Top Ten Washington Wines Under $15

In today's economy, conservatively priced wines are a must for most households. But just because you have to give a little on price, doesn't mean you have to budge an inch on quality. Certain regions around the globe produce stunning wines that double your pleasure and double your fun without doubling your cost.

One of those places is Washington state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. Year after year Washington puts out spectacular juice, much of which retails for less than $20. Add that to the 400% growth in the number of Washington wineries over the last decade and you have a recipe for the Top Ten Washington Wines Under $15.

1. Pacific Rim - Riesling - Columbia Valley, Washington 2009 - $11
There's a soft spot in my heart for this week's number one. Pacific Rim winery was founded in 1992 by wacky winemaker Randall Grahm of the famed Bonny Doon Vineyards in California. In 2011 Grahm sold Pacific Rim to the Mariani family, proprietors of Italian wine giant Banfi.

Last week I recorded an interview podcast with Nicolas Quille, Pacific Rim General Manager and self-proclaimed Riesling Zealot. He assured me that since the sale, things at the winery have been "business as usual" and that the Mariani family was not interested in changing the operation.

Pacific Rim is an eco-friendly producer making more than ten different styles of Riesling. From sparkling and still to dry and sweet, the winery prides themselves in showcasing the versatility of the grape. I'd classify this particular Riesling as off-dry. It displays characteristics of peaches, pears, green apples, and apricots, and makes for a great partner to spicy Asian dishes as well as Mexican cuisine. A steal for $11.

2. DiStefano - Sauvignon Blanc - Columbia Valley, Washington 2009 - $15

Best known for their full-bodied reds made from varietals like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Syrah, DiStefano Winery was founded in the mid 1980's by computer hardware developer Mark Newton and his wife Donna DiStefano. In addition to famous reds, the winery also produces a small amount of award-winning Sauvignon Blanc, proving that size doesn't always matter.

The DiStefano Sauvignon Blanc is a bit fatter than the now-popular, lean New Zealand Sauv Blancs, but it's still clean and refreshing. It displays aromas and flavors of limes, pears, peaches, and nectarines, with a wonderful floral component complimented by a slight herbal factor. This racy white will pair well with seafood, especially deep fried. You haven't truly explored Sauvignon Blanc until you've tried DiStefano Sauv Blanc.

3. Hogue - Gewurztraminer - Columbia Valley, Washington 2009 - $11

Hogue was founded by Mike and Gary Hogue in 1982. It was the state's 19th bonded winery of the now more than 550. In 2001 the estate was sold to Canadian wine group Vincor, owned by United States wine giant Constellation Brands, for a recorded $36.4 million. Today Hogue is one of Washington's largest wineries, producing over half a million cases annually.

The Hogue Gewurztraminer is a spicy little devil, displaying flavors and aromas of lychee nut and pear followed by stone fruit characteristics of apricot and peach. Behind all that fruit, the wine showcases spicy clove-like characteristics. This wine would do well with spicy Asian dishes, especially made from pork or chicken.

4. Castle Rock - Chardonnay - Columbia Valley, Washington 2009 - $10

Castle Rock was founded in 1994 by Greg Popovich, and has quickly grown into a major producer, making more than half a million cases of wine in 2009. Since the winery's inception, the goal has been to produce value-packed wines from site-specific regions. According to their website, "Castle Rock's wines are carefully made from grapes grown in the most prestigious areas of the West Coast states - California (Napa Valley, Sonoma County, Mendocino County, Monterey County, Alexander Valley), Oregon (Willamette Valley), and Washington (Columbia Valley)."

Their Columbia Valley Chardonnay displays characteristics of tropical fruit, citrus fruit, and a hint of tree fruit, while five months in French oak barrels imparted a wonderful vanilla flavor and aroma in the glass. It's ripe and round, but has a surprisingly clean finish. Pair this one with cream sauce pasta dishes and grilled chicken or pork.

5. Charles & Charles - 'Volume II' Rosé - Columbia Valley, Washington 2009 - $11

Charles & Charles is produced by Charles Smith, founder of both K Vintners and The Magnificent Wine Company in Washington, of which a large portion was sold to Precept Wine Brands in 2006. After his success with these wineries, he created the Charles Smith Wines: The Modernist Project line, releasing the first vintage in 2007. This brand showcases the producer's modern, rockstar-like winemaking mentality. Charles Smith wines are balanced, fresh, and flavorful, and made to be consumed young. My favorite Charles Smith quote: “It’s just booze – drink it!”

The 2009 'Volume II' Rosé is made from Syrah, and displays fresh flavors and aromas of raspberries, cherries, strawberries, and pomegranates. It has weight, acidity, structure and balance, making it a great partner to most foods, especially over a summer grill. Look for the Charles & Charles 2010 Rosé release on March 14th.

6. The Magnificent Wine Company - Steak House Red - Columbia Valley, Washington 2007 - $10

Sticking with Charles Smith, but changing brands, here's a wine that embodies the amazing quality you can get for the price in Washington state. As I mentioned, The Magnificent Wine Company was founded by Charles Smith. In 2006 he sold a large portion of the company to Precept Wine Brands, a wine group that represents labels like Canoe Ridge Vineyard and Waterbrook. Today their flagship label is their House Wine line, but they also make a Fish House and Steak House series. All of the wines in the portfolio display amazing depth and quality for the price.

The 2007 Steak House Red is made up of 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, and showcases red fruit characteristics of cherry and red currant along with blackberry flavors and aromas. What I love about this wine is how supple and round it is. As you may have guessed by the name, this wine pairs well with steak, especially when pan seared.

7. Snoqualmie - 'Naked' Merlot - Columbia Valley, Washington 2008 - $12

Snoqualmie was founded in 1984, and is a part of Ste. Michelle Wine Estates portfolio, a wine group that also owns Chateau Ste. Michelle, 14 Hands, Columbia Crest, and several others. The secrets to the winery's success is quality grape selection and winemaker Joy Anderson, who has been with the estate since 1991. The Snoqualmie 'Naked' line is made with certified organic grapes in a certified organic facility.

