tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9753455399000937092024-02-21T08:36:19.499-05:00RougeAndBlancA blog to honor the nectar from god. Admire it... Enjoy it... Praise it...RougeAndBlanchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16929348100653484353noreply@blogger.comBlogger53125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-975345539900093709.post-2695857520398245832008-04-02T18:17:00.019-04:002008-04-03T23:56:54.006-04:00WBW #44: French Cabernet Franc<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgitNqqY6neZa3DCmi-nleBspY24SxJ1iytZUUx4eD3L2RjPMDEHGiVc9LcOQqBvcIV6RUNBtUW0_iC4SyrTHK1pYpekyP8SaTtoajnjoWEeymHp-EmqQ20eYwGHndHtRCtCpxJK3fYHFw/s1600-h/wbwlogo.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5184883238419361618" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgitNqqY6neZa3DCmi-nleBspY24SxJ1iytZUUx4eD3L2RjPMDEHGiVc9LcOQqBvcIV6RUNBtUW0_iC4SyrTHK1pYpekyP8SaTtoajnjoWEeymHp-EmqQ20eYwGHndHtRCtCpxJK3fYHFw/s200/wbwlogo.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Gary <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Vaynerchuk</span></span></span>, director of <a href="http://www.winelibrary.com/">Wine Library</a> and the face behind <a href="http://tv.winelibrary.com/">Wine Library TV</a>, is hosting this edition of Wine Blogging Wednesday. His theme is quite simple: <a href="http://tv.winelibrary.com/2008/03/19/the-thunder-returns-and-3-wines-get-put-to-the-test-episode-426/">drink a French Cabernet Franc</a> and talk about it.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Thanks to <a href="http://brooklynguyloveswine.blogspot.com/2007/12/oldies-but-goodies.html">a tip from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Brooklynguy</span></span></span></a>, I was able to find a good stash of <strong>2001 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Domaine</span></span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">des</span></span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Roches</span></span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Neuves</span></span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Saumur</span></span></span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Champigny</span></span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Terres</span></span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Chaudes</span></span></span></strong> late last year<strong>.</strong> For <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">WBW</span></span></span> #44, this wine will do just <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSkyy8DNhQ5Co5l2Ty_11cpJ_yZss0-mMXxWNdL3PxwmrwD0OH9bzfAk9Xs8SqSpy_IZILZriMRTXGcT-dALoi4bue7UAxIqUU-XIv1QexdfuOJKV27zWSPC5Sd9ss722Uy_PQYCIYPdQ/s1600-h/terres_chaudes.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5184846035412643650" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 278px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 246px" height="295" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSkyy8DNhQ5Co5l2Ty_11cpJ_yZss0-mMXxWNdL3PxwmrwD0OH9bzfAk9Xs8SqSpy_IZILZriMRTXGcT-dALoi4bue7UAxIqUU-XIv1QexdfuOJKV27zWSPC5Sd9ss722Uy_PQYCIYPdQ/s400/terres_chaudes.jpg" width="284" border="0" /></a>fine.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"><a href="http://www.rochesneuves.com/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Domaine</span></span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">des</span></span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Roches</span></span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Neuves</span></span></span> </a>is located in the appellation of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Saumur</span></span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Champigny</span></span></span> and is owned by <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">Thierry</span></span></span> Germain. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">Thierry</span></span></span> approaches Cabernet Franc like a Burgundy wine-maker instead of a typical Loire producer. This <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">cuvée</span></span></span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">Terres</span></span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">Chaudes</span></span></span> (which literally translates to "Hot Earth"), represents the middle of the three <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">cuvées</span></span></span> Germain produces. The age of the vines for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">Terres</span></span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">Chaudes</span></span></span> are between 35-45 years old and the yield does not exceed 35 hectolitres per hectare. Half of the wine is matured in stainless steel vat and the other half is matured in 1 year old barrel previously used for his top <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">cuvée</span></span></span>, the La <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26">Marginale</span></span></span>. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27">Thierry</span></span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28">Germain converted to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28">biodynamic</span> farming starting from 2005. Upon</span></span> release, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29">Terres</span></span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_30"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_30"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_30">Chaudes</span></span></span> </span><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">can benefit from 6-8 years of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_31"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_31"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_31">bottle aging</span></span></span> to gain further complexity.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Importer: <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_32"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_32"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_32">VOS</span></span></span> Selections, Price: $16, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_33"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_33"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_33">ABV</span></span></span>: 12.5%, Closure: real cork</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>Tasting notes</strong>:</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"><strong>Color</strong>: Medium garnet, tight rims.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"><strong>Nose</strong>: Strong notes of wet animal fur and light roasted meat upon opening. After an hour in the glass, wine opens up revealing lovely aromas of dark berries, lavender and a hint of tobacco. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>Palate</strong>: Juicy and balanced. At age 7, the acidity is still fresh but the tannins is already quite resolved. Flavors include tart berries interlaced with layers of dust, smoke and tar. The texture is really smooth. Concentrated fruit but a (tiny) bit rustic.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"><strong>Body</strong>: Medium</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>Finish</strong>:</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> Medium in length. Mainly tart berries supported by dusty notes of <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_34">sandalwood</span>, herbs and a slight touch of <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_34">spiciness</span>. A bit of animal funk adds complexity to the finish.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>Comments</strong>:</span><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_34"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_35"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_35">Terres</span></span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_35"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_36"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_36">Chaudes</span></span></span>, like all Cabernet Franc, is a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_37">versatile</span> food wine. It is a perfect match for mild goat cheese, beef stew or even lamb.<br /><br />Aside from being elegant, smooth and delicious, another great aspect of this bottle is that there is no "raw vegetable" or "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_38">steminess</span>" that a lot of people dislike in Cabernet Franc. (Maybe this is due to sufficient bottle aging)<br /><br />the 2001 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_37"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_37"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_39">Terres</span></span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_38"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_38"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_40">Chaudes</span></span></span> is at the peak of its drinking window at the time of writing. Although I really don't see any benefit from further bottle aging, it should continue to drink well for another 2-3 years.<br /><br />For a $16 wine, it really blows away a lot of competition that cost twice as much. Wish I can find more.<br /><br />Note: the 2005 vintage is still quite affordable, currently selling for $20 at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_39"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_39"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_41">PJ</span></span></span> Wine.RougeAndBlanchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16929348100653484353noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-975345539900093709.post-88737779654273742822008-03-28T22:53:00.005-04:002008-03-29T01:35:16.916-04:002005 Quinta de Cabriz Dão Colheita Seleccionada<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWHz3TiWM036yAXkXCLhK7JceYCiPXygkrGGuIv1Nm1IaxnhOQRvhcf0wXRUfh4bQkdwLMHMFZHuzM8-3-6USnd8dYIaUtxvVv2LjpzlU4yuGiRIleqp0uP0atKdl32bkZgWsrU1NPVj4/s1600-h/cabriz2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183022542622617394" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWHz3TiWM036yAXkXCLhK7JceYCiPXygkrGGuIv1Nm1IaxnhOQRvhcf0wXRUfh4bQkdwLMHMFZHuzM8-3-6USnd8dYIaUtxvVv2LjpzlU4yuGiRIleqp0uP0atKdl32bkZgWsrU1NPVj4/s400/cabriz2.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">In the good old days when our US currency still had decent purchasing power, French, German and even Italian wines were relatively affordable. However, with the dollar sinking to an abyss, good and inexpensive European wines are just hard to come by. Today, a decent bottle from these regions will cost you at least $15.</span><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">When I want a wine for casual drinking, I can't help but to go back at Portugal. Aside from producing a very wide variety of wines with distinctive personalities, Portugal also produces some of the world's finest, unique and highest value-added wines. As in the case of this <strong>2005 Quinta de Cabriz Dão Colheita </strong><strong>Seleccionada </strong>that only cost $8 with fairly decent availability nationwide.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Quinta de Cabriz belongs to a dynamic wine company, <a href="http://www.daosul.com/pagegen.aspx">Dão Sul</a>, that makes a wide range of products. Although not directly mentioned the Colheita Seleccionada, Simon Goode,wrote an <a href="http://www.wineanorak.com/dao3_daosul.htm">excellent article</a> describing Quinat de Cabriz's portfolio back in 2004.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Cabriz Colheita Seleccionada is a blend of Alfrocheiro, Tinta-Roriz, and Touriga-Nacional which spent 6 months in 2 year old French oak barrels. It is lightly filtered prior to bottling and carries ABV of 13%. The US importer is <a href="http://www.aidilwines.com/">Aidil Wines & Liquors</a>.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"><strong>Tasting Notes</strong>:</span></div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"><div><br /><strong>Color</strong>: Clear Ruby.</div><div><br /><strong>Nose</strong>: Fresh cut pine wood, cherry and cinnamon. Quite aromatic.</div><div><br /><strong>Palate</strong>: High-toned cherry liqueur. Lively acidicty (although a bit high) and juicy fruit keeps it from being boring. Quite balanced. Notes of violet and some dark fruit flavors emerge as wine opens up. Tannins very light.</div><div></div><div><br /><strong>Body</strong>: Medium.</div><div><br /><strong>Finish</strong>: Short to medium. Mostly cherry and spice, notes of pine needle. </div><div></div><div><br /><strong>Comment:</strong></div><div>This is a fun and lovely everyday wine that can support a wide range of cuisine. Better with food than by itself. It does has the structure to support 1-2 years of bottle aging. Extremely high QPR value.</span></div>RougeAndBlanchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16929348100653484353noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-975345539900093709.post-81219394634913698402008-03-05T23:13:00.008-05:002008-03-06T02:21:45.240-05:00WBW #43: Comfort Wines<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Dy-hJX9AHu6UM0sWWqZzBEsFsFpbO1KmqtFpLf-QDEAywKYw2gRSVpFb90_WsTM7f4MO_3TdYSJzVoCYbvooZCCX0SfY4-F7rST4SpL1BkzzZe-ZCTzsOCtZpRuAhEWiMEKDli6c95o/s1600-h/porca_de_murca.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174503009606463074" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Dy-hJX9AHu6UM0sWWqZzBEsFsFpbO1KmqtFpLf-QDEAywKYw2gRSVpFb90_WsTM7f4MO_3TdYSJzVoCYbvooZCCX0SfY4-F7rST4SpL1BkzzZe-ZCTzsOCtZpRuAhEWiMEKDli6c95o/s320/porca_de_murca.jpg" border="0" /></a>Joel at <a href="http://blog.winelifetoday.com/">Wine Life Today</a> provided the assignment for <a href="http://www.winebloggingwednesday.org/">Wine Blogging Wednesday</a> #43:<br /><div>“<em>Choose a wine, any wine, that you love to unwind to and tell us <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">about not</span> only the wine but what makes the experience special and relaxing for you!”</em></div><br /><div></div><div>In my mind, comfort food is typically inexpensive, uncomplicated, and easy to prepare. By the same token, a comfort wine should complement comfort food in the following ways: easy to find, comfortable to drink and light on your wallet.</div><br /><div></div><div>In the current economic climate, inflation of wine price is down right scary!Comfort wines that are 'best bang for the buck' are not easy to come by (Well, two buck chuck does not count!). What makes the wine I am going to recommend so special is its high <strong><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">QPR</span></strong> value. Aside from being tasty, just by knowing the fact that every time when I open a bottle to share at any occassion<strong> is not going to break my bank</strong> is enough to make the drinking experience 'relaxing and special'.</div><br /><div></div><div>The Wine: <strong>2003 Royal <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Oporto</span> Douro <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Porca</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">de</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Murça</span> Red</strong></div><div><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">ABV</span>: 13%, Price: <strong>$5</strong>, Importer: <a href="http://www.admiralimports.com/">Admiral Wine Imports</a></div><br /><div></div><div><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Porca</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">de</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Murça</span> is produced by Real <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Companhia</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Velha in Portugal</span>. The company has a very nice <a href="http://www.realcompanhiavelha.pt/i_index.cfm">website</a> in English highlighting their history, culture and products. The grapes of Porca de Murça are sourced from vineyards in the Douro region owned by Real <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Vinicola</span>. The varieties in this wine is composed of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Touriga</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Francesa</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Tinta</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Roriz</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">Barroca</span>. Real <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">Companhia</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">Velha</span> also makes a white wine under the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">Porca</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">de</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">Murça</span> label that sells for about the same price.</div><br /><div></div><div><strong>Tasting Notes</strong>:</div><div><strong>Color</strong>: Slightly murky, medium garnet.</div><br /><div></div><div><strong>Nose</strong>: Fairly straight forward. Mostly candied cherry.</div><br /><div></div><div><strong>Palate</strong>: Albeit one dimensional, it is quite balanced. Acidity does poke out at times. Fairly concentrated flavor of ripe cherries supported by hints of oak. Light Tannins.</div><br /><div></div><div><strong>Body</strong>: Medium at best.</div><br /><div></div><div><strong>Finish</strong>: Short to medium. red fruit and slightly <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">pepperish</span>. As wine opens, there is also a note of black tea detected.</div><br /><div></div><div><strong>Comment</strong>: </div><div>Although <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">Porca</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">de</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26">Murça</span> does fine as sipping wine, it performs much better with food. This wine just sings when paired with a dishes such as <a href="http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Maple-Garlic-Marinated-Pork-Tenderloin/Detail.aspx">maple-garlic pork tenderloin</a>.</div><br /><div></div><div>Note: I have tasted the '03, '04 and the '05 vintages of this wine and the quality is consistent across all the vintages. The best part is that you can still find the 2005 vintage retails for $5, especially in New York City, at <a href="http://www.astorwines.com/SearchResultsSingle.aspx?search=porca%20murca&searchtype=Contains">Astor</a> and <a href="http://www.pjwine.