I'll Be Attending IWINETC In Barcelona

You may have noticed that I’ve been spending more time with Spanish wines, especially cava. I’ve been getting my palate ready for an upcoming press trip to Spain. In less than a month, it’s all going down!

I’m thrilled to be going to the International Wine Tourism Conference in Barcelona then going on excursions in Catalunya. Can’t wait to meet wine people from around the world, go to workshops, taste the food and sip cava. The keynote for the conference is Sarah Jane Evans, MW. I’m sure she will drop many pearls of wisdom.

I received the itinerary for the trip and so many exciting things are planned, including a trip to Codorniu Winery and a gala dinner at Freixenet. Let’s just say cava is the special guest at the conference. In the past few months, I have gained a new appreciation for cava. I look forward to learning more and exploring different cavas.

There will be plenty for me to write about on this trip, but I will also be posting live. You can find me on Twitter:@Shoshi and Instagram:@YolandaShoshana to get the scoop during my trip. I may even try to throw up a Google Hangouts to do a recap of the day’s events. Get ready, April 4th kicks off my Spain adventure.

Üllo’s Guide to Boozy Holiday Dessert Wine

Üllo has compiled a short list of favorite sweet wines and a few recommendations for pairing these wines. Don’t be afraid to drink these wines with good ole’ American holiday desserts, from apple pie and vanilla ice cream to snickerdoodle cookies, chocolate ginger cake and beyond. Enjoy!

Ice Wine – Frozen Grape Delight

You won’t be chomping on icy grapes—but close! Traditional ice wine is produced in several wine regions around the world, with Germany being the most famous producer of this nectar of the gods. Grapes are left on the vine after normal harvest dates and are picked when they are still frozen in November or December. The sugars and dissolved solids do not freeze, but rather transform into a ridiculously complex and syrupy treat that is unrivaled in its rarity.

German ice wines exhibit a variety of flavors, from stone fruits (peach and pear) to honey, citrus, apple and even exotic fruits (pineapple, lychee). If you have an insatiable sweet tooth, this is the ultimate wine for you.

Sauterne – The Benevolent Fungus

Missing some funk in your life? Then Sauterne is the dessert wine for you. It turns out a “benevolent fungus” is responsible for one of the most famous dessert wines in the world.

Sauterne comes from the French wine region of Bordeaux, and while dry, white wines are produced here, they pale in popularity compared to the area’s sweet wines. Sauterne is made from Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon and Muscadelle grapes that are infected by botrytis cinerea, or ‘Noble Rot.’ Noble Rot causes the grapes to raisin partially and develop unique flavors. Think apricot, honey, stone fruit and honeysuckle. Sauterne wines tend to be incredibly well-balanced and complex, with high acidity and a freshness that balances out the sweetness. These wines are delicious to drink on their own, but also pair surprisingly well with a variety of dishes, from decadent foie gras, fresh goat cheese or anything fried like latkes or fried chicken.

Port – Gray-Haired Old Men’s Domain No More

We know what you are thinking. Aren’t old British guys the only people who drink port? That may have been the case 40 years ago, but port producers have recently undergone a transformation in an effort to relate to younger consumers.

Port is a fortified wine produced exclusively in the Douro Valley in the valleys of northern Portugal. Port is one of the most accessible after-dinner drinks. Its sweetness is tempered by robust and concentrated flavors of red wine. Much like Sauternes, Port can age for decades and the older bottles are surprisingly affordable. High quality, young bottles of port can be found for $15, but it’s often worth the splurge to purchase a 20 or 30-year-old bottle. Go ahead, grab a cigar and a bottle of port and sit by the fireplace. Who could imagine a better evening?

Amaro – Italian Delight

Including amaro on this list is a little unfair to its more “pure” wine-based companions. It’s technically an herbal liqueur and digestif, not a dessert wine, but it’s too tasty to be left off this list.

Amaro hails from Italy and is one of the world’s most popular digestifs. Hundreds of different versions are produced throughout the country but most amari are red in color, bitter and sweet, 15-30% alcohol and infused with a variety of herbs, roots and bark. While some are exceedingly bitter, most brands available in the US are well-balanced and are a delicious way to finish a meal. Many of the herbs used to infuse amari—saffron, cardamom, cinnamon, licorice, citrus peels, ginger, fennel, lemon verba—are a great match with holiday cooking. Amaro generally pairs well with chocolate. Lighter bottles like Montenegro would pair nicely well with apple pie. If you don’t have anything to pair it with, don’t be afraid to sip a glass of amaro by itself!

A few favorite brands include Montenegro, Lucano, Rammazotti, Nonino, Nardini, Averna and CioCiaro. Don’t miss some of the domestic producers of excellent amaro as well.

Head on over to a local wine bar or any wine retailer to try out these wines. Bring a bottle to your next holiday party—your family and friends will love trying something new!

Cheers and Happy Holidays!

Southern Italy & The Islands with Shelley Lindgren

I got to take a wine class on Italian wines from Southern Italy & The Islands with Italian wine expert, Shelley Lindgren. I took this selfie of us when the class was over, who knows when our paths shall cross again? Lindgren is such an amazing teacher, she has me even more interested in Italian wines than I was before.

She is the owner of SPQR Restaurant and A16 Restaurant & Wine Bar in San Francisco.  Lindgren has been a wine educator for over 12 years. I loved every minute of her class and learned so much!

During the class, held at Journee in NYC, Lindgren turned me on to some good Italian wines. My favorites wines from the class included:

Spumante Selim

Duca Sanfelice

Falanghina Del Sannio

Apiane Di Maio Norante

I recommend any of them next time you are in the Italian section at your local wine shop or if you are at an Italian restaurant.

Mezzacorona: Pinot Grigio and Pinot Noir

It's not secret that the Italians know how to make a good wine. As a matter of fact, we expect it from them. Next time you are in the mood for some good Italian wine, go for Mezzacorona Wines.  They have been making wine from the Italian Alps since 1904, a fact that they seem very proud off.  What is surprising is how affordable the wines are, especially when you taste the quality of the wine.

The 2014 Mezzacorona Pinot Grigio is a nice light wine that is great for summer and spring. I say you don't have to wait till that time of year to have it, especially if you are big fan of white wine. This is a perfect wine to relax and sip. I paired with pasta that had a lot of garlic and it was fantastic. Next time I am going to pair it with pizza. I imagine that being quite good as well. Let's just say this wine is meant for white cheeses.

The aromas in this wine are crisp green apple and honeysuckle. It's light on the nose and easy on the palate. This wine is great for entertaining or if you are having dinner at home. For the moms, who love to sip something after they put the kids to bed, this is the perfect wine.

As soon as I opened the 2013 Mezzacorona Pinot Noir I could smell the blackberries and cherry aromas in this wine. Let this wine open up a few minutes before you drink it. The scent and taste are magickal as it begins to open up.  I had this one with a burger from the famous burger spot, Shake Shack, in New York City. This is definitely a beef friendly wine. It could also go great with comfort food like a hearty lasagna, eggplant, or slow cooked meals.

These wines are sold everywhere. You should have no trouble having them. A few sips will make you feel like you are in the Italian Alps without having to get on a plane. Enjoy!