All posts by The Savvy Lush

White Wine of the Week | White Wine Reviews

Kim Crawford Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

2 Comments

Cost: Average price $17.99

Where buy now: Readily available $10.99

Grapes: Sauvignon Blanc

Region: Marlborough, New Zealand

Vintage: 2011

By now, you should know that I’m a sucker for deeply discounted wine. I love catching wind that a surplus of wine is priced to move. Oh, sooo sorry “Mr. Wine Man”! Such was the case with this Sauvignon Blanc from the Marlborough region of New Zealand. I received an e-mail from Surdyk’s saying they had buttloads of the stuff and had a markdown from $18 to $10. I love me some Sauvignon Blanc in the Summertime, and all the crispy, zesty, tropicality it has to offer. I’ll pour a glass, sit out on the patio and read, feeling the breeze flow through my hair. For a moment, it can transport me to the rolling hills of some far away land.

Admittedly, I have never had a Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand, so I took advantage of the “whoa is me” retailer forced to sell at a discounted price. In my research, I’ve come to find out that Marlborough is rivaling the wine’s native France producing some of the best Sauvignon Blanc in the world. Situated in the northeast tip top part of the South Island, the climate is rich in warm, sunny days followed by cool nights, low rainfall, and good draining soil- good reasons for all the hubbub. Other varietals such as Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are starting to receive similar accolades, but for me, it’s all about the Sauvignon Blanc.

Twist it open and the scents of tropical fruit such as passionfruit explode; upon swirling and sticking my nose in the glass I start to receive wafts of peach and citrus. On my tongue, all the flavors of peach, passionfruit, pale apple, grapefruit are present, followed by a twinge of a faint herby quality. This is a snappy little number and that comes across in the finish. This may be a light white wine, but it delivers with zest and acidity in a balanced way. The finish leaves your mouth puckering for more.

‘Tis the Lenten season, so I recommend enjoying with shrimp or grilled fish. If you don’t have a grill pan, get one, already. Grill up fresh asparagus that’s been dusted with salt, pepper and balsamic vinegar. I am addicted to arugula, so having this wine alongside arugula tossed with lemon juice a little lemon zest, olive oil, cracked pepper, cherry tomatoes and some Romano sprinkled in would leave me grinning. (I’ll sometimes throw in tuna packed in oil for added Mediterranean flavor and protein). Tonight, I enjoyed a grilled cheese with Muenster & Fontina, all melty and oozing, it went well with this wine, too.

I’m so glad I tried this New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. God bless wine sales! I fully recommend you sign up on your local wine shop’s e-mail list. You’d be surprised at what they may be pedaling at a good price, and is often how I fall in love with new wines! As the “Kiwis” might say: “Kia Ora”.

White Wine of the Week | White Wine Reviews

Jakob Schneider Riesling Kabinett

Cost: Average price $16.99

Where buy now: Surdyk’s- $11.99

Grapes: Riesling

Region: Nahe region, Germany

Vintage: 2009

Jakob Schneider Riesling Kabinett

I love sausage! Keep giggling, Beavis & Butthead, but it’s true. We grill them up all year ’round at my house. Recently, I’ve been testing Rieslings that pair well with the garlicky, smokey, fatty, flavors that are packed inside that casing. I’ve found one and, get this: it’s a liter! A liter, man!

I introduce you to Jakob Schneider’s Riesling Kabinett. I was at Surdyk’s because a faithful follower went there looking for the Riesling Spatlese I reviewed a month ago to no avail. So, I had to go in and investigate. I talked to Roger, a wine dude who knows his stuff. I took a wine class from him once, and when possible, I seek his spirit guidance. He is a quirky fella, not unlike Paul Giamatti’s character in “Sideways”(minus the Merlot pretentiousness). Plus, he loves to cook! I often buy what he recommends because he has such passion and really evokes the senses when discussing wine and pairings.

