A Sicilian White Insolia

A Sicilian White Insolia: - Sent using Google Toolbar

Wine Reviewed
Feudo Principi di Butera Insolia IGT 2009 13.2 % alcohol about $14

Let’s start by quoting the marketing materials. “Tasting Note: Grown predominantly in Sicily, and originally valued as an aromatic ingredient in top-quality versions of the fortified wine Marsala, the Insolia grape is now produced as a varietal in its own right. This example offers notes of pear, melon, and lees on the nose. The palate is medium bodied, with a nice acidity and notes of apricot, ripe pear and melon. There is a nice length to the creamy and fruity finish. Match it to baked cod with a lemon-butter sauce. (VINTAGES panel, Nov. 2010).” And now for my review.

At the first sips this wine was lovely and elegant. It was mouth filling. Slightly sweet. Japanese rice and peanut crackers brought out the citrus surrounded by delicate acidity. The initial meal centered on Kube, ground beef in ground bulgar and semolina jackets swimming in a Swiss Chard sauce. The libation’s response was multilayered and apricots came to the fore. Its acidity hit the spot, and this wine was long. Dousing Louisiana hot sauce on the Kube brought out lots of lemon and yet the Insolia was delicate. A few squares of bittersweet Swiss chocolate weakened but did not kill this wine.

This review of A Sicilian White Insolia: continues on my web site.

An Umbrian Orvieto Classico

An Umbrian Orvieto Classico:

An Umbrian Orvieto Classico

Is its appellation justified?...

Ruffino Orvieto Classico

OUR WINE REVIEW POLICY All wines that we taste and review are purchased at the full retail price.

Wine Reviewed
Ruffino Orvieto Classico 2010 12 % alcohol about $10.

Let’s start by quoting the marketing materials. “Tasting Note: Pale straw color; citrus and apple fruit aromas and flavors; light-bodied, clean and crisp a hint of almond in the finish. Serving Suggestion: Serve chilled as an aperitif or with deep-fried calamari.” And now for my review.

At the first sips this wine was lovely and elegant. It was mouth filling. Slightly sweet. Japanese rice and peanut crackers intensified the citrus. The initial meal centered on Kube, ground beef in ground bulgar and semolina jackets swimming in a Swiss Chard sauce. The libation responded with slightly harsh, citrusy acidity. I felt that the citrus fruit wasn’t completely ripe. On the other hand the wine presented a pleasant sweetness. Dousing Louisiana hot sauce on the Kube tamed the Orvieto’s acidity. A few squares of bittersweet Swiss chocolate nearly extinguished this wine.

This review of An Umbrian Orvieto Classico: continues on my web site.

A Perhaps Better French Kosher Merlot

A Perhaps Better French Kosher Merlot: Wine Reviewed
Royale Merlot 2010 Pays d’Oc Indication Géographique Protégée, 13 % alcohol about $12

Let’s start by quoting the marketing materials. “Cherry, plum, and vanilla present themselves for your inspection in this well-made southern French wine. Dry, remarkably well-balanced between the fruit and the acids. A wine for a simple meat pasta recipe.” And now for my review.

At the first sips this wine provided plums, balanced acidity, and moderate tannins. The initial meal started with chicken soup containing a Matzoh ball and carrots perked up with Louisiana hot sauce that rounded the libation’s acidity and intensified its plummy taste. The meal’s centerpiece was a no cheese ground beef lasagna containing spicy salsa that rendered the wine fairly powerful but a bit short at first. I tasted chocolate. Fresh cherries for dessert made the drink lightly acidic and not much else.

This review continues on my web site at A Perhaps Better French Kosher Merlot:

A French Kosher Merlot

A French Kosher Merlot: - Sent using Google Toolbar

A French Kosher Merlot

Can we go French and Kosher at this price?...Fortant Merlot

Yes, you can get a French Kosher wine for less than $10. But will it be worthwhile? The Skalli family started in the wine business during the 1920s in Algeria. They relocated first to Corsica then to southern France in 1961, where they were among the first to produce single variety wines instead of blends. Their website lists and explains many aspects of Kosher wines, The Skallis make wine in the Languedoc region of southwestern France as well as in the Rhône Valley, Provence, Corsica, and Napa Valley, California. Towards the end of November, 2011 many but not all of their wine interests were purchased by Boisset Family Estates. Our companion wine is also a Languedoc French Kosher Merlot, one costing about 50% more.

