The Everyday Wine Snob

WINE FORUM...POST A MESSAGE...START A CHAT...LEAVE A RECOMMENDATION...LET'S TALK WINE...THE EVERYDAY WINE SNOB

2007-12-22T11:20:00.000-08:00

What is everyone drinking over the holidays? What is that special wine you are going to pull out? Anything fantastic at a value price?

Post and see what everyone else is talking about!

Happy Holidays,

The Everyday Wine Snob

Hawk Crest 2003 Merlot Paso Robles

2006-12-22T11:36:00.000-08:00

Grocery store, about $10
fruity, plum, wildberries, smooth, and clean, super soft tannins
from Stag's Leap Wine Cellars...less expensive line

NAPA Valley Vineyards Reserve Merlot Napa Valley 2002

2006-12-22T11:31:00.000-08:00

I can't claim to have discovered this one myself, but I'm soooo glad a friend turned me on to this bottle. A merlot as merlot should be...soft, balanced tannins, fruity but without puckering. This certainly has the taste of something twice its price. Terrific value.

Martin Weyrich Etrusco Cabernet Sauvignon Paso Robles 2001

2006-12-22T11:26:00.000-08:00

Great bargain on this very big Cab. It does lack a solid finish however, which probably puts it in the bargain category. However, for the price, the fruity kick that comes with the first sip is really fantastic, almost like that of a good Petite Syrah...earthy, peppery, delicious!

Pair with a grilled filet mignon.

Around $6.

Available at Trader Joes.

Day 2 Rating: B (best to drink this one up quickly)

VR

Montevina Sierra Foothills Amador County Barbera, 2002

2006-06-01T19:51:00.000-07:00

Verrrrry looong finish with hints of fig, after a big biting tannic start. Interesting....the bottle says its "like an old cowboy they know...a bit leathery on the outside, but once you get to know him he's open, honest, and completely down to earth. " Quite an apt description, and one that truely captures this interesting bottle.

Voted San Francisco Chronicle Top Bargain Wines of 2005. "The Italian varietal Barbera is perhaps the most underappreciated grape in the United States. It's widely grown but often ends up anonymously providing backbone for jug wines. When bottled on its own, it can be an outstanding dinner-table wine that combines two likable characteristics not found together often enough: a big body and palate-cleansing, food-friendly acidity.

Pair with Cheeseburger, or Tomato-based Italian dish

About $7

Day 2 Rating: A- (opens nicely...)

www.montevina.com

VR

Elena 2004 Russian River Syrah

2006-05-17T12:33:00.000-07:00

Simple, full taste, great price, rewarding bottle.

Russian River Valley, granted official appellation standing in 1983, is now one of the most recognized AVA names in America. The appellation is internationally renowned for challenging varieties like Pinot Noir, which excels in this cool-climate, yielding highly expressive wines.

Pair with a sausage tortellini with cream sauce...

Around $8

Day 2 Rating: A-

VR

wine food and drink value wine everyday wine wine snob wine news

Jekel Vineyards 2001 Monterey Syrah

2006-04-27T19:10:00.000-07:00

This dry Monterey Syrah had nice deep flavors, a good tannin bite, and a a long finish. It really captures well the best of the Syrah grape - intensely fruity, big and bold, but without being overly ripe (or raisin-like) as is sometimes the case. And it's priced quite well...a real bargain.

A bit about the Monterey region (courtesy of http://www.appilationamerica.com): This massive AVA on the eastern side of Monterey County encompasses the entire Salinas Valley, as well as part of Carmel Valley. The Salinas Valley, affectionately known as ‘America’s salad bowl’, is one of the country’s most important agricultural assets, and hosts the majority of Monterey County’s large viticultural businesses. The valley is a funnel, with its mouth opening onto Monterey Bay. Here, fog rolls in between the Santa Lucia and Gabilan mountain ranges. The fog cools the valley early in the morning, while at midday a cool blast of wind sweeps through. Daytime temperatures rarely exceed 75 F., except for the southernmost reaches and in specific microclimates tucked into hillsides. With scant annual rainfall and predominately sandy soils, the valley would be arid if not for the irrigation from the Salinas River. One of the world’s longest growing seasons gives the Monterey AVA characterful wines with balanced acidity.

