Enza Prosecco

I'm back! Did you miss me? Or rather: did you notice that I didn't publish a blog last week? Well if you didn't, shame on you, 'cause I noticed, and I missed me, damnit! And I think this is a good time to announce that, due to my ever-changing schedule, I'm going to move my blogging adventures to Wednesdays at whatever-time-I-get-around-to-it. I hope you find these changes agreeable. :)

We're SUPER excited!

This week, in preparation for Valentine's Day, I'm presenting to you with a nice bubbly that you just might wanna include in the romantic evening I'm sure you have planned for next Thursday: Enza Prosecco. On V Day, I myself will be schlepping it to Personal Wine Cellar, where we'll be having a totally free, baller tasting event from 5:00-7:30. So if you're really into Valentine's Day, come share some wine and goodies with your special someone. If you hate Valentine's Day...just come have a drink and eat some chocolate; you'll feel better for it. The point is: you should come!

Anyway, back to the Enza: if you are even an occasional reader of the CWT blog, you probably know that I am a fan of Prosecco-- particularly Riondo Prosecco. The Enza is a little different, but still a nice wine. It's clean and clear, with no obvious scents or flavors when you first smell and taste it, and nothing that lingers long after your sip. For this reason, it's good with a meal. Or chocolates. Or chocolates as a meal.

The Enza is "off-brut"-- not entirely dry, but not super sweet either. This is a small bubble sparkler with a thick head, so if you or your honey are predominately beer drinkers, this is a good sparkling wine to start out with. Light, crisp and refreshing, this wine is best served cold and would feel right at home with you soaking up sun at the beach. With a forecast of a foot of snow predicted for this weekend, I kinda wish the beach was where I was headed. I guess one can dream...

Yep, there. 

Price: $

My Rating: B

Johnson Estate Sparkling Traminette

Not to brag, but I make a pretty
awesome apple pie.

Let's talk TURKEY!! Later this month is my favorite holiday, Thanksgiving-- a time for good food and good wine with family and friends. I can't wait!

In the spirit of the season, this week's Wine 101 class at Personal Wine Cellar will be dedicated to pairing wines with Thanksgiving meals. We'll be sampling four different wines that pair well with a traditional Thanksgiving dinner: Dr. Frank Gewurtztraminer, 90+ Cellars Mosel Riesling, Johnson Estates Sparkling Traminette, and Folie a Deux Zinfandel. 

Honestly, if I had to pick just one to recommend to you, I'd probably cry. Cause I can't do it. So, simply because I had it most recently, I'll tell you a little more about the Johnson Estate Sparking Traminette...

alternate label:
Golden Sparkles

This wine has BUBBLES, and here's an interesting fact about that: the Johnson Estates Sparkling Traminette is the only one made in the US using the traditional champagne method. Basically, that means the bubbles don't come from a carbon dioxide injection. Instead, they're created naturally in the bottle during a second fermentation process. While the traditional method comes straight out of the Champagne region of France, Johnson Estate puts it to good use right here in New York State.

 The Sparkling Traminette is also notable for it's great flavors. It's crisp and a little fruity, with some light citrus (maybe lychee) and floral accents. It's not super acidic, like some champagnes, but it's also not lip-puckering sweet, so it's great in a spritzer (you may recall that two weeks ago I mentioned splashing a bit of Chambord in there) and also makes one BOSS mimosa. 

Oh, and another thing: one of the "official" recommended pairings is TURKEY. But personally, I'd pair this one with my Thanksgiving leftovers. I mean, Thanksgiving dinner is great and all, but if you're family's like mine you've been snacking on beer-basted kielbasa and crab oobie doobies* all day, so when actual dinner happens around 2:30-3:00, you're kinda stuffed. And let's be honest: that sandwich you're gonna make at 9:00 Thanksgiving night, you know, the one with the congealed gravy, scooped stuffing and slices of jellied cranberry sauce on top...THAT's gonna taste awesome with some Sparkling Traminette. You're welcome.

Price: $$

Rating: B+

*in case any non-relatives are wondering, this just means "hors d'oeuvres" in Craig.

Riondo Prosecco Spago Nero

Did anyone else feel a perceptible shift in the universe as it aligned in my favor on Sunday, August 26th 2012 at approximately 2:15pm? It was only a matter of time until this day came, the day that Ernie asked me, "what do you think we should taste at PWC this week?"

insert beams of light, angelic
choir-like sounds and maybe  a
verse or two of We are the Champions-- for effect...

Of course y'all know what my answer was...

Riondo Prosecco is probably my favorite white wine. Ever. In fact, I am sad that I am not sipping a glass right now as I tell you about its merits (I checked, there's none in the wine rack at the moment. Boo.).

Ahhh...

It's hard to put my finger on what I like best about it. What makes Prosecco in general a delectable treat: it's light and effervescent. It's fruity and aromatic, but not super sweet. The word "fresh" comes to mind. Exciting on the front (what with the bright flavors and the heavy bubbles) with a slight mineral finish, it's a great wine to drink cold, with a light meal, before and/or after a light meal, or completely on its own (entirely sans a meal of any proportion). My favorite way to indulge: lounging in a camp chair (pinky down, solo cup style) with some good company and snacks (I like triscuits and easy cheese...).

don't knock it 'til you try it...

So that's what I like about Proseccos. Now, you might be wondering why I like Riondo's more than any others I have tried. The answer: well, I just do. It just suits my style as well as my tastebuds. But, since I feel like I owe you a story, I'll tell you of the first time I tried a Prosecco that was NOT Riondo...

It was Spring of 2008, and my friend Trish and I were headed to France for a week plus of crepes, medieval churches, crepes, art, crepes, culture and crepes. We were thrilled to discover that on our Air Swiss flight there was a pretty nice selection of wine, and both decided to have a glass of Prosecco (I don't recall the label). It was ok; not great but drinkable.

Here's me, enjoying a
delicious dessert-type-thing
in Brest, France. It's not a
crepe, but you get the idea...

Just after I finished mine, we began making our descent into Zurich. There was a pretty serious rain storm, and the turbulence was really rough. It got so bad that people on the plane were screaming, crying and praying as the plane was tossed around. I just squeezed my eyes closed and focused on not yacking all over myself. FINALLY, we hit the runway, fishtailed for a minute or two and came to a stop. One of the flight attendants stood up and said over the loudspeaker, "thank you, captain," at which point the entire plane errupted into cheering and applause at having not just then died.

Riondo Prosecco: lovely afternoons with family and friends. Non-Riondo Prosecco: near-death or near-vomit experience. Coincidence? You be the judge...

Price: $

My Rating: A+