The Working Mom - Blog , Lisa's Wine Wisdom

Happy January with Avaline Wines

Tue, 14 Jan 2025 22:53:20 -0500

Introducing: The Winter Edit

Cozy vibes, meet your new wine BFFs. This 9-bottle bundle is the move for fireside hangs, winter dinners, and staying warm with a glass in hand. It includes:

2- Red Blend

2- Riesling

2- Beaujolais

1-Sauvignon Blanc

2- Cabernet Sauvignon

Click Here for the link to your Jack Frosty January collection. It's currently on sale!

Don't forget to use the promo code: JAN15 at checkout to get an additional 15% off AND free shipping!

Saluti!

-Lisa & Adrienne

Avaline Wines (Their Descriptions and My Humble Impressions)

Wed, 14 Aug 2024 11:01:00 -0500

Here is the Quick Rundown of Avaline's Current Wine Selection!

All of these wines are available online, but you can also find
some of them at stores such as Whole Foods and Total Wine.

The Reds
Lambrusco- A fun, fizzy Italian red that's perfect for sipping in every season. Ours is bubbly, with juicy notes of plum and zero grams of sugar per serving. [I have yet to try this... I'll keep you posted!]

Sangiovese- A crowd pleasing, bold Italian red with notes of stone fruit and roasted cherries. A limited time, online exclusive. [I absolutely loved this wine! It's perfectly tannic, full-bodied, and goes perfectly with a bowl of pasta with gravy- Yes, Italian red gravy!]

Pinot Noir- Our lightest red, with delicious notes of wild raspberry and cherry that pair well with everything. [I hate to say it but I have high standards when it comes to Pinot Noir. I thought this wine was a little too watered down. This varietal is incredibly temperamental due to it's thin skin, so the growing conditions need to be perfect. The grapes most likely took in a bit too much rainwater, making them swell, which in turn would dilute the flavors. I'm looking forward to the release of their next vintage. It could have just been an iffy growing season for this wine.]

Red- A blend of Grenache, Syrah, Carignan, and Cinsault. This is Cameron’s favorite Red: it has a light to medium body with hints of cherry and a touch of spice. [I really enjoyed this wine. Medium-bodied, a little spicy, aromatic, and dry. They did good with this one!]

Cabernet Sauvignon- Our bolder red for cozy nights ahead, with a medium to full body, notes of red berries and a touch of cocoa. [I did enjoy this wine as well. It's a bit overpriced to be an every-day drinking wine, but it does pair well with beef, pizza, and dark chocolate.]

The Whites
Chardonnay- A full-bodied Chardonnay featuring smooth notes of pear, oak, ripe apricot and almond with a refreshing-yet-soft finish. Only available online. [Here is another one I wasn't super excited about. It is full-bodied and overly fruity. It wasn't dry enough for my taste. I do know others who have enjoyed this wine. I will give it another try, maybe pair it with something spicy, such as an Asian cuisine. I will update these recommendations from time to time and vintage to vintage.]

Pinot Grigio- A crisp Italian white with soft floral notes and hints of hazelnut. A limited time, online exclusive. [BUY THIS WINE IF YOU ENJOY A CRISP PERFECTLY BALANCED WHITE WINE!!! I absolutely loved this wine. It is limited, so buy it before you miss out on it. I don't typically lean towards Pinot Grigio because they are typically too "mineral-forward". Not this one. It is perfect, lightly floral, light crisp notes of apple and toast. In my opinion, it's way underpriced for how delicious it is!]

White- A blend of Parellada, White Grenache, Xarel-lo, and Macabeo grapes. This is an everyday, easy-drinking white. It’s dry with a touch of citrus and a crisp, fresh finish. [This is just as they describe... I also REALLY liked this wine. It's perfect in the summer, and also as a spritzer (as Cameron suggests). Pour over ice and top it off with some plain seltzer water.]

Sparkling- A blend of Macabeo, Xarel-lo, Parellada, and Malvasia grapes. A dry and refreshing Sparkling with delicate bubbles. No celebration necessary. [This sparkling wine is delicious! Another fantastic choice to drink on its own, or with fresh fruit and dark chocolate.]