http://www.jekel.com/

Enjoy with a Spicy Chicken Taco Salad

Around $8 (price varies widely though, up to $14)

Ratings: mostly mid 80s

Day 2 Rating: B+

VR

wine food and drink value wine everyday wine wine snob wine news

Ironstone Vineyard, 2003 California Cabernet Sauvignon

2006-04-14T11:50:00.000-07:00

The 2003 Ironstone Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon was produced from fruit grown in the family vineyards located in Murphys and Lodi, California. The wine is young and needs some time to aerate upon opening...give it at least 30 minutes and you will be rewarded. It's also one reason why it gets and A for Day 2 - it really benefits from time. While not a very showy wine, its a SUPER value wine, delivering a strong fruit base with some tannic bite.

http://www.ironstonevineyards.com

Around $7

Serve at home with hard cheeses, grilled beef, rich food.

Ratings: few are far between, but mid 80s generally.

Day 2 Rating: A

VR

wine food and drink value wine everyday wine wine snob wine news

The Stump Jump

2006-03-31T10:22:00.000-08:00

d'Arenberg "The Stump Jump", 2004 Grenache/Shiraz/Mourvedre, South Austrialia

The bottle's spicy attitude matches the wine's spicy, grenache-driven southern Rhône style. Nice peppery flavor from the Grenache make this medium-bodied wine very drinkable and very delicious. Pairs with a wide range from grilled steak to olive oil and pasta. Oh, and the name: proudly named after an important South Australian invention - the stump jump plough. Many of McLaren Vale’s old vineyards were originally cleared using this invention. The plough saved many a vineyard owners' back and patience as the plough ‘jumped’ over the most stubborn roots, saving valuable time and resources.

Around $9-10.

Ratings: High 80s

Day 2 Rating: B+

http://www.darenberg.com.au/default2.php

VR

wine food and drink value wine everyday wine wine snob wine news

2003 Casa Barranca Arts & Crafts Syrah/Grenache Blend

2006-03-14T18:57:00.000-08:00

Robert Parker gave this organic a 93, and I couldn't agree more!

Deeply-colored, velvety-smooth blend of Syrah and Grenache made at their beautiful craftsman-style winery in Ojai California. Nice light peppery bite makes it truely interesting.

Gift it, take it to a party, share it with friends, or sip with family (great taste, cool winery, fantastic name/label) - this one stands up.

Is it because it's organic?...is it because there are no added sulfites?...whatever the reason it is special! Yum...

Warning, only 200 cases were made, so while I got lucky and had no trouble finding it, it may not be available outside of southern california...

http://www.organic-wine.com/

Pair with tangy ribs...

Around $12

Ratings: very high, some 90s...

Day 2 Rating: A

Vino Rater

wine food and drink value wine everyday wine wine snob wine news

Altos Las Hormigas, 2004 Malbec

2006-03-11T18:55:00.000-08:00

Hailing from Mendoza Argentina, the Altos Las Hormigas Malbec is a medium bodied wine - lush, velvety, with fruity hints of berries and dark cherry. Simple, pleasing. The 2004 Malbec is limited to about 29,000 cases. http://www.altoslashormigas.com/indexN.htm

Pair with Pork Roast and arugala/walnut salad

About $10.99

Ratings: Generally upper 80's

VR

wine food and drink value wine everyday wine wine snob wine news

Leonard Kreusch Rheinhessen Spatlese 2003

2006-02-19T17:06:00.000-08:00

Time for dessert!

The term Spatlese literally means, later harvest. The grapes were late-picked after reaching the prescribed level of ripeness. The wines are fuller-bodied and more concentrated than Kabinett wines and have a residual sugar level of 54 grams per liter. The Rheinhessen Spatlese offers a rich floral bouquet and good concentration. Hints of minerals intermingle with ftesh pear and cantaloupe flavors creating a deliciously versatile wine. It can be served as an aperitif or with a host of dishes, including barbeque chicken, broiled trout, or Szechuan Shrimp.

http://www.leonardkreuschwines.com/

Oh yeah, and a VERY cool blue bottle! Serve it VERY cold.

