A Taste of Wine
Happy August!!! This is my
favorite month of the year. I love
the warm weather and long days
which allow for more time to do
fun things outside including re-
laxing on the deck with a gentle
summer breeze blowing and a
delicious glass of wine in hand. This year I have a
little extra excitement for August since my husband
and I are going on a vacation to see the total eclipse
of the Sun in late August. So, the natural question is
“What wine pairs best with a total eclipse of the Sun?”
When I asked my husband about this, he mentioned
something called the “Diamond Ring Effect” which
is an astronomy phenomenon, observed immediately
before and after a total eclipse of the Sun. Just as the
Sun is being completely covered by the Moon, a tiny
tip of bright sunlight appears on one edge, resembling
a shining diamond ring. So, its seems to me that the
Diamond Collection from the Frances Ford Coppola
Winery might be a good place to start in discussing
wines this month.
The Diamond Collection features twelve different
wines, but there are two, in particular, that I have
enjoyed over the years: Claret and Sauvignon Blanc.
The Claret is packaged with a stylish black label and
fun gold netting on the bottle. It is Coppolaʼs signature
red wine and is layered with flavors of blackberry, cas-
sis, and roasted espresso. It is a Cabernet Sauvignon-
based wine, blended in the classic Bordeaux style. It is
usually received well by those who enjoy smooth red
wines when we bring it with us to a party. In contrast,
the Sauvignon Blanc is a light, elegant white wine that
balances sweet, juicy flavors with bright acidity. It ap-
pears pale yellow and has aromas of lemon, guava, and
orange blossoms. The flavor has hints of tangerine,
pineapple, and minerals. Both wines are truly a delight
and perfect for a summerʼs evening. The Claret sells
for about $15 and the Sauvignon Blanc for about $12.
Happy tasting!
– Nancy Biggs
Wine Aficionada
Expires: 8-31-17
14 August 2017
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