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=pjs&Product_Code=29143&Category_Code=7+7&Vintage="><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27">PJ</span> Wine</a>. How special and comforting is that?</div>RougeAndBlanchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16929348100653484353noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-975345539900093709.post-17051033317163408162008-02-22T19:35:00.011-05:002008-02-23T01:39:42.407-05:00A first taste of Bull's Blood<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC9SbXU5p-IJbuQ3mKKatIW1O5AphVacPqVLiN-9VnOi5xOoG31DTnNT9EoNTyiuadQrNcYS3Qd9jF0jS7-nbH3l0XuqIMuO7jB2YSB6z6zyym3qrtj7hHPKmfN86nnrv0sPNNdYnt5Bs/s1600-h/EgriBikaver.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5170040720854303314" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC9SbXU5p-IJbuQ3mKKatIW1O5AphVacPqVLiN-9VnOi5xOoG31DTnNT9EoNTyiuadQrNcYS3Qd9jF0jS7-nbH3l0XuqIMuO7jB2YSB6z6zyym3qrtj7hHPKmfN86nnrv0sPNNdYnt5Bs/s320/EgriBikaver.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">In my early days of learning about wine, I used to frequent Trader Joe's wine shop at Union Square. I was initially wowed by the low price tags on most of their selections. (Although looking back, I realized I would have purchased better quality of wines by spending not much more at either Astor Wines or Wine Warehouse). It was at Trader Joe's where I picked up this bottle of <strong>2003 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Egervin</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Egri</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Bikavér</span> </strong>which I have much forgotten until recently. </span><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Egri</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Bikavér</span>(Bull's Blood of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Eger</span>) is Hungary's most famous red wine. It is produced in the wine region around the town of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Eger</span>. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Egri</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Bikavér</span> has always been a wine of the field blends with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Kadarka</span> or <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Kékfrankos</span> as the anchoring varietal. However, since 1997, straighter <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">DHC</span>(<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Districtus</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Hungariucus</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Controllatus</span>) regulation was put in place stating that <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Egri</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Bikavér</span> must contain at least three of the following varieties:</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">Kadarka</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">Kékfrankos</span>(<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">Blaufränkisch</span>), <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">Kékoportó</span>(<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">Blauer</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">Portugieser</span>), Cabernet <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">Sauvignon</span>, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">Menoire</span> (known as <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">Kékmedoc</span>, or <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26">Médoc</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27">Noir</span> before), <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28">Pinot</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29">Noir</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_30">Syrah</span>, and the modern Austrian hybrids, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_31">Blauburger</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_32">Zweigelt</span>. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">In 2004, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_33">Egri</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_34">Bikavér</span> Superior (a higher <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_35">cuvée</span>) was also introduced. In this case, 4 out of the 11 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_36">recommanded</span> varieties must be included. Currently, there are more than 40 producers in Hungary bottling <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_37">Egri</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_38">Bikavér</span>. Unfortunately, retail exposure of this wine is still very limited in the U.S.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">2003 </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_39">Egervin</span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_40">Egri</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_41">Bikavér</span> is a blend of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_42">Kékfrankos</span>, Cabernet <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_43">Sauvignon</span>, Merlot and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_44">Zweigelt</span>. It comes with a real cork and carries a 12.9% <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_45">ABV</span>. At 2006, It was $5.99 at Trader Joe's. Importer: Monsieur Henri Wine Co., New Orleans.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Another interesting fact about this bottle worth noting. It actually comes with the following instruction at the back label: "To appreciate <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_46">Egri</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_47">Bikavér</span> at the best, open at least one hour before drinking and serve at room temperature". According to <a href="http://www.egervin.hu/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_48">Egervin's</span> website</a>, room temperature means 16-18°C.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"><strong>Tasting notes:</strong></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"><strong>Color:</strong> Clear Ruby.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"><strong>Nose</strong>: Yielding nothing upon opening. After 1 hour (as per instruction), aroma of cherry pie started to emerge. Notes of oak peeks out as wine opens more. There is also a hint of green leaves in the background.</span></div><br /><div></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"><strong>Palate</strong>: <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_49">Slightly</span> unbalanced. Not much fruit. Flavor of tart or unriped cherry. Not much structure or tannins. It is actually fairly one dimensional. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"><strong>Body</strong>: Light (lighter than most Beaujolais).</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"><strong>Finish</strong>: Medium at best. Notes of cherry fruit but not much else. As wine warms, the finish turns a bit alcoholic.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"><strong>Comments</strong>:</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Clearly this bottle is not the best example of the best known wine from Hungary. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_50">Egri</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_51">Bikavé</span> can be a fun wine. For example, Bert at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_52">Wineterroirs</span> gave a thumbs-up to a 2003 St Andrea <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_53">Egri</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_54">Bikaver</span> Superior <a href="http://www.wineterroirs.com/2005/10/st_andrea_eger_.html">here</a>. Unfortunately, Bert's example is not imported to the U.S. I must re-taste <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_55">Egri</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_56">Bikavé</span> from other producers in the future to give this wine a better evaluation.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">If you can recommend a good </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_57">Egri</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_58">Bikavé</span>, please let me know.</div>RougeAndBlanchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16929348100653484353noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-975345539900093709.post-26175322008408179512008-02-16T11:15:00.005-05:002008-02-16T17:53:34.446-05:00WBW #42: Round Up<a href="http://www.spitton.biz/"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Andrew Barrow</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> wasted no time in posting the </span><a href="http://www.spittoon.biz/wbw_just_7_words_the_roundup.html"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">round-up of WBW #42</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">. </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Participation of Wine Blogging Wednesday, started by </span><a href="http://lennthompson.typepad.com/lenndevours/"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Lenn Thompson</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> has seen linear growth since its inception. For this installment, 54 wine bloggers from around the world have accepted the challange.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">From reading all the entries, I am amazed how talented our fellow wine bloggers are. The titles are so creative. You know, everybody can describe a wine, but to painting a visual picture in just seven word requires a lot of thinking. Compare to the others, my description is just plain lousy! Oh well! I wish there will be more mind-tweaking exercises like this for the wine blogging community in the future.</span>RougeAndBlanchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16929348100653484353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-975345539900093709.post-900855122393984012008-02-13T22:46:00.017-05:002008-02-14T13:27:26.481-05:00WBW #42: An Italian Red in Just Seven Words<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdquX67tVhscU31QOlbrBBLKTHih9Nb6s3KifMC-Bmkj8Lkxb5tP7-v_qZe5goE8RyGiunsxK35HzRUH-LAGaRuXwu2ce77zdXq8pazNFEgYGn5MzdPloBhJYuZoGc4USUkrGLjz3XtNs/s1600-h/wbwlogo.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5166683443703267890" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdquX67tVhscU31QOlbrBBLKTHih9Nb6s3KifMC-Bmkj8Lkxb5tP7-v_qZe5goE8RyGiunsxK35HzRUH-LAGaRuXwu2ce77zdXq8pazNFEgYGn5MzdPloBhJYuZoGc4USUkrGLjz3XtNs/s320/wbwlogo.jpg" border="0" /></a>The 42nd installment of <a href="http://www.winebloggingwednesday.org/">Wine Blogging Wednesday</a> is hosted by Andrew Barrow of <a href="http://www.spittoon.biz/">Spitton</a>. His challenge for us is to describe an Italian red wine in JUST SEVEN WORDS.<br /><br />Well, I have to admit this exercise is really fun but also very difficult, especially for folks like myself whose first language is not even English. Fortunately, Super Bowl XLII bailed me out in helping me to find the appropriate description for the Sicilian red I tasted. (It is a coincidence that this is also the 42nd installment of WBW)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkIqshfDhGvHu4Hyjy7Z7QM6Ad6AHEOk5c9OZhu9Cd0_1TkVLnDuquWUI8N3imhbDs-X0ViO7DcUfwz972Z72CW3giZeN6q5BIQlMHR5FL1Y6oz_CHXWtfJvPZed1KCybeRyQAvny-cWI/s1600-h/planeta.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5166684289811825218" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkIqshfDhGvHu4Hyjy7Z7QM6Ad6AHEOk5c9OZhu9Cd0_1TkVLnDuquWUI8N3imhbDs-X0ViO7DcUfwz972Z72CW3giZeN6q5BIQlMHR5FL1Y6oz_CHXWtfJvPZed1KCybeRyQAvny-cWI/s320/planeta.jpg" border="0" /></a>The wine : <strong>2005 Planeta Cerasuolo di Vittoria</strong><br /><br />The description : <strong>The Patriots' Collapse in Super Bowl XLII</strong><br /><br />I have to apologize here that my phrase will not make any sense to folks who are not familiar with American football or NFL. So, I provide a a little background on Super Bowl XLII and why I choose this phrase to describe the 2005 Cerasuolo di Vittoria:<br /><br />The New England Patriots and the New York Giants played on Feb 3rd, 2008 for the 42nd championship game of National Football League (NFL). The game is called Super Bowl XLII. The Patriots had touted an explosive offense and a strong defense throughout the entire football season. They had won every single game coming to the Super Bowl with an 18-0 record. However, during the game of Super Bowl, their offensive performance did not exhibit the expected explosiveness. Instead, it was actually quite light weight and one dimensional throughout. Their defense also fell flat and fizzled in strength. Ultimately, the Patriots collapased and lost to the Giants by a score of 14-17 thereby falling short in finish; abruptly ending a dream of 'the perfect season'.<br /><br />If my short summary of Super Bowl XLII is confusing, <a href="http://www.nfl.com/superbowl">NFL.COM provides a much better coverage on this event</a>.<br /><br />Now to the wine, Cerasuolo di Vittoria is produced by the Planeta family in Sicily. They have a <a href="http://www.planeta.it/ENG/home.htm">very nice website </a>in English. This wine is composed of two indigenous varieties: 60% Nero d’Avola and 40% Frappato. All the grapes of this wine are harvested from the Dorilli vineyard.<br /><br />This wine has ABV of 13.5% and I paid $19 for it. (Sadly, with the weak US/Euro exchange rate, the 2006 vintage is selling for $22 - $25).<br /><br /><strong>Tasting notes</strong>:<br /><br /><strong>Nose</strong>: Explosive aroma of raspberry.<br /><em>[ Analogy: the initial showing of the Patriots’ explosive appearance ]</em><br /><br /><strong>Color</strong>: Clear ruby.<br /><br /><strong>Palate</strong>: Fairly one dimensional with flavor of mostly strawberry and raspberry. Very fruit forward with notes of pepper. Good acidity but not particularly mouth coating.<br /><em>[ Analogy: appearance of the Patriots’ one dimensional performance during the game ]</em><br /><br /><strong>Body</strong>: Light to medium<br /><em>[ Analogy: Patriots showing up as a light weight team ]<br /></em><br /><strong>Finish</strong>: Mostly red fruits. Clean but short finish.<br /><em>[ Analogy: abrupt finish to the Patriot’s season, falling short of expectation ]<br /><br /></em><strong>Comments</strong>:<br />Planeta Cerasuolo di Vittoria reminds me of a mid-level Beaujolais. It is actually a good food wine to pair with for light fares such as roasted chicken or roast beef sandwich. However, for $20+, the QPR value on this wine is just barely ok.RougeAndBlanchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16929348100653484353noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-975345539900093709.post-16125124748944943692008-02-04T00:09:00.002-05:002008-02-12T23:15:26.675-05:00Wow! the Giants won the Super Bowl!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9u7Op6DKoDu61BPHNebJegCc6zR52KwK0fuSBdOdCBBrqUsxioQBsSR2dc2AEtIK53riTK0fDUalu8zwqpZ_7xcTJvIfiNjfybI8SyefVKWmrmapfNETVI6HspqWvF7IpWIQaBdXtdeQ/s1600-h/giants_win.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5163002430040881378" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9u7Op6DKoDu61BPHNebJegCc6zR52KwK0fuSBdOdCBBrqUsxioQBsSR2dc2AEtIK53riTK0fDUalu8zwqpZ_7xcTJvIfiNjfybI8SyefVKWmrmapfNETVI6HspqWvF7IpWIQaBdXtdeQ/s320/giants_win.jpg" border="0" /></a> February 3, 2008 would go down in history as one of the biggest upset in NFL history. The New York Giants stunned the heavy favorite, the New England Patriots, in Glendale Arizona to capture the title of the Super Bowl XLII Champion.<br /><br />So many historic moments were made on that day, but the following are the most notable:<br /><br />- NY Giants became the FIRST team to win 11 consecutive games on the road.<br /><br />- FIRST Super Bowl with 4 lead changes between the 2 teams played.<br /><br />- FIRST time in NFL history for two brothers (Peyton and Eli Manning) to win back to back Super Bowl titles and MVP titles.<br /><br />- FIRST time in NFL history where a father-son combination to win Super Bowl championships with the same team in the same capacity of linebacker and long snapper. (Steve DeOssie - XXV, Zak DeOssie - XLII).<br /><br />- FIRST time in in NFL history for a team (Patriots) winning all 16 regular season games and all the playoff games ONLY to lose in the Super Bowl.<br /><br />Photo: New York Giants linebacker Zak DeOssie held up a newspaper after the Giants beat the New England Patriots 17-14 in the Super Bowl XLII football game on Sunday, Feb. 3, 2008, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) ( David J. Phillip )RougeAndBlanchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16929348100653484353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-975345539900093709.post-20998570469585795382008-01-20T23:58:00.000-05:002008-01-22T11:26:42.296-05:00NY Giants are in SuperBowl XLII<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_UUgz68VmxQpl5GlVtyiD0FY0a5xJ-nddZ_iZqKFFT1V9Sy5YTAEKtxMhpvfTQ5l6A1QET3SO8a_26xwlZRqpcYPq5lWNeSyB8L4S6IsvJaFE1sc0AQnPGO59Z16y1w0R4IyvQsS1mUU/s1600-h/giants.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5157793684429556770" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_UUgz68VmxQpl5GlVtyiD0FY0a5xJ-nddZ_iZqKFFT1V9Sy5YTAEKtxMhpvfTQ5l6A1QET3SO8a_26xwlZRqpcYPq5lWNeSyB8L4S6IsvJaFE1sc0AQnPGO59Z16y1w0R4IyvQsS1mUU/s320/giants.jpg" border="0" /></a>After a game with four lead change between the 2 teams, NY Football Giants defeated Packers today in Green Bay as the NFC champion and got their ticket to meet the 'undefeated' New England Patriots at <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Super Bowl</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">XL II</span>. Lawrence Tynes kicked a 47 yard field goal in overtime and Giants won 23-20. (Photo by REUTERS/Jeff Haynes).<br /><div></div><br /><div>After 9 consecutive wins on the road, the Giants played an intense football game today and won a tremendous game of field positions. Winning 10 games as visitors in one season is a new NFL record. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Lawrence</span> Tynes' missed field goal as time expired during regulation was such a nail biter! It reminded me so much as the Scott <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Norwood's</span></span> field goal miss in <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Super Bowl</span> XXV. Thank goodness he redeemed himself (and the team) by kicking the winning field at overtime.