Tonight, we selected our wine because of it's beautiful label.

Oak Farm Vineyards is from Lodi, California. The wine is estate-grown. The bottle is clear with a small plaque identifying the wine, with a black sketch of a tree growing around it. The tree is a mass of branches, limbs, and leaves growing around the plaque.

Albarino is one of the main Spanish white wine grapes. Characterized by high acidity and thick skins. Albo means white in Spanish. The grape does well in hot climates and can also withstand humidity. Most Spanish Albarino wine has an alcohol level below 12.5%, but tonight’s wine is 13.5%. Albarino is also known for its minerality, which makes it great for pairing with seafood.

Tonight, we are enjoying:

1. 2022 Oak Farm Vineyards Estate Grown Albarino. It is described as a crisp, medium-light-bodied white wine with floral aromas and citrusy flavors. The wine was purchased from the Gateway Market, in Des Moines for $20. It has flavors of grapefruit, honeydew melon, and a bright, minerally finish. I believe it was fermented in stainless-steel tanks with a bit of lees aging.

Next week, we are having the second of Denise’s label shows, a wine she picked because of it’s unique label. It is the 2023 Parajes del Valle Macabeo Manchuela Ecológico.

Tonight, we are tasting and learning about the hybrid wine grape Baco Noir. This is a French Hybrid wine grape.

Baco Noir is an easy-to-grow grape that produces a medium to full-bodied wine with fresh acidity and dark fruit flavors hinting of black pepper and tobacco. Wines made of Baco Noir can also have notes of licorice, cedar, and smoke. Normally it will have medium tannins.

Pairs with tomato-based dishes. Also pairs well with sharp cheddars, pecorino, or Parmigiano Reggiano.

Tonight, we are enjoying:

1. 2020 Heron Hill Vineyards Baco Noir Reserve. This is from the Finger Lakes region of New York, specifically the vineyard is located on the western slope of Keuka Lake. I purchased it from Wine Styles in West Des Moines for approximately $25. Aromas of plum, black cherry, and dried blueberry. Medium to full-bodied. 13.9% alcohol, pH of 3.55, and 0% residual sugar. It is aged for 10 months in neutral French oak, and has medium-to-full body. The winery says this wine is great to be cellared for up to 15 years.
2. 2023 Chloe, Monterey County Pinot Noir. Notes of strawberry and black cherry. This is around a $15 bottle of wine and can be found at many of the major retail stores. Subtle hints of clove and vanilla. Silky mouthfeel and soft finish. 14.0% alcohol.

Neither of us cared for the Chloe Pinot Noir and both scored it a 2. We finished our glass but would not purchase this wine again. We both enjoyed the Heron Hill Winery Baco Noir. I gave it a 4 and Denise scored it a 3. I agree with Denise that it is not the most complex wine, but I just loved the easy and pleasing aroma and taste. It is very fruit forward with flavors of plum and blueberry. I got some earthiness and spice on the nose, but flavor is mostly over-powered by the fruit.

Next week, we are having Denise’s show, a wine she picked because of it’s pretty label. It is the Oak Farm Vineyards 2022 Albarino.

Tonight, we are trying a Kabinett Riesling from Mosel, Germany. Just for some added fun we also have an Emma Reichart Dry Riesling from Rheinhessen, Germany.

So what is a Kabinett (Cabby – Net) and what are other words used to describe the sweetness in German wines.

Trocken is the German word for dry.

Kabinett has crisp acidity, green apple, citrus and delicate floral notes. Good for an aperitif and pair nicely with light seafood dishes and salads. Dry to a little sweet.

 Spatlese is a late harvested wine so will have riper stone fruit, touches of honeyed and tropical notes, and acidity. These wines pair well with spicy foods and soft cheeses.

 Auslese is made from fully ripe fruit and may even have some “Nobel rot”. It has flavors of apricot, honey, and caramelized apple. Pairs with desserts and strong blue cheese.

 Hint: you can often tell the level of sweetness from the alcohol level. Anything over 11% alcohol will typically be dry. Less than 11% will probably have some level of sweetness.

