Tag: Pinot Noir

  • Berlucchi Cuvée ‘61 – Celebrating a Sparkling Decade!

    DSC_0779 - Version 22014-01-19-berlucchi-sparking-wine-italy-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

     

    We’re toasting February with a bottle of Berlucchi Cuvée ‘61, a sparkler it’s producers say, “celebrates the magical decade of the sixties” with a “creative spirit” that lives on today.

     

    We say, if that was their goal, they’ve succeeded. This is a really good, sparkling wine!

     

    Tasting Notes:

    Berlucchi Cuvée ‘61 Brut

    75% Chardonnay, 25% Pinot Noir, 11.5 % ABV

     

    DSC_0766 - Version 22014-01-19-berlucchi-sparking-wine-italy-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

     

    We say … Full fruit, nice acidity, not oaky Chardonnay heavy

     

    Berlucchi says … “Floral and fruit notes, fine acidity, full body”  

     

    We liked it so much, we added more to our wine rack.

     

    $16.99 @ Bauer Wine & Spirits

     

     

    Here’s more about Our Sparkling Resolution       

     

    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: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photography: © 2014 Penny & Ed Cherubino  

    Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

  • Berlucchi Cuvée ‘61 – Celebrating a Sparkling Decade!

    DSC_0779 - Version 22014-01-19-berlucchi-sparking-wine-italy-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

     

    We’re toasting February with a bottle of Berlucchi Cuvée ‘61, a sparkler it’s producers say, “celebrates the magical decade of the sixties” with a “creative spirit” that lives on today.

     

    We say, if that was their goal, they’ve succeeded. This is a really good, sparkling wine!

     

    Tasting Notes:

    Berlucchi Cuvée ‘61 Brut

    75% Chardonnay, 25% Pinot Noir, 11.5 % ABV

     

    DSC_0766 - Version 22014-01-19-berlucchi-sparking-wine-italy-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

     

    We say … Full fruit, nice acidity, not oaky Chardonnay heavy

     

    Berlucchi says … “Floral and fruit notes, fine acidity, full body”  

     

    We liked it so much, we added more to our wine rack.

     

    $16.99 @ Bauer Wine & Spirits

     

     

    Here’s more about Our Sparkling Resolution       

     

    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: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photography: © 2014 Penny & Ed Cherubino  

    Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

  • Berlucchi Cuvée ‘61 – Celebrating a Sparkling Decade!

    DSC_0779 - Version 22014-01-19-berlucchi-sparking-wine-italy-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

     

    We’re toasting February with a bottle of Berlucchi Cuvée ‘61, a sparkler it’s producers say, “celebrates the magical decade of the sixties” with a “creative spirit” that lives on today.

     

    We say, if that was their goal, they’ve succeeded. This is a really good, sparkling wine!

     

    Tasting Notes:

    Berlucchi Cuvée ‘61 Brut

    75% Chardonnay, 25% Pinot Noir, 11.5 % ABV

     

    DSC_0766 - Version 22014-01-19-berlucchi-sparking-wine-italy-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

     

    We say … Full fruit, nice acidity, not oaky Chardonnay heavy

     

    Berlucchi says … “Floral and fruit notes, fine acidity, full body”  

     

    We liked it so much, we added more to our wine rack.

     

    $16.99 @ Bauer Wine & Spirits

     

     

    Here’s more about Our Sparkling Resolution       

     

    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: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photography: © 2014 Penny & Ed Cherubino  

    Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

  • Champagne Paul Bara Grand Rosé – Our Memorable New Year’s Eve Guest!

    PC2_1600 - Version 22013-12-30-Paul-bara-grand-rose-bouzy-brut-champagne-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    We had been storing our bottle of Paul Bara Grand Rosé Champagne at the top of our wine rack for nearly a year awaiting an extra special occasion to pop its cork. Through the months, we took care to properly store this $60 bubbly – always on its side, never subjecting it to extreme temperatures, occasionally turning and, yes, even dusting it – but couldn’t quite commit to opening it.

    Finally, with the eve of 2014 closing in, we had to act. The day before the big night, we began chilling the Paul Bara but, just to be on the safe side, iced down a back-up bottle of Bollinger as a sort of new year’s celebration insurance.

