February 6,2014
Add snow and sleet to the mix of the cold in February and my wine pairing is an Amarone.
Just tasted the 2008 Amarone della Valipolicella Classico from Tenuta Lena di Mezzo of Monte del Fra. Use the cold weather as excuse to drink this tonight.
February 1,2014
Selected journalists and writers were surveyed about Australian Chardonnay regarding stylistic changes, best value price points and other points.
Most agreed that the style is getting better.
In the best value price point range of $20 to $30 50% thought Australian Chardonnay was the best value.
Sorry California. 88% thought that Australian Chardonnay was a better value than Chardonnay from California.
The 2011Leeuwin Estate Prelude Chardonnay at $4 above the $30 range is a Chardonnay for those California Chardonnay value lovers.
January 31,2014
Today is the Chinese New Year and the Year of the Horse.
Animals make their way onto wine bottle labels frequent enough. Cheval translates from French to English to be Horse. So Cheval Noir with the horse on the label sounded like a choice to celebrate with. 
January 29,2014
The 2009 vintage for Brunello di Montalcino made its way from the Montalcino wineries into New York City on January 27,2014.
Weather alone can not be solely responsible for making a good vintage. Weather wise, 2009 did not have the best weather and it is reflected in some of the wines. Location, altitude, soil and winemaking skills were all important in this vintage.
Vineyards from central Montalcino seemed to make the best wines. These wines have some more complexity than those from the southern area.
The southern regions wines were ripe, fresh and were not as complex as expected. They had great acidity and are enjoyable to drink now and the near future. The structure for long term seems to be missing.
The central Montalcino area wines were ripe, slightly earthy and round on the palate with soft tannins. Those with more structure and stronger tannins were sure to have the high acidity on the finish.
All these wines are drinking nicely right now with a shorter future (7-10 years) ahead of them than other vintages. These should be on all restaurant wine lists being so food friendly and drinking nicely right out of the winery.
Click Here For the 2009 Brunello di Montalcino wine reviews
From these My Favorite Wine IS
January 29,2014
The 2009 Brunello di Montalcino wines can be officially released in accordance with the Consorzio del Vino Brunello di Montalcino regulations on January 1,2014. So this is a good time to reflect back on the weather of 2009 to give us a glimpse of what we may expect in the final bottled wines being currently released.
The Spring season had more rain than usual and the rain lasted through the middle of July. The balance of the summer was dry and hot. Keep in mind that warm temperatures are much better for the vines than hot temperatures.
In the southern portion of Montalcino, where clay soil is predominant, the heat gave the excess water in the ground some positive purpose. In these areas with the water retentive clay soil, the vines were les stressed.
The heat created an accelerated ripening process and grapes with higher sugar levels resulting in a higher alcohol level vintage of 14.5%.
The Consorzio del Vino Brunello di Montalcino rates each vintage using a scale of five stars. With this weather, the Consorzio have declared that the 2009 vintage is a Four star vintage.
The proof of this will show in our glasses.
January 27, 2014
On the nose it was floral with white peaches. On the palate it was light bodied. There was creaminess with slight minerality and noticeable acidity as well. On the finish it was smooth and easy drinking. Average Retail Price $50 Tasted October 2011
2011 Chateau de Pampelonne
2011 Chateau de Pampelonne Rose – Cotes de Provence
It is a blend of Tibouren, Cinsault, Grenache and Syrah.The wine has a beautiful salmon color. There are aromas of flowery fresh strawberries with some herbal scents. On the palate it is a full bodied wine.There is a slight creaminess and minerality with the soft sweet but not over powering fruit. Some gentle tannins are to be found. The finish is smooth and clean.
SRP is $15. Tasted September 2013
To all my Australian friends:
If Captain Arthur Phillip had access to the fine quality Australian wines of today, I believe that he would have celebrated with NV Jansz Premium Rose Brut Sparkling Wine from Tasmania.
Happy Australia Day
January 26,2014
2009 Peter Lehmann Eight Songs Shiraz Barossa Valley South Australia is a great wine for all of us today to enjoy with our celebration of Australia Day 2014.
January 26,2014
Not only is riesling produced in Australia, it is good, reasonably priced and has ageing capability.
The 2013 Pewsey Vale Riesling is floral with the stone fruits flavors of peaches and apricots and not sweet. The wine has nice mouth watering acidy and leaves your mouth refreshed. Read the full review notes here for 2013 Pewsey Vale Riesling.
From the same winery we have a single vineyard (Contours) riesling with some age to it.
2003 Pewsey Vale Contours Riesling is almost 11 years old and still has the delicious fruit. It has some of that oily/petrol to it as you would expect from a fine German Riesling. It is also dry riesling. There is the sweet fruit flavors in the mouth but it finishes bone dry.
Read the full review notes here for 2003 Pewsey Vale Contours Riesling.
For all other Australian Wine Reviews Click Here.
My favorite Australian riesling is from Pewsey.
January 24, 2014
When you think of an Australian wine, think of a Chardonnay and Riesling. These are just two other grapes that are used to produce quality delicious wines in Australia. Australian wines can be with powerful fruits but are also made in a way to offer the powerful fruit toned down to show the other nuances of the wine.
