Big House Red, 2010

I opened my bottle of Big House Red.  
 
Big  House Red, 2010 ($8) is from California and like Big House White (reviewed on Nov. 10th) this is quite the blend -  27% Petite Sirah, 14.5% Syrah, 8.6% Montepulciano, 8.2% Barbera, 6.4% Nero d’Avola, 6.1% Tempranillo, 3.3% Malbec, 2.4% Aglianico, 2.4% Souzao, 2.3% Charbono, 2.2% Petite Verdot, 2.1% Cabernet Franc, 2% Tannat, 12.5% Other Esoteric Reds.  The nose is earthy and tobacco with a hint of blackberry.  Unlike Big House White there wasn't quite the "fireworks" in my mouth but the flavor was none-the-less enjoyable.  My palate tasted flashes of raspberry, cranberry and spice. Not quite the "fruit bomb" in the winemaker's notes. For the price, a nice every day table wine.

Winemaker's Notes:  "This Big House Red lives up to that old Fruit Bomb moniker that you’ve come to expect. It starts with a nose full of blackberries and raspberries, with hints of leather and spices. The palate is clean, exhibiting flavors of cranberries, roses and a touch of rhubarb. This finish lingers, with flavors of vanilla and a touch of dark cherries in the finish.   

Food Pairing:  Big House Red pairs well with all grilled meats, lasagna Bolognese, grilled vegetables or even sashimi grade Ahi tuna."

Ace of Spades Champagne, Gloria Ferrar Va de Vi, and Zardetto

I'm going to continue one more day on sparkling wine.  Heck, it's the holidays.  

The other night I went to a bubbly tasting and tasted a variety of sparkling wines, Champagnes, and Proseccos.  Quite the experience and tons of fun.  Anyway, this wasn't an opportunity for me to take notes, but I did sip and savor.  Three bubblies stood out in my mind. 

I have always enjoyed (and still do) Domaine Ste. Michelle sparkling wine from Washington state.  I have now added a new affordable favorite to my list - Gloria Ferrer VA de VI ($22).  Very enjoyable and gave me an ah-ha moment.  I enjoy a sparkling wine that has some fruit on the palate and isn't all bready and yeasty.  Although I cannot pick out the fruit flavors this had an enjoyable hint of fruit with a bit of creaminess and a lot of bubbles.  

Winemaker's Notes:  The wine offers abundant aromas of ripe apple, Asian pear and Bing cherries amid enticing yeasty tones. On the palate, rich flavors of ripe peach, Meyer lemon, fresh berries and vanilla join with creamy textures in a lasting finish.  

The second stand-out was Brignac Brut Gold Ace of Spade (just over $300) from Armand de Brignac winery in France.  All I can say is move over Cristal!  This was marvelous.  Creamy.  Nice fruit.  Great bubbles.   

Winemaker's Notes:  “Armand de Brignac is a Prestige Cuvée produced in the traditional, old-world style, from grape to glass.  Armand de Brignac Brut gold is our flagship cuvée, a singular example of French Champagne tradition.  Marvelously complex and full-bodied, its bouquet is both fresh and lively, with light floral notes.  On the palate, Armand de Brignac has a sumptuous, racy fruit character that is perfectly integrated with the wine’s subtle brioche accents.  The Champagne’s texture is deliciously creamy, with great depth paired with a long, silky finish.  

Our Brut Gold is pressed from a perfectly balanced blend containing Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier wine.”  

Lastly, Zardetto Prosecco Brut from Italy.  The nose on this was candied  apples.  Amazing.  The flavor was nice and what I would call a typical Prosecco.  It did not have a sweet or candy apple flavor.  

Winemaker's Notes:  “… scents of acacia flowers, wild strawberries and ripe golden apples.  Prosecco’s soul explodes in this Brut … It is crystal clear, with an effervescent white froth and a fine pearlage.  The flavor is delicately soft and harmonic, it has a clean and pronounced character and it lingers on the palate for a long time before entering the most pleasant memories.”

 

Sparkling Holiday Beverages

At Thanksgiving and Christmas I enjoy preparing beverages made with sparkling wine, Cava or Prosecco.  I find it very relaxing to be cooking in the kitchen with a little bubbly blend.  Here are three of my favorites:

Champagne Limoncello Cocktail

(Cooking Light – April, 2010) 

          1 (750 ml) bottle champagne or cava

          8 Tbl. Limoncello (lemon flavored liqueur)

          Add 1 tablespoon Limoncello to each glass (8 glasses).  Divide champagne/cava evenly among 8 glasses.  Serve immediately.  

Yields:  8 glasses  

Grand Mimosa

(foodnetwork.com – Michael Chiarello)

          ¼ c. orange juice

          ¾ c. champagne

          1 Tbl. Grand Mariner   

 

          In a champagne flute, pour orange juice and champagne.  Top with Grand Mariner.   

Yields: 1 glass  

Ruby Red Grapefruit Fizz   

(realsimple.com)

          1 Tbl. Contreau

          ¼ c. ruby red grapefruit juice

          ¾ c. sparkling wine

          Ice

          Over ice pour all remaining ingredients.   

Yields:  1 glass

St. Claire Mimosa

Saturday I tasted out something new, St. Claire Mimosa.  This is all the convenience of sparking wine and fresh squeezed orange juice in a bottle.  You just tip the bottle a couple times (do not shake) and pop the top (it has a bottle cap closure).  Who knew!  It's bright orange bottle is quite eye-catching and customers flocked to my table. 