The 2008 'Naked' Merlot is loaded with dark fruit characteristics of blackcurrant, blackberry, and black cherry. It is full bodied with well-balanced tannins and acidity. For those of you who don't much care for the plummy, over-produced style of Merlot that became popular in the 90's, check out this gem. For only $12 this risqué red is sure to blow your hair back. Plus it's a great wine for roasts or grilled meat.

8. Columbia Crest - 'Two Vines' Vineyard 10 Red - Washington 2008 - $8

Like Snoqualmie, Columbia Crest is owned by the larger Ste. Michelle Wine Estates. In 2009 the 2005 Columbia Crest Columbia Valley Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon earned a 95-point rating from Wine Spectator, solidifying its spot as the number one wine on Spectator's Top 100 list. An amazing feat for a $25 bottle. 'Two Vines' was created to offer customers an entry level Columbia Crest wine. Vineyard 10 overlooks the Columbia River and marks one of the original Columbia Crest estate vineyards.

The 2008 'Two Vines' Vineyard 10 Red is made from a blend of Syrah, Cinsault, Mourvedre, and Viognier. This Rhone-inspired red is full bodied, with dark fruit. It has a nice spice component that adds a little complexity to this otherwise juicy, fruit-forward, easy-drinking quaffer. Try this wine with wild game, especially roasted.

9. Chateau Ste. Michelle - Syrah - Columbia Valley, Washington 2007 - $13

No value-packed Washington wine list would be complete without a selection from Chateau Ste. Michelle (CSM). Like Snoqualmie and Columbia Crest, this wine is owned by Ste. Michelle Wine Estates. It's rumored that Chateau Ste. Michelle and their affiliates make nearly 70% of the total wine produced in Washington state. It's easy to talk negatively about CSM because they're a large producer, but at the end of the day they make some delicious wine for the price, with a wide variety of wines offered in a range of price points.

The 2007 Chateau Ste. Michelle is primarily Syrah with just a dash of Viognier to round out the corners. This process of blending small quantities of Viognier (a white grape) with Syrah (a black grape) originated in the Cote Rotie sub-region of France's Rhone region. This wine displays raspberries and blackberries along with black pepper and nutmeg on both the nose and palate. Its spicy, full bodied profile makes it an obvious pairing for Lamb and other red meat dishes.

10. Boomtown by Dusted Valley - Cabernet Sauvignon - Columbia Valley, Washington 2007 - $15

Dusted Valley was founded in 2003 by Wisconsin natives Corey Braunel and Chad Johnson, and the Boomtown line pays tribute to the booming Washington wine industry. The winery is located in Walla Walla, a sub-region in Washington that is home to more than 100 wineries.

The 2007 Boomtown Cabernet Sauvignon is loaded with dark fruit aromas of blackcurrant and black cherry. It's full bodied, firm, yet balanced, and refined. Complete with a dash of Cabernet Franc and Malbec and a healthy hand of oak, this is what a good quality Cab from the Pacific Northwest should taste like. Try this wine with a big ol' steak, or another glass of Boomtown Cab; it's up to you.

A list like this is getting harder and harder to put together as the state's wine industry continues to grow. In 1999 there were 144 wineries in Washington state, today there are more than 700 producing more than 12 million cases annually. One of the reasons: The Columbia Valley, Washington's premier wine growing area, has a constant climate ideal for growing grapes. The Cascade Mountain range blocks much of the rain from the Pacific creating a hot, desert-like area, and the region only receives 6-8 inches of rainfall annually. If you are looking for value, consistency, and good quality, look no further than Washington wines.

If there's a value-packed Washington wine on your list that you think should've made mine, leave a comment here, find me on Facebook, or shoot me an email. For more information about me, more fun and interesting wine information, and for delicious food and wine pairings, check us out online at Cru Wine Online. Our very own chefs from across the country have created original recipes just for you, and each day we pair them with the perfect wine and a little humor to bring you an entertaining video short.

Sign up today for a 6 Month Membership and receive a FREE wine glass set, a $19.95 value. Life is short, so drink it up. Entertain your senses with Cru Wine Online's monthly membership. At only $7.99/month you can't afford not to!

Salut,

Nicholas Barth

Certified Sommelier

Wine Director

Cru Wine Online

Top Ten Sweet Wines For Your Sweetie

Ah, Valentine's Day. A wonderful Hallmark holiday; the chance to show someone how much you care by the offering of material goods. Personally, I find it's an opportunity to purchase half-priced heart-shaped candy on the 15th. Although I have to say, my sweetie wasn't impressed when I showed up a day late to hand her a half-eaten box of chocolates with a clearance sticker on it. This year I'll remember to take off the price tag. For those of you looking for something a little more daring than chocolates, I've put together a list of the top ten sweet wines for your sweetie, along with a few pairing suggestions.

1. Michele Chiarlo - 'Nivole' Moscato d'Asti - Piedmont, Italy 2009 - $15 (375ml)

When it comes to sweet wine, Moscato is a fan favorite here in the United States. People love the fresh flavors and bubbly sweetness of this wine. The best Moscato's from Italy come from the Moscato d'Asti DOCG (quality Italian wine region) in Piedmont. What I like about Michele Chiarlo's 'Nivole' Moscato d'Asti is that the fruit is fresh, rather than syrupy like you sometimes experience in other sweet bubblies from the region. This refreshing Moscato paired with a heavenly slice of Tiramisu is proof that God wants us to be happy.

2. Rosa Regale by Banfi - Brachetto d'Acqui - Piedmont, Italy 2009 - $24

Brachetto: the grape. Acqui: the region. Love: the word I use to describe this wine paired with chocolate covered strawberries. The Brachetto d'Acqui DOCG is a region of Piedmont not far from Asti. I feel like Vigne Regale by Banfi just waits each year for February 14th. All of their marketing for their delicious sweet, red, frizzante (semi-sparkling) is designed to persuade consumers to pair their Rosa Regale with a romantic evening. If you're looking to fall in love this Valentine's Day, pick up a glass of this wine and smell the fresh berries on the nose. With just one sip you'll realize you didn't really know love until you met Brachetto d'Aqcui.

