Springtime is fast approaching and quick light meals are in the forecast. Most of us are watching our money and our waistlines.

Pacific Foods is the top tier of canned organic soups by “CAMPBELL’S SOUP”. which most of us grew up eating. Pacific Foods has several flavors of soup. They make for a delicious lunch or dinner. A single can of soup is two servings. Found in local area grocers and prices are terrific. Pair them with a glass of wine and enjoy the simple life.

Chicken and noodle with tender cuts of chicken, veggies, and a savory broth. Pairs perfectly with a chilled glass of chardonnay and a spicy Gewürztraminer.

Chicken and wild rice nice chunks of tender white chicken and elegant wild rice with a rich broth. Will pair with an unoaked chardonnay, pinot Blanc, and organic prosecco.

Plant based split pea has a creamy base with plenty of whole peas, and carrots. This is how I like a split pea soup to taste, and the texture is great. Very nicely paired with Pinot Nero and Frappato.

Harissa and lentil a new flavor with exotic spices. Very hearty and filling with lots of beans and veggies. I enjoyed my bowl with a glass of tempranillo from Spain, also would pair well with a glass of cab franc.

Chicken style-tortilla with rice is also new and my favorite of the line up. Packed full of chicken, beans, perfectly cooked rice, and a spicy red broth. A nice soup for a glass Nero ‘d Avola, and sweet red sangria would be awesome to temper the spiciness.

Add a few crackers, left over proteins, left over veggies, and a slice of cornbread to the soups to round out the meal.

Pacific Foods offers many flavors of soup, low sodium bone broth, and plant-based milks. All non-GMO and certified organic products. Campbell’s soup acquired Pacific Foods in 2017 and practices DEI in 2025.

https://www.pacificfoods.com

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Pinot Noir and Pinot Nero are the same grape variety, the former is the French name, and the latter is the Italian name.

I’ve always loved a glass of Pinot Noir due to the elegance and earthiness of the wine. Low in tannins, dry, and light enough to pair with a hearty fish dish, seafood, tender cuts of beef, and fat rimmed pork chops.

Kaltern Saltner Pinot Nero Riserva DOC

The history of Cantina Kaltern goes back to the beginning of the 20th century, a century that separated Alto Adige from Austria. The winery cooperative has 650 members and 450 hectares of vineyards.

A plush palate with flavors of mixed berries, savory herbs, dried cranberries, sweet baking spices, field wildflowers, and a deep garnet hue. The finish is long with elegant tannins, mild acidity, and a silky mouthfeel. This wine was my favorite of the three and more of a medium bodied Pinot Nero. A half golden cap and embossing makes for a beautiful bottle. Pairs well with vegan dishes, turkey meatballs with gravy, fried chicken, Mexican fried rice, and baked trout almondine.

Castelfeder Pinot Nero Alto Adige Riserva DOC

Since 1989 the Burgum Novum label represents the premium wines of Castelfeder. After a careful aging process in small oak barrels for 18 months, Riserva wines age for an additional 12 months in the bottle before being released.

The Pinot Nero Riserva stands out with a bold nose of red berries, rich earth, cranberries, and vanilla. Lovely flavors of pomegranate seeds, mild tannins, soft oak, refined acidity, and a long earthy finish. Pairs nicely with grilled salmon, stuffed mushrooms, garlic infused mussels, and broiled pork chops. Castelfeder has a magnificent portfolio of wine.

Girlan Patrica Pinot Noir

Grapes for this wine derive from Girlan, Mazon, and Pinzon. The vineyards are located at an altitude between 380 and 530 meters.

The grapes are picked by hand and placed in small containers to prevent excess pressure on the grapes. Placed into steel tanks where the alcoholic fermentation takes place. After malolactic fermentation, the wine is aged for 12 months in large wooden barrels. Then stored for 6 months in the bottle. A pretty nose of sour cherry and flirty raspberry. Flavors of dried raspberries, crisp pomegranate, and a fresh acidity.

