Wine Drinking Temperature

By popular demand and following to a conversation at today's milonga (for those uninitiated, milonga is a place where they dance Argentine tango that is almost as much fun as drinking good wine although requires much more efforts...) here are few suggestions on wine serving temperature:

• Full to Medium body Reds: ~65 F that is  what was called a "room temperature" before invention of the central heating
• Light Reds (stuff like Gamay, Loire grown Cab Franc, etc.,) : ~55F

A general rule is: if you want to focus a fruit in wine, cool the wine down...

• Full body Whites: This is really depends...Traditionally, high quality White Bourgogne is supposed to be served at s room temperature.  The same goes for Jura.  I, however, prefer those slightly chilled.  I go with around ~55F
• Medium body whites / Roses: ~50-55F 
• Light Whites / Sparkling: Below ~50F 

Treat the above as suggestions.  Everyone's taste is different...

Piutri, Solento 2005

This Negroamaro based Red comes from the Italy's Southern Region of Solento.  In my opinion it is an excellent wine: full body, nose of leather and tobacco with barnyard notes ( I love those in a well made red wine) and a palate of yet again leather with a bit of pepper and, I would say, blackberry.  It reminds me Rhone wines yet it is still distinct.  It is definitely a buy.  You can get it for $17.99 at Arrowine in Arlington.  If you a lucky, you can also get it for $14.99 at MacArthur Wine in DC yet, last time I checked, they were out.

Cork Wine Bar

Located at 1720 14th street, this place is definitely worth a visit.  Wine list has a lot of interesting options, including wines available by the glass.  The food is very good.  It also pairs very well with wine.  The bar itself is tastefully designed.  The service was excellent  All in all we really enjoyed it.  Only one word of caution: do not order an espresso, sadly enough, it really sucks.    

B, Domaine Brazilier, 2008

If you are looking for a poor main Bandol style Rose, look no further. This is pretty much it. Made out of Pineau D'Aunis and coming from Coteaux de Vendomois the wine has a copper color, slight citrus nose and citrusy, slightly minerally flavor profile typical for a white vine. I would even compare it with a Sancerre...The producer claim pepper notes in the wine yet I didn't caught those...

Coteaux du Vendomois is a 142 hectare wine appellation in the Loire Valley in France known for the white wines produced from Chenin blanc and reds from Pineau d'Aunis. For whatever reason they call Rose "the unique Vin Gris". I am yet to get the uniqueness of this stuff...It gained AOC status in 2001 and is located mainly east of the town of Vendome stretching along both banks of Loire's tributary. Vendome seats right on N10 North East from Tour. it is kind of interesting that the wine is tasting like a Rose from Provence coming from so much further North... All in all, it is o'k and drinkable...In fact, you'll probably drink more than you expect.... The wine goes for $13.99 at Arrowine, Arlington

Gamay, Coteaux d'Angenis 2008

How often you get a French wine named by a grape variety? Not to often...Here is one that is worth the attention. Coming for Domain Guindon that also makes a lovely Muscadet, this Vine Delimite de Qualite Superieure Rose is perfect for a hot August weather. This is very simple, have almost no nose yet very pleasant on a palate with, I would say raspberry flavor. To give you a visual, imagine yourself sitting in a Bouchons Lionnais completely perplexed by a shear number of different sausages available in the menu. To clear up your mind you instinctively pick your glass and this is exactly what is in it. You drink few of those and a wonderful clarity comes to you...All those sasauges are good and it'll be o'k no matter what you chose....This feeling only is totally worth $11.99 at Arrowine (Arlington) wants for that one.

Fuente Milano 2008

Spanish white coming from Castilla y Leon region (Spain's north west). A 50-50 blend of Verdejo and Viura taste pretty much as New Zealand Savignion Blanc...Of course, one could ask: why the heck anyone would by a Spanish white that taste like a New Zealand's Sav Blanc given that the latter is readily available. Well, good question...I don't know either...I bought it at the tasting out of pure curiosity...All in all a pleasant wine good with pork and chicken, $11.99 at Arrows Wines

Domaine Pascal Aufranc Chenas 2007

Coming form vines planted in 1939 here is yet another village level Beaujolais. Not bad yet not particularly interesting. Traditional Gamay flavor profile with strawberry on a palate. Again, I do not want to criticize the wine. It is well made. I just don't find it particularly interesting. It is a good deal at $14.99 though.

Regnie, Vieille Vigne, Haute Ronze 2006

Have you ever heard about Appelation Regnie Controlee? Me neither yet this is a Beaujolais and a pretty nice one. It doesn't taste much like Gamay. It is significantly less fruity with a lot of structure, not much of a nose, note of graphite on a palate and a lot of minerality. I like it. It goes nice with food and equally nice without...For $12.99 (Arrows Wine) it is a buy

Domaine Bellevue, Touraine 2008

This $ 9.99 (Whole Foods) Savignion Blanc from Loire is simple and refreshing. I think it goes perfectly with DC August weather. Typical budget Loire Savignion flavor profile, goes great with fish, including shell fish and vegetables.