Virginie's Wineblog

A medium to full-bodied refined, supple and elegant Pinot Noir from the Russian River Valley in California.

Technical Data: 100% Pinot Noir, 10 months in 100% French oak.

Description: Bright ruby red in color. Elegant nose of red berries well integrated to rose petal and violet aromas as well as oak and spice. On the palate, the wine is lush and elegant with smooth tannins, concentrated ripe cherries backed up by rose petal flavors, plum, cedar and a touch of liquorice. Quite a wonderful program all at once!

Food Pairing & Service: Will pair with a wide range of food.

Score: 9/10.

Ageing Potential: Drink now and up to 3 more years.

Price as seen on DC shelf: $25.99

A full-bodied creamy style Chardonnay from Sonoma County.

Technical Data: 100% Chardonnay, 60% of the wine was aged 4 months only in French oak to add some creaminess to it.

Description: Bright gold color. Clean nose with aromas of baked apple, lemon, pear and soft oak. On the mouth, full-bodied creamy style Chardonnay expressing flavors of pear, baked apple, a pinch of pineapple entwined with some spicy notes and a touch of toasty oak. Very long lasting finish with a well balanced acidity.

Food Pairing & Service: A crisp and refreshing wine which will pair well with a creamy style cheese, try the one recommended to me by one of my friends from the “Cheese Fromagerie” Department from the store I was tasting in, the Cheese is from Burgundy in France and is called Délice de Bourgogne, this pairing will delights you! Of course, this wine can be sip by itself as well, if like me, you like a flavorful and full bodied Chard. You could also paired this wine with creamy dishes, strong fish and shellfish. Serve chilled.

Score: 9/10.

Ageing Potential: This wine should be drunk now or over the next couple of years.

Price as seen on DC shelf: $17.79

A medium-bodied crisp and fruit forwards Sauvignon Blanc from Sonoma County.

Technical Data: 100% Sauvignon Blanc, 10% of the wine was aged a few months only in oak. twist off cap, no cork.

Description: Light gold color. Intense nose of tropical and green fruits aromas. On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied and shows some minerality and herbaceousness along with fruity flavors such as pear, citrus and pineapple. Crisp and refreshing with a nice acidity.

Food Pairing & Service: A crisp and refreshing wine which will pair well with a Goat cheese, try the one recommended to me by one of my friends from the “Cheese Fromagerie” Department from the store I was tasting in, the Cheese is from Vermont and is called Coupole, this pairing will knocks you socks off I guarantee it! Of course, this wine can be sip by itself as well, or paired with salad and mild fish. Serve chilled.

Score: 8/10.

Ageing Potential: This wine should be drunk in its youth.

Price as seen on DC shelf: $16.29

A medium-bodied Tempranillo blend from the famous Rioja region in Spain.

Technical Data: 60% Tempranillo blended with 40% of Shiraz. No oak.

Description: Garnet color with purple hues. Intense nose of plum, leather and cedar aromas. Lush and fruit forwards Tempranillo blend expressing morello cherries flavors entwined with ripe blackberry and plum, peppery spiciness, coffee roast oak, smooth as a glove tannins, cedar and toast. Long lasting leathery finish.

Food Pairing & Service: Will pair well with all types of meat, game and wild mushrooms, as well as with flavorful cheese. I loved this one with Braised short ribs and BBQ meats in general.

Score: 8/10.

Ageing Potential: Drink now.

Price as seen on DC shelf: $16.69

A full-bodied Tempranillo blend from the famous Rioja region in Spain.

Technical Data: Mostly Tempranillo grape blended with a small pourcentage of Graciano grape and Malbec. On the Spanish wine labels, the term “Reserva” always mean 18 months in Oak followed by 18 months in bottle prior to the wine’s release.

Description: Dark ruby red in color. Intense ripe plum aromas mingled with toasty oak and blackcurrant notes. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied yet round with very velvety tannins and expressing flavors of juicy blackberry and ripe plum entwined with blackcurrant, black pepper, leather and toasty oak.

Food Pairing & Service: Will pair well with all types of meat, game and wild mushrooms, as well as with flavorful cheese.

Score: 9/10.

Ageing Potential: Drink now and up to 3 more years.

Price as seen on DC shelf: $16.99

A medium-bodied Tempranillo from the famous Rioja region in Spain.

