Sum Zin, the Opolo Summit Creek Zinfandel 2007

Date: Sun, Feb 21, 2010 Wine Tasting

First Swirl: In the glass this wine displays as a crisp medium ruby-garnet color standing in the glass, (lacking some extraction ofdeep colorfound in many Zinfandels) but this is not a bad thing either. I believe in their effort to not make super-ripe and jammy wine was accomplished dispite the high ABV, that knocks you over the head, instead they produced a wine that's nothing short of really good.

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Get Zorked with Moobuzz Chardonnay!!

Date: Thu, Jan 28, 2010 Wine Tasting

Today's review is focused on the value end of the Chardonnay spectrum and what I found out there’s a lot to like, which is why I chose this wine to bring to your attention today, aside from the very unusual closure and the great name. Do you get the name? Moo equals cows and buzz equals honey, thus you have a wine from the land of milk and honey. So for all you "value" oriented white wine drinkers the CCWB has another wonderful Chardonnay for today's review, brought to by the folks at the "Other Guys" whose edgy [love this word] wine portfolio has separated itself from its former association with Don Sebastiani & Sons [a whole story by itself, which I will not be delving into here]. But if you really are interested here's the link:
Don Sebastiani & Sons restructures, to spin off key wine units ...

Big Wine on Campus: This will come to many as a huge shock, especially red wine drinkers Chardonnay is America's most popular grape, despite the efforts of those in the ABC movement. I say this [pondering] and look at my own wine cellar and for me nothing could be further from the truth. So how can I say here what is contradictory for me, well it appears wine drinkers like myself are the exception [gulp].

So why is Chardonnay so popular? The answer may lie in the fact that it's made in many styles which tend to range from steely [read that NO OAK], mineral laced wines with crisp green apple fruit to wines that are buttery, rich, and laden with tropical fruits. It would appear there's a Chardonnay which can appeal to most every palate and as most everyone knows Chardonnay is most closely associated with France's Burgundy region and now has proven itself successful around the globe, but the variations of flavors, styles and types of Chardonnay run the gamut as mentioned earlier. Another factor may be the fact that the Chardonnay grape is one of the worlds most planted vine and most readily adaptable to a large variety growing regions.

Closures: The Zork as it called, is a new entry wading into the "closure" debate, which has found no closure [pun intended] in the continuing debate to cork or not to cork. So Zork is trying to make an inroads into the industry, with its custom caps, or "closures" which according to Zork, "seals like a screw cap and pops like a cork" and promotes this closure by eluding to its ability to age wines by saying and I paraphrase "The Zork closure allows the wine to age, like a traditional cork" and can be found on other readily recognized brands such as McLauren Vale, Australia-based Red Knot, imported by Seattle-based Precept Wine Brands.



Wine Reviewed: Moobuzz Sonoma Coast Chardonnay 2006

Full Disclosure: This wine was NOT a sample, it was purchased by the CCWB for my own personal enjoyment from the Wine Bank here in San Diego, which unfortunately is out of this wine.

First Swirl: After I opened the unique "zork" closure and poured a few ounces into my glass, tilted it toward the light pouring through my patio window, I found a medium straw colored core, fleeing to a pale straw rim.

First Sniff: After I've given this wine a couple good swirls I put my nose into the glass and what hit my god-given sensory apparatus is this; this wine has aromas of freshly toasted bread, caramel crème, and tropical fruits like bananas and papayas.

First Sip: Okay now it's time to see if everything going on with the first sniff will translate in the mouth, what I find is that this wine exudes flavors of rich vanilla custard, lemon shavings, breadfruit, wild flower honey, and fresh oven-baked pears.

Treatment: This 2006 Chardonnay benefited from six-month sur lees aging in the barrel for 30% of the blend. In this statement about how this wine is treated or made prior to being bottled is where the secret lies. What secret you may ask? The secret of finding balance; between the big over-oaked [read that chateau two-by-four] buttery chards and those wines which follow the NO-OAK mantra.

Where to purchase: This wine can be purchased at the Holiday Wine Cellar which is located at 302 West Mission AvenueEscondido, CA 92025-1712(760) 745-1200 or give them a call and if they don't have it they would be glad to order it for you. I spoke with Kathleen from HWC and they are selling it for $14.99.

Price and ABV: This wine represents a real crowd pleaser by weighing in at a mere 13.5% alcohol and the price is equally enticing at the $12 - $16 price range.

Cuvée Corner Wine Blog Score: Hey point seekers here's my score if your interested: I scored this wine 92 on Cuvee Corner 100 point tasting scale. This score is higher than the WE score of 90 for one reason, PRICE. This wine represents tremendous value and is a QPR winner in all respects.

Pairing Suggestions: Do you ever run into this quandary? Oh what to pair, what to pair? I have and what I found is that this wine pairs well with oven broiled rack of pork [seasoned with a bevy of Italian spices and EVOO] and a creamy polenta along side or tuna [ahi] tartare with fresh California avocados or even a BBQ Rotisserie Free-Range Chicken, hungry yet?

My Recommendation: This is a great wine to purchase by the case. It's easy on the wallet and lush on the palate what else could you ask for in a wine? So scour your local wine shops or hop online and get yourself some of this wine today. The word on the street is that the 2007 is just as good as the 2006 so you won't be disappointed either way, but don't wait it will sell quickly at this price.

Other Voices: Okay if everything I said did not sway your opinion about getting some of this great value wine, then here's one from the folks at WE who had this to say about this very good Chardonnay, "Delivers lots of bang for the buck, shows real Chardonnay character, with rich vanilla cream-infused flavors of ripe pineapples, pears, and sautéed banana, buttered toast and honey and at this price, it's fantastic buy that can stand next to Chards costing far more." Best Buy 90 Points Wine Enthusiast

Until next time cheers everyone!

