| on February 22nd, 2012%  Great Bang for Your Buck
By Matt Goldstein & Amy K. Haight Our featured wine of the week, the Casa Lapostelle Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 from Chile score 90 Points from the Wine Spectator, a very high score for wine that retails for about $12. Lapostelle wines from the Rapel Valley region of Chile are made on 3 different vineyards and produce about 200,000 cases of wine a year. Harvested by hand, this Cabernet blend is about 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Carmenère, 2% Cabernet Franc, 2% Syrah and 1% of Petit Verdot. With a complex scent and a very good complex flavor, this solidly dry medium bodied wine. This is a solid wine and we recommend it for the $12, which is an excellent price, but the 90 points from Wine Spectator is a bit much. Fermented in stainless steel tanks and aged in French Oak barrels this wine pairs well with pastas, pork and grilled red meat. “Our Casa Cabernet is the perfect wine to celebrate with friends and family: this wine can transform a simple celebration into a memorable occasion.” Jacques Begarie, Chief Winemaker. APPELATION Region/District: Rapel Valley, Chile. Grape Variety: 89% Cabernet Sauvignon; 6% Carmenère; 2% Cabernet Franc; 2% Syrah and 1% of Petit Verdot VINEYARD Growers: 75% Lapostolle vineyard in Rapel: Las Kuras in Cachapoal and Apalta in Colchagua. 25% Long term contract growers in Rapel. AGEING Fermentation: 100% Stainless Steel. Ageing: 34% of the blend was aged in French oak for 7 months. Malolactic fermentation was done in barrels. Barrel use: French Oak Barrels of 225L. 45% second use and 55% third use. Coopers: Saury, Radoux, Taransaud, Seguin Moreau and Sylvain. Level of Toast: Medium mainly. PRODUCTION Date of Bottling: From March 2011. Cases produced: 27.282 cases of 12 bottles of 0,75 lts. . . . Technorati Tags: cabernet franc, cabernet sauvignon, Casa Lapostelle Cabernet Sauvignon, chile, chilean wines, complex flavor, featured wine of the week, fermentation, french oak barrels, grape variety, petit verdot, Red Wine, syrah, vineyard, wine spectator, winemaker on February 17th, 2012%  Not Francis Ford Coppola’s Finest Hour
By Matt Goldstein & Amy K. Haight Normally the Francis Coppola Wines are pretty solid for the price usually having great complexity, flavors and crispness. However, we can’t say the same for the 2009 Coppola Shiraz. For those that don’t know, Francis Ford Coppola is the infamous director of the Godfather who’s turned his film fame into a very successful winery and vineyard with many styles of red and white wines available all over the world ranging from about $12 and up. The 2009 Coppola Shiraz was about $14 and simply underperformed from the first sip. We tried to let it breath a bit but over the course of an hour the wine was still flat and lacked complexity, bite and any type of crispness, bitterness or anything remotely indicating a good wine. Yes, it’s easy drinking but that’s about it. We would certainly try it again just in case it was a bad bottle however we wouldn’t recommend the 2009 Coppola Shiraz. This is a below average wine. According to the web site, the Coppola Shiraz pairs well with burgers, BBQ and pasta. From Coppola Vineyard Easy-drinking wine perfect for summer BBQs or hearty, winter stews. Small amount of Viognier added for light floral notes. Ripe, lush texture and moderate tannins are the trademark characteristics of our Shiraz. To achieve this, we source fruit from old dry-farmed vineyards in Lodi. These grapes are blended with fruit from Paso Robles, which gives the wine its intense berry and spice flavors. Our Shiraz is aged in both French and American oak barrels, achieving more complexity of flavor; French oak imparts a vanilla character, American oak helps sustain the inherent spice qualities. . . . on January 23rd, 2012%  Record Sales for American Wines
