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So happy that I'll be back on "Living Today" with Mario Bosquez. Mario, Naomi, Chris and I will tasting these great bubbles for Valentine's Day:
Pierre Peters, Cuvee de Reserve, Champagne France,
Average retail price $48.99
Banfi, Rosa Regale, Brachetto d'Acqui, Piedmont Italy
Average retail price $24.99
Taza Chocolate, Somerville, Massachusetts
www.tazachocolate.com
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Today at 3:30 PM I will be tasting and talking about these wines with Mario and the crew on his show "Living Today,"
Martha Stewart Living Radio, Channel 112,Sirius/XM RADIO!
To listen on-line for free, just go to the Sirius site and click on MEDIA PLAYER at the top of the page. Fill in the info and you've got three days of great listening ahead of you!
This listed pricing is based on average retail prices:
Librandi, Ciro Rosso Classico, 2006, Calabria, Italy $11.99
Distributed by Winebow nationally
Domaine Andezon, Cotes du Rhone, 2007, France $13.99
Distrbuted by Polaner Selections, NY&NJ
Importer: European Cellars, LLC Charlotte, NC www.europeancellars.com
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For all of you who may be driving and listening, these are the wines which I'm featuring on today's Thanksgiving Wine Segment.
Happy Thanksgiving and remember to SAVOR EVERY SIP!
Hugel, Gewurztraminer, 2006, Alsace, France
Average retail Price:$23.99
Pedroncelli, Pinot Noir, 2006, Sonoma, California
Average retail Price:$20.00
Lopez de Heredia,Vina Cubillo, 2002, Rioja, Spain
Average retail Price: $30.00
Emilio Lustau, Capataz Andres, Deluxe Cream Sherry, Spain
Average retail Price:$20.00
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MIONETTO, SERGIO, SPUMANTE, EXTRA DRY, VENETO, ITALY
Mionetto, Sergio is a rich and luxiurious sparkling wine from this terrific producer of Prosecco. It is a blend of three grapes: 70% Prosecco di Valdobbiadene, and 30% of Verdiso, Bianchetta and Chardonnay. Sergio has a complex, medium-bodied creaminess on the palate, with delightful hints of fresh peaches and apples. Balanced by a lively acidity which brings it all together, the wine finishes clean and dry. Spumante is the Italian word for softly-bubbled sparkling wines. Please don't confuse this with the sweeter Moscato wines of Piedmont's Asti (Spumante). FYI, the term "extra dry" actually means that the wine has a bit more residual sugar than a Brut bottling. This translates into a touch more sweetness on the palate, although finishing dry as does Sergio.
Quite the versatile food wine, Sergio is the perfect bubbly to serve with hors d’oeuvres before your feast!
Average retail price: $26.99 Distributed by Fedway
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Chateau de Trinquevedel, Tavel Rose, 2007, Rhone, France
This salmon-pink colored wine is always a winner. Made mostly from the Grenache grape, it is brimming with fresh strawberry and raspberry fruit, laced with balanced acidity keeping it really fresh. A nice hint of mineral and stoniness mingle on the palate leading into a terrific off-dry finish.
Perfect with anything traditionally Thanksgiving at table. Simply fabulous!
Average retail pricing: $17.99 Distributed by Winebow
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HUGEL, CUVEE LES AMOURS, PINOT BLANC, 2006, ALSACE, FRANCE
Hugel has always produced lovely wines. From their entry levels on up to their Jubilee (Grand Cru) wines, the Hugel style of elegance has always been first and foremost.
This Pinot Blanc is beautiful. The nose exhibits delicate aromas of pears and apples. On the palate, there is ample fruit laced with subtle minerality and bright acidity, which makes for a juicy and delicate finish. If you've never tried an Alsacian aromatic white wine, this is the perfect place to start! Serve with pan seared sea scallops. Also a good choice for Thanksgiving dinner. Average retail price: $18.99
Distributed by Frederick Wildman and Sons, NY/NJ.
