Pécharmant – The Best Alternative to Bordeaux Wine
With a rich history spanning centuries, the Pécharmant region is renowned for producing some of the most distinctive wines in France. Nestled in the Dordogne Valley, Pécharmant’s unique terroir gives birth to robust red wines that are as enigmatic as the region itself. But amidst this wine-rich land, one name stands out – Château Beauportail. […]
The Rolling Stones Unveil Limited-Edition Rum in Honor of ‘Hackney Diamonds’ Tour
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The Rolling Stones are celebrating their latest album by hitting the road for their Hackney Diamonds tour. But along with rocking out with the band in-person, fans now have the opportunity to pick up a limited-edition bottle of the group’s Crossfire Hurricane Rum, released in conjunction with the jaunt.
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The new “Hackney Diamonds” edition of Crossfire Rum is a bottle worthy of being displayed, as it features an all-black base with gold-yellow accents and an updated version of of the band’s logo. In addition to receiving the new rum, fans will take home a keepsake box that also comes with the rock group’s flagship Crossfire Hurricane Rum. The complete boxed set will be released gradually across the country to align with The Rolling Stones’ tour schedule — including on the official Crossfire Hurricane website — at a retail price of $125. Concertgoers will also have the opportunity to buy the rum at the venue.
Keep reading to see where to buy the bottle online when it comes to a city near you.
Buy Now on crossfire hurricane $125
The new edition of Crossfire Hurricane Rum aims to provide the same blended rum taste in an updated bottle while paying “homage to the band’s iconic journey,” according to a press release. For the band, releasing the beverage is yet another way to connect with fans outside of their music.
“This commemorative box set of Crossfire Hurricane Rum is not just a celebration of our US tour, but a toast to the incredible journey we’ve shared with our fans,” The Rolling Stones said in a press statement.
And to complete your collection, the original Crossfire Hurricane Rum is available for purchase on Reserve Bar and Total Wine for under $40. Shop the bottle below.
The flagship Crossfire Hurricane Rum aims to infuse the flavors of rum from Jamaica, the Dominican Republic and Barbados that’s been aged within oak barrels. You can expect notes of caramelized bananas mixed with tropical fruit with each sip.
More celebrities have been coming out with their own form of wine and spirits, with the “Satisfaction” band growing the list of musician-owned alcohol brands in addition to artist-owned wines. And it’s not just the music industry that has picked up on the alcohol trend, Kylie Jenner just released Sprinter, a vodka soda brand, joining her sister Kendall who owns 818 Tequila.
For more product recommendations, check out our roundups of the best cocktail books, music coolers and musician cookbooks.
Exclusive: The Unforeseen Romance Between Ryan Montgomery and Camille Griffith on the Set of ‘Whiskey & Smoke’ Video
“I just picked her up from the airport and we had dinner — nothing really crazy,” he remembers. “And then as soon as we started shooting the video, that was it”
Ryan Montgomery fell in love with Camille Griffith last December on the set of his music video for his single “Whiskey & Smoke” — and things have only gotten hotter between the two smoke shows.
“I’m in Nashville right now and she’s here with me,” says Montgomery, 25, during an interview with PEOPLE about his girlfriend, a content creator. “It’s just been crazy. We never saw it coming.”
Understandably so, as Montgomery remembers first connecting with Griffith via mutual friends during CMA Fest last year, but it wasn’t until the filming of the fiery “Whiskey & Smoke” video that things heated up between the two.
“She came in the day before we shot the video, and I just picked her up from the airport and we had dinner and stuff — nothing really crazy,” he remembers. “And then as soon as we started shooting the video, that was it. She was supposed to fly out the next day back to Arizona, and she ended up moving her flight and staying a couple more days. It was just crazy the way everything worked out.”
It’s one of the many things that has just “worked out” for the former ice hockey player who homed in on his musical craft as a teen from the back tailgate of his pickup truck in his home state of Florida.
“I was 18 years old, and I would just drop my tailgate down and set my speakers up and just play country music in parking lots for hours,” he recalls. “My goal at that point was to have a tour where I could maybe go and do some small shows at different places. Right now, of course, my goals are way bigger, but I really can’t believe that we are where we are at. It’s really crazy.”
