What's on my shelves from good ole USA
July 4th. The day Americans celebrate their liberation from the Brits, and any excuse for a wine theme at Purple Teeth. So, whether you're hosting a barbecue and looking for robust reds, or simply hoping to sip a cool white in the evening, the wines of the USA have plenty to offer.
Of course California is the "go to" state with around 98% of American wine exports hailing from there, but there are notable wines on offer from other states such as Oregon, gaining a world class reputation for Pinot Noir and Virginia, where whites like Viognier come into their own.
Here's my selection of what to enjoy...
Of course California is the "go to" state with around 98% of American wine exports hailing from there, but there are notable wines on offer from other states such as Oregon, gaining a world class reputation for Pinot Noir and Virginia, where whites like Viognier come into their own.
Here's my selection of what to enjoy...
I could not resist opening this Frog's Leap Zinfandel tonight as a warm up to accompany a lovely beef chilli.
It's a very spicy wine which is full flavoured enough to stand up to such hearty fare, yet surprisingly only 13.5% abv - pretty light for a Zin. It's £22.99 from Alfred the Grape, so a little indulgent for a midweek treat, but with good tannin structure this should keep well on the wine rack for a few years and result in something even more awesome. Just a pity I had no will power!
It's a very spicy wine which is full flavoured enough to stand up to such hearty fare, yet surprisingly only 13.5% abv - pretty light for a Zin. It's £22.99 from Alfred the Grape, so a little indulgent for a midweek treat, but with good tannin structure this should keep well on the wine rack for a few years and result in something even more awesome. Just a pity I had no will power!
The Bonterra Organic Chardonnay is currently on offer at £8.99 at Waitrose reduced from normal price of £11.99
I've reviewed this back in November so I'll keep it simple. This is probably the Chardonnay I buy the most frequently. As well as the benefit of being organic, it's got just the right amount of oak to provide body and vanilla without overpowering the fruit.
I've reviewed this back in November so I'll keep it simple. This is probably the Chardonnay I buy the most frequently. As well as the benefit of being organic, it's got just the right amount of oak to provide body and vanilla without overpowering the fruit.
I first drunk this back in March alongside a Napa Viognier both of which were rather fabulous. I had to go back to Tanners to get another bottle despite it's heft >£20 price tag. Oregon Pinot Noirs can be hard to get hold of but they are well worth seeking out if you get the chance. Hopefully Purple Teeth will get the chance to visit Oregon in the next year for a more detailed look. As I mention in the March blog post, the Napa Viognier was also rather incredible, but sadly Alfred the Grape have sold out.
Ridge Lytton Springs is a Zinfandel blend with Petite Sirah as the next biggest grape component. I've got a bottle of 2007 on my wine rack. You'll be lucky to find anything older than 2009 and the 2010 is available for £26 a bottle from The Wine Society. I'll be saving mine for a special occasion and will continue to look out for this on restaurant wine lists when I'm with hard to please friends. Ridge makes some exceptional wines. One day I hope to sample some of their even more pricey wines!
Finally, for those lovers of huge wine, I suggest a Napa Frog's Leap Cabernet Sauvignon. This is definitely the signature grape of Napa and I first tasted this one as part of my WSET advanced course. Mr Purple Teeth loves a good Cabernet and I hope he will like this one as much as I did when we get round to opening it. It's full of blackcurrant and comes in around £30 a bottle - about the same as a decent Bordeaux, but to my mind, far more rewarding.
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