2009 Banfi Centine Rosé – Tuscany, Italy

An Italian blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet sauvignon, and Merlot would suggest a big bold rosé that might be too strong for some palates. The Centine is surprisingly fresh, balanced and delightful for rosé lovers. And, you can’t beat a nice light summer rosé for just $11. This wine was surprisingly light and enjoyable.

2009 Dancing Coyote Chenin Blanc – California

Dancing Coyote gets attention for its unusual California-grown white wines. The Clarksburg area winery produces albarino, gruner veltliner, and chenin blanc. Chenin blanc was big long before chardonnay took over on the west coast but few are producing it today. Dancing Coyote’s 2009 Chenin Blanc is a lighter version than many others with nice citrus, particularly lime, and balanced acidity. Frankly, this one is the best I’ve tasted from California. The winery made just 208 cases.

2008 Fontana Candida Frascati – Frascati, Italy

Frascati has been around a long time. Fontana Candida is one of the oldest and biggest producers of Frascati. The region is made up of five villages near Rome where the malvasia grape grows in volcanic soils. This light-colored white wine is not the lighter style associated with many Italian whites. The Malvasia and Trebbiano blend gives nice pear and almond flavors with a surprisingly long finish. At $10, it’s a great way to try a different summer wine. Read more at Howard’s blog, Grape Sense.

2006 Lange Three Hills Cuvee, Willamette Valley

The 2006 Lange Three Hills Cuvee (90 points by Wine Advocate) is a great example of what Oregon is doing with pinot noir. This blend from three Lange estate vineyards is powerful on the nose with an earthy, dark cherry, and smoky taste. This rich-colored red wine is a fine expression of the jory soil in the Dundee Hills. There are more expensive wines on the Lange list and throughout the Dundee Hills, but few are any better. Read more at Howard’s blog, Grape Sense.

An Evening With Laurent Drouhin

Laurent Drouhin is a tall man with disarming charm. The great grandson of the original founder of Maison Joseph Drouhin, Laurent was in Indianapolis on March 25, 2010, to pour through a tasting of his company’s 2008 Burgundy, Chablis, and White Burgundy wines.

Small Italian Wineries Struggle to Crack U.S. Market

San Casciano, Tuscany, Italy – New Jersey native Anthony Finta brings wines from tiny Tuscan estates to eager U.S. consumers.

2005 Earthquake Petite Sirah, Lodi

This big fruit bomb delivers powerful blackberry and spice with an alcohol punch at 15.5 percent. They have too much fun with the name “it will rock your world, etc.” but it’s big wine. Fruit bomb has become a derisive term used by lots of wine writers. This is definitely a fruit bomb, but what’s wrong with that? Wouldn’t it be boring if they were all the same! If you like big wine, its hard not to like Earthquake. Read Howard’s full review on his blog Grape Sense.

2005 Patrick Lesec’s Bouquet

Lesec’s blend of Syrah and old vine Grenache (80%) is about as good as it gets for under $15. This beautiful wine is aged in stainless steel for great drinkability. It has a bit of an herbal and spice characteristic with a sense of terroir. Robert Parker gave the 2005 an 89. For a great wine that pairs well with food, you won’t do much better than Lesec’s Bouquet.

Wine For Haiti – A Global Effort

Wine for Haiti has become an international relief effor to support earthquake relief for Haiti.

Ottimino 2006 Zinfinity

Ottimino’s Zinfinity comes after establishing a reputation for Zin. The wine has a dark fruit with vanilla hint taste with plenty of 20 months in French Oak for pretty big tannins on the finish. The alcohol is a suprisingly low 13.9 percent. A nice wine at the price point that will hold up with most foods.

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