Bailey Accorto
Where Montgomery is at right now is on his Whiskey & Smoke Tour, crisscrossing the country as a headliner through the end of the year. Montgomery also recently released his next single “Missin’ a Girl,” featuring a stellar lineup of writers including Ashley Gorley, Jaren Johnston and Chris DeStefano.
“I’m such a huge fan of these guys,” Montgomery explains. “To get to collaborate with some of my songwriting idols is just insane. They’ve all written songs for Florida Georgia Line and Jason Aldean and Luke Bryan, and now me!” He laughs. “This is just really something I don’t know that I ever dreamed could even be possible.”
Nevertheless, it’s a dream that Montgomery wakes up to every day, especially as “Missin’ a Girl” continues to snag some well-deserved attention over social media and such.
“‘Missin’ a Girl is such a special song,” he says. “I think we’ve all had that where we have a song with somebody or we have a drink with somebody somewhere when you’re dating them, and then you break up or drift apart, and you go that same place or listen to that same song, and you start missing them.”
Certainly, Montgomery has known that feeling, but it’s one that he says he hopes he doesn’t want to feel anytime soon as his relationship with Griffith seems to show no signs of slowing down. And it’s this love story that the couple say they want to continue to share with fans.
“I try to be as authentic as possible in my life,” Montgomery says. “There’s definitely some downsides of doing that, but we both feel like it’s real and it is what it is, so why not share it with everybody?”
Because in a cruel world, Montgomery says love feels good.
“My family was able to come to my first ever headlining amphitheater show in my hometown,” remembers Montgomery. “They came on the bus and stayed on the side stage and watched the show at this big amphitheater. It was really cool.”
And it’s all these people that will keep the rising country star grounded in the days ahead. “My grandpa served in Vietnam,” Montgomery explains, “And he’s just somebody that no matter what’s going on, he is always in my ear about staying grounded, appreciating everything and valuing what’s really important in life.”
The Portal’s Raddest Beer Garden in PNW Reopens May 3: Discover What’s New This Year
One of Bellingham’s most popular waterfront summer spots, The Portal Container Village, is opening for its summer season Friday, May 3, and has new features this year.
The Portal is known for a beloved beer garden, Kulshan Brewing Co.’s Trackside, that was named “The Raddest Beer Garden in the Pacific Northwest,” by Forbes magazine, according to a news release from the brewery.
Along with Trackside, The Portal also is full of food trucks, a bike pump track, Portal Putt mini golf, Sun-E-Land Bikes rentals, restaurants and an ice cream shop. The Portal also has added a second shipping container storefront that welcomes rotating artists, entrepreneurs and businesses this year.
Back in June 2023, The Portal announced it would be adding two new shipping containers to its village: Bin 13 Wine Bar and Zeek’s Pizza.
Bin 13 Wine Bar will not open May 3, but plans to open as soon as possible with exciting offerings, according to owner Ryan Aarstol.
We will have great wines, wine cocktails, ciders/squeeze and some beers. We will have service at the container, with seating around the container, within our fenced area. We are in the permitting process for the deck above the container which we think will be very popular for folks,” Aarstol wrote in an email to The Bellingham Herald.
Bin 13 Wine Bar updates will be posted on the business’ Facebook page.
If you’re looking for a bite to eat, Zeek’s Pizza, Our Kitchen, The Selkie Scoop Ice Cream and Rain or Shine Riviera Club will have their own shipping container restaurants, along with five food trucks at The Portal. Whether you’re craving fish and chips, tacos, sandwiches or pizza, The Portal will have something for everyone.
The Portal announced its food truck lineup back in March:
▪ New Public Creative Vegan Food Truck
Kulshan Brewing is also bringing new events to its Trackside beer garden this season, starting with a season-opening celebration Friday. The event includes live music from “Mackinaw Cruiser” at 6 p.m., followed by a live DJ from 8 to 10 p.m. The event is open for all ages and is dog friendly.
Kulshan Brewing is also hosting its “Beer Prom” at Trackside this year, a ticketed event and fundraiser for Lydia Place, a nonprofit striving to end family homelessness. The 21-and-over event will take place June 1 and includes beer collaborations, a live big band, live DJ, costume context, food trucks and photo booth. Tickets cost $30 and can be purchased online in advance.