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DESCENDIENTES DE JOSE PALACIOS, PETALOS, 2006, BIERZO, SPAIN
Bierzo is a newly emerging region located in northwestern Spain. However, the buzz about its greatness hasn't yet quite gotten out and about! Take one sip of this wine, made from the rare Mencia grape, and you'll be hooked. Mencia is said to be related to Cabernet Franc, and this little gem is earthy and loaded with blueberry and black cherry fruit, with soft tannins gently holding it all together. Petalos is produced by Spain's young superstar Alvaro Palacios, who is always willing to take a chance in exploring new possibilities, and whose hunches are thankfully right! Try it with grilled or roasted herbed lamb dishes.
Average retail price: $23.99 Distributed by Polaner Selections
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EMILIO LUSTAU, FINO JARANA, SHERRY, ANDALUCIA, SPAIN
Sherry is one of the most misunderstood wines in our marketplace. It is definitely not a typical "go to wine," especially in the Fino, or dry category, which Jarana happens to be. This is a pristine wine, made from the Palomino grape. It is clean and nutty with a mild yeastiness, and really sings on the palate, in perfect Spanish of course! Lustau is one of the finest producers in the region. From their driest to their full-blown dessert PX and Moscatel wines, these are really classy quaffs from first sip to finish. Jarana makes a wonderful aperitif served chilled with green olives, Serrano ham and other assorted tapas.
Average retail price: $15.99 Distributed by Michael Skurnik Wines
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OZZIE-BA-RU, SHIRAZ, 2003, AUSTRALIA
This is a wonderful Shiraz from the Hunter Valley. It is loaded with bright blackberry fruit and subtle spiciness which the syrah grape dictates when well produced. I was amazed that this wine has seen oak barrel, as it is so fresh and delicate that I barely sensed it, which to me is a very good thing! Ozzie also has a wonderful tartness on the palate which really brings it all together!
Ozzie-Ba-Ru which translated from Aboriginal dialect means "a golden land far away" has elegant power and is beautifully balanced. This wine is more than impressive!
Great paired with barbequed baby back ribs!
Average retail price $29.99
Distributed by Allied Beverage Group
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DOMINIO DEL PLATA WINERY
CRIOS DE SUSANA BALBO, TORRONTES, 2007, ARGENTINA
This is a superb representation of the lovely Torrontes grape. Crios, which means "offspring" has delightful aromatics slightly reminiscent of Muscat. As floral and intriguing as it is on the nose, when it hits the palate it bursts with a fresh fruitiness intertwined with delicate minerality. Crios, Torrontes finishes dry and perfectly balanced,and is a truly superb wine.
Crios is produced by one of Argentina's great winemakers, Susana Balbo.
Average retail price $15.99. Distributed by Polaner Selections
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Shortly, I'll be posting some new and exciting wines which I've been busy tasting. Please check back soon for my finds!
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Anytime we sip champagne with friends and family makes for a wonderfully festive time, and in this upcoming new year let's all resolve to do it a little bit more!
With this in mind, I thought that I'd share with you some of my favorite Champagnes, all of which are listed at average retail
pricing.
In the boutique producer category, Pierre Peters, Blanc de Blancs, is a sublimely terrific Grand Cru champagne, selling for $42.00. Also try the champagnes of Gaston Chicquet, which are really gorgeous.
One of my favorite, widely available quaffs is the beautifully produced, Champagne Charles Heidsieck, Brut, which is deliciously elegant, and at $47.00 a great deal!
Champagne Gosset, Grand Reserve Rose is rich, refined and quite simply, heavenly. At $78.00, it is well worth the price.
I wish all of you a serene and peaceful New Year ahead, and again as always, I remind you to savor every sip!
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Domaine Coteau, Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills, 2006, Oregon
Well, it's now coming on Christmas and when it comes to the wine recipients on your gift list, Pinot Noir is a great way to say Happy Holidays.
When Pinot Noir is produced well, it can be down right stunning, and this weeks "Wine Buy" Domaine Coteau, Pinot Noir from Oregon is just that.
The 2006 vintage of Domaine Coteau's, Eola-Amity Hills bottling is pristine, from its beautiful perfumed aromas and on through its finish of great clarity and length.
For the wine collectors on your list, the 2006, Eola-Amity Hills is still very young and will definitely benefit from a few years of cellaring.
