Varietal:  Sauvignon Blanc
Region:  France
Cost:  $13.99

Pale straw coloring and a nose of citrus that is matched only by the flavors.  Heavy flavors of lime with a crisp finish.

Recommendation:  I had picked this bottle at a local wine shop as it was their “wine of the week” and I’m alwasy in the market for a good Sauvignon Blanc.  My wife and I paired this wine with a dinner of grilled chicken over salad, and it’s a good thing that the wine was as light and citrusy as it was, because I may have over-seasoned the chicken.

The aromas and flavors of lime were almost overpowering at first, and caught me off guard at first as I was expecting more grapefruit.  I’m not sure if the heavy flavors of lime are indicative of Sauvignon Blanc from France or just this particular vineyard, but it was certainly unexpected, but still very good.  The crisp finish of the wine was refreshing, as I’ve come to expect from Sauvignon Blanc, and was the perfect compliment to my (over) seasoned chicken and salad dinner.

If you prefer grapefruit flavors in your Sauvignon Blanc, this won’t be what you’re looking for, but if you’re looking for a crisp white wine with lots of citrus, this is a great buy and I would recommend it.

Related posts:

1. Mirassou Sauvignon Blanc
2. Terra Andina Sauvignon Blanc
3. Spotlight on a Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc

Wine of the month clubs come in various shapes, sizes, and prices, and because of that they can be a bit daunting.  With that in mind, here’s my thoughts on one wine of the month club in particular:  The International Wine of the Month Club.

Started in 1994, The International Wine of the Month Club uses a 12-person panel headed by educator and industry expoert Don Lahey to ensure that all of the wine they select for their members is of the highest quality.  With memberships that range from 2-12 months at a time, The International Wine of the Month Club, unlike some other clubs that focus on one or two specific areas, offers wine from all over the globe.  From the classic wine making regions like France, Spain, and Italy, to the newer regions of California, Australia, Chile, New Zealand, and others, you’re not locked into a specific region or type of wine with this club, making it perfect for those looking to branch out into new wines and new regions.

The International Wine of the Month Club offers three levels to fit varying tastes and budgets.  Those levels are:

Premier Series – $29.95 + s&h

Masters Series – $45.95 + s&h

• one bottle from the Premier series level.
• one bottle from the Collectors series level.
• members may choose two reds or one red and one white.

Collectors Series - $65.95 + s&h

• selected wines retail in the $30-$60 range.
• members may choose from two reds or one red and one white.

Given the range of options offered by the International Wine of the Month Club, I really do recommend this wine club for anybody looking to branch out into new wines and new regions.  With levels that can appeal to every taste and every budget, the International Wine of the Month Club has something for everybody.  

For more information or to sign up for a membership, visit the International Wine of the Month Club at:  http://www.winemonthclub.com or call them toll-free at (800) 625-8238.

Related posts:

1. 2009 Virginia Wine Expo in Review

Pinot Noir Grapes

A red wine produced from the pinot noir grape (vitis vinifera), the wine is derived from the French words for “pine” and “black”, referring to the pine cone shaped clusters and the dark coloring of the grape bunches. Grown around the world, though mostly in cooler regions, Pinot Noir is quickly becoming one of the most popular wine varietals available.

Description

Thriving in the Burgundy region of France, Pinot Noir is now grown throughout Europe, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and the United States. The leaves of the Pinot Noir plant are smaller than those of the Cabernet Sauvignon, but larger than those of the Syrah. Pinot Noir grown for dry table wine (as opposed to that grown for Champagne), is usually low-yielding and difficult to grow, adding to the distinction of the grape.

History

Pinot Noir is an ancient varietal of grape, perhaps only 1 or 2 generations removed from being a wild grape. Believed to have first been seen in the 1^st century A.D in the Burgundy region, there are also references to the grape growing in Belgium during the same time.

Prone to mutation, there are currently over 50 variations of pinot noir recognized by France, as opposed to only 25 of the more widely planted cabernet sauvignon. Pinot Gris is arguably the most well known derivative of pinot noir.

Regions

While grown throughout the world, pinot noir is best known for being grown in the Burgundy region of France and in the western United States. California produces the most pinot noir in the US, particularly the Sonoma Valley area, with Oregon coming in a close second. Washington and New York also produce pinot noir, though not in the same volumes.

Rise in Popularity

While pinot noir has always enjoyed a certain level of popularity, the recent rise in popularity can certainly be tied to the release of the movie Sideways, featuring Paul Giamatti as Miles Raymond, a writer and wine lover who favors pinot noir over all grapes due to the difficulty in growing it.

Shortly after the release of the movie, many retailers and restaurants had a difficult time keeping pinot noir in stock due to the sharp increase in demand across the country.

Pinot Noir Wine

While the range of varieties of pinot noir means there are numerous flavors and aromas associated with pinot noir, generally the wine is medium bodied with aromas reminiscent of black cherry, raspberry, or currant. The color is usually referred to as garnet, and tends to be lighter than other red wines. Traditionally having an earthy flavor, a new trend from New Zealand and California is to produce a more fruit forward pinot noir.

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