Australian Shiraz - December 14th, 2011 - Ms. Marilyn

Australian or South African Shiraz/Syrah - December 14th, 2011 - Ms. Marilyn
Wikipedia: Syrah/Shiraz Syrah or Shiraz (Not to be confused with Petite Sirah which is a different varietal.) is a dark-skinned grape grown throughout the world and used primarily to produce powerful red wines.
Pairings: Shiraz is great for grilled meats or veggies, wild game, richly flavored red meats, beef stew and meat lover's pizza. Cheese Pairing ideas.

Tasting Notes:
The Welcome Wine - Chook Chinook Shiraz - $5.99 @ Trader Joes

1) 2009 Shotfire Shiraz, Austrailia, Barossa Valley, Thorne-Clarke - $17.99 @ Total Wine
14.8% alcohol
Color: dark purple-red, mostly opaque, nice thick legs
Nose: dark fruit, plum, sweetness, reminds me of Port, high alcohol on nose
Palate: a bit of pepper, some blackberry, tart, very dense, tannic
Other comments: the name Shotfire originated from the hazerdous job of lighting charges in the mines. On the bottle it says it has chocolate and plum with oak and vanilla flavors
*this was one of my favorites of the evening.

2) 2010 Jam Jar Sweet Shiraz, South Africa, Western Cape - $9.99 @ the Liquor Store on corner of 17th & Northside Drive by IKEA.
12.5% alcohol
Color: clear ruby red, light, translucent, almost no legs
Nose: earthy (graphite/caulky),
Palate: sweeter, cherry wine, cola, tastes like a lighter Port, jelly/jam, cherry jam soda, like a red white zin,
Other: Pairs well with spicy food, but can't drink an entire bottle alone, too sweet, Leslie correctly guessed this was Jam Jar, summertime-dessert wine, on bottle says juicy-berry with hints of dark chocolate

3) 2006 Torbreck, Woodcutters Shiraz, Barossa Valley - $20.00 @ small liquor store on Terrell Mill
14.5% alcohol
Color: dark purple red, opaque
Nose: nice and pleasant at first, then tinge of kitty litter or dirty socks. Olive perhaps? earthy, no fruit, smells of pine or evergreen bark.
Palate: smooth, medium bodied, slight bitterness, some citrus notes, licorice/fennel
Other: bottle says to pair with hearty meal
*this was one of my favorites of the evening.

4) 2010 Layer Cake Shiraz - South Australia - $15.98 @ Kroger in Sandy Springs
14.1% alcohol
Color: Midnight Purple, almost black, long legs
Nose: perfumey
Palate: smooth, faintly sweet, jammy, dry finish, slightly tart, a sweet jam then pucker, savory
Other: would pair well with game, recommend the 2008 Layer Cake (supposedly tastes better than the 2010), bottle says it has fruit/mocha/chocolate - spice - rich.

5) 2010 Terra Barossa Shiraz - Thorne & Clarke - $12.99 @ Total Wine
14.5% alcohol
Color: red purple, jam, dark, slow legs
Nose: herb/earth, peaty, damp spice, musty
Palate: tart, pucker, pepper, cranberry, dry finish, a bit of alcohol burn going down.
Other: This is apparently the #2 selling Shiraz at Total Wine. Bottle says plum, soft tannins, appealing spiciness

6) 2007 Le Pousseur Syrah- Bonny Dune vineyards - Santa Cruz California ~$16.00 @ CostCo (?)
13.5% alcohol
Color: lighter, clearer, magenta, more pink,
Nose: layered nose, pepper, vanilla-clove-coffee
Palate: smooth, full flavor but surprisingly light finish

7) 2010 Lindemans Bin 50 Shiraz, Southeast Australia - $7.99 @ Trader Joes
13.5% alcohol
Color: clear-ish, claret-red
Nose: dark cherry, dark chocolate, alcohol, cocoa powder, caramel
Palate: approachable, drinkable, almost too easy to drink, butterscotch,
Other: pairs well with chocolate, definitely needs food with it. bottle says plum and spice and to pair with pasta or red meat.
My fave quote of the evening was from Aubrey "You can feel this in your teeth, and some of them aren't even mine!"

