I want to make some major changes in the look and feel of Grape Sense this summer. I plan to add some tools and links that are more helpful to wine drinkers.
So I'm playing with some looks and color in the current platform I use for blogging until I can migrate the blog to an entirely new template and software. No radical changes right away but some different color combinations and maybe minor changes in layout.
I'll continue to tweak once in a while to find things I like. Thanks for visiting!
Send comment or questions to: hewitthoward@gmail.com
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Don't be Afraid to Try a French White Wine
Anyone who drinks even a little bit of wine probably has heard of ABC drinkers – Anything But Chardonnay! Or perhaps you know a “red only” wine drinker next door.
There is a revival going on with several white wines. Chenin Blanc is making a comeback. Chardonnay is becoming less oak-driven and more food friendly. Obscure French grapes are making Cotes du Rhone whites popular again.
Grape Sense focused on the geography of the Cotes du Rhone region in a July 2010 column. The Cotes du Rhone region sits at the very southeastern corner of France above Provence and below Beaujolais and Burgundy. The area is broken down into about 20 appellations or regions.
The reds offer a great contrast to many of the big and in-your-face wines of California, Australia, and even South America. The white wines are much lesser known but are a great alternative to Chardonnay and often a white that red lovers can appreciate.
You won’t find a Cotes du Rhone white wine in many supermarkets or liquor stores. You may have to go to a wine specialty shop. But I’ve found quite a few in Indiana.
The wines have a better balance and some of the earthiness you don’t usually find in whites. There is balance in the good Cote du Rhone whites that make them great as a standalone wine or with food.
There are three primary grapes. The first is Viognier, one of the most floral wines you will ever come across. Viognier is believed to be an ancient grape grown mostly in the northern Rhone region. The variety nearly disappeared in the 1960 before regaining some popularity.
There has been resurgence in Viognier in recent years even in this country. The California Central Coast has more than 2,000 acres planted in the grapes, thanks largely to a group known as the Rhone Rangers who plant red and white Rhone grapes.
A wine made of 100 percent Viognier can be quite delightful. The wine has a huge floral nose that might remind you of apricots or sweet fruit like an orange. Usually the wines are made in a dry style which makes them more interesting for the red wine drinker.
The other two grapes are more obscure. Rousanne and Marsanne don’t roll right off most American’s favorite wine lists. It’s not impossible to find a 100 percent bottling of either grape, but it’s rare.
The two are almost always blended. Roussanne is a bit sour or tart and usually gets some barrel fermentation. The characteristics on the nose and palate are floral but nothing compared to Viognier. Roussanne is a rich and spicy white that’s full bodied enough for winter meals.
Marsanne stands out for its deep golden color in the glass. The taste characteristics are often described as nut, spice, and pear.
Individually the wines are probably interesting for real wine geeks. But when the three grapes are blended together you get a rich white wine that will appeal to those ‘red only’ people, easy to pair with food, and introduce your wine friends to something brand new.
Howard’s Picks:
La Vieille Ferme Blanc – Here is a Cotes du Rhone white that’s pretty easy to find. It has a couple of other odd grapes not mentioned above (Bourboulenc and Ugni Blanc) but it’s a good representation of what you’ll find in Cotes du Rhone whites. It does have Rousanne in the blend. I found it easy on the palate with nicely-balanced acidity and a hint of lime. For $8.99, it’s an easy exploration into something different.
Send comment or questions to: hewitthoward@gmail.com
There is a revival going on with several white wines. Chenin Blanc is making a comeback. Chardonnay is becoming less oak-driven and more food friendly. Obscure French grapes are making Cotes du Rhone whites popular again.
Grape Sense focused on the geography of the Cotes du Rhone region in a July 2010 column. The Cotes du Rhone region sits at the very southeastern corner of France above Provence and below Beaujolais and Burgundy. The area is broken down into about 20 appellations or regions. The reds offer a great contrast to many of the big and in-your-face wines of California, Australia, and even South America. The white wines are much lesser known but are a great alternative to Chardonnay and often a white that red lovers can appreciate.
You won’t find a Cotes du Rhone white wine in many supermarkets or liquor stores. You may have to go to a wine specialty shop. But I’ve found quite a few in Indiana.