Sauvignon Blanc- Our lightest sip yet, with crisp notes of ripe citrus and a hint of rose petals. [This is yet another varietal that I don't typically lead towards, but I really liked this wine too! It is light, not overly sweet like some of these varietals can be, and it's well balanced between the citrus and floral notes].

ROSÉ
Sparkling Rosé- A limited edition Sparkling Rosé aged for 15+ months featuring notes of raspberry and citrus, with a toasty brioche finish. A limited time, online exclusive. [This is yet another fantastic choice. It's also in limited quantities, so get it while you still can!]

Rosé- Light, fresh (and French) with notes of melon and zest. The best Rosé Katherine has ever had. [I have had some amazing Rosé's. The best ones come from Provence, France. This is a really good representation. They have blended Grenache, Cinsault, Caladoc, and Syrah, to create this wine. It's another fantastic summer choice, light-bodied, mildly tart (cherry) that ends with light notes of pepper.

CLICK HERE to place your order today. Don't forget to use the promo code: AUGUST15 for 15% off your total order.

We hope you are enjoying the rest of your summer!

~Xoxo Lisa & Adrienne

Do You Have your Thanksgiving Wine Picked out Yet?

Sat, 11 Nov 2023 14:06:44 -0500

Join Lisa as she starts her independent wine-guide
venture with the Traveling Vineyard.

As one of your wine guides, we deliver fun, educational wine experiences through in-home tastings, our Sommology pairing program, REWINED box subscriptions, mini bottle tasting flights, and import bottling services at our own organically certified facility. The expert wine team at the Traveling Vineyard has decades of experience in the wine world allowing to smart-source amazing wines from sustainable growers across the globe and deliver to you locally without the snooty price.

Here's your Thanksgiving pairing guide!

Simply real wine with natural ingredients, sustainably produced at organically certified facilities, minimal intervention, award-winning wines, and budget-friendly pricing.

The wines are created and bottled here in the USA. The grapes are found in small vineyards around the world. The inventory is always changing. Once they run out, they are gone. So, if you find one you really enjoy, buy it in bulk!

Free shipping on 6-bottles or more

Click the link below to get started.

Click here to enter the shop!

Châteauneuf-du-Pape: The Regal from Rhône

Mon, 12 Dec 2022 16:11:36 -0500

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Pronounced: shah toe nuf dew pop

Below is a map of southern Rhône. Châteauneuf-du-Pape is the southern Rhône’s most exclusive appellation:

The name Châteauneuf-du-Pape literally means the “New castle of the Pope“. During the 14th Century, the city of Avignon, just south of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, was chosen as the new home for the Roman Catholic Pope. Due to unrest in Rome, the Papal home remained in France for the following 73 years, beginning with Clement V (formerly the Archbishop of Bordeaux). In 1370, the Papacy went back to Rome.

What grapes are in Châteauneuf-du-Pape? 18 grape varieties. French law originating in the mid-1930's stated only 13 grape varieties were allowed in a Châteauneuf-du-Pape. In 2009, 5 more were allowed. These 5 are rare and rarely used except in small wineries that happen to have small plots of it remaining, such as in tradition or they are working at reviving those vines. These rare grape varietals include: clairette rosé, grenache gris, picardin, picpoul blanc, and picpoul gris.

Grenache, syrah, and morvedras are the 3 main grape varietals used for Châteauneuf-du-Pape, grenache being the largest percent given that 75% of the region of Châteauneuf-du-Pape grows that varietal. 7% of these wines are white. The authorized white grapes include: grenache blanc, roussanne, clairette, and bourboulenc. The rest are red. These include: counoise, cinsaut, muscardin, vaccarese, picpoul noir, and terret noir.

This region is known for its soil composed of large, potato sized rocks, also known as galets, mostly having been deposited thousands of years ago by glaciers. These rocks do 2 things specific for these vines: 1) they keep the soil and clay below, cool and wet for the roots and 2) the sun exposed portions of the rocks, absorbing heat from the sun during the day, radiate that heat back to the vines at night. This continues to assist in the maturation of these naturally late-blooming grapes, well into the evening hours. As magical as it would be to have a vineyard in this region..... I can't imagine how many sprained ankles must occur while working with these vines.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines are deep in color and intense in flavors. Grenache brings red berries and cooked fruit characters, plum and prune, cooked apples, and cherry liqueur., while syrah and mouvedre add notes of black pepper, sweet spices and earthy tones.

