WWW Winner:



Thank you all for your overwhelming response to the wine lover picture request! (winning photo above)

This week's Winning Weekly Wine Whore (WWW) Photo incorporates a vineyard that recently sent samples of their famed Napa Valley wines.

(Wine reviews of these selections coming soon!)

Captured during a visit to Truchard wines, the above photo captures the lush emerald beauty of the same vineyards depicted on the famed Truchard label.






This week's runner up:
Husband and wife sharing simple wines, watching the sunset over the gulf...




Thank you Linda, Vicky, and everyone else who participated by sharing your stories, amazing photographs, and love for great wine!

Cheers!



(Read more wine reviews and info at The Wine Whore)

Wine Whore Review:



Wine tasting is an amazing sensory experience. Not only due to the dynamics of the wine but also from the dynamics of the person tasting it. We can’t forget that wine, like those of us who love to drink it, is a complex living thing that can not easily be summed up by culturally acceptable generalities.

The scoring system I have devised for reviewing wine attempts to supersede such culturally acceptable generalities by giving a holistic view of the wine. Breaking the scoring system into several components allows readers to understand exactly WHY a specific wine is rated well and which factors make the wine a great choice.

Four categories (Taste, Cost, Enjoyability, Availability) are individually scored from 0-10, combined into a total value, and averaged to give score from 0-10:


Taste
So many wine reviews are the same… pretentious blabbering of black currant, cherry, vanilla, and leather. The repetition equates to spinning a wheel of smells rather than a description of how the wine really tastes.

The taste score is my PERSONAL interpretation of the wine and how it tastes on a scale of 0-10. Everyone has a different sense of taste. This score is merely my opinion of a particular wine during a single tasting.


Cost
The average consumer doesn't drink wine for free. Discovering an outstanding wine with a low price tag is the ultimate desire for every wine lover. To reward such wines, the cost score penalizes wines selling for higher prices:

Score      Cost
10             $0-$10
9              $10-$20
8              $20-$30
7              $30-$40
6              $40-$60
5              $60-$80
4              $80-$100
3              $100-$250
2              $250-$500
1              $500-$1000
0              >$1000


Enjoyability
Do these reviewers really enjoy the wine? Wine tasting is an amazing sensory experience. Not only due to the dynamics of the wine but also from the dynamics of the person tasting it.

Instead of just focusing on the wine, this score focuses on how the wine changes the perception of life and living things. Does it make you angry because you drank too much or does it make you happy or even excited to spend some time with a loved one or maybe even someone you just met? These are the stories that make life interesting.


Availability
In a perfect world, I should be able to procure my favorite bottle of wine as easily as purchasing gas or fast food. The Availability score evaluates this difficulty. Obviously, it is very difficult to globally generalize this score. Instead, this score takes into account how much of the wine is produced, how well it is distributed, and whether it is directly available from the wine maker.


Check out the WW Scores awarded in the complete listing of wine reviews.


(Read more wine reviews and info at The Wine Whore)

Wise Wine Review:
Cost Score = 9/10 Points (Additional stats below)



Summary:
A good friend once told me his rule of thumb for choosing a bottle of wine. Whenever he is unable to recognize any selections on a wine list, he just picks one from Australia. “They just don’t make bad wine” While people may have different taste in wine, I think I would agree that you would have to look hard to find a bad Australian wine.

The Reserve Chardonnay from Jacob’s Creek is no exception to this rule. I found this wine enjoyable with its light, crisp acidity and gentle sweetness. This soft Chardonnay holds more appeal than cloying buttery sweetness often found in this varietal. This reduced level of sweetness creates a wine enjoyable even for those who typically do not like Chardonnays. Like all good stories, this wine concludes its visit with a long acidic and sweet finish that will leave you wanting more.


Recommended Food Pairing:
I enjoyed a frigidly chilled bottle of this wine early on a sunny afternoon without any food as a compliment. Pasta, asparagus, lobster, and even popcorn would flatter the balanced sweetness and acidity of this refreshing white wine.


Vintage Info:
"Winter and spring of 2007 consisted of below average rainfall with above average temperatures. The dry conditions during the growing season, lead to advanced vine development and restricted shoot growth. Due to the dry conditions, there was minimal pest or disease pressure.
Summer was still drier and warmer then normal, which brought forward ripening. Canopies survived well, with little impact on the quality of the fruit.
The 2007 vintage has produced attractive flavoursome Chardonnays, displaying intense varietal character."


Stats:
Producer: Jacob's Creek
Vintage: 2007
Varietal: Chardonnay
Appellation: South Australia
Sugar: N/A
Total Acid: 5.9 g/L
pH: 3.29
Aging: N/A
Alcohol %: 13.5


Wine Whore Score:



This Reserve Chardonnay comes in with a total of 30/40 points and an average score of 7.5/10. Being moderately priced at around $10 gives this wine a score of 9 for cost. The classy, complex Chardonnay makes a great choice for a lazy sunny day or a refined seafood dinner. Keep an eye out for this one the next time you have trouble recognizing a selection on a wine list. After all, you won't be disappointed, it's Australian.


(Read more wine reviews and info at The Wine Whore)

Wine Whore Review:
Taste Score= 9.5/10 Points (Additional stats below)



Summary:
To say that wine is only as good as the vine on which it grows would neglect the heart of the story. The real legacy grows from the family tree overlooking the vineyards. The story of the Lange family is as rich as the flavor of their inky plum Petit Verdot Petite Sirah duo proudly labeled as the family’s Generations tier of wine.

Planted as a Lodi watermelon farm nurtured by Great-Grandparents, Johann and Maria Lange, the story begins with their emigration from Germany in the 1870’s. Over the years this story grew into a family of great wine. Over each generation, the Lange family branches out passing the vineyards down to what it is today.

