Bottle Talk
I enjoy sharing my passion for wine by encouraging people to step outside their comfort zone and be adventurous with their wine choices.
In this blog, you will find wine recommendations that include recent discoveries and some long-time favorites. I will include the grape varietal, region, tasting notes, and food pairing suggestions. If there is an interesting or intriguing backstory about how the wine ended up in my glass, I will include that, too.
Through this page, I will introduce you to new wines you might not have tried before and perhaps expand your wine knowledge and enjoyment.
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April 2025 Wine Recommendations
Happy Spring!
I live in New England, and it does not really feel like spring here. We continue to have 40-degree days and nights into the 30s, but I know it’s coming, as it usually “pops” one day in April like a cork out of a bottle. It hits sixty-five degrees, and I’m ready to sit on the patio with a glass of Rose.
In this April 2025 issue of Bottle Talk, I’m highlighting easy-drinking wines that I’ve enjoyed over the past month, which pair well with spring-inspired dishes.
- White Wine Recommendation #1
- White Wine Recommendation #1
- White Wine Recommendation #1
Clos Des Rochers, Grand Premier Cru, Auxerrois 2022, Luxembourg, Alc. 12.5%
Clos Des Rochers Auxerrois is a fresh and fruity wine that is excellent as an aperitif, on its own, or paired with vegetarian and lighter fish dishes. It is made 100% of the unique tongue twister of a varietal Auxerrois.
I was first introduced to it in a wine shop I was working at in downtown Boston. The manager kept telling me to take a bottle home and try it. When I finally did, I was impressed by the delicate stone and citrus fruit palate, as well as the creamy texture. It is elegant and soft yet lingers around the mouth like a dog at the dinner table. It is widely distributed and should be readily available. Average price: $22-25.
Wine bottles from my April 2025 recommendations. From left to right, Clos Des Rochers Auxerrois from Luxembourg, Falesco Le Poggere, Est! Est! Est! from Italy, and Weingut Heinrich Hartl St. Laurent from Austria.
Falesco, Le Poggere, Est! Est! Est! 2021, Di Montefiascone DOP, Italy, 2021 Alc.
12.5%
You do not often see a wine label with exclamation points, if ever. But this Italian white wine from the Lazio region has an interesting story behind its name. It is said to have come from the journey to Rome of a German bishop, Johann Fugger. Keen to ensure he would have good wine to drink in the evenings along his route, he would send a servant ahead every day to mark the doors of inns serving good wine with an ‘Est!,’ which means “there is.” When he came across a particular inn in the town of Montefiascone, the servant was so taken with their wine that he marked the door with ‘Est! Est!! Est!.’ It later became the name of the appellation.
Falesco Le Poggere, Est! Est! Est! is made from a blend of Trebbiano Toscano, Malvasia, and Trebbiano Giallo (also known as Roscetto). It is not overly aromatic, as is typical, but it certainly is not simple. Aromas of zesty lemon and crunchy green apple, with a subtle salty seashell undertone, greet the nose, leading to refreshing citrus and savory flavors. It finishes with nice acidity and mouth-tingling length.
It is an excellent wine for spring and summer dining, pairing well with seafood, summer salads, and barbecue. Average price: $11-13.
Weingut Heinrich Hartl, St. Laurent, Thermenregion, Austria, 2022, ALC. 12.5%
I discovered this wine in the small Vermont town of Woodstock at the local butcher / gourmet food shop. I was not familiar with the producer but love the St. Laurent grape, and so I was willing to take a chance on it.
St. Laurent is widely grown in Germany and Austria. Thought to be related to the Pinot Noir grape, it exhibits some of the same red fruit flavors, such as cherry and strawberry, but with additional black fruit and herbal undertones.
This version, crafted by third-generation winemaker Heinrich Hartl, did not disappoint. A beautiful pale-ish red rose hue opened with aromas of strawberry, dark cherry, and a hint of spice. On the palate, it presented juicy red fruits, dusty tannins, and a medium-bodied profile that flowed into a long finish. We paired it with a simple meal of homemade pizza and salad, but it would also go well with chicken, swordfish, or pate and hard cheeses. Average price $20-22.
January 2025 Wine Recommendations
Happy New Year!
I hope everyone is looking forward to the year ahead. It is also a time to look back over the past year and savor special moments. Perhaps it was food and wine shared with friends, a memorable trip, or a big celebration.
In this January 2025 issue of Bottle Talk, I am looking back and sharing four wines that I especially enjoyed in 2024 and recommend.
- Sparkling Wine Recommendation
- White Wine Recommendation
- Red Wine Recommendation #1
- Red Wine Recommendation #2
Conte Vistarino, Tenuta Di Rocca de Giorgi, Pinot Nero, Brut Rose Sparkling, Italy, Alc. 12.5%
Conte Vistarino is a 2041-acre wine producer based in the Oltrepò Pavese region of Lombardy. In 1850, Count Augusto Giorgi di Vistarino was the first person to plant Pinot Noir in the area by importing the shoots directly from France and, thus, giving rise to this region’s tremendous sparkling wine tradition.
Count Giorgi di Vistarino, son of Augusto, continued the legacy, always aiming for excellence. Today, his niece, Ottavia Giorgi di Vistarino, carries on this legacy of leading the family business. Approximately 346 acres are devoted to cultivating Pinot Noir for the estate’s signature Traditional Method sparkling wine.
I drank this wine all summer, captivated by its sensual softness, good acidity, and fresh red fruit flavors. In the glass, it’s a pale pink with fine and persistent bubbles and an aroma and palate of red raspberry, wild strawberry, and white peach. It has an enveloping and well-balanced finish. This wine is great alone or pairs well with mushrooms, aged cheeses, and BBQ. It may only be found in fine wine shops and might have to be specially ordered.
