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

Thursday's Wine: Ca' del Bosco NV Cuvee Prestige Brut

Today's wine choice is a lovely fruity and floral sparkling wine from Italy. Fantastic for any occasion, try serving this with firecracker shrimp, caviar, even tomato bruschetta!

Price: 36.00 and up

Thursday's Wine: Innocent Bystander 2010 Pink Moscato

Moscato is traditionally known for its lovely aroma and light fizziness. Another great quality that Moscato carries is that it's low in alcohol content.

This Australian favorite is light, sweet and evokes all of the fresh summer fruits. This is a fun wine. Great to serve as an appertif or if you're relaxing on the patio with friends this summer.

Price: $21.99 at Wine.com



Thursday's Wine: Cuvee Rose Brut Laurent-Perrier

In honor of Valentine's Day, today's wine is the Cuvee Rose Brut by Laurent-Perrier. This is a tasty aperitif and perfect for pairing with different types of foods. Clean and crisp to the nose. Tastes of strawberries, black currants, red berries and blackberries. 

Price: $60.00 and up

Thursday's Wine: Freixenet Elyssia Gran Cuvee Brut

With New Year's Eve right around the corner we thought we'd try something different by choosing a champagne alternative--sparkling wine!

Offering a lovely bouquet of roasted nuts, citrus fruit and honey. Flavors of lemon and melon followed by a spicy finish. Yum!

Price Range: $16.00-$20.00

Thursday's Wine: 2008 Paringa Sparkling Shiraz

This week I'd like you to challenge yourself to something different. Today's wine choice is 2008 Paringa Sparkling Shiraz. This is a fantastic Australian wine--It's dark, rich, and juicy - full of fruit flavor and bubbles. Crisp, clean, raspberry and blueberry fruits on the nose. Velvety, creamy tannins, persistent length of palate and delightful full flavored finish.

Similarly, sparkling shiraz (which should be served slightly chilled but not as cold as a sparkling white) is a perfect accompaniment to a heavy winter meal – especially an occasion, like Thanksgiving turkey dinner. The fruity undertones of the wine go well with the meat while the light bubbles help to cut through some of the salt and fat. serving it with duck, goose, heavy cream cheeses, crème caramel, decadent chocolate cakes or, pretty much anything you would otherwise think of serving with a fruity accompaniment. In Australia, it’s commonly served with Christmas Dinner, lamb and even kangaroo.

Price: $11.99

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: Rosa Regale

Rosa Regale is another one of my favorite wines. Everytime I take a sip it puts a smile on my face! Festive cranberry in color with a haunting, aromatic bouquet with hints of raspberries, strawberries and hints of rose petals. A fresh raspberry taste, with crisp acidity, enticing the palate with an initial softness, graduating to a round and luscious finish.

Thursday's Wine: Villa Rosa Moscato d'Asti

Hello Thursday! Let's celebrate with a glass of Villa Rosa Moscato d'Asti! This is a sweet sparkling wine with only 5.5% alcohol. It has a fragrant aroma, typical of the Moscato grape. It's ideally accompanied all desserts in particularly biscotti, tiramisu and fruit salads.