It’s almost Friday and you are already thinking about your weekend plans and perhaps which wines to purchase. Weekly, I post two recommendations for your weekend wine choices. My occasional “Wine and Dine” articles suggest a recipe with wine pairings (and I’ll be offering some delicious tapas recipes beginning next week). It continues to be summer in many parts of the world and those light crisp white wines may be savored, but in the Southern Hemisphere where many countries are experiencing winter a red wine may be just what is enjoyed before a warm fire. But wherever you are, you’ll want a wine at an affordable price!
**Sea Glass Sauvignon Blanc 2012 – Are you sitting by the ocean or lake and waiting for the perfect sunset? A wine to enjoy is this delicious example which is pale yellow/green in the glass with aromas of grapefruit, stone fruit, and that minerality which I love. Serve this Sauvignon Blanc from Santa Barbara chilled and you just might close your eyes and relish the fresh and snappy tastes of lemons, limes, more grapefruit, and white peaches along with the high acid and pleasant finish. But wait! You don’t want to miss that stunning end to a beautiful day! Cost is around $10.
**Reserva Casillero del Diablo Carmenere 2011 – Another well priced keeper from Concha Y Toro and sent to me as a sample, I know someone is snowboarding down a slope in the Andes and anticipating a glass of this 100% Carmenere from the Rapel Valley in Chile! The wine is a deep red and powerful aromas of smoke, earth, black cherries, chocolate, and vanilla burst from the glass. The tastes were no less intense and the warmth of more black cherries and chocolate along with dark plums were delicious with the pasta dish I served. 60% of the grapes were aged in French and American oak for nine months and the rest were aged in stainless steel tanks. This Carmenere has a price of $12. and a taste worth much more.
Cheers to the weekend and whatever season you are enjoying! ~ Cindy
