Rockin? at Wine & Cars

Everyone had a great time at Wine & Cars Under the Stars last weekend. Don’t believe me? Check out the video: The evening was a great success, netting nearly $50,000 for the foundations at Fairplex and their programs. If you missed Wine & Cars, you can taste the award-winning wines of the Los Angeles International [...]

Source: http://blogs.fairplex.com/blog/wine/?p=100

pinot blanc champagne chardonnay wine racks wine clubs

Bordeaux Tasting Reveals Affordable Gems

Sandwiched between the heralded 2005 and 2009 Bordeaux vintages lie three years I've bought very little of. Not so much because they're not good, but just because there's been so much positive hype about the '05s and '09s. A guy only has some much attention to devote to a region.

Vintage variation is a tricky thing for me on a number of levels. More experienced folks will tell you it's not a matter of good and bad - it's more a matter of appreciating vintage variation. Further, the way Bordeaux is priced, better vintages fetch higher prices. This is different than domestic wines and different from most regions. This presents an opportunity to pick up wines from quality producers in "off" vintages at a good price.

Bordeaux is a tricky thing to publicize and market. In one sense it's the noblest of wine regions, but in another I rarely find myself with a taste for Bordeaux on a weeknight - or even a weekend night for that matter. It's this quirky quandary - brand recognition many regions wish they had yet too fancy for many occasions and relegated to high holidays. Too much tradition for its own good?

Below high flying names costing $50 and up are Bordeaux Superieur wines costing $20 or less. As part of an live online tasting through TasteLive, Planet Bordeaux offered up five 2006-2008 Bordeaux to wine bloggers across the United States to get together online and concurrently share their thoughts.

Here are my notes:

2006 Chateau La Gatte La Butte
$15
13.5% Alcohol

100% Merlot from old vines. Light magenta. Cherries and earth on the nose. A little Leuden's cough drop action. Earth too with undeniable Bordeaux markings. On first sip I get a twinge of acidity in my cheeks and even my ears. Comes together really nicely. Well balanced. Great start.

http://chateaulagatte.com
88+/100 WWP: Very Good

2008 Chateau Lugagnac
$16
13% Alcohol

On the nose I get burnt earth, cocoa, some fruit. Grippy tannins. Surprisingly hot for only 13.5%. Needs some time to settle down, but still a pretty nice wine.

http://chateaulugagnac.com
87/100 WWP: Very Good

2008 Chateau de Terrefort-Quancard
$14
13% Alcohol

Tightly wound with tart cherry fruit and harsh tannins. Should improve with time but for now it's one of the more challenging wines in the lineup.

http://chevalquancard.com 
84/100 Good

2007 Chateau de Parenchere Cuvee Raphel
$15
13.5% Alcohol

Medium-full bodied with a really enticing nose. A nice combination of fruity and savory components. Velvety mouthfeel. Low-medium acidity. Doesn't beg for food the way the others do but I think it's versatile enough to play well in a lot of settings. My wine of the night.

http://parenchere.com 
90/100 WWP: Outstanding


2008 Chateau Penin Tradition
$15
13% Alcohol

Made in a soft, easy drinking style. Limited aromatically.

http://chateaupenin.com
82/100 WWP: Good

My thanks to the folks from Planet Bordeaux for supporting wine bloggers with this tasting!

Samples for review.


Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WellesleyWinePress/~3/b179Djo0dI0/bordeaux-tasting-reveals-affordable.html

chard farm neudorf chablis bordeaux sav blanc

Jacobs Creek champions wine regions

“Jacobs Creek has almost got a responsibility, as one of the major brands out of Australia, to teach the consumer about some of the great regions within Australia” – Bernard Hickin A refreshing point of view by Bernard Hickin, Chief Winemaker at Jacobs Creek. [apologies for the background noise, but it was busy] I was [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheWineConversation/~3/4LI3hzWYVAg/

wine clubs winery moet perrier dom perignon

New Look for the Grapes Around Texas

I have wanted to change up the layout of our blog and get ready to gear up for the spring when we do more traveling and check out new Texas Winery?s in the Spring. I would like to ask you what you think about the new link and what you would like to see added [...]

Source: http://thegrapesaroundtexas.com/2011/02/26/new-look-for-the-grapes-around-texas/

Barbaresco Semillon Viognier Chenin Blanc Gewurztraminer

A Visit with Winemaker Vince Tofanelli

It is such a wonderful change of pace to visit a winemaker like Vince Tofanelli. Too often when we visit the Napa Valley we get caught upby the big and the fancy wineries and tasting rooms and tend to overlook the smaller names of the Napa Valley. Continue reading

Source: http://www.winecountrygetaways.com/napablog/a-visit-with-winemaker-vince-tofanelli/

Pinot Grigio Barbaresco Semillon Viognier Chenin Blanc

Social Media Quick Tip: Tag Your Favorite Wine Brands on Facebook

This is old news for some, but if you haven’t explored the status tagging feature (similar to photo tagging) on Facebook, take a few minutes and check it out. Status tagging can help your winery’s Facebook fan page to become more engaging and vibrant.  Facebook users can type the “@” symbol before a Facebook fan [...]

Source: http://familylovewine.wordpress.com/2010/01/14/social-media-quick-tip-tag-your-favorite-wine-brands-on-facebook/

chardonnay wine racks wine clubs winery moet

25% Off and Grand Tasting at Upper Falls and Post Road Liquors

Upper Falls Liquors in Newton and their sister stores Post Road Liquors in Wayland and Auburndale Wine & Spirits in Newton are offering 25% of 6 or more bottles this weekend (Friday through Sunday March 4 - 6 2011).

On Saturday from 1-4pm at each location is their Grand Tasting. Here?s some High End/Interesting wines that will be open:

  • 2007 Darioush Cab
  • 2006 Frescobaldi Mormoretto
  • 2008 ?Expression? Amity Hills Pinot Noir
  • 2009 Bordeaux
  • 2007 Antica Cab
  • 2007 Li Veli ?Masseria? (Negromaro/Cab)
  • 2007 Montes ?Purple Angel? Carmenere
  • 2007 BV Tapestry
  • 2007 Querciabella Mongrana
  • 2007 Rosenblum ?Rockpile? Zin
Along with like 50 other wines, and food.

Check 'em out:
http://thepostscript.com


Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WellesleyWinePress/~3/CT6oBbfZlbE/25-off-and-grand-tasting-at-upper-falls.html

winery moet perrier dom perignon tatinger