Thanksgiving is approaching. Pinot Noir goes great with Turkey and all the trimmings because of the high amount of acidity in Pinot. It is hard to find a good Pinot Noir under $20 due to the fact Pinot grapes are more difficult to grow and maintain.
Cooking Light magazine's November 2007 had some great suggestions for Pinot. I will also add Acacia's Pinot Noir 2005 to the list. You can find it at Trader Joe's.
"And Noah he often said to his wife when he sat down to dine,
I don't care where the water goes as long as it doesn't get in the wine."
-G.K. Chesterton
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Pinots continued
To add to the previous post of Pinot Noir...
Landmark's Pinot Noir is very good with Salmon. I know, I know, we've always been told that you can't drink red wine with fish. Usually this is a good standard to go by, but Salmon is a rich enough fish that it can stand up to Pinot. I wouldn't go crazy and pair Salmon with Zinfandel or Cabernet, but Pinot is permissible.
p.s. When I was wine tasting at the Harbor Festival in Morro Bay, I stuck a business card of a fairly new and wonderful winery in my daughter's diaper bag. Now I can't find it. When I do find it, I will share it with this blog. (The name of the winery, not the diaper bag).
Landmark's Pinot Noir is very good with Salmon. I know, I know, we've always been told that you can't drink red wine with fish. Usually this is a good standard to go by, but Salmon is a rich enough fish that it can stand up to Pinot. I wouldn't go crazy and pair Salmon with Zinfandel or Cabernet, but Pinot is permissible.
p.s. When I was wine tasting at the Harbor Festival in Morro Bay, I stuck a business card of a fairly new and wonderful winery in my daughter's diaper bag. Now I can't find it. When I do find it, I will share it with this blog. (The name of the winery, not the diaper bag).
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
A Trio of Pinot Noirs
There's a lot to be said about Pinot Noirs...especially good ones. For today, let's just take a trip to the WILDHORSE Winery in the Paso Robles wine country area. My parents are wine club members of the winery, which has it perks. One of the perks of being a wine club member is the "pick up party". (No it doesn't mean that). When you attend a "pick up party" you get to not only receive your wine shipment without having it sent to you in the hot sun via UPS, but you usually get a wine tasting of the newest released wines with a few snacks as well. Pretty tasty stuff.
Anyway, another perk of being a wine club member is that you are invited to partake of the "Pinot Noir" tasting. Something that not all visitors are aware of. I've done it about 3 times because as I've said before, my parents are members and of course, sharing the perks of a wine club membership is a loving thing for parents to do.
The pourer behind the bar sets before the taster a laminated description of 3 Pinot Noirs. The pourer also sets out 3 glasses. One in front of each description. The WILDHORSE Central Coast Pinot Noir is placed in the center. Then two "Unbridled" wines are placed on either side. It is suggested that the Central Coast Pinot be tasted first and then the others in any order you prefer. All 3 are excellent Pinots with something special to offer, but the Central Coast is the most affordable. I always change my mind on which one I like best. During one tasting it was one of the wines labeled "Unbridled", during another it was the Central Coast.
Reviewers of the Central Coast Pinot Noir from WILDHORSE describe it as having much fruit. Such as raspberry, strawberry and even some blackberry. I agree there is much fruit, but you can't miss the spice either (what's a Pinot without some spice?). The finish is definitely smooth.
If you like Pinot Noir, the WILDHORSE tasting room is a must. I end up walking away with at least 2 bottles. Purchased with my parents club discount, of course. It's the loving thing to do.
Anyway, another perk of being a wine club member is that you are invited to partake of the "Pinot Noir" tasting. Something that not all visitors are aware of. I've done it about 3 times because as I've said before, my parents are members and of course, sharing the perks of a wine club membership is a loving thing for parents to do.
The pourer behind the bar sets before the taster a laminated description of 3 Pinot Noirs. The pourer also sets out 3 glasses. One in front of each description. The WILDHORSE Central Coast Pinot Noir is placed in the center. Then two "Unbridled" wines are placed on either side. It is suggested that the Central Coast Pinot be tasted first and then the others in any order you prefer. All 3 are excellent Pinots with something special to offer, but the Central Coast is the most affordable. I always change my mind on which one I like best. During one tasting it was one of the wines labeled "Unbridled", during another it was the Central Coast.
Reviewers of the Central Coast Pinot Noir from WILDHORSE describe it as having much fruit. Such as raspberry, strawberry and even some blackberry. I agree there is much fruit, but you can't miss the spice either (what's a Pinot without some spice?). The finish is definitely smooth.
If you like Pinot Noir, the WILDHORSE tasting room is a must. I end up walking away with at least 2 bottles. Purchased with my parents club discount, of course. It's the loving thing to do.
Saturday, November 10, 2007
Branching Out
I must confess--unless I'm at a winery or a wine tasting, I won't drink a wine I don't know anything about. Well, that's not true...my parents may serve a wine I've never tasted before, but I've never had a bad wine at my parents house (they've retired to the central coast wine country) so I trust their judgement. I can stand before a plethora of wines in Trader Joe's or BevMo and still end up buying something I know I will like because I've tried it before.
That is, until recently.
Long story short--I rarely drink Cabernet anymore--I'm a Zinfandel gal, but I tried Rodney Strong Cabernet and found it very drinkable. It wasn't an "in your face" type of wine like most zins I like, but it was mellow. Smooth. Slightly smoky, but not annoyingly so. Earthy. In short, I really enjoyed it.
Soon we will discuss Pinot Noirs. Yum.
That is, until recently.
Long story short--I rarely drink Cabernet anymore--I'm a Zinfandel gal, but I tried Rodney Strong Cabernet and found it very drinkable. It wasn't an "in your face" type of wine like most zins I like, but it was mellow. Smooth. Slightly smoky, but not annoyingly so. Earthy. In short, I really enjoyed it.
Soon we will discuss Pinot Noirs. Yum.
Friday, November 9, 2007
Tobin James Refosco 2005
An excellent wine--especially on the 2nd day. Reminds me of a very fruity zinfandel with a little spice. Kudos to Tobin James for making another great wine!
"Good wine is a good familiar creature if it be well used."
William Shakespeare
"Good wine is a good familiar creature if it be well used."
William Shakespeare
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