    DSC_0614 - Version 22013-12-31-Paul-bara-grand-rose-bouzy-brut-champagne-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    Soon after dark on New Year’s Eve, we put together a cheese plate and sat down to try our much anticipated rosé champagne. The clink of glasses, a toast, that first sip, and … Lovely fruit balanced by a crisp backbone, not heavy at all. And, the wine’s copper hue, that Penny described as an Italian rose gold color, is amazing!  

    The perfectly ripe (but not over-ripe) brie and Bara were excellent together! There was no problem with the black peppered cheese and a liver paté with truffles. The fruit of this rosé was like the taste of early season Atlas Farm strawberries from the Copley Square Market.

    PC2_1607 - Version 22013-12-30-Paul-bara-grand-rose-bouzy-brut-champagne-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    Despite being 70% pinot noir, it’s a Champagne that’s not overpowering. It has finesse. It reminded Penny of “… people who deliver on what they say they’re going to do versus those who just talk a good show.” And, what a show it was! We couldn’t have been happier with our selection.

    By the way, as you’ve probably guessed, there was no need for our rescue bottle of Bollinger. But, since it was prepped and ready to go, we invited this irresistible French charmer to join us at our New Year’s day table. Happy 2014!   

    For more about this special Champagne, see: Here's Our Wine Pick for New Year's Eve 2013

    Related Posts:

    Our Sparkling Resolution   

    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: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photography: © 2014 Penny & Ed Cherubino  

    Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

  • Champagne Paul Bara Grand Rosé – Our Memorable New Year’s Eve Guest!

    PC2_1600 - Version 22013-12-30-Paul-bara-grand-rose-bouzy-brut-champagne-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    We had been storing our bottle of Paul Bara Grand Rosé Champagne at the top of our wine rack for nearly a year awaiting an extra special occasion to pop its cork. Through the months, we took care to properly store this $60 bubbly – always on its side, never subjecting it to extreme temperatures, occasionally turning and, yes, even dusting it – but couldn’t quite commit to opening it.

    Finally, with the eve of 2014 closing in, we had to act. The day before the big night, we began chilling the Paul Bara but, just to be on the safe side, iced down a back-up bottle of Bollinger as a sort of new year’s celebration insurance.

    DSC_0614 - Version 22013-12-31-Paul-bara-grand-rose-bouzy-brut-champagne-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    Soon after dark on New Year’s Eve, we put together a cheese plate and sat down to try our much anticipated rosé champagne. The clink of glasses, a toast, that first sip, and … Lovely fruit balanced by a crisp backbone, not heavy at all. And, the wine’s copper hue, that Penny described as an Italian rose gold color, is amazing!  

    The perfectly ripe (but not over-ripe) brie and Bara were excellent together! There was no problem with the black peppered cheese and a liver paté with truffles. The fruit of this rosé was like the taste of early season Atlas Farm strawberries from the Copley Square Market.

    PC2_1607 - Version 22013-12-30-Paul-bara-grand-rose-bouzy-brut-champagne-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    Despite being 70% pinot noir, it’s a Champagne that’s not overpowering. It has finesse. It reminded Penny of “… people who deliver on what they say they’re going to do versus those who just talk a good show.” And, what a show it was! We couldn’t have been happier with our selection.

    By the way, as you’ve probably guessed, there was no need for our rescue bottle of Bollinger. But, since it was prepped and ready to go, we invited this irresistible French charmer to join us at our New Year’s day table. Happy 2014!   

    For more about this special Champagne, see: Here's Our Wine Pick for New Year's Eve 2013

    Related Posts:

    Our Sparkling Resolution   

    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: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photography: © 2014 Penny & Ed Cherubino  

    Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

  • Champagne Paul Bara Grand Rosé – Our Memorable New Year’s Eve Guest!

    PC2_1600 - Version 22013-12-30-Paul-bara-grand-rose-bouzy-brut-champagne-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    We had been storing our bottle of Paul Bara Grand Rosé Champagne at the top of our wine rack for nearly a year awaiting an extra special occasion to pop its cork. Through the months, we took care to properly store this $60 bubbly – always on its side, never subjecting it to extreme temperatures, occasionally turning and, yes, even dusting it – but couldn’t quite commit to opening it.

    Finally, with the eve of 2014 closing in, we had to act. The day before the big night, we began chilling the Paul Bara but, just to be on the safe side, iced down a back-up bottle of Bollinger as a sort of new year’s celebration insurance.

