Thirsty Thursday: Gloria Ferrer Blanc de Noirs

Here's a wine that's made from red grapes -- one of my favorites to be exact -- Pinot Noir! Our friends at Gloria Ferrer in Sonoma, California score big points with this wine! Pair this lovely sparkler with darker meats suck as lamb, beef and duck. 

Tasting Notes (via Gloria Ferrer)

Bright strawberry and black cherry aromas with subtle vanilla highlights. Creamy cherry, lemon and cola flavors combine with a lush palate, small, lively bubbles and a persistent finish.

Price: $22.00

Thirsty Thursday: Dreaming Tree Chardonnay (2010)

Happy Halloween! While the kiddies are out "Trick or Treating" tonight, kick back with a glass of 2010 Dreaming Tree Chardonnay. This is a lovely California Central Coast wine is aged in both oak and stainless steel barrels. Also the black ink on the labels reduces toxins and heavy metals, and the corks are sourced from  sustainable farms. Who wouldn't  love a wine that is environmentally friendly? How cool is that? And did we mention that one of the winemakers is musician, Dave Matthews? Very cool!

Tasting Notes from Dreaming Tree Wines

The fruit jumps out of the glass and reminds you of roasted pear or baked apple pie. Big fruit and 

brown spices that are backed by a distinct Central Coast citrus note. The entry coats your mouth with 

these great flavors.

Thirsty Thursday: 2011 Menage a Trois Red Blend

I was first introduced to Menage a Trois wine in 2005 and have been a fan ever since. As some of you already know by now, I am an enormous fan of wine blends. This has some of my personal favorites~Zinfindel, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Here's a medium-bodied wine that offers ripe jam, blackberry and raspberry flavors with a hint of black pepper spice ~ A great pairing choice with chicken and grilled meat. A guaranteed party favorite! Enjoy!

Price:  Under $11.00

Thursday's Wine: 2007 Acorn Medley Alegria Vineyards Russian River Valley Red Blend

 This is truly a blended wine. Take a look at how the process took place. After that you'll have to go pick up a bottle!

Lot 1 was a field blend that included Syrah, Cinsaut, six Muscat varieties, Mourvedre (Mataro), and Viognier. For Lot 2, a blend of Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Alicante Bouschet, and other varieties from their old Zin field blend were crushed and co-fermented along with several table grapes. A blend of Cabernet Franc and Syrah was crushed and co-fermented for the third lot. The three lots were fermented in ¾ ton open top fermenters with a combination of native and cultured yeasts and gently punched down several times a day to extract color and flavor. After the completion of malolactic fermentation, the three lots were racked and blended. Later, more field-blended Zinfandel and Syrah were added to the base blend to create this elegant and complex wine.  

Excerpt from Tasting Room

Price: $32.00

Thursday's Wine: Dolce 2006 Late Harvest

Photo courtesy of New York Social Diary

Even though Valentine's Day is over, I'm still eating sweets so today's wine comes directly from the only winery in North America that's sole purpose is to develop a single late harvest wine. 2006 Dolce Late Harvest  smells of citrus, peach, pears, orange zest, apricots, honey and spice. The perfect dessert wine!

Price: $85.00 (375ml)  $170.00 (750ml)

Thursday's Wine: 2007 TAZ Vineyard Pinot Noir {Santa Barbara County}

Believe it or not, this cranberry and rasberry flavored  pinot noir from Santa Barbara County has an interesting history.  The winegrower, Bob "Taz" Steinhauer, earned his nickname because of his resemblance to the Looney Tunes character. 

 TAZ

Price: $17.00

Thursday's Wine: La Crema Sonoma Coast Chardonnay 2008



Citrus and sweet apple meld with caramel and spice tones in a luscious bottle for you favorite wine connoisseaur.

Price: $19.99

Thursday's Wine: Girard Chardonnay 2008

From the Russian River Valley in Sonoma County, todays wine is a lovely, balanced Chardonnay. To the nose, aromas of vanilla and creme brulee and scents of tropical and citrus fruits. On the palata, lemon, peach and melon balanced with a creamy texture.

Price: $19.99

On the First Day of Christmas...

On the first day of Christmas,
my true love gave to me,

Francis Ford Coppola Gift Basket



Oscar-winning director, writer and producer, Francis Ford Coppola, loves creating. Not only are the wines produced under his direction, but as an avid cook, he has created "Mammarella", a line of authentic organic pastas and sauces honoring his mother, Italia Pennino Coppola. Included in this gift box are the Diamond Series Claret and Cabernet Sauvignon, two types of artisan pasta, classic tomato/basil pasta sauce, red pepper packets and a "Mammarella" kitchen towel. Delicioso!

