WineOfTheWeek - Articles and Posts from Slashfood

Posts with tag WineOfTheWeek

Crémant - Wine of the Week

Posted Nov 3rd 2009 4:00PM by Slashfood Editor
Filed under: Champagne, France, Wine of the Week

Photo: Vitteaut-Alberti.

by Kristine Hansen

Generally, crisp and celebratory, wines like cava, brut, Champagne and American sparkling wines probably won't turn any heads if you bring them to an occasion that calls for bubbles. But Crémant, a French sparkling wine, can make a fashionable entrance. Although still a nouveau import to many areas of the U.S. it's tres affordable. Most Crémants are priced under $20 a bottle.

Crémant is produced in seven regions throughout France: Bordeaux, Alsace, Burgundy, Loire, Die, Jura and Limoux. Strict laws from the French government stipulate that the grapes must be harvested by hand and the bottles aged for at least a year. There are also rules for the composition of grapes. And they differ by region. In Burgundy, for instance, at least 30 percent of the wine must be Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc or Pinot Gris.

While traveling through the Burgundy region this summer, in between spreading cheeses on rustic baguettes and reveling in the deliciousness of mustards from this region, we sipped some very good bottles of Crémant de Bourgogne. Fortunately you can buy both of our top picks in the States.

Continue reading Crémant - Wine of the Week

Wine Blends - Wine of the Week

Posted Aug 31st 2009 3:00PM by Gretchen Roberts
Filed under: Wine

2005 Domaine Olivier Hillaire Châteauneuf-Du-Pape. Photo: K. Todd Storch, Flickr

Gretchen Roberts writes the wine blog Vinobite, has passed the introductory course at the Court of Master Sommeliers and is studying for her sommelier certification this fall.

Like most 20- and 30-something Americans who didn't travel to Europe as high school or college students, I discovered wine by the varietal: Merlot. Cabernet Sauvignon. Chardonnay. Eventually, I branched out into Riesling, Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Franc.

Varietals, or wines made from one type of grape, were easy to understand. I could read up on the flavor profile of the grape -- Merlot is soft, fleshy and fruity, with hints of violets and sometimes a note of green pepper -- and find those notes in the glass.

Then I traveled (virtually) to Europe and discovered blends: Rioja. Bordeaux. Chianti. These wines are made from a blend of grapes -- and learning about them was like learning a new language. They're labeled by the place, not the varietal, mostly because Europeans are adamant about the importance of terroir. Well, that and the fact that it would be awkward for the maker of Châteauneuf-du-Pape to list all 13 grapes in its blend.

After the jump, five blends I adore.

Continue reading Wine Blends - Wine of the Week

Seven Great Cabernets for $20 and Under - Wine of the Week

Posted Jul 13th 2009 5:00PM by Gretchen Roberts
Filed under: Wine, Wine of the Week

Sean Minor Cabernet Sauvignon. Photo: Sean Minor Wines

Gretchen Roberts writes the wine blog Vinobite, has passed the introductory course at the Court of Master Sommeliers and is studying for her sommelier certification this fall.

Throw out the phrase "Value Cabs" at a gathering of winos and you won't hear "Napa Valley," but you will hear "Chile."

To be honest, besides the excellent Root:1 Cabernet Sauvignon, I find most of the Chilean offerings at the $10 to $20 price point are too vegetal, tasting more of green peppers than ripe fruit. Luckily, plenty of other regions are making delicious, inexpensive Cabs that deliver with deep black fruit, hints of spice, cocoa and a nice finish. Here are seven to seek out.

7. Argentina: The Graffigna 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon ($13) is, like most Argentinean wines, incredibly well-made for the price. Step it up with the (No. 6) 2005 Grand Reserve ($20), which is a little more complex.

Five more Cabs for under $20 -- plus how to tell them apart at tastings without going crosseyed -- after the jump.

