Alta Vista Terroir Selection Malbec 2007

Date: Fri, Jul 20, 2012 Wine Business

photo by Shirley

I've recently posted a review of an Argentina Syrah, so I decided to finish up my Argentina wines and open a Malbec I recently received for review, The Alta Vista Terroir Selection Malbec 2007.($25)
The d'Aulan family produces wines in several wine-growing regions around the world, from France - the country of origin - to Hungary and Argentina, where they created Alta Vista in 1998, in the search of the greatest qualities of two emblematic varieties: Malbec and the Argentinian white grape,Torrontés. The result is the perfect combination of French savoir faire and Argentinean passion.
After a few years of tasting both red and white wines from Argentina, I am very rapidly becoming a fan.
Nice red garnet color with aromas of blackberry, a little chocolate, a little plum with flavors of mocha and blackberry filling the mouth. The finish was a little tart and medium long. Paired very nicely with grilled chicken kabobs. Highly recommended. Best price can be found on-line at Winechateau.com.

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At Last, My Summer Rieslings

Date: Wed, Jul 18, 2012 Wine Business

Now my summer is finally getting started. Tonight I opened my first two 2011 Finger Lakes Rieslings. Early in the evening we opened a 2011 dry Riesling from Ravines Wine Cellars($15) on Keuka Lake. This was tasted with chicken quesadillas loaded with lots of cheese and jalapeno peppers.

Color on the Ravines was a little darker than what I usually see on these wines, but still very bright and very aromatic. Aroma at first was a little heavy on the mineral, but in a very short time in the glass that changed. Lots of lemon and floral (orange blossom) on the nose with some slate. The palate was all lemon, a very refreshing lemon with some honey notes. A medium finish with citrus and honey. A very typical Finger Lakes Riesling. A very nice wine, but at best, just very good, not great. I think that many times I just want more from every Finger Lakes Riesling I taste and many times that does happen.
After finishing the first wine, I was looking for something that might meet my expectations, so I uncorked another 2011 dry Riesling from Dr Konstantin Frank Vinifera Wine Cellars.($13) Hey Bono, I found what I was looking for.
A very bright color of pale yellow with a green hue and very Finger Lakes like aromas of lemon, tangerine, honeysuckle and slate. Nice acid with lots of lemon, some lime with hints of pineapple in the mouth. Enjoyed how this wine felt in the mouth with a little taste of honey. This is why Finger Lakes Rieslings are now getting the world wide respect that they deserve. Finish could have been a little longer, but the orange, lime and honey was so damn delicious it was not an issue. I had to nibble on a few bites of cheese while finishing this Riesling. First a smokey Gouda, which was very nice, then a favorite Champagne Cheddar from Yancey's Fancy Cheese which also paired very nicely.
I have a few more '11 Rieslings in the fridge and can't wait to open. How did I miss the start of summer until now? I guess I'll just have to make up for time lost. Poor me!!!

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Hayes Ranch "In The Saddle" Cabernet Sauvignon 2007

Date: Sun, Sep 19, 2010 Wine Business

I don't know about anyone else, but when I am wine shopping, I seem to always avoid buying wines with a ridiculously low price. I also seem to get caught tasting an inexpensive wine, pleased with what I tasted, buy a bottle, take it home and open to find something just short of crappy grape juice. But, I keep doing it and keep failing most of the time.
In mid-July I ventured out on my first wine buying shopping spree since my by pass surgery five weeks earlier. As soon as I stepped into one of my favorite shops I was greeted by an employee behind a table with about 50 cases of an inexpensive Hayes Ranch California Cabernet Sauvignon stacked behind him. Only $7 and a metal twist off cap for a California Cab. Exactly what I was looking for. Right!!! Like always though I stopped at the table, sniffed, swirled and sipped and, being a nice guy, I bought. When I got home, I put the Cab in the wine fridge and simply forgot about it, until this week when I was looking for something just to sip on for a few hours after work. So, I took out the Hayes Ranch 'In The Saddle' 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, got my corkscrew and "oh no it's a twist off." Crap!!!, untwisted and poured.
The aromas were not those of a $7 Cab/Sauv. There were red berries, some cherry, a little oak and some vanilla. A nice balanced mouth full of the berries, cherry and vanilla with just a little spice. The finish was a little short, but for just sipping while catching up on the e-mails it was great.
I have had many nice wines under $10, but rarely, if ever, a Cabernet Sauvignon. There are probably a lot of gems out there and I was probably looking in all the wrong places, but that is one of joys of being a wino, finding nice wines at great prices.
Having pizza and looking for a good cheap wine, I highly recommend the Hayes Ranch "In The Saddle" Cabernet Sauvignon 2007.