Like the tall epic stories of ancient Greece, the skills of crafting great wine is passed down and improved by young blood who strives to perfect the story. Every generation dedicates their contribution by improving techniques in the vineyard and winery “to make the best and most sustainable wines possible”. Their success is evident through the certification of their vineyards by the Lodi Rules for Sustainable Winegrowing which requires renewable energy sources and strict restrictions on pesticides. As the sixth generation, which just began in 2007, works to continue the family farm and winery, one can wait to see what the next generation brings to the story.

The newest vintage of wine from the Lange family includes the clever combination of inky Petit Verdot and Petite Sirah. Part of a super small lot wine only available through the winery, the blend is made from grapes grown right outside the childhood home of Joe Lange. With such history, it is no wonder why this wine is one of Joe and wife Amanda’s favorite ‘purple teeth’ wine.

Like conjoined twins, two 'purple teeth' personalities emerge born from the conflicting characteristics of the Petit Verdot and Petite Sirah grapes. The Petit Verdot displays its gripping tannin and acidity while the soft and plush Petite Sirah pitches in a spicy yet plummy richness to the blend.

Opening the bottle of this wine gives life to the unique combination of sweet, bitter, and dry. As it gasps its first breathes of air, the two personalities shake hands and become one to show great depth of character and beauty. The depth of the twins conjoin creating a tasting experience enjoyable from first sip to the last dribble.


Recommended Food Pairing:
Drink it alone, with beef, venison, or any red meat… but most importantly, this wine pairs best with friends, family, or someone you love.


Vintage Info:
“Our Petit Verdot is deep purple with a full body, firm tannins and a perfume like aroma. The Petite Sirah is dark inky in color, with characters of mocha-blackberry and blueberry notes.
Together our Petit Verdot and Petite Sirah creates a big dense red wine, guaranteed to make your teeth turn purple! A concentrated dark fruit aroma carries to a dominant blackberry preserve flavor with a nuance of chocolate balanced by graceful tannins.”


Stats:
Producer: LangeTwins
Vintage: 2007
Varietal: 66% Petit Verdot & 34% Petite Sirah
Appellation: California - River Ranch Petit Verdot & Diablo Petite Sirah
Residual Sugar: N/A
pH: N/A
Production: ~200 cases
Alcohol %: 13.9
Aging: N/A


Wine Whore Score:



With it’s temporarily teeth staining plum purple hue, the Lange family jokes that you should “watch out who you drink it with!” I found this wine sweet, plush, and well balanced giving it a score of 9.5 for taste and 9 for both cost and enjoyability.

With a total of 32.5 out of 40 points and an average score of 8.1 out of 10 points you will definitely want to get your hands on a bottle of this limited production of LangeTwins Generations wine. One taste from this fifth generation of farmers and you will appreciate the years of family history tending to its core – the vineyard.



(Read more wine reviews and info at The Wine Whore)

Wine Whore Review:



You may remember my last post asking for all of you fellow wine lovers to help me win some free wine. Well, after many great suggestions I have chosen to bring the following 3 bottles each costing between $6 and $18 before tax:

Red - Rioja Castillo D Clavijo Spain Tempranillo
White - Rio De Los Pajaros Reserve Progreso Uruguay Torrontes 2009
Winner Takes Home - San Rafael Los Primos Argentina Malbec 2007


Thank you all for your help. Stay tuned for the results!



(Read more wine reviews and info at The Wine Whore)

Wine Whore Review:



Cheers to Abacela for sharing:

Abacela Southern Oregon Estate Tempranillo 2006

Check back for winery and wine reviews of this selection!

Thank you to the folks at Abacela for their kindness, support, and willingness to share a glass of their wine for the rest of the world to enjoy.


(Read more wine reviews and info at The Wine Whore)
Photo courtesy of Abacela

Wine Whore Review:




Dear fellow wine lovers, I need your help:

I will be attending a wine tasting party where everyone will bring 3 bottles that cost between $6 and $18 each before tax of their favorite wine:

1 bottle of red
1 bottle of white (chilled)
1 red or white (don’t chill)


We will be tasting one red and one white bottle from each person in attendance. The bottles will be wrapped (blind tasting) and everyone (except the host) will vote on which one they like the best. The participant who brought the winning bottle of wine gets to take ALL of the third bottles home.

As the Wine Whore, I really want to win all of the free wine… What should I bring?

If I choose your selection and win, I'll dedicate an entire post to the wine you suggested.

Stay tuned for the results and pictures of the tasting...


(Read more wine reviews and info at The Wine Whore)

Wine Whore Review:
Score = 8/10 Points (stats below)





Summary:
The piercing pop of a cork releases a flood of vibrant images and emotions. This triumphant blast is followed by laughter, excitement, and sometimes even sadness. Reflecting on this as I popped the cork on a bottle of Barefoot Extra Dry sparkling bubbly, a smile effervesced across my face. Thoughts and memories filled my head as the bubbly proudly ran over the lip of the delicate flute. I reminisced of times past celebrating arm in arm with those I love. No other part of life can be more satisfying.

This Extra Dry Barefoot Bubbly is the casual companion for the moments in life that beg to be enjoyed. Unpretentious and fun, Barefoot Wine holds the most awarded CA wines under $10 which makes popping open a bottle of this bubbly an excellent way to celebrate without monetary guilt. Regrettably, all parties end eventually. Like a polite guest, this seductively smooth and sweet taste departs with the gracious farewell of a crisp dry finish.

The only thing more rewarding than enjoying a good celebration with a good glass of sparkling wine is sharing the moment with other wine lovers and friends. This week I have the chance of fulfilling all of these goals as I get Barefoot with fellow wine lover and blogger from Wine at Five? If you haven’t had the chance to meet her, I recommend grabbing a bottle of whatever you enjoy, pulling up a chair, and warming yourself by the light of a glowing computer monitor projecting her review of this wine.


