Acacia- 2007 Red Blend

Since 1979, Acacia wines have been producing wines from the Carneros region of Napa Valley, California. Known especially for their Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, they have recently branched out to blends and specialty vintages.

This week's favorite: 2007 A by Acacia Red Blend
$12-14, local fine wine store

This wine is delicious! While its fragrance is much like a Pinot Noir, it has bold fruit flavors of plum and berries, and notes of rich mocha. It finishes dry with generous amounts of warm spiced flavors.

This wine is perfect with a rich dish, like wild mushroom ravioli with a red wine reduction sauce. Serve with sides of garlic mashed potatoes and a warm salad topped with smoked bacon and blue cheese crumbles.

Riverina Estate - 2009 Chardonnay

The Riverina Region of Southeast Australia accounts for 15% of all the country's wine production a year. Although it is a hot and dry region, wine production was started here around the early 1900's, and really found its mark in the 1950's when the area became a haven for Italian descendants. The wines followed suit, and to this day, rival some of Italy's best vintages.

This week's favorite: 2009 Riverina Estate Chardonnay
$8-12, online or through large wine suppliers

This Chardonnay was remarkably similar to the homemade white wines found during my travels to Italy. Unlike the buttery and fruity Australian Chardonnay wines we find so often, this one was bright, with flavors of apple and pear. It is dry and crisp, and very refreshing, very much like an Italian white table wine.

We served this wine with light appetizers at a cocktail party. It was delicious with the spinach and cheese puff pastries, fruit salad, and tomato caprese. Enjoy!

Charles Smith - 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon

While the name Charles Smith may not mean much to you right now, it feels as though soon enough, the entire wine world will know his name. He was, after all, just named Food and Wine Magazine's 2009 Winemaker of the Year for his wines originating in Columbia Valley, Washington. He started his K Brand wines with a true Washington Syrah, and has ventured into a new brand, Charles Smith Wines, with unique names, and fabulously decorated bottles. What is best about his wines are that they are made to be enjoyed right after purchasing.

This week's favorite: 2007 Charles Smith Cabernet Sauvignon
$15-20, online here or here

This wine is a wonderful and true Cabernet Sauvignon. I found that it did not need to "breathe" at all, and was delicious from the first sip! It starts off with really earthy, woody tones, and delicately intermixes licorice and currants. It has a long, smooth finish.

This is the perfect wine to enjoy by itself, or with light appetizers after a long work day. Serve this with warm pita bread and red pepper hummus, or a prosciutto wrapped pears with chunks of blue cheese. But, no matter what you serve with it, the wine will surely be the highlight to your day!

Chalk Hill - 2006 Chardonnay

The Chalk Hill Winery is located between the Russian River Valley and the Alexander Valley in beautiful Sonoma, California. Vineyards were planted there in the late 1860's, and because of the range of soils and minerals in this area, Chalk Hill Winery was able to grow many different varietals in one place. Chalk Hill got its name from the layer of chalk-colored volcanic ask that lies just beneath the topsoil, providing rich minerals to the vines.

This week's favorite: 2006 Chalk Hill Chardonnay
$15-20, local grocery or fine wine store

Chalk Hill Chardonnay is one of my father's go-to Chardonnays. While he usually likes them heavy on the oak, this one is a perfect balance of fruit, oak, and rich butter flavors. It starts off clean with bright flavors of lemon and pear, and then transitions to the warm, buttery flavors. It finishes clean with a strong, but not overpowering, woody oak flavor.

This wine would be perfect with a twist on a classic dish- Shrimp Alfredo. In a large pot, bring 6 bottles of regular beer to a boil. Add 4-6 Tbsp of Old Bay seasoning for a kick, and boil 2 pounds of large shrimp for 3 minutes. Remove shrimp from beer and add to linguine and Alfredo sauce. Top with fresh Parmesan cheese and serve. The spiciness of the shrimp will enhance the butter flavor of both the wine and the Alfredo sauce. Enjoy!

Happy Halloween!

