Don't Fear the Grape

2008 Banfi Rosa Regale

Price: $23.00
Varietal: 100% Brachetto d’Acqui
Region: Italy > Piemonte (Piedmont)
Website: www.rosaregale.com
Winemakers Notes: While it is appreciated as one of the few wines in the world that truly marries well with chocolate, especially dark or bittersweet, its charms extend across a palette of occasions and food pairings, from savory to sweet. On its own Rosa Regale is an elegant aperitif. Its fruity character beguiles the heat of spicy Asian and Latino fare, and its gentle acidity is an ideal foil to the piquant richness of goat cheese, especially in a spring mix salad with almonds and cranberries. Quiches, glazed hams, beets, vichyssoise, gazpacho, chowders and even the myriad of flavors at Thanksgiving dinner, all traditionally challenging wine matches, are enchanted by Rosa Regale. Strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, trifles and hazelnut tortes are all elevated by this frothy wine.

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Episode 46 [ 17:53 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (16)

2001 Blue Rock Syrah

Price: $40.00 (close out for $10.00)
Varietal: 100% Syrah
Region: California > Sonoma County > Alexander Valley
Website: www.bluerockvineyard.com

I really blew it on this one. The first time I had the 2001 Blue Rock Syrah, it was one of my favorite wines ever. I had been saving this wine for a time when I could share it with friends, and then blew it by not decanting this wine. This wine needs to breath for at LEAST 2 hours. Without decanting, this wine is closed and tight with very little body. But after decanting, oh boy…

The ratings listed below are based on the non-decanted 2001 Blue Rock Syrah.

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Episode 45 [ 11:55 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (26)

2009 Ménage à Trois

Price: $6.00
Varietal: 46% Zinfandel, 31% Merlot, 23% Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: California
Website: www.menageatroiswines.com
Winemakers Notes: Even if red wine is not your speed, give our Ménage à Trois Red a try. This wine exposes the fresh, ripe, jam-like fruit that is the calling card of California wine. Ménage à Trois Red brings together three strange bedfellows. On top we’ve got Zinfandel, a saucy tease that brings blackberry and raspberry jam to the relationship. Merlot, with its generous mouth feel and red fruits, fits perfectly in the middle. The rich flavors and firm tannins of Cabernet Sauvignon make it the ideal. Our 2009 Ménage à Trois exposes the fresh, ripe, jam like fruit that is the calling card of California wine. Forward, silky and soft, this delicious dalliance makes the perfect accompaniment for grilled meats or chicken.

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Episode 42 [ 19:35 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (183)

2005 Columbia Crest Two Vines Shiraz

Price: $6.00
Varietal: 100% Shiraz
Region: Oregon > Columbia Valley
Website: www.columbiacrest.com
Winemakers Notes: This Shiraz features New World-style ripe and jammy fruit aromas. Flavors of black cherry and white pepper are pronounced on the palate with hints of boysenberry and raspberry. The lingering finish is pleasingly supple.

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2009 Fetzer Gewurztraminer

Price: $8.00
Varietal: 100% Gewürztraminer
Region: California
Website: www.fetzer.com
Winemakers Notes: It’s often called gavurtz because it’s hard to say, and even harder to spell. This wine, though, is a secret weapon, great for taming spicy foods or sipping on its own. Enjoy the honeyed apricot and peach flavors in the glass, and breathe deeply to capture the aromas of rose petals and honeysuckle. Lots of people love this wine, even if they’ll never spell it. Just ask for gavurtz. We’ll know what you mean.

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Anand’s Rating:
Margot’s Rating:

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Episode 40 [ 18:22 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (175)