Recommended Food Pairing:
Winemaker Jen Wall says that this sparkling wine is "Terrific with lighter meals such as salads and seafood." While the crisp and fresh flavor would have been welcome to the party, I chose to taste this bubbly with no other accompaniment than the warm companionship of my wife.



Vintage Info:
“This wine has a fresh flavor and is smooth. It has flavours of rose grapefruit, ripe fruits like peaches and quince. A balanced wine with great fineness in aromas and flavours. It presents intense floral aromas combined with tropical fruit and citric notes.”


Stats:
Vintage: Champagne/Sparkling
Varietal: Extra Dry
Appellation: California
Residual Sugar: N/A
pH: N/A
Production: N/A
Alcohol %: 11


Wine Whore Score:




Despite being recognized with more than 250 awards each year since 2004, Barefoot Wine is not exclusive or elitist. Their wines aim to be delicious, affordable, and enjoyed by everyone, from “first-time wine consumers to long-time connoisseurs”. This fun soft and smooth sparkling wine comes in with a total of 32 out of 40 points and an average score of 8 out of 10 points. While often overlooked, Barefoot Bubbly’s cost, availability, and enjoyability set the stage for a celebration that you will never forget.



(Read more wine reviews and info at The Wine Whore)

Wine Whore Review:

Wine Whore Review:
Score = 8.3/10 Points (stats below)





Summary:
“What color are your socks?” The unusual query stamped into their corks is just one illustration of how X Winery chooses not play by the rules. Advanced winemaking techniques from vine to consumer coupled with fruit from premium winegrowing regions allow X Winery to effectively produce wine worthy to be titled as “affordable luxury.”

The plush Paso Robles Petite Sirah from X Winery will transform your socks from ordinary white to purple with pleasure. Like its paradoxical classification, this wine is acidic yet plush and soft. The finish is full yet dry and well balanced. Overall these polar opposites convene optimally to create a balanced and delightful tasting experience.


Recommended Food Pairing:
Petite Sirah pairs well with any food with which you would normally pair a big red wine including mesquite grilled steak, roast duck, lamb, pot roast. I personally paired my purple X Petite Sirah socks with a bowl of spicy sesame chicken. The spice taunted the sweetness of the dish while accenting the refreshing acidity of the finish.


Vintage Info:
“Heavy winter rains were followed by a dry spring which allowed for an average crop to develop. Moderate summer temps produced fruit forard wines with bright aromas, complex flavors, and great acidity. The acidity and tannin structure will allow this wine to continue to improve with age and should drink well for the next 10 to 15 years.”


Stats:
Vintage: 2006
Varietal: 85% Petite Sirah, 15% Syrah
Appellation: Templeton Gap - Paso Robles
Residual Sugar: <1 g/L
pH: 3.66
Production: 224 cases
Alcohol %: 14.5
Aging: 18 months in 50% French Oak, 50% American Oak, & 20% New Oak


Wine Whore Score:



This deep rich red sourced from the soothing night coolness of the Templeton Gap area exemplifies the best qualities of the Petite Sirah grape. The exceptional taste and affordable enjoyability boast this wine to a total score of 33 out of 40 points and an average score of 8.3 out of 10 points. Simply stated, X Winery hit the mark with this Petite Sirah.


(Read more wine reviews and info at The Wine Whore)

Wine Whore Review:




Here's your chance to show how much you love wine!

Every week I will choose the best picture and story submitted showcasing wine lovers enjoying wine, hanging out with friends, or just having a good time.

To enter, email me a link or copy of your picture and tell me about where you are, what you are doing, and which wine(s) you tasted.

Bonus points are awarded to submissions incorporating previously reviewed 'Wine Whore' selections.

Cheers!





(Read more wine reviews and info at The Wine Whore)

Wise Wine Review:
Kim Crawford New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc 2008 (click for more info)
Score = 8.9/10 Points (stats below)




Summary:
Today's special Wine Whore guest and good friend Britt takes over as he exposes his experience tasting Kim Crawford's Sauvignon Blanc:

"I was in a rather large wine store today where all the wines were separated by regions and I had no idea which region to pick from. I’m new to wine and would like to educate myself on tasting what all of those regions have to offer.

Today I picked the Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand. So, I open the twist top enclosure and the sour apple aroma almost knocked me on the floor, not to mention the bitter taste. A little disappointed, I continued to swirl the wine in my glass until I found the smell to be less and less sour and it began to smell like sweet apples.

As I sipped the Sauvignon Blanc I started thinking about how the Whine Whore asked me to tell him what I though about it. I was very excited sniffing my wine trying to figure it out, and then I caught my mind drifting thinking about vineyards of green grapes with me in the middle enjoying a cool breeze. This is funny because I have never even been to a vineyard. I found myself feeling very relaxed."


Recommended Food Pairing:
"I decided to try the Kim Crawford with sushi tonight. This is where my wine experience changed. I followed the first piece of sushi with the wine and I was very impressed. I then found that I didn’t want to stop sipping because it was so good. I began trying to explain to myself that I needed to slow down, and savor the taste. You know when you’re at a restaurant and you don’t want to eat all your food because it’s so good and you don’t want it to be gone, that’s where I found myself. The sushi mixed with a touch of wasabi followed by the Sauvignon Blanc was unbelievable. Waiting to take my last piece of sushi I paused to pour one more glass."


Vintage Info:
"The grapes were machine harvested in the cool of the evening and overnight to preserve flavours. Each block was kept separate throughout the various stages of the winemaking process. Fermentations were carried out at cool temperatures and when all tanks had completed ferment they were proportionately blended, fined, stabilised and bottled.

