Quick Characteristics Winery: Cakebread Cellars Location: Napa, CA Grape Variety: 100% Chardonnay Vintage: 2012 ABV: 14.20% pH: 3.45 Acidity: 0.73 grams/100 ml Aroma: Tropical Passion Fruit, Crisp Apples & Green Pears; Toasty Oak Flavor: Orchard Fruit, Pears, Apples & Melons Harvested: 09/05–10/03 (2012) I think over the last few years … [Read more...]
Let me start off with this: Sanitation is the most important thing to your success in making a good wine! With that said, what does that all involve. Sanitation is more than cleanliness, though that is just as important. Winemaking is a messy job. It might be a little help to keep in mind that throughout the process to realize each time that you are working with a food product. However, which ever way you are preparing your wine, if you wouldn’t consume food in a similar manner, … [Read more...]
What is a conundrum? By definition, conundrum signifies a difficult question or problem. For a wine, this sounds a bit daunting. On the fun side of things, conundrum is a question which is asked and meant to be in fun. Typically, the answer is a pun. It is a riddle. Now that is more like it! It is much like meeting an intriguing person, whom you do not know much about. They are intriguing, their personality—though they might seem fairly straight-forward—is questionable. There is just … [Read more...]
It is Fourth of July weekend. What are you drinking? Are you having all the good stuff? Hamburgers, ribs and barbeque sauce, steaks, maybe some brats? It is too hot and I hope you have got some beers in the chiller, save the red wine for another weekend, that is, unless you plan on staying in with the air conditioning. But in case there are a few of you out there who still want a wine, put this in the chiller alongside the beer, the Robert Oatley Margaret River Sauvignon Blanc. … [Read more...]
For years I have been a big fan of Syrah, for its earthiness or nuance of dark fruits it can hold, for its spicy finish. There is always such a wide range of roles and styles Syrah can play and they continue to intrigue and inspire me each time I select one from a different part of the world. Last week, I was planning to have a few friends over to kick off the new season, and I had planned a special menu of beef tenderloin marinated in achiote, Italian parsley , a touch of fresh rosemary … [Read more...]
You love drinking wine and exploring many wines from all over the world. So you decide one day, you would like to make your own wine. Even if you have found a great supplier or grower from where to source your grapes or juice, that is only just the beginning. I like to think that the fermentation process of grapes is much like that of raising children. You cannot really turn a blind eye and it takes a certain special touch. A touch of patience could not hurt either. 10 Essential … [Read more...]
By now we all know what a lashing Merlot received thanks to the Blockbuster hit in 2004 'Sideways'. Gotta love pop culture. What I love more is how most of us follow it like a flock of sheep. This week, I am Merlot’s advocate. I love a good Pinot Noir as much as the next person and I am quite sure the masses were not that much interested in it, nor knew what it was, until that movie. I gotta hand it to them, it was a clever move, and rightly so, Pinot Noir does deserve the attention. I do … [Read more...]
There’s a new name in wine coolers: Avallon. An obvious attention to detail suggests that these coolers deserve more than just a second glance. Let’s take a moment to focus on Avallon’s genesis line and see what sets these built-in wine coolers apart from all of the rest. The Difference Makers Avallon’s wine coolers have the obvious features we have become accustomed to seeing on higher end models, such as integrated safety locks, touch controls, interior LED lighting, and a built-in … [Read more...]
I love white wines. Wait, have I mentioned that already? When I first started out in my wine adventures and wine professional journey over a decade ago, I knew absolutely nothing about wine. When I started in the hospitality industry, it was in the kitchens. There was one restaurant I worked in, a high-end Swiss establishment in a ski town that served to equally high-end patrons. They knew their wine and they also knew good food when it was in front of them too. But really, who … [Read more...]
Have you ever purchased a wine that you might have had previously on vacation or at a restaurant, opened it and thought that perhaps it was not quite what you remembered? Enjoying a great wine is always better a good meal, intimate conversation and laughs among close friends. The taste of the wine doesn’t have to change, just make another occasion of it! It was just a restaurant around the corner, the usual place, but they always have a unique menu and it is cozy and familiar. This … [Read more...]
