Sunday, April 28, 2013

Great Crossover Wine

During a normal afternoon of perusing the local wine shelves in upstate New York, I happened upon a wine by Louis Jadot.  The wine is Louis Jadot Beaujolais-Villages 2010 and is a light, pleasant, red for almost any occasion.  The Beaujolais Villages are known for the Gamay grape which is a lighter, fruiter grape from France.  To me, Gamay is even smoother and more pleasing to the palate than other crossover red grapes such as Pinot Noir.  The Louis Jadot wine is a dark red-purple and has a wonderful aroma of red fruits, especially strawberries.  It has a very low level of tannins so it is a great beginner wine for anyone trying reds for the first time.  It has a long full taste but is much lighter than a Bordeaux style wine.  Serve it with filet mignon, mushroom risotto, or a fattier grilled fish.  This wine would be great for a summertime meal or lighter winter fare.  It is also just a pleasant drinking wine.  It is medium bodied and has a distinct, long finish.  A real beauty and a steal for just around $12 at most retail locations.  I was lucky enough to find it on sale under $10 at the establishment near me.

A Great Little Sauvignon Blanc

Two weeks ago, upon the suggestion of a respected colleague, I tried a Sauvignon Blanc from Matua Valley. Specifically, the name of this great little buy is Matua Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2012. As we gradually transition from the harsh, dreary days of winter and enter light, spring coat weather, this white wine becomes a good accompaniment to any light meal. Serve it with fish, chicken in a light sauce, or a fruity ceviche. This wine is pale gold with a hint of green. The nose is so floral and fruity it is a pleasure just to breathe in its aroma deeply before taking the first sip. The taste of this fruity forward wine is crisp, clean, and slightly floral. It is definitely a distinct palate cleanser and will keep you hungering for more food. A great wine for a spring or summer day when served chilled, I recommend this wine to anyone looking for a great tasting white wine under $10.