wine pairings – In Good Taste

The 10 Best Rosé Wines You Can Still Drink This Summer

Maris Callahan — Thu, 03 Aug 2017 03:27:20 +0000

The rosé season is in full swing and there is no reason to stop drinking it when you put your white pants away after Labor Day. Club W, the world’s only personalized wine club, has some incredible bottles this summer, including their latest introduction, a 2014 Cocomero Rosato from Italy. Even though Labor Day weekend typically signifies the end of the summer, there are a few more weeks to go before the weather will cool off. Brian Smith, sommelier, winemaker and Chief Wine Officer at Club W (who doesn’t want that job title?), provided us with a list of his top 10 favoriterosé wines, or as I prefer to call it, my summer bucket list. He also guided us toward pairings that will complement these rosé picks…and help us embrace summer while we still can. Wine Pick: 2014 Cocomero Rosato (Club W) Pairing: Cheese and Charcuterie Why: Cocomero is our homage to Tuscany and the Italian love of watermelon, and it’s extra special because Italy’s not generally known for its rosé,” Smith said. “Aromas of watermelon and white nectarine and juicy fruit on the palate are balanced by high acidity for a lighter wine that’s easy to drink with a cheese and charcuterie plate.” Wine Pick: 2013 Jolie Folle Rosé Pairing: A Summer […]

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Wine Wednesday: Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon & Sauvignon Blanc for Post-Golf

Maris Callahan — Wed, 24 May 2017 04:56:09 +0000

Memorial Day weekend – the unofficial kickoff to summer – is right around the corner. For most of us, that means it’s time to head outdoors to enjoy our favorite outdoor activities. In our household, Im more of a drinking wine by the pool or on the rooftop deck kind of outdoors lover, but Brad likes outdoor activities that are…you know, activities — hitting golf balls, going to baseball games, camping. Luckily, Gran Reserva is the perfect wine for sipping outdoors — especially after your golf outing. Why do I say that when there are hundreds of wine you could sip after your golf game? Bonus! Enjoy a $25 credit on a round of golf at major golf courses nationwide courtesy of Concha y Toro Gran Reserva. Find a specially marked bottle necker where you buy wine. And you can also enter the Tee Time sweepstakes to win – one year of free golf. I love to incorporate great food and drinks into just about every occasion. In my opinion, a homemade gluten-free chocolate naked cake will take a birthday party up a notch, while a festive wine and cheese spread will make a post-golf sip and snack feel like a special event. Last […]

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Winter Wine Pairings with Five Comfort Foods

Maris Callahan — Tue, 23 Dec 2014 09:27:46 +0000

In much of the United States, January and February are excellent months to hibernate on the couch with a home cooked dinner and a bottle of wine. As the weather changes, so do our palates, but that doesn’t mean you should resort to pizza or takeout each night. This year, don’t let the chilly temperatures keep you from getting cozy with your favorite foods and vino. Our friends at Lush Wine & Spirits in Chicago even offered some of their best winter wine ideas for wine pairings with five dishes perfect for your next dinner party. Bacon Macaroni and Cheese Pair with… Ermacora Pinot Grigio. The acidity from a Pinot Grigio cuts through the richness of the dish while adding flavor to the cheese. Perfection! Classic Turkey Chili Pair with… Anjos Vinho Verde Rose. This is another dish that is balanced out by the acidity of this effervescent rose with just enough tannic structure to round out the proteins in a hearty turkey chili. Roasted Lemon Chicken Breast Pair with… Chateau Nomad Chardonnay. This Chardonnay has a touch of oak and a lemon verbena characteristic that enhances the lemon and roast characteristics of this dish. Chateau Nomad is Lush’s own wine […]

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What You Need to Know About Organic Wine

Maris Callahan — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 20:00:28 +0000

We are used to seeing organic eggs, organic fruit and organic milk at the supermarket. Lately, organic wine has begun to appear on the shelves at wine shops. Whether you’re a wine connoisseur or a social drinker, you might have wondered what exactly makes organic wine different than traditional wine. “Organic wine is the emphasis on growing grapes with natural remedies and enhancements, rather than manufactured fertilizers and pesticides,” said Erica Witte, owner of The Poison Cup, a wine and art boutique in Chicago. Some of the remedies that wine growers use as alternatives to pesticides include companion crops, which entice friendly animal and insect species that mitigate the population of other vine-damaging species; cover crops, that utilize crab grass, clover and poppies to help control waste water runoff, water usage, and soil nutrient levels; and composting, which helps to replenish soil nutrients with recycled plant and animal waste from the vineyard, such as grape skins that have already been pressed and crushed. “Anyone who is concerned about the planet’s lack of potable water should consider trading traditional wines for organic,” Witte said. “It’s also perfect for anyone skeptical of FDA-approved pesticides or fertilizers.” Organic wine also prohibits the use […]

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