Here's another fun article I found online with some interesting, scientific information on corks. It's full of fun graphs and colorful pictures. It'll make you think the next time you uncork a bottle:
Photo From Google Images
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Romance (R)Thursdays: A Move & Wine... & Chocolates :)
Need a quick Valentine's Day idea? Whether your single, hitting up a fun night with the girls, or having a romantic evening with your honey, a classic romantic movie, some wine, and chocolate goes a long way! Here are a list of my Top 5 Romantic Movies to match with some wines and chocolate. (The movies are not listed in any particular order. Choose your favorite or the movie that matches your mood (or your dates mood) and have a happy February 14th... even if your dreading it! After all, it's a holiday and it should be fun!) Can't you smell the love in the air?
This is the perfect movie for a Valentine's Day with all your girlfriends or if you are starting a new, fun relationship. The movie is light, fun, exciting, and shows you some real exciting places in Italy. I have to admit that I was skeptical about this film, but when I watched it, I really enjoyed it. It makes the perfect date night!
Pair this movie with some dark chocolate ice cream or gelato if you can find it. :) A nice glass of Chianti to celebrate the Italian theme of this movie, and if you really want to impress - have an Italian meal for dinner! A nice dish of your basic spaghetti or lasagna will do the trick! What a fun evening...
Chianti's - Take these names to your local wine retailer, Total Wine store, or grocery store:
Bellini Sangiovese ($7)
Castello Del Trebbio Chianti ($10)
Via Firenze Chianti ($6)
2) The Notebook with Chocolate Covered Strawberries and a glass of Fruit Wine
Every guy I know hates this movie, but it just makes girls' hearts melt to think that their long-lost love is out there waiting for them and will eternally love them. Definitely get set for some tears - I don't know many girls that make it through this without crying. But it's the perfect moment to move in and be sweet.
I picked some chocolate covered strawberries for this movie, as it is set "out in the country." Do white chocolate and dark chocolate to match nicely with some fruit wine. You'll get a nice cozy, country setting for a sweet city vs. country love kind of movie.
Fruit Wines
Razz Bear Ease ($12)
Semi-Dry Blueberry ($12)
Strawberry Riesling ($13)
Fruit Wines from Horton ($12)
3) Casablanca with Dark Chocolate from various countries paired with a glass of Port
Probably my favorite movie of all time, Casablanca is twisted with romance, action, and a war of time. It features one of the most famous lines of all times, and is sure to impress the girls that like to think about love as a reality - not all hugs and kisses, but tough choices and broken hearts.
I've paired this movie with dark chocolates, especially if you can find a series of chocolate with their region on them. Trader Joe's used to sell a package of 10 different dark chocolates from 10 different countries (as chocolate tastes different depending on where it is grown... like wine). Dark chocolate matches well with ports, and I'm sure that you can find a number of them in your local wine store. Remember that ruby ports are fruiter than tawnies. Tawny ports carry more almond, sherry-like characteristics. Some of your local wineries may also carry their own version of a port. Give it a try - make your girl think about the effort you put into this Valentine's Day. :)
4) When Harry Met Sally... with Cheesecake with Chocolate Sauce (on the side) and a glass of Riesling
What's funny is that this is not one of my favorite movies, but when I asked "Johnny Depp" what he considered the most romantic movie of all time, When Harry Met Sally... was the first on his list. (Side note: mine was Casablanca.) I think I've always found this movie frustrating because it shows how complicated relationships can be between men and women... and just how long it usually takes before a man realizes how much he loves a woman... and how much he needs her... and it is usually when the woman finds someone else! See? Frustrating!
But... that being said, it is a funny movie - light hearted, definitely pinpoints your modern day relationship, and it's a movie that both men and women usually enjoy. The movie is well known for Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan's iconic chemistry and the best impression of a fake orgasm in public. Soooo... that being said... The food that matches for this is definitely plain cheesecake with chocolate sauce on the side. (When you watch the movie, you'll see why.) Add some excitement by adding some fruits or other sauces... always on the side. You and your date (or Valentine's Day Party Group) can pick and choose what to add to your piece of cheesecake. I like matching cheesecake with Rieslings (although ice wines/Eiswein is also recommended). Riesling is a fun variety - comes dry, semi-sweet/off-dry, or sweet. It may not taste as good with the chocolate, but you can always sip it after you finish your piece of cheesecake... with all the drippings on the side.
