Source: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/dailydish/2012/07/test-kitchen-video-tip-choosing-a-bread-wash.html
Phelps Pastiche Ritchie Creek Rochioli Rosenblum St. Clement
Wednesday 31 July 2013
Right way to wine taste in the Napa Valley
In my humble opinion, there are three types of tourists who travel to the Napa Valley to visit tasting rooms. There is the “newbie” who’s had no experience in the rituals of the tasting room and thinks the Napa Valley … Continue reading
The post Right way to wine taste in the Napa Valley appeared first on Napa Valley Wine Blog.
Source: http://www.winecountrygetaways.com/napablog/right-way-to-wine-taste-in-the-napa-valley/
Trip Report: Wine Spectator Grand Tour Chicago 2013
After stops in San Francisco and Las Vegas, Wine Spectator's 2013 Grand Tour came to a close in Chicago this past Friday. 200+ wineries hand picked by the maganize's editors for their pedigree of outstanding ratings were on hand, each pouring one of their signature wines.
The event includes a 3 hour walk around tasting of top-scoring wines, a light buffet that's enough to make a meal out of, and a souvenir Riedel wine glass.
The event is truly an embarrassment of riches. This was the second Grand Tour I've attended and just as with the first I found myself in stretches where I was pouring out epic $200+ wines just to clear way for the next amazing wine. As an attendee there are just too many must-try wines to tackle in a single night. The best you can do is indulge and enjoy until your palate is shot.
If you've never been to Navy Pier before it's kind of like an indoor Fisherman's Wharf or Faneiul Hall kind of place. We didn't realize the Spectator event was on the far end of the pier or we may have had the cab drop us off there. But we had time to spare so we enjoyed walking through Navy Pier, mingling with kids on their way to their high school proms. It was quite a scene - kids today!
We arrived at about 6:30 for the 7:00 pm event and a formidable line had already formed. Security did a great job controlling things throughout the night. Not that the "rowdies" at a Spectator event are hard to control, but they were quite courteous. For example, after we got our tickets from Will Call we technically should have gotten back in the entry queue to get wrist bands. But a kind security guard spared us the line and retrieved wrist bands for us. Nice!
But I started to have concerns this would be a crowded event with lines forming around the marquee wines. One thing I loved about the Boston Grand Tour in 2011 was the moderate crowd levels. You could walk around and taste most any wine with hardly a wait. Would this event be more like The Boston Wine Expo which is notorious for having long lines at each table?
While waiting in line we chatted with a nice couple from Michigan so time flew by. We were inside the Grand Ballroom before we knew it. We made a beeline for the California Pinot Noirs.
We started with the 2010 MacPhail Pratt Vineyards Pinot Noir. I'd never tried MacPhail before but have wanted to ever since Belle Glos winemaker Joe Wagner mentioned them as one of his personal favorites. The MacPhail was bursting with flavor; a very satisfying wine. 90WS/$49 retail.
Next to MacPhail was a Flowers Pinot Noir- the 2010 Flowers Sea View Ridge Block 20. I thought the de-emphasis of Flowers in the front label in favor of a more prominent mention of the vineyard was an interesting play. The wine is very elegant and delicious. 91WS/$75 retail.
Siduri was on hand pouring their 2011 Siduri Pisoni Vineyard Pinot Noir. I didn't try that but wish I had. I bet that was a winner.
But I did try the 2011 Belle Glos Las Alturas Pinot Noir. I've had this wine many times across the last few vintages and it has been so reliably delicious. I asked the assistant winemaker, who was pouring the wine, how they achieved that distinctive slight sweetness in their Pinot Noir in general and the Las Alturas' flavor profile specifically. He described how they let the grapes start to shrivel just a bit on the vine (a technique which Belle Glos' parent company Caymus employs on their Cabernets as well) but before the grapes lose hydration. It sounds like a recipe for over-ripeness but I have never once gotten a raisiny or pruney note in any of their Pinots. Not one has been overripe. Their wines are so plush it's hard not to like them. Spectator hasn't rated the 2011 yet but the past two vintages scored 92 points. Around $44.
Tasting the Las Alturas served as a nice calibration mechanism. But before we got too carried away we thought it would be good to get some food. We were considering going out to dinner before but I'm glad we didn't. That would have made us late and there was plenty of food to be had. Pastas, paninis, cheese, crackers and bread along with an array of desserts and coffee. A quick bite to eat and we were back in the game.
Some of the wineries were set up on a half-circle on the second level of the venue. We settled in for quite a stretch: Joseph Phelps Insignia, Cos d'Estournel, Pontet-Canet and more all lined up in a row.
I remember trying the Phelps Insignia at the event in Boston. It was amazing. I remember thinking to myself that if I ever saw a deal on it I'd go for it as a splurge. At $200 it's a tough price point to get behind - but a great wine to taste at an event like this. Strangely though, the 2009 Insignia was a tannic beast and not nearly as enjoyable as I recall the 2006. Not that it won't settle down but I wasn't immediately drawn to this vintage. 91WS/$200.
