SPARKLING WINES I FEATURED ON THE JOAN HAMBURG SHOW
DECEMBER 23, 2011, RADIO 710 WOR
Here are two terrific 'alternatives' to higher-priced luxury Champagnes, which can carry large price tags.
From Penedes Spain, comes a terrific sparkler known as Cava, named for the place from which it comes.
L'hereu Raventos i Blanc, is a three-grape blend that is absolutely delicious. It has a sophistication that will please the die-hard bubbly drinker, and the grace and easiness to please the moderate quaffer.
Very food friendly, you can serve it with just about everything.
It is terrific with seafood and grilled shellfish, as well as with a nice selection of cheeses, including voluptuous triple cremes.
Average retail price $18.99. I paid $12.99 on sale
Lucien Albrecht, Cremant d'Alsace Rose, Alsace France
This sparkler made from 100% Pinot Noir, goes down really easy.
Vibrant berry fruit enveloped in a nice creamy and balanced palate makes this a pleasure to sip either by itself, or with assorted charcuterie and cheese selections. You can even sip this with a grilled Rib Eye steak and it is sure to invoke a palate wake up call!
Average retail Price:$18.99 I paid $15.99 for it!
www.classinaglasswine.com
WINES FEATURED TODAY ON MARTHA STEWART LIVING RADIO
SIRIUS/XM
Today, I featured two really delicious Chianti wines from Italy.
They are both terrific producers, and each was 'showing' very well.
The "Living Today" crew really enjoyed them as did I!
Dievole, Dievolino Chianti, 2008, Tuscany, Italy
Through many vintages, I have loved this producer! Solid as a rock, as they say and quite reliable.
For a simple Chianti, it loaded with delicate fruit and is quite lively finishing long on the palate.
For what more can one ask? How bout a great average retail price of $11.99? I actually got it on sale for $8.98. Tasted even better because of this!
Imported by Pasternak Wine Imports, Harrison, NY
Rocca di Castagnoli, Chianti Classico, 2008, Tuscany, Italy
This wine is quite the elegant little pleaser. Full of lovely plum, cherry and spice. It fills the palate with balance and finesse, and has you at 'hello' impelling you to go back to the glass for more!
While one normally pays a lot more for Chianti Classico wines, this wine is very well priced. I paid $10.99 for it on sale, but even if you pay a bit more, it is still a steal!
Imported by Montecastelli Selections, NY, NY
www.classinaglasswine.com
MY SUPER AFFORDABLE WINE SLELCTIONS
FEATURED ON MARTHA STEWART LIVING RADIO'S
"LIVING TODAY" OCTOBER 17, 2011
Yesterday on Martha Stewart's "Living Today," Sirius/XM Radio 110, I tasted and talked about the following wines with "Mr.Manners" host Thomas Farley.
I was featuring "SUPER" affordable and high quality(always)wines.
This is relatively difficult to do, as many of the wines, which sell for less than $12.99 are generally speaking, mass-produced and possess no "sense of place" (reflect the vineyards from which the grapes are grown.)
I actually purchased these for less than $10.00 a bottle. The average retail pricing for these wines ranges between $10.00-$13.00 a bottle depending upon where you shop.
Hope that you enjoy them!
Di Majo Norante, Sangiovese, 2009, Molise, Italy
Fresh, youthful and bursting with bing-cherry fruit, this wine is tremendously pleasing. It is simple yet has a lovely balance and finesse. Try this with anything tomato-based with added hot pepper flakes, as the wine will rise to the occasion! This is also the perfect red wine to serve with hors d'oeuvres as it will ot overpower lighter fare.
A Leonardo LoCascio Import, distributed by Winebow.
Chateau Pesquie, TERRASSES, 2009, Cotes du Ventoux, France
A blend of Grenache and Syrah, from vines which are 30-60 years old. This is one of the reasons for its rich concentration of fruit. Plummy and spicy with wonderful depth and a black fruit and tarry finish, it is drinking well now and will continue to do so for another couple of years. Serve with herbed lamb dishes, or get a great baguette and some St. Marcellin cheese and you are good to go!
Imported by European Cellars, Eric Solomon.
www.classinaglasswine.com
SUMMER SIPPERS
When the weather turns hot and humid, I normally have a difficult time drinking bold and super-dry red wines, so I turn to sipping whites and roses. Just the way the wind blows in my summertime world. However, I recently found two reds that have broken that mold!
Benton Lane Pinot Noir, Oregon, 2008
This fab wine from Oregon is one of the best and affordable Pinot's you can find. It is varietally correct, meaning that this wine really struts its' PN stuff in the glass. Its alcohol level is not pumped up with the addition of Petite Syrah as many of the Cali Pinots seem to be these days. It even has that cherry/garnet true pinot color.
The winery was started by Steve Girard of the famous in the 1980's Girard Vineyards in Napa California. He headed north and when he first started making Benton Lane, it was a hit right out of the gate. IMHO!
Anyway the wine retails for approximately $20. I have purchased it for less.
Try with a grilled rib-eye steak. Magical!
