If you have read my previous columns, you are familiar with the
premise of this column: easy-drinking wines that are so good they
cause a
”
buzz,
”
are between $5 and $25 and are fairly easy to find.
If you have read my previous columns, you are familiar with the premise of this column: easy-drinking wines that are so good they cause a “buzz,” are between $5 and $25 and are fairly easy to find.
You will also find that I use simple, common words to describe the wines in this column – unlike what happened to my good friends, Ben and Barbara, when they went to a French restaurant in Napa to celebrate their anniversary. With great gravity, the sommelier described the chardonnay as “1 percent milk splashing on a wet stone.” My friends hadn’t a clue what that meant, but have enjoyed a good laugh every time they tell the story.
Instead you will find some down-to-earth descriptions along with winemakers’ notes. I am partial to words like “jammy” (a wine with richness and a slight sweetness – sort of like jam), “crowd-pleasing” (when lots of people ask where they can purchase it) and “quaffable” (my brother’s term for an easy-drinking wine that is a really good bargain).
A current wine buzz is for Cupcake Red Velvet (2009, $8.99, Safeway and Nob Hill). My sister and brother both recommended it. I love this wine because it is “jammy” and a great bargain. The winemaker notes say: “Red Velvet shows an incredible nose of chocolate, deep rich blackberries, red fruits and a creamy mocha finish. It’s a blend of Zinfandel, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Enjoy this wine with a steak or dark chocolate fondue.”
Another wine buzz happened over Conundrum (2009, $16.99, BevMo, Costco), a white wine blend that I served during an informal wine tasting at my house. This is the kind of wine that everyone asks, “Where did you buy it?” and “What’s the name of that great wine again?”
Conundrum, from Monterey County, “is a blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Muscat Canelli, Semillon and Viognier and offers full-flavored fruit and a floral, tropical taste. With a lush and creamy texture, it can be enjoyed alone as an aperitif or paired with spicy and full-flavored Asian or Thai cuisine.” It has a convenient twist-off cap, too.
Local Winery Buzz
Satori Cellars, 2100 Buena Vista Ave. in Gilroy (satoricellars.com), is a wonderful, family-owned winery with handcrafted wines that include Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, Merlot, Syrah, Chardonnay and Cabernet Franc. All of their wine is barrel-aged for at least one year using a combination of French and American oak.
My friends and I discovered Satori during a Wine Passport weekend where they served the best appetizers. We love their colorful and creative labels, and were so impressed with their variety of great wines.
As a special offer to readers, Satori is offering a two-for-one deal on their two new fantastic releases: Petite Sirah Ha-Ha and Harmonic Convergence. Clip this column and bring it down to Satori and you will receive two bottles for the price of one.
The Petite Sirah Ha-Ha (2008 Estate, $29) is described: “Nothing petite about this big baby. Big black-blue fruit, smooth tannins and flavors of plum and melted chocolate to start, currants and black pepper spice for the long big finish. 22 months on Oak.”
Their other new release, Harmonic Convergence (2008 Estate Reserve, $33) is especially rich and delicious. The tasting notes on this wine say, “… vibrant lingonberry fruit balanced by layers of caramel, vanilla and white pepper. Cherry tobacco rides shotgun on a long undulating finish.”
Satori Cellars gets its name from two sources: Owners Sandy, Tom and Riley, and from the Zen Buddhist term meaning “a taste of enlightenment” or “sudden unbidden moments of absolute stillness and peace in which time stops and the perfection and beauty of creation shine forth.”
Everyone feels at home at Satori’s – even stray dogs are drawn to this haven and have found their new home here. Satori’s warmth and hospitality along with their fabulous, award winning wines, is a magnet to everyone who loves fine wine.
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Wine munchie of the week
Celebrate homegrown tomatoes! Spread cream cheese on sliced baguette, top with a slice of ripe tomato and a dollop of pesto sauce.