 Tonight, our two wines are:

1. 2023 Karl Kaspar Riesling Kabinett. It is an off-dry Riesling with a classic Mosel profile. Intense mineral and floral aromas, low alcohol and a wonderful balance between sweetness and crisp acidity. The grapes come from two single vineyard sites of stoney, slate soil. Grapes of different ripeness levels are used. 45% Riesling Spatlese from middle Mosel and 55% Riesling Kabinett from the lower Mosel. Fermented in stainless steel tanks. Serve well chilled. Excellent aperitif or with fish or poultry.
2. 2024 Emma Reichart Dry Riesling. This wine was purchased from Trader Joe’s for $5.99 and comes from the Rheinhessen region of Germany. Flavors of peach, citrus, and slate. Crisp. The wine received a Bronze Award and a score of 88 from Decanter. This is considered a medium-dry wine with residual sugar from 5 to 18 g/L. It has 11.5% alcohol.

We both liked the wines and gave them a three rating. Denise liked the Emma Reichart, but I found it to be a little sweet and lacked the balance of the Karl Kaspar.

Next week, we return to the USA. We will taste the hybrid wine grape Baco Noir. The wine comes from New York, and we will also talk about its wine industry.

Champagne must be made in the traditional method.

A blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier. The wine comes from the grand cru village of Verzenay in the Champagne region of France.

Tonight, we are tasting:

1. NV Kirkland Signature Brut Champagne. It is a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier grapes. The grapes come from the grand cru village of Verzenay. Matures in the bottle for 15 months. It is made by wine maker Manuel Janisson who doesn’t really market his wines in the US, but his least expensive wines range from $40 to $50 per bottle. The wine has a rich texture and has notes of gingerbread, orange, peaches, and citrus. The Reverse Wine Snob reports aromas of lime, lemon, apple, and a bit of freshly baked bread and some floral. Flavors of creamy yet crisp lemon zest, lime, and green apple. Also has some minerality.  Pairs with salty foods, white meat, and sweet potatoes.

We both loved this wine and rated it a 4. Sparkling wine is not our go to wine, but we will buy this again. If you haven't tried it, put it on your list. 

Next week, we are trying a wine that is new to us. It is a German Riesling Kabinett. We will find out what that means and see if this will be our Thanksgiving wine.

Kendall-Jackson's chardonnay is made using grapes grown in the cool, coastal regions of California, which gives the wine its crisp, clean flavor. 

Whole cluster pressed and made in small vineyard lots throughout the winemaking process. Sur lie aging with monthly battonage (lees stirring) giving the wine silky texture and creamy flavor. Aged for 3 months in 44% French Oak (4% new) and 50% American Oak (7% new).

Tonight, our three wines are:

1. 2023 Louis Dailly Fondateur Chablis. This wine costs around $17.00 and was purchased at Costco. It comes from Chablis region of Burgundy. It has notes of apples, wet stones and lemons. It is medium-bodied, clean and fresh. Drink now.
2. 2023 Kendall-Jackson Vintner’s Reserve Chardonnay. This was purchased from Costco for $11.00. This is the #1 selling Chardonnay in the US for the past 30-years. It comes from cool coastal climates.  13.5% alcohol. Aromas of vanilla and honey. Flavors of pineapple, mango, papaya, with notes of citrus. Also has a hint of toasted oak and butter. Comes from California, 48% Monterey County, 29% Mendocino County, and 23% Santa Barbara County. Pairs well with fish dishes.

We both enjoyed both wines, but we both preferred the Kendall-Jackson. This surprised both of us since we typically like unoaked Chardonnay.  

Next week, we are getting ready for the holidays and will be tasting the Kirkland Signature Brut Champagne.

Asti is a town in the Piemonte region of Italy. It is a DOCG-recognized wine area, the highest level in Italy. I have heard that specifically looking for a Barbera from Asti is worth the search. Tonight, we will check out this theory.

Barbera has a deep ruby color, light to medium body, and is known for its high acid levels. In the past it was known for being a high-production, every-day drinking wine. However, during the past twenty or thirty years, it has become a more serious wine variety, and many different styles can be found. Producers have started aging Barbera in barrels and producing the wine from vineyards with lower yields, which concentrates the juice. The DOC’s have different maximum yield levels, and Asti has the lowest production levels. The best Asti vineyards are planted with Barbera. The best Alba (a nearby town) vineyards are reserved for Nebbiolo.

