Tag: tasting notes

August Pops Open with Jo Landron Atmosphères Sparkling Wine from the Loire
We look at each new month as a gigantic bottle of sparkling wine just waiting to be uncorked!

And, since the label of our August bottle of bubbles from Jo Landron Atmosphères appears to feature a figure leaping with joy, as if launched from atop a just opened magnum, well … we couldn’t resist.

However coincidental all of the this may seem, our selection does remain true to our Sparkling Resolution of selecting a worthy wine to toast the arrival of a new month.

In 1990, when my father Pierre Landron retired, he told me, “Make quality, it will always pay off.” – Jo Landron

Jo Landron Atmosphères Sparkling Wine from the Loire is 80% Folle Blanche, 20% Pinot Noir has some tasty Tasting Notes to recommend it:
- The quintessence of freshness
- White peach combined with floral notes of jasmine
- Mineral notes driven by the ocean influence displaying saltiness
- Very refined bubbly and zesty finish.
(A Thomas Meunier Selection)
- distinctive minerality – vital and balanced
- perfectly acidic and rich in texture and beading
- fragrant notes of lemon zest and oil
- hints of red apple … strawberry
(Ooh, my favorite!)
- 100% Estate, biodynamically grown and hand harvested
- impressive depth and clarity
- racy citrus and fresh peachy fruit
- lots of rocky, earthy complexity
- deliciously bready texture
- crunchy fresh finish also makes it extremely food friendly
- label, designed by the unconventional French artist Michel Tolmer
Bibendum Wine Co.
- "The aromatics are … delicate, floral, with a white stone and white peach character …
- A very gentle palate
- some lightly honeyed fruit cast against a minerally background
- A very attractive wine, a delicately poised style, but with plenty of acid and grip to give it form."
Chris Kissack, winedoctor.com

Now you know why we can’t wait to try this highly praised wine!

And, as always, you’re invited to help us celebrate the arrival of a new month with all the hope and promise that it will be the very best ever! Here’s to August!

We purchased our bottle of Atmosphères Sparkling Wine at City Liquors in Cambridge for ~ $20.

And, Here’s More About:

Our Sparkling Resolution

Our Sparkling Resolution Winner’s List

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

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: ©2017 Penny & Ed Cherubino
August 1, 2017
Clear Flour German Rye

We have set ourselves a quest to try all the rye breads on Clear Flour Bread's list. We started last week with a loaf of their German Rye.

Here's the German Rye which they describe as, "… a hearty and moist whole grain rye with a touch of honey." We describe it as full of rye flavor with an incredible aroma, crust with a bit of chew, and a lovely crumb.

It's a great bread to have with cheese or toasted with a bit of butter and a bit of preserves. We went with apricot!

It also made an appealing base for an open-faced egg salad supper.

Our eggs are chopped with a handy egg cutter (like this one) then mixed with crème fraîche, celery, scallion, curry powder, salt, and a bit of aleppo pepper.

Always ask, because Clear Flour may have a bread that is not on the usual list. They do make seasonal breads, and I think they occasionally make something special, just because they feel like it. That's the beauty of patronizing a small, artisan business.

You'll also find that they can tell you more about each bread than the simple description on the list.

Here is a direct link to the Clear Flour bread list. You can see, we have a bit of eating to do.

Pay attention to when each bread is available and schedule your visits to the bakery around what you want to buy.

What's on your Food Lover's shopping list?

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: ©2017 Penny & Ed Cherubino

June 21, 2017
Clear Flour German Rye

We have set ourselves a quest to try all the rye breads on Clear Flour Bread's list. We started last week with a loaf of their German Rye.

Here's the German Rye which they describe as, "… a hearty and moist whole grain rye with a touch of honey." We describe it as full of rye flavor with an incredible aroma, crust with a bit of chew, and a lovely crumb.

It's a great bread to have with cheese or toasted with a bit of butter and a bit of preserves. We went with apricot!

It also made an appealing base for an open-faced egg salad supper.

Our eggs are chopped with a handy egg cutter (like this one) then mixed with crème fraîche, celery, scallion, curry powder, salt, and a bit of aleppo pepper.

Always ask, because Clear Flour may have a bread that is not on the usual list. They do make seasonal breads, and I think they occasionally make something special, just because they feel like it. That's the beauty of patronizing a small, artisan business.

You'll also find that they can tell you more about each bread than the simple description on the list.

Here is a direct link to the Clear Flour bread list. You can see, we have a bit of eating to do.