The average retail price of Domaine Coteau, Eola, is $29.99
HAVE A GREAT HOLIDAY SEASON AND
REMEMBER TO SAVOR EVERY SIP!
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Le Volte, 2005, Tuscany, Italy
'Tis the season to be giving, and wine makes the perfect gift for those who really love it.
But, there's no need to break the bank when purchasing, as there are many wines which sell for less than fifty dollars whose quality far surpasses their price tags.
This weeks "Wine Buy," Le Volte, 2005 from Tuscany, Italy is a fabulous wine from the famed producer, Ornellaia.
Located close to the sea in the area know as the Maremma, this maritime climate has a wonderful influence on the grapes Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, which make up this particular blend.
Le Volte, 2005 is a classy wine with intriguing aromas of cherry, cassis and earthy tobacco.
It finishes rich, lush and long on the palate.
Average retail price of Le Volte is $25.99
Distributed by American B.D. NJ/NY
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Alamos, Malbec,2006, Mendoza, Argentina
For many years, Argentina has been a hot bed for wines which are considered both great quality and value. The wines of the Mendoza region continue to prove themselves to be world-class.
This week's Wine Buy, Alamos, Malbec, 2006, is the entry level wine from the wonderful producer Catena. In this case, entry level doesn't mean lacking in care or quality, as these grapes are hand harvested from the younger vineyards which supply their flagship label Catena.
Alamos Malbec is a little work horse of a quaff, with spicy cassis, toast and berry aromatics on the nose, and a harmonious richness on the palate.
This is an all around great wine to serve at your up-coming holiday parties. Average retail price of Alamos, Malbec, 2006 is $11.99
Until next week, remember to Savor Every Sip!
Distributed by WINEBOW, NJ/NY
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November 29, 2007
PASCAL JOLIVET, SANCERRE, 2005
One of the best places in the world for great wines made from the Sauvignon Blanc grape is France's, Loire Valley.
This is the region where the wines Sancerre, Pouilly Fume, and Cheverny, all named for their appellations are produced.
This weeks Wine Buy is Pascal Jolivet, Sancerre Blanc, 2005.
This stylish wine is amazingly focused, delicate, and yet, at the same time, powerful. Juicy and herb-tinged, it finishes long and clean as a whistle sounds.
Jolivet, Sancere, 2005 is a great wine to serve with raw oysters, as well as seafood dishes prepared with fresh dill and butter.
The average retail price of this wine is $22.99.
Be sure to check out the 2006 vintage as well, as year to year Jolivet's wines are consistently great!
Distributed by Frederick Wildman & Sons, NY NJ
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Let's talk Prosecco. No, it's not the name of a dance step; it's the name of a sparkling wine from Italy's Northeastern Veneto region.
I've been featuring Prosecco for many years as it really is "the every day bubbly," pleasing both the palate and the pocketbook.
Bisol, Prosecco, Crede, is a medium-bodied, flavorful and refined sparkling wine, named for the primary grape from which it's made and with reference to Crede which is where this bottling is from.
Produced, in many styles, from very dry to fruity, it's quite versatile.
Bisol, Prosecco, Crede is a great sparkling wine to serve as a Sunday brunch quaff, and will also be a great for Thanksgiving entertaining. The average retail price of Bisol Prosecco Crede is $16.99
Distributed by Vias Imports, NY,NY
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Michel Freres, Rose, Cremant de Bourgogne, 2005,
This week's Wine Buy is a wonderful sparkling wine known as a Cremant de Bourgogne, from France's Burgundy region.
Quite the sophisticated quaff, Michel Freres, Rose, 2005 is a radiantly pink, Pinot Noir-based sparkler. With its pretty aromas of cherry and yeast, along with a bright, juicy, mineral-tinged palate it finishes laced with fine and playful bubbles.
The sparkling wines of Cremant de Bourgogne, are a great alternative to Champagne, and are produced in the same method. And the good news here, is that they sell for a fraction of the price!
The average retail price of Michel Freres, Rose is $18.99
This wine will make the perfect pour for Thanksgiving.