These four wines were amongst my favorites in 2024.
Nino Negri, Ca’Brione Alpi Retiche di Sondrio 2022, Lombardy, Italy, Alc. 13%
Like the previous one, another of my favorite wines is from the Italian region of Lombardy. Ca’Brione is an alpine white wine created by the producer in 1986. This white wine is a blend of four grapes, including the red great varietal Nebbiolo (10%) along with 30 % each of Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Incrocio Manzoni, a native grape to the region.
The soil’s geological origins go back to when the African and European plates collided, forming the Alps. This resulted in various soil types, which lend minerality and elegance to this wine. The wine has a golden straw hue with pear, apple, and white peach aroma. The palate is the same with a hint of citrus, a medium to full body with a bit of weightiness and structure in the mouth, and a pleasant long finish. It pairs well with cured meats, hard and mature cheeses, and creamy pasta dishes.
Panther Ridge Pinot Noir, 2021 Petaluma Gap, California, Alc. 14.1%
I was in Sonoma in June of this year and had the opportunity to visit this amazing vineyard perched on a mountain hillside in the Petaluma Gap AVA of California. Founder and owner Suzanne Farver was our host, and she welcomed my husband Ron and me with a glass of her delicious Pinot Noir Rose wine (see last issue of Bottle Talk for details).
We enjoyed sipping the refreshingly crisp, fruity beverage on that hot Californian afternoon. But it was the two hours we spent getting to know Suzanne and her yummy red Pinot Noir while gazing over vines from the picture window at the back of her house that made the visit memorable and unique.
Suzanne oversees every aspect of her wine production and hires experts where needed. Panther Ridge Pinot is made from certified organic grapes farmed biodynamically and harvested by hand. The 2021 Pinot Noir has aromas of fresh cut red roses, black cherry, and hints of cinnamon spice. It is structured with an intense and elegant palate of blackberry and cherry, dark chocolate, black tea, and a wealth of rich yet soft tannin before a long finish.
You can order it directly from the Panther Ridge Vineyard website. We had a mixed case of Panther Ridge wine shipped home, and we think about that lovely afternoon with Suzanne whenever we drink a bottle.
La Cartuja Llicorella, Priorat (Catalonia), 2021, DOC. Alc.14.5%
I discovered this wine one afternoon while shopping for a wine to pour at a Spanish-themed wine tasting. I needed something besides the Rioja Tempranillo grape-based wines I planned to pour. Upon tasting this wine at home, I was immediately enamored with its juicy red fruit and full body, and soon it was a house staple.
Priorat is just south of Penedes and Barcelona. During medieval times, “La Cartuja” was the name given to a large area of today’s Catalonia region governed by the Carthusian monks. These monks were responsible for much of the region’s agrarian development, including viticulture.
Priorat has the status of Denomination de Origen Calificada, the highest tier of quality in the Spanish appellation system. La Cartuja stands out from other regional wines for its approachable character, moderate alcohol, and soft tannins. The wine blends two grape varietals, 70% Garnacha and 30% Mazuelo (Cariñena), and has an earthy and leathery aroma with blackberry and fig notes. The palate is rich, intense, and powerful with dried fruit, herbs, and juicy black and red fruit flavors. Bold tannins smooth out in the long finish. Cartuja pairs well with roast pork, pizza, and grilled lamb.
August 2024 Wine Recommendations
In the summer, I tend to drink white and rosé wine more often than red, but red wine still has a place on the table during the hot summer months, especially when barbecuing.
Here are three wines I have enjoyed so far this summer.
- White Wine Recommendation
- Rosé Wine Recommendation
- Red Wine Recommendation
Cascina Chicco, Anterisio, Roero Arneis, DOC, 2020 Piedmont, Italy
Arneis, a unique grape varietal grown in the picturesque Italian wine region of Piedmont, is a wine that stands out. Its straw yellow hue with flecks of green and intense aromas of apricot and green apple on the nose make it a truly distinctive choice. The fruit flavors continue on the palate with a savory and herbaceous finish, adding to its uniqueness. This wine pairs well with seafood dishes, especially those prepared with fresh herbs such as oregano, dill, and thyme. You will find it in most fine wine shops, ready to add a unique touch to your dining experience.
Cascina Chicco, Anterisio, Roero Arneis, DOC, 2020 Piedmont, Italy
Panther Ridge Rosé of Pinot Noir, 2023 Petaluma Gap, California
I was in Sonoma in June of this year and had the opportunity to visit this amazing vineyard perched on a mountain hillside in the Petaluma Gap AVA of California. Owner Suzanne Farver was our host and welcomed us with a glass of this delicious Rosé wine. The wine has a gorgeous blush pink color with a delightful nose of peaches, apple blossoms, and a hint of watermelon. It is dry with soft but tart nectarine and Asian pear flavors. There is a hint of acidity but not too much, finishing with lingering tart apple and peach essence. This is a great appetizer wine and pairs well with soft cheeses and smoky sliced meats. You can order it directly from the winery PantherRidgeVineyard.com. We had a case shipped home.
Panther Ridge Rosé of Pinot Noir, 2023 Petaluma Gap, California
Contesa, Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, 2020, Abruzzo, Italy
The grape is Montepulciano, not to be confused with the hill town of the same name in southern Italy near Tuscany. It has aromas of very ripe red fruit and jam on the nose, with hints of toasted cocoa. The fruit flavors come through on the palate, along with a round mouthfeel and full body. The tannins are long and structured but balanced by the acidity. It pairs well with roasted and grilled meats, game, aged cheeses, and cured meats. This can be found in most fine wine shops.