Riesling Selections:
Look for some NY Rieslings - they are known for that variety
Fall back plan: Columbia Crest Riesling ($13)
Semillon Ice Wine ($28)
NY Wineries that produce an Ice Wine: Brotherhood, Casa Larga, Fulkerson (love their wine), Heron Hill, Hunt Country, Johnson Estate, Leonard Oakes Estate, Mazza-Chautauqua Cellars, and Sheldrake Point
5) Pretty Woman with Sea Salted Caramels and a glass of Chardonnay
(Trust me guys, the last movie I picked could've been a lot worse... Did you ever see Gone With the Wind? Did you want to?) Pretty Woman is the modern day Cinderella story. What girl doesn't want to be a prostitute who finds a billionaire that falls madly in love with her? (See... every girl's dream. Hahaha.) But in all seriousness, it's a great movie for a girls' night, it's funny, and Richard Gere is the perfect sap-of-a-guy that every woman loves to fall for. I had to include him in my Valentine's list! (And honestly, who doesn't love Julia Roberts?)
I picked Sea Salted Caramels for this movie (with or without chocolate - your choice) and a nice glass of Chardonnay. The caramels are just sophisticated enough that it would've been a new experience for Vivian to have never tried until she met Edward. And what matches with caramel? Well, Chardonnay of course! Spice up those wine glasses with some gem wine charms, and you'll feel like you're living in Edward's hotel room.
Chardonnays:
If you have a request for any movie (after all there are many romantic movies out there) please leave me a comment and I'll respond with what I'd pair with it. After all - your Valentine's Day should be special. :)
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
What's in My Glass Wednesdays! 2007 Mayacamas Vineyards Chardonnay
This is one of those wineries I've been meaning to get to for quite some time and still have not. But I was lucky enough to try some wine. :) After hearing my co-worker rant and rave about this Chardonnay, I decided I had to make a dinner to try this one out, and I'm lucky I did. Thankfully for you, I can write about it. (Cheers!)
The fun part about Mayacamas Vineyards is that their red wine was included in the 1976 Paris Wine tasting in which several wine experts tasted the up-and-coming California red and white wines against the forever-famous red and white wines of France. Although Mayacamas Vineyards did not win the red wine competition, I think it is worthy to note that out of all the California wineries of the 1970s, their bottle made the final cut. And now, onto the 2007 Chardonnay by Mayacamas Vineyards:
2007 Mayacamas Vineyards Chardonnay
(Photo by Author)
The D-2010 Scale
2007 Chardonnay by Mayacamas Vineyards (Napa Valley, CA)
Appearance (10 points possible): clear, straw yellow color - 10 points
Aroma/Bouquet (20 points possible): This wine definitely needs some time to open, as the aromas and flavors really come forward an hour or so after the bottle is opened. Ample amounts of fruit and oak in the nose: apples, pears, slight pineapple character, coconut, vanilla, butterscotch, almonds, and slight mineral. - 18 points
Taste (10 points possible): The acid in this Napa Valley wine is dynamic, but it helps carry the oak flavors and contributing body. The wine is dry, medium to full bodied. The flavor is initially fruity, but as the wine opens, the oak flavors really ring through (coconut, butterscotch, fresh oak, etc.) - 8 points
Balance (5 points possible): The acidity slightly sticks out to me, which is why I have to dock this one a point, but otherwise, a nicely balanced wine. - 4 points
Finish (5 points possible): The finish is smooth, lingering with buttery flavors and a crisp acidity. It makes this the perfect California Chardonnay for food pairing. - 4 points
Add 50 points for attempt, packaging, closure, etc.
Total Points: 94
Overall Thought: I like the crisp acidity with this Chardonnay. I have to admit that it really stuck out to me at first because I've become so adjusted to drinking flabby Chardonnays. The the acidity really brings a sure-fire crispness that makes this a very enjoyable Chardonnay on its own or with food. In fact, for the amount of oak that touches this wine, I'm surprised how much I enjoy it. The full package is worth the buy.
Food Pairings: We matched this with a cheese plate - it went really well with some young cheddars spicy pepper jack. I think it would also pair very well with some creamy brie. We also had it a second day with salmon - went very nicely with the meal.
Cost: About $30
Splurge Factor (out of 4): 2 - I think this wine is worth the buy. When you want to spend that extra something for something worth buying, this would be that wine. And it holds up well in the fridge. We drank the bottle over 3 days (hey - there are only 2 of us!) and it held up quite well. I was very impressed.
Where to buy: Check out Mayacamas Vineyards website: Mayacamas Vineyards to buy online, or purchase in your local California wine store. I'm not sure if this one is sold nationally - if anyone finds it somewhere, please post!
