...when you're tasting in a hurry.
Valentina Cubi Iperico 2006 Valpolicella Classico ($-$$)
Wow! Red berry and vanilla -- fruit forward palate with a "rustic" feel.
Yellow Tail Sparkling ($)
Ugh! Foot-in-mouth. Not terrible! Tastes like an average prosecco, for about half the price. Damn you yellow-footed wallaby!!!!
San Fabiano Calcinaia Cellole Chianti Classico Reserva 2003 ($$$)
Nice and smooth. Earthy, almost barn-ey. Dark red fruit palate with earthy accents. Rich, dark plums and barnyard on finish.
Pavilion Napa Cabernet 2006 ($)
This should cost 2-3 times as much, and is the MUST BUY of the lot...
Very approachable. Maybe not over-the-top, but well worth the attention. Good amount of ripe fruit with a well constructed mouthfeel and nice acidity. Over-delivers at the price point.
Chateau Serame 2004 Corbieres ($)
Stunning, new-world style from an old-world producer. Get some.
Chateau Le Boscq St. Estephe 2003 ($$$)
I love barnyard aromas. This wine has barnyard aromas. I love this wine.
Earth + Dark, red fruits + slightly dry = happy wino.
Larmandier-Bernier "No Dosage" Brut N/V Champagne ($$$+)
Biodynamic! Light perfume, jasmine on the nose. White grape, peach, and sour apple palate. Tart grape on dry finish. Yum.
Txomin Etxaniz Txakoli 2007 ($$)
Cotton Candy on the nose, citrus and mineral in the mouth, dry effervescent finish.
MUST BUY.
Alberti 154 Malbec 2006 Mendoza ($)
Blackberry jam. Jam. Blackberries. Jam.
Monday, February 25, 2008
New Haven Advocate Best Of
It'd be real swell if y'all went over to the New Haven Advocate's Best Of Ballot and voted for Drew from 116 Crown as Best Bartender.
That's Drew on the left. That's John Panos (sp?) on the right. He'd make a swell choice for Best DJ as well. Just sayin'...
bonus: funtimes action shot of Drew...
That's Drew on the left. That's John Panos (sp?) on the right. He'd make a swell choice for Best DJ as well. Just sayin'...
bonus: funtimes action shot of Drew...
Organic Sake on its way
Fans of Sake may find this li'l tidbit interesting...
"ORGANIC: Coming this June!
We are honored to announce the coming of the first certified organic saké. Momokawa Organic Junmai Ginjo and a Nigori Genshu will begin shipping early June 2008. While there are a few saké on the market that highlight "organic" on their bottles they are not certified organic but are merely made with organic rice. There is a vast difference in "made with" and "organic" with the main differences being a certified brewing facility and complete certification of all ingredients. The complete certification adds value for organic and natural grocers and restaurants alike. Watch for more news including the finalized release date, packaging and sampling opportunities." -- from the SAKE ONE mailing list.
Sake bombers can find more info at SAKE ONE. In the meantime, head over to Miya's (68 Howe St. New Haven) for the Sake Sampler.
"ORGANIC: Coming this June!
We are honored to announce the coming of the first certified organic saké. Momokawa Organic Junmai Ginjo and a Nigori Genshu will begin shipping early June 2008. While there are a few saké on the market that highlight "organic" on their bottles they are not certified organic but are merely made with organic rice. There is a vast difference in "made with" and "organic" with the main differences being a certified brewing facility and complete certification of all ingredients. The complete certification adds value for organic and natural grocers and restaurants alike. Watch for more news including the finalized release date, packaging and sampling opportunities." -- from the SAKE ONE mailing list.
Sake bombers can find more info at SAKE ONE. In the meantime, head over to Miya's (68 Howe St. New Haven) for the Sake Sampler.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Real beer from Italy
New Haven has it's fair share of Italians Italian restaurants. It's not hard to find Moretti or Peroni beers in restaurants or package stores in the 'Have.
We've been drinking the Italian equivalent of Budweiser and Heineken for way too long now. Fortunately, we'll soon see Menabrea in the area.
Birra Menabrea Biella is Italy's oldest craft brewery, having survived 2 World Wars. We'll be seeing a Blonde and an Amber in a couple of weeks time. To be honest, I've never had it, so head over to Tom Ciccateri's review at RealBeer.com.
We've been drinking the Italian equivalent of Budweiser and Heineken for way too long now. Fortunately, we'll soon see Menabrea in the area.
Birra Menabrea Biella is Italy's oldest craft brewery, having survived 2 World Wars. We'll be seeing a Blonde and an Amber in a couple of weeks time. To be honest, I've never had it, so head over to Tom Ciccateri's review at RealBeer.com.
Alta Vista
The Mendoza region of Argentina has been pumping out some quality wine in recent years. I recently had the chance to taste through a bunch of offerings from Alta Vista, one of but 682 wineries in the region (*).
