{"id":7337,"date":"2015-11-07T15:34:08","date_gmt":"2015-11-07T23:34:08","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/lesliedinaberg.com\/wordpress\/?p=7337"},"modified":"2015-11-06T15:37:04","modified_gmt":"2015-11-06T23:37:04","slug":"cocktail-corner-value-blends-from-qupe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lesliedinaberg.com\/wordpress\/?p=7337","title":{"rendered":"Cocktail Corner: Value Blends from Qup\u00e9"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Louisa

Louisa Sawyer Lindquist and Bob Lindquist. Photo by Derek Johnson<\/p><\/div>\n

A spirited toast to all things alcoholic! by Leslie Dinaberg<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

We’ve longtime fans of Qup\u00e9 wines<\/a> at my house, so I was excited to hear that winemaker Bob Lindquist<\/a> had a new duo of value blends available and couldn’t wait to try them. Thankfully, they didn’t disappoint. Both wines retail for about $16.<\/p>\n

Drawing inspiration from the elegant wines of France\u2019s Rh\u00f4ne Valley, \u00a0crossed with an approachable California touch, both the “modern red” and “modern white” pair well with a wide variety of foods. Here are the tasting notes:<\/p>\n

Qup\u00e9 2013 A Modern Red<\/strong> \u2013 “For lovers of Pinot, looking for ‘a bit more,’ A Modern Red offers delicate Pinot-like flavors, but with added complexity and spice. Not all red wines play well with a broad range of food, but whether it\u2019s steak, chicken, or a Sunday afternoon burger, A Modern Red complements them all.”<\/p>\n

Qup\u00e9 2014 A Modern White<\/strong> \u2013 “Call this blend a modern wine for the modern drinkers. Taking the best of California Chardonnay and integrating the aromatic notes and freshness of France\u2019s Rhone Valley, this wine is easily paired with a variety of lighter dishes, serves as an easy sipper for an evening in with takeout, or a quality, value wine to bring to a casual dinner party.”<\/p>\n

\"Qupe

Qupe Value Blends, courtesy photo<\/p><\/div>\n

Started in 1982, Qup\u00e9 (kyoo-PAY) spans multiple vineyards across California\u2019s Central Coast. Bob Lindquist, founder, winemaker and partner is considered to be an\u00a0original “Rh\u00f4ne Ranger,” and was one of the first to advocate for American-made Syrah and other Rh\u00f4ne varietals such as Grenache, Roussanne and Marsanne. Qup\u00e9 is celebrated as California\u2019s preeminent producer of cool-climate Syrah and Rh\u00f4ne varietals. Qup\u00e9 produces four tiers of wines: Single Vineyard\/Estate, Reserve, Core and Blends. In 2013, noted wine investor, Charles Banks,<\/a> purchased a controlling interest in Qup\u00e9, adding the brand to his\u00a0Terroir Selections<\/a> portfolio. \u00a0Cheers!<\/p>\n

Click\u00a0here<\/a>\u00a0for more cocktail corner columns.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Leslie<\/a><\/i><\/p>\n

When she\u2019s not busy working as the editor of\u00a0Santa Barbara SEASONS<\/a>, Cocktail Corner author Leslie Dinaberg writes magazine articles, newspaper columns and grocery lists. When it comes to cocktails, Leslie considers herself a \u201cgoal-oriented drinker.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n

Originally published in Santa Barbara Seasons Magazine<\/em><\/a> on November 6, 2015.<\/p>\n

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