3. Poet's Leap by Long Shadows Vineyards - Riesling - Columbia Valley, Washington 2009 - $20

This German-influenced Riesling from Washington's Columbia Valley is a perfect balance of fruit, acid, and sugar. Pair this poetic white with an apple dessert, and you'll find yourself finally understanding the word utopia. Long Shadows was founded by former Stimson Lane (Chateau Ste. Michelle) executive Allen Shoup. According to the company's website this wine is "inspired by the greatest wines of Germany and crafted by one of Germany's most highly acclaimed Riesling producers, Armin Diel, proprietor of the renowned Schlossgut Diel." Truly a wonderfully balanced Riesling at a great price.

4. Pacific Rim - Gewurztraminer - Columbia Valley, Washington 2009 - $11

While my heart was literally broken after legendary winemaker Randall Grahm (owner of Bonny Doon Wines) sold Pacific Rim winery to Banfi, this is, never the less, a great little wine for the price. The Pacific Rim Gewurztraminer is loaded with fresh fruit aromas of grapefruit and lychee nut, along with a wonderful floral component. Gewurztraminer is continuing to see sales growth in the US. If you thought this grape was one-dimensional, keep exploring with dryer styles from Alsace, France. Enjoy the Pacific Rim Gewurz with a lychee-topped dessert and a dimly lit room.

5. Inniskillin - Riesling 'Ice Wine' - Niagara Peninsula, Canada 2007 - $75 (375ml)

The Canucks take Ice Wine very serious. With many great Canadian Ice Wines to choose from, usually at a hefty price, it was Inniskillin's pivotal role in the advancement of Canadian wine that made me choose this producer over another. Inniskillin was founded by Don Ziraldo, one of Canada's greatest publicists, and Karl Kaiser, a highly respected oenologist. Hugh Johnson explains in the World Wine Atlas: "Their real break has been the discovery that Ice-Wine comes naturally to them. In 1991 Inniskillin’s Vidal Icewine won a Grand Prix d’Honneur at Vinexpo in Bordeaux. Now almost every winery makes Icewine – the best of astounding luscious freshness.” Pair this golden, sweet treat with some Créme Brulée to experience lust in food and wine form.

6. Castello di Brolio by Barone Ricasoli - Vin Santo del Chianti Classico - Tuscany, Italy 2004 - $52 (375ml)

Vin Santo is a red or white passito wine that may be sweet, semisweet, or dry. This particular treat by Baron Ricasoli is sweet, and makes for a great pairing to any nutty dessert. Or, for a little less sugar, try it with an almond biscotti. Barone Ricasoli explains, "According to Family Business, the leading American magazine that deals with the world classification of family businesses, Barone Ricasoli is the fourth longest-lived company in the world and the second in the wine sector.Barone Ricasoli is therefore the oldest winery in Italy." Whatever the case, they make a delicious Vin Santo for you and your special someone to enjoy on heart day.

7. M. Chapoutier - Banyuls - Languedoc-Roussillion, France 2007 - $27 (5ooml)

When I think poached pears, I think Banyuls. Banyuls AOC (quality French wine region) is the most southerly appellation in France. It is located in the Languedoc-Roussillon region, which produces fortified sweet wines, locally called Vin Doux Natural. While Vin Doux Natural translates to "Naturally Sweet," it is truly anything but. These wines are produced in a fashion that resembles port - a spirit is added to arrest fermentation. What you are left with is a sweet, high-alcohol wine. M. Chapoutier uses eco-friendly winemaking techniques and produces a killer Banyuls for the price. You, a bottle of Banyuls, a poached pear dessert, and Barry White. Oh yeah, and your significant other...better get two bottles.

8. Blandy's - 5-Year-Old Alvada - Madeira, Portugal NV - $15 (500ml)

When most people think pecan pie, they think Thanksgiving. I think Blandy's Alvada Madeira. This wine, as it's name implies, comes from the Portuguese island of Madeira. What makes it so special is the way in which it's produced. The wine is deliberately heated to replicate the accidental maderization that occurred at equatorial temperature during the voyages of old. Blandy's is a fine producer for the price. The Blandy's flavor profile could be described as liquid pecan pie. No wonder the pairing is so good: I'll take a slice of pecan pie with a side of pecan pie in a glass, please!

9. Emilio Lustau - 'East India Solera' Sherry - Jerez, Spain NV - $23

I've heard it too often: "I hate Sherry." But most don't know that there are two distinctly different styles of Sherry. Dry Fino style Sherry could be equated to drinking seawater. But the sweet Oloroso style is delicious and rich, and makes for a great pairing to chocolate. Like Port, Sherry is fortified. But unlike Port, the spirit is added at the end of fermentation. Emilio Lustau is arguably one of the country's most notable producers and makes a range of products. For the price, I'm a big fan of the East India Solera, which is full of nutty toffee and caramel characteristics. So here's a V-Day plan: Open the box of chocolates, bite into each one and set the toffee ones aside to enjoy with this Sherry.

10. Fonseca - Bin No. 27 Finest Reserve Port - Douro, Portugal NV - $19

Last but not least we have a delectable bottle of Port. According to Fonseca, "The Bin No. 27 was created over a century ago for family consumption, and only released commercially in 1972. Blended from reserve wines selected for their intense fruit character and depth of color, Fonseca Bin No. 27 spends four years in large wood vats prior to bottling. Although it may improve slightly with bottle age, Bin No. 27 is ready to consume when bottled. It does not require decanting, as a cold precipitation prior to bottling prevents any 'crust' from forming." What I like about this one is value for the price. That and it's a great pairing for stinky cheeses and chocolate, especially dark chocolate. I can't promise you a night of passion with your significant other, but crack open a bottle of Fonseca, serve up a plate of dark chocolate treats, and I promise you'll be head over heels.

No matter who your sweetie is, you're sure to find a wine to make your Valentine's Day special. Skip buying one of the over eight billion cliche candy hearts that are produced each year; a bottle of wine with a beautiful bouquet are sure to impress. And if there's no sweetie for you this year, just think of it as more for you.