This is the Pinot Noir to pair with cheese and dense wheat crackers. Soft white cheeses, herbed goat cheese, drunken goat cheese, vegan gouda, Havarti, smoked provolone, fresh mozzarella, and blueberry cream cheese.

https://www.kellereikaltern.com

https://castelfeder.it/wine

https://www.girlan.it

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A wine is sealed until someone opens it and how it was sealed can be interesting.

Wine corks are an important component of a wine bottle. They have been around for thousands of years and serve as a protective barrier to wine.

Wine corks are typically made from either synthetic or organic materials, namely cork oak tree and polyethylene. Natural corks are the most common and popular type of cork used in wine bottles because of their superior sealing ability. They are obtained from the bark of cork oak trees.

Synthetic corks have been used for many years to replace the natural cork. The synthetic resin corks are a lighter alternative to natural cork.

One of the benefits of synthetic corks is that it minimizes the risk of cork taint. Cork taint is an off-flavor in wine and caused by the chemical compound 2,4,6-trichloroanisole, which is found naturally in cork oak trees.

Champagne corks are designed to be more elastic and flatter at the bottom part of the cork. When carbon dioxide combines with a high amount of pressure, they expand and form into a mushroom-shaped cork.

Agglomerated cork closures are made from a mass of granular or powdered corks. These closures are formed by a method that includes the following steps: mixing cork granulates and an adhesive to form a mixture, forming blocks of the mixture. This style of cork is tightly held together that no oxygen can get in and spoil the wine.

How is the cork harvested?

The cork tree should only be harvested by qualified people called “extractors”, who will guarantee that the procedure does not harm or damage the tree. Harvesting should only be done between the end of May, and the beginning of June. Cork may be harvested from the tree without harming it under these conditions.

I recently saw a documentary where the cork trees are harvested, and it was fascinating to watch. It’s terrific to know that the trees aren’t destroyed during the process. Wine corks can be used for making wreaths, jewelry, wall art, and filling large glass containers for decoration.

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How wine is kept sealed in a bottle is important and why its sealed this way is equally worth knowing. The twist-off wine cap, also known as the Stelvin, was developed in the late 1960’s by the French company Le Bouchage Mécanique.

It was introduced to combat the quality-related struggles of the traditional cork at the time. The idea is to create a tighter seal on the bottle. Without overexposing the wine to oxygen and impacting the flavor. Screw cap wines were not popular when the idea first originated. Many wine enthusiasts wanted to stick to the traditional cork to preserve the authenticity of winemaking.

New Zealand is leading the charge, with around 90% of their wines using screw caps instead of the traditional cork. Australia uses screw caps on around 80% of their wines. South Africa, with around 65% of their wines use a screw caps. The USA is dragging behind with around 30% of wines using twist off caps.

Screw caps don’t allow oxygen into the bottle, preventing the wine from slowly aging. This makes it a good option for wines that are meant to be enjoyed young.

Easier to open for those who have difficulty opening a bottle of wine with a cork. They’re also easier to seal and reseal instead of jamming a cork back inside the bottle.

It isn’t all Good News

The controversy is that high-end wines have a cork and allows the ageing process to take place more efficiently. Personally, I prefer a cork in a red wine for ageing. I also prefer a higher priced red wine to have a cork as it shows classic bottling techniques. I’m fond of half bottles with a twist off cap as I generally consume these wines within a month of purchase.

Screw caps are made from aluminum, which is often produced from a mined ore called bauxite. Processing aluminum can be a messy process, negatively impacting the air and water.

Producing nearly 70 million tons of waste annually. Aluminum and can be recycled, but most screw caps end up in the trash. Most screw cap liners are made from Polyvinylidene chloride a plastic that’s unsustainable and toxic when burned.

Twist cap storage

Red Wine: The shelf life of an opened red screw top wine is around 5 days.

White Wine: The shelf life of an opened white screw top wine is around 3 days.

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I spent a couple of hours at The Wine Merchant 3972 Edwards Rd Cincinnati, Ohio 45209.  

A beautiful wine store and wine bar, with a tempting slogan “Taste before you buy”!

