Mano a Vino

We liked this - Cupcake Sauvignon Blanc - Marlborough New Zealand meet Monterey County, CA

Here is a fun and flavorful Sauvignon Blanc. It lights up on the tongue and delivers a delicious array of tasty flavors. They are not deep and long lasting but for the short burst very satisfying.

Some who have reviewed this wine have utterly despised it. Everyone to their own taste. But we liked it and at $9-10 we will buy more.

Passionate Winemakers of Jacob's Creek - Philip Laffer and Bernard Hickin - Australian Rieslings

I have met many a winemaker in my travels and they all have an abundance of passion for what they do. They must, producing great wine is a considerable feat that only a few have the insight and perseverance to accomplish .

These two men, Philip Laffer and Bernard Hickin of Jacob's Creek, display a level of passion that I have not seen before. Their love and dedication to the wine is prodigious.

I was very fortunate to meet them in an extraordinary tasting held at The Australian in NYC where they pulled out all the stops and very generously shared a decade of their fine Rieslings, from 1997 to 2008, in three levels, Classic, Reserve and their very fine Steingarten.

Let me tell you about the wines. 

He brings Australia to New York City meet Matt Astill, Owner/Manager of The Australian, Restaurant & Bar

I Matt at a fabulous wine tasting featuring some of the great wines of Jacob's Creek held at his NY restaurant.

He is a affable yet focused and hard working guy that runs a great bar and restaurant.

It is a few blocks from my new office and I have been looking for an opportunity to stop in.  Since vacationing in Australia a few years ago, I love everything Australian, especially Australian / Mod Oz cuisine. I have been to Eight Mile Creek and the Tuck Shop in NY. The Australian has been on my list for some time.  Passing by it seemed more like a sports pub, I was happy to learn that it is a great restaurant as well.

Photo from Sidney Morning Herald

Luz Restaurant Review- Wonderful Nuevo Latino Cuisine in Brooklyn, NY

We were out in Brooklyn to visit a friend who recently moved to a charming little house in the still up and coming Fort Green/Clinton Hill neighborhood.

On the way we stopped at the amazing food market on Atlantic Avenue, Sahadi Fine Foods, post on this to follow, and then had dinner at a perfect Latin restaurant called Luz on Vanderbilt Avenue a short way from Pratt Institute.

These neighborhoods have changed a lot since I lived in Brooklyn in the early 70's and then the late 80's. There is so much to explore and enjoy in the Atlantic Avenue and Fort Green/Clinton areas.

Dinner started with an absolutely perfect Pisco Sour...

A Sangiovese Rosé from Australia - Robert Oatley

Sangiovese is one of my favorite grapes especially in its hybrid known as Brunello. From these grapes come some of the world's finest wines lovingly made in the prestigious vineyards of Tuscany, Italy.

I have enjoyed Sangiovese from other parts of the world, but a Rose of Sangiovese on first blush, no pun intended, seemed like sacrilege.

It is not that I don't like Rosé wines, I do. I especially  like unusual Rosé wines like Crios de Susana Balbo Roseof Malbec or Il Mimo Rosato Di Nebbiolo. It just seemed that Sangiovese is to nobile. I was wrong.

Mapuche Sauvignon Blanc 2008 an Amanti Vino Wine of the Month Selection

Drank this wonderful Sauvignon Blanc with a dinner of grilled swordfish and a corn, radish, avocado salad last night.

It is a tremendous value at under $10 with no compromise in quality.

"Named for the indigenous tribes that populated the Chile and Argentina centuries ago. The wine is classic new world Sauvignon Blanc showing notes of white peach, grapefruit, chopped jalapeños and minerals."  Amanti Vino

Two Summery Viognier Blends Great for Sipping Under the Sun, Wines from California and Argentina

The first is a Rhone Style White from the Central Coast of California, my friend Cathy Fink found this beauty at Costco and brought it to a Maj group get together with my wife Diana and friends. They left half the bottle in the fridge, much to my delight. It was great the next night with left over Thai food, a delicious green curry dish from Brookside Thai.