Price: $99.99

Thursday's Wine: Purisima Mountain Vineyard Grenache Rose'

Bright pink color. Explosive aromas of wild strawberry, laced with wet stone minerality. Bright red fruit flavors with excellent mid-palate energy, fine, crisp acidity, excellent persistence.

Price: $16.00-$18.00

Thursday's Wine: Mirassou Pinot Grigio 2008

Todays wine is a lovely Califonia Pinot Grigio. Mirassou Winery’s line of premium wines display bright, fruit-forward flavors and pair well with a variety of food styles. reveals intense aromas and flavors of ripe apple, peach, pear and citrus with crisp, lively acidity to create an exceptionally refreshing wine. This versatile wine pairs beautifully with spicy dishes as well as grilled poultry or seafood.

Sells for $12.99 at Wine.com

Thursday's Wine: Va De Vi Ultra Cuvee

Va de Vi is a Spanish sparkling wine from Gloria Ferrer Vineyards located in Carneros-Sonoma, California.

"Va de Vi!" means "It's about the wine" in Spanish. I happen to love wine blends an Va de Vi is just that. It is a blend of 89% Pinot Noir, 8% Chardonnay and 3% Muscat.

The wine offers abundant aromas of ripe apple, Asian pear and Bing cherries amid enticing yeasty tones. On the palate, rich flavors of ripe peach, Meyer lemon, fresh berries and vanilla join with creamy textures in a lasting finish.

Va de Vi is a versatile accompaniment to savory hors d’oeuvres like paté or potstickers, delicious with spicy Indian or Thai cuisine, and pairs wonderfully with fruit-based desserts like pound cake with fresh berries, pear or apple tarts. Try it with fresh chèvre, brie or other semi-soft cheeses.

Thursday's Wine: Seghesio Zinfandel Sonoma County 2008, California

From our friends at Epicurious. Todays wine choice is a lovely white wine--perfect for the summer. Seghesio Zinfandel Sonoma County 2008. Aromas and flavors of ripe blackberries, raspberries, and peppery spice are enveloped in easygoing tannins and a lush, fruity finish. Fabulous with smoky grilled ribs!

Wonderfully priced at $22.00

Thursday's Wine: 2007 7 Deadly Zins

 Looking for the ultimate blend, David and Michael Phillips chose seven vineyards their superiority to develop this wine. The Phillips brothers quickly related the Seven Sins from their Catholic school upbringing to the seven Old Vine Zinfandels blended in their wine. This is a sinful blend indeed!

Notes of sweet plums and pepper dominate the nose, while flavors of blueberry, raspberry, cinnamon, and black pepper pack the palate from start to finish. The silky-smooth tannins hold the wine together and deliver a soft, fruit driven experience. Pairs well with Barbecued Salmon, prime rib or grilled veggies. Get crazy with delectable dark chocolate desserts!

Retail at $13.00-$17.00

Thursday's Wine: Chateau St. Jean Gewurztraminer Sonoma County

 Fragrant aromas of apple blossom, peach and hints of lychee begin the nose of this light and refreshing Gewurztraminer. On the palate the wine has flavors of juicy white peach, gala apple and spice characters. The wine has lively acidity and a pleasing minerality that lead to a lingering spice-filled finish. Its aromatic flavours make Gewürztraminer one of the few wines that are suitable for drinking with Asian cuisine.

Retail price: $15.00

Thursday's Wine: J. Lohr Cabernet Sauvignon

J. Lohr's "Seven Oaks" Cabernet Sauvignon comes predominantly from the winery's Seven Oaks estate vineyard. The 2007 vintage is great, and this is an affordable, everyday Cab that illustrates it. Its black cherry and blackberry fruit aromas and flavors are reflective of the wine's Paso roots, and chocolaty nuances that are downright seductive. Nicely priced at $12.99

FOOD & WINE CLASSIC IN ASPEN

For more than twenty years, as a stakeholder in the restaurant industry American Express has offered the professionals who shape the world of hospitality a unique educational and networking opportunity at the FOOD & WINE Classic in Aspen

To purchase tickets to the 28th annual FOOD & WINE Classic in Aspen, call 877.900.WINE or click here.

Thursday's Wine: 2008 Sofia Coppola Rose

 

Today we have a wine produced by the Francis Ford Coppola Winery in Sonoma County. This wine has an inviting perfume of crushed raspberries, rose petals, and tea leaves. On the palate, this wine offers delicate flavors of strawberries, red cherries, ginger, ruby red grapefruit and candied orange peel. Doesn't that sound yummy? Go out and get some today. I promise you won't be disappointed! Reasonably priced at $18.99