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Thanksgiving Wine

Date: Tue, Nov 24, 2009 Wine Tasting

Thanks to the Wine School of Philadelphia for the following wine recommendations:

First of all, you will probably need a bottle for those friends/family who don't drink wine. Instead of getting them a bottle of white zin, grab a bottle of St. Supery's Moscato (about $12). Its just sweet enough for them, but still complex and balanced enough to enjoy. Its actually quite good with cranberry sauce.

For a white wine, you could go with Pieropan's Soave Classico ($13). Its stylish and crisp with just enough lush peach to work with some of those freaky yam dishes ya'll will be eating. Another idea would be to go with the Gloria Ferrer Blanc de Blanc ($15); this is a fun little champagne wannabe with a touch of almond and pear on the nose.

For a red, I tend to go with the drench-it-all-with-a-fruit-bomb approach. It's especially effective if you have a family like mine (I am never sure what is worse, Aunt Sarah's Suet-and-Kidney Pie or her husband's drunken advances.)

With that in mind, go for the Bleasdale "Bremerview" Shiraz ($12). A great dose of over-the-top fruit that totters between luxury and trashy. It's also about 15% alcohol, which always makes the holidays more... interesting.

If you want honest-to-goodness class, then get a few bottles of Chateau Coufran Haut Medoc ($13). It's the best bottle of left bank Bordeaux available under twenty bucks, and my current favorite anyday wine.

If the pumpkin pie ain't enough for you, then you should have a
bottle of Dutschke The Tokay ($12 for a half bottle), too. Imagine a bottle of maple syrup and a vintage port had a love child.

Read Full Wine Blog Post

Thanksgiving Wine

Date: Tue, Nov 24, 2009 Wine Tasting

Thanks to the Wine School of Philadelphia for the following wine recommendations:

First of all, you will probably need a bottle for those friends/family who don't drink wine. Instead of getting them a bottle of white zin, grab a bottle of St. Supery's Moscato (about $12). Its just sweet enough for them, but still complex and balanced enough to enjoy. Its actually quite good with cranberry sauce.

For a white wine, you could go with Pieropan's Soave Classico ($13). Its stylish and crisp with just enough lush peach to work with some of those freaky yam dishes ya'll will be eating. Another idea would be to go with the Gloria Ferrer Blanc de Blanc ($15); this is a fun little champagne wannabe with a touch of almond and pear on the nose.

For a red, I tend to go with the drench-it-all-with-a-fruit-bomb approach. It's especially effective if you have a family like mine (I am never sure what is worse, Aunt Sarah's Suet-and-Kidney Pie or her husband's drunken advances.)

With that in mind, go for the Bleasdale "Bremerview" Shiraz ($12). A great dose of over-the-top fruit that totters between luxury and trashy. It's also about 15% alcohol, which always makes the holidays more... interesting.

If you want honest-to-goodness class, then get a few bottles of Chateau Coufran Haut Medoc ($13). It's the best bottle of left bank Bordeaux available under twenty bucks, and my current favorite anyday wine.

If the pumpkin pie ain't enough for you, then you should have a
bottle of Dutschke The Tokay ($12 for a half bottle), too. Imagine a bottle of maple syrup and a vintage port had a love child.

Read Full Wine Blog Post

Recession Hits the Grape Market

Date: Thu, Nov 5, 2009 Wine Tasting

A silver lining to the recession, likely a very good year for affordable, quality wine in the 2009 vintage.

Grape Glut Could Benefit Consumers
Nov. 4, 2009, courtesy of Marketwatch.com
The recession is hitting grape farmers hard in California wine country, where the spot market for grapes has virtually disappeared. That may be good news for consumers. Stacey Delo reports: View Video Here

Read Full Wine Blog Post

Recession Hits the Grape Market

Date: Thu, Nov 5, 2009 Wine Tasting

A silver lining to the recession, likely a very good year for affordable, quality wine in the 2009 vintage.

