Italian Stallion

Hello Wine Lovers! Happy Holidays!

Today I bring a wine to you from Toscana... Monte Antico Rosso 2006 for $8.99 a bottle!

This wine made the Wine Spectator's Top 100 Wines and is a blend which varies slightly depending on conditions during the growing season. This year it is 85% Sangiovese, 10% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. It is aged 1 year in oak and at least 6 months in the bottle, achieving a graceful balance of juicy berry tones and a sturdy backbone. Dark ruby in color, its bouquet full of leather, herbs, black cherries a touch of licorice with a long fruity finish. This wine is extremely versatile with any fare from pasta or risotto, to meat, fowl and cheese.

Go to your favorite shop and buy the heck out of this little Italian jewel!

Cheers!

J

Top 100 Shiraz

Hello Wine Drinkers!

Maybe some of you have seen the most recent Wine Spectator with their annual Top 100 Wines of the Year article. This Shiraz made the list and is only $8.99 a bottle! Are you kidding me? What an unbelievable value! You can find this little number at most wine shops and at your Jewel or Dominicks! 2008 d'Arenberg "Stump Jump" Shiraz McLaren Vale South Australia. You will find a mouthful of cherry, blackberry and raspberry flavors with a long finish with slight minerals on the end. This wine is a good match with grilled meats, zesty pasta and even your favorite pizza!

This is a perfect gift for the holidays! You don't spend too much but it seems like you did!

All for now... Cheers!

J

Zanie Zinfandel

Hello Wine Drinkers!

It was my beautiful wife's birthday celebration dinner last night and our future son in law (it certainly is a possibility) brought a zinfandel for dinner. Usually at this point I take the bottle and put it in the cellar and thank the person who brought it and move on to what I had planned to serve. But, this little number I recognized and it would be a good match for what I was serving. Four Vines 2007 Old Vine Cuvee Zinfandel. This wine was less than $10 and drinks like a $20 dollar bottle. You will find dark plum, blackberry and raisin flavors and a hint of anise on the nose with a long smooth finish with just enough oak and tannins to make it interesting and a good match to food. Choose steak, pizza or even a nice burger to match with this beauty. This is a blend from different appellations that the wine maker decided would make a great wine, and I think he did it!

Should you get the chance check out their website...www.fourvines.com

Cheers!

J

Pinot Noir Bargain

Hello Out There!

Now that we have the festivities of Thanksgiving behind us, the football games, family and friends, the food, the laughter and of course the wine... lets talk about a little Pinot Noir I think is worth drinking. Castle Rock Pinot Noir for around $8.99 a bottle. This little jewel has a nice fruit forward character with spice and raspberry flavors on the finish. Buy this wine and drink the heck out of it!

As we all are aware of the price of Pinot Noir ever since the movie Sideways (If you have not seen this movie you should watch it, there is a scene in the movie that probably was responsible for Pinot prices soaring and Merlot sales in the toilet) it is difficult to find one for less than $20. And when you do, you can't drink it!

I want to talk a little bit about this difficult little grape and why it can be a wine maker's best friend or their worst nightmare!
Pinot Noir is one of the oldest grape varieties known and was named by the noble Pinot family. Pinot's been cultivated in France since the 1st century AD. One legend has it arriving in Burgundy from the Aedui from their invasions of Lombardy and Italy. Another legend has it arriving from the Romans while still other tales refer to the Romans finding Pinot already established in the region. With the Barbarian invaders driving the Romans from the region, the Catholic church inadvertently became custodian of the fine Pinots. The monks (They seem to invent a lot of alcohol related beverages) used Pinot Noir in their sacraments and hence gained approval for the wine. They improved the varietal through careful vineyard practices and by the 6th century, most of Burgundy was divided into church owned vineyards. The first documented history of Pinot Noir in Burgundy doesn't occur till 1345. French monks brought the grape to the Rheingau region where it's been cultivated since 1470 and the vineyards were owned by the Church. Later the vineyards were seized and distributed to families in Burgundy during the French revolution around 1789 resulting in an independently owned and operated vineyard model that still survives today.

Pinot Noir seems to pick up every known vine disease, mould, fungus and/or pest thats out there! It's an early ripening variety so spring frosts are devastating. It needs to be picked at just the right time, when picked too late the thin skinned berries will shrivel up and lose all flavour. Extracting all the colour is another challenge. When fully ripe, the Pinot Noir berry is a very light purple colour and requires careful handling to make the most of the light colour.
Pinot Noir goes through a range of changes as it matures. A young wine will show simple fruity characteristics including: cherry, plum, raspberry and strawberry. The complex flavours emerge as it ages revealing chocolate, earthiness, smoke and truffles. Many a winemaker has said that to make a good Pinot Noir one has to have patience and persistence and work with a lack of sleep!

I hope I haven't been to wordy and you found this little bit of wine trivia fun! Now go out there and drink Pinots and sound smart on the subject!

Cheers!
J

New Zealand Wonder

Hello Wine Lovers!

I want you to get in your car... go to your favorite wine shop... ask for this wine... buy as much as you can fit in your car... go home... chill it... open it... and drink the heck out of it! It's that simple! At $8.99 a bottle you will be amazed at the complexity of this little number.

It is from the New Zealand's Marlborough Region, Stoneleigh is the producer and as most NZ Sauvignon Blancs, this has a citrus grassy nose with grapefruit and tropical fruit with slight mineral notes on the finish. Excellent quality for this price range. This is a perfect wine to serve with your upcoming Thanksgiving bird.

Cheers!

J

Influence on American Wine

Hello Wine Friends!

