Varietal: Chenin Blanc
Wine: Chenin Blanc Petit
Label: Ken Forrester
Region: Stellenbosch, South Africa
Year: 2009
Date Tasted: October 2010
Notes: This bright and crisp dry white is slightly light of medium in body, with a mellow middle and a finish which could nearly be called bubbly. Although a relatively recent wine, this did not have a young alcohol taste, as the fresh notes accented well the flavorings and the finish. I noted tastes of apricot, almond, and apple.
This wine seems particularly suited to the fall, and could be used nearly anywhere a cider could. We had this wine with a seafood alfredo, where it did well, but did not seem to need to limit itself to such company. Although this is not the least expensive wine out there, the sprightliness of this wine experience makes it worth raising a glass when you could use a note of fun.
Friday, October 8, 2010
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Wine Review: 2009 Alamos Malbec
Varietal: Malbec
Wine: Malbec
Label: Alamos
Region: Argentina
Year: 2009
Date Tasted: September 2010
Notes:
This lightly acidic red shows the benefit of the extra six months of maturity southern hemisphere wines carry. The wine has a medium body but full and complex flavor, carrying notes of blueberry, chives, and sandalwood.
Although not as intense a palette as our favorite Carmenere, its wider base of flavors made it a more than adequate pairing for a steak with a ginko-based marinade. At the same time, its lighter body didn't drown the side of basil capillini which was served at the same.
The wine finished moderately mellowly, without significant new notes, but still maintaining enough of the previous zest that it kept my attention. This wine carries a very decent complexity and enough weight to hold its own with moderate to heavy meals, and it is easy to forget how young it is. Raise a glass!
Wine: Malbec
Label: Alamos
Region: Argentina
Year: 2009
Date Tasted: September 2010
Notes:
This lightly acidic red shows the benefit of the extra six months of maturity southern hemisphere wines carry. The wine has a medium body but full and complex flavor, carrying notes of blueberry, chives, and sandalwood.
Although not as intense a palette as our favorite Carmenere, its wider base of flavors made it a more than adequate pairing for a steak with a ginko-based marinade. At the same time, its lighter body didn't drown the side of basil capillini which was served at the same.
The wine finished moderately mellowly, without significant new notes, but still maintaining enough of the previous zest that it kept my attention. This wine carries a very decent complexity and enough weight to hold its own with moderate to heavy meals, and it is easy to forget how young it is. Raise a glass!
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
World's oldest bubbly?
Divers in the Baltic Sea have found a number of bottles of champagne which are awaiting confirmation as the oldest drinkable bottled bubbly, believed to be from the late 1700s. While the Scandanavian ocean floor may be an odd wine cellar, it meets (albeit in overabundance) the criteria for aging. A number of the bottles are expected to hit the auction block.
For more about very old wines and auctions, see The Billionaire's Vinegar: The Mystery of the World's Most Expensive Bottle of Wine, by Benjamin Wallace, a story following in parallel both how wine left in France by Thomas Jefferson survived the revolutions and how its record-breaking public auction in London was prepared.
For more about very old wines and auctions, see The Billionaire's Vinegar: The Mystery of the World's Most Expensive Bottle of Wine, by Benjamin Wallace, a story following in parallel both how wine left in France by Thomas Jefferson survived the revolutions and how its record-breaking public auction in London was prepared.
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Wine Review: 2004 Williamsburg Winery Virginia Claret
Varietal: Merlot 45%, Cabernet Sauvignon 44%, Cabernet Franc 6%, Syrah 5%
Wine: Claret
Label: Williamsburg Winery
Region: Virginia
Year: 2004
Date Tasted: June 2010
Notes: This wine is a good example of what mixing varietals can do for flavor. This very dry full bodied wine carries flavors of plum and walnut, with a hint of coconut. Although the major varietals included give it enough gravitas to hold up well to the weightiest steak, the minor ones give it a much more varied range of tastes, keeping it quite interesting. It finishes moderately and settles very smoothly.
Wine: Claret
Label: Williamsburg Winery
Region: Virginia
Year: 2004
Date Tasted: June 2010
Notes: This wine is a good example of what mixing varietals can do for flavor. This very dry full bodied wine carries flavors of plum and walnut, with a hint of coconut. Although the major varietals included give it enough gravitas to hold up well to the weightiest steak, the minor ones give it a much more varied range of tastes, keeping it quite interesting. It finishes moderately and settles very smoothly.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Wine Review: 2007 Leonard Kreusch Spätlese
Varietal: None (white table)
Wine: Spätlese
Label: Leonard Kreusch
Region: Rheinhessen, Germany
Year: 2007
Date Tasted: May 2010
Notes: This was a sweet white with a surprisingly medium body, as the flavor by itself would tend to make one think of a light wine. Hints of tangerine and honeydew punctuated the palette. The wine had little in the way of finish, but made for a good wine to simply chat with a friend over, or (as we did) drink while eating Kalamata olives to provide some complexity.