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2010 Harvest Begins in Champagne

Date: Mon, Sep 13, 2010 Wine Business

The official 2010 Champagne harvest season begins on September 13th. All grapes will be harvested by hand, according to traditional practices, to select the highest quality grapes.“Due to a frost that we had earlier in 2010, the development of the grapes was slightly delayed this year,” remarked Champagne Bureau Director Sonia Smith. “Harvests are two to four days behind last year, except one village which began on September 10th. Yet the unseasonably warm and sunny weather in July allowed the grapes to mature quickly. All in all, it is looking to be a promising harvest this year, once again creating a marvelous wine that can only be produced in one place – Champagne, France.”


There are many sparkling wines produced around the world, but the Champagne name can only be used on a label if the grapes and the wines produced, under strict controls, in the French region that bears the name Champagne.

The Comité Interprofessionnel du Vin de Champagne (CIVC) set the harvest limit at 10,500 kilos of grapes per hectare, slightly higher than the 2009 limit of 9,700 kilos per hectare. “Since yields are fixed at 10,500 kilos per hectare, and vines are producing 14,000 kilos on average, we will have scrupulous selections to ensure a high quality vintage,” said Daniel Lorson, spokesman for the CIVC.

The Champagne region has been producing wine since the Roman era, but only in the traditional Champenoise method for three hundred years. In the eighteenth century, Champagne houses began the harvest traditions which live on today. Each year, grape-pickers come to Champagne to pick grapes by hand, as machines are not allowed for harvesting. The Champagne region’s climate, chalky soil, strict regulations and long history of winemaking combine to produce a sparkling wine that can only be produced in one place: Champagne.

As part of its new “Unmask the Truth” advertising campaign, the Champagne Bureau has launched a petition to end mislabeling in the United States. To support Truth-in-Labeling, Visit the page at: http://Petition.Champagne.us
The petition is part of the Joint Declaration to Protect Wine Place Names & Origin, a coalition of 15 wine regions from around the world committed to educating the public about the importance of place names. Champagne is a founding signatory and is joined by seven U.S. regions - Napa Valley, Sonoma County, Paso Robles, Oregon, Walla Walla Valley, Washington and Long Island – and seven other international regions - Porto, Jerez, Chianti Classico, Tokaj, Victoria, Western Australia and Rioja.
This release can be viewed online at: http://bit.ly/bUoK6a

For more information, please contact Shira Levy at 202-777-3516 or slevy@clsdc.com.
About the Champagne Bureau
The Champagne Bureau is the official U.S. representative of the Comité Interprofessionnel du Vin de Champagne (CIVC), a trade association which represents the grape growers and houses of Champagne, France. The Bureau works to educate U.S. consumers about the uniqueness of the wines of Champagne and expand their understanding of the need to protect the Champagne name. For more information, visit us online at www.champagne.us. Follow us on Twitter at ChampagneBureau.

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Shiraz, Cal vs. Oz

Date: Tue, Sep 7, 2010 Wine Business

Tonight I had to choose a wine for some fried Turkey burgers and an Arugula salad. I am not fond of Arugula, so I wanted something full bodied and found two Shiraz in the wine fridge. One a Piping Shrike Shiraz 2006 from Australia and a Concannon Shiraz 2007 from California. I decided to open up both and have my own little battle of the Shiraz.
My first pour was the Concannon and right off the bat I had the feeling that Australia was going to win. Color was dark garnet and bright. Aromas of leather and leather and leather and not much else filled the glass. In the mouth, some dark cherry and a little vanilla led to a long peppery finish. The turkey was not a very good pairing, but this wine may do well with a hearty beef stew or maybe a pork roast. You can probably find under $10 and that is a good value for Concannon Shiraz.
Loved the very dark purple color, for what that matters, on the Piping Shrike Shiraz. The aromas were even better. Lots of blackberry, blueberry and little pine tree or more like yews greeted the nose. In the mouth there was some dark cherry with some spice and pepper on the sides. The finish was smooth and long. I enjoyed this much more with the turkey burgers, but still not a good choice for dinner. Would have liked a lot more with a Black Angus beef burger. Price was a little higher at $14, but still a much better value.
I'd like to root for the USA, but in this battle, a hands down win for the Aussies.
I'd like to do this again, but need your suggestions. Got two wines you think should meet on the battlefield, let me know and I'll be glad to wage the fight.

