Fun with Sparkling Wine!

Try something fun for the holidays!

“Don’t ever let anyone dull your sparkle” – Sally Gilchrist

  

Holiday parties are in full swing and whether you are hosting friends or want to bring a fun gift as a party favor; sparkling wines are always appreciated this time of year. Sparkling wines are a cousin to Champagne and Prosecco.

A recent sampling featured a sparkling wine called Blanc de Bleu Cuvée Mousseux by Premium Vintage cellars (www.blancdebleu.com). The wine is an effervescent blue in color as a result of blueberries that are added to Chardonnay grapes.

 

Blanc de Bleu® Cuvée Mousseux

PositiveVines ‘HelpfulTip: Sparkling wine is made by not allowing the escape of gases created from the fermentation of sugar and yeast. The gases return into the wine and are released when you pop the cork, creating tiny bubbles. It can only be called Champagne if it comes from the Champagne region of France.

The Chardonnay grapes are harvested from Northern California in Mendocino County. Blanc de Bleu was created in 2006 as the winemakers challenged themselves to create something different. Thus the first sparkling blue wine was born! The sugar levels and alcohol content are low at 11%. It is a Brut style which is slightly dry and the hint of blueberry gives it a crisp and balanced taste.

This sparkling wine earned silver award status in 2012 at the BevStar Awards. Blanc de Bleu averages $15 per bottle at most DFW Market Street stores. Ordering online is a bit more expensive at $25 per bottle. Shop around for sales this time of year. And consider bulk ordering for special occasions. Lots of brides select this sparkling wine as their “something blue” for wedding receptions. Consider adding frozen blueberries to your wine glass for added flavor.

Grab a couple of bottles of Blanc de Bleu to take with you to your next holiday party. It’s a fun conversation starter and the wine pairs well with both appetizers and desserts.

Remember to drink what it is that makes you truly happy and always think positively!

Drink Responsibly!

Turkey and Wine Pairing - Part 2

Turkey and Wine Pairing – Part 2

“Some people serve red wine with Thanksgiving dinner. Some people serve white. My preference is ‘lots of’.” – Crabby Road

  

For those of you who still need to purchase a turkey, you’re running out of time! For those of you still needing to buy wine for your Thanksgiving feast, here is part 2 of the turkey and wine pairing series. In the first blog I focused on red wine pairings. For this second blog I am focusing on white wine pairings.

In one of my earlier blogs, I reviewed a Chardonnay by Josh Cellars vineyards that is a great pairing for most any poultry dish. Today’s blog will feature La Crema Chardonnay (www.lacrema.com). La Crema winery produces a wide variety of Chardonnays from various wine growing regions including Monterey, Sonoma and the Russian River valleys. We will focus on La Crema’s Chardonnay from Sonoma Valley.

La Crema Chardonnay

PositiveVines ‘HelpfulTip: Sonoma Valley is known as the birthplace of wine production in California. Just north of San Francisco, the earliest vineyards in Sonoma survived major epidemics and prohibition.

I am a big fan of Chardonnays that have a bold taste and La Crema fits the bill. This Chardonnay has hints of citrus fruits in both the smell and taste. Customers also noted vanilla and plum flavors lingering on the palate. La Crema is aged for 5 months in French and American Oak barrels. The predominance of French Oak imparts a buttery, creamy finish. The slightly fruity sweetness lends itself well with the Turkey and Stuffing spices.  

La Crema Sonoma Chardonnay averages $16 at most stores. Many stores run specials this time of year since it is such a popular partnering with holiday meals. One hidden gem for wine sales is World Market. This surprisingly fun store frequently runs specials on La Crema wines.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving! Enjoy your family traditions and don’t be afraid to start new ones. Let me know what you think about the wine! Post to my blog or email me. I’m always thrilled to hear from wine enthusiasts.  

Remember to drink what it is that makes you truly happy and always think positively!

Drink Responsibly!

Turkey and Wine Pairing - Part 1

“If food is the body of good living, wine is its soul”– Clifton Fadiman

  

6 days and counting until Turkey Day! Thanksgiving is a feast of food, family, friends and celebration for most Americans. Yes, there is controversy surrounding the day and the original participants but, for the sake of my blog I’d like to focus on the evolution of the holiday to represent the time honored tradition of eating, drinking, playing tag football and a brief rest before the shopping madness for Christmas starts.

One of the most time-honored traditions is “if it grows together, it goes together” should be taken into account when looking at pairings with Turkey and many other traditional Thanksgiving foods. For the red wine lovers in the group my focus today will be on Hahn’s Pinot Noir, an American wine from Monterey county (www.hahnwines.com).

