Refreshing Summertime Sippers

Summertime is my favorite time of year. As the temperature rises, I am more inclined to reach for something chilled and refreshing. Here are a few options to help keep you cool…

2011 Chateau Lestrille Blanc, Entre-deux-Mers (under $15/bottle, bordeaux.com): I tasted this refreshing white at the Wine Riot event in San Francisco earlier this month. Fermented and aged in stainless steel for three months, this crisp wine is mostly Sauvignon Blanc blended with a little Muscadelle. It has aromas of white flowers and citrus with peach and stone fruit flavors. With vibrant acid, this wine is best sipped alongside fresh oysters, summery salads, or moules frites.

2011 J Winery Pinot Gris ($15/bottle, jwine.com): As always, this tasty bottling is crisp and clean and perfect for just about any occasion. This easy sipper offers aromas of Mandarin orange, stone fruit and melon. Vivacious acidity balances the melon, citrus and minerals on the palate. It has a screw-top closure and lots of food pairing potential, especially with spicy foods. 

2011 Domaine Perraud Mâcon-Villages Vielle Vignes ($18/bottle, fpwm.com): Who loves White Burgundy with a small price tag? I do! I do! This Chardonnay is unadorned with oak and pleasantly fruit-forward. Lively acidity and green apple flavors make it a great match for a sunny afternoon by the pool, a goat cheese salad, chicken dishes, or sauteed shrimp.

2010 Cornerstone Cellars Sauvignon Blanc ($25/bottle, cornerstonecellars.com): This wine is aged sur lie in French oak for six months following fermentation in stainless steel. Pale straw color in the glass with the tiniest tinge of green, it has alluring aromas of lemon peel and guava with a very subtle note of fresh herbs. The palate is equally as mesmerizing with mouthwatering acid, bright minerals, and snappy citrus flavors. This is an inspired Sauvignon Blanc that pairs with everything from a triple-cream cheese (as shown in the pic) to fresh crab or even lobster risotto. 

2011 Smith-Madrone Riesling ($27/bottle, smithmadrone.com): If something light and fruity is what you’re seeking, this Riesling from the Spring Mountain district is it. With a lower alcohol content (12.6%) and brilliant acidity, the stone fruit flavors explode on the palate. With less than 1% residual sugar, it is technically a dry wine and delicious at lunchtime. 

Splurge 2004 Nicholas Feuillatte Brut Blanc de Blancs ($50/bottle, mainstreetwinebar.net): This vintage Champagne is utterly dreamy! It has a perfume of roasted hazelnuts and freshly baked bread. The palate is nutty and yeasty with racy green apple flavors and a kiss of caramel. Not particularly fruity, this sparkler is best served all on its own! 

As always, thank you for reading Sip, Swirl, Savor. Please follow me on Facebook and Twitter for wine events and more fabulous wine-related content. 

Cheers,

Cortney

A wedding day wine for every day!

When my friend Julie asked me three weeks ago for some recommendations for wines to serve at her wedding, I was eager to help. She said she wanted something fun and affordable. I immediately went to the Reverse Wine Snob blog for ideas.

The wedding, which took place this past Saturday, was held at a small B&B in Cloverdale--and it was hot. Everyone was parched by the end of ceremony; as the bride and groom hurried off to have their pictures done, the guests quickly assembled at the beverage station. I was poured a tall glass of the Hannah Sauvignon Blanc, a wine that I have previously blogged about and that we found on sale at Costco for only $10.99. It was very refreshing!

When we sat down for dinner, the sun was setting and the temperature was also dropping. The family-style meal included pork and chicken in a tomato-based, spicy sauce with vegetables; the tasty food suited the rustic setting perfectly and was an ideal match for red wine. There were two options for red wine: the 2009 BV Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (which was good) and the Evodia Garnacha (which was even better!).

The 2010 Altovinum Evodia Old Vines Garnacha from Calatayud, Spain was only $8.99 at Costco, and I suggested it because it received high marks on the RWS blog. (After tasting it, I wish I had picked up some for myself.) It was round and plush, with just a little bit of spice that paired nicely with the dinner. Flavors of blackberry, blueberry, black cherry and licorice were supported by good structure and a long, juicy finish. I never would have guessed this wine was under $10 a bottle; it was really delicious and at that price, it qualifies as an amazing everyday value wine!