Around $9. Delicious!

VinoRater

wine food and drink value wine everyday wine wine snob wine news

McManis Petit Sirah California 2004

2006-02-16T20:08:00.000-08:00

Wow! WOw! WOW!! Succulent dark cherry and vanilla aromas are copious in this full-bodied, simple charmer from the River Junction. Very distinctive. Mmmm.... Around $9 (a great under $12 bargain wine)

http://www.mcmanisfamilyvineyards.com/

Pair it with a large rib-eye

Ratings: some low 90s, mostly upper 80s.

Day 2 Rating: A

*A VinoRater Favorite

wine food and drink value wine everyday wine wine snob wine news

Stonehaven Winemaker's Selection 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon

2006-02-09T18:41:00.000-08:00

Finally! A strong Cabernet. It took going all the way down under to find a great Cab for under $12, but this South Australian was up to the task. This wine offers gentle cassis and red berry fruit and a silky finish. Just ready to drink in 2006 according to most. Around $9.

http://www.stonehavenvineyards.com.au/

General ratings: High 80's, very good

Day 2 Rating: A-

wine food and drink value wine everyday wine wine snob wine news

Surprising Blend - Rosso Classic 2004

2006-01-20T19:49:00.000-08:00

Not much was expected at $6.99, but what a great surprise; Francis Ford Coppola Presents Rosso Classic 2004, a blend of Zinfandel (47%), Cab (32%), and Syrah (21%). The 2004 Rosso has aromas of currants, engaging dark fruit and spicy clove, with a very soft tannins.

A terrific value wine for home! And best of all, VERY easy to find.

Ratings in the 80's.

Day 2 Rating: B

VR

wine food and drink value wine everyday wine wine snob wine news

Sebastiani Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma County 2002

2006-01-13T20:51:00.000-08:00

Gosh, it's hard to fine interesting Cabs at VinoRater's price point (one of the reasons this blog exists)! And admittedly, this is a bit of cheat, because it can be tough to find at under $12 (or even under $15), but if you can find (I did!) it it's worth the trouble! Nicely balanced, with dominating flavors of cherry and plum, this wine is smooth delight to drink. About 52,000 cases made. Pair it with a sirloin burger topped with blue cheese and grilled onions!

http://www.sebastiani.com/home.asp

Ratings generally 90 and above

"Day 2 Rating": A

Best,

Vino Rater

wine food and drink value wine everyday wine wine snob wine news

Another Pinot

2006-01-11T22:20:00.000-08:00

Just discovered a great Pinot Noir, at a great price ($9.99). Its the Indigo Hills, 2003 California Pinot Noir. Its a very delicate Pinot, with a nice taste of fruit without being sweet. So far, one of the best Pinots under $12 I've found. Hope you can find it in your area as well. I'm out to buy a few more...

Ratings generally high 80s

"Day 2" Rating: A-

Best,

VinoRater

wine food and drink value wine everyday wine wine snob wine news

Ramsay - Pinot Noir

2006-01-11T22:18:00.000-08:00

Kent Rasmussen, a Napa Valley specialist in pinot noir, makes a low-price second-label pinot, called Ramsay, that comes from grapes blended from North Coast vineyards. Strawberries, vanilla, earthy, slightly tannic.

Ratings vary from high 80s to 91

VinoRater's "Day 2 Rating" : B

$12wine food and drink value wine everyday wine wine snob wine news

It's cold, serve the chili and pass the wine !!

2006-01-11T22:17:00.000-08:00

Check out this hearty COTO de HAYAS CRIANZA 2002, from Spain's Campo de Borja region. Full of spicy fruit fruit with a dry finish, this Spanish Grenache(60%)/Tempranillo(40%) blend hits the spot, and goes well with intense flavors.

High 80s, $10, Day 2 Rating: A

best,

VinoRater

wine food and drink value wine everyday wine wine snob wine news

Castle Rock 2003 Central Coast Syrah

2006-01-11T15:34:00.000-08:00

Wow. What a great surprise. I love this wine! Brawny, with earthy pomegranate flavors. Loads of vanilla, cedar linger on the finish, with chewy tannins! Packs a whollup!

