The Tannin Factor

Date: Tue, Aug 5, 2008 Wine Tasting

Wine is such a mysterious beverage. We sniff it, quaff it, swizzle it, and then come up with all these wild descriptors: cassis, meadow, leather, mushroom. Where do all these elusive aromas and flavors come from? Partly from the grape, partly from aging in oak, (partly from our imaginations) and partly from tannin.

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The Tannin Factor

Date: Tue, Aug 5, 2008 Wine Tasting

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First Big Crush

Date: Sat, Aug 2, 2008 Wine Tasting

First Big Crush is a compelling portrait of the wine harvest season—it includes all the real experiences, the injuries, arguments, logistical nightmares and hilarity. It should be required reading for anyone applying for or considering work as a crush hand. And if you’re just dreaming of a working at a winery someday . . . this book is a close as you can get to the real experience.

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First Big Crush

Date: Sat, Aug 2, 2008 Wine Tasting

First Big Crush is a compelling portrait of the wine harvest season—it includes all the real experiences, the injuries, arguments, logistical nightmares and hilarity. It should be required reading for anyone applying for or considering work as a crush hand. And if you’re just dreaming of a working at a winery someday . . . this book is a close as you can get to the real experience.

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First Big Crush

Date: Sat, Aug 2, 2008 Wine Tasting

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How to Smoke a Duck: Viognier-Saffron Smoked Duck

Date: Sat, Jul 5, 2008 Wine Tasting

The Fourth of July is a quiet day for wine touring . . . people are usually heading to the beach or the lake with kids and grandparents in tow, so Dan and I made our first cooperative smoked duck. I have used the Weber smoker before to smoke duck, and I have a total of four smoked ducks under my belt (literally). But this was Dan's first time to be involved in the process. Although it turned into a Chinese circus ("You're in charge!" he kept saying. "But I totally disagree with the way you are doing this.") the duck survived in all its smoky, juicy radiance. Our cooperative recipe goes something like this . . .

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How to Smoke a Duck: Viognier-Saffron Smoked Duck

Date: Sat, Jul 5, 2008 Wine Tasting

The Fourth of July is a quiet day for wine touring . . . people are usually heading to the beach or the lake with kids and grandparents in tow, so Dan and I made our first cooperative smoked duck. I have used the Weber smoker before to smoke duck, and I have a total of four smoked ducks under my belt (literally). But this was Dan's first time to be involved in the process. Although it turned into a Chinese circus ("You're in charge!" he kept saying. "But I totally disagree with the way you are doing this.") the duck survived in all its smoky, juicy radiance. Our cooperative recipe goes something like this . . .

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How to Smoke a Duck: Viognier-Saffron Smoked Duck

Date: Sat, Jul 5, 2008 Wine Tasting

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The Pepper Rebellion

Date: Sun, Jun 15, 2008 Wine Tasting

Zinfandel is a challenging wine to grow, to produce and to enjoy. It is an intellectual wine, layered and complex, with a fruit and spice dichotomy. It is a winemaker’s wine, full of mystery and challenge . . . and fun. It is the James Dean of wine. Write a brief treatise on why zinfandel is deserving of respect, or in support of its peppercorn qualities, publish it on your website, blog, or an online forum and we will list you as a member of the Pepper Rebellion.

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The Pepper Rebellion

Date: Sun, Jun 15, 2008 Wine Tasting

Zinfandel is a challenging wine to grow, to produce and to enjoy. It is an intellectual wine, layered and complex, with a fruit and spice dichotomy. It is a winemaker’s wine, full of mystery and challenge . . . and fun. It is the James Dean of wine. Write a brief treatise on why zinfandel is deserving of respect, or in support of its peppercorn qualities, publish it on your website, blog, or an online forum and we will list you as a member of the Pepper Rebellion.

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The Pepper Rebellion

Date: Sun, Jun 15, 2008 Wine Tasting

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Zinfandel: King of the Gypsies

Date: Tue, Jun 10, 2008 Wine Tasting

For many years now, zinfandel has been considered the bastard child of the wine world, a pretender to the throne, incapable of elegance or intrigue. Zinfandel is recommended as a pairing for pizza. Pizza! Tomato sauces and rustically charred meat. Wine critic Robert Parker recently said online that blending zinfandel with syrah gives zinfandel a "nobility" it wouldn't otherwise have. I would like to introduce you to the "new" nobility—wines that are a favorite of chefs and gourmands, wines which are intellectually stimulating, vibrant, and satisfying. Wines with charisma, balance and intrigue. In our next post, we will launch The Pepper Rebellion.

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Zinfandel: King of the Gypsies

Date: Tue, Jun 10, 2008 Wine Tasting

For many years now, zinfandel has been considered the bastard child of the wine world, a pretender to the throne, incapable of elegance or intrigue. Zinfandel is recommended as a pairing for pizza. Pizza! Tomato sauces and rustically charred meat. Wine critic Robert Parker recently said online that blending zinfandel with syrah gives zinfandel a "nobility" it wouldn't otherwise have. I would like to introduce you to the "new" nobility—wines that are a favorite of chefs and gourmands, wines which are intellectually stimulating, vibrant, and satisfying. Wines with charisma, balance and intrigue. In our next post, we will launch The Pepper Rebellion.

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Zinfandel: King of the Gypsies

Date: Tue, Jun 10, 2008 Wine Tasting

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