The Portal also announced a new Pike Place-inspired market is in the works, hoping to be open year-round starting spring 2025.
The many businesses at The Portal have differing operating hours. Kulshan Brewing Trackside will be open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday until Memorial Day, May 27. After May 27, Kulshan will be open daily.
The Portal Container Village is at 296 W Laurel St. in Bellingham.
Unusual Chase: Man Savors Wine in Forklift as Driver Evades Police in Downtown Auburn
Two men suspected of stealing a forklift and driving Sunday in downtown Auburn were arrested after the vehicle smashed into the fence of a business, according to the police.
The event unfolded around 2 a.m. when police received a report of a stolen forklift at Lincoln Way and High Street, in connection with the Western State Endurance Run.
Police officers spotted the forklift travelling down Lincoln Way towards Harrison Avenue. One man was operating the machinery while his companion was seen drinking wine from a bottle in the passenger’s seat, as reported by the Auburn Police Department online.
According to the police, they attempted to stop the forklift, but the suspects fled on foot. The deserted forklift started to roll back and smashed a fence.
One individual was apprehended under the speculation of owning a stolen vehicle, evading detention, and driving whilst under the influence. Another individual was apprehended under the speculation of possessing a stolen vehicle and resisting detention. Both individuals are currently not in jail, as per the information available on online detainee records.
Organizers name the Western States Endurance Run as the oldest 100-mile race in the world. The race starts in Olympic Valley and concludes in Auburn.
Upcoming Events Spotlighting Tennessee Whiskey and Fernet
You’d imagine that popular spirits such as Tennessee whiskey and Fernet wouldn’t need much advertising. Tennessee whiskey is one of the state’s most iconic exports, and Fernet is so esteemed by bartenders and drink enthusiasts that it’s often given as a salute or parting present across the bar, referred to as a “secret handshake.”
However, these two beverages didn’t achieve their immense popularity without keeping their recall value high, so brace yourself, Nashville, because things are about to get spirited!
First on the agenda is the 2024 installment of Tennessee Whiskey Week, brought to you by the Tennessee Whiskey Trail. This consortium of whiskey makers in the state is actually extending the festival this year beyond a single week, with celebrations planned in East Tennessee from May 3 to May 11, Middle Tennessee from May 12 to 23, and West Tennessee from May 20 through May 25.
They’ve scheduled exclusive distillery viewings, live entertainment, and deals on local cocktails and food at partaking eateries, as well as ticketed Master Distiller-Chef dinners where chefs from select restaurants will design specialized menus to honor the yearly celebration, inspired by a native Tennessee spirit brand. However, unless you’re planning to travel to the far-flung corners, it’s perhaps best to focus on our local scene.
Nashville is set to host this year’s key event, Top of the Rocks, a cocktail competition akin to Chopped. The competition encourages mixologists to use bold flavors and native spirits to concoct unique cocktails. The venue for the event is Acme Feed & Seed, and it is scheduled to commence at 2 p.m. on Sunday, May 19. The event will also feature cocktail tastings, a people’s choice competition, light bites, and live music from Timbo and Boo Ray. Tickets can be obtained from the event’s website, with a few competitor slots still available for professional bartenders who wish to participate.
Here’s a catalog of Middle Tennessee restaurants and bars that will be offering Whiskey Week specials on cocktail creations featuring Tennessee spirits, whiskey pours, and specialty drinks between May 12 and May 23:
Dinner collaborations between Master Distillers and Chefs will take place at numerous restaurants across the city, so choose from these amazing options:
For details on specific events and ticketing information, visit the Whiskey Week website.
Fernet Branca has embarked on their Secret Handshake Tour at noted cocktail markets like Miami, Chicago, Brooklyn, San Francisco and Los Angeles, and they actually started the tour here in Nashville beginning on April 25. What, you didn’t know about it? It’s a secret!
They have been setting up special events at local bars, distributing cards that patrons can get stamped and send in for prizes when the tour leaves town on May 23. But where will they be popping up exactly? That’s a secret. However, if you register at the Fernet Secret Handshake Tour website, they’ll send you all the necessary details.
