Are the Times A-Changin’?
Filed Under The Wine World
A New Jersey bill – if it becomes law – would allow direct shipping of wine to consumers. Will this decision help out us consumers in the Keystone state?
Sen. Brian Stack (D., Hudson), a sponsor of the bill, states “Out-of-state visitors who try New Jersey wines and want to purchase them shouldn’t be shut out,” he said. “It’s time we give consumers and vintners the ability to deal directly with each other.”
Amen!
Story here.
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The Weekly Wine Tweets
Filed Under Food & Wine
- Authentic Brunello di Montalcino: The scandal is in the past, but not the too-far past; thus, many questions s.. http://bit.ly/9nl9yu #
- Wine Criticism a Thing of the Past?: Well, I don’t see that happening. Not anytime soon. But Oliver Thr.. http://bit.ly/bsyteS #
- L’Angolo di Vino, 2/2/10: As promised, some more of the interesting wines Icame across the last two months.
Te.. http://bit.ly/9LzcCB # - Judgement of Sussex?: The votes are in and French Champagne has lost out to an English sparkling white!
Read.. http://bit.ly/cOPRf5 #
- The Weekly Wine Tweets: The January Newsletter (sorry it's so late!) http://ping.fm/dADQY #
L’Angolo d.. http://bit.ly/bQTYxp #
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Wine Criticism a Thing of the Past?
Filed Under The Wine World
Well, I don’t see that happening. Not anytime soon. But Oliver Thring does have an interesting article in The Guardian about American wine critic Tim Hanni’s stirring the proverbial wine world pot. And the fuss is simple: Is wine criticism necessary? Helpful? Hanni doesn’t necessarily think so. And if what Hanni says is true, then a wine critic is just (as Thring puts it) “someone with a tongue and a thesaurus.” Read the article here and then be sure to jump on over to the word of mouth blog to see what others are saying.
Wine Critic Tim Hanni
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L’Angolo di Vino, 2/2/10
Filed Under The Wine World
As promised, some more of the interesting wines Icame across the last two months.
Tenuta Roveglio 2008 Lugana…Trebbiano is one of the more maligned Italian varietals, sometimes deservedly so. But when done right, such as this Trebbiano di Soave branch of the family tree, it can be crisp, fruity and provide texture and depth. Peach and focused pear flavors stand out but give way to a juicy citrus finish that keeps it refreshing. Has a semi-amabile feel.
Zamo 2007 Ribolla Giallo…A masterful blend that includes Friulano, Sauvignon Blanc, and Riesling. Mildly herbal with a hint of the pungent aromatics of the Sauvignon allied with the subdued fruitiness and creamy texture of Tocai. Picks up Riesling’s lemon/lime acidity, along with the crisp minerals you’d expect from a Colli Orientali bianco. Great with seafood.
Colli deo Bardellini 2007 Vermentino” U Munte”…There’s some decent heft in this smooth, mouthcoating Ligurian wine. Less of the usual coastal salinity, but lively acidity lifts the peach and tropical melon flavors and maintains the bright, zesty feeling throughout. Some hints of chalky minerals add interest and complexity.
Girolamo Dorigo 2006 Schioppettino….Ribolla’s Friulian cousin carries peppery and floral aromatics up front before delivering full bodied and smooth dark plums and blackberries bolstered by scorched earth and minerals.The tannins stay mild and support cassis and black raspberry undertones on the finish.
Eraldo Viberti 2005 Langhe Nebbiolo…While this doesn’t have the breadth or depth of other versions from the area it stays true to its varietal and sense of place. Typical subdued nose, only with more herbal notes, which continue on the palate and give the fruit flavors a rustic, forest feel. Smooth, light tannins play off the tart and juicy acidity. Actually becomes more dry as it proceeds, adding a bitter earth aftertaste.
Emidio Pepe 2003 Montepulciano d’Abruzzo…. When you reach the point where you feel that all Italian wines are starting to taste the same and you can’t tell a Chianti from a Cali Cab (which hopefully never happens!), this is the wine to lift you from the depths of standardized despair. Though the fruit is slightly more concentrated, given its hot vintage, the uncompromising authenticity that marks this producer remains true. Deep, bold, evocative….try a bottle and supply your own adjectives.
