What We've Been Drinking

I had a few good wines lately that are worth having again. Two in particular, are the 2006 Villa Maria Gewurztraminer from New Zealand (3 stars, purchased $11.99 at PA Wine Store last October), and the 2006 Querceto Chianti Classico (3 stars, $13.99 at PA Wine Store this April). I paired the Gewurztraminer with both a spicy pasta as well as a chicken stir-fry, and it complemented both meals very well. We had the Chianti with pizza and Italian-style chicken & tomatoes, and both of these pairings were very good. Two good value wines worth seeking out again.

On the other hand, we had a 2004 Chateau de la Charriere, Clos Rousseau from the Santenay appelation of Burgundy (two stars, $27.99 from Total Wine and More this February). We paired it with barbeque grilled pork. Although not a bad wine, I didn't feel it delivered quite the experience that the two wines above did at half the price or less, so it was a loser on the value scale. Did I mention that it was an Alfio Moriconi selection (see previous dissapointments for this line)?