Perusing through the retail wine shelves or a restaurant wine list, you may have come across “Vermentino” and wondered what it is. Yosemite Sam might guess it is an Italian wild rabbit but he’d be wrong. Though, he’d be right about the Italian part — Vermentino is a grape from Italy.
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Canadian White Wine: Inniskillin Pinot Grigio
So, I’m finally getting around to posting wine reviews from my trip to the Okanagan Valley to participate in the 2013 Wine Bloggers Conference.
This was my first taste of Canadian wine above the border, selected as a “surprise” by an enthusiastic and friendly sommelier at the White Spot Restaurant inside Kelowna airport. The lovely young lady asked if I wanted to see the wine list, or if she could surprise me; naturally, I opted for the surprise. She “guaranteed” that I’d enjoy the wine — and I did. It’s always great to find someone with a similar palate to guide you.
One caveat: it was served too cold — due to the white wines being stored in the refrigerator next to the beer. My personal somm explained, “most people who come in here want their white wine ice cold.” Yes, we have that problem in the USA as well. In any case, initially, the wine wasn’t impressive — not bad, just not impressive. But, my trusty infrared thermometer (yes, I’m a James Bond wannabe) registered 45 degrees Fahrenheit, so how could the wine possibly show any character? Once it warmed up to a more drinkable 52, then 55, the lovely mineral took over the aroma, which also boasted ripe pear and a hint of white peach. It had excellent acidity — again, only after warming up — and was nice enough drinking on its own, with a well-balanced finish of green apple. I would guess it would also go well with an array of foods. If you see it, give it a try.
Find this wine at a retailer near you using Wine-Searcher
See more reviews for Inniskillin Pinot Grigio from Wines in Niagara, Tony Aspler, and John Schreiner on Wine.
White Wine Review: Luna Mater
Fontana Candida Frascati “Luna Mater” 2009 | Lazio, Italy
This is one of those wines for that rare person who enjoys drinking wine with food, and/or considers wine as food.
OK, I’m being a little facetious / condescending. The truth is, like most Italian wines, this is food — at least, as far as I’m concerned.
Don’t — under ANY circumstances — attempt to [Read more…]
Spirits Kick: Limoncello
Meletti Limoncello
This thick limoncello follows with the Meletti house style, which tends to be sweeter, lighter, and more candied than others. As with this lemony digestivo, newbies will find their Amaro, Sambuca, and Anisette more approachable and an easier entry into those respective categories. Though the flavor is sweet and texture is really thick — seriously, you could chew on it — it’s not cloying and the finish is very clean and pleasing. Also surprising, it’s not that strong in alcohol (30% / 60 proof) and so there’s no heat or “bite” to knock your socks off. That’s either a good thing or a bad thing, depending on where you intend to go with your drink. Maybe the best part of this product is the package; the bottle is tall, with a long, skinny neck, and the label is worthy of putting on your wall in poster size, looking like an old-fashioned spirits ad from the late 1800s / early 1900s. I would call the package “retro” if not for the fact that I think they simply haven’t changed it in a hundred years. Worth seeking.
Find Meletti Limoncello at a retailer near you using Wine-Searcher
Disclosure: I used to work for the importer of this product, and tasted it free of charge.
White Wine Review for Thanksgiving: Macari Early Wine 2012 Chardonnay
Macari Vineyards Early Wine Chardonnay 2012 | North Fork, Long Island, NY, USA
Who needs Beaujolais Nouveau when you can “get local” with a luscious white wine from Long Island?
The truth is, I enjoy the hoopla, celebration, and tradition around Beaujolais Nouveau. Not to mention, the grape-jelly-like wine pairs mighty well with nearly everything on the Thanksgiving table. Just make sure you drink it before Valentine’s Day, OK?
Now, what if you’re one of those people who is anti-French? Or a staunch locavore? Or what if you feel that the American tradition of Thanksgiving should be celebrated with an American wine? There’s more to America than Zinfandel, and though Chardonnay is technically a French varietal, Macari’s is 100% grown and bottled in ‘merica, the good ol’ U-S-of-A. Most importantly, Macari Early Wine Chardonnay is guaranteed to pair well with the traditional turkey as well as nearly every trimming on the table. And, if you’re one of those who does something other than turkey, this wine will also go very well with roast pork, spiral ham, duck, chicken, or game fowl.
The nose has an understated aroma of pear – like pear nectar that you might drink from a Goya bottle or can. In the mouth, though, it explodes with bright, juicy flavors that remind me of fruit salad: sweet pear, peach, pineapple, guava, green seedless grapes, and white cherry. It has mild acidity and canadian pharmacy and a healthy dose of residual sugar that pushes all the fruit forward and makes for a delectable foil to hot and spicy foods; think sausage stuffing. It finishes with a pleasant, clean taste of pure fresh apple juice. This is a truly enjoyable, lovely wine that will be hugely popular with people who normally don’t drink wine. The snobs will eschew it for its r.s. level but watch them as they take surreptitious sips in between their condescending comments.
If you can get a bottle for Thanksgiving, by all means do so. And if you can’t get it in time for Thursday’s feast, pick it up anyway and enjoy it later with Chinese take-out, spicy Thai, Indian cuisine, buffalo wings, or on its own as an aperitif.
Find this wine at a retailer near you using Wine-Searcher
Alternatively, purchase it directly from the winery by visiting the Macari website
This wine was also reviewed by New York Cork Report and The V.I.P. Table.
Disclosure: I received this wine as a press sample