For the toast, they served the La Marca Prosecco, which was also purchased from Costco for a great price ($10.99/bottle compared to $15.99 at Whole Foods).

Julie and Chris did a great job planning their wedding. I merely suggested a few affordable wines to serve; ultimately, the bride and groom made the final decision and everyone seemed to enjoy the wine selection [and everything else]. For wedding day wines, everyday wines, and even the high-end stuff [think Dom Perignon and $100 Napa Cab], the selection at Costco is hard to beat.

Congrats to Julie and Chris! Hope you're having a terrific honeymoon...Cheers!

Superb Santa Barbara Sauvignon Blanc

In the past month, I have been enjoying mostly white wines. And it has dawned on me that I like Sauvignon Blanc produced like Chardonnay (in neutral oak) and I like Chardonnay produced like Sauvignon Blanc (unoaked). I'm also loving everything coming from Santa Barbara.

So it came as no surprise to read that 40% of the 2011 Nadia Sauvignon Blanc is aged 9 months in neutral French oak barrels.

This Sauvignon Blanc, sourced from the Santa Barbara Highlands Vineyard in Santa Barbara County, is absolutely delicious and utterly refreshing!

A pale straw color in the glass, it has very delicate aromas of white flowers and white peach. The wine tastes very crisp, with bright acidity and fresh flavors or grapefruit and guava.The long-lasting finish imparts zesty lime and minerals.

This is the kind of wine to serve on a hot day (or after a long, hot day). It comes with a screw-top closure so it's perfect for picnics and BBQ's. I paired it with a summertime risotto of sautéed shrimp, cherry tomatoes, zucchini, and parmesan cheese. It would also be delicious with oysters. (Is your mouth watering yet? Mine is!)

The Nadia wines are a secondary label of Laetitia Winery based in the Arroyo Grande Valley (just south of San Luis Obispo). The 2011 Sauvignon Blanc is only $18/bottle; which I think is a great value for a wine of this superb quality.

I received wine samples from the winery for review purposes. Please visit their website and order yours to help keep you cool on the hot summer days to come!

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Sauvignon Blanc: Top 5 for Summertime Sipping

With this hot weather, I can't get enough Sauvignon Blanc!

My preferred style of Sauvignon Blanc is usually aged "sur lie", which provides a nice creaminess and slightly subdues the level of acid. I prefer to taste tropical fruit flavors and citrus notes. When a wine has descriptors such as fresh-cut grass or wet stone or racy acidity, I'm usually not a fan of it.

In case you missed my previous posts about various Sauvignon Blancs that I have particularly enjoyed, here's a recap of my favorites:

1. 2011 Captûre Tradition Sauvignon Blanc 

2. 2011 Crocker & Starr Sauvignon Blanc

3. 2011 Hanna Sauvignon Blanc

4. 2011 Hartwell Reserve Sauvignon Blanc

5. 2010 Whitehall Lane Sauvignon Blanc

I was surprised to see that I have not previously blogged about Number #5. I have visited Whitehall Lane Winery in St. Helena several times; in fact, I enjoyed a bottle of their Sauvignon Blanc ($18/bottle) last month.

Blended with 8% Semillon, it has a floral bouquet and good acidity with honeydew and citrus flavors. It's terrific with sushi. Cheers!

The Vineyard Experience at Crocker & Starr

If you asked me today what my top ten favorite wines are, three from Crocker & Starr would definitely make the list.

My friend, Julie, and I received a warm welcome by winemaker Pam Starr at the Crocker & Starr Estate in St. Helena yesterday. We began the unique 'Vineyard Experience' on the porch of the farmhouse with a taste of the 2011 Sauvignon Blanc.

I have always loved the Crocker & Starr SB ($32/bottle). Made from organically grown grapes sourced from the Crocker Vineyard and the Hyde Las Trancas Vineyard in Oak Knoll, this wine is medium-bodied, fresh, and fruit-forward. It is aged sur lies, 96% stainless steel barrels and 4% new French oak barrels, which adds a wonderful creaminess to the mouthfeel and intensity to the flavors. Floral aromas with white peach, guava and citrus. Finishes clean with brilliant acidity.

