Italy Comes to New York
Filed Under The Wine World
Starting tomorrow, the largest Italian wine event ever outside of Italy will be held in New York. Vino 2010 is several days’ worth of tastings, seminars, meals, and more. I’ll be heading up there this afternoon and, while I doubt I’ll ever be able to compete with our own Frank Cipparone in terms of the depth of my knowledge about obscure Italian varietals and tucked-away regions, I’m positive that the next couple of days will at least put me on a more even footing when he starts waxing poetic about Gaglioppo and Coda di Volpe.
Wine School students, even if you’re not going to be in New York, can also participate from the comfort of their own computers. Thursday morning at 10:00, there’s a panel discussion being held on social media and the brave new world of online wine appreciation. It’s called Virtual Vino, and the organizers are encouraging people to post questions that they want answered on Twitter to @vino2010 or @JRvino2010. The event will also be streamed live at www.italianmade.com/vino2010.
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On Vacation, But Still Drinking Well
Filed Under The Wine World
I’m in Hilton Head, South Carolina this week, and just wanted to share a wine that I had the other night: The Descendientes de Jose Palacios 2007 Bierzo “Petalos.” This is a red that we’ve had in some of our classes before, and it definitely deserves a mention again here. Because not only is it from a part of Spain that too many people are still not familiar with, and not only is it produced from a grape that’s brand new to most people (it’s called Mencia), but, with a slight chill on it and enjoyed next to some sweet-smoky barbecued ribs, it’s a perfect warm-weather treat. Yet again, Spain, it seems, is where it’s at.
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German and Austrian Wines
Filed Under The Wine World
This just in from the department of shameless self-promotion: There are two seats left for our German and Austrian wine class next week, which promises to be a fantastic chance to taste wines you’ve likely not had before. I was in Austria last month on a spectacular wine trip, and I can honestly say that it is one of the single most exciting wine-producing countries in the world right now. This is the only time this year we’ll be offering the class, and I promise not to show you all 400 photos I took…
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Cru Club Dinner
Filed Under Food & Wine
Just a quick post about last night’s Cru Club dinner at Marigold Kitchen. Great group of people showed up (as always), and we not only drank a number of exceptional wines, but enjoyed them alongside some great dishes. Wine highlights included the Olivier Leflaive 2006 Chassagne-Montrachet, Duhart-Milon 2000, Vernay Condrieu 2007, Shinn Estate 2007 Bordeaux-style blend, and a 2007 St. Laurent. The best pairing of the night, though, had to have been the Graham’s 40-Year-Old Port with the chocolate terrine. I’m ruined for dessert for the next several days, at least. Anything else will seem somehow unfair to my tastebuds.
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Hunting the Keith Monster
Filed Under The Wine World
A classy film from our recent trip to Bordeaux. I could have posted tasting notes, but that wouldn’t be nearly as fun.
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Wine 101: Intro to Wine, June 5th
Filed Under Wine Tastings
First Flight
1. Alkoomi 2007 Riesling, Frankland River (AS)
Second Flight
1. Villa Maria 2008 Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough (NZ)
2. Fonty’s Pool 2005 Chardonnay, Pemberton (AS)
Third Flight
1. The Four Graces 2007 Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley (OR)
2. La Carraia 2007 Sangiovese, Umbria (IT)
Fourth Flight
1. Marco Real 2005 Garnacha, Navarra (SP)
2. Rolf Binder 2006 Shiraz “Hales,” Barossa Valley (AS)
Fifth Flight
1. Ghost Pines 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa and Sonoma (CA)
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Barossa and Beyond, May 29th
Filed Under Wine Tastings
First Flight: The Unexpected
1. d’Arenberg 2004 “Sticks & Stones,” McLaren Vale
2. Longview 2003 Nebbiolo “Black Crow,” Adelaide Hills
Second Flight: Americans in Australia
1. Oliverhill Winery 2006 Petite Sirah, McLaren Vale
2. Glaymond 2003 Zinfandel “Krause’s Berg,” Barossa Valley
Third Flight: A Mini-Vertical
1. d’Arenberg 2003 “The Laughing Magpie,” McLaren Vale
2. d’Arenberg 2007 “The Laughing Magpie,” McLaren Vale
Fourth Flight: Two Classics
1. Domaine du Coulet 2004 Cornas “Les Terrasses du Serre,” Rhone Valley (FR)
2. Dutschke 2004 Shiraz “Oscar Semmler Single Vineyard Reserve,” Barossa Valley
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Wine 101: Intro to Wine, May 9th
Filed Under Wine Tastings
First Flight
1. Mercer 2007 Riesling, Yakima Valley (WA)
Second Flight
1. Glazebrook 2007 Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough (NZ)
2. Catena 2006 Chardonnay, Mendoza (AR)
Third Flight
1. The Four Graces 2007 Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley (OR)
2. Falesco 2007 Sangiovese, Umbria (IT)
Fourth Flight
1. Panarroz 2006 Garnacha, Jumilla (SP)
2. d’Arenberg 2006 Shiraz “The Footbolt,” McLaren Vale (AS)
Fifth Flight
1. Barnard Griffin 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley (WA)
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Wine 201, May 6th
Filed Under Wine Tastings
First Flight: Serving Temperature
1. Lois 2007 Gruner Veltliner, Kamptal (AU)
2. Lois 2007 Gruner Veltliner, Kamptal (AU)
Second Flight: Reading the Label
1. Five Rivers 2007 Pinot Noir (CA)
2. Buena Vista 2006 Pinot Noir “Ramal Vineyard,” Carneros (CA)
Third Flight: Considering the Vintage
1. Chateau Romefort 2005 Haut-Medoc, Bordeaux (FR)
2. Chateau Clarke 2004 Bordeaux, Listrac-Medoc (FR)
Fourth Flight: Let it Breathe!
1. Ghost Pines 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa and Sonoma (CA)
2. Ghost Pines 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa and Sonoma (CA)
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Wine and Cheese: A Special Pairing Class, April 25th
Filed Under Wine Tastings
Cheese
Asiago
Parmigiano Reggiano
Vermont Cheddar
Manchego
Wine
1. Castelroig NV Brut Cava (SP)
2. Xarmant 2007 Txakolina, Txakoli de Alava (SP)
3. Ad Hoc 2007 Chardonnay, Western Australia (AS)
4. Bodegas LAN 2005 Rioja Crianza, Rioja (SP)
5. Castello di Farnetella 2006 Chianti Colli-Senesi (IT)
6. Mercer 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, Horse Heaven Hills (WA)
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