All these factors have resulted in the plethora of fruit flavours, power and complexity of this stunning wine"


Stats:
Vintage: 2008
Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc
Appellation: New Zealand
Sugar: 3.5 g/l
Total Acid: 7.1 g/l
pH: 3.34
Aging: N/A
Alcohol %: 12.9
Cost: $13/bottle (Get your own bottle!)


Wine Whore Score:



This Sauvignon Blanc comes in with a total of 35.5/40 points and an average score of 8.9/10. "Pick up the Sushi Shoreline combo and a bottle of Kim Crawford and you will not be disappointed. It is really that good…Enjoy!"


Interested in tasting this wine?
Click here to taste it for yourself!


(Read more wine reviews and info at The Wine Whore)

Wine Whore Review:



The Wine Whore indulged at another excellent wine tasting at New Tampa WineStyles hosted by the informative, fun, and witty Troy.

The welcoming staff from WineStyles presented six intriguing selections as well as some tasty hors d'oeuvres to assist with cleansing the palate. As always, the wine was accompanied by a range of knowledge appealing to wine connoisseurs and those new to the world of wine alike.

The tasting flight for the evening consisted of generous (and often multiple) pours of the following wines:

Lange Oregon Pinot Noir 2007
Foxtail California Red Table Wine
Crisp Sauvignon Blanc
Klostor Pinot Grigio Germany 2007
14 Hands Washington Chardonnay 2006
Nepenthe Tryst South Australia Cabernet Sauvignon Tempranillo/Zinfandel 2006


At the end of the night I was intrigued by the balance of the South Australian blend from Nepenthe. I made a date for a Tryst of my own as I snatched up a bottle of this stimulating blend. With its complex blend of aroma and finish, this affair was impossible to forget.

Be sure to find me meeting with wine lovers again next week at New Tampa WineStyles.



(Read more wine reviews and info at The Wine Whore)

Wine Whore Review:

Fun Friday Wine Fact:




The tart tang of a lemon is instantaneously recognizable to most people. Within seconds of contact, the prickly acid penetrates the tongue causing a refreshingly rush of saliva. While often less pronounced, the acid present in wine triggers much of the same effect.





The astringent, tingling tang of acid is intensely detected by the receptors around the edges of the tongue near the front of the mouth. Every sip that washes wine over these receptors triggers this recognizable reply of tartness.

The amount of acid naturally produced in grapes can be significantly altered by ambient climate. Cooler climates amplify acidity while warmer climates create less acidic grapes. Nature may shape the palette, but nurture determines the final product. Acidity in wine is altered like a dimmer switch enhancing or degrading sweetness. Turn the switch up too high and the result is "tart". Turn the switch off and the low levels of acidity make it overly sweet or "flat." When the perfect level is found, the acidity will maintain the wine’s freshness while also molding its flavor components.

Winemakers experiment with this acidity “light switch” to create the perfect balance of taste and texture. Winemakers either increase acidity by adding more acid or reduce it through processes such as malolactic fermentation (MLF). MLF reduces the acidity by converting malic acid (strong acid) into lactic acid (softer acid). The result is a softer wine allowing other traits to shine over what was previously dominated by acidity.

Although it plays a key role, acidity is only one of several components in wine that contribute to the overall taste, feel, and balance. Over the next several weeks “The Zen of Wine” will address each component explaining how they contribute to the overall balance of wine. Understanding not only how these factors work, but also how they are perceived will aid in discerning them when tasting a bottle of wine.


To be continued….


Previous Zen of Wine posts:
The Zen of Wine: Part I


(Read more wine reviews and info at The Wine Whore)

Wine Whore Review:

Wine Whore Review:
Score = 8/10 Points (stats below)





Summary:
Opening a bottle of this wine feels like stepping into the sunlight of a summer day. The golden pear hue warms me as I soak in its bouquet. The sour apple tartness parades across the tongue leaving the palate refreshed like a brisk swig from a cool glass of tangy lemonade.

Despite differences in heritage, this particular wine reminds me of a Sauvignon Blanc. Both grapes produce fresh, aromatic white wine yet differ in primary growing regions. Miles away from Sauvignon Blanc, Torrontés is classified as the characteristic white wine grape of Argentina. While little is known about their arrival, it is certain that they have been rooted in Argentina for quite some time. To make matters even more complicated, there is a strong belief that Torrontés is related to the Malvasia group of grapes from the Eastern Mediterranean. Regardless of its history and heritage, it is certain that this grape can produce wines capable of both excellence and beauty.


Recommended Food Pairing:
I took a chance and tried this wine with some delicious homemade Chicken Parmesan. It complimented the tanginess of the red sauce sufficiently while also standing up to the flavor of the battered chicken. Refreshing after every bite, this wine is also ideal with seafood, Chinese, and spicy Thai food.


Vintage Info:
“This wine has a fresh flavor and is smooth. It has flavours of rose grapefruit, ripe fruits like peaches and quince. A balanced wine with great fineness in aromas and flavours. It presents intense floral aromas combined with tropical fruit and citric notes.”


Stats:
Vintage: 2008
Varietal: Torrontes
Appellation: Mendoza
Residual Sugar: N/A
pH: N/A
Production: N/A
Alcohol %: 15


Wine Whore Score:



With its sweet, dry finish, this Torrontes comes in with a total of 32 out of 40 points and an average score of 8 out of 10 points. Low cost and high enjoyability make this well balanced, soft and refreshing wine a great choice to relax with on a warm summer day or any day of the year for that matter.


(Read more wine reviews and info at The Wine Whore)

Wine Whore Review
Score = 7.9/10 Points (stats below)





Summary:
The brilliant potential of wine would never be realized if kept trapped within the solitary confines of a glass reservoir. Wine yearns for a life of enjoyment, socializing, talking informally, and drinking together. Wine seeks to “hobnob” and as wine lovers we uncover pleasure in the same.

