Assorted Summer Sippers for Under $20

Some assorted wines for under $20 that we have enjoyed at our house this summer. I misplaced a receipt so some prices are approximate.

2008 De Chanceny Brut Excellence Vouvray - Good bubbles. Aromas of lemon and earth. Dry, full body, high acid, medium alcohol sparkler with lemon pith flavor and a medium length mineral finish. It was a delightful aperitif poolside before dinner and was quickly consumed. Recommended, $17 at Whole Foods.

2009 Willamette Valley Vineyards Pinot Gris - Dry, medium acidity, medium alcohol, medium body with light floral aromas and medium intense flavors of pear and melon with a medium length finish. Recommended, Nice with grilled tilapia. $17 at Kroger's.

2010 Flora Springs "Soliloquy Vineyard" Oakville Sauvignon Blanc - Dry, medium acidity, medium body with medium- aromas and flavors of melon with a medium- length citrusy finish. Tasted a bit tired initially, it was better with dinner- panko-crusted tilapia with a fresh mango/jalapeno sauce. $19 at Kroger's

2009 Flora Springs Chardonnay Napa Valley - Dry, medium body, medium acidity with tropical flavors and a hint of vanilla in the medium length finish. Served with grilled grouper and consumed quickly. Recommended, $19 at Spec's

2009 Four Vines Naked Chardonnay Santa Barbara County - Dry, medium+ acidity, medium body, un-oaked, light fruity flavors of pear, peach with a bit of pineapple and a medium+ length finish. Recommended, $13 at HEB

2010 Artazuri Garnacha Navarra, Spain - Looks like Cherry Kool-aid in the glass. Dry, medium body, medium acidity, light tannins with aromas and flavors of tart berries in a medium- length finish. Very simple, good with a store-bought rotisserie chicken. Recommended. About $12 at Whole Foods.
2010 Domaine des Perelles Morgon, France - The cork broke on this one and part of it ended up in the bottle so it was poured through a strainer. Despite the traumatic beginning, it was finished very quickly. Dry, medium body, medium+ acidity, rich ripe raspberry aromas and cherry pie flavors with a medium+ length finish. Also really good with a store-bought rotisserie chicken and macaroni with an Edam cheese sauce. Recommended. Approximately $15 at Whole Foods.

2009 H&G Pinot Noir Central Otago, New Zealand - Sheer ruby color. Dry, medium body, medium+ acidity, light tannins, raspberry and cherry aromas and flavors with a bit of spice in the medium+ length finish. We had this after dinner one evening while watching TV and it disappeared very quickly. Recommended. About $15 at Whole Foods.

2009 Bonterra Zinfandel Medocino - Organic, I wanted to love it but I didn't. Nothing exciting just acceptable. Served with BBQ sandwiches. $10 at Whole Foods.

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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