Etikettarkiv: California

Californian white wines

Tropical notes in Californian Viognier

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From California in the US this Viognier from McManis shows very aromatic notes of yellow pears, peach, mango, pineapple as well as vanilla notes from oak maturation. The level of acidity is medium, but the aromatic notes still gives the wine some body.

Even though this wine has many tropical notes it is a dry white wine (6 g/l), and combines well with both sea food and fish dishes, as well as many Asian dishes and even light meat dishes. It is a very versatile wine, and well worth its price of 99 SEK at Systembolaget (nr 6290) – and it gets 85 points from me!

Californian white wines

Magnificent Bonterra Chardonnay

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Oh my….I am stuck right now in that ’Oaked Chardonnay obsession’ that many wine lovers seem to go through at one stage or the other….and then this completely magnificent organic Bonterra Chardonnay 2013 comes my way….and makes me completely happy!!! 🙂 This wine gets 86 points!!!

At Bonterra, Mendocino county, California, wines from 100% organic grapes have been produced since 1993. All their grapes are grown using certified organic practices, such as composting, cover crops, and biodiversity. These organic practices produce grapes that offer a quality of fruit and vibrancy of taste that allows the creation of wines that express the purity and intensity of each varietal’s unique character. Please see:

Bonterra

The Bonterra Chardonnay 2013 has an alcohol level of 13,5%. On the nose you get a very fruity aroma of citrus and apples, tropical fruit as well as cinnamon and butter, nuts and vanilla. 🙂

On the palate the wine gives you a very fruity flavour of tropical fruit, apricot, butter and nuts. A perfect vanilla creaminess from subtle barrel ageing in French oak.

This wine can very well be enjoyed on its own 🙂 But also with food – especially barbecued fish dishes or light meat. You can buy it at Systembolaget in Sweden (nr 16632) at 139 SEK – totally worth its price!!

Enjoy my friends….with awe 😉

Bonterrachardonnay

Californian red wines

Organic Californian Cab good with grilled meat

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Wow, today was one of those days when we here in Sweden actually start believing in the Summer for real 🙂 And Summer time in Sweden absolutely means Grill time…

I would say that no matter WHAT you want to grill, meat or vegetarian, the special ’grill taste’ would go very well with this organic Californian Barra of Mendocino 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon! I give it 86 points on my tasting scale!

California has vineyards throughout most of its length, and the Mendocino County is situated north of Sonoma and Napa. The most widely planted black grape variety in California is the Cabernet Sauvignon. As a friend said recently – these wines really reflect some of the Californian sun 🙂 Charlie Barra decided, after having sold his wine to other wineries, to start his own wine production in 1997. Mr Barra truly believes in ecological wine making, without conventional chemicals.

This wine is made from 75 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 18 % Zinfandel and 7 % Petite Sirah. It can be bought at Systembolaget in Sweden for the price of 121 SEK (nr 22346).

On the nose you find the very typical Cab notes of dark cherries and blackcurrants and some herbaceousness. The wine has been aged in both French and American oak which you can sense (both toast, chocolate and vanilla).

On the palate you sense a wine with a balanced asperity with dark blackcurrants and dark chocolate as well as cedar and herbs. It has quite a long finish with distinct tannins.

This wine is best served with grilled dishes, as well as other tasteful dishes of red meat or lamb and game. Spicy sauces with creamy base will be great as well, and many creamy cheeses 🙂

Barra