Why Wine 101?

by Brian Freedman

Filed Under The Wine World

It’s a legitimate question, really. Why, after all, is an understanding of wine so important? No one ever really thinks of increasing their Brussel’s sprout knowledge, or whole milk tasting abilities, or aptitude in teasing out all the complex nuances in spearmint chewing gum. So why wine–and why Wine 101?

Because it’s all around us. Because it is one of the very few things in life that can provide both infinite immediate pleasure and a direct link to our past. Because the range of experience possible in a single glass of wine is so great that you owe it to yourself to do everything you can to extract as much pleasure from it as you deserve.

Plus, the more you know about wine, the more adeptly you can wade through all those “myths that are too often bandied about”–in other words, wine pretense. A solid understanding of the major grape varieties, of their aroma and flavor characteristics, of what to pair them with and why we do all those strange rituals like swirling and slurping–all of this will ultimately enrich your life in ways you likely never imagined, because it will make your wine-drinking more enjoyable.

An item posted today in the excellent Din’s World blog addresses a number of questions that I suspect most people have about wine. Which, it seems to me, is itself a good answer to the question. So: Why Wine 101? Because the amount of pleasure a solid understanding of wine will bring to your life, and the way it will make every sip that much better, is nothing short of miraculous.


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Wine School and Di Bruno Bros. French Wine and Cheese Class, March 26th

by Brian Freedman

Filed Under Wine Tastings

Triple Crème—Barthe René 2005 Muscat, Alsace (FR)
Selles sur Chere—Marc Deschamps 2005 Pouilly-Fumé “Les Porcheronnes,” Loire Valley (FR)
Morbier—Saint Cosme 2006 Cotes-du-Rhone Blanc, Rhone Valley (FR)
Beaufort—Faiveley 2003 Bourgogne Blanc, Burgundy (FR)
Roquefort—Chateau Bastor-Lamontagne 2003 Sauternes (FR)


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Wines by Region Series: French Wine for Less, March 28th

by Brian Freedman

Filed Under Wine Tastings

First Flight
1. Etienne Daulny 2005 Sancerre “Le Clos de Chaudennay,” Loire Valley (FR)
2. Domaine Philippe Gilbert 2005 Menetou-Salon, Loire Valley (FR)

Second Flight
1. Chateau La Garde 2001 Pessac-Leognan, Graves (FR)
2. Chateau Haut Nadeau 2005 Bordeaux Superieur (FR)

Third Flight
1. Cave de Saumur 2005 Saumur Champigny “Lieu-dit Les Vignoles,” Loire Valley (FR)
2. Domaine de Nizas 2004 Carignan “Vieilles Vignes,” Vin de Pays de Caux (FR)

Fourth Flight
1. Chapelle-St.-Arnoux 2003 Gigondas “Cuvee Non Filtree,” Rhone Valley (FR)
2. Heart of Darkness 2003 Madiran (FR)


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Wine 101: Intro to Wine, March 27th

by Brian Freedman

Filed Under Wine Tastings

First Flight
1. Gunderloch 2005 Dry Riesling, Rheinhessen (GR)

Second Flight
1. Spy Valley 2006 Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough (NZ)
2. Cousiño-Macul 2006 Chardonnay “Antiguas Reservas,” Maipo Valley (CH)

Third Flight
1. Coldstream Hills 2006 Pinot Noir, Yarra Valley (AS)
2. Falesco 2006 Sangiovese, Umbria (IT)

Fourth Flight
1. Las Rocas de San Alejandro 2005 Garnacha, Catalyud (SP)
2. Graham Beck 2001 Syrah “The Ridge,” Robertson (SA)

Fifth Flight
1. Falesco 2005 Merlot, Umbria (IT)
2. Jardin 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon, Stellenbosch (SA)


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Wine 101: Intro to Wine, March 14th

by Brian Freedman

Filed Under Wine Tastings

First Flight
1. Meulenhof 2005 Riesling Kabinett, Mosel (GR)

Second Flight
1. Beyond 2006 Sauvignon Blanc, Coastal Region (SA)
2. Flora Springs 2006 Chardonnay, Napa Valley (CA)

Third Flight
1. Hill of Content 2004 Pinot Noir, Victoria (AS)
2. La Carraia 2005 Sangiovese, Umbria (IT)