Below are a couple I have purchased from our local Pennsylvania state store. These wines aren't cheap, but they are amazing to have on hand for a special occasion. While it is possible to find a bottle of Châteauneuf-du-Pape in the $30 price-range, it may not be of excellent quality. 2011 and 2016 were exceptional years for these wines. 2012, 2015, 2017, and 2018 were considered good.

Chateau Mont Redon Rouge ($40- $50)

Chateau de Beaucastel 2015 ($80-$90)

I have yet to try a white Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Once I find one, I'll let you know what I think. Until then, Happy Wine Tasting!!

Saluti!

Xoxo -Lisa

Holiday Beverage Traditions from Around the World

Thu, 17 Nov 2022 21:16:27 -0500

Holiday Cheer Around the World

As we are approaching Thanksgiving and the December holiday season, I thought I would focus on the holiday beverage traditions around the world. For those of us in the northern hemisphere it is cold, dark, and often festive with the holiday lights, sounds, and scents.

The Wassail is a tradition most commonly associated with cider country Wassail in England. It is mentioned in many holiday songs and stories. It is an apple cider drink, mulled with spices and spiked with brandy or a neutral schnapps. Wassail is traditionally consumed as an integral part of wassailing, an ancient southern English drinking ritual intended to ensure a good cider apple harvest the following year.

Wassail

In Hungary, mulled wine, or Forralt bor, is almost always made with sweet white wine, which is further sweetened with honey and spiced with whole peppercorns.

Forralt bor

In Germany and Austria, people drink G lühwein, which is traditionally sharpened with fresh orange juice, and a fair amount of rum.

Glühwein

The Germans also have never shied away from a spectacle involving alcohol (as anyone who has ever stepped into a Munich beer hall during Oktoberfest can attest) and the ‘Flaming wine’ tradition, usually saved for Christmas day or Christmas parties, is no exception. This involves the host of the party making a large batch of hot wine, either traditional glühwein, or something a little more exotic, and placing a rum-drenched cone of sugar on top of it. The sugar is then set alight and brought into the party to an eruption of cheering and singing. As the guests gather around the beautiful, flickering blue flame, the wine is spooned into glasses and enjoyed for its warming properties.

Flaming wine

The Scandinavians possibly do it best of all — you really need a decent pick-me-up halfway through their winter, often around Christmas-time, and their beverage called Glogg includes booze soaked raisins and almonds, shots of port and brandy, Muscatel, cardamom and plenty of other spices. Though it almost always is made by warming red wine with sugar, ginger, cinnamon, clove, and cardamom, each country has its own take on this holiday classic. Swedes serve theirs with a spoon so you can scoop out all the alcohol-soaked dried fruits and nuts, while Norwegians often spike it further with a heavy pour of Aquavit. In Denmark, port wine is a frequent addition.

Glogg

This “Cream of Life” cocktail is a specialty drink from Cuba resembling eggnog and seems even more beloved than its North American counterpart. Named in both Spanish and French, Crema de Vie has become a staple holiday drink for both Cubans and Cuban Americans. Recipes vary, but typically include rich, sweet ingredients like condensed milk, evaporated milk, vanilla extract, sugar, egg yolks, and white rum. Like eggnog, this drink is often served with a sprinkle or stick of cinnamon.

Cream of Life

Belgium also has its traditions. It’s not surprising that a country known for its beers makes hundreds of limited-run specialty brews just for the Christmas season. Think beer with a spiced twist, featuring flavors of orange peel, cinnamon, clove, and vanilla. Many of these beers are brewed near Antwerp in a town called Essen and are hard to find outside of the area.

Belgium limited-run specialty brews

Of course, mid-December is the hottest time of the year for half the world. The Australians make a big deal out of their wine drinking at Christmas time. This is the time of year to get out those crisp, fruity Australian white wines, and serve them cold alongside a barbecue with your friends. There are even Australian bars selling wine popsicles during the Christmas holidays.

Australian wine popsicles

In France, if you were in the Midi-Pyrénées village called Viella, you could go to New Year’s Eve mass and then head to the vineyards to help create the rare French wine called Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh. Grapes (usually petit manseng, gros manseng and courbu) that have become raisinated on the vine are picked after midnight for this dessert wine.

Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh

In Spain the New Year’s Eve pairing is a glass of cava and a handful of grapes. It is a tradition to eat twelve grapes, one on each chime of the clock. This tradition has its origins in 1909, when grape growers in Alicante thought of it as a way to cut down on the large production surplus, they had had that year. Nowadays, the tradition is followed by almost every Spaniard, and the twelve grapes have become synonymous with the New Year. After the clock has finished striking twelve, people greet each other and toast with sparkling wine, such as cava.

Cava and a handful of grapes

Spiked eggnog, the popular holiday drink that can be served hot or cold, started out in 1700s England as a hot drink called posset or sack posset with wine. Americans added milk to the mix and rum,or brandy replaced the wine. By the 1830s, eggnog was a cold drink in most of the U.S.

Spiked eggnog

In Chile, people celebrating New Year’s Eve drop a gold ring into a glass of bubbly and then drink it carefully; it is one of their many “cábalas” (good luck traditions). The gold ring is a symbol of prosperity.

Chilean gold ring into a glass of bubbly

With temperatures clinging to the 80s during the holiday season, it’s no surprise that Jamaica’s Christmastime cocktail is bright, refreshing, and served over ice. Sorrel Punch is basically a hibiscus tea brewed with spicy, fresh-grated ginger and warming spices like pimento (similar to allspice) and cinnamon. Red wine and white Jamaican rum give it that extra festive kick, while the combination of island ingredients help give drinkers of this tart dark red punch a taste of Jamaica in a cup.

Sorrel Punch

I hope you enjoyed the world festive beverage traditions in time for the upcoming holidays.

Ciao to 2022, best wishes to all of our friends and family, and cheers to a happy holiday season!

Saluti!

Xoxo -Lisa.

Pinot Noir: The Heartbreak Grape

Thu, 18 Aug 2022 10:25:18 -0500

Happy National Pinot Noir Day!

Happy National Pinot Noir Day!!

As we now have a greater following, I thought I would re-circulate some of my prior wine education blogs. Hopefully you can enjoy learning about the amazing world of wine, as I have all these years. I'm currently studying for the Certified Sommelier Examination (The 2nd exam) administered by the Court of Master Sommeliers. The exam is happening this November 2022. It has mostly been a hobby thus far, but the dream of cultivating my own vines, crafting my own wine, and running my own winery is alive and well. Piliero Vineyards is certainly in my future plans. Now onto the pinot noir......

Pinot noir is often referred to as the Heartbreak Grape because its thin skin fractures very easily making it more susceptible to disease and genetic mutations. It’s also very temperamental (requiring cool to temperate conditions and just the right amount of sunshine and heat), time-consuming, and often expensive to maintain.... like a bad date....ending in heartbreak...... Now you’ll never forget a pinot noir.

Very specific conditions need to exist to make a quality pinot noir. The roots need to be dry and the nutrients need to be scarce. The vine needs to struggle a little to yield an amazing fruit. If the grapes are too hydrated, they will swell, become too large, and the wine will be diluted by the excess water and bloated grapes. These particular grapes are best when small and clustered. It will yield a more fruit-forward wine. A young pinot noir will have red fruit notes such as cherries, strawberries, and raspberries. (Side note: a red Burgundy from France is always a pinot noir grape, and a white Burgundy is always a chardonnay). The 3 largest producers of quality pinot noir are France, the American state of Oregon, and Germany.

If a pinot noir wanted to create a dating app profile, it would look a little like this....."I prefer cool mornings, warm and long sunny afternoons, and cool (often fog covered) nights and evenings. I will come to the party, but only if the food is exclusive and my feet stay nice and dry. I like to live in close quarters, but not too close, or I will get lost in the crowd. I get along with everyone, but I'm also happy in my own company."

A pinot noir pairs well with meat, seafood, pasta, cheese, and all alone. It's typically medium-bodied, low in tannins (so not dry), and light in color.

