March 4,2014
Looking for a new grape experience, start in upstate New York. The grape variety Vidal Blanc is grown in this cold region. The Vidal Blanc grape has a thick skin and is cold resistant (you have to be to live in the ground there). Wines from this grape are floral and fruity with mouth watering acidity. Sounds like another one of your favorite grapes?
March 3,2014
Here we are in the beginning of March and the talk of spring is all around us.
Provence Harvest
Talk of the warmer weather and the new spring fashions are at the top of the list.
With the warmer weather, Rosé wines are going to start filling the wine store shelves again.
Coming soon will be the 2013 vintage.Good news is that 2013 will be a good vintage for these dry Rosé wines from Provence.
The weather, according to the Conseil Interprofessionnel des Vins de Provence, had a spring and summer that were typical of Provence. The spring had warm days and cool nights with the rains lessened the water stress on the vines throughout the growing season. The summer also had warm days and cool nights. This combination will lead to properly matured grapes with high aromatics. The fall harvesting went with out incident. So we should expect our 2013 Rosé wines from Provence to be high quality, aromatic and delicious.
February 28,2014
A little red wine to end the month of February.
Alta Vista produces many good wines and today we are looking at the
2009 Alta Vista Terroir Selection Malbec and the
2009 Alta Vista Premium Cabernet Sauvignon.
Value wines to be enjoyed.
February 27,2014
2012 D’Esclans Whispering Angel Rosé
Did you ever think of a Rosé wine frolicking in the snow? This one is a Whispering Angel Rosé telling us all to come out and play. Put your coats on and bring out your wine glasses. Let’s make a snowman together. You can also bring that chilled 2012 Whispering Angel inside and enjoy that salmon colored wine of 73% Grenache, 9% Cinsault, 8.5% Syrah, and 5.5% Mourvedre. There are aromas of light red berries with soft mineral notes.On the palate there is mouth filling softness with gentle red fruits and the elegance of Provence. It finishes clean and dry without needng to be mouth watering.
These angels are truely saying come play with me or is it come drink rosé wines with me.
February 21,2014
There is something special about a less than usual grape variety that comes from a less than usual place. We are talking about the Semillon grape grown in the Hunter Valley of Australia. This grape gives you all that creaminess without the use of oak and leaves you with the pure fruit to enjoy.
February 17,2014
In May 1788 our former President Thomas Jefferson ordered 125 bottles of a then recent 1784 vintage of Haut Brion. With that many bottles ordered, that sounds like Thomas Jefferson’s favorite wine.
Unfortunately I have not tasted that wine so I will share an American wine of a more recent vintage to celebrate Presidents Day. When including President Jefferson in a wine commentary it would be more appropriate to include those special wines from Virginia, however, I am deprived of that treat of tasting wines from Virginia at this time. So we look towards Napa Valley.
Our 2014 President’s Day favorite wine selection is:
1994 Caymus Vineyards Reserve Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
February 14,2014
Happy Valentines Day to all.
If you are not celebrating with champagne and caviar then this is good alternative.
February 14,2014
Let’s be different on Valentines Day, roses can be salmon color.
If your Valentine Day lover appreciates wine as much as you, then rosé wine from Provence would be greatly enjoyed.
Value priced, 2012 Domaine Houchart Rose from Cotes de Provence Is what we aresharing with you today along with 2011 M Minuty Cotes de Provence.
February 10,2014
While the athletes are going for the gold medals at the 2014 Winter Olympics at Sochi we have selected this bottle today for them.
Todays selection is the 1990 Chateau Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande from Pauillac.
This wine is twenty fours years young and is going strong with gold lettering on the bottle.
February 7,2014
The Tre Bicchieri World tour stopped in New York on February 6,2014. Producers that
have won Trebicchieri (three glasses) offered tastings of their award winning wines. These are the best of the Italian wines. It was difficult to find a wine that you did not like.
It was a day of favorites.
Click here for a PDF of the 2014 Tre Bicchieri Winners
So I would like to highlight one of those 3 Glass winners. Being the weather is so cold, let’s think sunny and warm. Let a sea breeze be the coolest thought. Onward to the Italian island of Sardinia off the Italian coast.
From Sardinia lets drink some 2012 Vigne Surrau Sciala Vermentino di Gallura Superiore DOCG. A 3 Glass award winner.