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Time for a visit to Cleavage Creek

Date: Sun, Jan 24, 2010 Wine Tasting

I was introduced to Cleavage Creek through the social networking platform Twitter, of whom many of you are very familiar. Now the name of this winery does not make me immediately think about wine and may not illicit thoughts of wine for anyone else either. So yes this makes them quite unique and they also have a unique way to help in the fight against this awful disease one bottle at a time.

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Warming Up with Aged Gouda & Robust Reds

Date: Wed, Jan 13, 2010 Wine Tasting

Our New Year’s celebrations continued with family and friends over the weekend. But instead of an elaborate spread and fancy cocktails, we settled in with simple yet hearty fare and bottles of red. Being The Cheese Ambassador, our guests have come to expect the evening to include a sampling of gourmet cheese. We started the meal with a chunk of 4 year old Gouda and challenged the gang to a mission they were all too happy to accept - determine the best wine match. Aaah, Gouda. A traditional cheese that has been reinterpreted the world over. Gouda is traditionally a cows milk cheese from Holland, but you can now find it made from goat, sheep and cows from an international collection of dairymen.

The Dutch pronunciation of Gouda is “how-duh” with the “how” tickling the back of your throat. A special type of Gouda is called Boerenkaas. “Boeren” meaning “farm” and “kaas” meaning “cheese”. It’s a simple name for a complex cheese. This is not your ordinary grocery store Gouda enveloped in red wax. Boerenkaas is a farmstead cheese made with unpasteurized cow’s milk from a single farm. Deep burnt-gold in color Boerenkaas becomes rock hard and concentrates in flavor as it ages. Break off a chunk and notice the butterscotch aroma. The taste is intense and piquant. Its caramel and nutty flavors are accented by the salty, crunchy protein crystals (a hallmark of aged cheeses) that melt in your mouth.

Winter Wine & Cheese Pairing: This cheese packs a punch and can stand up to full-bodied red wines. We paired the Boerenkaas with two New World, high-alcohol wines – a Merlot from Sonoma and a Cabernet Sauvignon from Argentina. The salty and nutty flavors of the cheese nicely contrasted with the jammy, berry flavors of the Merlot while the piquancy of the cheese matched the bittersweet chocolate notes of the Cabernet Sauvignon. The group was split on selecting the winning match. But that’s the beauty of cheese and wine pairings – there are no right or wrong answers. It’s all about personal taste. [yes indeed if not we would have run out our collective favorite long ago]

Recommended Wine: I would recommend the Hess Collection Cabernet, Allomi Vineyard 2007, as a great wine to that can stand up to a cheese of this type.

Price and ABV: The Alcohol on the bottle indicates 14.5% but could swing a full 1% more and still meet the labeling requirements. That said, this wine is refined elegance for a paupers price, considering the SRP is a mere $24.00. Check with your local place who may sell it for less.

Composition: Okay so you may be wondering what's in the blend, here you go 86% Cabernet Sauvignon 11% Petite Sirah 3% Petit Verdot

Treatment: 18 Months 30% New American Oak

Tasting notes: In the glass color showed dark cherry and crimson. On the palate the gentle spice in the nose and front palate followed by a long tri-berry cobbler mouth feel with good acidity and a nice structure. With persistent and enjoying finish. A very food friendly wine, which is immediately approachable after uncorking and there's no need to decant.

Pairing Suggestion: I'm thinking BBQ roasted chicken, grilled pork, caramelized onions, Baby Back Ribs, sautéed greens, roasted vegetables and aged Jack or a aged Gouda will enhance the fruit flavors in this wine.

Cuvée Corner Wine Blog Score: Hey point seekers here's my score if your interested: I scored this wine 89 Pt's on Cuvee Corner 100 pt tasting scale. Then taking into account this wines QPR score it boost this wines overall score to 92 points.

About Cuvée Corner Wine Blog guest-contributor Sara Kahn:
Even though her passion for gourmet cheese was undying, Sara Kahn found shopping for it to be overwhelming, time consuming and confusing. She established The Cheese Ambassador to offer a simple way to select and serve the world’s finest cheeses. By providing the perfect combination of exquisite cheese along with a comprehensive cheese course guide, enjoying gourmet cheese is now a deliciously enriching experience.

My Recommendation: Sara sent a sample of some of the cheese she has for sale at the Cheese Ambassador and wow let me tell you I was really impressed by the taste and quality of this cheese. It comes packaged very smartly so you don't have any spoilage issues or concerns. So get online and check out all the wonderful cheese products on her site and put in your order. The wine can be purchased at a number of places either online or at your favorite wine store as it's a widely distributed wine, but is an absolute must to have with this pairing or just anytime you want a very dependable great tasting Cabernet that won't break the bank. Until next time cheers everyone!

Written by: Guest Contributor Sara Kahn [thanks Sara]

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Six Health Benefits of Drinking Red Wine

Date: Mon, Jan 11, 2010 Wine Tasting

In some cultures even the mere mention of the word “drink” is taboo and has negative connotations. While that may be true, you may also be surprised to find that potentially intoxicating liquids like wines and spirits do have their benefits too and moderation is the operative word when it comes to consuming adult beverages. It’s not that imbibing is bad per se, but we can run afoul of any benefits when over indulgence is involved. The way some folks behave after drinking more than their fare share has undoubtedly contributed to some of the negative stereotypes which has been associated with consuming too much wine or spirits. On the flip side of the equation, studies have shown that moderate consumption of wines and spirits are good for our health when imbibed in small amounts, three or four times a week. Abstainers and imbibers alike please take note, below I've outlined some succinct points about the health benefits of drinking wine and if you're interested please read on:

· It’s good for your heart: Alcohol acts as a natural blood thinner and enables the free flow of blood through the arteries, thus reducing the work that your heart has to do in order to pump blood to all parts of your body. So when you have one glass of wine three or four times a week, your risk of heart disease is significantly lower and you are less susceptible to strokes which occur because of blood clots or blocked arteries. A study conducted at the Yale School of Medicine proved connection between drinking red wine (sorry white wine fans) and improvements in cardiovascular health, because of its polyphenol (high in antioxidants) content.