They have announced one event, a special concert at Third and Lindsley, starting at 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 23. The exact performers remain a mystery. But, Third and Lindsley’s performance calendar reveals that Kody West with Jason Scott and the High Heat will be taking the stage that evening, so you won’t be completely in the dark.
Cheers!
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In the final installment in our series, we look at small-scale wins that could point a way forward…
Talking to librarians, advocates, activists and students about state and local book bans and…
Discovering Louisville, Kentucky: A Guide to the Best Beer Spots
There’s more to drink at the Derby—and around Louisville—than mint juleps.
We all know that Louisville, Kentucky is the land of bourbon, and the mint julep is the drink of choice for the Kentucky Derby, which is having its 150th anniversary on May 4 at Churchill Downs. But the city is also known for some great breweries. In fact, it was once a great beer city known for a special type of beer called Kentucky Common, a dark ale style that’s rarely brewed today. If you are looking for Kentucky Common in Louisville, Apocalypse Brew Works in Louisville occasionally makes one of the original recipes and will have it on draught, and Dreaming Creek Brewery from Richmond, Kentucky makes a Kentucky Common that can be found at local Total Wine retailers.
If you’re visiting Louisville for the Run for the Roses or any time throughout the year, check out these breweries and beer bars that celebrate great craft beer.
Against the Grain’s Public Houses have two locations- one downtown and one near the Original Highlands section.
One of the most well-known breweries in Louisville is Against the Grain (AtG for short). With wacky labels and some in your face names like “Citra Ass Down,” AtG has two tasting rooms in Louisville: one near the Original Highlands area and one downtown. Their beer is widely available throughout Louisville and out of state as well.
Mile Wide sells a huge variety of beers to suit all tastes from dark lagers to sours to a plethora of hoppy options so there’s something for everyone. Started by three friends and housed in an old biscuit factory, Mile Wide’s tasting room also has board games and classic arcade games plus pinball machines to keep the good times rolling. The brewery is conveniently located between downtown and the Original Highlands neighborhood.
While Monnik Beer Co’s focus is on European styles, they also brew a bunch of hoppy options. There is an on-site restaurant as well.
Monnik Beer Co., located in the Schnitzelburg neighborhood, makes some excellent European-inspired beers. A brewing friend of mine raved about their saison and Italian pilsner. Monnik is the Dutch word for “monk,” and they also have an on-site restaurant.
Shippingport is a brewery solely owned by women, which was inaugurated in the year 2021, in the Portland region of Louisville. The brewery is highly community-driven, boasting over 100 five-star Google reviews. The Beer list in the taproom includes a vast selection of beer types ranging from German style kolsch to West Coast pilsner and even hard kombucha. Furthermore, Sandwiches are also prepared on-site at Shippingport.
The second tasting room of Atrium, located in Prospect, KY, is an ideal ensconce for anyone looking to avoid the tumult of Louisville.
Atrium Brewing operates a spirited tasting room in the Germantown area of Louisville, notable for fine hazy IPAs, hype fruited sours, and crispy lagers. Established in September 2020, Atrium has grown to construct a second tasting room outside the city borders in Prospect, Kentucky.
Although not a brewery, Holy Grale maintains an impressive beer list along with delicious food, emphasizing on using local products. Located just one mile from AtG’s Original Highlands public house, the Holy Grale has had its roots since 2011 in an erstwhile Unitarian church. The amenities at Holy Grale include pleasant outdoor seating and a dining room previously the choir loft. Moreover, Holy Grale has a Bed and Breakfast with a café on the ground floor, opened in 2014, just down the street.
If you are looking for one of the best eclectic beer lists in town, head over to Sergio’s World Beers in the Butchertown section of town. Currently on draught they have a list chock full of European classics from breweries like Cantillon, Chimay and Fantome. The food menu puts world food on display with dishes from Chile, Brazil, Greece, Germany and more.
There’s good beer everywhere nowadays and Louisville has a lot to offer. Check out the Louisville Ale Trail website for a complete list. Remember to drink responsibly and to always imbibe with people who you care about. Cheers!