</div><br /><div></div><div>I know this is wine blog, but I have to write a short note this piece of NFL football history. Who would have believed this on January 1st of 2008. As a NY Giants fan, this is truly unbelievable!</div><div><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div>Some champions are baptized by fire and the others are born on ice!</div>RougeAndBlanchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16929348100653484353noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-975345539900093709.post-82993133218168787122008-01-16T23:01:00.000-05:002008-01-22T11:56:31.868-05:00WBW #41: Friuli-Venezia Giulia White Wines<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUH-1VAXluUmIH6Ssuc3wxmG_oNUDt8BjQXg1fodts_ae6cIYsKSYFirQKRDwWXoiMJCrteHnFnYnyRP388EJ3Eqq5twx5gQdwE3ASGzEO-T3NCa3y0MrCxU3smB5PPfaTdPj54ziLxKw/s1600-h/wbwlogo.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5156304937095613426" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUH-1VAXluUmIH6Ssuc3wxmG_oNUDt8BjQXg1fodts_ae6cIYsKSYFirQKRDwWXoiMJCrteHnFnYnyRP388EJ3Eqq5twx5gQdwE3ASGzEO-T3NCa3y0MrCxU3smB5PPfaTdPj54ziLxKw/s320/wbwlogo.jpg" border="0" /></a>Wine Blogging Wednesday, started by by <a href="http://lennthompson.typepad.com/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Lenn</span></span> Thompson of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Lenndevours</span></span></a> is hosted by Jack and Joanne of <a href="http://www.forkandbottle.com/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">forkandbottle</span></span></a>. For the theme of this installment, they have chosen white wines from the <a href="http://winecountry.it/regions/friuli/winelist.php"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Friuli</span></span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Venezia</span></span> Giulia DOC </a>of Italy. The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Friuli</span></span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Venezia</span></span> Giulia region is located at the northeast corner of Italy, bordered by Austria in the north, Slovenia in the east and the Adriatic Sea in the south. Although this region outputs only about 2% of Italy's total wine production, its quality is very high and is often compared to the offerings of Piedmont and Tuscany.<br /><br /><div><div>Frankly, I know very little about Italian wines. Accepting the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">WBW</span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">challange</span></span> really forces me to go outside of my comfort zone and learn about new varietals and producers. After conducting some research, I settled on choosing <a href="http://www.cal-italia.org/varietals/tocai.html"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Tocai</span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Friulano</span></span></a> for this <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">WBW</span></span>. Why <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Tocai</span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Friulano</span></span>? You may ask. It is <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">becauseTocai</span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Friulano</span></span> is the most widely planted grape in the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Friuli</span></span> DOC and no other grape is blended into <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">Tocai</span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">Friulano</span></span> wines. </div><br /><div>Jack and Joanne are correct about the difficulty in finding good <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">Friuli</span></span> wines in most wine retailers. Among the wine shops I frequent, there is plenty of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">Pinot</span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">Grigio</span></span> but rarely anything else from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">Friuli</span></span>. However, I did find <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">Tocai</span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">Friulano</span></span> from a few producers at <a href="http://www.garnetwine.com/">Garnet</a><a href="http://www.garnetwine.com/"> Wines</a> ranging from $14 to $18. In spite of warnings from Jack regarding the 'excitement factor' of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">Friuli</span></span> wines costing less than $18, I decided to pick 2 relatively lower-priced wines from the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26">Colli</span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27">Orientali</span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28">del</span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29">Friuli</span></span> appellation with the same retail price to conduct an A/B test: </div><br /><div><strong>2005 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_30"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_30">Sirch</span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_31"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_31">Tocai</span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_32"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_32">Friulano</span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_33"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_33">Colli</span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_34"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_34">Orientali</span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_35"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_35">del</span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_36"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_36">Friuli</span></span></strong> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7T_ftizgOhzGX4eRvKYEfvJBDxHWvsuLELRDISqtg2SZBtBA1OGIdOLImwh260TwRRiG_4YtoPMKB-jChi91jkojL3MP7OmIAmwGBLYyS0MGAGxD1o7fg3SYeDHZT6N1TKKc7Rgu7uaQ/s1600-h/sirch.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5156316237154569218" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7T_ftizgOhzGX4eRvKYEfvJBDxHWvsuLELRDISqtg2SZBtBA1OGIdOLImwh260TwRRiG_4YtoPMKB-jChi91jkojL3MP7OmIAmwGBLYyS0MGAGxD1o7fg3SYeDHZT6N1TKKc7Rgu7uaQ/s320/sirch.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Price: $13.5, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_37"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_37">ABV</span></span>: 13%, Closure: Cork</div><div><a href="http://www.sirchwine.com/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_38"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_38">Sirch</span></span></a> has a website but there it is only in Italian. The US importer <a href="http://www.summavitis.com/home.html">is <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_39"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_39">Summa</span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_40"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_40">Vitis</span></span> Inc.</a></div><br /><div><strong>Tasting Notes</strong>:</div><div><strong>Color</strong>: Pale golden</div><br /><div><strong>Nose</strong>: Delicate aroma of flowers, peach and some other fruit I cannot identify. Slight hint of honey.</div><br /><div><strong>Palate</strong>: Quite lean and fresh with lively acidity. Flavors mostly of ruby grapefruit with a touch of peach. A mineral edge is also noted.</div><br /><div><strong>Body</strong>: Light to medium.</div><br /><div><strong>Finish</strong>: Long and clean. Quite peppery. </div><br /><div><strong>2006 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_41"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_41">Bastianich</span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_42"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_42">Tocai</span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_43"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_43">Friulano</span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_44"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_44">Colli</span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_45"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_45">Orientali</span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_46"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_46">del</span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_47"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_47">Friuli</span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR6caR441HQCc_-13IPtaNLxpk0bhoPvLyqvFZYbC8PwlrherazyWIf7DrHKknbCQXkKvikYFHfAcnNj8zDRYWs4UBEhbjM5j4x3Ua9a-PZ4QJG9UjxJM25SXn9iv_Xc21YUIPAcYzTp8/s1600-h/bastianich.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5156320596546374674" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR6caR441HQCc_-13IPtaNLxpk0bhoPvLyqvFZYbC8PwlrherazyWIf7DrHKknbCQXkKvikYFHfAcnNj8zDRYWs4UBEhbjM5j4x3Ua9a-PZ4QJG9UjxJM25SXn9iv_Xc21YUIPAcYzTp8/s320/bastianich.jpg" border="0" /></a></strong></div><div>Price: $13.5, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_48"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_48">ABV</span></span>: 13%, Closure: <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_49">Screwcap</span></div><div><a href="http://www.bastianich.com/wineries-bastianich.htm"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_49"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_50">Azienda</span></span> Agricola <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_50"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_51">Bastianich</span></span> </a>is owned by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lidia_Bastianich">Lidia <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_51"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_52">Bastianich</span></span></a> (the famous Italian-American restaurateur) and her son Joseph. The wine is imported by Dark Star Imports (Tel: 646-312-8921) </div><div></div><div><strong><br /></strong></div><div><strong>Tasting Notes</strong>:<br /><strong>Color</strong>: Light golden. (Darker than the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_52"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_53">Sirch</span></span> noted above)</div><div><br /><strong>Nose</strong>: Vibrant nose. Smoke, ripe peach and dry herbs. However, as wine warms, there is a strong aroma of rubber (like the smell from a fresh box of rubber bands)</div><div><br /><strong>Palate</strong>: Lively acidity with a mineral edge. Flavors mostly of pears with a touch of herbs. Notes of almond.</div><div><br /><strong>Body</strong>: Medium. (Fuller than the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_53"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_54">Sirch</span></span> noted above)</div><div><br /><strong>Finish</strong>: Long (a tad shorter than the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_54"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_55">Sirch</span></span>), clean but slightly bitter. Peppery (lighter than <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_55"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_56">Sirch</span></span>). Notes of pear and lime zest.</div><div><br /></div><div><strong>Comments:</strong></div><div>The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_56"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_57">Sirch</span></span> is lighter and more delicate than the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_57"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_58">Bastianich</span></span>. Both wines are very balanced. We paired them with broiled salmon stuffed with crab meat and both wines works really well. The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_58"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_59">Sirch</span></span> is a perfect spring/summer wine and the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_59"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_60">Bastianich</span></span> can be a summer/fall wine due to its fuller body.</div><div><br /></div><div>Both of these wines are tasted over a 3 day period (using <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_60"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_61">Vaccvin</span></span> and refrigeration). The best showing is on the 2<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_62">nd</span> day but there is no <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_61">noticeable</span> loss of aroma and flavor even at the 3rd day.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_62"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_63">Tocai</span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_63"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_64">Friulano</span></span> is an interesting varietal. Its nose reminds me of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_65">Sauvignon</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_66">Blanc</span> and flavor of Chardonnay. Although it does not have great complexity and probably is not even the best wine produced from the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_64"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_67">Friuli</span></span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_65"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_68">Venezia</span></span> Giulia region, it is <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_66">definitely</span> a fantastic food (seafood, sushi) and a cocktail wine (prosciutto as <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_67"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_69">h'or</span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_68"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_70">derves</span></span>?) at an affordable price. Whether you like or not is a matter of personal preference.</div><div><br /></div><div>Thanks to Jack and Joanne for suggesting this wine theme.</div></div>RougeAndBlanchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16929348100653484353noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-975345539900093709.post-52781743427615609532007-12-30T22:29:00.000-05:002008-01-02T01:39:06.208-05:00Ending the year with an aged Bordeaux<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqHz2QGm1Tx0s3TOm-MjQkZXld7eD5HX8SMDdD59xSIj4dgrOGQKVwzaH44uY2vqFEbGEtK_VR-wMcLo9wmz7kKY7Xvzqdcl_FxtQA1IJcwstGsFxedvsx2F2mF29vc-4z98n4WfkA7sU/s1600-h/lanessan.jpg"><span style="color:#000000;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5150761066324380642" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqHz2QGm1Tx0s3TOm-MjQkZXld7eD5HX8SMDdD59xSIj4dgrOGQKVwzaH44uY2vqFEbGEtK_VR-wMcLo9wmz7kKY7Xvzqdcl_FxtQA1IJcwstGsFxedvsx2F2mF29vc-4z98n4WfkA7sU/s320/lanessan.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color:#000000;">Over the past year, I have been slowly working through a case of 1996 Château Lanessan. This Cru Bourgeois class Bordeaux from Haut-Médoc is produced by the </span><a href="http://www.bouteiller.com/uk/index.html"><span style="color:#000000;">Bouteiller family</span></a><span style="color:#000000;">. The 1996 vintage is generally considered very successful for left bank wines, especially those from Médoc and Graves. All wines based in Cabernet Sauvignon are supposed to have excellent aging potential.</span></span><span style="color:#000000;"><br /></span><div></div><br /><div><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">The grape varietals going into Château Lanessan is 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Francs and 5% Petit Verdot. At age 11, this wine has shed most of its baby fat and the secondary aromas has come together nicely. In 2006, </span><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Janice Robinson commented <a href="http://www.jancisrobinson.com/articles/20060929">here</a> that the prime drinking window of 1996 Lanessan is around 2008 to 2018. I will definetely spread out the consumption of the rest of my holdings to see if it matches Ms. Robinson's prediction.</span></span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#000000;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;color:#000000;">This is the 7th bottle I have consumed from the case, and it is the best tasting bottle so far. We drank it over a 3 day period without any decanting and the best showing is the second day, though I should point out that it still held up well on the 3rd day.</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">ABV: 12.5%, Price: $20</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"><span style="color:#000000;"><strong>Tasting notes</strong>:</span></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;color:#000000;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"><span style="color:#000000;"><strong>Nose</strong>: Very perfumed notes of leather, tobacco, plum and lead pencil.</span></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;color:#000000;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"><span style="color:#000000;"><strong>Color</strong>: Dark garnet core and slighty dusty rim. </span></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;color:#000000;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"><span style="color:#000000;"><strong>Palate</strong>: Very balanced mouth feel. Not a fruit bomb but still has lively flavor of red fruits. Nice secondary aromas of olive, earth, leather and oak round out the back of the palate. Tannins already quite soft but the acidity is still sufficient to keep things interesting.</span></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;color:#000000;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"><span style="color:#000000;"><strong>Body</strong>: Medium, classic claret style.</span></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;color:#000000;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"><span style="color:#000000;"><strong>Finish</strong>: The worst part of this wine is the finish. It is quite clipped (medium at best) even though there are notes of earth, leather and some fruit. At times, there is also streaks of bitterness observed.</span></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;color:#000000;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"><span style="color:#000000;"><strong>Comment</strong>:</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;color:#000000;">The 96 Lanessan may be in the middle of its prime drinking window at the time of writing. Uneducated guess is that it will provide good drinking for the next 5 years with proper cellaring.