparkling Winemaker of the Year by the International Wine Challenge. Yes, Régis has clearly mastered the art of making bubbly.

In 2018, Régis retired from Piper-Heidsieck after a tenure of 22 years, including 16 years in the prestigious role of cellar master. But you would have been foolish to count him out. Régis is now the cellar master for the House’s exclusive Rare Champagne. Produced only in the most exceptional vintages, only 11 vintages of Rare have been created in the last four decades. 

Over the years, I’ve had the honor of tasting several vintages of Rare with Régis. The exquisite beauty of Rare Champagne is rivaled only by his humility and humor. In our laughter-filled tastings, it has become clear to me that making champagne isn’t just his career, it is Régis’s calling. The accolades are certainly well-deserved but I am convinced that Régis would pour his heart into making exquisite champagne even if no one noticed. But we do notice.

Rare is always released to great fanfare and Champagne connoisseurs know that only exceptional bottles of bubbly are worthy of being bottled as Rare. It is vital for Régis that Rare Champagne has spicy notes and he told me that he will only deem a vintage Rare if freshness, minerality, and exotic notes are there. If not, he won’t make it. For that reason, no vintage was declared since 2002, until 2006.

“Rare Millésime 2006 is immediately delectable, both oriental and fresh, mature and warm. Thanks to its almost paradoxical mineral and opulent tautness, it shows substantial potential for expression.”
Régis Camus

Régis always provides succinct descriptions that capture the essence of each Rare vintage and has declared Rare 2006 ($175) as SUNNY. In 2006, copious sunshine with moderate temperatures increased the opulence of the grapes. Always a blend of 70% Chardonnay and 30% Pinot Noir, Régis said that Rare is always an “authentic image of the vintage.” Cellared for thirteen years, Rare 2006 has aged beautifully. It is very generous on the palate but still maintains a youthful energy. And its rich golden hue certainly evokes the warmth and brilliance of sunshine.

“I had already produced the first Rare Champagne rosé vintage in 2007. I took the liberty the following year of creating a successor, which would not be discovered until a decade later. Rare Rosé Millésime 2008 proves to be decisively graceful and mineral, much like a Mondrian, with nuances of quartz.”
Régis Camus

Rare Rosé 2008 ($450) is only the second vintage of rosé, Rare Rosé 2007 was the first. While the 2007 was described as SENSUAL, Régis has deemed Rare Rosé 2008 to be PRECISELY GRACIOUS. The first thing you notice is the beautiful shade of coppery pink, reminiscent of pink quartz. Régis spoke of the challenges of making the color consistent and his disdain for rosé that is more orange than pink. A blend of 70% Chardonnay and 30% Pinot Noir, Régis is adamant that Rare Rosé display vibrant fruit and color but not aggressive tannins. Silky and delicate but impactful, Rare Rosé 2008 is sexy and elegant with a subtle sensuality. It swept me off my feet.

Yes, Rare 2006 and Rare Rosé 2008 are splurges but these impeccably crafted wines take you on a journey that reveals the unique power and beauty of vintage Champagne and the dedication, passion, and precision required to make wine at this level. With great anticipation, I await Régis’s declaration of the next Rare vintages.

Dramatic and Delicious: Celebrate 25 Years of Chilean Carmenere with Wines from Concha y Toro

I always like to describe Carmenere from Chile as the heroine of a dramatic telenovela (soap opera). After many years of mistaken identity, our leading lady’s true persona was discovered and she assumed her rightful post as belle of the ball. It’s hard to believe, but Carmenere, the red wine grape most closely associated with Chile, was not accurately identified until 25 years ago, on November 24, 1994.

image courtesy of Concha y Toro

Carmenere actually arrived in Chile in the 1800’s with other Bordeaux varieties. In 1867, that dastardly louse known as Phylloxera wiped out most of Bordeaux’s vineyards, including Carmenere. When vineyards were replanted in Bordeaux, Carmenere was not included due to its late ripening and susceptibility to disease. However, Carmenere was quietly thriving in Chile where it was mistakenly identified as a type of Merlot. This mistake lingered until 1994 when Jean Michel Boursiquot, a French ampelographer (grape identification expert), made the startling discovery that Chilean Merlot was actually Carmenere. Voila! Chilean winemaking would never be the same.