Some examples of great, award-winning pinot noir that are reasonably priced that you can grab from the local wine stores are:

*A to Z Pinot Noir from A to Z Wineworks (Dundee, Oregon) (approx $20/bottle) (And don’t let the screw-cap fool you.....winemakers now realize that a screw-cap prevents oxygen from creeping into the bottle, much better than a cork (which is porous and can create an oxidized wine over time). An oxidized wine turns into acetic acid and tastes like vinegar.

*Willamette Valley Vineyards Estate Pinot Noir (Willamette Valley, Oregon) (approx $30/bottle)

(Side Note: an "Estate" wine just means the grapes were grown on the vineyard property. There are many great winemakers and wineries that import their grapes from other locations to craft their wine.)

So grab yourself a bottle and enjoy!

Saluti!

Xoxo -Lisa.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape: The Regal from Rhône

Tue, 05 Apr 2022 15:51:42 -0500

Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Pronounced: shah toe nuf-dew-pahp

Below is a map of southern Rhône. Châteauneuf-du-Pape is the southern Rhône’s most exclusive appellation:

The name Châteauneuf-du-Pape literally means the “New castle of the Pope“. During the 14th Century, the city of Avignon, just south of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, was chosen as the new home for the Roman Catholic Pope. Due to unrest in Rome, the Papal home remained in France for the following 73 years, beginning with Clement V (formerly the Archbishop of Bordeaux). In 1370, the Papacy went back to Rome.

What grapes are in Châteauneuf-du-Pape? 18 grape varieties. French law originating in the mid-1930's stated only 13 grape varieties were allowed in a Châteauneuf-du-Pape. In 2009, 5 more were allowed. These 5 are rare and rarely used except in small wineries that happen to have small plots of it remaining, such as in tradition or they are working at reviving those vines. These rare grape varietals include: clairette rosé, grenache gris, picardin, picpoul blanc, and picpoul gris.

Grenache, syrah, and morvedras are the 3 main grape varietals used for Châteauneuf-du-Pape, grenache being the largest percent given that 75% of the region of Châteauneuf-du-Pape grows that varietal. 7% of these wines are white. The authorized white grapes include: grenache blanc, roussanne, clairette, and bourboulenc. The rest are red. These include: counoise, cinsaut, muscardin, vaccarese, picpoul noir, and terret noir.

This region is known for its soil composed of large, potato sized rocks, also known as galets, mostly having been deposited thousands of years ago by glaciers. These rocks do 2 things specific for these vines: 1) they keep the soil and clay below, cool and wet for the roots and 2) the sun exposed portions of the rocks, absorbing heat from the sun during the day, radiate that heat back to the vines at night. This continues to assist in the maturation of these naturally late-blooming grapes, well into the evening hours. As magical as it would be to have a vineyard in this region..... I can't imagine how many sprained ankles must occur while working with these vines.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines are deep in color and intense in flavors. Grenache brings red berries and cooked fruit characters, plum and prune, cooked apples, and cherry liqueur., while syrah and mouvedre add notes of black pepper, sweet spices and earthy tones.

Below are a couple I have purchased from our local Pennsylvania state store. These wines aren't cheap, but they are amazing to have on hand for a special occasion. While it is possible to find a bottle of Châteauneuf-du-Pape in the $30 price-range, it may not be of excellent quality. 2011 and 2016 were exceptional years for these wines. 2012, 2015, 2017, and 2018 were considered good.

Chateau Mont Redon Rouge ($40- $50)

Chateau de Beaucastel 2015 ($80-$90)

I have yet to try a white Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Once I find one, I'll let you know what I think. Until then, Happy Wine Tasting!!
Xoxo -Lisa

Chenin Blanc, My New Obsession

Tue, 29 Mar 2022 17:04:39 -0500

I've always been more of a red wine drinker, especially in the winter and fall, but I think as I study more wines from around the world, my palate has definitely grown. I have always appreciated Champagne, Prosecco, and Chardonnay (my favorites of all time being Far Niente and Château Montelena Chardonnays, which are my personal barometers for the perfect white wines). My previous blog on South African wine (https://www.theworkingmom.us/blogs/post/Wine-of-South-Africa) focused more on their Pinotage and other more common varietals such as Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir. A Chenin Blanc caught my eye and I decided to give it a try.

