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Happy Hour: 2009 Clos de la Roilette Cuvée Tardive Fleurie

Susannah Chen — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 13:20:34 PST

I haven't let up on my recent obsession with Cru Beaujolais, the most serious of the Gamay wines to come from France's Beaujolais region. As I mentioned before, it can have legitimate sense of place, complexity, and aging potential. My most recent find, a 2009 Cuvée Tardive (late blend) from Fleurie's Clos de la Roilette, is all those things and more.

I was so excited when I first read about this hard-to-find wine that I tracked down two bottles: one to drink today, and another to drink in five years. Right before my New Year's Eve bash, I cracked one open with close friends. The wine had a wonderful bouquet of cherry and spice, with just enough acidity and structure to show ageability. I couldn't get enough of its soft yet lingering finish. The next five years, I've decided, can't come soon enough!

What was the last wine that you bent over backward to seek out?

Happy Hour: 2009 Raymond Bouland Vielles Vignes Morgon

Susannah Chen — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 16:00:05 PST

Every November, the big buzz award seems to go to Beaujolais Nouveau, the immature French red that signifies the year's wine harvest. I may or may not pop open a bottle, decide it tastes like paint thinner, and dump it down the drain. It's not a wine known for its complexity or balanced flavors.

Cru Beaujolais, on the other hand, is a serious wine in its own right. It may have a hard time shaking off its little brother's reputation, but Cru - which comes from one of 10 designated areas in the Beaujolais region - can have legitimate sense of place, complexity, and aging potential.

I've had an obsession with the stuff lately, especially with wines from Morgon. It's the second-largest winemaking village in the region, with volcanic soil that makes wines like this 2009 Raymond Bouland earthy and loamy, but with a ripe, dark fruit bouquet and nice length. Next time you're looking for a complex red under $25, I urge you to ask your local wine shop for a Cru Beaujolais recommendation. Have you had any nice bottles of Beaujolais lately?

Do You Drink Cru Beaujolais?

Susannah Chen — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 04:00:53 PST

Earlier this month, Beaujolais Nouveau Day hit the streets of France with predictable fanfare. But the real buzz hasn't been about the young wine. Instead, experts are heralding the release of 2009 Cru Beaujolais as one of the best vintages in the past decade. These more serious and complex Gamay wines come from one of 10 designated crus, or regions, in Beaujolais: Juliénas, Saint Amour, Fleurie, Chénas, Moulin-à-Vent, Chiroubles, Morgon, Régnié, Côte de Brouilly, or Brouilly. We love them so much that the 2009 Chateau de Raousset Morgon Douby Beaujolais was one of our must haves for this month. Do you drink Cru Beaujolais? If so, what's your favorite bottle?

Source: Flickr User TheNickster

Yum's November Must Haves

YumSugar — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 11:45:06 PDT

Although 2010 has flown by, we're excited for the arrival of our favorite holiday: Thanksgiving. For the next 24 days, we'll be pulling out all the stops to help you host the best turkey day ever. From problem solving to delicious recipes to inspiring table settings, we've got you covered. We'll start by sharing the five items we are currently obsessed with - we can't live without them and neither should you: here's our November must haves.

Do You Buy Beaujolais Nouveau to Celebrate the Harvest?

YumSugar — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 04:00:02 PST

Source: Flickr User jetalone

Should the Farrelly Brothers Make More Movies?

BuzzSugar — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 15:31:10 PDT

Today there's news of yet another comedic adventure coming from the Farrelly Bros., this one with the classy title Beaujolais. The movie is described as "a redneck action-adventure with a protagonist along the lines of an Austin Powers or Ace Ventura."

After suffering through their remake of The Heartbreak Kid last Fall and seeing the disappointing outcome of their TV series Unhitched, I might be pretty much done with these dudes. I wonder if they peaked with earlier movies like Dumb and Dumber and There's Something About Mary. Or, could it be that in this atmosphere of Apatow and Juno, audiences are looking for something more than slapstick, gross-out humor and flimsy plotlines?

What do you think? Will you give the Farrellys more chances?

Source

Link Time: Beaujolais Nouveau Takes to the Streets

Susannah Chen — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 10:08:48 PST

2011's Beaujolais Nouveau takes to the streets. - The Daily Meal
Must make: quince pancakes. - Saveur
Burning question: why does Jell-O jiggle? - Food Republic
Why you should never use pop-up turkey timers. - Kitchen Daily
Yelp has filed to raise $100 million for an IPO. - Eater
Yikes! The 25 most fattening pies. - The Daily Beast
Vegan restaurants are finding success in downplaying the v-word. - SF Chronicle

For the Best Wine Deals, Now's the Time to Buy

Susannah Chen — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 06:25:02 PST

Sure, Black Friday and Cyber Monday are over - but for all you wine lovers out there, you should know that right now's still the time to get the best beverage deals.

According to Ray Isle, executive wine editor for Food & Wine, when it comes to Beaujolais - especially Beaujolais Nouveau! - you should buy it right after Thanksgiving. Beaujolais Nouveau, that unaged red that's the first of the harvest in the northern hemisphere, is most anticipated when it's first released the third Thursday of November, and its bright, fruity flavors make it a popular part of the Thanksgiving meal. But Beaujolais Nouveau, which is meant to be enjoyed immediately, shouldn't be kept into the New Year, so it's quickly marked down to keep it flying off shelves.

You might be surprised to hear that bubbly is discounted this time of year, but according to Isle, sparkling wine has major discounts during the holiday season as well. The important thing to note is timing: "There are big Champagne markdowns until two weeks before Christmas," he reminded me at a New York City Wine & Food Festival seminar.

With so much holiday entertaining on the horizon, it makes sense for many of us (myself included!) to stock up now. Where have you spotted wine discounts recently?

Beyond Sparklers: 3 Still Wines From Chandon to Try

Katie Sweeney — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 14:52:34 PDT

If you're a fan of Californian sparkling wines, you've probably enjoyed a glass or two of Chandon. With over 200,000 bottles produced a year, an affordable price tag, and a tasting room that sees 2,000 people on a Saturday, it's one of Napa Valley's most well-known bubbly producers. What you may not know, however, is that the winery also makes some well-rounded and interesting still wines. I recently had the chance to sample its offerings, so to learn more about Chandon's Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier, keep reading.

Happy Hour: 2010 Clos Saron Out of the Blue

Susannah Chen — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 12:32:17 PDT

Although there were hundreds of wineries at this year's SF Vintners Market, I spent a disproportionate amount of time tasting reds at Clos Saron, a tiny winery located in the Sierra Foothills AVA of Northern California. Owner Gideon Bienstock wouldn't share his favorite bottling with me ("That'd be like choosing a favorite child!" he exclaimed), but I found my top pick anyhow.

It was his 2010 Out of the Blue, a unique blend of Cinsault and Syrah, that won me over. Cinsault is rarely prominent, but Bienstock's Out of the Blue features his Cinsault vines, which are over 130 years old, in a blend with 11 percent Syrah. Although the wine had structure, its light-bodiedness was reminiscent of Cru Beaujolais - but more intensely floral and less fruity. As Bienstock put it, "It's a happy wine." I'm already kicking myself for not having bought a bottle! What are your favorite Sierra Foothill wines?