First up was Foradori’s Granato from 1999. This is a really fresh example of the Teroldego Rotaliano grape variety, which has picked up some savoury, spicy notes to accompany the fresh cherry and blackberry fruit.
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
A lovely Italian-influenced wine dinner — jamie goode's wine blog
A lovely Italian-influenced wine dinner — jamie goode's wine blog
First up was Foradori’s Granato from 1999. This is a really fresh example of the Teroldego Rotaliano grape variety, which has picked up some savoury, spicy notes to accompany the fresh cherry and blackberry fruit.
First up was Foradori’s Granato from 1999. This is a really fresh example of the Teroldego Rotaliano grape variety, which has picked up some savoury, spicy notes to accompany the fresh cherry and blackberry fruit.
Meeting the Challenge of Thanksgiving Wine - On Wine - WSJ
Meeting the Challenge of Thanksgiving Wine - On Wine - WSJ
I’ll bring some Vouvray, one of my favorite wines — likely a 2009 Les Argiles from Chidaine ($20) which is a wonderfully, exquisitely minerally wine.
I’ll bring some Vouvray, one of my favorite wines — likely a 2009 Les Argiles from Chidaine ($20) which is a wonderfully, exquisitely minerally wine.
Gather round with American wines at the feast - Food & dining - The Boston Globe
Gather round with American wines at the feast - Food & dining - The Boston Globe
Owen Roe Winery “Abbot’s Table’’ Columbia Valley Red Blend 2009/2010 Here’s that genuine oddity: a blend of multiple grape varieties from diverse sources that does not seem muddled. On the contrary, this is a full-featured, neatly articulated red blend that capably herds a good deal of juicy, sweet New World fruit, acid, and tannins into an appetizing, well-balanced table-friendly package.
Owen Roe Winery “Abbot’s Table’’ Columbia Valley Red Blend 2009/2010 Here’s that genuine oddity: a blend of multiple grape varieties from diverse sources that does not seem muddled. On the contrary, this is a full-featured, neatly articulated red blend that capably herds a good deal of juicy, sweet New World fruit, acid, and tannins into an appetizing, well-balanced table-friendly package.
Ethereal Barolos, Soulful Barbera and Dolcetto | Bruce Sanderson Decanted | Blogs | Wine Spectator
Ethereal Barolos, Soulful Barbera and Dolcetto | Bruce Sanderson Decanted | Blogs | Wine Spectator
Founded in 1881 by Mauro Mascarello’s great-grandfather, the estate of Giuseppe Mascarello & Figli today covers 44.5 acres in Castiglione Falletto and Monforte d’Alba, two towns in the storied Piedmont region of northwestern Italy. About two-thirds of the vineyards are dedicated to Nebbiolo, the region's most famous grape and the one used for the wine of Barolo and Barbaresco.
Founded in 1881 by Mauro Mascarello’s great-grandfather, the estate of Giuseppe Mascarello & Figli today covers 44.5 acres in Castiglione Falletto and Monforte d’Alba, two towns in the storied Piedmont region of northwestern Italy. About two-thirds of the vineyards are dedicated to Nebbiolo, the region's most famous grape and the one used for the wine of Barolo and Barbaresco.
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Battle of the bubbles
Battle of the bubbles
Larmandier-Bernier Blanc de Blancs Vertus Non-Vintage ($85)
Larmandier-Bernier Blanc de Blancs Vertus Non-Vintage ($85)
A biodynamic champagne maker of class, Larmandier-Bernier gets better with each year. The non-vintage is a good place to become acquainted with the house style - appley crisp, youthful and light in the mouth - before graduating to the magnificent 2005 Cramant Grand Cru.
Friday, November 18, 2011
How to buy a wine gift | The Des Moines Register | DesMoinesRegister.com
Susana BalboHow to buy a wine gift | The Des Moines Register | DesMoinesRegister.com
If there were a man that Hendricks wanted to impress with a wine gift, she would select Susana Balbo’s 2008 Signature Malbec Mendoza 2008. Selling for about $30, this is a sultry wine with strong tannins. “This would be the wine for impressing a guy,” she said.
If there were a man that Hendricks wanted to impress with a wine gift, she would select Susana Balbo’s 2008 Signature Malbec Mendoza 2008. Selling for about $30, this is a sultry wine with strong tannins. “This would be the wine for impressing a guy,” she said.