Distributed by Wine Market International, NY
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Beaujolais is a wine produced in the southern part of the Burgundy region in France. Made from the Gamay grape,
it unfortunately gets a bad rap because of its Nouveau in November incarnation, where it is sometimes lack-luster.
This weeks Wine Buy, Chateau de Pizay, Morgon, 2005 is a
Cru Beaujolais from one of the ten Crus or towns in the region, and named for its place of origin. They are the most age-able and complex of all the Beaujolais wines.
Chateau de Pizay, Morgon, is a really lively and well defined wine. Highly scented and full flavored, it bursts with cherry and plum notes, dancing across the palate like Fred and Ginger and finishing into a well deserved bow and curtsey. Try it with garlic and herb roasted chicken.
Average retail price of Chateau de Pizay is $12.99.
Distributed by Martin Scott Wines, NY
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Feudi di San Gregorio, Falanghina, 2006
This week's stunningly focused and pristine white wine is the 2006 vintage of Feudi di San Gregorio, Falanghina, from Campania in Southern Italy.
This is one of my perennial favorites and it has yet to fail me.
Falanghina is the name of this ancient grape, which produces an intriguing banana scented wine, finishing dry and laced with earthy mineral. The wonderful balance between its fruit and lively acidity make it a really food-friendly quaff.
Serve with pasta tossed with crisp pancetta, roasted red peppers and artichokes. Hit it with a bit of lemon zest and don’t forget the grated cheese.
Average retail price of Feudi di San Gregorio, Falanghina is
$17.99
Imported by Palm Bay International, Boca Raton, Florida
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My CLASS IN A GLASS WINE BUY OF THE WEEK will begin airing today on "Food Talk" Radio710WOR, and www.wor710.com.
Each Thursday, my segment will feature a wine selection and food pairing. I hope that you'll tune in. ENJOY!
This weeks Wine Buy is the 2006 vintage of Burgans, Albarino, which comes from the northwestern Spanish region of Rias Baixas. This region is highly influenced by the sea, and is known for its brilliant white wines, made from the Albarino grape.
I tasted my first Albarino in the late 1980's at a Tapas Bar in NYC, and it was truly an eye opener for me. My eyes are still wide open to this marvelous wine which is produced in many intriguing styles.
Albarino is both the name of the grape and of this crisp, aromatic white wine. It is mouth-wateringly juicy, with hints of peach and a slight salty minerality, which really plays nicely with its fruit.
I like serving it with steamed mussels with garlic and parsley. (And don’t for get to use it in the broth!)
The average retail price of Burgans, Albarino, 2006 is $13.99
Distributed by Polaner Selections, Mt. Kisco, NY
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I don't know about you, but in the heat of the summer months, I tend to shy away from red wine. They tend to be too big, tannic and higher in alcohol than I can handle comfortably. So I quaffed many great rose wines and lots of lovely crisp whites. But now that it has gotten a bit cooler, I am again venturing back into red land.
Here are a few "gems" which I have been enjoying. I hope that you will get the chance to enjoy them as well.
Cave La Romaine, Cotes du Rhone Terre Antique, 2005, France
Well, this wine is certainly a block buster or maybe just a all out buster! In my first few sips, I felt that it was drinking like a northern Rhone wine like a Crozes-Hermitage which is based heavier on the syrah grape, as opposed to a southern Rhone grenache-based wine which this is. It is a blend of grenache and syrah, with actually 60% grenache in it. While a lot of Cotes du Rhone wines can be a bit wimpy, this one is handsome and rich, much as you'd like someone whom you are dating! Well balanced and silky, not only can you enjoy it now, but it can handle a few years in the cellar, and for under twenty dollars, you might want to grab a couple of cases, as it is a steal! I'd like to drink it with a short rib dish prepared with carrots and onions. The pairing will surely sing.
Average retail price $15.99
Distributed by Maximum Wines, NY/NJ
MORE TO COME
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July 27, 2007
Dry Creek Heritage Zinfandel, 2005 from Sonoma, California, is a robustly flavorful, yet silky and smooth wine. When you put your nose in the glass, which is always a good practice, so as not to miss a wine's aromas, you'll find here an incense-like spiciness, plus red and blackberry fruit wafting up at you. On the sip, you'll find lots of raspberry and mellow tannins, playing with perky acidity(that tingle thing.)
