A Biodynamic Chianti

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

Wine Reviewed
Tenuta di Burchino Chianti DOCG, 2007 12 % alcohol about $15

In the absence of marketing materials let’s start by quoting the back label. “Vinified from grapes cultivated with biodynamic Demeter certified, in the ancient vineyard of Casanova.” And now for my review.

At the first sips this wine was mouth filling with a long, woody taste. The initial meal was a spicy whole wheat, no cheese lasagna made with tomatoes, ground meat, mushrooms, and corn. In response the Chianti’s acidity stepped, and darkened. It remained long. When paired with a red pepper, red cabbage, tomato, and cucumber salad the drink became excessively acidic offering red cherries and a burnt taste. Really hot Yemeni green jalapeno slathered on the lasagna gave the liquid additional power and nice acidity. I tasted strawberries.

This review of a  Biodynamic Chianti continues on my web site at
 http://theworldwidewine.com/Wine_reviews/Near_weekly_15_dollar_wine_reviews/Y2013/biodynamic_chianti.phphttp://theworldwidewine.com/Wine_reviews/Near_weekly_15_dollar_wine_reviews/Y2013/biodynamic_chianti.php

A Kosher Italian Sangiovese

Floreales Kosher Sangiovese

Can you get a decent imported Kosher wine at this price?...

Sangiovese. The very name rolls off the tongue. It is Italy’s signature, but hardly finest red grape, also grown in California and elsewhere. We have reviewed several Sangiovese varietals and several blends such as the famous, and often overrated, Chiantis. As hard as I tried I couldn’t find much information about the Floreales label. It’s an imprint of the French giant Casimex, also is responsible for Knorr and Nutella, two products that seem as far from wine as possible. But in the days of multinationals anything is possible. The companion wine is a biodynamic Chianti costing about half again as much.

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

Wine Reviewed
Les Floreales Sangiovese Rubicone Indicazione Geografica Tipica Kosher no vintage 11 % alcohol about $9

In the absence of marketing materials let’s start by quoting the back label. (My sight translation from the French.) “This is the Italian wine par excellence. It is highly perfumed and perfectly accompanies red meat, spicy foods, or cheese.” And now for my review.

At the first sips this wine was a bit thin, offering light acidity and no tannins. The initial meal was a spicy whole wheat, no cheese lasagna made with tomatoes, ground meat, mushrooms, and corn. In response the Sangiovese’s acidity picked up. It was one food friendly wine. When paired with a red pepper, red cabbage, tomato, and cucumber salad the drink soured but did provide a bit of dark cherries. Really hot Yemeni green jalapeno slathered on the lasagna seemed to make no difference to the liquid.

This review of a Kosher Italian Sangiovese continues on my web site at
 http://theworldwidewine.com/Wine_reviews/Weekly_cheap_wine_reviews/Y2013/wine_lovers_bargain_review_kisa.php

A Sonoma Coast, California Pinot Noir

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

La Crema Pinot Noir 2010 13.9 % alcohol about $17 (half bottle)

Let’s start by quoting the marketing materials. “Tasting Note : Bright ruby-red. Lively, floral accented aromas of red berries and rose, with a subtle peppery nuance in the background. Silky and round on the palate, offering fresh red currant and raspberry flavors and a sexy floral pastille nuance. Pure, nicely focused Pinot Noir with good lingering spiciness. Score – 89. (Josh Raynolds, International Wine Cellar, May 2012) And now for my review.

At the first sips this wine was expressive with lots of earth. It was dark. Japanese rice crackers with no Wasabi brought out sweetness and dark cherries. The main dish consisted of homemade Shepherd’s Pie. In response this libation was very long and mouth filling. It offered light tannins and fine acidity. The accompanying mixed salad, composed of tomatoes, red cabbage, red pepper, red onion, cucumbers, and cilantro, rendered our Sonoma friend multilayered. Don’t let them tell you that wine won’t go with salad. Green, garlicy Yemeni Jalapeno Pepper sauce on the meat rendered the wine powerful, full of dark cherries. But the excessive sweetness prevented the combo from being great.