In honor of this weekend's festivities, we bring you a special post of wines with "spirit" to serve this Halloween. You won't find any whites here, only blood red varietals with bite!

Vampire Vineyards, 2007 Dracula Syrah
Paso Robles, California
$17.99, www.wickedwinesonline.com

Armida Winery, 2006 PoiZin (Zinfandel)
Dry Creek Valley, California
$25.00, www.armida.com

Orin Swift, 2007 The Prisioner
St. Helena, California
$35, www.deananddeluca.com

Vampire Vineyards, 2004 Vampire Merlot
Paso Robles, California
$10, www.wickedwinesonline.com

Spellbound Wines, 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley, California
$10, www.medusawines.com

R Wines, 2007 EVIL Cabernet Sauvignon
South Australia, Australia
$10, www.wine.com

Twisted Wines, 2007 Merlot
California
$10, www.bevmo.com

Happy Halloween!

Greg Norman Estates - 2004 Chardonnay

In the late 1976, Australian golfer Greg Norman first visited California to represent Australia in the World Cup of Golf. While there, he soaked up the American culture, and discovered the wonderful wines that California had to offer. After much success in the 1980's and 1990's in golf, he began his estate by partnering with Berringer Blass to launch Greg Norman Estates, both in California and in his native Australia. Known as "The Shark" in the golfing world for his blond hair, large stature, and aggressive playing style, his golf enterprise carries over onto every bottle with his trademark shark logo.

This week's favorite: 2004 Greg Norman Estates Chardonnay
$14-17, local wine stores

This Eden Valley (Australia) Chardonnay is as bold as "The Shark". It is vibrant, with strong apple and pear notes, hints of citrus, and finishes fresh with the warm oak and vanilla that is typical in great Chardonnays. It is creamy and refreshing, and easily enjoyed after a few holes of golf.

This bottle would best be served with roast chicken breasts, stuffed with Gorgonzola cheese and wrapped in prosciutto, plated with a warm mushroom risotto and asparagus.

Clos du Bois - 2005 Shiraz

Over thirty years ago, the Clos du Bois winery was started by Frank Woods. In his plan to name the winery "Woods' Winery", his children, who were studying the French language at the time, came up with Clos du Bois, which loosely translated means "enclosure in the woods". With just 520 acres deep in the Alexander Valley, at the northern end of Sonoma County, Clos du Bois started with just two varietals of wine. Today, their vineyards not only span a larger area of the Alexander Valley, but also the Russian River Valley and the Dry Creek Valley, allowing them to produce three different lines of varietals under the Clos du Bois winery.

This week's favorite: 2005 Clos du Bois Shiraz
$7-15, local grocery or wine store

It was not until 2000 that Clos du Bois introduced their classic Shiraz. But what is great about their wines is that, bottle after bottle, the flavors remain true, and you can enjoy a great bottle every time. While I like their Chardonnay, their Shiraz is one of my go-to wines for everyday enjoyment. It has fragrant and bold flavors of blackberry, and the warm notes of black currants, plum, and pepper. It is dark and smooth, and lingers in your mouth like a decadent dessert.

I like to serve this with flavors of the fall... A warm, roasted chicken topped with rosemary and sage. Serve with a side of sweet potato mash, topped with butter and a sprinkle of cinnamon.

Talbott - 2007 Logan Chardonnay

In 1982, Robert Talbott began his vineyards on a high mountaintop in Carmel, California, where cold temperatures and rocky terrain were not as ideal as the valleys in which other winemakers grow their fruits. After years of travel to France and Italy, he was determined to bring their wine making and flavors to the estate, and acquired the Sleepy Hollow Vineyard in 1994 for the lush fruits he could add to his wines. The Logan Chardonnay was crafted as a specialty Chardonnay in their line, and is named after Robert Talbott's son, Logan.

This week's favorite: 2007 Talbott Logan Chardonnay
$17-19, specialty wine stores or online

This bottle is a true treat for any "whites" lover. The smell and color of a true oaky Chardonnay, the wine is surprisingly fruity, with notes of pineapple and citrus. It has smooth notes of oak and butter, with a hint of vanilla. The finish is dry, but very refreshing, like a beer on a hot summer day.

