Brew Hops & Wine Stops

So if you know me you know I love my rosé wines in the summer, and it has been hot enough to cook on the concrete.  So I have been enjoying the lighter side of wine.  It was brought back to my attention this week that I can have both—rosé and Italian.  If you haven’t had a chance yet, you should run out now and get a bottle of Tantini Bardalino Chiaretto. 

This rosé is full of life!  I hope you have been to the Italian Winemakers’ Tour with ABC.  If you have, then you have already met the woman who produces this wonderful rosé, Giovanna Tantini.  I got to meet her on a VERY cold January night in Tallahassee this year.  We carry her Bardolino Rosso, Chiaretto, and Ettore (named after her son).   All three are amazing wines.  And we all know I love to back women in wine! 

Giovanna Tantini

But now back to the wine at hand…Chiaretto is a unique wine in that we don’t see many rosés from Italy—and if this wine is any indication of what it can be—we need more!  The salmon color is the first thing that catches your eye; it has that perfect color.  Once I open the wine, I get to smell the bouquet of light spice and rose petals.  I know I’m going to get something refreshing for dinner tonight.  Now here comes my favorite part, what to pair with this wine for dinner?  I always go backwards when it comes to pairing—at least it seems backwards to me.  I like to choose the wine, taste, then decide what to put with it, thinking of where it comes from and, of course, the weight. 

This wine is light enough to drink on its own or as an aperitif; the minerality does work well with food.  I do believe tonight, with this wonderful rosé, I’m going to keep it light—yellowtail, tuna and salmon sashimi with a ponzu drizzle.  What could be better for a steamy night in Florida?

Kathleen Anderson, northwest Florida Wine Supervisor.

Follow me on Twitter @abcwinekat.

Hot weather is upon us. This means when I get home from a hard day tasting, talking about and stocking wine, it’s time to relax with a glass of my own. And when it’s hot outside I want something refreshing that makes me happy. While I always have a bottle or two of white in my fridge, more and more I find myself reaching for the rosé.

And no, I’m not talking about the Portuguese rosé of everyone’s youth. Nor am I talking about the sticky sweet White Zinfandels or White Merlots struggling to stay just outside the jug wine aisle. I’m talking about proper dry rosé. The kind of wine that is as refreshing as it is flavorful. The kind of wine that is impossible to drink while in a bad mood. It’s the kind of wine that real wine lovers aren’t afraid to drink.

It’s vibrant, flavorful and more importantly, cheap. With the exception of some sparklers from Champagne, most rosés are less than $20 (and my favorites hover closer to $10). It’s the perfect Florida porch wine and pairs well with just about any food. I have been known to pop a bottle whenever tacos are present. Rosé cools off spicy food perfectly, and pairs just as well with salads or BBQ.

Southern France makes some of the best rosés, but there are also gems to be found in Italy (Rosato), Spain and the United States. In the French section of your local ABC, you can pretty much guarantee it is going to be dry (and delicious). The only exception is Rosé d’Anjou, which tends to be on the sweet side. If you happen to be a White Zinfandel fan, though, definitely seek these out. The ABV will be a good indicator of the dryness (lack of sweetness) of the wine. Anything 12% or over will be nice and dry.

So why not give rosé a try this summer? Who knows? You might be surprised. And just in case you think I’m crazy for writing about pink wine, check out these other blogs by people who know a lot more about wine than myself (they're all wine supervisors at ABC!):  Ken Amendola, Paul Quaglini, Bill Stobbs and Kathleen Anderson.

Bill Dahl, ABC Fine Wine & Spirits wine consultant

Follow me on Twitter @abcwinebilld

It is that time of year when we look for the most refreshing wine while the humidity in Florida reaches 100%.  Wine nerds and not so nerdy wine drinkers look to Europe to see what they are drinking.  For the most part there is a four letter word that Americans dare not speak…it strikes fear in the hearts of many…and laughter from those who know its counterpart: pink and sweet.

Yes, I am talking about ROSÉ!!!  For those of us who love this refreshing libation, it’s a no-brainer for the summer.  Others think if they see pink, it must be sweet.  I’m here to tell you it doesn’t have to be, and now you don’t have to take my work for it.  If you haven’t had a chance to pick up the latest Wine Spectator, you should.  Not only do you get a great picture of Brad Pitt (oh yeah, ladies), but you get a great look at the newest wine on the market form Provence.

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie bought the Provence estate Château Miraval as a family retreat, but, as anyone who loves wine would, decided to use their wonderful terroir (soil, weather) to make a great wine.  They even added in a great winemaker to breathe life into this adventure—Marc Perrin from the Château de Beaucastel in Rhone.

This month come to ABC to find this collaboration available to taste in select stores.  For all you red wine drinkers out there looking for something new, here it is.  If this particular one doesn’t fit the bill, we have several.  The great part of rosé is there are many choices, colors, and flavors to choose from.  I’m just glad some notoriety is finally being given to a stupendous summer wine. 

