Great Wines for the Mothers in Your Life

Every season has its own time for wines, and has wines that are good matches for the time. For example, wine connoisseur and entrepreneur Stephanie Franklin observes that Spring is a season that invites a delightful transition in the world of wines, marked by a shift towards lighter, refreshing options that perfectly complement the blossoming surroundings. During this time you can even plan ahead and select the perfect wine to gift for Mother’s Day, anniversaries or birthdays – a bottle as exceptional and timeless as the mothers being celebrated. Opting for a sparkling wine, light rosé with its delicate hues, or flavorful pinot grigio accompanied by nuanced flavors can embody the grace and femininity associated with motherhood. A carefully chosen bottle accompanied by a heartfelt note makes for a memorable and cherished gift, expressing gratitude and love in a truly refined manner.

The best gifts for moms mean a lot to Franklin as she lost her mother a few years ago. That was the moment she decided to move on from her job in AdTech and launch a wine company she always dreamed of, Fly Wines. Fly Wines’ recently launched international wine collection presents selections to wine lovers looking to provide their palette with new and exciting tastes, regardless of their level of wine experience or expertise.

As a Black female in the industry, Stephanie knows how minority-owned wineries — both female and black alike — are not just changing the flavor profile of the wines, but are also influencing the industry’s future direction, making it more representative of society’s diverse fabric.

Some unique wines recommended by Stephanie and Fly Wines include:

  • Patara Beyaz (Dry White Wine) by Likya : A crisp, unoaked Patara Beyaz with citrus and floral notes pairs well with a variety of dishes.
  • Grechetto by Goretti: As an aperitif, excellent with many dishes, fish and white meat. Deep and elegant with fruit notes, in parti- cular, on the nose, are notes of pineapple, banana, yellow peach, scotch broom flowers and almonds
  • Merlot by Mosole: Soft and approachable, Merlot offers flavors of plum, cherry, and vanilla, making it a versatile choice for many dishes.
  • Cabernet Sauvignon by Fortino: Aged for over three years in French oak barrels. This wine is dark velvet in color, with rich, bold aromas of blackberries and cherries. There are delicate hints of cloves, a pinch of black pepper, and smokey oak flavors that allow it to pair deliciously with beef dishes, from charred cheeseburgers to well-marinated ribeye steaks.

Of course, if you like them then you can absolutely drink or gift these wines at any time of year and for any reason.

3 Red Wines for More than the High Holidays

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How to Pick Out a Good Australian Wine – What to Look For & Avoid



Sometimes we can’t be an expert in everything, especially wines from different regions, but if you’re confused about what makes a good Australian wine, wine experts Jane Lopes and Jonathan Ross have 3 great tips for you to try. They are authors of the book How to Drink Australian An Essential Modern Wine Book .

Jane Lopes and Jonathan Ross: There’s never been a more exciting time to drink Australian wine. The country most known for cheap critter wines and bold shiraz is actually the country to go to for quality wines in just about every style and price-point. Australia has reached an amazing confluence of generational knowledge, old-vine material, and a spirit of innovation that, combined, is creating some of the world’s greatest wines.

So how to you pick out a good bottle?

  1. Be willing to try something new. There are world-class wines made from the most popular and frequently consumed grapes: chardonnay, pinot noir, cabernet sauvignon, shiraz, and merlot. But, when grown at scale to achieve easy prices, they fall short almost everywhere.  If you venture further afield to try, say, an Australian nero d’avola, grenache or riesling, there’s a better chance that you’ll find something made and selected with care, rather than something manufactured to meet the demand of the market.
  2. Look for a region on the bottle. There are plenty of great Australian wines that say ‘South Eastern Australia’ on the back (a catch-all appellation for the wine regions of South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales, Tasmania, and Queensland) – take, for example, Penfolds Grange: Australia’s most prized and expensive wine! But often you can find wines made at an estate vineyard when there is a more specific wine region on the label: something like Heathcote, Barossa Valley, Yarra Valley, Beechworth, Tasmania, Margaret River, etc. The list is long!
  3. Find a wine shop you trust. This is the best piece of advice in all matters wine! Wine shops that spend lots of energy and time selecting bottles for you are going to come up with the best bottles. And small, independently owned wine shops will often be able to work with the smaller production wines that grocery stores and national chains won’t. So find your local wine merchant, and get to know them. They’ll get to know you – your pallet, your budget, your tastes – and will help you find the best bottle. 

ABOUT Jane Lopes and Jonathan Ross

Jane Lopes is a sommelier, author, and importer, having worked at New York’s Eleven Madison Park, Nashville’s The Catbird Seat, Chicago’s The Violet Hour, and most recently as the wine director at Melbourne’s Attica, before passing the prestigious master sommelier exam in 2018. Lopes published her first book, Vignette: Stories of Life and Wine in 100 Bottles, in 2019. In 2020, Lopes co-founded Legend, an Australian wine imports company, with husband Jonathan Ross, to help bring the great wines they’d experienced in Australia to the US. She is now based in Nashville. She is the co-author of How To Drink Australian: An Essential Modern Wine Book (Murdoch Books / September 2023 / $60).

Jonathan Ross is a sommelier and wine importer whose career in restaurants has included posts at New York’s Eleven Madison Park, Oceana and Anthos, and as the beverage director for Australia’s Rockpool Dining Group. Ross passed the prestigious master sommelier exam in 2017, has curated wine offerings for Qantas Airlines, and founded the boutique wine label Micro Wines. In 2020, Ross returned to the US, eager to spread the word of the world-class wine he’d worked with in Australia, and co-founded Legend Imports in 2020 with his wife Jane Lopes. He is the co-author of How To Drink Australian: An Essential Modern Wine Book (Murdoch Books / September 2023 / $60).