This bottle can be served with grilled chicken breasts, marinated in a Caribbean jerk blend of spices, fresh garlic, and olive oil. Serve it sliced over a bed of cold romaine or butter lettuce and drizzle with homemade Caesar salad dressing.

Chapel Vineyard - 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon

Started in 1842, Vina La Rosa winery is one of the oldest in the Valle Central, Chile, one of the most prominent wine regions in the country. Vina La Rosa was started by the Ossa Family with grapes from France, and since 1842, has used grapes only from its vines to produce its wine collection. The "Chapel" part of its label name comes from the fact that a tiny chapel sits in the middle of the vineyard.

This week's favorite: 2007 Chapel Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
$10-14, specialty wine stores, wine clubs

This bottle is a wonderful Cabernet, with the lush plums and blackberries of a good Chilean wine. Its reddish-brown color gives good indication of spices mixed into the warm fruits. It finishes dry and smooth, and is a great choice if you are looking for a true Chilean red.

This wine would be best served with a Slow-Roasted Prime Rib, topped with au jus and cremini mushrooms with a side of garlic mashed potatoes. The smoky flavors of the meat will pair nicely with the bold spices of the wine to truly enhance your dining experience.

Long Boat -2008 Sauvignon Blanc

While Sauvignon Blanc has long been a staple in France, its New Zealand production is really beginning to turn heads. The Long Boat winery, based in the Marlborough region in the southern island of New Zealand, produces this vintage with its sunny days and cool nights in its high, rolling hills. The higher altitudes create grapes with more aromatics and more intense flavors. The Marlborough region makes up over 60% of the vineyards in all of New Zealand, and their Sauvignon Blancs are becoming a world favorite, even rivaling those of France.

This week's favorite: 2008 Long Boat Sauvignon Blanc
$15-20, specialty wine stores

For the last days of summer, this bottle is a refreshing treat! Since the Long Boat Winery ferments some of the grapes in cold stainless steel, and others in French oak barrels, this Sauvignon Blanc has hints of the warm oak in a Chardonnay. It has bright flavors of grapefruit and clean notes of lime that make this bottle smooth and dry. A Sauvignon Blanc that even Chardonnay lovers can appreciate!

This bottle is best served with seafood. I would pair it with homemade crab cakes over a bed of butter lettuce and the summer's last bits of fresh fruit. Slices of oranges and pears with a light vinegarette will enhance the citrus flavors of the wine.

Francis Ford Coppola - 2006 Merlot

"I like to drink wine more than I used to..."

-'Don Corleone', The Godfather

In 1975, famed screenwriter, director, and producer of the Academy Award winning Godfather movie series, Francis Ford Coppola purchased part of the Inglenook Estate in Napa Valley. He produced his first bottle in 1977, using wine making methods passed down through his Italian family. After much success in his wine production, in 1995, he took over the remaining portion of the Inglenook Estate, and renamed the property the Rubicon Estate Winery. The Coppola Family has since purchased another winery in Sonoma County to produce more wines in their collection, and as in this week's pick, they combine fruits from both wineries to create the vintages in their Diamond Collection.

This week's favorite: 2006 Francis Ford Coppola Merlot
$14-18, local grocery and wine stores

Like his movies, Francis Ford Coppola's wines never disappoint. This Merlot is traditionally Italian, a medium bodied wine, dark in color and bold in flavor. Plums from the Napa Valley region provide the sweet beginning, while blackberries from the Sonoma region create balance with their tangy flavors. The earthy spices of currants mixed in with a warm vanilla create a smooth finish.

To stay true to Francis Ford Coppola and his Italian heritage, this wine is best paired with a meaty lasagna or fettuccine bolognese with a side of warm garlic bread. A viewing of The Godfather while finishing the bottle sounds like an award winning date night to me!