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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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Judgement of Sussex?
Filed Under The Wine World
The votes are in and French Champagne has lost out to an English sparkling white!
Read here.
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The Weekly Wine Tweets
Filed Under Food & Wine
- The January Newsletter (sorry it's so late!) http://aweber.com/b/eRyz #
- L’Angolo di Vino, 1/25/10: It’s been a month since the holidays and I’m just now going over my note.. http://bit.ly/8hucQb #
- The Weekly Wine Tweets: BuckFast and Furious: How could the headline Tonic wine monks attacked by bishop over B.. http://bit.ly/7bIadj #
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L’Angolo di Vino, 1/25/10
Filed Under The Wine World
It’s been a month since the holidays and I’m just now going over my notes for some of the wines consumed during those festive evenings, and some of the bottles subsequently emptied to ward off Seasonal Affective Disorder. As if anyone needs an excuse to drink…
So… brief reviews of four reds from the Mezzogiorno and a classic white from Marche…
Messapicus 2004 Copertino Riserva …Smooth, easy drinking Puglian blend of Negroamaro, Malvasia Nera, Montepulciano and Sangiovese defined by focused flavors of plums and dark berries with touches of leather, herbs, figs and spice. There’s even a burst of liqoury cherries bathed in licorice in this food friendly wine.
Odoardi 2004 Savuto…A Calabrian meritage? Gaglioppo, Greco Nero, Cappuccino, Magliocco Canino, and Sangiovese present the typical southern profile of tar, herbs, new leather and funky forest floor. Tasty, smooth, and rustic all at once with balanced dark fruit flavors and balsamic undertones. Unique and interesting.
Santa Lucia 2006 Vigna del Melograno Castel del Monte…rings true for this DOC in Puglia - spicy and fruity with mildly gripping tannins and intense aromas and flavors of plum, black cherries, raspberries. Juicy acidity keeps the tannins at bay, allowing the herbal and floral notes to hang around through a balanced finish.
La Sibella 2008 Piedirosso…Still showing its youthful ruby red color and Pinot-like reserve. Undercurrents of sour cherry are overtaken by wild, forest fruits and the earthiness of Campania. Terroir induced dried herbs and a “piney” quality are evident and persistant in this light bodied, slightly tart offering that could use a little time to evolve.
Sartarelli 2007 Verdicchio Castelli di Jesi…Stylish and classy, a well made expression of this DOC, it’s all about flavor and texture, with mouth coating varietally correct fruits that effortlesly roll around the palate. Not as saline as other versions from this area, it nontheless evokes the qualities you’d expect from a maritime wine. Mint, an invigorating wave of minerals, and the aftertaste of roasted almonds. This is a lot of wine for less than $20!
Next week we’ll add some northern whites and reds from Friuli and Piemonte, as well as revisiting an old friend from Abruzzo.
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The Weekly Wine Tweets
Filed Under Food & Wine
- BuckFast and Furious: How could the headline Tonic wine monks attacked by bishop over Buckfast not catch my eye.. http://bit.ly/5bQrmS #
- Wine for Haiti: Folks are sending in amazing bottles of wine to be auctioned via Palate Press for a great cause.. http://bit.ly/6AQYuC #
- The Weekly Wine Tweets: Dance Party Friday: No sign of fave compadre Brian Freedman today. And I left the Run .. http://bit.ly/6vPR1y #
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BuckFast and Furious
Filed Under The Wine World
How could the headline
Tonic wine monks attacked by bishop over Buckfast
not catch my eye?
Whereas the Right Rev Bob Gillies, Bishop of Aberdeen and Orkney (Scottish Episcopal Church), is casting stones at the Benedictine order of monks responsible for Buckfast Tonic Wine, stating that “St. Benedict would have been very, very unhappy with what his monks are doing nowadays”.
Decanter reports on the 15%-proof Buckie, the good Rev, and the Benedictine monks’ reactions here.
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