Tag Archives: wine blog

White Wine of the Week | White Wine Reviews

Famiglia Meschini Torrontes

Cost: Average price $12.99

Where buy now: Byerly’s Ridgedale, Sorella Wines & Spirits, Zipp’s Liquors

Grapes: Torrontes

Region: Mendoza, Argentina

Vintage: 2010

Famiglia Meschini Torrontes

In these dog days of Summer, there isn’t a bottle of white wine I’d rather treat myself to than Famiglia Meschini’s Torrontes. In fact, I’m drinking something else right now and I’m mad, mad I tell you, that I’m not drinking this. Let’s put aside the fact that this bottle is sexy as hell. This white is a little zingy, a little sing-y, and a whole lotta ringy-dingy. Yes, your buzzer will blow slurping this Summer Solstice sipper.

No surprise, yet another beloved wine from the Famiglia Meschini Winery in Mendoza. To learn more about them, simply read my first article about them:http://www.thesavvylush.com/white-wine-of-the-week-|-white-wine-reviews/famiglia-meschini-premium-white-blend.htmlFamiglia Meschini

Torrontes, what is this wine?

It is quintessential Argentinian, where the grape is found. It’s a bubbly white that is sure to tickle your fancy. Sticking my nose in the glass, fragrances of peach are evident. Upon a couple more whiffs, apricot and tropical floral hints emerge. I think those who enjoy sweeter wines such as Gewurztraminers or Rieslings will enjoy this. With that being said, there is a balance. Even though that peachy apricot goodness is prevalent, it isn’t yicky sweet- more light and lively. The effervescence and acidity cut through, preventing it from being too thick, heavy or syrupy, while allowing dryer fruit qualities to emerge. It’s fun and easy going- just as Summer sipping should be!

Argentines are beef-eating folk, so naturally, it’ll pair well with grilled, smoked meats. But just the same, I’d enjoy this with sushi, spicy Thai, Mexican or Indian food.

Since we’ve been “enjoying” 90+ degree temps, get your hoard on now- we’re in for a whole bunch more in the upcoming months. What’s terrific is this is meant to be drunk now. No worries about aging this baby. I’ll stop soapboxing about this wine (for now) in hopes that my outspoken, faithful followers will supply their own comments. You see, this isn’t biased, just truth.

White Wine of the Week | White Wine Reviews

Anakena Sauvignon Blanc

Cost: Average price $7

Where buy now: Marshall Liquor, St. Paul

Grapes: Sauvignon Blanc

Region: Chile

Vintage: 2011

Anakena Sauvignon Blanc

There’s nothing sexier than drinking in a casino hotel room.

Let me introduce you to Anakena Sauvignon Blanc. If you are a grapefruit fan, this is your Sauvignon Blanc. It’s a flaxen yellow wine that is light, crisp, and a righteous deal at only $6.99! This is dictionary definition weeknight patio wine, but is also a swell antidote for sweltering Saturday nights.

I was sans patio, but as you can see from the photo, I enjoyed it sitting in a hotel room that “reminisced” of a smoking room (read: stale ex-smoking = inside stank). Maybe it was because I had spent 16 hours outside in the menacing sun and dusty winds of Grand Casino Hinckley [another glamorous episode for my day job] , but this wine went down fast and easy. My co-worker and I sucked the bottle down with authority (and some Stacy’s pita chips), bringing a tired smile to both our faces as we picked at the annoying dirt caked in various body crevices. We found our nirvana, if only for a moment.

We awoke at 4am the next day to get up and do it all over again. I cannot help but think that the Anakena made it just a bit more bearable.

Red Wine of the Week | Red Wine Reviews

Hendry 2011 Rosé

Cost: Average price $15

Where buy now: Solo Vino

Grapes: Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Primitivo

Region: Napa Valley, California

Vintage: 2011

Hendry 2011 Rosé

Yep, you’ve probably all been waiting with bated breath for the next Red wine of the week (or, perhaps semi-bated breath?). My day job responsibilities prohibited me from sticking to task, once again. And what’s this?  Another Rosé? Oh, just shut up and trust me.

I was introduced to this Rosé at Solo Vino’s Rosé Tasting a couple week’s back. After reviewing my notes, this one was starred by both myself and my husband. Say “hello” to Hendry Rosé from Napa Valley.

Admittedly, I am not as familiar with Napa as I am Sonoma Valley, but this wine embodies all the things I love. First, it hails from a family owned farm (since 1939!). Second, they solely use their own estate grapes to produce wines. They make wine in small batches and that can only lead to quality. This 2011 Rosé marks their 20th vintage!

This wine is created using saignée (Sahn-yay), which means bleeding in French. The saignée method is when the juice is allowed to macerate (soften in liquid) the skins, which is done to extract a certain color. When the wine turns the desired hue (pink, salmon, cranberry, puce, etc.), the tank is then opened to let the wine “bleed off” into another tank to be fermented and made into Rosé. The remaining wine stays in the tank to macerate longer to give the wine a deeper red color, and later is fermented to become a “standard” red wine. Such elaborate technique to refine nature into your bottle of wine! It’s all quite blinding, this science.

This wine is made with the following grapes: Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc & Primitivo. If you are fans of any (or all),  this is your Rosé. If you are STILL hesitant to try pink wine (I’m looking at my “manly” friends), this is one to start with. It’s totally pink and fruity, but man up. Hell, drink it from a giant ceramic stein, your leather flask, or a hollowed out animal horn if you must- I won’t tell!   

Yeah, I know I keep saying Rosé embodies smells and tastes of strawberry, spice and everything nice. But if I could reach out of your screen and give you a glass of this right now, I would. (Don’t you sometimes wish you lived in the classic video for Aha’s “Take on Me”? No?!? Oh, right, me either.) This wine is dry, balanced with a little citrus and a little herb and goes with _everything_. I’ve had it several times now and I can’t find one thing this wine clashes with.

This is such a pleasing, Summery, drink-on-your-patio-until-you-get-perma-grin kinda wine, I can’t stand it. I even ran back to Solo Vino to buy more because it’s made in such a small batch. Folks, there are only a couple cases left and then, bye-bye 2011 Hendry Rosé. I guess that means every Rosé truly has it’s…  Well, you know.