Today I would like to talk about the influence Thomas Jefferson had on the American wine scene. He obviously was the second President from 1801-1809 and helped to build and expand Monticello (his home) but he envisioned America planting and growing grapes and producing wines as good as the Europeans and particularly the French. He served as Minister to France and lived in Paris on the Champs-Elysees and became very fond of Lafite wines. Jefferson was not the only founding Father of our country to have a fondness of the grape, Ben Franklin did as well. Franklin called wine "proof that God loves us and likes to see us happy." The heck with electricity, get on with the wine!

When he first started to add on to Monticello the first part constructed was the cellar. As the second governor of Virginia he had access to the official stock of Bordeaux, Champagne, Burgundy and German Rieslings and enjoyed every minute of it! But it wasn't just drinking wine that Jefferson was in to, he believed that true independence meant agricultural self-sufficiency. Americans would have to make their own wine if they didn't want to rely on imports.

He first planted vines at Monticello in 1771, a few years before his trip to Europe. He encouraged an Italian immigrant named Filippo Mazzei to plant European wine-grape varieties by giving him 193 acres in Monticello's backyard. Both efforts failed, but Jefferson remained hopeful for American wine.

Jefferson traveled throughout France's different wine growing regions to learn their ways and and to acquire valuable knowledge that would later help with the American efforts. His trip in 1787 made Jefferson the greatest wine connoisseur writing in any language at the time!

Would our wine producing regions be what they are today without Jefferson's influence and passion to make America competitive with Europe? Tough question... but I believe the answer is Jefferson certainly had an impact on the American wine scene.

You may recall that not too long ago Christie's (The famous English auction house) sold a bottle of Lafite 1787 that was supposedly from Jefferson's private collection. (That is still out for debate) I believe the selling price for the bottle was $75,000... my oh my!

Down to the "nitty gritty" my wine review. I'll make it short and sweet... Chateau St Jean Cabernet Sauvignon. This wine has complexity, depth and richness that certainly surpasses the $9.99 price tag!

Cheers!

J

Hello Wine Friends!

Last night I experienced the very rare occasion of not finishing a bottle of wine. As I used my vacuvin pump to remove the air from the bottle of left over wine I though about sharing my thoughts on this little practice.

First off I believe you should always attempt to finish the bottle, that is the best for the integrity of the wine, as well as for your sleep. (I sleep so soundly when I have a belly full of wine) But on those occasions when the bottle cannot be fully consumed then I suggest the use of the "Vacuvin" pump. Most wine shops and even some grocery stores will carry this little invention for around $10. It consists of a plastic pump and two rubber stoppers. You can purchase more stoppers separately should you need more or lose them.

It is really quite simple to operate, place a stopper in the bottle, place the pump over the stopper and hold with one hand firmly over the stopper and with your free hand pump for 10 to 12 strokes. This removes the air from the bottle which will keep your wine fresh for up to 2 to 3 days. (Any longer than that use the wine for a reduction sauce etc.) This is one of those things where you say to your self "Why didn't I think of this?" Oxygen oxidizes wine which takes away its flavors and bouquet, so remove the oxygen and prolong the life of the wine! Simple!
I recommend after pumping the wine place it in your refrigerator (both reds and whites) until you are ready to consume the wine. Take it out of your refrigerator 20 minutes before you want to enjoy a glass!

Cheers!
J

Meritage

Hey Wine Lovers!

If you recall from my first posting of this wine blog I stated my goal was to write about value wines at $10 or less. Well... I splurged on this one, I spent $11.99 and felt compelled to write about it! Hahn Estates 2007 Meritage.

Hahn translates to Rooster in German and that is why the rooster is on their label, it adorned their family home for years.

This wine is elegant with ripe fruit on the front, lush juicy overtones and a slightly tannic finish, enough to stand up to hearty fall and winter dishes but also soft enough to have by itself. It is a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. I would buy this and impress your friends!

Lets take a moment and talk about "Meritage".

A Red Meritage is a blend of two or more of the red “noble” Bordeaux varieties — Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Malbec. (St. Macaire, Gros Verdot and Carmenère are also noble grapes from Bordeaux but rare) If the blend includes any other grape variety, it is, (by definition) not a Meritage. Also, to qualify as a Meritage, no single grape variety can make up more than 90% of the blend. In 1988 a group of of American vintners formed "The Meritage Association" to identify handcrafted wines blended from the traditional "noble" Bordeaux varietals.

Now you know what the definition of a "Meritage" wine is!

Cheers!

J

Three To Get Ready...

Hello Out There in the Wine World!

Once again I was blown way with the value of Chile and Spain with the three wines I am about to share with you, Santa Ema Reserve Merlot and Reserve Cabernet and Shaya Verdejo.

The Santa Ema Reserve Merlot is a luscious, soft, fruit forward wine that is enjoyable by its self or with food. It has undertones of chocolate and lots of dark fruit on the nose with a touch of oak on the finish. At a price of $6.99... are you kiddin me? Buy this as fast as you can!

The Santa Ema Reserve Cabernet is another bargain! Dark berries with just enough tannins to keep it interesting and a long concentrated finish. This little beauty will pair nicely with your favorite steak on the grill. Again, at $6.99 you can't go wrong!

The Shaya Verdejo (verdejo is the grape) from Spain's Rueda Region is one of those white wines that you are going to wish you had discovered long ago. It is a pleasant change from Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc that most of us have a tendency to drink. By the way, Shaya is a deer that roams the area where the vineyard is located.

This grape can be traced back to North Africa and then brought to Spain in or around the 11th Century. Typical wines made from this grape and Region have citrus fruit flavors with minerals from the sandy riverstone soil it is grown in. They have nice acid levels to go with food and may remind you of a Sauvignon Blanc. The Verdejo grapes are generally harvested at night. This is mainly for two reasons. 1. It means that the grapes enter the cellar at a lower temperature than what it would be if harvested during the hot sunny daytime. 2. Lower temperatures means less oxidation, or browning of the juice. This little gem will set you back $9.99... and worth every penny of it!

Cheers!