6 Most Common Things That People Get Wrong about Wine

Wine is a complex and nuanced beverage that has been enjoyed for centuries. However, despite its long history, there are still many misconceptions and misunderstandings about wine that persist today. Let’s take a look the six most common things that people get wrong about wine.

  1. Expensive wine is always better than cheap wine. This is one of the most persistent myths about wine, and it simply isn’t true. While some expensive wines may be of exceptional quality, there are also many excellent wines available at more affordable prices. The key to finding a great wine is to learn about different varietals, regions, and styles, and to taste as many different wines as possible.
  2. White wine should only be served chilled and red wine should only be served at room temperature. While it is true that white wine is typically served chilled and red wine is typically served at room temperature, this isn’t a hard and fast rule. In fact, many red wines can benefit from being served slightly chilled, especially in hot weather. Additionally, many white wines can be enjoyed at a slightly warmer temperature, which can bring out more complex flavors and aromas.
  3. You should only drink wine with a meal. While wine is often enjoyed with food, it is not necessary to always drink it with a meal. Wine can be enjoyed on its own, as an aperitif or a digestif, or as a companion to a variety of different activities, such as reading, relaxing, or socializing with friends.
  4. You should always swirl your wine before drinking it. While swirling your wine can help to release its aromas, it is not always necessary. In fact, many wines are best enjoyed without swirling them at all. The key is to find the right balance between aerating the wine and allowing it to express its full range of flavors and aromas.
  5. You should always hold your wine glass by the stem. While holding your wine glass by the stem is considered proper etiquette, it is not always necessary. In fact, many wine experts prefer to hold their glass by the bowl, as it allows them to better appreciate the wine’s color, aromas, and flavors.
  6. Only certain types of wine are suitable for aging. This is another common misconception about wine. While it is true that some wines are better suited to aging than others, many different types of wine can benefit from being aged. The key to aging wine successfully is to store it in the right conditions, which typically includes a cool, dark, and humid environment.

While there are many myths and misconceptions about wine, it is important to remember that the most important thing is to find a wine that you enjoy. By learning more about different varietals, regions, and styles, and by experimenting with different wines, you can discover the wonderful world of wine and find a wine that is perfect for you.

Wine Review: Rescue Dog Sparkling Wines

We recently tasted sparkling wines from Rescue Dog Wines, an innovative winery that blends quality vintages with a mission of helping to rescue dogs in need. The first thing you notice about the wines are the labels, which are at the same time cute, stylish, eye-catching, and quite artistic. Of course they feature portraits of our favorite pets!

It’s already well known that the staff of TasteTV have a soft spot for both dogs and cats, and produces the annual World Dog Surfing Championships that helps promote dog charities.

Rescue Dog Wines was started by Blair and Laura Lott, both of whom are dedicated to animal rescue. After realizing how much of a difference they could make in the lives of dogs in need, they decided to create a company that would allow them to financially contribute to the cause. Rescue Dog Wines was born and has since become a popular wine brand that also helps to fund animal rescues. 50% of the profits from the wine is donated to animal non-profits.

The company offers a variety of award-winning wines crafted with care and having a unique flavor profile that is sure to please  most everyday oenophiles. The sparkling wines are created using grapes from some of the best vineyards in California, and offer a range of styles, mostly focused on crisp or dry palates, including the Méthode Champenoise Demi-Sec, the Méthode Champenoise Sparkling Rosé, and the 2019 Lisel Blanc de Blancs Brut Méthode Champenoise.

The Rosé in particular is one we recommend that you try — it earned a Silver Medal at the California State Fair — if only to have had the experience and be able to say, “Yes, I liked it.”

Regardless of your selection, you can be confident that each bottle of Rescue Dog Wines contains smartly cultivated and selected ingredients, and is crafted with the utmost care. In addition, because of their support of local animal rescues, this means that you can enjoy a glass of wine knowing that you are helping to make a difference in the lives of animals in need.

It’s always good to know that when you are enjoying your wine, you are contributing to a great cause with every sip. We always love knowing that we are helping to make a difference.

More at https://rescuedogwines.com

 

Wine Review: Mountain Ranch Winery 2018 Old Vine Barbera Grand Reserve

Mountain Ranch Winery’s 2018 Old Vine Barbera Grand Reserve is a wine to notice. From its deep, ruby-red color to its bold, fruit-forward flavor, this vintage is a must-try for red wine lovers ready  to expand from Zinfandels and Cabs.

Created by winemaker Bob Hoffman, the 2018 vintage was made from a selection of the finest old-vine Barbera grapes grown in the mountainous Rancho Vignola vineyard in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The combination of the high-altitude terroir and the exceptional vineyard management practices of the winemakers has resulted in a wine of exceptional quality and complexity.

This wine is often served on TasteTV’s Chocolate and Wine Cruise on San Francisco Bay, and this is the first time our wine editors have been able to present a written review of this vintage that attendees have tasted.

On the nose, the 2018 Old Vine Barbera Grand Reserve offers a tantalizing array of aromas, including ripe red fruits, a hint of spice, and a touch of earthiness. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied and silky smooth, with flavors of dark-skinned cherries, blackberries, and a subtle hint of oak. The wine has a pleasing, lingering finish with a hint of sweet spice.

The 2018 Old Vine Barbera Grand Reserve is a classic example of a high-quality, old-world-style wine. The flavors are well-balanced and complex, and the wine has a great structure and length. It is a perfect choice for those who appreciate bold, flavorful wines.

The Mountain Ranch Barbera is an excellent selection for occasions such as casual dinners or even more formal gatherings. It pairs well with a variety of foods, including pastas, grilled meats, and cheeses. With its bold, fruit-forward flavors, it also makes a great choice for sipping on its own.

See more at mountainranchwinery.com