Monthly Archives: May 2012

The Personalities of Wine & People Part 3

As I had previously mentioned, I am taking the Level 1 Wine Fundamentals course and the learning continues.  You have to love a teacher that advised you to ‘try differnet wines’.  And I have, and I found a new wine that I love.  And that fact it’s under $20, I love it even more.

Cahors Wine reviews

Clos la Coutale is from the Cahors region of Southwest France.  France, I have learned, is a country that labels its wine by region.  This region is known for its big rich wines, and this one doesn’t disappoint.  The big surprise with this wine is the price tag.  Under 417 at the NLC.  This wine is a Malbec, and those that know me know I love a Malbec from Argentina.  Yes, there are Malbec’s from outside Argentina as well.  I love the color of this wine, it’s dark and fruity, and I love the spicy hint of oak, which doesn’t over-power the wine.  Robert Parker gave this wine an 88 and Wine Spectator gave it a 90.  It reminds me of the under-stated wealthy guy.  This wine has a wealth of taste (like that) but doesn’t need the big flashy price tag.  It’s one of my favorite finds.  Pick up a bottle, and let me know what you think.

Enjoy

Darlene

The Personalities of Wine & People Continue

My apologies for not writing in a while.  Since the last time I wrote, I have started taking the Level 1 Wine Fundamentals Course, working towards my Sommelier certification.  Boy, am I learning about wine.  And loving the course.   I love learning about the history and the different wine making techniques and vintages and so on.  But I digress.  The personalities of wine and people continue.

One of the best things to come out of this course for me was that I am discovering white wines like never before.  I used to drink Reds, and only Reds.  Now I drink 60% Reds and 40% White, and I want to share one of my favorite white wine discoveries.

This is my new favorite white wine to date.  Stoneleigh Sauvignon Blanc – it reminds me of young love.  It’s new, it’s fresh, it’s exciting each and every visit.  What I love about this wine is that the last sip tastes as great as the first sip.  Drink it young, the younger the better.  (Guess that might make me a cougar, lol!)  In our course, one of the things we have learned is that ‘salad is a wine killer’!  There aren’t too many wines that can go with salads that have a vinaigrette dressing.  This is it!  Crisp, vibrant and aromatic is what comes to mind every time I pour a glass.   And not just salad…. chicken, fish and a stir fry.  Oh and goat cheese and a Sauvignon Blanc – heaven!

Stoneleigh is a great deal at $18.98 a bottle in our liquor stores.  It is in the New Zealand section and is from the Marlborough region, which is in the Northeast tip of the South Island.  The Marlborough region is known for its Sauvignon Blanc and many great vineyards are producing many great Sauvignon Blancs.   Another great one for me is Matua Valley, from the same Marlborough region of New Zealand.  About $1.50 more than the Stoneleigh, it has the same fun and flirty nose and palate.

Want to have that ‘young love’ feeling again.  Go grab a bottle of Stoneleigh  or Matua Valley Sauvignon Blanc.