This review of a  Sonoma Coast, California Pinot Noir continues on my web site at
 http://theworldwidewine.com/Wine_articles/Elsewhere_wine_articles/sonoma_coast_california_pinot_noir.php

A French Rothschild Pinot Noir

Rothschild Pinot Noir

Who hasn’t heard about that famous banking family, the Rothschilds? They have also been in the wine business since 1853. Two short years later Bordeaux, France came out with a famous wine classification, one that is still in use. Those poor Rothschilds’ best wine only made second level. They lobbied and lobbied and in 1973 Chateau Mouton Rothschild finally made it to the A list, the only such promotion in the entire Bordeaux classification. Today’s wine comes from the unpretentious Languedoc region of south central France, where this branch of the family has been producing such inexpensive wines since 1995. Unlike Bordeaux, where most wines are blends, in Languedoc they are varietals. Phil offers four reds and three whites, all in this price range. In case you are in the market, the Mouton often goes for $1000 or more. The 1865 runs about $10K, so you won’t see it reviewed here. Our companion wine is another Pinot Noir, a California offering at about four times the price, ounce for ounce.

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

Wine Reviewed
Philippe de Rothschild Pinot Noir Indication Géographique Protégée 2011 12.5 % alcohol about $9

Let’s start by quoting the marketing materials. “Tasting Note : Ruby red colour; ripe red and black cherry aromas; dry, light-medium bodied, ripe cherry flavours with smooth finish. Serving Suggestion : Serve with roast chicken.” And now for my review.

At the first sips this wine offered some earth and was balanced. Japanese rice crackers with no Wasabi had no effect. The main dish consisted of homemade Shepherd’s Pie. In response this libation’s acidity sharpened and it grew longer. I tasted dark cherries. The accompanying mixed salad, composed of tomatoes, red cabbage, red pepper, red onion, cucumbers, and cilantro, thinned our Languedoc friend who remained earthy and long. I slathered lots of green, garlicy Yemeni Jalapeno Pepper sauce on the meat and the libation picked up the spice’s power.

This review of A French Rothschild Pinot Noir continues on my web site at
http://theworldwidewine.com/Wine_reviews/Weekly_cheap_wine_reviews/Y2013/wine_lovers_bargain_review_ropn.php

A Hungarian Sauvignon Blanc

A Hungarian Sauvignon Blanc

Can you get a decent Sauvignon Blanc at this price?...

Medieval Hungarian Wine

The central European nation of Hungary has been producing wine since the days of the classical Romans. This country has boasted extensive vineyards for well over 1500 years. Hungary is especially known for Tokaji wines, arguably among the world’s finest dessert wines. The Hungaria website makes reference to sparkling wines only. Their still Sauvignon Blanc carries a protected geographical indication but gives no hint to which geographical region is being expressed. Our companion wine is a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc costing half again as much.

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

Wine Reviewed
Hungaria Sauvignon Blanc (no vintage) 12 % alcohol $10.

Let’s start by quoting the marketing materials. “Tasting Note : Pale straw colour; grass, lime and mineral aromas; light bodied, dry; soft melon, citrus and herbal flavours with crisp acidity. Serving Suggestion : Serve with poached or baked fish.” And now for my review.

At the first sips this wine offered sharp acidity and a bit of sweetness that was accompanied by some lime. The main dish consisted of nicely spiced homemade chicken breast nuggets that managed to increase the libation’s sweetness while descending its acidity. My glass responded as before in the face of soybeans swimming in an oily tomato sauce. As well I tasted nuts in the liquid. A medley of sautéed red and orange peppers sharpened this liquid’s acidity. Chinese chili sauce liberally doused on the meat meant metal and lemon in the liquid. Dessert was fresh pineapple that left the wine with not much, just a little taste of metal.

This review of a  Hungarian Sauvignon Blanc continues on my web site at
http://theworldwidewine.com/Wine_reviews/Weekly_cheap_wine_reviews/Y2013/wine_lovers_bargain_review_husb.phphttp://theworldwidewine.com/Wine_reviews/Weekly_cheap_wine_reviews/Y2013/wine_lovers_bargain_review_husb.php