Tamas Estates Zinfandel

A few weeks ago, I reviewed a Barbera from Tamas Estates on this blog. On Saturday, we tried their Zinfandel. It's a blend of 90% Zinfandel and 10% Barbera (after all, Tamas is a Cal-Italian winery...). We were pleasantly surprised by the nice peppery, berry flavors, especially for a Zin at a low price point like this. And it wasn't overly alcoholic like so many Red Zins can be.

The wine is screw capped, and we had another glass the following night. We were a bit disappointed to learn that the flavors dropped off a bit, but after some aeration in the glass, it "perked up" again. So, for this wine, either enjoy the entire bottle in one sitting, or be sure to aerate it the next time you enjoy it.

Here are the detailed wine notes from the Tamas website:

http://www.tamasestates.com/new_pdfs/zinfandel_tasting_note.pdf

Article about my business in The Washington Post Sunday Magazine

Check out this Sunday's (January 21) Washington Post Magazine's "Making It" column for an article about my wine tasting events business.

You can also read the article online.

The Launch of Vintage Magazine

A new regional lifestyle magazine is launching in April. Vintage Magazine will cover "Coastal Carolina Beer, Wine and Cuisine." The magazine will be based in Wilmington, North Carolina, and I will be the regular wine columnist.

The website should be up and running soon--and if you live in that area, look for copies to hit the streets in early April.

New federal gov't label proposal has winemakers nervous

A new proposal from the federal government that would require winemakers to disclose common allergens used in the process of making wine has some wineries nervous.

For centuries, winemakers have used things like egg whites, isinglass (fish bladders), ox blood and other interesting items to fine wine. "Fining" is the process of adding something to the wine so that unwanted particles "stick" together. Then the unwanted components--including the fining agent--are filtered out. The resulting wine can be clearer and purer.

Winemakers argue that since the fining agents are removed before the wine is sold and consumed, they should not need to include these items on the label, and doing so will scare away the customers. Proponents of the label argue that because of the prevalent food allergies, it's necessary for consumers to see this information on the label, especially since wines may also be used for cooking.

Rainy day, looking forward to a good meal

So we decided to take advantage of DC's Restaurant Week, and we made reservations for this evening at Colvin Run Tavern, Chef Bob Kinkead's restaurant in Tysons Corner. We visited Kinkead's in DC a few years ago, and loved the seafood and the stellar service. We have high expections for this place as well.

I'll be posting my review this weekend or on Monday.

My article in Pennsylvania Wine and Spirits Quarterly

My article on South African Wines, "A Taste of the Exotic," is out in the Winter, 2007 edition of Pennsylvania Wine and Spirits Magazine. For those of you who live in PA, you can pick up a copy at any of the state's wine and spirits shops. If you live out of state, you can read the article on my website.

Warm temperatures threaten current ice wine harvest

Warm temperatures (and lack of those below freezing) are threatening the ice wine harvest in Germany, Canada and the Northeastern United States this year.

Ice wine depends on freezing temperatures. The grapes remain on the vine until they freeze, at which point they are crushed. The frozen water is removed by the crushing process, and what's left is pure, concentrated grape juice. The resulting wine has a clean, pure, "grapey" fruit flavor and wonderful acidity.

Because of the gamble of producing ice wine, as well as the small yields, the per bottle price is certainly not cheap. But in my mind, it's worth every penny. Ice wine is a beautiful example of what a sweet dessert wine should be, with wonderful fruit flavor and intense sweetness, yet bracing acidity.

Some producers, like California's Bonny Doon, "fake" the procedure, putting grapes in a freezer before crushing them. Their Vin de Glaciere (which means "wine from the freezer") is a delicious, less expensive alternative to some of the pricier, authentic ice wines (Inniskillin from Canada is one of my favorite "real" ice wines..)

Ice wine lovers may need to seek out wines like those from Bonny Doon, especially this year.

Barbera

Recently, I received a few bottles of wine from Tamas Estates winery. Located in CA's Livermore Valley, Tolosa is a Cal-Italian winery. Their varietals range from Pinot Grigio and Sangiovese to Barbera and Zinfandel.

We tried the Barbera with some sauteed, well-seasoned shrimp. I was taken aback by the level of delicious fresh berry fruit and light, supple tannins. There was also a hint of vanilla from the oak, but it was well integrated into the wine. The wine retails for $16.95, and is a blend of 80% Barbera and 20% Merlot, which explains a bit of the "jamminess" we tasted.

If you haven't given Barbera a try, and you like reds on the lighter side, seek it out. It's very food-friendly and can be a nice alternative to Merlot or Pinot Noir.