Almost every wine lover will inevitably crave a better understanding of wine. Unlike various fads in fine dining, wine has been a staple drink across cultures for centuries. One of the easiest ways to turn from a wine drinker into a wine aficionado is to simply start reading books about wine. The world of wine encompasses everything from ordering a drink at dinner to the history of civilization. Of course, you may not be inspired to read about the over one thousand different types of grapes … [Read more...]
Unfortunately for makers and drinkers alike, sometimes things go awry in the winemaking or wine storing process. Chemical, environmental, and bacterial mishaps can all result in a spoiled bottle of wine. Fortunately, there are ways to detect and even correct a bad batch before you drink it. Here are the five most common wine flaws, how to find them and, if possible, how to fix them. 1. Oxidation Oxidation is the most common wine fault as it can occur anytime during the winemaking … [Read more...]
I don’t know what it is about warm weather that gets me in the mood for an Australian red. There is nothing better than feeling the soft warm touch of the season’s first sun on your shoulders, even if there is still a slight coolness in the air, I just wrap a light scarf around my collar and sit back, good book in one hand, wine glass in the other. Its namesake comes from the nineteenth century mail coach service that could be found running through their property back in the day. During … [Read more...]
So yesterday I was about to finish up with work and I was off in a distance, fantasizing about the dinner I was going to make. Roasted organic chicken thighs seasoned with some curry, sage and some orange zest, with some new potatoes, spring onions and fennel and whole bulbs of garlic all to be placed around and underneath the chicken while it roasts. Then, I began to think about a wine for this meal. I had an idea what might go well with the chicken, but I wouldn’t know until I arrived at … [Read more...]
If you gotten any great spring and summer wines out of my last few wine reviews, I have got one more you can add on for some sultry summer sipping. Try this lovely wine from the vineyards of Marlborough, New Zealand; the Fromm Clayvin Vineyard 2011 Pinot Noir. This internationally award-winning wine will have you at first sip. The Marlborough Valley of New Zealand is synonymous with Pinot Noir and I am just going to go ahead and say—though I doubt I am the first—that Fromm is synonymous … [Read more...]
These days, you can’t go to a restaurant without seeing a selection of wines by the glass. This list could be static or a daily special, but it’s typically where a server will point your attention to first. A quick comparison with the bottle prices may cause these by-the-glass prices seem more affordable, but if you look a little closer, you’ll see this is not necessarily true. Our interest was piqued by an article published by Zagat early this year titled “Why You Should Never Order Wine By … [Read more...]
I love sparkling wine, bubbly, Espumante, espumoso (as they call it in Argentina), Cava, Prosecco, Champagne… pretty much anything with those lively and happy bubbles. They make me happy. Who doesn’t like a sparkly? Obviously, there are people don't. I think these types may have a serious character flaw or maybe they just haven’t found the champagne that clicks with said character. Varietals Blend Chardonnay: 40% Pinot Meunier: 25% Pinot … [Read more...]
Much has been said of the health benefits of enjoying a glass of wine every day, but there has not been much talk about how much one of these glasses adds to your daily caloric intake. If you’re trying to shed pounds or are interested in cutting your caloric intake for health reasons, it can be important to know how many calories are in your glass. The calories in the average glass of wine do vary slightly depending on the varietal. If you are offered a glass of wine and have no idea what … [Read more...]
Have any of you uncovered and dusted off the grill yet? What is taking you so long? Get in the spirit! Warm weather and beautiful cool evenings with friends out on the patio is just around the bend. Before the friends come over, I think it might be a good idea to get everything warmed up a bit. Have a little practice. Get some salmon steaks, zucchini, eggplant and some fresh goat cheese and let’s cook out. After you get those ingredients, pick up this wine; the Braña Vieja Garnacha Rosé … [Read more...]
Pairing wine with cheese is an age-old practice. While the possibilities are endless, it is important to take a few things into consideration to get just the right combination. Factors such as tannins, fat, acidity and texture will all play a role in how well cheese goes with your favorite wine. Whether you are hosting a party or simply taking in the great outdoors with a glass and a wedge, here are a few suggestions for coupling these two culinary delights. Know Your Cheese The first … [Read more...]