Tonight I celebrate the opportunity to hobnob with fellow wine lover and writer from ‘Wine at Five?’ Many wine enthusiasts mask themselves by gravitating towards a persona of pretentious and stuffy garble, however Shelly remains solid to the true meaning of life, love, and wine. Holding firm to reality yet still enjoying what’s real, she teaches us all through her life in text that “life is short and full of surprises. Live it to the fullest and drink lots of wine in the process.” Life’s manual for living masterfully simplified in two short sentences.

Surprise, enjoyment, and unpredictability are fundamental to the mystique of hobnobbing. Hob Nob Wine verbosely bottles this essence like a fine perfume. This wine is not about the stuffy and conventional. Masquerading as a hip California wine, Hob Nob’s trendy label cleverly masks this product of France. The label coupled with the fact that it bears the Shiraz title proudly reserved for Australian wine of the sort is especially unconventional.

Hob Nob expresses the new age, loud, impulsive side of wine which refuses to conform to constraints, categories, and norms. Its atypical Shiraz bouquet and delicate finish are unpredictable yet enjoyable. From its grape jam glow to its sweet spice aroma, this wine stands apart and like Shelly, teaches us the magnificent beauty of surprise and why we must all enjoy a good glass of ‘Wine at Five.’

(Hob Nob with Shelly's review of this wine at Wine at Five?)


Recommended Food Pairing:
While Hob Nob recommends that this wine is paired with “mushroom sauces, pizza, swiss cheese burger, and sushi” I chose to pair this plum nectar with a steaming plate of lasagna. The soft fruity characteristics of the wine conversed well with the decadent parmesan cheese without overwhelming the tangy flavor of the spicy meat sauce.


Vintage Info:
“Mood: Loud. Character: As succulent as a dark chocolate covered cherry. Cherry aromas, hints of vanilla, velvety palate.”


Stats:
Vintage: 2006
Varietal: Shiraz
Appellation: French Table Wine
Residual Sugar: N/A
pH: N/A
Production: N/A
Alcohol %: 13


Wine Whore Score:




With its subtle spice and delicate cherry-plum fingers, Hob Nob Shiraz comes in with a total of 31.5 out of 40 points and an average score of 7.9 out of 10 points. This low cost wine will leave you amazed to discover that a French wine can be fun, modern, relaxed and enjoyable. Like every day that passes, this affordable wine is meant solely to be enjoyed.


(Read more wine reviews and info at The Wine Whore)

Wise Wine Review:
Score = 7.8/10 Points (stats below)





Summary:
Australians are notorious for incorporating meanings of words unfamiliar to other English speakers. A prime example of such is the ‘Ripper’. While this word typically invokes negative connotations of death or destruction, Aussies use it as a term of endearment. To be the ‘ripper’ is to be excellent.

Whether or not you understand their vocabulary, we all agree that Australians make great wine. This is especially true when it comes to Shiraz. A great example of which is the full bodied ‘down under’ Shiraz from Hope Estate that you won’t be able to put down.

The 'Ripper' Shiraz is born at Hope Estate's 28 hectare vineyard at the Donnybrook region of Western Australia. With its medium clay, deep free draining soil, Donnybrook presents an ideal climate for growing grapes. Stockpiled by the rains in the winter, the relatively dry, warm sunny days and mild nights through summer grow full bodied grapes. The harvest of these grapes runs from mid March through mid April.

After the grapes are plucked and crushed on the west coast, they are transported by truck across the Nullabor Plains to the Hunter Valley. Over the course of this three day road trip the must is chilled, arriving with “amazing color and tannin extraction.” They are then fermented and bottled at their new home on the east coast.


Recommended Food Pairing:
I personally tasted this wine with a two inch thick, grilled ribeye steak. Garlic potato wedges and grilled asparagus sat beside this mammoth steak and complemented the rich, tangy properties of the wine and steak perfectly.

Hope Estate recommends that "this full bodied shiraz will complement a big steak or rich lamb dish. Serve Room temperature – 14 to 16°C, or slightly chilled. Drink now or leave to develop for up to 5 years.”


Vintage Info:
"'The Ripper' is a wine that I’m immensely proud of. The extended cold
maceration can be seen in the vibrant colour and tannin structure of the wine.
While exhibiting the classic Aussie shiraz plum and spice characters there is a
deep elegance to the wine from the West Australian climate. Truly a Ripper!"


Stats:
Vintage: 2006
Varietal: Shiraz
Appellation: Donnybrook, Western Australia
Sugar: 4.1g/L
Total Acid: 6.9g/L
pH: N/A
Aging: 12-15 months 50% French oak and 50% American oak
Alcohol %: 14


Wine Whore Score:



With its plush bouquet and spicy bite, this low cost, great tasting wine earns its name ‘The Ripper’. Enjoyable and inexpensive this Shiraz comes in with a total of 31/40 points and an average score of 7.8/10. For less than $13, Hope Estate Shiraz is an awesome Aussie example of what it means to be the ”ripper”.



(Read more wine reviews and info at The Wine Whore)

Wine Whore Review:

Fun Friday Wine Fact:




Balance is defined as the point between opposing forces. To achieve balance as human beings, we perform like tight rope walkers juggling life’s challenges. Whether it is the adolescent learning how to balance on two wheels of a bike or the adult learning how to balance work and personal life, we spend our lives seeking out and attempting to maintain balance. In the end, time, patience, and energy are all required to reach this Zen goal.

In wine, balance is used as a tasting term to indicate whether all of the characteristics are in harmony. The elements in wine combine like a game of tug-of-war, teaming up to work together, overpowering their opponents. Time adds yet another dynamic to the game. As wine ages, the effects of these qualities change the balance even further. Imbalanced wine is often perceived as poor in quality and in some extreme cases, undrinkable. Balanced wine, on the other hand, is an amazing feat to behold.