By Matt Goldstein A few days ago we discussed an article for record Cognac sales because of an explosion in China and Asia. Now, U.S. wine sales are also reporting record numbers in exports and mainly because of China. The newly born Chinese middle class has gotten a taste for European and American Wines and Spirits. 90% of the wines exported overseas are from California and according to the LA Times, much of the boom is because of the weak dollar. However, the dollar has been strengthening and China still spends money on American products. The trend of American wine sales throughout Asia will only continue to rise with the new powerful economies of the Pacific. Up 23% from 2010, American wine exports topped $1.3 billion for 2011, an all time record. American wine sales are up 38% in China, 48% in Hong Kong and 42% in Japan. Europe is still the #1 American wine importer but sales only rose about 10% which is still a very good number. Overall, the consumption of beer, wine and liquor are up all over the world, an indication of growing economies and the growth of secularism and California still has much room for export expansion when production capability is considered. Source: LA Times. . . Technorati Tags: America, california wines, China, Cognac, explosion in china, Japan, la times, liquor, record numbers, record sales, weak dollar, Wine, wine exports, wine importer, wine sales, wine sales in china, wines and spirits on January 22nd, 2012%  Hip, Hip, Syrah
By Master Sommelier George Miliotes There is a time and place for delicate, complex wines that carefully weave complementary flavors and textures into a dining experience. The middle of winter at a table featuring Wagyu Pot Roast is neither that time nor that place. Pot roast is a big, hearty dish of comforting, familiar flavors as American as the apple pie often served afterwards. So what better wine to serve with Wagyu Pot Roast than an equally big and hearty Syrah direct from America’s West Coast. Syrah is often blended with other grapes, creating wonderful, layered reds. But Master Sommelier George Miliotes suggests seeking out a single-vineyard Syrah for this dining occasion. It will be a big, briary wine with aromas of spice and flowers, flavors of ripe forest berries, and substantial tannins that beautifully balance the richness of pot roast. Consider Alban Vineyards’ Reva Syrah, grown in Edna Valley of California’s Central Coast. Alban Vineyards is actually the first American winery and vineyards established exclusively for Rhone varieties, and their Syrah is exceptional. Another favorite of ours is Radio-Cocteau’s Timbervine Syrah, created from grapes grown in California’s Russian River Valley. And from farther up the coast in Walla Walla, Washington, comes Cayuse Winery’s savory Cailloux Vineyard Syrah. There will be time enough for lightness and frivolity come spring. Winter is about gathering indoors with friends, indulging in robust comfort food, and curling up with a good Syrah. . . . Technorati Tags: Alban Vineyards, apple pie, capital grill, Edna Valley, George Miliotes, master sommelier george miliotes, Red Wine, red wines, Reva Syrah, russian river, russian river valley, sommelier, syrah, vineyard, winery, winter, winter wine, Winter Wines on January 15th, 2012%  A French Riesling at a Great Price
By Matt Goldstein My father Howard has a wine importer that orders him cases of wine in all kinds of varieties and most of the wines are an excellent bargain. Hand selected by a veteran of the wine industry, the Alsace Hugel Reisling from France is a subtle and balanced white wine, refreshing and complex. For under $20 the Hugel Resiling is one of the best wines in its class. For the $10 we paid, it was an absolute steal. According to Hugel Vineyards, maturity reached record levels, the highest for 50 years and the Alsace Hugel Riesling is their most demanding variety. It is this maturity and maturation that makes this Riesling such an excellent wine. “Totally dry with high natural acids. This famous grape celebrated in all the Rhine valley combines great elegance, finesse and minerality.” White wines are best with seafood and this wine went very well with our sushi platters. Light, refreshing and complex, we definitely recommend this wine for under $20. From Alsace Hugel Vineyard The vintage :
The winter of 2010 was particularly harsh, with more than 30 days below zero, and temperatures dropped as far as -17°C. Budburst on 8 April was early, but flowering which began on 10 June took almost 3 weeks to finish due to cool temperatures. July was exceptionally hot and sunny, before cold, damp and rainy weather set in throughout August and into September. Ideal weather conditions returned on 11 September, with not a drop of rain for 6 weeks. Our harvest began on 27 September and ended on 26 October. Maturity reached record levels, the highest for 50 years, with good acidity, similar to 1996. Crop size was 30% below average, and even lower for Gewurztraminer.