The 2008 Cos d'Estournel I tried immediately after was eye opening. One tip I picked up from the gentleman pouring Chateau Palmer at the Boston event was that when you're buying Bordeaux for enjoyment, buy in the "off" vintages. In Bordeaux, 2005, 2009 and 2010 are the recent ones with substantial hype. The 2008 Cos d'Estournel was charming on the nose and elegantly satisfying on the palate. 90WS/$135.
 |
| Me (left) with Wine Spectator Senior Editor James Molesworth |
Just as I'm having a debate in my mind about the Bordeaux value proposition, I see Wine Spectator Senior Editor James Molesworth. He covers Bordeaux, The Rhone Valley and more for the magazine so he's the perfect guy to help me relate to what I just tasted.
I explain my theory about buying Bordeaux for consumption in off vintages, how fantastic I thought the '08 Cos d'Estournel was (his official tasting notes for the wine call it "quite juicy" which may explain why I liked it), and how '09 and '10 Bordeaux is so expensive that I haven't considered buying much of it.
He sympathized, I think, and we had a nice chat. I asked him what the next "big" vintage is going to be in France - trying to get a jump on this year's Scoop the Spectator contest! He said 2011 and 2012 were rather unheralded compared to 2009 and 2010. Finally a rest from the vintages of the century in Bordeaux. I found James to be a kind, engaging, and patient man. It was great to meet him. Follow him on Twitter: @jmolesworth1
Fresh off the conversation about Bordeaux vintages was a taste of a great one: The 2010 Pontet-Canet. 97WS/$210 - it was an elegant, refined wine. I tried the 2008 Pontet-Canet at the Boston event and the 2008 was quite a bit more fruit forward and ready to go. The 2010 needs time.
I'm always torn at events like these whether to spend time tasting new vintages of marquee wines -or- explore more off the beaten path wines. As much as I'd like to take the opportunity to learn, I'm a sucker for certain wines and it's hard to pass up a chance to taste wines like Caymus Special Selection. The 2010 was just rated 96 points by Wine Spectator and retails for $130. The wine is amazing.
Whereas the 2009 was so comically fruity it was almost a non-wine, the 2010 recovers nicely and sticks a near perfect landing. Plush fruit amply backed by supporting mocha notes make it extremely enjoyable. It's not at all off the beaten path but for sheer enjoyment this was probably my wine of the night.
A couple of Aussie Shiraz showed nicely: The 2011 Mollydooker Carnival of Love and the 2010 Glaetzer Bishop. The Bishop vineyard is, according to the gentleman pouring it, situated right next to the more famous/expensive Amon Ra vineyard so if you like the Amon Ra the Bishop might be a nice value play.
I stopped by to see if I could say "hi" to Dan Kosta who was pouring my beloved Kosta Browne Pinot Noir that evening. Molesworth was over tasting the wine. They weren't otherwise acting nearly as seriously as they appear in this photo...
 |
| Wine Spectator Senior Editor James Molesworth (left) with Dan Kosta from Kosta Browne (right) |
Just when I thought I'd miss him, I spotted Wine Spectator Executive Editor Thomas Matthews. In addition to running the magazine, he reviews Spanish wines so I picked his brain about that category a bit. I asked him about the 2011 Boston Grand Tour event, whether it was poorly attended and whether they'll ever bring the Grand Tour back here. He said that yes, attendance at Boston wasn't spectacular, but I got the sense they're willing to try new venues every few years. Matthews is a true gentleman and it was a pleasure meeting him.
 |
| Me (left) with Wine Spectator Executive Editor Thomas Matthews (right) |
One more wine: The 2010 Alto Moncayo Garnacha. Just like the Betts & Scholl Grenache wowed me at the Boston event, I thought this Grenache-based wine was fantastic. The 2010 hasn't been rated by Spectator yet but the 2009 got 93 points and retails for $45. You can find the 2010 in the $30s and I think it's a tremendous value at that price. The only problem is you can find great Grenache under $15. Heck, under $7! But I think the Alto Moncayo is worth a shot if you've enjoyed more affordable Grenache. The 2010 is gorgeous.
Conclusion and Recommendations
I was thinking of how to explain the quality of the lineup at this event in a way that anyone would understand it - even if they're not into wine.
Take an experiential hobby and lay out all of the benchmark experiences in a row and try them one after another back to back. It's like taking the best paintings from Van Gogh, Monet, and Picasso and lining them up in one place for you to experience. Like having Thomas Keller and Eric Ripert present their best dishes to you. Like driving an M5, an S6 and E63 AMG back to back. Like playing Augusta and Pebble Beach in the same weekend.
I recall an interesting piece from W Blake Gray about how there are 2 types of premium wine consumers in the US: The Prestige consumer and the Intrigue consumer. Labels and brands are important to the Prestige consumer. I consider myself a Prestige consumer.
The reason I'm a Prestige consumer is because I'm interested in experiencing benchmark wines to give myself a relatable frame of reference for comparing other wines I try.
If you're looking to efficiently and enjoyably build up a frame of reference for some of the world's great wines, these Spectator events are the best I've found. If you're a wine enthusiast it's hard to imagine not feeling like a kid in a candy store. And if you just like the taste of wine there's a ton of really good stuff to enjoy.
The next opportunity to take in an event like this is October 24-26, 2013 in New York.That events features 2 evenings of walk around tastings like the ones on the Grand Tour plus sit down seminars moderated by Spectator editors including a tasting of the year's Top Ten wines each presented by the winemakers. You can attend just the grand tastings, either evening. Who's in?