Grape Glut Could Benefit Consumers
Nov. 4, 2009, courtesy of Marketwatch.com
The recession is hitting grape farmers hard in California wine country, where the spot market for grapes has virtually disappeared. That may be good news for consumers. Stacey Delo reports: View Video Here

Read Full Wine Blog Post

Bottle Shock the Movie

Date: Wed, Nov 4, 2009 Wine Tasting

Late Fall is approaching with the sun setting around 5pm, perfect for wine and a movie night! And what better combination than Bottle Shock the movie and a VERY nice bottle of wine? Bottle Shock is the loosely based story of the Judgment of Paris widely considered the year California wine arrived on the world scene. Click the link above for my April 2008 post on this exciting event!

If you're looking to splurge on a stunningly complex Spanish wine, I highly recommend the Clio 2006 from Jumilla. It had a finish that went on for days... Unfortunately I cannot recommend Bottle Shock though. Apart from the beautiful panorama's of Napa, it was a sappy love story sandwiched between 15 minutes of content about the actual event. It had its moments, but overall I'd like that hour and half of my day back.

Cheers!

Read Full Wine Blog Post

Bottle Shock the Movie

Date: Wed, Nov 4, 2009 Wine Tasting

Late Fall is approaching with the sun setting around 5pm, perfect for wine and a movie night! And what better combination than Bottle Shock the movie and a VERY nice bottle of wine? Bottle Shock is the loosely based story of the Judgment of Paris widely considered the year California wine arrived on the world scene. Click the link above for my April 2008 post on this exciting event!

If you're looking to splurge on a stunningly complex Spanish wine, I highly recommend the Clio 2006 from Jumilla. It had a finish that went on for days... Unfortunately I cannot recommend Bottle Shock though. Apart from the beautiful panorama's of Napa, it was a sappy love story sandwiched between 15 minutes of content about the actual event. It had its moments, but overall I'd like that hour and half of my day back.

Cheers!

Read Full Wine Blog Post

Kissing Frogs

Date: Mon, Oct 12, 2009 Wine Tasting

When you run an affordable wine blog, you inevitably kiss a lot of frogs, or in this case very bad wine. My last wine store outing I bought a case, looking wines worthy to post. Out of 12 bottles, there was only one winner, the Luzon. Check back often, when I do post a wine, it's definitely worth the wait... Perhaps I can turn some of the duds into gourmet red wine vinegar for Christmas...


Cheers.

Read Full Wine Blog Post

Kissing Frogs

Date: Mon, Oct 12, 2009 Wine Tasting

When you run an affordable wine blog, you inevitably kiss a lot of frogs, or in this case very bad wine. My last wine store outing I bought a case, looking wines worthy to post. Out of 12 bottles, there was only one winner, the Luzon. Check back often, when I do post a wine, it's definitely worth the wait... Perhaps I can turn some of the duds into gourmet red wine vinegar for Christmas...


Cheers.

Read Full Wine Blog Post

Bodegas Luzon 2008, Syrah/Monastrell, $6!

Date: Sun, Sep 13, 2009 Wine Tasting

Fall is here...and for me, that means the return of dense nummy RED's! Choking back a 15% Shiraz in 90 degree heat is not easy. With evenings in the Northeast reaching the low 60's however, you'll find it much easier to enjoy this little gem.

The 2008 Luzon is a blend of Syrah and Monastrell. I had the wine in two different sittings several days apart, and to continued to surprise me. In addition to the black cherry and plum fruits, I also got hints of chocolate and orange marmalade. At $6 a bottle, this is an absolute steal and further solidifies Spain as an affordable (quality) wine Mecca.

Cheers!

Read Full Wine Blog Post

Bodegas Luzon 2008, Syrah/Monastrell, $6!

Date: Sun, Sep 13, 2009 Wine Tasting

Fall is here...and for me, that means the return of dense nummy RED's! Choking back a 15% Shiraz in 90 degree heat is not easy. With evenings in the Northeast reaching the low 60's however, you'll find it much easier to enjoy this little gem.

The 2008 Luzon is a blend of Syrah and Monastrell. I had the wine in two different sittings several days apart, and to continued to surprise me. In addition to the black cherry and plum fruits, I also got hints of chocolate and orange marmalade. At $6 a bottle, this is an absolute steal and further solidifies Spain as an affordable (quality) wine Mecca.