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Renzo Masi Chianti Riserva 2007 and Recipe From Shirley

Date: Sun, Sep 5, 2010 Wine Business

I've been getting a few comments on the blog and from friends at work about Shirley's recipes, so when I can I will add the recipe to the blog post along with a review of the wine used in the recipe. Also planning to add a recipe page and post recipes from my readers. Only rule will be that the recipe be original and it must use wine. (no cooking wine)
One of the things Shirley is good at is using leftovers and anything she finds in the fridge or pantry to put together a fantastic meal. Well, most times anyway. There are failures, but you won't see them here.
This one was done in 30 min. on Saturday morning because I was mandatoried to work and had nothing ready to take for my 7 p.m. lunch. The wine used was a Renzo Masi Chianti Riserva 2007. ($14)
I just recently purchased this Chianti, because I have had it before and knew it was a great value at the $14 price. For the recipe it was terrific, but I did find it a little light on aromas and on the palate. Not what I remembered from the 2004 I tasted. Not that it was that bad, it was just disappointing. There were aromas of blackberry and some dark cherry with a little toasted oak and smoke. It was more dark cherry and tobacco in the mouth and the finish was very dry and lingering. It did pair fairly well with the sauce, but I kept thinking how well a nice Chardonnay would be and how the flavor of the sauce might be if Chardonnay was used. But that is Shirley's realm and I try not to interfere, but the suggestion was made and she may try the Chard next time. Then again, why mess too much with something that comes out this good. Now for Shirley's first posted recipe, but first her cooking rules.

Shirley's Kitchen Rules:
No table salt is used in my recipes. (Not even in water for noodles and pasta)
Most of these recipes can be made with chicken or beef. (I don’t eat beef)
Most of my recipes I concoct with what I find in my refrigerator.
The majority of my recipes are Mediterranean in nature, although I will try any cuisine.
I very seldom use measures because taste is subjective and you can add or subtract any amount of ingredients in my recipes according to your taste.
If you absolutely need to know amounts, email Joe and I will try to give you measurements.
Joe and I disagree, but I use wine in my recipes that I will drink with my dinner. I don’t care if it’s an expensive bottle. If a cheap wine does not taste quite good enough, why would I add it to my dish and ruin my cooking? The flavor of the wine will come through the cooking.

After Heatwave Chicken Mushroom Dish
After the last heatwave of the summer, a good dish of comfort food is just what the body needs to rejuvenate the appetite.

Ingredients:
Extra virgin olive oil
Red onion, finely chopped
Garlic, finely chopped
Button mushrooms, sliced
Baby Bella mushrooms, sliced
Chicken breast, halved(see recipe directions)
Coating mixture, equal parts of breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese and flour
Noodles (I use 'no egg yolk' noodles)
Chicken stock or 'no salt' bouillon
Wine
Canned tomatoes, gently rinsed
Fresh basil
Directions:
Saute the onion, garlic and mushrooms in olive oil.
Cut three boneless,skinless chicken breasts lengthwise. (Hold the breast on edge and cut like a bagel so you end up with flat pieces. It takes a little time to do, but the portions are right for a single serving and the chicken cooks quicker.)
Dredge the sliced chicken in the coating mixture.
Add to pan and brown over medium heat.
Start water boiling and cook the noodles.
When both sides of chicken are a nice crusty brown, add enough wine and chicken bouillon or chicken stock to make a gravy.
Add tomatoes and a handful of whole leaf basil.
Bruise the leaves in the pan. This will also squash the tomatoes.
Gently boil until tomatoes are melted and juice is thick enough to be a gravy.
Remove the wilted basil and add noodles.
Just before serving, add some fresh cut minced basil.
Buon Appetito