Monday, January 31, 2011
Wine Ed 411: Press Fractions
As the name of my blog is slowly evolving, I thought I would take today to introduce the topic of wine press fractions. When wine, especially red, is fully fermented it is then sent to a wine press. Many of you probably recognize the following basket press:
Photo from Google Images
The basket press is often used to press red wine (aka remove or separate the skins of the remaining grapes from the wine liquid). When you first load up the basket press, a lot of liquid usually comes pouring off of the skins. This is known as the free run, which means that you do not need to manually press the skins to remove the liquid. After the free run is complete, or stops flowing, from the press, then a winemaker will begin to manually press the skins to remove any liquid that is caught in the grape matrix. This action usually occurs in several steps, often increasing pressure in each step, and therefore creating a press run.
During wine pressing, a winemaker will decide whether to allow the liquid that is removed from each press run to be mixed in the free run, or separated into its own unique vessel, which creates a press fraction. The wine world follows 2 schools of thought on this topic:
1) That mixing the free run with the press runs allows for better integration, chemical stability, and enhanced complexity of red wines, especially those that require several years of aging.
2) That separating press runs, especially in those years in which less mature fruit was harvested, allows for better control of the sensory impacts of the wine. This is especially true with regards to tannins, or the compounds in wine that create bitter, astringent, and some body characteristics of the red wine. As a winemaker continues to engage press runs, each subsequent run will extract more tannins, and therefore, add more bitterness, astringency, etc. to the final wine composition. If the press runs are removed into their own press fractions, the winemaker has control to blend in press runs to their liking, and allow for better mouthfeel of the final wine. The following diagram emphasizes the separation of press fractions.
Graphic by Author
As a wine drinker, winemaker, and wine educator, I can see the advantage of both processing techniques. And actually, I can see that depending on region, growing season, grape variety, and state of the fermented grapes, a winemaker should be ready to use both options. I cannot say that one technique is better than the other, as I've seen both processing methods used successfully to enhance the final quality of the wine. But hopefully, this opens you up to a new part of winemaking that you never knew before... and it creates a fun new name for my blog. :)
Friday, January 28, 2011
Unified Wine & Grape Symposium
Photo from Unified Symposium
Although constantly in touch with this blog, I've been in Sacramento, CA to attend the annual Unified Wine & Grape Symposium - one of the largest (if not the largest) national trade shows for the wine industry. I thought it would be worth sharing to you, daily readers, in case anyone has interest in attending next year and dropping some money into the wine industry (any future home winemaker hobbiests?).
The show, which is attached in the above link, features vendors from all over the world that support the wine industry - everything from wine appreciation organizations to wine packaging to grape farming (yes there are some big tractors out there...) - and draws in a large crowd from the global wine industry. Each symposium also features several key seminars. This year's large features were on wine quality control, bio-dynamic grape growing, and Pinot Noir as a varietal. I can honestly say that Unified is a great success for all of us that attend - we meet new people, we visit with old friends, and we share some time together over a glass of wine.
For more information on the Unified Wine & Grape Symposium, please click on the above link. Happy weekend!
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Romance (R)Thursdays: Wine Menus for Valentine's Day
So I took it upon myself to start looking over some wine menus to make suggestions for the most romantic day of the year. What girl doesn't like to be treated to a nice dinner out? (Answer: There is no girl that doesn't like it!) While thinking of the perfect wine list to dissect, I thought of the perfect restaurant: Olive Garden! Ok - perhaps cliche, but they have a good wine list and they are found almost everywhere. (I figured this way everyone reading my blog could be in a win-win situation.) :)
An Olive Garden Meal
(Photo from Google Images)
Wine lists can be intimidating. Where do you start? What do you buy? How do you say those words?! But, have no fear general-wine-consumer, because I will help make the perfect Valentine's Day selection.
First - a note about Olive Garden - when Olive Garden was one of the classiest restaurants we had available in town, "Johnny Depp" and I had many "first dates" going out to eat at Olive Garden and enjoying their wine tasting tries of any 3 wines. How fun! Just ask the waiter if you can taste test 3 of their wines. More often then not, they will tell you which ones they are tasting with hopes that you order a glass for dinner (as that is the appropriate thing to do). This allows you to try new things and pick something you enjoy for dinner.
Second - always get a wine you enjoy. It's Valentine's Day! Who cares what pairs "best" with that seafood linguine. I say, you should enjoy your wine the way you enjoy your food - by picking something you like.
