dwightthewinedoctor: April 2015

Wednesday, April 15, 2015

Wine of the Week-Chateau Du Tariquet Chenin-Chardonnay $7

Chateau Du Tariquet Chenin-Chardonnay-$7
Like a bouquet of summer flowers in a glass

Perfect for summer salads and seafood, Chateau Du Tariquet is the perfect way to kick off the spring and summer seasons. At just $7 a bottle, this delightful wine is not only easy on the pocket, but light on the palate. The wine is a blend which marries French varietals from the Loire and Burgundy, which gives it a very distinctive character. The wine is intense, yet supple. It combines citrus aromas of Meyer lemon, and a hint of mandarin orange from the Chardonnay with exotic aromas of chamomile flowers and white roses with a bracing mineralogy from the Chenin. Chardonnay kicks in again to give the wine a balanced structure and a voluptuous finish. Your guests will hardly believe that you paid less than $10 for this superb wine. Stock up on a case or two as this may prove to be your 'go to' wine for light brunches and garden parties. Splurge a little and have it with a Maine Lobster sandwich made with avocado relish and fresh greens and a dash of lemon-infused mayonnaise. Shrimp, Crab, Crayfish or Bay Scallops may be substituted for the lobster.

Photos:
1. The white wines of Domaine Du Tariquet
2. Lobster sandwich with Avocado relish and fresh greens
3. Dwight Casimere with Domaine Du Tariquet's Armin Grassa

Thursday, April 9, 2015

Chateau Du Tariquet: A Century of Family History and Great Wines in Gascony, France

Known for its historic Bas-Armagnac, it's white wines offer sheer pleasure

Story and photo gallery by Dwight Casimere

The story of the Grassa family and Chateau Du Tariquet in the Gascony region of France is a history that surpasses the one century mark. Already renowned for its production of Bas-Armagnac, which was first produced in 1683 at the estate, the story of the estate and the family is the stuff of romantic legend. In a region known for its Armagnac, the Grassa's have distinguished Tariquet as a producer of luscious white wines that are praised by poets and critics alike for creating wines that "offer the sheer pleasure of biting into a fresh grape."

Chateau Du Tariquet is as fiercely dedicated to its tradition as it is devoted to the promotion of new technologies and techniques that use sustainable agricultural approaches to manage the vineyards and fertilizers and enriching agents that are organic.

With the handing over of the reins of the estate in 2005 from Yves Grassa, the pioneer, to his two sons, Remy and Armin, this marks a new chapter in Tariquet's history. Armin was in the United States recently to introduce the winery's new releasees, which included its Blanche Armagnac and its 2014 wine releases, Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin-Chardonnay, Chardonnay, Cote' and Rose' de Pressee'. The wines were paired with a special menu of dishes that highlighted both the delicate floral and savory notes of the wines, contrasted with their crispness and flavors of ripe citrus and exotic fruits.

Armin Grassa of Domaine Du Tariquet with his Blanche Armagnac

Fresh herbs emphasize the savory and citrus flavors of Domaine du Tariquet's Sauvignon Blanc 2014

Tariquet Blanche Armagnac

The wine pairing of Smoked Salmon Crostini with Capers and Red Onion (below) with Domaine du Tariquet Classic, Sauvignon Blanc and Cote', all 2014

Maine Lobster Sandwich with Avocado Relish and Wild Greens paired with Domaine du Tariquet Chenin-Chardonnay, Chardonnay and Rose' de Pressee', all 2014 vintage

Wine author and columnist Msanos Angelakis savors Domaine du Tariquet Chardonnay 2014

Domaine du Tariquet's Bas Armagnac

Domaine du Trariquet's Classic white wines

Dwight Casimere with Armin Grassa

Thursday, April 2, 2015

Vinitaly 2015-Italy's Diverse and Affordable Wines Take World Stage

Italian Wines provide a flavor profile for every taste

Story and photo gallery by Dwight Casimere

VERONA, Italy--More than 150,000 visitors can't be wrong. The 49th edition of Vinitaly held in the massive Veronafiere complex, presented one of the most diverse presentations of the Italian and international wine community ever. There was a wine for every personal taste. From bone dry white wines, such as Verdichio, to sparkling sweet wines from Asti, there was a wine for every occasion and palate.

Among the tastings, Conegliano Valdobbiadene had one of the most impressive pavilions with a daily list of informative seminars and guided tastings. The Marche region also presented a comprehensive tasting of the full range of wines from this up and coming region. Sicily also made a strong showing with wines from Donnafugata, Planeta and others, which showed the highly distinctive array of wines made from indigenous grape varietals. Donnafugata's Ben Rye is golden honey in a bottle with a rich, complex flavor that makes it perfect as a dessert companion, or for contemplative sipping on its own. The wine is made from 100% Zibbibo (also known as Moscato d´Alessandria), 14.5 % alc, the grapes for this Passito from Pantelleria come from 11 different parcels around the island.

The wine also holds its own with certain sea food dishes, particularly fresh Branzini, the firm whitefish which is often served whole in an aromatic sauce of olive oil, garlic, oregano and a splash of the local wine made from the Zibbibo grape. Also great with the wine is the Gambero Rosso, the sweet pink-colored shrimp that are served raw that are among the delights of the summer season. Scallops and swordfish (pesce spada) in a sauce made with fresh locally grown capers and complemented with a reduction of the wine, also makes for a marvelous pairing.

Casimiro Maule is the owner and winemaker of Nino Negri wines, the most decorated wines of Lombardy. His opulent Amarones and elegantly complex barolos make his the premiere wine producing estate in the Valtelina DOCG region. “We have not simply produced a wine, but we are working hard to protect and enhance the territory, environment, culture and history," Maule said, during a tasting of his marvelous new Amarone releases.