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Tag: tasting notes

  • We’ll Toast September with Cabernet Franc! It’s Louis de Grenelle Saumur Rosé

    We are year-round rosé fans and Louis de Grenelle Saumur Rosé is a 100% Cabernet Franc sparkling rosé from the Loire Valley. We've enjoyed this wine in many fine dining restaurants over the years. This bottle came from our "local" (as in favorite local pub) Cornwall's in Kenmore Square.

    IMG_3453

    We added a bottle to a recent take-out order. We were looking for a well-loved sparkling wine for September and recalled this one that Penny has sipped so many times at the bar at Cornwall's. One of the reasons this place is a favorite is that Ed can enjoy their many draft beers and Penny will still have a choice of very nice wines. (We also enjoy the warm welcome and fun we have with the Cornwall team.)

    IMG_3455

    That 1859 on the label is the year the family began making wines in Saumur. 

    Today, Françoise Flao heads the company and as they say, "With passion at the heart of her work, more than ever she cultivates her knowledge of the terroirs and the diversity of their grape varieties. Her knowledge of the land and the vine strengthens her links with the winemakers and enables her to control the quality of the grapes which give these wines their typical style."

    6a00e54fc42bb8883401a3fcc91221970b-800wi

    In past writings about this wine, we've said:

    "Like many rosés, this one always brings on a smile." 

    “It’s a very pretty pink, touched with just a little peach, with a light effervescence.”

    "We could detect a little almond on the nose, maybe some strawberry. It has a nice dry background. To really appreciate this sparkler, don’t over-chill it!"

    IMG_3457

    Here's the back label to let you know this wine comes from a very good importer, European Cellars, and is just 12% ABV.

    Trying wines from different places, made with different grapes, and produced by different methods adds spice to our monthly ritual. Since 2007 we have raised a glass of sparkling wine to greet each new month!

    We purchase our bottle to go at Cornwall's for $22.00

    Related Posts:

    Our Sparkling Resolution is covered in this post : Join Us as We Toast…

    A Few of Our Favorite Gifts for Wine Lovers

    Here are all the wines we've covered. Since this is a category, this post may appear at the top. Just scroll down for more.

    What's on your Food Lover's Shopping List?

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photos: ©2012-2020 Penny & Ed Cherubino 

  • We’ll Toast September with Cabernet Franc! It’s Louis de Grenelle Saumur Rosé

    We are year-round rosé fans and Louis de Grenelle Saumur Rosé is a 100% Cabernet Franc sparkling rosé from the Loire Valley. We've enjoyed this wine in many fine dining restaurants over the years. This bottle came from our "local" (as in favorite local pub) Cornwall's in Kenmore Square.

    IMG_3453

    We added a bottle to a recent take-out order. We were looking for a well-loved sparkling wine for September and recalled this one that Penny has sipped so many times at the bar at Cornwall's. One of the reasons this place is a favorite is that Ed can enjoy their many draft beers and Penny will still have a choice of very nice wines. (We also enjoy the warm welcome and fun we have with the Cornwall team.)

    IMG_3455

    That 1859 on the label is the year the family began making wines in Saumur. 

    Today, Françoise Flao heads the company and as they say, "With passion at the heart of her work, more than ever she cultivates her knowledge of the terroirs and the diversity of their grape varieties. Her knowledge of the land and the vine strengthens her links with the winemakers and enables her to control the quality of the grapes which give these wines their typical style."

    6a00e54fc42bb8883401a3fcc91221970b-800wi

    In past writings about this wine, we've said:

    "Like many rosés, this one always brings on a smile." 

    “It’s a very pretty pink, touched with just a little peach, with a light effervescence.”

    "We could detect a little almond on the nose, maybe some strawberry. It has a nice dry background. To really appreciate this sparkler, don’t over-chill it!"

    IMG_3457

    Here's the back label to let you know this wine comes from a very good importer, European Cellars, and is just 12% ABV.

