vinovore Archives - Corks and Forks

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Mell — Fri, 12 May 2023 20:26:47 +0000

Yes, this is the red wine section. No, you didn’t wander off to Tripadvisor on accident although, I would go in a heartbeat!

Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a village, or a “Commune” as it were, in the Rhône wine region in Southern France. The literal translation is “the Pope’s new castle” and is in fact where Pope John XXII built his castle back in the 14th century. But there was a castle there already, and grapes, and wine. Let’s focus on the wine, shall we?

Châteauneuf-du-Pape comes in red AND white (arguably pink) but the blanc is harder to get and this is the red wine section, remember? Red Châteauneuf is the focus here and is in my top five favorites. The red is primarily a Grenache based blend from Southern Rhône, a sacred wine region in France that is officially home to 13 different types a grapes. Châteauneuf-du-Pape can have a bit of Syrah, Mourvèdre and Cinsault among others but what’s really important to know is this isn’t a wine for sissies. It’s bold, spicy, ripe with cherry and raspberry notes that fill your nose. It stops you in your tracks and makes you be in the moment. That, to me, is the soul of a meditation wine.

While I would love to have the means to pop for a 2011 Chateauneuf du Pape Hommage a Jacques Perrin Chateau Beaucastel, it ain’t happening. $200 a bottle is not my speed but it is a bucket list item! Decanter magazine has a great article on some amazing 96 pointers that are worth popping a few extra dollars for and some are very reasonable too!

I recently bought a few bottles of Benjamin Darnault’s 2021 Chateaunuf-du-Pape and am finding it hard to not sneak another bottle out. It’s recommended that you tuck this away in your wine closet for several years. Yeah, right.

Not being a huge fan of Cabernet, I did not expect to fall for this wine as I did, based on other’s impressions. Wow, was I wrong. There is something so comforting about Chateaunuf-du-Pape that it’s really hard to explain. Before I started really learning about wine, I had this wine in my head from a couple episodes of Castle where he references is and pours some. If Rick Castle drinks it, it has got to be good, right?

Fast forward a half a dozen years or so when I really got into wine and the Chateaunuf-du-Pape appellation really means something to me, finally. I decided to get myself a bottle for my birthday and didn’t have to break the bank to get a beautiful 2019 H to H Chateaunuf-du-Pape. I fell in love. Plummy, jammy, spicy warm and sexy as hell. Yes, I said it.

I strongly recommend pairing with roast leg of lamb, a rich Moroccan tagine, a thick, juicy rib-eye or even better, a cool, breezy sunset wrapped in a cozy cardigan. This is definitely a comfort wine but you let me know what you think!

Slàinte!

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Firstleaf

Mell — Tue, 03 Jan 2023 20:47:48 +0000

A wine club worth joining…

I’ve mentioned before that I am a huge fan of Naked Wines but I need to make sure you know about my second love, Firstleaf. Perhaps “second love” is incorrect. I suppose it’s like having twin children. You love them both equally but they each have their own personalities, unique characteristics and quirks which makes your love different, but equal. Let’s go with that for a second!

Let’s say Firstleaf is my neat and tidy, by the-book child. Naked Wines is my paint smudged artistic child. Make sense?

(courtesy of Firstleaf)

The skinny…

Lets get this out of the way first: I did not receive any compensation or any inducements to write this review. At the time of this writing I have zero affiliate agreement or link with Firstleaf and this post is strictly my opinion from my personal experiences with them. Got it? Good.

Back in 2020 I gave myself a Firstleaf membership as a B-day present. I think it was $35 to join back then for your first 6 bottle order. Now I believe it’s around $45 for your first box. I have no clue when I upgraded from Classic to the Preferred Plan but I think it was when I could tell the difference between a Pinot Grigio and a Sauvignon Blanc. It comes out to about $100 for 6 bottles so that’s roughly $17 a bottle. It’s a bargain when you look to buy more and the vintage retails for $35 a bottle. You can’t beat that. Over three years later and I still get the giggles when I bring the box off the porch.

There are three types of memberships with about a $15 difference between them for 6 bottles delivered every 2 to 12 weeks. I think I get mine every 8 weeks and I am sticking to 6 bottles instead of upgrading to 12 no matter how tempted I may be. There must be some restraint, right?

The Plans…

Classic Plan = A “unique” 6-bottle selection of quality wine.
Preferred Plan = A “select” 6-bottle offering of noteworthy wine.
Premier Plan = A “top-tier” 6-bottle collection of world-class wine

I get a meticulously packed box with a beautiful mix of reds and whites in every box with a lovely giant newsletter that I thoroughly enjoy perusing. But what I really love are the “postcards” they give you on each wine. There is a gorgeous photo on one side that shows you where your bottle comes from. Some of these photographs are so beautiful, I want to frame them.

On the other side of the cards is a wealth of information on your wine. They tell you about the winery, the region, any accolades the wine has received. They give you tasting notes, nutritional information and even pairing suggestions. They really are a beautiful touch and make this a box worth subscribing to.

Firstleaf works with winemakers in 12 different countries on 5 continents to bring you an amazing sampling of what the world of wine has to offer. A total bargain in my book. Go sign up now!

Slàinte!

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Getting Naked

Mell — Mon, 01 Aug 2022 10:57:26 +0000

I had been getting these little cards in my deliveries for over a year. A little credit card sized thing that said “NakedWines” on it. I already belong to a wine club so I would just toss those cards in the recycle bin. Until the day I didn’t.

One day I decided to take a look at this club and boy am I glad I did. NakedWines.com is a wonderful way for us wine lovers to support fabulous independent winemakers across the globe. Becoming an Angel, I have been introduced to some amazing wines while helping the hardworking winemakers that create these bottles of magic.

As of this post, I have a mad crush on Benjamin Darnault’s Pinot Nior. He’s adorable too but I doubt his wife would appreciate me saying so. She’s adorable too so there is that.

I digress. Becoming a Naked Wines Angel has been an exciting treat and an affordable indulgence. I’ve been able to experience so many wines that I might not otherwise been able. Can you tell I am a fan?

Check them out. It’s a great way to do a little good while drinking good.

–Sláinte!

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