    DSC_0614 - Version 22013-12-31-Paul-bara-grand-rose-bouzy-brut-champagne-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    Soon after dark on New Year’s Eve, we put together a cheese plate and sat down to try our much anticipated rosé champagne. The clink of glasses, a toast, that first sip, and … Lovely fruit balanced by a crisp backbone, not heavy at all. And, the wine’s copper hue, that Penny described as an Italian rose gold color, is amazing!  

    The perfectly ripe (but not over-ripe) brie and Bara were excellent together! There was no problem with the black peppered cheese and a liver paté with truffles. The fruit of this rosé was like the taste of early season Atlas Farm strawberries from the Copley Square Market.

    PC2_1607 - Version 22013-12-30-Paul-bara-grand-rose-bouzy-brut-champagne-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    Despite being 70% pinot noir, it’s a Champagne that’s not overpowering. It has finesse. It reminded Penny of “… people who deliver on what they say they’re going to do versus those who just talk a good show.” And, what a show it was! We couldn’t have been happier with our selection.

    By the way, as you’ve probably guessed, there was no need for our rescue bottle of Bollinger. But, since it was prepped and ready to go, we invited this irresistible French charmer to join us at our New Year’s day table. Happy 2014!   

    For more about this special Champagne, see: Here's Our Wine Pick for New Year's Eve 2013

    Related Posts:

    Our Sparkling Resolution   

    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: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photography: © 2014 Penny & Ed Cherubino  

    Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

  • Here’s Our Wine Pick for New Year’s Eve 2013

    This year, our New Year's Eve wine selection is the Paul Bara Grand Rosé from the Champagne region of France. Specifically, this champagne comes from the village of Bouzy and is 100% Grand Cru. 

    PC2_1599 - Version 22013-12-30-Paul-bara-grand-rose-bouzy-brut-champagne-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    We bought this bottle a while back at Gordon's Fine Wines and Liquors. (A special thank you to our longtime friends Peter and David for prodding us to get there for an outstanding selection of sparkling wines.) 

    PC2_1612 - Version 22013-12-30-Paul-bara-grand-rose-bouzy-brut-champagne-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    While a very knowledgeable staff member recommended this rosé (after learning of our preference for champagnes with a strong Pinot Noir leaning), it was the Kermit Lynch label on the back of the bottle that sealed the deal. Kermit Lynch is one of our favorite importers.

    Here's what the good folks at Kermit Lynch have to say about Paul Bara.

    "The village of Bouzy and Champagne Paul Bara are practically synonymous. As the published village historian, Paul is indelibly linked to the lore of his hometown. Many argue that he is their most renowned producer, being one of the rare récoltants-manipulants in a region inundated with the mass-produced wines of the large, corporate champagne houses. These récoltants-manipulants, or R.M.s as they are known, are of the few that still grow their own grapes and make their own wines. Champagne Paul Bara is the quintessential example, where everything is done with a personalized touch."

    PC2_1620 - Version 22013-12-30-Paul-bara-grand-rose-bouzy-brut-champagne-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    The technical specs for this wine say it's a blend of 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay. We can't wait to try it and will share our impression early in the new year.

    More about Our Sparkling Resolution       

    Our Sparkling Resolution Winner’s List

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

     Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photography: © 2014 Penny & Ed Cherubino  

    Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

  • Here’s Our Wine Pick for New Year’s Eve 2013

    This year, our New Year's Eve wine selection is the Paul Bara Grand Rosé from the Champagne region of France. Specifically, this champagne comes from the village of Bouzy and is 100% Grand Cru. 

    PC2_1599 - Version 22013-12-30-Paul-bara-grand-rose-bouzy-brut-champagne-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    We bought this bottle a while back at Gordon's Fine Wines and Liquors. (A special thank you to our longtime friends Peter and David for prodding us to get there for an outstanding selection of sparkling wines.) 

    PC2_1612 - Version 22013-12-30-Paul-bara-grand-rose-bouzy-brut-champagne-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    While a very knowledgeable staff member recommended this rosé (after learning of our preference for champagnes with a strong Pinot Noir leaning), it was the Kermit Lynch label on the back of the bottle that sealed the deal. Kermit Lynch is one of our favorite importers.

    Here's what the good folks at Kermit Lynch have to say about Paul Bara.

