Now that the election tumult is over, it's time to get back to more familiar things, like wine.
Cheryl Indelicato is a member of a family that has numerous grape-growing and winemaking facilities in California. You have probably enjoyed their wine before, but did not know it because many wineries purchase finished new wines from an Indelicato winery.
It is not uncommon for a winery to buy finished wine from another winery and add their particular touch by mixing up the aging process.
A number of years ago, the family began to produce wines under their own label, Delicato, as well as Monterra and Bota Box boxed wine, all of which proved to be successful brands.
Cheryl was born into the wine business and, pardon the cliche, it's in her blood. Like all of us, we have ideas about the business we are in, and Cheryl is no different. Her ideas were based on the nuances of a wine and how to blend and the varieties to appeal to a larger audience.
Out of these philosophies was born the HandCraft series of wine. Cheryl took the project one step further and contributes a percentage of the profits derived from the sale of her HandCraft wines to the fight against breast cancer.
HandCraft Cabernet Sauvignon ($13)An impressive wine for its modest price tag, this well-balanced, full-bodied, deep ruby-red wine is a blend of 77 percent cabernet sauvignon, 21 percent petite sirah and 2 percent sangiovese.
The wine exhibits the big and open fruit aromas of black cherries and blackberries, combined with various red berries and hints of chocolate. The flavor is strong, warm and powerful, stressing berries, spice, anise and a sprinkling of oak.
The cabernet sauvignon has a property that is not found in many of the other wines in this price range, a long, delicate and complex finish. This is a fine wine that has quality and affordability - a combination that is hard to beat.
HandCraft 2010 Chardonnay ($13)Tired of chardonnay? Don’t give up; a reprieve is on the way, and the HandCraft 2010 Chardonnay could just be it.
This chard is a blend of 86 percent chardonnay, 7 percent viognier, 5 percent chenin blanc and 2 percent malvasia bianca.
Lemon zest, green apple and toasty oak dominate the aroma, while the flavor is a melding of the aromas with the addition of citrus, peach, honey, pear, a creamy marshmallow and a hint of oak.
There is the Delicato signature of a long, fruity finish to this wine, which helps to amplify the drinking experience.
To the HandCraft 2010 Chardonnay, we say, “We who are tired of commonplace and ordinary chardonnays, salute you.”
HandCraft 2010 Petite Sirah ($13)Here is a blend of 82 percent petite sirah with four other popular red varities: 7 percent petit verdot, 5 percent sangiovese, 3 percent syrah and 3 percent zinfandel.
The mixture creates a wine with a huge structure of deep, rich purple colors and concentrated flavors from aroma to finish.
Blueberry pie, nutmeg and pepper mark the aroma, while the flavor prominently displays boysenberry, plum, black pepper and the slightest hint of oak. The finish, like the rest of this wine is big, bold, fruity and outstanding.
This wine is particularly well-matched with strongly flavored and spicy foods, as well as anything barbecued.
HandCraft 2010 Pinot Noir ($13)Blending other varieties with pinot noir is definitely a no-no, but that did not stop Cheryl Indelicato from creating a really outstanding wine by blending other reds with this wine.
The HandCraft 2010 Pinot Noir blends 76 percent pinot noir, 9 percent tempranillo, 6 percent petit verdot, 6 percent sangiovese and 3 percent petite sirah.
Cherry, vanilla and strawberry aromas are followed by ripe black cherry, sweet spice, vanilla and chocolate flavors extending on to the finish, which is relatively long and fruity.
Summing this wine up in very few words: way to go Cheryl.
Nixa resident Bennet Bodenstein is a wine columnist and helps manage ArticlesOnWine.com with his wife, Sheila. He can be reached at frojhe@suddenlink.net.
