Red or White? Neither #THECHALIST Transitional-Season Wine

Yes, time is moving by fast its already been 2 weeks since my first tv appearance albeit virtual, it is the motivation I need to keep serving and educating consumers during these times. I have received many questions about the wines featured in the NBC 3rd hour virtual tasting with Al Roker, Sheinelle Jones, Dylan Dreyer, and Craig Melvin. Even though the video is only 4 minutes we did have a full hour to break into what I am loving for affordable transitional season-friendly wines for this in between season and I am going to through in a bonus as well to keep your palate ready for these styles of wines.

Them: Was that a Red or White?

Me: Neither!

Lets, get into orange wine, the more I host virtual wine tastings I can tell you that 9 times out of 10 the average American have no idea that orange wine/amber wine exists. So I am here to tell you are missing a moment. Let me first give you some clarifications, first, there are no oranges involved, and all orange wines are NOT orange in color.

Pullus one of the oldest wineries in Sloveia this Pinot Grigio with skin contact for 72 hours, beautiful clarity and cooper tones and was one of first introductions to this style. Don’t recall when we added to the shelves at the wine store but we keep selling it to customers as “Orange is the new White” after the Netflix show “Orange is the new Black”. It taste like Fall, bruised pear and baked peach, nice tangerine type acidity and caramel finish. Perfect with my favorite meal, BRUNCH it goes well with Shrimp & Grits or even Shrimp Tacos.

Rosé gets a bad wrap when the summer ends and especially when it relates to a darker color, styles with higher color intensity just don’t move like the blush pink. You already know I am #TeamDarkRose which are some of my favorite food-friendly styles of wine to pair with. As we are between the seasons right now, whether in NYC or Lisbon your sweating in jeans in one day and the next freezing in a t-shirt, and my palate is just as confused so have fun with it. I had an amazing poké tuna dish at Berimbau Brazilian Restaurant in NYC  which is the perfect pairing for this style. 

Sheldrake  Cabernet Franc Rosé has been my go-to sharing a little New York love as well getting Sheinelle Jones and Al Roker on board that this dry rosé is a winner. Even got Al Roker to start singing, (check the tape lol). Nice raspberry color fresh red berries, nectarine, wet rock and pink grapefruit finish. Acidity on this dry style is to die for! If you are feeling tuna try beef tartare

Clarete not your average rosé, or not one at all?  But they look the same right? Rosés are produced like white wine,  the grape juice ferments without skin contact and the color comes from macerating red  grape skins in the juice before fermentation.   However, clarete, is produced  like a red wine, with the contact of the skins during fermentation, the reason why it don’t turn completely red is because its the limited time.  And to be clear, the blending of red and white wine together is not your home in your glass. Rioja is as the birth place of this style, don’t believe the French !(clairet’, a term found in Bordeaux, France). 


I had the privilege of getting a bottle of Clarete fresh off the press @FlashWineForLight  from Spain gifted from my friend @gange_of_grenache and @michinegron   2 badass wine importers for Spanish wines. Making a difference with wine to help economic development efforts in Puerto Rico, and you know I love a business built with the intentions of helping others. Amazing color and next to the Sheldrake you can really see the difference. First tasting note was PAPAYA ! Nice finish of white tart strawberry nice acidity. The tannins and acidity are dancing together in a way that calls for nice rare thin cut of beef or veal. Or maybe its just barbeque pork ribs. Please support their efforts ! #ClareteForChange

Cha McCoy