    Trying wines from different places, made with different grapes, and produced by different methods adds spice to our monthly ritual. Since 2007 we have raised a glass of sparkling wine to greet each new month!

    We purchase our bottle to go at Cornwall's for $22.00

    Related Posts:

    Our Sparkling Resolution is covered in this post : Join Us as We Toast…

    A Few of Our Favorite Gifts for Wine Lovers

    Here are all the wines we've covered. Since this is a category, this post may appear at the top. Just scroll down for more.

    What's on your Food Lover's Shopping List?

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photos: ©2012-2020 Penny & Ed Cherubino 

  • New Mexico’s Gruet Sauvage Joins Our “Grand Tour” of Terroir

    We'll say "Happy New Month" to March with a blanc de blanc sparkling wine from New Mexico, Gruet Sauvage. We've been long time fans of the Gruet wines, but Sauvage is new to us.

    It's on the current wine list at Grand Tour, a new restaurant from Chef Michael Serpa and his team. This place is already a favorite with us. We've been stopping in since it opened slowly working our way through the engaging menu.

    IMG_7864

    Michael has become the latest of our wine mentors so even when we normally shy away from 100% Chardonnay sparklers, we are quick to try a glass of any wine that he selects. Our goal in 2020 is to explore terroir with our monthly toast, this wine from New Mexico fits right in.

    Here is what the Gruet vintners say about their terroir.

    "With high elevation, sandy loam soils, and sweeping winds to naturally keep away pests and thin the canopy for greater flavors, New Mexico’s desert landscape proved the ideal starting ground for Gruet.

    IMG_7868

    Here are the tasting notes from Gruet:

    "Gruet Sauvage NV is a bone-dry sparkler, pale straw in color with a delicate but persistent mousse. The aromas of bright mineral and citrus notes tickle the nose followed by touches of green apple, lemon and, grapefruit. The finish is structured, flavorful and long. The bright acidity makes this wine a perfect pairing for oysters, sushi and cream sauces."

    We've already enjoyed a few glasses of this crisp, food-oriented sparkler at the bar at Grand Tour. We'll return there today to raise another glass with friends to wish one another a "Happy New Month." We recommend the wine and we recommend the restaurant!

    IMG_7869

    Trying wines from different places, made with different grapes, and produced by different methods adds spice to our monthly ritual. Since 2007 we have raised a glass of sparkling wine to greet each new month. Cheers!

    Related Posts:

    Our Sparkling Resolution is covered in this post: Join Us as We Toast…

    A Few of Our Favorite Gifts for Wine Lovers

    Here are all the wines we've covered. Since this is a category, this post may appear at the top. Just scroll down for more.

    What's on your Food Lover's Shopping List?

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photos: ©2020 Penny & Ed Cherubino 

  • New Mexico’s Gruet Sauvage Joins Our “Grand Tour” of Terroir

    We'll say "Happy New Month" to March with a blanc de blanc sparkling wine from New Mexico, Gruet Sauvage. We've been long time fans of the Gruet wines, but Sauvage is new to us.

    It's on the current wine list at Grand Tour, a new restaurant from Chef Michael Serpa and his team. This place is already a favorite with us. We've been stopping in since it opened slowly working our way through the engaging menu.

    IMG_7864

    Michael has become the latest of our wine mentors so even when we normally shy away from 100% Chardonnay sparklers, we are quick to try a glass of any wine that he selects. Our goal in 2020 is to explore terroir with our monthly toast, this wine from New Mexico fits right in.

    Here is what the Gruet vintners say about their terroir.

    "With high elevation, sandy loam soils, and sweeping winds to naturally keep away pests and thin the canopy for greater flavors, New Mexico’s desert landscape proved the ideal starting ground for Gruet.

    IMG_7868

    Here are the tasting notes from Gruet:

    "Gruet Sauvage NV is a bone-dry sparkler, pale straw in color with a delicate but persistent mousse. The aromas of bright mineral and citrus notes tickle the nose followed by touches of green apple, lemon and, grapefruit. The finish is structured, flavorful and long. The bright acidity makes this wine a perfect pairing for oysters, sushi and cream sauces."

