I Love California Wines!

Sorry I missed last week – I was on vacation.  Oh, and did I mention – I am having a love affair with Californian Wines!  The California Wine Show was here in Nova Scotia while I was away, and although I didn’t get a chance to go, I have been trying all the new wines and what can I say – Fantastic.

Let’s start with this smoky beauty.  Deep deep deep dark fruits, spice, crushed black pepper, oak and yes, a mild hint of cigar.  Gorgeous Zinfandel wine that has been aged in both French and American oak for 11 months – this is a big in your face oaky wine.  I loved it.

Want to bring a bottle of wine to dinner that kick starts a fun conversation.  Bring the Flirt Red Wine blend.  It’s under $17 and is an alluring blend of Syrah, Tempranillo and Zinfandel.  How can you not like this wine.  Juicy red plums, baked cherry spice, butterscotch, and vanilla.  I know – YUM!  Oak aging just adds that bit of smoothness.  This company is marketing this wine with a whole bunch of fun flirty sayings like ‘Your other wine will never know’ and ‘Your new favorite redhead’.

Here’s one of my favorite stories.  Paul Brasset was born in Antigonish, Nova Scotia and went to the Napa Valley in California in 1980 to make wine.  He worked at several vineyards making award winning wines.  In 2003 Paul was hired as winemaker and personal wine advisor by Sydney Frank (Grey Goose Vodka fame).  He launched the Bluenose label and makes a spectacular Chardonnay and a Zinfandel.

The  Chardonnay is rich and full of big flavors – pineapple, pear, tropical fruit and crème brulee.  It’s fantastic.  The Zinfandel is exceptional – rich and bold with dark cherry fruits, mocha, and oak.  This man knows how to make Zinfandel.   To use his words “Seriously good wine shouldn’t have to come with a seriously obscene price or attitude – but it should come with great grapes, great provenance and great care”. 

And last but not least, the Truett Hurst Wine Company in California has come out with a series of ‘Evocative Wrapped Bottles’.  This unique packaging holds some unique wine.  Two weeks ago I told you about the Curious Beast wine.  Dark as night, rich as sin and scary good.   A fantastic blend of merlot, Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Syrah and Cabernet Franc.  For under $20, you can’t go wrong and again, a great conversation starter when you bring this wine for dinner.  Yesterday I had the opportunity to sample the Schuck Chardonnay.   The beautiful wraps, which the wine is packaged in, is not only recyclable, but the wrap will stand up in an ice bucket.

The Schuck’s Chardonnay is a delight – rich and smooth.  Tropical flavors, pineapple and crème brulee.  I loved it.

So many wines – so little time!

Enjoy a glass – Cheers.

Darlene