Mirassou Winery - 2007 Chardonnay

For six generations and over 150 years, the Mirassou family has been making wines at their vineyard in the California Central Coast. The longer, cooler growing season allows the winery to develop more intense flavors from their grapes, and they harvest them in the early morning hours to preserve these flavors as the fermentation process is begun. The Mirassou Winery features a large selection of wines, including Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and some specialty vintages.

This week's favorite: 2007 Mirassou Winery Chardonnay
$7-10, your local grocery or wine store, discount wine stores

This bottle is a good bang for your buck! In preparation for our Anniversary Party, we purchased this wine in bulk as the Chardonnay selection for the evening. This medium bodied, creamy Chardonnay drinks like a $15 bottle. It shows a great balance of vibrant fruits with vanilla, but still has the earthy oak flavors typical of a good Chardonnay.

We served this wine with fresh fruit and vegetables, with a homemade Blue Cheese dip. Later in the evening, we had a sandwich bar, and this wine was perfectly paired with a turkey and bacon sandwich, topped with fresh sliced tomatoes and a bit of Greek Taziki sauce. A refreshing wine perfect for a light, summer meal!

Mockingbird Hill - 2004 Merlot

"You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view... until you climb into his skin and walk around in it."
- Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird

One of my favorite books growing up was To Kill A Mockingbird, and this bottle's name instantly made me think of it. Mockingbird Hill wines, a Napa Valley Vineyard, is an up and coming vineyard known primarily for their Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay vintages. However, a new varietal to the vineyard is the 2004 Merlot.

This week's favorite: 2004 Mockingbird Hill Merlot
$16-18, specialty wine stores, on-line here

Not your typical Merlot. Like the quote, this wine doesn't taste like a Merlot until you let it breathe for a few minutes and sip it slowly. The first sip reminds you of a Pinot Noir, bold and dark, but instantly lightens to flavors you can't quite recognize. As you sip it, the cherry flavors of a typical Merlot begin to come through, intensifying with each sip. Afternotes of currant are a bonus in the extremely dry finish. With this bottle, its taste is an adventure in itself, so take the time to "walk around in it" to truly enjoy it.

This wine should be enjoyed with a simple steak, a New York Strip seasoned only with Garlic and black pepper, topped with some sauteed mushrooms. Serve with fresh green beans with almonds for a simple meal to compliment this complex wine.

La Crema - 2007 Chardonnay Sonoma Coast

La Crema Winery is unique because they own five estates in distinct wine making regions of California. The cool winds off the Pacific Coast help produce delicious grapes for Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Syrah varietals from the Anderson Valley, Los Carneros, Russian River Valley, Monterey, and the Sonoma Coast. La Crema's presence in different regions uniquely allows them to make the same varietal, such as Chardonnay, five different ways.

This week's favorite: 2007 La Crema Chardonnay

$15-19, your local grocery or wine store

For Chardonnay lovers who like strong oak flavors, this wine is not for you. However, for those who love a good Pinot Grigio, this is the perfect light-bodied Chardonnay. Light and vibrant, it has strong citrus and apple flavors, a buttery middle, and a lingering finish with notes of vanilla and caramel. Certainly a perfect Chardonnay for a hot summer night!

This wine would be best served with seafood and other light summery dishes. I would pair it with fresh crab cakes served on a rich bed of butter lettuce, tomatoes, yellow peppers, and topped with a creamy cilantro lime dressing. You can also garnish the crab cakes with a spicy aioli to compliment the buttery and caramel flavors of the wine. Enjoy!

MacMurray Ranch - 2007 Pinot Noir

MacMurray Ranch is a small vineyard located in the heart of the Russian River Valley in Sonoma County, California. The Russian River Valley is known for their warm days and cold nights. Pinot Noir grapes, a dark, finicky, and delicate fruit, and its cousin, the Pinot Gris, a blueish-gray grape that produces its white wine counterpart, are the two main varietals grown here. The MacMurray Ranch vineyard is also part of Sonoma Coast, a region that overlaps the Russian River Valley of Sonoma County. With cool Pacific winds, these regions allow MacMurray Ranch to develop its grapes with more diverse Pinot flavors from the rich soils and cool valley climates.