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Don Miguel Gascon Malbec 2009

Date: Wed, Sep 1, 2010 Wine Business

In certain times, certain wines become a fad. I remember when I started enjoying wines that Cabernet Sauvignon was "thee wine to have." Later it was Chianti, then Merlot and Syrah and now entering the picture is Malbec. In a very short period of time, Argentina has taken this French grape and has begun to produce some of the most incredible tasting wines to ever be produced in South America. Most are priced under $15 and many delicious Malbecs are under $10.
Today, I am finishing a Don Miguel Gascon Malbec 2009 that I recently found for $11 at a local wine shop.
Today, the wines of Don Miguel Gascón are crafted in the City of Mendoza at the same winery that was built by the Spanish visionary whose name bears it. Begun in 1884, the winery is an historic landmark in the history of Argentine winemaking, yet it houses some of the most advanced winemaking technology in the world.
During the 1940’s, the Gascón family bottled Argentina’s first 100 percent varietal Malbec. Now, Ernesto Catena, a fourth generation winemaker, has brought the wines of Bodegas Escorihuela Gascón to high status in Argentina, and to prominence with critics and connoisseurs throughout the world.
For that price this wine is incredible. I have had this wine before, but I can't remember it being this good.
Aromas were lite, but filled with blackberry, dark cherry, plum and some damp soil with a little hint of pepper. Blackberry, some cherry with pepper and mocha led to a dry smooth, not overly long finish.
We opened this wine on the patio with BBQ chicken, hot dogs for Pam and Shirley grilled herself an Italian chicken sausage. We all loved the wine. Like a good Chianti this a wine excellent with any food and also excellent for sipping afterwards.

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Wine Shopping Before Work

Date: Mon, Aug 30, 2010 Wine Business

Just enjoyed a fantastic last week of an 11 week summer vacation. Of course three of the weeks were a little bit less than enjoyable, but it did end on a great day of wine shopping at a few shops that I have never been to before.
One, a small village shop with one of the best selections of Italian, German, Australian and California wines that I have seen locally. Many were labels I have never seen other than the premier shops in New York City. They did have everything from a Tenuto San Guido Sassicaia at $250 to a few $9 Chiantis from Italy on the shelves and today at Shirley's request I was shopping for Italian wines. One drawback was the distance traveled to find this shop and another was their pricing.
The second was a recently purchased wine and spirits warehouse with a very large selection of wines, especially the largest selection of Finger Lakes wine I've seen in any shop. Pricing is the lowest I have seen locally. Now I have to figure out if the 20% case discount I get at my favorite warehouse will beat their everyday low pricing.
I did manage to bring home a case of Italian wines. Well not a full case of Italian, there were some Argentina Malbecs thrown in. Opened two so far. An Italian Primivito $17 and an Argentinian Malbec $11. Both were extraordinarily good and reviews will be coming. May have to do away with my once a week pick and do both. May have to do the entire case if all are this good. That will be fun. Now to physche myself up for tomorrow's return to work. Oh well, shit happens.

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Damiani Wine Cellars Meritage 2008

Date: Sat, Aug 21, 2010 Wine Business

Last year I reviewed the Damiani Wine Cellars '07 Meritage and later picked that wine in a poll to win top honors at the New York Wine and Food Classics's annual competition. The Governors Cup was won by an outstanding Riesling, but the Damiani Meritage won double gold medals for the best vinifera red blend. So, when I found the 2008 Meritage at the recent Finger Lakes Riesling Festival I couldn't wait to get a bottle home and at least compare against my notes from last year. What I found was somewhat nicer, at little more fruit, but not much difference. Aromas were still black cherry, some tobacco with some added dark plum and hints of new leather. In the mouth were lots of cherry and plum with a spicy and peppery feel on the sides. The finish was very long, dry, with some pepper and anise.
This wine went very well with grilled turkey burgers covered with salsa and a tomato, cucumber and mozzarella salad with oil and vinegar. Although I enjoyed a glass after dinner, I believe the wine is meant to be enjoyed more with food. Tonight with some left over BBQ chicken the wine was delightful. I did save 1/2 glass for a night cap though.
If you order from the winery, their website is still showing the 2007, so you may want to call your order in at 607-546-5557. The price should be the same at $20. Ask for Amy and tell her Why Wine Blog sent you.