Cheers!

Read Full Wine Blog Post

Wine Service

Date: Sun, Aug 16, 2009 Wine Tasting

I infrequently order a bottle of wine during dinner, mostly because of the bloated cost. If you do splurge wine "service" is standard with most bottles, so what should you expect? The service can be a little intimidating if you have no idea what the Server is doing. Simply follow the (quick) steps below and you'll look like a seasoned pro:

1. The server will show you the bottle. This is to ensure the bottle you ordered is the bottle being served.
2. The server will use an auger and uncork the wine. Typically the cork is given to you for inspection. Look to see if the cork is dried or cracked as this might indicate a problem.
3. The server will pour you a small amount. Placing your glass firmly on the table, check the color, give the wine a swirl, then lift and inhale deeply. Again, you're essentially looking for any problems with the wine.
4. Give it a quick tipple, the final litmus test of taste.
5. If it looks good, smells good and tastes good...it's good!
6. The server will then fill your glass and others at your table.

Again, very simple, the whole process shouldn't last more than a few minutes.

Cheers!

Read Full Wine Blog Post

Wine Service

Date: Sun, Aug 16, 2009 Wine Tasting

I infrequently order a bottle of wine during dinner, mostly because of the bloated cost. If you do splurge wine "service" is standard with most bottles, so what should you expect? The service can be a little intimidating if you have no idea what the Server is doing. Simply follow the (quick) steps below and you'll look like a seasoned pro:

1. The server will show you the bottle. This is to ensure the bottle you ordered is the bottle being served.
2. The server will use an auger and uncork the wine. Typically the cork is given to you for inspection. Look to see if the cork is dried or cracked as this might indicate a problem.
3. The server will pour you a small amount. Placing your glass firmly on the table, check the color, give the wine a swirl, then lift and inhale deeply. Again, you're essentially looking for any problems with the wine.
4. Give it a quick tipple, the final litmus test of taste.
5. If it looks good, smells good and tastes good...it's good!
6. The server will then fill your glass and others at your table.

Again, very simple, the whole process shouldn't last more than a few minutes.

Cheers!

Read Full Wine Blog Post

Turkey Flat Rose 2008, $15 Summer Goodness

Date: Thu, Jul 30, 2009 Wine Tasting

I was introduced to Turkey Flat by a local wine store named Corkscrewed. I thought the name was pretty clever!


Every year the Turkey Flat Rose changes in complexity by the varying percentage of grapes used. Turkey Flat uses all of the following grapes: Grenache, Shiraz, Cabernet and Dolcetto. The result is a beautifully flushed wine, of which 2008 came in a little dry. The 2006 was a little sweeter, but I still enjoyed the 2008 thoroughly and look forward to what 2009 will bring. Stock up on this perennial favorite for your next pic-nic or BBQ, you won't be disappointed.

How does a Rose get it's pink color you ask? Rose's use both white and red grapes, but the red grape skins are left in for a short time before being removed. A longer steep yields a darker pink, a shorter steep, a lighter pink. Vwalla!

Cheers!

Read Full Wine Blog Post

Turkey Flat Rose 2008, $15 Summer Goodness

Date: Thu, Jul 30, 2009 Wine Tasting

I was introduced to Turkey Flat by a local wine store named Corkscrewed. I thought the name was pretty clever!


Every year the Turkey Flat Rose changes in complexity by the varying percentage of grapes used. Turkey Flat uses all of the following grapes: Grenache, Shiraz, Cabernet and Dolcetto. The result is a beautifully flushed wine, of which 2008 came in a little dry. The 2006 was a little sweeter, but I still enjoyed the 2008 thoroughly and look forward to what 2009 will bring. Stock up on this perennial favorite for your next pic-nic or BBQ, you won't be disappointed.

How does a Rose get it's pink color you ask? Rose's use both white and red grapes, but the red grape skins are left in for a short time before being removed. A longer steep yields a darker pink, a shorter steep, a lighter pink. Vwalla!

Cheers!

Read Full Wine Blog Post


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