Superb wines with magnificent balance, purity and fruit. 2010 is a great classic vintage, with good ageing potential. Quick View :
It is the Pinot Noir of white wines! Riesling is our most demanding variety as it is also the latest ripening. Dry and elegant, it expresses its best on our steepest slopes with a most complex minerality. In the vineyard :
Harvested exclusively by hand from clay and limestone vineyards in a dozen of the most favoured localities in and around Riquewihr. Winemaking :
The grapes are taken in small tubs to the presses, which are filled by gravity, without any pumping or other mechanical intervention.
After pressing, the must is decanted for a few hours, then fermented in temperature-controlled barrels or vats (at 18 to 24°C). The wine is racked just once, before natural clarification during the course of the winter. The following spring, the wine is lightly filtered just before bottling, and the bottles are then aged in our cellars until released for sale. Alcohol level : 12.85° Residual Sugar (g/l) : 3.5 Acidity (g/l) : 7.67 pH : 3.29 Age of vines : 30 Yields : 55 hl/ha Grapes :
Riesling : 100% . . . Technorati Tags: acidity, aged, ageing, Alsace, Alsace Hugel Riesling, Best White Wines Under $20, complex, france, harvested, maturation, one of the best, pinot noir, reisling, vineyard, White Wine, white wines, wine bottles, wine importer on December 30th, 2011%  Are Organic Wines Really Safer?
By Matt Goldstein & Amy K. Haight Our team has been on the lookout for inexpensive organic wines to see if there are any wines on the market that can compete in terms of complexity and price with the rest of the wine world as a whole. To be fair, organic wine grapes like all other organic fruits and vegetables are still sprayed with pesticides. Hard to believe but yes, all organic farms in the world use pesticides, however these pesticides are all natural, as opposed to the more modern man made pesticides which would be considered non-organic. (Many scientists in the industry claim that the non-organic pesticides are actually safer for human consumption.) Time will tell which is better for us… For now, let’s discuss these two organic wines that we found at Wegman’s Pub this past weekend. Let’s start with the Green Truck Petite Syrah. According to Green Truck, “organic farming requires a commitment to a method of farming that eliminates dependence on chemical fertilizers and toxic fungicides and insecticides in favor of natural practice.” The Petite Syrah Grapes were organically grown at the Mendocino County vineyards by the Barra family and the grapes underwent gentle de-stemming and crushing. Unfortunately, the Green Truck Petite Syrah was basically flat and completely lacked any complexity. The scent of the wine was solid and sharp, but the rest was all downhill. Tasting Notes: Mild, smooth, not very grainy, with a thin mouthfeel and having legs in the glass. Flat and watered down, more like unsweetened grape juice. The Green Truck Petite Syrah has no body and no structure. This is a below average table wine and we most likely would try it again. Retail price $12.00  The Parducci Sustainable Red was definitely better than the Green Truck but nothing to write home about. The Parducci Sustainable Red is a red table wine and the Parducci Vineyards are locally owned and operated in California’s Mendocino County. Parducci practices “sustainable winegrowing, protecting the environment and supporting our communities and local farmers.” The Parducci table red has a slight bite, and a bit of flavor with a better concistency than the Green Truck but overall is flat with no aroma. This organic wine was also a bit disappointing and we would not go out of our way to try this again. Retail price $11.00
. . . Technorati Tags: California, complexity, Disappointing Organic Wines, grape, Green Truck Petite Sirah, insecticides, Mendocino County, organic, organic farming, organic fruits and vegetables, organic pesticides, organic wine, organic wines, Parducci Sustainable Red, pesticides, petite syrah, Red Wine, Sustainable, tasting notes, vineyard, wine grapes on December 28th, 2011%  A Light & Refreshing Prosecco for all Champagne Drinkers