</span></div>RougeAndBlanchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16929348100653484353noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-975345539900093709.post-90018000312471412822007-12-24T23:19:00.000-05:002008-01-02T01:31:55.031-05:00My Older Gigondas moment on Christmas Eve<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJEDmkUda0IpvHg50rcyk6TXH20HuihaKrAdDD1RGhzldDfSN8iA2SBrPnDRtlJWoCipetsaZe0HdQu5SDvOmryIeimNTpIJZOH743Aib-cv4FZ4jhUuUehKKfzMNffS912JG0DuPTXEI/s1600-h/IMG_1496.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5148161112166714322" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJEDmkUda0IpvHg50rcyk6TXH20HuihaKrAdDD1RGhzldDfSN8iA2SBrPnDRtlJWoCipetsaZe0HdQu5SDvOmryIeimNTpIJZOH743Aib-cv4FZ4jhUuUehKKfzMNffS912JG0DuPTXEI/s320/IMG_1496.JPG" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Christmas Eve is a special time of the year. The stress of shopping is over and the last gift has been wrapped. It is time to sit back and relax to soak in that joyful holiday feeling. For this day, I decide to crack open a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Gigondas</span> that I have long waited to try. It is a <strong>1995 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Domaine</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Brusset</span> Les <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Hauts</span> De <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Montmirail</span></strong>. </span><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></div><br /><div><a href="http://www.domainebrusset.fr/uk/Welcome.htm"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Domaine</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Brusset</span></span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> was founded by <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">André</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Brusset</span> in 1947. He passed away in 1999 and is the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Domaine</span> is currently managed by his son Daniel, and his grand-son Laurent. This producer is also one of the largest land owner in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Gigondas</span> whose vineyards are nested behind the "</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dentelles_de_Montmirail"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Dentelles</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">de</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Montmirail</span></span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">", the foothills to Mont <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Ventoux</span>. Their Les <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Hauts</span> De <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Montmirail</span> is usually make up of 55% <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">Grenache</span>, 25% <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">Mourvèdre</span>, 20% <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">Syrah</span> and normally can be aged for over 10 years.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Tasting an old wine is always a treat. One one hand, you are always fearful that the wine maybe over the hill but one the other hand, there is always an excitement to see how much life is left in it. All in all, It is very much like making love to an older partner when you know the lustful youthfulness is long gone but what remains is the seduction and the tenderness. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">This bottle of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">Montmirail</span> is also special that when I bought it, its original label is damaged beyond recognition and is replaced by a hand written label from the Burgundy Wine Company. Although the staff reassured me that it has been kept in optimal storage condition, there is no guarantee that this bottle has not been mistreated over the years.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">ABV</span>: unknown, Price: $35</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>Tasting Notes</strong>:</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>Nose</strong>: Sweet dark fruits, vanilla and a touch of flower giving way to aroma of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">caramel</span> and roasted meat. Still very muted when first opened and it actually takes over an hour in the glass to open up.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>Color</strong>: Dark ruby core with a slightly brick color rim.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>Palate</strong>: Seductive in its light touch. It was almost weightless yet mouth-filling with flavor of mostly riped cherry and a touch of earthiness. Very silky tannins and lively acidity. So very smooth and inviting.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>Body</strong>: Full</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>Finish</strong>: Medium but somewhat nondescript compared to the nose and palate. Clean dark dark fruit is supported by light notes of earthiness.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>Comment</strong>:</span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">This may not be the best <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">Giogondas</span> from the 95 vintage but it is drinking really well at age 12. It is still lively with no sign of decline. All the elements come together seamlessly creating a beautiful wine. At this point, this <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">Gigondas</span> actually tastes better than a lot of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">Châteauneuf</span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26">du</span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27">Pape</span> in the market. Sadly, this is my ONLY bottle.</span></div>RougeAndBlanchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16929348100653484353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-975345539900093709.post-18550141226915643022007-12-22T21:41:00.000-05:002008-01-02T01:40:28.160-05:00Celebration of Winter SolsticeWinter Solstice is a day on the Northern hemisphere when the day is at its shortest and the night is at its longest. It is also a <a href="http://www.china.org.cn/english/features/Festivals/78308.htm">traditional Chinese festival</a> dated back 2500 years ago. In historic China, it is a big deal to celebrate this winter festival. Government officials would organize celebrating activities and the common folks would rest on this very day. In the modern era, with the changing of lifestyles, this day has transformed into a family gathering very much like the American Thanksgiving when special food will be served.<br /><br /><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8-QWqvuO2pOPml1leUD1WB4ZtWpXBT2anhFakjeSGE01OLVMuRi2GhGwt0jGW-QHsl2wmgOq3yBG4GRlgr0VHShbKL6Pc4jt4iCHoMQFWLQDWTCQFT8_KqQl5E-4w85vO0dMGkmtqB2k/s1600-h/IMG_1486.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5147383486862937010" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8-QWqvuO2pOPml1leUD1WB4ZtWpXBT2anhFakjeSGE01OLVMuRi2GhGwt0jGW-QHsl2wmgOq3yBG4GRlgr0VHShbKL6Pc4jt4iCHoMQFWLQDWTCQFT8_KqQl5E-4w85vO0dMGkmtqB2k/s320/IMG_1486.JPG" border="0" /></a>In our <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">household</span>, we still make the traditional '<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">tang yuan</span>', which is small dumpling ball made of glutinous rice flour in a rich broth made of meat, dried scallop and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">daikon</span></span></span> radish. We also cook other savoury dishes like the one pictured for this <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">occassion</span>. It is abalone with dried <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">shiitake</span></span> mushroom braised in their own juices and served on a bed of broccoli.</div><div></div><br /><div>To go with these yummy dishes, we decided to open a recent <a href="http://brooklynguyloveswine.blogspot.com/2007/12/oldies-but-goodies.html"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">BrooklynGuy's</span></span> recommendation</a>: <strong>2001 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Domaine</span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">des</span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Roches</span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Neuves</span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Saumur</span></span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Champigny</span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Terres</span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Chaudes</span></span></strong>. The bright acidity on this Loire Cab Franc works really well to offset the heavy flavors on the food.</div><div><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">ABV</span>: 12.5%, Price: $16</div><div></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUh16HgGbNGnxGT-XOkmCYdtrDuoYroqmsrxdoxjHPB9BkM22trfVP3B6BZPkW8bagXCFSAzvoSKngZkIQa7vlihJqtR1YZrzOYmVfZQbKUCQIysVgMhxoo4j3KYd00AUc0X8aAFUXxxU/s1600-h/IMG_1483.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5147384161172802498" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUh16HgGbNGnxGT-XOkmCYdtrDuoYroqmsrxdoxjHPB9BkM22trfVP3B6BZPkW8bagXCFSAzvoSKngZkIQa7vlihJqtR1YZrzOYmVfZQbKUCQIysVgMhxoo4j3KYd00AUc0X8aAFUXxxU/s320/IMG_1483.JPG" border="0" /></a><strong>Tasting notes</strong>:<br /><br /><div></div><div><strong>Nose</strong>: Fairly fragrant nose. Aroma of dark fruit supported by cedar and vanilla in the background. </div><br /><div><strong>Color</strong>: Dark ruby with tight purple rim.</div><br /><div><strong>Palate</strong>: Fully matured. Very balanced mouth feel. A bit thin by itself but really sings with rich food. Flavor of tart cherry and rhubarb, leather and cedar. No trace of any 'green pepper' notes associated with many other Cab Francs. Tannins is a already very integreated.</div><br /><div><strong>Body</strong>: Medium but very elegant at this point.</div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><strong></strong></div><div><strong>Finish</strong>: Mostly tart fruits, earth with a hint of black pepper. Not <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">particularly</span> long. </div><br /><div><strong>Comment:</strong></div><div>At age 6, this delicious wine is at its peak. The gorgeous fruit is still there but it seems to start fading already. Do not see this getting any better. Great juice to enjoy for the next 1-2 years.</div></div>RougeAndBlanchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16929348100653484353noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-975345539900093709.post-39220170168550476782007-12-12T14:17:00.000-05:002008-01-02T01:41:04.429-05:00WBW #40: Petite Sirah<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirDnmf428foLuCGU5CjMc6kxqD0TGglzEYUR-lGCSS_7WWT-oTMy2XOUcbga5DA6b184x9SRjkusHPLx7mkXjjr9M11Xi4spw47YDX02bTY9Jsn06K09InNt9i1_gG_8pJTun9OMVQbds/s1600-h/guenoc1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5143170550328891266" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirDnmf428foLuCGU5CjMc6kxqD0TGglzEYUR-lGCSS_7WWT-oTMy2XOUcbga5DA6b184x9SRjkusHPLx7mkXjjr9M11Xi4spw47YDX02bTY9Jsn06K09InNt9i1_gG_8pJTun9OMVQbds/s320/guenoc1.jpg" border="0" /></a>The theme of <a href="http://winebloggingwednesday.org/">Wine Blogging Wednesday </a>#40, as selected by <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Sanadora</span> at <a href="http://wannabewino.blogspot.com/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Wannabewino</span></a>, is petite <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">sirah</span>. WBW was started by Lenn Thompson of <a href="http://lennthompson.typepad.com/lenndevours/" target="new">LennDevours</a>.<br /><br />Wines made from the petite <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">sirah</span> variety are usually bold, pleasant to drink, although not highly distinctive; and can age slowly and have long <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">cellaring</span> potential.<br /><br />Today, petite <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">sirah</span> vines are mostly planted in warm wine regions. Most of the petite <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">sirah</span> vines grown in the U.S. can be found in California. Until recently, this variety has been considered as the same as <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Durif</span>, a French variety created by one Dr. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">François</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Durif</span> in the 1870s. No one seemed to be able to pin point the exact origin of this grape until 2003 when Dr. Carole P. Meredith, a renowned grape geneticist at U.C. Davis, used modern DNA fingerprinting techniques to identify that 9 out of 10 petite <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">sirah</span> vines found in U.S. are actually <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Durif</span> and the rest are <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">peloursin</span> (a southern France indigenous variety). She also identified that <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Durif</span> is a cross of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">peloursin</span> and true <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">syrah</span>. “<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Peloursin</span> is the mother and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">syrah</span> is the father.”, she explained.<br /><br />I have mentioned in a <a href="http://rougeandblanc.blogspot.com/search/label/Petite%20Sirah">previous post </a>that both my wife and I loved the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">petit</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">sirah</span> produced by <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">Guenoc</span>. For <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">WBW</span> 40, I went back to the same producer and drank a <strong>1998 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">Guenoc</span> Petite <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">Sirah</span> North Coast</strong>. This vintage shows 14.4% <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">ABV</span> and cost us $17 at full retail.<br /><br /><strong>Tasting notes:</strong><br /><br /><strong>Nose</strong>: Dominated by oak and roasted meat upon initial sniff. After considerable breathing, aroma of plum with hints of herb show up nicely.<br /><br /><strong>Color</strong>: Inky purple with very tight rims, no sign of fading.<br /><br /><strong>Palate</strong>: Still youthful, this bottle shows up in a rather feminine style with rich and jammy black fruits(plum and blackberry). Note of black tea also detected. Not powerful but shows smooth mouthfeel with a great balance of fruits, acidity and tannins.<br /><br /><strong>Body</strong>: Full.<br /><br /><strong>Finish</strong>: Fairly long. Notes of plum, vanilla and black pepper.<br /><br /><strong><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">Comments</span></strong>:<br />This bottle is a good example in demonstrating how durable a petite <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26">sirah</span> wine can be.<br /><br />In addition to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27">Guenoc</span> North Coast not being considered a top-level petite <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28">sirah</span> and the 1998 vintage is just so so as far as CA vintage goes, this particular bottle was bought from a retail store with less than optimal storing condition.<br /><br />Under the aforementioned unfavorable conditions, a lot of wines would have fallen apart, but this particular bottle holds up well and sees no sign of fading after all these years. As a matter of fact, it is still in peak drinking condition when we drank it for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29">WBW</span>.<br /><br />Petite Sirah needs food. It is actually too thick and jammy to sip on its own. Paring it with braised lamb belly, the food and wine matches really well.RougeAndBlanchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16929348100653484353noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-975345539900093709.post-35813058016833733132007-12-07T18:00:00.000-05:002007-12-07T18:16:10.148-05:00A really useful holiday suggestion for every oenophile<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFaBwzlVx5mnIQnvHYdMIPtbmrs4e3SBL3rtCol-cugqszmIB1lDfF2MkMEzCo2KNvzVgwjhSISIMIWXNjat821s6rh3BX3yi5x_p3oKdZB3eb87VqgepLvzRFg2ijQpe29gJkn6q8NDA/s1600-h/fusion_rack.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5141373472928928290" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFaBwzlVx5mnIQnvHYdMIPtbmrs4e3SBL3rtCol-cugqszmIB1lDfF2MkMEzCo2KNvzVgwjhSISIMIWXNjat821s6rh3BX3yi5x_p3oKdZB3eb87VqgepLvzRFg2ijQpe29gJkn6q8NDA/s320/fusion_rack.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><a href="http://weingolb.blogspot.com/2007/11/drying-stands-and-dryer-resistent.html">Marcus' recent article</a> on dryer-resistant decanter inspired me on writing about the following item. As you can see, in his article, Marcus described a dilemma of certain type drying stands not allowing proper draining of curvier decanters.<br /><br />After some Googling, I found this product, <strong>Oenophilia Fusion 16-Glass Stemware Rack</strong>, available at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw/105-9603448-3994863?url=search-alias%3Dsoftware&field-keywords=stemware+rack">Amazon</a> for $33 with free shipping.<br /><br />How cool is this dryer rack? For spending merely 33 bucks, not only you will now be able to dry a decanter properly, but also able to dry up to 16 normal size glasses at the same time. One more advantage of this rack over others is that the legs can be folded flat for easy storage.</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><div><br />(OK. OK. If you use the Riedel Sommelier or the “O” series glasses, then this rack won’t work for you. However, if you plan to use these types of glasses, then you are into another drinking league anyway)</div><br /><div></div><div>So there you have it, please add this useful tool onto your holiday wish list.