Alta Vista offers wines in three "classes" -- Alta Vista, Alta Vista Premium, and Alta Vista Grande Reserve. The tasting was a veritable marathon, and my shorthand tasting notes reflect as much...
Alta Vista Chardonnay 2006 ($)
Buttery, New World style Chardonnay. Great for drinkers of California whites.
Alta Vista Torrontes 2006 ($)
Sweet citrus on the nose; almost has a Muscat-like quality. Surprisingly smooth, with more "white wine fruits" and less "muscat" on the palate.
Alta Vista Merlot 2005 ($)
My notes read, "standard Argentine merlot". Argentinian merlot tends to lean towards a Californian style, with focus on the fruit. Price wise, this is a MUST BUY.
Alta Vista Malbec 2005 ($)
A great entry-level Argentinian malbec. Lighter than what most malbec-heads will expect, but offers nice fruit and a "chewy" texture that will please any palate. If you haven't gotten into Argentina's malbecs yet, this is where to start. Nice mellow finish.
Alta Vista Premium Chardonnay 2006 ($+)
Smells as if there is some of the Torrontes in the wine -- Muscat and warm weather citrus fruits dominate the nose. The palate offers more butter than fruit.
Alta Vista Premium Malbec 2005 ($+)
My notes read, "standard representation of Argentinian Malbec". This is the one to start with if you've already entered the malbec-zone (read: Firehouse 12). Spicy black fruits and a nice minerality on the finish. This wine had better replace those jugs at every art opening I attend in New Haven in the next year.
Alta Vista Premium Cabernet 2005 ($+)
This is a nice New World Cabernet with a "dusty" mouthfeel. This would be a great wine for a mix of wine dorks and newbies at the same dinner party.
Alta Vista Grande Reserve Malbec 2005 ($$+)
My notes read, "Where have you been all my life?"
This was a nice, hot, over-the-top malbec. Older vines lend themselves to chocolate and spice on the nose with dark fruits -- black currant, specifically -- on the palate. MUST BUY MUST BUY MUST BUY.
Alta Vista Malbec Rose 2006 ($)
Very interesting and super-complex for an offering under $15, there was only a hint of sweetness on the palate. Cotton candy on the nose. Check the Wine Cask Blog for his review of the '05.
Alta Vista offers wines in three "classes" -- Alta Vista, Alta Vista Premium, and Alta Vista Grande Reserve. The tasting was a veritable marathon, and my shorthand tasting notes reflect as much...
Alta Vista Chardonnay 2006 ($)
Buttery, New World style Chardonnay. Great for drinkers of California whites.
Alta Vista Torrontes 2006 ($)
Sweet citrus on the nose; almost has a Muscat-like quality. Surprisingly smooth, with more "white wine fruits" and less "muscat" on the palate.
Alta Vista Merlot 2005 ($)
My notes read, "standard Argentine merlot". Argentinian merlot tends to lean towards a Californian style, with focus on the fruit. Price wise, this is a MUST BUY.
Alta Vista Malbec 2005 ($)
A great entry-level Argentinian malbec. Lighter than what most malbec-heads will expect, but offers nice fruit and a "chewy" texture that will please any palate. If you haven't gotten into Argentina's malbecs yet, this is where to start. Nice mellow finish.
Alta Vista Premium Chardonnay 2006 ($+)
Smells as if there is some of the Torrontes in the wine -- Muscat and warm weather citrus fruits dominate the nose. The palate offers more butter than fruit.
Alta Vista Premium Malbec 2005 ($+)
My notes read, "standard representation of Argentinian Malbec". This is the one to start with if you've already entered the malbec-zone (read: Firehouse 12). Spicy black fruits and a nice minerality on the finish. This wine had better replace those jugs at every art opening I attend in New Haven in the next year.
Alta Vista Premium Cabernet 2005 ($+)
This is a nice New World Cabernet with a "dusty" mouthfeel. This would be a great wine for a mix of wine dorks and newbies at the same dinner party.
Alta Vista Grande Reserve Malbec 2005 ($$+)
My notes read, "Where have you been all my life?"
This was a nice, hot, over-the-top malbec. Older vines lend themselves to chocolate and spice on the nose with dark fruits -- black currant, specifically -- on the palate. MUST BUY MUST BUY MUST BUY.
Alta Vista Malbec Rose 2006 ($)
Very interesting and super-complex for an offering under $15, there was only a hint of sweetness on the palate. Cotton candy on the nose. Check the Wine Cask Blog for his review of the '05.
It's been a while...
My apologies! I haven't gotten around to posting, yet there's been so much vino flowing! I promise to get those updates out soon.
My excuse? I've been busy watching these guys...
My excuse? I've been busy watching these guys...
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