Ratings generally in the high 80s

VinoRater Day 2 rating: A-

About $9

About the Winery: Since its inception in 1994, Castle Rock Winery has built an enviable reputation for producing high quality wines at affordable prices for discerning wine lovers. This winning formula is highly successful as proven by an increasing number of customers and members of the wine press, who have given the wines glowing reviews. The company is one of the fastest growing in the industry, having sold 200,000 cases of wine in 2004, and expecting to sell 250,000 cases in 2005.

Castle Rock's wines are carefully made from grapes grown in the most prestigious areas of the West Coast states - California (Napa Valley, Sonoma County, and Alexander Valley etc.), Oregon (Willamette Valley), and Washington (Columbia Valley). The company has always focused on making wines with specific appellations in order to allow the local qualities of the wine to be appreciated by connoisseurs.

The Everyday Wine Snob - THE COMPLETE LIST

2005-12-01T00:00:00.000-08:00

CLICK ON CHART TO ENLARGE/PRINT:

BARBERA

Montevina Sierra Foothills Amador County Barbera, 2002
Verrrrry looong finish with hints of fig, after a big biting tannic start. Interesting....the bottle says its "like an old cowboy they know...a bit leathery on the outside, but once you get to know him he's open, honest, and completely down to earth. " Quite an apt description, and one that truely captures this interesting bottle.Voted San Francisco Chronicle Top Bargain Wines of 2005. "The Italian varietal Barbera is perhaps the most underappreciated grape in the United States. It's widely grown but often ends up anonymously providing backbone for jug wines. When bottled on its own, it can be an outstanding dinner-table wine that combines two likable characteristics not found together often enough: a big body and palate-cleansing, food-friendly acidity.Pair with Cheeseburger, or Tomato-based Italian dish. About $7. Day 2 Rating: A- (opens nicely...)http://www.montevina.com/

CABERNET SAUVIGNON

Ironstone Vineyard, 2003 California Cabernet Sauvignon
The 2003 Ironstone Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon was produced from fruit grown in the family vineyards located in Murphys and Lodi, California. The wine is young and needs some time to aerate upon opening...give it at least 30 minutes and you will be rewarded. It's also one reason why it gets and A for Day 2 - it really benefits from time. While not a very showy wine, its a SUPER value wine, delivering a strong fruit base with some tannic bite.http://www.ironstonevineyards.comAround $7. Serve at home with hard cheeses, grilled beef, rich food. Ratings: few and far between, but mid 80s generally. Day 2 Rating: A

Sebastiani Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma County 2002
Gosh, it's hard to fine interesting Cabs at VinoRater's price point (one of the reasons this blog exists)! And admittedly, this is a bit of cheat, because it can be tough to find at under $12 (or even under $15), but if you can find (I did!) it it's worth the trouble! Nicely balanced, with dominating flavors of cherry and plum, this wine is smooth delight to drink. About 52,000 cases made. Pair it with a sirloin burger topped with blue cheese and grilled onions! http://www.sebastiani.com/home.aspRatings generally 90 and above. "Day 2 Rating": A

Stonehaven Winemaker's Selection 2003
Cabernet Sauvignon Finally! A strong Cabernet. It took going all the way down under to find a great Cab for under $12, but this South Australian was up to the task. This wine offers gentle cassis and red berry fruit and a silky finish. Just ready to drink in 2006 according to most. Around $9. http://www.stonehavenvineyards.com.au/ General ratings: High 80's, very good. Day 2 Rating: A-

DESSERT

Leonard Kreusch Rheinhessen Spatlese 2003
Time for dessert!The term Spatlese literally means, later harvest. The grapes were late-picked after reaching the prescribed level of ripeness. The wines are fuller-bodied and more concentrated than Kabinett wines and have a residual sugar level of 54 grams per liter. The Rheinhessen Spatlese offers a rich floral bouquet and good concentration. Hints of minerals intermingle with ftesh pear and cantaloupe flavors creating a deliciously versatile wine. It can be served as an aperitif or with a host of dishes, including barbeque chicken, broiled trout, or Szechuan Shrimp.Oh yeah, and a VERY cool blue bottle! Serve it VERY cold.Around $9. Delicious!