</span></div>RougeAndBlanchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16929348100653484353noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-975345539900093709.post-39735694847285298752007-12-05T18:44:00.000-05:002007-12-05T18:50:38.646-05:002006 Banfi Rosa Regale Brachetto D'Acqui D.O.C.G.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKcH3Diu2CXgIFIMyxXaaESQYA6I4oo0WOfTCxvlUKtDmOxHSknNbNp05PaayCMb155W6my6uPPcPFGJt_P7ldbV6L27BqC3__oM_750uL61PvWET7yShqLp6RlLxGzeyUl7brh-XPg-o/s1600-h/rosa_regale.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5140639806615425554" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKcH3Diu2CXgIFIMyxXaaESQYA6I4oo0WOfTCxvlUKtDmOxHSknNbNp05PaayCMb155W6my6uPPcPFGJt_P7ldbV6L27BqC3__oM_750uL61PvWET7yShqLp6RlLxGzeyUl7brh-XPg-o/s320/rosa_regale.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Recently I had an opportunity to taste this unique Italian sparkling wine made from 100% Brachetto, a rare grape variety indigenous to southern Italy. Wine made from Brachetto is generally medium in body, lightly sparkling and can be slightly sweet to semi-sweet. These wines are usually fruity and floral with aromas that may include black raspberry, black cherry, notes of tar, clove and flowers such as violets or orchids.<br /><br />By now, you may ask why these sparkling reds are so special? Let me tell you: the uniqueness about these wines is their alcohol content, which generally <strong>ranges from 5.5% to 7%</strong>. – A real wine with ABV of a beer!<br /><br />Brachetto wines can very versatile. It can be drunk as aperitif (with mild cheese or salami) on a hot summer afternnon, as dinner wine (with turkey, mashed potato and stuffing), and as desert (matched with dark chocolate). Besides being yummy, is low alcohol content is especially appealing to those people with low or no alcohol tolerance.<br /><br />Rosa Regale is produced by <a href="http://www.vigneregali.com/index.html">Vigne Regali </a>from Strevi, Piedmont. It is owned by the U.S. importer </span><a href="http://www.banfivintners.com/"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Banfi Vintners</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">. All the grapes are harvested from the La Rosa single vineyard within the Acqui D.O.C. </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">By the way, D.O.C.G. (Vino a Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita), a system similar to the A.O.C. in France means very little to us consumers except that the wine with such labeling must meet a certain yield level and some evaluation standards of a tasting committee prior to bottling. [Please correct me if I am wrong here.]<br /><br />ABV: 7%, Price: $18<br /><br /><strong>Tasting notes:</strong><br /><br /><strong>Color:</strong> Dark ruby and slightly opaque.<br /><br /><strong>Nose:</strong> Intense aroma of red berries and rose petals.<br /><br /><strong>Palate:</strong> Fairly grapy. Flavor is of raspberry, cranberry with maybe strawberry. Fairly crisp, tannins is there is not obstructive. Semi sweet and not much complexity.<br /><br /><strong>Body:</strong> Medium, light fizzy (as bubbly than a normal prosecco)<br /><br /><strong>Finish:</strong> Slightly bitter with flavor of red berries, fairly short</span>.RougeAndBlanchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16929348100653484353noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-975345539900093709.post-72718100408323943142007-11-30T14:01:00.000-05:002007-12-06T01:19:03.302-05:00A cool idea for a slow sipperA wine cellar is great for storing uopened wines at the correct temperature and humidity. Chilling an opened bottle, either by using a bucket of ice, a fancy gadget with a temperature monitor, or the plain old fridge all works well. What about the wine in your glass then? How would you keep it within the correct temperature range for drinking?<br /><br /><div>It is great to start your glass at the correct drinking temperature and finish it within 5 degree Fahrenheit so that the 'correct' aroma and texture can be experienced. However, what if you drink wine outdoor in the summer; or sip a glass that lasts for two hours? </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz3yN3hWs85e9elloCWY1-QaN3rRCZpqbtQ2VbeB3PoN7n9hAieBtfNn5fKhIB9isss3ej-DHeeX2S59j-l5qeYhT603x3VVWpmiOpijcpeeC7bcg6NSrfN-K_oTetgAmLxRo96phnBco/s1600-r/lightupicecubes_small.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5138720338251221138" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYce9COief0ZFEoyXJXtooPkxQ7C2SNAtZBpPBJTUEvmBgp6PtMARXTel3zaiHU5lhqod33vjpFgxMA1fpNZYUvQtRu92mOx8tE-RI5lSz2RwONjZsR1kaX3nSDgJmRMk-UMYYMxOTeVY/s320/lightupicecubes_small.jpg" border="0" /></a>This dilemma troubled me during the past Thanksgiving holiday when I wanted to sip 1 glass of Pinot and Rioja each during a 3 hour dinner. By the time I tasted the last drop in the glass, the wines become so warm that they actually tasted horrible.</div><div><br />So today I performed a quick search and found these <a href="http://www.amazon.com/LUSH-LIFE-Lite-Party-Cubes/dp/B000KKI1QA/ref=pd_sim_dbs_k_title_2">plastic reusable ice cubes</a>. Seems like it can be useful in chilling down the wine in the glass once it start to turn warm. </div><div><br /></div><div></div><div>These look like a great idea for holiday parties too. Put one of this flashing cube in your favorite beverage, you will have an instant sparkler.</div><div><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>If this is a crazy idea, please let me know how I can safely and economically keep a glass of wine cool for more than 15 minutes without constantly reaching for that bottle in the fridge.</div>RougeAndBlanchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16929348100653484353noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-975345539900093709.post-52390947769347372902007-11-22T23:09:00.000-05:002007-11-26T10:53:49.608-05:00Wines we drank on Thanksgiving<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCE6J18cMxKCYRDskqhGMPqrVrXK1apxmwC02f43Q-LfwiVWzDUlJUIc_4zH38KKfTZQUfCKsYmYVIzHQPzpGc6i3fXIKE0y5JgYhifytrIogBbd-2zzGkW55n2oC1lwPtPRmqB_sTItg/s1600-h/IMG_1406.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5136985845773502578" style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; float: right;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCE6J18cMxKCYRDskqhGMPqrVrXK1apxmwC02f43Q-LfwiVWzDUlJUIc_4zH38KKfTZQUfCKsYmYVIzHQPzpGc6i3fXIKE0y5JgYhifytrIogBbd-2zzGkW55n2oC1lwPtPRmqB_sTItg/s320/IMG_1406.JPG" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Happy Thanksgiving! One of the few days in the year that we are not counting calories. Good food, good company and a day off, what else can we ask for? Well, on this day, to complete a perfect meal, some folks <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">insists</span> on drinking American; some folks insist on perfect food and wine paring and the other simply want delicious beverages to go with that turkey and the side dishes.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">In our household, a lot of alcoholic beverages were served on thanksgiving day including beer, wine and even cocktails. With all the alcohol consumed throughout the day, it is essential to keep the alcoholic content in-check so our guests can get home safely. So, in the wine department, we decided to drink the following wine, all with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">ABV</span> no higher than 13%:<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">2003 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Marqués</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">de</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Gelida</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Cava</span> Brut Exclusive</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />1996 R. Lopez <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">de</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Heredia</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Rioja</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Viña</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Gravonia</span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />1997 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Trimbach</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Pinot</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Noir</span> "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Réserve</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Personnelle</span>"</span><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"><strong><br /><br />2003 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">Marqués</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">de</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">Gelida</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">Cava</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">Cava</span> Brut Exclusive</strong></span><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">ABV</span>: 11.5%, Price: $12</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Packaged in an unique and interesting plastic yellow label that wraps the entire bottle, this cava is a blend of 35% Macabeo, 30% Xarello, 20% Parallada, 15% Chardonnay. It is produced by El Cep, S.A and is aged for 3 and half years before release. It is simple yet pleasing to the palate which makes a perfect inexpensive sparkling wine to serve as aperitif. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"><strong>Color:</strong> Pale straw<br /><strong>Nose: </strong>Mostly green apple and lemon, with a light touch of yeast.<br /><strong>Palate:</strong> Very crisp and fairly dry. With air, it becomes quite creamy and eventually yields a touch of sweetness. Flavor mostly refines to apple and citrus.<br /><strong>Body:</strong> Light. The bubbles are fairly large and slow.<br /><strong>Finish:</strong> Clean, long and inviting for the next sip.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"><strong>1996 R. Lopez <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_32">de</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_33">Heredia</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_34">Rioja</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_35">Viña</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_36">Gravonia</span></strong></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_37">ABV</span>: 12%, Price: $23</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">This traditionally made Rioja is made from 100% Viura. It is the 'youngest' wine currently released from the winery (released after 10 years of aging in oak cask and then the bottle). Although not particularly powerful, this wine possesses both elegance and freshness. In the few hours we drank the wine, it slowly opened up more and more. Fascinating stuff and a true beauty at this price range. Great match with the pumpkin soup we served.</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"><strong>Color:</strong> Deep yellow</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"><strong>Nose:</strong> Pear, roasted hazelnut and a touch of coconut.<br /><strong>Palate:</strong> Very dry with flavors of lemon and orange peel, showing a touch of muskiness (probably from oxidization in the aging process) and smoked wood. As hours went by, the flavor of citrus changed to preserved Chinese <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ume">Ume</a>.<br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"><strong>Body: </strong>Medium to full.<br /><strong>Finish:</strong> Long with notes of honey and citrus and nuts.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"><strong>1997 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_38">Trimbach</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_39">Pinot</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_40">Noir</span> "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_41">Réserve</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_42">Personnelle</span>"</strong></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_43">ABV</span>: 13%, Price: $19</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">F.E. Trimbach is more famous for their whites but they do make a small amount of Pinot Noir. In good vintages such as 1997, they also make a "Réserve Personnelle" using ultra ripe grapes resulting in a more concentrated Pinot. If you are used to Pinot Noir from California, Oregon or even Burgundy, this flinty and lighter style pinot may not be your liking. However, this wine does exhibit the true character of thegrape with expression of the Alsatian terrior. At age 10, the "Réserve Personnelle" is surprisingly youthful and fresh.</span><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"><strong><br /></strong></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"><strong>Color</strong>: Clear medium ruby.</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"><strong>Nose</strong>: Explosive aroma of riped cherry and brown sugar. Hint of moss (or fern) .</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"><strong>Palate</strong>: The tannins is totally resolved. Velvety texture supports a mouthful of red fruits. Flavor is mostly red cherry with hints of vanilla and mushroom. Very flinty. Very balanced.<br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"><strong>Body</strong>: Medium.</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"><strong>Finish</strong>: Long and clean. Mostly cherry and black pepper with a hint of mushroom. </span></div>RougeAndBlanchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16929348100653484353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-975345539900093709.post-72385469619828897992007-11-21T13:15:00.000-05:002007-11-22T23:47:04.600-05:00Pre-Thanksgiving sip: 2000 Les Calèches de Lanessan<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzHlysuL22xf9FBq2BOSVNdEkH3OQskC3jU9PTdtuhLt621YZdiuZG4lgbOR4khsMSaDKmpm41AfsPFT2mDNTPBytpz3RMr_9QI59reGlQfI_2ZQBwDCRFTwWaAQhYTon86zbATB3rE6o/s1600-h/IMG_1366.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5135546477678561362" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzHlysuL22xf9FBq2BOSVNdEkH3OQskC3jU9PTdtuhLt621YZdiuZG4lgbOR4khsMSaDKmpm41AfsPFT2mDNTPBytpz3RMr_9QI59reGlQfI_2ZQBwDCRFTwWaAQhYTon86zbATB3rE6o/s320/IMG_1366.JPG" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The turkey is marinating nicely in the fridge and the prep work for most of the side dishes is completed. Oh, it will be an interesting but hectic day tomorrow.<br /><br />But for now, as a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">pre</span>-Thanksgiving sip, (or just to unwind before the big day), we decided to go French and open a bottle 2000 Les <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Calèches</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">de</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Lanessan</span>, the second wine of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Château</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Lanessan</span>.<br /><br />Château <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Lanessan</span>, owned by <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Domaines</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Bouteiller</span>, has been producing this second label since 1999. Les <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Calèches</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">de</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Lanessan</span> is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Francs and 5% Petit-Verdot. It is aged for 18 months in 30-50% new French oak barrels before bottling.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">This wine is made in an early accessible and easy-drinking style and meant to be consumed within seven years of the harvest. One interesting fact about Les <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Calèches</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">de</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Lanessan</span> is the label bears a different carriage for every vintage. For the 2000 vintage, the label is the “Le <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Tonneau</span>” (or “The Barrel”).<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">ABV</span>: 12.5%. Price: $11.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>Tasting notes:</strong><br /><br /><strong>Color:</strong> Dark Garnet, almost purple.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>Nose:</strong> Classic Bordeaux, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">cassis</span>, toasty oak and a little bit of olive after 30 minutes of decanting.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>Palate:</strong> Fairly fruit forward dominated by sour cherry and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">cassis</span> with notes of pepper at the back palate. Very balanced but still a bit <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">tannic</span>. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>Body:</strong> A little bit thin, medium weight at best. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>Finish:</strong> Not very long. Notes of dark fruits, pepper and earth. </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>Comment:</strong><br />2000 is a great vintage for Bordeaux when wines from the lowest appellations to the best <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">châteaus</span> achieve good to excellent quality. Les <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">Calèches</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">de</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">Lanessan</span> demonstrated that even a second label from a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">Cru</span> Bourgeois producer can be really good. Although not as concentrated as its big brother, Les <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26">Calèches</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27">de</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28">Lanessan</span> is very well made and exhibits a good <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29">QPR</span> value.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">That said, for the highly touted 2005 vintage, Les Calèches de Lanessan should be a decent drink. As a future reference, the importer of the 2000 vintage is Regal Wine Imports, Inc in Marlton NJ.</span>RougeAndBlanchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16929348100653484353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-975345539900093709.post-87801695128319480722007-11-14T11:18:00.000-05:002007-11-14T13:09:33.648-05:00WBW #39: Sliver Burgundy<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">It is great to have Neil, aka </span><a href="http://brooklynguyloveswine.