Bougie Black Brother

Sparkling Wines

Today I try a few sparkling wines from 3 different countries.  Maybe not the best of the best but the options some people do not even know exist.    I highlight Prosseco, Cava, and Sparkling Riesling (Sekt) Ladies and gentleman we have other options.  (see the video)  And stop calling them Champagne!!!

Montresor Castrum Suavense Soave

Garganega is a variety of white Italian wine grape widely grown in the Veneto region of North East Italy, particularly in the provinces of Verona and Vicenza. It is Italy's 6th most widely planted white grape

Throughout the Soave production zone Garganega is the principal grape variety though Trebbiano di Soave and Chardonnay are permitted in varying percentages. While most Soave is dry, still wine within the DOC zone a sparkling spumante style is permitted as is the passito Recioto style, that in 1998 was granted its own Recioto di Soave DOCG designation for grapes grown in the hilly region

Mohua Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand

An elegant expression of the world-renowned Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc its grapes are sourced from three premier Wairau Valley sub-regions, bringing distinct and consistent characteristics to every vintage.

Ripe and Juicy tropical fruits, rich stone fruit and fresh cut lime combined with notes of fresh picked summer herbs 

lois Gruner Veltliner Kamptal

Lois (rhymes with choice) is named after the village of Langenlois where Fred Loimer’s winery is located. The wine is produced from contracted growers who are in conversion to organic viticulture.  Pale yellow color, this wine is purely aromatic and lively! Lovely aromas of fresh apples and citrus, this wine surprises on the palate with great spice components as well as exotic fruit and a refreshing acidity

Varietal composition:             100% Grüner Veltliner
Fermentation container:         Stainless steel tanks
Length of  fermentation:         14-30 days
Fermentation temperature:     68 °F
Type of aging container:         Stainless steel tanks

Poema Cava (Spain) Review

CAVA TASTING NOTES
SHOWS CRISP AROMAS OF GREEN APPLES, CHALK AND SPRING FLOWERS, AND FRESH, TANGY FRUIT FLAVORS IN THE MOUTH WITH A TRACE OF SWEETNESS THAT IS WELL BALANCED BY ACIDITY

THE PENEDÉS WINE REGION IS LOCATED IN THE PROVINCE OF BARCELONA, ALONG THE EASTERN COAST OF SPAIN. THE PENEDÉS WINE REGION CONSISTS OF 185 VINEYARDS. PENEDES IS HOME TO SPAIN’S SPARKLING WINE, CAVA, AND ALSO PRODUCES GARNACHA, MERLOT, TEMPRANILLO, PINOT NOIR, MONASTRELL, CARIGNANE, CABERNET SAUVIGNON AND SYRAH (REDS), AS WELL AS MACABEO (VIURA), PARELLADA, CHARDONNAY, RIESLING, GEWURTZTRAMINER, CHENIN BLANC AND MOSCATEL DE ALEJANDRIA.

Niko's wine corner wine tasting

Today I change up my wine reviews with a local tastings at Niko's Wine Corner for their weekly wine tasting.  We record live to get not only the atmosphere but get the feel of live tasting to see if it is worth doing it again.  The presenter interacts with others while presenting wine to all of us and I let him give you the details.  We speak to Zane Crist from the Atlanta beverage wine and spirits about the selections he brought along. (illuminati and Ammunition wineries) and give us his insight on the history on these wines and vinyards.  See youtube video for images and website links

Oak Creek Syrah Review

Oak Creek Syrah is dark colored, full bodied, peppery and dense. Layered with spicy fruit and streaked with mineral undertones. This is a perfect example of a traditional varietal that has found its home in Arizona and is here to stay. Red meat and Italian food will only be enhanced by this rich and full red.

TuesdayNight Red - Cabernet Sauvignon

Tuesday Night Red is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, and a truly pleasant example at this price.  Though typically assertive in flavor as Cabernet is, this one is gentle in style: black fruits, and a slightly ripe fruit edge in the nose and on the palate, with a touch of black licorice and pepper.  There is still a freshness to the black currant-like taste, and a soft balance between the acids and natural tannins.  This is not a porterhouse steak and cigar type Cabernet, but the beef food pairing is still hard to beat - for this bottle, on a Tuesday night, maybe a great grilled burger with sharp cheddar and caramelized onions instead

Beaujolais Nouveau 2016 Review

Beaujolais Nouveau day is marked in France on the third Thursday in November with fireworks, music and festivals. Under French law, the wine is released at 12:01 a.m., just weeks after the wine's grapes have been harvested. This Beaujolais is a red wine made from Gamay grapes produced in the Beaujolais region of France.

This "Beaujolais Day" is accompanied by publicity events and heavy advertising. The traditional slogan, even in English-speaking countries, was "Le Beaujolais nouveau est arrivé!" (literally, "The new Beaujolais has arrived!"), but in 2005 this was changed to "It's Beaujolais Nouveau Time!". In the United States, it is promoted as a drink for Thanksgiving, which always falls exactly one week after the wine is released (on the fourth Thursday of November). Many producers release the nouveau with colourful or abstract design that changes every year, usually as an evolution from the previous year's design. Duboeuf has silk ties made each year with their label's abstract design, and releases them through select wholesalers and distributors

P.J Falkenberg Gewurtztraminer review

Characteristic - This VALCKENBERG GEWÜRZTRAMINER is a full-bodied, off-dry white with a lovely aroma of roses, followed by flavors of ripe peaches and litchi on the palate. The finish offers signature “gewürz” notes of nutmeg, cinnamon and clove. Perfect with patés, hearty cheeses or fruity dessert. Delicious simply on its own.

"While the nose is a touch herbaceous, there's plenty of varietal characteristic to celebrate in this fresh, blossomy Gewürztraminer. Green melon and peach flavors are brightened by a lemony squirt and delicate lace of sweetness on the finish."