Tag Archives: Jolie Folle

Wine of the week: Jolie Folle Sauvignon Blanc 2020

Jolie Folle Sauvignon Blanc
Jolie Folle Sauvignon Blanc 2020/$12-$16

The 1-liter Jolie Folle is a reminder that sauvignon blanc from France’s Loire can be delicious and affordable

The Jolie Folle 1-liter French rose has been on the blog off and on; it’s inconsistent, but when it’s worth buying, it offers quality and value. For the most part, the brand’s sauvignon blanc hasn’t even been up to that level.

Until this vintage of the Jolie Folle Sauvignon Blanc ($15/1-liter, purchased, 12%).

Typically, the brand’s sauvignon blanc has been thin or unripe or both, hardly the kind of white wine to spend money on. But not this time – the 2020 is stunning, one of those cheap wines that makes me wish more producers cared about making this kind of wine and doing it consistently.

The Loire in France is famous for its sauvignon blanc, but many long ago passed the price that most of us can afford – or want — to pay. The Jolie Folle, though, is a reminder of how wonderful those wines are: ripe lime fruit, some minerality, and a long, clean finish. And did I mention it’s a liter bottle?

Highly recommended. Serve this chilled on its own as the days warm up, and it would pair with almost any kind of grilled chicken.

Imported by Crazy Beautiful Wines

Mini-reviews 145: Even more rose reviews 2021

rose reviews 2021
What is more fun than quality rose and a picnic?

Reviews of wines that don’t need their own post, but are worth noting for one reason or another. Look for it on the fourth Friday of each month. This month, five rose reviews as part of the blog’s 14th annual rose fest.

• The 14th annual Memorial Day and rose 2021 post

• Perrin & Fils Côtes du Rhone Rose Reserve 2020 ($10, purchased, 13%): This is a top-notch $10 French rose from the same producer that does WC favorite La Vieille Ferme. Look for some berry fruit and even some spice, but it’s not soft despite grenache in the blend. Imported by Vineyard Brands

• Josef Leitz Rheingau Rose 2019 ($17, sample, 12%): Well-made and enjoyable German rose made with pinot noir and without a spec of sweetness — almost Provencal in style, with strawberry fruit and stoniness. Price is problematic. Imported by Schatzi Wines

• Rocchetta Futurosa Rosato 2018 ($8, purchased, 13.5%): This Italian pink is one of the best roses I tasted in the past year — stunning, almost savory, with cherry fruit and a finish that seems to go on forever. Highly recommended, though availability may be a problem; I bought it on close out at half its normal price. Imported by Serendipity Wines

• Protocolo Rose 2019 ($9, purchased, 12,5%): The Protocolo wines are mostly known for their price, so quality is inconsistent. Having said that, this is an amazing Spanish rose — tart and fresh, despite the vintage, with almost orange-ish fruit. Highly recommended. Imported by Fine Estates from Spain

• Jolie Folle Rose 2019 ($13/1 liter, purchased, 12.5%): This is a pleasant, well-made French pink that sits between Provencal and the New World in style — strawberry fruit, but not too much, and a lingering minerality on the back. Plus, it’s a value at 1 liter, even with the tariff. Imported by T. Elenteny Imports

Photo: Jep Gambardella via Pexels

Father's Day wine 2020

Father’s Day wine 2015

Father's day wine 2015The Wine Curmudgeon got a bunch of emails over the past couple of weeks extolling various studies about what dads want for Father’s Day, who buys dad his Father’s Day present, and the most common Google searches for Father’s Day gifts. Most of which was a lot of effort for nothing, because everyone here knows that Father’s Day wine 2015 is the ultimate gift.

Keep the blog ?s wine gift-giving guidelines in mind throughout the process: ?Don ?t buy someone wine that you think they should like; buy them what they will like. ?

Suggestions for Father ?s Day wine 2015:

? Tintonegro Malbec Uco Valley 2012 ($14, sample, 14%): Know how too much Argentine malbec tastes like dark-flavored grape juice? Not this one, which was among the highlights of my El Centro wine class tastings. Look for dark fruit and more freshness than I thought possible in a malbec. Highly recommended (steaks on the grill), and a steal at this price.

? Jolie Folle Rose 2014 ($10/1-liter bottle, purchased, 12.5%): The ultimate porch rose, in that this French pink wine is simple enough (sort of lemony-cranberry fruit) to be enjoyable and offers a couple of extra glasses because of the bigger bottle at the smaller bottle price.

? Cruz de Piedra Blanco 2014 ($9, purchased, 13%): I suppose there are some crappy cheap Spanish wines to be found, but I’ve yet to find one yet. This white, made with macabeo, usually useed for cava, offers some of the Spanish bubbly’s fruit flavor (lemony-apple?) and a wonderful freshness — and somehow, once, got 86 points from the Wine Spectator. Serve chilled on its own or with any grilled seafood or even brats.

? Los Dos 2013 ($8, purchased, 14%): This Spanish red blend, with garnacha and syrah, never fails to amaze me, and this vintage is even better than the 2012 (which was terrific). Lots of red fruit from the garnacha, and the syrah adds some heft and balance.

More about Father ?s Day wine:
? Father ?s Day wine 2014
? Father ?s Day wine 2013
? Wine of the week: Josep Masachs Resso 2013
? Expensive wine 73: Pierre-Marie Chermette Fleurie Ponci 2013