Favorite Things for Father's Day - By The Succulent Wife

The Succulent Wife's Favorite Things by Audrey van Petegem, Contributing Editor

I realize I may be getting ahead of myself worrying about Father's Day (June21), since Mother's Day just past, but I tend to do this when I’m looking to buy a meaningful gift for father of my children. I know that I'm not the only one who thinks “what do you get for the man who does not seem to need anything!” Being married to him for 23 (blissful) years and having his three children makes me think I know him pretty well, but when it comes to buying him something, for any occasion, I still panic!!! He is truly the hardest person to buy for. One thing I do know about him is that he loves great wine. So I was thrilled to discover www.personalwine.com. I loved the idea of personalizing a bottle of wine, just for Father’s Day.Their selection of wines is impressive; from high end to moderately priced. They carry a wide variety of reds, whites, blush and sparkling wine from the US, as well as a selection from Italy, Chile, Spain, Australia and France. I liked that all their wines have great descriptions with suggested meal pairings, so that although I am not a Wine Spectator reader, I know that I’m making an“educated” selection. Someone has done their homework and I get to take advantage of it! Some wines have their points rated with dates of maturity...

Adventures of a Personalized Wine Bottle II w/ Coupon Code!

Spring is held dear by the guys and gals here at Personal Wine simply because we understand the importance. We honor family and friends, in particular the ones we hold dearest, our Mothers and Fathers. Our parents love small gifts, in particular ones that hold meaning, not ties and golf balls. They love things with taste and class, but they want it to come with the message of love and care. Check out our labels this year for Mother's & Father's Day, simply put it is the coolest and most cost effective gift to give this year.

If you are headed to a wedding this year, think about giving a gift of customized wines. We now etch wines as well as label them. For under $15 per bottle, we can deliver a nice bottle, custom labeled with your greeting, sure to be enjoyed by the bride and groom. For a few bucks more, we'll etch those bottles.

GET FREE SHIPPING ON ORDERS OVER $500 using coupon code XWXNGJ. Call us for bulk deals and don't forget we have mini bottles as well for give-aways!

Adventures of a Personalized Wine Bottle Part I

As Personal Wine approaches its 10 year anniversary, I invite my customers to share what memories were created with their custom label wine.  Here are two stories that stand out in my mind.  

First, a CEO of a Texas based company was approaching a big milestone, over 50 years in business.  Even after the company morphed into a large multi-franchise environment with hundreds of employees and assistants, he personally ordered a 50th anniversary company gift.  It was a two bottle custom label wine set with the Delicato line that was beautifully packaged in a custom etched wood box.  When he came to pick up his personalized wine, I saw pride in his accomplishments and excitement about his order. Personal Wine enjoys helping others celebrate joyous occasions.  

Second, I spoke to a wonderful lady who vacationed with her husband in Florida every summer.  A few years ago, a hurricane destroyed her home.  Luckily, two of her prized possessions were salvaged.  One is a bottle of 1982 Chateau Margaux, which is considered to be one of the most collectable years of the 1980's. The other is a bottle of personalized wine bottle that we created to commemorate her 60th wedding anniversary.  

This is why I love my job.  Personal Wine helps people celebrate memorable events. Thank you for allowing us to be a part of your special day.  

Pretty and Pink from the Penedes

The Penedes wine region in the Spanish province of Catalonia is that nation's epicenter of art, literature, philosophy, gastronomy and culture.  More importantly, for wine drinkers, it's where Spain's famed cavas are made.  Cavas, named for the caves within which they are aged. 

I recommend the Marques de Monistrol MPX Brut Rose' Cava.  While this pink sparkler is certainly not expensive, it is a shining example of the overall wine value potential available from Spain.  Pink and pretty from the Penedes, the MPX Rose' Cava has a soft, creamy style with a well-integrated mousse.  This Cava is crisp and elegant on the palate with intense red berry fruit flavors.  While the fruit is there, this is no sweet affair. Minimal residual sugar on the back of the palate shows a restrained "dosage", or extra sweetness added to the sparkling wine with a bright cherry note woven into the fabric here.  