For more information about me, more fun and interesting wine information, and for delicious food and wine pairings, check us out online at Cru Wine Online. Our very own chefs from across the country have created original recipes just for you, and each day we pair them with the perfect wine and a little humor to bring you an entertaining video short.

Sign up today for a 6 Month Membership and receive a FREE wine glass set, a $19.95 value. Life is short, so drink it up. Entertain your senses with Cru Wine Online's monthly membership. At only $7.99/month you can't afford not to!

Salut,

Nicholas Barth

Certified Sommelier

Wine Director

Cru Wine Online

Top Ten Fruitcake Wine Pairings

It's said that one in four Americans give the gift of a fruitcake during the month of December. So like it or not, there's a pretty good chance you'll find yourself stuck with one this holiday season. Maybe you like them, maybe you don't, but before you toss yours in the trash or re-gift it to your least favorite cousin, consider how the right wine might just make it worth keeping. From liquor-soaked to tropical fruit, there are a variety of fruitcakes available, and a wine for each. This is why I put together my list of the top ten fruitcake wine pairings.

1. Graham's - '10-Year-Old' Tawny Port - Douro, Portugal NV - $35

When it comes to wine and fruitcake, you can't go wrong with a delicious tawny port. This value-packed treat by Graham is no exception. When pairing wine with dessert, you want the glass to be as sweet or sweeter than the dish. This puppy has more than enough sugar to compliment, ensuring neither the dish nor the wine get lost. And its apparent spice component will draw out the spices in your fruitcake.

Brandy-soaked fruitcake brings a distinct flavor and an apparent alcohol component to the pairing, so this variety can overpower light wines. But the tawny by Graham has more than enough weight and alcohol to compliment. If pairing an alcoholic dessert with more alcohol isn't a recipe for holiday cheer, then I don't know what is!

2. Hardy's - 'Whiskers Blake' Tawny Port - South Australia, Australia NV - $13

While a wine should only be called Port if it comes from Portugal, this producer does a nice job of mimicking the style and stealing the coveted title. It's a great alternative to spendier traditional Port from Portugal. Like the Graham's, this light-colored fortified dessert wine has the spice, flavor, weight, sugar, and alcohol to enhance just about any fruitcake. Improving on the world's most hated dessert might not sound like much of an accomplishment, but trust me, these wines had their work cut out for them. The Hardy's, like the Graham's, is a non-vintage, which means the fruit used to make it came from several years' grape harvests. Overall this tawny from Australia has a little extra kick, making it a great wine not only for the fruitcake, but also help ease the pain of having to spend time with your family during the holidays.

3. Campbells - Tokay - Rutherglen, Australia (375ml) NV - $19

This next top-tenner also stole its name from a prestigious style of wine. In Hungary, Tokaji is a delicious dessert wine produced from botrytis (noble rot) infected grapes. This wine is made from the Muscat varietal (aka. Moscatel, Moscato, Muscadelle, etc), and is slightly fortified, resulting in a high 17.5% abv and dried fruit flavors and aromas. These components, along with its high sugar content and spicy notes, make it a perfect for your holiday fruitcake, especially if it's filled with raisins.

4. Chambers - 'Rosewood' Muscadelle- Rutherglen, Australia NV (375ml) - $18

Number four literally tastes like liquid fruitcake. Like the Campbells, this wine is made in the Rutherglen sub-region of Australia. Also like the Tokay by Campbells, this wine is made from the Muscadelle grape, a blend of six to ten of your old Muscadelle grapes to be more specific, and is fortified to give the same alcohol and surge of sugar. If you believe that like pairs well with like, then this one's right up your alley.

5. Quady - 'Essencia' Orange Muscat - Madera, California 2008 - $20

Close your eyes and think oranges and apricots. The Essencia by Quady is another fortified dessert wine, but this one is made from the Orange Muscat grape. Orange Muscat is native to France, but today little grows in the area. In fact, most of the plantings of this varietal exist in Italy and Australia. Andrew Quady, owner and operator of Quady wines, has taken this native French varietal and perfected it in the warm climates of Madera county in California, not be confused with the Madeira region of Portugal. If you have a fruitcake with dried apricots, oranges, and peaches, add a touch of honey and this is your ideal pairing.

6. Chateau Ste. Michelle - 'Eroics' Riesling - Columbia Valley, Washington 2008 - $24

A partnership between Washington wine giant Chateau Ste. Michelle and German Riesling legend Ernst Loosen of Dr. Loosen, this wine is the perfect balance of weight, flavor, and sugar. The reason I chose a Washington State Riesling over one from Germany is because the Pacific Northwest style tends to have more body, and the fruit flavors and aromas are usually ripe. This wine's lush characteristics of peach, pear, and apricot make it a great pairing for just about any "non-drunken" fruitcake. Well-balanced acidity and sugar make this a great wine to enjoy all on its own if you just can't bear to eat the fruitcake.

7. King Estate - 'Vin Glace' - Willamette Valley, Oregon 2007 (375ml) - $15

The term Vin Glace (Vin de Glace) is French for Ice Wine, called Eiswein in Germany. Ice Wines are produced from frozen grapes either naturally, by leaving the grapes to hang on the vine until the temperature drops below freezing or artificially through cryoextraction. Cryoextraction, which is basically putting the grapes into a freezer, is used in places and vintages where the temperature doesn't get low enough to freeze the grapes naturally. Traditional producers from notable Ice Wine-producing countries like Canada and Germany frown on this method of production. The King Estate Vin Glace is made from 100% organically grown Pinot Gris grapes frozen with the cryoextraction method. The end result is a sweet wine full of tropical fruit and apricots, perfect for tropical fruitcakes.