Carmenere Grapes
image courtesy Wines of Chile

If you’re a fan of Chilean wines, Concha y Toro is a familiar name. Their extensive portfolio includes entry-level everyday wines, high-end collectible wines, and wonderful mid-priced options. As one of Chile’s most important wineries, they have been instrumental in elevating the profile and quality of Carmenere. To taste the beauty and versatility of Carmenere, I recommend trying one of Concha y Toro’s selections from the Cachapoal Valley, Chile’s top region for Carmenere and home to one of Concha y Toro’s oldest vineyards.


Carmenere’s dramatic flavors correspond perfectly to its back story. The deepest, darkest, and most purple of the red grapes, Carmenere is generally described as having flavors of raspberry and other red fruits with hints of black pepper, paprika, and some green bell pepper vegetal flavors. Good acidity and mild tannins make Carmenere very easy to pair with a wide variety of foods. 

Terrunyo Carmenere Block 27 2017, D.O. Peumo, Cachapoal Valley ($41.99)
100% Carmenere. Aged 9 months in French oak barrels. Full and voluptuous with rich, but not overly ripe flavors of blueberries, wild berries, hints of cedar and violet, and soft tannins.

Marques de Casa Concha Carmenere 2017, D.O. Peumo, Cachapoal Valley ($26.99)
90% Carmenere and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. Aged 14 months in French oak barrels. Classic Carmenere flavors get added oomph with vibrant hints of ripe plums and dark chocolate from the Cabernet Sauvignon.

Serie Riberas Gran Riserva Carmenere 2017, D.O. Peumo, Cachapoal Valley ($15.99)
93.2% Carmenere, 6.2% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 0.6 %Merlot. Aged 10 months in French and American oak barrels. Silky and elegant, bold berry flavors with a subtle kick of spice. These vines are located on the banks of the Cachapoal River, which imbues the wine with a charming freshness.  

Joy in a Glass: Fresh & Festive Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau

Franck and Anne Duboeuf with the newly released 2019 vintage of their family's Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau. 

Art, science, history, and culture, wine can be analyzed from many angles but let’s not diminish wine’s role as a great source of pleasure and its powerful ability to bring people together. Beaujolais Nouveau is unabashed in celebrating the joyous nature of wine. Call it clever marketing, but Beaujolais Nouveau’s official release on the third Thursday of November, is probably the world’s most famous wine holiday. There’s something quite endearing about the notion of wine lovers around the world eagerly awaiting the new vintage. And when I think of Beaujolais Nouveau, Georges Duboeuf is the first name that comes to mind.

My father, a classically trained chef, gave me my first bottle of wine when I was a nerdy but gastronomically curious 16-year-old. That wine was Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau. I’m sure my father never imagined that one day I would be invited to taste the 2019 Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau with Anne and Franck Duboeuf. 

Franck and Georges Duboeuf
image courtesy of Quintessential Wines

Sipping with Anne and Franck was an important reminder that although Georges Duboeuf is an internationally recognized winery, there is a real family at the heart of the business. The Duboeuf family has been associated with wine for four centuries and Franck’s father Georges founded his eponymous winery in 1964. In 1974, they released their first commercial vintage of Beaujolais Nouveau and when it finally came to the United States in 1983, Americans were giddy with excitement and quickly embraced this unintimidating French wine.

While we often evaluate wines in terms of their ability to age, youth is the essence of Beaujolais Nouveau’s charms. The first wines of the harvest to be bottled and released, Beaujolais Nouveau is meant to be consumed while young. Fresh, fruity, and full of life, Duboeuf’s 2019 selections are full of personality. Approachable but not bland, these food-friendly wines are meant to be shared. Bursting with flavor but not aggressively complex, they enhance the meal and mood without taxing your palate.

image courtesy of Georges Duboeuf

Franck said that weather conditions made the 2019 harvest a challenge. But although the yields were smaller, the quality of the Gamay grapes used to craft the 2019 Beaujolais wines was excellent. As Franck, said 2019 has “bursts of flavors and aromas” and is “Beaujolais Nouveau in the highest sense of the word. It is a vintage of pleasure, a very Beaujolais vintage.”

