Learning to Love French Wines!

“Give me books, French wine, fruit, fine weather and a little music played out of doors by somebody I do not know.” - John Keats

We’ve talked over the past few months about Cabernet Sauvignons, Chardonnays and many other varietal types of wine. The good majority of my blogs have focused on California wineries and vineyards. Today – I’d like to expand your knowledge or wines and wine labeling by discussing French wines.

You may wonder what makes wines from France that much different than those from California or Oregon or even New York state. Many parts of the US, Chile, Span and other countries produce exceptional wines. Besides the legend of French wines, you will notice a difference in the labeling.

French wines are labeled by the region that they are produced in. Some of the most noteworthy are Champagne, The Rhône and Bordeaux. Two-thirds of the wines produced in France are reds.

France has a set of complex wine laws designed to protect the integrity of the industry. In 1935 the INAO was created to set up a system of ratings and controls referred to as the AOC (Appellation d’origine contrôlée).

PositiveVines ‘HelpfulTip: AOC translates into controlled designation of origin. It is used to regulate production and sales of not only wine in France but, also of cheeses, butters and other agricultural products.

AOC labeling is complex so today I’ll give you the highlights contained on each label –

• The Area of Production (for example Haut-Médoc in Bordeux),
• Grape variety (each area has a limit on the types of grapes that can be grown) and
• The Name of the Winery.

What is important to remember is that you need to read the labels carefully in order to determine the grape varietals included in each bottle. In most cases wine stores stock these wines by the country and whether a bottle is a white or red. They are not identified as Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, or other varietal types.

During the next 3 months, I’ll write blogs that feature reasonably priced wines from each of the major wine producing regions of France. I will also further explore the complex wine labeling system to help you identify French wines that you may want to try. My goal is to target bottles that cost less than $25 and with excellent quality. While many of the best French wines are considerably more expensive, my goal is to keep things Positively affordable!

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

Drink Responsibly!

Bold California Cabernet Sauvignon

“Wine is sunlight held together by water…” Galileo Gallilei

  

Most areas in the U.S. are starting to heat up with above average temperatures and the arrival of spring on March 20^th.  Throwing a steak on the grill after work or on the weekend is a favorite of mine and pairing it with a bold California Cabernet Sauvignon makes the meal that much better.

Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the most widely produced varietals in the world. From the Bordeaux regions of France to the Central Valley of California, wine lovers appreciate the bold, fruity flavor of this varietal. Today, I will highlight Smith & Hook’s Cabernet Sauvignon ( www.smithandhook.com ).

Cabernet Sauvignons produced in California reflect a wide variation of flavor and intensity in the fruits presented to the drinker. Smith & Hook’s Cabernet Sauvignon is produced in the Central Valley region. This area is most commonly associated with the beautiful ocean-side town of Monterey, CA.

      Smith & Hook Cabernet Sauvignon

Smith & Hook uses grapes from 4 of it’s vineyards – Arroyo Seco, San Antonio, Hames Valley and Paso Robles – to create a layered affect of deep color along with flavors of plum, blackberry, cherry and spices. The tannins in this cabernet are present yet, do not leave an overpowering presence on your tongue.

PositiveVines ‘HelpfulTip: The Cabernet Sauvignon varietal came into existence through the accidental breeding of the red Cabernet Franc grape plant with a white Sauvignon Blanc grape plant.

Smith & Hook’s Cabernet Sauvignon is one that I purchase in bulk when it’s on sale. The normal list price is approximately $28 and Market Street in the DFW area currently has it on sale for $16 a bottle. Total Wine and many other discount beer and wine distributors carry it for under $20 a bottle.

The next time that you want a solid red wine to enjoy with a great steak or alone, try Smith & Hook’s Cabernet Sauvignon.

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

Drink Responsibly!

Twist on a Sunday Morning Favorite!

“All you need is Love and Wine. Maybe some chocolate… and a nap. But mostly LOVE” –Anonymous

  

I hope that each of you had a wonderful Valentine’s Day. Chocolate and champagne make the best companions for this special day. Let’s focus on a favorite for Sunday Brunch – Mimosas!

Mimosas are a favorite at many restaurants that specialize in Sunday Brunch. As our tastes have evolved, the flavors that are paired with sparkling wines and champagnes have also become varied. No longer are Mimosas only paired with orange juice. Many variations of juices are featured.

The first thing to remember is that a Mimosa is a blended drink that features sparkling wine and/or champagne. One that I enjoy is Korbel California Champagne (www.korbel.com). This is easily accessible in almost any store that sells wine and is very reasonably priced. I prefer the Brut variety for pairing with juices.

Triple Berry Mimosa featuring Korbel Brut

PositiveVines ‘HelpfulTip: Why can Korbel be labeled a champagne if it is produced outside of France? The Treaty of Versailles established the ownership of the Champagne label to the Champagne region of France. And while the U.S. signed the treaty, the U.S. Senate never ratified it thereby producing a loophole in the use of the title.

Korbel Champagne is produced in California. Korbel has a light taste with a hint of dryness. The beverage is made up of Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, French Colombard and Pinot Noir grapes. Korbel Brut has hints of citrus flavors and a very pleasant aroma. In 2015 the Brut took Gold and Silver awards in Orange County, CA and San Francisco wine competitions.

One variation on the Mimosa that I enjoy is a Triple Berry Mimos. The base features fresh squeezed orange juice combined with strawberry, raspberry and blueberry juices. Fill a champagne flute with 2/3 of the juice mixture, add a few frozen blueberries and fill the glass with Korbel Brut. As you drink the Mimosa, you can refill your glass with the remaining Korbel. Top it with a strawberry or other fruit on the rim for an added pop of color. The Korbel and juice mixture provides just the right blend of sweet and dryness to have a rich Mimosa that is not syrupy tasting.

Grab a couple of bottles of Korbel the next time that you see it at your favorite wine or grocery store. It generally starts around $11 per bottle and is a good type of everyday champagne to keep handy for brunch or any special occasion.

Be sure to send me your favorite Mimosa recipes so that we can share with the rest of the Positivevines’ followers.

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

Drink Responsibly!

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!