Wine Merchant has a large selection of wine on tap. This is an incredible way to try wines that you haven’t experienced and have several of your favorite wines.

The way the wine on tap works: First purchase a card from them with a chip. You can use cash or a debit card to purchase it. Then load money onto the card which is used to buy the wine on tap. The Napa Technology Wine Station is the first in Cincinnati.

All the wines are high quality and from all over the globe, and you choose the pour size, one ounce, two ounce, or more.

Prices are amazing and the glasses are big and perfect for wine tasting. The tables are roomy and made from repurposed wine barrels, which is super cool and eco-friendly. New wines are introduced throughout the month to keep customers coming back. If there is money left on the card it can be used when you return.

The Bottled Wine Selection is Incredible

Wines in the store are clearly marked from country of origin and prices are easy to read. I love wine from Alsace, France and there were many to choose from. A fine selection of Pinot Noir, Austria, Spain, California, and New Zealand. Seeing so many delicious white wines from Italy was rare, most wine stores focus on Italian reds. Well, Wine Merchant has both styles in abundance.

Large maps on the wall from Bordeaux, France and Willamette Valley, Oregon showing and explaining the growing regions was entertaining. The store sits at a busy intersection and free parking is in the back.

Wine Merchant has been at this location since 1996, and the owner and his staff are extremely helpful and friendly. They offer several wine clubs at various price points, and fun events listed on their website. I can’t wait to return for more delicious wine on tap.

Business Hours

• Monday-Friday 10:00 am – 7:00 pm
• Saturday 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
• Sunday 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm

http://www.winemerchantcincinnati.com/
513-731-1515

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Wine can play a delicious role in Valentine’s Day this year. Maybe a Galentine’s Day event with friends and a couple bottles of wine from Biltmore winery.

Biltmore Estate Blanc de Blancs is a sparkling wine with fine bubbles, created in the traditional méthode. Bright aromas of green apple, clean minerality, fresh pineapple, Bosc pear, light yeast notes, and a luxurious creamy mouthfeel.

This Biltmore sparkling jewel is delightful with fried oysters, sushi with pickled ginger, and caviar on toast points. Consider giving it as a gift to someone very special.

Biltmore Estate Limited Release Dry Riesling is handcrafted to be refreshing and approachable, featuring light floral notes and hints of spearmint. Delicate flavors of lime zest, kiwi, and honeydew add to its charming profile. Versatile and round, this Biltmore white wine pairs with pecan-crusted trout, fried appetizers, and shrimp.

Biltmore Reserve North Carolina Rosé is a lovely salmon-pink wine that opens with aromas of banana, strawberry, and papaya. Off-dry flavors of crisp lemon, white peach, touches of minerality, and a dazzling strawberry finish. Crafted from estate-grown grapes and beautiful in the glass for a romantic evening dinner.

Approachable and easy to drink, it’s perfect with a Valentine’s Day charcuterie board, grilled salmon bites, scallops, smoked gouda cheese, poached chicken skewers, macadamia nuts, and fresh strawberries.

Vanderbilt Reserve Sonoma County Pinot Noir is handcrafted with outstanding grapes from California. This medium-bodied Pinot Noir offers inviting aromas of cranberry, vanilla, and brown butter, melding into flavors of pomegranate, red currant, and hints of baking spice.

Smooth and rich for a night to remember on Feb 14th or any day of the year. Absolutely marvelous with chocolates and the tannins are low with a vibrant acidity. Enjoy the delightful complexity of this exceptional Pinot Noir.

Let’s get on the Road to North Carolina

Biltmore Winery is only 5.5 hours away from the Queen city for a quick weekend get-a-way.

Featuring splendid overnight properties and a resort experience like no other, Biltmore’s gated estate is a one-of-a-kind mountain oasis set on 8,000 acres of land.

Winter Hours: Open daily, 12-5 p.m.

The Inn, the Cottages, and the Village Hotel are available to rent for a full stay.

