Virginie's Wineblog

A light to medium-bodied very fruity Pinot Grigio from CA.

Technical Data: 100% Pinot Grigio. Stainless steel only in order to preserve its freshness.

Description: Bright pale straw color. On the nose the wine exudes tropical fruits aromas and white peaches. On the palate, this Pinot Grigio expresses first tropical fruits and white peach then on the mid palate it follows up with a touch of minerality and white flowers flavors to finish with lime. Nice and crisp palate for a medium length wine.

Food Pairing & Service: Will pair extremely well with light fares and starters or even white meats in tomato sauce or grilled. Can also be enjoyed with a picnic or by the glass alone.

Score: 7/10.

Ageing Potential: This wine was made to be drunk young.

Price as seen on DC shelf: $16.99

A full-bodied rich and creamy Chardonnay from the North Coast area in CA, one of my “to-go” Californian Chard!

Technical Data: 100% Chardonnay. Aged 6 months on the lees in a combination of French and American oak barrels.

Description: Bright gold color. Creamy/buttery nose showing off aromas of pear and baked apple enticed with caramel from its aging. Its palate is quite and echo of its nose with the addition of oaky flavors. The wine has a rich mouthfeel and is textured. A long lasting finish and a good acidity will complete the picture.

Food Pairing & Service: Will pair well with pasta in cream sauce and luscious fare…as well as with Latin American cuisine or Asian spicy food. I could most definitely enjoy this wine by the glass or even pair it with a French cheese called Petit Pont L’Évêque, if I am not mistaken, this cheese is from the category called soft ripened cheese with washed rind.

Score: 9/10.

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

Price as seen on DC shelf: $16.99

A full-bodied creamy Chardonnay from Sonoma in CA.

Technical Data: 100% Chardonnay. Aged a few months in French and American oak barrels, 10% new.

Description: Bright medium gold color. Nose of good intensity expressing, at first, aromas of baked apples, tropical fruits and stone fruits, backed up by oak, yeast and cream. The palate is alluring, well balanced and long lasting, mingling together pear and white pepper flavors to oak, buttery notes and minerality. Quite creamy thru and thru with a nice touch of pineapple at the very end of the palate.

Food Pairing & Service: Will pair well with salmon, crab meat, pasta with Shrimps in white sauce and scallops… I could also see this chardonnay to be paired with a cheese called “Bonne Bouche”, an Ash-Ripened (creamy) Goat Cheese by Vermont Butter and Cheese Creamery.

Score: 7/10.

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

Price as seen on DC shelf: $19.99

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

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