Basketball Royalty Ventures into Wine Industry with Support from Renowned Winery
The connection between the National Basketball Association (NBA) and wine continues to solidify today with the official launch of a new wine from VII(N) The Seventh Estate, a wine brand founded in 2022 by Carmelo Anthony and Asani Swann. Today they announce their collaboration with Robert Mondavi Winery, a leader in the wine industry since they were founded in 1966. Along with RMW chief winemaker Geneviève Janssens, the first collaboration release with Robert Mondavi Winery hits the market today.
A multi-year collaboration between the two entities, kicking off with Ode to Soul as its first offering, has at its core the shared commitment to winemaking excellence and category modernization, blending the legacy and winemaking prowess of Robert Mondavi Winery with the mission of VII(N) The Seventh Estate. Robert Mondavi Winery is revered for a decades-long, rich heritage and acclaim for crafting exceptional wines that represent both innovation and uncompromising quality. VII(N) The Seventh Estate is driven by a mission to bring new voices into the world of wine, offering premium wines while connecting perspectives and individuals from all walks of life.
Ode to Soul is a proprietary red wine that embodies the essence of true collaboration between three dynamic connoisseurs with diverse perspectives on wine. Crafted by Robert Mondavi Winery’s Chief Winemaker Geneviève Janssens in partnership with Carmelo Anthony and Asani Swann, Ode to Soul is the culmination of each contributor’s unique experiences, distinct palate and creative processes. Drawing from the world-renowned To Kalon Vineyard in Napa Valley’s Oakville AVA, Ode to Soul showcases a blend of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and a touch of Petit Verdot. A harmonious blend of rich heritage and future-focused innovation, the 2021 vintage offers a wine experience that is both exhilarating and powerful, yet elegant and classic.
“We are proud to introduce a partnership with Robert Mondavi Winery aimed to produce incredible wines, prioritize innovation in the industry and foster a community,” said Carmelo Anthony, co-founder of VII(N) The Seventh Estate. “The seamless partnership between VII(N) The Seventh Estate and Robert Mondavi Winery is reflected in our inaugural wine, ‘Ode to Soul,’ and is a testament to both the power of collaboration and our commitment to expanding horizons in the wine space.”
Asani Swann, co-founder of VII(N) The Seventh Estate, adds “This is a pivotal moment for the wine category, and we are proud to be at the forefront, creating top quality wines and helping to build a more inclusive industry.”
Click here to purchase of a bottle of Ode to Soul (SRP: $275)
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All About Kylie Jenner’s New Vodka Soda Brand, Sprinter: Where You Can Buy it Online
All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
Kylie Jenner wants you to crack open some refreshing (spiked) soda this summer with the debut of her canned sparkling vodka drink, Sprinter. The beverage marks The Kardashians star and entrepreneur’s move into the alcohol space, sparking debate on whether her drinks will create competition between her and her sister Kendall Jenner’s tequila brand, 818 (though Kylie told Rolling Stone her brand is more like the “bubbly, juicy, and playful little sister”).
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Expect perfect, pre-mixed flavors from the first sip of Sprinter — no cocktail books required. The beverage comes in a pack of eight with four different flavors to choose from, including grapefruit, lime, peach and black cherry. After launching in April, you can now buy Sprinter online from Total Wine, GoPuff, Kroger and Instacart — just in time for summer.
Keep reading to pick up your own pack of Sprinter to drink (responsibly) at home.
$19.99
$19.99
$19.49 $23.99 19% off
Each can of Sprinter is made from real fruit juice infused with vodka landing it at 4.5% ABV. You’ll receive eight, 12-ounce cans in a variety of flavors. All of the above sites let you order Kylie Jenner’s Sprinter vodka soda online, with shipping and delivery to your door.
The TV personality joins the growing list of Hollywood and musician-owned alcohol brands including Matthew McConaughey’s Pantalones Blanco Tequila, Luke Bryan’s Two Lane Lagers and Cardi B’s Whipshots.
Just like her skincare brand Kylie Cosmetics, Jenner says she worked closely through the development and creation of the product to ensure it would be something she drinks in her daily life.
For more product recommendations, check out our roundups of the best tequila brands, musician-owned wines and porthole drink infuser.
Introducing Rolling Stones Crossfire Hurricane Rum’s Limited-Edition Hackney Diamonds Bottle
The limited edition gift box from The Rolling Stones Crossfire Hurricane Rum includes both a Hackney Diamonds tour bottle and a regular bottle of their rum.
