The Wine Intellect

Those that know me know I love champagne (I mean, true Champagne from the Champagne region of France). I am that one that will have champagne at brunch, lunch and dinner. However, there is a sparkling wine that comes close to champagne and is economical and practical. My fellow wine enthusiasts, if you have never tried it before, let me suggest trying a Cava.  Freixinet, anyone??? Why did I pick this one?  Depending on who you ask, it may not be considered the greatest, but for individuals who are beginning their wine journey or for those that want a drink they can enjoy without breaking the bank, Freixinet (pronounced FRESH-EH-NET ) is a good option and it continues to get better. I have tried all the varieties Freixinet offers and have shared a few with friends that were not disappointed.  Today, I revisited an old favorite and that was the Freixinet Cordon Negro Cava .  Let's get into the notes: It is pale gold in color and very bubbly. On the nose, there is fresh peach and appl

  Welcome back to part 2 of Wine Lingo for Beginners! Part 1 received many reviews and to date, it is one of our most popular posts. I initially planned for three parts to cover some basic language. However, I will extend it to 5 and monitor what our readers are curious about and let that help determine the content to cover. If you have terms you are curious about, feel free to email them to us.  Here are your new words: Blanc de Blanc : means "white from whites".  This is champagne made entirely from Chardonnay grapes. Blend : (ref. wine); Wine made from more than one grape variety rather than a single varietal. For example, in the Pomerol AOP you have Merlot and Cabernet Franc- based blends.  Cremant : This term is typically reserved for French sparkling wines grown outside of the Champagne region of France, and are produced utilizing the Methode Champenoise. Mulled wine : Also known as "spiced wine". Mulled wines are heated with sugar and spices and even brandy.

  Call me crazy, but yes, I have a Wine Taster's Wish List !  This year, I wanted to challenge myself to come out of my comfort zone and look for wines that would challenge my normal. This also includes trying wines from different countries as well as making purchases from different wine stores!!! For me, this is a BIG DEAL as I would hate to admit it, but I am a creature of habit (when I am not tasting). So what I did was make a list 8 wines (four white, and four red). They can be dry or they can be sweet. They can be sparkling or they can be still. In addition, instead of focusing on one area, I will select wine from different regions.  I am going to share my wish list below. Feel free to participate and share your wish list as well. Maybe there is something on your list I can add to mine! At the end of the year, we will see if I did taste what was on my wish list and whether it was a like or dislike. Red Wine Allegrini Amarone della Valpolicella Classico $77.99 This red wine is

  In the past, I walked by Jam Jar at my local wine store and did not think twice about putting it in my cart. However, after a few recommendations from friends, I decided to give the wine a try.  This wine is for those who like their wine on the delightful side. The semi- sweet wine has aromas and flavors of fruity red berries and undertones of chocolate and spices. The finish is smooth. This is an easy to drink wine and yes, a crowd pleaser. The grapes used in this wine were 100% Shiraz. The ABV is 13%. The great thing about this wine is you can find it almost anywhere: Target, Total Wine and you can make a purchase from their website.  This wine pairs well with barbeque or Italian food (think spicy Arabiatta), pizza, Asiago cheese, beef, poultry and lamb. It tastes great lightly chilled (refrigerate for about 10 minutes prior to serving).  Would I recommend this wine? Absolutely! I am not crazy about super sweet wines, and this one has just the right amount of sweetness. If I may al

When it comes to white wine, I will enjoy a Riesling any time of the day and any time of the year. These days, you can find a decent Riesling almost any region, with their own unique characteristics. However, one place where I love Rieslings is from Germany.  Germany's Rieslings tend to be underrated. Some wine connoisseurs rate Rieslings from the Alsace region higher as the Rieslings tend to be a bit drier than the ones from Germany. However, if you seriously give the German Riesling a chance, you may find a Riesling that though sweet, may prove to be exciting. (For the record, the sweet is not a candy-like sweetness but more off dry.) Today, I bring you the Adolph Mueller Piesporter Michelsberg Riesling Auslese . This white wine is a product of Mosel, Germany, which is where Germany's most elegant wines are made.  This wine has aromas of peach, citrus fruits and stone. On the palate, this medium bodied wine is vibrantly flavored by the citrus fruits, slight honey taste and bi

  Will you be my Valentine Wine? Happy Valentine's Day! No matter how you are celebrating this day, we've got you covered! In today's post, we have included a selection of 5 white and red wines for you to consider. These bottles range from expensive to affordable, so peruse the list and let me know your thoughts. If there was something else that would have been a better selection, please share. If you have tried or end up trying any one of the wines listed below, share below. Remember, this forum was created to share knowledge and the individual's experience! Dom Perignon Vintage 2008 ($200)  This popular sparkling wine is not only great for toasting, but the perfect excuse to celebrate. It's a classic bubbly to bring energy to any event. Pahlmeyer Napa Valley Chardonnay 2018  ($55.00) After 16 months of aging, you are left with a medium- bodied wine that has a slightly sweet finish of apples, stone fruit and hazelnut. J Vineyards Pinot Noir ($25.00) A smooth wine;

Today, I want to introduce my readers to the Annalisa Pinot Grigio , a white wine from the Northeastern Region of Italy. This wine is truly a tasty, light wine,  perfect for beginners. Even if you are not a white wine fan, this one is a safe bet. The 2018 vintage is what I tasted. The color is a clear pale gold. Carbon dioxide was not visible. The aromas detected were fresh citrus, peaches and some green florals. On the palate, this light bodied wine is crisp and fresh. I tasted citrus fruits (lime) and stone fruits (peaches). The finish was long and lingering. This is not a sweet wine, it is dry. However, the crisp citrus notes make this wine quite lively and easy to drink. The alcohol content is moderate, at 12%.  I recommend this wine with a light fare, such as salads or fish. After tasting this wine, I had it with roasted white potatoes and shrimp in a light curry sauce with red, yellow and green peppers. This pairing could not have been a better marriage. The curry did not over p