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SH*T: Back to Work

Date: Thu, Aug 19, 2010 Wine Business

Yesterday I received the news I have been dreading for the past month. My Cardiologist says I can return to work before Labor Day (Sept 6). I was just getting use to my time off and was even accomplishing, to Shirley's surprise, getting some task done around the house. I have also convinced myself that my problems were entirely do to work related stress. If you know my boss you would all agree jelly donuts, chips, pizza and ice cream had nothing to do with it.
I did begin to dwell on everything that I have accomplished since the surgery. Not really much, so this post won't be too long, but I thought it was worth posting.
First, was finishing some never read wine books that I have been collecting. Some were a little informative and some became down right interesting. The best of the lot were The Wine Bible by Karen MacNeil and Essential WineTasting by Michael Schuster.
The Wine Bible was the first wine publication I ever bought. I have used it as a reference guide, but never read the book cover to cover. The first half of the book is loaded with information about what wine is and how wine is made. The second half was all about wines from around the world and how to understand the viniculture and the labeling. I'm still confused on the French labels though, but I am still working on understanding or more like remembering their meaning. I would do a review or "book report" on this one, but I still owe all eight required reports from High School and don't want to piss off any of my HS English teachers that may still be alive. I would though recommend The Wine Bible to anyone interested in learning everything about wine.
Another book of interest was Essential WineTasting. Nice, but sometimes disappointing to find out all I have been doing wrong when tasting wine. This book is the complete practical winetasting course. A detailed course that is clear enough for beginners, yet comprehensive enough for more experienced tasters. After reading, I placed myself in with the beginners as I explored every major grape variety and how its wines differ around the world. It also gives a series of nine practical tastings which illustrate the key differences in wine styles, flavors and quality. Now I just have to train the nose in the many aromas presented by all these wines.
I also spent many hours fooling around with the blog. Different schemes, layouts, backgounds and colors over a two week period until I found something Shirley and I both agreed on. I have come to the conclusion that the look of the blog will always be a work in progress. I also enjoy doing this on my own and not paying a site developer to give me something I would want to change in the near future. Maybe, someday I will take an adult education course on understanding computers and produce an awarding winning blog all on my own.
Finally, after Doc's OK, I started to open many of the wines I have been hoarding, understood what the label said and swirled, sniffed and savored like a pro. Alright, at least I felt like a pro, but an amateur I'll always be.
Now, if any of you actually made it through this article, please comment and let me know about the new look of the blog. Shirley and I still feud about the color and I'm not sure of the new pages. Next week, back to the day job and hopefully a new review.
Cheers

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Rain, Rain, Go Away

Date: Tue, Aug 17, 2010 Wine Business

This past weekend Shirley and I took a trip to Canandaigua to attend the second annual Finger Lakes Wine Festival. I don't know why, but it seems every time we travel to the Rochester area, except for wine tours, we run into torrential down pours. Sunday was no exception.
In less than five minutes of walking from our car to the first tent, our clothes were soaked right through. It did give us some time for Shirley to picked up some jams and canned pickles from the various vendors. The wine tent was a welcome sight as we approached. It was a large tent and crowded with what I thought were wet souls trying to keep dry. However, that was really not the case.
Entering the tent, I spotted Amy Cheatle pouring at the Damiani Wine Cellars table and decided to start there.
It felt nice not to be rained on, but that side of the wine tent was one massive puddle of water. Now, not only were my clothes soaked, so were my feet. Ankle deep water from one end to the other kept the sneakers full of water for the rest of day. Needless to say it was cold, I was tasting a lot of wine, so I did have to pee alot and the restrooms were not close by and that meant I just kept getting wetter.
Now some observations about the day and the festival.
Other than the weather, the day proved to be worth the trip. It would have been nice to walk around the downtown area and visit some of the shops. Shirley and I both discussed maybe coming back on a sunny weekend to visit the area and do a wine tour. Although the crowd was small, the location on the lake was fantastic and the festival seemed well organized. Although Mother Nature kept the party wet, spirits were not dampened by the festival staff, the vendors, the wineries or the visitors and the wine was great, after all, it was Finger Lakes Rieslings.
I did find that the recently released 09's were not quite on the same level as the 08's. Nice but lacking some of the fruit and not quite as well balanced. They weren't bad, but you have to remember how good the 08's were. There were still plenty of good ones to bring home. Among the best were the Swedish Hill dry Riesling and the '07 Heron Hill Ingle Vineyard Riesling. I also brought home two very interesting wines.
The first was an oaked Riesling from Casa Larga Vineyards and a Riesling-Traminette from the Fulkerson Winery. Along with the Rieslings I did bring home a very good '08 Meritage from Damiani. I think Amy knew I was coming. She knows how much I enjoyed the '07 Meritage and this one may beat that.
Next year, the Lord willing, we'll be back. We did pass many nice looking B & B's, so maybe we'll do the entire weekend and we'll make it into a wine tour, then maybe, just maybe, the rain will stay away.