GRENACHE

COTO de Hayas Crianza 2002 (Grenache)
It's cold, serve the chili and pass the wine !!Check out this hearty COTO de HAYAS CRIANZA 2002, from Spain's Campo de Borja region. Full of spicy fruit fruit with a dry finish, this Spanish Grenache(60%)/Tempranillo(40%) blend hits the spot, and goes well with intense flavors. Around $10. High 80s. Day 2 Rating: A

d'Arenberg "The Stump Jump", 2004 Grenache/Shiraz/Mourvedre, South Austrialia
The bottle's spicy attitude matches the wine's spicy, grenache-driven southern Rhone style. Nice peppery flavor from the Grenache make this medium-bodied wine very drinkable and very delicious. Pairs with a wide range from grilled steak to olive oil and pasta. Oh, and the name: proudly named after an important South Australian invention - the stump jump plough. Many of McLaren's old vineyards were originally cleared using this invention. The plough saved many a vineyard owners' back and patience as the plough jumped over the most stubborn roots, saving valuable time and resources. Around $9-10.Ratings: High 80sDay 2 Rating: B+ http://www.darenberg.com.au/default2.php

MALBEC

Altos Las Hormigas, 2004 Malbec
Hailing from Mendoza Argentina, the Altos Las Hormigas Malbec is a medium bodied wine - lush, velvety, with fruity hints of berries and dark cherry. Simple, pleasing. The 2004 Malbec is limited to about 29,000 cases. http://www.altoslashormigas.com/indexN.htm Pair with Pork Roast and arugala/walnut salad. About $10.99 Ratings: Generally upper 80's

PETIT SIRAH

McManis Petit Sirah California 2004
Wow! WOw! WOW!! Succulent dark cherry and vanilla aromas are copious in this full-bodied, simple charmer from the River Junction. Very distinctive. Mmmm.... Around $9 (a great under $12 bargain wine)Pair it with a large rib-eye. Ratings: some low 90s, mostly upper 80s. Day 2 Rating: A
*A VinoRater Favorite

PINOT NOIR

Indigo Hills 2003 California Pinot Noir
A nice Pinot at a great price ($9.99). Very delicate, with a nice taste of fruit and soft tannins. So far, one of the best Pinots under $12 I've found. Hope you can find it in your area as well. I'm out to buy a few more... Around $10. Ratings generally high 80s. "Day 2" Rating: A-

Ramsay Napa Valley Pinot Noir 2003
Kent Rasmussen, a Napa Valley specialist in pinot noir, makes a low-price second-label pinot, called Ramsay, that comes from grapes blended from North Coast vineyards. Strawberries, vanilla, earthy, slightly tannic. Around $12. Ratings vary from high 80s to 91. "Day 2 Rating" : B

SYRAH/SHIRAZ

2003 Casa Barranca Arts & Crafts Syrah/Grenache Blend
Robert Parker gave this organic a 93, and I couldn't agree more!Deeply-colored, velvety-smooth blend of Syrah and Grenache made at their beautiful craftsman-style winery in Ojai California. Nice light peppery bite makes it truely interesting.Gift it, take it to a party, share it with friends, or sip with family (great taste, cool winery, fantastic name/label) - this one stands up.Is it because it's organic?...is it because there are no added sulfites?...whatever the reason it is special! Yum...Warning, only 200 cases were made, so while I got lucky and had no trouble finding it, it may not be available outside of southern california...http://www.organic-wine.com/ Pair with tangy ribs... Around $12. Ratings: very high, some 90s... Day 2 Rating: A

Elena 2004 Russian River Syrah
Simple, full taste, great price, rewarding bottle.Russian River Valley, granted official appellation standing in 1983, is now one of the most recognized AVA names in America. The appellation is internationally renowned for challenging varieties like Pinot Noir, which excels in this cool-climate, yielding highly expressive wines.Pair with a sausage tortellini with cream sauce...Around $8. Day 2 Rating: A-

Jekel Vineyards 2001 Monterey Syrah
This dry Monterey Syrah had nice deep flavors, a good tannin bite, and a a long finish. It really captures well the best of the Syrah grape - intensely fruity, big and bold, but without being overly ripe (or raisin-like) as is sometimes the case. And it's priced quite well...a real bargain.

