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Happy Hour: Pfeiffer Rutherglen Muscat

partysugar — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 14:31:31 -0800

While I'm not crazy about a female oriented bottle of Port, I have recently been loving dessert wines. More specifically Chris Pfeiffer's Rutherglen Muscat. If you've never tried Muscat - a fortified dessert wine more luscious than Port - hurry and get your hands on this Australian import. Its smooth, fresh flavor and delicious raisin scent would pair perfectly with a Valentine's Day vanilla panna cotta. The body is voluptuous and the color golden. With a slightly nutty flavor, this wine would also make a wonderful hostess gift.

Happy Hour: Bonny Doon Dessert Wines

YumSugar — Wed, 10 Jan 2007 14:00:54 -0800

A few years ago the boy and I ended up in Sweden for a long weekend (I know, ended up seems like a weird choice of words, but honestly, we looked at air fares and just sort of ended up there). Our adventure took us through many taste sensations (including a lot of salmon and fish) and along the way we ended up at a trendy restaurant (sorry I've since forgotten the name, but do know its logo was the letter F in a circle) where we had a great meal and decided that it would be nicely finished off with a glass of dessert wine.

Well, the wine menu arrived and much to our surprise, the dessert wine was a wine from Bonny Doon Vineyard! At the time the boy was living in Santa Cruz, CA and the Bonny Doon Vineyard was about 30 minutes from his house. We were surprised by how small the world felt at that moment, but not surprised by their choice. Bonny Doon makes a really nice Muscat that contains the usual cinnamon and jasmine aromas with hints of orange blossom and lemon. I also think I can taste a bit of Asian pear. The wine itself is overly sweet, and you really don't want to drink that much, but it's delicious, and makes a really nice after dinner treat.

For a funnier treat, try their cheeky-named Bouteille Call. It's a naughty little beverage with blackberry and raspberry flavors. It's best for dessert, and I personally love to give it as a housewarming gift - the cute label and name definitely spark a discussion.

Happy Hour: Quady Elysium

YumSugar — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 15:30:49 -0700

While hosting a spur-of-the-moment dinner two nights ago, I wanted something sweet to end our meal, so I invited my guests to enjoy a glass of liquid dessert: Quady Elysium ($15.99), made with black muscat grapes.

The concentrated, blackberry-hued wine is rich with both floral and fruity flavors, so I enjoyed it in little sips. Because it's so intensely sweet and full-bodied, it's easy to overlook the alcohol content. Although it's detectable on the nose, I was surprised to find it was 15 percent alcohol, and had to pace myself! The winery also recommends enjoying it on ice with equal parts tonic water and wine, with a squeeze of lemon - something I fully intend to try next time I want a sweet sip that won't get me sloshed.

I've been hooked on stickies made by Quady Winery, a Central California-based producer that specializes in fortified wines, ever since I sampled its other dessert wine, Electra. Have you ever enjoyed Elysium or Quady's other dessert wines?

Talking Wine With Austrailian Vintner Chris Pfeiffer

partysugar — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 14:28:31 -0800

A couple of weeks ago, I had the wonderful opportunity to chat with one of Australia's most famed winemakers, Chris Pfeiffer. Not only did he pour me tastes of his wonderful wines - the Muscat was my fave - but he also gave me a whole new perspective on Australian wines.

With 30 years of winemaking under his belt, Chris is incredibly knowledgeable without being pretentious. He takes pride in his homeland, the Southern Australia region known as Rutherglen, and has created a distinct style of wine that he refers to as "refined restraint." Unlike more traditional, big and rich Australian wines, Pfeiffer's are beautifully balanced. To see what Chris had to say on a recent trip to San Francisco, read more.

A pfun-loving - a running joke at his winery is changing any "f" to "pf" - family man, Chris enjoys working at his winery with his wife and daughters. When he discusses his desire to help people look at Australian wines in a new light, he quickly mentions his exceptional Riesling. With its fresh, clean mineral taste and palate-whetting briskness, it's very different from the sweet variation most people are used to drinking.

PartySugar: What trends are emerging in the wine world?
Chris Pfeiffer: I'm concerned about the alcohol level in wines getting too high. I prefer a more restrained wine and feel that we as winemakers have to accept our social responsibility. People might not be aware that they are drinking a wine with a very high alcohol content and could get in a car and drive after a glass or two. It's something we need to be conscious of and possibly change.

PS: What advice do you give to a young wine drinker who doesn't know much about wine?
CP: You have to really taste and make a journey with the wine. Try different things, drink a lot of wine. Read magazines and try and taste the wine you are reading about. Don't read about it if you can't taste it. Or if you drink a wine, look up what people have to say about it online. Get together with friends and share a more expensive wine together. Once you start tasting more and more wines, you'll develop a better palate.

