The crowd pleasers
Here are our fall finds that are priced a bit more gently, and are more economical for the large gatherings of family and friends we have during the fall and winter holidays. The wines we wrote about last week are all fabulous but whether you are serving a crowd or looking for the perfect Tuesday night wine, these are priced right.
Like is so often the case now we find great values coming out of Europe, and 3 of our 4 white recommendations hale from the old world. The 2015 Alandra white from Portugal ($8, wine club price $7.20) is a delight and will be wonderful as an aperitif at your large family gatherings. Crisp clean and zippy it packs a modest 12.5% alcohol and the lovely lime focused citrus flavors keep it light enough for mid-day brunch or before a big dinner.
We have been fans of Columbard since the very beginning of our wine journey, they have become increasingly difficult to find though. The 2015 Domaine du Maubet ($11, wine club price $9.90) is primarily Columbard with a bit of Ugni Blanc added in. The wine has lovely citrus and apple flavors on the palate with compelling texture and a mineral and salinity driven nose that is just wonderful. The sea salt essence present in the wine makes it a natural with shellfish of all varieties.
We must admit we have a bit of an emotional fondness for the wines from Ruggeri Corsini ever since owner/winemaker Loredana Addari visited the shop last fall. Her 2015 Bianco ($16, wine club price $14.40) has been a frequent request from our customers ever since, so frequently that we put it on the shelf. The wine is a blend of Arneis, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc and sees no time in oak. It is another white that shows lovely texture and silkiness over the palate with clean citrus flavors throughout an equally clean finish. Pair with either chicken Milanese or pasta carbonara for a weeknight supper.
The 2014 Simple Life Chardonnay ($15, wine club price $13.50)is our value priced “Chard” to go with all the Dungeness crab meals this fall and winter, and for those who love California style Chardonnay. Like our favorites in the category it has butter and oak as the varietal should but with enough acid to balance the richness and lovely lemon and apple notes over the palate.
Every time I re-try the wines from Raymond out of California I ask myself “Why did we take this off the shelf?” So it is with the2014 Raymond Field Blend ($14, wine club price $12.60). We recently featured the wine in our weekly wine special the Friday Night Flights, it was a hit and for good reason, the wine is lush and rich with Cabernet flavors the primary grape in the blend. The nose matches the palate stride for stride with lovely layers of aromas of ripe dark fruit and baking spice. All your beef dishes this fall and winter from stew to your Christmas prime rib will shine with this one!
The 2010 Querciabella Chianti ($20, wine club price $18) is one of those deals that is tough to pass up. 2010 was an exceptional year in Italy and I snagged these bottles when it was being closed out for the vintage. Bright raspberry fruit notes on the palate and mild earthiness on the nose combine with nice tannin framing for a great wine, if you are making pasta come get a bottle.
I admit to some degree of boredom with Argentine Malbec but the 2015 Pascual Toso ($13, wine club price $11.70) is the best I have tasted in that category in a long time. It is more ripe and more fruit driven than most from South America but still has the acid and minerality I appreciate in the wines. It is another exercise in a wine with precision and balance, and will be lovely with a grilled steak.
Carmenere is known for its white and black pepper notes that the grape develops on its own but can be enhanced with oak barrel aging. The Apaltagua Reserva Carmenere ($14, wine club price $12.60) is a delicious wine as it does not take the pepper flavor too far instead balancing it with lovely blue fruit notes. For a slightly different take on your traditional Thanksgiving dinner serve this Carmenere it will be reminiscent of pairing with Zinfandel with a bit of delightful intrigue.
We have new wines arriving every week so stop by the shop for these or to try many of the fun new bottles in the North Idaho wine world.
If there is a topic you would like to read about or if you have questions on wine, you can email George@thedinnerpartyshop.com, or make suggestions by contacting the Healthy Community section at the Coeur d’Alene Press.
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George Balling is co-owner (with his wife Mary Lancaster) of the dinner party, a wine and table top décor shop located by Costco in Coeur d’Alene. George worked as a judge in many wine competitions, and his articles are published around the country. You can learn more about the dinner party at www.thedinnerpartyshop.com. Be sure and check out our weekly blog at www.thedinnerpartyshop.com/home/blog-2. You can get all of these articles as well as other great wine tips by friending us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/#!/dinnerpartyshop.