J

Storing Wine

Hello Wine Drinkers!

Today I want to talk to you about wine storage. You don't necessarily need an expensive cellar lined with cedar shelves, pictures of beautiful vineyards, terracotta tile floors, climate controls, tasting table and of course a well stocked humidor. Although nice... but I will tell you how to take care of your wine without all that!

First, lets talk about "cellar" temperature. Not too long ago you would see statements like "Serve at room temperature" or "Store at room temperature" when referring to wine. That came from the fact that centuries ago when you lived in a castle in Europe room temperature was 50-54 degrees! Hence, room temperature. 50-54 degrees F is the optimum temp to store and serve red wine. (Slightly warmer to serve, use the 20 minute rule, take your red wine out of "cellar" temperature and let it sit for 20 minutes before serving.

Typically we serve white wine too cold. In most restaurants (and our refrigerator at home) you will find the temperature at 40-42 degrees. At that temperature a good portion of the flavor profile of the wine is covered up. Serve it closer to 48 degrees, this allows the wine to
show it's best side. Again use the 20 minute rule, take a bottle of white wine out of your refrigerator for 20 minutes before serving.

Enough of that! Lets get to storing wine. It is best to keep your wine in a constant (key word...) cool, dark space away from sun light. Keep your wine away from vibration, refrigerator compressors, washing machines etc. Keep the temp constant, a constant 65 is better that 55 for a while and then 65 for a while and then 55 again. Anything over 70 degrees is NOT GOOD. Store your bottles on their side or even upside down to keep the corks wet.

In modern times you can buy a small counter top wine refrigerator that will hold a dozen bottles for less than $100. Get rid of your microwave and replace it with a wine cooler! (What's more important, reheated food or temperature controlled wine?) You can purchase a wine cooler from Lowe's that will hold 48+ bottles for less than $200. If you don't have room for it in your kitchen place it in a closet close by, garage or basement.

Drinking wine at proper temperature helps to bring out the flavor profile completely and it dances across your tongue. Once you start to drink wine at the proper temp, you will always want your wine served in this manner!

Have fun!

Cheers!
J

Viva le France!

Wine Lovers,



This entry is not about a wine value priced for you to go out and buy, but about a bottle of wine I had the absolute pleasure to pour over my lips, down my throat and into my stomach and most importantly, one to cherrish in my memory bank forever!



I had the (Arguably) best wine on the planet (Certainly one of) a 1982 Grave Haut Brion, Pessac Leognan, Grand Cru!! Wow, still vibrant and beautiful with a soft silky feel in the mouth and fresh fruit on the finish! After 28 years it is still magnificant and youthful! This is French wine making history in a bottle! 1982 was also classified as a "vintage" year in the Bordeaux Region in France!



Let me tell you a little about Bordeaux and I will attempt not to get too "geeky" for you.



Many will tell you it is the greatest wine region in the world. Many other spots can stake a claim to the title, but only Bordeaux has the history, the mystique, the fame and centuries worth of world class wines in all three categories: White, Sweet and of course Red! The region produces around 70 million cases of wine per year, which accounts for almost one quarter of all production annually in France. Located in southwestern France around the city of Bordeaux, Bordeaux is comprised of 56 smaller appellations that line the banks of the Gironde Estuary river and its tributaries the Garonne and the Dordogne. Already famous in the 14th century, though winemaking in Bordeaux dates back to Roman times. The true fame of Bordeaux began in the 12th century when Henry Plantagenet, heir to the thrown of England, married Eleanor, Duchess of Aquitaine, thus creating a place to export Bordeaux to England. The English have long been one of the most important export markets for Bordeaux. The first single estate wine mentioned in English literature was Château Haut Brion. Shelterd by forest land, and with a moderate temperature due to the rivers nearby, Bordeaux wines are blessed with a number of natural flavors. It is in the soil that the fame of Bordeaux is created. Rocky gravel and sand on the left bank of the Gironde, and with clay and limestone on the right. Bordeaux wines can vary greatly in style, price and quality. It is a common misconception that all Bordeaux is great, when in reality the most famous wines make up a tiny percentage of overall production. Bordeaux is known for red wine with over 80% of total production today. As recently as the 1960s more white wines were produced than red. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot are the major players, with Cabernet Franc also playing a key role. Petite Verdot and decreasingly Malbec are also permitted in the Bordeaux reds, which are made up of a blend of two or more grapes. White wines are primarily a blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Sémeillon, though Muscadelle is also permitted. Beautiful and seductive sweet wines are produced from Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon. These are some of the greatest dessert wines in the world! Getting the grapes to ripen fully can be a little tough because of sun exposure, spring frosts, drought and fall rains during harvest. Unlike Napa Valley where the growing season is more or less perfect and long. While a great Bordeaux can be a wine-life changing experience, (Like what I just experienced) the prices have continued to rise to the point of lunacy! Bordeaux is sold on futures, meaning that the wine is sold before it has ever left the winery. Bordeaux has always been expensive, but prices as of late are enough to make even a millionaire squirm. The mediocre wines are over priced, the good wines available to only those with deep pockets and do not blink at spending more than $100 on a bottle of wine, and the best wines have put themselves in a market that only the wealthiest can even think about!

The bottle in question at this very moment is worth between $700-800! The new release is listed at $500 a bottle! Too rich for my blood... but certainly worth drinking should you have the pleasure!

Cheers!
J

Spanish Wonder

Its Me Again,

How many of you have heard of Tempranillo? If you at some point in your life drank a wine from Spain you more than likely have had this grape, at least as part of a blend. It is to Spain like Sangiovese is to Italy... a lot of it is grown and produced! As it should be it is a very easy to drink wine. Today's pick is the Marco Real, Tempranillo 2007 from the Navarra Region in Spain. At $7.99 fo this thing, can you say bargain or what?