Although it would be great to have one of these in Boston (or wherever your hometown might be) I thoroughly enjoyed doing it as an overnight trip. Usually when we go for a night out, the kids are raring to go first thing in the morning and we're dog tired. Not the case when you wake up in a hotel bed! Keep that in mind next time one of these roll around and getting there involves a bit of a trip.
Disclosure: Complimentary admission on a media pass.
Question of the Day: Have you been to any Wine Spectator events? If so, what did you think?
Viognier Theme for WBW78
Nice theme for summer. Join us June 20th. Source: WordPress Via: Drink What You Like I?m delighted to announce that I am hosting Wine Blogging Wednesday #78 on Wednesday, June 20th. WBW78 will mark my second time hosting this monthly virtual wine event. Our theme for this month will be a grape that is near [...]
Viognier Theme for WBW78 originally appeared on Winecast. Licensed under Creative Commons.
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Winecast/~3/SaN6i1INvI8/
Blue Ostrich 2011 Roussanne
What has not been said about the Blue Ostrich Winery & Vineyard that has not been said? Not much so if you have not made the trip up to Saint Jo, Texas you?re missing out on a hidden gem of a winery. If you live in the North Texas area you really have not […]
Source: http://thegrapesaroundtexas.com/2013/04/07/blue-ostrich-2011-roussanne/
How to improve the use of social media in the wine business?
Introduction: For over 3 years, we have worked closely with the Burgundy School of Business both as a company – hiring interns to work with the EWBC, and as a research engine – helping us conduct field studies on various subjects. This year, Aymeric Dehont conducted a host of research for us, which eventually inspired [...]
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheWineConversation/~3/dLfNv2Jzzxw/
2007 Sauternes & Barsac
Here you find the ratings of the 2007 Sauternes and Barsac wines from Robert Parker, Decanter and Wine Spectator:
Sauternes & Barsac
Decanter
Wine Advocate
WineSpectator
Price
Chateau d’Yquem
***** 19
96 - 98
97 - 100
Chateau Guiraud
**** 17,5
92 - 94
91 - 94
Chateau La Tour Blanche
**** 18
86 - 88
90 - 93
Chateau Lafaurie-Peyraguey
**** 18
91 - 93
91 - 94
Chateau de Rayne-Vigneau
***** 19
91 - 93
92 - 95
Chateau [...]
Sauternes & Barsac
Decanter
Wine Advocate
WineSpectator
Price
Chateau d’Yquem
***** 19
96 - 98
97 - 100
Chateau Guiraud
**** 17,5
92 - 94
91 - 94
Chateau La Tour Blanche
**** 18
86 - 88
90 - 93
Chateau Lafaurie-Peyraguey
**** 18
91 - 93
91 - 94
Chateau de Rayne-Vigneau
***** 19
91 - 93
92 - 95
Chateau [...]
Source: http://www.wine4freaks.com/41/2007-sauternes-barsac/
Tuesday 30 July 2013
Wine Gift Baskets
It’s hard to buy Christmas gifts, isn’t it? It is for me, especially when it comes time to buy for my father in law, dad or really any of the men in my life who could easily go out and purchase anything they wanted. I’ve always thought it would be easier for daughters in that [...]
Field Notes from a Wine Life ? Autumnal Equinox Edition
Odds and ends from a life lived through the prism of the wine glass…
The Power of Intent in Biodynamic Wine
I wrote a heady post in September about Biodynamic wine. The story is too complicated to summarize here (link to post), but one of the things that I touched on (and that interests me on an ongoing basis) is the notion of “intent” in the vineyard particularly as it relates to viticultural quality and Biodynamic preparations.
They say that you can taste “love” in a food dish, so, while not scientifically quantifiable (at least not yet), it stands to reason that extra attention and loving preparation with BioD preps. might have a positive benefit on the vines and subsequently the wines.
This notion of intent isn’t my idea; I culled it from Voodoo Vintners, Katherine Cole’s Biodynamic-related book published earlier this year (she has a different supposition about ‘intent’ than I do). A passage from the book notes, “The belief is that the preparations aren’t merely herbal treatments for plants; they’re carriers of the farmers’ intentions, which have been swirled into them through the powerful act of stirring. While it isn’t a requirement for Demeter certification, intention is that little bit of witchcraft that separates the most committed practitioners from the unbelievers.”
My point in September and my point now is that “intent” isn’t witchcraft, its science – science that is still emerging and not completely understood.
To that end, I read an incredible, eye-opening, mind-bending article in the current issue of Time magazine about a new technology device called the BodyWave. An iPod sized device, the BodyWave is based on electroencephalography (EEG), the study of how brain activity excites neurons to emit brain waves that travel the central nervous system and can be measured.
So, here’s the thing. Not only can this BodyWave device measure the fluctuations in the brain’s electrical activity, but when connected to a computer it can perform functions based on brain waves.
It’s a holy crap moment to realize that by focusing brain activity somebody can shut off a valve in a nuclear power plant, via computer, with the power of their mind, as elaborated on in the article.
The full Time magazine article is subscriber-protected (darn publishers that try to run a business…), but the intro. to the article is available here.
I’m a liberal arts guy, as far removed from science as one can get by education, vocation and lifelong learning interest, but I do have the ability to suspend my disbelief and it seems likely to me that in 10 years’ time the Biodynamic conversation is going to be around an entirely different set of conversational conditions than the current ‘bunkum vs. belief’ precept that we have now.
