California Dreaming...

Hello Wine Lovers!

Summer! That wonderful time of year when the grass is green, the flowers are blooming, the birds are singing, the pools are open, and of course, the grill is all fired up! God, I love summer! Which brings me to this entry, Bogle Old Vine Zinfandel. This little charmer will set you back a whole $8.99. I found this at your neighborhood Trader Joe's. Which I must say, their wine selection is not too bad.

Let's talk a bit about the wine. The grapes for this wine come from the Sacramento delta of California from old vines that are dry farmed and head trained so the vines produce small clusters of grapes with intense flavor and concentration. You will find notes of peppercorns and cranberries with spice upon the finish. This wine will pair well with grilled meats, heavy sauced pasta and one of my favorites, pizza.

Now that you know you should run out and buy this wine as fast as humanly possible, lets talk a little about what "old vines" and how they relate.
A common description on wine labels, indicates that a wine is the product of grape vines that are notably old. There is a general belief that older vines, when properly handled, will give a better wine. There is no legal or generally agreed definition for old. Now that's said, let's explore a little further.
Grape vines can grow for over 120 years. After about 20 years vines start to produce smaller yields, leading to more concentrated, intense wines. In the U.S., the most common use is Zinfandel, because in California vineyards up to 125 years old are still bearing small amounts of prized Zinfandel fruit.
In a place where wine production is longstanding, it often means a wine whose vines are thirty to forty years old. Some wine makers insist the vines should be older than this. In newly established wine regions, twenty years might be old. The definition is further complicated by the fact that certain varieties simply do not have economically viable yields when they get truly ancient. The oldest known grape-producing vine is a Žametovka vine growing in Maribor in Slovenia, which is known to have been alive in the 17th century; it produces a token of about 35 to 55 kg grapes each year, which is fermented and put into about 100 miniature bottles.                                                                       

Bodegas Atalaya "Laya" Almansa 2012

Hello Wine Lovers!

Wow! That was a mouthful to pronounce wasn't it? This little beauty was give 90 points by Parker and worth every point! It is a blend of 70% Garnacha and 30% Monastrell with a nose of dark cherries and blackberry that you would associate with a much more expensive wine. The palate is on the medium side with just enough complexity and nuances of French oak to make you yearn for more, and you can't beat the price!
Let's talk a little about where this wine came from.

Almansa is the easternmost wine region (and one of the smallest) in Castilla-La Mancha, Spain. It was the territory between the Moorish and Christian kingdoms of Aragon and Castilla.

Grapes has taken place here continuously since the 16th Century. The dry, hot and arid conditions of the vast central Iberian plateau also prevail in Almansa, and the overall climate can be considered to be extreme. Despite its proximity to the Mediterranean Sea, the climate is strongly continental, with high temperatures throughout the growing season, although the sea does lessen the harsh conditions more than in other parts of the area.
The soils are generally poor and stony, with a healthy lime component, which critically retains water effectively. With less than 14 inches of rain falling each year, this is essential.
Overall, these conditions favor the production of red wine, and only red-wine varieties are preferrred, according to the local Consejo Regulador, although some white varieties are authorized or legal.
The dominant grape variety in Almansa is the regional specialty Monastrell, Garnacha and Tintore. These grapes produces deep-colored wines with plenty of dark-fruit characters. Because of their rich color, these wines have been popular as blending agents, although they are now being appreciated for their individual qualities.
The powerful reds of Almansa have been growing in reputation and are certainly beginning to make a name for themselves. Find this wine and enjoy! You won't be disappointed! Cheers!

3 Girls Cabernet, A Sleeper!

Hello out there in the big bold world of wine! It is time for another entry to the $10 bottle that drinks PDG and would make your Mother proud! Speaking of Mother... Happy Mother's Day out there to all who are Mothers! May your day be filled with love, laughter and of course, wine!
What could be more appropriate than a review on a Cabernet named none other than (wait for it) 3 Girls!
This wine happens to be a World Market exclusive, and if you join their "club" (which is free by the way) you get an extra 10% off which brings it down that magical number of $10! You have got to love the modern day marketing ploys of these big companies... sign me up with my e-mail, give me a discount, and then bombard me everyday with 1000's of e-mails until I yell STOP! Sorry... digressed. Back to the wine, you will find plenty of dark fruit with a mouth full of dark berries and plums with just enough character to say I'm special! This wine is sourced from the Lodi region in California, which is located between the Sierra foothills and the San Francisco Bay area. Hot days and cool nights with ocean breezes help this little number be approachable. For you big Cabernet lovers out there, this won't quite cut it for ya, but if you want a nice, easy drinking, mouth full of fruit, affordable Cabernet, run don't walk... to World Market! Enjoy!

Spanish Wonder!

Hello Wine Drinkers!

Well if I hadn't experienced this past weekend in Chicago...I would not have believed it. The sun was out and the temps were above freezing! Awesome, there is something about the weather break to get your creative juices flowing. Which brings me to this week's entry. Vinos de Arganza "Lagar De Robla Premium" Mencia 2008. Wow, now that's a mouthful!
Don't let the name scare you away from this wine. It is a beautiful Spanish wine well worth the search and will reward you with cherry tones and a complex, dense and lengthy finish. It aged in American oak for 18 months and it is nice! for less than $9, you will love this number. It is also a very good food wine, pair it with hearty dishes and grilled meats. Just in time for grillen and chillen!
Let's educate you a bit on the grape Mencia... read on!

Mencía is a Spanish grape variety primarily found in the northwestern part of the country. It is found in the Bierzo, Ribeira Sacra and Valdeorras regions of Spain.