Stumped on what wines to serve this holiday season? Beaujolais Nouveau is a smart and delicious choice that won’t break the bank. Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau pairs beautifully with a wide variety of foods and add easy elegance to the meal.  

Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau Rosé 2019 ($12.99)
Winemaking is clearly in the Duboeuf family’s DNA – Anne and Franck’s 22-year-old son made this charming rosé! 100% Gamay, it is a beguiling shade of pale pink rose petals. Fresh, fruity, and juicy, it is delicate but not bland with pretty flavors of peach and grapefruit. Serve chilled and chill out!

 Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau 2019 ($12.99)
Although very young, there’s an impressive heft to this wine. Luscious and juicy, you can really taste the full range of the Gamay grape’s flavors. Vibrant flavors of berries and cherries make this an easy-to-love sip. Remember to serve slightly chilled.


Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais-Villages Nouveau 2019 ($12.99)
Fuller-bodied and more complex than Beaujolais Nouveau, these Gamay grapes were sourced from 38 villages with more granite and schist in the terroir. While still fresh and juicy, the wine gets added oomph from tangible minerality. Serve slightly chilled.

image courtesy of Georges Duboeuf

If you're planning a trip to France, Georges Duboeuf welcomes guests at Le Hameau du Vin, the biggest wine theme park in Europe. Until then, pick up a few bottles of Beaujolais Nouveau and take your palate on an elegant journey.

Merci, Anne & Franck Duboeuf for sharing your wines and joyous spirit! 

Sweet and Sophisticated: Dazzle Your Guests with Sweet Wines from Bordeaux

Who says sweet can’t be sexy and sophisticated? I promise you that mouths will water and a chorus of ooh la la’s will be uttered when you serve your guests a selection of elegant sweet wines from Bordeaux this holiday season. Contrary to some widely held misconceptions, sweet wines can be complex and full of finesse. The source of some of the world’s most celebrated and expensive sweet wines, Bordeaux also produces sweet wines that are budget-friendly but absolutely chic and delicious.

image courtesy of Sweet Bordeaux

Bordeaux may be most famous for their iconic red blends but sweet white wines make up a petite but important 2% of the region’s total production. In Bordeaux, sweet wines are produced primarily from Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc, and Muscadelle grapes. It is incredibly labor-intensive to produce quality sweet wines and while one vine can produce approximately an entire bottle of fine red wine, a vine only yields one glass of sweet wine.


No sugar is added in Bordeaux to enhance the sweetness of the wines; it comes naturally from the selection of perfectly ripened grapes and often from grapes that have been impacted by the poetically named Noble Rot. Officially known as Botrytis Cinerea, Noble Rot is a fungus that infects overripe grapes. A friendly fungus, Noble Rot concentrates the grape’s sugars and flavors but maintains the vital acidity that is needed to keep sweet wines lively and mouthwatering instead of sticky and cloying. Bordeaux’s location off the Atlantic coast in the southwest of France, creates an oceanic climate which is ideal for promoting the growth of the desired Noble Rot.

Sweet Bordeaux and oysters. A surprising but winning pairing that works because of the freshness and minerality of the wine.
image courtesy of Sweet Bordeaux

I recently took a deep dive into a selection of sweet Bordeaux wines via a virtual tasting hosted by Snooth and led by Jean K. Reilly, Master of Wine. Jean praised sweet wines from Bordeaux for their versatility and strongly believes that they shouldn’t just be reserved for special occasions. As Jean said these are “wines you can even have with Tuesday night dinner!” She even mentioned sweet Bordeaux as a surprisingly great match with barbecue. Bring on the baby back ribs and a bottle of sweet Bordeaux! And you really can’t beat the combination of sweet Bordeaux paired with something savory, like a beautiful blue cheese, liver paté, or charcuterie.

