Friday, July 15, 2005
Summertime wine drinking means white wines, and no better bargain abounds than the 2004 Villa Maria Private Bin Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand’s Marlborough wine growing region. Year in and year out since 1999 I have not found a more economically priced SB which has the ripe tropical fruit flavors, and sub tropical aromatics that can compete with this so called entry level wine. The slightly more expensive Reserve Sauvignon Blanc is a more complex wine, and geared for more sauced up fish dishes.
Over in Italy, the 2003 Castello Banfi San Angelo Pinot Grigio, which hails from Tuscany is one of the most refreshing whites to hit the shelves in some time. Perfect with summer vegetable salads or grilled eggplant, zucchini and squash dishes, yummy with beets and delectable by itself and some soft cheese, the signature white from one of Italy’s largest Vineyard holders in Tuscany is a real charmer.
Rose’s also seem to be in bloom right now, and the 2004’s are starting to reach store shelves. Over at BevMo (Beverages and More) in La Jolla you can likely uncover a great sub-eight dollar treasure in the 2004 Chateau Mas Neuf Costeieres de Nimes Rose. Hailing from the area at the very southern end of the Rhone appellation, Mas Neuf makes unique and tasty wines which always seem to impress, yet not break the bank in price. The blend of Grenache noir, Syrah, Cinsaut is light and refreshing, evoking memories of days along the Med, sipping wines like this, tasting fresh olives and sharing conversations. A perfect “beach day” pink, this wine also has enough gusto to tame the most bodacious wasabi infused Tuna Tartare or Ponzu sauce you can whip up.
Red wines though still seem the color of choice amongst wine buyers. I’ve been high on the wines from the Catalayud region in Spain for some time as long time readers will recall. The 2004 Vina Alarba, once again in the distribution pipeline via Jorge Ordonez perhaps the best wine hunter in the USA of Spanish wines, is a 100 percet old Vines Grenache wine that has consistently year after year been a hands down value priced winner. While it’s no longer $4.99 as it was early on, the wine has clearly maintained its deep spicy and berry flavors while offering enough inside to be a perfect companion to grilled tri-tip or swordfish that has been marinated in something zesty.
On the higher end of the scale price wise the 2000 Castello Banfi Brunello di Montelcino represents one of the more approachable, yet ageworthy wines to come ashore. While the 1997’s and 1998’s need more time, the 2000 is already in a smooth and forward style that makes it hit from start to finish. Prototypical cigar box, tar and tobacco aromas open with the wine, while the first to last sip becomes a thrill ride for the palate. Lovely flavors of roasted meats, black fruit and cherries, luscious black raspberry flavors.
Local winmaker from La Jolla Ray Falkner has made two more gorgeous wines in Temecula. The 2003 Viognier and 2003 Sauvignon Blanc are both wonderful examples of what patience and craftiness can produce. The Viognier while not as floral as those from the Rhone has a great Sushi supporting cast role. The Sauvignon Blanc has a perfect salad causing craving flavor.
Dining! Del Mar, a production of Del Mar Cable, staring Del Mar Village resident, personal chef and model/actress Jamie Danielle as host and producer, and Del Mar Times yours truly, debuts on Adelphia Cable’s Del Mar TV (http://www.DelMarTV.com) Channel 66 this month, airing on Thursday afternoons at 5 PM and Friday mornings at 9 AM, before moving to an early evening time slot in September.
Each monthly thirty minute episode features a peek into the kitchens of Del Mar’s finer dining establishments that have widespread appeal to the residents of Del Mar, Solana Beach and Carmel Valley. In every segment Danielle takes the cameras into the kitchens and to the tables, showcasing the personalities of the restaurants’ chefs, owners, managers and staff while highlighting the cuisine that makes Dining! Del Mar special. The opening episode of the series features the beachfront dining and ocean views of the Poseidon Restaurant and Bar.
“We set out to capture what Del Mar is all about when it comes to food, taste and dining out,” said Danielle. “By going into the kitchens, sitting at the tables and actually showing everything, from prep to the actual servings, we’re able to really feature and draw attention to the great chefs and the fine restaurants that are part of the current, yet timeless, Del Mar culinary lifestyle.”
While Danielle educates viewers about the chefs’ culinary skills and the atmosphere of local establishments like Poseidon, L’Auberge’s J. Taylors, Arterra and other favorite spots, I’m pairing wines with every course and selects a wine of the month in each episode. Together, we provide commentary and humorous insights about each restaurant, and the people behind them on every episode of Dining! Del Mar.