In yesterday's 85+ degree temperatures, this wine was wonderfully refreshing!

Wine glass in hand, we walked from the porch to the edge of the vineyard. You can really hear the passion in Pam's voice as she talks about pruning and vineyard management, clones, and soil types. It was both fascinating and inspiring!

Eager to get out of the sun, we settled at the long walnut table (big enough to seat at least 8 people or more) under the arbor to taste the Estate red wines.

I have been enjoying Pam's wines for about three years now, and they remain consistently delicious year-to-year. As usual, the red wines were outstanding.

The 2009 Cab Franc smells like blueberry pie right out of the oven. The palate offers layers of sweet blueberry, cherry cola, herbs and baking spices (particularly cinnamon and cardamom). Luscious mouthfeel with dry, velvety tannins. The wine ends with lingering flavors of tobacco leaf and cocoa. This wine will age well but is very drinkable now. ($62/bottle, less than 500 cases)

The 2008 Stone Place Cabernet Sauvignon is dark, powerful, and concentrated. This 100% Cab shows rich, black fruit aromas. Blackberry jam and dark chocolate flavors are backed by firm tannins and hints of baking spice. Black licorice and sweet vanilla linger on the palate. Absolutely delicious! Aged in barrel for 20 months, 80% new French oak. I was actually shocked by how well this wine is showing upon release; but it definitely has the potential to improve over the next 10+ years. ($90/bottle, less than 500 cases)

Tours and tastings are available daily by appointment only. Definitely worth visiting! (photo below: Julie and I posing near a vintage wine press)

And I strongly recommend the Prime Rib French Dip sandwich at the Rutherford Grill afterwards. Mmmmmm.....

P.S. Pam also makes super-small amounts of wine specifically for the Crocker & Starr Casali Wine Club (the Malbec is amazing!) and she is the winemaking genius behind the Bridesmaid wines. A second label that she produces with Drew Nieman, the Bridesmaid Bordeaux-style blends are affordable and ready-to-drink. Perfect for summer!

A very special Sauvignon Blanc

If you're participating in #SauvBlanc Day today, consider celebrating with the 2011 Captûre Tradition Sauvignon Blanc ($30/bottle).

This Sauvignon Blanc offers seductive aromas of flowers, white peach and citrus. Aged sur lie in stainless steel tanks, the palate has a soft elegance without any oak flavoring. The creamy mouthfeel is paralleled by brilliant acidity and finishes clean.

*Serve this wine a little warmer than you think you should and you'll be amazed by its tropical fruit flavors.

Delicious on its own or paired with anything from the seafood selection at Restaurant Picco where this bottle is featured on the wine list.

And a beautiful bottle it is. The story of Captûre Wines is told in the elegant design of the label. The gold embellishment represents the shape of a mountain (which is significant because the vineyards are located high on Pine Mountain in within Sonoma County); it also represents the circumflex above the 'u' in Captûre; and--if you look closely--it looks like a man and a woman embracing. The wines are made by husband and wife winemaking team (May-Britt and Denis Malbec) and founders Tara and Ben Sharp. Very clever!

Production of this remarkable wine (as well as the rest of the Captûre portfolio) remains low, at about one thousand cases. Available for purchase direct from the winery or from Stash Wines. Tastings of Captûre wines are offered at Ma(i)sonry in Yountville.

So get your hands on some and enjoy today!

I heart Hartwell (part two)

Hartwell Vineyards and Winery, located in the Stags Leap District of Napa, has been one of my favorites for some time now. Since I last blogged about Hartwell in 2009, I have continued to enjoy their wines.

When I visited the winery less than two weeks ago on May 25th (before the holiday weekend) with my boyfriend Doug, we had a terrific time. David Robbins, the Director of Retail Sales at the winery and a certified sommelier, was an excellent host.