On Knowledge
I’ve never reconciled the “demystify” vs. “knowledge frees you” debate as it relates to wine. Many will say that wine is needlessly overcomplicated for the average consumer and the arcane aspects act as a barrier to entry.
Well, sometimes you find defining wisdom in the unlikeliest places.
Scott Adams, the creator of the cartoon Dilbert, noted in a blog post recently what I’ve thought, but have never been able to say quite so eloquently.
Indeed, you are what you learn. You don’t have to know much about wine to drink it, but it sure makes it that much more enjoyable if you lean into the door…
Thanksgiving Wine Recommendation
Thanksgiving is the wine world’s national holiday. I get that. It’s my favorite holiday, too. But, the attendant wine pairing articles are exhausting. Does it really matter what you drink with Thanksgiving dinner? Nope. If it did, somebody, anybody would care that I’ll be having Sparkling Rose, German Riesling and New Zealand Pinot, but, really, nobody cares. At the end of the day, the below picture encapsulates what really matters when picking a wine for Thanksgiving (Hint: Focus on the food).
It Was a Good Week for Lot18
My eyes bugged out like a virgin at a nudist camp when I saw that Lot18 secured $30M in additional funding. That money coupled with clarification from the California Alcohol Beverage Control (CA ABC) on some wonkiness in legalities, means the first week of November 2011 will go down as a watershed moment for Lot18.
Perhaps equally interesting to me is a passage noting, “Radical Transparency” in an email sent to Lot18 members from Lot18 (ostensibly founder Phillip James). The email noted:
As Lot18 moves into its second year of existence, our goal is to ensure that, with more money in the bank and compliance questions behind us, Lot18 can continue to deliver on its responsibilities to our suppliers and to our members alike. We must hold ourselves accountable to ensure we maintain trust with everyone who produces and consumes goods offered by Lot18.
We do this through a policy called Radical Transparency, which simply involves sharing more than was once considered wise. We believe in this because it drives our focus and ensures that all of our employees and our members feel that they have a role in shaping our future. Together we can create a service that will not only help you find great value, but also encourage you to spread the word to friends and family so that they may also share in the delight.
We’re all aware of “transparency” as an online buzzword the last several years. It’s a word that has been co-opted, commoditized and rendered meaningless, as well. It seems, transparency is really code word for faux sincerity and empathy and that makes adding the modifier of “Radical” to transparency all the more interesting.
These days, every new business success story comes with hagiographic mythologizing and I wouldn’t be surprised if, in this area, “Radical Transparency” is where Lot18 stakes their claim. After all, culture and customer service is already taken by Zappos.
Yet, radical transparency isn’t a new concept either. If you’re interested in seeing how a hedge fund called Bridgewater Associates (founded by Ray Dalio) has codified a brutally honest feedback loop see this profile piece from New York magazine and Dalio’s 123 page “Principles” document (worth the read).
Source: http://goodgrape.com/index.php/site/field_notes_from_a_wine_life_autumnal_equinox_edition/
Is the Napa Valley ?Into Wine??
With passion he talks about how terroir gives meaning and life to a bottle of wine. Its uniqueness is the result of the soil, climate, the vineyard grower and the winemaker. It is about the caring of the soil and the vines that imbue a special quality to the wine. Continue reading
The post Is the Napa Valley ?Into Wine?? appeared first on Napa Valley Wine Blog.
Source: http://www.winecountrygetaways.com/napablog/is-the-napa-valley-into-wine/
Wine of the Month Club
Are you interested in wine? Do you find that wine stores are too stuffy and pretentious for you to have an enjoyable shopping experience? If so, finding a quality wine of the month club might be a good fit for you to not only learn about wine, but also to have some truly outstanding wine [...]
Cakebread Cellars Dinner at Legal Harborside
This is a good one! Legal Harborside is hosting a Cakebread wine dinner and Dennis Cakebread will be on hand to share the Cakebread story and describe the wines.
Long time WWP readers will recall that Cakebread is the wine that got me into wine. For more information on what makes the Cakebread brand special check out this in depth trip report. Cakebread is a great place to visit. I'd recommend springing for something more than a quick tasting to get a feel for what they do.
WHERE: Legal Harborside at Liberty Wharf
270 Northern Avenue, Boston
WHEN: Monday, March 11th at 7:00pm
COST: $125 per person (excludes tax & gratuity)
HOW: Reservations can be made by contacting 617.530.9470 or visiting www.legalseafoods.com.
WHAT: On March 11th, Legal Harborside will team up with Cakebread Cellars? Director of Sales, Dennis Cakebread, to host a wine dinner at Legal Harborside. This four-plus-course culinary adventure will highlight the best tastes from sea and vine. Cakebread Cellars has vineyard properties located throughout Napa Valley surrounding the production facility in Rutherford where it all began in 1972. Today, the winery owns 13 sites totaling 982 acres.
Long time WWP readers will recall that Cakebread is the wine that got me into wine. For more information on what makes the Cakebread brand special check out this in depth trip report. Cakebread is a great place to visit. I'd recommend springing for something more than a quick tasting to get a feel for what they do.
WHERE: Legal Harborside at Liberty Wharf
270 Northern Avenue, Boston
WHEN: Monday, March 11th at 7:00pm
COST: $125 per person (excludes tax & gratuity)
HOW: Reservations can be made by contacting 617.530.9470 or visiting www.legalseafoods.com.