· It slows down the aging process: Grapes are rich in an anti-aging wonder chemical known as resveratrol prevents damage to and repairs cells and blood vessels. It also brings down the level of bad cholesterol and reduces the risk of blood clots. Red wine is a good source of resveratrol, so if you’re in the mood for a drink, make it a glass of red rather than anything else.

. Resveratrol Content: You may be wondering what wines have the highest resveratrol content? Again sorry white wine fans but between white wine and red wine, the red variety has more resveratrol than white because red wine is fermented longer. White wine has about a tenth of resveratrol content compared to red wine. Some even believe that the only reliable non-supplement source of resveratrol right now is red wine. Okay, okay so red wine is the largest source of Resveratrol, but which grape delivers the biggest bang for the buck? Well it just so happens to be the most delicate of red-wines which has the most potent resveratrol-laden and that wine is Pinot Noir. In fact it has been shown that Pinot Noir has more resveratrol than other red wine varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, or Cabernet Franc. Since Pinot Noir grapes are naturally more delicate and rot easier, and are more difficult in general to grow these grapes need to produce more resveratrol to protect themselves from pathogens. In addition to PN being a bigger source of resveratrol grapes grown in regions that are both cool and moist will produce an even higher resveratrol count than anywhere else. For more information on the Health benefits of wine º Antioxidants, resveratrol, and ... living healthier, please click on the link provided above.

. It is rich in antioxidants: If there’s one chemical that everyone is going gaga about, it’s antioxidants – they’re being praised to the skies for their ability to prevent cancer and boost your immune system. Red wine is rich in antioxidants and if you have one glass five times a week, you could significantly increase your life span and live a long and healthy life. Just look at the French who consume more wine per capita than Americans tend to live a little longer, what they call the The French Paradox (though the fact that they drink wine moderately and slowly with meals, instead of downing shots at the bar, could make a difference).
· It boosts lung function: White wine helps lung function, according to a study conducted by the University of Buffalo’s School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences which determined that people who enjoyed the occasional glass of wine were found to have better lung function than those who did not. Besides this, wine has also been known to be effective in destroying upper respiratory tract bacteria.
· It prevents tooth decay: Wine has antibacterial properties and has been used for a long time in treating infected wounds. Researchers have only just discovered that wine is capable of killing various strains of oral bacteria that are responsible for tooth decay and even a sore throat. But you want to be careful about (red) wines staining potential, you could earn a new nick name "purple-teeth" if your not careful to imbibe with moderation and stay hydrated.
· It prevents diabetes: Wine, in moderation, helps boost the function of the pancreas and reduces the level of glucose in your blood. This prevents you from being at risk for diabetes during any stage in your life.

While the benefits of wine and wine consumption are not meant to be an incentive for teetotalers to start drinking, it should be regarded by casual drinkers as a lesson in health - five glasses a week is the optimum level, and if you go beyond that, then the negatives tend to far outweigh the positives that wine offers. Here's a toast to your good health, cheers!

By-line: This article is written by guest contributor Shannon Wills, who writes on the topic of Physical Therapist Assistant Schools She welcomes your comments below or at her email id : shannonwills23@gmail.com .

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"We believe in Site" Carabella Vineyards in Oregon

Date: Sun, Jan 10, 2010 Wine Tasting

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Welcome to Foxen 7200

Date: Tue, Jan 5, 2010 Wine Tasting

Pinot Noir Fans: If you're a huge fan of Pinot Noir (or if you love great blends) like I am, then I believe this one winery you'll want to have on your wine-radar. This is my second trip to the Tasting Room in the last couple of years and some things have changed since my first visit, one is that have a new tasting room down Foxen Canyon Road called simply Foxen 7600 and it's truly just down the road and very easy to find as the entrance is right off the road. This short video above was interview done with one wonderful young ladies from the tasting room staff, whose name is Mo (I hope I spelled it correctly) and make sure to ask for your temporary anchor tattoo. She was there the first time I took a good sized group with me to do the "Sideways" tour. As you will see from the video we went right before Christmas and it was pretty cold. The "Shack" as it has come to be known as does not have much in the way of modern conveniences, but where they are short this aspect, on the flip side the wine never disappoints. This is a great place to visit if one of your first stops is at Cambria, which compared to many other of the wineries in the area is what I would call, "far afield" meaning to me, that it's in BFE. So if that is your first stop of the day, you can easily hit a few great spots on your way to Foxen, makes for a wonderful day of wine tasting.

Foxens Signature Wines: While several varieties of wine are produced by Foxen, there are four vineyard-designate Pinot Noirs which come from the Bien Nacido Vineyard, Sea Smoke Vineyard (which Wathen helped develop), Sanford and Benedict Vineyard and Julia’s Vineyard (of which there are four different wineries with this vineyard designation). These wines tend to be richly concentrated in a "New World" style and offer considerable depth and interest to even the most casual observer. These wines are often dark in color, nicely textured, bursting with fruit on the finish and very nicely crafted, but a word of caution these wines need time to open and benefit from decanting.

Some Current Standouts: For fans of "Bone Dry" Chardonnay who love minerally, high acid wines, these are two to you should grab: The Foxen 2008 Bien Nacido Block UU for the suggested retail of $32 or the Foxen Bien Nacido Vineyard Steel Cut Chardonnay which also sells for the same suggested retail price of $32. This SRP normally means the tasting room price, but you can most likely find it retail wine shops for $5 to $10 less. These wine recieved some very nice scores of over 90 from Wine Entusiast current edition.