Andy Abramson writes about wine every week in the Del Mar Times. He can be reached by e-mail, aabramson@winescene.com .
Over in Italy, the 2003 Castello Banfi San Angelo Pinot Grigio, which hails from Tuscany is one of the most refreshing whites to hit the shelves in some time. Perfect with summer vegetable salads or grilled eggplant, zucchini and squash dishes, yummy with beets and delectable by itself and some soft cheese, the signature white from one of Italy’s largest Vineyard holders in Tuscany is a real charmer.
Rose’s also seem to be in bloom right now, and the 2004’s are starting to reach store shelves. Over at BevMo (Beverages and More) in La Jolla you can likely uncover a great sub-eight dollar treasure in the 2004 Chateau Mas Neuf Costeieres de Nimes Rose. Hailing from the area at the very southern end of the Rhone appellation, Mas Neuf makes unique and tasty wines which always seem to impress, yet not break the bank in price. The blend of Grenache noir, Syrah, Cinsaut is light and refreshing, evoking memories of days along the Med, sipping wines like this, tasting fresh olives and sharing conversations. A perfect “beach day” pink, this wine also has enough gusto to tame the most bodacious wasabi infused Tuna Tartare or Ponzu sauce you can whip up.
Red wines though still seem the color of choice amongst wine buyers. I’ve been high on the wines from the Catalayud region in Spain for some time as long time readers will recall. The 2004 Vina Alarba, once again in the distribution pipeline via Jorge Ordonez perhaps the best wine hunter in the USA of Spanish wines, is a 100 percet old Vines Grenache wine that has consistently year after year been a hands down value priced winner. While it’s no longer $4.99 as it was early on, the wine has clearly maintained its deep spicy and berry flavors while offering enough inside to be a perfect companion to grilled tri-tip or swordfish that has been marinated in something zesty.
On the higher end of the scale price wise the 2000 Castello Banfi Brunello di Montelcino represents one of the more approachable, yet ageworthy wines to come ashore. While the 1997’s and 1998’s need more time, the 2000 is already in a smooth and forward style that makes it hit from start to finish. Prototypical cigar box, tar and tobacco aromas open with the wine, while the first to last sip becomes a thrill ride for the palate. Lovely flavors of roasted meats, black fruit and cherries, luscious black raspberry flavors.
Local winmaker from La Jolla Ray Falkner has made two more gorgeous wines in Temecula. The 2003 Viognier and 2003 Sauvignon Blanc are both wonderful examples of what patience and craftiness can produce. The Viognier while not as floral as those from the Rhone has a great Sushi supporting cast role. The Sauvignon Blanc has a perfect salad causing craving flavor.
Dining! Del Mar, a production of Del Mar Cable, staring Del Mar Village resident, personal chef and model/actress Jamie Danielle as host and producer, and Del Mar Times yours truly, debuts on Adelphia Cable’s Del Mar TV (http://www.DelMarTV.com) Channel 66 this month, airing on Thursday afternoons at 5 PM and Friday mornings at 9 AM, before moving to an early evening time slot in September.
Each monthly thirty minute episode features a peek into the kitchens of Del Mar’s finer dining establishments that have widespread appeal to the residents of Del Mar, Solana Beach and Carmel Valley. In every segment Danielle takes the cameras into the kitchens and to the tables, showcasing the personalities of the restaurants’ chefs, owners, managers and staff while highlighting the cuisine that makes Dining! Del Mar special. The opening episode of the series features the beachfront dining and ocean views of the Poseidon Restaurant and Bar.
“We set out to capture what Del Mar is all about when it comes to food, taste and dining out,” said Danielle. “By going into the kitchens, sitting at the tables and actually showing everything, from prep to the actual servings, we’re able to really feature and draw attention to the great chefs and the fine restaurants that are part of the current, yet timeless, Del Mar culinary lifestyle.”
While Danielle educates viewers about the chefs’ culinary skills and the atmosphere of local establishments like Poseidon, L’Auberge’s J. Taylors, Arterra and other favorite spots, I’m pairing wines with every course and selects a wine of the month in each episode. Together, we provide commentary and humorous insights about each restaurant, and the people behind them on every episode of Dining! Del Mar.
Andy Abramson writes about wine every week in the Del Mar Times. He can be reached by e-mail, aabramson@winescene.com .
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