Monday, September 26, 2011

Le Caveau - Spain & Portugal Wine Tasting - 9/24/11



Le Caveau - Spain & Portugal Wine Tasting - 9/24/11
--
1) 2010 Bodegas Pedro Escudero ‘Fuente Milano’ Rueda DO $10.99
50% Viura, 50% Verdejo
This wine has a light, bright yellow color with melon, grapefruit, and with faint herbal note on the nose. There is intense citrus fruit on the palate with nice weight, crisp acidity and a fresh finish.
The Escudero family and patriarch Pedro in particular are recognized as being some of the very best grape growers in all of Rueda, and own “Fuente Elvira” a vineyard planted with 32 hectares of Verdejo and 2 hectares of 80 year old vine Viura. The vineyard contains gravel and sand over a red clay sub-soil. They farm all of their plots with organic practices.

2) 2009 Bodegas Abanico ‘Tempestad’ Godello Valdeorras DO $18.99
100% Godello
This wine has a medium golden color, and an intense nose of ripe peach, pear tart and tropical fruit. The palate is concentrated with rich stone fruit and a gorgeous texture/mouthfeel balanced by lively acidity.
The winery was founded in 1964 and has vineyards in 4 different villages of Valdeorras with slate, granite and alluvial soils. Godello possesses the capacity to age well like chardonnay in Burgundy and Riesling in Germany.

3) 2008 Monte da Ravasqueira ‘Fonte da Serrana’ Alentejo $14.99
Mostly Aragonez (Tempranillo) and Trincadeira with Alicante Bouschet and Cabernet Sauvignon
With a deep garnet hue, this wine shows smoky dried fruit, anise and raspberry fruit aromas. The wine shows rich red fruit on the palate with prominent acidity, soft tannins and an earthy finish.
Monte da Ravasqueira is based in the Alentejo region, in south-central Portugal. In addition to wine, they are involved in the production of cork, olive oil and honey, as well as breeding Lusitanian horses.

4) 2007 Bodegas Neo ‘Neo Sentido’ Ribera del Duero DO $24.99
100% Tempranillo
This wine has a dark ruby color and has ripe black cherry with hints of earth and licorice. On the palate is sports dark, ripe, concentrated fruit with round tannins, velvety texture and a lengthy finish.
Produced from leased, old vine (60 year old vines with growing conditions managed by the winery) fruit and fruit from young estate vines. Aged in new, one and two year old, 60% French and 40% American oak for 8 months, it is bottled without fining or filtration

5) 2004 Bodegas Valduero 'Valduero' Reserva Ribera del Duero DO $34.99
100% Tempranillo
Dark garnet colored, it shows black cherry, leather, herbs, and espresso. The palate echoes with rich dark fruit with firm structure, but is easy to drink on not at all heavy. This wine is very complex with balancing acidity and a nice mineral-driven finish.
The 2004 Valduero Reserva spent 30 months in French and American oak and then another 18 months in bottle before release. The Reserva is only produced in the best vintages.

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Wine Shoe - Wine 101 Class -

