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Page 35 - Blog

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  • 2019 Brunello di Montalcino Vintage Report Blog
    FEATURED
    2019 Brunello di Montalcino Vintage Report: A Vintage You Don’t Want to Miss!

    2019 Brunello di Montalcino is “…the vintage we’ve all been waiting for,” so “Buckle your seatbelts,” and strap on your helmets because the newest vintage from Montalcino is “…an embarrassment of riches for collectors and fans of the appellation” (Eric Guido, Vinous Media). The hotly anticipated Brunellos have “…definitely lived up to [their] lofty reputation as an excellent vintage across Montalcino” (Kerin O’Keefe). It showcases the extraordinary qualities of Sangiovese, Tuscany’s most famous and beloved grape variety, and its ability to exploit the region’s phenomenal terroir. This “…magical year…” (Giacomo Neri of Casanova di Neri) of “radiance and appeal” (Eric Guido) will likely set a new benchmark for Brunello wines for years to come.

    According to Italian wine expert, Kerin O’Keefe, she has “…never tasted so many drop-dead-gorgeous young Brunellos from a single vintage.” She confesses that many of the best wines stopped her in her tracks, generating that “…magical moment

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  1. Two Incredible & Affordable Rieslings

    Two Incredible & Affordable Rieslings

    Affordable Rieslings Last week, I was out west with a bunch of non-wine drinkers. And I had a task to fill - they wanted to drink wine, and they wanted it to be good. Fortunately for me, we have a TON of great wine at unbeatable price points. 

    When it came to choosing the wines, I knew a few guys would only drink sweet wine, so I decided to bring a few different bottles. 

    First up was the 2009 Selbach Oster Graacher Domprost Riesling Auslese from Germany. Let me be the first to say that if you haven't had this wine, it is a must! I am not usually a huge fan of sweet wines, but this hit the spot! Scoring 92 points from Robert Parker, it not only tastes incredible, but it's also affordable, priced at just $27.99. A dessert wine that in my opinion could be enjoyed with the spicy foods from India or Thailand, it brought a long finish and a yearning for more. Sadly, I only brought one bottle. 

    Moving onto Alsace, the next on the list was the 2008 Zind Humbrecht

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  2. 2010 White Burgundies are Fabulous!

    2010 White Burgundies are Fabulous!

    2010 Grand Cru White Burgundy from Billaud SimonAs the days of summer are closing in on us, we're taking advantage of these last few weeks of sunshine and are using this time to prepare our last favorite summer dishes accompanied by our favorite white wines.

    Over the weekend, we opened a bottle of 2010 Grand Cru White Burgundy from Billaud Simon (the Les Clos), and it went above and beyond our expectations.  Pale yellow in color, this wine was very elegant but at the same time showed its power. We swirled and sipped this wine in the late evening before dinner while enjoying the sunset. We didn't pair this wine with food, so that we could get an objective opinion on how the wine was truly showing. On the palate it combined notes of citrus elements with butter, cream and biscotti and had one heck of a lingering finish! It was clean and fresh, and served at the perfect temperature, this wine goes down super smooth. It was a fabulous way to start off a great summer evening.

    This season, our favorite white

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  3. Grilled Pizza with Prosciutto, Figs and Baby Arugula

    Grilled Pizza with Prosciutto, Figs and Baby Arugula

    Grilled Pizza with ProsciuttoThis recipe for grilled pizza is one of the more popular dishes on the bar menu that we introduced this summer at the Plaza Cafe. We really like the combination of flavors here, and it's a great item for guests to share too.

    Yield: 1 pie

    Onions, sliced, caramelized - 1 ea.
    Fontina, shredded - 6-8 ounces
    Baby arugula - hand full
    Balsamic vinaigrette - 2 ozs.
    Prosciutto, sliced thin - 3 ozs.
    Figs, quartered    - 4 ea.
    Balsamic glaze - as needed

    1. Roll out pizza dough
    2. Brush with oil and place on grill
    3. Once marked, turn over
    4. Top with onions and then fontina
    5. Once fontina is melted, remove from grill
    6. Dress baby arugula with balsamic vinaigrette
    7. Portion baby arugula over fontina
    8. Drape with prosciutto, and then top with figs
    9. Drizzle with balsamic glaze

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  4. Sicily's Best Kept Secret

    Sicily's Best Kept Secret

    Sicilys Best Kept Secret I chose this wine to taste, review and share with you for two very simple reasons: the bold, yet modest bottle design caught my eye, and my own personal intrigue for Sicilian wines. What I found out proved that the 2006 Feudo Maccari Maharis is one of the best hidden gems in our entire Italian portfolio.

    IGT
    Sicily has gained much popularity in recent years thanks to several producers, including Maccari, who've marketed this area as a prime climatic region for successful viticulture. Despite the heat, several unique grape varietals thrive in this region. 

    This specific Maharis vineyard, located in Noto, shares its ground with the famed Etna Volcano. Volcanic soil has proven to be exceptionally great for grapes that grow in high sunlight regions. Noto is also within walking distance of Avola, which is where this region's #1 grape gets its name: Nero d'Avola.

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  5. Wine in Song - A Playlist

    Wine in Song - A Playlist

    Wine in SongFor something a bit different this time around, the focus here is the song influenced by or at least name checking wine.  Some are originals and some are covers (let's keep it fresh!).  Grab a bottle of your favorite wine and your favorite person!

