I am so proud to announce a new monthly Friday Food and Wine feature here at Living Luxe for Less. My good friend, Amanda Reade Sturgeon, an incredible sommelier who has the The Martini House, Babbo, and Dovetail on her resume, has generously offered to be LL4L's resident wine expert, and she will be featured in a new monthly column on delicious and affordable wines here at LL4L!
I think all of us who enjoy wine are always looking to try something new from our standard big box store pinot grigio and pinot noir, but it always feels like you are taking such a risk on a new bottle if you don't have a recommendation from an expert. Who wants to spend $20 on a bottle of wine only to find out that it is the same as a bottle for $8.99? That is where Amanda will come in! She will tell you where to splurge, where to save, and help you get out of your Cavit and Kendall Jackson rut!
Here are Amanda's picks for March...if I weren't pregnant I would be out picking up one bottle of each this weekend! Unfortunately I have to wait for August, but I hope this post inspires you to try one of these new and affordable wines this month!
Thank you Amanda!
I think all of us who enjoy wine are always looking to try something new from our standard big box store pinot grigio and pinot noir, but it always feels like you are taking such a risk on a new bottle if you don't have a recommendation from an expert. Who wants to spend $20 on a bottle of wine only to find out that it is the same as a bottle for $8.99? That is where Amanda will come in! She will tell you where to splurge, where to save, and help you get out of your Cavit and Kendall Jackson rut!
Here are Amanda's picks for March...if I weren't pregnant I would be out picking up one bottle of each this weekend! Unfortunately I have to wait for August, but I hope this post inspires you to try one of these new and affordable wines this month!
Thank you Amanda!
Amanda's Picks for March...
I don't know what the weather is like where you are, but here in New York it is chilly one day, warm the next, warnings of snow another! With spring just around the corner, I want to drink lightly substantial reds, along with crisp, clean whites. Any of these would be perfect for an evening picnic in our neighborhood community garden!
1. Maranges 1er Cru, Bruno Colin "La Fussiere", Burgundy, France $29
A gorgeous pinot noir from southern Burgundy. Bruno Colin is one of the best producers in the region, this wine is my splurge here, but it is worth it.
A gorgeous pinot noir from southern Burgundy. Bruno Colin is one of the best producers in the region, this wine is my splurge here, but it is worth it.
2. Reuilly, Denis Jamain Pinot Gris, Loire, France, 2009 $19
The neat thing about this pinot gris (aka pinot grigio -- it is the same grape but grigio is Italian and gris is French) is that it is pink. During autumn, the hot weather will turn the grape skins a copper color, which when given a little contact with the pressed juice turns this normally white wine into a rose! It tastes like any other pinot gris, but with a little more plump fruit tones. Perfect for a sunny weekend afternoon - or for brunch!
The neat thing about this pinot gris (aka pinot grigio -- it is the same grape but grigio is Italian and gris is French) is that it is pink. During autumn, the hot weather will turn the grape skins a copper color, which when given a little contact with the pressed juice turns this normally white wine into a rose! It tastes like any other pinot gris, but with a little more plump fruit tones. Perfect for a sunny weekend afternoon - or for brunch!
3. Calera Aligoté, Mt. Harlan, California 2009 $19.99
Aligoté is the name of the grape in this wine: it is most often seen in Burgundy, France, where it (along with Chardonnay) is primarily grown. This example is from the central coast in California, San Benito county to be exact. The winemaker /owner, Josh Jensen, scoured land in California,
searching for chalky soil that mimicked that of Burgundy, and he found it in Mt. Harlan, around Salinas. A great, full, crisp white.
Aligoté is the name of the grape in this wine: it is most often seen in Burgundy, France, where it (along with Chardonnay) is primarily grown. This example is from the central coast in California, San Benito county to be exact. The winemaker /owner, Josh Jensen, scoured land in California,
searching for chalky soil that mimicked that of Burgundy, and he found it in Mt. Harlan, around Salinas. A great, full, crisp white.
4. Cheverny, Domaine des Huards 'Le Pressoir' Loire, France $14
This red is so fruity and easy to drink, I love it! A blend of pinot noir and gamay (the grape in Beaujolais), it is lightly medium bodied, and is even better I think with a little chill on it - pop it in the fridge for half an hour and it's good to go!
This red is so fruity and easy to drink, I love it! A blend of pinot noir and gamay (the grape in Beaujolais), it is lightly medium bodied, and is even better I think with a little chill on it - pop it in the fridge for half an hour and it's good to go!
5. Quattro Mani Franciacorta Brut, Lombardy, Italy $16
Franciacorta is sparkling wine from the area around Milan. It differs from Prosecco in many ways, primarily because it is made with chardonnay and pinot blanc, and not the prosecco grape. Franciacorta is Italy's answer to Champagne. Clean, crisp, dry, and lean. This example is a total steal!
Franciacorta is sparkling wine from the area around Milan. It differs from Prosecco in many ways, primarily because it is made with chardonnay and pinot blanc, and not the prosecco grape. Franciacorta is Italy's answer to Champagne. Clean, crisp, dry, and lean. This example is a total steal!