Kabinett- what is this? I’m not going to lie, I may be a 1/4 German but this language confuses the hell out of me. “Kabinett” is a variety of Riesling, and refers to the ripeness of the grapes. These grapes are not as ripe as other Riesling grapes [for example, the next step up the ripeness ladder is Spatlese]. The riper the grapes, the sweeter the wine.

Two great things about this Riesling: 1.) It’s a liter [I’m sorry, am I repeating myself?]. 2.) Screw cap. I may love drinking wine but I’d rather not sip Riesling all day long, just two – three glasses with some succulent sausages or on a warm Spring day, thank you. With the screw cap, I can enjoy my glass or two, screw the cap back on, and return the bottle to the fridge. Perfetto! Waste not, want not.

Upon twisting the cap off, scents of floral, apple, pear, and light citrus immediately escape. The scents reappear on your pallet. This is a dryer Riesling, which I prefer. A decent finish with a touch of acidity to make your mouth water. Take a bite of a freshly grilled sausage, snap into the casing letting the oozing flavors envelop your mouth. A sip of this Riesling Kabinett, and I was suddenly singing, “Springtime for Hitler”.

I suggest picking up a liter then walking down the street to Kramarcyzks to buy a sampling of their sausages. I love the Hungarian and Andouille, myself. Dust the snow off your grill and set fire to those little piggies. A little sauerkraut, mustard and this Riesling- your evening is set. Oh, and watching the Zero Mostel/Gene Wilder version of “The Producers” would be most excellent.  Achtung: das German trifecta!

Red Wine of the Week | Red Wine Reviews

Franco Serra Barbera d’Alba

Cost: Average price $11

Where buy now: Surdyk’s- $9.99

Grapes: Barbera

Region: Barbera d’Alba, Italy

Vintage: 2010

Franco Serra Barbera d’Alba

While seeking one of my favorites recently, Ruvei Barbera d’Alba, I come to find out Surdyk’s doesn’t carry it any more. Why, oh why? I was turned on to this wine years ago when a friend gave it to me, and it has been my go-to splurge (typically around $20/bottle) ever since.

So, I asked, “What Barbera would you suggest that’s comparable yet under $15?” I was directed to this: Franco Serra Barbera [bar-bear-ah].

Later that afternoon, we went out with an old college friend. It was two of the worst hours of my life. And I mean it. A visit to my “ladyparts” doctor would feel like a Disney ride compared to this. I was miserable. This friend (whom shall remain nameless) not only showed up over an hour late, he appeared stoned, drunk and everything in between. I spent two hours listening to his loud, lewd, and drunken drivel, while not letting anyone else speak. I couldn’t get out of there fast enough.

Now, I know you’re thinking, “What’s this? The Savvy Lush can’t stand her old pal’s inebriation?” No, friends, I follow the sentiment of the late, great imbiber extraordinaire, Hunter S. Thompson, who once said: “There is nothing worse than a sloppy drunk.”

I came home and I needed to find my happy place and FAST! I grabbed the Barbera, and tapped the juice so fast you’d have thought I was Houdini. I poured a big ol’ glass. I needed to erase my last two hours, so more ambiance was required. I ran to the stereo to add the sonic bliss of Andrea Boccelli. I sat down, dog at my feet, and began to sink into the sofa. With each gorgeous note the tenor sang and with each sip of delicious wine I swallowed, I could feel my soul being restored.

This Barbera smelled of dark red fruit and wafts of soothing Italian breezes (go with me, now). The taste was velvety smooth, with hints of strawberry, mild spice and chocolate. The tannins are mild and there is little acidity in this medium-bodied red. This is a food friendly wine, as any Italian wine should be, but what I love about Barbera is you can drink it alone. As you can see in the picture, I enjoyed the wine alongside a Capicolla & Asiago Trader Joe’s sampler pack and some yummy dark chocolate from Kowalski’s (wine + meat & cheese = $6!). It was all working, and I finally found my happy place.

This is a tasty little number. I’m still sad that the Ruvei was no longer in stock at Surdyk’s as that one will still remain a favorite. However, the Franco Serra will more than suffice, and for a few bucks less, may become my new go-to Barbera.