A bit about the Monterey region (courtesy of http://www.appilationamerica.com/): This massive AVA on the eastern side of Monterey County encompasses the entire Salinas Valley, as well as part of Carmel Valley. The Salinas Valley, affectionately known as Americas salad bowl, is one of the country's most important agricultural assets, and hosts the majority of Monterey Countys large viticultural businesses. The valley is a funnel, with its mouth opening onto Monterey Bay. Here, fog rolls in between the Santa Lucia and Gabilan mountain ranges. The fog cools the valley early in the morning, while at midday a cool blast of wind sweeps through. Daytime temperatures rarely exceed 75 F., except for the southernmost reaches and in specific microclimates tucked into hillsides. With scant annual rainfall and predominately sandy soils, the valley would be arid if not for the irrigation from the Salinas River. One of the worlds longest growing seasons gives the Monterey AVA characterful wines with balanced acidity.

http://www.jekel.com/ Enjoy with a Spicy Chicken Taco Salad. Around $8 (price varies widely though, up to $14). Ratings: mostly mid 80s. Day 2 Rating: B+

Castle Rock 2003 Central Coast Syrah
Wow. What a great surprise. I love this wine! Brawny, with earthy pomegranate flavors. Loads of vanilla, cedar linger on the finish, with chewy tannins! Packs a whollup! About the Winery: Since its inception in 1994, Castle Rock Winery has built an enviable reputation for producing high quality wines at affordable prices for discerning wine lovers. This winning formula is highly successful as proven by an increasing number of customers and members of the wine press, who have given the wines glowing reviews. The company is one of the fastest growing in the industry, having sold 200,000 cases of wine in 2004, and expecting to sell 250,000 cases in 2005.Castle Rock's wines are carefully made from grapes grown in the most prestigious areas of the West Coast states - California (Napa Valley, Sonoma County, and Alexander Valley etc.), Oregon (Willamette Valley), and Washington (Columbia Valley). The company has always focused on making wines with specific appellations in order to allow the local qualities of the wine to be appreciated by connoisseurs. Around $9. Ratings generally in the high 80s. VinoRater Day 2 rating: A-

ZINFANDEL

Surprising Blend - Rosso Classic 2004
Not much was expected at $6.99, but what a great surprise; Francis Ford Coppola Presents Rosso Classic 2004, a blend of Zinfandel (47%), Cab (32%), and Syrah (21%). The 2004 Rosso has aromas of currants, engaging dark fruit and spicy clove, with a very soft tannins.A terrific value wine for home! And best of all, VERY easy to find. Around $7. Ratings in the 80's. Day 2 Rating: B

wine food and drink value wine everyday wine wine snob wine news

Reader's Picks

2005-11-01T00:00:00.000-08:00

Angel says: If you have never tried RH Phillips EXP Viognier, I highly recommend it. It meets your everyday drinking requirements, mine as well actually, as it usually retails for about 9.99. Granted it's winter, but if you've got something heavy that you're planning on eating, I find the Viognier is great to lighten those dishes up a bit. It really is a great summer wine, though!
http://www.rhphillips.com/

Posted by Angel Monday, January 16, 2006 3:34:28 PM

Under Construction

2005-10-01T22:41:00.000-07:00

Food and Wine Pairing Basics

2005-09-17T16:10:00.000-07:00

The easiest way to figure out which wine is right for which meal (or which meal is right for that great wine!), is by matching the boldness of the wine's flavor to the boldness of the food's flavor. Lighter wines tend to go best with delicate flavors, and very bold wines with heavily flavored rich foods.

Click to enlarge the below chart for a good general guide

Food and Wine combinations, suggestions by wine type:

Savignon Blanc
Complements lighter cuisine - shellfish, sole, halibut, chicken, salads, vegetables, citrus sauces.

