wine – 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: Butter Chardonnay for Mother’s Day

Maris Callahan — Wed, 10 May 2017 05:00:03 +0000

There are a few things that I inherited from my mom: her witty sense of humor, her complete and utter inability to keep a surprise to herself (“I’m sending you a birthday present….do you want me to tell you what it is?) and also, her love for snacks. Especially when you can eat those snacks for dinner. I’m not sure if a love for the snack-dinner is something that every mother dreams of passing on to her daughter, but my mother passed that on to me. Both of us can make a full meal out of noshes — cheese, crackers, chips, dip, guacamole. One time, I spoke to my mom on the phone and asked her what she had eaten for dinner. Her response? A box of instant mashed sweet potatoes and a cucumber.” Well, maybe that was taking snack dinner a little too far. My favorite snack dinner is a demi baguette, a chunk of triple creme brie, some fig preserves and maybe a few thin and wispy slices of prosciutto. And of course, a great bottle of wine. JaM Cellars makes three easy-to-love, everyday California wines Butter Chardonnay, JaM Cabernet and Toast Sparkling. Second-generation Napa Valley vintners John and Michele are […]

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What’s the Difference Between Champagne, Prosecco and Cava?

Maris Callahan — Tue, 05 Jul 2016 18:14:35 +0000

Once upon a time, champagne, Prosecco and other sparkling wines were solely for special occasions: weddings, anniversaries, birthdays. Now, sparkling wines are everywhere — not only are they offered more than ever, but more wine regions are producing bubblies around the world. In my expert opinion, I like to think that bubbles should be enjoyed on special and everyday occasions alike. Wednesday night? Sure, why not. Fried chicken on Friday night? Pair it with your favorite vintage. As sparkling wines become more ubiquitous, we should know the difference between the most common varietals offered. The main difference between sparkling wines is the country where they were harvested and produced. Each country has a different name for the sparkling wines they produce: Spain makes Cava, Italy makes Prosecco, Asti and Spumante. Germany makes a varietal called Sekt. Bubblies from the Americas, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa are simply called sparkling wines. Bottom line? They all have bubbles. They’re all pretty delicious. Let’s talk about three of the main varieties. Champagne Let’s talk champagne, first. Known as the gold standard, Champagne is often dubbed the most popular sparkling wine. Only wines produced in the Champagne region of France are are designated as Champagne. Champagne is generally made from […]

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Pairing Chocolates with Wine and Spirits

Maris Callahan — Fri, 29 Jan 2016 22:46:36 +0000

If you’re like a lot of Americans, Valentine’s Day is about flowers, candy and of course, chocolate. This year, some of the experts are taking a love for truffles and chocolate dipped strawberries to the next level by pairing chocolate with wine and spirits. If you love the idea of pairing your favorite sips with your favorite sweets, we have a few tips to help you create the perfect pairings this Valentine’s Day. “I have often heard it said that “chocolate is love. And, depending on your feelings about both love and chocolate, that statement may very well be true,” said Jessica Certo, wine director for Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steak House New York. “As this year’s onslaught of pink ruffles, candy hearts, and chocolate covered everything ushers in our favorite Day of Love, I find myself wondering if my chocolate pairing style is an ‘opposites attract’ or ‘like with like’ approach.” As with food, when pairing wine or spirits with chocolate, match lighter-flavored chocolate with lighter-bodied wine or spirits, and more intense-flavored chocolates with bigger, bolder beverages. According to Certo, with so many varieties of both chocolate and wine, it’s best to start on the lighter side, then slowly working your way […]

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The Best (Affordable) Wine Pairings for Holiday Dinner

Maris Callahan — Thu, 01 Oct 2015 05:00:04 +0000

What pairs well with a Thanksgiving turkey? Whether you’re making an herb roasted, spice-rubbed or deep fried bird, it’s easy to find a wine that will match the savory flavors of your holiday meal, plus all of the trimmings. From the second your guests walk in the door until it’s time to dig into the dessert course, we have fantastic wines for Thanksgiving dinner. All of our selections are $30 and under…so you can impress your guests or your dinner host with a decent bottle that doesn’t cut into your Christmas shopping budget. “With such a variety of dishes and flavors on the table there is no single wine that is the “perfect” wine when it comes to the Thanksgiving feast. Generally speaking, I like to recommend an assortment of white and red wines on the table,” said Paul Lapsley, Winemaker, Hardys Australia. “I also look to the hallmark flavors in each dish to inform my wine decisions. For a classic roast turkey with all the trimmings, for example, a fruit forward Chardonnay or an elegant Pinot Noir are reliably delicious pairings. However, if the stuffing includes sausage or other spicy elements, a full-bodied Aussie Shiraz with its hallmark notes of black pepper and […]

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