LYRA MAG.

Wellness is a 2020 theme-and  a permanent lifestyle. Mindful healthy habits-permeate everything-(especially) what's eaten/sipped. The SLOW FOOD and SLOW WINE designation-originated in Italy. It identifies and promotes  organically grown-minimally or (arguably) completely non- processed food and wine -in several parts of the world-that 'capture' the originality, place and sense of history. The SLOW movement -also underscores healthy farming practices aka "...respect for the land and environment..." Spring Mountain District Cain Five 2007 red blend cab sauv, merlot, cab franc, petit-verdot malbec At a recent NYC stop of the Slow Wine tour...many sippers made a straight line for the American wineries' tables. One of our favs...a terrific  juicy (mostly) Cabernet Sauvignon blend from California's CAIN VINEYARD and WINERY. Spring Mountain District Cain Five 2014 -red blend combo of all five Bordeaux grapes-  cab sauv, merlot, cab franc, petit...

MORE Highlights...Brunello di Montalcino -New Releases MUSICO poured a suite of vintages of its Brunelle Di Montalcino DOCG (2013, 2014, 2015-producing about 5000 bottles per year on 25 year old vines) and Rosso di Montalcion DOC (2017, 2018 producing about 3000 bottles per year). The highlight-2015 -with red fruit, leathery- dry tannins well balanced... MastroJanni -owned by Gruppo Illy-is imported by Selected Estates of Europe LTD,  is popular, with  well distributed wines here....plus it's winery terra firma is a destination- for tourists visiting Tuscany. The ruby tone fragrant Rosso di Montalcino 2017 which is a great pick for parties- has a bold structure, distinct tannins and fruity taste-AND is friendly -priced around  $26-$30 online-and ready drink now. IMO-...works with a range of food including spiced up Asian and Super Bowl party fare-not just typical Italian fare or meats -the usual suggestions.  Family owned  Plan delle Querci ...

Vino-Fabulissimo Part 1 Gotham Hall NYC The exceptional wines from Montalcino, Italy (40 kilometers south of Siena-in beautiful Tuscany) are acclaimed . WHAT: Exceptionally luscious Sangiovese grapes-crafted into that area's wines-include the regulated reds ... primarily the cellar worthy Brunello di Montalcino DOCG (for 2015-give them 2-3 years imo) and the fresh fruity (drink now or cellar) Rosso di Montalcino DOC. Recently available-a NYC showcase of the aforementioned sips was joyously sipped- including the excellent 2015 releases (an exceptional year-five star rated) and 2017/18s for the Rossos...(and some Sant' Antimo plus surprise -a few Cabernets + Chardonnays + dessert wine Moscadelio di Montalcino DOC )- all gloriously sipped. The packed wine tasting was sponsored by the  Consorzio Del Vino Brunello Montalcino . A fan fave for industry and restaurant reps...this tasting tour's offerings epitomized the importance of place (terroir-low and higher al...

Today's casual lifestyles-and relaxed gatherings around kitchen islands -inspire hosts to ring in the holidays with different wines to pair with everything from one pot winter headliners-to small plate/grazing options,  and of course,  Instagram ready cheese boards. Last century's go to's Bordeaux/Burgundy Premier Cru+Grande Crus, Rhone wines, Brunellos California Cabs, oaky chardonnays ... like formal dining room decor and rigid 3 course meals-still satisfy-but in our experience- other countries' liquid palate pleasers-and snack like versatile  appetizers are now the preferred pairings. AND more fun. Another added plus- these global wines are remarkable $ values-often astonishingly so. Across the Pond: Remember the excitement of discovering  Spain's  Riojas, Argentina's Malbecs-or New Zealand Sauvignons-perhaps on travels abroad? This year's sensorial stunners just might come from the terrific DÀO region---even if one can't a...

Portugal has been 'trending' as a tourist and ex-pat destination for years...even before Madonna moved there for it's sporty expertise. HERDADE DAS SERVAS VINHAS VELHAS 2015-made by the Serrano Mira family estate (since 1667!) A jaunt abroad might not fit into schedules/budgets-but experiencing a country's largesse can be tempted via one's palate. A recent Wines of Portugal tasting on this side of the Atlantic-turned up many surprises-from easy to drink light bodied inexpensive selections to elegant and sophisticated blends -staring Portugal's native  250 grape varietals . Like many European countries- many many many Portuguese wines are  labeled according to designated controlled   regions (DOC...Vinho Regional). Additionally official Portuguese wine classifications -rated by a panel of regional wine commission members... indicate the "outstanding organoleptic characteristics," ---or in the instance of Grande Reserva rating-add an ...

S amples From the Bernard Magrez Portfolio of Wines  Grand Crus Classés Bordeaux reds are Valentine's Day perfect -and relatively speaking-are good values vs the trophy red Burgundies. THE Highlight: Grand Crus Classés Bordeaux Reds  from the esteemed Bernard Magrez collection included our favorite-and imo-well priced 2009 blend from  Chateau Pape Clément . This "urban" winery-  dates back to the 13th century(!!!!!)..and is in the Pessac Leognan appellation not far from the center of the Bordeaux region. What we tried-the 2009 vintage-is terrific...a hand picked, earthy intoxicating aromatic blend - with a wonderful  elegant finish-  a complex fusion of deep fruits, leather, smoky-lovely pepper hints (50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc). Many foods including  Asian...would pair well. Priced in the USA around $170+ FYI: this jewel in Magrez portfolio-has white gloved employees de-stemming berry ...