St. Claire Mimosa ($10) is from St. Claire winery in New Mexico.  It is their Brut sparkling wine blended with  fresh squeezed orange juice.  Yes, it tastes like a mimosa.  A few customers commented that there wasn't enough orange  juice while others thought not enough sparkling wine.  Most thought it was great and it flew off my table. Personally, I thought there weren't enough bubbles.  This is easy-breezy for your holiday breakfast or brunch.  Personally, I enjoy Mimosas and other sparkling drinks while I'm in the kitchen preparing Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner.  (See tomorrows blog for those recipes.)  If  you want something quick and convenient, St. Claire Mimosa is worth a try.  

Winemaker's Notes:  The perfect brunch wine! Our Mimosa is the fail proof way to liven up your next gathering. We take lush, fresh sweet orange juice and blend it with our crisp, dry Brut sparkling wine to create a perfectly blended Mimosa, without the fuss. Just gently tilt the bottle to mix, pop the top, and your next Sunday brunch will be filled with a delicious sparkling wine that is lively and expressive.

Sofia Rose and St. Francis Red Splash

Last nights tasting was for two wines that I have not reviewed before.  Both were very enjoyable and customers loved them.  I almost sold out with the exception of 1 bottle each.  Dang! 

Sofia 2010 Rosé ($15)  is from Francis Ford Coppola Winery in Sonoma, California and a blend of 75% Syrah and 25% Grenache from Monterey County.  The nose is an inviting strawberry.  The flavor a hint of strawberry finishing with a mild spice.  This is semi-dry.

Winemaker's Notes:  Francis Coppola Sofia Rosé is a wine of unparalleled beauty. From its shapely, stylized bottle to its delicate fruity essence, Sofia Rosé is a wine like no other. When served chilled, its refreshing style makes a delicious partner to light summer fare and savory hors d’oeuvres.  

St. Francis 2007 Red Splash ($10) is from Sonoma, California. This is a delightful blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Franc, and Old Vine Zinfandel (the vines are 60 to 110 years old).  An aroma of dark fruit, the flavor is spice and blackberry.  Tannins are medium. 

Winemaker's Notes:  Full-bodied with ripe, red fruit character and spicy aromas.  Spicy and rich, this 2007 red is a winner.  This is a great everyday red that works well on its own or with BLT sandwiches, pizza topped with fresh mozzarella and ground sausage, or a blue cheese burger.

Note:  The Red Splash labels come in seven varieties of splashes.

Louis Jadot Macon-Villages and Kim Crawford Pinot Noir

With the holidays upon us I am busy doing tastings three times a week.  The wines I'm pouring are perfect for Thanksgiving and holiday meals.  Last night I had a tasting on two great wines. Customers truly enjoyed them both. 

Louis Jadot 2010 Macon-Villages  ($14) is from France.  This is 100% Chardonnay and is unoaked.  Yet again an aroma did not come through in the plastic tasting cup.  However, the flavor was spot on to the winemaker's notes - nice crisp, low acidic wine with a taste of green apple.  

Winemaker's Notes:  Bright and crisp with notes of apple; a classic expression of this Burgundy grape.  Pairing: Perfect as an aperitif or with shellfish, crab cakes, and goat cheese. 

I use to have a rule of thumb - I did not try wines from regions where the grape was not indigenous.  Having tasted Pinot Noirs from New Zealand ... I've tossed that rule out the window.  Pinot Noirs from New Zealand are marvelous.  The next wine I tasted out last night is no expection. 

Kim Crawford 2009 Pinot Noir ($19) is from Marlborough, New Zealand. It has a nice strawberry nose.  The flavor is also the perfect blend of strawberry and black pepper with light tannins.  This is a light bodied Pinot Noir.  

Winemaker's Notes: An enticingly aromatic wine showing notes of red berry fruits and dark cherries with the alluring complexity of well integrated oak.  Vibrant, fresh fruit flavors of strawberry and cherry underpinned by nuances of sweet, smoky oak.  Good firm tannins give the wine length and weight.  You can savor the wine long after it has left your palate.  Cellar up to five years.

Big House White, 2010

There are labels that will cause one to purchase a wine. There are also those labels that cause one  to not want to purchase the wine.  For me,  Big House White (and Red) were in the latter category.  However, Fresh Market had a great buy on Big House White and Red - 2 for $10.  At that price I had to taste it, not to mention that one of the girls I work with did a tasting on them and said they sold VERY well. 

Big House White, 2010 is from California and quite the blend of grapes - 22.7% Malvasia Bianca, 15.9% Gruner Veltliner, 15.7% Sauvignon Blanc, 9.2% Gewürztraminer, 7.9% Riesling, 7.3% Chenin Blanc, 6.1% Muscat Canelli, 5.2% Viognier, 4.5% Verdelho, 4.4% Albarino, 1.1% Pinot Gris - definitely non-traditional.  The aroma is fruity and floral; very inviting.  The flavor was like fireworks in my mouth. The stainless steel aging definitely let the flavors shine through.  A mild taste of Sauvignon Blanc, a burst of Riesling, a hint of Muscat, a tad creamy.  All nicely balanced, crisp and refreshing. Even at the regular price of $8 Big House White, 2010 is a nice every day table wine.  Definitely worth purchasing.  

Winemaker's Notes  (On their website it's called "Warden's Comments"):  "With a nose that carries the vibrancy of spring and white flowers and lychee fruit that surround the senses. The palate opens up to tropical fruits, dried apricot and white peaches. This wine finishes strong with a cleansing citrus zest that lingers.   

Food Pairings:  It’s quite possibly the perfect accompaniment to summer “chain gang” duties in the yard, fresh fish, Asian cuisine or even Sunday morning fruit salads."  

Oh, and take a look at the label.  It's a prison escape on the front with ransom note "writing" on the back.  I love the barcode.  It represents prison bars with a sheet tossed threw them for the escape.  Looking at it now, after tasting the wine, it's not such a bad label.   

I did purchase the red and will review that after I open it.  ENJOY!