By Matt Goldstein & Amy K. Haight The Lamarca Prosecco is a sparkling wine made in the Trevisio area of Northern Italy from the Prosecco grape. Prosecco is best consumed soon after production while it still retains its youthful fruitiness and stimulating acidity, just like all champagne and sparkling wines as they are already aged to their peak by the time they reach the shelves. That’s right, there’s no need to age champagne, it’s better to drink it now! In 2007 La Marca Prosecco was awarded a “Top 100 wines of the Year” by Wine Spectator and in 2010 considered “One of the fruitiest and one of the most aromatic” by the Wall Street Journal. Made from 100% Prosecco grapes harvested in early September, then sourced from hundreds of small vineyards throughout the region the Lamarca Prosecco was started from a wine growing cooperative. The Lamarca Prosecco is a light grayish Bache in color with just a hint of gold. The flavor is Light in fruit and a very slight dry, showing some complexity. With a good but crispness, the Lamarca Prosecco gets sweeter the more you sip. This is a very nice glass of bubbly. Subtle and mild, this is the type of champagne that would appeal to the masses. Light and refreshing, perfect for beginners and the experienced, the Lamarca Prosecco is a well rounded, balanced and subtle sparkling wine and we would drink it again and again. For $15, it’s a very solid buy and we absolutely recommend it. Tasting Notes from Lamarca: This sparkling wine is pale, golden straw in color. Bubbles are full textured and persistent. On the nose the wine brings fresh citrus with hints of honey and white floral notes. The flavor is fresh and clean, with ripe citrus, lemon, green apple, and touches of grapefruit, minerality, and some toast. The finish is light, refreshing, and crisp. Recommended Cuisine: La Marca Prosecco has the charm to stand alone as an aperitif, but it also has the body and the acidity to match well with a range of fragrant and spicy dishes. Try it with seafood, mild cheeses and any tomato-rich dish, or even with fruit-based desserts. Finished Wine: Varietal Content: 100% Prosecco Varietal Origin: IGT Veneto Alcohol: 11.30% by vol. Residual Sugar: 1.7 g/100ml Total Acidity: .58 g/100ml pH: 3.2 . . . Technorati Tags: acidity, age, aperitif, balance, bubbles, bubbly, champagne, complexity, grapefruit, italy, New Years Eve Champagne, prosecco, sparkling wine, sparkling wines, tasting notes, The Lamarca Prosecco, wall street journal, wine spectator on December 22nd, 2011%  By Sommelier & Mixologist Sara Fasolino
In the new Morton’s Steakhouse blog, Sommelier and certified mixologist Sara Fasolino kicks some serious knowledge when it comes to pairing food & wine, making cocktails and killing it with the best drinks at the holiday party. “In yesterday’s blog, I recommended Pinot Noir as a red wine for your holiday party, because it’s a well-liked wine by most everyone. So I wanted to feature a Pinot in today’s issue of ‘Wine Wednesday’…the Ponzi Tavola Pinot Noir. It’s a nice choice for any get-together, and we also offer this on our ‘Wines by the Glass‘ list.” PRODUCER Ponzi Vineyards  REGION
Willamette Valley VINTAGE 2009 THE HIGHLIGHTS Ponzi Vineyards is a family-owned and operated winery Their Pinot Noir is recognized by top critics, and every vintage receives strong accolades They have a long-standing reputation for delivering the highest quality LIVE certified sustainable vineyards and Salmon Safe FLAVOR PROFILE “Perfumed nose of spiced cherry, red raspberry, clove, licorice and sandalwood. A bright mouth of red currant and plum lead to a soft, lingering finish.” – Winemaker Luisa Ponzi ABV% 13.70% RATINGS 92 pts and “Best Buy” from Wine & Spirits Best of luck as you prepare for your holiday feast with friends and family. If you choose to pour Ponzi Pinot Noir, I think you and your guests will be highly satisfied. Happy holidays! Cheers! Sara Fasolino Beverage Manager/Certified Sommelier and Mixologist Morton’s The Steakhouse . . . Technorati Tags: best drinks, cocktails, happy holidays, holiday party, holidays, mixologist, Morton's steakhouse, Pinot, pinot noir, ponzi vineyards, Red Wine, sommelier, steakhouse, vineyard, willamette valley on December 17th, 2011%  A Blend of Sangiovese, Canaiolo Nero & Cabernet Sauvignon Grapes