Think colors anywhere from pale pink to dark salmon, flavors such as strawberry, raspberry, cherry, cranberry, sometimes a bit of mint, or flowers, or even a sight toast of oak.  Any way you look at it, it’s summer, it’s refreshing, and ladies, how bad could it be if Brad Pitt puts his name on it?  Come out and taste what some of us have been enjoying all along!

Kathleen Anderson, NW FL wine supervisor. Follow me on Twitter @abcwinekat.

More often than not, some people become “set in their ways” when it comes to trying new wines--they like what they like and are hesitant to try something new.  Well, you tried that particular wine at some point, so why not try something new again? Spring is here and, with summer not too far off, it's time to uncork a bottle and expand your palate!

This is the time of year for those crisp white wines that can be enjoyed outside, with or without an accompanying meal.  Let’s travel to Spain and start with a refreshing and uncommon grape, Godello. One of my favorites white wines, the Atalaya do Mar Godello, offers ripe peach and lemon hints which carry onto the palate. With nuances of honey and melon, combined with peach hints, the flavors are harmonious through the finish.

Since we are entering the season where seafood, particularly shellfish, is often served, you might be looking for the perfect vintage to complement your meal.  If you enjoy anything from the sea, try the Aragosta Vermentino.  This white from Sardegna is the perfect companion for seafood lovers, with aromas of fresh ripe apple. Vermentino is dry, fresh and lively with a well-balanced acidity and finish.  It’s perfectly crafted for year-round Florida weather!

Another common choice this time of year is the rosé. I get asked on a daily basis, “Is this rosé dry or sweet?” Although people often associate “pink” with being sweet and fruity, that is not always the case. Take Chateau Montaud Cotes de Provence Rosé, for instance. On the nose it displays sweet aromas, like vanilla and cherry, but on the palate there are subtle hints of cranberry and citrus. Together they make a dry rosé that’s versatile and a great buy at $12!

With Memorial Day quickly approaching, consider stopping by ABC Fine Wine and Spirits and pick up a bottle or two of something you haven’t tried, perhaps a varietal you’ve never heard of before.  Either way, ‘tis the season to uncork a bottle and expand your palate! 

Kayla Howard, ABC Fine Wine & Spirits wine consultant in Bradenton. Follow me on Twitter @abcwinekaylah.

The latest addition to our fine selection of organic and biodynamic wines is Château Trians Rosé 2013 from Provence. This wine is a spectacular achievement, quite possibly the best rosé ever; round with rich texture, yet bright and fruity with perfect balance!

The vineyards at Château Trians were first planted to the vine 20 centuries ago when the domain’s lands were part of a large Roman villa, Villa Triana. The wine estate at Château Trians covers 49 acres of organically farmed vineyards in the Massif of Cuers, 30 kilometers north of Toulon in Provence, France. Most of the wine is produced under the Côteaux Varois en Provence appellation.

Château Trians

The current owner, Jean-Louis Masurel, acquired the estate in 1989. Today, the winery at Château Trians is equipped with the latest and greatest vinification equipment. The wine is a matter of love, intuition and precision; all these factors come together at Trians and result in creating the perfect wines.

The 2013 Château Trians Rosé, a blend of 40% Grenache, 40% Cinsault and 20% Syrah, exhibits light salmon-pink color and aromas and flavors of strawberry, cranberry and field flowers. The mouthfeel is rich and perfectly balanced with pure fruit, refreshing acidity, medium intensity and a long, round finish.

Enjoy as aperitif or served with mixed salads, seafood dishes, grilled meats and aged cheeses.

Santé! 

Atanas Nechkov, ABC Fine Wine & Spirits wine supervisor

Follow me on Twitter @abcwineatanas

With apologies to most of the rest of the northern hemisphere, who seem to be inundated with snow, ice, rain and freezing temperatures, the weather here in Florida has turned absolutely spring-like, and I’m already enjoying many of my meals out of doors. Yes, I’m still savoring my big, bold cold-weather red wines, but more and more I find that I’m sneaking some aromatic whites and a few rosés into the mix. And this brings me to one of the simple outdoor foods that I love.

Pissaladière is a cheeseless pizza originating in the South of France which utilizes many of the staples from a Mediterranean kitchen – onions, olives, olive oil, garlic and thyme. It makes a perfect snack or appetizer, but can also be served as a main course, perhaps accompanied by a green salad.

The name pissaladière derives from pissalat, which is an anchovy purée that traditionally tops the onions. I prefer to use anchovy fillets, but if you happen to be one of those odd people who doesn’t care for anchovies, take heart – they can be dispensed with entirely.

The dough base you can make yourself or you can purchase freshly made pizza dough. To make the topping:

• Heat 6 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil in a skillet over a medium heat. Add 8 cloves of minced garlic and 2½ tablespoons of dried thyme and stir for 30 seconds. Add 8 onions, halved and thinly sliced. Separate the slices with a wooden spoon and stir so that they are evenly coated with the olive oil, garlic, and thyme. Add 2 teaspoons of salt and 1 teaspoon of freshly ground pepper. Stir well. Reduce the heat to low and cook until the onions are soft, stirring every 5 minutes for about 20 minutes.


