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Wine Tasting
It's HOT! In fact, climatologists predict that 2010 will be the hottest year on record worldwide, due in large part to El Nino, the tropical climate pattern that warms the Pacific every five to seven years. But, that didn't stop the folks at the Finger Lakes Wine Festival this weekend in Watkins Glen, NY. In fact the Finger Lakes are doing very well in the heat. Winemakers in the region are enjoying advanced ripening in the vineyards this year, compared to the wet, challenging season of 2009. More time on the vine in hot, dry weather may give winemakers a chance to quiet a few more critics of Finger Lakes red wine. But, it's doing great things for Riesling.
Summer Wine Festival Round-up Cont'd
Tagschateau ste michelle, finger lakes wine, finger lakes wine festival, global warming, music, New York, Reisling, Seattle, sweet wines, watkins glen international, watkins glen ny, Wine Tasting, winemaking
Posted in Wine Tasting
Recent research indicates that different types of music stimulate different parts of the brain, and prime us to taste wines in a corresponding way. For example, powerful rock music like Jimi Hendrix or The Rolling Stones is a good accompaniment to a Cabernet Sauvignon, while opera buffs might prefer a 2006 Syrah. "This is the first time it has been scientifically proven that music can affect perception in other senses and change the way wine tastes," said Professor Adrian North of Heriot Watt University in Edinburgh. The idea for the study was triggered by Chilean winemaker Aurelio Montes, who plays Gregorian chants to his maturing wines, arguing that the gentle vibrations improve the quality of the wine. Researchers recommend the following wine / song pairings: Cabernet Sauvignon - All Along The Watchtower by Jimi Hendrix; Chardonnay - Atomic by Blondie; Syrah - Puccini's Nessun Dorma. Merlot - Sitting On The Dock Of The Bay by Otis Redding. Sorry, no Reggae.
TagsAdrian North, Aurelio Montes, Heriot Watt University in Edinburgh, Jimi Hendrix, music, Wine Tasting
Posted in Wine Tasting
Ever have a 90+ rated wine that you thought was truly disgusting? If so, you probably think the discrepancy is due to your untrained palate. Well according to Tim Hanni, it may be your lack of taste buds, not simply your lack of taste. Tim Hanni is one of the first two Americans to pass England's prestigious Master of Wine exam. He recently put his theory to the test at the first-ever Lodi International Wine Awards. The results didn't always follow Hanni's hypothesis, but he certainly created an interesting, new way to judge competitions. The irony of Hanni's theory is that the big, bold, high-alcohol reds and oaked whites made popular by one highly-influential, American critic are the preferences of "tolerant tasters" or those with the least amount of taste buds. Maybe, Hanni's hypothesis is more social commentary than theory.
TagsLodi International Wine Awards, Master of Wine Exam, Robert Parker, taste buds, Tim Hanni, Wine Tasting
Posted in Robert Parker, Wine Tasting
Wine is hotter than ever, in more ways than one. Sales are at an all time high, but at the same time alcohol levels are rising. Hot is winespeak for wine that is too high in alcohol and leaves a burning sensation in the back of the throat when swallowed. Back In the 1970s, red wines under 12 percent alcohol by volume were common. Today, Zinfandels higher than 16 percent are not unusual. Consumers seem to accept, even expect high-alcohol wines (many also believe this is due to the influence of wine critic Robert Parker). Is this a problem? Besides the effects of consuming more alcohol and calories in one serving, another consequence of high alcohol wine is often low acidity and a lack of structure, or in winespeak a flabby wine.
Click here for more information on the
high-alcohol wine trend and its effect on wine balance.
Tagshigh-alcohol wines, Robert Parker, Wine Tasting, wine terms
Posted in Robert Parker, Wine Tasting
That expensive case of Burgundy has been stunning so far, then all of a sudden, a bad bottle. Same wine, same case, it's inexplicable. Or, maybe you're drinking on a "Root Day." Every day is designated either a root, flower, fruit or leaf in
Maria and Matthias K Thun’s Biodynamic Sowing and Planting Calendar (flower and fruit being best for wine tasting). This concept may cause some snickering, but biodynamics is taken very seriously in the vinyard these days. Many world-class estates such as Domaine Leroy in Burgundy, Michel Chapoutier in the Rhone have become committed biodynamic properties over the past decade. Click here for a more
indepth discussion of organic and biodynamic wine.
Tagsbiodynamic wine, Matthias Thun, organic wine, Sowing and Planting Calendar, Wine Tasting, winemaking
Posted in Wine Tasting
Beaujolais Nouveau is a wine synonymous with November. This wine has made it's way onto many Thanksgiving tables as a result of the huge marketing blitz that takes place this time of year. Beaujolais Nouveau has a reputation for being Kool-Aid wine: easy-to-drink, fruity and one-dimensional. But Beaujolais can be much more than this, Cru Beaujolais wines (like Moulin-a-Vent and Brouilly) can be mistaken for Burgundy in a good vintage. As a rule of thumb, fruity wines with lower tannin levels like Beaujolais are perfect for Thanksgiving fare, as are Zinfandel, Riesling and Pinot Noir.
Ch. de la Chaize 2004 Brouilly (Gamay) - Beaujolais Red Wine
TagsBeaujolais Nouveau, Beaujolais Wine, burgundy wine, Cru Beaujolais, Thanksgiving Wine, wine sales, Wine Tasting
Posted in Wine Price and Sales, Wine Tasting
