Manoavino Taste!

Hello Again Kim Crawford Wines You Are Better Than Ever

We first enjoyed Kim Crawford wines well over a decade ago just about the time his wine was first hitting the US market. They were bright and exciting and gained immense popularity. Crawford helped put New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc on the world stage and innovated with the now so popular screw tops.

Fast forward about 15 years and here we are tasting three contemporary bottles from the winery that still bears his name, a new wine maker, Anthony Walkenhorst, is creating wines that serve the Crawford legacy well.

Celebrate "International Sauvignon Blanc Day" Why Yes of Course!

We've started a bit early, don't want our mates down under getting to far ahead of us. They already have had a 12 hour head start to International Sauvignon Blanc day, April 24, 2015.

It's 8:00 PM Eastern Time here in Garrison NY, and we are sitting back, relaxing, I'm writing, which is for me relaxing. Our second bottle of Nobilo happily consumed. Counting down, 4 hours to go.

A few weeks ago I got an offer from the generous folks at Nobilo to give two of their vastly popular Sauvignon Blancs a new look, well I thought "that'll be beaut mate." 

Mulderbosch Sauvignon Blanc with Good Friends

When it comes to a dinner with friends you want to serve a wine with real appeal, Mulderbosch Sauvignon Blanc is just such a wine.

You've probably tasted many wines of this grape but I've found none that are quite as friendly, approachable, and appealing as those from South Africa.

The Wine:  Mulderbosch Sauvignon Blanc 2012

The Food: Recipes by Miles Thompson, SHED Restaurant, Healdsburg, California

The Place: Our new home in Garrison NY with friends from nearby Cold Spring  

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.

Loca Linda, Jolie Folle, Yes We Think So!

At our second tasting of these fun wines, we asked our friends two questions. The answer to both was yes!

The Wine:  Three by Sommelier and New New World Winemaker, Brian Smith, a Malbec, a Torrontes and a Cotes de Provence Rose.

The Food: Classic American from the great kitchen of Neptune Market, Harvey Cedars, NJ.

The Place: Our Friend's, Gail and Marc, Beach House, Lane 89, Loveladies NJ.

Hot Summer Night Relief - Asian Cold Noodles and a Cool New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc

A perfect combination for a hot summer evening.

The Wine: Highfield Wines Rain Sauvignon Blanc $$

The Food: Cold Buckwheat Noodles With Ginger and Miso

The Place: Lounging on Our Deck 

A Perfect Time to Discover Chilean Chardonnay

Chardonnay is a wonderful grape because it so gracefully embraces and expresses the terrior of the places where it is grown. Chilean Chardonnays are delicious but certainly different than French or California or any other of the many regions where this grape flourishes.  I find them especially good with food that has a South or Central American influence. They are also incredible values.

The Wine: Quintay Clava Coastal Reserve Chardonnay Casablanca Valley $

The Food: Mexican inspired Grilled Tilefish, Sautéed Grape Tomatoes and Roasted Carrots and Parsnips.

The Places:  Home of Course, it was Saturday, and Casablanca, Valparaíso Region, Northwest of Santiago, Chile

Wine maker Paula Cardenas will put a smile on your face as you sip her luscious wine.

If Malbec is a Sexy Sultry Redhead, Bonarda is Her Mysteriously Alluring Brunette Friend

Everyone loves Malbec, the enticing wine of Argentina. But do you know the second most popular red wine in Argentina?

Not so well known in the states, Argentinean Bonarda is a fabulous wine that we grab every time we see it. Like Malbec the Bonarda grape grown in South America is from France where it is called Douce Noir (Sweet Black). Duriguitti along with a number of other Argentine wineries make fabulous wine from this grape.

The Wine: Familia Duriguitti Bonarda Clasico $$

The Food: Classic American, Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes, and Creamed Spinach, as close to homemade as you can get

The Place: Raymond’s Montclair, NJ