PS: As a winemaker, what is your biggest fear?
CP: Not being able to sell my wine. I understand that growing grapes for wine is a fatalistic approach. I can't control the weather; we are in the middle of a horrible drought right now. That's why it's so important; the ability to sell your product is critical.

PS: What did you have for lunch today?
CP: A quintessential American experience: a hamburger with sweet potato fries and an espresso milkshake.

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Happy Hour: Castillo de Maetierra Libalis

partysugar — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 16:15:44 -0700

Last Wednesday, Yum and I found ourselves in a setting that resembled heaven on earth: We were at a Spanish wine tasting with handsome accented pourers and buttery melt-in-your-mouth jamon Iberico. What we could not get enough of was Libalis, a melodic white wine blend from Northern Spain's Valles de Sadacia region. The majority of the grapes are Muscat with a small percentage of lesser-known white varietals, Viura and Malvasia, mixed in.

This refreshing white was incredibly aromatic, slightly sweet, and very floral. It's smooth, silky, and would pair excellently with fish. However, with a flavor that's almost tropical, this well-balanced white is also suited for sipping solo. If you are into tasting exotic wines, definitely seek out a bottle of Libalis.

Come Party With Me: Passover - Drinks

partysugar — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 12:50:17 -0700

To make your Seder dinner extra special, consider selecting a specific wine to pair with each course - just be sure to choose wine that is kosher. Start the meal off with a dry minerally Chenin Blanc from Baron Herzog Cellars. A crisp white will complement both the green salad and matzo-crusted trout. Pour a Sauvignon Blanc - like New Zealand's Goose Bay winery's bottle that's highly regarded, affordable, and kosher - with the matzo ball soup. For the main course, choose a smokey, fruity Shiraz from Teal Lake. For dessert offer a kosher muscat by Mony winery.

What wines will you be sipping on Passover? Share your favorite bottles with us below!

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Happy Hour: Quady Electra

YumSugar — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 14:00:01 -0700

While at the SF Chocolate Salon this weekend, I spent quality time at the Quady Winery booth. Located in Madera County, one of California's oldest wine grape-producing areas, Quady is a winery that specializes only in dessert wines - ideal for those of you who adore sipping stickies.

On this sunny Spring day, one wine, Electra ($12.75), really hit the spot. Served slightly chilled, the unique wine has great body, yet is light enough to hold a slight effervescence. Made with orange muscat grapes, the wine is sweet, but also has a bright, apricot-citrus flavor. And, with only 4 percent alcohol, you don't have to worry about getting too tanked.

Have you ever had any of Quady's wines? Does Electra sound like something you would like?

Happy Hour: 2008 Colomé Torrontés

partysugar — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 16:15:36 -0800

Last week I went to an Argentine wine tasting where I tried Colomé's 2008 Torrontés ($10.87). One of Argentina's most popular white grapes, the Torrontés grape was originally from Spain. Generally speaking Torrontés are similar to a Muscat or Gewürtztraminer.

From the Salta region of Argentina, the Bodega Colomé estate is one of the world's highest (over 7,500 feet) vineyards. Their Torrontés is an exceptional white with fruity aromas and a zingy finish. Crisp and clean, this delightful, light white is perfect chilled. It's highly drinkable and would be an excellent start to dinner. Pair with cured meats, cheese, and seafood.

Have you tried a Torrontés or any other wine from Argentina?

Come Party With Me: Wine and Chocolate Tasting - Drinks

partysugar — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 13:28:31 -0800

Normally I always serve a signature cocktail at my parties, but in the case of a wine and chocolate tasting, no hard alcohol is necessary. Instead be sure to have several different types of wine to pair with each chocolate course. If you don't know a lot about wine ask your local wine shop owner to help you. Explain what you are making - chocolate and brie sandwiches and chocolate orange cake - and that you want some wines that will complement these treats.

If you don't have a relationship with a local wine shop owner, check out my tips for pairing chocolate and wine when you read more.

Dark and bittersweet chocolates go best with stronger red wines. White chocolate pairs better with light reds and sweet whites.
Choose a Port, Muscat, or Moscato. If you do select a Port pick a ruby or tawny one. Vintage ports taste better with cheese.
Pinot Noir and Merlots work well with milk chocolate. Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon are nice with dark chocolate.
Steer clear of dry wines that can create a sour flavor in the mouth when paired with chocolate.
Remember wine tasting is a very personal thing. If you don't like the way it tastes, move on to the next bottle.

Got a tip for pairing wine and chocolate? Please share with us below!

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