    "Lilac Wine"
    Written by James Shelton
    Performed by Jeff Buckley
    Because the late Jeff Buckley has one of the greatest voices ever recorded.  Listen now!

    "My Hat Went Drinking"
    Written and performed by Gregory Page
    If ever there were an artist perfect for accompanying a bottle of wine, it's Mr. Page.  Prolific.

    "Strawberry Wine"
    Written and performed by Ryan Adams
    Part of a concept record (29) with each song documenting a year in the songwriter's 20s, this song reminds the listener to avoid falling into life's trappings.

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  6. 2009 PSI - The Pingus Movement Back to the Land?

    2009 PSI - The Pingus Movement Back to the Land?

    Pingus MovementPSI is the third wine of one of Spain's most legendary producers, Dominio de Pingus. Pingus was established in the mid-1990s by Danish winemaker & visionary, Peter Sisseck. Dominio de Pingus was unexpectedly (and joyously!) put on the map in 1996 after the managing director of a UK wine company discovered the wine at the very end of a long and drawn out Bordeaux tasting. He then insisted that a Mr. Robert Parker try the wine. After a 96-100 point rating and receiving the back page of the Wine Advocate, the rest is winemaking history!

    Fast Forward 10 years later to the birth of Sisseck's newest project: PSI, named after the 23rd letter of the Greek alphabet. This wine was produced with the intention to showcase the old-world vines of the Ribera del Duero, using biodynamic and organic farming practices. Sisseck essentially sought out to give back to the land and the small farmers who hadn't yet benefitted from the success of the Ribera del Duero by keeping the winemaking

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  7. Smoked Salmon Napoleon with Celery Root Chips, Pear-Celery Root Remoulade, and Apple Cider Syrup

    Smoked Salmon Napoleon with Celery Root Chips, Pear-Celery Root Remoulade, and Apple Cider Syrup

    Smoked Salmon Napoleon1. Peel 1 celery root and slice paper thin on a slicing machine if possible
    2. Gently fry in oil until golden brown in color and crispy; season with salt
    3. Alternate layers of celery root chips, celery root remoulade and smoked salmon until three levels are created (a little under an ounce per layer)
    4. Drizzle plate with some fresh apple cider that has been cooked down to a syrup
    5. Garnish with some micro celery or celery leaves

    Celery Root Remoulade:
    Yield: 1 Quart

    Egg yolks- 1 ea.
    Water- ½ T
    Dijon - 1 tsp.
    Oil - ½ C
    Lemon juice - 3T
    Eggs, hard cooked, minced - 1 ea.
    Cornichons, minced - ½ T
    Parsley, minced - ½ T
    Tarragon - 1 tsp.
    Garlic clove, minced - 1 ea.
    Walnuts, toasted - ¼ C
    Celery root,

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  8. 2003 d’Armailhac: Mouton Rothschild’s Other Wine

    2003 d’Armailhac: Mouton Rothschild’s Other Wine

    Mouton Rothschilds Other WineIn our lives there are times when one opens a bottle of wine and enjoys it and thinks “that was nice.”  Then there are times in which a person may find themselves thinking how incredibly fortunate and lucky they are to try this fermented grape juice.  It may have traveled halfway across the world to get into your possession; it’s a beverage that has surrounded cultures from ancient Romans to modern day Michelin restaurants.  Over the weekend, I had the latter experience.  When I reflect on all of the wine that I’ve experienced, it amazes me!
     
    Last year right around this time, I asked the love of my life to spend hopefully a thousand years of laughter and joy together.  Fortunately for me, she said yes.  We decided to celebrate this great moment by taking a weekend away from everyday life and escape to the far reaches of southern PA to a place called Nemacolin Woodlands.  A beautiful 3,000 acre resort and spa filled

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  9. A World-Class Riesling for a STEAL of a Price!

    A World-Class Riesling for a STEAL of a Price!

    World Class Riesling

    Rieslings under $100 rarely get ‘good’ scores from respected wine reviewers.  Rieslings under $50 rarely get ‘outstanding’ scores from one of the most respected names in wine. The 2011 Joh Jos Prum Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Kabinett received a 95 Point score from none other than John Gilman, editor of “Views from the Cellar.”  I’d also like to add that this wine was also given 93 points by Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate. 


    Should I tell you the price yet?  I think I’ll hold off for now…

    Vintage
    2011 will go down in history as one of the greatest Riesling vintages of all time.  Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate quotes:

    “…Make no mistake: if not a "vintage of the century"…2011 is an extremely fine Riesling year that can boast quite a few truly extraordinary successes across a range of styles.”

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  10. Something from the Northern Rhone? Look No Further!

    Something from the Northern Rhone? Look No Further!

    Northern RhoneAs a Northern Rhone wine lover and resident guru, my clients often ask me my personal opinions on their selections from this gorgeous yet misunderstood region.  I inevitably end up discussing the wines from Delas, a fabulous producer, at some point.  Here are some of the particulars: In 1835, Charles Audibert and Philippe Delas purchased a wine merchant company in Tournon-sur-Rhone.  Previously called Maison Junique, they renamed it Audibert and Delas.  The links between the two familes would be pulled ever tighter when the two Delas sons, Henri and Florentin, married two Audibert daughters.  In 1924, Henri and Florentin took over as managers of the company whose name then changed to Delas Frères. 

     They constantly developed the business, both on the merchant side and by acquiring vineyards in Chateauneuf du Pape and Hermitage.  This helped ensure a constant production of quality wines.  After the war in 1945, the wines of Delas

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