Philly Wine Finder

Chinese Riesling, Spicy Noodles, and Gewurz

The Asian style noodles that accompany our salmon and bok choy are fried in a sesame-chili paste, making them quite hot and spicy. The general wine pairing suggestion for spicy food is to stay away from red, high alcohol, tannic wines and go instead with low alcohol off-dry whites, usually riesling and gewurztraminer.   

So we picked up a Dragon's Hollow Riesling, which claims to be the first premium wine produced in China. The bottle has netting on it and a Chinese coin, which made us suspicious, because we are generally suspicious of such things on wine bottles. The wine is ok, but it didn't taste much like a German riesling, and it didn't pair with the spicy noodles as well as we hoped. Dragon's Hollow riesling has some green apple (sour) flavor but in general tastes like a generic white table wine.

The Ventana Gewurztraminer, on the other hand, is full of lychee fruit flavor and is a good example of California Gewurz. It's a good pairing for this type of food. According to their chalkboard, the PA Wine and Spirits store at 19th and Chestnut is having a tasting of this wine tonight from 5:00-7:00 p.m.

Dragon's Hollow Riesling He Lan Mountain 2008
Luxury Item
PLCB Code: 18571
Size: 750 ML
Price: $10.49

Ventana Gewurztraminer Arroyo Seco 2009
Chairman's Selection^TM
Description from PLCB web site
PLCB Code: 32288
Size: 750ML
Price: $9.99
Compare to prices on wine-searcher.com:  (Avg $13, Min $9, Max $19)
Availability in Pennsylvania:

In Wine & Spirits stores

PAWineTalk

Pepi Lignana Leopoldino Vermentino Maremma 2009

First of all, why anyone would rather buy a wine with a name like Bitch, Toad, Squirrel Butt, etc. instead of something with a lovely old world name like Pepi Lignana Leopoldino Fattoria il Casalone Maremma is beyond us.

On the other hand, perhaps it's all marketing, and the Europeans are just selling us something different? The Pepi Lignana web site is probably the polar opposite of X Winery: Italian tradition versus California rule breaking; conservative winemaker in a suit versus maverick mixologist. Or, are the Italians (and French and Germans and Spaniards) just doing what they've always done and the new world winemakers need to distinguish themselves instead of trying to compete with centuries of tradition where they can't possibly win?

Who knows, old world versus new world is a never ending debate among the wine geeks. But there's no reason for people to be intimidated by wines with long strings of multiple names in foreign languages, especially when they're priced at $8.99. In our experience of paying closer attention to wine these past two years, the French and Italian wines have had the most consistent quality, even at the modest $15 and under price level. These people have been making wine a long time, they've figured out how to do it.   

Names and marketing aside, this is a really nice wine. In the Gruner Veltliner/Pinot Grigio mold, it's soft and refreshing and will pair well with vegetables, seafood, or anything light. It is citrusy but has a nice smooth mouthfeel.  At only a little over a dollar a name, it's definitely worth it.

Pepi Lignana Leopoldino Vermentino Maremma 2009
Chairman's Selection^TM
Description from PLCB web site
PLCB Code: 32435
Size: 750ML
Price: $8.99
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Region:    Italy > Tuscany > Maremma
Grape Varieties:     Vermentino 88%
Viognier 12%

 PAWineTalk

CellarTracker

 

 

X Winery Chardonnay North Coast 2010

X Winery was created from an MBA project of Reed Renaudin in 2001. The basic idea, described on their web site, is to take grapes from "some of California's top growers," blend them, and then use technology and low production costs to offer quality wine at a value price. 

While that may sound like a recipe for plonky bad wine to some, the wines from X Winery receive positive reviews in the Wine Advocate and other wine publications and are touted for their value for the money. 

We didn't find any reviews or even any information on the web site for the Chardonnay North Coast 2010, but we found it to be a solid effort, fresh and clean tasting, pleasant Chardonnay mouthfeel, and not overoaked at all. At $8.99 it's a great deal and a perfect wine for mid-week quesadillas.

Rating: 82, or 3 out of 5.
 

X Winery Chardonnay North Coast 2010
Chairman's Selection^TM
Description from PLCB web site
PLCB Code: 32426
Size: 750ML
Price: $8.99
Compare to prices on wine-searcher.com:  (Avg $32, Min $32, Max $32)
Availability in Pennsylvania:

In Wine & Spirits stores

Region:    USA > California > North Coast
Grape Variety:     Chardonnay
Alcohol Content:    13.9%

PAWineTalk

 

Toad Hollow Pinot Noir Rosé Eye of the Toad 2010

Not buying any wine named after a toad (or a swan, loon, cougar, bear, elk, monkey, llama etc.)  is probably a good idea, but we bought this anyway.  It was not bad for a critter wine, and a good way for impatient wine drinkers to get an early taste of spring.

Still some left at the Society Hill store.

Toad Hollow Pinot Noir Rosé Eye of the Toad 2010
Chairman's Selection^TM
Description from PLCB web site
PLCB Code: 32287
Size: 750ML
Price: $7.99
Compare to prices on wine-searcher.com:  (Avg $9, Min $8, Max $13)
Availability in Pennsylvania:

In Wine & Spirits stores

Region:    USA > California > Sonoma County
Grape Variety:     Pinot Noir
Alcohol Content:    11%

Chateau Bastor-Lamontagne Sauternes 2007

Sauternes is a region in southern France that produces a famous sweet wine made from sémillon, sauvignon blanc and a fungus called botrytis cinerea. Wine writer Karen McNeil says, "at their best, these are wines with an apricotish opulence that detonates in your mouth and then spreads over your taste buds like liquefied honey."

