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A Tale of Two Valleys: Comparing Old World & New World for Cabernet Franc Day

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Disclosure Statement: This post contains affiliate links. When you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, I receive a commission at no additional cost to you. All opinions are my own.

Hip hip hooray, it’s Cabernet Franc Day! If you haven’t climbed aboard the Cab Francophile train yet, it’s time to do so. Especially YOU, you Cabernet Sauvignon drinkers who want a red wine that pairs with more than just steak! Prepare to have your mind blown, world rocked, and palate converted. 🙂

Not too long ago, my kids and I listened to an abridged version of one of my favorite novels, A Tale of Two Cities. I understand they were trying to make it shorter to introduce it to kids, but oh, the misery of listening to a butchered-up book. It takes away SO MUCH. I couldn’t take it, and my kids didn’t really take to it, either.

In my imagination, when comparing an Old World and a New World wine, I get into this two-part, back and forth, sing-song contrasting that reminds me of the beginning of the book: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times….”

Except in this case, the wines under scrutiny are more like vastly different and yet subtly similar siblings. It was the Loire Valley, it was the Yakima Valley….

Grapevine at Elks Temple

I couldn’t find pics of the wine labels on my computer (getting over a cold), so here is a pic I took of a grapevine painting adorning the walls of McMenamin’s Elks Temple Hotel in Forest Grove, OR. 🙂

I’ve got two very different and distinct Cabernet Francs I’d love for you to try – open and taste side by side, if you can. The first is Old World and hails from France’s Loire Valley. It’s essentially the signature red wine grape of the region, standing out amidst the whitewashed sea of Sauvignon Blanc and Chenin Blanc. It is not to be missed!

The second is New World from Washington State’s Yakima Valley, which was the state’s very first AVA. While still being a Cabernet Franc, it’s like the wild party animal sister compared to its stately and brooding elder sibling. Either way, neither of these wines is a slacker and delivers a full Cabernet Franc experience.

The first one to try is Le Pre Vaujour Chinon. Chinon is the region of the Loire Valley known for growing Cabernet Franc. The color is paler than Cabernet Sauvignon, and in case you didn’t already know, Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc are the parent grapes of Cabernet Sauvignon. Voilà ici.

Le Pre Vaujour Chinon Cabernet Franc

  • Black currant, licorice, raspberry, smoke, tea leaves, leafiness, earthy, mushroomy
  • Slightly grippy tannins
  • Medium to full body, dry
  • Moderate length/finish
  • 13% ABV
  • $22.99/bottle
  • Make sure you give this wine plenty of time to open up. I remember especially enjoying it on the second or third day of it being open. It kept revealing multiple rich flavors. The licorice notes make it very compelling and unique.

Next, please set your sights on this dazzling New World Cabernet Franc. Mazzacano Cellars is a secondary label produced by the same winemakers behind WIT Cellars (tastings rooms in Prosser and Woodinville, Washington). I was poured this wine whilst living out my fantasy (wine tasting by myself in Woodinville for the day) and even though it was not on the tasting flight, it was the wine I went home with that day. The 2019 vintage won GOLD at the Bellingham Northwest Wine Festival.

Mazzacano Cellars 2018 Cabernet Franc Olsen Vineyards Yakima Valley

  • 14.5% ABV
  • $49/bottle
  • Cabernet Franc sourced from one of my top favorite vineyards EVER in Washington State (see also Dineen Vineyards) ❤
  • Color is deep garnet/ruby
  • On the nose: cherry, tobacco, currant, and that bell pepper note to let you know it’s Cab Franc
  • Full body, luxurious mouthfeel, it’s like opening up a gift basket in your mouth: chock full of cherry, chocolate, and spice
  • Velvety tannins
  • Reverberating finish that just keeps going and going
  • Acidity is just the right amount I like in a wine
  • This is a voluptuous “Jessica Rabbit” Cabernet Franc that oozes richness and fullness.
  • From start to finish, this wine is pure love. I could drink this all day. But I won’t. 😊 Oh, so good! Must try some of their other Mazzacano wines.

So there you have it. Pick your poison – rustic, glamorous Old World or fervent, passionate New World. Each is wonderful.

What are you opening up this Cabernet Franc Day? Any favorites? Comment!

Cheers!

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A French Connection for International Chardonnay Day

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Disclosure Statement: This post contains affiliate links. When you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, I receive a commission at no additional cost to you. All opinions are my own.

Today is a double whammy: May 25th is International Chardonnay Day, as well as National Wine Day for the USA. I must be insane or a glutton for punishment for posting twice today, but oh well. You have your wine reading cut out for you for a while! 🙂

For National Wine Day, I am saving a little bit of time by utilizing an expert on Virginia wine, Matt Fitzsimmons. I took this as an excuse to learn about wine in a different part of my country. Matt has his own blog over at Wine Trails and Wanderlust, and he is graciously letting me reblog his post on Virginia wines for this holiday. His excellent post covers all you need to know and then some about Virginia wine (don’t worry, it’s not too long, I made it sound like it might be lengthy). Do check it out! You will learn a lot and get bit by the wine travel bug (I know I did!).

So for International Chardonnay Day, then, I thought I would turn to La Belle France, birthplace of the esteemed Chardonnay grape. For Americans who are not experts or at least moderately familiar with them, European wines can often be mysterious and perplexing. But with a few recommendations to point you in the right direction, you can be well on your way to enjoying some truly lovely wines from Europe. I love my local and American wines, but branching out to other continents is great fun. Don’t let it scare you, and don’t be a vino xenophobe! 🙂

The French region of Burgundy is world-renowned for its Pinot Noir red wine and Chardonnay white wine. This particular Chardonnay I selected is from the Chablis appellation in Burgundy.