The wine is 2007 Treana, California Central Coast, Viognier 50%, Marsanne 50%. It is produced by Treana Winery, Paso Robles, CA a part of the

Viognier is a wildly fruity flowery grape for some takes getting used to, it is produced primarily in the Rhone Valley, France, bt now is being produced all over the world. Blended with a grape like Marsanne which is another great of the Rhone Valley, the wine gains more body and rich melon flavors.

People say:

"There's fantastic depth and richness to the apricot, peach and almond flavors. Intense as syrup, but with a good acidity that keeps this light on its feet. The richness persists on the finish. Viognier and Marsanne. Drink now. 5,000 cases made"

"Floral aromatics, intense stone fruit flavors, overtones of honey, and a particularly lush mouthfeel. There's enough bright fruit to drink this wine right now, but enough acidity and minerality for Treana White to develop with age in the bottle not a common trait among California white wines."

The flowery flavors of Viognier can be off putting when the grape is alone, but in a blend like this they are enticing and a wonderful compliment to summer dishes.

Can also be found at Liquor Outlet Wine Cellars

Another Viognier I realy enjoy is Bodegas Nieto Senetiner Chardonnay Viognier Don Nicanor 2008

It is a fine example of the very creative winemaking going on in Argentina.

Bd Law writes on Vin Cellar:

"Absolutely hands down a great blend and my vote for value white of Summer 2009. Well-balanced, full rich body, mouth coating with a nice touch of acid, nice, bright citrus fruits with a buttery richness. The viognier to chardonnay ratio plays beautifully, each grape contributing its unique character without overwhelming the other. Easy drinking on its own, drinks well with food, drinks well cold as well as at slightly warmer (read: more flavorful) temps. If you're buying white wine for a party this Summer, this is a no-brainer at 14 bucks"

Was available at Liquor Outlet Wine Cellars. Find elsewhere here www.vinquire.com.

A Great Summer Wine Stickleback White, Found at Amanti Vino

Heartland Wines of South Australia produces this wine. I love their Stickleback Red which is an interesting blend of 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Shiraz, 10% Dolcetto, 5% Grenache Shiraz. 

I jumped at the chance to try their Stickleback White. We tasted it last night with a curried chicken and were delighted.

Ben Glaetzer, winemaker, has combined 49% Semillon, 28% Chardonnay, 20% Verdelho for the 2007 vintage of this inexpensive delicious wine.

It has "vibrant straw in colour with flashes of lime green. Masses of citrus zest on the nose with gooseberry, peach and passionfruit hints. Flavours of lemon zest and pear balanced by refreshing, crisp acid and a long, bright aromatic finish." Winemaker

It is perfect for sipping with cheese and olives, great with pistachio nuts, and would be great with chicken or seafood dishes.

We loved this wine and at $8.99 it is a tremendous bargain.

Buy it at Amanti Vino in Montclair, NJ.

Hesketh Shiraz 2006 Usual Suspects

Here is a really exceptional Australian Shiraz that you can find for under $20.00.

I love the names and labels the Aussie's come up with for their wines.

I didn't pick this just because it shares a name with one of my favorite movies Usual Suspects but I bet that Keyser Söze would like this wine and if you have seen the movie you know that we like to keep Keyser happy.

The wine is described as "meaty, lush Shiraz with exceptional balance and flavor.Scrumptious with washed rind cheeses. "

Oatley Wines from Mudgee, NSW, Australia

I am always delighted to discover another great wine region in Australia. There are so many. One I learned of recently is a region called Mudgee. It is in a beautiful area northwest of Sydney. Great wine has been produced there since the 1800's. 

The name Mudgee is derived from the Wiradjuri term Moothi meaning "Nest in the Hills".

One of the best vineyards there is the Robert Oatley Vineyard nestled in the scenic hills of rich volcanic soil. I recently had the good fortune to to taste some of their wonderful wines.