2010 Henry of Pelham Family Tree Red – VINTAGES 247882 – $18.95 – This wine is loaded with Black Currant, Plum and slight Black Pepper. What really stood out on this wine was the long finish. What this means is that the last bit of fruit and heavier smoky oak that rolls off the back of your tongue sits around for a long time. What I love about this wine is it is perfect to stock up on for the holidays. It is a great casual sipper for entertaining and will match your oven roasted red meats.
2011 Lailey Unoaked Chardonnay – VINTAGE 0299776 – $15.95 – Unoaked Chardonnay is another great crowd pleaser for your Holiday planning. This one is Dry, Crisp with Bright Fruit and fantastic value. There is nice balance with acidity making it very food friendly. This is another wine that makes a great sipper while entertaining.
This week I had a chance to speak to Michael Pinkus (www.ontariowinereview.com) about matching proper wines to proper glasses. I knew there was something to this as last year for Christmas I got a nice set of Red and White wine glasses. I have also recommended a nice set of Red and White wine glasses to be on your Christmas list for shopping this year (http://tmblr.co/ZZ_vXwYc5Kl0).
We had a chance to taste three different wines in three different glasses … It included drinking white wine out of a red glass and vice versa. Michael was kind enough to bring a third glass called a Burgundy glass, to use with Oaked Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. It really is fascinating the difference these glasses make. The best way I can describe it is it’s like putting a photograph that is slightly out of focus into focus.
What I did learn this week is that shopping for wine glasses can be overwhelming, but do not despair! The essentials that you need are simply a Red Glass, a White Glass (and a Burdgundy glass if you love Oaked Chardonnay, or Pinot Noir)
Don’t get me wrong, if you’re using a good old standard wine glass it doesn’t mean you’re doing it wrong … but trust me if you REALLY want to enjoy what’s in your glass you have to listen to this weeks podcast.