OUR WINE REVIEW POLICY All wines that we taste and review are purchased at the full retail price.

Wine Reviewed
Fortant Merlot 2006 13.5 % alcohol about $8.

Let’s start by quoting the marketing materials. “Tasting Note: Mid-deep youthful ruby color; stewed cherry fruit, red currants and light cedar aromas; fruity cherry flavors with a smooth, lightly tannic finish.” And now for my review.

At the first sips this wine’s acidity was very present as were its tannins. I tasted some chocolate. I started with chicken soup containing a Matzoh ball and carrots perked up by Louisiana hot sauce that moderated the libation’s acidity. The meal’s centerpiece was a no cheese ground beef lasagna made with spicy salsa that muted the wine without cutting off its chocolate or acidity. Fresh cherries for dessert stepped up the drink’s acidity, which initially seemed almost sour but subsequently sweetened.

This review continues on my web site at A French Kosher Merlot:

An Organic Languedoc-Roussillon Red Blend

An Organic Languedoc-Roussillon Red Blend: - Sent using Google Toolbar

An Organic Languedoc-Roussillon Red Blend

Can you go organic at this price?...

Côtes du Roussillon

OUR WINE REVIEW POLICY All wines that we taste and review are purchased at the full retail price.

Wine Reviewed
Domaine Ferrer-Ribière Tradition 2007 Côtes du Roussillon AOC 13.5 % alcohol about $15

Let’s start by quoting the marketing materials. “Description : Winner of a Silver Medal at the 2009 Concours des Grands Vins de France de Mâcon. This wine, made with organically grown grapes, is a blend of 40% Syrah, 30% Grenache, 20% Carignan and 10% Mourvèdre. Raspberry, blackberry, garrigue and cedar aromas and flavors all come to the front. Match it to organic beef or lamb. Our Quality Assurance Laboratory has determined that this wine contains 18 mg/L of free sulphur.” And now for my review.

At the first sips this wine provided dark plums and soft tannins. Japanese rice crackers increased its acidity, but the Wasabi peas actually softened the wine. My initial meal centered on broiled beef ribs. The drink had great length and offered some chocolate. In the face of potato salad with pickles this libation provided a tinge of sweetness and some oak. It was round. It exuded chocolate when paired with eggplant and mushrooms. I finished the meat with a generous dousing of Louisiana hot sauce and our L-R red was somewhat sweet. Its dominant feature was dark cherries.

This review of a French Côtes du Roussillon continues on my web site.

Wine Reviewed
Zvy-Gelt Zweigelt 2008 13.0 % alcohol about $10.

Let’s start by quoting the marketing materials. “Tasting Note: Bright ruby in color; aromas of cherries and earthy spice; dry, medium-bodied with balanced acidity; flavors of ripe cherry, herb and oaky berry spice with a medium-long bright finish. Serving Suggestion: Serve with grilled merguez lamb sausage or roasted chicken.” And now for my review.

At the first sips this wine presented dark cherries. It was mild and yet somewhat sour. Japanese rice crackers did not have much effect on its acidity, but ZZ could handle Wasabi peas. The initial meal centered on broiled beef ribs. The drink responded with a tinge of cherries. Its length was moderate and the now mild acidity handled the fatty meat well. In the face of potato salad with pickles this libation became long. It showed good balance when paired with eggplant and mushrooms. I finished the meat with a generous dousing of Louisiana hot sauce and our Austrian red integrated the pepperiness.

This review of a Zvy-Gelt Zweigelt continues on my website at http://theworldwidewine.com/Wine_reviews/Weekly_cheap_wine_reviews/Y2012/wine_lovers_bargain_review_avzg.php