red blends

The 2015 vintage of Grand Passione is a delightful alternative to the much revered Amarone. As stated about previous vintages, this wine impresses with its elegantly embossed bottle and simple yet classic hand written look on the label. The name seems to fit the region itself which is steeped in history and romance. Thus is an impressive present for a loved one.

A delicious blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Corvina, this Rosso is produced in the Veneto region in the same appassimento-style as many Amarones. The Corvina grapes are sun dried before processing creating a raisin-like quality to the wine.  It is full bodied with a deep, nearly black color and rich and bold. There is a strong flavor of dark cherry, black currant, prune, raisin, and allspice with soft tannins and a long, smooth finish. This is a terrific bottle for under $15.00.  It works very well with stews and roasts, but give it a try with hard cheeses, crostini and liver pate.

This holiday season I have opted to repeat my blog from last year because the films obviously remain classics and the pairings still apply.

It is the busy season at Premier, so I am just doing one large blog for the Holidays. I have listed 10 of my favorite Christmas movies with one bonus film many of you probably have never seen or heard of, but should take a look at. For each movie I have suggested a wine or spirit to go along with your viewing pleasure.

1. A Christmas Carol (1951): My favorite all-time Christmas movie with the incomparable Alistair Sim. It’s full of dark, brooding, Victorian London along with cheery snowy street scenes and lovely carols. A figgy and nutty Tawny Port like Niepoort Ten Year is just the thing to sip along with a slice of Christmas cake or pudding as you view this ideal Christmas movie.

2. A Christmas Carol (1984): My second favorite version of Dickens’ classic with wonderful set

From the Navarro area in Spain formally known as the “basque” region comes this easy drinking, full bodied Garnacha is perfect pick for a last minute get together. This wine comes from vineyards dating back to when Spain was a colony of the Ancient Roman Empire. Benefiting from Atlantic and Mediterranean influences and cold winds from the Pyrenees, Vina Zorzal has excellent conditions for this type of wine.

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.

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

The lure of French value wines continues with a red Bordeaux because …well, how can it not?  How can a bargain hunting wine drinker turn down a Fall deal like this, especially a French wine with Vermont in the title?

Starting on October 1^st we will be having our Fall Double Up for a Buck sale.  Several of your old favorites will be on the sale as well as some new comers, including some lovely wines from France.

It’s after Labor Day but the heat is intense and grilling out is starting to lose its appeal. Many of us are missing our red wines.  Cheer up! Cooler weather is on the way (Not cold, but normal high 60’s –low 70’s) and football viewing is infiltrating many homes in our area.  With football viewing comes snacks and pizza, and with snacks and pizza comes (no not beer- remember where I work) red wine.

I have just tasted the Elvio Tintero Rosso, one of the fine offerings from star importer Kermit Lynch.  This bargain priced wine is from the Piedmont region in Italy and is an irresistible blend of 40% Nebbiolo, 40% Barbera, 10% Dolcetto and 10% Cabernet Franc.

Tintero sources his grapes from different parts of Piedmont and is currently not permitted to display a vintage on table wines of this type.  Not a problem. You won’t care – trust me. This wine is very well balanced, has complexity, fine tannins and subtle acidity

“Keep warm!”   I’ve heard it daily for weeks. In fact, I’ve said it myself on several occasions.  We don’t even want to deal with it anymore. We just keep plugging along.  So what do we do?  I’ll tell you what we do. We keep drinking wine, eating hearty food, and watching damn good movies. 

This Saturday is Valentine’s Day which in my opinion is the lamest of holidays unless you consider “Sweetest Day” which I’m sure very few people consider… anything.  Before you stop reading and start firing off angry messages, I implore you to keep reading.  I am not a cold, un-romantic guy. Honest!  Ask my wife. By the way, she hates this Hallmark inspired Holiday as well.  If you truly love someone, then everyday is Valentine’s Day.  Not this disaster prompted by fear, desperation or indifference.  Bad chocolate, cliché roses or even worse, cheap and lousy wine has nothing to do with love or romance.