A tell for the style might be the alcohol level. A less concentrated Barbera may have an alcohol content of 11-12%, while a richer, more intense wine can be 13% or higher.

Tonight, our two wines are:

1. 2022 Lavignone Barbera D’Asti. I purchased this wine from Gateway Market in Des Moines for $24.99.  According to the Wine Enthusiast, the nose on this wine jumps out of the glass with intense aromas of blueberries and plums, followed by violets and warm savory spices. The palate is very primary, with juicy and candied blackberries in the forefront, accompanied by subtle herbal and earthy notes that emerge and recede, finishing with energetic acidity. It received a score of 87 from the Wine Enthusiast, and has 13.5% alcohol.
2. Cooper’s Hawk Barbera features a deep ruby color with a nose of boysenberry, sour cherry, tobacco, and nutmet shifting to a palate with tart berries, full tannins, and noticeable acidity on a persistent finish. It is described as medium-bodied with lively acidity, and the fruit intensity offers notes of ripe cherry and raspberry, with subtle spice and earthiness, and a soft, smooth finish.

We both loved the Barbera d'Asti, and rated it a 4. So the next time you want an Italian wine, give it a try.

Next week, we will blind taste three differently priced white wines and see if we can find a good affordable white wine.

Tonight, we are tasting the 2023 Kirkland California Signature Cabernet Sauvignon box wine. To make the tasting more interesting and less biased, we will blindly taste against a bottle of Cabernet.

This is a 3L box. A typical bottle is ¾ of a L, so it is the equivalent of 4 bottles. They say the box will last 4-6 weeks after opening, but expect it to be half that long.

Tonight, our three wines are:

1. 2023 Kirkland Signature California Cabernet Sauvignon. I purchased this 3L box from Costco for $15.99.  According to tastings.com https://www.tastings.com/ Dark garnet color. Aromas and flavors of black plum, leather and clove, pepper and purple flowers, and cedar and herbs with a velvety, lively, dry medium body and a tingling, appealing, medium-length finish displaying overtones of black cherry, black currant and boysenberry, herbs, and leather and spice with medium, well-integrated tannins and a suggestion of oak flavor. Approachable but still Cabernet fruit dominant; this is what California table wine should be. This wine received a 93 rating from The  Wine Enthusiast and was a “Best Buy”. The Wine Enthusiast says Juicy flavors of red fruit and black cherry with notes of lightly spiced oak and a soft finish.
2. 2019 The Seventy Five Wine Company Cabernet Sauvignon Feliz Creek Vineyard. This was purchased from Costco for around $20. It received an 86 from the Wine Enthusiast. It says bay-leaf, clove and juicy plum flavors give this smooth, medium-bodied wine a savory profile. From The Winemaker: Grown in Mendocino and Lake Counties, this Cabernet is filled with aromas of fresh cherry and cinnamon. On the palate, it's silky smooth with notes of strawberry and blackberry, culminating in a long, lingering finish with just a hint of dark chocolate from a year spent aging on French oak.

We found both wines very drinkable, but we both preferred the Kirkland Signature Box Wine. We rated both wines a 3, but I was close to a 4 on the box wine. The Feliz Creek Vineyard wine was fruit-forward and oaky. Denise had a hard time with the Feliz Creek Wine and its higher alcohol level (14.8%). I found the Kirkland to have better balance, more earthiness, and better wine.

Next week, can you tell the difference between a Barbera from anywhere and a (DOCG) Barbera d'Asti? We will find out.

Tonight, we have three red wines and each one cost under $10.

As in most of our shows, we know the three wines we will be tasting, but we will blind-taste them. Can we find a wine that we like for under $10? 