Distributed by Lauber Selections
Roagna, Dolcetto D'Alba, 2009, Piedmont, Italy
The Italian translation for Dolcetto is "sweet little one." The wine is not technically sweet; it actually reminds me of France's Beaujolais Villages or their Cru Beaujolais. However, this doesn’t have the cherry aromas and flavors that come with it.
Red-violet in color, Roagna, Dolcetto has a medium-bodied smooth and balanced complexity, with aromatic blueberry and herbs wafting up from the glass and on the palate.
Pairs really well with pesto-drizzled anything!
Distributed by Polaner Selections
www.classinaglasswine.com
WINES AND RESTAURANTS FEATURED ON THE JOAN HAMBURG SHOW! RADIO710 WOR
MARCH 16, 2011
THE JOAN HAMBURG SHOW RADIO710 WOR
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 2011
LIVE FROM THE PAPER MILL PLAYHOUSE
"CLASS IN A GLASS WINE BUY"
Mionetto, SERGIO Rose, Veneto, Italy
A fabulous Italian extra dry bubbly to toast the beginning of the spring (thank God!) Pairs well with any celebration!
Average retail price: $17.99
FEATURED MILLBURN RESTAURANTS:
CAFE LUNA
32 Main Street
Millburn, NJ
973-376-8008
www.cafelunamillburn.com
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CAFE MONET
309 Millburn Avenue
Millburn, NJ 07041-1653
973- 376-8555
www.cafemonet.info
www.classinaglasswine.com
MY VALEN-WINES DAY SELECTIONS FEATURED ON MARTHA STEWART LIVING RADIO'S "LIVING TODAY" SIRIUS/XM RADIO
These are my Valen-wines Day 2011 Wine Buys:
(many were featured on Martha Radio yesterday)
SPARKLING
Raventos I Blanc, de Nit, Rosado, Cava, Spain- ARP $23.99
Mionetto, Prosecco, Brut, Treviso, Italy, ARP- $10.00
Schramsberg, MIRABELLE, Rose, California- ARP $27.99
Pierre Peters, Blanc de Blancs, Brut, Les Mesnil-Oger, France- ARP $39.99
Pol Roger, Brut, France- ARP $35-ish
RED:
Tardieu-Laurent, CDR, Les Becs Fins, France ARP- $16.99
Lopez de Heredia, Rioja, Spain- ARP- $25.00 (starting at)
Bonny Doon, Le Cigare Volant, Cali- ARP $27.99
Cristom, Pinot Noir, Oregon- ARP $35.99 (starting at)
WHITE:
Heidi Shrock, Vogelsang or Muscat, Austria- $ARP $24.99
Pazo de Senorans, Albarino, $ARP 23.99
DESSERT:
Rosa Regale, Brachetto d'Acqui
Fonseca, LBV, Port
Graham's 10 Year Tawny Port
Quinto do Vesuvio Port
Quady, Elysium adn Essencia
Average retail pricing:starting at $23.00
ENJOY, AND REMEMBER TO SAVOR EVERY SIP!
www.classinaglasswine.com
DECEMBER 14th SELECTIONS
1. Mionetto, Prosecco, Brut, Treviso, Veneto, Italy $12.99
2. Domaine Reverdy-Hippolyte, 2009, Loire Valley, $25.99
3. Maculan, Pino & Toi, 2009, Italy $13.99
4. Qupe, Syrah, 2008, Central Coast, California $18.99
5. Domaine du Joncier, Lirac, 2008, Rhone Valley,France $21.99
6. Vale La Pena (Laurel Glen,) 2006, Mendoza, Argentina $34.99
7. Bisceglia, Terra di Vulcano, Guadarra, $25.99
Aglianico del Vulture, 2006, Basilicata, Italy
www.classinaglassswine.com
TWO GREAT WINES THAT I WILL BE FEATURING TODAY ON MARTHA RADIO,SIRIUS112/XM157 AT 3:30-4PM
Here are two wines perfect to share with your loved ones throuout this holiday season!
Chateau Margui, Rose, 2009, Provence, France
A truly superb rose, one of the best I've ever tasted and I've been drinking them for many, many years.
A truly racy pink! Very exciting! The 2010 vintage will be arriving here before the Spring. Can't wait 'til it does. Gointg to be the first on my block to get some!!
Average retail pricing:$19.99
Bradley Alan Imports, NY
Tolaini, Al Passo, 2006, Tuscany, Italy
A gorgeous blend of Sangiovese and Merlot. Elegant and finessed, a glorious bottling! The real deal in Tuscan blends.
I decanted a bottle last Saturday evening, and my guests eyes lit up wondering what it was. Needless to say, it was a very tasty evening!
Average retail pricing:$24.99
Banville & Jones Wine Merchants, North Bergen, NJ
www.classinaglasswine.com
MY 2010 THANKSGIVING WINE BUYS
FEATURED ON THE JOAN HAMBURG SHOW!
RADIO 710WOR!
NOVEMBER 24TH @ 1:30PM!
