Tinto de Verano

Everyone knows the basics of wine: Reds are to be served at room temperature while Whites are best when chilled.

In order to break the rules a little bit, I'd like to share one of my favorite party drinks, Tinto de Verano.  It is a little something that every Spaniard is familiar with but very few Americans are.  As the name suggests, this drink is perfect for the summer time as it is chilled red wine, mixed with Casera and served on ice.

Casera is similar to Sprite, but I have yet to find it sold anywhere in the States, so you'll need to substitute any soft drink for the Casera.  (My favorite is orange soda.) 

Birthday Wine #1 - NORA

Thank you Brent & Erin for the beautiful, Spanish wine.  You'll see it here all decked out.  :)  This wine brought so much joy to my heart simply because of its name.  When I spent a week in the home of an Arabic speaking, Muslim family in North Africa, I begged the Lord to at least let me be a light in their home.  I had barely learned enough Arabic to say hello and goodbye with confidence, and here I was spending an entire week with people who had most likely never heard the good news of Jesus Christ.  What an opportunity and what a frustration!

I prayed for days before entering their home that the Creator of the Universe would allow me to be a light, and within the first ten minutes of entering their home, God spoke back.  It went something like this...

Sitting nervously on their couch, I was attempting small talk which is a struggle for me in English, a bit interesting in Spanish, and for the LOVE... in Arabic?  :)  The dad asked my name.  I replied pronouncing Laura with the Spanish accent that seemed to be more easily pronounced by the native Arabic speakers.  He made me repeat myself a few times and then began pointing at the ceiling.  He was beaming as he then pointed to himself and through charades, the Holy Spirit, and some previous knowledge I'd gained in Arabic names he communicated to me that his name was Nordeen (light of religion/light of God), that he was going to call me "Nora" since that was a common Arabic name and it sounded so very similar to "Laura/Lora," and with more and more pointing to the ceiling he emphasized that both of our names referenced light... like the overhead light directly above our heads.

Even now my spirit is moved remembering how much the Creator of the universe wants each of us to know Him as our Daddy.  He knows my name... in EVERY language.

Now, as for the wine.  It was delicious.  Great choice Brent & Erin!  So thoughtful of you to choose a Spanish wine, and so thoughtful of God to have it named Nora.  I love you all, because you first loved me.  Praise His name!

From the back label, "This wine was born on the banks of the Miño, the great river of Galicia.  Here is flows slowly through its last leg of its long journey to the Atlantic.  The vineyards are surrounded by pine and eucalyptus forests and the ruins of ancient Celtic fortresses.  In the midst of this poetic landscape, Albariño, the queen of Spanish white varietals, ripens slowly.  The wine draws your attention with aromas of ripe apples and peaches.  On the palate Nora has an excellent balance of fresh fruit flavors and rich silky texture."

Seven Daughters

Thanks to my new friend Erin who brought this pink corked bottle to a recent girls' night in!

This is a great "go-to" white wine.  I haven't tried the red, but you can read about them both at the Seven Daughters website.

According to the label, "Seven Daughters is a blend of seven carefully chosen grapes crafted into a crisp and refreshing wine.  Like you and your friends getting together - all different and yet so perfect together!  Enjoy this wine on its own or with light pasta, sushi, or Thai dishes."

The website adds, "this wine pairs deliciously with fruit salad, sushi, white fish (snapper, grouper, scallops), as well as Cantonese, Thai, and Latin cuisines."

• Riesling
• Symphony
• Chardonnay
• Orange Muscat
• Gewürztraminer
• Sauvignon Blanc
• French Colombard

Publix Wine #2: Buenas Ondas Malbec Organic

Buenas Ondas Malbec Organic 

2008 - San Juan, Argentina

My cousins, Brad and Lindsey, were here for a quick visit, and we opened this bottle of "Good Vibes" to enjoy with what may very well have been the most random gathering of foods making up a meal (aka, sushi alongside guacamole.)  My apologies that I have no pairing suggestions here, but the wine itself was fantastic as I have come to expect all Malbecs to be.