• Preheat the oven to 500 degrees F.


• Spread the cooked onions over the pizza dough bases. Arrange the (optional) 12 ounces of oil-packed anchovy fillets (did I mention that I love anchovies?) on top in a diamond pattern and dot with Niçoise or Kalamata olives. Bake for 12-15 minutes until the rims of the crusts are golden brown.


• Cut into wedges or squares. Serve hot, warm or at room temperature. This recipe makes two 12- to 14-inch pizzas.

Now for the big question – What wine should I drink with my pissaladière? Happily the answer is quite simple: any good-drinking, lip-smacking dry rosé that you have on hand. Dry rosé is the perfect outdoor wine, and you don’t need to spend a lot of money on it. (Better have two bottles ready though!) You will find that the caramelized onions create a sexy sweet and sour blend with the other ingredients that pairs perfectly and deliciously with the light fruit and mineral notes of the dry rosé. Enjoy!

Bill Stobbs, ABC Fine Wine & Spirits Wine Consultant

Follow me on Twitter @abcwinebills

The latest and greatest dry rosé from Provence, currently available in select ABC stores, is the 2012 Bandol Rosé from Château de Pibarnon.

Our ABC wine team first had the opportunity to sample a bottle of 1999 Pibarnon Bandol Red one evening at a restaurant in the Rhône Valley in March 2013, during the days of Découvertes en Vallée du Rhône.

The '99 Pibarnon Bandol Red was so exceptional and above and beyond any expectations that we had no choice but to make time in an already very busy schedule and visit the booth of Château de Pibarnon  three months later at the Vinexpo 2013 in Bordeaux.

We were greeted and tasted through the entire selection of current and older vintages with the owner, Eric de Saint Victor.

Eric is the second generation owner at Château de Pibarnon; in fact Eric's parents, Henri and Catherine de Saint Victor, fell in love with Provence and acquired the domain in 1978.

After 25 years Château de Pibarnon stretches over 50 hectares of terraced vineyards situated at the highest elevation of the appellation on southeast-facing, amphitheater-shaped hillsides rich in limestone.

The stone retention walls of the vineyards are locally called 'restanques'.

Château de Pibarnon is considered by wine professionals one of three best estates in Bandol.

The first wine from Château de Pibarnon available to our guests is the 2012 Bandol Rosé. This wine is a blend of 50% Mourvèdre and 50% Cinsault creating perfect balance and harmony of structure, fruit, minerality, freshness and finesse.

Try it is aperitif or refreshment on a hot Florida day, as well as paired with a multitude of dishes--my favorite of which is grilled fish (especially red snapper), olive tapenade, mixed salads, grilled vegetables and red meats, stews and aged goat cheeses.

The 2012 Bandol Rosé from Château de Pibarnon was rated 92 points by the Wine Advocate and is priced at only $26.99. Quantities are very limited, don't let it slip away.

Santé!　

Atanas Nechkov ABC Fine Wine & Spirits Wine Supervisor

Follow me on Twitter @abcwineatanas

Three new Champagnes from Haton are available for the first time this year at ABC Fine Wine & Spirits:

• Haton Extra Brut, a blend of 50% Pinot Noir and 50% Chardonnay


• Haton Extra Brut Rosé, a blend of 40% Chardonnay, 35% Pinot Noir, and 25% Pinot Meunier


• Haton Reserve, a blend of 35% Pinot Meunier, 35% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay aged for at least three years

At the beginning of 2000, the Hatons decided to develop a range of three Ultra-Premium Champagnes, “Haton Extra” Brut, Brut Rosé and Blanc de Blancs, that can compete in quality with the best names in Champagne.

Haton Extra Champagnes are defined by these three fundamentals: 

A high percentage of Chardonnay in the blend (unlike the classic range which is predominantly Pinot Meunier and Pinot Noir) to create cuvées of great finesse.

Assemblage of multi-vintage wines to bring out more complexity and "skip" when necessary a year of poor quality harvest.

A prolonged aging of 4-5 years, bringing richness of flavors and extra body to the wines. The bottles are stored sur-latte.

In other words, Haton Extra is made from the best quality base-wines and those with best aging potential.

Haton Extra Champagne bottles are riddled by hand. The glass bottle itself was specifically manufactured for Haton Extra; the color of the glass is black therefore filtering out 100% of the harmful UV rays.

On the other hand, Haton Reserve has 30% Chardonnay in its blend while Haton Classic is 100% Pinot (Noir and Meunier). Haton Reserve is available in half-bottles (375mL) priced at $19.99, full bottles (750mL) priced at 34.99, and magnums 1.5L priced at $69.99.

Haton Extra Champagnes are among the best that Champagne can offer but are priced at a fraction of the prices of other top-cuvées--Extra Brut at $44.99 and Extra Brut Rosé at $45.99. Haton Extra represent the best value in Champagne we have ever come across.

Cheers!! Happy Holidays!!

Atanas Nechkov, ABC Fine Wine & Spirits Wine Supervisor

Follow him on Twitter @abcwineatanas