Wine Shoe - Wine 101 Class - Saturday 09/17/2011 2:45pm.
--
For those unfamiliar, Wine Shoe is a boutique wine shop in the Castleberry Hill area of Atlanta. Nora is the owner. They have roughly 140 small-production wines available for sale, mostly from Europe, Central and South America, and South Africa, and a few from California. Most of the wines are under $20 in price, which makes it much more affordable to Drink Well! They are also retailers of the ISAW Foundation recommended wines from M'Hudi and Seven Sisters wineries - which makes ME a HUGE fan off the bat.
Wine Shoe Classes - Also Wine Shoe hosts classes on various weeknights and weekends. See their website for details and registration.
--
We went to Wine Shoe for the Wine 101 class. Yes yes I know, we are not complete beginners, but it is always good to go back to the beginning to learn things you may have forgotten, or learn new things you missed when jumping into the Wine World the first time. Back to the basics we went.
--
Our instructor was Teresa (Tair-ray-suh), a lovely woman who can be instantly recognized by her black beret . you may have seen her around town? I know I have run into her on several occasions. She loves good food and wine, and she is hysterically funny to talk with. I adore her!
--
Top Ten Most Used Wine Terms (ok maybe more than 10).
Aroma (also bouquet, perfume, nose, scent), the intensity and character of the aroma can be assessed with nearly any descriptive adjective. Usually refers to the particular smell of the grape variety. The word "Bouquet" is usually restricted to describing the aroma of a cellar-aged bottled wine.
Balance balance of wine elements (ie: no individual part is dominant). Acid balances sweetness, fruit balances oak and tannin content, alcohol is balanced against acidity and flavor. Wine not in balance may be acidic, cloying, flat, or harsh.
Crisp - wine having a pronounced but pleasing tartness, acidity. Fresh, young and eager, begs to be drunk. In general used to describe white wines only, especially those of Muscadet de Sevres et Maine from the Loire region of France.
Dry- dry wine types have sugars that have been all used up to create alcohol. The wine possesses little or no sweetness.
Finish- term used to describe the taste left in the mouth after swallowing the wine. Both character and length of the aftertaste are part of the total evaluation. The finish may be harsh, hot, soft, and lingering, short, smooth, tannic, or non-existant at all.
Fruity- used for any quality that refers to the body and richness of a wine made from good, ripe grapes. A fruity wine has an apple-like or berry-like, or herbaceous character. Fruitiness implies a little extra sweetness.
Smooth/Soft/Velvety - Generally has low acid-tannin content. Also describes wines with low alcohol content. Consequently has little impact on the palate.
Spicy - almost a synonym for peppery. Implies a softer, more rounded flavor nuance however.
Structure - the flavor plan, so to speak. Suggests completeness of the wine, all the parts there, term needs a modifier in order to mean something (ie: brawny)
Sulphites - preservatives
Tannins - a naturally occurring substance in grape skins, seeds, and stems. Is primarily responsible for the basic "bitter" component in wines. Acts as a natural preservative, helping the development, and in the right proportion, balance of the wine. It is considered a fault when present in excess.
Taste - The four basic sensations detectable by the human tongue. The tip of the tongue contains the taste receptors registering sweetness, just a little further back, at the sides, the taste will appear salty, behind that the flavor will have a sour taste at the sides, finally dissolving into bitterness at the near center-rear of the tongue.
Terroir (tear-r-wah) - medium that the grape vines are growing in (land, geographical location, winds, weather, soil, etc).
Varietal - grape or variety of grape used to make the wine, sometimes many varietals are used in a wine, then it is considered a blend.
Vintage - the year or age of the wine
--
Classic Varietal Information
Cabernet Sauvignon -(Cab-er-nay-Saw-veen-yawn) - classic red - distinctive black currant aroma can develop bouquet nuances of cedar, violets, leather earth, or tobacco. typically has a tannic edge that will soften and smooth considerably with time. It's a wine that ages extremely well, and indeed produces striking results after a long storage period.
Chardonnay - (Shar-doe-nay)- classic white - unmistakable in the mouth because of its impeccable sugar/acid balance, full body, and smooth ripe flavors. It often smells like apples, peaches, or tropical fruits. Popular throughout the world, it is the most commonly planted varietal in California.