Bodegas (Which translates to Chateau) Marco Real was founded in 1988 in the heart of Navarra, in Olite, a thousand-year-old city with a long-standing wine producing tradition. They have slowly been spending more money and investing in their properties and continue to produce nice wines.

Don't pass this one up! Great for burgers on the grill for that Monday night football game.

Cheers!

J

French Sleeper

Hey Out There in Wine Drinking World

This one will knock your socks off! Domaine de Fondreche, Vin de Pays de Vaucluse. (We don't need to get into all this right now, just write the name down and take off to your local wine shop with about $7 in your pocket and you will be happier than a fat pig in a mud puddle!

This is a Rhone wine from the wine maker Sebastien Vincenti (One of his lesser wines but packed with value) He bought the property in 1991 at the time he finished his oenological education. The former owner had delivered the grapes to a local cooperative and there were no cellars at the estate. Since then cellars have been added and wines are happening!

Vaucluse is near Provence France and that is where the grapes were grown for this wine. Light fruit on the palate with a pleasant nose of lavender with a touch of honey. One of the great many values from this area of Southern France!

Cheers!

J

Sicilian Godfather

Hey Wine Lovers!

In the past Sicily has not been known for wines that most people would find approachable to say the least. They were typically tannic, high in alcohol and to say it lightly... just plain nasty! But over the years more and more wineries from the mainland Italy have invested money, time and effort and now the island produces some wonderful value driven wines. Which brings me to today's gem, Arancio, Nero D'Avola.

The Arancio Estates have about 1500 acres of vineyards and has been totally remodeled and state of the art equipment installed to produce wonderful classic wines from this beautiful, sunny and hot region of Italy.

Nero D' Avola is the grape and is indigenous to Silicy and originally grown in the Siracusa region but is now grown all over Sicily and can be traced back to the Romans. This wine shows beautifully dark purple colors with red berries and cranberry flavors with mild tannins which leads to a medium finish. At $7.99 a bottle-are you kiddin me? Hurry up and go find this before your neighbor does and he/she looks like the genius!

Available at the Wine Discount Center, Binny's and Sam's Wines.

Cheers!

J

Champagne / Sparkling

Hello Fellow Wine Lovers!
Today I would like to talk about values in sparkling wines. The holidays will be here before your know it and we all know what that translates to… drinking sparkling wines and celebrating!
Let’s talk a little about Sparkling, Champagne, and Cava.
Only wines from the Champagne region in France can be called “Champagne” even though sparkling wines are made in the same method. (As long as the label says “Methode Champenoise” somewhere, rest assured it is made like the wines from Champagne) Cheap imitations of this wine has the “bubbles” injected into the wine by using carbon dioxide and this is why you feel so poorly after a night of celebrating with the cheap stuff! Drink quality not quantity!
Champagne is made by adding yeast to the bottle and allowing that to work with the sugar to make a second fermentation, hence… the carbonation. When the wine maker determines the wine is ready he will slowly tip the bottle up (this is called riddling and takes a few weeks) until it is upside down and the yeast settles to the top of the bottle. This collection of yeast is then frozen, the top is taken off and the force of the bubbles sends the yeast flying out of the bottle. The bottle is then topped off with a touch of the wine that it was made from, the cork put in the bottle, the cage over the cork, (Remind me to come back to that) the label applied and it is ready for market. In some cases the wine will be stored longer to age and settle.
Champagne and sparkling wines are primarily made from three grapes, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. (Not all, but a good many) A pink wine is made from allowing the juice to sit on the skins for a short time to extract some of the color, but not too long as this will add tannins and bitterness to the wine.
The sweetest wine a producer will make is called Doux, Demi Sec, and then Extra Dry, Brut, Extra Brut, and Brut Natural. Most today are Brut. (In my opinion the only ones worth drinking)
Reminder: this little trick will win you some money at the dinner table. Each and every wire cage that is put on a bottle of Champagne, Sparkling, or Cava, (As long as it states on the label “Methode champonais”) will take 6 turns to remove. Have fun!
Cava is the name given to Spanish sparkling wines and arguably the best values on the market today! Great wines, great prices and fun to drink… what more do you need?
My list of Cava or Sparkling to serve at your next party:
Segura Viudas Brut $8.99 (They make several levels all very reasonably priced)
Cristalino Brut $6.99
Freixenet Cordon Negro $8.99
Korbel Brut $8.99
Mionetto Prosecco $7.99 (Italy’s version of sparkling)
St Michelle Brut $7.99
I think you will be happy with any or all of these choices, and so will your Guests! At these prices you can’t beat them!
Have Fun!
Cheers!
J

A Nice One From the Land Down Under

Hey Fellow Winos!

I opened up a bottle of Shiraz last night and to my excitement... it was a tasty little number. Jacob's Creek Reserve Shiraz 2005. This wine has ripe plum flavors with spice and balanced by tannins that make it a nice accompaniment with food. At $9.99 buy as much as you can carry!

The one thing that it prompted me to think about is the different terminology that is used for the same grapes, depending on where they are grown.

Syrah and Shiraz are the same grape, just different terms for them. In a nut shell it goes like this. Syrah is the old-world name, and it's used when referring to wines from France's Rhone Valley. Any winemaker/winery that makes wine in that manner from California will also call it Syrah. Shiraz is the "new-world" name, and it's used by winemakers/wineries making wine in the modern style, like Australia.

Another example that comes to mind is Pinot Grigio and Pinot Gris. Same grape different names depending on whom is producing it and where. Pinot Grigio from Italy and California... Pinot Gris from France and Oregon. (Of course other countries and producers use both terms but these are the primary examples)

Pinot Noir and Pinotage. Although these are not the same grapes exactly, both wines are very close! Pinot Noirfrom France, California and Oregon while Pinotage from South Africa. Pinotage is a cross between Pinot Noir and Cinsault. Pinotage is a grape variety that was created in South Africa in 1925 at Stellenbosch University.

