Looking at this New Release (NR), I don't see many white wines to be excited about, on the other hand there is one Champagne and a Sparkling wine worth considering plus many affordable red wines for summer entertaining, so let's get started.
A mix bag of BBQ reds: What I look for in a summer BBQ wine, is a wine with lots of flavour, good acidity (refreshing), low tannins, not to high in alcohol (when possible) and at a decent price. Here are a few of, mostly affordable reds for summer entertaining; first Cicchitti Gran Reserva Malbec 2004 from Argentina (155713) at $21.95 with 14.0% alc. I know that a lot of my friends cannot get enough of Malbec, Concha Y Toro Marques De Casa Concha Syrah 2008 from Chile (019042) at $19.95 with 14.5% alc. from a very reliable producer, Rodney Strong Merlot 2007 from California (497933) at $19.95 with 13.8% alc, and again, one of my overall favourite California wineries, Domaine André Aubert Visan Côtes du Rhône-Village 2009 from France (224915) at $12.95 with 14.0% alc. mostly Grenache with a splash of Syrah. Lastly, what would a BBQ be without a Zinfandel, the quintessential BBQ wine for me in this release, Redemption Zin Zinfandel 2007 from California (224147) at $21.95 with 15.7% alc. Now I know the alcohol is a little high, Zin are often high in alc. What makes this work is a ton of great fruit and good acidity produced in the cool climate of Dry Creek Valley in Sonoma.
France vs. Italy: I have many friends who are either fans of wines from France or Italy or both. In this release there are wines from both countries which deserve your attention. Starting with France, from the Rhône region, another Châteauneuf-du-Pape from the very good 2007 vintage; Domaine du Vieux Lazaret Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2007 (983650) at $33.95 and at this price a very good value. Another great wine to consider, also from the 2007 vintage is Domaine des Bosquets Gigondas 20007 (209718) at $31.95, I have had the opportunity to enjoy one of there Gigondas in the past, and I am definitely purchasing one of these. Now with Italy, all of these wines are from Tuscany starting with, Tenuta Di Ghizzano Veneroso 2007 (103218) at $29.95, an IGT blend of mostly Sangiovese with a small amount 30% of Cabernet Sauvignon, Rocca di Castagnoli Chianti Classico 2007 from Italy (228810) at $19.95, from the very good 2007 vintage, a medium body wine which you can enjoy now or cellar medium term and Vecchia Cantina Vino Nobile Di Montepulciano 2007 from Italy (212571) at $18.95 a Sangiovese wine with a lot of complexity and flavour for $18.95 which should sell out quickly.
My top three wines of this release:
1-Domaine du Vieux Lazaret Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2007 from France (983650) at $33.95
2-Tenata Di Ghizzano Veneroso 2007 from Italy at $29.95
3-Saltram Mamre Brook Shiraz 2008 from Australia at $24.95
My top three wines for value:
1-Vecchia Cantina Vino Nobile Di Montepulciano 2007 from Italy (212571) at $18.95
2-Jean-Maurice Raffault Les Galuches Chinon 2009 from France (244798) at $16.95
3-Concha Y Toro Marques De Casa Concha Syrah 2008 from Chile (019042) at $19.95
These wines did not make my shopping list but are worth considering;Red Wines:
1-Cicchitti Gran Reserva Malbec 2004 from Argentina (155713) at $21.95
2-Concha Y Toro Marques De Casa Concha Syrah 2008 from Chile (019042) at $19.95
3-Domaine du Vieux Lazaret Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2007 from France (983650) at $33.95
4-Rocca di Castagnoli Chianti Classico 2007 from Italy (228810) at $19.95
5-Lomond Syrah 2008 from South Africa (146464) at $19.95
6-Rodney Strong Merlot 2007 from California (497933) at $19.95
7-Jean-Maurice Raffault Les Galuches Chinnon 2009 from France (244798) at $16.95
8-Domaine André Aubert Visan Côtes du Rhône-Village 2009 from France (224915) at $12.95
9-Villa I Cipressi Brunello Di Montalcino from Italy (214619) at $47.95
White Wines:
1-Groth Chardonnay 2008 from California (225672) at $37.95
Sparkling or Champagne:
1-Lallier Grand Cru Grande Réserve Brut Champagne from France (225318) 375ml at $24.95
2-Louis Brouillot Perle D'Aurore Brut Rosé Crémant de Bourgogne from France at $18.95
My team and I will be back for next New Release of July 23, 2011
Cheers
Paul YWG
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