Premier: Wine Made Easy

"In a world of rising Bordeaux prices, this superb Margaux really delivers at an affordable price. It’s grown within a few kilometers of the famed Chateau Margaux, which sells for around $1500 a bottle; Chateau Les Baraillots sells for less than two percent of that. Upon first whiff, one notices a nice kick of dark berry notes with a hint of tar. After some aeration, the supple fruit really comes to the forefront. The mouth feel is completely round and soft for a Cabernet-based blend. There is a backbone of silky tannins, with a touch of coffee and vanilla spice on the finish and a splash of black cherry and blueberry fruit to round things out. This wine would pair with many different dishes, but I would stick with red meat, perhaps a heavily marbled rib eye with sautéed mushrooms and asparagus."

"This well structured Spanish treasure is a total joy to drink! Medium bodied with rich black fruit and subtle spice, Marco Real Tempranillo is a real treat. Blackberries and blueberries on the palate blend seamlessly with well-integrated tannins for a little bit of a lively grip. The finish has a hint of pepper and leathery fruit, reminiscent of cherry fruit roll-ups. Blackened jerk chicken + oven-roasted red potatoes + Marco Real Tempranillo = dinner, no questions asked. An absolute value at this price!"

"Full, rich and seductive are not adjectives that Pliny The Elder (the man responsible for writing the Naturalis Historia) would have used to describe his last few moments on Earth. You see, Pliny was buried under molten ash and rock in 79 A.D. when Mount Vesuvius erupted and wiped out the ancient city of Pompeii. However, full, rich and seductive are definitely adjectives I would use to describe the wine that is named after Pliny’s work. Made from 100% Aglianico, Naturalis Historia is a very long-lived red. There is intense fruit on the palate with leather and toasty oak nuances. The finish is dry with delightful tannins and a bit of peppery spice. So raise a glass to a man who was toasted by a volcano."

"When you think of Spanish wine grapes, the first varietals that come to mind are Garnacha, Shiraz, Tempranillo and Monastrell. Let me tell you something, the wines produced from these grapes are usually very good. Now, there are two other varietals that tend to grow well is Spain, Valencia to be exact, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. These are the grapes that go in to making Dos. The wine is a 50/50 blend of the two noble varietals. With aromas of crushed raspberries and blueberries on the nose, Dos intrigues you into the first, wonderful sip, then BANG! You’re hooked. The rich blackberry and cherry flavors take over, aided by a spicy vanilla backbone. The finish is comprised of a slight herbal characteristic and lush, silky tannins. Drink this beauty with Chateaubriand and a good friend."

"Upon first whiff, this Spanish beauty smells like raspberry jam and chocolate covered strawberries. Its ultra-extracted style provides loads of rich fruit and a fairly full-bodied structure. Digging deeper into this wine, you will find dark berry flavors interlaced with mild, silky tannins and just a subtle hint of spice. The finish is velvety-soft and very smooth, with a good backbone of blueberry pie filling. A wine this flamboyant needs food that can stand up to its intense fruit flavors. I would suggest barbecued foods with plenty of smokiness and a zesty sauce."

"This lovely French sparkler is a real treat for the taste buds. It is slightly floral with bright strawberry fruit up front and a midpalate of cherry limeade. The finish has a hint of creaminess with a very, very slight touch of doughy yeastiness. This all combines for a clean and refreshing yet flavorful experience, which would match perfectly with your next meal. Hey, who said sparkling wine was only for celebration? Make every night a celebration!"

"This lovely French sparkler is a real treat for the taste buds. It is slightly floral with bright strawberry fruit up front and a midpalate of cherry limeade. The finish has a hint of creaminess with a very, very slight touch of doughy yeastiness. This all combines for a clean and refreshing yet flavorful experience, which would match perfectly with your next meal. Hey, who said sparkling wine was only for celebration? Make every night a celebration!"

"Zinfandel is the one red varietal that I absolutely cannot escape. I try to pick other types, but I usually return to Zin. In this case it is the Sobon Estate Cougar Hill Zin, I loved its deep, sweet fruit aromas of blueberries and loganberries. It is a very well balanced wine, melding flavors of dark berries and cocoa powder with a touch of vanillin oak to smooth out the finish. The immense fruit is balanced by a perfect acidity and subtle tannic backbone. The trend, as of late, is to amp up the alcohol content in California Zins to astronomical levels, some nearing 17%. That is a little extreme for my taste; the Cougar Hill Zin is a little more restrained at 14.2%. The fruit-forward style is great for summer foods, especially smoky barbeque."

"This wine is a truly harmonious blend of 60% Shiraz and 40% Grenache. The first whiff is pure strawberry fruit, followed by a swift kick of not-from-concentrate cherry juice aromas. Let us not forget the alcohol; oh, the alcohol… Upon first sniff, the alcohol, weighing in at just over 15% by volume, is very prevalent; it does, however, blend well with the toasty vanilla fumes from the oh-so-obvious oak. The mouthfeel is very velvety and rich with blueberry and cranberry fruit on the palate wrestling with firm tannins for the front-row seat. The finish has a lip-smacking acidity that helps to round out the immense fruit-forward style of this bruiser."