The wines have a better balance and some of the earthiness you don’t usually find in whites. There is balance in the good Cote du Rhone whites that make them great as a standalone wine or with food.
There are three primary grapes. The first is Viognier, one of the most floral wines you will ever come across. Viognier is believed to be an ancient grape grown mostly in the northern Rhone region. The variety nearly disappeared in the 1960 before regaining some popularity.
There has been resurgence in Viognier in recent years even in this country. The California Central Coast has more than 2,000 acres planted in the grapes, thanks largely to a group known as the Rhone Rangers who plant red and white Rhone grapes.
A wine made of 100 percent Viognier can be quite delightful. The wine has a huge floral nose that might remind you of apricots or sweet fruit like an orange. Usually the wines are made in a dry style which makes them more interesting for the red wine drinker.
The other two grapes are more obscure. Rousanne and Marsanne don’t roll right off most American’s favorite wine lists. It’s not impossible to find a 100 percent bottling of either grape, but it’s rare.The two are almost always blended. Roussanne is a bit sour or tart and usually gets some barrel fermentation. The characteristics on the nose and palate are floral but nothing compared to Viognier. Roussanne is a rich and spicy white that’s full bodied enough for winter meals.
Marsanne stands out for its deep golden color in the glass. The taste characteristics are often described as nut, spice, and pear.
Individually the wines are probably interesting for real wine geeks. But when the three grapes are blended together you get a rich white wine that will appeal to those ‘red only’ people, easy to pair with food, and introduce your wine friends to something brand new.
Howard’s Picks:
La Vieille Ferme Blanc – Here is a Cotes du Rhone white that’s pretty easy to find. It has a couple of other odd grapes not mentioned above (Bourboulenc and Ugni Blanc) but it’s a good representation of what you’ll find in Cotes du Rhone whites. It does have Rousanne in the blend. I found it easy on the palate with nicely-balanced acidity and a hint of lime. For $8.99, it’s an easy exploration into something different.
Send comment or questions to: hewitthoward@gmail.com
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Catching up on Wine Reviews with a Bunch of Reds
I find myself falling behind on my basic wine reviews when I'm busy with work, writing and pitching stories to Palate Press, doing some wine work on events, and - oh - I do have a job that pays the bills which takes 40 hours a week.
Ortman 2006 Paso Robles Syrah - I have now sampled four different Ortman wines and continue to be struck by the incredible balance. These may be some of the most food-friendly wines you will find with such consistency from variety to variety. I opened the Syrah with a group of friends during a blind tasting. They picked it out as Syrah pretty quick and joined me in the praises when they learned it was Ortman. The group had tasted the winery's Sangiovese and Cuvee Eddy blend.
The wine starts soft and seems to grow more bold with every sip. There's a definite hint of cherry, style, smoothness and no smack in the jaw like too many Sirahs, Syrahs, or Shiraz - pick one. This is a very food-friendly wine. The Ortman Syrah has a suggested retail price of $22.
Ortman wines are available in some midwestern states and will be available in Indiana very soon.
Earthquake 2006 Syrah - I love the fun some wineries have with their labels and with the text on the back label. "over the top and shattering to the veins, all varietals under the Earthquake label are ... reserve level wines." That gives you an idea. This is the second Earthquake wine I've had from Michael David Winery and they are definitely big wines. This wine is actually the big brother of the Windmill reviewed below.
The Earthquake gives you big dark fruit, very ripe, some earthiness and a big finish. The wine retails at $26, but I've seen the label a number of places for less. I like these big bold punch in the nose wines. It has a bit of Petite Sirah and Cab in the blend but this is big wine, at a reasonable price, for big wine lovers. Though this was a trade sample, I have bought this label before and would again.