Honestly folks I know there is a "hewn-cry" in some (rather snobby) circles (which I'm not in) for these types of wine and yeah know that is great work if you can get it, but I really don't care for these types of wine all too much. To me these types of wine are just the product of a knee-jerk reaction to big, over-oaked, buttery wines, which I totally get but at the same time I don't agree the "no-oak" mantra is the answer either. Many of the folks in the cirlces I was talking about will say that this method lets the pure fruit shine through, to them I say "really"? There is a happy medium and I did receive a sample of one from a place in Oregon called Carabella, and it's wonderful. The full review to come later, stay tuned!

We also took home the 2007 Cuvee Jeanne Marie which sells for a SRP of $34. This wine is like the Range 30 West in like it's a blend. It is becoming real obvious to me that blends are so much better than single varietals in many cases (certainly not all). The blend is composed of 60% Grenache, 33% Syrah, and 7% Mourvedre. With the Mourvedre clones coming from Tablas Creek, no wonder it was so good. With this wine there is plenty of bright red fruit flavors that are immediately accessible right out of the gate. There is also some of that deeper, darker (Mourvedre) fruit bringing up the rear which anchors the complexity and suggests some cellar time might be in order. It’s big boned and explosive in the mouth right now, but with plenty of residual secondary flavors which hang in there, long after the finish. You just may have trouble keeping from opening this one right away, but if you do order online or even buy it from the tasting room, be sure to let it catch it breath first. I believe a certain RP gave this wine 91 points, of which I have to agree.

The last one we took home was the very young 2008 Foxen Pinot Noir, Santa Maria Valley with a SRP of $34 each. This wine features attractive classic Pinot aromatics of cherry, dried cranberry, and a floral component, with just a touch of alcoholic heat. But like I said this wine is young and should be laid down for at least a year for maximum enjoyment, also decanting on this wine is highly recommended. On the palate you'll find this wine to be light to medium bodied with flavors echoing the floral and fruit aromas, with just a hint of mildly detectable residual sweetness found in the enjoyable finish. A wine built to definitely please New World sensibilities, but might distract old-world fans that like their structured dry finishes.

My Recommedations: This is one of the great"Iconic" places to visit if you find yourself in the area. The tasting room staff is always professional and helpful, if you go in the summer months be prepared for large crowds as Foxen is a popular stop for many wine tourist. The wines I choose were taken from a list of 10 or more different wines we tasted that day between the two different locations and I would say they represent your best value for overall quality and price. You could just take my word for it and flip on that PC and order some or cruise to your favorite wine shop to pick up a few, either way I don't believe you could go wrong with these picks I've outlined above. Until next time cheers everyone!

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Pinot Days are here Southern California

Date: Mon, Jan 4, 2010 Wine Tasting

When does it begin: Pinot Days Southern California begins January 15 and culminates on January 17 with the Grand Festival at Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, CA. and event tickets can be purchased at www.pinotdays.com and any reader of the Cuvée Corner Wine Blog can get a DISCOUNT of 10% if they us this code: CuveeSC10

Who should go: All Pinotphiles should be in attendance and by definition a pinotphile is a lover or appreciator of Pinot Noir wine and just about anyone else who is new to wine or even the jaded amoung you, this is a great opportunity to try many styles of this one in one place. The price is right and this is there first time this far south so mark your calenders now. See ya there!

What's the Buzz: Pinot Days producer Lisa Rigisich said, "Los Angeles is a real food town and the innovative culinary scene in this city is the perfect complement to the depth, complexity and versatility of Pinot Noir. Like chefs, pinot producers are modern day artists with an intense passion for their craft. This dynamic lends itself well to Pinot Days because it allows food and wine lovers to learn about pinot by connecting to it with both their palate and through its producer."

The Gist: Pinot Days is an event that connects wine enthusiasts from all walks of life directly with the winemakers, creating a unique opportunity for new and seasoned wine lover(s) to experience, enjoy and deepen their knowledge of Pinot Noir (pronounced Pee-noh-n'wahr). Many find the flavors are reminiscent of sweet red berries, plums, cherries and at times a notable earthy or wood-like flavor, depending on specific growing conditions and yes even a barnyard smell or two on occasion. This event will feature New World Pinot Noir, but its forerunner and modest inspiration hails from Burgundy, one of France’s most prized wine regions. This event will feature Pinot Noir planted, cultivated and produced in Oregon, and California.

The Pinot Days Southern California event line-up:

Day One: Pinot Days Winemakers "Table Hop" Dinner at The Peninsula Beverly Hills on January 14, 2010 from 6:00pm - 11:00pm, in Beverly Hills, CA. and the cost is $120 per person.
What to expect: Executive Chef James Overbaugh, whose creative culinary style is hailed for its emphasis on local and seasonal ingredients and flavors from around the world, will present appetizers and a four course pinot-paired dinner with fourteen different pinots. The winemakers will move seats with every course so they can share their stories with attendees.

Day Two: Pinot Days Winemakers "Table Hop" Dinner at Sage on the Coast January 16, 2010 6:00pm - 11:00pm, in Newport Beach, CA. and is $100 per person.

What to expect: The winemakers will move seats with every course so they can share their stories with attendees. This event will featuring renowned chef Rich Mead, this event offers an exquisite four course, pinot-paired dinner with fourteen different pinots.

Day Three: The Grand Finale: The Pinot Days Grand Festival on January 17, 2010 1:00pm - 5:00pm, at the Barker Hangar, in Santa Monica, CA. and ridiculously low price of $50 per person.