We started out in the vineyard to discuss the viticulture of the property and sip the very refreshing Estate Sauvignon Blanc (grown in Carneros). The scenery was breathtaking--Doug took the photo at right with his iPhone--and the wine was tasty with light citrus notes.

We walked into the caves to taste the Reserve Sauvignon Blanc, a richly flavored white wine with notes of coconut and carmelized pineapple. I was unexpectedly wowed by this wine (as I thought it had been overly oaky in previous vintages.)

As usual, the Misté Hill Cab was my favorite. The powerful dark fruit aromas of this wine are very unique to the terroir--this wine smells the same year to year (and it is a lovely smell!). The color of the wine is very concentrated in the glass but incredibly smooth and easy to drink. With fine-grained tannins and flavors of cassis, licorice, and sweet blackberry, it easy to pair with many foods.

That being said, we tasted (and purchased) the 2008 vintage of this incredible wine; I just received an email from the winery today to let me know the 2009 vintage was just released. I suppose I'm already due another visit!

Russian River Revelry

Last Friday, I had an appointment in Santa Rosa. It seemed like a waste of gas to drive all the way up there and not take advantage of the close proximity to so many wineries, so I convinced my friend Danielle to go with me. My appointment was 11 am; by 11:20, we were ready to go wine tasting. 

I used www.wineroad.com to decide which wineries would be most convenient for us to visit. Hanna Winery was a mere 3 miles from my appointment; that was our first stop.

Before our visit, I didn't know anything about Hanna, other than the fact that they produced Sauvignon Blanc. Now that it's practically summertime, I'm on the hunt for quaffable white wines...

Mission accomplished! The 2011 Russian River Sauv Blanc was very tasty ($19). Pale straw color in the glass, the wine had alluring aromas of lime and orange blossom. Bright acidity was balanced by lush tropical fruit flavors. This is a great wine to drink by itself or pair with salads, seafood, or goat cheese.

Visiting Hanna was a very pleasant experience made possible by our host, Patrick (a former Hanna wine club member turned part-time tasting room host). The red wines at Hanna were also impressive. I particularly enjoyed the 2007 Alexander Valley Merlot ($34), the 2007 Bismark Mountain Cab Franc ($56), and the 2007 Bismark Mountain Titan, a Malbec blend. (Bismark Mountain is the Sonoma side of Napa's famous Spring Mountain.)

With a few bottles of Hanna in the trunk, we decided to make one more stop.

Less than 15 minutes later, we sidled up to the tasting bar at--one of my favorites!--Dutton-Goldfield Winery.

We had a wonderful tasting, including a refreshing Pinot Blanc, the delicious Rued Vineyard Chardonnay, many beautiful Pinot Noirs, and a brief encounter with the owner/winemaker Dan Goldfield (bonus!). He talked to us about his Burgundian approach to winemaking and his love for cool-climate vineyards; he looked like he had just finished or was about to go on a bike ride.    

This was my second trip to the Dutton-Goldfield tasting room and I can't wait to go back for more!  

New Zealand knows Sauv Blanc

My boyfriend and I hosted a dinner party this past Saturday at my house. The weather forecast was hot, so I stocked up on Sauvignon Blanc.

The Villa Maria Estate wines that I agreed to sample for a promotional Twitter tasting also arrived just in time for our party. http://cmp.ly/2

The first bottle of wine we opened was a Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc (only $10.99 at Trader Joe's!). It was very crisp and clean--and disappeared quickly.

One of my boyfriend's friends asked me if there was any more wine--she obviously doesn't know me very well.

"If you go in the fridge, you'll find Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, sparkling wine, and more Chenin Blanc. Take your pick," I said.

She grabbed the 2011 Villa Maria Cellar Selection Sauvignon Blanc (SRP $21.99) and twisted the cap off without hesitation.

Although I'm not usually a fan of Sauv Blanc--it can be too acidic with not enough flavor--I was "wowed" by this wine. Everyone who tasted it loved it!

With its attractive gold label and Burgundy-style bottle, this looks like a fancy Sauvignon Blanc that might have spent time in oak barrels. The name is misleading, too--"Cellar Selection", but it is merely the best fruit from the crop. A small portion of the grape skins are left in contact with the juice and the wine sits on the yeast lees for a short period of time--but the wine does not see any oak.