We wouldn't exactly say that Chairman's Selection Chateau Bastor-Lamontagne detonated in our mouths, but we got the idea. We paired the moldy wine with moldy cheese and had it as an apertif instead of dessert.  The classic pairing lived up to its reputation, as the sweet, honey-like nature of the wine paired wonderfully with the salty-spiciness of the cheese.

Bastor-Lamontagne is creamy and nectary with some vanilla and apricot flavors, all well-balanced.  At a barrel tasting with other 2007 Sauternes, James Suckling said it was "tangy, sweet and fruity, with a sweet-and-sour character, medium body and a long, fresh finish" and scored it 87-90 in Wine Spectator. The wine is similarly scored on CellarTracker. Wines from Sauternes are said to come into their own 5 years after the vintage date, which would be this year for this wine.

For those curious about mouth detonation, the most famous Sauternes is Chateau d'Yquem. The PLCB Product Search page lists Chateau d'Yquem 2008 as available in PA for $327.99 (750 ml).  Chateau de Fargues 2006 (also made by d'Yquem) is available for $135.99 (750 ml).

For the rest of us, Chateau Bastor-Lamontagne is available at Society Hill, Franklin Mills, and the Main Line for $15.99 (375 ml).  The cheese we had is Roquefort Société and is available at Trader Joe's.

Chateau Bastor-Lamontagne Sauternes 2007
Chairman's Selection^TM
Description from PLCB web site
PLCB Code: 32015
Size: 375ML
Price: $15.99
Compare to prices on wine-searcher.com (750ML):  (Avg $41, Min $36, Max $47)
Availability in Pennsylvania:

In Wine & Spirits stores

Region:    France > Bordeaux > Sauternais > Sauternes
Grape Varieties:     Sémillon 80%
Sauvignon Blanc 20%
Alcohol Content:    14%

PAWineTalk

CellarTracker

Durbanville Hills Sauvignon Blanc 2010

Wow, incredibly good for $6.99. Papaya and grapefruit. Really nice with spicy szechuan stir fry. This wine is pretty much sold out but looks like there's a few bottles left at the Franklin Mills store.

Durbanville Hills Sauvignon Blanc 2010
Chairman's Selection^TM
Description from PLCB web site
PLCB Code: 32256
Size: 750ML
Price: $6.99
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PAWineTalk

Region:    South Africa > Coastal Region
Grape Variety:     Sauvignon Blanc
Alcohol Content:    13.5%

Penfolds Shiraz St Henri 2005

Wine Spectator ranked this 24 out of their best 100 wines of 2009 and gave it 95 points. The 750ML bottle is listed at $57.99 at Total Wine in Cherry Hill; this 375ML at the PLCB is $14.99. Wine Spectator lists the drinking window as 2011-2020. It is highly rated on CellarTracker as well.

If you like the big blackberry and plum style of Aussie Shiraz, this is a phenomenal deal. Also an inexpensive chance to try a highly rated wine. Since it's a 375 bottle, it can be hard to find in the stores. Be sure to bring the code# and also pay attention to the year and make sure you buy the 2005.

We read and hear a lot about how dreadful it is for Pennyslvanians to have put up with the horrors of a state controlled liquor monopoly and how much better a privatized system would be.  Is it really that horrible to be able to get a highly rated wine for half price? The PLCB brings in many great deals on wine, this is only one dramatic example. 

 

Penfolds Shiraz St Henri 2005
Chairman's Selection^TM
Description from PLCB web site
PLCB Code: 9908
Size: 375ML
Price: $14.99
Compare to prices on wine-searcher.com (750ML):  (Avg $61, Min $50, Max $73)
Availability in Pennsylvania:

In Wine & Spirits stores

Region:    Australia > South Australia
Grape Varieties:     Shiraz 90%
Cabernet Sauvignon 10%
Alcohol Content:    14%

PAWineTalk

CellarTracker

Chateau Tour de Rodet Graves 2009

 We had this a while ago and remember it as being pretty good. Someone at the table commented, "the French know how to handle Merlot." Comments on PAWineTalk were more varied.

The map says there are still 469 bottles at Ardmore if you want to try it.

Chateau Tour de Rodet Graves 2009
Chairman's Selection^TM
Description from PLCB web site
PLCB Code: 32016
Size: 750ML
Price: $11.99
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 Region:    France > Bordeaux > Graves
Grape Varieties:     Merlot 65%
Cabernet Sauvignon 35%
Alcohol Content:    13%

PAWineTalk

Cantina del Buono Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2008

 Fragrant nose but taste didn't live up to it.

 

Cantina del Buono Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2008
Chairman's Selection^TM
Description from PLCB web site
PLCB Code: 32214
Size: 750ML
Price: $14.99
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Availability in Pennsylvania:

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Region:    Italy > Tuscany > Montepulciano > Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
Grape Varieties:     Sangiovese 90%
Merlot 5%
Trebbiano 3%
Malvasia 2%
Alcohol Content:    13%

 PAWineTalk

 

Yering Station Pinot Noir Little Yering 2008

Light and thin but still very enjoyable and easy to drink. Yes on the white chocolate, a great buy for $7.99. With quinoa, beets and yogurt.

 

"Light and tangy, with a citrusy edge to the raspberry and white chocolate flavors, lingering on the crisp finish.  Drink now through 2015.  3,500 cases imported."
*87 points Wine Spectator, June 30, 2010

 

Yering Station Pinot Noir Little Yering 2008
Chairman's Selection^TM
Description from PLCB web site
PLCB Code: 32344
Size: 750ML
Price: $7.99
Compare to prices on wine-searcher.com:  (Avg $13, Min $13, Max $14)
Availability in Pennsylvania:

In Wine & Spirits stores

Region:    Australia > Victoria > Port Phillip > Yarra Valley
Grape Variety:     Pinot Noir
Alcohol Content:    13.5%

PAWineTalk