    We've already enjoyed a few glasses of this crisp, food-oriented sparkler at the bar at Grand Tour. We'll return there today to raise another glass with friends to wish one another a "Happy New Month." We recommend the wine and we recommend the restaurant!

    IMG_7869

    Trying wines from different places, made with different grapes, and produced by different methods adds spice to our monthly ritual. Since 2007 we have raised a glass of sparkling wine to greet each new month. Cheers!

    Related Posts:

    Our Sparkling Resolution is covered in this post: Join Us as We Toast…

    A Few of Our Favorite Gifts for Wine Lovers

    Here are all the wines we've covered. Since this is a category, this post may appear at the top. Just scroll down for more.

    What's on your Food Lover's Shopping List?

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photos: ©2020 Penny & Ed Cherubino 

  • Toasting September with Franck Besson Sparkling Rose Granit NV

    Franck Besson Sparkling Rose Granit is a wine with a great story and we love having a great wine story to enjoy along with the glass of wine as we toast the month of September. Happy New Month!

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    We'll let the importer Oz Wines tell the tale.

    "Franck's estate is located near the town of Jullié at the foothill of the Cru Juliénas and on the terroir of Beaujolais-Villages.  Since 2010, the estate has transitioned to organic farming in order to be coherent with work in the vines and in the cellar. Revolted by the bad image affecting the appellation Beaujolais-Villages, Franck decided to innovate and produce Rosé and Blanc de Noir sparkling wines in order to prove the potential of the Gamay grapes on our granitic slopes. Elaborated with the traditional method, as they do in Champagne, his sparkling wines are aged 12 months on wooden racks in the estate in order to get the fineness of a great Champagne!"

    IMG_5618 

    Here's a wine buying lesson we can share. Always read the back label. This one was on a rack at a favorites shop where we have often found hidden treasures. The front was unassuming, the price was good, but the decision to buy was made when we saw the OZ Wines name on the back.

    IMG_5627

    Always notice the importer. Ask your server to show you the back of the bottle every time you enjoy a wine. Soon you'll find a few importers whose tastes are in line with yours and you'll have another way to select wines from a shelf or a wine list. If you are in a place that is staffed with knowledgeable servers, you can always ask, "Do you have something from Oz Wines that you can recommend?" Of course, you can insert any importer you like into that question.

     

    Related Posts:

    Our Sparkling Resolution is covered in this post : Join Us as We Toast…

    A Few of Our Favorite Gifts for Wine Lovers

    Here are all the wines we've covered. Since this is a category, this post may appear at the top. Just scroll down for more.

    What's on your Food Lover's Shopping List?

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photos: ©2019 Penny & Ed Cherubino 

  • Toasting September with Franck Besson Sparkling Rose Granit NV

    Franck Besson Sparkling Rose Granit is a wine with a great story and we love having a great wine story to enjoy along with the glass of wine as we toast the month of September. Happy New Month!

    IMG_5628

    We'll let the importer Oz Wines tell the tale.

    "Franck's estate is located near the town of Jullié at the foothill of the Cru Juliénas and on the terroir of Beaujolais-Villages.  Since 2010, the estate has transitioned to organic farming in order to be coherent with work in the vines and in the cellar. Revolted by the bad image affecting the appellation Beaujolais-Villages, Franck decided to innovate and produce Rosé and Blanc de Noir sparkling wines in order to prove the potential of the Gamay grapes on our granitic slopes. Elaborated with the traditional method, as they do in Champagne, his sparkling wines are aged 12 months on wooden racks in the estate in order to get the fineness of a great Champagne!"

    IMG_5618 

    Here's a wine buying lesson we can share. Always read the back label. This one was on a rack at a favorites shop where we have often found hidden treasures. The front was unassuming, the price was good, but the decision to buy was made when we saw the OZ Wines name on the back.