What to expect: Sunday's Grand Tasting will showcase over 400 Pinot Noirs and the 75 wine makers who produce them. A culinary extravaganza, the Pinot Days Grand Festival features dozens of gourmet samplings from local food purveyors California Cheese and Butter Association, Corn Maiden Foods, Gourmet Grill Masters, Lourdes Gourmet Foods, Fishlips Sushi and more.

About your hosts: Pinot Days was created by Steven and Lisa Rigisich out of their love for the "the noble grape." The Bay Area Wine Project holds annual events in San Francisco, Chicago and Southern California. Produced by the Bay Area Wine Project, a non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion of Pinot Noir, www.pinotdays.com provides information about and access to wine-related events, wine education opportunities and wine trivia -- including articles about outstanding wine personalities, winery profiles, reviews of wine events, restaurant wine lists, formal tastings and more.

Event details and ticket information can be found at http://www.blogger.com/www.pinotdays.com.

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The 2005 Le Cigare Volant, the flying saucer!

Date: Sun, Dec 27, 2009 Wine Tasting

Today's review will revolve around the wonderful if somewhat eclectic Bonny Doon Vineyard found in the wonderfully beautiful Santa Cruz Mountains AVA in northern California, just a little south of Napa and Sonoma. While I had a chance to visit this area first hand in 2007, my opportunity to visit Bonny Doon slipped from our (that's my wife and I) itinerary and I missed seeing the vineyards for myself. That said, Mr. Randall Grahm was gracious enough to send me a couple samples to peruse at my leisure, with an invitation to visit next time I'm in the area.

Many folks have a quizzical look upon their face when I talk about the Santa Cruz Mountains AVA, first they are thinking where the bleep is that and second what is a AVA? Now no one has ever had the courage to ask me, "what are you, some kind of cork-dork" ? I would answer with an enthusiastic nod of agreement and say, "well you could go even further and characterize me as a wine geek, guilty as charged." Purple teeth and purple fingers at times depending on the situation, but I'll save that conversation for another time. It was funny when I mentioned Bonny Doon to someone once, they thought I was speaking of a movie, entitled "Dune".

Ah yes the Santa Cruz Mountains AVA is located just south of San Jose, California. This huge appellation holds over 350000 acres. According to "Vinogusto" it is astonishing, given the hardships (in particular the onset huge fires in 2009) of viticulture in the Santa Cruz Mountains, this appellation hosts some of North America's elite wineries with the likes of Ridge, David Bruce and Bonny Doon and I am a big fan of Byington and Testarossa as well.

So now that you have an idea of where I am talking about in regards to where this wine is from, now it's is time to bring into to focus the subject of this review the Bonny Doon Le Cigare Volant 2005. Literally translated, "Le Cigare Volant" which is French for "The Flying Cigar" or euphemistically speaking, the flying saucer! Sci-Fi fans take note, this is a first-contact wine.

First Swirl: After letting this bottle settle into to its new surroundings (Chez Eyer Wine Vault) for a month or two, I finally cracked open the stelvin closure and poured myself a glass just hour before dinner for its first evaluation. In the glass a near opaque garnet colored core, giving way to cerise colored rim. Like ZZ Top has sung, she's got legs and she know how to use them, get the picture?

First Sniff: Into the glass goes my huge half Irish nose and exploding on my god-given sensory apparatus aromas of tasty brier, black cherry and undefinable gamy note.

First Sip: After giving the wine in my glass another good swirl, it's finally time to imbibe. On the palate, is an impressive concentration, with chewy plum, currant, nice minerality, licorice and tarry notes. Although listed as a California wine, it's is made in an terroir-driven old world style and does not require any long term cellaring, since it is drinking amazingly now. But it does have the stuffing to stand up to another five years in your own wine-vault!

Varietal Composition: The Bonny Doon Vineyard 2005 Le Cigare Volant is a blend, a Cuvée if you will, from fruit sourced at a variety of long-term growers in the Central Coast and Santa Cruz Mountains. This vintage is a blend of Grenache (50%), Mourvèdre (24%), Syrah (22%), Carignane (3%), and Cinsault (1%). This wine is bottled unfiltered and has a stelvin closure.

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Giving Thanks with a Passion for Pinot!

Date: Wed, Nov 18, 2009 Wine Tasting

This is the one meal that gets more wine recommendations than any other, and I guess that makes sense as many folks only have one chance a year to get it right. While many writers and experts will take the diplomatic high-road and tell you that there is no one perfect wine for Thanksgiving dinner. If you take a look around the web you're sure to find a plethora of suggestions from a cornucopia of wine writers, wine bloggers and maybe even your parents with picks ranging from Torrontes to Tannat, from Merlot to Muscat and even a Moet & Chandon (White Star). But I'm taking a different tact and I'm recommending "A Passion for Pinot" (not the book but the wine, Pinot Noir) is the ticket to having an outstanding Thanksgiving meal, with a wine that will meld effortlessly with your meal and will garner you high praise from either your guest or your host.

But there is a problem with my recommendations, what is that you may ask? I think the meal itself is the problem. It can be so varied and different in many homes that to name just one wine as "the one" is just a mistake. As we all know there is no one wine which is perfect with every food. Since we are all in agreement that this is the case I going to give a specific recommendation based solely on the traditionally observed Thanks Giving meal. So is you are planning on serving ToFu Turkey or some other substitute well you may want to check into a different wine for your meal and there is nothing wrong with that, this is America after all and variety is the name of the game.

That being said, I am going to suggest a patriotic choice this year and recommend getting yourself an American Pinot Noir and why because of these wines elegant earthiness and lovely berry overtones which makes this the perfect choice. Because in my opinion these are the characteristics which makes Pinot Noir a prime choice for Thanksgiving Dinner. But it's not just my opinion Jordan MacKay, Robert Holmes, Andrea Johnson in their book, "A Passion for Pinot" emphasize that "California and Oregon are home to Pinot's greatest expressions in the New World." With all due respect to our friends across the "pond" in Burgundy, who really make a different "expression" of Pinot, I believe based on tasting plenty of both that American Pinot's high expression style will win the day!