Pay attention to when each bread is available and schedule your visits to the bakery around what you want to buy.

What's on your Food Lover's shopping list?

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: ©2017 Penny & Ed Cherubino

June 21, 2017
We Toast June with Sparkling Rosé “Turbullent” Domaine Serol

The shopping is done and Sparkling Rosé “Turbullent” Domaine Serol is our choice to toast the month of June.

Translate the word "Turbullent" from French to English and you find that it means: boisterous and unruly. "Is that a good thing to say about a wine?" you ask. "Why not?" we reply.

Grab some happy time beads and your own bottle of a boisterous and unruly sparkler and join us as we say goodbye to May and hello to June.

We'll be clinking glasses of this well-regarded 8.5% alcohol by volume wine. So while the wine may be a bit rowdy, our June 1st group should be good-natured and fine to walk home.

Well Regarded!

Here are a couple of opinions on this wine:

Wineauthorities.com says:

"This is Robert Serol's most fun take on Gamay, but its delightful effervescence belies some serious thought and effort. Made in the méthode ancestrale, this lovely sparkling wine comes from 100% hand harvested grapes, followed by natural fermentation with no chaptalization (added sugar). …so pour it generously to kick off your next dinner party. It's electric pink lemonade for grownups, and a great introduction to Pet-Nat."

K&L Wines describes it as:

"Light, bright pink, with a frothy mousse spicy red currant, blood orange and rhubarb on the nose. Juicy, expansive red berry preserve flavors are given a dry edge by a slow-building talc-y note. Manages to be both sweet and nervy, and finishes with very good thrust and lingering raspberry and strawberry notes. This would be great with stinky washed-rind or blue cheeses."

We picked up our bottle at Formaggio South End for just under $20. Their description is above.

Post Toast Update:

We both enjoyed this highly sippable wine. It goes down easy with a summery, fresh fruit opening note. As your glass empties, you sniff the lingering aroma and find yourself reaching for the bottle to pour a bit more.

June 1st turned out to be one of the best weather evenings this spring. We gathered a group of friends on the roof deck to join in our toast to June. Everyone brought a favorite beverage to lift a glass.

Naturally, we wanted to have more opinions of our wine of the month, so we passed out samples and even those who preferred different types of wine seemed to like this one. Fans of sparklers were happy to take a second glass and this was one of the bottles the group emptied before the evening was done.

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.

Want to learn more about wine? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site! Here are three of our favorite wine books.

The Food Lover's Guide to Wine

The New Wine Lover's Companion

The Wine Bible

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino

Photography: © Top photo 2017 Penny Cherubino, Corks photo courtesy of Domaine Serol

Related articles

Michael Serpa Selects Champagne Jacquesson Cuvée 736 as Our Sparkler for June 2015

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June 1, 2017
Ciao Febbraio! We’re Pouring Dama del Rovere – a Fresh, Light Spumante from the Veneto
February is a month that doesn’t stick around very long, so we’re not losing any time raising a glass of bubbly to welcome its arrival.

To help us maintain contact with this rapid mover, we’ve selected a fresh, light spumante from Verona in northeast Italy.

While spumante (sparkling wine) often brings to mind a very sweet holiday wine (as in Asti), the Durella (aka Durello) grape in our Dama del Rovere, Brenton Durello, Vino Spumante Brut is favored for its high level of acidity.

Tasters describe a:
- “Delicate and slightly fruity characteristic”
- “The taste is dry, tangy, full-bodied”
- “Pairs well with cheese, fish, sushi” (italianwinelovers.it)
- “Fresh, easy going spumante, great for aperitivo”
- “Dry, crisp, thirst quenching”
- “Light acidity, not too sweet”
- “Good for mimosas” (vivino.com)
- “Durella wines tend to be reasonably light and delicate"
- "Floral, citrusy characters and mineral overtones”
- “Food matches for Durella include: Tempura-battered prawns” (wine searcher.com)
Alright! Enough with the temptation! We’re more than ready to un-cork. Here’s hoping you’ll select a bottle of bubbly and join our Sparkling Resolution as we toast February, day one. But, remember, do it soon! There are only 27 days remaining!