8) 2009 Villa San Juliette - Petite Sirah - Paso Robles, San Miguel, California ~ $17.00 @ Costco or Le Caveau (she couldn't remember which)
Color: dark violet
Nose: violets, oak
Palate: jammy, lingering then abrupt dry finish, "it's good but...not?"
Other: Leslie says this is the wine from the makers of American Idol. bottle says "Blueberry motor oil" and mocha, pairs well with meats and cajun cuisine. Another recommendation from same winemaker is Chorum

9) 2010 MollyDooker - Shiraz - The Boxer - McLaren Vale Australia - $21.99 @ CostCo
16% alcohol
Color: dark purple/red, high alcohol
Nose: red fruit, chocolate, caramel, vanilla, butter
Palate: dry, deep cranberry, pepper at the end, oak, full-bodied
Other: This is Abbie's favorite Australian Winemaker, she tried it for the first time at Morrell's Wine Bar in NYC Rockafeller Center. Matt remarked on his first look "It has legs like a Rockette up in here!" The legs are so lovely, lingering, and slow, they practically stain the glass.
**NOTE: Sometimes you can find this for $19.99 at Kroger, but it goes fast so you have to snatch it up quick**
MollyDooker is slang for "Left-Hander"
Another recommendation is MollyDooker - Shiraz- Blue Eyed Boy, but this one runs about $45/bottle. however it is worth it if you can splurge.


Other notes:
Recommended - 2002 The Prisoner by Orin Swift Cellars (label photo is lovely):

Le Caveau - Artisan Wines Portugal Tasting - 12/10/2011

Le Caveau - Artisan Wines Portugal Tasting - 12/10/2011
Today was a special tasting featuring Gail Lawing and Paul Hearn of Artisan Vines - conducting a Portuguese tasting with the following:

1) 2009 Vale d'Algares Seleccion White - $21.99
55% Viognier, 30% Alvarinho, 15% Verdelho
"The vineyard is located in the Tejo DO of Portugal. Tejo (Tey-joo) is the main Iberian river, called Tagus in Latin and English. The Tejo region has been known as a wine producing region since the middle ages. This wine offers aromas of citrus and green plum with a hint of peach and fig on a palate. It has a touch of smoke due to aging in 90% French oak and a fine acidity that brings balance to the finished product."

2) 2008 Quinta Nova Touriga Nacional - $79.99
100% Touriga Nacional (the main varietal in Port)
"very aromatic, perfumed nose: floral with some blackberry and dark cherry fruit. The palate is beautifully expressive with lovely fresh dark fruits. Very expressive with some grippy tannin on the finish. Ripe and lush but not at all jammy." It is recommended to decant this one for at least 1.5 hrs, but you can have it open in the bottle for up to 1 week, it will open very nicely.

3) 2006 Sanguinhal Touriga Aragonez - $13.99
100% Aragonez (Tempranillo) - another varietal in Port.

4) 2009 Quinta Nova Pomares - $18.99
40% Touriga Nacional, 40% Touriga Franca, 20% Tinta Roriz - port blend
pretty ripe berry flavors.

5) 2009 Monte da Ravasquiera "Fonte de Serrana" - $14.99
Aragonez, Alicante Bochet, Cabernet Sauvignon Blend
I liked this one, it had Braille on the bottle label, for a blind tasting (pun).

6) 2009 Quinta Nova Colheita Duoro - $21.99
Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, Tinto Cao Blend
"An unoaked cuvee. Spicy and chocolatey with a slightly balsalmic edge to the ripe blackberry and berry fruits. The palate is ripe, dense, and sweetly fruited with some spiciness and chocolatey richness"
I really enjoyed this one.

7) 2006 Quinta Nova LBV Port - $29.99
LBV means Late Bottled Vintage. This one had an amazing nose, very perfumed wine, but it was a bit too sweet on the palate for my taste. I have not yet found a port that I adored, but I tasted this one just in case it was that one special port for me.

8) NV Quinta Nova CLA Port - $28.99
Same as above for me. I could inhale the nose all day long, but the palate just doesn't do it for me. The other folks at the tasting seemed to like these Ports however. I much preferred the other red wines mentioned above.

Moo- some interesting Cow News

Cows Fed Wine Dregs, emit less methane?

"HOW do you feel after imbibing a bit of red wine? Euphoric, excited, or perhaps simply cheery? Or are you one of those drinkers prone to suffering a nagging feeling of guilt, combined with an uncomfortable sensation inside your head?

Well now, thanks to new research by Victorian scientists, you could instead simply feel content that you are doing your bit for the environment, as well as for the nation's dairy herd.

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/environment/animals/gone-with-the-wind-study-finds-cows-fed-wine-dregs-emit-less-methane-20111207-1ojbl.html#ixzz1g2ssuu91"

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Jazz for Cows?