Burgundy 2010, Day 3: Potel, Morey, Fontaine-Gagnard, Fourrier, Alain Chavy & J. Confuron Contetidot | Bibendum Times
Burgundy 2010, Day 3: Potel, Morey, Fontaine-Gagnard, Fourrier, Alain Chavy & J. Confuron Contetidot | Bibendum Times2010 is a classic vintage for Fontaine-Gagnard and Chassagne-Montrachet. The small berries at harvest created a very concentrated, powerful style of Chassagne-Montrachet, although this could never be called over-ripe. There is a clear line of acidity through the wines that bring to mind 2008 but, again, the wines showed great fruit concentration.
The Caillerets vineyard, planted in the 1960s, exemplified the style of the 2010 vintage. From a very stony plot of land, which had an early harvest, this is a very balanced wine between strict, linear minerality and sweet, full-bodied fruit.
After a morning of spectacular white Burgundy, lunch was spent in the car with ham sandwiches picked up from Carrefour supermarket while we waited outside Latour-Giraud.
Ah, the highs are high and the lows are low.
TN: 2008 Wind Gap Wines Rana (USA, California) - Topic
TN: 2008 Wind Gap Wines Rana (USA, California) - Topic
- 2008 Wind Gap Wines Rana - USA, California (11/10/2011)
Amazing wine. These Wind Gap Wines are definitely in a different league than most California Syrah / Rhone Rangers (yes-I know-Gross generalization & I love the wines that are completely opposite of Wind Gap). This wine is earthy has many mushrooms, olives, and meaty hints of deliciousness!! I really love the combination of full delicious California fruit coupled with old world characteristics. Excellent wine and lengthy finish of Au Jus – I wish I had more than one remaining bottle. I will buy all that I am offered. (92 pts.)
Ask a Sommelier: What to Drink at Wo Hing General Store | 7x7
Ask a Sommelier: What to Drink at Wo Hing General Store | 7x7
What was the most surprising pairing that you've discovered?
Some of my favorite are orange wines [white grapes that are fermented on their skins, adding tannin and color]! I thought maybe I was just indulging myself by putting so many on the list, because I like to drink them so much myself. But this white wine for a red wine drinker is really the perfect pairing for so many of our entrees. For instance, the Ryme Cellars Ribolla Gialla, which has a significant tannin structure and a lot more weight, actually marries really well with those dark broths I mentioned earlier. It has a nutty almost caramelized savory edge that is perfect with our spices.
How Malbec Became the Wine of 'Regular People' | On Wine by Lettie Teague - WSJ.com
How Malbec Became the Wine of 'Regular People' | On Wine by Lettie Teague - WSJ.com
Susana Balbo is a top winemaker and the mother of two children ("crios")—the namesakes of her "Crios" line of wines styled to be consumed in their vibrant youth. Her Crios Malbec, blended with a bit of Bonarda, is exuberant. Light to medium-bodied, it's bright and juicy with a lively acidity.
Susana Balbo is a top winemaker and the mother of two children ("crios")—the namesakes of her "Crios" line of wines styled to be consumed in their vibrant youth. Her Crios Malbec, blended with a bit of Bonarda, is exuberant. Light to medium-bodied, it's bright and juicy with a lively acidity.
Thanksgiving Day wines | Scott Greenberg | Entertainment | Washington Examiner
Thanksgiving Day wines | Scott Greenberg | Entertainment | Washington Examiner
Wessels also thinks pinot noir is a versatile wine, and it is especially delicious when it's from the terrific 2008 vintage in Willamette Valley, Ore. The 2008 Holloran 'LaChenaie' Pinot Noir ($20) from the Eola-Amity Hills AVA is a well balance and stylish pinot with medium dark cherry fruit and good balance.
Wine Berserkers - the world's most active and fastest growing wine forum • View topic - TNs: Pavelot Dominode 09 and Lamy Puligny Tremblots 09
Wine Berserkers - the world's most active and fastest growing wine forum • View topic - TNs: Pavelot Dominode 09 and Lamy Puligny Tremblots 09
Lamy Puligny Tremblots: Aromas of white flowers and wet stone, a whiff of oak that blew off by mid half-bottle. Mid weight fleshiness finds seamless lift and tension from its acidity and mouthwatering mineral length. I was really, really impressed; this is a 'village' bottling in name only; labelled Vieilles Vignes.
Lamy Puligny Tremblots: Aromas of white flowers and wet stone, a whiff of oak that blew off by mid half-bottle. Mid weight fleshiness finds seamless lift and tension from its acidity and mouthwatering mineral length. I was really, really impressed; this is a 'village' bottling in name only; labelled Vieilles Vignes.