Tonight, our three wines are:

1. 2019 Badet Clement & Co. Revelation Cabernet-Merlot red Bordeaux Blend. I purchased this wine from Trader Joe’s for $6.99. It has 55% Cabernet and 45% Merlot. Nose displays very intense aromas of dark chocolate, cherries, and blackcurrants. Round mature tannins. Medium body with 13.5% alcohol. Fruit forward with some well-done spice, licorice and leather accents. Long finish. RWS calls it a bulk buy.
2. 2021 Corvelia Cabernet Sauvignon from Paso Robles. This wine was purchased from Trader Joe’s for $9.99. The winery calls this wine a dark and fruit-forward, balanced with structure, tannin and a long-lasting finish. Filled with currant, dark cherry, toasted oak, and pipe tobacco notes. Pairs with grilled meats and pasta with hearty sauces.
3. 2022 Jose Maria da Fonseca Anticiclone (an-ti-si-KLOH-ni). red wine blend from Portugal. I bought this wine at Costco for $7.99. This wine received a 90 rating from Wine Spectator and it also was named one of the Top 100 Wines of 2024. Wine Spectator says “Balanced and medium-bodied, this fresh red frames flavors of chopped black cherry, blackberry paste, espresso, tobacco, anise and graphite with light, fine tannins.” The Winery is family-owned and has been in business since 1834.

We both liked wines #2 and #3. We both preferred the 2021 Corvelia Cabernet Sauvignon from Paso Robles. https://corveliawine.com/ I would caution that you have to like an oaky Cabernet to like this wine, but it was an easy drinking wine.

I had the #3 - 2022 Jose Maria da Fonseca Anticiclone wine in a very close second place, and thought this wine was better balanced.

Next week, we will taste the Kirkland Cabernet Sauvignon box wine. To make it more interesting, we will also have a bottle of Cabernet and will (blind) taste these two wines to see if we can detect a difference.

Tonight, we are having our third Wine Cocktails Show! We love these shows and I can’t wait to make some of these cocktails for family and friends. We are expecting this show to be more of the same. Tonight, we will one White Wine Cocktail and one Red Wine Cocktails.

Last year, our winning cocktail was the Caribou. I actually prefer the Blood Letter Trinidad Sour. So I am crowning it the new champion. We will see if one of the cocktails tonight can take the title.

Tonight, we are enjoying:

1. St Germain Cocktail. This is a simple drink to make. Put ice in a Collins glass, pour in 1½  oz. St Germain, 2 oz white or sparkling wine (we used Sauvignon Blanc), 2 oz. club soda. Stir and top with a lemon twist. That’s it – you are done. Enjoy.
2. Devils Margarita. This is for Tequila fans. Pour 1½ oz. Tequila Blanco, 1 oz. fresh lime juice, and ¾ oz. simple syrup in a shaker with ice. Shake until cold, then strain over ice in a rocks glass. Then float ½ oz. red wine by pouring slowly over the back of a bar spoon. Garnish with a lime wedge.

We both loved the St. Germain Cocktail and rated it a 5 and a 4. We both liked the Devils Margarita and rated it a 3.

Next week, we will have a Budget Wine Show and all three wines will be under $10. Join us and see if we can find a great wine for under $10.

Tonight, we are having our second Wine Cocktails Show! We loved our first cocktail show and got many comments. We are expecting this year to be more of the same. Tonight we will focus on Red Wine Cocktails.

Last year, our winning cocktail was the Carribou.

Tonight, we will have one very simple to make drink and a second that is a little more detailed. Also, one will have bourbon in addition to the red wine.

So here are our two cocktails for tonight.

Tonight, we are enjoying:

1. Kalimotxo. This is a very simple drink to make and is popular in Spain. Put ice in a tall glass, pour in 4 oz. red wine, and top with 4 oz. coke. That’s it – your done. Enjoy.
2. Blood Letter Trinidad Sour. This is for our bourbon drinkers. 1 oz. bourbon, 1 oz. red wine, 12 dashes bitters, ½ oz. maple syrup, ½ oz. lemon juice. Put these ingredients in a shaker over ice. Shake, strain over ice in a regular cocktail glass. Garnish with a burnt lemon peel.

Denise loved the Kalimotxo and rated a 5, the Blook Letter she gave a 4. I preferred the Blood Letter and rated it a 5 and gave the Kalimotxo a 4.

I see the Kalimotxo more suitable for a patio party drink or summer sipper. Very informal and easy to make. The Blood Letter is more for your holiday party or a more formal gathering.

Next week, we are continuing with our wine cocktails show. We will taste two white wine cocktails.