This week's favorite: 2007 MacMurray Ranch Pinot Noir
$14-19, specialty wine store or liquor store

For Pinot Noir lovers, this is a good, medium-bodied bottle. The true strong Pinot Noir fruits of strawberry and cherry hit you with a burst of flavor that then settle into a warm, smooth chocolate finish with a slight hint of vanilla. This Pinot Noir is not as spicy as other Pinot Noirs, but truly delectable in all the flavors it does provide.

This wine should be served with a rich Italian meal. A summery tomato sauce over chicken or pasta would really compliment the warm flavors of the berries and cherry, and as you are finishing the bottle, this Pinot Noir would pair nicely with fresh cannolis for dessert.

Estancia Estates - 2007 Pinot Grigio

Estancia is the Spanish word for "estate". The founders of Estancia wine feel that a truly good wine captures the flavors of its origin. After 25 years in the wine business in South America and Europe, Estancia Estates purchased property in 1986 in the Monterey and Paso Robles regions in California, cultivating cool climate varietals that make up their portfolio of wines today. The Pinot Grigio comes from the Salinas Valley, and is just one of their outstanding and affordable wines.

This week's favorite: 2007 Estancia Estates Pinot Grigio
$12-16, found at most grocery and wine stores

This Pinot Grigio is a great wine for all "whites" lovers, even hardcore Chardonnay fans. It starts off extremely light and fruity, with vibrant notes of pear and apricot, but what is most unusual is that it has a full-bodied buttery, vanilla finish that lingers in your mouth. It really warms up your palate, while keeping you cool in these hot summer months.

This Pinot Grigio would be delicious with Fresh Grouper Picatta, served over whole wheat linguine. For the Picatta, coat the Grouper fillets in egg and flour, and pan fry in a few tablespoons of olive oil. Once the fillets are golden brown on each side, reduce the heat and add capers, 1/4 cup lemon juice, and 1/4 cup white wine (you can use the Estancia to cook and drink, but I prefer to savor the entire bottle. Cheaper dry white wine will do). Simmer for about 5-10 minutes, to let the fish soak in the flavors. Serve fillets over a bed of linguine, and pour some of the remaining sauce on top. Garnish with fresh lemon slices and enjoy!

Bogle Vineyards - 2005 Phantom

Bogle Vineyards, located in Clarksburg, California, are known for their reliable, good value varietals, found at your local supermarkets and wine stores. In 1992, Bogle Vineyards entered into the California Appellation Program, in which fruits of different wine regions are shared between vineyards to create new blends under their label, and boost production in lesser known wine making regions. The first blend on our site is a product of this program, a mixture of Zinfandel, Petite Syrah, and Mourvedre vines harvested from five different regions in California. Aptly titled, Phantom is the meaning for the Scottish word "Bogle", so you'll find this blend in limited production each year.

This week's favorite: 2005 Bogle Vineyards Phantom
$15-$20, found at your local fine wine store

For ALL wine lovers, this red is for you! In its rich ruby color, this wine is intense with fruit and a dark, peppery flavor. However, the pepper fades quickly, and it finishes smooth with lush, almost oaky notes of almond and vanilla. It is warm and refreshing, and like a Phantom, you'll find this bottle gone before you know it.

This wine is best served with a full-flavored meal. A grilled T-bone steak with garlic, onions and peppers, corn on the cob, and a sweet potato with butter and cinnamon would do nicely for a Sunday night dinner. For the finer fare, roasted duck with raspberry sauce and a side of warm mushroom risotto would make Phantom almost heavenly.

Don Olegario - 2005 Albarino

Don Olegario wines originate from the O Salnes valley in Rias Baixas, a wine region located in Southwest Spain known for its white wines, 90% of which are derived from the Albarino grapes. It is believed that this mild and wet region was introduced to grapes and wine making in the 12th century by Galician monks. While the wines produced there were made for local use only up until the 1980's, since then, this small region has been releasing great Albarino bottles for the rest of the world to love.