The Rolling Stones once sang, “You can’t always get what you want,” but if you are a fan of theirs, you can lay your hands on a unique slice of Stone’s memorabilia. The Rock and Roll Hall of Famers announced they are releasing a limited edition bottle of their Crossfire Hurricane Rum to commemorate its Hackney Diamonds tour that kicked off April 28 in Houston.
Priced at a MSRP of $125, the limited-edition collection features a deluxe box set including the Hackney Diamonds bottle—a sleek black gloss glass container with a unique gold top—adorned with the iconic Rolling Stones tongue logo, and a flagship bottle of Crossfire Hurricane Rum; all encased in a keepsake box. The brand is also hosting concert post-show parties in select cities and offering a sweepstakes for fans the chance to win two VIP tickets to The Rolling Stones show in Santa Clara, California on July 17, 2024.
Launched in November 2023, the rum is the first product owned by The Rolling Stones in their seven decades. Born from a partnership with Universal Music Group and Socio Ventures, Crossfire Hurricane Rum takes its name from the first line of their hit Jumping Jack Flash. According to the brand, it is a testament to the band’s lifelong love of rum, which began in the 1970s and continues today.
It’s also a smart move into a rum market that is booming these days. According to a recent report from Market Data Forecast the global rum market recently hit $16.5 billion with forecasts showing it hitting $22.54 billion. As the second most popular spirit on the market drinkers are continually looking for interesting new products.
“I’ve visited loads of rum distilleries in the Caribbean – I’ve been to the most rundown and the most ancient ones in Barbados and Jamaica that are remarkably still running on Victorian equipment,” says Mick Jagger, the frontman of The Rolling Stones. “Very interesting to discover how rum is made and how it’s blended.”
The birth of Crossfire Hurricane Rum coincided with another big announcement from The Stones. That they were releasing their first album of new material in almost two decades, Hackney Diamonds. The album took the charts by storm, building a buzz for all things Rolling Stones. That energy flowed towards their rum, leading to record-setting sales in online sales and the brand signing a deal to roll it out in retail across the United States with Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits.
The limited-edition Hackney Diamonds edition from Crossfire Hurricane Rum from The Rolling Stones.
By releasing a limited-edition bottle, Crossfire Hurricane Rum hopes to build on the momentum of the Stones’ sixteen-city summer North American tour. In a crowded marketplace, the brand hopes that having The Rolling Stones’ distinctive tongue and lips logo emblazoned on the label will make the product stand out on the shelf.
“This commemorative box set of Crossfire Hurricane Rum is not just a celebration of our US tour, but a toast to the incredible journey we’ve shared with our fans,” said The Rolling Stones.
The celebratory box set will be available at select retailers across the country and will be introduced in markets to coincide with the bands stops during their tour. Additionally, concertgoers in the United States can purchase the gift set via in-stadium digital billboards and have it delivered directly to their homes vis ReserveBar.
Made from a blend of rums from Jamaica, Barbados, and the Dominican Republic, it exhibits flavors of pineapple, caramelized bananas, and mellow oak with a slight hint of the funkiness anyone would expect from The Stones. It has been aged for up to five years in charred oak barrels before being blended abroad and bottled in the United States at The Point Distillery. The rum regularly retails for $37 and is available for purchase at CrossfireHurricane.com.
Wine Press: Introduction to 6 Randomly Selected Red Wines with Great Taste
Most weeks, this wine column highlights specific wines that have something particular in common.
Affordable white wines from France’s Rhone region.
Nero D’Avola wines from Sicily for under $25 a bottle.
This week, the focus is a bit broader.
Yes, they all have one thing in common. They’re all red wines.
But beyond that, they cover a wide range from around the world – a cabernet sauvignon from Argentina, pinot noirs from Oregon and Chile.
But all these wines do have one more thing in common – they’re all fantastic. And they all taste great now.
Timing is everything when it comes to wine, music, sports or even comedy. If you’re a split second too late, the song doesn’t sound quite right, your team just missed the game-winning shot or perhaps no one’s laughing at your joke.
The timing isn’t anywhere near that fast when it comes to opening a wine. Instead of matter of a seconds, we’re usually talking about months or years.