We purchased our bottle of Dama del Rovere, Brenton Durello, Vino Spumante Brut (12% ABV) from: City Liquors, 620 Cambridge St., Cambridge, MA 617-945-0095, Price: ~ $15

Related:

Here’s more about: Our Sparkling Resolution

And, Our Sparkling Resolution Winner’s List

Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

Details:

Words: Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2017 Penny & Ed Cherubino
February 1, 2017
Ciao Febbraio! We’re Pouring Dama del Rovere – a Fresh, Light Spumante from the Veneto
February is a month that doesn’t stick around very long, so we’re not losing any time raising a glass of bubbly to welcome its arrival.

To help us maintain contact with this rapid mover, we’ve selected a fresh, light spumante from Verona in northeast Italy.

While spumante (sparkling wine) often brings to mind a very sweet holiday wine (as in Asti), the Durella (aka Durello) grape in our Dama del Rovere, Brenton Durello, Vino Spumante Brut is favored for its high level of acidity.

Tasters describe a:
- “Delicate and slightly fruity characteristic”
- “The taste is dry, tangy, full-bodied”
- “Pairs well with cheese, fish, sushi” (italianwinelovers.it)
- “Fresh, easy going spumante, great for aperitivo”
- “Dry, crisp, thirst quenching”
- “Light acidity, not too sweet”
- “Good for mimosas” (vivino.com)
- “Durella wines tend to be reasonably light and delicate"
- "Floral, citrusy characters and mineral overtones”
- “Food matches for Durella include: Tempura-battered prawns” (wine searcher.com)
Alright! Enough with the temptation! We’re more than ready to un-cork. Here’s hoping you’ll select a bottle of bubbly and join our Sparkling Resolution as we toast February, day one. But, remember, do it soon! There are only 27 days remaining!

We purchased our bottle of Dama del Rovere, Brenton Durello, Vino Spumante Brut (12% ABV) from: City Liquors, 620 Cambridge St., Cambridge, MA 617-945-0095, Price: ~ $15

Related:

Here’s more about: Our Sparkling Resolution

And, Our Sparkling Resolution Winner’s List

Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

Details:

Words: Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2017 Penny & Ed Cherubino
February 1, 2017
Champagne Résonance from Marie-Courtin, Special Bubbles to Ring-In the New Year!
Although we toast the beginning of every new month with a glass of bubbly to remain true to Our Sparkling Resolution, we admittedly get a little more excited about the arrival of January. After all, greeting a new year definitely holds special significance and therefore (follow me here) calls for a bottle of “special” bubbles.

We hope you'll join Our Sparkling Resolution and have fun with it. There are no rules!

For instance, if you’re someone who thinks Champagne (or any sparkler) is ONLY for special occasions, consider the advice of Master Sommelier Andrea (Immer) Robinson in her book "Great Wine Made Simple: Straight Talk from a Master Sommelier":

"Get over it. Say this to yourself: 'I deserve to open a bottle of bubbly. I do not need an excuse. I do not have to deny myself and wait until some significant event comes along.' For me, if the day dawns, that is an occasion for Champagne."

Happy New Year!

Now More About Our New Year's Wine!

Say hello to Résonance, a Champagne from Marie-Courtin! This 100% Pinot Noir, biodynamically farmed, non-dosage cuvée has been getting some rave reviews for the last several years.

Here’s what critics are saying:

(The Vinguard/2013)
- “This Champagne has a firm chord of acidity that runs throughout.”
(Decanter)
- “… pungent depth of fruit and distinctly flinty minerality”
- “… demonstrates a remarkably elegant poise … with a refinement and discreet grace.”
- “Organically farmed Grower Champagne”
(Joli Vin Imports)
- “The N V (2012) Extra Brut Résonance is a real stand out”
- “Beautifully textured and generous”
- “offers terrific depth, with fewer of the hard edges these wines can sometimes show”
- “Dried pear, spice, mint and licorice flow through to the effortless, creamy finish”
(Just Grapes) (2013)
- “Résonance resoundingly discredits the austerity critics’ claims”
- “One of the most accessible, pure, fruity and fresh Champagnes I’ve had”
Sedimentary Wine (2011)

Résonance NV (2008)
- "Clear, light hay/sunshine yellow."
- "Dough, small red fruits, soil"
- "Medium bodied with lovely density and mid palate weight"
- "Plum skin, red apple and mineral"
- "Finished dry and long with pinot tinged extract. Delicious."
Antonio Galloni: 93 points: (2008) Extra Brut Resonance:
- “a brilliant, energetic wine … with gorgeous richness and depth”
- “Succulent apricots, peaches, flowers and crushed rocks are some of the many nuances
- “Chalky notes linger on the precise, beautifully articulated, eternal finish”
- “kept getting better and better with air”
- “It is a fabulous wine in every way. I loved it."
Polaner Selections
- “Résonance is fermented in stainless steel”
- “the grapes are all harvested by hand”
- “The wines are fermented with natural yeasts”
- “there is no dosage added upon disgorgement”
- “[Dominique] recommends that [Résonance] be served in traditional white wine glasses to allow for [its] development through increased aeration” ( As you can see in the photo above, we plan to do just that!)
Résonance Champagne Marie-Courtin Extra Brut Pinot Noir