10 Thanksgiving Wines (That We Actually Drink) - Houston Restaurants and Dining - Eating Our Words
10 Thanksgiving Wines (That We Actually Drink) - Houston Restaurants and Dining - Eating Our Words
7. Huet Vouvray Le Haut-Lieu Moelleux: We drink a lot of Chenin Blanc (from the Loire Valley, France) at our house and we always bring a bottle of Vouvray to Thanksgiving. The grape variety's signature acidity and the minerality it can convey make it one of our favorite food-friendly whites in general and a top Thanksgiving wine every year. The historic Domaine Huet is considered by many to be the "father" of great Vouvray and you really can't go wrong with any of its wines. You'll find this dry expression of Chenin Blanc (under 13 percent alcohol)
7. Huet Vouvray Le Haut-Lieu Moelleux: We drink a lot of Chenin Blanc (from the Loire Valley, France) at our house and we always bring a bottle of Vouvray to Thanksgiving. The grape variety's signature acidity and the minerality it can convey make it one of our favorite food-friendly whites in general and a top Thanksgiving wine every year. The historic Domaine Huet is considered by many to be the "father" of great Vouvray and you really can't go wrong with any of its wines. You'll find this dry expression of Chenin Blanc (under 13 percent alcohol)
The 10 best Christmas sparkling wines and champagnes | Life and style | The Observer
The 10 best Christmas sparkling wines and champagnes | Life and style | The Observer
Domaine Cédric Bouchard Val Vilaine Inflorescence Brut, Champagne, France NV (£36.80, Berry Brothers & Rudd; £34.20, vinetrail.co.uk)
Most grape growers in Champagne sell their grapes to the famous houses or co-operatives, but over the past couple of decades an increasing number are making wines themselves. The cultish Cédric Bouchard is one of the best, as this very dry, perfectly balanced, exhilarating and food-friendly wine shows.
Domaine Cédric Bouchard Val Vilaine Inflorescence Brut, Champagne, France NV (£36.80, Berry Brothers & Rudd; £34.20, vinetrail.co.uk)
Most grape growers in Champagne sell their grapes to the famous houses or co-operatives, but over the past couple of decades an increasing number are making wines themselves. The cultish Cédric Bouchard is one of the best, as this very dry, perfectly balanced, exhilarating and food-friendly wine shows.
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Bedrock: Wines with Real Personality from Very Old Vines
Bedrock: Wines with Real Personality from Very Old Vines
If I had to pick a favorite in this tasting of seven wines, it would be the 2010 Pagani Ranch Heirloom–which reminds me of some of the great Sonoma red blends and Zins of the past–and the 2010 Syrah Sonoma Coast–a beautiful and complex cool climate Syrah. Both of these require some aging, although the Pagani Ranch can certainly be enjoyed now. There were no duds in this lineup, however, and all of them show off the great vineyard sources and Morgan’s thoughtful winemaking. It was also a treat to taste a wine from Morgan’s first vintage–the 2007 Bedrock Heirloom. It illustrated the ageworthiness of these complex red blends.
If I had to pick a favorite in this tasting of seven wines, it would be the 2010 Pagani Ranch Heirloom–which reminds me of some of the great Sonoma red blends and Zins of the past–and the 2010 Syrah Sonoma Coast–a beautiful and complex cool climate Syrah. Both of these require some aging, although the Pagani Ranch can certainly be enjoyed now. There were no duds in this lineup, however, and all of them show off the great vineyard sources and Morgan’s thoughtful winemaking. It was also a treat to taste a wine from Morgan’s first vintage–the 2007 Bedrock Heirloom. It illustrated the ageworthiness of these complex red blends.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
West London Wine Blog: Domaine Huet Vouvray Masterclass with Richard Kelley MW
West London Wine Blog: Domaine Huet Vouvray Masterclass with Richard Kelley MW
Now farm a total of 35 hectares of vines split among the three single vineyards; Le Haut Lieu, Le Clos du Bourgand Le Mont. The estate is 100% Chenin Blanc with 50% of the vineyard classed as old-vines. Few would argue that the reputation of Vouvray as an appellation producing great wines lies with the influence of a single individual: the original owner Gaston Huet. Not only was Gaston a legend within the region, but his tireless work sitting on various national committees helped shape the future of French wine culture. His quest for the highest quality Chenin Blanc has been passed on to the Pinguets running the estate on biodynamic principles. Today the estate is owned by Anthony Hwang who also has interests in the regal Tokaj in Hungary. A Sweet Wine fanatic of which Domaine Huet fits in nicely.
Richard is a bit like me – born near Leicester to teetotal parents. How we both got to be educators in the world of wine is a long story involving opening lots of wine! For Richard it started in the summer of 1981 by tasting a 1969 Gaston Huet Vouvray. The next fourteen years saw Richard on a tour of vinous self discovery, finally gaining the Master of Wine title in 1995. With several years gaining experience in South Africa Richard joined Richards Walford in 2002 who is the UK agent for Domaine Huet. The love-affair was cemented.