Chenin Blanc - (Shen-nin-blahnk) classic white - the most vibrant comes from the Loire Valley of France, but it is the leading white grape of South Africa, where it is known as Steen. It is full, round, and effortless to drink.
Merlot - (mer-low) classic red - Merlots tend to be dry, rich in flavor, and smooth in finish. The bouquet is ripe with berry and fruit smells, and thus the wines tend to have fruit forward flavors. Merlots can be consumed soon after bottling, but can age for long periods for optimal tasting.
Pinot Noir - (Pee-no-nwar) classic red - lighter color and bodied red wine, with intense complex flavors and a silky texture. Somewhat dry in its taste, the flavors often include berries, plums, cherries, rose petals, and mushrooms. The grapes are difficult to grow and susceptible to disease, making the varietal an excellent challenge for most winemakers. This varietal shows best when grown in cool climate. (My fave Pinot Noirs come from Williamette Valley Oregon or Russian River Valley).
Riesling - (reez-ling) classic white - A particularly refreshing alternative to the Chardonnay/Sauvignon Blanc white wine tandem. Unlike its cousin, Gewurztraminer (Guh-vertz-trah-miner), this varietal has little spice and instead relies on its delicate aromas and subtle flavors for its niche. usually lighter in style and sometimes residual sweetness, it's better paired with lighter fare. (I prefer DRY Rieslings)
Sangiovese - (san-gee-o-vay-zee) main red wine in Italy
Sauvignon Blanc - (Saw-veen-yawn-Blahnk) classic white - The polar opposite of Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc is brisk, refreshing, herb scented, grassy, grapefruit, passion fruit, gooseberry, or melon with a streak of sharp acidity. The varietal can be extremely dry or even sweet, depending on the wine maker.
Syrah or Shiraz (Sear-rah, sheer-rahz)- classic red - makes velvety wine with exotic perfumes of smoke, bacon, violets, and blueberries.
Tempranillo (temp-ra-nee-yo)- red varietal from Spain
Viognier - (vee-own-yay) - white wine, typically sweeter and high in sugar (depending who makes it).
--
The 4 S's of wine
Sight
Swirl
Scent
Sip
--
Wine 101's Tasting Notes:
1) 2009 D'Lucio Sparkling Rose, Tempranillo, Spain, 7% alcohol,
2) Altosur Sauvignon Blanc, Mendoza Argentina, 12% alcohol,
3) 2010 El Peral Chardonnay, Tupungato, Valle De Uco, Mendoza, Argentina. 13.6% alcohol
4) 2009 Le Dog Merlot, Tuchan, Languedoc, France - $13.99
5) 2009 Vinum Cabernet Sauvignon, Stellenbosch, South Africa, 14% alcohol - $19.99
6) 2003 Mt. Jagged Shiraz (98% Shiraz, 2% Viognier), Australia, 14% alcohol - $19.99
7) 2009 Seven Sisters Odelia Bukettraube - Swartland South Africa, 12% alcohol - $17.99
--
Wine Shoe's Off The Wall VIP Club
currently $79.99/month to get:
  • Wine shopping by appointment for your convenience - even when they are "closed"
  • Six bottles of Off The Wall wines each month
  • Free wine Shoe 6-bottle wine tote bag
  • Free monthly tasting during scheduled pickup on 2nd Monday of each month
  • Two Free Seats to one of their classes when you sign up for 1 year.
  • Free gift wrapping on special purchases
  • 15% off on re-orders of cases of the Off The Wall wines throughout the feature month.
  • 12% off case purchases of any of their other wine
  • 6% off when you buy 6 or more bottles.
  • Half Price on any other classes, and half price for your guest(s) when they come with you.
  • Personal Wine Consulting service
Off The Wall wines are wines not usually carried on the wine wall in the shop, for you to take home and try. It will be a mixture of reds and white, but primarily reds. Your wines will be ready to pick up on the 2nd Monday of each month between 5p-8p. Just bring your Wine Shoe tote bag. If you really LOVE one of the Off The Wall wines, please let Nora know, and you will be helping "make Wine Shoe" the best Wine Shop in Atlanta. Your VIP opinion matters!
--
Bonus class notes:
Italian toast - Hold up your glass, look the person you are toasting in the eye, and as you clink, say "Chin-Chin." Make sure you look them in the eye or you will have 5 years of bad sex (says Teresa). The origination of the toast is the Italian word for 5 = Cinque (cheen-quay). It means from my 5 senses to your 5 senses. Meaning of course the 5 senses (see, smell, taste, touch, hear).
Bukettraube -(Boo-ket-traw-buh) white wine varietal - also sometimes spelled as "Bouquettraube", originally from Germany, now grown most notably in South Africa (yum!)

