Tag Archives: Sauvignon Blanc

A ‘surefire secret’ for food and wine pairings, and it’s pretty easy to apply

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A “surefire secret” for food and wine pairings comes to us from The Washington Post‘s Karen Page and Andrew Dornenburg.

It seems pretty simple once you hear it: “Make sure the same wine is in each.”

And the secret’s pretty easy to apply, as one of their match-ups illustrates.

Let’s say you’re having boeuf bourguignon (beef braised in red wine).

First, think French.

Then, of course, think red.

And what you come up with (resulting in “what we consider a holy grail pairing that all food lovers should experience at least once”): Red burgandy.

Page and Dornenburg serve up several other tasty examples — wines for foods ranging from fondue to caramelized scallops and mushroom risotto.

But then there’s the all important question: How to know when you’ve made the right choices?

They’ve got that covered, too.

“You can always tell when you hit upon a wonderful wine and food pairing, because it fills the space between the two. When you can find a way to add a splash of whatever is in your glass to what you’re eating, not only does that space disappear, but an entirely new flavor experience replaces it.”

As a bonus, they also mention a bottle that fits nicely in our “desperately seeking $10 wine values” category. It’s a 2005 Brancott Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc ($10).

Want to find a perfectly priced bottle of wine? Give the Smarter Wine Search a try.

Experts’ weekend wine picks: From South African favorite to Pinot Grigio bargain

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Comparing the picks: A survey of recent selections from popular wine experts and websites, spotlighting bargains and best values among other choices at their websites.

The Wine Cellar: Earthy South African reds evoke the Old World

An update on South African wines, with a notable favorite highlighted, from Frank Sutherland and Kate Sutherland, Gannett News Service:

“In a world of homogenized wine styles, South African reds really stand out. They have remained true to the distinctive style of the region; no other wine in the world tastes like a South African wine.

“They often have a gravelly, dusty quality and flavors of green pepper, olive, and peat. These are true “terroir” wines — they reflect the qualities of the earth in which the grapes were grown. As such, they tend to taste more like a European wine than a New World offering.”

And now to highlight the favorite: 2003 Vergelegen “Mill Race,” $24.99.

Single-Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

A review of standouts from a region noted for its Pinot Noirs, from Lynne Char Bennett, San Francisco Chronicle:

“The panel found lots to like among the 57 vineyard-designate Russian River Valley Pinots, which are made from vintners’ best, most distinctive grapes. The wines showed well and are displaying depth, complexity and less noticeable alcohol levels than many from the hot 2004 vintage.”

One of the more-affordable two-and-one-half-star winners: 2006 Hawley Oehlman Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir, $33.

Stock spring picnic with affordable Washington wines

A dozen selections tuned to different courses for a wine tasting or meal, from Paul Gregutt, The Seattle Times:

“Rather than worry about matching particular wines to particular foods, I put together a group of whites and reds that allowed the guests to mix and match according to their own tastes and whims.”

The terms affordable and outstanding pair quite well in this description: Columbia Crest Two Vines 2006 Sauvignon Blanc, $8

Top 5 Box Wines

Nicely priced boxed wines (and handy food recommendations), from Jeffery Lindenmuth, Epicurious:

“Box wines (a.k.a. boxed wines) have become popular in recent years because they hold more wine than a single bottle, they’re light and recyclable, they’re easy to open and reseal, they chill quickly, and they won’t break if you drop them.”

This one-liter pick is said to show more character than the bottled types: Three Thieves Bandit Pinot Grigio 2006, about $9.

Tip: Print out this list and bring it to your local wine shop — even if a specific favorite isn’t available, ask the salesperson to recommend something similar. Or try browsing the latest wine reports from this custom collection of hundreds of news websites — filtered for bargains, continuously updated, and quick and easy to scan:

  • Reds (from Beaujolais to Zinfandel)
  • Whites (from Chablis to Sauvignon Blanc)
  • Organic (red, white, in between)

To hit closer to home, try WNR’s Smarter Wine Search tool and see what wine finds columnists and wine experts may be writing about in your area. Once there, just type in your city and state (within quotation marks, as in, "Napa, California"), to get results ranked by relevance.

Or scroll down to the bottom of this page and dig into top wine lists from a variety of sources. You’ll also find links to everything from a food-pairing database to websites for comparative wine ratings.

Get ready for summer with ‘young, fresh Sauvignon Blanc’ – and do it soon

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Summer will never have tasted so good if you follow some simple advice from Dorothy J. Gaiter and John Brecher: “Stick with young, fresh Sauvignon Blanc from just about anywhere and it will be hard to go wrong.”

That tip comes from their recent Wall Street Journal article about the Flavors of Summer. Spotlighted are the luscious offerings of France, New Zealand, Chile, South Africa and the USA (at times called Fumé Blanc, “quite sophisticated, sometimes with some weight and mouthfeel, but still varietal — a neat trick that’s delicious to try”).

The piece examines the characteristics of the various products. It lists approximate prices. It draws on these consummate reviewers’ drinking experiences over the past decade. And it offers some timely guidance:

The wines from the 2008 vintage in the Southern Hemisphere will be here before too long. When these are brand new, they are particularly exciting and vibrant. Grab the first one you see.