How does one tell if a specific wine is balanced? In order for it to be balanced, all of the components that make up its personality need to perfectly counteract each other. In order to taste a wine and determine if this is the case, it is important to understand what these qualities are, how they affect the wine, and most importantly, how to perceive them when tasting.

Over the next several weeks “The Zen of Wine” will address each component explaining how they contribute to the overall balance of wine. Understanding not only how these factors work, but also how they are perceived will aid in discerning them when tasting a bottle of wine. While the process of determining balance in wine requires experience and time, understanding the mechanics of these factors will accelerate this understanding and ease their appreciation.


(Read more wine reviews and info at The Wine Whore)

Wine Whore Review:




To succeed in winemaking requires mathematical thinking. Multiple variables are manipulated, tested, and analyzed to discover the perfect formula. If incorrect, the result will be undrinkable, unaffordable or a combination thereof. On the other hand, the right combination has the potential to maximize quality at a low cost.

One winery proposes a unique solution to this mathematical quandary. The ‘mathematicians’ at X Winery propose a brilliant yet simplistic solution. Employing innovative and often overlooked techniques from vine to consumer, they effectively maximize quality while minimizing cost. Utilizing these variables, X Winery solves the seemingly paradoxical equation of how to satisfy both the consumer and winery’s goals.

Aside from being employed as a mathematical variable, ‘X’ is often used to mark the spot of something extraordinary, exemplary, or even unexpected. Through technology, efficiency, and delivery, such metaphorical buried treasure has been uncovered by X Winery. The map to success was drawn out in the MBA business plan of Reed Renaudin, winemaker and CEO. The goal: produce wines with an outstanding value proposition for consumers thus creating a niche in an otherwise overcrowded market.

The process begins with the young and efficient team of only eight people. By interchanging roles, they learn many aspects of the business and are able to share responsibility in multiple job functions. Costs are cut further through cooperative vineyard agreements and independent distribution networks.

Advanced winemaking techniques coupled with fruit from premium winegrowing regions throughout California promote small grower sustainability while also forming the foundation of a great wine. Eco-friendly wine bottles reduce overall impact on the environment by lowering the carbon footprint by up to 25%. Unique screen-printed mosaic X labels strengthen brand awareness while offering an alternative to the traditional paper badge. When added together, the efficient design and reduced bottle weight allow more bottles per truck, reducing excess trucking.

The result: A portfolio equal to eleven different varietals of quality wines retailing in the $10-$25 price category. Such mathematically sophisticated X Winery varietals include Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Petite Sirah, Zinfandel, and Napa Valley Bordeaux-based wines.

Before you open the next bottle of wine, stop for a second and consider the math that went into its creation.

Is the bottle you are about to drink the maximum sum of ‘X’?


(Read more wine reviews and info at The Wine Whore)

Wine Whore Review

Wine Whore Review
Score = 7.5/10 Points (stats below)





Summary:
As a tribute to the amazing nectar contained in the small 375ml bottle, I present the following abridged review which is intended to be short and sweet, just like this wine.

Harvest Moon Russian River Valley Late Harvest Estate Zinfandel is made from the marvelous RRV grapes which are left on the vine for weeks longer. These grapes are only allowed “sips of water” torturing them into sweetness through dehydration. The suffering of these grapes produces a marvelous blend of sweet crimson zinfandel exhibiting the soft, tangy, and elegant signature the makes Harvest Moon memorable.


Recommended Food Pairing:
Chocolate covered strawberries. Alone.


Vintage Info:
“For those who exhibit patience with this wine, they'll be rewarded with a fully integrated (it smells like it tastes) dessert wine that will knock your guests' socks clean off. Otherwise, open and enjoy it while it's young and feisty.”


Stats:
Vintage: 2008
Varietal: 100% Russian River Valley Late Harvest Estate Zinfandel
Appellation: Russian River Valley
Residual Sugar: 6%
pH: 3.32
Production: 900 cases
Alcohol %: 13


Wine Whore Score:



Harvest Moon RRV Late Harvest Estate Zinfandel will appease your sweet tooth while also offering that peppery kick that zinfandel fans crave. This after dinner treat comes in with a total of 30 out of 40 points and an average score of 7.5 out of 10 points. The magnificent affair of taste and decadence captured in this wine is both undeniable and unforgettable.


(Read more wine reviews and info at The Wine Whore)

Wine Whore Review
Score = 7.4/10 Points (stats below)





For less than $10, this interesting South African blend of Cabernet and Pinotage not only tastes great but also always stocked at most local supermarkets, wine/liquor stores, and restaurants.


Summary
The golden yellow cheetah adorning the badge of Sebeka’s South Africa Cabernet-Pinotage makes this an easy bottle to spot amongst crowded shelves. Unlike its animated label, this wine is composed of a varietal that is often overlooked. To form this blend, Pinotage, first engineered as a cross between Pinot noir and Cinsaut in 1925, is married with cabernet, the familiar friend of many red wine lovers. Although not as well known in North America, Pinotage is suited to the harsh climate and terroir of South Africa making it the region’s signature red wine grape variety. Mated with other types of grapes, Pinotage creates a balanced blend of flavor and fragrance. Sebeka’s blend uses cabernet to expand upon these native characteristics while also incorporating “good tannins and a velvety finish of toasted oak.”


Recommended Food Pairing:
“As a full bodied wine rich in fruit flavors and tannins, Sebeka Cabernet/Pinotage pairs well with a wide variety of rich foods, such as pasta, fire-grilled meats, and vegetables.”