"http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/lXKDu6cdXLI?rel=0"

Tip for Saving on Wine

Tip for Saving on Wine purchases from RealSimple magazine.
article link
"How to Make the Holidays More Affordable -Save on Wine

Tips from an anonymous sommelier
People tend to stock up on wine and spirits at the closest store, but that place may not have the best deals. Go to wine-searcher.com (an inventory database of several thousand stores nationwide) and enter the vintage or the wine’s name and your ZIP code to find the cheapest retailer in your area. Or fill your “cellar” with wines from affordable online retailers, like Zachys.com and Winelibrary.com. Both have a huge inventory and e-mail specials to customers on a weekly basis; you may be able to get discounts of up to 40 percent off or free shipping.

Also consider buying bottles from somewhat less prestigious wine-growing regions, such as Oregon; Santa Barbara, California; and France’s Loire Valley. These wines are priced up to 50 percent less than their more famous counterparts. A high-quality Bordeaux, for example, costs between $20 and $50, whereas a comparable bottle from the Loire Valley might cost as little as $10."

Naked Winery & Orgasmic Wine Company

Naked Winery & Orgasmic Wine Company -
I just found out about this place, and WOW I'm definitely turned on!
Who?
A family owned winery who produce Washington and Oregon wines. "The grapes for our red varietals (Syrah, Cabernet, Sangiovese, Nebbiolo, Barbera and Merlot) are orgasmically grown in the hot and dry Apple Gate and Columbia Valley regions of Oregon and Washington respectively. While our other varietals (Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Muscat and Riesling) benefit from the cool pacific marine layers of the Willamette and Illinois Valley's to produce subtle and complex wines. The vines in Washington's Columbia Valley struggle with just enough drip irrigated water to produce exceptional fruit for our big bold Chardonnays."
--
On their wine list:
Naked Winery Pinot Gris,
Sure Thing Symphony,
Foreplay Chardonnay,
Gay Rose,
Tease Riesling,
Cougar Semi-Sparkling White,
Sugar Mama Muscat,
Naked Winery Pinot Noir,
Dominatrix Pinot Noir,
Naked Winery Merlot,
Vixen Syrah,
Penetration Cabernet Sauvignon,
Missionary Cabernet Sauvignon,
Diva Sangiovese
Booty Call Blush
Picnic Table Pink
Escort Pinot Gris
Foreplay Chardonnay
Virgin Chardonnay
Naughty Chardonnay
Fling Gewurtztraminer
...and more...
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And who can resist attending the Erotic Exotic Ball, an adult only party with prizes, catering, and erotic donuts from Voodoo Donuts!
I just might have to make a trip out West for this!

Le Caveau - November 26th, 2011 - Small Business Saturday Tasting

1) 2009 Provenza “Lugana” Lugana DOC $ 14.99
100% Trebbiano di Lugana
This white wine displays a subtle straw color with green highlights. The delicate bouquet of almonds is enhanced by a slightly salty, semi-sweet, flavor of citrus and almond butter.
Trebbiano is the second most planted grape in Italy, and this sub variety is grown in clay soil around Lake Garda. (aka the largest lake in Italy)

2) 2009 Laurent Miquel Père et Fils Chardonnay Pays d'Oc $ 9.99
100% Chardonnay
This is early-picked (for the Languedoc) unoaked Chardonnay showing nice citrus acidity, clean white fruit and a hint of aniseed. It’s crisp and fresh with a long bright finish.
Since 1791, eight generations of the Miquel family have worked the vines of their estate high in the Lanauedoc hills. To Pay tribute to his ancestries, he named this range “Père et Fils” (Father and Son) and by looking at the label you’ll see a vine with on its roots all the first names of each of Laurent’s forbearers.

3) 2007 Domaine Duseigneur “Antàres” Lirac AOC $17.99
60% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 20% Mouvedre
A garnet-coloured robe is draped over spice, licorice and black cherry fruit. With a long, lingering finish that presents hints of raisin, smoke, and garrigue (aka: Herbs from Provence - lavender, etc).
This biodynamically-farmed vineyard is located on the West bank of the Rhône Valley, near the picturesque village of Saint-Laurent-des-Arbres, and in view of the slopes of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. On old alluvial terraces the soil is made up of red clay and pebbles on top of a layer of sand. The vine grows through this seemingly uncultivatable soil, the farming of which requires great belief, patience and tenacity.

4) 2009 Chateau Richard “Cuvée Natural” Bergerac AOC $ 17.99
90% Merlot, 10%, Cabernet Franc
This organic Bergerac (near Bordeaux) has pretty cassis, berry fruit aromas and a pleasant supple palate with good acidity and freshness. An everyday red and an excellent value, particularly for a wine made without added sulfites.
This winery is Ecocert organic certified and no sulphur dioxide added to the wine.