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Fontana Candida Frascati Superiore 2008

Date: Fri, Aug 13, 2010 Wine Business

Getting time to clean out the old wine fridge. After two months of laying around, drinking coffee, tea, water and gatorade and laying off the good stuff I am beginning to feel the need for a long day of wine shopping, but the fridge is full and I will just have to do my part in making room for more.
Shirley keeps doing her part by challenging me to come up with a pairing for some of her weird dinner experiments.
Tonight was a ground turkey recipe with lots of spices overpowered with fresh ginger wrapped in fresh lettuce leafs. I would have pulled out a nice Gewurztraminer if I had one, but settled for a Fontana Candida Frascati Superiore DOC 2008. $10

*Disclaimer: I received this wine as a sample from the PR folks representing the brand.
**Winemakers notes:

In the hills near Rome are areas of volcanic soil over 2000 years old. Here the grapes for Frascati are grown. Frascati has a delicate bouquet of wildflowers and fruit. Its characteristic taste is fresh and distinctive, with just a hint of almond. To enjoy Fontana Candida Frascati to its fullest, serve slightly chilled (55 degrees) to heighten the fruit and the wine’s crispness, Fontana Candida Frascati is a delightful complement to seafood, poultry and other light entrees.
Grapes: 50% Malvasia Bianca di Candia, 40% Trebbiano Toscano, 10% Malvasia del Lazio
**Winemakers notes given on web site were more a history of the 2008 growing season, so I spared you all that by posting the short notes above taken off the bottle itself.


My notes:
Frascati is made from Trebbiano and Malvasia grapes. A nice clear or very pale straw color with lots of aromas of floral, citrus, green apple and pear. In the mouth it was citrusy, crisp and a little acidic leading to a long and pleasant finish. The pairing with the ginger was good, but not excellent. Having broiled ocean perch tonight and kept some for what I believe will be a perfect match. This would also make for a good wine when friends are visiting. An excellent inexpensive ($10) summer white blend that can be enjoyed by all.

