Tag-Archive for » wine «

Jul

What wine do I choose? What are the characteristics? What food should I pair it with? All these questions will be answered in this article, have no fear!

White Wine

Chardonnay:Â The flavor is dry, oaky and full-bodied

This wine is good with Seafood, Poultry, Shell Fish and is great with Caesar Salad.
My suggestions:Â Woodbridge, Clos Du Bois, and Yellow Tail.

Sauvignon Blanc:Â The flavor of this wine is dry, citrusy and grassy.

This wine is good with Seasoned Poultry, Fish, and Summer Salads
My suggestions:Â Chateau St. Jean Fume Blanc, and Barefoot.

Pinot Grigio:Â The flavor is light, crisp, fruity and dry.Â In recent years this wine has become very popular.

Good with Mild Fish, Pasta and Mild Cheeses
My suggestions: Santa Margharita, Blackstone, Turning Leaf, and Bella Sera

Riesling: Light, sweet or semi sweet. Good for a first time wine drinker.

Drink with Poultry, shellfish and fish
My suggestions:Â Chateau Ste. Michelle, and Robert Mondavi.

Gewurtztaminer:Â Medium-bodied, Semi-sweet and Spicy

Drink with Smoked Meats, Fish, Fowl, Asian Dishes
My suggestions:Â Forest Estate, Domaine Trimbach, Covey Run

White Zinfandel:Â Light, Fruity (great start for a first time wine drinker)

Drink with light Fare, Picnics
My suggestions:Â Woodbridge, and Sutterhome.

White Merlot:Â Fruity and light.

Drink with burgers, cookouts
My suggestions:Â Beringer, Sutterhome

Moscato: Sweet and light.

* Drink with light cuisine and can be used as dessert wine.
* My suggestions: Beringer, and Bonnie Doon

Red Wine

Cabernet Sauvignon:Â Very Dry, Full Bodied
Drink with steak, Pasta Meals,and Cheeses
My Suggestions:Â Robert Mondavi, and Stags Leap.

Merlot:Â Dry, Medium-full bodied
Drink with Beef, pasta meals, and Pizza.
My Suggestions: Barefoot, and Yellowtail

Zinfadel: Dry, Medium-full bodied
Drink with BBQ Meats, Tomato Based Dishes, Spicy/Ethnic Cuisine
My Suggestions: Ravenswood, Rancho Zambaco

Pinot Noir:Â Dry, Medium Body
Drink with Pork, Chicken, Lamb and Salmon
My Suggestions:Â Sebastiani, Mark West, Estancia

Shiraz:Â Dry, Sometimes a sweet finish, Medium Body
Drink with Beef, Lamb and Fish
My Suggestions: Rosemont, and Yellowtail

Beaujolais:Â Light, Fruity, Dry
Drink with Pasta, Beef and Fish
My Suggestions:Â Georges Duboeuf

Mar

Grapevine Moth Forces Quarantine for Part of Napa Valley

TheSaltyChef

The state’s most lucrative crop, grapes, has yet another insect enemy.

The California Department of Food and Agriculture quarantined 162 square miles in Napa Valley on Tuesday in an effort to stop the spread of the European grapevine moth, the newest threat to grapes and other fruit.

The quarantined zone spans parts of Napa, Sonoma and Solano Counties. Grapes within the zone cannot be transported outside the quarantine boundaries, though the grapes can be processed on site.

Last year the state’s grape harvest was worth $2.74 billion, about a third of which was generated in the valley.

The moth was discovered in a vineyard insect trap in September, the first appearance by the species in the United States, the department said. The larvae feed mainly on grape flowers and young grapes but can also damage some 21 other crops including olives, kiwis and persimmons.

“The wine industry is very important to our region,” said Elizabeth Emmett, a spokeswoman for Napa County. “We are going to try to do everything that we can to eradicate this nonnative pest.”

A native of Italy, the moth has caused crop damage across Europe, as well as in parts of Africa, Asia and the Middle East.

The European grapevine moth is the latest in a spate of invasive insects to hammer California’s wine industry, including the light brown apple moth and the glassy-winged sharpshooter. Because of its preferred fare, the moth has grape growers particularly worried.

State agricultural officials have set up some 2,500 traps across Napa Valley to capture the moths, said Jennifer Putnam, director of Napa Valley Grapegrowers, a nonprofit trade group, which is helping to coordinate the response.

In the next several weeks, dispensers containing the pheromones of female moths will go into the fields to confuse the males and disrupt the insects from mating. Long-term eradication and management plans are still being worked out.

Category: Informational Tags: bad grapes, bug attacking grapes, hurting wine, napa, wine, wines, wines from napa Leave a Comment

Dec

Happy New Year Toast!

TheSaltyChef

Stir the eggnog, lift the toddy, Happy New Year, everybody. ~ Phyllis McGinley

Category: Beverages Tags: drinkers, drinks, Happy New Year Toast!, holiday, new years, new years eve, sparkling wine, toasting, wine Leave a Comment

Nov

Good Champagne/Sparkling Wines That Will Not Break The Bank

TheSaltyChef

There is no reason to spend more that $37 max this year on a great bottle of bubbly! Here are some suggestions that are sure to make you sing!

Nv Nicolas Feuillatte Brut (pictured above). Great wine, great taste and perfect for toasting! Only $36

Reginato Blanc De Blancs, really good blend of Argentinean zest with Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc. Crisp and very refreshing. Only $15!

NV Jeio Cuvee Rose Brut, My favorite! Floral with a nice zest of citrus from Veneto, Italy. Only $18

Hope these suggestions help!

Category: Beverages, Informational, wine Tags: bubbly, Good Champagne/Sparkling Wines, holiday wine, wine Leave a Comment

Oct

Traveling The World…

TheSaltyChef

Travel insurance can be a very useful protection on trips you may want to take. Anything can happen when you travel abroad. international travel insurance can come in handy when you travel the world to protect against theft, lost luggage, canceled flights and more.
If you are a wine enthusiasts, AZ Culture is having a winery tour on November 7th, which will be sure to be a great experience.

Time: November 7, 2009 from 9am to 6pm
Location: Northern Arizona
Street: 2-Caoch Pickup Locations
City/Town: Phoenix & Cave Creek
Website or Map: http://www.ArizonaGrapeEsca…
Phone: 602-316-8323
Event Type: northern Arizona winery tour
Organized By: Gabriel Bey aka Spooky Cool