Third - it's usually the better bet to buy a bottle. However, no worries if you do not want to drink the whole bottle of wine at the restaurant. After all, you need to return home safely. Just make sure if you can take the bottle with you, that you store it in the trunk of your car. An open bottle of wine = an open container, and that would not be a good situation should you get pulled over.
Fourth - my suggestions. :) Please refer to the menu below (from the Olive Garden website) for these references.
Olive Garden has 3 house wines - a white, a red, and a blush (rose) (see the bottom of the menu). There's no shame in buying one of these. For what they are, they actually quite tasty and consumer friendly. Another favorite wine is the Lambrusco (see "Rosso" under "Smooth & Fruity" below) - dark purple color, fruity/grapey flavor, a bit of carbonated spritz in the mouth, and some sweetness is sure to bring a light atmosphere to a fun evening. This was especially popular when we had dinner out with the girls on V-Day. :) The Sangiovese (said like: San-gee-o-vay-see) and Chianti (said like: key-ahn-tee) are the traditional red (rosso) wines of Italy. These are dryer, and more traditional wine styles that are sure to match pretty much anything you buy from the Olive Garden. The Super Tuscan is the Chianti on steroids. Basically a big, red wine, very dry and lots of body (essentially, this is supposed to be a Sangiovese or Chianti base with Cabernet blended into it for the "wow" factor). But if you're into whites, go for it! (These are especially popular with seafood dishes.) I recommend the Pinot Grigio(s) - another grape known to pair well with Italian dishes and should be drier than some of the other options on the wine list. If you're in for something slightly sweeter, the Rieslings will pair well, and both producers on this menu have a slightly off-dry, fruity Riesling. The Moscato is ever popular for those that like something very sweet, floral, and fruity.
Olive Garden's Moscato
(Photo from Google Images)
But if you're in the mood for celebration, your sparkling choices will do as well. Both the Asti (said like: ah-stee) and Prosecco (said like: pro-sek-co) are sweet sparkling wines. The only difference is the flavors - I would say (in my own opinion) that the Prosecco is fruitier. Regardless, both are enjoyable.
Olive Garden Example Wine Menu
| |||
| Asti Martini & Rossi | 6.95 | 27.00 |
| Prosecco Zonin | 7.35 |
 | ||
Slightly Sweet | ||
| Moscato Castello del Poggio | 6.50 | 25.00 |
| White Zinfandel Sutter Home | 5.65 | 22.00 |
| White Zinfandel Beringer | 6.95 | 27.00 |
| Riesling Chateau Ste. Michelle | 6.35 | 24.00 |
| Riesling Kendall-Jackson Vintner's Reserve | 7.35 | 28.00 |
Light & Fruity | ||
| Pinot Grigio Cavit | 6.50 | 25.00 |
| Pinot Grigio Sartori | 6.95 | 27.00 |
| Pinot Grigio Bottega Vinaia | 8.35 | 32.00 |
| Fiano Mandra Rossa | 6.50 | 25.00 |
| Pinot Grigio-Sauvignon Blanc Bertani Due Uve | 7.50 | 29.00 |
Full & Smooth | ||
| Chardonnay Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi | 5.65 | 22.00 |
| Chardonnay Chateau Ste. Michelle | 7.50 | 29.00 |
| Chardonnay Kendall-Jackson Vintner's Reserve | 8.95 | 35.00 |
 | ||
Smooth & Fruity | ||
| Lambrusco Riunite | 5.65 | 22.00 |
| Pinot Noir Cavit | 6.35 | 24.00 |
| Pinot Noir Estancia | 7.65 | 30.00 |
| Sangiovese Rocca delle Macie Rubizzo | 6.65 | 26.00 |
| Valpolicella Secco-Bertani | 6.95 | 27.00 |
| Nero d'Avola Arancio | 6.50 | 25.00 |
Soft Berry Flavors | ||
| Chianti Straccali | 6.35 | 24.00 |
| Chianti Classico Gabbiano | 6.95 | 27.00 |
| Chianti Classico Riserva Rocca delle Macie | 8.50 | 33.00 |
| Merlot Ecco Domani | 6.50 | 25.00 |
| Merlot Clos du Bois | 8.95 | 35.00 |
| Winemaker's Blend Seven Daughters | 7.50 | 29.00 |
| Sangiovese-Syrah Rocca delle Macie SaSyr | 8.75 | 34.00 |
Robust & Rich | ||
| Super Tuscan Villa Antinori | 10.65 | 42.00 |
| Cabernet Robert Mondavi Private Selection | 7.50 | 29.00 |
| Cabernet Beringer Founders' Estate | 6.95 | 27.00 |
| Cabernet Sterling Vintner's Collection | 8.95 | 35.00 |
| Red Zinfandel Rancho Zabaco | 7.35 | 28.00 |
| Brunello di Montalcino Col d'Orcia | ---- | 75.00 |
| Amarone Bertani | ---- | 110.00 |
 | ||
| Our Signature House Wines | ||
| From family vineyards in Trentino, Italy to your table. | ||
| 5.50 /glass 34.00 /magnum bottle (serves 8 glasses) | ||
Regardless of your choices, remember the evening is supposed to be light and fun. Enjoy your evening out. And remember - the touch of wine adds a touch of love. :) Wine Love (Picture from Google Images) | ||
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
What's in My Glass Wednesdays! 2007 Trio
I finally had the pleasure of tasting a collaborative wine by three Pennsylvania wineries: Allegro Vineyards, Manatawny Creek Winery, and Pinnacle Ridge Winery. Each winery contributed part of the master blend: Cabernet Franc, Syrah, and/or Merlot, which was aged in barrels for 16 months. Each bottle sells for about $29, as it was made in limited quantities. This was such an unique idea, and I love it!