Vintage Info:
“2007 Sebeka South Africa Cabernet-Pinotage is a fruit-driven wine with subtle oak flavors of chocolate and mocha that features the blackberry, currant and herbal notes typical of Cabernet along with red fruit, acidity and smoky earth notes typical of Pinotage. Drink at time of purchase or age in the bottle for 2-3 years.”


Stats:
Vintage: 2007
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinotage
Appellation: Western Cape, South Africa
Sugar: 0.6g/100ml
Total Acid: 6.0g/L
pH: N/A
Aging: N/A
Alcohol %: 13.8%


Wine Whore Score:



Sebeka Cabernet/Pinotage offers great value as a well crafted yet low cost wine. After tasting this wine for the first time at the ABC Wine Tasting, I no longer wonder why this wine was awarded prestigious accolades in nine wine competitions held in 2008. Enjoyable, inexpensive, and easy to purchase, this wine comes in with a total of 29.5/40 points and an average score of 7.4/10.


(Read more wine reviews and info at The Wine Whore)

The only thing better than drinking wine is drinking wine in the company of other passionate wine lovers. I am excited to announce that I have discovered such a wine watering hole in my very own backyard. With their great selection of wine, reasonable prices (most less than $20), and helpful staff, New Tampa WineStyles offers a local hotspot for wine lovers to get together, enjoy a glass of wine, and have a great time.

At last Thursday night’s Wine Tasting Event, Troy and the welcoming staff from WineStyles were friendly, attentive and entertaining. They offered a range of knowledge appealing to wine connoisseurs and those new to the world of wine alike.

The tasting flight for the evening consisted of generous (and often multiple) pours of the following wines:

Axis Cellars Napa Meritage
Milo Valpolicella Italy
Laguna de la Nava Reserva Tempranillo 1999
I’M (Isabel Mondavi) Chardonnay 2004
Milo Soave Italy
Bridgeview Oregon Blue Moon Riesling


My favorite of the night was the Axis Cellars Napa Meritage. It needed to open up when it was first corked but once it relaxed it released all of its magnificent plum and tannin beauty. Being impressed with the Axis Meritage, I decided to take home a bottle of Axis Cabernet as part of an experiment in comparison.

You can be sure to find me at this and other fun New Tampa WineStyle’s events.


(Read more wine reviews and info at The Wine Whore)

You may want to think twice before deciding to bring that bottle of wine from home to your favorite restaurant. Although you make think this is a creative way to save some cash when it comes to those inflated restaurant wine prices, there are some important rules you may want to read before you rush to grab that bottle of wine on your way out the door. While bringing your own special bottle from your collection can be a fun way of celebrating with friends and family, it is important to understand proper etiquette or else you could make an embarrassing and costly mistake.

Always follow these simple rules when bringing wine to a restaurant to avoid any surprise or embarrassment:

Audience Participation:
Have you recently brought a bottle to your favorite restaurant? If so, post a comment below about where you went, how much you paid to cork, and what you brought. Has anyone learned any corkage etiquette that I didn’t mention?

Regardless of whether you are choosing to open a bottle you kept tucked away for a special occasion or one you recently purchased, before you pop the cork, take a moment to consider how you are going to drink it.

You could just raise the bottle to your lips, tilt it back, and take a swig, but you would be doing the wine an injustice by hastily doing so. In addition to using the right glassware, which is also hopefully properly cleaned, you should take a second to consider how to handle the wine once it is opened.

Does the wine need to breathe in order to reach its full potential?

Is there any sediment that needs to be filtered?

Decanting a wine serves two purposes. It oxygenates the wine, and if done properly, removes any sediment that may be present. This oxygenation softens harsh tannins present in the wine and in some cases, even revives older bottles from being “closed” for years. If you can’t resuscitate your wine through decanting, then you may have a bigger problem. Wine that remains closed and lifeless is commonly referred to as a “dumb” wine. While closed wines may need only time to reveal their richness and intensity, dumb wines fail to ever improve.

Decanting vintage ports, red wines, and even some white wines allows the removal of solid particles of sediment which fall to the bottom or stick to the sides of the bottle. Most wines are filtered to prevent such sediment from forming. Some winemakers see this process as a danger to the flavor compounds and complexity of the wine and choose to leave it unfiltered. Such wines will most likely require decanting.

The most important rule to remember is that wine changes as it “breathes.” By enjoying it at different points in its lifetime as well as at different points once the bottle is opened, you get the chance to observe the wine through its full spectrum of characteristics. One website which is aptly named 2 Days per Bottle, takes this one step further by tasting a wine through two days of oxygen exposure.

Regardless of what you choose to do, make sure to taste the wine first. You may find that it is ready to drink right from the bottle (again, don’t forget the glass). If you hadn't tasted the wine at this point, you would have ended up oxygenating the wine, causing the flavor to be dulled. Properly preparing and tasting wine gives you the chance to experience the wine through all of its different characteristics, whether it is closed, open, dumb, or just plain delicious!

Wine Whore Score = 7.9/10 Points (stats below)




Summary:
As a huge fan of the thin-skinned, inky, dark colored Malbec grape, I was elated to taste ‘The Wait’ Malbec Rose. Made from 100% Malbec grape from the Mendoza region of Argentina, this wine’s exciting pink hue is developed from grapes left for 18 hours of maceration with their skin.

The wait to taste this wine was unbearable. Curiosity and anticipation took hold of me as my eyes were illuminated by this glowing amber gem. I could sense this rare breed begging to be enjoyed as I gaze at it encapsulated within its transparent glass confine. The contents of which radiated like a dusky sunset caressing the shore’s edge as it slowly, slips away into the darkness of nightfall.