While many opt to serve sweet wines with desserts, Jean reminded us that they are called dessert wines because they were originally intended to BE the dessert and not paired with sweets. I agree. I often prefer to savor a glass of sweet wine at the end of a meal instead of a pastry. Because we sip sweet wines more slowly, remember to serve sweet Bordeaux wines icy cold. And to keep them from warming up too quickly, Jean recommends adding a piece of frozen dried ginger, mango, mandarin, or pineapple to the glass. Not only do these fruits mirror some of the aromas and flavors found in sweet Bordeaux, they will keep your wine cool without diluting the flavor. Sweet Bordeaux can also be used to make cocktails. Jean recommends mixing them with brown spirits or bitters like Amaro.

Are you ready to take your palate on a sweet journey to Bordeaux? The seven wines listed below are all delicious and affordable options. Sweet Bordeaux wines are produced in 8 designated areas on both banks of the Garonne river but all of the wines listed below are from the right bank.  

Château des Arroucats Sainte Croix du Mont 2017 ($14)
A blend of Sémillon and Sauvignon, this sweet wine from one of the most respected wineries in the appellation delivers plenty of bang for your buck. Exotic and spicy aromas with flavors of dried orange rind, spicy fruit cake, and orange liqueur.


Château Loupiac-Gaudiet 2016 ($17)
A big and luscious blend of Sémillon and Sauvignon, it is bold and fresh with flavors of marzipan, ginger candy, and honey.

Château Cousteau Cadillac 2016 ($18) 
Crisp and rich but impressively fresh and fruity with charming flavors of dried tropical fruit. Blend of Sémillon and Sauvignon.

Château du Cros Loupiac 2016 ($21)
A supple, velvety and fresh blend of Sémillon, Sauvignon Gris, and Sauvignon Blanc. Rich flavors of candied fruit and peach with a hint of spice.



Château Dauphiné Rondillon Loupiac 2009 ($23)
Made from Sémillon and Sauvignon vines planted in 1910. Rich and juicy with a beautiful tapestry of orange, almond, and exotic spice flavors.


Château la Rame Sainte Croix du Mont 2016 ($30)
Blend of Sémillon and Sauvignon with gorgeous flavors of candied fruits, vanilla, and acacia flower that are balanced by freshness and minerality.


Château de Marsan Premieres Cotes de Bordeaux 2015 ($40)
A fresh and mineral blend of Sémillon, Sauvignon, and Muscadelle with flavors of mandarin and white flowers.

 

Visit the Sweet Bordeaux website to learn more about the wines, region, and suggested pairings. 

Sip This: Nino Franco "Rustico" Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG

Take your Prosecco sipping to the next level with Nino Franco "Rustico" Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG. Incredibly crisp, creamy, and lively, Nino Franco is many steps above mass-produced generic Prosecco. Their sparkling wines have a distinct personality that elegantly expresses the terroir of their stunning hillside vineyards in Valdobbiadene.

image courtesy of Nino Franco

Not only is this considered the finest region for Prosecco, the Prosecco hills of Conegliano and Valdobbiadene in northeast Italy have recently been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site. When you sip these wines, you're tasting something special! 

Priced around $19.99, Rustico is a beautiful wine that has the added plus of being very budget friendly. What a great sip to serve your guests this holiday season and all year-round. 

Primo Franco represents the third generation of Nino Franco winery and is considered an architect of the global Prosecco revolution. Primo, his father, and grandfather were all born in Valdobbiadene. The land and the wines are truly in his DNA. His daughter, Silvia, is now CEO but Primo still travels around the world sharing his family's wines.



 I encourage you to explore the Nino Franco portfolio. In addition to Rustico, they produce wonderful single-vineyard Prosecco wines that are extraordinary expressions of terroir. Congratulations to Nino Franco on 100 years of winemaking and for showing the world the true power of Prosecco! 

Sparkling Spotlight: Ruhlmann Crémant d’Alsace Brut

I’ll just get straight to the point: I love sparkling wine. Champagne, Cava, Crémant, Trentodoc, Prosecco, and other bubblies from around the globe all hold a special place in my heart. When I see bubbles dancing in a wine glass, I feel such joy. Whether I’m dining with my friends or just relaxing at home with takeout, sparkling wine adds a dash of sophistication to every occasion.  