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Brooklynguy</span></span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">, to host the 39<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">th</span> installment of Wine Blogging Wednesday originally started by </span><a href="http://lennthompson.typepad.com/lenndevours/"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Lenn</span></span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">. Neil is passionate about French wines and his favorite regions are Burgundy, Lorie and Champagne. The theme he proposed this time is ‘</span><a href="http://brooklynguyloveswine.blogspot.com/2007/10/wbw-39-announced-silver-burgundy.html"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Silver-Burgundy</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">’ where participants have to seek out wines from outside of the infamous <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Côte</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">d'Or</span> region. In fact, he only allows wine produced from the regions of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Côte</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Chalonnaise</span> and the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Mâconnais</span> to be discussed.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I am still climbing the steep and expansive learning curve of understanding wines from Burgundy, partly because of the unfavorable US/Euro exchange rate and partly due to the highly touted 2005 vintage where prices are unrealistic. Furthermore, wine prices from the lesser vintages such as the 2003 and 2004 have been inflated by at least 10 to 25% recently. In spite of these conditions, I found 2 lovely and affordable Burgundies to be shared in this WBW. </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Both of these wines are imported by <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">VOS</span> Selections.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">2003 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">DomaineChofflet</span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Valdenaire</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Givry, </span> </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Chalonnaise<br /></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">2005 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">Domaine</span> Thomas Tradition, Saint-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">Véran</span>, </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Mâconnais</span></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfTprusPoxSs85dAYCZ1Di6ZtgMfqEE8ZBrQwoauzFCyuj-OdEO8D6i1dLgb6-R97XRZL6wDc4RmTnt_vrl7U45IbQnTxPbKTjCfWMmYCi1HKJWcsn-OMgmkvyeeMA2YwBCoWvm8X3Tm8/s1600-h/givry.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5132741484923629074" style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; float: right;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfTprusPoxSs85dAYCZ1Di6ZtgMfqEE8ZBrQwoauzFCyuj-OdEO8D6i1dLgb6-R97XRZL6wDc4RmTnt_vrl7U45IbQnTxPbKTjCfWMmYCi1HKJWcsn-OMgmkvyeeMA2YwBCoWvm8X3Tm8/s320/givry.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>2003 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">Chofflet</span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">Valdenaire</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">Givry</span></strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">ABV</span>: 13%, Price: $22</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>Background information</strong>:</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">Chofflet</span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">Valdenaire</span> estate, located in the hillside hamlet <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">of Russily</span>, has been in their family for over 100 years. Today, Jean <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26">Chofflet</span>’s son-in-law Denis <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27">Valdenaire</span> runs the 11-hectare <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28">domaine</span>. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29">Theestate</span>’s <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_30">Givry</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_31">AOC</span> comes from several vineyard parcels. The grapes are entirely hand-harvested and 100% <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_32">destemmed</span>. It is aged half in tank, half in two to three year casks for one year before bottling. They also produce two single vineyard <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_33">cuvee</span> being produced, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_34">Givry</span> 1er <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_35">Cru</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_36">Clos</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_37">de</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_38">Choue</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_39">Givry</span> 1er <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_40">Cru</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_41">Clos</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_42">Jus</span>. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>Tasting Notes</strong>:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>Color:</strong> Clear medium ruby. Tight rims.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>Nose:</strong> Notes of ripe cherry. Initial funk, which my wife describes as rotten lettuce, that blows off after a while in the glass.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>Palate:</strong> Juicy sour cherries giving way to notes of sage and earth.Slightly dusty tannins and lively acidity support the very balanced mouth feel. The fruit flavor is fairly focused.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>Body:</strong> Light to medium.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>Finish:</strong> Medium length with notes of cherry, dried herb, earth and black pepper.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh63uqHKV7bFwSkhn8qgVVGvTXmhOcC1WEpELPIAnnaeKTt4LeEsOKz7R1Sejw9HwamofKKLAj4fqiZrAxnuHRv6GITR8DghBcs259FSQ72pk9q_zFBuN2AQ7r_7UZ7m-volMK0tkb53U8/s1600-h/thomas.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5132741961664998946" style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh63uqHKV7bFwSkhn8qgVVGvTXmhOcC1WEpELPIAnnaeKTt4LeEsOKz7R1Sejw9HwamofKKLAj4fqiZrAxnuHRv6GITR8DghBcs259FSQ72pk9q_zFBuN2AQ7r_7UZ7m-volMK0tkb53U8/s320/thomas.jpg" border="0" /></a>2005 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_43">Domaine</span> Thomas Tradition, Saint-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_44">Véran</span></strong></span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_45">ABV</span>: 13%, Price: $18</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>Background information</strong>:</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_46">Domaine</span> Thomas was created in 1934 and now extends over 12 hectares on southwest facing slopes. They have been estate bottling the majority of the wine production since 1987, specializing in St-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_47">Veran</span>. Lucien Thomas, owner and winemaker, produces his St-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_48">Veran</span> from old-vines planted around a remarkable, single-block, south-southwest facing amphitheater vineyard. The St-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_49">Veran</span> is made from 40-50 year old vines. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_50">Domaine</span> Thomas also produces a St-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_51">Veran</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_52">Vieilles</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_53">Vignes</span> made from a block of vines that are 70 years old. Neither of these 2 wines is treated with oak in order to preserve the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_54">terrior</span> and the fullest expression of fruit.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>Tasting Notes</strong>:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>Color:</strong> Light golden.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>Nose:</strong> Expressive aroma of pear and lemon. Notes of stones.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>Palate:</strong> Fairly concentrated. Ripe pear and lemon zest flavors supported by lively acidity and undertone of minerals.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>Body:</strong> Medium.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>Finish:</strong> Slight peppery and bitter notes that support a long citrus flavor. The finish is very clean.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>Comments:</strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">While not particularly complex, both of these wines are very food friendly. They are straightforward wines for simple and homey dishes. The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_56">Chofflet</span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_57">Valdenaire</span> pairs very well with an earthy but light Cantonese dish of Steamed Chicken with tiger lily and fungus. On the other hand, the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_58">Domaine</span> Thomas, being a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_59">unoaked</span> Chardonnay, is a good match for the steamed black sea bass we prepared.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">For folks who would like to know the recipe of</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>Steamed Chicken with tiger lily and fungus</strong>, the recipe is as follows:<br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyDuwf5qWIWRzFDjEfMY1HjTQiXj3gTSiAs3H-HFQOMUbgyWqXVmq69C2H5xjmwEqYIfLb95LdqJs8AlavSSnPeB5lHbYOk2f3DhccIKvyEiywiZOgJjdcLskq2omMxYtCQWWiMi6dQJ0/s1600-h/steamedchicken.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5132751247384292930" style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; float: right;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyDuwf5qWIWRzFDjEfMY1HjTQiXj3gTSiAs3H-HFQOMUbgyWqXVmq69C2H5xjmwEqYIfLb95LdqJs8AlavSSnPeB5lHbYOk2f3DhccIKvyEiywiZOgJjdcLskq2omMxYtCQWWiMi6dQJ0/s320/steamedchicken.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>Ingredients:</strong><br />Half a dressed chicken (about 1.5 lbs)<br />4 Chinese dried mushrooms</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">1/2 oz. Dried tiger lily [honey suckle flower]<br />1oz. Cloud ear fungus<br />4 Red dates<br />1 Tbsp chopped ginger<br />1 Tbsp Chopped garlic</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">2 twigs of Cilantro (optional, for garnish) </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>Seasonings:<br /></strong>1 Tbsp Light soy sauce</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">1/2 Tbsp Dark soy sauce</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">1 Tbsp Ginger wine [We use the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_60">Domaine</span> Thomas instead]<br />1 1/2 tsp Cornstarch</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">A dash of Sesame oil</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>Sauces:</strong><br />1 cup of Water</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">1/2 Tbsp Light soy sauce<br />1/2 Tbsp Oyster sauce</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">1 tsp Sugar</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">A dash of Sesame oil</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Note: All the ingredients above are readily available in any Chinese grocery stores.<br /><br /><strong><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_61">Preparation</span>:</strong><br />Chop chicken into pieces. Season and marinate for 1/2 to 1 hour. Soak and rinse mushrooms, tiger lily, fungus and dates. Quarter the dates and discard the pits if present. Tie each tiger lily with an overhand knot. Cut mushrooms into thin slices.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Heat 2 tablespoons oil, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_62">sauté</span> garlic and ginger until fragrant. Stir-fry chicken until 60% done, add remaining ingredients and sauce. Bring to the boil, cover and simmer for 15 minutes until done. Garnish with cilantro and serve hot.</span>RougeAndBlanchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16929348100653484353noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-975345539900093709.post-5741132496353330122007-11-07T14:01:00.000-05:002007-11-07T16:14:51.551-05:00Descendientes de José Palacios Pétallos, Bierzo<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH5RSIPbgObT6NzUdklNHlqfPTpFnq1VSSbOUVqC6Y62nRtuzgwr0FnJypXLMgdsGnCvPwA6xA5l6nJOCR0n-Y39uGIM-31sZKhmOu0bOeRLNwIJuq6-V7DLwDXHdq_JXueJFtNLwK6go/s1600-h/petalos.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5130190357826798402" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH5RSIPbgObT6NzUdklNHlqfPTpFnq1VSSbOUVqC6Y62nRtuzgwr0FnJypXLMgdsGnCvPwA6xA5l6nJOCR0n-Y39uGIM-31sZKhmOu0bOeRLNwIJuq6-V7DLwDXHdq_JXueJFtNLwK6go/s320/petalos.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I initially learnt about the Mencía grape, an indigenous red variety of Northwestern Spain, by reading Eric Asmov’s Wines of the Times article <a href="http://travel2.nytimes.com/2006/05/31/dining/31wine.html?n=Top/Reference/Times%20Topics/Subjects/W/Wines&adxnnl=1&pagewanted=print&adxnnlx=1194410021-/dIKp2lfuJ4MyXslPuF8RA">‘Bierzo, a New Taste of Spain’</a> last year. Unfortunately, there were so many other wines to be tasted and the effort of trying a wine composed of Mencía has been put off until now.<br /></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />Browsing through the racks of <a href="https://www.tintofino.com/store/">Tinto Fino</a>, a tiny but well organized wine shop in the East Village that specialized in Spanish wines earlier last month, I noticed one of the wines Eric mentioned, the Descendientes de José Palacios Pétallos, placed in the Castilla y León section, and I decided to pick one up and see what it taste like.<br /></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />Doing some research via Google, I found out that Descendientes de José Palacios is a joint venture created in 1998 between Ricardo Perez and his uncle Alvaro Palacios who is of course famous for the "L’Ermita" and "Finca Dofi" from Priorat. The name of this project is created in honor of Alvaro’s father and Ricardo’s grandfather, José. The Palacios lineup contains four more expansive ($75-125), ‘cru- level’ cuvees: Las Lamas, Moncerbal, Fontelas and St. Martin and two lower-priced regional cuvees: Villa de Corullón (~$50) and Pétallos (~$20). The grapes of all these cuvees come from vineyards in Corullón and surrounding towns where the soils are composed of mostly <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schist">schist</a> over chalk. The age of the vines is generally between 40-90 years old.<br /><br />ABV: 14%, Price paid: $21<br /><br /><strong>Tasting Notes</strong>:<br /><br /><strong>Color:</strong> Inky purple, tight rims.<br /></span><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>Nose:</strong> Initially very tight only showing herbaceous notes (reminds me of a young Cab.Franc). After 15 minutes, aroma of plum and dried cherry pops out with hints of cooked meat. </span></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><div><strong>Body:</strong> Medium to full. Very balanced.</div><div><br /></div><div><strong>Palate:</strong> Lush and extracted with bright dark fruit flavor. Quite thick and creamy (feels like melted milk chocolate). The wine is bit chewy and chalky with hints of oak. Smooth tannins balanced by adequate acidity. However, the fruit profile is not particularly focused and the wine show a little bit of heat at the back palate.</div><div><br /></div><div><strong>Finish:</strong> Medium at best. It is quite dry with notes of black pepper supporting the dark cherry flavor.</div><br /><div></div><div><strong>Comments:</strong></div><div>The Pétallos is a nice effort in exhibiting the characteristic of the Mencía grape. Being aged in 2-3 years old oak barrels, the wine is made in the new-world style but does not present itself as a fruit bomb or overly oaked. This is a middle-of-the road wine that is very pleasant to drink but will not 'wow' anybody. It is also a bit thick as a standalone sipper but pairs well with meat dishes or saucy food.</span></div>RougeAndBlanchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16929348100653484353noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-975345539900093709.post-77178317158586507282007-11-03T00:07:00.000-04:002007-11-04T12:22:54.737-05:002006 Colombelle Vin de Pays des Côtes de Gascogne<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzRz6O96cYmqMDfVG9ZSdgB4FotgPSv_bHtoiUVKWL23am2Xo4AjH1pLtUIu4IHyjtzr3lYzCi7uSqZsmkgVTI9H7v0lGehW2Qq3N_Pze6os2gNY_GxVl9HqFk39S2mKk0a-SF80wJDAs/s1600-h/gascogne.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5128463991427203890" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzRz6O96cYmqMDfVG9ZSdgB4FotgPSv_bHtoiUVKWL23am2Xo4AjH1pLtUIu4IHyjtzr3lYzCi7uSqZsmkgVTI9H7v0lGehW2Qq3N_Pze6os2gNY_GxVl9HqFk39S2mKk0a-SF80wJDAs/s320/gascogne.jpg" border="0" /></a>It is now November, Thanksgiving is around the corner and we are all thinking about family gatherings, turkey, ham, roast beef, yam, stuffings and all the travel arrangements associated with this holiday. As a matter of fact, Dr. Debs has already announced her Thanksgiving wines for 2007 <a href="http://goodwineunder20.blogspot.com/2007/11/thanksgiving-wine-recommendations-2007.html">here</a>, and it was a great list of selections indeed.<br /><br />The weather is already getting a bit chilly in New York City and I know I should be thinking about fall wines. However, I am going to buck the trend and give the summer a last hurrah by introducing this wine, 2006 Colombelle Vin de Pays des Côtes de Gascogne. As a matter of fact, I can say that this wine is actually something Dr. Debs should include in her Thanksgiving wine list.