Erath Pinot Blanc

I am always on the lookout for unique white wines ~ something a little different than your standards (like chardonnay, riesling, pinot grigio).  One that I really enjoy, but is rare to find, is pinot blanc.  This wine is fairly neutral in aroma and flavors.  It has lighter aromas of fruit, such as apple and citrus fruits, and floral characteristics.  Pinot Blanc is higher in acidity with lower sugar levels, which makes for dry, crisp, medium-bodied wines.  Of the popular white varietals, it is most like a chardonnay.  

On a recent trip to Oregon, we discovered a great Pinot Blanc while visiting Erath.  Being true to its grape, this pinot blanc has flavors of citrus fruits, melon and a hint of floral, with a perfect balance of acidity.  The wine has just enough weight to allow the flavors to linger slightly and develop into a nice, rich wine that is drinkable on own, or with food.  This is definitely an ingredient to dessert wine.

In general, Pinot Blanc pairs especially well with vegetables, roasted chicken or pork, salads, and mild cheese.  We enjoyed our bottle with slow roasted pork tenderloin and butternut squash.  Quite tasty! You can purchase a bottle of the 2011 Erath Pinot Blanc through the winery online, retailing for $14. 

Don't drink it if you don't like it

A few weeks ago, Sally and I were visiting family in Houston and decided to go to d'Vine Wine Bar to enjoy a glass with Sally's mom, brother, and sister-in-law. Our server that evening really knew his wines and helped us make some good selections. He also reminded us of an important rule of wine drinking:

Don't drink it if you don't like it.

We had spotted a bottle on the menu that we liked, but our server returned and informed us they were sold out. He had another bottle with him that he said was similar and thought we might like it. Best of all, he told us that if we didn't like it, he'd gladly find us something else.

He opened the bottle and poured us all a small taste. We all took a drink and then looked around the table, waiting for someone to give the first opinion. Finally, someone ventured, "It's okay." 

I'm sure we would have consumed the bottle in an effort to be agreeable, but our server reminded us that we didn't have to drink the wine. "It's okay if you don't like it," he said. "I can sell it by the glass if you don't want it." 

Sold. We picked out another bottle that turned out to be much better. After all, okay just isn't good enough when you are spending money on wine.

Sally and family at D'Vine Wine Bar near Houston, TX

A Merlot Even Miles May Enjoy

If you have seen the 2004 movie, Sideways, you may recall the famous line by Miles, “If anyone orders Merlot, I’m leaving… I am NOT drinking any f**king merlot!” The movie and the quote gained much popularity and even triggered what was called, “The Sideways Effect”.  Around the same time as Sideways hit the market, merlot sales declined. Some say the movie was the primary impact, and we even saw wineries in Napa Valley campaigning to overcome it.  Others say it was merely a matter of coincidence. Most likely, the real reason for the decline was that the market simply became saturated with inexpensive merlots of so-so quality. 

It was about this same time that we started to really discover wine, and the famous quote pretty much summed up my feeling for merlot.  As a big fan of the movie, was I living “The Sideways Effect”? Maybe. But, now that I have opened my mind a little and given merlot a chance, I’ve determined my opinions were most likely due to tasting wines of dubious quality. 

While still not a major fan, every now and then I come across a merlot that really surprises me.  One recent discovery is from a winery I never would have expected ~ Wild Horse in Paso Robles. Wild Horse is known for their outstanding collection of pinot noir.  And, speaking of Sideways, it is quite ironic that we would discover a great merlot at a place known for pinot. 

During our visit to the tasting room in 2011, we were introduced to the 2008 Unbridled Merlot. Having shared our thoughts on the varietal, it took some convincing from our host, Zach to give it a taste.  We were so glad he did, and surprised him when we said we were taking a bottle with us!

This medium-bodied wine has scents of earthiness with hints of spice, flavors of dark cherry and soft tannins.  It is a great food wine.  We shared the bottle with my mom, appropriately pairing it with “mom’s lasagna”.  It would also go very well with steak and stinky cheese.  It retails for $35, and is available for purchase online through the winery direct.  I can’t believe I am saying this about a merlot, but I wish we had another bottle!

Check this out:

While reading up on “The Sideways Effect”, I came across this fun, short video on the history of merlot from Gundlach Bundschu (oldest family owned winery in California) ~ winner 2012 Wine Spectator Video Contest. Note how they quietly call out Sideways! 

More Perfect Thanksgiving Wines Under $20

Thanksgiving is a great time to share wine with family and friends. Whether pairing with your Thanksgiving feast, or washing down the leftovers while you take in some football, there’s something for everyone!

Turkey is typically paired with a dry white wine, but there are a variety of wines that pair well with a full feast (turkey, ham, and a wide range of sides).  Last year we shared a few of our favorite varietals under $20 (check out the full list) to share on Thanksgiving Day.  Here are more recommendations, all of which are also under $20 and can be found in your local supermarket, liquor store, or wine shop. 

Sparkling

A sparkling wine is a great pairing with any festive occasion.  This is a good starter as guests are arriving, or paired with the meal.  If serving with dinner, the key is to select a brut.  Dry sparkling wines pair much nicer with a turkey feast.  Our choice is Roederer Estate Brut.  A very balanced sparkling, with notes of floral, tree fruit, and light spice.  It scored 91 points from Wine Spectator, and retails at BevMo for $18.99

 

Sauvignon Blanc

If serving a white, you want to select a wine that is refreshing, tangy, and fruity. Sauvignon Blanc fits this bill perfectly as it is light and crisp, with grassy or herbaceous flavors.  Our pick is Simi Sauvignon Blanc.  It is bright and clear in color, medium-bodied with refreshing flavors of green apple and nectarines.  It is currently retailing at BevMo for $8.99 (a bargain!).  

Pinot Noir

The trick with reds is to select one that is not too tart or high in tannins (sorry cab lovers, today is not your day).  Light-bodied, more fruit forward pinot noirs pair nicely with a traditional Thanksgiving feast.  One of our favorite under $20 wine is Cycles Gladiator Pinot Noir.  This is an easy drinker, appealing to many.  Lots of red fruit flavors that pairs well with a variety of food.  It is currently retailing at BevMo for $9.99. 

Zinfandel

This is an excellent medium-bodied red with lots of intense, plummy, jammy flavors with splash of pepper.  Some of you may be familiar with Folie a Deux for their red table wine, Menage a Trois.  They also make a tasty Zinfandel.  This is a well-rounded, textured, juicy red wine.  It retails at BevMo for $12.99.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Niner Cabernet Sauvignon - Great to Share

We met our friends Amber and Paul for dinner last night at one of our favorite restaurants, Antica Trattoria. This was a perfect occasion to share some wine, so we brought along a couple bottles of 2007 Niner Bootjack Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon.

This isn't a huge Cab, going for subtler flavor and a soft mouth feel instead which made it delicious with the pasta and meat dishes we ordered. The nose smelled like light berry with a little earth, while the taste reminded us of blueberry and plum with soft tannins on the finish.

We discovered Niner on our first trip to the Paso Robles wine region in 2011 (see, "First Impression: Paso Robles Wine Country"). Their beautiful tasting room, outstanding wine, and excellent value were all impressive, and they definitely warrant a return visit. After sharing some of their wine last night, we may need to go sooner than later to replenish our stock!

As you can see from the picture below, the wine continued to hold its own with dessert.

Sharing wine with friends Amber and Paul at Antica Trattoria