A medium to full-bodied crisp Sauvignon Blanc from Sonoma in CA.
Technical Data: 100% Sauvignon Blanc also known as Fumé. A small portion of the wine was aged on oak, 57% French and 43% American, 6% new.
Description: Light bright gold color. Nose of medium intensity, showing off tangerine, citrus fruits and spices. Quite floral at the very end. The palate is quite an echo of its nose, with flavors of tangerine, orange zest and white flowers interwoven with white peach, white pepper and a touch of oak.
Food Pairing & Service: Will pair with a wide range of food, from spicy food, quesadillas with chicken, seafood, salad with blackened shrimp, to a bowl of fruits’s salad.
Score: 9/10.
Ageing Potential: Drink now and up to 3 more years.
Price as seen on DC shelf: $14.99
It is not the same grape as the Torrontés found in Spain. Torrontés Riojano is indigenous of Argentina. It is believed to be a crossing between a dry grape called Mission (also known as Criolla Chica) and a sweet grape, Muscat of Alexandria. Although this grape is dry, it has the distinctive slightly sweet bouquet of the Muscat of Alexandria, expressing most of the time apricot, jasmine and muscat aromas.
It exist 3 different type of Torrontés in Argentina, Torrontés Riojano being the most commonly planted.
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 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 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
Light to medium-bodied Napa Sauvignon Blanc from the Famous Franciscan Winery. Quite a surprising Sauvignon Blanc, reminiscent of one from New Zealand for the flavors it displays.
Technical Data: 100% Sauvignon Blanc. A very small portion of the fruit was fermented in neutral French oak barrels on the lees for a very short time to lend more texture to the wine.
Description: Pale straw yellow in color. Intricate nose exuding grapefruits and lemon zest aromas. Crisp and delicate palate for this refreshing Sauvignon Blanc showing off grapefruits flavors well mingled with lemon zest, grass, lime and limestone. A bit of minerality, a nice acidity, some texture and a good balanced round up this wine.
Food Pairing & Service: A crisp and zingy Sauvignon Blanc to pair 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 Poitou region in France and is called Chabichou du Poitou, I could never have enough of that pairing! Of course, this wine can be sip by itself as well, or paired with light spicy food, creamy linguine and the usual shellfish and mild fish. Serve chilled.
Score: 8/10.
Ageing Potential: Up to 3 years.
Price as seen on DC shelf: $22.49
Full bodied Napa Chardonnay from the Famous Franciscan Winery. This wine has long been one of their Flagship.
Technical Data: 100% Chardonnay. 8 months on the lees, French and US Oak. The grapes for this wine are originated from Carneros and South Napa Valley.
Description: Bright pale yellow in color. Fragrant nose for an appealing wine, baked apple and pear with a touch of sweet aromas mingled together with a slight touch of oak from its light barrel ageing on the lees. Very focused palate, lots of honey flavors at first, followed by pear and baked apple, a touch of white pepper, some buttery flavors and a hint of oak, for a long lasting, creamy style, mouth watering Chardonnay. The wine has intense flavors but is still very round and soft.
Food Pairing & Service: A delightful Chardonnay wine which will pair well with a creamy/buttery type of 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, I could never have enough of that pairing! Of course, this wine can be sip by itself as well if you are like me and love a full of characters Chard. by itself, or paired with creamy linguine and shrimp/shellfish or even better, my favorite would be with salmon on the plank nicely rub with herbs. Serve chilled.
Score: 9/10. Great find, stack it up.
Ageing Potential: Up to 3 years.
Price as seen on DC shelf: $25.99
Full bodied and generous in character wine coming from Mendoza, Argentina.
Technical Data: 100% Chardonnay. 5 months in 100% French Oak . The grapes for this wine, comes from three different vineyards which are all sub-region from Mendoza, 60% from Tupungato, 20% from Tunuyán and 20% from Agrelo.
Description: Pale and bright yellow in color with greenish hues. Quite a nose for this enticing wine, pear and honeysuckle aromas mingled together with a slight touch of oak from its light barrel ageing. The palate exudes rich flavors and is balanced thru and thru, showing off pear and citrus flavors, backed up by oak and light caramel flavors. Some nice texture to this full bodied wine with a good acidity.
Food Pairing & Service: A full bodied and charming wine which will pair well with a creamy/buttery 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, you’ll love that pairing! Of course, this wine can be sip by itself as well, or paired with creamy linguine and shrimp/shellfish or even salmon with herbs. Serve chilled.
Score: 7/10. Great find, stack it up.
Ageing Potential: Up to 3 years.
Price as seen on DC shelf: $13.39
This crisp and delightful wine is coming to us from Cafayate, which is a sub-region of Salta, located in Northwestern Argentina.
Technical Data: 100% Torrontés Riojano also known as Torrontés in Argentina. Stainless steel only. This wine is has twist-off cap.
Description: Light gold in color with greenish hues. Fruity and flowery aromas interwoven together in this clean and crisp wine. Generous wine showing off flavors of apricot, white peach and muscat well laced with honey and jasmine with a back drop of fresh herbs. Although the flavors seems to be on the sweet side, make no mistake, this is a crisp and dry wine with a clean long lasting finish and a nicely balanced acidity. A nice touch of sweetness by the end of the palate.
Food Pairing & Service: A crisp but quite charming 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: 9/10. Great find, stack it up.
Ageing Potential: Up to 3 years.
Price as seen on DC shelf: $13.99