Further, another voice promoting my point of view is a Mr. Eric Asimov who has been quoted to say, "If any grape would be at home in the pose of the femme fatale—smoke curling from its lips, long, irresistible legs crossed as another winemaker is sent to his doom—it would be Pinot Noir."

This quote above should be the slam dunk you need to make up your mind which wine you are going to have with your Thanksgiving meal this year, hands down!

Finally who can deny this statement from the book A Passion For Pinot where this quote is taken, "Silky, complex, and incredibly versatile, Pinot Noir is the perfect food wine; full of charm and intrigue, it drinks beautifully on its own." That's well said and I could not agree more, thus I have compiled a list of wines from these regions which should grab your attention and take your Thanksgiving dinner to new and memorable heights.

I've come up with a list of American (New World) Pinot Noirs that I have recommended over the years and why because these wines are not too hard to find and two, many of them are "reasonably" priced and finally, I've chosen these wines because they are consistent year after year. If you are unable to find a Pinot Noir from the list below and you come across one that has been gathering dust on some wine store shelf for years, that could mean trouble and you may want to avoid it altogether. For example, if the wine has not been properly stored. Meaning, standing upright, inconsistent temperature, in the sun or direct light or a unstable shelf , its palatableness could be suspect. Sorry if I did not name your favorite wine, please don't be offended, instead feel free to offer your choice in the comments sections as I am sure they would be welcomed! Don't be a lurker, feel free to make a suggestion, after all this suppose to be a conversation.

Pricing: The prices which are listed are broadly representative but can vary widely and while I am saying these are great choices they don't represent a best of the best list.

Regarding Availability: While I wouldn't expect many stores to have all of these recommendations, you should be able to find them via the links I have provided below and form an example of wines you may want to consider.

MY PICKS:

CAMBRIA 07 PN JULIA'S, 2007 (Santa Barbara County). $18.99. Great acidity, some spice and with all kind of cranberry and strawberry fruit that, obviously, is perfect for the meal. Complex, interesting, affordable and easy to find in most stores.

Patricia Green 2007 Estate OV Estate Old Vine Oregon, 2007 $29.99 Beautiful color, with a rich, a spicy and sensuous nose. The taste is voluptious and plush, with minerals, earth and great Pinot fruit. Interesting from start to finish.

Taz 2007 Pinot Noir Santa Barbara County Taz, 2007 $17.99 This wine had a very soft floral note, leaning toward the strawberry end of the flavor spectrum and the smell (rich and filled with berries). The taste is just classy, well-balanced and don't be afraid of some varietal funk. Nicely intense and won't compete for your palates attention amongst the plentiful bounty before you.

Erath Oregon Pinot Noir 2007 750ml, 2007 $18.99 Baker’s spice notes as well black cherry and blueberry are present in the nose of this Pinot. The palate presents a rich core of opulent fruit. Lots of cherry, blackberry and black plum are underscored by a persistent layer of racy acidity that keeps everything balanced. This wine can also be found at most San Diego Costco's.

2007 Chehalem Pinot Noir 3 Vineyard Willamette Valley, 2007 $19.99 This smooth wine is fruit forward featuring bright raspberry and strawberry nuances, lively acidity, medium-high tannins, medium-high oak, and complex flavors. It is balanced, and has a medium finish. Overall, its appeal is attractive and would compliment your Thanksgiving meal nicely.

Testarossa Sleepy Hollow Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir, 2007 $39.99 An explosive burst of cherry and plum with underlying cedar and fruitcake spice notes make up the nose of this single vineyard Pinot Noir. Vibrant Pinot flavors in a very drinkable package featuring bright fruit yet light enough to complement everything on the table without adding yet another big taste.

I want to wish everyone a safe and wonderful Thanksgiving holiday, watch some football, eat too much, catch up with family you may only see once a year and by all means enjoy a great glass of wine or two. Until next time, stay thirsty my friends, Cheers!

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The Foodie Guide to Pairing Wine & Cheese

Date: Mon, Nov 16, 2009 Wine Tasting

Whether you are hosting a soiree or a casual get-together this holiday, your mission is to provide your guests with warm hospitality, lively conversation and a delectable spread of food and drink. Whether the menu is complicated or simple it better be delicious. Serving a sumptuous gourmet cheese course is perfect as a starter or centerpiece of the meal. Not only is the preparation simple (no cooking!) but more importantly, your guests will enjoy discovering and savoring new favorites. As a wine lover and as a host you want to impress with the right pairings but the overwhelming selections of wine and cheese can make your head spin. Relax. There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to choosing the right combinations of cheese and wine. Just keep in mind a few simple considerations.

Beverage Pairings – Seek out a carbonated beverage to refresh the mouth from the rich and creamy flavors. Traditionally, bloomy cheeses are served with French Champagne but also try Cava from Spain and Prosecco from Italy. Another good suggestion would be for a oak-aged Chardonnay from California or Chile which have aromas of vanilla, smoke, toast that will complement the buttery notes in the cheese.

Washed Rind – During the aging process, washed-rind cheeses are usually bathed in a brine or washed with liquor such as wine, beer or a spirits. It’s this brining process that gives the cheese an aromatic quality. Almost all have orange or reddish hued rinds. Not mild and not sharp, washed rind cheeses are full-flavored. Give Taleggio, Drunken Goat, and Epoisses a taste.

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The 2007 Eagles Nest Estate Syrah will win gold!