Fourth Flight
1. Atteca 2005 Garnacha “Old Vines,” Catalyud (SP)
2. Craneford 2005 Shiraz, Barossa Valley (AS)

Fifth Flight
1. Gonzaga 2002 Merlot di San Lorenzo (IT)
2. Earthworks 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, Barossa Valley (AS)


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Wine 101: Intro to Wine, March 22nd

by Brian Freedman

Filed Under Wine Tastings

First Flight
1. Meulenhof 2005 Riesling Kabinett, Mosel-Saar-Ruwer (GR)

Second Flight
1. Beyond 2006 Sauvignon Blanc, Coastal Region (SA)
2. Step Road 2005 Chardonnay, Adelaide Hills (AS)

Third Flight
1. Kim Crawford 2006 Pinot Noir, Marlborough (NZ)
2. Di Majo Norante 2005 Sangiovese, Molise (IT)

Fourth Flight
1. Atteca 2005 Garnacha “Old Vines,” Catalyud (SP)
2. Craneford 2005 Shiraz, Barossa Valley (AS)

Fifth Flight
1. Gonzaga 2002 Merlot di San Lorenzo (IT)
2. Earthworks 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, Barossa Valley (AS)


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Wine 101: Intro to Wine, March 12th

by Brian Freedman

Filed Under Wine Tastings

First Flight
1. Meulenhof 2005 Riesling Kabinett, Mosel (GR)

Second Flight
1. Sauvignon Republic 2006 Sauvignon Blanc, Russian River Valley (CA)
2. Flora Springs 2006 Chardonnay, Napa Valley (CA)

Third Flight
1. Hill of Content 2004 Pinot Noir, Victoria (AS)
2. La Carraia 2005 Sangiovese, Umbria (IT)

Fourth Flight
1. Yonna 2004 Garnacha, Campo de Borja (SP)
2. Craneford 2005 Shiraz, Barossa Valley (AS)

Fifth Flight
1. Chateau Haut Nadeau 2005 Bordeaux Superieur (FR)
2. Earthworks 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, Barossa Valley (AS)


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B. Levet 2003 Cote Rotie “La Chavaroche”

by Brian Freedman

Filed Under Wine Reviews

Typical of the hot 2003 vintage, the nose here is all raisin-y black currants, cherry liquour, and high-toned spice, as well as a pronounced black peppercorn bite. It actually reminds me, oddly enough, of a fresh-baked pappadum. On the palate, the tannins are brilliantly integrated, and there’s definitely more fresh fruit here than the nose lets on. It’s a beautiful wine right now, though those tannins and the balancing acidity promise a long life ahead.


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Wine by Season: Wines for Winter, March 8th

by Brian Freedman

Filed Under Wine Tastings

First Flight
1. La Pisara 2004 Primitivo, Salento (IT)
2. Schulz 2002 Zinfandel “Johann,” Barossa Valley (AS)

Second Flight
1. Terre del Nero d’Avola 2005, Sicily (IT)
2. Crios de Susanna Balbo 2005 Bonarda, Mendoza (AR)

Third Flight
1. M. Cosentino 2005 Shiraz (CA)
2. Eskadale Vineyards 2006 Shiraz “The Winner’s Tank,” Langhorne Creek (AS)

Fourth Flight
1. Courtney Benham Winery 1997 Merlot, Napa Valley (CA)
2. William Hill Estate 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon (CA)


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Wine 101: Intro to Wine, February 29th

by Brian Freedman

Filed Under Wine Tastings

First Flight
1. Meulenhof 2005 Riesling Kabinett Wehlener Sonnenuhr, Mosel-Saar-Ruwer (GR)

Second Flight
1. Sauvignon Republic 2006 Sauvignon Blanc, Russian River Valley (CA)
2. Cousino Macul 2006 Chardonnay, Maipo Valley (CH)

Third Flight
1. Roaring Meg 2006 Pinot Noir, Central Otago (NZ)
2. Falesco 2006 Sangiovese, Umbria (IT)

Fourth Flight
1. Atteca 2005 Garnacha “Old Vines,” Catalyud (SP)
2. Craneford 2005 Shiraz, Barossa Valley (AS)

Fifth Flight
1. Gonzaga 2002 Merlot di San Leonardo, Dolomiti (IT)
2. Earthworks 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, Barossa Valley (AS)


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