<br /><br />A local cooperative from Gasconge, <a href="http://www.plaimont.com/">Producteurs Plaimont</a>, produces the Colombelle. This is a refreshing white wine composes of 70% Colombard and 30% Ugni Blanc. The grapes are harvested in early September. After de-stemming and a short maceration, the grapes are lightly pressed and fermented in stainless steel tanks before bottling.<br /><br />Most folks like to associate wines made with Colombard and Ugni Blanc as lightweight summer sippers but they fail to recognize that these wines are actually handy year round. It is especially good for light seafood and poultry dishes. As a matter of fact, I shall crack open a bottle (yes, this wine sports a screw cap) to serve with the salad dish on my Thanksgiving table.<br /><br />ABV: 11.5%, price: $7<br /><br /><strong>Tasting notes:<br /></strong><br /><strong>Color:</strong> Pale golden.<br /><br /><strong>Nose:</strong> Explosive notes of white flower and a peach and a touch of honey.<br /><br /><strong>Body:</strong> Light but well balanced.<br /><br /><strong>Palate:</strong> Crisp entry. Flavor of grapefruit, peach and under-ripe pineapple fill the mid-palate. Nice acidity.<br /><br /><strong>Finish:</strong> Long notes of citrus supported by hints of herbs and spice. Fefreshing and palate cleansing.<br /><br /><strong>Comments:</strong><br />For $7, this is an extremely high QPR wine. This wine is a nice alternative to the usual white varietals including Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. However, I would advise all of us to forego the exercise of analysing this wine and just enjoy. We did! Paired with grilled chicken, aspargus and wild rice. Awesome match.RougeAndBlanchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16929348100653484353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-975345539900093709.post-84922489912703542592007-11-01T00:14:00.000-04:002007-11-01T01:03:37.213-04:00Paul Jaboulet Aîné Parallel 45<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSnH8XN8ReGWKBNXe49D0YtuQ22kxv3dMl8l0qlNj2lZkK1Uz33QmfyJSH_1Jxq9DaT0FsfCMHGhQmjoztnZOAAqW7rmkvVHgHAR_KXGE1OzfIt-zkyPNuk5G9n3AiVMKhE-UrqwaWU7E/s1600-h/parallele_rouge.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5127723869777855266" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSnH8XN8ReGWKBNXe49D0YtuQ22kxv3dMl8l0qlNj2lZkK1Uz33QmfyJSH_1Jxq9DaT0FsfCMHGhQmjoztnZOAAqW7rmkvVHgHAR_KXGE1OzfIt-zkyPNuk5G9n3AiVMKhE-UrqwaWU7E/s320/parallele_rouge.jpg" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Halloween evening, after we have gone Trick-o-Treat with our child, I was exhausted and just wanted to have a simple meal with a glass of simple wine. Alas! There is my half bottle of good o’ faithful <a href="http://www.jaboulet.com/Website/site/eng_lesgammes_lesgrandsclassiques_parallele45rouge_description.htm">Parallel 45 </a>left over from the previous night waiting to be finished.<br /><br />I have had this entry wine by <a href="http://www.jaboulet.com/">Paul <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Jaboulet</span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Aîné</span></span> </a>many times. Parallel 45 may not be the best <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Côtes</span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">du</span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Rhône</span></span> you can buy, but for the money, this wine delivers value year in and year out. Moreover, it is flexible, you can pair it with almost anything (even seafood such as fried fish fingers). For this night, I paired this bottle from the 2003 vintage with a roast beef sandwich on <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">pumpernickel</span> topped with caramelized onions. Perfect combination!<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">ABV</span>: 13.5%, Price paid: $8<br /><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>Tasting notes:<br /></strong><br /><strong>Color:</strong> Dark ruby. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>Nose:</strong> Not a huge nose. Light scent of black fruit supported by hints of oak and earthiness. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>Palate:</strong> Fairly straightforward with riped fruit, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">borderline</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">grapy</span> and notes of herbs (mostly licorice) and spice typically associated in a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">GSM</span></span> wine. Really soft tannins.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>Body:</strong> Lightweight (even in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Côtes</span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">du</span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Rhône</span></span> sense). </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>Finish:</strong> Short and clean. Mostly black fruit and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">slightly</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">pepperish</span>. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>Comments:</strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Even with an entry level wine, decanting is a must. Parallel 45 benefits from half to one hour in the decanter before serving.</span>RougeAndBlanchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16929348100653484353noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-975345539900093709.post-32913213834189435702007-10-25T00:57:00.000-04:002007-11-01T00:46:16.865-04:00Wine lacking character<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Dr. Debs discussed the identify theft of wines </span><a href="http://goodwineunder20.blogspot.com/2007/10/wine-identity-theft-when-one-wine.html"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">here</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> highlighting the tastes of three wines not matching the characteristics of varietals indicated. Although the wines discussed in that post were all imperfect, at least they were enjoyable. However, what about wines ‘lacking character', wines that taste like a solution mixture of grape concentrate and flavor enhancers with alcohol injected that make you say ‘blah’? <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOVcC6wfg_gtQJj3u1Q-ZktXkQ4FSln9-eJgbgtPUq0ObFKWmDypoTplyen1LW9ItxRmlAjriLfXgfMqFn8rlVK0ru19Eo9COBtP-dvPL80a1eLLPCLSGqCf3hpXR8leYfloPUd5MPgiU/s1600-h/36086[1].jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5125138221523493090" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOVcC6wfg_gtQJj3u1Q-ZktXkQ4FSln9-eJgbgtPUq0ObFKWmDypoTplyen1LW9ItxRmlAjriLfXgfMqFn8rlVK0ru19Eo9COBtP-dvPL80a1eLLPCLSGqCf3hpXR8leYfloPUd5MPgiU/s320/36086%5B1%5D.jpg" border="0" /></a> I am sure many of you have encountered such wines in the past.<br /><br />This is precisely the case of the <strong>2004 Excelsior Cabernet Sauvignon</strong>. While it is a drinkable plonk, it is nowhere close to a Cabernet Sauvignon that can clearly identify its character in a blind tasting.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">ABV: 14.5%; Price $7-$10 (readily available nationwide)</span><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Tasting Notes:</span></strong><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>Color:</strong> Dark garnet, almost blackish. </span></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>Nose:</strong> Initial smell of disinfectant from a hospital. Fruit is quite muted. As wine opens, aroma is dominated by raisin with notes of burnt tobacco.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>Palate:</strong> Fairly one dimensional, dominated by extracted black currant flavor. Mild tannins emerged after 15 minutes in the glass. Very low acidity, not much structure and quite alcoholic.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>Body:</strong> Medium to full, soft but quite creamy.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>Finish:</strong> Short with black fruit as primary flavor.<br /><br /><strong>Comments:</strong><br />I have tasted the <a href="http://rougeandblanc.blogspot.com/2007/04/2004-excelsior-paddock-shiraz.html">Paddock Shiraz</a> from the same producer and thought it has a good QPR value. At this price point, there are wines of much better quality and more precise varietal characteristics than the '04 Excelsior Cabernet Sauvignon out there.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Many factors contribute to a wine's character. The grapes of this Cab is source from the Breede River Valley appellation (as in the Shiraz). Why does the Shiraz smell/taste better than the Cab? Is it due to the ripeness of the fruit... Is it because the Cab has higher residual sugar / lower acid content? (Shiraz: RS 2.6 g/l, Acid 5.9 g/l; Cab: RS 3.9. Acid 5.5 g/l)... Is it related to different winemaking techniques? Or is this wine plainly not up to par?</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Who knows?</span>RougeAndBlanchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16929348100653484353noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-975345539900093709.post-39452455380158179182007-10-10T00:51:00.000-04:002007-10-11T10:57:03.271-04:00WBW #38: Portuguese Table Wine with Caveats!<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><a href="http://lennthompson.typepad.com/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Lenn</span> Thompson</span></span>’s </a>theme for Wine Blogging Wednesday 38 is Portuguese Table Wine. Our gracious host, Gabriella and Ryan at <a href="http://catavino.net/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Catavino</span></span></span></a>, has added a few restrictions to the game: no Port wines, no red wine from Douro, no <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Mateus</span></span></span> and Lancers Rose, no <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Vinho</span></span></span> Verde and no Madeira are allowed.<br /><br />To play by the rules, two entry level Portuguese wines will be discussed for this <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">WBW</span></span></span>:<br />2003 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Pedra</span></span></span> do <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Urso</span></span></span> from the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Beira</span></span></span> Interior region<br />2006 Monte <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">das</span></span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Ânforas</span></span></span> from the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Alentejano</span></span></span> region </span><br /><div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhGXi7TCw4pOVpPoR5t34Jcgszoog16R98ZDMr2pA20tiAhfJ1PfWxGxJ_8clVAmN80ufYbh1aux3_gsr2QekjcozCfXeKnXlacsHvZ440IWtTE_ogbz2HfOY6O7tDPcVPM0IaxjsyC2k/s1600-h/pedradourso.jpg"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0wOE0k4dpFx2l6IkTK3xfkOA6gosq3IGUfmJ9N2kVOZ-4BZzrq2g4RizgrX36z8CYJL70mVhNx2f6uylxN80Tsjb6QbrX_86KPOAR_oIHqmfILxQs9WsWUXIjUdu6D23O2akpnYFQ-R0/s1600-h/pedradourso.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5119575118878822066" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0wOE0k4dpFx2l6IkTK3xfkOA6gosq3IGUfmJ9N2kVOZ-4BZzrq2g4RizgrX36z8CYJL70mVhNx2f6uylxN80Tsjb6QbrX_86KPOAR_oIHqmfILxQs9WsWUXIjUdu6D23O2akpnYFQ-R0/s200/pedradourso.jpg" border="0" /></a>Wine 1: <strong>2003 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Pedra</span></span></span> do <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Urso</span></span></span></strong><br />Price paid: $3 (2006 sale at <a href="http://www.astorwines.com/Default.aspx?c=1">Astor</a> but this is available in Portugal for €3)<br /><br />The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Beiras</span></span></span> region is located in north-central Portugal around the highest mountain ranges of the country, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serra_da_Estrela">Serra <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">da</span></span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Estrela</span></span></span></a>. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Pedra</span></span></span> do <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">Urso</span></span></span> (literally means the rock of the bear) is also a popular rock climbing site near the town of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">Covilhã</span></span></span> with boulders scattered all over a high plateau at over 2500 feet.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.adegacovilha.pt/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">Adega</span></span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">Cooperativa</span></span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">da</span></span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">Covilhã</span></span></span></a> is the coop that produces <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">Pedra</span></span></span> do <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">Urso</span></span></span>. Initially, sale of bulk wines is the company’s main business since its inception in 1954. Since the 70’s, it has moved into producing and bottling their own wines. Today, the coop has almost 1200 members with around 1500 hectares of vines, producing around 4 million bottles per year.<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">Pedra</span></span></span> do <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26">Urso</span></span></span> is a red blend using grapes such as <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27">Marufo</span></span></span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28">Periquita</span></span></span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29">Touriga</span></span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_30"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_30"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_30">Nacional</span></span></span> among others. It is not filtered and bottled 12 months after harvest. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_31"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_31"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_31">ABV</span></span></span> is 12.5%<br /><br /><strong>Tasting notes:</strong></span><br /></div><br /><div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><div><strong>Color:</strong> Light ruby.</div><div><strong></strong></div><div><strong>Nose:</strong> Port like aroma upon opening. After 30 minutes, aroma of red fruit pops out with a metallic (iron) undertone. Hints of smoke with continuous presence of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_32"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_32"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_32">bret</span></span></span> (in a good way).</div><div><strong>Palate:</strong> Sour cherry and salty olive flavor, hints of leather supported by bright acidity and light tannins.</div><div><strong></strong></div><div><strong>Body:</strong> Light but smooth.</div><div><strong>Finish:</strong> Short with primary red cherry notes.</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW-kJnGbN5FfDeshioue57T2Z8olwsP_nNtIvCfhSypsafAyQEOx4pZzUpIXgzRPlgPZciROv5ZSPfOUZdFDqZOYRiDkPW2kVOotaOCpgfdp9qM1Ok0tlPsdpMScqEjSPe6jG_FoMkb8A/s1600-h/Bacalhoa_Montes_Anfora.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5119576815390904018" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW-kJnGbN5FfDeshioue57T2Z8olwsP_nNtIvCfhSypsafAyQEOx4pZzUpIXgzRPlgPZciROv5ZSPfOUZdFDqZOYRiDkPW2kVOotaOCpgfdp9qM1Ok0tlPsdpMScqEjSPe6jG_FoMkb8A/s320/Bacalhoa_Montes_Anfora.jpg" border="0" /></a>Wine 2: <strong>2006 Monte <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_33"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_33"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_33">das</span></span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_34"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_34"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_34">Ânforas</span></span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_35"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_35"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_35">Tinto</span></span></span></strong><br />Price paid: $6 (at Astor)<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_36"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_36"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_36">Vinho</span></span></span> Regional <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_37"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_37"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_37">Alentejano</span></span></span> is located in the south east of Portugal, near the border of Spain. It is often referred to as the ‘bread basket’ of Portugal. Fertile lands are reserved for wheat growing while poorer soil is used for olive tree, oak and vineyards. In contrast to the hilly <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_38"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_38"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_38">Beiras</span></span></span> with cool climates, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_39"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_39"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_39">Alentejano</span></span></span> is mostly flat plains where the climate is much warmer.<br /><br />Monte <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_40"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_40"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_40">das</span></span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_41"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_41"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_41">Ânforas</span></span></span> is an entry-level wine produced at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_42"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_42"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_42">Herdade</span></span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_43"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_43"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_43">das</span></span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_44"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_44"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_44">Ânforas</span></span></span>, one of the four wineries owned by <a href="http://www.bacalhoa.com/default.asp?lang=en"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_45"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_45"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_45">Bacalhôa</span></span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_46"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_46"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_46">Vinhos</span></span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_47"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_47"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_47">de</span></span></span> Portugal S.A.