Date: Sun, Nov 15, 2009 Wine Tasting

I had met Dennis and Julie Grimes of Eagles Nest winery in Ramona, San Diego via the Open Wine Consortium online wine community. Their winemaker Dennis invited me over to sample their wines and he wanted me to become familiar with how good wine is being made right here in San Diego.
Honestly, I was skeptical about whether good wine was being made from San Diego grown fruit and could be considered good wine. But I was pleasantly surprised to find they have made some wonderful wines, including these two wonderful Syrahs from their 2007 vintage. Later others would concur with my thoughts and awarded them a gold medal for each wine. These gold medals were earned at the 2009 Temecula Wine Competition. One was made from the their Estate fruit grown on their Ramona Estate and the other was grapes taken from the South Coast Appellation.

This is the story behind my prediction, I had the opportunity to taste these wines just after they were bottled. I was part of the all-volunteer bottling team and it great fun participating in the bottling process. These wines were bottled in May or June, not quite sure of the exact date. But as I recall it was right before the 2009 Wine Bloggers Conference. Since Dennis had encouraged me to join them at the 2009 Wine Bloggers Conference and asked if my wife and I would like to carpool with them, we had a great opportunity on the drive to discuss the wines he and his wife Julie had entered into the 2009 Temecula Wine Competition sponsored by Welcome to the Temecula Valley Wine Society. They were both wondering aloud in the car (Excursion) and contemplating how well their wines would do in this competition. That's when I spoke up, I ask Julie and Dennis about the event and found out that only wines produced from "local" fruit would be allowed in the competition. I had just returned from a two day tasting journey in Temecula. I went to what many considered the "better-wineries" in area and tasted through their wines and considering what I had tasted versus the wine I had tasted at Eagles Nest Winery, I proclaimed that their two Syrahs would win gold medals.

The Wines: The Eagles Nest 2007 South Coast Syrah and the Eagles Nest Estate Syrah

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Rhone Ranger, the 2007 Olson Ogden Unti Syrah

Date: Tue, Nov 10, 2009 Wine Tasting

Some call it Shiraz and others call it Syrah, but whatever you call it this is the Syrah you don't won't to miss out on! This is massive wine from the folks at Olson Ogden. if you are not familiar with Olson Ogden, this review represents a good opportunity to get acquainted.

Some times you wonder what's in a name, and in thinking about the label I wondered about how they came up with the name. In taking a peek at their website it appears Tim Olson has been a winemaker in Northern California for more than 21 years joined forces with John Ogden who manages the marketing, sales and business operations for Olson Ogden Wines and together they are Olson Ogden Wines.

Perhaps you are wondering what is their philosophy and approach to making wine? Well they state it this way; "Our primary goal is to produce balanced, complex and tasty wines that express the terroir and vintage from which they come. In order to make the best wines, we believe it must start with the best ingredients. And that starts in the vineyard. We prefer hillsides to valley floor, organic farming to agro-chemical approaches and we feel the most important variable in the equation is the attitude of the grower and their commitment to excellence. " In my view it is Mission accomplished!

Regarding the labels themselves I was surprised to see that each label is exactly the same size and shape with the same artwork. The only difference is the individual vineyard or AVA designation name on each bottle. There is no wine description or vineyard information on the back label. But since it appears most of the relevant info about wine can be found online it does not pose much of a problem, since most folks carry a PC in their pocket disguised as phone. The only concern I would be worried about is if I was working in a tasting room with nearly identical labels that I may end up giving someone the wrong wine. But from a cost aspect and the laborious labeling requirements this makes perfect sense and in the end is a positive thing for the consumer.

Why is this wine being tagged as a Rhone Ranger? While I was drinking this wine I think I could hear Hermitage calling? Okay really I just thought it was a catchy title, but I think it's important to point out where Syrah got its start. So if you're old pro in the wine world feel free to skip over this brief history and if you're new to wine please click on the links I have provided to give yourself a little more detail. Now according to the French Wine Guide, "The "Coteaux (slope) de l'Hermitage" dominates the small town of Tain l'Hermitage in the Rhône Valley. The first plantations date from the 10th century but it is under Louis the XIV that l'Hermitage obtains its credential letters... Hermitage was the favorite cru of the Tsar court in Russia.The red wines of Hermitage are generous and well balanced, strong aromas and a complete bouquet. Wines from Hermitage, France - Rhone tolerate aging very well and become smooth and mellow when they mature. So to it is with the Olson Ogden Unti Vineyards this wine has the stuffing to age and mature into even better wine than the one I sampled for this review.

The Wine: 2007 Olson Ogden Wines Unti Vineyard Syrah

First Swirl: Here is a wine that's opaque in color with thick legs that cling to the sides of the glass long after swirling the wine. In the glass this wine appears as ripe, fleshy with generous colored blackberry core, giving way to the cerise colored rim.

First Sniff: Just after pouring this wine and putting my nose to it there was a explosive perfumed bouquet which lept from the glass full of raspberry, blueberry, spice-cake, potpourri and anise, with a subtle mocha undertone. I thought to myself, wow this going to be awesome right from the moment cork popped to the very last drop, this wine was everything a Syrah should be and more. The nose knows!

First Sip: On the palate, where chewy cherry-cola and licorice qualities are complicated by notes of violet pastille and black cardamom. Large-scaled, fat and spicy, with strong finishing grip and supple tannins which linger on and on. In other words, this is a phat-wine with no pretense! A drink now and drink often rating of 93 points! If you can wait and cellar there will be an appreciable difference as this was just released this past summer.

Vineyards and Varietal Composition: These grapes were sourced from the Untis vineyard in the Dry Creek AVA of Sonoma. The Unti's began using bio-dynamic vineyard practices in 2004 and as a result has seen a shift in the wines personality! I would say it's this wine has a pretty sunny disposition. As far as I can tell this 100% Syrah.