WHAT: On March 11th, Legal Harborside will team up with Cakebread Cellars? Director of Sales, Dennis Cakebread, to host a wine dinner at Legal Harborside. This four-plus-course culinary adventure will highlight the best tastes from sea and vine. Cakebread Cellars has vineyard properties located throughout Napa Valley surrounding the production facility in Rutherford where it all began in 1972. Today, the winery owns 13 sites totaling 982 acres.
The menu will be presented as follows on Legal Harborside?s scenic second level overlooking Boston Harbor:
HORS D?OEUVRES
vol-au-vent, lobster, tarragon, mascarpone
geoduck clam, yuzu marinated melon, virginia ham
pickled sardines, dill cr�me fra�che, caraway and rye toast
merguez sausage, fennel vinaigrette and apple hash
Cakebread Cellars Chardonnay, Napa Valley, 2010
FIRST COURSE
tuna carpaccio*
bosc pear, wakame, serrano chiles, wasabi aioli and cucumber
Cakebread Cellars Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley, 2011
SECOND COURSE
grilled shrimp
rosemary, smoked and braised chickpeas, chorizo and roast garlic dust
Cakebread Cellars ?Reserve? Chardonnay, Carneros, 2010
THIRD COURSE
cast iron skillet-seared duck breast
red rice, golden rutabaga, preserved walnuts and junipers
Cakebread Cellars ?Benchland Select? Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, 2009
CHEESE
mountain cheese and dried fruit
Cakebread Cellars Zinfandel, Lake County, 2010
Monday 29 July 2013
Santa Barbara wine country will host wine bloggers in 2014
At the conclusion of the 2013 Wine Bloggers Conference in Penticton, British Columbia, on Saturday, June 8th, it was announced that Santa Barbara wine country has been selected to host the 7th annual North American Wine Bloggers Conference for 2014. … Continue reading
The post Santa Barbara wine country will host wine bloggers in 2014 appeared first on Napa Valley Wine Blog.
Source: http://www.winecountrygetaways.com/napablog/santa-barbara-wine-bloggers-2014/
Riunite, so nice
One of the popular features on this site is the challenge of the “impossible food-wine pairing.” But while we often focus on the virtues of sparkling wine with zany foods, there’s one that a classic 80s commercial told us about: Riunite! Today, a blast from wine advertising’s past. While the refrain of “Riunite, on ice” [...]
The post Riunite, so nice appeared first on Dr Vino's wine blog.
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/GuSC/~3/sn654wFzk2A/
Tablas Creek Talley Whitehall Lane Chardonnay Sauvignon Blanc
Five fun things to do in the Napa Valley in April
Of course the main reason for traveling to the Napa Valley is wine tasting and touring. In this video see why these five wineries are fun and exciting and offer the tourist a special experience. Choose one or more for a great time in the Napa Valley. Continue reading
The post Five fun things to do in the Napa Valley in April appeared first on Napa Valley Wine Blog.
Source: http://www.winecountrygetaways.com/napablog/five-fun-things-to-do-in-the-napa-valley-in-april/
Wine Bloggers? Wines from Oddbins
So, do wine bloggers have any idea what wines others should drink, or are they just good at telling us about the stuff they like? I have to admit to being very afraid of the idea of being responsible for choosing wines for other people I do not know. The idea of being a “Wine [...]
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheWineConversation/~3/0KjB-LdU1U0/
White Wine Champagne Sparkling White Wine Rose Alex. Vall. Vyds
Glenn Hotel ? Atlanta, Georgia
We chose this hotel for the location, The Glenn is located near CNN center and Phillips Arena. If you have a concert that weekend, this is the perfect place to stay. The customer service was excellent but the best part I would say is location. It has a lovely and eccentric feel as soon as [...]
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/vagablond/ysSN/~3/pitcIK5Pb3s/
Google Reader is dead, long live feeds
A bit of housekeeping: Sadly and strangely, Google is ending the service known as Google Reader today. The thinking is that in this social media era, people get their news from Twitter and Facebook more than feeds. Yet 17,425 people subscribe to this site’s feed. Here’s an article from Slate that suggests how to find [...]
The post Google Reader is dead, long live feeds appeared first on Dr Vino's wine blog.
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/GuSC/~3/R828JeHkTo0/
Would you like a Gold or Silver with that Red or White?
Guest blogger�and wine judge �Stacie Hunt offers some insight into being a judge at the Los Angeles International Wine & Spirits Competition.�Stacie is a�commentator on wine for National Public Radio, a Certified Sommelier (AIS), an international wine judge, educator, journalist and blogger. Everyone has his or her own idea of spring.� In the city, the [...]
July 22, 2013 ? Florida Jim Cowan?s 2013 Tasting Notes Archive
The 2013 archive is presented by date the notes were compiled and submitted. Prior year?s tasting notes may be found here. July 22, 2013 2004 Dom. Leroy, Bourgogne: I bought a case of this before folks realized it wasn?t simple Bourgogne and the price doubled. Over the years, I have opened bottles that were pleasant [...]
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/gangofpour/uncZ/~3/xlBmnnqwmGo/jim-cowans-2013-tasting-notes
Champagne Sparkling White Wine Rose Alex. Vall. Vyds Andrew Murray
More Playoffs Red Wings and Red Rh�nes 2013
After an improbable playoff run that went further into the second round than many thought possible, my Detroit Red Wings finally came up short and now have lots of time for golf and other extracurricular activities. The boys gave the Chicago Black Hawks everything they had, and acquitted themselves admirably, but, in the end they?re [...]