The Inn is open and being remolded, completion due by April 2025. This is the most luxurious of the properties. The cottage has two bedrooms and there are two cottages to rent. The Village Hotel is gorgeous with modern southern charm and offers a classic hotel experience.

Time to eat with many options

Village Social’s menu features dishes prepared in traditional southern style. Burgers, steaks, seafood, salads, unique cocktails, this full-service restaurant aims to please.

Cedric’s Tavern featuring such hearty favorites as fish & chips, shepherd’s pie, and Biltmore grown beef, delicious soups, salads, and small plates. Sample local craft beers, Biltmore bourbon, and signature cocktails.

Stable Café Appalachian Comfort Food satisfy your appetite for house-smoked meats, Carolina barbeque, grilled burgers, and southern favorites in a setting that was once the estate’s horse stable.Casual dining in a bright and airy restaurant with cozy booths.

The fabulous Wine Bar at Biltmore

Treat yourself to a wine flight, wine by the glass, or a full bottle. Seating that includes cozy nooks and a patio fire pit. The Wine Bar invites you to linger, reflect, and savor life’s special moments. Biltmore has a wonderful portfolio of wine including dessert wines.

800.411.3812 https://www.biltmore.com

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Baby its cold outside and staying indoors will be more fun than ever. Especially having a cozy evening with a wine board game. There are several wine board and card games on the market, here are a few to contemplate and perhaps try out.

Sippin On Somethin

Enrich your wine pairing skills, learn wine vocabulary, and wine regions.

Learn about wine culture, and personal experiences related to wine. Discover intriguing facts about wine and grape varietals.

Whether playing with close friends or meeting new people, the game fosters bonding through sharing wine stories.

Wine-Opoly

For 2-6 players 

Pretty much like the classic property game, with a wine theme instead.

Choose traditional play or a one-hour version of the game.

Learn facts about wine that will surprise you and guests.

This game isn’t a test like some other wine board games, and anyone interested in wine can play with ease. Dice are used in this game and each player can choose an icon piece to use just like the property game we all know and love.

Wine Wars

A fun and fascinating trivia game tests your knowledge of wine. Let the battle begin as players answer questions in categories such as growing grapes and making wine.

Selecting wine, storing wine, tasting wine, regions, and wine manners.

Perfect for those new to the world of wine and challenging enough for the devoted oenophile. Wine Wars comes in a small box, easy to travel with, and store in a tight space.

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These cabernet sauvignon wines are under $100 per bottle and sought after by discriminating cab lovers. The brands featured have different tiers of cabs and price points. I have chosen to showcase the upper level for this article.

Napa Valley Heitz Cellar Cabernet Sauvignon embrace aromatic red fruit, sandalwood, cedar,  and herbs de Provence.

The flavor profile is gratifying with blackberry, tart raspberry, and I love the thick taste of cedar in this wine. Abundant rainfall in the winter, followed by a long summer provides an even growing season. Medium tannins and bright acidity followed by a lengthy finish. This cab pairs with steak salad, mushroom risotto, and vegan burgers. Produced from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon grapes.

Quilt Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon from Nappa Valley, California is one of my favorite cabs at this price point.

Deep ruby in color with a bold nose of currant, chocolate, hazelnut, coffee beans, mulberries, vanilla, baking spices, forest berries, field herbs, dried tobacco, and roasted red meats.

Intense on the palate with blackberry, cassis, toasted hazelnut, dark chocolate, toffee, wild berries, black licorice, and green cardamom seeds. Produced from 100% Nappa Valley cabernet sauvignon grapes.

A full-bodied wine with layers of complexity, structure, velvety mouthfeel, polite tannins, balanced acidity, with an eyelash fluttering finish. I enjoy Quilt with a smoked gouda grilled cheese sandwich.

The fruit for Vina Robles Mountain Road Reserve cabernet sauvignon grows in the Adelaida District. An elevation of 1,700 feet and only 12 miles from the Pacific Coast. Situated on the rugged coastal mountains west of Paso Robles.

Cabernet Sauvignon, with a bit of Petit Verdot, and Cab Franc is in the blend to enhance the structure of the finished wine. Aged for 20 months in French oak barrels, medium to full-bodied, and medium tannins.