    "The village of Bouzy and Champagne Paul Bara are practically synonymous. As the published village historian, Paul is indelibly linked to the lore of his hometown. Many argue that he is their most renowned producer, being one of the rare récoltants-manipulants in a region inundated with the mass-produced wines of the large, corporate champagne houses. These récoltants-manipulants, or R.M.s as they are known, are of the few that still grow their own grapes and make their own wines. Champagne Paul Bara is the quintessential example, where everything is done with a personalized touch."

    PC2_1620 - Version 22013-12-30-Paul-bara-grand-rose-bouzy-brut-champagne-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    The technical specs for this wine say it's a blend of 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay. We can't wait to try it and will share our impression early in the new year.

    More about Our Sparkling Resolution       

    Our Sparkling Resolution Winner’s List

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

     Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photography: © 2014 Penny & Ed Cherubino  

    Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

  • Here’s Our Wine Pick for New Year’s Eve 2013

    This year, our New Year's Eve wine selection is the Paul Bara Grand Rosé from the Champagne region of France. Specifically, this champagne comes from the village of Bouzy and is 100% Grand Cru. 

    PC2_1599 - Version 22013-12-30-Paul-bara-grand-rose-bouzy-brut-champagne-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    We bought this bottle a while back at Gordon's Fine Wines and Liquors. (A special thank you to our longtime friends Peter and David for prodding us to get there for an outstanding selection of sparkling wines.) 

    PC2_1612 - Version 22013-12-30-Paul-bara-grand-rose-bouzy-brut-champagne-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    While a very knowledgeable staff member recommended this rosé (after learning of our preference for champagnes with a strong Pinot Noir leaning), it was the Kermit Lynch label on the back of the bottle that sealed the deal. Kermit Lynch is one of our favorite importers.

    Here's what the good folks at Kermit Lynch have to say about Paul Bara.

    "The village of Bouzy and Champagne Paul Bara are practically synonymous. As the published village historian, Paul is indelibly linked to the lore of his hometown. Many argue that he is their most renowned producer, being one of the rare récoltants-manipulants in a region inundated with the mass-produced wines of the large, corporate champagne houses. These récoltants-manipulants, or R.M.s as they are known, are of the few that still grow their own grapes and make their own wines. Champagne Paul Bara is the quintessential example, where everything is done with a personalized touch."

    PC2_1620 - Version 22013-12-30-Paul-bara-grand-rose-bouzy-brut-champagne-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    The technical specs for this wine say it's a blend of 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay. We can't wait to try it and will share our impression early in the new year.

    More about Our Sparkling Resolution       

    Our Sparkling Resolution Winner’s List

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

     Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photography: © 2014 Penny & Ed Cherubino  

    Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

  • Discovering November Bubbles! Canard-Duchêne Comes to U.S.

    DSC_8673 - Version 22013-09-26-Canard-Duchêne-brut-champagne-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    One sip of Canard-Duchêne Authentic Brut and we knew we had discovered a special Champagne. Toast on the nose and luscious Pinot fruit on the palate – not overwhelming, just right.

    The blend of 45% Pinot Noir, 35% Pinot Meunier, and 20% Chardonnay captured our attention and never let go. Canard-Duchêne Cellar Master Laurent Fédou puts it best with the words “intensity … complexity … and balance” to describe their Champagnes.

    DSC_8701 - Version 22013-09-26-Canard-Duchêne-brut-champagne-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    He characterizes the Authentic Brut as having …

    • “A straw-yellow appearance and delicate mousse."
    • "Intense aromas of fresh fruit typical of the Pinot varietals."
    • "Fruity flavours [that] jostle with pastry notes, a sign of excellent maturity.”

    We always like to taste through the temperatures of our first glass of wine. In this case, moving from the initial chilled sip to that warmer last splash brought out more of the Chardonnay.

    DSC_8661 - Version 32013-09-26-Canard-Duchêne-brut-champagne-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    After lingering over the rest of the bottle, our only question was, “Why haven’t we heard about this Champagne before?” Well, it hasn’t been readily available in the U.S. until recently, but has been well-known and respected for more than a century in other parts of the world.

    We found our bottle of Canard-Duchêne for $38 at The Urban Grape, South End 

    Clinking glasses to toast each new month has never been more enjoyable – à votre santé!

    Watch for a few extra wine posts this month. We'll be telling you about some of our favorite value sparklers that are perfect for holdiay entertaining or as great value gifts.

    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: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photography: © 2013 Penny & Ed Cherubino  

    Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.