R ed Wine made from the glorious Sangiovese grape- are sipping delights of any Tuscan trip. Benvenuto Brunello NYC 2019 And since the early 2000s, affordable and trophy bottles of this Italian  wine produced in an area 80 km south of Florence- are readily available here too. For consumers-the DOC (aged one year Rossi di Montalcino) and  DOCG designation (aged 2 years in oak- typically 5 years-with 6 years for Riserva)-appear on the bottle labels assure inhibiters of the origins of Brunello di Montalcino sold. WHAT TO EXPECT: With clay to rocky shale-limestone soils depending on elevation, southern/northern slopes, and weather that reflects sea and mountain breezes not too far way...the samples we tried had finishes ranging from bold-sometimes balsamic tastes to a more refined elegance (5-6 years aged in oak), notable tannins for all -some with balanced acidity (how aged) -and really there black berry flavors -that also varied, depending on age and vintage. ...

Drinking less beer  now-Americans more and more quench thirst with specialty red options like mineral water + functional beverages. Still a party atmosphere with choices - still expected -but the liquid selections lean more 'upscale'-matching the global-sophisticated eats...that go beyond fast food fare. TRY: A multi-tasking red wine: From Spain- Rioja is a well balanced, value priced (imo) red wine made from 100% Tempranillo grapes-that pairs well with everything from pizza, Buffalo chicken wings, tasty Middle Eastern spreads---- to South Asian or South of the border spicier snacks. we loved this Fernández De Pierola -deep bursts of ripe berries-stewed fruits, gorgeous dark cheery color, subtle tannins  and warmth of aged toasted wood-with elegant finish The perfect pairings....Fig Cake, mixed nuts, and an assortment of cheese. These samples are from  Mitica-via forevercheese.com-and available on AMAZON .   via GIPHY

DRINK UP! j ust do it better The marketing pitches for WELLNESS SELF CARE SEASON TO TREAT YOURSELF gifts...noticeably increased this year, Makes sense -'me' gifting is BIG-as is eating healthier (US NEWS alert- Mediterranean and DASH topping the best diets list). Even the recognizable tv chefs are dialing up the health. Gordon Ramsay's cookbook-lifestyle how tos  plus his collab with Royal Doulton -an everyday table top Maze Grill  collection, SALUT glass of wine -(daily or weekly) is in the mix of those winners...and as big bold (and pricey) California Cabernet popularity wanes - there are other more food centric red wines that match up, sip-wise-better with the healthier ethnic cuisines and savory palate pleasers-people prefer. PORTUGAL's red wines are native grapes blends that have just the right amount of spice tones-dark berry lushness+ integrated tannins that balances out foods from around the world. Vinha Dis Deuses Reserva has the elegance of a ...

Del Posto/NYC A focused wine tasting featuring a selection of AMARONE Red Wines...from Veneto-Italy area-was a revelation. THINK: Drink ready intense ruby-deep berry wines-with enough complexity, balanced acid, velvety tannins-full flavored fruity-spice hints...AND fantastic food pairing potentials with today's "IT" global cuisines! Impressive. And good values---ranging from around $20-$75. indigenous grapes  Top Pick: Yummy-Deep ruby red-ripe berry+hints of cinnamon+cocoa=silky tannins, smooth silky finish-full bodied and structured,,,MASI (Gargagnago) RISERVA DI COSTASERA AMARONE DELLA Valpolicella DOCG Classico with vines face Lake Garda....made of 70% Corvina, 15% Rondinella, 10% Oseleta and 5% Molinare-aged 38-40 months in 600 liter Slavonian + Allier oak casts. Info: www.kobrandwineandspirits.com

Holiday fare with something ' pumpkin-spice ' -or peppermint chocolate  -match well with Octoberfest beers and schnapps-but earthy aromatic red wines as well as balanced white wines-can also pair off well. via GIPHY At- Il Gattopardo -several rich red wines made from Romagna Sangiovese regional grapes were paired perfection with the elegant rustic southern Italian appetizers served. The new to us  Sangiovese red wines-sharing the characteristic rich berry garnet color of Brunellos - are helpfully subject to the new Romagna appellation regulation (12 sub-zones) that safeguard and promote these delicious aromatic sips to consumers on this side of the Pond. One of our favs.. .Il Nespoli (Poderi Dal Nespoli S.r.L. Soc. Agr. ) Romana Sangiovese Superiore Riserva- a red wine with fine, elegant tannins with characters reflective of the medium textured terroir. Pair with hard cheeses, meaty entrees-or we think, spicy autumnal fare-like warm up pumpkin squash soup. Anot...

via GIPHY source mylittleparis.com French Cheese Board 41 Spring Street, NYC  T he French Cheese Board-is a destination for cheese lovers...and a delicious boutique with the mission of making everyone who crosses the threshold-lovers of the delectable cheeses of France.  French cheeses are of the  'terroir' as wines are-with distinct tastings Events and classes...feature French wines that pair well with the specialties of the house. cheese boards...include mix of hard, soft-cow-goat milk cheeses fig jam-works well atop camembert cheese  Chateau Des Bormettes-is a family owned vineyard, located 50 meters from the Mediterranean Sea, near Nice, France. Selections from this vineyard-paired with three cheeses...