Other Reviews:
Travaglini, Gattinara 2001 (Italy)
Carpineto, Dogajolo 2006 (Italy)
Penfolds, Bin 2 Shiraz/Mourvedre 2006 (Australia)
Muga, Rioja Reserva 2003 (Spain)
Buttonwood Grove, Dry Riesling 2006 (NY)
La Corte, Salice Salentino 2006 (Italy)
Damiani, vino rosso NV (NY)
Vina Real, Rioja 2005 (Spain)
Damiani, Pinot Noir 2006 (NY)
Barons de Rothschild, Bordeaux Reserve Speciale 2006 (France)
Clos Du Bois, Calcaire 2006(California)
Heron Hill, Eclipse 2004 (NY)
Bonterra, Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 (California) *organic
Babich, Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2008 (New Zealand)
Quinta, Da Cortezia Reserva 2004 (Portugal)
Heron Hill, Cabernet Franc Rose' 2006 (NY)
Damiani, Meritage 2007 (NY)
Bonterra, Sauvignon Blanc 2006 (California) *organic
Henry Estate, Oregon Pinot Noir 2006 (Oregon)
Lindemans, Bin 40 Merlot 2007 (Australia)
Mutuo Rioja Crianza 2004 (Spain) *organic
White Springs, Gewurztraminer 2007 (NY)
Anthony Road, semi-dry Riesling 2008 (NY)
Fox Run Vineyards, Gewurztraminer 2007 (NY)
Cantina Zaccagnini, Montepulciano d' Abruzzo Riserva 2005 (Italy)
King Family Vineyards, Michael Shaps Viognier 2006 (Virginia)
Ravines Wine Cellars, Cabernet Franc 2007 (NY)
Row House Cellars, White Table Wine NV (NY)
Candoni Chianti DOCG 2007 (Italy)
Glenora Wine Cellars, Gewurztraminer 2007 (NY)
Billsboro Winery, Sauvignon Blanc 2008 (NY)
Fox Run Vineyards Reserve Riesling 2008 (NY)
Banfi Chianti Classico Reserva 2005 (Italy)
Lamoreaux Landing, dry Riesling 2008 (NY)
Agent for Change (Martellotto Wines) Zinfandel 2006 (California)
Fulkerson Winery Dornfelder 2007 (NY)
Atwater Estate Vineyards Syrah 2007 (NY)
Bonterra Vineyards Zinfandel 2007 (California) *organic
Lakewood Vineyards Riesling 2007 (NY)
Atwater Estate Vineyards Cabernet-Merlot 2007 (NY)
Cline Cellars Cashmere 2008 (California)
Bogle Winery Petite Sirah 2007 (California)
Arboleda Carmenere 2006 (Chile)
Concha y Toro Concha Marques de Concha Casa Carmenere 2007 (Chile)
Concha y Toro Casillero del Diablo Carmenere 2008 (Chile)
Rancho Zabaco Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel Reserve 2004 (California)
Concannon Conservancy Petite Sirah 2007 (California)
Red Tail Ridge Winery semi-dry Riesling 2008 (NY)
Brotherhood Winery dry Riesling 2008 (NY)
Zugibe Vineyards semi-dry Riesling 2008 (NY)
Long Point Winery semi-dry Riesling 2008 (NY)
Chateau Lafayette Reneau dry and semi-dry Riesling 2008 (NY)
Silver Birch Sauvignon Blanc 2009 3L box (New Zealand)
Boho Vineyards old vine Zinfandel 2008 3L box (California)
Treleaven Meritage 2007 (NY)
Stoney Lonesome Estates White Merlot Reserve 2008 (NY)

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Time For Updating - New Links Page

Date: Tue, Aug 10, 2010 Wine Business

When it became apparent that I would be out of work for at least three months, I thought it would give me time to look into and completely update the blog. However, it seems that I have always been either out walking when I can, watching TV or napping and never feeling up to doing anything on the PC. Maybe today, it starts.
Before changing the layout or the template itself I began to add pages to the present layout. I actually spent all day adding a links page that will eventually replace the list in my right column. While doing so, I have eliminated all links to blogs that have not posted an article in 12 months or more. I do not believe I missed anyone, but if I did please e-mail me and I will correct the miss. I also added descriptions to each link. Most were taken from the linked in blog, but some did not give enough info so I gave the link a description that I believed would be acceptable. If, for any reason, any blogger currently on the links page wishes I change the blog description please contact me a joeshico@gmail.com with what you wish as a description.
I will leave the current list titled "My Favorite Blogs" in the right column for 30 days. Hopefully, I will have all the other changes completed by then and will be able to work on the new look.
Please comment or e-mail with any suggestions. I am always open for suggestions and I do always appreciate constructive criticism. (keyword: constructive).

Joe (joeshico)

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Stoney Lonesome Estates, Reserve White Merlot 2008

Date: Mon, Aug 9, 2010 Wine Business

I love it when Shirley decides to experiment in the kitchen. It either means we end up going out to dinner or I am in for a special treat. I don't always know where she gets her inspiration and last night I did not see any of her cookbooks on the counter, so that means she thought about this recipe while trimming her herb garden.
What I do know is that she cooked skinless chicken breast in apple juice with oyster mushrooms, slices of gala apples and diced mint fresh from the garden.
I at first opened a dry Riesling, but was astonished to find it loaded with acid and lacking any of the fruit or floral I was looking for to pair with the chicken. My second choice was a 375ml bottle of white Merlot that was given to me by winery owner Dave Mansfield when I visited his Three Brothers Winery in May.

