What I’m drinking . . .
I get asked all the time, what is my favorite wine. That’s tough to answer because I have many favorites that change depending on the time of year, the mood I’m in or what I’m eating. So, when I get asked that perplexing question, I usually answer with what I am drinking now.
So, what is Cathy drinking now?
I like bubbles!
In Green Valley of Russian River Valley in Sonoma, Iron Horse Vineyards is a small family owned and run estate. In my opinion they craft the best champagne method-made wines in the America. Their dedication to precision growing and harvesting give their wines an elegance that is hard to match elsewhere, especially for the price. They also make fine still wines too. Try their 2014 Wedding Cuvee. Pretty pink in color, delightfully fruit forward, and yes, this dry, refined bubbly, has an exceedingly long, satisfying finish. Delicious by itself, with light antipasti or seafood, pork or even dark chocolate. Iron Horse says it is dangerously easy to drink, and you know what, they are right!
I’m loving still Rosé right now too, as the season is upon us (though I confess, I drink it all year long!). Rosé wines come in all grape type flavors and have various levels of fruitiness and dryness. Some are one grape bottlings, like Stolpman’s love you bunches from only Sangiovese or others that contain a blend, like most classical quaffers from the Cotes du Provence. They also pair well with a great variety of food, nuts, cheese and cured meats, spicy seafood dishes like Portugese Cataplana, roast chicken, salads, and roasted vegetables.
Try the 2019 Rosato from Villa Calcinaia from Greve in Chianti. Produced with certified-organic, estate-grown Canaiolo grapes, this wine has red citrus and berry fruit on the nose and the palate but finishes savory and crisp. In the history of Chianti, Canaiolo was a key component in adding fruitiness while softening the tannins of the robust Sangiovese. Villa Calcinaia has been producing wine since 1524, so they really know their land, their grapes, and what they’re doing.
Some of my favorite wine stores around the USA
Woodland Wine Merchants, Nashville
The House of Glunz, Chicago