Zinfandel and Primitivo. Zinfandel from California and Primitivo from Italy. (Roots of this grape take us all the way back to Croatia)

I thought this would clear up some of the confusion you my encounter on your wine travels and conversations.

Cheers!

J

Two Worthy of Drinking

Hello Fellow Winos!

What does wine mean to you? I was thinking about this the other day and thought it worthy of a paragraph or two, certainly with the holidays just around the corner! (They will be here before we know it)

Wine is part of the universal language, the language of sharing, drop all the crap and share with someone, leave the baggage at the door, chill out, however you want to say it! I have been at many a table where I did not understand the language that was spoken but everyone at the table understood the sharing of a bottle of wine!

Think about all the times you have shared a glass of wine (or bottle) with your friends and family! What is more important than family? I can't think of anything... can you? You sometimes share wine to celebrate, sometimes to commiserate, sometimes in sorrow, but the point is you sit and tip a glass with someone you care about!

Laughing is good for the soul, in any language, laughing is universal. The next time you open up that bottle to share with a loved one... just relax and laugh with each other!

Now down to the nuts & bolts! Two worth drinking!

Castle Rock Pinot Noir, Mendocino County 2007. This will not be the best Pinot Noir you have ever drunk but for the money ($9.99 at Wine Discount Center) I don't think you will find a better one! Since the movie Sideways hit the big screen you can't touch Pinot Noir juice for less than $20! You will find aromas of violets and rose petals with strawberry and raspberry nuances through the finish.

Milton Park Shiraz 2006, South Australia. (In some cases you will find the 2007 vintage) At $7.99 jump on this like a jack rabbit! Dark plum fruit with tannins on the finish that will keep you honest! This is not as powerful as many Shiraz's from Australia but is certainly worth a case or two!

Cheers!

J

Boxed Wine

Hello Winos!

Before I even get started here today, allow me to apologize! I am about to write about boxed wine and I know what you are thinking... I am apologizing for whats in the box. But I am not, I am apologizing for the fact that boxed wine takes all the romance out of presenting, opening, serving and pouring the wine!

But in today's economy everyone is looking for a bargain, value and spending less without giving up quality, so there goes the romance! (make the romance with your baby) There are a few good options in this category that will surprise and delight you!

I think the best red is Black Box Cabernet Paso Robles 2006, about $20 for a 3 liter cube. (4 750 bottles) Do the math... $5 a bottle!

Another quality red is Bota Box Cabernet California 2007, about $19 for a 3 liter cube. (we apparently don't call them a box anymore... it is a cube!)

My favorite white was a Wine Cube Chardonnay California 2007, $17 for a 3 liter cube. This is a wine made from Trinchero Estates (great reputation winery from Napa) in collaboration with Target stores and only available at their stores. They also make a Wine Cube Cabernet-Shiraz California 2007 but I didn't think it was as good as their white or as good as the other reds I spoke of in this article.

Another white I recommend is the Blackbox Chardonnay Monterey County 2008, $25 for 3 liters. A nice rounded wine with plenty of acidity to stand up to food.

Wine Cube Sauvignon Blanc California 2007, $17 for the 3 liter cube is a nice alternative to Chardonnay and I think better with food.

You will find these wines at most any wine store (with the exception of Wine Cube which is only available at Target) Jewel Food Stores, Dominick's Food Stores and many neighborhood liquor stores.

I would keep the red in the refrigerator as well as the white wines to keep them as fresh as possible. When you want a glass of red, pour it and let it sit a bit to warm up. These wine cubes will keep your wine drinkable for 3-4 weeks after opening. (the label says it will keep for 6 weeks but I found that the wine lost its luster after 3-4 weeks)

So... your next party, the next time you feel like a little wine (which in my case is pretty much 24/7) open up your refrigerator and squeeze the little toggle and pour yourself and your cutie a little glass of value!

Cheers!

J

Another Argentina Beauty

Hey Winos!

First of all I need to correct an error in yesterday's post. The average cost of an acre in Napa is $190k, not $1900! Sorry about that!

Another little gem from Argentina, this time Astica (which means flower) Malbec. This wine is deep violet in color with slightly sweet fruit up front. (when you first put in your mouth) At $6.99 a bottle at Binny's or Wine Discount Center, you should get all over this!

Malbec is the flagship red varietal from Argentina. Italy has the sangiovese grape, Argentina has this one. For many years a good many of the producers were sending their wine to the US with Merlot on the label. They thought they were growing Merlot! Then the French showed up to buy some land (Rothschlid) and the proud grape grower showed him a vineyard planted with what he thought was Merlot... and Rothschild stated to him that it was in fact Malbec! Funny thing happened after that... their sales went in the toilet! The Americans did not know what a Malbec was so they didn't buy it!

Of course many years later and we Americans know what Malbec is... a great wine for a great price!

Cheers!

J

Fun Wine Facts

Hey Out There!

I thought it might be fun to write about some fun trivia and facts about the nectar of the Gods, or more commonly known as wine.

A. The Mesopotamins reportedly made wine 6000B.C. (that is crazy)

B. It takes approximately 2 1/2 pounds of grapes to make a bottle of wine.

C. There are about 85 calories in a glass of red wine. (that is why I work out so hard)

D. California produces over 17 million gallons of wine a year. (how much do you drink of this mass amount?)

E. 1 acre produces around 800 gallons of wine.

F. There are 60 gallons of wine in a barrel.

G. A French oak barrel costs upwards of $1000 each. (American oak costs close to $700)

H. There are approximately 400 grapevines to an acre.

I. The average cost of an acre of land in Napa California is $1900! (how the hell do they get it to market for $10?)

J. Dom Perignon costs around 23 euros to make and retails for 139 euros! (viva la France)

Argentina Standout

Hey Winos!

