Winesday

Peter - Ah, bubbles. Effervescent refreshment just in time for summer. This glass of bubbly is well balanced - not too sweet or too dry. Would make for a delicious kir royale. While I know that sparkling wines are more versatile than we realize, I am partial to a glass at either the beginning or the end of a meal. For the alpha, a trip to Boucherie for their long, thin french fries drizzled with garlic butter and sprinkled with parmesan. For the omega, the strawberry shortcake from Commander's Palace.

Rene: This wine is pale golden in color in the glass. On the tongue, it is creamy with a touch of honeyed sweetness and a sharp streak of acidity. Maybe a little bit of peach flavor, but nothing overt. The sweetness and bubbles make it perfect for something spicy and salty. Wine with bubbles happens to be my favorite wine to drink with food. Why? Because you can pair it  with food just as you would a cold beer. For that, the Kon Po chicken from Jung's Golden Dragon, studded with those raisined hot peppers or maybe the hot beef soup from Korea House would do. Then again the red beans and rice with hot sausage and a side of fried chicken from Dooky Chase's would be perfect with this wine.

Joe the Wine Guy: Glad to see yall enjoy the finer things in life like this 2009 Stellina di Notte Prosecco. This affordable sparkling wine opens with delicate aromas of citrus, pear, melon, lemon and almonds. Those flavors are catapulted on the palate by the elegant bubbles. The wine's body is light, with a lovely balance between crisp acidity and a hint of sweetness and minerals.  This wine retails for $15 and you can find it at Dorignac's, Oak, and Ste. Marie.

Winesday

Rene: Bright, fresh wine which tastes like biting into a melon with a little bit of citrus as well. This wine could go with a lot of dishes, but ceviche from a place like Rio Mar, a Soft Shell Crab Po Boy from The Galley, or the Shredded Pork Szechuan Style from Jung's Golden Dragon would all be contenders. 

 

Peter: Not my favorite wine, but I'm sure it has its place. Pretty dry. Not much fizz or effervescence on the tongue. Thinking a dish with lots of spice to compliment. Panang Curry with duck from Sukho Thai or maybe deep fat fried hogshead cheese from Cochon.

Joe the Wine Guy: 2009 San Telmo Torrontes from the Mendoza appellation in Argentina. This wine begins with delightful floral and orange peel notes which gives way to crisp orange, grapefruit and tropical fruit flavors and just a touch of jasmine. Pair this wine with lighter fare like smoked trout appetizers, seafood salads, and grilled white fish or chicken breasts. You can find this wine at Byblos, Tomasitos, and Dorignac's, where it retails for $10.