Most of the wines produced from this grape are light, pale, relatively fragrant red wines for early drinking.This style of wine is due to high yields grown on very fertile plains which lead to what is known as diluted wines. Now a new generation of winemakers are growing the grape from old vines growing on hillsides. Careful vineyard management and a watchful eye, the new wines from this grape are note worthy and has kicked off a new interest in the grape. Go take a look see for yourself and see if you agree, at that price, even if you don't use it in your windshield washer!
Cheers!

2014 Thank My Lucky Stars

Hello Wine Lovers!

I know exactly what your thinking, where the heck have I been since August 20, 2012? Well let me tell you... it has been a little crazy. My blog was hacked and my address book was erased, so I started writing a different blog, but I have decided to come back to this one, my true calling, $10 bottles of wine that drink much richer! And then this...
I have been a runner all of my life, I started on the Junior High cross-country team and never stopped. I ran all through school and also competitively after school. I have always taken great care of my health, eat right, run, lift weights, drink red wine. Never smoked cigarettes, no drugs... for the most part, a healthy life style.
So Friday August 24th starts out like any other Friday, I get up at 430AM, put on my running garb and out the door I go for a fast 3 miler. I finish my run, lift a few weights, hit the shower, get dressed, have breakfast, and out the door I go! So far, pretty normal.
I arrive at work around 730AM, start my day and everything is moving along as it should. Around 10:30AM, I take a break to check voicemail, make phone calls, etc when I notice my left hand is numb. Strange I thought, but hey, stranger things have happened. Shortly, it goes away. I reach down to a small refrigerator to retrieve a yogurt and I get a little twinge in my chest, nothing big, just a little tightness. I stand up, and it goes away. Of course, I'm thinking it was simply muscular since I completed a new weight exercise that morning, no big deal. (By now, you know where this is going) Another 10 minutes goes by and all of a sudden I break out in a sweat like I just ran 5 miles! I go into the restroom, splash some cold water on my face, and poof, I stop sweating. Now at this point, I'm thinking what is going on? I can't be having a heart attack! I just ran 3 miles a few hours earlier, hard, my heart rate was up to 150-160! I begin to pace a bit, and all of these thoughts are running through my head... still I can't be having a heart attack! Well the rest is history! Yes I was, in fact, I was having what the medical field calls the "widow maker"! I was rushed to the emergency room and the team of doctors and nurses saved my life! By a hair! So... that's where I have been! Now let's read on!
My review today is a beautiful Bordeaux, Chateau Mylord, at Binny's for around $10! You will not regret this purchase!
This is a nice dinner wine  after a long decant, it opened up rather nicely. Blackberries and a touch of leather with spice on the nose, and a palate of dark fruit and earth. Tannins were soft and balanced, but the wine was a bit thin at the finish. But again, not bad for the money!
It's not every day you find a Bordeaux of this quality for this money! Cheers!

Gougenheim Cabernet

Hello Wine Lovers!

Argentina Cabernet is arguably the best value for Cabernet in the world! There, I said it. I'm quite sure many of the wine world folks would say that is not true, but don't believe them! Stick with me and you will discover some unbelievable values from this wonderful place in South America called Argentina. Some would say to be careful with this grape as Malbec is the "premier" grape grown in Argentina, but the high altitude, lush soils and sunny days have been very agreeable with Cabernet!

Patricio Gougenheim was born of French parents and grew up around wine at the dinner table. He was give small amounts of wine with dinner at the young age of 7 and this is probably what led him to the wine industry later in life. He bought a winery in 2002, just as everyone else was bailing and started his journey. Since the beginning he has been one of the top rated and top quality wineries in Argentina.

You will find this wine to be a deep ruby color with aromas of black fruits, spices and a hint of vanilla oak with chocolate and spices and a nice long finish. This wine is much more complex and rich than the price tag of $8.99 at Wine Discount Center. Trust me when I say this, buy this wine for the holiday weekend and have it with grilled meats and enjoy!

Cheers!

J

Chateau Fonchereau Bordeaux

Hello Wine Lovers!

Another Bordeaux entry this week! You're asking how the heck am I finding Bordeaux wines under $10? Well, me too! I usually skip the Bordeaux aisle when looking to find a wine to write about since my entries must be $10 or less. But lately the Bordeaux aisle has been calling me. I took the challenge and I am pleasantly surprised with the level of quality and depth of the wines from this beautiful region at this price point!

Chateau Fonchereau Bordeaux Superieur, with your Binny's card (which I find much more important that a Jewel card) $9.99! You will find this wine to be deep purple in color with lovely notes of tobacco and dark plum and blackberry fruit with a touch of earthy undertones and nice, silky finish. You will be quite impressed with this wine the more you drink it. it will not let you down! Now a little about this great wine growing region. I promise to keep it relatively short...

Bordeaux Superieur is an appellation which covers the whole of the Bordeaux region, from Verdon-sur-Mer at the north-western tip of the Medoc to Sainte-Foy, 80 miles to the east. Bordeaux Superieur is a title in its own right, specifically covering both red and white wines. The reds have a slightly higher alcoholic content than standard Bordeaux, are aged for longer in oak barrels, a minimum of 12 months, and are produced from older vines. Bordeaux Superieur wines are produced from the classic grape varieties for this Region. The reds are made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Carmenere, Merlot and Malbec. The Bordeaux viticultural region stretches for 80 miles inland from the Atlantic coast. It is home to more than 10,000 producers, who turn out a vast quantity of wine in every vintage. These range from simple table wines to some of the world’s most expensive and prestigious labels. The majority of the vineyards are planted with red wine grapes, although some white varieties are used in the production of dry white and sparkling wines. The remainder go into the region's highly regarded sweet wines. There, I told you i could do it. Trust me when I say, "Go fill up your car with this wine".

Cheers!

J