In the DC area Tamas is sold at Dupont Center Market, Super Fresh Food, Conneticut Ave Liquors, Freedom Market, DOwtown Spirits and Deli, Best Supermarket, Universal Liquor, Union Wine and Liquors. It's also served at Smith and Wollensky, La Chaumiere and Mantis.

PA Liquor Control Board gets a new chairman--but what does this mean for wine lovers?

I read on Friday that the PA liquor control board's chairman, Jonathan Newman, has resigned due to differences with Gov. Rendell. Newman, a wine afficionado, had been a big champion for wine sold in PA. The popular "Chairman's Selections" program offers wine lovers the chance to purchase premium wines at vastly discounted prices, and "premium" stores offered wine lovers lots of selection.

The new chairman, P.J. Stapleton, admitted that while he does enjoy a glass of wine from time to time, he does not share Newman's passion for wine. This has wine distributors a bit nervous, and they wonder how doing business in PA will change.

I am a Pennsylvania native, and I lived there for 22 years. It's no secret that the state run and controlled liquor and wine business is so limiting. In PA, you need to go to a "state store" to buy liquor and wine, and these stores are not open on Sundays. And, until the "premium" state stores starting popping up around the state, the selection of wine was unbelievably small. Now, at least, some stores exist that have much larger wine sections, including temperature controlled reserve and high-end wines. (Beer is a whole separate problem--you can only buy six packs in bars and six pack shops, with most beer being sold by the case at "beer distributors.")

I check the PA Wine and Spirits website from time to time, and I am blown away by the value of the Chairman's Selections--some of the bottles are discounted 50% or more. Critics of this program see it as a way for Napa and other locations to "dump" wine that is not selling, but I personally think a lot of great values can be had.

PA has made lots of strides, wine-wise, in the past ten years. (Although, arguably, things would be a LOT easier if you could just buy wine in grocery stores...and on Sundays.) Let's hope that the new chairman keeps focus on the grape, for the sake of wine lovers everywhere.

Restaurant Week DC

Looking to dine in one of DC's best restaurants at a reduced tab? Then make reservations at one of the restaurants participating in DC Restaurant Week from January 8-14.

You can get a 3 course prix fixe lunch for $20.07, or a 3 course prix fixe dinner for $30.07. Some restaurants are featuring their Restaurant Week menu choices on their website, and offer optional wine pairings for each of the courses.

However, tables are going fast (as my husband and I found out last night when trying to make reservations for next Friday for Colvin Run Tavern and a few other spots...), so log onto Open Table, or call the restaurants, to make reservations soon.

Bon Appetit!

VA Winemakers keeping their fingers crossed

Winemakers in Virginia are hoping that the Saxman bill, which would allow winemakers in the state to sell directly to stores and restaurants (unlike out of state wineries) will pass this year in the General Assembly.

The bill lost in last year's vote, but many attribute that to lack of lobbying from winemakers.

Clients often ask me what I think of VA wine, and if I buy and drink a lot of it. I typically respond that while I like to support the local wine economy, I think that a lot of the wine in the state is vastly overpriced, compared to the bottles I can get from South America or Australia, for example (cheaper price, better quality.) The Saxman bill would lower prices, since wineries won't have to go through distributors to sell their products. That might make me (and lots of other wine lovers in the state) more apt to buy VA wine on a regular basis.

Skincare for oenophiles

Just have to give a plug for some cool skincare products I received for Christmas. The Body Shop has a grapeseed line of cleanser, toner, moisturizer, night cream, etc. All of the products smell a bit like grapes, which is def. a great thing. And the stuff works.

Have a look

Happy New Year!

Hope you all enjoyed your New Year's Eve the other night. We entertained some family members, and served a French Bistro-type menu. Here were the dishes and accompanied wines:

Mussels steamed in white wine, butter, garlic and shallots
Rosemary olive oil bread
Sauvion Vouvray

Coquilles St. Jacques
Potato Galette
Baby spinach salad with bleu cheese vinaigrette
Mumm Napa Valley Cuvee M

Toast at midnight: Domaine St. Michelle Blancs de Blancs

Molten chocolate cake


I've always been a big fan of both the Cuvee M and any sparkling wines from Domaine St. Michelle. The Cuvee M has a good amount of Pinot Noir in the blend, giving it a gorgeous blush color (not QUITE as pink as a rose sparkling wine, though...) and lots of fresh peach aromas and flavors and nice complexity. And the DSM Blancs de Blancs is just a good all around, versatile sparkling wine.

Hope your holidays were spent with good friends and family, good conversation and fantastic food and wine. Here's a toast to a happy and healthy 2007. And keep checking my Blog for more wine tips, news, suggestions and advice.

