The Wine Guy
While it’s hard to look on any “bright side” during these events, one of the few positives of being home for an extended period is that you have time to spare for trying new things in terms of food and drink. Pull out those recipes you’ve been meaning to try and put one or two of them together and while you’re at it, skip the old reliable wine you always get and try something completely different.
Oak Farm Vineyards,2017 Genevieve,Lodi, ($39.99), is a Bordeaux-style blend with a deep ruby color, a nose of mint chocolate, blueberry, and vanilla notes with a long, smooth finish. From a region dominated by Zinfandel production, this wine has a Zin-style ABV-15.2%-but also has a light body, less-pronounced oak and tannins and a greater versatility with food. You can try this one with beef, lamb, game birds and stronger cheeses.
If you’re planning on some Asian/Chinese food, don’t forget the Riesling; it provides a complementary taste to loads of dishes from both categories. Dr. Heideman’s Benkastel Riesling, Mosel, 2017, ($19.99), will fit the bill for a medium-bodied, acidic white with a nose of flowers and apricots and a satisfying finish. Try it with some Chicken Basil Basil or Beijing Duck. It’ll take your mind off of our current situation.
While you might not be able to have people over like you would normally, Brunch on Sunday can still be worth having. How about a fresh fruit cocktail, Eggs Benedict and a bottle of Tesoro Della Regina Prosecco, ($19.99), from Italy’s Veneto region. This wine’s brisk, consistent bubbles carry a green almond scent, driving home crispness and freshness. It’s clean and still manages to feel generous, with afternotes of apples and pears. Because this is a sturdy sparkling wine, it’s also great for Mimosas and Kir Royales.
Since we’re talking about dry wines, we should be talking about a Sauvignon Blanc. Nautilus Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, ($19.99), is a” touch salty & flinty to start, which adds character to the notes of lemon, lime, gooseberry, pineapple rind, honeysuckle & green herbs wafting from the glass. A creamy yet chalky texture is woven with juicy fruit & prickly acidity, ending long & citrusy. Spicy Mexican or Thai cuisine has met its match.”, as the Wine Spectator
recently opined and I agree. You should get a couple of bottles; you’ll thank me.
Finally, if you’re still in the mood for a red, you might want to try a bottle of Pinotage from South Africa. The Rhino Run Pinotage, 2017, has a complex nose of banana, cassis and strawberry followed by layers of fruit, vanilla and spice on the palate. The wine can be savoured with red meat, rich stews, curries and smoked foods.
The Rhino Run range joins Van Loveren’s distinguished portfolio and is available at most wine purveyors in the area; their white wines are priced at around $30.00 a bottle, while the three red wines sell for around $35.00 a bottle.
Talk To The Wine Guy at jdris8888@gmail.com
