HOLIDAY WINE PICKS
2012
Sponsored by Relish Culinary Adventures. www.relishculinary.com
16 Judges tasted through 198 Wines to determine what wine is the best value Sparkling, White and Red wine under $15- as well as what is the best high end Sparkling, White and Red wine over $30. I've chosen one word from select panel members to describe each wine profile.
Top Sparkling Wine under $15-
Freixenet Cordon Negro Brut- $8.99
Crisp, Well Balanced, Citrus, Bright, Apple, Spice
Top White Wine under $15-
2011 Cycles Gladiator, Pinot Grigio, CA - $8.-
Fun, Inviting, Banana, Good Structure, Citrusy, Tasty
Top Red Wine under $15-
2011 Cline, Zinfandel, CA $12.99
Cherry, Toasty Oak, Camphor, Cassis, Spice, Real Nice
Top Sparkling Wine over $30-
2004 Gloria Ferrer, Royal Cuvee, Sonoma Carneros $32-
Lemon, Creamy, Apple, Yeasty, Cocoa Bean, Elegant, Nutty
Top White Wine over $30-
2010 Red Car Wine Company, Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast $38-
Impressive, Seductive, Tastes like a Grand Cru, Sexy, Wow, Complex, Racy
Top Red Wine over $30-
2009 La Crema, Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley $50-
Red Cherry, Beautifully Balanced, Black Tea, Inviting, Earthy, Complex, Epic
Thanksgiving Wine Picks 2012
Sponsored by Oliver's Market and Relish Culinary Adventures
200+ Wines were entered this year from 7 countries! A panel of 15 judges tasted the wines blindly - each one together with turkey to see what really goes. Of course, the dessert wines were tasted to pair with pumpkin pie, apple pie, pecan pie and as a stand alone dessert wine. In all, the wines were terrific across the board. There were some big surprises, which is why we love blind tastings! It was a hard decision but the results are really amazing. Noted by each wine are the descriptors given to me by the judges for each wine.
*Bubbly*
Gloria Ferrer, Blanc de Noirs, Sonoma- Carneros, srp $20-
Wild Strawberry, Guava, Toast, Lush, Creamy
www.gloriaferrer.com
-TIED WITH-
Barefoot, Moscato, California srp $9.99
Cranfruit, blissful big bubbles, Juicy Strawberry, Fun, Mouth Party
www.barefootcellars.com
*Rosé Wine*
2011 Merriam Vineyards, Rosé, Sonoma County, srp $18-
Earthy, Cranberry, Dusty Raspberry, Crisp and Savory
www.merriamvineyards.com
*White Wine*
2011 Davis Bynum, Chardonnay, River West Vineyard, Russian River Valley, srp $25-
Appley-Pear, Fleshy, Tropical, Citrus, Honeysuckle-Popsicle, Creamy Vanilla
www.davisbynum.com
*Red Wine*
2009 Starmont, Merlot, Napa Valley, srp $26-
Dark Cherry, Herbed Plum, Currant, Bay Leaf, Smooth-n-Sexy
www.starmontwines.com
-TIED WITH-
2010 Peterson Winery, Zinfandel, Bernier Zinyard, Dry Creek Valley, srp $28-
Spiced Berries, Cherry Tobacco, An Adventure, Awesome Black Fruits, Tasty
www.petersonwinery.com
*Dessert Wine*
2011 Bonterra Organic Vineyards, Late Harvest Muscat, Bartolucci Vineyard, Lake County, srp $25
Apricot, Citrus, Spice, Floral, Sexy, Seductive, Beautifully Balanced
www.bonterra.com
-TIED WITH-
2009 Russian River Vineyards, Botrytis Chardonnay, Mendocino Co., srp $41/$82
Apple Blossom, Sweet Love, Yummy, Dessert in a Glass, Wildflower-n-Herb
available in 375ml and 750ml
www.russianrivervineyards.com
It seems that with more than 200 wines it is only fair to list the excellent wines that paired great with turkey that were "runner up" or wines that made it to the final round.
2011 McNab, Rosé of Syrah, Mendocino Co $12-
2011 Wente, Chardonnay, Riva Ranch, Arroyo Seco, $19.99
2011 McManis, Viognier, California $10.99
2011 Navarro, Pinot Gris, Anderson Valley $19.50
2011 Ironstone "Obsession" Symphony, California $8-
2011 Red Car, Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast $38-
2006 Palmeri, Syrah, Stagecoach Vineyard, Napa Valley $34-
2010 J.Rickards, Malbec, Ashley's Vines, Alexander Valley $26-
2009 Cesar Toxqui Cellars, Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley $34-
2010 Navarro, Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley $19.50
2010 Lost Canyon, Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley $45-
2010 Davis Bynum, Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley $35-
2010 Murrieta's Well, The Spur, Livermore Valley $24.99
