Manoavino Taste!

Santa Rita Triple C - Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Carménère

Here is our second, really our third, exploration of the well crafted wines of the Santa Rita estate. Strolling up from the easy everyday pleasure of their “120” line, through the Gran Reserva, into the premium and ultra premium wines they produce.

The Wine: “Triple C” - Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Carménère

The Food: A Turkish feast with friends

The Place: Cinar Turkish Kitchen, in Cliffside Park, but we felt like we were in Istanbul. And of course the glorious Maipo Valley.

Santa Rita, Carmenere, Medalla Real, Chile Ascending

Carmenere, like Malbec, was once a thriving wine grape in the Bordeaux region of France, but it was all but destroyed in the plague of 1867. Happily it has found an exciting new life in the fertile valleys of Chile.  It is fabulous fruit that makes rich, intriguing wines that are so very drinkable.

Santa Rita is one of Chile’s oldest vineyards, founded in 1880, over the last 30 years it has aspired into one of South America’s greatest wineries, one that is world known.

Having enjoyed Santa Rita’s “120” entry level wines on many occasions, you can find them everywhere, I was excited to have the opportunity to experience some of the winery’s higher echelon wines. We are tasting three priced between $20 and $70.

The Wine: Santa Rita Medalla Real Carmenere Grand Riserve 2009

The Food: A classic international American home cooked meal

The Place: Santa Rita began in the beautiful Maipo Valley and has grown with vineyards in the varied terroirs of Apalta, Casablanca, Rapel, Leyda and Curic. Which means the wine makers here can offer you a tantalizing diversity of wines to enjoy.

This Year's Favorite Fall Wine, Dolcetto

This Year’s Favorite Fall Wine is Dolcetto.

Truth be told my favorite fall wine certainly changes from year to year, but this year I am loving a wine I think is perfect for this season.

Fall is a beautiful transitional time, where we cherish lingering summer days and excitedly anticipate the late crops of the season at our farmers market. At the same time we are stoking ourselves up to endure the coming winter months. This year I am really enjoying a wine very well suited to foster this annual transition, Dolcetto.