Hahn Pinot Noir

Pinot Noir is a lighter varietal that pairs well with poultry and grilled meats. Hahn’s Pinot Noir has hints of cherry, strawberry and spices.

PositiveVines ‘HelpfulTip: Pinot Noir is often compared against Cabernet Sauvignon varietals in terms of body and boldness. Pinot is much lighter and should be enjoyed within 4 to 5 years of bottling versus a Cabernet Sauvignon which can age quite well for 10 to 20 years.

The Hahn family winery Pinot Noir vineyards are located in the Santa Lucia Highlands of Monterey County. The Santa Lucia Highlands is known for having rich soil in a cooler mountainside climate.  Customers described this wine as also having a slight hint of tannins that provided a smooth balance to the fruitiness initially experienced.

Hahn’s everyday offering of Pinot Noir’s averages $14 a bottle. This makes it easy to stock up for the holidays. If you’re willing to spend a little more, Hahn has a SLH variety (Santa Lucia Highlands-remember) that starts at $40 bottle with Wine Spectator ratings of 90 and above.

Let me know what you think! Post to my blog or email me. I’m always thrilled to hear from wine enthusiasts.  I’ll be back before Thanksgiving to talk about a good Turkey pairing for the white wine lovers in the group.

Remember to drink what it is that makes you truly happy and always think positively!

Drink Responsibly!

The Season of Family and Celebration

“As long as we have Wine, the Holidays will be just Fine.” – Unnamed source

  

Halloween candy is starting to get low in the plastic pumpkins and we are turning our attention to the start of the holiday season with Thanksgiving right around the corner. Hanukkah, Christmas and New Year’s Eve follow in rapid succession. What’s a Wine Lover to do when hosting family and friends with a wide variety of tastes?

Today’s blog will focus on Moscato, a sweet wine varietal that is a experiencing double digit growth in sales and adoption by wine lovers. I had the privilege of hosting a sampling of Risata’s Moscato d’Asti. This Moscato is produced using varietals from the hilly Asti region of Italy by the Prestige Wine & Spirits Group. The wine is bottled under the group brand of Risati wine (www.risatiwine.com).

The Risata Mosacato is derived 100% from Moscato Bianco di Canelli grapes. These grapes are the fourth largest variety planted in Italy and naturally lend themselves through the fermentation process to produce sparkling wines with a fun fizzy characteristic.

Risata Moscato d’Asti

PositiveVines ‘HelpfulTip: The Muscato Bianco grape produces a wine with a lower alcohol content (5.5%) than the average wine (12-13%).

The Risata Mosacato is derived 100% from Moscato Bianco di Canelli grapes. These grapes are the fourth largest variety planted in Italy and naturally lend themselves through the fermentation process to produce sparkling wines with a fun fizzy characteristic.

The Risata Moscato d’Asti is bright colored with a hint of tangerines and honey on your palate. It is sweet without taking on the heavier qualities of dessert wines. The wine also has a fragrant scent of rose petals and fruit.

The Risata Moscato d’Asti would be well paired with cheese, fruits, traditional holiday meals and spicy dishes such as Biryani or Thai dishes. The bottle itself is a beautiful blue with the design of wine leaves. What a nice centerpiece on any dinner table! At an average price point of $13 per bottle this is an excellent value for the quality.

Let me know what you think! Post to my blog or email me. I’m always thrilled to hear from wine enthusiasts. And remember to enjoy your holidays. Slow down, put family and friends first and embrace every moment!

Remember to drink what it is that makes you truly happy and always think positively!

Drink Responsibly!

Smooth and Easy Merlot for Fall

Welcome to the Fall Wine Lovers!

“Celebrate Fall. Put on your Favorite sweater and cozy up with a glass of wine.”

        – Wine Wednesday Rule #66

Wednesdays aren’t the only fall day that I like to enjoy a glass of a good wine. Fall offers us a chance to slow down just a little before the hectic pace of the holiday season. Summer generally calls for lighter wines such as a Sauvignon Blanc and winters favor hearty Cabernet Sauvignons. 

I find that the cooler fall nights as well as my favorite pastime – watching football – are well suited for a lighter red varietal grape in the Merlot. Today’s blog will feature the smooth and well rounded Sandstone Lot Merlot from Wente Vineyards (www.wentevinyards.com). 

Wente Sandstone Lot Merlot 2012

Wente Vineyards is a fifth generation family owned Vineyard and Winery established in 1883 in Livermore Valley (Livermore, California). With over 130 acres Wente produces wine using sustainable farming practices. Karl D. Wente leads the vineyard as the primary winemaker. 