5) 2006 Château Garderose “Cuvée Saint-Vincent” Lalande de Pomerol AOC $16.99
80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon
This red Bordeaux has a crazy complex nose of dark plum, leather, rich black fruits with light oak and tobacco notes. The palate shows firm, but mature tannins and nice balancing acidity with a subtle earthy finish.
The region of Lalande-de-Pomerol is considered a lesser-known “satellite” of the more famous Pomerol appellation, although it actually covers more acreage. Merlot is the dominant grape in the region, accounting for over 80% of the vines planted. (Cabernet Franc is a distant second.) The wines of Lalande-de-Pomerol wine is often compared to the more famous Pomerol appellation, but is sold at a fraction of the price.
I thought it smelled of fresh butter and cranberries
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Interesting people today: Leslie McCain of Total Wine was at this tasting.

French Red Wines - November 22nd - Ms Abbie

French Red Wines - November 22nd, 2011 - Ms Abbie
"Santé !" Lets toast to the this GORGEOUS Autumn with French Red Wines. Attendees will bring 1 bottle of a French Red Wine. If you have a favorite region, please be prepared to tell us about it and why. BONUS points if your wine pairs well with Thanksgiving Turkey...
Wikipedia: French Wines - "France is the source of many grape varieties (such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, and Syrah) that are now planted throughout the world, as well as wine-making practices and styles of wine that have been adopted in other producing countries. "
Pairings: Some amazing Pairing ideas for various French wines .

Tasting Notes:
1) 2006 Baron Edmond Von Rothschild - Chateau Malmaison-Medoc-Bordeaux Superior $18.99 @ Minks (on sale)
80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon
Must breathe well, this wine had to open up, so we re-tasted it after the other wines this night.
Color - skin of dark plum (black dark plum), blueberry, opaque,
Palate - smooth, medium bodied, crazy tannins
Aroma - Spray paint/alcohol, musky, smoky berry, earthy mushroom, dry, very dry, "tannic as hell", slight bitterness, sharp finish, some spice, "2 thumbs up" says Deb. kitty litter aroma,
Left-Bank - Rheinallt's guess?

2) 2009 Les Terrasses - Val de Loire - Chinon - Cabernet Franc $19.99 at Le Caveau
Color - magenta
Nose - Licorice, almost sweet on the nose, flowery like roses, floral on nose, smells "French", wet grass, manure, rose petals, horse manure
Palate- rosy, recommend pair with hearty meat or tomato sauce, complex earthy tones

3) 2009 Vieux Chateau Landon - Cru Borgeous - Medoc - Cyril Gilet $12.99-13.99 at CostCo
13.5% alcohol, 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot
Color - dark garnet, heavier legs
Nose - caramel on the nose, toffee, honey nectar, malalactic and oak,
Palate - light chocolate, smooth, caramel, pair with chocolate, caramel, apple, soft tannins, good grip

4) 2009 Chateau Arnauton - Fronsac - Grand Vin de Bordeaux $12.99-13.99 at CostCo
Color - dark, less opaque, ruby red
Nose - similar to #2, but not as heavy, spicier, a bit of white pepper,
Palate - medium to full bodied, lighter than others, rounded, more refreshing, strong tannins, earthy

5) 2009 Cotes du Rhone - Chiroubles - Domaine Cheysson Recoultant $16.99 @ Ansley (grouped with Turkey pairing wines) - Gamay
Color - can see through it, candy red, no legs if at all,
Nose - candy cherry, cherry jello, guessing Gamay?, kool-aid aroma
Palate - well balanced, guessing 3-4 varietals in a blend, grown up cherry-grape flavor, easy to drink, good tartness and minerality, soft body, tannic

6) 2009 Minervois - Languedoc - Chateau Coupe Roses - Gamay $16.99 @ Sherlock Wine Merchant in Decatur
13% alcohol, (old vine Carignan/Grenache)
Color - cloudy
Nose - earthy, grapes
Palate - a bit of effervescence (reminds me of La Butte Gamay), crispier, strong minerality, delish earth,
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Tidbits:
Valerie and Rheinallt are starting list of places in ATL that have NO CORKAGE FEE so you can bring your own wines:
Murphy's
Fleming's (if wine is not on their list)
Rathbuns (if you let Chef Rathbun taste it)
Gu's Bistro - Szechuan - spicy - recommend bringing your own glasses and a white wine like a Gewurtztraminer
etc.