On sale through Winter for $11.99 and free shipping on a case at Wines.com!

Luxe Riesling

We've been huge fans of crisp 21st century rieslings here at Wines.com since they started pouring into the states at the dawn of the new century. Today's wine du jour hails from the Moselle River Valley in the sleepy state of Luxembourg. We've come across a nice parcel of the Clos Rochers Mussbaum Vineyards Grand Premier Cru 2005 Riesling, & we've even put it on sale!  This is no sweet apple-bomb. This gem is an atypical riesling with ample mineralized lemon zest, even zingy lemongrass. As a food pairing, Spicy Grilled Snapper comes to mind.  NOT sweet, just bracing and refreshing.  Food-friendly, crisp, mineral-focused, unlike any riesling you've ever tasted.  This rare and unique wine is available for a limited time here at Wines.com.

Russian River Valley Chardonnay

Located at the foot of Sonoma County, the Russian River Valley has become the source of some of California's finest chardonnay. While the chardonnays coming from Monterey County and the Central Coast seem to be tasting more on the tropical side, the Russian River Valley wines tend to exhibit more traditional fall and stone fruit flavors. The over-riding theme here is lean, Burgundian restraint.  This is in part a result of the blanketing, cooling fog drawn inland from the Pacific.  

Two really stunning Russian River Valley chardonnays that we have recently aquired here at Wines.com from Rutz Cellars.  The 2004 Maison Grand Cru is fat and rich, showing honeyed vanilla notes. This wine went through complete malolactic fermentation and over six months maturation resting on lees.  For the layperson, the ultimate effect of all of this is a big, lovely, lush chardonnay.  Toasty oak notes weave through the spicy pear, honey, apricot & nectarine flavors. This full-bodied wine is nonetheless perfect with elegant poultry dishes, say, roast turkey.  On sale at Wines.com for $15 per bottle (typically $30).

The 2005 Bacigalupi Vineyard Chardonnay comes from Wente clone vines planted in the fog belt of the RRV.  These low-yielding vines produce fruit of great intensity and focused minerality.  The fresh, crisp acidity of this wine surrounds a midpalate rich with vanilla and peach.  The understated oak component serves as a delightful, enhancing counterpoint to its natural, refreshing, lengthy finish.  This vintage truly is one of California's best efforts.  On sale for $29 per bottle at Wines.com (usualy priced $60-$70).

Parducci Organic Winery

Nestled amongst the rolling hills of Mendocino County you'll find a true family success story, in the form of the Parducci Winery. Located in Ukiah, Parducci has certainly seen its ups and downs.  But it's certainly riding the crest of a big "up" right now.  My friend Tim Thornhill, a partner in the current operation, was determined to "reunite our extended family on several hundred acres of land where we could grow something".  That was 2002. 

In a few short years the family turned around a winery that needed turning around, and today the Mendocino Wine Group, based at Parducci, produces nearly a quarter of a million cases of wine. Parducci purchases grapes from local family farms, who pride themselves on protecting the environment through certified farming practices; exercizing carbon neutrality (America's first) and extensively utilizing solar power, renewable energy, placing emphasis on re-use and recycling, using earth-friendly packaging- these are but a few of the reasons why Parducci was chosen by the team here at Wines.com to lead off our National Wildlife Federation Organic Wine Club.  Plus, we love their wines & think that they are a steal at their modest price-points.  

The Pinot Noir offers distinct Mendocino spicy mintiness, with ripe berry and chocolate undertones. The refreshing Sauvignon Blanc provides aromas of lemon and tropical fruits with zesty citrus and melon flavors. Bright flavors of juicy pear and ripe apple define their Chardonnay, wrapped lightly by a creamy oak accent.  

Tim views Mendocino County as a great, undiscovered land where history, agriculture, fresh air, natural beauty and warm-spirited people create a comfortable lifestyle. "I see Parducci as a way for our family to work together to benefit the community while improving things environmentally".  Having recently been the guests of the winery, seeing and tasting the fruits of their efforts, I wholeheartedly agree.  We here at Wines.com support their efforts, and invite you to do so by subscribing to Wines.com's National Wildlfe Federation Organic Wine Club, with some of the proceeds from each subscription going to support the NWF.