The 2012 Sandstone Lot Merlot that I recently demonstrated exhibits aromas and flavors of black cherry, blackberry and plum. This Merlot was aged for 16 months in neutral French and American oak to provide a hint of toasted oak flavor as the wine settles on your palate.  The Sandstone lot Merlot doesn’t impart heavy tannins which make it an easy red wine to savor.

PositiveVines ‘HelpfulTip: The Merlot grape originated in the Bordeaux region of France. It is a widely planted and early harvested dark red grape that is hard to categorize. Merlot grapes can be used alone or in a variety of red wine blends.

The Sandstone Lot Merlot would be well paired with a variety of fall foods. Chili blends, pork and chicken are a few that come to mind. At $13USD per bottle the Sandstone Lot Merlot is at a great price point to pick up a couple of bottles today and enjoy for the weekend.

Let me know what you think! Post to my blog or email me. I’m always thrilled to hear from wine enthusiasts.

Remember to drink what it is that makes you truly happy and always think positively!

Drink Responsibly!

Summer Heat calls for a light Sauvignon Blanc

Hello PostiveVines followers! I’m back to share more about great wines and spirits. Summer is one of my favorite times of year and I’ve been out and about on short trips sharing new wines at tastings across Texas.

When the temperature climbs above 95º, most of us slow down and find a smooth refreshing drink.  Sauvignon Blanc is a great summer varietal that I enjoy serving. This varietal started in the South West Region of France and is also widely grown in the US and New Zealand. Today I will focus on a Sauvignon Blanc from Bogle Vineyards. This California wine producing family focuses on sustainable farming practices. They produce high quality wines at wallet friendly prices.

PositiveVines’ Helpful Tip:  The Sauvignon Blanc varietal probably got its name from two French words – Sauvage (meaning wild) and Blan (meaning white).This green-skinned grape was considered to be a wild vine versus one of the sought after ancient vines.

Bogel’s winemakers – Eric Aafedt and Dana Stemmler – are masters at producing wines that consistently receive high scores from wine critics. The 2012 Sauvignon Blanc that I hosted received 88 points out of 100. This ranks it as “Very Good” wine in terms of color, clarity and taste. In a future post, I’ll cover the wine scoring system and how this can provide guidance.

Bogel’s Sauvignon Blanc is a light colored wine with hints of citrus in the aroma. During a recent tasting, customers described tasting lemongrass and citrus fruits along with a little spice.

This wine is a lighter version of a dry white wine. Don’t let that scare you away if you generally like sweeter wines. Remember that there is a citrus taste to balance the dry. Bogel’s wine pairs very well with light appetizers, cheeses, salads and seafood. Bogel’s Sauvignon Blanc would be an excellent companion for picnics. Like most Sauvignon Blancs it features a twist cap which makes it portable. At $9 USD per bottle you can grab a couple of bottles of this wine to take with you.

Remember to drink what it is that makes you truly happy and always think positively!

Drink Responsibly!

Cheese and Wine Pairings

“Wine and cheese are ageless companions” – M.F.K. Fisher

One of the pleasures of exploring is the thrill in seeking new places to enjoy good company and a great glass of wine. Scardello  (www.scardellocheese.com) on Oak Lawn in Dallas is the perfect place to escape from the summer heat and explore new wines and cheese pairings.

Scardello is a cut-to-order cheese shop boasting almost 150 handmade American and European cheeses including a wide variety produced in Texas.

Your first trip to Scardello can be overwhelming, especially for cheese novices like me. Fortunately, the “Cheese Enthusiasts” were there to guide me. Cheddar is a favorite cheese for my palate so I chose Stag Cheddar from Wisconsin. This variety of cheese pairs well with chardonnay. I chose a chardonnay variety from Le P’Tit Paysan (www.lppwines.com) produced with grapes from the Jack’s Hill vineyard in Monterey Bay California. 

LPP’s winemaker, Ian Brand, has taken the unique characteristics of this vineyard to produce a wine that is reflective of the idiosyncrasies of the rough growing region in Monterey. The labels are designed to catch your eye with Le P’Tit Paysan translating to mean “little peasant or clown in country fashion”.

Le P’Tit Paysan Jack's Hill Chardonnay  has a smooth, bright taste. Unlike the traditional California Chardonnay which is buttery in taste, this chardonnay is part of a new blend of California wines that uses a mix of stainless steel and neutral oak form fermentation to enhance a citrusy taste.

PositiveVines’ Helpful Tip: Most Chardonnays from California have a round, buttery taste. This is due to the use of French Oak barrels in the fermentation process.