Get in our car, truck, suv, motorcycle, whatever the heck you are using for transportation and get to your local wine shop for this little beauty! Trapiche Cabernet 08 from Mendoza Argentina. Bright red in color with black fruit and spices, soft in the middle and just enough tannins to say I am from Argentina! At $6.99 are you kidding me?

Don't cry for me Argentina...

Cheers!

J

Wine Stuff

Hey Fellow Wine Drinkers!

Wanted tom let you know of a couple of things coming up in the wine world.

This weekend in Naperville is the Naperville Wine Festival which showcases over 250 wines! It is Friday from 4-10PM and Saturday 2-9PM.

Learn about new and exciting varieties from the experts in a relaxed festival setting.Wine seminars and cooking demonstrations are conducted by event sponsors, exhibiting wineries, area chefs and restaurateurs. There is food available and live music/entertainment both days.

Tickets are $25 and may be purchased by going to the web at http://www.napervillewinefestival.com/

Next Wednesday night at the Wind Discount Center in Barrington at 311 East Main Street is their Cabernet tasting. 730-900PM. Some of the best cab producers from California will be in the glass, from Silver Oak to Orin Swift! Ruth's Chris Steak House will be serving samples of their succulent steaks and other treats. Tickets are $40 and may be purchased by calling Mike or Jim at 847-277-0033.

For my money... I would attend the Wednesday tasting. There promises to be some cult classics to taste that you may not have an opportunity to taste otherwise.

Cheers!

J

Spanish Star

Altos De La Hoya from the Jumilla Region in Spain. This little number will surprise and delight! Not only will it stand up to food pairings but it is not too shabby on its own. Squid-ink purple color, dark berries, lavender, with a touch of minerals. The focused finish features pure berries. Here's another crazy reason to buy this wine..." Sustainable Farming"! At around $7 for this little gem I would suggest you buy all you can carry in that car you drive!

What is sustainable farming you ask? Read on and I will put it in its simplest term. Sustainable agriculture integrates three main goals--environmental health, economic profitability, and social and economic equity. People in many different capacities, from farmers to consumers, have shared this vision and contributed to it. In a nut shell... what you do to the land you are growing on you give back. Save it for future generations, treat it with respect and dignity. As a wise man once said, "Give and you shall receive".

Cheers!

J

Two More Worth Drinking

Hello Fellow Wine Lovers!

The holiday weekend just ended and I thought of the wine I drank over the last couple of days and two stood out as fantastic values. (I'm surprised I could remember as much as I consumed, enough to wipe out a small village) Anyway...

I usually don't drink chardonnay (unless of course it is from France) because I don't like how the American wine makers address this particular grape. My lovely wife brought home this little gem and it wasn't half bad! Concannon Central Coast Chardonnay. It has a medium body with tropical fruits on the palate with just a touch of oak at the end. $6.99! (Even if you don't like this thing, pour it in your windshield washer tank at this price)

Italian wines always remind me of where they come from... Italy duh! What I mean by this statement is that you can always tell an Italian wine by the nose... it smells like you are in Italy! Sun, food, pasta, pizza, art, love... you get the idea!

Salice Salentino Riserva 2004 is an example of what I am referring to. Open this up and let it breath for a bit before you try it. It is tighter than your Uncle at Christmas time! Once it opens up i is full of Italy in a glass. Dark fruits, figs, with a touch of spice and a long elegant finish with enough tannins to stand up to what is on your plate. At $9.99 a bottle you cannot go wrong with this little beauty!

Both are available at Wine Discount Center.

Cheers!

J

Buy It!

Hello Wine Lovers!

I opened up a wine the other night without a whole lot of expectations, just looking for something to have with dinner, nothing special. Well it turns out I was pleasantly surprised with this little gem, Guenoc Victorian Claret.

A blend of cabernet, merlot, petit verdot and petite sirah. This North Coast California wine is a perfect match to that big juicy steak you've been dying to throw on the grill. It has dark plums and blackberry with tannins that will stand up to most anything. At $8.99... are you kidding me? Buy this by the truck load!

Cheers!

J

A Couple Worth Drinking

Hello Winos Out There!

I had the pleasure to drink a couple of real bargains the other day and wanted to share them with you so you could run out and buy them!

Sincerely Sauvignon Blanc from South Africa and Protos Ribera Duero from Spain.

Neil Ellis Wines produces this wine and named it Sincerely as a tribute to Sancerre, a region in France known for world class Sauvignon Blanc. A large number of these wines on your favorite wine shop's shelves are from New Zealand, certainly more than South Africa. South African Sauvignon Blanc lands somewhere in between the big, in your face, grassy style of New Zealand and the refined, subtle, sophisticated style of Sancerre. This wine is well worth the $8.99 price tag at your local Wine Discount Center.

Prontos Ribera Duero is a wine named after that famous region in Spain and produced from 100% Tinta del pais grapes. It has been aged 6 months in American oak barrels and another 6 months in the bottle before releasing. This wine shows berry fruit on the front end with a touch of vanilla on the finish with soft tannins. Available at your local Binny's Beverage Depot for $7.99!

Cheers!

J

Why You Buy Certain Wines

My son, whom is 23 years young, came home the other day with two bottles of wine to give me for my birthday. (Was that thoughtful or what?) I opened the bag to find a Robert Mondavi Pinot Noir and a Rodney Strong Merlot.

After thanking him I asked what made him choose these particular wines. He stated he remembers hearing me talk of Robert Mondavi starting the whole “wine experience” in Napa Valley and my thoughts on his wines and his vision. On one of our many trips to the valley I made a sudden turn into the driveway of the Mondavi Winery, drove to the fountain in front of the main building, jumped out of the car and proceeded to genuflect, got back in the car and drove off. I told him and his sister I was simply showing respect for an icon.