Domaine Chenevieres Chablis

The perfect place to begin exploring fine French Chardonnay… Chablis

2019 Domaine Chenevieres Chablis

  • Appellation d’Origine Controlee
  • Currently $27/bottle at Total Wine
  • 12.5% ABV
  • Medium body
  • Elegant, crisp and refreshing, good minerality (this is not a rich, buttery, oaky California or Australia Chardonnay with tropical fruit flavors)
  • Delicate balanced fruit profile – pear, apple, mandarin, apricot, floral – if white wines like Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Gris make you pucker with their tart citrus flavors, you might be more receptive to gentler, rounder Chardonnay

Here’s how and where this wine was made:

“Domaine Chenevieres is located in ‘La Chapelle Vaupelteigne,’ a hamlet located in the northern side of the Chablis appellation in Burgundy. 100% Chardonnay vines grown on a plateau with kimmeridgian limestone soils. Fermentation with indigenous yeasts in stainless-steel vats to preserve the minerality and purity of the fruit.”

According to Wine Enthusiast, limestone soils are naturally alkaline with high pH levels. Limestone is essentially calcified sediment from shells, coral, and other seabed debris. Because of this unique chemical composition, limestone soil is reputed to increase minerality and acidity in the grapes that grow in it, although many scientists claim the evidence is lacking. I say the proof is in the pudding, and if you try this Chardonnay you can’t miss the definite mineral character of the wine and the unique influence the soil sure seems to have on the grapes. Yet the debate rages on….

I really liked this Chardonnay, and would gladly buy it again, either when I’m in the mood for such a wine or looking for a really nice white wine to go with seafood. The price wasn’t so out of the park that you felt like you’d been socked in the gut. This is a great white wine to keep in your back pocket (so to speak) for bringing to dinner parties or any event where there will be white wine/Chardonnay drinkers.

Total Wine also sells several other Chablis from Domaine Chenevieres, from different vineyards and classifications. I believe the higher prices reflect higher quality or more prestigious vineyards. I was perfectly satisfied with the $27 introductory bottle, but you do you.

Salut to Chardonnay, and Vive La France! ❤

Happy International Chardonnay Day! Do you have a favorite? Comment below!

Nat Geo Wines of the World

Fight Inflation: A Tempranillo for Under $10 + Free Wine Tastings

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Talma Tempranillo Scores Big For a Few Bucks

I think it’s safe to say that everyone has now felt/is still very much feeling the effects of inflation and has modified their spending and consumption to reflect what they can realistically do with their limited dollars. We are definitely opting for more vegetarian dinners such as beans and rice, or eggs and toast (and no, we haven’t had a problem finding eggs, thank goodness). Eating one less meal out or using a cheaper source of protein (did someone say tofu?) all adds up and helps our poor wallets not be quite so emaciated.

Inflation doesn’t just affect our food choices, it affects our entertainment funds and even what type and how much alcohol we can buy.

And, I don’t know if any of you wine tasters have noticed lately, but some wineries and tasting rooms are charging exorbitant amounts to taste these days (I paid $30 for a tasting at one place in Oregon last year), and it doesn’t always even go towards a bottle purchase. 😦 I understand they are trying to make a profit, but, yikes and ouch!

Oddly enough, for a wine aficionada, I don’t actually drink a HUGE amount of wine, so when it comes to spending money on wine, I would often prefer to spend more on a few higher quality bottles than on a glut of vino cheapo. But that’s not at all to say I am resistant to a really good price for a good bottle of wine!

So if you’re wondering if there are any places left offering FREE tastings, let me give you some great news: yes, yes, there are! (*Hallelujah Chorus*). Your local Total Wine & More store offers FREE tastings on certain days of the week! OK, perhaps not everyone’s store does, but for those of you who live near one and are hankering to try some good wines (as well as spirits!), head on down.

For other ideas on where to taste for free in the PNW, see my page Places to Taste.

I tried this Talma Tempranillo at a Total Wine free tasting one Friday afternoon, and even

I love this label! Talma Tempranillo from Spain.

in the tiny plastic sample cup, it was aromatic and awesome and begged me to take it home. 🙂

Here is the scoop on this fun find that overdelivers for the price:

  • $8.99 at Total Wine
  • 100% Tempranillo from Spain
  • Medium ruby color, semi-opaque
  • 13% ABV, medium body
  • Moderate acidity, mostly dry
  • Medium tannins
  • Aromas/Flavors: upon first opening, I got cranberry, currant, bay leaf, pepper. Upon further swirling/decanting: black cherry, raspberry, blackberry, herbs, Bandaid (this aroma is attributable to Brettanomyces yeast), orange, earth, leather, almost a floral aroma, cedar
  • A fresher, juicier style of Tempranillo, this is a fairly young wine that hasn’t seen a long time aging or excessive amounts of oak.
  • Finish/Conclusion: intriguing cola flavors on the finish. The finish is rather short-lived but that doesn’t detract from the otherwise positive traits of the wine, like the nose, good balance of acid/alcohol/sweetness, and overall great flavor and smoothness.

I hope you enjoy this Tempranillo as much as I did, and that you’re able to find a free wine tasting near you soon!

Has inflation changed how much alcohol you consume or the price point of the alcohol you buy? Comment if you like.