(From Thomas Calder Selections)

Imported by: Vineyard Road Inc. Framingham, MA

ABV: 12%

Date of disgorgement: June 2016

We purchased our bottle of Résonance Champagne Marie-Courtin at City Liquors in Cambridge.

Here’s more about Our Sparkling Resolution

And Our Sparkling Resolution Winner’s List

What's on your Food Lover's shopping list?

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: ©2016 Penny & Ed Cherubino

Related articles

Michael Serpa Selects Champagne Jacquesson Cuvée 736 as Our Sparkler for June 2015

Bollinger Rosé Champagne Is Our Choice for Our New Year's Toast!
December 31, 2016
Champagne Résonance from Marie-Courtin, Special Bubbles to Ring-In the New Year!
Although we toast the beginning of every new month with a glass of bubbly to remain true to Our Sparkling Resolution, we admittedly get a little more excited about the arrival of January. After all, greeting a new year definitely holds special significance and therefore (follow me here) calls for a bottle of “special” bubbles.

We hope you'll join Our Sparkling Resolution and have fun with it. There are no rules!

For instance, if you’re someone who thinks Champagne (or any sparkler) is ONLY for special occasions, consider the advice of Master Sommelier Andrea (Immer) Robinson in her book "Great Wine Made Simple: Straight Talk from a Master Sommelier":

"Get over it. Say this to yourself: 'I deserve to open a bottle of bubbly. I do not need an excuse. I do not have to deny myself and wait until some significant event comes along.' For me, if the day dawns, that is an occasion for Champagne."

Happy New Year!

Now More About Our New Year's Wine!

Say hello to Résonance, a Champagne from Marie-Courtin! This 100% Pinot Noir, biodynamically farmed, non-dosage cuvée has been getting some rave reviews for the last several years.

Here’s what critics are saying:

(The Vinguard/2013)
- “This Champagne has a firm chord of acidity that runs throughout.”
(Decanter)
- “… pungent depth of fruit and distinctly flinty minerality”
- “… demonstrates a remarkably elegant poise … with a refinement and discreet grace.”
- “Organically farmed Grower Champagne”
(Joli Vin Imports)
- “The N V (2012) Extra Brut Résonance is a real stand out”
- “Beautifully textured and generous”
- “offers terrific depth, with fewer of the hard edges these wines can sometimes show”
- “Dried pear, spice, mint and licorice flow through to the effortless, creamy finish”
(Just Grapes) (2013)
- “Résonance resoundingly discredits the austerity critics’ claims”
- “One of the most accessible, pure, fruity and fresh Champagnes I’ve had”
Sedimentary Wine (2011)

Résonance NV (2008)
- "Clear, light hay/sunshine yellow."
- "Dough, small red fruits, soil"
- "Medium bodied with lovely density and mid palate weight"
- "Plum skin, red apple and mineral"
- "Finished dry and long with pinot tinged extract. Delicious."
Antonio Galloni: 93 points: (2008) Extra Brut Resonance:
- “a brilliant, energetic wine … with gorgeous richness and depth”
- “Succulent apricots, peaches, flowers and crushed rocks are some of the many nuances
- “Chalky notes linger on the precise, beautifully articulated, eternal finish”
- “kept getting better and better with air”
- “It is a fabulous wine in every way. I loved it."
Polaner Selections
- “Résonance is fermented in stainless steel”
- “the grapes are all harvested by hand”
- “The wines are fermented with natural yeasts”
- “there is no dosage added upon disgorgement”
- “[Dominique] recommends that [Résonance] be served in traditional white wine glasses to allow for [its] development through increased aeration” ( As you can see in the photo above, we plan to do just that!)
Résonance Champagne Marie-Courtin Extra Brut Pinot Noir

(From Thomas Calder Selections)

Imported by: Vineyard Road Inc. Framingham, MA

ABV: 12%

Date of disgorgement: June 2016

We purchased our bottle of Résonance Champagne Marie-Courtin at City Liquors in Cambridge.

