Off the beaten path

Gruet Blanc de Blancs $24 - New Mexico

Don't wait for a special occasion. Go off the beaten path to this New Mexico winery for some of the world's best sparkling wine! (can't call it Champagne if it does come from the Champagne region in France) This winery is closely related to Greut et Fils located in Champagne, France started by Gilbert Gruet in 1952, so closely related that the New Mexico venture was founded by Gilbert's son, so needless to say they know how to make Champagne (sparkling) in the true Methode Champenoise.

The Blanc de Blancs offers abundant aromas and flavors recalling sweet apples, pears and citrus. The three years of aging has contributed a pronounced classic toastiness with accents of roasted almonds and minerals. The palate is creamy and long, dry and crisp, with a bit complexity. Only 1,000 cases produced.

Also look for Gruet's other 6 styles of sparkling including the Grand Rose.

Château de Ségriès

Château de Ségriès

2009 Tavel Rosé - $15

I stumbled on this wine by accident at my neighborhood wine shop, and am glad I did.

This is not your grandma's pink wine. The 2009 Tavel Rosé is a dry wine served best chilled. Rosé wines traditionally come from red wine grapes that see a very short time being pressed on the skins of the grapes, that extract the pink color, if the juice were left on the skins longer the hue would turn dark red.

Tavel is a small village in France that is renowned for Rosé.

Tavel is made from traditional French red grapes made up of: 50% Grenache, 30% Cinsault, 15% Clairette, 5% Syrah

Grapes are pressed and left on the skins overnight, extracting the bright pink hue.

Powerful and focused, with a big core of red cherry, raspberry, intense strawberry and red currant fruit laced with spice and tobacco hints. A nice stony note weaves in on the finish, adding length and cut.

Wine Spectator gave this wine a 90 point rating, and Parker has awarded 90 points as well for the past 3 vintages.

There is no reason to hold on to this one, the new vintage just came out, so look for the 2009. This wine and all Rosés for that fact is made to be drank young.

Look for the wine at http://www.wine-searcher.com/

2008 Tuscan Moon Sangiovese $5

Tuscan Moon Sangiovese

Aromas that are reminiscent of cherry cobbler, with fruity overtones of plum and cherries, with a hint of oak. Not your Italian version of Sangiovese, but for 5 bucks, it’s on par with a skinny double soy chi macchiato in a much larger serving!

This is an exclusive Trader Joe's Selection. You can find it there as well as other Moons including...

Velvet Moon - Cabernet Sauvignon
Old Moon - Zinfandel (Red)
Purple Moon - Merlot
Honey Moon - Viogner
Purple Moon - Chardonnay
Venetian Moon - Pinot Grigio

2008 Project Happiness Chardonnay -$6-7

Satiny, ultrarich and complex, with layers of floral, butterscotch, fig, apricot and pear flavors that are impeccably balanced; while the flavors are bold and concentrated on the entry, this wine turns amazingly elegant and sophisticated on the finish. Goes great with summer’s bounty on the grill.

This wine is a project of Orena Winery hailing from Southern California's Santa Barbara County.

You can pick up a bottle at your local Trader Joe's

Pinot Gris vs. Pinot Grigio

Pinot Gris and Pinot Grigio are actually the same white grape, with two different names. In Italy and California this wine is known as pinot grigio, while in Oregon and France it's known as pinot gris.Most pinot grigio wines are created in Italy.

The Italian version of pinot grigio is typically dry (not sweet) and light, with a mineral taste to it. Californian variants of pinot grigio tend to be richer in flavor, but still have the mineral taste. Often, they finish with a lemony or citrusy flavor.

French & Oregon pinot gris wines are more fruity and flowery than their Italian counterparts, though they still have that mineral aroma. Flavors can range from peach to grapefruit to melon.

2008 Montinore Estate Pinot Gris $13

With the weather warming up, its time to start trading the red wine glass for the white. Here is a great one to try hailing from Oregon.

2008 Montinore Estate Pinot Gris

It is very aromatic with notes of fresh ripe pear, yellow apple and a pleasant floral/herbal accent. On the palate it bursts into flavors of ripe honeydew melon with... hints of mango overlaying ripe apple/pear character. The long finish is dry, fresh and crisp with a sweet/tart apple essence and distinct mineral qualities. All this for around $13 a bottle. Give it a try and let us know what you think.


To find where to pick one up go to: http://www.wine-searcher.com/

2009 Wattle Creek Sauvignon Blanc $18

The nose is dominated by zesty green lime and grapefruit qualities with a hint of fennel, and the wine shows similarly crisp, citrus and herb flavors that finish fresh and long.

Wattle Creek is proud to produce wines that are almost exclusively Estate grown. You may not hear this term often, because many wineries purchase their grapes or their juice from outside the winery.

Estate grown means that they have ultimate control over the quality and consistency of the wines which are made from Wattle Creek owned and controlled Alexander Valley and Yorkville Highlands vineyards.


Ask for it at your local wine shop or next time you are at PF Changs, its always on the list there.