8. Bricco Riella - Moscato d' Asti - Piedmont, Italy 2009 - $12

Yhis bubbly made from the Muscat grape, called Moscato in Italy, comes from the Asti sub-region inside the greater Piedmont region. This delightful little sparkler is full of fresh flavors and aromas of green apple, pear, and lime. This wine's wonderfully racy acidity, low alcohol content, and bubbly texture make it a great compliment for most fruitcakes. For only $12 this bottle is a great value and a real crowd pleaser, so convince your friends and family help you through the fruitcake, and reward them with this pairing.

9. Banfi - 'Rosa Regale' Bracchetto d'Aqui - Piedmont, Italy 2009 - $20

This slightly effervescent red by Banfi makes a great pairing for the fruitcakes that have dried red fruits and berries. Made from the Bracchetto grape, this wine comes from the Aqui sub-region, which like the Asti sub-region is located in Piedmont, Italy. It displays characteristics of strawberries, raspberries, and cherries, and has a the perfect sweetness, bubbly texture, and weight to pair with fruitcake, especially a chocolate one.

10. Pacific Rim - Framboise - Columbia Valley, Washington 2009 - $14

Number ten on this list tastes like bottled raspberries, and for good reason. It's made from raspberries grown in Mount Vernon, Washington. Framboise is kind of a wine, because it's fermented fruit, but is often considered more of a beer. Pacific Rim winery is owned and operated by Randall Grahm of the famous Bonny Doon label. This wine solidified its spot on this top ten list because it can make literally any fruitcake palatable. Its 20% ABV gives it enough weight to hold up to dense fruitcakes, and it has enough sugar and intense fruity flavors to take on the fruitcake covered in dried fruit.

If you can't bring yourself to eat the fruitcake, consider this your list of sweet wines to pair with good company. Travel safely this holiday season and enjoy your time with your loved ones. Merry Christmas!

For more incredible wine picks and pairings, check out Cru Wine Online. We pair original recipes with delicious wines, and bring them to you in an entertaining video short, complete with a brief explanation of the wine, the dish, and the pairing.

Sign up today for a 6 Month Membership and receive a FREE wine glass set, a $19.95 value. Life's short, so drink it up. At only $7.99/month you can't afford not to! And while you're there, don't forget to finish your Christmas shopping in the Cru Wine Shop.

Salut,

Nicholas Barth

Certified Sommelier

Wine Director

Cru Wine Online

Top Ten Wine Pairings for Pizza

It's estimated that over 5 million pounds of pizza is consumed every day in the United States. Whether it's a family get together, a football game, or a birthday party, we eat a lot of pie. But pizza is a broad term used to describe everything from frozen and delivery to specialty and homemade. To say there is one perfect pizza wine is a bold statement because there are so many ingredients, crusts, and methods of preparation used throughout the country. This post is designed to highlight versatile pizza wines that won't break the bank. So here are my top ten wine pairings for pizza.

1. Taurino - 'Riserva' Salice Salentino, Italy - $14

This is one of my all-time favorite pizza wines. Producer Taurino makes stunning reds from a blend of Negroamaro and Malvasia Nera, two common Italian grape varietals. As a general rule, Italy makes incredibly food-friendly wines, especially the reds. The best show great acidity, balance, structure, and not too much fruit, with a nice earthy component to compliment earthy toppings. This wine is no exception. It's what we like to call a "shut up and drink" wine. All too often in wine circles we want to dissect the wine - talk about its components, flavors, and aromas. This wine just screams "Don't think..DRINK!"

Taurino, as I mentioned, is the producer. The name Salice Salentino on the label indicates the sub-region. Salice Salentino is found in the great Puglia region, located in the heel of Italy's boot. The region produces full-bodied reds and smooth rosés from the two grapes I mentioned before, Malvasia Nera and Negroamaro. This wine's soft fruit flavors and juicy texture make it a great match for many pizzas, especially those with red sauce.

2. Cline - 'Ancient Vine' Zinfandel - California - $16

Fred Cline makes some of my favorite wines from California for the price. He's the grandson of Valeriano Jacuzzi, of the pump and spa fame. Valeriano owned a nice chunk of land in Oakley, California, which Fred inherited and used to make value-packed wines using Zinfandel and Rhone varietals. His award-wining wines from Rhone grapes like Mourvedre, Syrah, Grenache, and others, earned him a spot as one of California's Rhone Rangers.

The Ancient Vines Zin from Cline sources most of its fruit from old vines in Contra Costa County, the original site of Valeriano's property. This wine is super food-friendly, and a real crowd pleaser. It makes a great pairing for pizza with sausage, especially spicy sausage, with the body to hold up to hearty toppings, yet the juicy flavors to compliment and enhance the dish without overpowering. Jammy, juicy, fruity, that's Cline AV Zin's calling card.

3. Cave de Rasteau - 'Ortas' Cotes du Rhone-Village, France - $13

Rasteau is an Appellation d'Origine Controlee (AOC) in the Rhone region of France, best known for their fortified dessert wines. The Cave de Rasteau is an expression of the good quality, value-packed red wines being produced there.

This wine is a blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvedre, three very common grapes in the southern Rhone. What makes this wine so pizza friendly is its acidity and subtle characteristics. The French tend to produce a more refined style of wine. It won't hit you over the head with flavors and aromas, you have to dig in a little to see what the wine has to offer. This wine is just that, a subtle display of red currants, raspberry, black currants, and spice. I like to pair this with pizza because it compliments a variety of pies, especially those that are topped with goat cheese and/or mushrooms.

4. Coppo - 'Camp du Rouss' - Barbera d'Asti, Italy - $22

As I mentioned earlier, the Italians make some of the most food-friendly wines in the world, and Barbera tops that list. Barbera is a grape native to the Piedmont region of Italy. It produces wines with wonderful spicy red and black fruit flavors and aromas. But what makes Barbera so incredibly pairing-friendly is its acidity. Pizzas made with tomato sauce are acidic, and any food and wine pairing requires matching acidity. Barbera is able to hold up to even the most acidic sauces.

