Wine List Sure Bets
Hesitant, overwhelmed or just plain bored?
Seeing these wines on a restaurant list is a guaranteed,
no fail, always a pleaser,
you bet your Wine Diva booty...sure-bet!
...all for under $65.00
Tiny Bubbles
Pierre Sparr Cremant d'Alsace Brut Reserve, Alsace France-Don't let this
pairing surprise you, sparkling wine accompanies most dish genre's. A pretty
pinky-salmon hue with lovely persistent mousse. Bright fruit aromas-banana and
sweet berries and hints of dried fruit. A fresh and creamy party in your mouth.
Vespaiolo
Vino Frizzante ‘spago’, Italy- Aromas are sweet with ripe
fruit and flowers. Dry and delicate in the mouth, a dance of orchard fruit,
earth and the refreshing bite of
citrus rind commonly found in Prosecco.
When it's pink...drink!
Ca' Del Solo 'Big House Pink', Santa Cruz California-
The Ca’del Solo (from the
makers of Bonny Doon) “Big House Pink”
is a blend of about 10 varietals including carignane, sangiovese, charbono, zinfandel
and barbera-an
interesting blend to say the least.
She is brilliant salmon-pink with sweet berry, sour cherry and rhubarb
aromas. She literally ‘pops’
in your mouth with juicy watermelon, candied citrus rind, tobacco and
strawberry. Wow!
Serious and refreshing, this is certainly not your mother’s
white zin.
White Knights
Hogue
Johannesburg Riesling, Columbia Valley Washington- Long
elegant German style bottle with a flashy red label, this
riesling is chock-a block full of personality. Fresh peach,
mineral and lime zest with the requisite whiff of petrol at the
rear. In the mouth the same peach nectar, grapefruit, mineral
with a warm clean finish. An excellent value and a screwcap
topper!
Villa Chiopris Pinot Grigio DOC, Friuli Italy, 2005- Pronounced
(Key-oh-priss) this fresh and creamy Pinot Grigio has zippy
citrus, minerals, white fruit and soft herbal essences. Its simple but
refreshing with an elegance lacking in so many Pinot Grigios of similar price
points.
Arrowleaf Gewurztraminer, Okanagan BC-Spiced
aromatics, lychee, minerals, ripe pear and sweet orange blossom with a light-medium body and delicately spiced
finish.
Veramonte Sauvignon Blanc Reserva, Casablanca Chile
Bright grapefruit, tropical fruit, gooseberry and ‘cat pee’ aromas
with fresh cut grass and herbs. Fresh and clean in the mouth showing
orchard fruit and then finishing with mouth-watering acidity.
Someone bring on the chevre!
Gérard Bertrand Viognier, Vin de Pays D'Oc
France, 2005-
Candied marshmallow sweet ripe peaches and lemon whipped cream
with Tahitian vanilla. In the mouth, fresh minerals, crisp citrus and exotically
spiced with cardamom and anise. A long warm and oily finish in a wine that
strikes the balance between old world austerity and new world ripeness.
Excellent value!
Rutherford Ranch Chardonnay, California-Creamy aromas of
baked pears in vanilla syrup and tropical fruit. Fresh and rich in the mouth,
buttered nuts, soft spice and a fresh clean finish.
Wine Diva smells a Chardonnay resurgence...
Pfaffenheim
Tokay Pinot Gris, Alsace France- Always
a fresh floral and fruity winner! Ripe Bosc
pear, mango, glycerin and sweet Asian
spices. Lush fruit in the mouth with mango,
grapefruit and a long peppery finish
Wine Diva
highly recommends!
Tales from the Dark Side...Reds
Cedar Creek Estate Select Pinot Noir, Kelowna
BC- Mixed berries, cranberries and sour
cherries. Bright and delicate, soft earth,
leather and tobacco with bright acidity. A
lovely showing of home grown goodness!
Parducci Pinot Noir,
California- Wine Diva really
appreciates this wine for its lush aromas and lean price point.
Juicy blueberries, fresh black cherries, violets, menthol and sweet
spices. Silky on the tongue with earthy, leather, spiced tobacco and
smooth tannins
Castillo de Monséran Garnacha, Spain-This
charming little gal is made for food. Sweet and fresh with smoked cherries,
earth and a coy whisper of quince. Soft and rustic with snappy acidity,
dusty tannins and a long mouth-watering finish.
Made from Spain’s most cultivated red grape, Garnacha (aka Grenache) the
Monséran is a welcome initiation
into the wines of Spain without breaking the piggy bank.
Shenandoah Vineyards Zinfandel, Amador County
California, Organic.
Ooh she’s a pretty, pretty girl, all flowers and sweet black fruit. Ripe
black cherries, fresh blueberries, plums and dried fruits lounging in milk
chocolate. A kiss from the lips of your first crush, tasting of port-tipped
cigarillos, warm, bright and spicy.
Fess Parker "Frontier
Red", Santa Barbara California-
A label
that will certainly draw your attention with its wild west wanted poster
style. The wine itself is black cherry, red berries and chocolate, sweet fresh
red fruit flavors, lushly textures with a spiced vanilla finish. You really
want to track this one down and take it into your custody!
Barossa Valley Estate ‘Moculta’ Shiraz,
Barossa Valley Australia- Solid dark berry fruit,
dried fruit-cake and spices with a silky
mouth-feel. Sophisticated with a long somewhat
astringent finish.
Yalumba Barossa
Bush Vine Grenache, Australia- Made from
70-year-old Grenache bush vines this was one of
my favorites of the tasting. Bright
fruit-blackberry, cherry and raspberry, spice,
savoury herbs, eucalyptus and creamy chocolate
with a rich, silky-smooth mouth-feel.
Perfect for Char-grilled foods!
Red
Perrin & Fils“Les
Christins” Vacqueyras, Rhone France
A blend of Grenache and Syrah its sweet red cherry and black plum-y aromas
tossed with dried fruit and dark earth. It caresses the palate like a warm
velvety thought hinting at spiced tobacco, cocoa and cedar box-lingering until
you take the next sip.
Sandhill Merlot 'Sandhill Estate Vineyard', Okanagan BC-A
pretty Merlot from the Sandhill label tempting warmly with chocolate
covered plum, banana and mint aromas. On the palate, fresh cherry,
more plum and cedar box with a nip of acidity and a spiced finish.
Errazuriz Max Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon, Aconcagua Valley Chile- Bold and hearty with black and red berry aromas, chocolate and leather, fresh dark earth and just a drop of green bell pepper and herbs. Smooth and gorgeous in the mouth with sweet red fruit and softly spiced oak. Beautiful balance throughout with a warm finish and light tannins.