Pinot Grigio
White meats, boiled or grilled fish, salads, shellfish-based pasta and rice dishes

Pinot Gris
Salmon dishes, poultry, salads, vegetarian dishes, lobster

Chardonnay
Grilled chicken, salmon, shrimp, crab, lobster, light pasta, tropical salsas, lightly spiced foods, chinese chicken salad.

Pinot noir
One of the most food-friendly varietals, especially salmon, roast chicken, duck, pork, mushrooms

Merlot
Medium to heavier cuisine - grilled red meats, hamburgers, tuna and swordfish, pizzas, stews, fresh tomato pasta with goat cheese, sesame noodles

Zinfandel
Grilled sausages, ribs, beef, tomato sauces, pizza, Cajun dishes, grilled vegetables

Cabernet sauvignon
Heavier cuisine - grilled red meats, stews, sausages, venison, bean dishes and strong cheeses roast rack of lamb, Chilean sea bass, beef tenderloin

Rhone
BBQ, roasts, pizza with sausage/meat, grilled beef

Shiraz
Barbeque, thick sirloin burgers, Pepperoni Pizza

Syrah
Grilled red meats, wild game, stews.

Petite Sirah
Venison, roast ducking, game, lamb, ribs

wine food and drink value wine everyday wine wine snob wine news

LINKS TO OTHER GREAT WINE SITES/BLOGS

2005-07-01T19:08:00.000-07:00

Check out these other great sites:

Wine Videos

2005-05-01T15:50:00.000-07:00

Some odd, humorous, interesting, classic and totally random videos related to wine.

Daily Show's "youth-spert" Demetri Martin on Wine Marketing To Young People

The Ultimate Wine Commercial: Orson Welles "We Will Sell No Wine Before Its Time" for Paul Masson wines

The Making of Orson Welles' "We Will Sell No Wine Before It's Time" commercial for Paul Masson wines

Viva Italia!

Swine Wine

Dungeons and Dragons Tries Wine

Winery Tour in Vittoria Italy

British News Report on Changes in French Wine Production

French Wine Cowboys?

wine food and drink value wine everyday wine wine snob wine news

Varietals

2005-04-01T19:15:00.000-08:00

** UNDER CONSTRUCTION **

MALBEC
One of the traditional "Bordeaux varietals", Malbec has characteristics that fall somewhere between Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. .

Malbec truly comes into its own in Argentina, where it is the major red. It is known in much of France as Côt. Malbec is also planted in Chile, while there's relatively little and recent acreage in California and Australia. It is usually blended with other red varietals in these countries.

Malbec growers claim that, in order to develop full maturity and distinction, Malbec needs "hang time" even after sugar levels indicate ripeness to acheive its characteristic notes of plum and anise.

wine food and drink value wine everyday wine wine snob wine news

VinoRater's Food Pairings

2005-02-03T00:00:00.000-08:00

From VinoRaters selects, some suggestions on tasty food pairings, from around the net. Your thoughts always appreciated!

Ribeye, Grilled Filet Mignot

McManis Petit Sirah California 2004, $9

Rich pasta sauce and fettuchini

Vega Sindoa Merlot 1999, $10

Cajun spicy dishes

Trinity Oaks 2001 California Zinfandel, $9

Roast Chicken

Ramsey Napa Valley Pinot Noir 2003, $12

wine food and drink value wine everyday wine wine snob wine news

VinoRater's Favorites

2005-01-02T00:00:00.000-08:00

These wines are the best of the those in The Everyday Wine Snob, and definitely worth looking for!

Castle Rock 2003 Central Coast Syrah, $9
McManis Petite Sirah California 2004, $9

What Is A Day 2 Rating ??

2005-01-01T00:00:00.000-08:00

In reality, unless we're having guests (or had a reeeaallly bad day!) a bottle of wine last more than a day. You'd hate to cork a great bottle on Friday only to end up with vinegar on Saturday. And in many cases, a second day wine opens up to new flavors and nuances. So I started taking note of how well a wine holds up its second day.

A: just as strong day 2 as day 1.
B: losing some of its distinctiveness, but still drinkable.
C: well, maybe there's a receipe needing some Red??

Enjoy!

VinoRater