The wine has bright acidity, which is balanced by a luscious mouthfeel. It has a medium-light body with aromas of melon and white flowers. The palatte is fruit-driven with gooseberry and green apple flavors. Lime and mineral notes linger on the finish.

I will definitely track down this wine to have on hand for dinner parties throughout the summer! www.villamaria.co.nz

A special thanks to Thirsty Girl for including me in this #TGTaste! The Twitter tasting is tomorrow, May 16th at 5 pm. http://thirstygirl.com/sponsor-villa-maria-estate/

Wine and asparagus: a match made for me!

Last night when my boyfriend and I sat down to dinner, he looked at his plate and laughed. "You just might have been an asparagus in a past life," he joked. 

It's true. I'm an asparagus addict (luckily my boyfriend likes it, too). Whether roasted with olive oil and garlic, par-boiled and drizzled with a Dijon mustard vinaigrette, sauteed with bell peppers and soy sauce, or served with a runny egg on top, I could eat asparagus almost every day--and at any meal. It's a versatile vegetable that, contrary to what others may say, can be enjoyed with a wide array of wines.


For dinner last night, I cooked the asparagus on the stove top and dressed it with olive oil, lemon juice, and salt and pepper. It was accompanied by pan-seared pork chops with pesto and whole baked sweet potatoes. Sweet and savory. Yum!

A white or red wine (specifically a fruit-forward Pinot Noir) would have paired nicely with this meal. I had a bottle of 2010 Lucinda and Millie Mendocino County Chardonnay (www.lucindaandmillie.com) open from the night before, and it paired perfectly.

This lighter style of Chardonnay is made from organic grapes and 10% is aged in French oak. It is crisp and clean, with notes of green apple, melon, and citrus. And it's the most affordable wine I have ever enjoyed ($9.99 at Whole Foods)!

In fact, this entire meal was less than $20 (and purchased entirely at Whole Foods); it took less than an hour to prepare.

I'm not drinking much Sauvignon Blanc these days, but the grassy Sauv Blanc from Honig or a minerally Chablis would also have complimented this meal nicely; a sparkler (particularly Domaine Carneros Brut or Mumm Blanc de Blancs) would have also been a good match. Depending on how you prepare the asparagus and what the other components of the meal are, the wine-pairing possibilities are endless!

An elaborate hallway at Hall Rutherford

When I arrived at Hall Rutherford for an afternoon appointment a few weeks ago, I wasn't sure if I was in the right place. I parked in front of what looks like a high-end Napa Valley house and walked up to a traditional front door. There was no sign that said "come on in" or "ring the doorbell"; it seemed rude to just open the door to what looked like someone's home, but they were expecting me, so I let myself in.

Once inside I was greeted with a glass of the 2009 Hall Sauvignon Blanc, and I knew I was in the right place. This tastefully decorated building was "home" to many very

modern works of art, of which Craig and Kathryn Hall are big-time enthusiasts. And despite the modern furnishings, the place was inviting and cozy, but we didn't have a chance to get too comfortable. When the rest of the group arrived, we strolled down the driveway to the caves underneath the house.

I swirled and sipped the bright citrusy Sauvignon Blanc as our tour guide explained the winemaking process. (I was reminded just how tasty this Sauvignon Blanc is at dinner the other night at Willi's Wine Bar in Santa Rosa.) Then we proceeded through the caves, the ceiling of which was lined with Austrian brick; works of art were on display every few yards. And inside the tasting room was the famed chandelier I had heard so much about, with what seemed like thousands of tiny Swarovski crystals.

Once seated, we tasted three of Hall's super-small production wines including the 2007 Kathryn Hall Cabernet Sauvignon, exclusively only at the Rutherford location, and my favorite of the three. A wine to be savored, the Kathryn Hall Cab is rich and full-bodied with ripe blackberry and dark chocolate notes. A very sexy wine that compliments the elegant decor of the tasting room. The tour runs about an hour and is worth it to see how the chandelier sparkles!