Le P’Tit Paysan Jack’s Hill Chardonnay is a budget-friendly $20 USD. To Scardello’s credit they do not add overhead to the price of wines that they offer.  This wine is not found in most local grocery stores with only 730 cases having been produced of the 2013 vintage. You can order it from the LPP website (www.lppwines.com) or ask about it in your local wine store. 

Next Friday (7/10), I will be venturing to Specs in Arlington to share some Chilean reds.

Remember to drink what it is that makes you truly happy and always think positively!

Drink Responsibly!

The Legend of Casillero del Diablo!

“When the legends die, the dreams end; there is no more greatness” – Tecumseh

The Carménère variety of grape, grown in abundance in Chile, is today’s focus from the Concha Y Toro winery (www.casillerodeldiablo.com). Winemaker Marcio Ramirez enhances the legend of the “devil in the cellar” by producing a deep, dark purple wine that proved to be the favorite of customers during my latest wine sampling at Market Street in Frisco. The wine steward – Justin – is fantastic to work with and shoppers at this Market Street enjoy this store for the wide variety of wines, beers and spirits. Stop by there the next time you are in Frisco. You’ll love this store and the folks that work there.

Before describing the great flavors in this varietal, let me tell you a little about the legend of the cellar. Casillero del Diablo translates to Cellar of the Devil. The winery’s founder, Don Melchor, discovered that his workers were over-sampling some of his greatest wines. In order to discourage this pilfering Señor Melchor started a rumor that the devil was a permanent resident in his wine cellar. As far-fetched as it sounds, the workers were scared away from the cellar and the legend of Casillero del Diablo (as well as the name of the wine label) was born. Take a look at the insignia at the top of the bottle to see the legend of the devil in play!

The Carménère grape lives up to the legend with unique flavors at a good price point. Prior to drinking, I would recommend that you decent the wine for at least 30 minutes in a cool room to take advantage of the robust flavors.

PositiveVines’ Helpful Definition: Decant – gradually pour the wine from one container to another to let the wine breath.

If you like red wines but, prefer milder tannins this is the wine for you.  What’s interesting is that even with milder tannins the wine has a complex set of flavors. Light spices and dark plum start the tasting journey. Some customers tasted a little chocolate and all found that there was a smooth smoky finish that rounded out the experience.  I would pair this Carménère varietal with a good steak or a Spanish dish of Seafood Paella.

The wine averages $10-$12 USD per bottle and makes an excellent choice for adventurous drinkers who enjoy robust reds. Try it today and post a comment letting me know what you think!

Come see me tomorrow on July 4^th at Market Street in Plano, TX from 3-6pm as I host a sampling with wines from the Francis Ford Coppola winery.

Remember to drink what it is that makes you truly happy and always think positively!

Drink Responsibly!

Great Wines to Pair with Summer Barbeques

Now that we’re through the Summer Solstic and with the July 4^th holiday fast approaching, it’s time to plan for outings with family and friends. If you are a meat lover like I am, I’ve got a great Cabernet Sauvignon labeled Freakshow by the Michael David winery (michaeldavidwinery.com).  I had the privilege of hosting this varietal at a Market street wine sampling event.

If you’re like most of my friends the name Freakshow will peak your interest. I’ll tell you more about the name and the label that inspired it a little later.

The Michael David winery is located in the Lodi Region of California. Two brothers – Michael and David Phillips – are 5^th generation members of this farming family. The Phillips brothers are progressive farmers who fully embrace sustainable farming practices in 2011.

PositiveVines’ Helpful Definition: Sustainable farming -  the production of food, fiber, or other plant or animal products using farming techniques that protect the environment, public health, human communities, and animal welfare.

This varietal of Cabernet Sauvignon has a small amount of Petit Sirah blended in and is barreled in American Oak for 18 months.  American Oak barrels tend to impart a stronger flavor to wines and have a creamier texture with hints of vanilla or coconut. Cabernet Sauvignon grapes are highly adaptable to multiple growing regions of the world. Freakshow has grown in popularity each year with the 2011 year of production creating 20,000 cases. The 2013 harvest grew to 100,000 cases.

Technicalities aside - take a look at the cool artwork on this bottle! The Michael David winery worked with artist Ben Moreno to create unique label designs that catch the eye and match the lively flavor of this bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon. The label – inspired by Mr. Moreno’s memories of the circus – inspired the name Freakshow. The Phillips brothers have a great sense of humor and an eye catching way to distinguish their wines from others on the shelf.

