Three Sparkling Wines

When I was asked by my guests what they should bring to a holiday dinner, I requested an inexpensive sparkling wine for the pre-dinner hors d'oevres. Dinner was going to be heavy and the red wine would be flowing later so I wanted a light wine to go with small snacks while we waited for everyone to arrive. It was great fun tasting and comparing the different bubbles.

Riondo Pink Spago Argento-Veneto Italy This vino frizzante blend of Prosecco and Raboso grapes made via the Charmat method was an easy drinker. It was a clear pale pink with medium intense aromas of strawberries with a hint of roses. The crisp, fresh berry fruitiness was rounded out with tart acidity and 10.5% abv. I think it would be fabulous very-chilled by the pool in the summer or for an all-girl wedding shower on a weekend afternoon. $12
Louis Perdrier Brut Excellence-French Sparkling Wine or Vin Mousseux. This was a well-balanced pale yellow wine with small fizzy bubbles. It had very light citris aromas with even lighter hints of yeast, good acid and 11% abv with a bit of minerality in the dry finish. A fun, budget bubbly. $12

Chandon-California Brut Classic- A blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir made bubbly in the traditional method. Bright, fresh aromas of apple and lime with flavors of apple and subtle hints of toast and vanilla ending in a crisp, dry finish. A bit more complex than the Louis Perdrier and more elegant than the Riondo. The group favorite. $17

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Lust Zinfandel 2007

My husband loves this wine so he purchased quite a few bottles at a recent Michael~David dinner that we had attended. Last night, I decided to open a bottle to serve with dinner. I was making a roasted southwestern pork tenderloin, sweet potato fries (w/ chipolte ketchup) and a salad consisting of baby lettuce (fresh from my garden) with strawberries, red bell peppers, red onions and walnuts tossed with a white balsamic-raspberry vinaigrette. This turned out to be a great pairing. It is a bold wine that really stood up to the strong chipolte seasoning while complementing the fruit flavors. I opened the bottle a 1/2 hour before I served it as I have found this wine to be more enjoyable when I do so. The Lust Zinfandel by Michael~David 2007 was a dark purple color with a ruby rim. It has intense aromas of very ripe mixed berries and baking spices-both allspice and ginger with hints of ...

Introducing Oltrepò Pavese - An Italian Sparkling Wine that You Should Know

Last year, I had the opportunity to travel to Italy to taste the wines of Oltrepò Pavese. I discovered that these sparkling wines are based on Pinot Noir, they are made in the traditional method, like Champagne, and most importantly, they are an Italian hidden gem that bubble lovers across the world need to put on their radar. In the August issue of Galveston Monthly magazine, I introduce these wines to my readers.

World of Pinot Noir in Santa Barbara -on location

Tasting Rombauer Chardonnay and Pinot Noir with Pacific Ocean views. I was given the opportunity to attend the annual World of Pinot Noir event last month which brings together the foremost Pinot Noir wineries and winemakers from around the world in a weekend-long celebration of this enticing wine. Champagne to Bourgogne in France, down under wines from Tasmania in Australia, Pinot focused wineries in South America, and all along America's premium West Coast Pinot regions including Santa Barbara, Russian River Valley, up to Willamette Valley, this is truly a celebration of Pinot Noir from around the world. A Grand Tasting of Pinot Noir at the Ritz Carlton Bacara. Though the house was full ,it was still easy to maneuver to the different tasting tables to sip with the many winemakers on the floor. Attendees have the opportunity to enjoy tasting classes, paired winemaker lunches and dinners, and two Grand Tastings in the refined comfort of the Ritz Carlton Bacara Hotel in ...

Wine Life - Houston

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