"Fabril Alto Verde have quietly worked their way into our affections with their consistently well-made, approachable wines. This tasty Malbec is an oak-free zone and the soft plummy fruit flavours are free to express themselves. Not overly weighty, this is a versatile red that everyone just loves."  ~ Vintage Roots

Publix Wine #1: Vinecol Chardonnay Organic

A few weeks ago I had just discovered, and taken advantage of, the fact that at Publix you get a 10% discount if you purchase eight bottles of wine.  I selected eight different varieties I was interested in trying, so when my friends, Brian and Keri, very graciously hosted me in their new home by serving roasted chicken, grilled zucchini, and rice pilaf I chose what I hoped would be a good pairing from my tiny collection.

The 2008 Vinecol Chardonnay (Mendoza, Argentina) was splendid on its own, and it complimented the grilled chicken flavored with fresh rosemary quite nicely.

Brian and Keri not only served a delicious dinner, but they loaned me their copy of Wine for Dummies.  As I have time to read the book I will share my findings!  Thanks guys!

Italian Wine Tastings @ The High Museum of Art: Featuring Northern Italy

TASTING NOTES

November 12, 2009

WHITES

Candoni Prosecco Brut*:  This Italian sparkling wine is made using only the finest grapes grown on the hillsides in the Veneto region.  Serve well chilled as an aperitif.

Villa Sorono Pino Grigio:  Made 100% from the Pinot Grigio grape using cold fermentation, which gives it a light and fruity aroma that is well balanced.  This wine goes best with fish soup, grilled fish, and seafood pasta.  Best served at 45-50 degrees; from the Venezia region.

Saut'Antonio "Scaia" Bianca:  The word "Scaia," meaning crumbs, refers to the soil in area.  During vinification, the constant stirring of the lees adds complexity.  It is unoaked, resulting in a highly aromatic wine with hints of tropical fruit and mineral.  Best with salad courses and cold antipasti.

REDS

Villa Sorono Pinot Noir:  Made 100% from the Pinot Noir grape.  The juice is in contact with the skins at controlled temperature, which gives it its ruby red color.  Pinot Noir is the most flexible with food; good with grilled red meats, poultry, smoked cheeses.  Best served at room temperature.

Tenuta Sant'Antonio Valpolicella: From the northern Veneto, these grapes are grown at an avg. altitude of 1,000 ft.  They are (guyot) trained, meaning there are 7,000-8,000 vines per hectare, resulting in low yields and quality fruit with a bold cherry character.  Excellent with red pasta sauce and cheeses.

Piemonte Barbera:  From the northwest region of Italy, this wine is made from 100% Barbera grapes and aged for 12 months.  The up-front forest flavors lead to a savory finish.  Perfect for broiled red meats or grilled white meat.

*Note:  I was blessed with the opportunity to taste both this Prosecco as well as a Lambrusco Bianco by Ca' De' Medici which to date is my favorite sweet wine.  My friend, Julie, and I decided that it tastes so much like apple juice that we could easily down an entire bottle by ourselves, so be careful with this one... it does indeed have alcohol in it.  :)

It is only sold at one location in Atlanta, Quality Wines & Spirits

2279 DeFoor Hills Rd. NW
Atlanta, GA 30318

Phone: (404) 367-9463

To see a list of all retailers that carry this wine click here.

The Vision

While in college, I had planned to spend a summer studying photography and wine in Italy; however, a friend's request that I join her wedding party trumped that trip. Now that my friends are happily married and even have a beautiful child to care for, I'm going to re-visit my wine education.

Originally I was simply going to educate myself, but in talking with several friends about my make-shift Wine 101 course, I've discovered that many of you are interested in learning more as well.

So here we are! This blog will work nicely not only for me to post what I'm learning, but you can all add your comments and suggestions. I'll try to tag posts well so that we'll all be able to use this as a reference. And if you've got a wine (or cheese) that you'd like to share with the rest of us, just email me your post and I'll make sure it gets on the blog for everyone's benefit.

You in?