Perhaps of more interest than the wine itself, though, is the term Spätlese. This designates that the grapes are picked late by a week or two, increasing their sugar content, but also running the risk of spoiling the harvest if it rains. According to the legend of Schloss Johannisburg, Spätlese was discovered as follows: In the mid 18th century, grapes could only be harvested upon receipt of governmental permission to begin the harvest. Due to some bureaucratic delays, one year's edict granting permission to harvest the grapes was delayed about two weeks. Fearing that all was lost, the farmers gathered the harvest anyway, and despite the fact that some of the grapes were even beginning to rot on the vines, not having any other options began processing them for wine. To their surprise, the wine turned out good, as the added sugars aided fermentation without losing all sweetness. Or so the story goes.
Wine: Spätlese
Label: Leonard Kreusch
Region: Rheinhessen, Germany
Year: 2007
Date Tasted: May 2010
Notes: This was a sweet white with a surprisingly medium body, as the flavor by itself would tend to make one think of a light wine. Hints of tangerine and honeydew punctuated the palette. The wine had little in the way of finish, but made for a good wine to simply chat with a friend over, or (as we did) drink while eating Kalamata olives to provide some complexity.
Perhaps of more interest than the wine itself, though, is the term Spätlese. This designates that the grapes are picked late by a week or two, increasing their sugar content, but also running the risk of spoiling the harvest if it rains. According to the legend of Schloss Johannisburg, Spätlese was discovered as follows: In the mid 18th century, grapes could only be harvested upon receipt of governmental permission to begin the harvest. Due to some bureaucratic delays, one year's edict granting permission to harvest the grapes was delayed about two weeks. Fearing that all was lost, the farmers gathered the harvest anyway, and despite the fact that some of the grapes were even beginning to rot on the vines, not having any other options began processing them for wine. To their surprise, the wine turned out good, as the added sugars aided fermentation without losing all sweetness. Or so the story goes.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
#27 - Norton
Varietal: Norton
Wine: Norton
Label: Horton Vineyards
Region: Virginia
Year: 2005
Date Tasted: April 2010
Notes: This wine is one of the more interesting wines I have tasted. The wine is a full bodied red, and dry, but with several small spikes of sweet that flit and dance about, teasing you to find them, then disappearing again. I found myself aerating and circulating this wine in my mouth as I tried to identify and catch these flavors, and even - to the dismay, I am sure, of wine tasting purists - returning the wine to the front of my tongue to try to find them.
I found notes of plum, cherry, chili, and ahi, with a very savory finish. This wine could readily be used as a spunky substitute for a full cabernet sauvignon. We paired it with a grass-fed steak, and the leaner (non-corn) meat worked very well with the complexities of this wine.
As a caution, the Norton may be too intense to drink without a solid meat meal, or at least a hearty chocolate dessert to follow it up. This wine should not be overchilled, lest the characteristic full-with-light and dry-with-almost-sweet notes be depressed. Also, you will want to open this bottle when you can finish it the same day, as the flavor goes south much more quickly than most other wines.
Wine: Norton
Label: Horton Vineyards
Region: Virginia
Year: 2005
Date Tasted: April 2010
Notes: This wine is one of the more interesting wines I have tasted. The wine is a full bodied red, and dry, but with several small spikes of sweet that flit and dance about, teasing you to find them, then disappearing again. I found myself aerating and circulating this wine in my mouth as I tried to identify and catch these flavors, and even - to the dismay, I am sure, of wine tasting purists - returning the wine to the front of my tongue to try to find them.
I found notes of plum, cherry, chili, and ahi, with a very savory finish. This wine could readily be used as a spunky substitute for a full cabernet sauvignon. We paired it with a grass-fed steak, and the leaner (non-corn) meat worked very well with the complexities of this wine.
As a caution, the Norton may be too intense to drink without a solid meat meal, or at least a hearty chocolate dessert to follow it up. This wine should not be overchilled, lest the characteristic full-with-light and dry-with-almost-sweet notes be depressed. Also, you will want to open this bottle when you can finish it the same day, as the flavor goes south much more quickly than most other wines.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
#26 - Torrontes
Varietal: Torrontes
Wine: Torrontes
Label: Alamos
Region: Catena, Argentina
Year: 2008
Date Tasted: Feb. 2010
Notes: This wine brings an interesting example of smooth and subtle. A light bodied dry white, the Torrontes varietal is grown nearly exclusively in Argentina. This bottle is also a case where first impressions can fool you.
