Good Things by David

Perfect for lunch or dinner, Larchago's 2015 Rosé from Spain's Rioja region is such an easy summer sip.  I love Spanish wines made from tempranillo grapes, so it's no surprise that I find this 100% tempranillo rosé to be worthy of keeping in stock for summer entertaining. Its rich salmon color hints at the notes of fresh raspberries and strawberries. Furthermore, its low acidity makes it suitable for hors d'oeuvres, such as canapés, antipasti and cheeses.  Enjoy a glass or two of this flavorful wine at your Fourth of July gathering or simply because you feel like having some rosé this summer.  You might as well pick up a second bottle to keep on hand because it is a good bargain, and a lovely vintage. Enjoy!

A very smooth Chianti Classico is what you'll get with Pratale's 2014 blend. Made in the Italian region of Tuscany, Chianti Classico wines are composed primarily from Sangiovese grapes.  Other varietals such as Mammalo, Colorino and Canaiolo, get added according to winemaking traditions. The term 'classico' is used in certain landscape-specific regions in Italy, setting them apart from standard Italian wines.  In Chianti, the Classico labels will include the black cockerel symbol to designate it as DOCG ( Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita ).  This DOCG designation is the highest classification that an Italian wine can get, ensuring that the product meets Italy's strictest guidelines.  These include: permitted grape varieties, ripeness, winemaking procedures and limits on yield.  What's more, bottles will have a numbered, government-issued seal around the neck to prevent counterfeiting.  What I like about the Pratale Chianti Cla...

If you're in search of a good white wine to have this spring, look to this Southern Italian white by Le 7 Torri.  Made from the Fiano grapes in Campania and Basilicata, but also in certain areas of Sicily, Fiano di Avellino is an interesting varietal that is worth trying. Its distinctively strong, yellow color hints at the honeyed and flower notes that are evident in this full-bodied wine.  Moreover, there is a slight tropical fruit flavor to the delicious Fiano, which makes it perfect to pair with many seafood and chicken dishes.  Think smoked salmon canapés, poached halibut, or even a nice piece of red snapper.  I'm even going to go so far as to suggest to pair the wine with Ina Garten's Mustard-Roasted Fish Recipe .  That recipe is delicious! Don't forget pasta dishes, such as linguine with clams or even garlic and olive oil pasta.  Tasty!  Enjoy a chilled glass or two of Le 7 Torri this week. Cheers!

From Cantele in the Salice Salentino region of Italy comes this delicious rosso riserva made from 100% Negroamaro grapes.  Cantele's 2012 Salice Salentino is such a smooth and delicate wine that pairs well with a bevy of pastas, chicken dishes, and red meats.   The well-balanced tannins and acidity in this red wine are enhanced with notes of caramelized red fruits and spices.  Pair this wine with a hearty bolognese pasta, a simple baked ziti or even a tasty shrimp arrabbiata.  The wine would also do nicely any night of the week when eating your favorite cacciatore packed with tomatoes, mushrooms, olives and succulent chicken ( you can even add a splash of it to the sauce! ). You can pour the negroamaro into delicate stemware, or you can enjoy it in stemless glassware like we do at home for more informal occasions.  Salute!

Are you looking for an end of summer white wine that will go with the season's best?  Turn to a cool white wine from Italy made from the indigenous Sicilian  grillo grape for an undoubtedly fruity experience.  If you've never had the pleasure of tasting a chilled grillo , I recommend looking for some the next time you're shopping for wine.  This full-bodied wine is pale yellow in color, with notes of bright, refreshing citrus and tart apple.  Gavi wines are great, pinot grigios are reliable, but this Terre Siciliane is a great alternative.     Enjoy this wine with chicken piccata, grilled lemon chicken, pastas with cream sauces, or even as an accompaniment to a cheese tasting.  It's great as an aperitif with honeyed nuts, artisanal crackers and a variety of spreads.  Serve well-chilled in clear glasses.

Now is the time to be enjoying chilled rosé wines with our friends and family, and I couldn't be more enthusiastic about this South African pinotage by Painted Wolf.  For me, South African pinotage wines have their unmistakable terroir, which is why I've been an enthusiast of these wines for many years. Pinotage is very much a South African varietal.  It's only recently, though, that I have come to discover their rosés.     From Painted Wolf comes this quaffable 'Rosalind' 2015 dry rosé, which hints of tart cranberry with some notes of underripe stone fruit.  Its smooth, dry, yet fruity flavor, complements so many dishes.  I can see this being paired with any number of pasta dishes, some fresh sushi or sashimi, but I can also see it being served with delicious grilled vegetables.  Enjoy this flavorful wine in the coming months!

Have you ever had a Picpoul de Pinet?  If you haven't, I recommend that you try this 2014 small production estate wine from Ormarine because it is perfect for warmer weather.  Picpoul de Pinet AOC is a full-bodied white wine from the Languedoc region, and this particular varietal is known for its herbal and citrus notes, however, Ormarine's 2014 Picpoul, which is vinified in stainless steel, lacks the herbal quality associated with these wines, exhibiting more of a crisp, refreshing mineral flavor. If you're bored with imbibing chardonnays this season, look for a Picpoul de Pinet.  Pair it with delicate seafood like turbot, lobster or cod; you can also enjoy it on its own as an aperitif. I think you're going to like it!  

Silver Point’s 2014 Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand hits all the right notes for this type of varietal.  Bright apricot and small hints of passion fruit and nectarine make this light wine such a pleasure to drink when the weather gets warm.  Use it as a base for a delicious white sangria or enjoy a glass with your favorite seafood such as crab, shrimp, mussels or scallops.  Sauvignon blancs are a favorite at my house and this one from Silver Point, will undoubtedly become a favorite with you.   Enjoy!

Dear Readers, I have been wanting to do a wine tasting here on the blog and write short, one paragraph reviews of the good wines I enjoy at home.  It's no secret to those who know me that I like to pair my dinners with good wines several times a month, and that I have my opinions when it comes to them.  I'm no wine expert, but over the years I have come to trust my palate to guide me to good, decent wines and to steer clear of the ones that leave a bad taste in your mouth.   This is what the parameters will be for my wine reviews so that you can better understand what I like and what I will cover.   I will not present sweet wines because I don't like them. I will review red, white, and rosé varieties as I see fit. I won't write bad reviews, because it's not what I do here on this website.  Bad wines that I encounter won't make the cut. I will stick to wines with an alcohol content between 12% and 14%.  These are the ones I prefer, b...