There are so many flavors at the Thanksgiving table: salty, sweet and tart to name just a few. A wine, which is too dry, will collide head-on with the meal, while the fruiter wines will get in there and mingle with the various flavors.
The first thing I look for is a wine, which has an abundant amount of fruit, such as a Riesling or Gewurztraminer for white, and Gamay (Beaujolais Villages) or Pinot Noir for red.
In the world of wine, there are many styles and flavor profiles within each of the grape varietals. For Thanksgiving, I tend to like wines which are lighter in style, because full-bodied wines can overpower the flavors and textures at table. For example, a full bodied, powerful red wine would be better served with beef, and not turkey.
To clarify the meaning of wine styles, this is how I like to describe them:
Lighter-bodied wines are like skim milk on the palate.
Medium-bodied wines are like whole milk on the palate.
Full-bodied wines are like cream on the palate.
For this holiday, the lighter and fruiter, the better.
Wines with lower alcohol levels, such as Riesling or Italian Prosecco, which is a refreshingly fruity, sparkling wine, tend to work better with the Thanksgiving feast.
Higher alcohol in wine when combined with the Tryptophan in the turkey does not make for lively conversation, but instead may have you napping at the table!
For smaller, more intimate dinners of four people or less, you may want to serve one of the special bottles, which you have been saving. Smaller groups make for a more relaxing meal, at which your guests can slowly sip and enjoy.
For larger crowds, I would look to serve delicious wines in the $20.00 or less price range, and there are plenty of them out there. Most of the wines on my recommendations list are average priced at less than $20.00
If you plan on serving a dessert wine at the end of the meal, you may want to consider a low-alcohol, frizzante (lightly sparkling) quaff such as a Moscato d’Asti or a Brachetto d’Acqui, both from Piedmont, Italy.
Both are refreshing and lively, and can be served before dessert as a palate cleanser.
If you wanted to pair a dessert wine with traditional Thanksgiving desserts, such as pumpkin, pecan or apple pie, you can serve a cream sherry, or perhaps an ice-wine.
RECOMMENDATIONS (CURRENT RELEASES):
WHITE:
RIESLING (AMERICAN SELECTIONS :)
CHARLES SMITH, Kung Fu Girl, Washington State
HOGUE, EROICA, Washington State
PAUMANOK VINEYARDS, Riesling, Long Island, NY
HERMANN J. WIEMER, Finger Lakes, NY
DR. KONSTANTIN FRANK, Riesling, Finger Lakes, NY
GEWURZTRAMINER:
HUGEL, Alsace, France
TRIMBACH, Alsace, France
DANIEL GEHRS, California
PINOT BIANCO:
CANTINA TERLAN, Alto Adige, Italy
RED:
BEAUJOLAIS:
POTEL-AVIRON, Beaujolais Villages, France
DOMAINE LAPIERRE MORGON
PINOT NOIR:
MONTINORE, Oregon
RAMSAY, California
PEDRONCELLI, Sonoma, California
MICHELE-FRERES, Cremant de Bourgogne, Brut, France 2008 (sparkling Pinot Noir)
ITALIAN SELECTIONS:
CANTINA TERLAN, Pinot Bianco, Alto Adige
CAVALLOTTO, Dolcetto
ROAGNA, Dolcetto
ALTARE, Dolcetto
PROSECCO (ITALIAN SPARKLING):
ADAMI (Garbel) Brut
MIONETTO, Brut
BISOL, Brut
MOSCATO d'ASTI:
LA SPINETTA
VIETTI
BRACHETTO d'ACQUI:
BANFI
MARENCO
www.classinaglasswine.com
MY OCTOBER 27TH FEATURED WINES ON MARTHA STEWART LIVING RADIO'S "LIVING TODAY" WITH MARIO BOSQUEZ
Today's featured wines on Martha Stewart Living Radio’s
"Living Today" Sirius112/XM157. Tune in at 3:30 PM and join us!
Hope to hear from you. The call-in # is: 866-675-6675
WINE BUYS:
Cantina Terlan, Pinot Bianco, 2009, Alto Adige, Italy
This white is a gorgeous and fruit-laden wine with a beautiful palate balance. Voluptuous and silky, it is the perfect white for Autumn and Winter sipping. Hey, I wouldn't walk away from it in the Spring and Summer either!
Great with cream-sauced pasta dishes and roasted pork dishes as well. Try it with your favorite Mac & Cheese recipe and it will bring it up to a whole new level!
Average retail pricing: $18.99
Distributed nationally by Banville and Jones Wine Merchants, North Bergen, NJ
Bibi Graetz, Casamatta, Toscana, 2008, Italy
This is Bibi Graetz's entry level quaffer. It is made from 100% Sangiovese and sees no oak!
What can be said of such a high quality and pleasing wine at a $10 price point?
A lot, but this my friends you must see for yourselves. Juicy and balanced, it is really a little steal of a deal. Great to serve at holiday gatherings beginning with Halloween coming up this weekend!
Do check out his other wines. You will not be disappointed!
Average retail price: $9.99
Distributed by Michael Skurnik Wines, Syosset, NY
www.classinaglasswine.com