This week's favorite: 2005 Don Olegario Albarino
$17, found at your local fine wine store

This wine is perfect for summer! It has smooth, intense citrus flavors of a Riesling, but without the sweetness. It is bright and lively, with flavors of grapefruit and white grape, and has a refreshing, lingering finish complete with hints of lemon. It is simple and elegant!

This wine is strongly recommended to be served with a fresh summer salad, topped with pan sauteed shrimp and scallops. Use a little olive oil, garlic, lemongrass, ginger, black pepper and lime in the pan when cooking to really bring out the flavors of the shrimp and scallops. Throw the shrimp and scallops on a bed of romaine lettuce, fresh tomatoes, and cucumbers, toss and serve. The wine's citrusy flavor will intensify and compliment this meal... the perfect combination for a hot summery day or balmy night!

Layer Cake - 2007 Malbec

Layer Cake is a brand under the Vintage Point partnership, and what is interesting is that all Layer Cake wines are not from the same region. Depending on the grape and expert farmers, they choose the best regions of the world to harvest their wines. For example, their 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon is grown and harvested in Napa Valley, and their Malbec, this week's bottle, is from Mendoza River Valley in Argentina. Their other wines are harvested from regions in Australia, France, and Italy.

This week's favorite: 2007 Layer Cake Malbec
$17, your local fine wine store

This wine is intense! If you are not a "reds" fan, this is not for you. However, if you enjoy a full-bodied Merlot, then this will be a surprising treat. Malbec grapes are typically found in a French Bordeaux, which explains a lot for this deep red wine, although the Argentine Malbec grapes are smaller in size and smoother in texture. When you first unscrew the bottle (LOVE that it has a screw top!), a strong smell of black fruit hits you, followed by anise and other spices. Pour yourself a glass and let it breathe for a few minutes, or decant the entire bottle before serving. Once the wine has been able to breathe, sip it slowly, for a lush fruit and bold spice flavor that finishes with a little bit of bite.

This wine is strongly recommended to be served with a well aged steak topped with a rich cheese like Gorgonzola, or a delicious and savory rack of lamb. Its full bodied flavor and spice will bring out the natural flavors of the meats, without being overbearing. Enjoy!

Carmel Road - 2006 Chardonnay

Years ago, before I could drink, my family visited a little seaside town in California called Monterey. At the time, my parents were just seriously getting into wines, and this area was not mainstream for good wines. Now, so many great wines come from the Salinas Valley and Carmel Valley in Monterey County. The cool Pacific air limits the types of grapes grown in this region, but over half of the grapes grown in this area are those used to make Chardonnay.

This week's favorite: 2006 Carmel Road Chardonnay
$16, Found at your local grocery or wine store

This Chardonnay is a beautiful mix of a fruity white wine with a true oak finish. It is smooth, with bright notes of citrus and floral flavors in the initial taste, and perfectly buttery in color. It ends with a mild, buttery oak flavor that makes it a chardonnay worth coming back to.

This chardonnay is best served with grilled white fish, such as black grouper or tilapia. Baste the fish in a mixture of 2 Tbsp of butter, 2Tbsp of lemon juice, and 1 Tbsp of garlic, with a pinch of salt and pepper before grilling. As a great topping, I like to combine 2 Tbsp of feta cheese, kalamata olives, sliced grape tomatoes, 1 Tbsp of lemon juice, 1 Tbsp of extra virgin olive oil, and a dash of garlic salt. Mix, and pour over fish fillet before serving. Pour yourself a nice glass of Carmel Road and enjoy the butter and citrus flavors of the meal!

Welcome to Wino Wednesday

We winos post a new wine and review every Wednesday, every week. We prefer bottles under $20 (remember, we're addicted, so $$ adds up quick!), so we will let you know the suggested retail price and where to buy it. Reviews are personal opinions, and not affiliated any way with the winery and/or bottle featured. We will also provide suggested foods to compliment the flavors of each individual wine, and every now and then, a recipe too. We hope you enjoy these as much as we do!

"I love to cook with wine. Sometimes I even put it in the food."