Pouring the wine into my anxious glass released a sea of hot pink nectar. Like sunset’s fingers dancing along the ocean, it anxiously flowed around the rounded bowl of my glass. As it washed upon my tongue, I found myself submerged in the scenery, sights, and smells which calmly permeate from the finale of a spring day. From the raspberry and wild cherry flavor to the round and luscious finish, this wine is not afraid to flaunt its personality. The gentle twin sister of Malbec, this Rose embodies the finest characteristics of this grape variety while also adding a sweet, fruity, edge, making this wine crisp and refreshing.


Recommended Food Pairing:
For fun, I tasted this wine alongside barbeque rotisserie chicken. The spicy and sweet coating of the poultry marinade made a welcome companion to the palate of this sweet Malbec. Refreshing enough to drink alone, it would easily pair well with tuna, green salad, pasta, or even spicy Asian dishes.


Vintage Info:
“This wine offers a smooth and velvety wine, expressing very fruity and fresh flavors. It has intense berries aromas. It is bright and intense rose distinctive color with violet hues.”


Stats:
Vintage: 2008
Varietal: Malbec Rose (100% Malbec grape)
Appellation: Mendozza
Residual Sugar: N/A
Production: N/A
Alcohol %: 14.3


Wine Whore Score:


The fruity aroma and crisp juicy finish of ‘The Wait’ Malbec Rose will transport you to a calming and soothing oasis. With its very reasonable price and overall enjoyability, this wine comes in with a total of 31.5 out of 40 points and an average score of 7.9 out of 10 points. If you are not looking for the deep full flavor of Malbec but still want to enjoy its vibrant qualities, this wine is exactly what you are looking for.

The linkage between time and human emotion is fundamental to the bond between winemakers and their grapes. Like a mother caring for her child, they wait, watch, and hope as their fruit mature. They shield the delicate growths from the harmful elements threatening to destroy their yield. Over time, their patience, hope and dedication pay off and they are finally rewarded for the labor of their love. Time has combined with their emotion to create magnificent wine. This wine is the product of “The Wait”.

Inspired by this journey, 'The Wait' collection of wines uses its intriguing, deep, dark side to reflect the difficulty, tragedy, and beauty of life. They tell the story of the wait while showing us that good things come to those who never loose hope.

“Sin el tiempo, esa invencion de Satanas, el mundo perderia la angustia de la espera y el consuelo de la esperanza.
(Antonio Machado)

Without time, Satan's invention, the world would lose its sorrow of wait and its hope of wait.”





‘The Wait’ begins its journey by selecting grapes from Mendoza, the center of Argentina’s wine industry. Located in the mid-west of Argentina at the feet of the Andes, Mendoza’s climate and terrier make it an excellent cradle for wine. Without any humidity in the air, Argentine vineyards are mostly free of fungal diseases which almost eliminate the need to spray preventive chemicals. Watered solely by the rivers of the Andes Mountains, this region experiences intense sunlight 320 days per year on average and rainfall that rarely exceeds 8 to 10 inches per year. Such harsh environmental conditions stress the vines causing them to respond with ultra-ripe grapes which are harvested through February and early April.

As the largest wine producer in South America and the 5th largest in the world, Argentina’s signature grape is Malbec. This thin-skinned, inky dark colored grape with robust tannins was originally brought to the region by the French as Auxerrois. Including their two wines made from Malbec, ‘The Wait’ produces a total of four different varietals: Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec Rose, and Torrontes. All of which sell for about $10.99 to $12.99 per 750ml bottle.

As a huge Malbec fan, I am elated to taste and review the Malbec Rose made from 100% Malbec. Stay tuned for the Wine Whore Review of this and the other wines made by ‘The Wait’.

Wine Whore Score = 7/10 Points (stats below)




This week’s Wise Wine of the Week is Jacob’s Creek Reserve Shiraz which sells for about $12/bottle. At this price, this Shiraz not only tastes great but is also readily available at most local supermarkets, wine/liquor stores, and restaurants.


Summary
Care, selection, and attention to detail distinguish the reserve vintage of Jacob’s Creek Shiraz from the rest. It begins with the full bodied base of the wine selected from “parcels of fruit with concentrated varietal flavours and fine tannin structure”. Its character is then enhanced by careful processes for de-stemming, fermenting, and regulating the temperature during the winemaking process. Such attention ensures adequate color, tannin and flavor extraction from the skins. The journey is not over since the wine still has to pass one more round of selection. Only those parcels which exhibit the most balanced characteristics are chosen to be incorporated in the final blend of Jacob’s Creek Reserve Shiraz.


Recommended Food Pairing:
As a full bodied wine rich in fruit flavors and tannins, Jacob’s Creek Reserve Shiraz pairs nicely with beef, duck, game, or lamb. Personally, I enjoy drinking this with a well seasoned beef steak generously seared on the grill. The sweet spice finish marries well with the rich flavors of the meat.


Vintage Info:
“Healthy canopy development followed by good flowering and fruit set was preceded by moderate winter and high spring rainfall. A warm dry summer and very hot January and February temperatures had the potential to create vine stress, however, this was reduced by good management in the vineyard, and fruit was well protected by the healthy canopies. The dry temperatures also reduced disease pressure. During the ripening period in autumn, cooler temperatures were experienced, allowing fruit to ripen evenly with good flavour concentration, colour and varietal expression. A true expression of Australian Shiraz, to be enjoyed now or which with careful cellaring will develop gracefully over the next ten years.”


Stats:
Vintage: 2006
Varietal: Shiraz
Appellation: Australia
Sugar: N/A
Total Acid: 6.0g/L
pH: 3.53
Aging: French and American Oak for up to 18 months
Alcohol %: 14.3


Wine Whore Score:



Jacob’s Creek Reserve Shiraz offers great value as a well crafted yet low cost wine. Enjoyable, inexpensive, and easy to purchase, this wine comes in with a total of 28.5/40 points and an average score of 7/10.