Seghesio Arneis

I bought this wine on a clearance rack at Twin Liquors. It was $5. It hid in the back of my wine collection as we moved to St. Louis. This evening I pulled it out randomly, shrugged, and chilled it. We were having lentil soup and the choice was this, champagne or Barolo.

I don't know much about Arneis except that it is an Italian varietal. But I do know this---Seghesio's Arneis is an excellent white wine. Crips, fresh and mouthwatering. Citrusy, minerally and food-friendly. Do you need any more adjectives? If  you find it, buy it.

PARTY WINES (red): Clayhouse Adobe Red & Charles Smith House Wine

Both are blends of Everything and the Kitchen Sink.

HOWEVER.

If going to a party with food? Bring the Clayhouse Adobe Red.

Why? Because it's fruity and smooth, but still has tannin & acid  to cut the fat of BBQ or grilling meats. Plus, it's definitely party-priced.

Now, if you're going to a party where you're mainly going to drink or just eat light appetizers then go with the Charles Smith House Wine.

Why? Because it's super-fruity and lush, without being sweet or cloying. Perfect for just sipping or enjoying with cheese, sandwiches and appetizers.

Both retail for about $10-13. 

Becker Tempranillo

Smells: Nothing...? I mean...wine? Sour?

Tastes: Erm...sour? Especially after awhile there was a definite sour milk taste and smell.

Retail: $13.99

Buy again?: Ugh, no.

I'm not even going to bother with a picture. This was just gross.

Pedernales Cellars Tempranillo 2011

Smells: Eucalyptus, woody herbs (lavender, thyme), cedar, spice, leather & Coolwater cologne.  After an hour a cooked cherry, cooked berry jam note came through. Also a jerky/smoked meat smell.

Tastes: Baking/Christmas spice, jerky, tamarind, black cherry. Medium-heavy body, beautiful tannins.

Thoughts: Yum! We drank this with raspberries, proscuitto, cheese, and Marcona almonds and it was all delicious. Though, what I really wanted to eat with it was a steak.

Retail: $19.99

Worth it?:  YES. Such a delicious wine, and it evolves so well in the glass. This could hold up to any of the Spanish Tempranillos I've tasted in the same price range. Even better, honestly.

Image courtesy of pedernalescellars.com

Kilka Malbec 2009

Smells: Black cherry, blackberry, spice, jam

Taste: Medium-heavy mouthfeel. Nice acid. Medium tannin. Good structure. Blackberry, black/cooked cherry, tobacco, herb. A bit of pepper.

Pairings: Steak, beef, fajitas.

Price: $12.00


Bottom line: A drinkable, food friendly wine.  Not particularly nuanced, but perfect for upcoming spring/summer BBQs

Image from palmbay.com

A to Z Riesling 2011

Smells: PETROL DIESEL. It was overwhelming..the night I drank it that smell never dissipated. I wouldn't have minded some of that aroma--that can be very typical of Rieslilngs--but this was completely overpowering.

Taste: Apple juice. Very one note.

Cost: $16.00

Buy again: No, despite the lovely bottle. It just wasn't good, and certainly not as good Charles Smith's Kung-Fu Girl, which is cheaper.

I wonder if I got a bad bottle? I see good reviews around the Internet, but both my husband and I just didn't care for this.

Image from A to Z Wineworks

Gruet Brut NV

Smells: Mmmm! Lemon. Yeastiness, pastry. Eventually pecan pie...seriously! Just yummy.

Tastes: Lovely medium mouthfeel, great bubbles. Almond. Lemon-cream. Still...that pecan-pie-ness. But a dry wine, not sweet.

Price: $13.00. Gruet is an absolute steal.

Pairing: Sweets, creamy cheeses, any kind of food that is savory/sweet/creamy.

Buy again? Yes. Over and over and over and over. This will be one of my go-to sparklers, along with Trevisiol and Ruffino Proseccos.