The WineMadeEasy Blog

Nearly two years ago I went on a trip to Italy to drink wine. I know... it’s a tough job.  Anyway, one night my colleagues and I were at a little bar in Tuscany and I tasted a Bellini made from Prosecco and fresh pulp from peaches picked that day. It was juicy, slightly bubbly with a beautiful pink hue and it tasted delicious.

In a couple of days the weather is going to turn wet and cold. Sad to say after a day like Thursday which reached the high seventies, we must endure another meteorologically challenged weekend. Unfortunately for us wine lovers, the words cool and refreshing may not be what you are considering when drinking wine this weekend.  You might want to forgo the crisp whites or thirst quenching Roses for something a bit more bold and substantial.  How about an old vine Zinfandel that could warm you up a bit?

The 2013 Perseverance Old Vine Zinfandel is a slightly lighter bodied Zinfandel that still retains the deep, rich purple color of the classic California wine.  Dark plum and cherry fruit and spice with a mocha finish help deliver a perfect wine for this weekend.  So whether you are cooking sausages, burgers, or hot dogs on the grill (and possibly dodging raindrops) or enjoying burritos inside while binge watching your favorite show, this wine is going to satisfy. 

This is a repost of a blog I do for a Mexican tourism blog called Dave Miller's Mexico (https://davemillersmexico.wordpress.com). Once a year, I travel to Mexico where I visit several Palenques (Mezcal Distilleries) and taste dozens of Mezcals. We had to drive about 2-3 hours up winding dirt roads and through a river bed to get to Rey Campero, but it was well worth the trip. On a happy note, we will be carrying most of these Mezcals by the end of this week.

Some may think it is stereotypical to pick a Rose for a blog entry for Mother’s Day.  I beg to differ. The Roses that I’m writing about may be a variation of a shade of pink, but that does not mean these wines are syrupy and one dimensional. Guys, if you are listening. Not all women like Pink Moscato or White Zinfandel anymore than all men like Budweiser or Jack Daniels. These Roses are dry (often like Moms’sense of humor) but refreshing and full of flavor.

Our May Double Up for a Buck event just began and we have two new Roses on the sale

In the next few months many of us will be focusing on lighter, crisper wines such as Sauvignon Blancs, Vinho Verdes and dry Roses to name a few. That doesn’t mean, however, reds won’t come into play, especially where grilled meats are concerned.  

The name Wilson can conjure up several images from athletic equipment, the rock sisters of Heart, the acting brothers Luke and Owen, or a president of the USA.  For me, the name means two significant things; a terrific wine from California and an outstanding Jazz and Pop standards singer, Nancy Wilson.

Several years ago my wife and I visited Northern California where we spent time in San Francisco and points north. Most of our trip was spent in Mendocino County which I found to be geographically diverse and beautiful. There was coastline, hills, redwood forest, farms, scenic fishing villages, costal hamlets and several vineyards.

April is here and we know what that means some more lousy weather for awhile. Wet snow, rain and wind will linger for a bit longer, testing our patience, but then things will change for the better.

Some years it helps to offer a selection of wines to write about for Easter because of the variety and complexity of the foods offered during this holiday weekend.

This year I’ve decided to focus on only one wine and one main course for Easter dinner.  It’s no secret that I love bold red wines from the France, particularly from the Southern regions. Such a wine is Chateau de La Clapiere 2011 Provence Rouge Violette.  This delicious yet reasonably priced red blend is comprised of 50% Syrah, 35% Grenache and 15% Carignan.  Malolactic fermentation and aging for 12 months in concrete tanks helps to give this wine a distinct long lasting richness and smooth tannins. The color is a deep ruby and there is a strong aroma of cherry and red raspberry preserves with highlights of honey, licorice and other spices. The Provence Rouge is full bodied, round and delightfully rich tasting.

The wine is named after producer M.Henri Fabre’s great-grandmother

In the last few years sales of "brown spirits," especially bourbon, have been red hot. However, that comes with a (literally) steep price as we have seen many favorites become unattainable for varying lengths of time or unfortunately disappear altogether.

The only good news is that there are several whiskey categories, one being Irish Whiskey, which offers many new entries and alternatives at relatively attractive quality-to-price ratio.

Irish Whiskey is divided into three categories; blends (which are usually less expensive), single pot stills and single malts. Each has their own place and distinct flavor profile.