by Marisa Folse
It is easy to get overwhelmed when trying to determine which wine goes with which food and it becomes a burden rather than pleasure. But it doesn't have to be, think about these key tips when matching flavors of wine and food. It's that simple because the best match for wine is the good conversation that follows.Although the old adage of serving “white wine with white meat and red wine with red meat” is a pretty good starting point, it is a rule that can certainly be broken. Another approach to think about is balancing the flavor characteristics of the wine such as sweet, acidic, or fruity to the flavors and characteristics of the food it is being served with. Think about the strongest flavor or spice in the food, and choose a wine that compliments the flavors, not competes with it, t...
by Ron Saikowski
What type of Texas winery owner would dare to pit his Texas wines against great wines from all over the world. Obviously, that winemaker is confident his Texas wines would compare favorably with those well known wines. Paul Bonarrigo with Messina Hof Winery in Bryan decided he would compare twelve of his wines with higher priced, better known wines last Sunday January 10th. Those twelve flights of wines with suggested retail prices included:• Messina Hof Gewürztraminer 2008 ($9) v. Darting Gewürztraminer 2007 ($20)• Messina Hof Merrill’s Vineyard Riesling 2008 ($10) v. Escher Riesling 2007 ($13) • Messina Hof Chenin Blanc 2009 ($6) v. Sebeka Chenin Blanc 2008 ($11) • Messina Hof Barrel Res. Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 ($9) v. Robert Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2006 ($28...
by Frank Mangio
For as long as I have known about wine, I have known that the Mondavi Family of Napa Valley was the standard by which all others aspired, in making great Cabernet Sauvignon. So it was with high expectation and a twinge of nervous energy that I sat down with a family member, Peter Mondavi Jr. He has a major role in the family-owned Charles Krug Winery near St. Helena.Charles Krug has a long history of winemaking in Napa Valley, being the first winery to open its doors in 1861. Fast-forward to 1943 when the Mondavi Family purchased the property, with Peter Sr. and Robert Mondavi jointly building the brand, with Cabernet as its signature wine.In 1966, Robert opened his own winery in nearby Oakville, and Peter Sr. turned to his sons Peter Jr.and Marc to carry the load of quality winemaking ...
by John Miksa
There comes a time in every wine drinker’s life when the thoughts of having a wine cellar of your own goes from a casual idea to a compulsion. Having cases stuffed in closets and loose bottles every where can not only get old, but it’s no way to treat that killer bottle that you have been saving for just the right occasion. Wine cellars come in two basic flavors. The all in one ready to go right out of the box is option one. These portable cellars can hold anywhere from a few bottles to several hundred all in temperature and humidity controlled comfort. Modular designs make them expandable and most offer two or more zones so that you can age reds and have ready to drink whites on hand in the same unit. Another plus is that when it’s time to relocate, your cellar can go with you....
by Laura Ness
There were 400 wines, 16 judges and a lot of grimacing at the 2nd annual Professional Wine Buyer’s Competition, organized by Lea Pierce, Lisa German and Nancy Jorgensen, (they run Wine Competition Management, which also puts on the wildly popular National Women’s Wine Competition coming up in March). The Pro Wine Buyers competition includes a collection of wine buyers, sommeliers, restaurant wine list creators, wine industry consultants and a few wine writers, including yours truly. Our job is to award medals to the worthy: to find the well-made, well-priced gems you’d be happy to recommend to your friends: the friends you want to keep.Our job was also to weed out the stinkers so they don’t end up in your wine cellar. Judging with professional wine buyers is very different from jud...
by John Hagarty
In 1862, as the tragedy of the American Civil War unfolded, an invasion of European vineyards began. In this instance, it was an army the United States had unwittingly launched against wine lovers. The resulting conflict came within a grape leaf of destroying wine worldwide.Could it happen again? Perhaps.Our story begins in New York State where an amateur horticulturalist sent his friend, Monsieur Borty, a wine merchant in southern France, a case of native grapevines. This was an era of intense interest in Europe in importing novel and exotic plants from around the world. The Victorian scientific community was being swept up in the excitement of reproducing these plants for both scientific and commercial purposes. The advent of steamship travel meant that flora could be speedily shippe...
by Tom Lewis
A while ago, after a couple of years' very good results, my boss presented me with a rather special bottle of Bordeaux - a magnum of Troplong Mondot 1998, no less.Troplong Mondot is a St Emilion Grand Cru Classe, meaning it is officially one of the top properties on the right bank of the Gironde in Bordeaux where the dominant grape variety is Merlot. Unofficially, it is considered one of the best chateaux in St Emilion with 1998 being one of the best recent vintages.So, this was a little way above my usual "everyday" drinking and I wanted to be sure to appreciate the wine fully. Usually, I buy new wines in pairs at least; with the first bottle you learn how the wine develops once opened so that you can serve the second bottle at the ideal temperature and with the right amount of airing, be...
by Charlie Adler
It’s very controversial in the U.S. to consider an alcoholic beverage as part of a healthy diet. Study after study has shown pretty conclusively that consuming wine daily (especially red wine) in moderation is healthy for you. Yes, there are many caveats and risks, but no more so than taking the majority of pharmaceutical drugs which often have side effects that are dangerous in themselves! Here are some basic points to consider:1. Consume wine with meals.Wine was meant to be enjoyed with food – period! Wine adds pleasure to the enjoyment of food and is much better for you than a can of soda. Generally, low in sugar, fat and calories (and protein for that matter), it enhances the flavor of food. The other benefit of eating and drinking together is food slows down the absorption of alco...
by Jesse Willis
Whereas in most of Europe it would be a sin to serve a glass of wine without something to eat, many North Americans still enjoy their wine without any culinary accompaniment. While there is nothing wrong with sipping a glass of wine on its own, there are those wines in the world that truly require food to show their fullest potential. Barolo is just such a wine.To new wine lovers or those who have not yet been acquainted with it, their first sip of Barolo may be an alarming experience. Barolo is a small region in the province of Piemonte in North-West Italy made exclusively from the Nebbiolo grape and it is one of the world’s greatest wines. Prized for its ability to age (and often priced accordingly), in its youth Barolo can be unforgiving. The tannic nature of a young Barolo can leave...
by Carola Price
How is it possible that a year goes by in the blink of an eye? It’s probably because I spend my days amidst freshly opened bottles, taking copious notes, spitting into my giant silver Champagne bucket and laughing at myself for drinking alone at ten in the morning, computer screen at my side filled with the latest wine news. Don’t get me wrong I LOVE my job! Who else gets to drink in pyjamas first thing in the morning without raised eyebrows and silent judgement?As a new year begins I have come up with some of my top scoring wines for you to try. The reason these wines made my list is for the simple fact that they represent drinkability, ageing potential, bang for the buck and ease in food pairing. While you may not agree with some of my choices remember that wine tasting is always bia...
