La Cuisine

suckthislemon:

The new wines from Spain’s ancient terraces.

Ramón Losada exemplifies the centuries-old traditions of the region coming to terms with the present. For centuries his family farmed the terraces and made wine for themselves. Since the 1990s, Mr. Losada, who is a veterinarian, has sold his wine commercially. Today, three of his red wines are imported to the United States. The most impressive is Viña Caneiro, made from a 3.7-acre plot of slate soil on terraces rising steeply from the edge of the Sil.

Photos: Eutropio Rodriguez for The New York Times

boston:

Gather round with American wines at the feast

- For most of our history, cider and beer would have been the traditional accompaniment to the festive harvest suppers the Thanksgiving meal is intended to recall. It was only in the late 20th century that a new fault line in national values emerged over the question of whether roast turkey and a boiled turnip were better served by a bottle of red or a bottle of white.

It’s been a while since I last posted about wines.
On my birthday, last December, we had not one, but two bottles of this amazing Chianti. I am no wine expert, but this particular wine left a very good impression. It was light and fruity flavored. Just amazing. Of course, at a fancy restaurant we paid no less than $32 for the bottle. You can find it at your wine retail store for about $11. Worth every cent.

Here’s a trusty review:

Caposaldo - Chianti 2005 (Tuscany, Italy)
$10.29 (snooth.com)

Cherries and earth in the bouquet. Spice, citrus and cherry flavors. Light and refreshing feel with mineral undertones. Overall this is easy drinking wine with good body and a nice finish. A solid Chianti at $10.00 that would provide good company with a meal….yet light enough to have a glass or two on its own. (Justagrape.com)

2007 Monteviejo Lindaflor Malbec

“Monteviejo’s 2007 Lindaflor is 100% Malbec. A glass-coating opaque purple, it displays an aromatic array of toasty new oak, pencil lead, tar, violets, and black cherry. This leads to a full-bodied, dense, tannic behemoth that has loads of succulent fruit, good balance, and a lengthy finish. It will require another 5-7 years of cellaring to show its full potential.” -92+ Points - Jay Miller - The Wine Advocate

$39.98 at Wine Library

Here’s a great Italian wine for a very fair price.

Argiano - Brunello di Montalcino - 2004, Italy.

“Delivers raisins, blackberries and roses on the nose. Full-bodied, with a soft and silky tannin structure and a long and delicious finish. This is the best Brunello ever from here. Best from 2010 through 2016. 10,300 cases made.” - Wine Spectator

$39.98 at Wine Library.com

2007 Chateau Grand Maitre, Bordeaux - France

Sale price: $14.98
at Wine Library

“This medium bodied red is sure to please. Well rounded with soft, supple tannins, red fruit and a silky smooth finish, this is a terrific wine that is ready to drink now. Perfect with food or on its own.” -Importer

“For 15 bones, this is a great little bargain. 2007 Bordeauxs are a much more drinkable vintage. I love this wine. I had it with burgers about 5 weeks ago and was completely blown away! A really spectacular, lightweight Bordeaux.” -Gary Vaynerchuk

Photo by Ed Dame

Domaine des Baumard Quarts de Chaume 2003

Quarts de Chaume wine,always sweet, is made by hand-selecting bunches of very ripe Chenin Blanc, often with high levels of “ourriture noble”. When enjoyed young, the bouquet of Quarts de Chaume is a complex combination of peach, apricot, and subtle flowers. As the wine ages 10 years or more, the bouquet becomes more honeyed and the flavor deepens, with an attractive bitter finish balancing the sweetness. Enjoy this unique wine as an apertif, or with foie gras, fresh fruits, blue cheeses, or delicate desserts.

Chenin Blanc is one of the world’s least-known and appreciated great white wine grapes. Originally from France’s Loire Valley, Chenin Blanc has spread around the globe and is used for virtually all styles of white wine, from crisp and lean to rich, round full table wines, sparkling wines, and some of the most decadent dessert wines made. Classic descriptors for the flavors of Chenin Blanc include peach, honey, lanolin, marzipan, and quince jelly though the dry style from South Africa, where the wines are known as Steen, often exhibits more tropical fruit notes that recall pineapple and guava.

The price starts at $38.43 - more here. 

Photo by {JO}

Releaf Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot-Shiraz 2007 (South Africa)- $16.99

Honey and praline aromas give this dry yet fruity, full-bodied wine a sharp after taste with the Shiraz adding a peppery characteristic.

Food Pairing: Prime rib and grilled vegetables.

Wine Ratings: 88 points

Mon Plaisir Chardonnay - 2005 Peter Michael Winery, California - CA

It opens with a pleasant mild lemon and pear bouquet. On the palate, this Chard is full bodied, extremely well balanced, and smooth. The flavor profile is a delicious green apple with gently infused oak. There are notes of Bosc pear and vanilla blended in as well. The finish is dry and its vanilla notes continue to be rather extended for a Chardonnay.

Average price/bottle: $75

Complete information and label - Thanks to Ken’s Wine Guide

Photo by *Cinnamon

2007 Viña Chocalan, Carmenere - Chile

We drank this wine with the simple dish of seared chicken, rice and green beans.

Very dark purple to almost black in the glass. Full bouquet of green pepper and grass.

Good mouthfeel, medium tannins and full body. Fruit certainly present, but the dominant nose and taste is vegetal. This wine is very well made .. and if you like a more vegetal nuance in the wine, you will like it. If you do not like this component (and my wife is one that does not), you won’t like this wine.
That said, at this price if you have not already tried a carmenere (used to be a blending grape in Bordeaux and was mistaken for a long time for Merlot in Chile), give it a try. This one is a pretty good example.

(label here)

Average price/bottle: $10,99

Photo by Mr. T in DC

Thanks to Good Wine Cheap

2007 Mendoza Aqua de Piedra - Malbec

This wine is great with chicken, and excellent with beef as well.

This is a very simple, smooth red wine, and it does not leave a sharp aftertaste.

It can honestly go well with any meal, and has always been a crowd pleaser both times I have sampled the bottle.

When I first tried this wine with roasted chicken, it made my mouth water after taking a sip, so it really compliments any meal well.

(label here)

Average price/bottle: $7.99

Photo via The Closet Chef

Thanks to Good Wine Cheap

Photo by merriewells

I know it’s been a while, but here is my second wine tip. This one I personally tasted with great pleasure. It’s a modest, low-priced Argentinian Malbec. I was very surprised by this wine because, since it’s “cheap”, I wasn’t expecting much. I was wrong, and I’m glad I was. In my opinion, this is the perfect wine to have at dinner parties with friends, it’s simple, it doesn’t require all the knowledge and formality and it pleases everyone’s taste. Trust me, an excellent choice. Oh, and the bottle I had was a 2004. The tasting notes might be a bit different from the 2005 they are referring to.

Here’s some technical information, if you care for it.
Tamari Malbec 2005 Tasting Notes

Photo by merriewells