Thursday, September 15, 2011

VOTE YES for Sunday Sales! November 8th, 2011

don't forget
to
VOTE YES for Sunday Sales in Atlanta!
yes
yes
yes!

Monday, September 12, 2011

Le Caveau Tasting 09/10/2011


1) "2008 Domaine de Triennes Viognier "Sainte Fleur" Vin de Pays du Var
100% Viognier
The wine has pale straw color, with apricot, honeysuckle and an orange rind quality on the nose. It has a powerful mid-palate with stony mineral edge on the long finish.
Two of Burgundy's greatest names - Jacques Seysses, founder of Domaine Dujac, and Aubert de Villaine, co-owner of Domaine de la Romanee-Conti – are the partners behind this pioneering property in Provence. It is Fermented and aged 100% in steel tanks; some of the wine undergoes malolactic fermentation, while the rest is blocked at an earlier stage to retain its freshness."
--
$17.99
nice icicle legs, smooth and silky in the middle, then slight edge at the end of the palate. yum. pairs well with stronger cheese, maybe a brie? Eric says French Viognier's are dryer than Californian ones. Californian Viogniers do not have the acidity to stand up to food.
---------------------------------------------------
2) 2009 Dr. Deinhard Deidesheimer Mäushöhle Riesling Kabinett halbtrocken
100% Riesling
This wine has a medium golden color, with a very exotic nose of pineapple, and herbs. The palate is juicy and refreshing, with suggestions of crushed stone and a long, succulent, dry finish.
The name of this site has nothing to do with a mousehole but is derived from the sloping vineyard site owned by a family named 'Maus'. The German word 'Halde' for 'Hang' (slope) became 'helde' and finally changed to 'Höhle' (hole). The hallmark of the vineyard is the tropical fruit aromas that the wines show.
--
$19.99
pronounced dine-hard, die-des-hi-mer, mouse-hole-ah, kabi-net halb-trok-ken. Halbtrocken means half-dry. this guy owns the other 2 wineries in the area. The three of the wineries used to belong to an estate in the 1800s, but when the owner died he split it between his children (who did not get along very well), but now the 3 wineries are reunited again. this one is also aged in 100 Liter oak barrels, rare for German winemaking. this was Matt's first Reisling tasting!
---------------------------------------------------
3) 2010 Domaine Fougeray de Beauclair Marsannay Rosé
100% Pinot Noir
With a gorgeous pink color, this wine shows strawberry overtones on the nose and the palate delivers with cherry fruit with subtlety and crisp acidity. This is one of the more structured rosé wines we have that will be perfect for Thanksgiving dinner.
This Domaine was established in 1986, and although quite young, comprises 20 hectares of 50+ year old vineyards stretching from Savigny-les-Beaune to Marsannay.
--
$22.99
pronounced doe-man, foo-juer-ray, day, bow-clair, mar-soe-nay, Rose-ay. this one is very close to Dijon area, and these are the only Rose's you can age. Matt says this is his FAVE Rose so far.
---------------------------------------------------
4) 2008 Demarie Nebbiolo Langhe DOC
100% Nebbiolo
This wine has a medium ruby color, with an intense nose that shows leather, violets, and ripe Morello cherry. The palate shows musky cherry fruit with lively acidity with a bit of star anise on the finish.
Nebbiolo is thought to derive its name from the Piedmontese word nebbia which means "fog." During harvest, which generally takes place late in October, a deep, intense fog sets into the Langhe region where many Nebbiolo vineyards are located.
--
$13.99
white grape version is "arnies", region is pronounced Lawn-gay, Piedmont is in the North of Italy, top left of the boot if you are looking at a map. Barbaresco and Barollo also made from this red grape.
---------------------------------------------------
5) 2005 Le Ragnaie Brunello Di Montalcino DOCG
100% Sangiovese Grosso
This wine has a bright, medium garnet color and a very expressive nose displaying sour red cherry and floral aromas along with smoke. The palate is bright and fresh, with flavors of red fruit, tobacco and earth. This wine is supremely balanced and long on the finish.
Though owner Riccardo Campinoti also owns a vineyard called Petroso and other vines in the Castelnuovo dell'Abate area, the 2005 Brunello was made exclusively from the estate’s holdings at Le Ragnaie, close to Poggio Antico, and among the highest-elevation vineyards in Montalcino. Roberto forgoes significant monetary gain as he makes only one wine and he blends his reserve barrels and regular barrels together. This single expression is, in his opinion, the epitome of the year.
--
$51.99 for this vintage
or $26.99 for the 2007 Rosso.
brick red amazing. that's all I have to say. WOW!
---------------------------------------------------

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Le Caveau Wine Tasting - Rhone Wines - Saturday, 09-03-11

1) 2010 Domaine du Vieux Chêne “Cuvée Friande” Rosé $11.99
100% Grenache, 13% alcohol
With a dark salmon color and nose of sharper cherry fruit, this wine offers up pure strawberry, cranberry and citrus on the palate balanced by perfect acidity making it almost weightless. This rosé begs for food like grilled whole Red Snapper or cheeses like Saint-Marcellin spread on a warm baguette.
In the heart of Provence, filled with heritage dating from Roman and medieval times, this organically farmed winery is located between Orange and Vaison‐la‐Romaine, not far from Châteauneuf du Pape. Certified by Ecocert, the grapes are organically grown.
Husband and wife wine team!