    IMG_5627

    Always notice the importer. Ask your server to show you the back of the bottle every time you enjoy a wine. Soon you'll find a few importers whose tastes are in line with yours and you'll have another way to select wines from a shelf or a wine list. If you are in a place that is staffed with knowledgeable servers, you can always ask, "Do you have something from Oz Wines that you can recommend?" Of course, you can insert any importer you like into that question.

     

    Related Posts:

    Our Sparkling Resolution is covered in this post : Join Us as We Toast…

    A Few of Our Favorite Gifts for Wine Lovers

    Here are all the wines we've covered. Since this is a category, this post may appear at the top. Just scroll down for more.

    What's on your Food Lover's Shopping List?

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photos: ©2019 Penny & Ed Cherubino 

  • We’ll Toast August with 2013 Iron Horse Classic Vintage Brut, a Gift from West Coast Friends

    This month's choice for a Happy New Month toast is a bottle of 2013 Iron Horse Classic Vintage Brut that arrived at our wine rack thanks to our friends David and Peter. We will raise a glass to them and the fun we had over July 4th eating, drinking, catching up, and enjoying the fact that they have stayed friends despite the miles.

    IMG_5120

    We have enjoyed many a bottle of wine with these guys and by sharing favorites and new discoveries we've all expanded all our knowledge and tastes. This one comes from one of their favorite vacation spots which makes it extra special to us. As King Solomon is quoted as having said, "As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend."

    Trying wines from different places, made with different grapes, and produced by different methods adds spice to our monthly ritual. Since 2007 we have raised a glass of sparkling wine to greet each new month!

    IMG_5118

    Here's what we learned from the Iron Horse Vineyard:

    This is their flagship wine.

    Tasting Notes

    "By nose – rising dough, orange marmalade and baked apple. By mouth – ripe red apple, mandarin orange and hazelnut."
     
    Food Pairing Notes
    "A perfect wine with poached eggs, smoked salmon and toast, salade Niçoise, hard cheeses, classic roast chicken with Yukon gold potatoes, harvest pear crisp with candied ginger."
     
    The salade Niçoise is one of Ed's favorite meals and is a perfect summer supper. That will go on the menu!
     
    IMG_5169
     
    Happy Update!!
     
    Peter & David know our taste well. This is a lovely pinot forward sparkler with the flavor profile like many of the very traditional Champagnes we love. We had asked one of our favorite wine mentors his thoughts on it a few days ago and he said, "Big, traditional, you'll love it." 

    Related Posts:

    Our Sparkling Resolution is covered in this post : Join Us as We Toast…

    A Few of Our Favorite Gifts for Wine Lovers

    Here are all the wines we've covered. Since this is a category, this post may appear at the top. Just scroll down for more.

    What's on your Food Lover's Shopping List?

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photos: ©2019 Penny Cherubino 

  • We’ll Toast August with 2013 Iron Horse Classic Vintage Brut, a Gift from West Coast Friends

    This month's choice for a Happy New Month toast is a bottle of 2013 Iron Horse Classic Vintage Brut that arrived at our wine rack thanks to our friends David and Peter. We will raise a glass to them and the fun we had over July 4th eating, drinking, catching up, and enjoying the fact that they have stayed friends despite the miles.

    IMG_5120

    We have enjoyed many a bottle of wine with these guys and by sharing favorites and new discoveries we've all expanded all our knowledge and tastes. This one comes from one of their favorite vacation spots which makes it extra special to us. As King Solomon is quoted as having said, "As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend."

    Trying wines from different places, made with different grapes, and produced by different methods adds spice to our monthly ritual. Since 2007 we have raised a glass of sparkling wine to greet each new month!

    IMG_5118

    Here's what we learned from the Iron Horse Vineyard:

    This is their flagship wine.

