52 weeks of wine: week ???

Well, here we are again. Late! (haha)
I think were going to have to change that number 52... The more wine we drink (I mean, taste) the more I can't keep track on the weeks.
Anyways, we'll still push forward on our journey. Next stop, South Africa. This one is called "Story Teller", a 2008 chardonnay from South Africa (with a cute little story on the bottle too). Available at Albertson's. If I recall, this wine was a blend of barrel and stainless steel fermented grapes. Your homework assignment.
Lets try this one stall we...keep in mind South Africa is a hot, dry climate. Pouring this wine into the glass I observed a bright gold hue, almost like the color of beer. The legs grazed down the glass (yes, I said grazed..haha) Had the aroma of cooked tropical fruit...yummy, right? Tasting this wine it coats the tongue with some acidity. Now this is the kind of wine you would want to have with spicy foods because it coats your tongue, compliments each other by balancing each other out. Tastes like it smells with slight apricot notes. Not so lush of a wine, but more mineraly. This is because of the fermentation in stainless steel vats, which leads to your homework. Isn't nice not having a assignment date?
I want you to experience the difference in aroma and taste a white wine has that has been fermented in barrel wood versus stainless steel. Its amazing the difference characteristics. Try to stick to the same varietal. Note: Sauvignon Blancs ferment in stainless steel. The main category to determine is crisp or lush? 
Now go my faithful travelers and try some WINE!

See you soon

52 weeks of Wine: week 4

Ya know, might have to lower that 52 weeks number. Just realized that we are in the month of February and only 4 weeks into our adventure...hummm, that doesn't add up (haha) OR we'll just have to drink a new wine everyday towards the end of the year to catch up! So not just one wine this week, but 4!

This week we tour France and Italy for awhile.
Rhone Valley and Burgundy, France plus various regions in Italy. Picked up all these wines at Trader Joes (I mean...over in France and Italy, haha) And the best news...all under $6 a bottle. Pretty cheap vacation.
Now, image we are at these vineyards, soaking in the sun as we sample these traditional wines. Picturing that? FYI, I heard Celebrity Cruise are offering Europe wine cruise. Lets make this for real! ;)
Okay, first wine is 2010 Pinot Grigio from the Contadino vineyard in delle Venezie, Italy. Pinot grigio is know for being a refreshing wine to drink, which this one was. Very light body, almost clear in color. Fun part is it had a slight aroma like anise....licorice. Tasted like biting into a pear, even texture. Staying in Italy, we try a 2010 Grifone, Primitivo (name of the grape varietal). Primitivo is like that Italy version of Zinfandel. This particular one is called an "old vine zinfandel", which basically means what it says, an old vine. An old timer (haha). When I worked at the Grand Hotel as a wine steward I would sell zinfandels by calling them "a wine with attitude". This Italian primitivo, not so much attitude. Fruitier then the typical zin's you and I might be use too. The color was like the color of love. A flat out good tasting wine. Definitely try this one. And if you tried a zinfandel, or don't remember drinking a zin (haha), test a California zinfandel, its our pride and joy wine.  
Stumbling over to France (we definitely will be visiting this region again. There is so much history of wine making traditions here). Third bottle is from the Rhone Valley of France, a 2010 Blanc from La Ferme Julien, "appellation d' origine controlee" which is translated "controlled designation of origin" a French certification. Look for AOC on the label of your next bottle of French wine. Anyways, this is a white wine blend on the heavier side, meaning it had some legs! Floral aroma, like honeysuckles. Tasted like it smelt with a beautiful lingering finish. Last bottle, one of my favorites because of its character, a traditional European Pinot Noir. This one is from Burgundy France, where you will find pinot noir vineyards everywhere because its the only grape allowed to be grown in that region according to French AOC laws. Now European pinot noirs are very earthy compared to North American pinot noirs. This particular bottle is much smoother then typical French pinot noirs, which I was surprised. So if your leery of jumping into a European pinot, sample this one. You can smell and taste the "cask", barrels, in this wine. You'll notice more vegetal aromas and flavors, like your sampling the actual ground/environment these grapes grew in. Pretty amazing experience.
Overall, these are great "casual" wines. Be sure to go into more research.

**Homework time... try a North American pinot noir and European pinot noir TOGETHER. Take note of the difference in color, viscosity (remember that word?), aroma, taste, and lingering finish. Also think about how these cultures prepare their food differently to pair with these wines. The only way your going to learn about wine is actually experiencing it.
Enjoy!


This is a good book to read, about wine of course: "From Grape to Glass" by Jens Priewe
available on Amazon.com

52 weeks of WINE: week 3

Hey my wine travelers,

Probably thought I got lost there for a little while, huh?

I had a good friend visiting me for the past week and a half, I was showing her the true west coast lifestyle. Arizona, beach, Hollywood, and VEGAS!! Lots of fun. Had the privilege of drinking some Dom Perignon. I won't make you go out and purchase that one for homework, but definitely treat yourself one day.

Well, I came home to a surprise today, a open bottle of red wine from Paso Robles. Yes, we're making a u-turn, heading back to Paso Robles in our journey. I forgot something there. (haha)

A $5.99 red blend from Trader Joes, Long Arm Lot 81 from Paso Robles, California 'NV', which means "non vintage", no particular year. Look at that next time you search for a new wine to try. If you want to experiment, get the same grape varietal, from the same vineyard, BUT different years. Taste and smell the difference. Its like capturing that year in a bottle. Talk about experiencing some history!

Red blends are easy drinking. Not so robust. This particular one was super balance. Not one flavor or aroma stuck out to me. Very smooth. Fruit forward, ripe, and like a party in your mouth! (haha)

I definitely like to hear your opinion on this one.

Perfect kind of wine to bring to a dinner party, or even a BBQ. Fun for everyone.

Drank this wine with a salsa inspired chicken dish....ummm...YUM! (crock pot frozen chicken breast with your favorite salsa and taco seasoning)

This one is worth a try and you can't say no to that price.

CHEERS!!

Awesome looking bottle too! ;)