The second choice he made was also from his memory bank when his cousin and he visited that particular winery. He enjoyed how we were treated and how the people working the tasting room made him feel.

That brings me to the point of this entry to my blog. Why do all of us make particular choices when purchasing wine? In his case he chose wines from visits to wine country in California. In some cases from a recommendation from this blog (hopefully) or from a friend(s). In some cases it may be something we read about the wine. It could be a print ad we came across while waiting in the dentist’s office. We could have been served the wine at a dinner party. We could get a recommendation from the wine shop. We could see a billboard.

My point is that there are countless reasons why we make choices to purchase a particular wine over another. (I once was told by someone that she made choices based on how pretty the label was) Make your choice, open it up, share it and make a mental note whether you want to buy it again!

Wine is like woman… I like them all, some more than others!

Cheers!
J
I recommend Robert Mondavi Private Selection Cabernet. For about $11 this will get you in the cab boat! (Maybe not a front seat… but on the boat)

Favorite Wine

Hello Wine Lovers!

I just had another birthday (too many to tell you) and I was asked what my favorite wine was. (I assumed it was for the purpose of buying me a bottle for a gift) After giving this a quick once over I said to the person asking “Honig Cabernet is my favorite bottle of wine”.

Of course after getting in my car and traveling the hour commute to my home I realized what a loaded question that was! When you think about all the different wines you have consumed in your lifetime, is there really a favorite? I can certainly recall some memorable wines as well as some world class wines including, but not limited to 47 Cheval Blanc, 61 Haut Brion, 82 Gruaud, Heitz Cellars Cabernet and the list goes on! But to name a favorite… well I just don’t know!

I think it all depends on the moment you are drinking the wine. Are you sharing with a special person or friends? Are you relaxed and is your focus on the juice in the bottle? Is it a special occasion? Are you having fun? You get the picture. I have had some very memorable wines that were not very high up on the scale of quality but because of what I was doing and who I was sharing it with, that particular wine could be considered one of my favorites.

My answer is this… whatever wine I consumed last night is my new favorite. I have a lot of favorites!

Cheers!
J

Wine Containers

There has been much controversy over bottling of wine over the years. The Europeans (for the most part) believe in the traditional cork and us Americans, but certainly not limited to, are a little more relaxed and have given in to the twist cap and even in some cases, quality wine in a box!

Let’s talk about these…

First the cork. Today over 70% of all cork is produced in Portugal and it is produced from the bark of a tree. (Is that crazy or what)? It has been around since the beginning of time and in many circles the preferred method to seal wine. Arguably the only way to seal wines worthy of aging due to the fact there has not been research conducted long enough to see the effects (if any) on age worthy wine. The other argument is the lack of “romance” of opening a bottle of wine without a cork. The peeling of the cap, (the foil cover over the top of the bottle) using a wine key to extract the cork and the wonderful “pop” sound of pulling the cork from the bottle. The major problem with cork is the problem of “corked” wine. What the heck is corked wine you ask? It is a fungus that grows within the cork and taints the wine with a very musty smell as well as steals the character from the wine. What you are left with is a flat, smelly horrible tasting wine that is so far from what the wine maker intended that it is ridiculous. But what happens is that the consumer thinks that is what it is intended to taste like and never buys or recommends this wine again! According to recent numbers about 10% of wine using real cork is in this category, which is a lot of bad wine!

Second the screw top. Some of the top producers have been slowly introducing the screw top to their line of wines. Outside of the fact you do not have the romance of opening a bottle with a cork, you at least don’t have to worry about a corked wine. You can still have a bad wine due to the fact that it was not handled correctly at the vineyard or distributor, but far less chance of this happening. I personally like the cork, call me crazy, but I like the whole presentation of opening a bottle with a cork. If I was a wine maker / owner and was losing 10% of my product (not to mention how this would translate to future sales) to bad wine caused by the cork I may like the screw top. As a loyalist give me the cork!

Thirdly the box wine. Believe it or not this is not what your parents and grandparents served at their holiday get togethers. The box in their refrigerator or on their counter is not the same box today! Technology has improved the bag in the box as well as it is more "green" than bottles. There are a number of quality wines in this format, certainly more than in the past!
Regardless of all the fuss… it still comes down to one thing. What do you prefer? Whatever that is I say go for it!

Cheers!
J

Revist This Cabernet

Hello Wine Friends!

It has been a while since I have had this wine... the J Lohr Cabernet Seven Oaks from Paso Robles, and shame on me! This wine is a great value with typical characteristics from wines of this region in California. This wine is dense purple red color with aromas of black cherry, black currant and plum fruit, complemented by vanilla, and just a touch of toasty notes. This comes from the time spent in the barrel. This wine is ready to drink now but I would say it is cellar-worthy for an additional 5 years. Jeff Meier is the winemaker and I would like to tip my hat to another nice wine from him and his team!

Cheers!

J

2 Sleepers from Washington

Hello Fellow Wine Friends!

A couple of sleepers from Washington State are worth looking in to, one a cabernet and one a sauvignon blanc.

Lets start with the sauvignon blanc. Terra Blanca is the producer and it is from the Yakima Valley. This wine is fresh, clean and crisp... perfect for these hot days and nights. It is not "grassy" as many sauvignon blancs can be (certainly from New Zealand) but more on the citrus side with lemon and grapefruit notes. A good buy at around $13.

Here is a little trivia about the grape.

Sauvignon blanc is a green-skinned variety which originates from the Bordeaux region of France. The grape gets its name from the French word sauvage ("wild") and blanc ("white") due to its early origins as an indigenous grape in South West France. This grape produces a crisp, dry, and refreshing white wine that for me, is a nice change from the over the top chardonnays that most wine makers produce today. (this will be a topic in the future). Sauvignon blanc, when slightly chilled, pairs well with fish or cheese, particularly Chèvre. It is also known as one of the few wines that can pair well with sushi.

