Posted by Deb Harkness, June 19, 2009 at 11:00 AM
On Fridays, Deb Harkness (Good Wine Under $20) joins us to talk wine. Take it away, Deb!
This weekend, it's officially summer. How do I celebrate the longest day of the year? I drink pink.
I'm not talking about the White Zinfandels of the 70s. I'm talking about serious rosé wine that is dry or barely off-dry, fruity, and has lots of character. What's more, it is refreshing, pairs well with grilled foods (especially grilled tuna or other meaty fish), and is the perfect partner for hot dogs.
You can get some excellent rosés for under $20, too. They're made from all sorts of grapes, and come from all over the world. If you are a rosé skeptic, cast your doubts aside this summer and check out my recommendations for some of the best bottlings available. Whether from Spain, France, the United States, or some other region, rosé wines will surprise and delight you with their winning taste and affordable prices.
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Posted by Deb Harkness, June 5, 2009 at 11:00 AM
On Fridays, Deb Harkness (Good Wine Under $20) joins us to talk wine. Take it away, Deb!
Gewürztraminer is one of those grapes that’s hard to spell. Because of this, it's often overshadowed by wines like Riesling that are so much easier to pronounce.
Despite its tongue-twisting name, it's easy to fall in love with Gewürztraminer because the grape produces wines that are aromatic, spicy, and pair brilliantly with spicy food—especially Asian food. I love Gewürztraminer with Thai cuisine, seafood (especially oysters), and grilled chicken or fish.
If you're interested in trying a Gewürztraminer, remember that the grape is grown all over the world. The wines made from the grape range from fruit-forward treats to more austere, restrained beauties. It flourishes in cool climates, where the grape's naturally high levels of sugar don't rise to undrinkable levels. In spite of the cool temperatures, most Gewürztraminers are still a bit sweet (or "off-dry" as they are technically called), though it is possible to find dryer bottlings.
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