Wine and Honey at Honig

Since I "found" a bottle of 1998 Honig Cabernet Sauvignon in the cellar in the house where I live with my mother, I have been wanting to visit the Honig Winery for a tasting of their current releases. I had taken the 1998 Cab to dinner at Cook in St. Helena and it was still remarkably youthful and a delight to drink.

The current releases proved to be just as enjoyable. I forgot to ask what Honig's total case production is, but I know it's small. Set on an idyllic piece of property off Rutherford Road, their driveway lined with olive trees, this is a winery that has found their strengths and is sticking to what they do best: Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon.

They make two of each. The 2008 SB is a fruity with a mineral core and bright acidity; at $14 a bottle, it is very drinkable. The 2007 Reserve SB went through partial malo-lactic fermentation and is thus medium bodied with rounder flavors and less acidity. My vote was for the first of the two and it is what you'll find on store shelves.

My feelings were similar for the Cabs. The 2006 Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon is approachable with silky tannins, dark fruit and cocoa flavors. The 2005 Bartollucci Vineyard Cab is more austere, with chewy tannins and pronounced earthiness. I rarely refer to wines as feminine and masculine, but in this case, the first was feminine (I went home with a bottle of this one), the second was masculine (my male tasting partner got a bottle of this one).

Honig means "honey" in German. In addition to the four wines discussed above, they also produce a late harvest Sauvignon Blanc, which was sweet and delicious, with honey undertones. They also bottle honey on the estate, and their olive trees are harvested by Round Pond.

You can do a tasting of this delicious olive oil at Round Pond; their olive oil tasting room is located just off Honig's driveway.

White Wine du Jour

It sounds like all I drink is Sauvignon Blanc. But just wait until the weather cools...

After a brutally boring meeting that began late this morning and lasted more than 90 minutes, I suggested to my manager that we treat ourselves to lunch somewhere. Feeling celebratory for really no reason at all, we decided on Bouchon, an upscale French Bistro in neighboring Yountville. Although I frequent the Bouchon Bakery more often than not (best coffee in the Napa Valley, I swear!), I have only been to Bouchon, the restaurant, once--and it was for dinner about two weeks ago. It was a very pleasant experience, and going for lunch there sounded perfect. We grabbed a bottle of 2008 Crocker & Starr Sauvignon Blanc and were on our way.

Stepping inside Bouchon is like arriving in Paris for the first time. It is both whimsical and serious--seriously French, that is. They serve the same menu for both lunch and dinner, but although I was somewhat familiar with the typical bistro offerings, it was still a difficult decision. The halibut seemed to be speaking to me right off the paper menu, but so did the moules frites, and the tartine du jour (an open-faced steak sandwich dressed with caramelized onions and roquefort)--it all had me salivating.

As I applied a thick layer of butter to the fresh "epi" baguette from next door, the server popped the cork on our bottle of wine. This is a Sauvignon Blanc unlike any other I've tried. Surprisingly, it is 100% SB, a blend of fruit from Charlie Crocker's St. Helena vineyard and the Hyde Las Trancas Vineyard in Napa. The "Starr" part of the label is Pam Starr, the winemaker; I love supporting female winemakers, especially when they make kick-ass wines. The Crocker & Starr Cab Franc definitely deserves an honorable mention.

The intricate and profound bouquet give some inclination to the wine's complexity. Asian pear and baked Granny Smith apple aromas lead to a medium-plus body of honey, tart green apple, Meyer lemon, spice, and balanced acidity. There is a subtle floral character to this wine as well as a minerality that reminds you that, yes, this is Sauvignon Blanc.

As I mentioned yesterday, supposedly there are 396 wineries in the Napa Valley, but, to my knowledge, this figure does not include producers that make their wine at custom-crush facilities or wineries represented in collective tasting rooms. Crocker & Starr wines are made at a custom crush facility in Oakville and can be purchased at Cult Wine Central or Acme Fine Wines.

I was in heaven from about 12:30 to 2 pm today. I savored every last sip of this wine and polished off my plate of seared halibut, fresh heirloom tomatoes, and the frites of my dining companions. Now, if only we had brought a bottle of Dolce for the cheese plate!