Full Disclosure: In the interest of full-disclosure, this wine represents one of five samples sent to the Cuvée Corner Wine Blog for a review.

Alcohol and Ageing: This wine weighed in at 14.5% alcohol and glided effortlessly on my palate with no appreciable hotness. This wine was aged in 70% New French Oak 17 Months.

Where to Purchase and Price: This wine retails in most markets for about $38.00 and can be found in a few restaurants here in San Diego and a few select wine stores of which I could not find one that had a current selection. But of course this wine can be purchased directly from their website by clicking here Olson Ogden Wines which is located in in the Russian River Valley of Sonoma County. Just a note to those considering making a trek over to see them, they do not have a tasting room.

Other voices: On March 31, 2007 Wine Spectator gave the 2004 Olson Ogden Wines Unti Vineyard Syrah rated 93 points by Wine Spectator. Want More Info? Connoisseur's Wine Guide gave the 2006 Olson Ogden Wines Unti Vineyard Syrah given 91 points and 2 puffs by Connoisseur's Wine Guide. Need More Info? Do you see a trend? My palate says a hearty Amen to that question.

Enjoy the video below by their wine maker commenting on the best way to taste wine!

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Get your Super Tuscan here, 2004 Brancaia Ilatraia Maremma Toscana

Date: Wed, Nov 4, 2009 Wine Tasting

If you are not familiar with Brancaia, but you're in love
with Super Tuscans or maybe you just want to become more familiar with wines that have this moniker, then this is a great wine to get a hold of, one thing I can promise you won't be disappointed.
If your new to wine and are looking around your favorite wine store for a "Super-Tuscan" and maybe you don't want to look foolish and you're wondering why there is no ST section, well here's a few tips which may help. While you are in the Italy section of the store, just take a gander at the back of the bottle where you should find in small print, IGT (Indicazione Geografica Tipica) this is one clue that you have a ST in your hand. The second clue is when you see an I.G.T. wine selling at $50.00 you have a pretty good idea it is a ST, but sorry, no guarantees. The third clue in my opinion is the varietal make-up should at least feature a large percentage of Sangiovese or you just have an American styled Meritage.

As you can see my hand was a little shaky taking this picture table side, with no flash. The wine service was a little unusual also, as the waiter came to the table to show us the wine, then turned to the table behind us to uncork the bottle and then sniffed the cork. Then returned to pour the glass, for my first evaluation to see if I agreed with his assessment he derived from the cork, curious.

Vino da Tavola use to be the catch-all category for everyday wines until the super-Tuscan revolution hit Chianti and Maremma. The creation of I.G.T. was made necessary by the inadequacies of the D.O.C. regulations and by the widespread revolt against them by many famous and politically powerful wine producers, when in doubt just follow the money!

Brancaia, located in the Tuscan Maremma, is made up of two estates, Brancia and Poppi, that have been owned by Barbara and Martin Kronenberg-Widmer since 1981. Their consulting oenologist Carlo Ferrini oversees winemaking at Brancaia, which also owns vineyards in the Chianti Classico and Morellino di Scansano zones.

The Wine: 2004 Brancaia Ilatraia Maremma Toscana IGT (Italy, Tuscany ...

Varietal: It's what they call a Proprietary Blend, meaning this wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (60%), Sangiovese (30%) and Petit Verdot (10%).

Wine Makers Note: The 2004 shows a very pretty Maremma warmth in its expression of sweet dark fruit, herb, tobacco and earthiness, with good length and excellent overall balance.

Aging: It spent 18 months in French oak and bottle-aged another 4 months before its release. This wine can be cellared until 2016, but you probably can't wait that long as this wine is drinking fantastically right now.

Soil Type: The 60 acres of vineyards are stony with clay and lime soil.

Price and Alcohol: Ranges in price from $49 - $64.99 depending on where you shop and the alcohol percentage of fourteen does not scare up any appreciable "hotness". It has the a perfect level of alcohol on the nose for my liking. It should technically be labeled a table wine, because the phrase "table wine" in the US is a legal designation set by the government to denote all wines of less than 14.5% alcohol of which this wines just falls short.

First Swirl: The waiter put the freshly poured glass on the table and I tilted it ever so slightly to the side against the bright-white table cloth, which revealed a deep garnet core fading to a brick toned rim.

First Sniff: This wine had tremendously fragrant and complex nose: A veritable bramble bush of dark fruit aromas on the initial whiff that transitions into cherry, strawberry, flowers, ginger, and cinnamon.

First Sip: While dining at this lovely Italian restaurant, we sipped on this lovely wine with a very fruity and nuanced mouth feel, co-mingling nicely with a tangy spiciness and sweet dark fruit, spice and earth tones. The finish was long and lasting, blending ever so nicely with our meal.

Other Voices: The 2005 92 points: "Aromas of blackberry and mineral, with hints of fresh herbs. Full-bodied, with soft tannins and a long, caressing finish. Balanced and pretty. Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese and Petit Verdot. Best after 2009. 2,750 cases made." Wine Spectator Rating: The Wine Advocate gave this wine a mere 88 points, which is a crime! Easily 92 points in my book! From WS, James suckling's Recommended Wines FRom Tuscany include the 2007 Brancaia Ilatraia Maremma Toscana with a whopping 96 points.

My Recommendation: I would grab some of the 2007 if you can and also some of the 2004 vintage which is still available. This is one of the best examples of Super Tuscan you are going to find under a $100 dollars anywhere. So if you want to see what all the fuss is about, just use the wine-searcher link on my page to right on your screeen and type in the name, it will give the name of all the shops or online stores who stock this wine, along with the prices. So this is another of my "run don't walk" recommendations. Until next time stay thirsty my friends! Cheers!

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