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/gangofpour/uncZ/~3/J_yyY9JMYN8/season-over
TasteCamp East:Bloggers Arrive in the Finger Lakes
This is one of my favorite times of the year.� I’m fortunate enough to be included on the list of wine bloggers and writers who get asked to attend TasteCamp East, organized by Lenn Thompson and Evan Dawson at The New York Cork Report. Last year, Long Island Wine Country hosted our group and although [...]
Source: http://familylovewine.wordpress.com/2010/05/06/tastecamp-eastbloggers-arrive-in-the-finger-lakes/
Sunday 28 July 2013
Storms ravage parts of Burgundy today
Vintage 2013 has been a wet one with flooding across many European wine regions. Today, however, a particularly severe storm dumped hail and lots of rain on parts of Burgundy. Caroline Parent Gros, who makes wine in the region, tweeted “So far, what we see in the vineyards of Pommard, Beaune & Savigny is, at [...]
The post Storms ravage parts of Burgundy today appeared first on Dr Vino's wine blog.
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/GuSC/~3/CdD5UF9S89Y/
Riunite, so nice
One of the popular features on this site is the challenge of the “impossible food-wine pairing.” But while we often focus on the virtues of sparkling wine with zany foods, there’s one that a classic 80s commercial told us about: Riunite! Today, a blast from wine advertising’s past. While the refrain of “Riunite, on ice” [...]
The post Riunite, so nice appeared first on Dr Vino's wine blog.
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/GuSC/~3/sn654wFzk2A/
Wheeler?s of St.James ? London
What can you say about a guy who was the youngest chef to collect three Michelin stars. Well for me, you would not say much because you’re not so much the Michelin star kind of cook, but would head more towards a Jamie Oliver restaurant. What changed my mind slightly was watching Marco Pierre White [...]
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/vagablond/ysSN/~3/jllzYcfa3BY/
Phelps Pastiche Ritchie Creek Rochioli Rosenblum St. Clement
Tasting notes - Berlin Tasting
Here follows my tasting notes from The Berlin Tasting in Copenhagen.
No. 1 - 2005 Chateau Mouton-Rothschild (Bordeaux)
Dark colour with intense smell of pencil, cigar, currant and spicy wood. It’s full-bodied, rich and concentrated but also with an upfront softness. 96/100.
No. 2 - 2004 Sassicaia (Tuscany)
Not so intense in the nose - a little cherry. The [...]
No. 1 - 2005 Chateau Mouton-Rothschild (Bordeaux)
Dark colour with intense smell of pencil, cigar, currant and spicy wood. It’s full-bodied, rich and concentrated but also with an upfront softness. 96/100.
No. 2 - 2004 Sassicaia (Tuscany)
Not so intense in the nose - a little cherry. The [...]
Source: http://www.wine4freaks.com/40/tasting-notes-berlin-tasting/
Saturday 27 July 2013
Ridge Vineyards Wine Dinner at Legal Sea Foods Park Square Boston
Ridge is one of those vineyards that never goes out of style. A great wine to choose at a business dinner when you want something everyone's sure to enjoy without breaking the bank. And a great wine to choose for your dinner table every night. Unless you pop a bottle of Monte Bello - you might want to have a special occasion to justify that one.
More info from the press release:
WHAT: On June 19th, Legal Sea Foods in Park Square will host a wine dinner with Ridge Vineyards. Ridge Vineyards respects the natural process that transforms fresh grapes into wine and the 19th century model of guiding that process with minimal intervention, producing high-quality grapes of distinct, individual character. Legal Sea Foods will team up with Ridge Vineyards? winemaker, Eric Baugher, to host a four-plus-course dinner featuring signature cuisine paired with Baugher?s choices from their vine.
The menu will be presented as follows in Park Square?s 10,000 bottle wine cellar:
HORS D?OEUVRES
Mini Crab Cake, Mustard Sauce
Marinated Calamari Salad, Roasted Red Pepper Coulis
Shrimp Escabeche, Jicama Round, Cilantro Cr�me Fra�che
Ridge ?Estate? Chardonnay, Santa Cruz Mountains, 2011
FIRST COURSE
Rainbow Trout Rillette
Wild Mushrooms, Blood Orange Vinaigrette
Ridge ?Three Valleys,? Sonoma, 2011
SECOND COURSE
Oven Roasted Cornish Hen
Hickory Grilled Ramps, Red Bliss Potatoes
Meyer Lemon Beurre Blanc
Ridge ?Estate? Merlot, Santa Cruz Mountains, 2010
THIRD COURSE
Hickory Wood Grilled Tuna Steak*
Olive Tapenade, Truffled Mashed Turnip
Aged Balsamic Reduction
Ridge ?Geyserville,? Sonoma, 2011
CHEESE COURSE
Morbier, Aged Gouda, Private Stock Aged Cheddar
Grilled Crostini & California Cherry Compote
Ridge ?Mazzoni Home Ranch,? Sonoma, 2007
26 Park Square, Boston
WHEN: Wednesday, June 19th at 6:30pm
COST: $95 per person (excludes tax & gratuity)
MORE INFO: Reservation required by calling 617.530.9397 or visiting www.legalseafoods.com.
