V - Un - Yeah!

2010 Eberle Mill Road Viognier - $20

So, I used this wine at a charity event last week, and it was a hit! It’s a great wine if you like it a little on the sweet side, but not on the jolly rancher side, it has a touch of residual sugar (.2%). The 2010 Viognier pronounced (V – un – yeah) gives off summer aromas of honeysuckle, citrus blossoms and apricots. Vibrant flavors of ripe pears, peaches, almonds and spice add to the lush mid-palate of this exceptional wine.

The clean and refreshing citrus finish makes Eberle Viognier a perfect partner for a variety of foods or a spectacular treat just by itself.

Middle Sister

Middle Sister Wines
"Drama Queen"
Price - $11


Okay so there is another quirky label out on the supermarket shelf, what else is new? I bought some a few weeks ago for a party at our house, and couldn’t help but to think of my MIL when I picked it up, who’s wine of choice is Grigio. Well, when no one was looking, I poured myself a taste and was quite surprised. Now this wine is not deeply complex by any means, what it is though is a nice, crisp not overly sweet Pinot Grigio. Well, when the party was over all of these where empty.

It tastes of apples and pears with a bit of flinty minerality to offset the sweetness, nice balance as a matter of fact. Give it a try, and at $11 bucks a bottle, you may want to try all the middle sisters.

This MS Wine is know as “Drama Queen” … Do you know me? I'm the one in the front row. The one with the big personality and giant sunglasses. I even have a wine named after me. Brilliant! A stunning Pinot Grigio, in perfect taste for any social event, from fashion shows to fundraisers...or on that rare occasion we're dining in. Admit it, Middle Sister. We so do love the attention. See you in the gossip columns!

And here are some of the other sisters...

It's OK to drink, really have another!

2009 One Hope California Sauvignon Blanc
Price - $18.99
Did you think that by having a glass or bottle (s) of wine could actually benefit others? We’ll how would you feel if by tipping a glass you were: helping with autism research, fight against aids, combat breast cancer, back our troops, support children’s hospitals, or even saving our planet? Probably make you feel justified for a refill!

From select vineyards in Napa Valley, Sonoma County and California’s Central Coast. Pale, golden color and flavors of pink grapefruit and bright, grassy undertones, this distinctive wine is fermented in stainless steel barrels. ONEHOPE Sauvignon Blanc is light, refreshing and finishes very crisp making it a perfect pairing with salmon, halibut, light pasta dishes, fresh fruits and a variety of cheeses.

ONEHOPE donates 50% of the profits from sales of its Sauvignon Blanc to benefit the American Forest Foundation. For every dollar that is donated, American Forest will plant a tree.

One Hope makes a variety of wines; each benefits a different cause and charity. Visit www.onehopewine.com for more charitable drinking habits.

Every night kind of wine...

2009 Backhouse Merlot

Price - $7

Backhouse Wines are relatively new on the scene, and have been designed as fruit forward wines to be enjoyed as a stand alone, or to compliment Tuesday night meals, or any casual dinner really. They make a Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, and today’s feature: Merlot. All priced at a mere seven bucks.

This 2009 Merlot is garnet in color with flavors of black cherry on the palate. Soft and compliant, this Merlot can be enjoyed with rich, red pasta dishes and is a fine accompaniment to chocolate.

A New Kinda Chard, Finally

2009 Kendall – Jackson Avant Chardonnay
Price - $12.99

I don’t typically enjoy California Chardonnay, due to the heavy oak wood influence, however after spending some time with Randy Ullom, KJ’s Wine Master, I have found one I do like.

Avant takes its name from the French word for “before” and reflects the vibrant expression of the fruit before oak has the chance to impart much flavor. This Chardonnay is crafted 50% in stainless steel and 50% in older more neutral oak barrels, resulting in a less woody and more fruit forward Chardonnay.

This refreshing Chardonnay bursts with intriguing layers of fresh pineapple, bright green apple, crisp Meyer lemon, juicy pear and wildflowers. The wine's refreshing acidity and sleek mineral notes are balanced by a rounded mid-palate with a long, pure fruit finish.

********90 points and a Best Buy from Wine Enthusiast.

A Great, Affordable HQ Oregon Pinot

2009 Ken Wright Cellars

Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

Price – sub $30

Finally a KWC wine that you don’t mind opening when ever you feel like it! Historically Ken Wright has created Pinots that are vineyard designates only, which are worth the dollars for sure, but hard for everyone to justify enjoying more than a few times a year to the quality and cost/bottle. Over the last few years Ken has begun to develop a Willamette Valley non-vineyards specific wine, in efforts to reach more every day or at least every weekend tongues. This is an outstanding wine, Spectator even gave it a 90. “Light and satiny, with modest tannins around a delicate core of cherry, raspberry and coffee flavors, fleshing out more on the long finish.” Drink now through 2017. The blend consists of fruit from Abbott Claim, Canary Hill, Carter, Freedom Hill, Guadalupe, McCrone, Meredith Mitchell, Nysa and Savoya vineyards.

This wine was just released, and will not likely be on the shelves come 2012, so stock up now.

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.