Malmantico Vin Santo del Chianti – “You Can’t Always Get What You Want”

May 20, 2013 — Leave a comment
2006 Vin Santo by Prodotti San Vito
Unfortunately, I can't always have what I want.  This is an ode to a fantastic Vin Santo del Chianti DOC by Tenuta San Vito.  I generally dislike dessert wines because of the intense sweetness and mouth-coating viscosity…however, I'm glad the winemaker convinced me to taste this one.  It's a beautiful example of an organic and vegan wine (see my post on vegan wine) made from Malvasia Toscana.  Acidity, some tannin and sherry-like oxidative notes cut through the restrained sweetness.  The balanced finish of toffee, toast, almonds and chestnuts goes on for ever!  Too bad it's not distributed in the US.  SMH!
 
 
 

 

 

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Happy Albariño Day — “Easy”

May 9, 2013 — Leave a comment
albarino-on-the-rooftop

Happy Albariño Day!  Once again we're sipping one of the celebrated wines of the Rias Baixas region of NW Spain.  For a second year in a row, I've enjoyed Albariño sips with a few friends and fellow wine lovers.  We got together for a little hiking excursion in Harriman State Park, and then we returned to the city for a Farmer's Market run and our rooftop fiesta.  Continue Reading…

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NY Wine Expo – “Free Hand Dance”

March 9, 2013 — 1 Comment
Brix Chocolate at NY Wine Expo

Last weekend I attended the New York Wine Expo held at Javits Center in NYC.  Over the course of the Expo, nearly 4000 consumers came to taste wines from 125 wineries (representing 12 countries) and visit 40 lifestyle exhibits.  Like many other repeat attendees, I found this year’s expo to be significantly better than last year.  I overheard a number of people complimenting the Expo, and I was personally impressed with the increased diversity of fellow sippers.  Say goodbye to long lines and congestion…from the check-in process, to the ID verification, to the traffic flow and layout, everything was very smooth and seamless.  The open, airy second floor atrium area gave great natural light for folks like me who love to “see” before the “sniff and sip.”    Needless to say, NY’s Finger Lakes wines were well represented, along with sips from around the world.  My favorite sightings this year were wine-paired sweet confections and unique wine accessories. Continue Reading…

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Oscar Night Sips – “Roc Boys (And The Winner Is)”

February 28, 2013 — Leave a comment
photo-collage-ladies-night-oscar-party

 
And the winner is….me!  I have the best time on Oscar night, and so should you!  This post is an hommage to my friend Toni, who hosts a fabu annual Ladies Only Oscar Party! Full-flavored, sparkling rosé wines from around the globe are so tasty with popcorn (caramel, butter & cheese flavors).  Not to mention, her spread includes an assortment of other fun sweets: gummy bears, cheesecake, brownies, blondies, and a host of chocolate candy bar minis!  Continue Reading…

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Valentine’s Day Look Back – “Roses and Wine”

February 19, 2013 — Leave a comment

Image credit: 123RF

So..how was Valentine’s Day everybody??  I hope it was everything you hoped for.  I’m guessing there were lots of flowers and wine bottles shared among you.  Both romantic tokens provide us with a feast for the senses.  In fact, many wines have floral notes in them, and the best sniffers can name specific flowers they detect.  Often you’ll hear winos describe aromas of acacia, honeysuckle, roses, violets, jasmine, and the like.  However, as lovely as they are, did you know that not every floral aroma is good to find in a wine?

Continue Reading…

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Viña San Pedro Wine – “Live While We’re Young”

January 28, 2013 — Leave a comment

Photo collage - Vina San Pedro Tasting

 

Ever on the quest for new and inspired sips, I found a few from Chile, thanks to Viña San Pedro's winemaker, Marco Puyo.  He presented their "1865" label wines last week at Puro Wine in NYC.  1865 is San Pedro's premium line of single-vineyard wines. Continue Reading…

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Wine in the Great Outdoors – “Submerge”

August 8, 2012 — Leave a comment
water-bucket-wine-cooler

Photo credit: A. Varfolomeyev

Some say art imitates life…but I say wine selection should imitate lifestyle.  As much as I love delicate, high-end wine, there is a time and a place for simple, tasty wine that is rugged enough for life’s excursions.  On a recent camping trip, I kept two bottles of wine cool by submerging them in my 10-liter “portable kitchen sink” filled with natuarally cool pond water and placed under the shade of a tree.  This is a great outdoor “fridge” that is suitable for a few hours or overnight storage. Continue Reading…

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Vino on Vacation — “A Bottle of Wine, A Suitcase, An Umbrella”

July 15, 2012 — Leave a comment
Packing List...

 

Vacation season is a great time to think about packing wine for travel.  While most people bring wine home as travel souvenirs, I was bringing my wine along for my trip.  Setting off to sail the Ionian Sea means jaunting between small ports on small islands.  I rightly assumed that I would not find the variety of wine styles and brands that are more widely available on the mainland or on larger islands.   Just to make sure I had some fave sips, I decided to bring a starter stash of wine for the trip. 

My mission impossible was to stuff as many bottles of wine as I could into a crowded backpack, while staying under the 20kg luggage limit. Continue Reading…

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Celebrating Lambrusco – “Cool”, “Beyond Cool”

May 31, 2012 — Leave a comment
lambrusco-primarosa-puianello

Earlier this month, the Italian Studies Department of the International Culinary Center hosted a wine and food pairing event featuring Lambrusco — Italy's famed sparkling red wine.  This Mondo Lambrusco 2012  event featured a flight of wines paired with mouth-watering delectables prepared by Michelin star chefs.  Chefs Michael White, Cesare Casella and Valentino Marcattilii really threw-down in the kitchen.  Giorgio Melandri, Curator of Gambero Rosso Wines of Italy Guide, and Master Sommelier Scott Carney brought the wine knowlege and Enoteca Emila Romagna brought the wine! Continue Reading…

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Celebrating Albarino – “Lively Up Yourself”, “Fresh”

May 10, 2012 — Leave a comment
rias-baixas-albarino

We’re just a few weeks away from the start of picnic and BBQ season. And on a hot day, nothing is better than a good refreshing wine with grilled food. Albarino, a Spanish wine named for the grape used to make it, totally fits the bill. Continue Reading…

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