(Photo from Manatawny Creek Winery website)
The D-2010 Scale
2007 Trio by Allegro Vineyards, Manatawny Creek Winery, and Pinnacle Ridge Winery (Pennsylvania)
Appearance (10 points possible): dark, deep red, with slightly brick edges - 9 points
Aroma/Bouquet (20 points possible): The dark red berry fruit, especially raspberries, from the Syrah hit my nose immediately. As the bottle was left open, I got more earthy, tobacco, smoky character probably from the Cabernet Franc primarily. The Merlot didn't show strong on the nose for me, but the blend of the 3 varieties was quite interesting and pleasant. - 16 points
Taste (10 points possible): Very forward with good front palate and mid-palate depth. Earthy, tobacco flavors with hints of oak came through for me. Acid was strong but well integrated. Tannins were smooth, round, and gave the wine that full body feel. The finish was a bit short, sort of fell off on the end, but the flavors lingered pleasantly on the palate. - 8 points
Balance (5 points possible): Other than the finish, I thought this wine was fantastic for a cool climate, high-end red wine. - 4 points
Finish (5 points possible): Finish came up short in terms of body and mouthfeel. However, the flavors did linger on the palate with little bitterness. Pleasant, but short. - 3 points
Add 50 points for attempt, packaging, closure, etc.
Total Points: 90
Overall Thought: A fantastic French-blend for the Pennsylvania wine industry. I congratulate the 3 on their collaborative effort, the idea, and bringing their creativity to the industry.
Food Pairings: I'm thinking red meat would work well with this wine - steak, hamburger, etc. It's very dry, so it's not something that will pair well with a super sweet bar-b-q. Also will go well with lamb, game animals, and some pork dishes. A good winter wine with those heavy meals.
Cost: About $29
Splurge Factor (out of 4): 2 - I know this isn't your traditional "thrifty" Pennsylvanian buy, but I think the cause and effort deserves to be recognized. I believe only 1 vintages is released, so supplies are limited. Might as well buy something special every once and awhile, and support your local wineries.
Where to buy: Can be found at either of the 3 wineries: Allegro Vineyards, Manatawny Creek Winery, and Pinnacle Ridge Winery. A visit will bring you many other unique surprises from these 3 fabulous Pennsylvania wineries.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
San Tasti Palate Cleanser
Another interesting product that I've found on the wine market (and truthfully enjoy) is San Tasti. The product was designed by a bunch of students for a class project... a project that went slightly off track, and has become a business for these kids. What awesome motivation!
The Inventors of San Tasti
(Photo from Google Images)
I think the product, San Tasti, is fantastic! It's a carbonate palate cleanser, which has been targeted for wine drinkers. The first product was tasteless, but I've also seen a cucumber flavor available, which some people prefer. (I prefer the flavorless for wine tasting.)
(Photo from Google Images)
Why is this important? Well, palate cleansers help wine drinkers refresh their palate (roof of the mouth) when they are tasting many wines. Many common palate cleansers include saltine crackers, cheese, and water. (You often see these things displayed in tasting rooms.) They are there to help you enjoy the wine more by refreshing your mouth. What I like about San Tasti is that it actually makes my mouth feel refreshed! This is especially important to me when I'm tasting several wines in one sitting (aka tasting, spitting, re-tasting). So if you're in the neighborhood hosting a wine tasting party or have a weekly/monthly tasting group, and you need an extra boost for your palate, try San Tasti.
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