Regine Rousseau

A few weekends ago, I took my two best friends on a “Wine in the City” tasting tour. Danita and Natalyn (my wine prentices) are always eager to share a new wine discovery. Danita recently feel in love with South African Pinotage. This latest craze sent her palate into a frenzy to explore more varietals. The best and cheapest way to sample wines are at the free weekly tasting offered by most wine shops. There are so many of these gratis tastings, usually on Saturday and Sunday afternoons between 12-4 PM.
On average a wine store will have between 3-6 bottles to taste. The better wine stores will have a representative from the distributor or a knowledgeable staff person pouring the wines. Their presence is an added bonus, not only do you get to taste, but these wine experts can answer your question about the producer, region, or just help you choose a bottle.
We visited 6 wine shops. Our 2 favorites are listed below. We choose these 2 because they; offered a variety of wines to sample, had a knowledgeable staff, and excellent customer service.
1. Just Grapes- 560 W Washington Blvd (312) 627-9463 http://www.justgrapes.net/
2. Poison Cup, Wine & Art Boutique 1128 W Armitage (773) 935-1325 http://www.poisoncup.com/

While on our Wine in the City Tour, we discovered the 2006 Babcock Syrah, Under the Radar at Just Grapes ($13.49). We highly recommend it buying a few bottles!

Regine Rousseau

When we think of summer wines, a crisp white wine usually comes to mind. Wine lovers who have not developed a palate for white wines can get frustrated when it comes to choosing an appropriate red to pair with the summer heat. As I promised, here is a list of ten reds (in no particular order) you will enjoy this summer. Try these wines with a slight chill.

Argyle Willamette Valley Pinot Nior, Oregon ($28) - A classic Oregonian, this wine has raspberries on the nose. An explosion of cherries on the palate balanced with earthiness and spice.

Seven Sisters Pinotage/Shiraz, South Africa ($14)- Medium bodied with a hint of spice and ripe plum.

Canneto Rosso di Montepulciano, Italy ($15) - Vibrant and balanced with ripe fruits and soil.

Monte Antico Rosso , Italy ($10) full bodied surprises with flowers on the nose. Fine tannins with deep berries and black cherries.

Cortijo Tinto, Spain ($10) - 80% Tempranillo 20% Garnacha grapes. Earthy with black raspberry and cherry flavors.

Seghesio Sonoma Zinfandel ($16) - This bold full bodied red will hold up to anything on the grill; from meat to mushroom. Ripe tannins, black pepper and smoky makes it a great compliment to barbeques sauce.

Sagelands Merlot ($13) - I love wines from Washington State, and this is one of the best bargains in wines. Fruit forward and will balance any spicy summer foods.

Louis Jadot Beaujolais Village ($7) - Made from the Gamay grape this is summers perfect match. This wine has crisp acidity and minimal tannins.

Domaine Raspail –Ay – Gingondas ($15) – Sexy full bodied with black currant and cigar. Feels like velvet in your mouth. I love this wine!

Benmarco Malbec, Mendoza Argentina ($18) – Medium bodied cinnamon smoke and cherry flavors.

While writing this column, I enjoyed Domaine Raspail –Ay – Gingondas ($15). Yum! Highly recommended. Send me an email at

reginerousseau@yahoo.com, and let me know what you think these recommendations.

Regiene Rousseau

I’ve received a few requests from readers asking for a list of white wines to try this summer. I’ve also received some request for a list of red wines appropriate for this warm weather. Hum… Not an easy task¸ but I was up to the challenge. Drum Roll Please… So here is a list of white wines to try before the summer is over. The list of reds is coming soon!

Te Kairanga, Martinborough New Zeland

Sanford Chardonnay, Santa Barbara, California

Domaine de la Terre Rouge, Vin Gris

Dopff & Irion Pinot Blanc, Alsace, France

Easton, “Natoma” (Sauvignon Blanc/ Semillion)

Mathewa, Yakima Valley White (Semillion/ Sauvignon Blanc)

Delas Freres, Cotes du Rhone Blanc, Rhone Valley, France

Gunderloch “Jean Baptise’ Riesling Kabinet, Germany

This column is dedicated to Wendy who has been asking for this list for over a month!

While writing this column, I enjoyed King Estate Pinot Gris ($14.99). This wine is soft, with perfect balance of sweetness and acidity. There are exotic flavors of star fruit, kiwi and orange blossoms, a real summer treat!

Ah, the first signs of spring: sunshine, flowers blooming, and a sudden craving for a crisp white wine. I usually welcome the change of season with a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. This year, however, I went back to an old favorite, the Riesling.

Riesling is a white grape variety originating from the Rhine and Mosel river valleys of Germany. There is a misconception that all Rieslings are sweet, light and cheap wines. Actually, they can be dry to sweet, light to full in body and can be as pricey as a California Cabernet. Rieslings are categorized based on their level of dryness and the grapes level of ripeness at the time of harvest. If you are looking for a drier style Riesling, look for trocken (meaning dry) or halbtrocken (half dry) on the label.

Rieslings are regarded as one of the world’s greatest white wines along with Chardonnays and Sauvignon Blancs. They are known as great food wines because of their ability to pair well with a variety of foods; from spicy Indian to Easter ham. At its best, a Riesling will reflect the territory or the character of its place of origins. There are magnificent Rieslings from Alscase (France), Australia, and even here in the US, my favorites however are German Riesling.

On the recommendation of a salesperson at Binny’s Beverage Depot I bought a bottle of 2008 St Urbans Hof Riesling from the Mosel-Saar-Ruwer to celebrate the arrival of spring. Fellow wine lovers, this wine is a must have experience. My mouth was overjoyed in this pool of Riesling lusciousness. YUM! There is ripe pears and apples on the nose; a tease of honey, melons and tartness on the palate, with a mineral like finish. This wine has high levels of acidity which makes it refreshing and removes the sugary-sweetness that exists in other sweet Rieslings.

While writing this column, I enjoyed a glass (ok 2 glasses) of 2008 - St Urbans Hof Riesling Mosel-Saar-Ruwer about $13.99.

Regine Rousseau

They say, “You’ll find the one when you’re not looking. It will happen, be patient,” we desperate seekers are advised. I hear them, but I keep an eye open hoping that one day is today. My good friends attempt to help, introducing me to one after another after another… but I’m so picky.

Sales person: “What wines do you like?”

Me: “All of them.” What a strange question, I thought.

Sales person: “What are you in the mood for?”

Me: “Somethin’ good!” I Smile.

Sales person: “Red or white?”

Sales person: Rose?

Me: “Ok. Maybe? Just good.”

Sales person: Frozen roll of the eye that screamed, if there wasn’t a recession, I’d kick you out!