The WineMadeEasy Blog

Fan the flame of hilarity with the wing of friendship, and pass the rosy wine.” -Charles Dickens

The first time I tried a Gewurztraminer was at an Indian restaurant several years ago.  It was also the first time I had a more extensive taste of Indian foods.  I asked the waiter what would go well with my order and he told me about this unusual white wine that could hold its’ own with all the bold spices and complexity of Indian food.  He was right on the money. To me it was a marriage made in heaven and I have loved this pairing ever since.

Brand… Espiritu Lauro

Category… Ensamble… 70% Espadin, 30% Karwinskii… 40% Alcohol

Origin… Amatengo, Oaxaca

Tasting Notes… This has a fresh minerally nose, mild smoke with subtle floral notes. There is some nice body on entry, viscous with very strong notes of pine that give way to even more mineral on the slightly sweet, long finish. This is a nice mezcal. I’d serve it straight up or with a little pineapple juice. If you are creative, consider adding a little vanilla ice cream and some mandarin oranges. It could make a great dessert!

This July Fourth I recommend The Wine Press 2010 Pinot Noir.  This Sonoma County style Pinot is very well balanced and has a distinct cherry juice color. It is medium bodied and dry with slight tannins. The nose is a bit earthy and has a strong raspberry and cranberry fruit aroma along with a pleasant whiff of clove.  The spice continues on the palate along with tart cherry, pomegranate, cranberry and a bit of cola. Enjoy this Pinot Noir with grilled Salmon, or marinated chicken kabobs.

Recently I attended a wine tasting where most of the sippers were from other parts of the country including Maryland, Virginia, California and more.  The wines they were drinking were from New York and nearly all the wines were dry and not generally associated with upstate New York. All the wines were well received, but one in particular stood out: the Arrowhead Spring 2012 Pinot Noir. 

Legend has it that many years ago a meteor fell from the sky and hit Oaxaca, Mexico. It was then that a local mezcalero decided to use the red hot pit left from the impact to cook his magueys before distilling them into mezcal.

Category… 100% Joven Espadin, 45% Alcohol

Origin… Las Margaritas, Oaxaca

Tasting Notes… Very pretty floral, sweet nose showing mild heat. This pleasant mezcal really opens up in the glass. Upon entry there’s that heat, citrus peel and then — BAM! Lots of mineral carrying through on the finish with the citrus peel peeking through. Maybe that’s the meteor effect. Wine lovers will recall a similarity with high end bone dry Riesling,

Sunday is Father’s Day and with it usually comes warm weather resulting in several cookouts and picnics.  A considerable amount of beer and cheap wine will be consumed along with several burgers, hot dogs, sausages, chickens and ribs.  That’s okay, but why not have a better quality wine for dear old Dad? How about something delicious, versatile and memorable as well?

The Bodega Calle- Reserva Syrah 2013 is a perfect choice for this weekend.  Fermented in concrete tanks and aged for12 months in oak, this organic Syrah is bright purple with enticing aromas of blackberries, tart cherries, smoky bacon and vanilla. On the palate dark fruit continues along with a distinct dark, bitter chocolate and anise spice. The finish is round and full. Although it may be technically a “New World” style, this is definitely more like a Rhone style Syrah than a jammy Australian Shiraz. This wine will pair nicely with nearly anything you put on the grill. 

Admittedly my title for this blog may sound like an exaggeration and yes, it is.  But maybe not for the hot summer months. Roses are catching on in Western New York and we of course at Premier, have plenty of them. They are bold diplomats who answer the call of those looking for something different from the wave of Red Blends and Pinot Grigios regularly consumed.

You’re having a casual lawn party this weekend and several of your guests will be expecting a fairly dry, easy drinking white.  You could opt for the usual suspects – Pinot Grigio, un-oaked Chardonnay, dry Riesling or a Sauvignon Blanc but predictability and cost may be an issue. Therefore, go green (green as in Verdi, that is). 

It’s time for me to talk about a wine because I really liked it and for no better reason.  I have no holiday or seasonal agenda here, although I do enjoy discussing the merits of a fine Claret with a Christmas dinner of roast beef and Yorkshire Pudding.  This particular blog is I admit, somewhat random.