I noted light flower scents of heather and lilac, but with a starfruit undertone. The flavor seems to build as it sits in the mouth. On first sipping, my initial thought was that this was the blandest wine I had ever tasted. However, it has an odd mystery to it, where it seems to throw flavor, sparingly, as you savor it. I found myself going back for more to "try to figure it out." Paired to corvina (a relatively mild fish) with a light garlic basil sauce on couscous, this wine worked, but I would hesitate to use it outside of the lighter end of the seafood department or perhaps a very mild chicken dish.
In sum, while this is an intriguing wine and good for rounding out one's palate, I would not think it would work well at a dinner party where it is expected to perform on its own, rather than be admired for its own mystery. Find another aficionado or two to share with, though, and this wine will provide a worthy oenophilic experience.
Wine: Torrontes
Label: Alamos
Region: Catena, Argentina
Year: 2008
Date Tasted: Feb. 2010
Notes: This wine brings an interesting example of smooth and subtle. A light bodied dry white, the Torrontes varietal is grown nearly exclusively in Argentina. This bottle is also a case where first impressions can fool you.
I noted light flower scents of heather and lilac, but with a starfruit undertone. The flavor seems to build as it sits in the mouth. On first sipping, my initial thought was that this was the blandest wine I had ever tasted. However, it has an odd mystery to it, where it seems to throw flavor, sparingly, as you savor it. I found myself going back for more to "try to figure it out." Paired to corvina (a relatively mild fish) with a light garlic basil sauce on couscous, this wine worked, but I would hesitate to use it outside of the lighter end of the seafood department or perhaps a very mild chicken dish.
In sum, while this is an intriguing wine and good for rounding out one's palate, I would not think it would work well at a dinner party where it is expected to perform on its own, rather than be admired for its own mystery. Find another aficionado or two to share with, though, and this wine will provide a worthy oenophilic experience.
Friday, February 19, 2010
2009 Cono Sur Viognier
Varietal: Viognier
Wine: Viognier
Label: Cono Sur
Region: Colchagua Valley, Chile
Year: 2009
Date Tasted: Feb. 2010
Notes: This white was a real joy, start to finish. Having moderate body, I picked up hints of tangerine, apricot, and hibiscus. With a bright acidic flavor, and a dry palate that takes on a surprising hint of sweet on finish, this South American wine uses its recent vintage to advantage with sharp, clear tones. Though Viognier is often used in mixture with other varietals, this bottle channels its happiness well and was a perfect match to king crab with garlic butter sauce. Raise a glass!
Wine: Viognier
Label: Cono Sur
Region: Colchagua Valley, Chile
Year: 2009
Date Tasted: Feb. 2010
Notes: This white was a real joy, start to finish. Having moderate body, I picked up hints of tangerine, apricot, and hibiscus. With a bright acidic flavor, and a dry palate that takes on a surprising hint of sweet on finish, this South American wine uses its recent vintage to advantage with sharp, clear tones. Though Viognier is often used in mixture with other varietals, this bottle channels its happiness well and was a perfect match to king crab with garlic butter sauce. Raise a glass!
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Ommegang Chocolate Indulgence
Taking a break from our usual fare on this blog, we bring you the following from the hops-inspired direction:
We recently tried the Ommegang Chocolate Indulgence ale, made with "real chocolate from Belgium." The first and perhaps most important thing to notice about this beer is that the chocolate acts as a thickener, but not a sweetener. If your plans for this bottle included sharing (it comes in 25 oz. size) in any sort of romantic setting, you may want to indicate as much to your lady friend.
The beer is beautifully heavy and dark, with a mellow tone that makes you want to stroke your beard in contemplation. It leaves a tad of sediment in the bottle, which helps with the snobbish appeal. However, at over $10 a bottle, its marginal superiority over significantly less expensive beers such as Old Dominion Brewing's Oak Barrel Stout is not enough to justify its consumption except on the rarest occasions.
We recently tried the Ommegang Chocolate Indulgence ale, made with "real chocolate from Belgium." The first and perhaps most important thing to notice about this beer is that the chocolate acts as a thickener, but not a sweetener. If your plans for this bottle included sharing (it comes in 25 oz. size) in any sort of romantic setting, you may want to indicate as much to your lady friend.