Hawk Crest Cabernet Sauvignon

We here at Wines.com are always seeking ways to please our customers, and well chosen second labels often prove to be successful. The Stag's Leap Wine Cellars second label, Hawk Crest, is a great case in point. We've come across a nice quantity of Hawk Crest 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon, and it's yours for a sweet, crazy-low price. This wine hails from Cali's Red Hills AVA(pictured) adjacent to Napa Valley and is made by the great winemaking team at Stag's Leap Wine Cellars. This 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon has moderate grip and approachable tannic structure, featuring red cherry, currants and smoky blackberry notes on the fruit palate. This is a "house wine" and then some. Whenever we find a deal as good as this, we're happy. No second guessing this second label vino. It's just an unbelievable deal for unbelievable times. How unbelievable, you second-guessers ask? This wine can be found variably 'round the web in the high teens, and it's well-priced there.  The Hawk Crest 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon is on sale for  $109/case(+ tax) and free shipping at Wines.com. 

The Power of Diversity

There are few wineries that consistently produce a wide variety of great wines at great prices year in and year out.  One of our perennial favorites is the Peter Lehmann Winery.  Making wonderful wines in Australia's Barossa Valley, few wineries can offer as many acclaimed wines at such reasonable prices. Given my affinity for red blends, it's no surprise that I've been a huge fan of Lehmann's Clancy's for many years. A bold, robust mix of cabernet sauvignon, shiraz and merlot, Clancy's really over-delivers at it's modest price-point. With the 2004 vintage scoring 90 Wine Spectator points, and the 2005 coming in a great vintage year in Australia, this is a wine not to miss. Lehmann's '05 Shiraz garnered a 91 pt. WS score, and the shiraz component of the '05 Clancy's is clearly the headliner of this star-studded show. A variety of dark fruits is proffered, with black cherry and plum predominating. The spice palate is shot through with everything from allspice to white pepper. Aussies are well-known for blending the distinctly diverse flavors of cab and shiraz, and Lehmann does so to great effect. The merlot component softens the package, providing finesse with it's rounding qualities. It is on sale at Wines.com for $13.99/bottle (typically $20) with free shipping on a case.  Call 800-690-WINE and mention the "Diversity Special".

Al Lageder Rocks

Had the great pleasure of meeting one of my "Wine Heroes" last week. Not just meeting Alois Lageder, famed Italian winemaker, but participating in a mentored tasting of a number of his single-vineyard biodynamically produced wines from Alto Adige. He makes over 20 different wines in the highlands of the Dolomites. He carefully chooses which grape will be planted at which particular site, reaching such decisions by considering the whole terroir, the complex and total array of all of the natural factors that determine the uniqueness of any given locale. He has been at the forefront of biodynamic agriculture for many years, with the long-term goal being to strengthen the vineyards' biological equilibrium. By increasing the vitality of the vines, their resistance to parasites and disease is enhanced. Allowing full ripening of the grapes, and utilizing gentle vinification processes (such as relying upon gravity vs. the use of pumps), Lageder is able to produce wines of singular typicity. These elegant wines truly taste of their origin. Two of my favorites from the tasting were the 2007 "Benefizium Porer" Pinot Grigio & the 2007 "Haberle"Pinot Bianco. The PG was a shining example of the often-flat varietal. Super-clean, stunning minerality, just enough acidity and some creaminess for balance. Just a hint of lime for the minimal fruit component. The Pinot Bianco, on the other hand, could not have packed more fruit onto the palate. This dry, fresh, vibrant fruit-bomb washed starfruit, green melon, grapefruit, and tart green apple over my beaming tastebuds. Chockfull of fruit flavors and fully supported by crisp minerality. This is the best Pinot Bianco I've ever tasted. This man is a genius, and I hope that he is able to create wines this good for many years to come. While the PG would be great with anything with flippers from the sea, the PB is a super "stand-alone" wine, simply calling for the good times to roll. We are very proud to be able to offer Alois Lageder's wines here at Wines.com, and we wish he and his family continued Great Success.  

Cheers, Buckley Wineholt