By Matt Goldstein When choosing Chianti, the first rule is to always choose a Riserva. A Chianti Reserva has been aged at least 27 months in the winery and has much more character as a wine. The Riserva Chianti might be a few more dollars but it’s worth it, as the complexity of the wine, more than makes up for it. The second rule for drinking Chianti is to always let it breath. Most red wines should breathe for a few minutes but the Chianti must breathe for at least 30 minutes to reach its full potential. Open the bottle of wine, and don’t touch it for 30 minutes. When you pour the Chianti in your glass, make sure you swirl it around a bit. You can also swirl the bottle. The glass swirling does not make you a wine snob; it just makes the wine good. As evident with all Chianti’s the Banfi Chianti Classico Reserva was flat and almost flavorless when first opened. However, after it opened for about a half hour, the wine reached its full complex potential. This is a solid wine with a well balanced dry and bitterness in the finish. Most all Chianti’s are made with the Sangiovese grape, about 70-80% of the blend. The other grapes in the Banfi Riserva are the Canaiolo Nero and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. This is a solid wine for $15 but we probably wouldn’t pay $20 for it. The Banfi Chianti Classico Riserva is worth a try, just make sure you let it breath. About the Banfi Chianti Classico Reserva GRAPE VARIETIES Almost exclusively Sangiovese. PRODUCTION TECHNIQUE The alcoholic fermentation with a medium period of maceration is followed by 2 years of aging in Slavonian oak barrels (60-120 hl). The wine concludes its evolution with an at least 6-month bottle aging. DESCRIPTION Colour: mauve red. Bouquet: intense with notes of vanilla, liquorice and chocolate. Taste: round, spicy, elegant and well structured. WINEMAKER’S NOTES Celebrating the best Tuscan tradition Banfi offers a family of Chianti wines varied and complementary, unique in its style. Chianti Riserva is produced from selected grapes grown in the “Classico” region of Chianti between Siena and Firenze. It is elegant, well-balanced, full-bodied with a very long aging potential. FOOD PAIRINGS It superbly accompanies meat dishes and typical Tuscan cuisine. Alcohol content: 12,5 to 13% vol. following the season condition. Available formats: 0,75 l . . . Technorati Tags: Banfi Chianti Classico Reserva, best red wines, bitterness, cabernet sauvignon, Canaiolo Nero, chianti must breath, complex potential, featured wine of the week, fermentation, food pairings, grape varieties, GrapesFeatured Wine of the Week, maceration, oak, oak barrels, sangiovese, sangiovese grape, winemaker on December 14th, 2011%  Americans Spend More per Bottle despite Recession
By Matt Goldstein Sales of Champagne and wine have been soaring towards record levels in 2011 and American exports are benefitting. The majority of California wine goes overseas and to Europe respectively however, wine sales in China are also climbing significantly. So what if China wants to put a tariff on American cars, let’s just get them drunk and they won’t be able to drive. Champagne sales in the U.S. are up 22% with the French wine & spirit company LVMH Moet Hennessey Luis Vuitton having the biggest impact on sales. Americans are now purchasing $30-50 bottles of wine and Champagne at record levels. The overall numbers in luxury Champagnes also indicate an increase in sales of luxury items across the board including, wines, spirits, clothing, jewelry and more. Maybe the recession is over, maybe the economic recovery is in full effect, and maybe the drunks in China are about to shower Napa Valley with gold. No matter how you slice it, Americans and China both are drinking a much better product and their willing to pay for it. Source: MSNBC . . . Technorati Tags: american exports, bubbles, California wine, champagne, champagne and wine, champagne sale, China, economic recovery, france, French Wine, hennessey, luxury items, moet, moet hennessey, Napa Valley, recession, sparkling wine, wine sales, wines | |
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