The beer is beautifully heavy and dark, with a mellow tone that makes you want to stroke your beard in contemplation. It leaves a tad of sediment in the bottle, which helps with the snobbish appeal. However, at over $10 a bottle, its marginal superiority over significantly less expensive beers such as Old Dominion Brewing's Oak Barrel Stout is not enough to justify its consumption except on the rarest occasions.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Wine Review: 2006 Columbia Crest Grand Estates Riesling
Varietal: Riesling
Wine: Riesling
Label: Columbia Crest Grand Estates
Region: Columbia Valley / Washington State
Year: 2006
Date Tasted: Jan. 2010
Notes: Our purchase of this wine was a result of a Wegmans sommelier taking some time to chat, as well as the fact that as we are soon to add an in-law from that region, it's worth knowing what's worth imbibing up there.
This mid-sweet wine of moderately light body has a mellow, fruity tone. With tastes of apple, apricot, and caramel, this thoughtful (at least, thoughtful for a sweet) wine finishes aromatically and makes a slight smile play while you pause before taking another sip. This wine's age seems to have worked well for it, and at a surprising $10 a bottle, bears an excellent price to taste ratio. The gravitas of this white is enough that I would recommend drinking before the winter is over and you switch to the brighter whites.
Wine: Riesling
Label: Columbia Crest Grand Estates
Region: Columbia Valley / Washington State
Year: 2006
Date Tasted: Jan. 2010
Notes: Our purchase of this wine was a result of a Wegmans sommelier taking some time to chat, as well as the fact that as we are soon to add an in-law from that region, it's worth knowing what's worth imbibing up there.
This mid-sweet wine of moderately light body has a mellow, fruity tone. With tastes of apple, apricot, and caramel, this thoughtful (at least, thoughtful for a sweet) wine finishes aromatically and makes a slight smile play while you pause before taking another sip. This wine's age seems to have worked well for it, and at a surprising $10 a bottle, bears an excellent price to taste ratio. The gravitas of this white is enough that I would recommend drinking before the winter is over and you switch to the brighter whites.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
#25 - Scuppernong
Varietal: Scuppernong
Wine: Scuppernong
Label: Duplin
Region: North Carolina
Year: 2008? (not listed on label)
Date Tasted: Jan. 2010
Educational notes: Scuppernong is a varietal of Muscadine grape (Vitus rotundifolia), which as I understand it, is genetically unrelated to European wine grapes (which are in species Vitus vinifera), and do not even have the same number of chromosomes. Muscadines are very resistant to phylloxera, making them ideal for growth in the southeastern U.S. At the risk of offending the wine purists, I am including these grapes in our list. (It is a slightly arbitrary decision, as I am excluding other non-grape wines, such as a New Mexico plum wine, but hey, Muscadines look and feel like grapes.)
Tasting Notes: Sweet wine with a medium body that I can only describe as a "wet" body in the way it flows over the tongue. I call a strong taste of tangerine with hints of almond and fresh-mown grass. There was minimal finish, and the wine did not demand a pause before moving on. Overall, this is a satisfying and easy wine to drink, with a bold, happy flavor. We had it with barbecue chicken ranch pizza (wheat dough with ranch sauce, cheddar cheese, and topped with chicken pre-cooked in barbecue sauce and bacon), and it was an excellent companion for a simple full-flavor meal. Don't expect a religious experience from this wine, but particularly given the low cost, the fun factor is well worth raising a glass.
Wine: Scuppernong
Label: Duplin
Region: North Carolina
Year: 2008? (not listed on label)
Date Tasted: Jan. 2010
Educational notes: Scuppernong is a varietal of Muscadine grape (Vitus rotundifolia), which as I understand it, is genetically unrelated to European wine grapes (which are in species Vitus vinifera), and do not even have the same number of chromosomes. Muscadines are very resistant to phylloxera, making them ideal for growth in the southeastern U.S. At the risk of offending the wine purists, I am including these grapes in our list. (It is a slightly arbitrary decision, as I am excluding other non-grape wines, such as a New Mexico plum wine, but hey, Muscadines look and feel like grapes.)
Tasting Notes: Sweet wine with a medium body that I can only describe as a "wet" body in the way it flows over the tongue. I call a strong taste of tangerine with hints of almond and fresh-mown grass. There was minimal finish, and the wine did not demand a pause before moving on. Overall, this is a satisfying and easy wine to drink, with a bold, happy flavor. We had it with barbecue chicken ranch pizza (wheat dough with ranch sauce, cheddar cheese, and topped with chicken pre-cooked in barbecue sauce and bacon), and it was an excellent companion for a simple full-flavor meal. Don't expect a religious experience from this wine, but particularly given the low cost, the fun factor is well worth raising a glass.
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