Cheers!

A toast for Christmas

Wishing all of you a very Merry Christmas, and best wishes for a happy and healthy 2007. In honor of my Irish heritage, here is a toast for Christmas morning:

"May peace and plenty be the first to lift the latch on your door, and happiness be guided to your home by the candle of Christmas."

Hope you enjoy a wonderful day on Monday with good friends and family, good conversation, and good wine. Happy holidays, and thanks for your support in 2006!

Wine board game

I came across a board game that tests your wine knowledge--everything from recognizing labels from famous wineries, to identifying the wine inside of a bottle based on its shape. Bouquet, The Wine Game, touts itself as "not a matter of life and death, it is simply a question of red and white."

Created by Britt Backe, a certified Swedish sommelier, Bouquet became available in the United States in December of 2004. Apparently, both wine novices and experts alike will enjoy the game and be able to answer the questions. (There are 3 levels to all questions: amateur, professional and connnoisseur.)

I've never played the game, or seen it in person, but it sounds like it could be fun for a group of wine loving friends or wine club members to play. The website lists retailers all around the U.S. by state--looks like UnWined in Alexandria is the only place in the DC metro area that currently carries it.

Low-end, high-end stemware

If you are like me, you are afraid to get really expensive stemware for the breakage factor. I'm worried not only about my guests, but about my klutziness while cleaning them and letting them dry. Most of my stemware is Spiegelau, Riedel's main competitor, which still offers the large bowls and thin rims I love, but at a bit lower price tag. (Of course, I have still broken a glass or two while cleaning them, which always breaks my heart...)

However, last year my husband got me a set of Vivant Champagne flutes from Target's Riedel line, and I was sold as soon as I opened the box. They fit my criteria of a thinly rimmed glass (which always makes the wine tastes better, for some reason...), and the shape is really pretty and elegant. At $40 for a set of four, the price is right, too.

So if you are in the market for decent stemware that doesn't break the bank, or need a last minute gift, check out the Riedel collections at Target. They carry different sized wine glasses, as well as beer glasses and a decanter. They all come packaged in sleek boxes, and make a wonderful Christmas gift for any wine lover (or for yourself...)

You can see the collection here.

Ahhhh...Bourgogne

Slate's recently posting about Burgundy's Trois Glorieuses wine event--three huge events for wine lovers--evokes very fond memories for me of my time in Burgundy during a French vacation several years ago....

http://www.slate.com/id/2155249/?GT1=8900

Expensive bubblies for New Year's Eve

Looking for a high-end bottle of Champagne for your New Year's Eve party? Forbes Magazine talks about some of the most expensive offerings here.

Of course, if you have a Champagne palate but a beer budget, there are bottles of the real stuff that do cost a lot less (the following bottles all sell for about $35 a pop, no pun intended):

* Taittinger Brut Champagne NV is elegant and rich.
* Veuve Clicquot's Yellow Label Brut Champagne NV is full-bodied and yeasty.
* Duval-Leroy Brut Champagne NV is a Wine Spectator Best Buy, rating 93 points out of 100, and is also full-bodied, with bread and lemon notes.

If you are having a party on New Year's Eve (large or small), what you may want to do is get enough of the good stuff for the actual toast at midnight (and/or for dinner, if you are hosting a dinner party), and then supplement with less expensive CA sparkling wine or Spanish Cava.

Here's to toasting 2007 in style, whatever your budget!

New Cal-Italia winemaker

I just got an email about a new winemaker in CA specializing in Italian varietals. Apparently, the winery is catering to younger, 20-something wine drinkers.

I haven't tried the wines yet, but I hope to soon. I'm especially a big fan of Barbera, and the company also has a Pinot Grigio, Sangiovese and Zinfandel.

http://www.ivantamas.com/index.html

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas

If you are a fan of white chocolate (which, I know, technically isn't chocolate, but for lack of a better name, that's what they call it...), you may wonder what kind of wine to drink with it.

Last night, I did a wine and chocolate tasting for a client, in which I paired 4 chocolates with 4 different wines. My choice for Lindt's white chocolate truffles was a Moscato d'Asti from Villa Lanata. Moscato is made in the Piemonte region of Italy (northwest part of the country), from the Moscato/Muscat grape. It's fermented in a variation of the tank method, and the resulting wine is very grapey, semi-sweet, and frizzante (semi-sparkling). It's also low in alcohol--this particular wine was 5.5% abv.

The residual sugar in the wine paired nicely with the super sweet white chocolate, while the bubbles and acidity cleansed the palate of some of the candy's richness. This pairing even converted those who don't favor white chocolate, and/or sweet wines.

Villa Lanata is available at area Total Wine shops.