Another dinner they've got coming up that caught my eye? Peter Michael on June 20th a Legal Harborside. A little pricier but wow - talk about an opportunity to taste some highly regarded wine. Both of these events sound fantastic.
The Brangelina ros�: did the trade misjudge?
Celebrity wines have proliferated in recent years. In fact, so has celebrity everything from books to cookware. We are in the era of the brand extension! So it was no surprise to see headlines this spring that the revamped Chateau Miraval ros�, from the provencal estate of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, had “sold out [...]
The post The Brangelina ros�: did the trade misjudge? appeared first on Dr Vino's wine blog.
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/GuSC/~3/bXYsNLz2DoE/
Wine Club Shipments
As always, the middle to the end of the month is an exciting time at Uncorked Ventures. This month finds more wine club shipments as well as the beginning of our plans for the holiday season. I was asked how to describe our wine clubs to someone who is a novice to online wine clubs [...]
Ansonia Wines: The Garagiste of the East?
When you hear his story it's easy to imagine yourself living the glamorous life of an importer and merchant of fine wines, meandering around France and Italy developing relationships with growers and producers. Your friends back home ask you to bring them some of your latest discoveries and the gesture turns into a thriving business.
Mark and Tom Wilcox are a father-and-son team at Ansonia Wines doing just that. Mark, a long-time wine enthusiast and attorney, spent a year living in Burgundy with his family. At the end of the stint he brought back an assortment of wines he'd discovered to share with friends. After a few months, his friends asked him where they could buy more of the wines. The wines weren't available in the US so Mark expanded the idea of connecting his friends with vineyards and winemakers in Europe into a business, and that's largely what Ansonia is today.
But Ansonia works with fewer wineries than Rimmerman. Instead of a different wine each day, they focus on a winemaker?s full lineup, helping customers pick which wines to drink early, which to hold on to, and when to drink those that they hold.
But Ansonia works with fewer wineries than Rimmerman. Instead of a different wine each day, they focus on a winemaker?s full lineup, helping customers pick which wines to drink early, which to hold on to, and when to drink those that they hold.
They built their reputation in the DC area where licensees are able to purchase directly from importers and wineries. Here in Massachusetts things are quite a bit more restrictive (retailers and restaurants must buy all their wine from state licensed wholesalers) but Tom (the son in the partnership) has acquired a retailer license and through a relationship with a Massachusetts wholesaler Tom is able to offer their wines directly to consumers here.
He also offers free delivery in the Boston area.
He also offers free delivery in the Boston area.
I sat down with Tom to learn more about the business and taste wines from the Ansonia portfolio this week. It was an interesting visit both from the perspective of hearing first hand what it takes to run this kind of business and in terms of learning about an opportunity we have as Massachusetts residents to buy their wines. As you may know, Massachusetts has restrictive wine shipping laws.
I learned it's a good thing Mark (the father) is an attorney because they've had to navigate their way through legal restrictions associated with operating such a business. In Massachusetts current laws limit the ability of one entity to concurrently be an importer, wholesaler and retailer. So it takes work to establish a connection between a European winery and an Massachusetts consumer.
We tasted through four of their wines:
- A clean mouth watering Alsatian Riesling
- A creamy white Bourgogne
- A fruity yet rustic Belland La Fussiere Maranges 1er Cru
- A juicy Foulaquier Grenache from the Languedoc
Most of the producers in their portfolio (around 45 in total) are from France.
The common theme across the wines is a focus on small, old world producers offering quality, a pure expression of terroir, and value. The average price of their wines is in the low $20s per bottle. Burgundies tend to sell for more, less prestigious appellations less.
As we were talking, I couldn't help but think of how it's got to be hard to develop a business like this. It's one thing to discover a few great wines on vacation. It happens all the time, right? But it's another thing altogether to develop a track record of discovering the undiscovered. The fact that they work with a producer's portfolio of wines rather than a "once and done" push of a single bottling helps make the business more sustainable I'd think.
Most of their business comes from personal referral. Friends telling friends about enjoying their wines and ordering more. If you're in the Boston area reach out to Tom via email if you'd be interested in finding a way to taste some of their wines. They're looking to make friends with wine tasting and social groups in the area.
They write about three different wines each week, giving tasting notes and suggesting recipes. You can sign up to receive these posts by email.
If you don't live in the Boston or DC area they can ship their wines to states that allow wine shipments.
They happen to be headed back to France for a tasting trip this week. Follow along on their Tumblr and peruse their current and past selections to get a feel for what kind of wines and stories they offer:
http://ansoniawines.com
Subscribe to their email list for notification of new offers.
Follow @AnsoniaWines and ping them on Twitter if you're interested in learning more about their wines.
So where does the name Ansonia come from? Ansonia is a small village in rural Northern Pennsylvania where their family has had a cabin on the side of a stream for several generations. They've paid tribute to that special location in the name of their wine business. I like it!
I wish Tom the best as his endeavor to create connections between Massachusetts enthusiasts and those who produce the wines. It's my pleasure to have Ansonia Wines as a new sponsor of this site.
The common theme across the wines is a focus on small, old world producers offering quality, a pure expression of terroir, and value. The average price of their wines is in the low $20s per bottle. Burgundies tend to sell for more, less prestigious appellations less.
