by Jennifer Jordan
Vintage, when it comes to wine, has a unique definition: it isn’t merely an old, classic bottle or one wearing a Guns and Roses hat and Van Halen (pre Sammy Hagar) shirt. In wine, vintage is defined as being made from a particular harvest or a specific crop. A 1989 vintage Riesling, for example, is made up of grapes from - you guessed it - 1989. Still, not every single grape used for the wine may be from the year denoted. Like a fruit with a fake ID, some grapes from other years may sneak in. How many, however, depends on the country. In the wine regions of Chile and South America, at least three fourths of the wine must be from the vintage year in order to bear that year on the label. In Australia, New Zealand, Europe and the United States the rule sits at 85 percent. But, the U...
by Byron Carman
Must Stops In Napa Valley Byron, The Bay Area Critic www.BayAreaCritic.com The local perspective on great wine tasting experiences. As the person who came up with The Bay Area Critic, I’m often asked for suggestions on wineries to visit when planning a trip to Napa. My typical response to the question is, “It really depends. Tell me more about what you’re seeking.” strongly believe Wine Tasting in Napa Valley is mainly about the wine you taste and the people you meet along the way. However, Napa Valley can be broken into the following categories: Scenic Tours (Breath taking views, old Chateaus, etc.) Red Wine Tours (Wineries tasting predominately red wines) White Wine Tours (Wineries tasting predominately white wines) Port Tours (For those who like ports or dessert wines) T...
by Jennifer Jordan
There are few things that will send a clean freak into a nervous breakdown like a red wine stain: red, red wine, when it’s spilled on the table and running onto the carpet, doesn’t make you feel so fine. No matter what UB40 says. But, luckily, there is hope. Take it from me, I’m an expert in stains. Now, my self-proclaimed “expert status” isn’t because I spill a lot of red wine, if I feel like there’s going to be a spill, I’m not above using a sippy cup as intervention. Instead, my status is deserved because I have a dog with a penchant for confusing the living room with the outside lawn. On occasion I can catch her before she stains my carpet – her sniffing around or asking for a magazine (Dog Fancy) are sure signs that she’s about to leave a mark – but more ofte...
by Byron Carman
THE WINE INDUSTRY UNCORKED Byron, The Bay Area Critic By the process of osmosis, you’re not instantly an expert because you live in Northern California when it comes to distinguishing the good, bad and the ugly when it comes to wines. Most can’t even tell the difference between a bottle of “Two Buck Chuck”(Charles Shaw Wine Sold at Trader Joes) and “KJ” (Kendall Jackson). While the bottles look alike, they’re different in many ways. This article is intended to give the basic wine consumer a little peek into the world of wine. MAGNETS Labels have a lot to do with the success of a bottle of wine. A good picture, graphic and of course a distinguishing or catchy name really impacts the popularity of a vineyard. Could a name like “Opus One” attached with hefty price tag b...
by Byron Carman
Tasting Room Basics Byron, The Bay Area Critic www.BayAreaCritic.com Think of Wine Tasting as like being on a cruise. Going from Port to Port (no pun intended) instead of selecting a single vacation spot or bottle of wine. The cruiser enjoys the journey (tasting), as well as the destination (bottle). When you wine taste, you get to sample many different varieties of wine, from a few different wineries, and most take home a souvenir bottle to enjoy. You can also do some wine tasting at wine bars all over the Bay Area. They offer “Flights” of wine. A “Flight” is a series of wines that take your taste buds on a journey. Sometimes it’s a flight around the globe with wines from Napa, France, Italy and New Zealand, other times it’s a flight of Pinots Noirs and even a flight of the...
by Jennifer Jordan
We all know that dating is hard: the awkward silences, the nerves of the first kiss, the fear of flatulence in an intimate moment. Yes, dating is hard on so many fronts, including knowing what wine to order on the very first date. Perhaps you're at a nice restaurant and don't want to come across as having too rich of taste, hoping to stay away from the best vintages. Perhaps you're having a date over for dinner and want a bottle that is flavorful, but not too expensive. Perhaps you're out for just a drink and don't want to ruin your chances of next time going out for a dinner by getting too loopy from a wine with a high alcohol content. If you fall into any of the above categories, keep reading; this buzz is for you. Best Wines to Order for Dinner Glasses of wine at restaurants can rang...
by Jennifer Jordan
It seems to me that people will make a movie about anything (White Chicks...seriously?). From anacondas to Zorro's, if there is a camera, there will be a film. A not-so-recent addition to this movie bandwagon is the food and drink industry. Strange Brew made beer famous, Supersize Me showcased the unhealthiness of fast food, Leaving Las Vegas spotlighted hard alcohol, and Babe, well, that was all about pork. Wine, not to be left out, has begun to get noticed. Many movies have featured wine in supporting roles – a bottle thrown against a wall or a drop of Shiraz spilled on a white dress for dramatic effect – but wine has yet to plant its seed on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. However, this may soon change: wine is becoming more and more popular as a subject matter, leaving me to wonder i...
by Jennifer Jordan
Throughout centuries, people have searched for a proverbial Fountain of Youth, a fountain whose water can actually slow down the aging process. From Juan Ponce de León to the modern day seeker, the search for the Fountain of Youth, much like the fountain itself, springs eternal. While this fountain’s location has proven elusive, it’s believed to be somewhere near Florida, causing hopeful searchers to leave no Cadillac unturned: as the Atlantic winds blow onto the shores, the sounds of “here fountain fountain fountain” are often heard from afar. The reason for this extensive hunt is simple: when it comes to life, everyone hopes to find an extension cord. Though the Fountain of Youth hasn’t provided us with this extension - as its waters have yet to be packaged, labeled, and...
by Jennifer Jordan
Dating, for those of us who are tired of being single, can be a royal pain. From speed dating to online dating, from the taverns to the grocery stores, we have several outlets where we can meet potential matches. But, unfortunately, these matches often extinguish before they can light even the slightest spark, leaving those of us frustrated to long for the days of arranged marriages: someone just marry me and give my parents a llama. My own personal experiences have led me to meet dates a variety of ways. I’ve been set up by friends, I’ve been set up by computers, I’ve gone to functions for singles, and, of course, I’ve met many a’people at the bars. But, it wasn’t until recently that I found a dating medium I truly enjoyed: wine tasting for singles. Wine tasting for single...
by Jennifer Jordan
Anyone who knows wine knows that it has greatly impacted the history of our world. From Noah drinking it in the Old Testament, to legends of soldiers who used it as courage to fight during medieval times, wine has impacted conquests and wars. While this impact could have been more direct, with a very small glass of wine declaring itself Emperor of France, its subtlety was still felt; it is hard to refute the argument that, without wine, our world would be very different. History, as we know it, has always been under the influence. A good part of wine’s impact on the world must be credited to the Roman Empire. While other societies have used wine and spirits to mold cultures, the Romans, because of their eventual vast expansion and reputation as being “the trendsetters of history,” ...