Want to find a perfectly priced bottle of wine? Give the Smarter Wine Search a try.

Experts’ weekend wine bargains: From hearty Cab to ‘Wasabi’ white

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Comparing the picks:

A survey of recent selections from popular wine experts, spotlighting bargains and best values among other choices at their websites.

This weekend’s choices range from an Argentinian Cab and a “Wasabi” white to a run-to-buy Montepulciano and food-friendly French Sauvignon Blanc.

2006 Terrazas De Los Andes Cabernet Sauvignon Mendoza, Argentina:
Natalie MacLean, Nat Decants — A hearty Cab that boasts dark berry fruit, earth and spice. “Fantastic red for the money! Full-bodied with delicious aromas of black plums and chocolate.” Her best-value red. $13.85

2006 Now & Zen “Wasabi” White Wine, Alsace, France:
Jerry Shriver, USA TODAY — The headline on this selection basically says it all: “Ohmmm ahhhh.” It’s a “touches-all-bases blend” with a remarkable range of characteristics from Gewurztraminer and Pinot Blanc to Riesling and Sylvaner. Worth getting if only out of curiosity. About $11

Valenosi, Montepulciano d’Abruzzo (Abruzzo, Italy) “Quattro Mani” 2006:
Michael Franz, Wine Review Online — “Run, don’t walk, to buy this wine! I can’t remember a better $10 red.” Especially if you’re looking for fruity opulence. $10

Domaine Galetis 2004 “De La Clauso”, Sauvignon Blanc, Vin de Pays d’Oc:
Beverage Testing Institute — The “best buy” selection among a tempting list of French whites, it presents a “dryish medium to full body of tart, tangy, Meyer lemon, melon, and ruby grapefruit flavors with a long, mouthwatering finish.” And food-friendly, too. $11.99

Banrock Station Sémillon-Chardonnay South Eastern Australia 2006:
Harvey Steiman, Wine Spectator — “Light, dry and fruity” … and you may pick up some grapefruit tones “as the wine lingers.” $6

Tip: Print out this list and bring it to your local wine shop — even if a specific favorite isn’t available, ask the salesperson to recommend something similar. Or try browsing the latest wine reports from this custom collection of hundreds of news websites — filtered for bargains, continuously updated, and quick and easy to scan:

  • Reds (from Beaujolais to Zinfandel)
  • Whites (from Chablis to Sauvignon Blanc)
  • Organic (red, white, in between)

To hit closer to home, try WNR’s Smarter Wine Search tool and see what wine finds local columnists and wine experts may be writing about in your area. Once there, just type in your city and state (within quotation marks, as in, "Napa, California"), to get results ranked by relevance.

Or scroll down to the bottom of this page and dig into top wine lists from a variety of sources. You’ll also find links to everything from a food-pairing database to websites for comparative wine ratings.

The Web is about community. So take a moment to comment about your experience with a particular wine — to help steer others to or away from it. And of course, have a great weekend!

Experts’ weekend wine bargains: Fabulous ‘pizza wine’ to best-buy Bordeaux

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Comparing the picks: A survey of recent selections from popular wine experts, spotlighting bargains and best values among other choices at their websites.

Banfi, Tuscany (Italy) “Colle Pino” 2005:
Michael Franz — From a producer as adept at making a “stellar” $100-a-bottle Brunello as a “pizza wine” that’s sure to please. “A fabulous buy.” $9

Château Au Grand Paris (Bordeaux Supérieur):
Dorothy J. Gaiter and John Brecher — The best buy among a selection of Bordeaux from the “acclaimed vintage of 2005” that’s just hitting the shelves. “Perennial favorite.” Around $10

2005 Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, La Valentina:
Edward Deitch — A “big, dark, fruity” wine that may not have the charm of some Italian cousins but a perfect match for winter meals. “… delicious and interesting.” $13

2006 Meridian Sauvignon Blanc, Central Coast:
Jerry Shriver — A “steely, zesty, almost tart” wine from a producer that’s one of the market’s most reliable. $10

2006 Hayman & Hill Reserve Selection Russian River Valley Chardonnay:
Lynne Char Bennett — With “fresh apple, plus smoky mineral and herbal hints that extend to the palate,” it also offers some interesting aromas. “… good value.” $15

Tip: Print out this list and bring it to your local wine shop — even if a specific favorite isn’t available, ask the salesperson to recommend something similar. Or try browsing the latest wine reports from this custom collection of hundreds of news websites — filtered for bargains, continuously updated, and quick and easy to scan:

  • Reds (from Beaujolais to Zinfandel)
  • Whites (from Chablis to Sauvignon Blanc)
  • Organic (red, white, in between)

To hit closer to home, try WNR’s Smarter Wine Search tool and see what wine finds local columnists and wine experts may be writing about in your area. Once there, just type in your city and state (within quotation marks, as in, "Napa, California"), to get results ranked by relevance.

Or scroll down to the bottom of this page and dig into top wine lists from a variety of sources. You’ll also find links to everything from a food-pairing database to websites for comparative wine ratings.

The Web is about community. So take a moment to comment about your experience with a particular wine — to help steer others to or away from it. And of course, have a great weekend!