The Barbera grape grows all over the world, and some stunning examples are coming out of Argentina and California. But in its home, Italy, it makes some ultra food-friendly, value-packed wines. This trend is fairly recent, as in the past the country often used the grape to make insipid, bulk table wine. In the last ten to fifteen years however, Barbera has received the right kind of attention, and now producers are using it to make some really fun wines. Coppo, in particular, makes arguably the finest example from the Asti sub-region. Barberas from Asti tend to be spicy with notes of blueberry and red currant, and Coppo is no exception. This wine will make a wonderful pairing for most red sauce pizzas, even light styles like the Margherita pizza.

5. Crios de Susana Balbo - Malbec - Mendoza, Argentina - $15

Crios is made by one of the finest female winemakers in the world, Susana Balbo. Standing five-foot-nothing, this brilliant winemaker has been putting out high-quality juice for over 25 years. She was the first winemaker to be hired as a consultant, and as a result she has made wine around the world in countries like France, Spain, Italy, South Africa, Australia, and Chile. This wine comes from the Mendoza, a region in Argentina that has great conditions for growing this native-French grape. The elevation from the mountains ensures the grapes ripen well, but don't get ultra-ripe from the hot Argentinian days.

Balbo's Crios line is an expression of her personality. Crios means children or offspring, and shows the softer side of Balbo. Her Malbec is subtle, and approachable, much like her. The wine displays red and black fruit flavors and aromas, with a wonderful jammy characteristic, and of course, a perfectly-balanced acidity. This wine is a great match for almost any pizza, but its display of just a touch of smoke and spice make it ideal for brick oven or grilled pizzas.

6. Pacific Rim - Autumnus Red - Columbia Valley, Washington - $14

Pacific Rim winery is owned and operated by wacky winemaker Randall Grahm. Grahm is well known for his work at Bonny Doon in California. He's considered the original Rhone Ranger, finding great success in planting and making wines from native Rhone grapes. Grahm has an off-the-wall personality, and has pulled shenanigans like having a funeral for the cork in the New York City's Grand Central terminal to promote screw top closures.

His new venture, Pacific Rim winery in Washington state, specializes in unbelievably delicious Rieslings for the price. This wine, his Autumnus Red, is a blend of Sangiovese, Barbera, and Primativo, Zinfandel's Italian brother. This could be THE perfect food wine. You take three Italian grapes like these and put them in to a blend, what you find are the characteristics and structure to hold up to and compliment almost any dish, pizza included. For $14 a bottle this wine is affordable, and goes well with almost any pizza imaginable.

7. Novelty Hill - Syrah - Columbia Valley, Washitngon - $28

Syrah, called Shiraz in Australia, makes a great pairing for hearty pizzas, especially deep dish or Chicago style. There are some stunning examples of French Syrah, but the reason I like Washington Syrah with pizza is its slight vegital characteristic. When you start to pile on the veggies, this wine compliments beautifully.

Novelty Hill makes award-winning wines, and their Syrah is a readily accessible example of both the winery's and Washington's high quality Syrah production. Novelty Hill has received accolades from a number of wine publications, including no less than a 90-point rating by the Wine Spectator in the last four years. This full-bodied red has flavors and aromas of dark fruit, like blackberries and black cherries, along with smoked meat and green pepper characteristics that make it perfect for supreme pizzas.

8. Lobster Reef - Sauvignon Blanc - Marlborough, New Zealand - $14

We've talked a lot about red sauces because they're the most common, but it's important to have a wine in your back pocket that can juggle the cream sauce and olive oil side of the pizza world. Whilea Chardonnay from California or Australia can work well for cream sauce, I decided to go with this Sauvignon Blanc for those non-red pizzas because it has a nice acidity, and a great body to hold up to veggie pizzas where onions and peppers are used.

Lobster Reef is a "new kid on the block" in New Zealand. While their wine comes from the Marlborough region of New Zealand, it's not too Marlobourghy, if you would. What I mean by that is that while it has a nice, crisp, refreshing acidity, it's not too powerful. All too often New Zealand's Sauvignon Blanc is overly acidic, with too much citrus fruit on the nose and palate. Lobster Reef has a great balance, but still displays the wonderful citrus fruit typical of New Zealand's Sauvignon Blanc. This wine is a great pairing because its acidity will hydrate the palate after the salty characteristics of some pizza toppings.

9. La Vieille Ferme - Rosé - Cotes du Ventoux, France - $9

Dry rosés can be some of the most food-friendly wines in the world. Their vibrant acidity, texture, and medium body make them great pairing "go-tos." And no top ten list would be complete without La Vieille Ferme. This salmon-colored wine is a blend of Cinsault, Grenache, and Syrah. It's pink because the winemaker let these three red grapes soak with their skins for only 24 hours. The longer skins soak with the juice, the more pigment is absorbed. So while they could make produce a red wine from these grapes, they chose to remove the skins to make a rosé instead.

La Vieille Ferme is cousin to the great Chateau de Beaucastel, the award-winning biodynamic producer from the Chateauneuf du Pape region of France. The grapes used to make this wine come from the Cotes du Ventoux sub-region in the Rhone, found at the foothills of the Ventoux mountain. This area is prime for growing high-quality grapes. Dollar for dollar, I'm not certain there is a better rosé on the market. This refreshing little ditty has a nice body to hold up to pizza, with the flavors and aromas to compliment just about any pie.

10. Barone Ricasoli - Brolio - Chianti Classico, Tuscany, Italy - $24

This last "top-tenner" could be the greatest red wine ever produced for $24. Barone Ricasoli is one of the oldest wineries in the world. Their vineyards are in the heart of Chianti, specifically the original delimitation, Chianti Classico. All of their wines come from their estate vineyards, which means when you see a wine of theirs that has been declassified to IGT status (lower wine quality tier in Italy), the fruit has been sourced from the greater Chianti Classico region.

This wine is made from primarily Sangiovese, Chianti's principal red varietal, with a dash of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Ricaoli's Brolio scored a 96 in the Wine Spectator solidifying its spot in Spectator's Top 100 wines. This is a perfect pairing for any pizza with red sauce, and its body will help it hold up to the heartiest of all toppings and crusts. If you feel like picking up a bottle but don't have time to drink it, don't worry. Set it aside for about a decade, because this puppy has the character to age.