Chenin Blanc wines (also known and sometimes labeled as Steen in South Africa) are a high-acid grape like Riesling. They are known for being best grown in the Loire Valley of France and also California, but South Africa is giving them all a run for their money. No wonder I love this wine so much. It's similar to an oaked Chardonnay. The difference is the Chenin Blanc is typically with a mildly sweeter taste, which I'm usually not drawn to. The Chenin Blanc that really caught my attention is a $12 bottle from the well-known Ken Forrester Winery in Stellenbosch South Africa. This wine was absolutely incredible and the reason I love it is because it's NOT sweet. It's lighter than a typically described medium-bodied Chenin Blanc. It's pale in color, with hints of pear, green apple, honey, and slight tropical notes. A text-book Chenin Blanc would have those same characteristics, but would be more medium-bodied in texture, and would be mildly sweeter. This wine was balanced, not overly acidic, and was completely smooth. Perfectly paired with shellfish and a baked brie.

2018 Chenin Blanc "Petit" by Ken Forrester Winery, Stellenbosch, South Africa (My new favorite "everyday" white wine)

Welcome to Stellenbosch South Africa

Here are some captivating scenes you will experience on the main wine route in Stellenbosch South Africa.

Stellenbosch is a city in the Western Cape of South Africa, (estimated population of 100,000) and is the heart of the Cape Winelands, South Africa's prime wine region. Cabernet Sauvignon is the region’s most prized grape variety, often found with Merlot as part of a Bordeaux Blend. This region is steeped in history with many art and historical museums in addition to the wineries.

The area is named for the town that was settled in the mid 1670s with the establishment of the Dutch East India Company. The French Huguenots soon came to the region and planted vineyards.

The Byerskloof Wine Estate, Stellenbosch, South Africa (pictured above)

And after daydreaming and picking out the place I'll stay..... (above pictured, the famous Lanzerac Wine and Spa) .....I think my next wine trip will be to Stellenbosch South Africa..... once the world opens up again! Who's coming with me??

Saluti!!

Xoxo -Lisa

Chenin Blanc, My New Obsession

Tue, 29 Mar 2022 16:56:00 -0500

2018 Chenin Blanc "Petit" by Ken Forrester Winery, Stellenbosch, South Africa (My new favorite "everyday" white wine)

Welcome to Stellenbosch South Africa

Here are some captivating scenes you will experience on the main wine route in Stellenbosch South Africa.

The area is named for the town that was settled in the mid 1670s with the establishment of the Dutch East India Company. The French Huguenots soon came to the region and planted vineyards.

The Byerskloof Wine Estate, Stellenbosch, South Africa (pictured above)

Saluti!!

Xoxo -Lisa

Beaujolais: The Festive Cousin of Pinot Noir

Wed, 23 Mar 2022 17:00:00 -0500

Gamay..... sounds like something you would shout as you win a round of some game.... but it's actually a grape varietal, and sometimes a great one at that. Gamay was originally planted just outside of the Burgundy region of France in a region called Beaujolais. The grape itself is thin skinned, light in tannins, and light on the palate like a Pinot noir. Genetically speaking, it is actually a cousin of the Pinot noir. Like most AOC labeled wines in France, it is not labeled by grape variety, but it is labeled by location.

......you can tell a Gamay bottle anywhere......

Sometimes you will see it labeled as Beaujolais Village, cru Beaujolais, or even Beaujolais Nouveau. They all mean something different. Beaujolais just means it was grown and developed in the region of Beaujolais, France. It is a small area just south of Burgundy that makes wine with Gamay grapes, as opposed to the Pinot noir and Chardonnay grapes of Burgundy.

Beaujolais Nouveau (meaning "new") is pretty awesome.... per French AOC guidelines, after the September harvest, the Nouveau is mandated to be released on the third Thursday of every November at 12:01 am, just weeks after it's been harvested. It is known as Beaujolais Nouveau Day. It became popular in the 1970s..... a great decade..... as I was born in 1976. :) The parties and wine exhibitions that happen at this time in France are incredible!!!!

Beaujolais is described as a light red wine made with Gamay noir grapes. It is often low in tannins, high in acidity, with flavors of raspberry, tart cherry, cranberry, violet, and sometime notes of mushroom, forest floor, or baker's yeast.

Because it's high in acidity, the Beaujolais pairs well with a creamy risotto, mushroom dishes, and roasted white meats like chicken, turkey, and pork.