Because of its wonderful balance, Dry Creek, Heritage Zinfandel pairs well with barbecue sauces which have a hint of sweetness.
Average retail price $17.99
Distributed by Fedway Associates,Inc. NJ.
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July 20, 2007
Villa Maria, Sauvignon Blanc, Private Bin, 2006, New Zealand
This wine is consistently solid vintage to vintage. It is a clean, fruit-laden wine which is perfect for hot summertime sipping.
Vila Maria, Sauvignon Blanc is fresh, zingy and well defined. It has an herbaceous quality which keeps you coming back for more and more!
Try it with steamed mussels, with garlic, parsley and use it in the broth!
Average retail price $15.99
Distributed by Allied Beverage, Carlstadt, NJ
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Ceretto, Arneis is a lively white wine with a bit of spritz (fine fizz) which hits the glass right after it is poured. This makes it even more refreshing and appealing in the heat and humidity of the Summer. Floral and dry, with hints of peach, it pairs really well with barbecued chicken, marinated in olive oil, lemon and thyme. Average retail price, $18.99
Disrtibuted by Allied Beverage, Carlstadt,NJ
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Francois Cazin, Cheverny, "Le Petite Chambord," 2006, Loire Valley, France
This little gem is a juicy, yet refined Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay blend. It is from the appellation of Cheverny, which is the lesser known sibling AOC of Sancerre and Pouilly Fume. It is great for warm weather sipping and pairs especially well with chevre(goat cheese.)
Distributed by Polaner Selections, Mount Kisco, NY
Domaine Chandon, Blanc de Noirs, California
Domaine Chandon has been producing consistently wonderful sparklers for many, many years. This Blanc de Noirs is a slightly salmon in color, blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. It is full of refined, tart cherry flavor on the palate playing with an integral yeastiness. This is the kind of quality which you find in many of the finest French champagnes.
A great bubbly to pour at wedding receptions as it won't break the bank at approximately $16.99 average retail pricing.
Distributed by Allied Beverage Group, R&R Marketing and Fedway Associates, NJ
Mas de Gourgonnier, Rose, 2006, Les Baux, Provence, France
If you've every heard the rumblings about rose wines from Provence France, which they are famous for, this one in my opinion always wins the prize. Pretty in pink, it is a blend of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Cinsault and Cabernet Sauvignon (is that all?)
Very flavorful and pleasing, it finishes DRY.
Serve with grilled garlic and thyme chicken, or anything with a Mediterranean spin. Approximate retail, $13.99
Distributed by Michael Skurnik Wines, Syosset, NY
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Cheers,
I am very pleased to announce the debut of my new Radio/Internet segment, Carol Berman's "Class in a Glass Wine Minute". It will air every Friday morning beginning this Friday, June 15, 2007 at 11:40AM, on Greenstone Radio's Lisa Birnbach Show.
Each week I will be sharing with you bits of user-friendly wine information, plus my "Wine Buy of the Week" which I did for many years on WOR Radio's "Food Talk" with Arthur Schwartz.
I'll be posting my "Wine Buys" right here on my site for your easy access.
Greenstone Radio is the smart and savvy media creation of Jane Fonda and Gloria Steinem and can be heard at www.greenstoneradio.com
I'll have a direct link to Lisa Birnbach's page, lisabradio.com, on my "Classes and Events" page, so that you can just click on to her page and listen under podcasts. No downloading required!
The segment will also be available for podcasting.
I hope that you'll tune in and listen, as well as write to me with any topics or wine questions which you'd like to have addressed in the segment.
Until then,
PEACE AND WINE
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I just returned from a glorious wine and cooking tour of the Maremma in Western Tuscany. I am slowly adjusting back into my routine here in the real world, really trying to keep all of the flavors and colors very close to me.
Shortly, on this page I will gladly share some of my highlights with you!
"Everyone had a TERRIFIC time at the wine tasting! Loved the concept, Loved the event, loved the wine, and loved the fact that you picked such affordable wines!" GR, Princeton, NJ
