The Wine Mom’s Top Nine Wines of 2009
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
2009 was a great year in wine for me personally. I have had the pleasure of sampling wines, meeting some fantastic people in the wine industry, launching my own blog and contributing to The Average Parent this year. Through these unique experiences, I thought I’d share some of my personal wine high lights from 2009.
1.Geyser Peak Winery, Winemakers Selection, Sparking Shiraz Vintage 1998, Sonoma County. I don’t remember when I got this wine, but I wish that I did. It is wonderful. The taste of shiraz with the additional bubbles dancing across your tongue is just wonderful. We enjoyed this with friends recently to celebrate a special occasion. I did not realize how much I would enjoy it! Geyser Peak now has the 2005 varietal available on their website for $34.
2.Moet & Chandon White Star – this is a favorite of both my husband and I. We share and buy this Champagne for all of our special occasions…come to think of it, I still need to buy a bottle for New Years Eve! This is a well rounded wine, with pear flavors and typically sells for around $30…but is well worth every penny!
3.HALL 2008 Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley. This by far has been the best Sauvignon Blanc I have had this year, and probably ever had in my life. This wine had such a clean taste with a fruity finish. It’s remarkable. This is one wine that can be enjoyed without any special pairing. It tastes perfect and is available for $20 a bottle.
4.Heart of the Deserts Pistachio Rosé. This was a totally different wine for me. It has a vanilla finish (although others have noted a pistachio finish). It is a smooth rosé with a slightly dry, yet amazing taste. With a retail price of just $12, it’s a great buy! Try this if you are looking for something different!
5.Alto Vineyards, Rocko Red. This semi dry table wine is from Alto Pass, Illinois. It initially tastes like a dry red wine but with a smooth sweet finish. I really enjoyed this wine and it goes well with some spicier meals. Rocko Red sells for $11.99 per bottle.
6.M’Hudi 2008 Sauvignon Blanc, South Africa. This wine smells of citrus and pear, tastes smooth, fruity, and clean. M’Hudi is widely available and retails for about $17. Visit Heritage Link Brands for more information.
7.The Big Red Monster – This deep purple wine is a crowd pleaser. Drink with a hearty meal, take to a dinner or as a gift (the label alone gets people talking). My husband and I enjoyed this with chocolate – fantastic versatile and well rounded. Best of all, this wine is $10 a bottle. Buy a few to keep on hand for any occassion from Total Beverage Solution.
8.Quattro Leoni, 2007 Barbera D’Asti. This spicy red went well with a lot of hearty winter dishes. The berry flavors came through and was just an enjoyable wine. This wine sells for $20 a bottle, visit Marquee.com for more details.
9.Best bang for you buck – Barefoot Wine and Bubbly, all varieties. I have yet to go wrong with a bottle of Barefoot wines. They are under ten dollars and have never disappointed. If you are just starting to try wine, this is a great brand to start with. You can sample the different varieties and get a feel for what you like. I love to cook with their wines too! Sold at retailers nation wide.
Have a fantastic and safe 2010! Thanks for following The Wine Mom and I look forward to tasting with you next year.
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