It’s almost Friday and you are already thinking about your weekend plans and perhaps which wines to purchase. Weekly, I post two recommendations, one white and one red, for your weekend wine choices which are usually under $20. On occasion, I pair a wine with scrumptious recipe. This week I have an interesting red wine from Argentina which I purchased as well as an Italian rosé sent to me by Banfi Vintners as a sample. Spending time tasting delicious wines from around the world is a terrific way to learn about wine…without spending your hard earned money (which you already spent during the holidays). Enjoy the weekend!
**Centine Rosé 2012 – Who says that Rosé wines are for drinking when it’s summer? Not anyone I know! This luscious pink salmon hued wine with intense aromas of strawberries, sweet cherries, and pomegranate may just be a new favorite! I enjoyed the high acidity and zingy, flavorful tastes of red fruit and more cherries. From Tuscany, the wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Sangiovese. It’s not often you find a full bodied rosé and the Centine will pair beautifully with appetizers as well as your main course…or sipping when you’re making dinner! At the price of $10., you’ll want to purchase several bottles of this keeper.
**Innovac!on Santa Julia 2013 – This wine was first introduced to me by a friend who claimed it was his go-to wine to pair with food as well as to share with friends. I found it in my neighborhood Whole Foods which listed it as one of their favorites. Consisting of 90% Bonarda and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon grapes from organic certified vineyards in Mendoza, Argentina, this wine is packaged in a one litre bottle and was terrific with a juicy steak and ‘shrooms. Earthy and dusty on the nose, fruit and vanilla spice were more evident with a longer aeration. On the palate, soft tannins, a tingly spice, more earth, blueberries, plums, and raspberries complemented each other and led to a satisfying finish. With a cost of $12. more than a few bottles of the Innovac!on should be in your cellar!
Cheers to the weekend! ~ Cindy
