Almost seemingly, the easy and convenient way out for that obligatory token gift is a bottle of wine. For most people the school of thought is wine is wine, if the bottle looks good on the outside then you?re covered. Truth be told not all wines are created equal and not all sophisticated looking bottles have the same sophisticated taste on the inside.
There are?eight wines highlighted in this article ranging in price from $20-$75. Within its price range and style of being sourced and made each wine is impressive in its own right with regard to quality and taste. I personally have enjoyed each of these wines and while the best way to fully enjoy a bottle of wine regardless of price is to share it with like-minded people sometimes just splurging on a bottle or treating yourself to a new wine of the week is equally fanciful. The purpose of this article is to eliminate the guessing and agonizing indecision of purchasing a new wine. Each of the wines listed are detailed with background information and tasting notes to assist you in your decision making for that special quaff or obligatory token gift.
Local Fort Lauderdale residents, Lance and Neil Ellman are the vintners behind Ellman Family Vineyards, of Napa California. The Ellman Family Vineyards?(EFV) boutique wine portfolio is made up of Pinot Noirs and Bordeaux Blends. Sourcing their fruit from some of the finest vineyards in California lends itself to creating some rather exquisite wines. The production of EFV wines is top tier which has struck a chord with many small production wine enthusiasts, thus creating a covert demand for the EFV wines. The Alexis Skye Pinot Noir 2010 is rich in texture with a multiplicity of flavors and aromas; cherry cola, sweet oak, dark berries and jam all of which round out the complexities to ensure smooth and balanced tannins. Suggested retail price $49. Custom cases, gift packs and individual bottles are available for holiday gift purchases via ellmanfamilyvineyards.com.
La Follette Pinot Noir 2009 ?This wine boasts?classic Pinot?berries that exhibit sweet?fruit on the nose, accentuating a floral note. Earth tones?and savory aromas blossom as the wine breathes.?Silky on the palate, this wine?caresses and envelopes a?smooth?mouthfeel at first sip with lithe?tannins and?plump?and tangy?acids late on the?palate. Suggested retail price $40 via lafollettewines.com
Col Solare?is the joint venture between two wine producers who are prominent in their own regions; one producer hails from the old world, Marchesi Antinori from Tuscany, Italy and from the new world, Chateau Ste. Michelle in Washington State. Col Solare has brought these two distinctive winemaking cultures together to produce a world-class Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from some of the finest Washington State fruit. The Col Solare 2006 is an elegant and silky wine with aromas of black fruit and reserved hints of vanilla and milk chocolate. This luscious wine has been rated 92 points from Wine Spectator. Suggested retail price $75. Individual bottles are available for holiday gift purchases via colsolare.com
Ch?teau de S?gri?s Tavel Ros? 2010 is a Rh?ne blend of Grenache, Cinsault, Clairette, and Syrah that is sourced from 30 year old vines in the Tavel appellation of France. This crisp and dry Ros? derives its aromatic nose and classic Southern Rh?ne austere mouth-feel from the berry fruits of raspberry, strawberry, and cranberry. The Ch?teau de S?gri?s Tavel Ros? 2010 has been rated 91 points by Robert Parker?s Wine Advocate. Suggested retail price under $20.
La Spinetta Nebbiolo Langhe 2008 is a beautiful Nebbiolo from Piedmont Italy with a wafting fragrance of dried roses, currants, and black cherries. This wine is a wonderful introduction to the noble Nebbiolo grape due to its composition which allows the spices of the wine to interlace through the red berry flavors allowing for perfectly smooth tannins. La Spinetta Nebbiolo Langhe 2008 is an elegant wine that has been rated 90 points by Robert Parker?s Wine Advocate. Suggested retail price $25.
Shingleback, Sparkling Shiraz, NV Hailing from Down Under, this sparkling Australian is 100% Shiraz from the McLaren Vale wine region. This premium region boasts a Mediterranean climate with wet winters, dry summers and a lot of sunshine, which without fail produces high quality, abundantly flavored wines. Shingleback, Sparkling Shiraz, Non Vintage is best described as creamy, luscious and sweet; pervasive to the licorice, black currants, black cherries and? blackberries found within it tasting profile. The unique Shingleback ?Black Bubbles? wine is well on its way to becoming a ubiquitous sparkling wine for the whole world to taste. Suggested retail price $22.50 via shingleback.com.au
Pol Roger Champagne Brut Reserve NV is the quaff that caught the world?s attention when it was chosen to be served at the wedding reception of His Royal Highness Prince William of Wales and Catherine Elizabeth (n?e Middleton) Duchess of Cambridge. Pol Roger ?White Foil? is traditionally blended of equal parts of the three Champagne grapes; Pinot Noir for body and depth, Pinot Meunier for freshness and vigorous fruit and Chardonnay for elegance and finesse. In classic form this flowery wine, is brushed with yeasty and nutty aromas complimented by apple fruit and white flowers. Robert Parker?s Wine Advocate bestowed a 90 point rating upon the Pol Roger Champagne Brut Reserve Non Vintage. A stunning and beautiful wine with a long dry finish harmoniously balanced; suitably fit for royalty in any sense of the definition. Suggested retail price $50 via polroger.com
Biltmore Estate Blanc de Blancthis 100% Chardonnay wine has all the sparkle it needs to impress?complete with classic Champagne aromas of yeast, honey, and citrus. Biltmore Estate Blanc de Blanc is?produced in the m?thode champenoise style; the effervescence for more complex wines are produced by secondary fermentation in the bottle. This style of production?is used for Champagne and other quality sparkling wines. Suggested retail price $25 via biltmore.com
Did you enjoy this article? If so, we?d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. Sign up for our weekly email updates via the Contact Us page for more *hospitality* goodness. There?s lots more where this came from!
?
new orleans weather sparkle sacagawea new hope baptist church associated press foster friess new orleans hornets
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.