Well, there you have it. Of course with so many variations on this classic dish, there are plenty of wines that work, but these are the standouts. When I pair with pizza, I like to stay under $30 a bottle, and all of these wines not only have a lot to offer for the price, they also work well with a variety of pizzas. I hope you have a chance to pick up one of your favorite pies and let one of these bottles show you what it can do.

As always thanks for reading, and if you think there is a wine that should be on this week's top ten, feel free to email me, look me up on Facebook, or leave a comment here on the blog. If you haven't already, be sure to check out Cru Wine Online for food and wine pairing innovation.

Salut,

Nicholas Barth

Certified Sommelier

Wine Director

Cru Wine Online

Top Ten Examples of Chenin Blanc's Versatility

Chenin Blanc is one of the most versatile white wine producing grapes in the world. From dry and austere to sweet and rich, the grape's high acidity makes it a prime candidate for producing a variety of styles. Virtually anywhere grapes grow in the world, you will find Chenin Blanc. While not all are good, many great values can be found. Here are the top ten examples or wine produced from Chenin Blanc.

1. Domaine des Aubuisieres - 'Cuvee de Silex' - 2008

For this first "top ten-er" we take the grape back to its home in the Loire region of France. From sparkling to dessert, the Chenin Blanc grapes is used to make all styles of wine in the Loire. One of my favorite value producers from the region is Domaine des Aubuisieres owned by Bernard Fouquet. Bernard has 55 acres in the Vouvray sub-region of Touraine in the Loire. He plants just one grape...you guessed it, Chenin Blanc. His world-class Chenins have been praised by wine critics across the globe with the Wine Spectator giving the 2008 Cuvee de Silex ($17) an 89-point rating (Very Good) out of 100.

The Cuvee de Silex is a dry style Chenin, showing stone fruit like peaches and tree fruit like pears with a refreshing minerality. The wine has depth, complexity and structure as a result of the soil and conditions (terroir) of the land where the grapes grow. Fouquet's Cuvee de Silex comes from vineyards made up of clay and silex (flint). The soil imparts a distinct flintyness (minerality) similar to Sauvignon Blanc produced in the Pouilly Fume and Sancerre sub-regions just east of Vouvray in the Loire. This wine may not cost $100 or be a top 100 wine in the world, but it is an incredible find for $17.

2. Nicholas Joly - 'Coulee de Serrant' - 2007

With this next wine we stay in the Loire, but head west to the Anjou sub-region. Within Anjou lies Savennieres, a white wine producing region that makes less than 30,000 cases a year. The Savennieres sub-region is home to Coulee de Serrant, a 17 acre monopole (winery and land is owned by one person). Coulee de Serrant is owned by biodynamic wine icon Nicholas (also spelled Nicolas) Joly. Joly is a pioneer in the eco-friendly biodynamic winemaking practice, producing distinctive, world-class wines from the Chenin Blanc grape.

The 2007 Coulee de Serrant received 92 points (outstanding) from the Wine Spectator. Year after year Joly gets international attention for his concentrated Chenins that display nerve and longevity. The 2007 showed beautifully with characteristics of peach, apricot and quince. The Savennieres sub-region produces wines high, high, high in acidity that are often described as austere in their youth. Because of this the Chenins from Savennieres can age for the better part of a decade, pretty remarkable for a dry white.

3. Domaine des Baumard - 'Carte Turquoise' - NV

With this next Chenin we're in the Loire one more time to showcase the remarkable versatility of this grape. The Domaine des Baumard Cremant de Loire is a sparkling wine made using Chenin Blanc with a dash of Cabernet Franc and Chardonnay blended in. Domaine des Baumard's Carte Turquoise, like the Coulee de Serrant, comes from the Anjou sub-region within the Loire. Just south of Coulee de Serrant in Anjou is another sub-region called Coteaux du Layon, where Baumard's vineyards lie.

Cremant de Loire is made using the traditional method - the same process used to make the sparkling wines from the infamous Champagne region of France. With the traditional method, the second fermentation is performed in the bottle, and the wine is left to rest with its sediment, a process known as sur lie in France. The end result is a wine that smells of fresh bread dough or biscuits. The Carte de Turquoise by Baumard is a style known as Brut (one of the driest). This wine displays the typical biscuity aroma followed by citrus fruit like limes and tree fruit like apples. This one's a great value-packed alternative to Champagne coming in at just under $20.

4. Mulderbosch - Chenin Blanc - 2007

For this next wine, we say goodbye to France and hello to South Africa. For years in South Africa Chenin Blanc went by the name Steen. However today most producers just use the Chenin name. Like in France, South African's use the grape to make a wide variety of styles, with many wineries having two or three in their portfolio. Mulderbosch is regarded as one of the highest quality wine producers in the area, and most of their wines retailing for under $20.

Stellenbosch is the highest quality wine producing region in the country, making wines from a variety of grapes. Stellenbosch's success can be linked to both its growing conditions and Stellenbosch University, which offers an accredited degree in oenology. The university is an incredible resource for winemakers and producers, and was the driving force behind the wine laws governing the country. The Mulderbosch Chenin Blanc from Stellenbosch is a still white wine showing flavors and aromas of green apple and quince with refreshing acidity. Mulderbosch frequently does well in trade mags, and the 2007 Chenin Blanc scored an 89 in Wine Spectator. A great find for $14.

5. Cave Extreme - South Extreme - NV

For years many South African wine producers used Chenin Blanc to make their sparkling wines. Today most producers use a combination of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay for their bubblies (called Cap Classique). So to experience quality Chenin sparkling wines we must leave South Africa and head to South America, specifically Argentina. Chenin Blanc is used in the production of many Argentinian sparkling wines, and for under $10 there are few better than the South Extreme by Cave Extreme.

Argentina has been perfecting international grape varieties as of late. From France's Malbec to Italy's Bondarda, there's no shortage of cool wine being produced in Argentina, and many from lesser-known grape varieties. This wine is one of three sparkling wines Cave Extreme makes, the others consisting of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. This wine is very refreshing showing beautifully with round, soft characteristics of tree fruit like pear and green apple. For only $9, this non-vintage extra brut (dry) bubbly is a real treat.