A Stoney Lonsesome Estates 2008 Reserve.

Our visit to the winery just happened to be the same day that the white Merlot was being bottled. I also got to barrel taste this semi-sweet rosé and was waiting for something a little different out of Shirley's kitchen to give it a try. Since the dry Riesling turned me off, I figured the time and pairing was right for a sweeter wine.

The aromas were more of red berries like raspberry and strawberry with agave sweetener. The fruity aromas stayed in the mouth and the 5% RS gave it a nice feel. Finish was so-so but enjoyable. It paired well with the chicken and mushroom, but not that well with the mint. So, I just scraped off all the mint leaves and enjoyed the meal and the wine.

The white Merlot has been released and can be purchased at the winery for $17.

Other Reviews:
Travaglini, Gattinara 2001(Italy)
Carpineto, Dogajolo 2006(Italy)
Penfolds, Bin 2 Shiraz/Mourvedre 2006(Australia)
Muga, Rioja Reserva 2003(Spain)
Buttonwood Grove, Dry Riesling 2006(NY)
La Corte, Salice Salentino 2006(Italy)
Damiani, vino rosso NV(NY)
Vina Real, Rioja 2005(Spain)
Damiani, Pinot Noir 2006(NY)
Barons de Rothschild, Bordeaux Reserve Speciale 2006(France)
Clos Du Bois, Calcaire 2006(California)
Heron Hill, Eclipse 2004(NY)
Bonterra, Cabernet Sauvignon 2007(California) *organic
Babich, Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2008(New Zealand)
Quinta, Da Cortezia Reserva2004 (Portugal)
Heron Hill, Cabernet Franc Rose' 2006(NY)
Damiani, Meritage 2007(NY)
Bonterra, Sauvignon Blanc 2006(California) *organic
Henry Estate, Oregon Pinot Noir 2006(Oregon)
Lindemans, Bin 40 Merlot 2007(Australia)
Mutuo Rioja Crianza2004 (Spain) *organic
White Springs, Gewurztraminer 2007(NY)
Anthony Road, semi-dry Riesling 2008(NY)
Fox Run Vineyards, Gewurztraminer 2007(NY)
Cantina Zaccagnini, Montepulciano d' Abruzzo Riserva 2005(Italy)
King Family Vineyards, Michael Shaps Viognier 2006(Virginia)
Ravines Wine Cellars, Cabernet Franc 2007(NY)
Row House Cellars, White Table Wine NV(NY)
Candoni Chianti DOCG 2007(Italy)
Glenora Wine Cellars, Gewurztraminer 2007(NY)
Billsboro Winery, Sauvignon Blanc 2008(NY)
Fox Run Vineyards Reserve Riesling 2008(NY)
Banfi Chianti Classico Reserva 2005(Italy)
Lamoreaux Landing, dry Riesling 2008(NY)
Agent for Change (Martellotto Wines) Zinfandel 2006(California)
Fulkerson Winery Dornfelder 2007(NY)
Atwater Estate Vineyards Syrah 2007(NY)
Bonterra Vineyards Zinfandel 2007(California) *organic
Lakewood Vineyards Riesling 2007(NY)
Atwater Estate Vineyards Cabernet-Merlot 2007(NY)
Cline Cellars Cashmere 2008(California)
Bogle Winery Petite Sirah 2007(California)
Arboleda Carmenere 2006(Chile)
Concha y Toro Concha Marques de Concha Casa Carmenere 2007(Chile)
Concha y Toro Casillero del Diablo Carmenere 2008 (Chile)
Rancho Zabaco Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel Reserve 2004 (California)
Concannon Conservancy Petite Sirah 2007 (California)
Red Tail Ridge Winery semi-dry Riesling 2008 (NY)
Brotherhood Winery dry Riesling 2008 (NY)
Zugibe Vineyards semi-dry Riesling 2008 (NY)
Long Point Winery semi-dry Riesling 2008 (NY)
Chateau Lafayette Reneau dry and semi-dry Riesling 2008 (NY)
Silver Birch Sauvignon Blanc 2009 3L box (New Zealand)
Boho Vineyards old vine Zinfandel 2008 3L box (California)
Treleaven Meritage 2007 (NY)

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