Next up we have the cabernet, Ridge Crest the producer from Columbia Valley. This wine is not your big meaty in your face cabernet that many of us enjoy (certainly my lovely daughter) but a soft fruity approachable cabernet that has just enough structure to stand up to your food on the plate. You will find notes of blackberry and plum with a soft elegant finish. Again, at $10.99 you can't beat this wine!

Both of these wines are available at the Wine Discount Center and Binny's Beverage Depot.

Cheers!

J

Decant or Not To Decant... That is the question?

Hello wine lovers!

Who actually owns a decanter nowadays? Anyone who wants the best from their wine should own one. Decanting wines is not just for show, and even in this modern age of industrial, fined and filtered wines, some will still benefit from spending some time in a decanter.

Years ago many wines were bottled with stems and particles from the wine making process but with modern techniques today and with wines filtered, very few particles or "sediment" is in a bottle of wine. However, most wines will benefit from decanting or "aerating" them before drinking.

Wines which have aged in bottles, typically red wines rather than white, will generally throw a sediment by perhaps ten years of age or more. More than any other wines, these are the ones that deserve decanting. Young wines also benefit from decanting, although the aim is not to take the wine off its sediment (there is rarely any such sediment in young wines), but rather to aerate the wine. When the wine comes in contact with the air in the decanter, it alters the wine, softening its youthful bite and encouraging the development of the more complex aromas that normally develop with years in bottle. For this reason even inexpensive wines can benefit from decanting, if a first taste reveals a tannic, gutsy taste.

Simply pour the young wine vigorously into your decanter and let it sit for 20 minutes or so before drinking. This should do the trick.

The older wines (aged in bottles 7 years and up) need to be handled differently. Keep the bottle horizontal (the same way you took it from the shelf in your cellar or cabinet) as not to "upset" the sediment. Open carefully and place a candle on the counter behind the bottle. This is done in order to see through the bottle to allow you to see the cloud of sediment you are separating from the wine. Slowly pour the wine into your decanter while carefully watching for the cloud to remain on the bottom. When you finish, you should have the sediment at the bottom of the bottle with approximately 1 inch of wine remaining. Do this up to an hour before drinking the older wines.

Review: Decant your young reds to aerate them vigorously before drinking.
Decant the old wines to separate the sediment from the wine.

Cheers!

J

Italian Sleeper

Hello out there in the world of wine! This is one of those wines that you should go out and fill up your trunk with! Skip the utility bill this month and spend it on this stuff!

Pio Cesare Barbera d Alba from Piedmont Italy near the town of Alba. The winery has been around since 1881 ans has a long history of quality Barolos in its portfolio.

This is sassy and spunky with a velvety finish for under $10 at Wine Discount Centers. i have also seen this wine at Binny's. Check it out, you will not be disappointed!

Cheers

j

Wine Shopping

Good Morning Everyone! This article is on shopping for wine. Many wine enthusiasts (certainly new wine drinkers) are intimidated and overwhelmed by the number of choices of wines in a wine shop or even a grocery store these days. It is quite easy really... just ask questions and have an open mind to learn!

Introduce yourself to the staff at your local wine shop and remember the person's name that takes care of you and ask for them on your next visit. Everyone likes to be called by their name, this will help you build a relationship with your wine shop! In my opinion you should always have a wine shop clerk(s), restaurant owner, massage therapist and a clothing expert as friends!

Think about the last bottle of wine you had and what you liked about it. Now when a sales person asks what you are looking for, tell them that particular bottle. If they have 2 wits about them they should be able to guide you to wines in that flavor profile. (if they don't carry that particular wine) Let them know what you want to spend on a bottle(s) and don't be embarrassed on this amount. It doesn't matter if it is $8 or $50, wine is wine!

Ask the salesperson for any recommendations or his/her last exciting bottle they had in your price range. This is a fun way to experience new and different wines.

I like to ask the staff for the bottle that sells for $10 but drinks like it is $20. Remember they taste a lot of wine, that is part of their job to put quality and wine that will sell on their shelves! I get more interesting wine that way!

Take notes! When you are in a restaurant and order something you like write it down! Ask the server questions as well. Where could I buy this particular wine? Who is the distributor? (this may help your local wine shop get the wine if they don't already carry it)

Finally, don't be afraid to try different wines you may not have previous knowledge of. There are over 8000 grape varietals out there! Have fun and experiment!

It all comes down to this... you either like the juice in the bottle or you don't! It doesn't matter if it is $5 or $3000 for that bottle of nectar, it is worth nothing if you don't like it!

Cheers!

J

Cheep drinkable wine

Here are two wines that will knock your socks off... Los Vascos Cabernet from Chile and Colombelle Vin de Pays from Southern France. Both under $10 and nice!

The Los Vascos is from the Rothschild family of wines. Typical of their reputation... quality in a bottle. The only thing that doesn't make sense is that it is cheap!

Cheers

J

A value driven wine you should look for on your next rip to the store is Chateau St. Jean California Cabernet. This wine is around $10 and drinks like it is more costly than that. It certainly is not a "big" blockbuster of a cabernet but nice! Enjoy!

Cheers

J

introduction

Hello fellow wine drinkers and lovers! Allow me to introduce myself and my blog. My name is Michael Jackson (the one that is alive and well) and I have been consuming wine since I was 10 (yes, 10... wine mixed with water thank you) and I am sick and tired of the pretentious, over zelous, too many words to describe, too much information etc to attempt the reader to try or buy a wine. I believe you will find my wine talk fun, easy to understand and most importantly, useful. I will not recommend a wine that is not readily available at your local wine shop... what good is it if I recommend something you can't find? Not a damn thing!

So, read, follow, go to your wine shop and pass the blog to all your friends! (even if they aren't wine lovers, I will win them over)

All for now,

J

Cheers!