Beaujolais AOC is typically a festive wine from the southern aspect of the Beaujolais region. generally in the $12-$18/bottle range.

Beaujolais Village (without the designation of "Nouveau") typically is from the northern part of the Beaujolais region. They are more expressive and complex. They can range from $16-$25/bottle.

Beaujolais Crus are considered exceptional wines that come from one of the 10 most distinctive regions in the northern section of Beaujolais. They are worthy of short-term aging and can be in the $20-$40 price range. There are some vintages that can be found in the $100 range, such as a Foillard.

And yes..... white Beaujolais also exists... remember it's where the grapes are grown, not always what is grown. Mostly it is a Gamay noir grape in this region, but some Chardonnay grapes are used to make a Beaujolais "blanc".

I have to admit, I wasn't a super fan of these wines because I was comparing them to the almighty Pinot noir from Burgundy. But, I found the mother of all Beaujolais, which is one of the highest rated Beaujolais crus, called a Moulin-A-Vent. Full-bodied, complex, and unbelievably balanced..... here are the wines I tasted for this blog.....

Domaine Sérol Côte Roannaise L'Incorruptible 2019 ($17-$22/bottle)

This wine was given to me by a good friend. This wine is wow! So delicious. Aromas of cherry and cranberry. It was so smooth, lightly tannic, and beautifully balanced. I'm loving the Loire valley wines lately.

Louis Jadot Beaujolais 2019, Beaujolais, France ($12/bottle)

88-points on the critic scale

Light, delicious, easy to drink, and inexpensive. Fresh and fruit-driven with aromas and tastes of strawberry, raspberry, and a hint of Maraschino cherry, there’s also a peppery note. It's crisp, but has a very balanced acidity. Great wine!

Louis Jadot Beaujolais 2018, Beaujolais, France ($22/bottle)

87-points on the critic scale

In general, the wines of Beaujolais this particular year were rich, spicy and concentrated with great texture and a fresh acidity and fruit character that was still retained. Having settled in the bottle an additional year, compared to the 2019 above, it is much more smooth and delicate. Delicious! Juicy, tart, cranberry forward, medium acidity, and a dark ruby color. It's more tannic than a typical Beaujolais. Violet aromas were noted after an hour of decanting. This is a fantastic wine.

And finally.......

Louis Jadot Chateau des Jacques Moulin-a-Vent Clos des Thorins, Beaujolais, France, 2015 ($35)

This wine was incredible. This is the wine that pulled me into the Beaujolais world. It's actually full-bodied and incredibly balanced. Hints of earthiness, forest floor, mushrooms, cherry, lush chocolate, and plum. It is way too easy to drink and I may have found a new favorite. I like that it's not a typical Beaujolais. It breaks boundaries. If I were a wine, I would be this wine, a rebel of sorts.

I hope you enjoyed our journey through the Beaujolais region of France. It's a country I hope to visit soon.

Saluti!

Xoxo -Lisa

The Working Mom - Blog , Lisa's Wine Wisdom

Happy January with Avaline Wines

Introducing: The Winter Edit

Avaline Wines (Their Descriptions and My Humble Impressions)

Here is the Quick Rundown of Avaline's Current Wine Selection!

All of these wines are available online, but you can also find some of them at stores such as Whole Foods and Total Wine.

We hope you are enjoying the rest of your summer! ~Xoxo Lisa & Adrienne

Do You Have your Thanksgiving Wine Picked out Yet?

Join Lisa as she starts her independent wine-guide venture with the Traveling Vineyard.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape: The Regal from Rhône

Holiday Beverage Traditions from Around the World

Holiday Cheer Around the World

Pinot Noir: The Heartbreak Grape

Happy National Pinot Noir Day!

Châteauneuf-du-Pape: The Regal from Rhône

Chenin Blanc, My New Obsession

Chenin Blanc, My New Obsession

Beaujolais: The Festive Cousin of Pinot Noir

All of these wines are available online, but you can also find
some of them at stores such as Whole Foods and Total Wine.

We hope you are enjoying the rest of your summer!

~Xoxo Lisa & Adrienne

Join Lisa as she starts her independent wine-guide
venture with the Traveling Vineyard.