6. Pacific Rim - Chenin Blanc - 2007

Sticking with the new world wine producing countries theme, we head north to Washington state. Washington has been producing some amazing wine from grapes like Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah in the last decade. Chenin Blanc, however, has caught the attention of one wacky winemaker, Randall Grahm. Grahm started his illustrious career by opening Bonny Doon winery in central California. Known for his oddities and uniqueness, he has brought attention to grapes like Albarino and Chenin Blanc in the states.

Grahm's new adventure has been the Pacific Rim wine project located in Washington. With a heavy emphasis on Riesling, the winery also produces wines from Gewurztraminer, Sangiovese, Barbera, and of course Chenin Blanc. The Pacific Rim NV Chenin received high accolades from the press including an 88-point rating from the Wine Spectator. This rating secured the Pacific Rim winery a spot in the magazine's Best Value wines. Today the winery produces a vintage version that shows flavors and aromas of grapefruit, green apple and lush peaches. The winery preserves the grapes natural acidity by fermenting and aging in stainless steel and making sure the wine doesn't undergo Malolactic Fermentation (MLF). For $10 this screw topped, off dry Chenin is a steal.

7. Pine Ridge - Chenin Blanc/Viognier - 2008

Number 7 on this top ten list is Pine Ridge's Chenin/Viognier. Before you start thinking, "That's not Chenin" know that this wine is made from 80% Chenin Blanc. In the US a wine only needs to be made up of 75% of the grape stated on the bottle. Viognier is added to the label mainly for marketing purposes. This wine has always had a soft spot in my heart. High-acid Chenin compliments lush Viognier wonderfully.

This odd blend was was a product of experimentation. It was "discovered" in the early 1990's by Pine Ridge, and has become a staple in their portfolio. The main grape, Chenin Blanc, comes from the Clarksburg appellation in California. Year after year this wine has earned numerous accolades from Robert Parker of the Wine Advocate, who put the 2008 in his top 50 Super Domestic Value Wines. The wine displays green apple and pear, with a distinct honeydew melon compliments of Viognier. The wine has just a kiss of sweetness making it a perfect pairing to spicy seafood dishes. At $14, its a real find.

8. Paumanok - 'Dry' Chenin Blanc - 2009

In the past 5 years, New York wines have exploded. While they are sometimes hard to find, they are often crowd pleasers. The growing conditions in New York are ideal for grapes like Riesling and Gewurztraminer, but look out America, Chenin Blanc from the area is killer. Paumanok only makes about 500 cases of their North Fork of Long Island Chenin, so availability is tough. The wine recently received an 88-point rating from Wine Spectator, making it even more difficult to find.

This family-owned and operated winery produces less than 9,000 cases of wine each year. The vineyards are all estate-owned and operated, so production methods are monitored by the owners from bud break to bottling. This "dry" Chenin displays aromas and flavors of pineapple and melon with a nice racy acidity. Its light touch of sweetness is the wonderful cherry on top. This wine is a little more than some of the other domestic Chenins highlighted, but for $28 it's well worth it if you can find it.

9. Rudera - 'Noble Late Harvest' Chenin Blanc - 2005

For number 9, we head back to South Africa. We have showcased the grape as sparkling, still, blended, dry, and off-dry. But here we go all the way to sweet, even dessert-like. The grapes used in the production of this wine are sweet. They become sweet because they are affected by botrytis cinerea, aka the noble rot. This is the same fungus that grows on Semillion and Sauvignon Blanc in the famous Sauternes region of France. The fungus attacks the grapes and concentrates the sugars, making them ultra-sweet. This fungus does not occur everywhere or every year, which is why the Rudera Noble Late Harvest Chenin is made only in exceptional years - years where the sun can meet moisture at the perfect time to create the perfect type of mold.

Rudera is moderately expensive ($30 for a half bottle). It's made in very limited quantities (under 200 cases). And it's most commonly sold at auctions. This rich, sweet Chenin displays lush apricot and honey, a great pairing for dessert and rich foods like Foie Gras. If you find a bottle...BUY IT! Like the others, this wine has received its fair share of international attention, including a rating of 91 points by Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar for their 2005 vintage.

10. Domaine du Petit Metris - Quarts de Chaume - 2007

For last wine on the top ten list we go back to where it all began, the Loire in France. This particular Chenin Blanc showcases the variety of styles produced not just in France, but around the world. Quarts de Chaume, a sub region inside the greater Anjou region, sits inside the Coteaux du Layon sub-region just like Baumard's vineyard south of Coulee de Serrant. Wines from Quarts de Chaume are world-class, and the best from the region are made using botrytis-infected grapes, just like the Rudera.

Domaine du Petit Metris earned a 94-point rating from the Wine Spectator for their 2007 vintage, and you have to pay for it. A 500ml bottle of this wine, if you can find it, goes for about $60. Only 75 cases were imported into the US, most of it picked up by wine wholesalers, retailers and restaurateurs to share with their friends. This rich, sweet, succulent wine displays layers of creme, honey, marmalade, peach, pears, apricots, and so on, and so on, and so on. While not as accessible as some of the others, it's certainly a fantastic example of Chenin Blanc made sweet.

Well, there you have it, a list of the top ten examples of Chenin Blanc's versatility. I hope you got a feel for how diverse the grape truly is. With styles ranging from sweet to dry and still to sparkling the grape has become a bit of a traveler making its way to almost any place that grows grapes. While there are thousands I didn't mention, I wanted to highlight some of the cooler stuff out there, both accessible and...well...not. If you haven't had a Chenin lately, pick one up. They can be incredibly food-friendly, and often a great value find.

If there is a winery or style I missed or one you really like, please feel free to email me, send me a message on facebook, or leave a comment here on the blog. Also make sure to check out Cru Wine Online's hot new website for the latest in food and wine pairing.

Until next time, thanks for reading.

Nicholas Barth

Certified Sommelier

Wine Director

Cru Wine Online