To celebrate my passion for bubbly, I’ve decided to give these special wines a spotlight of their own. I’m delighted to kick off Sparkling Spotlight with two great wines from the family-owned winery, Ruhlmann-Schutz. Located in Alsace, in the northeast of France, they are considered one of the region’s finest wine estates and have been associated with winemaking since 1688. I recently had the chance to taste their authentic, elegant, and affordable wines with general manager Antoine Schutz. Antoine is passionately guiding his family’s business towards a future that respects their legacy but also embraces modernity.

“I don’t want to discriminate. I want our wines to be affordable to everyone.”
Antoine Schutz, General Manager, Ruhlmann-Schutz

Crémant wines are made throughout France and are crafted in the same traditional method as Champagne: bubbles are created via the laborious and exacting process of enacting a second fermentation in the bottle. Also inspired by Champagne, Ruhlmann ages their Crémant d’Alsace for an extended time on the lees so that they develop more complexity. But it is important to remember that although Crémant d’Alsace shares the same method as Champagne, it is absolutely Alsatian and reflects its terroir and traditions. And the affordability of Crémant d'Alsace proves that you don't have to go broke to enjoy beautiful sparkling wine. 


Ruhlmann Crémant d’Alsace Brut ($23.95) is an elegant introduction to Ruhlmann’s wines. A blend of Pinot Blanc (60%), Auxerrois (20%), Pinot Gris (10%), and Riesling (10%); it has fine bubbles, a delicate creamy texture, and crisp flavors of citrus, peach, and a hint of hazelnut. An expertly crafted wine that even the snootiest of wine snobs will enjoy.

Ruhlmann Crémant d’Alsace Rosé Brut ($25.95) is 100% Pinot Noir. The grapes were sourced from vines that are 20-40 years old and grown in soils that are rich in clay and limestone. Crisp and clean, it flirts across the palate with vibrant flavors of strawberry, tart cherry, and a hint of stone fruit. A hint of buttery brioche is a warm ending to the long finish.

In addition to Crémant d’Alsace, the Ruhlmann portfolio includes lovely expressions of Riesling, Gewürztraminer, and other Alsatian wines. If you’re planning a trip to Alsace, Ruhlmann welcomes guests for tastings and cellar tours. Overnight accommodations are also available.

In a Class of Its Own, With a Glass of Its Own: Terlato Pinot Grigio 2018

Terlato Pinot Grigio has so much personality that it is the very first Pinot Grigio to inspire its own Riedel glass! Crafted from estate-grown and hand-picked grapes from hillside vineyards in Italy’s prestigious Friuli Colli Orientali wine region, Terlato Pinot Grigio is no bland, blah, and watery white wine. The 2018 vintage is absolutely luscious and alive with vibrant flavors of citrus, peach, and apricot, along with impressively crisp minerality. Friuli is renowned for producing some of Italy's finest white wines and Terlato Pinot Grigio is a fantastic example of the region's prowess. The Riedel glass is designed to perfectly showcase the wine’s full tapestry of aromas, flavors, and textures. 

I’ll admit that I was a bit skeptical at first but I tasted Terlato Pinot Grigio 2018 ($23.99) in both a standard wine glass and the special Riedel glass. The wine was delicious in both vessels but I found that the Riedel glass allowed the elegant flavors of Terlato Pinot Grigio to flow across my palate in a gentle cascade so that I could taste each nuance, instead of bombarding it in a rush of muddled flavors. And the elongated and sleek design of the Riedel glass adds another sensation to the sipping experience.

This collaboration between Terlato and Riedel certainly seems meant to be, both are family owned companies that are trailblazers in the wine industry. Most Americans had never heard of or tasted Pinot Grigio until Terlato began importing it to the United States in 1979. Riedel is renowned for their elegant glassware that is crafted to match specific varietals.

image courtesy of Terlato

The Riedel glass specifically designed for Terlato Pinot Grigio is not available for purchase but with a bit of patience, you can get your hands on two of these beautiful glasses. When you purchase a bottle of Terlato Pinot Grigio 2018 at your local wine shop, the bottle neck should contain information on how to mail in your dated proof of purchase to receive a free set of two Terlato Friuli Riedel glasses. The mail-in rebate offer expires March 31, 2020.