Domaine Huet - Possibly the world's best Chenin Blanc
Richard Kelley MW - The Host
Richard is a bit like me – born near Leicester to teetotal parents. How we both got to be educators in the world of wine is a long story involving opening lots of wine! For Richard it started in the summer of 1981 by tasting a 1969 Gaston Huet Vouvray. The next fourteen years saw Richard on a tour of vinous self discovery, finally gaining the Master of Wine title in 1995. With several years gaining experience in South Africa Richard joined Richards Walford in 2002 who is the UK agent for Domaine Huet. The love-affair was cemented.
Day 2: Sticking to Their Guns | Stirring the Lees with James Molesworth | Blogs | Wine Spectator
Day 2: Sticking to Their Guns | Stirring the Lees with James Molesworth | Blogs | Wine Spectator
Versino is traditional in that he rarely destems fruit and never uses new oak, aging his wine in large foudres. With 27 parcels covering 16 hectares of vines, Versino is also the prototypical small domaine that relies on blending various terroirs, though the wines are always marked by the grippy, peppery Mourvèdre and Counoise grapes that buttress the fleshy Grenache.
Domaine Bois de Boursan
First up, make just a hard left and hard right after entering Châteauneuf-du-Pape from the route de Sourgues and you come to Domaine Bois de Boursan, where Jean-Paul Versino makes some of the appellation's most peppery, garrigue-filled reds. I make a semi-regular visit here, so you can reference my blog notes from my March 2009 visit, as well as complete reviews on Versino's wines.Versino is traditional in that he rarely destems fruit and never uses new oak, aging his wine in large foudres. With 27 parcels covering 16 hectares of vines, Versino is also the prototypical small domaine that relies on blending various terroirs, though the wines are always marked by the grippy, peppery Mourvèdre and Counoise grapes that buttress the fleshy Grenache.
Natural wine's perils, pleasures | PressDemocrat.com
Natural wine's perils, pleasures | PressDemocrat.com
Both Evers and Feiring are excited by the efforts of others trying to make natural wines in California, from Arnot-Roberts, Coturri and the Natural Process Alliance in Sonoma County to Edmunds St. John, Bebame and Donkey & Goat in Berkeley and La Clarine Farm in the Sierra Foothills.
Both Evers and Feiring are excited by the efforts of others trying to make natural wines in California, from Arnot-Roberts, Coturri and the Natural Process Alliance in Sonoma County to Edmunds St. John, Bebame and Donkey & Goat in Berkeley and La Clarine Farm in the Sierra Foothills.
Wine Berserkers - the world's most active and fastest growing wine forum • View topic - TN: 2010 Wind Gap Wines Blaufränkisch Ritchie Creek Vineyard
Wine Berserkers - the world's most active and fastest growing wine forum • View topic - TN: 2010 Wind Gap Wines Blaufränkisch Ritchie Creek Vineyard
Opened on release notes from day 2. I gave this an overnight airing to help it along but on first pour it had fantastic tart acidity. 13.4% abv, dark cherry/cranberry in color like a Sonoma Coast PN. Nose displays a syrah like earthiness without the weight with the addition of some spice notes. Up front it's bright and tart but still not showing a whole lot of fruit. Mid palate starts a bit flat weight wise but then turns real juicy and gives off black raspberry, fresh cracked pepper and some cinnamon flavors. Fine chalky tannins on a semi-medium finish. Hard to say whether it will improve with age but it's looking like a good T'Giving pairing at this point since it seems very food friendly.
Never had a Blaufränkisch before so wasn't sure what to expect but when Pax makes it I know it will be good nonetheless. Enjoy it now. (90 pts.)
Opened on release notes from day 2. I gave this an overnight airing to help it along but on first pour it had fantastic tart acidity. 13.4% abv, dark cherry/cranberry in color like a Sonoma Coast PN. Nose displays a syrah like earthiness without the weight with the addition of some spice notes. Up front it's bright and tart but still not showing a whole lot of fruit. Mid palate starts a bit flat weight wise but then turns real juicy and gives off black raspberry, fresh cracked pepper and some cinnamon flavors. Fine chalky tannins on a semi-medium finish. Hard to say whether it will improve with age but it's looking like a good T'Giving pairing at this point since it seems very food friendly.
Never had a Blaufränkisch before so wasn't sure what to expect but when Pax makes it I know it will be good nonetheless. Enjoy it now. (90 pts.)
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