Customers at the sampling moved this bottle off of my table and the shelves in droves! Rich tastes of dark cherry, blackberry, roasted spices and vanilla followed by very mild tannins make this a favorite of both new and seasoned Cabernet enthusiasts. At an average of $20 per bottle, Freakshow is great to pair with grilled meats (in particular steaks and ribs). Grab a bottle the next time you are out and about. Post a comment and let me know what you think about it!

My next wine sampling will be this weekend (June 27^th) at Market Street in Frisco (11999 Dallas Parkway) from 1-7pm. Stop by for to sample wines from France and Spain!

Remember to drink what it is that makes you truly happy and always think positively!

Drink Responsibly!

Try a new Chardonnay for the Summer

How many of you have gone to the store seeking out that new bottle of wine, only to be overwhelmed with the selection and retreat back to the familiar? Be honest- we all have!!!

Most weekends you can find me at one of our local beverage or grocery stores hosting a wine tasting. You may see other people like me at your favorite beverage store. Don’t be afraid to come up and talk to us. Most are independent contractors like me – we love sharing new wines and if your taste buds don’t care for the varietal that we are hosting it’s okay! We’ll be back one day with something that you will like. 

PositiveVines’ Helpful Definition: Varietal – a variety of wine made primarily from a single named grape.

Last week, I had the privilege of sharing wines from Joseph Carr Winery (www.joshcellars.com) at a Kroger in Plano, TX (3305 Dallas Parkway). Stop by there sometime soon. The wine steward – Debra – does an incredible job of providing a variety of wines, beers and spirits for every taste and wallet.

The varietals that I hosted were the Josh Cellars Chardonnay and Josh Cellars Legacy. Joseph Carr, an award winning Sommelier, founded his family winery in 2005. He labels his bottles in honor of his father Josh. Joseph Carr works with small growers and winemakers across California including Napa Valley, Sonoma, Mendocino Valley and the Central Coast. Hot summers call for light wines so I’ll focus on my impression of the Chardonnay.

Many entry wine drinkers in the United States start with Chardonnay. The green, light-skinned grape originated in the Burgundy wine region of eastern France. California is a major producer of the Chardonnay varietal. California Chardonnay tends to bear tropical fruit flavors and depending upon the aging process may have a buttery taste. It’s not sweet – so if you’re looking for something that tastes like Sweet Tea, this is not the drink for you!

This varietal was harvested in 2013. 2013 was an unusually warm growing season for California. Of course with the highlighted drought conditions in California, warm may become the norm. It is a light colored Chardonnay in your glass and has a touch of acidity at the end which gives it a crisp edge. While it was aged in 30% New French Oak, most customers – including myself- did not find that it has the same buttery taste that is a trademark of many California Chardonnays. This is a good Chardonnay value for the price – around $10.00 a bottle and works well with seafood or a chicken dish. In Dallas with hot summer days and sometimes just as hot summer nights, the crispness of this Chardonnay will give you a solid wine, at a reasonable price and none of that heavy too-full feeling afterwards. My wonderful husband Nate made an incredible dish of Honey braised chicken with a medley of vegetables and this Chardonnay was a great compliment after a long day.

The next time that you’re looking for a good Chardonnay give Josh Cellars Chardonnay a try. I’d love to know what you think about it! 

If you'd like to stop by next week to sample a few great wines come visit me at World Market, 3888 Oak Lawn Avenue in Dallas. I'll be there from 1-4pm on Saturday, June 20th.

Remember to drink what it is that makes you truly happy to drink and always think positively!

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Welcome to my 1st Post

Welcome to the first post from PositiveVines!

You may wonder why I chose the name PositiveVines for my venture. For me a good bottle of wine shared with friends and family is one of the most positive things that I can do! I love sharing my experiences, a good meal and a good bottle of wine.

Even if you aren't a lover of wine or don't drink, come along with me on this journey. 

A little about Diane of PositiveVines:

I am a Master Gardener in the state of Texas, wife, mother and lover of great foods and wines! I've learned through my experiences that everyone can appreciate wine no matter what their budget. While some of the best varietals can be quite expensive remember that you can get a great wine for everyday drinking or special occasions at great prices.

I have combined my love of agriculture and wine starting out as an independent wine sampler for a variety of vineyards, bottlers and spirits vendors. 

Each sampling experience will be posted here so that you can learn about some great wines and the people behind the production of the wines.

As the name implies these posts will stay on the Positive side. My goal is not to destroy someone else's life work by being negative about wines that I may not prefer. Each of our tastes are unique and I believe that we can have PostiveVines everyday!!!

Remember to drink what it is that makes you truly happy and always think positively!

Drink Responsibly!

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