2) 2007 Domaine Puech Noble Coteaux de Languedoc Blanc $19.99
50% Grenache Blanc, 35% Rolle ( Vermentino) and 15% Viognier
(Puech = Pesh)
The aromas on this wine are of honeysuckle, acacia (flower, ingredient in Fresca), lemongrass and a hint of salinity. The palate is lovely, honey-rich, built with citric acidity on the back end to balance the richness. The mouth-feel is generous but not cloying, complex with hints of sherbet.
This wine is from an estate in Côteaux du Languedoc near Nîmes that was purchased and now run by Rene Rostaing, a renowned winemaker from Cote Rotie. Rostaing’s ethic in these wines is elegant, yet concentrated; expressive, but subtle; hedonistic, but cerebral.

3) 2008 Domaine Charvin “Le Poutet” Côtes du Rhône $19.99
85% Grenache, 10% Syrah, and 5% Carignan (aged in concrete tanks and unfiltered)
Bright ruby in color, this wine shows elegant cherry and strawberry fruit mixed with licorice, leather, and black pepper on the nose. The palate echoes juicy red fruit and Provençal herbs, all supported by lively acidity and fine tannins.
-Very good, the finish is more rounded and smooth than I was expecting.
Laurent Charvin’s wines are silky, velvety, and smooth. There are no harsh or dry tannins and they are always impeccably balanced, often drawing comparisons to the iconic Château Rayas. This little CDR blows away many Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines from the vintage.

4) 2009 Domaine Gramenon “Les Laurentides” Côtes du Rhône Villages $31.99
Old vine Grenache and Syrah (Demeter certified Biodynamic)
15% alcohol (but you can't feel the heat on the nose)
(Cotes du Rhone Villages = highest of the Cotes du Rhones)
Dark ruby red in color, this wine shows pure fruit with raspberry, notes of plum, underbrush and anise on the nose. On the supremely balanced palate there is ripe dark cherry, pomegranate and currant with graphite/crushed asphalt coming through on the finish. These wine are amazing in their purity, focus and balance.
Very Dry, and has surprising finish.
The wines from Gramenon are known for being rich and ripe, without being jammy. All of their wines are Grenache based, but some are blended based on the vineyard. They do not fine or filter, use only indigenous yeast, and sugar and acid are never added. The wines are always bottled in late spring before their first summer with minimal to no sulfur. They have achieved almost cult-like status in France and very little is exported to the US.

5) 2009 Eric Texier Côtes du Rhône – Brézème $29.99
100% Syrah (Demeter certified Biodynamic)
(Brezeme = bruh-zem)
Deep garnet in color, this wine shows smoky tar and game over huckleberry and blackcurrant fruit on the nose. It has great acidity and a fleshy mid-palate supported by round tannins (due to carbonic maceration - also done for Beaujolais) leading to a long finish. This classic example of cool-climate Syrah from the northern Rhône and is best after decanting.
Brezeme is a steep, limestone-rich terroir approximately 20 miles to the south of Hermitage. These vineyards on the eastern banks of the Rhone once rivaled in price and reputation this much more famous northern neighbor. Texier has brought this special region back to prominence almost single-handedly.

6) 2003 Furlanski Tokaj - Gredic - Movia, Slovenian wine, since 1820, BRDA (?)
Gredic is the name of the Cuvee. strong apple-juice-icky smell. Very dark gold color, thick, reminds me of apple cider or a syrup in texture.
---
Le Caveau's notes:
http://us2.campaign-archive2.com/?u=a4892f0fefd670909f4fb91b8&id=488999f431&e=85ee7ef654