Dark ruby hue that is exotic and fanciful, tastes of cassis, boysenberry, mocha, and a hint of white pepper. The nose of violets is intriguing to the senses.

Pairs nicely with ratatouille, steak Diane, and steak au poivre.

Always purchase the best wine for your budget and explore wine to find your favorites.

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Most cabs have other varietals in the bottle and the predominate grape will always be cabernet sauvignon. Research the cab online to find out if it’s a blend. I prefer a cabernet sauvignon to be at least 95% cab, the other 5% is usually merlot or cab franc.

Tolani Legit Featuring musician Thelonious Monk is produced in Italy and made of 100% cabernet sauvignon grapes.

Grapes are harvested and immediately put into French oak barrels for 24 months. Kept in contact with the skins for about 30 days. Then rests on the lees for 6 months.

Floral notes of violet add complexity and elegance. Rich flavors of blackcurrant, stewed cherries, plum, secondary notes of fig, and dried blackberry.

Earthy flavors of tobacco leaf, leather, and truffle add to the wine’s depth. I am crazy over the strong presence of tobacco in this wine.

Oak influence is pronounced on the palate, dark chocolate, espresso, vanilla bean, and charred wood. A distinct mineral quality of crushed stones gives Legit a refined and structured finish. This amazing wine costs around $45-50 per bottle depending on the vintage.

Tannins are polished and remember all red wine with age can benefit from a decanter. Pair Legit with modern soul food and feel the power of our culture. I am proud to see an African American musician on the label.

Thelonious Sphere Monk was an American jazz pianist and composer. He had a unique improvisational style and made numerous contributions to the standard of jazz.

Born October 1917 – Died February 1982.

https://www.tolaini.it/en

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There is something special about cabernet sauvignon and red wine lovers are always searching for the next great one.

A cabernet sauvignon is a full-bodied dry red wine with brave tannins. Tastes of cedar, new leather jacket, fresh sage, dried herbs, clove, oregano, black pepper, earth, and cigar leaves.

A big bold wine that pairs well with red meat, lamb, pork roast, venison, vegan chili, prime rib, and black-eyed peas with ham hocks.

There are many cabernet sauvignons on the market and the prices can climb up high. I’ve done the foot work to narrow the aisle on choosing a nice cab for around $30 per bottle.

Some cabs have other varietals in the bottle and the predominate grape will always be cabernet sauvignon. Research the cab online to find out if it’s a blend. I prefer 100% cabernet sauvignon or at least 95%, the other 5% is usually merlot or cab franc.

Cs Cabernet Sauvignon from Washington State’s Columbia Valley is a complex wine. With flavors of blackberry, cassis, and espresso. The tannins are firm and well-structured, resulting in a long finish. On the nose, it has classic Cabernet notes of blackberry, cherry, dried floral, savory herbs, and baking spices.

Earthquake Cabernet’s name was chosen while the producer Michael Phillips related this intense wine with the earthquake in California circa 1909. Earthquake Cabernet is a deep ruby hue, this wine opens with bold aromas of dark plum, blackberry, and mocha. Full-bodied with tastes of boysenberry, espresso, toasted marshmallow, sage, and silky smoke. Aged 18 months in 100% French oak barrels.

Justin cabernet Sauvignon is made in Paso Robles, CA much like a Bordeaux-style wine. Grapes are hand-picked for consistent quality and flavor. Then spends fourteen months in oak barrels to impart depth and complexity. Highlighting the exceptional balance of textures, the unique climate and soils.

Luke Cabernet Sauvignon is a wine that offers aromas dominated by Marionberry and dark chocolate, hints of mint, and rich molasses. It’s a charming example of Wahluke Slope cabernet sauvignon. Luke is opulent and is impressive for the price.

Price matters when choosing a nice bottle of cabernet sauvignon. Purchase the best cab your budget can afford. Age is also important a few years aging makes a difference, and I prefer 2020 or older. They’re produced all over the world and no two bottles are the same.

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