Behind the Cork™ - Left Coast Pinot Gris

2018 Left Coast “The Orchard” Pinot Gris ($18)

This 100% Pinot Gris from Left Coast Estate winery in another in their line of really terrific wines.

The vineyard is planted at the site of a historic apple and pear orchard dating back to the pioneers who settled Oregon. Hence “The Orchard” Pinot Gris.

The Left Coast Pinot Gris is fermented and aged with 95% of it in stainless steel and 5% in neutral French oak.

This Pinot Gris delivers bright green apples and stone fruits and is underscored with green tea and honeysuckle notes. It’s also got mouth-watering acidity for a juicy finish.

While the tasting notes recommend pairing this wine with cheeses, fresh fruits, smoked salmon, pasta salad, scallops, grilled chicken or halibut tacos, I found it to be a wonderful wine on its own. I think you will too! Cheers!

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Disclosure of Wine Sample Submission: I received this wine at no cost for review. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Sample Provided by Will Rogers of Donna White Communications

Ever Wonder? - What Exactly is Vermouth?

Wormwood

Photo by Simone Garritano on Unsplash

You probably know Vermouth simply as an ingredient in a cocktail such as a Martini or Manhattan. But, did you know it’s actually a wine?

According to records, vermouth was first produced in the late 18th century for medicinal purposes with aromatics playing the healing role.

While Vermouth makers each use their own mix of aromatics in their offering, such as herbs, bark, roots, citrus and spices, the Wormwood plant is a classic ingredient. Wormwood, shown in the image, is credited for the original naming of Vermouth since the German word for Wormwood is “Wermut.”

But, all Vermouth starts as a white wine. It is aromatized with various blends of natural botanicals and then fortified (i.e., extra alcohol is added).

While all dry Vermouth is white not all white Vermouth is dry. Some Vermouth is intentionally sweet, including red vermouth that is cola-brown in color and has a distinctive cola flavor.

So yes, Vermouth is most commonly known as an ingredient in cocktails, but it’s actually a wonderful aperitif on its own. Try it cold over ice. Cheers!

Behind the Cork™ - Left Coast Queen Bee Bubbly

2017 Left Coast Queen Bee Bubbly ($36)

This bubbly from Left Coast Estate winery is 100% Pinot Noir but it gets its name from the fact that it uses their own estate honey to feed on the encapsulated yeast at the bottom of each bottle. Thus, producing the bubbles right in the bottle!

This Queen Bee Bubbly is 12% ABV so its got a hint of sweetness to go along with the nice Pinot Noir fruit flavors. The short amount of time that the skins are left in contact with this wine give it the nice salmon-orange color.

This Left Coast Queen Bee Bubbly is first fermented in 100% French oak and then aged 10 months.

But, unlike a varietal Pinot Noir, the initial limited skin contact results in this bubbly having bright fruit flavors along with crisp acidity.

This was my first sparkling Pinot Noir and it won’t be my last. It’s delicious and refreshing whether being enjoyed for a special celebration, with brunch, hor d’oeuvres or any other light fare. Cheers!

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Disclosure of Wine Sample Submission: I received this wine at no cost for review. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Sample Provided by Will Rogers of Donna White Communications

Behind the Cork™ - Left Coast Rosé

2018 Left Coast Estate Rosé ($24)

Left Coast Cellars produces a bunch of nice wines from the Willamette Valley in Oregon. And, this Rosé is another fine example.

This blend of 76% Pinot Noir and 24% Pinot Meunier is fermented and aged in 100% neutral French Oak. The six month of neutral oak aging softens this rosé into a very delicate offering.

The Left Coast Rosé has light distinct aromas of rose pedals, white cherry and some interesting herbal and wood notes. On the palate, there are delicate fruit notes, low acidity and a creamy smoothness.

If you’ve been turned-off in the past by rosés that are like drinking fruity soda pop or pink lemonade, this rosé from Left Coast Cellars is one you should try. At 13.7% alcohol it’s completely dry (no residual sugar) and the red fruit flavors of the Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier (two of the primary grapes in the production of French Champagne) just peek through for some very nice delicate flavors.

As the weather warms up, rosé is always a perfect choice. Give this one a try with fresh feta or chévre cheeses that really accentuate the creamy character of this Left Coast Estate Rosé. Cheers!

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Disclosure of Wine Sample Submission: I received this wine at no cost for review. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Sample Provided by Will Rogers of Donna White Communications

Behind the Cork™ - Tió Pepe Fino Sherry

Tió Pepe Fino Sherry ($20)

Tió Pepe’s Fino Sherry is from the city of Jarez in southern Spain's Andalusia region.

It’s made from the Palomino grape, fermented to the 11-12% ABV range, fortified to 15.5% and then enters the Tió Pepe Solera. While it spends four years in the Solera, a layer of yeast, known as the ‘flor’ forms on the surface of the Sherry within the cask. This protects the Sherry from oxygen and gives Tió Pepe it’s unique aroma and character.

The aroma is notable for its yeast along with notes of toasted almond. This Sherry is a pale golden yellow in color and light in flavor (hence Fino). It’s completely dry and, when served very chilled, makes for a wonderful aperitif.

Sherry can also be used to make cocktails. And, Javier Ortega Diaz of Las Vegas NV recently used this Sherry to make the ‘Sophia’ cocktail that won the U.S. Tió Pepe Challenge in New York City and moved him on to the recent International Tió Pepe Challenge Final in Jerez.

The award winning ‘Sophia’ cocktail included 2 oz Tió Pepe Fino Sherry, 3/4 oz Solerno Blood Orange Liqueur, 1/2 oz Fresh lime juice, 1/2 oz homemade kumquat, rosemary & thyme syrup and 1 oz homemade sparkling hibiscus water and is served over ice. Sounds amazing!

So, whether you enjoy Sherry straight up or mixed in a cocktail, try this one from Tió Pepe. It’s quite nice. Cheers!

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Disclosure of Wine Sample Submission: I received this wine at no cost for review. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Sample Provided by Rebekah Polster of Donna White Communications