Windmill 2007 Zinfandel from Michael-David Vineyards - This is Lodi Old Vine Zin and comes in right where you'd expect such a wine. It has big cherry and smokey flavors with a hint of vanilla. It had a little too much of the 'weeeee' factor (alcohol) before a good decant. But then it quickly became a pretty darn good of $12 wine. It's a blend of Zinfandel and 24 percent Petite Sirah. Grab a dark chocolate bar and you'll find this enjoyable for the price. (Trade Sample)
Buried Cane 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon - Here is a nice value Cab blend for all you big wine drinkers. The Buried Cane, part of the Middleton Family Wines Group, is a nice 75 percent Cabernet, 25 percent Malbec Blend from Washington state. You've got the dark fruit, a rich mouth feel, and good acidity without an overwhelming tannic finish. There isn't a ton of mid-palate on this wine but for $13 its a steal. (Trade Sample)
NOTE - That gets me started, will definitely add a couple more wines to this post Monday night!
Send comment or questions to: hewitthoward@gmail.com
Ortman 2006 Paso Robles Syrah - I have now sampled four different Ortman wines and continue to be struck by the incredible balance. These may be some of the most food-friendly wines you will find with such consistency from variety to variety. I opened the Syrah with a group of friends during a blind tasting. They picked it out as Syrah pretty quick and joined me in the praises when they learned it was Ortman. The group had tasted the winery's Sangiovese and Cuvee Eddy blend.The wine starts soft and seems to grow more bold with every sip. There's a definite hint of cherry, style, smoothness and no smack in the jaw like too many Sirahs, Syrahs, or Shiraz - pick one. This is a very food-friendly wine. The Ortman Syrah has a suggested retail price of $22.
Ortman wines are available in some midwestern states and will be available in Indiana very soon.
Earthquake 2006 Syrah - I love the fun some wineries have with their labels and with the text on the back label. "over the top and shattering to the veins, all varietals under the Earthquake label are ... reserve level wines." That gives you an idea. This is the second Earthquake wine I've had from Michael David Winery and they are definitely big wines. This wine is actually the big brother of the Windmill reviewed below. The Earthquake gives you big dark fruit, very ripe, some earthiness and a big finish. The wine retails at $26, but I've seen the label a number of places for less. I like these big bold punch in the nose wines. It has a bit of Petite Sirah and Cab in the blend but this is big wine, at a reasonable price, for big wine lovers. Though this was a trade sample, I have bought this label before and would again.
Windmill 2007 Zinfandel from Michael-David Vineyards - This is Lodi Old Vine Zin and comes in right where you'd expect such a wine. It has big cherry and smokey flavors with a hint of vanilla. It had a little too much of the 'weeeee' factor (alcohol) before a good decant. But then it quickly became a pretty darn good of $12 wine. It's a blend of Zinfandel and 24 percent Petite Sirah. Grab a dark chocolate bar and you'll find this enjoyable for the price. (Trade Sample)
Buried Cane 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon - Here is a nice value Cab blend for all you big wine drinkers. The Buried Cane, part of the Middleton Family Wines Group, is a nice 75 percent Cabernet, 25 percent Malbec Blend from Washington state. You've got the dark fruit, a rich mouth feel, and good acidity without an overwhelming tannic finish. There isn't a ton of mid-palate on this wine but for $13 its a steal. (Trade Sample)NOTE - That gets me started, will definitely add a couple more wines to this post Monday night!
Send comment or questions to: hewitthoward@gmail.com
Peru Tribune 14th Paper Publishing Grape Sense!
When I started writing a newspaper column about value wine two-and-one-half years ago I intentionally set my goal pretty high.
I thought 20 newspapers would be a really great goal. Over the weekend I picked up the Peru Tribune in Peru, Indiana, for number 14.
I get frustrated when I send 50 emails to editors, many of who I know, and hear back from one. But sometimes I get a request out of nowhere wanting to add the column and it just makes my day!
It's a pretty good birthday present. I can now say 14 Indiana newspapers and approximately 200,000 Hoosier homes.
Send comment or questions to: hewitthoward@gmail.com
I thought 20 newspapers would be a really great goal. Over the weekend I picked up the Peru Tribune in Peru, Indiana, for number 14.I get frustrated when I send 50 emails to editors, many of who I know, and hear back from one. But sometimes I get a request out of nowhere wanting to add the column and it just makes my day!
It's a pretty good birthday present. I can now say 14 Indiana newspapers and approximately 200,000 Hoosier homes.
Send comment or questions to: hewitthoward@gmail.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)