Here’s more about Our Sparkling Resolution

And Our Sparkling Resolution Winner’s List

What's on your Food Lover's shopping list?

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: ©2016 Penny & Ed Cherubino

Related articles

Michael Serpa Selects Champagne Jacquesson Cuvée 736 as Our Sparkler for June 2015

Bollinger Rosé Champagne Is Our Choice for Our New Year's Toast!
December 31, 2016
Château Tour Grise Saumur Brut – December Bubbles that Even Won Over Penny!

December’s wine selection, Château Tour Grise Saumur Brut Non Dosé 2004, for our monthly “Sparkling Resolution” toast, is one that we thought I would like more than Penny. I’m a longtime fan of Vouvrays made with the Chenin Blanc grape.

As it turns out this Chenin Blanc sparkler has enough of that Chenin spirit to please me while the crisp finish wipes out any overly floral flourishes that make Penny avoid this grape.

Here’s what other tasters think of Chateau Tour Grise Saumur Brut Non Dosé 2004 (ABV 12%) from the Loire Valley:

“… pure and refreshing with a rounded texture and the telltale honeysuckle, lemon and chamomile flavors of chenin blanc.” (Wineberry America, New York) (From The New York Time article “Summer Wine: 20 for $20” By Eric Asimov, June 18, 2015)

“An intense and complex sparkler with notes of ripe pear, deep minerality and possessing tremendous body and length.” Saumur Brut, Non Dosé, 2004 (Joli Vin)

“… astounds with its complexity.”

“… adjectives from dried flowers to tea to smoke and minerals to honey to fruit …”

“… for brunch, with lunchtime omelettes, for toasting at celebrations …”

“… challenging for many palates, but not intimidating.”

(from 2002 Selection, tastingnotes.com)

As always, whether you try one of our suggestions or select a sparkler of your own, we hope you’ll join us as we ring-in the month of December! Cheers!

We purchased our bottle of Chateau Tour Grise Saumur Brut Non Dosé 2004, ABV 12%, $23 at Gordon's Fine Wines and Liquors, Boston.

Remember to:

Check Out: Our Sparkling Resolution

Our Sparkling Resolution Winner’s List

What's on your food lover's shopping list?

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: ©2016 Penny & Ed Cherubino

Related articles

Mastering Hamersley's Roast Chicken Recipe

West West Blue Cheese & Brooklyn Brewery's K is for Kriek

December 1, 2016
Château Tour Grise Saumur Brut – December Bubbles that Even Won Over Penny!

December’s wine selection, Château Tour Grise Saumur Brut Non Dosé 2004, for our monthly “Sparkling Resolution” toast, is one that we thought I would like more than Penny. I’m a longtime fan of Vouvrays made with the Chenin Blanc grape.

As it turns out this Chenin Blanc sparkler has enough of that Chenin spirit to please me while the crisp finish wipes out any overly floral flourishes that make Penny avoid this grape.

Here’s what other tasters think of Chateau Tour Grise Saumur Brut Non Dosé 2004 (ABV 12%) from the Loire Valley:

“… pure and refreshing with a rounded texture and the telltale honeysuckle, lemon and chamomile flavors of chenin blanc.” (Wineberry America, New York) (From The New York Time article “Summer Wine: 20 for $20” By Eric Asimov, June 18, 2015)

“An intense and complex sparkler with notes of ripe pear, deep minerality and possessing tremendous body and length.” Saumur Brut, Non Dosé, 2004 (Joli Vin)

“… astounds with its complexity.”

“… adjectives from dried flowers to tea to smoke and minerals to honey to fruit …”

“… for brunch, with lunchtime omelettes, for toasting at celebrations …”

“… challenging for many palates, but not intimidating.”

(from 2002 Selection, tastingnotes.com)

As always, whether you try one of our suggestions or select a sparkler of your own, we hope you’ll join us as we ring-in the month of December! Cheers!

We purchased our bottle of Chateau Tour Grise Saumur Brut Non Dosé 2004, ABV 12%, $23 at Gordon's Fine Wines and Liquors, Boston.

Remember to:

Check Out: Our Sparkling Resolution

Our Sparkling Resolution Winner’s List

What's on your food lover's shopping list?

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: ©2016 Penny & Ed Cherubino

Related articles

Mastering Hamersley's Roast Chicken Recipe

West West Blue Cheese & Brooklyn Brewery's K is for Kriek

December 1, 2016