As we were talking, I couldn't help but think of how it's got to be hard to develop a business like this. It's one thing to discover a few great wines on vacation. It happens all the time, right? But it's another thing altogether to develop a track record of discovering the undiscovered. The fact that they work with a producer's portfolio of wines rather than a "once and done" push of a single bottling helps make the business more sustainable I'd think.
Most of their business comes from personal referral. Friends telling friends about enjoying their wines and ordering more. If you're in the Boston area reach out to Tom via email if you'd be interested in finding a way to taste some of their wines. They're looking to make friends with wine tasting and social groups in the area.
They write about three different wines each week, giving tasting notes and suggesting recipes. You can sign up to receive these posts by email.
If you don't live in the Boston or DC area they can ship their wines to states that allow wine shipments.
They happen to be headed back to France for a tasting trip this week. Follow along on their Tumblr and peruse their current and past selections to get a feel for what kind of wines and stories they offer:
http://ansoniawines.com
Subscribe to their email list for notification of new offers.
Follow @AnsoniaWines and ping them on Twitter if you're interested in learning more about their wines.
So where does the name Ansonia come from? Ansonia is a small village in rural Northern Pennsylvania where their family has had a cabin on the side of a stream for several generations. They've paid tribute to that special location in the name of their wine business. I like it!
I wish Tom the best as his endeavor to create connections between Massachusetts enthusiasts and those who produce the wines. It's my pleasure to have Ansonia Wines as a new sponsor of this site.
Tasting notes - Berlin Tasting
Here follows my tasting notes from The Berlin Tasting in Copenhagen.
No. 1 - 2005 Chateau Mouton-Rothschild (Bordeaux)
Dark colour with intense smell of pencil, cigar, currant and spicy wood. It’s full-bodied, rich and concentrated but also with an upfront softness. 96/100.
No. 2 - 2004 Sassicaia (Tuscany)
Not so intense in the nose - a little cherry. The [...]
No. 1 - 2005 Chateau Mouton-Rothschild (Bordeaux)
Dark colour with intense smell of pencil, cigar, currant and spicy wood. It’s full-bodied, rich and concentrated but also with an upfront softness. 96/100.
No. 2 - 2004 Sassicaia (Tuscany)
Not so intense in the nose - a little cherry. The [...]
Source: http://www.wine4freaks.com/40/tasting-notes-berlin-tasting/
Riunite, so nice
One of the popular features on this site is the challenge of the “impossible food-wine pairing.” But while we often focus on the virtues of sparkling wine with zany foods, there’s one that a classic 80s commercial told us about: Riunite! Today, a blast from wine advertising’s past. While the refrain of “Riunite, on ice” [...]
The post Riunite, so nice appeared first on Dr Vino's wine blog.
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/GuSC/~3/sn654wFzk2A/
Five Recommended Spanish Ros�s
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| Bodegas del Rosario Monastrell vineyards in Bullas |
Programming note: This site just hit 800 subscribers. I've got a slot open for an advertiser at the top of the page - if you're interested have a look at my advertising policy and drop me an email.
With the 4th of July holiday coming up I wanted to share picks for some of the better rosado wines I tried while in Yecla, Jumilla and Bullas. In case you missed it, these are from a trip I took to Spain last week. Read more about the trip here.
These wines are mostly Monastrell driven and usually present themselves in light shade of magenta. On average their flavors are more intense than what you'd find in say a Proven�al ros� like this one. Alcohol levels ranged from 12.5% to 14.5%.
Most of these area available in the US - click the Wine-Searcher links to search for them at a nearby retailer. Prices listed are the average price where I saw strong availability at retailers according to Wine-Searcher.
2012 Casta�o Rosado ~$9.99
Produced by Bodegas Casta�o. Smells and tastes like fresh strawberries and watermelon candy but it never gets overly sweet. Medium acidity. Very satisfying and so easy to drink. No off notes. From the Yecla DO.
I'm pretty sure I've seent his one around in Massachusetts but the best availability seems to be at Total Wine stores. Find it on Wine-Searcher
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| Hard to complain about anything with this one. |
2012 Las Re�as Rosado ~$5.99
Produced by Bodegas del Rosario in the Bullas DO. Light magenta in the glass and so refreshing. The flavor profile is very satisfyingly intense and it's 14.5% alcohol but doesn't taste hot at all. 100% Monastrell. Hit the spot after some time in the warm vineyards. Poured by the glass as the house ros� at a restaurant we'd dine at later that evening and a terrific value. A Las Re�as white and red are available at Wegman's in the US for $5.99. Expect a ros� to follow in the future.
They also make a Liquid Geography Rosado with more widespread availability for around $8.99. Find it on Wine-Searcher
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| Look for an upcoming vintage of this at Wegman's for $5.99 |
2012 Bodegas Olivares Rosado ~$8.99
From Bodegas Olivares in Jumilla. Nice fruity nose and flavors. Medium-high acidity - would be great with food. Find it on Wine-Searcher
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| Solid. A crowd pleaser. |
Bodegas la Purisima is a cooperative in Yecla that's just bringing their wines to the US. Their rosado has an inviting nose of plush strawberries with leafy briar patch notes in the background Very clean and dry. 12.5% alcohol.
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| Not quite available in the US, but soon! |
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WellesleyWinePress/~3/b03svsBkbGc/five-recommended-spanish-roses.html
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