Technical Data: 100% Tempranillo grape. Most of the wine is aged about 8 months in oak.

Description: Vibrant garnet red in color. Intense ripe dark fruits aromas well mingled with woody aromas and spices. On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied and dry, displaying dark ripe fruits, cedar, some spices, leather and plum flavors combined with velvety smooth tannins. Long lasting finish with some toasty roasted coffee notes.

Food Pairing & Service: A red meat lover. Will also pair well with cheese.

Score: 9/10.

Ageing Potential: Drink now and up to 2 more years.

Price as seen on DC shelf: $16.99

A full-bodied Albariño from the Northwestern part of Spain, not far from the border with Portugal.

Technical Data: 100% Albariño grape. Stainless steel only.

Description: Light greenish yellow in color. Fragrant nose displaying aromas of citrus, pear, apple and apricot. Crisp and refreshing, elegant wine showing off flavors of apricot, green apples, pear, white peach, honeysuckle and grass.

Food Pairing & Service: Sip by itself or pair with fish and shellfish. Serve chilled. Quite a delightful wine.

Score: 9/10.

Ageing Potential: Up to 3 years.

Price as seen on DC shelf: $18.99

A full-bodied shiraz with lots of personality from South Australia Region.

Technical Data: 100% Shiraz. Aged 20 months in old and new French and US oak. the grapes for this wine comes from 6 different sub-regions in South Australia, Padthaway, McLaren Vale, Langhorne Creek, Barossa Valley, Clare Valley and Coonawarra.

Description: Deep garnet color. Blackberry aromas and cloves entwined with spices and oak. A Full-bodied Shiraz expressing flavors of ripe blackberry and plum, black pepper, some spices and hint of chocolate backed up by very soft and supple tannins as well as oaky flavors.

Food Pairing & Service: Will accompany really well a cheese called Époisse Berthaut from Burgundy in France, that suggestion of pairing was made by my friends from the “Cheese Fromagerie” Department from the store I was tasting in.

Score: 8/10.

Ageing Potential: Can be definitely drunk now, but can also be stored in cellar without a doubt for up to 10 years.

Price as seen on DC shelf: $17.99

A medium-bodied Pinot Noir with lots of personality and texture from South Australia Region. Predominantly from Adelaide Hills sub-region.

Technical Data: 100% Pinot Noir. Aged in second and third use French oak for a few months. Twist off cap.

Description: Ruby red in color with garnet hues. Surprising nose expressing aromas of sweet cherries well mingled with chocolate, liquorice, toast and dried herbs. On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied, jammy, chewy and textured with soft refined tannins. The flavors this wine displays are an echo to its nose. Quite delightful long lasting finish.

Food Pairing & Service: Will accompany really well an Extra Mature Aged Cheddar Cheese, the one I tried it on with, was from the brand Fiscalini from California, that suggestion of pairing was made by my friends from the “Cheese Fromagerie” Department from the store I was tasting in. I love this wine by itself, what can I do, truth be told, I am a Pinot Noir Lover, but I must confess, this is the first time, Australia impressed me so much, with one of their Pinot Noir! The wine will pair well with roast duck and Turkey as well. Remember that tip when Thanksgiving will come!

Score: 9/10.

Ageing Potential: Can be definitely drunk now, but can also be stored in cellar without a doubt for up to 5-6 years.

Price as seen on DC shelf: $18.39

A dry Riesling with lots of personality from South Australia Region.

Technical Data: 100% Riesling. Stainless steel only.

Description: Bright pale gold color with greenish hues. The nose shows aromas of pear, lime, citrus and lemon backed up by minerality. Crisp and refreshing Riesling, intricate palate displaying minerality as well as fruity/flowery flavors. The wine exudes of jasmine, lime, pear and grapefruits flavors laced with minerality and a nicely balanced acidity. Long lasting finish which make you cry for more.

Food Pairing & Service: Will accompany really well the French cheese called Morbier as suggested by my friends from the “Cheese Fromagerie” Department from the store I was tasting in. I love this wine by itself, and of course, it could do wonders with some spicy Asian/Indian dishes or even oysters and shellfish. Serve chilled.

Score: 8/10.

Ageing Potential: Can be definitely drunk now, but can also be stored in cellar without a doubt for up to 5-6 years.

Price as seen on DC shelf: $17.99