    Tasting Notes

    "By nose – rising dough, orange marmalade and baked apple. By mouth – ripe red apple, mandarin orange and hazelnut."
     
    Food Pairing Notes
    "A perfect wine with poached eggs, smoked salmon and toast, salade Niçoise, hard cheeses, classic roast chicken with Yukon gold potatoes, harvest pear crisp with candied ginger."
     
    The salade Niçoise is one of Ed's favorite meals and is a perfect summer supper. That will go on the menu!
     
    IMG_5169
     
    Happy Update!!
     
    Peter & David know our taste well. This is a lovely pinot forward sparkler with the flavor profile like many of the very traditional Champagnes we love. We had asked one of our favorite wine mentors his thoughts on it a few days ago and he said, "Big, traditional, you'll love it." 

    Related Posts:

    Our Sparkling Resolution is covered in this post : Join Us as We Toast…

    A Few of Our Favorite Gifts for Wine Lovers

    Here are all the wines we've covered. Since this is a category, this post may appear at the top. Just scroll down for more.

    What's on your Food Lover's Shopping List?

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photos: ©2019 Penny Cherubino 

  • Another Taste of Patrice Colin Les Perles Grises for Our June Toast

    Tonight we'll toast the month of June with a bottle of Patrice Colin Les Perles Grises. Sometimes the choice of a sparkling wine to feature for our monthly toast is made by visiting our favorite wine shops. Other times we pull a bottle from our wine rack. This bottle had a note added to the side with our trusty Sharpie glass and bottle markers. This bottle will bring extra smiles tonight because it was a gift from a friend who we hope will enjoy it with us. 

    IMG_4325

    Here is a full report about this bottle of "grey pearls" (as the name is translated) when we featured it a few years ago.

    Wine Lovers Tip

    We highly recommend adding a set of these markers to your wine supplies.

    You can use them to mark the price and where you purchased a wine or, as here, note who gave it to you. Not only do we enjoy sharing gift wines with friends when they visit again, but we also enjoy the wines more ourselves because they're part of a friendship.

    IMG_4322

    Trying wines from different places, made with different grapes, and produced by different methods adds spice to our monthly ritual. Since 2007 we have raised a glass of sparkling wine to greet each new month!

    Our Sparkling Resolution is covered in this post : Join Us as We Toast…

    A Few of Our Favorite Gifts for Wine Lovers

    Here are all the wines we've covered. Since this is a category, this post may appear at the top. Just scroll down for more.

    What's on your Food Lover's Shopping List?

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photos: ©2019 Penny & Ed Cherubino 

  • Another Taste of Patrice Colin Les Perles Grises for Our June Toast

    Tonight we'll toast the month of June with a bottle of Patrice Colin Les Perles Grises. Sometimes the choice of a sparkling wine to feature for our monthly toast is made by visiting our favorite wine shops. Other times we pull a bottle from our wine rack. This bottle had a note added to the side with our trusty Sharpie glass and bottle markers. This bottle will bring extra smiles tonight because it was a gift from a friend who we hope will enjoy it with us. 

    IMG_4325

    Here is a full report about this bottle of "grey pearls" (as the name is translated) when we featured it a few years ago.

    Wine Lovers Tip

    We highly recommend adding a set of these markers to your wine supplies.

    You can use them to mark the price and where you purchased a wine or, as here, note who gave it to you. Not only do we enjoy sharing gift wines with friends when they visit again, but we also enjoy the wines more ourselves because they're part of a friendship.

    IMG_4322

    Trying wines from different places, made with different grapes, and produced by different methods adds spice to our monthly ritual. Since 2007 we have raised a glass of sparkling wine to greet each new month!

    Our Sparkling Resolution is covered in this post : Join Us as We Toast…

    A Few of Our Favorite Gifts for Wine Lovers

    Here are all the wines we've covered. Since this is a category, this post may appear at the top. Just scroll down for more.

    What's on your Food Lover's Shopping List?

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photos: ©2019 Penny & Ed Cherubino