Many times, certain red wines get better with age. But if you wait too long – or not long enough – some red wines just don’t taste right.
In most cases, wines that should have been opened months or years earlier taste flat, dull or sometimes (worst case scenario) even vinegar like.
These six red wines recommended this week taste perfect right now.
Hope you enjoy.
WINES TASTING NOTES
2022 Domaine Bousquet Cabernet Sauvignon (Organic Grapes) ($9.99 at Table & Vine in West Springfield)
Region – Mendoza, Argentina
Grape – 100% cabernet sauvignon
Tasting Notes – What makes this wine so great right now is how fresh and lively its light, bright fruit flavors taste right now. Sure, you could wait a few months to drink this wine. But the beauty of this wine made with organic grapes is its youthful energy and flavors, which include hints of fresh raspberry, cherry and blackcurrant.
2019 Ritual Casablanca Valley Pinot Noir ($20 Suggested Retail Price)
Region – Casablanca Valley, Chile
Grape – 100% pinot noir
Tasting Notes – Like the Argentinian cabernet sauvignon recommended above, what I love about this pinot noir from neighboring Chile is its light, bright character. Instead of trying to bowl us over with powerful, intense flavors, this delightful wine has a delicate, lighter-than-air finish with floral hints and raspberry-like flavors and aromas.
2021 Esporao Riserva Red Wine ($23 SRP)
Region – Alentejo, Portugal
Grape – 25% Alicante bouschet, 25% trincadeira, 20% touriga nacional, 15% aragonez, 15% cabernet sauvignon
Tasting Notes – This rich, elegant wine from Portugal’s Alentejo region in the southern central part of the country hits all the right notes – it’s delicate but not too light, fresh but not too fruity. Flavorwise, this understated red wine has hints of wild blackberries and pepper mixed with hints of toasted almonds and black licorice.
2021 Tapestry Red Blend ($25 SRP)
Region – Paso Robles, California
Grape – 72% cabernet, 16% syrah, and 12% petite sirah
Tasting Notes – Napa and Sonoma Valley often steal the spotlight when to comes to great wine regions in California. But if you look further afield, you can often find great, affordable wines like this one from Paso Robles, which is located further south roughly halfway between San Jose and Los Angeles. This charming wine has many delightful flavors, including subtle hints of cedar, dark chocolate, blackberry and black pepper.
2020 Tenuta Di Arceno Chianti Classico Riserva ($30 SRP)
Region – Chianti, Tuscany, Italy
Grape – 90% sangiovese, 10% cabernet sauvignon
Tasting Notes – This luxurious red wine from Italy’s Chianti region illustrates why so many of us love red wines from this part of Tuscany. Many great Italian red wines can cost a fair amount of money. That’s what makes many Chianti Classico wines such a great deal. In many cases, you can find rich, voluptuous wines like this one that don’t cost a fortune. In this particular case, the wine’s flavors are soft and vibrant with hints of cherry, raspberry and dark chocolate.
2019 Appassionata Allegro Pinot Noir ($95 SRP)
Region – Williamette Valley, Oregon
Grape – 100% pinot noir
Tasting Notes – In music, the word “allegro” refers to a piece that’s “bright and lively.” The same description could easily apply to this entertaining pinot noir from Oregon’s outstanding Willamette Valley, which is famous for producing outstanding pinot noirs like this particular gem. Here, the flavors are earthy yet elegant, with hints of cherry, blackberry and plum that last at least half a minute after each sip.
UPCOMING WINE EVENTS
Pairing Perfectly – Table & Vine will host a wine tasting focusing on pairing wines with different foods. The free event will be held Saturday, May 11 from noon to 2 pm at Table & Vine, 1119 Riverdale Street, West Springfield. To register for the event or for more information, please visit Table & Vine’s website.
Rose Wine Open House – Provisions Mill District location is hosting a complimentary wine tasting with emphasis on rose wines taking place on Saturday, May 11, from 1 to 4 pm at 65 Cowls Road, Amherst location. Entry tickets cost $25 per person. Further details about the event are available on the Provision’s website.
Enjoy your drink!
Wine Press by Ken Ross is featured on Masslive.com every Monday and in The Republican’s Weekend section each Thursday.
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