Fourth of July
A dinner that had been in the planning for some time, just so happened that it fell on the day. Fear not, while the vast majority of the wine comsumed was most definitely not from this country, plenty of "cheap ass 'mercun beer" was drank both before and after.
The Meal (in short):
The François Montand was up next and is another 'work horse' wine for me. I poured this by the glass in a previous life and continue to sell it retail. Coming in around $13, this is an ideal candidate for a 'daily drinker' sparkling wine. Made from Ugni Blanc and Airen, this wine from the Jura region of France is no Champagne, but it's not trying to be either.
The Mionetto went up with the salad and worked great. This house makes quite a few wines but the 'M/O' is their flagship. In all honesty, I enjoy this wine more than some Champagnes that I have had. And with a price tag of around $20, it's at least half the cost. This wine seemed to be a ringer for the table and while it started out with a slight sweetness that I hadn't really seen in previous bottles, a few minutes in glass really helped the wine get on point.
Coppola. The 'in-between courses' wine. Given to me by a very good friend, I've had this thing laying around in my cellar for a couple of years now. Figured, 'What the hell' and brought it to the meal. Admittedly the wine was the 'turd in the puchbowl' so to speak, but I was curious and upon showing the bottle to the hosts, there seemed to be some genuine excitement about it. Well, I am here to say that it was all for nought. This wine was unbelievably boring. And maybe it wasn't fair given the competition but it brought nothing to the table. It tasted like shitty California Chard with a slight effervesence. Not all that surprising because that's what it is but I had hoped for a little bit more. The aromatics were dominated by oak, cream, and butter. No yeast or light toast whatsoever. I'm sure this wine makes somebody happy but I (nor the other 5 at table) ain't one of them. No idea what this stuff costs, but whatever it is, I'm sure that I would be disappointed had I paid for it.
Montaudon. I love this wine. From a 'smaller' producer, this house falls under the ever-popular 'grower/producer' catagory and it shows. Strong brioche and yeast on the nose, the consensus was that the wine smelled of a Krispy Kreme doughnut. Excellent balance with good clean fruit and a bone dry finish, this is a wine that I sell all day long. ***The 375ml bottling is ideal for the couple that just wants one glass of wine to start. More stores should carry them. If yours doesn't, start shopping with me.***
Lanson. Yet another wine that I am totally enamoured with. I served this to the Financial Advisor last year for her birthday with Fried Chicken and it nearly brought us to tears. A highly recommended combination. The wine is almost exactly the same as the famed Veuve Clicquot 'Yellow Label' but with one major difference. While the primary grape in the blend is Pinot Noir, this wine does not go through malolactic fermentation and as such is a far more delicate wine. This is not to say 'better', I drink Veuve and enjoy it but whereas the Veuve is a bit more agressive on the palate, the Lanson is more finesse driven.
BTW, the food was phenomenal. Sorry I didn't go into as much detail, but in the interest of time....
The Meal (in short):
Shrimp Cocktail with Fried Green Tomatoes and a Curry RemouladeThe wines (in order):
Field Green Salad with Cherries and a Champagne Vinaigrette
Grilled Black Grouper with Sautéed Asparagus and Basmati Rice with Almonds and Apricots
Routas Rouviere Rosé Coteaux Varois 2004Started off with the Routas, a la 'reception wine'. I am a total sucker for this wine and have been for a few years now. Absolutely what is should be. Considering the temperature last afternoon was a nice 95°F, it is ideal for the climate that we here in Savannah enjoy(?). At +/- $12, Spot on.
François Montand 'Blanc de Blancs' NV
Sergio Mionetto 'M/O' Prosecco NV
Francis Coppola 'Sofia - Blanc de Blancs' 1999
Champagne Montaudon NV - 375ml (2)
Champagne Lanson 'Black Label' NV
The François Montand was up next and is another 'work horse' wine for me. I poured this by the glass in a previous life and continue to sell it retail. Coming in around $13, this is an ideal candidate for a 'daily drinker' sparkling wine. Made from Ugni Blanc and Airen, this wine from the Jura region of France is no Champagne, but it's not trying to be either.
The Mionetto went up with the salad and worked great. This house makes quite a few wines but the 'M/O' is their flagship. In all honesty, I enjoy this wine more than some Champagnes that I have had. And with a price tag of around $20, it's at least half the cost. This wine seemed to be a ringer for the table and while it started out with a slight sweetness that I hadn't really seen in previous bottles, a few minutes in glass really helped the wine get on point.
Coppola. The 'in-between courses' wine. Given to me by a very good friend, I've had this thing laying around in my cellar for a couple of years now. Figured, 'What the hell' and brought it to the meal. Admittedly the wine was the 'turd in the puchbowl' so to speak, but I was curious and upon showing the bottle to the hosts, there seemed to be some genuine excitement about it. Well, I am here to say that it was all for nought. This wine was unbelievably boring. And maybe it wasn't fair given the competition but it brought nothing to the table. It tasted like shitty California Chard with a slight effervesence. Not all that surprising because that's what it is but I had hoped for a little bit more. The aromatics were dominated by oak, cream, and butter. No yeast or light toast whatsoever. I'm sure this wine makes somebody happy but I (nor the other 5 at table) ain't one of them. No idea what this stuff costs, but whatever it is, I'm sure that I would be disappointed had I paid for it.
Montaudon. I love this wine. From a 'smaller' producer, this house falls under the ever-popular 'grower/producer' catagory and it shows. Strong brioche and yeast on the nose, the consensus was that the wine smelled of a Krispy Kreme doughnut. Excellent balance with good clean fruit and a bone dry finish, this is a wine that I sell all day long. ***The 375ml bottling is ideal for the couple that just wants one glass of wine to start. More stores should carry them. If yours doesn't, start shopping with me.***
Lanson. Yet another wine that I am totally enamoured with. I served this to the Financial Advisor last year for her birthday with Fried Chicken and it nearly brought us to tears. A highly recommended combination. The wine is almost exactly the same as the famed Veuve Clicquot 'Yellow Label' but with one major difference. While the primary grape in the blend is Pinot Noir, this wine does not go through malolactic fermentation and as such is a far more delicate wine. This is not to say 'better', I drink Veuve and enjoy it but whereas the Veuve is a bit more agressive on the palate, the Lanson is more finesse driven.
BTW, the food was phenomenal. Sorry I didn't go into as much detail, but in the interest of time....
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