</a> According to notes from the producer:<br /><br />“The vineyards are located in three regions that are very well suited to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_48"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_48"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_48">Alentejano</span></span></span> wine production: <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_49"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_49"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_49">Portalegre</span></span></span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_50"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_50"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_50">Borba</span></span></span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_51"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_51"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_51">Moura</span></span></span>. … the grapes are picked and quickly transported in small trucks to our “Monte <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_52"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_52"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_52">das</span></span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_53"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_53"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_53">Ânforas</span></span></span>” cellar in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_54"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_54"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_54">Arraiolos</span></span></span>, where each grape variety, from each vine, undergoes separate <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_55"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_55"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_55">vinification</span></span></span> in small tanks (10 T). Part of the wine is then aged in Portuguese oak casks before it is bottled.”<br /><br />2006 Monte <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_56"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_56"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_56">das</span></span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_57"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_57"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_57">Ânforas</span></span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_58"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_58"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_58">Tinto</span></span></span> is a blend of 40% <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_59"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_59"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_59">Aragonez</span></span></span>, 30% <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_60"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_60"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_60">Trincadeira</span></span></span>, 10% <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_61"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_61"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_61">Alfrocheiro</span></span></span>.<br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_62"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_62"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_62">ABV</span></span></span> is 13.5%.<br /><br /><strong>Tasting notes:</strong></div><div><strong><br />Color:</strong> Dark ruby.<br /><strong>Nose:</strong> Cherry aroma in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_63"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_63"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_63">kool</span></span></span>-aid style with a spearmint undertone, slightly alcoholic nose.<br /><strong>Palate:</strong> Soft and supple, fruit forward with flavors of high-toned cherry and raspberry jam, hints of rose petal. No noticeable tannins and very low acidity.<br /><strong>Body:</strong> Light but round.<br /><strong>Finish:</strong> Short and peppery with slightly bitter aftertaste. Fruit flavor is mostly cherry.<br /><br />[Note] We finish this wine in 2 days. On the 2nd day, the flavor profile of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_64"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_64"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_64">Ânforas</span></span></span> has actually changed to resemble a light Beaujolais<span style="color:#ffff00;"> </span>with more intense cherry flavor and pronounced spiciness.<br /><br /><strong>Comments:</strong><br />Interestingly, the website of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_67"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_66"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_65">Bacalhôa</span></span></span> offers food pairing recommendation on most of their wines. For Monte <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_66">das</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_67">Ânforas</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_68">Tinto</span>, they suggest <a href="http://www.bacalhoa.com/WinesFood.asp?wineID=9&lang=en">Grilled Octopus with potatoes</a>. However, there is no food pairing suggestion for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_71"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_70"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_69">Pedra</span></span></span> do <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_72"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_71"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_70">Urso</span></span></span> on the producer's website.<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_73"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_72"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_71">Pedra</span></span></span> do <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_74"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_73"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_72">Urso</span></span></span> is much more traditional in style when compared to the Monte <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_75"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_74"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_73">das</span></span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_76"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_75"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_74">Ânforas</span></span></span> which has ‘in your face’ style fruit. Although both wines are drinking well now, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_77"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_76"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_75">Pedra</span></span></span> do <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_78"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_77"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_76">Urso</span></span></span> can be <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_77">cellared</span> for 1-2 more years without seeing any significant decline. On the other hand, Monte <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_79"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_78"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_78">das</span></span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_80"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_79"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_79">Ânforas</span></span></span> has relatively low <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_81"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_80"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_80">cellaring</span></span></span> potential based on its lack of acidity.<br /><br />In spite of their relatively monolithic flavor profiles and lack of character, there are far worse plonks from around the world at this price point. Are these 2 wines good? Not really! Are these 2 wines a true <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_81">representaives</span> of what Portuguese wine is about? Absolutely NOT! However, considering the price paid, both <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_82">Pedra</span> do <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_83">Urso</span> and Monte <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_84">das</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_85">Ânforas</span> do provide good <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_86">QPR</span> values and fit the bill as simple 'Portuguese table wines'.</div><div><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div>These wines DO complement a variety of food dishes of rich flavors due to their relatively low alcohol content. As an experiment, we took them to dinner with friends in a Chinese restaurant and ordered food such as chicken in scallion ginger sauce, sweet and sour pork chop, pan fried T-bone steak, stir fried vegetable with dried squid, casserole of eggplant cooked with salted fish and chicken. Both wine showed well in pairing with the above dishes.</span></div></div></div></div>RougeAndBlanchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16929348100653484353noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-975345539900093709.post-57416156301128295612007-10-04T23:50:00.000-04:002007-10-05T10:42:23.048-04:00A wine tasting event with Jean-Philippe Marchand<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Jean-Philippe <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Marchand</span> from <a href="http://www.domainemarchandfreres.com/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Doamine</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Marchand</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Frères</span> </a>was on hand last weekend at <a href="http://www.astorwines.com/">Astor</a> to showcase three of their 2005 Burgundies.<br /><br />The estate of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Doamine</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Marchand</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Frères</span> was founded in Morey-Saint-Denis in 1813. In 1983, the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Marchand</span> family also purchased a wine grower’s house in the heart of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Gevrey</span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Chambertin</span> which currently serves as a wine shop. Today, the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Marchand</span> properties include vineyards located in the villages of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Charnbolle</span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Musigny</span>, Morey-Saint-Denis, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Gevrey</span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Chambertin</span>.<br /><br />Their wine portfolio includes 1er <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Crus</span> such as Les <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Sentiers</span> at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">Chambolle</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">le</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">Clos</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">des</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">Ormes</span> at Morey, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">les</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">Combottes</span> at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">Gevrey</span> as well as Grand <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">Crus</span> including <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26">Clos</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27">de</span> la Roche at Morey, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28">Griottes</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29">Chambertin</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_30">Charmes</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_31">Chambertin</span> at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_32">Gevrey</span>. The average age of the vines for all <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_33">Cru</span> level wines are 40-50 years old except the vines for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_34">Charmes</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_35">Chambertin</span> Grand <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_36">Cru</span> which are over the age of 60 years.<br /><br />Besides producing wine under the family label of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_37">Doamine</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_38">Marchand</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_39">Frères</span> using estate grapes, Jean-Philippe <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_40">Marchand</span> is a négociant making wine under <a href="http://www.marchand-jph.fr/">his own name</a>, using purchased grapes from other growers in the region.<br /><br /><strong>Tasting notes:<br /></strong><br /><strong>2005 Maison Jean-Philippe <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_41">Marchand</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_42">Bourgogne</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_43">Hautes</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_44">Côtes</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_45">de</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_46">Nuits</span> Chardonnay</strong><br />Price: $21<br /><br /><strong>Color:</strong> Light bright gold.<br /><strong>Nose:</strong> Closed initially. With air, it eventually shows lemon peel and mineral notes<br /><strong>Palate:</strong> Lemon, green apple and honey notes, fairly crispy and balanced.<br /><strong>Body:</strong> Medium and smooth.<br /><strong>Finish:</strong> Medium but very focused notes of citrus flavor.<br /><br /><strong>2005 Maison Jean-Philippe <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_47">Marchand</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_48">Cevrey</span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_49">Chambertin</span> "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_50">Clos</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_51">Prieur</span>”</strong><br />Price: $35 <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirSQFDf_5kZR4AFQa5ymdtYJxuveuZrgo_XXQTne5L5wKBOuNCD-oMpW4Z9O45l4ivL6bA9eQ4D5Q-1DbS7MIOe3mlRAVsCfGzLs5s8xDtAp4Rku5yWPoeqMuuFAOzy6f_Iapm1kfA8_o/s1600-h/44476.jpg"></a><br /><br /><strong>Color:</strong> Light ruby.<br /><strong>Nose:</strong> Red fruits, brown sugar and smoke.<br /><strong>Palate:</strong> Very tight but balanced. Sour cherry dominates the flavor with underlayer notes of earth. Structure is firm. Fairly focused.<br /><strong>Body:</strong> Medium.<br /><strong>Finish:</strong> Medium-long but very clean. Tannins still grainy at this point.<br /><br /><strong>2005 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_52">Doamine</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_53">Marchand</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_54">Frères</span> Morey-St.-Denis 1er <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_55">Cru</span> “<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_56">Clos</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_57">des</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_58">Ormes</span>”<br /></strong>Price: $62<br /><br /><strong>Color:</strong> Dark ruby.<br /><strong>Nose:</strong> Sweat oak, baking spice, coffee and wet earth overshadow the black fruit. Light aroma of rose pedal.<br /><strong>Palate:</strong> Extremely tight but still exhibits great balance. Dark cherry layered with herbs, oak and spices supported by velvety tannins. Good acidity and concentrated fruit.<br /><strong>Body:</strong> Full.<br /><strong>Finish:</strong> Very long. Most notes of cherry and spice (cinnamon?)<br /><br /><strong>Comments:</strong><br />These 3 wines demonstrate the great quality of 2005 Burgundies in general. represents quality better than the average wines of their respective wine-class. Again, these wines<br /><br />The Chardonnay is straightforward, crisp and pleasant. But for $21, it does not represent a great <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_59">QPR</span> wine. There are a lot of 2005 Bourgogne Blanc out there with similar price point.<br /><br />The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_60">Clos</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_61">Prieur</span> is a great food wine. Balanced, structured and very focused. For $35, it is a good value compare to other basic <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_62">Cevrey</span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_63">Chambertin</span> wines. Too bad at the tasting there is no opportunity to compare this one with the estate wine, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_64">Domaine</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_65">Marchand</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_66">Frères</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_67">Gevrey</span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_68">Chambertin</span> “En <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_69">Songe</span>”, to see which one is better.</span> <div><div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Clearly the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_70">Clos</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_71">des</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_72">Ormes</span> is a big wine. It has great cellar potential. Although drinking well now with proper decanting, I bet in 10 years this will be a great drink after it sheds the baby fat. However, it is not cheap for $62 per pop.</span></div></div></div>RougeAndBlanchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16929348100653484353noreply@blogger.com4