Continue reading Seven Great Cabernets for $20 and Under - Wine of the Week

South Africa - Wine of the Week

Posted May 11th 2009 3:00PM by Gretchen Roberts
Filed under: Wine, South Africa, Wine of the Week

Gretchen Roberts has passed the introductory course at the Court of Master Sommeliers and is studying for her sommelier certification this fall.

Taking on an entire country in a single post seems foolhardy at best, but here at Slashfood we're all about showcasing lip-smacking deals, and South African wine falls squarely into that category.

I'm not the only one who thinks so: Wine Spectator featured South Africa in its April 30 issue as one of five countries producing delicious wine for the cost-conscious imbiber. Wine Business Monthly published a two-part report on South African wine, whose exports to the U.S. have gone from next to nothing five years ago to a million cases last year.

More South Africa - Wine of the Week after the jump.

Continue reading South Africa - Wine of the Week

New York Pinot Noir - Wine of the Week

Posted Apr 13th 2009 11:00AM by Gretchen Roberts
Filed under: Wine, Wine of the Week

On paper New York looks like a good growing region for Pinot Noir: Its climate and soil type is similar to Burgundy, where the world's best Pinot Noirs are made.

But, as the Cornell study notes, Pinot Noir is a fickle grape -- difficult to grow and especially difficult to grow well. New York winemakers should only get into Pinot Noir if they're committed to producing wines of quality.

Happily enough, some of them seem to be.

One caveat: Fans of big, ripe heavily extracted Pinots with sweet cherry cola flavors and plenty of body and alcohol won't like Pinots from the Finger Lakes, a region upstate.The cool-climate region is similar to Burgundy in that it struggles to produce grapes of optimum ripeness in some years. Vinos of these vintages generally have a low concentration, lower alcohol (12-13 percent rather than upwards of 14 percent), a subtle bouquet and a taste suited to a more sensitive palate. We found two we love.

Read more New York Pinot Noir - Wine of the Week after the jump.

Continue reading New York Pinot Noir - Wine of the Week

#	Blogger	Posts	Cmts
1	Slashfood Editor	78	0
2	Alexa Weibel	48	2
3	Sarah LeTrent	31	0
4	Hanna Raskin	27	0
5	Emily Farris	17	0
6	Jennifer Lawinski	15	0
7	Sara Bonisteel	14	0
8	Michael Thomas Hastings	9	0
9	David Koeppel	7	0
10	Jennifer Iserloh	7	0
11	Jose Ralat Maldonado	6	1
12	Joshua M. Bernstein	5	2
13	Mike Pomranz	5	1
14	John Devore	4	0
15	LeNell Smothers	4	0
16	Erin Meister	4	0
17	Max Shrem	4	0
18	Lisa Schweitzer	3	0
19	Sarah Christine	3	0
20	Kristine Hansen	3	0

Blogger

Posts

Cmts

Michael Thomas Hastings

Reviews: What's New This Week Twitter Follow Friday on ParentDish! Diabetic Student Wins Fight For Extra Gym Classes	Heidi Klum Hits The Runway After Baby Thanksgiving Dinner Satisfaction And Perfect Portion Control: Time to Celebrate Cheesy Workout Video Round-up
'Lauren Conrad Style' - Star Writing Fashion Book Lindsay Lohan Causing Fighting at Emanuel Ungaro? Victoria's Secret Fashion Show: Backstage With the New Bombshells	Fashion Police: Week of November 23 Taylor Swift Grabs AMA Artist of the Year from Michael Jackson Michael Jackson Sets AMA Record With 2009 Wins
How to Dispose of Paint Get the Look for Less: A Fall Tablescape Turkey Transferware Plates	Playing Baby Otters; Baby-Making Manatees New Kid on the Bus Georgia Mascot Uga VII Dies at Age 4

Crémant - Wine of the Week

Wine Blends - Wine of the Week

Seven Great Cabernets for $20 and Under - Wine of the Week

South Africa - Wine of the Week

New York Pinot Noir - Wine of the Week

Tip of the Day

Slashfood Features

RESOURCES

Featured Stories

Slashfood bloggers (30 days)

Most Commented On (60 days)

Updates From

Sites We Love