Spain is known far more for their red wines than their whites. But they do make some excellent white wines as well, from indigenous varietals such as Godello and Albarino. I enjoy many of those white wines. You can find some of my reviews of Spanish Albarinos here and here. They can be deliciously fruity and go very well with seafood.
The region of Rias Baixas makes some excellent Albarinos. You can now learn more about this region and Albarino at a special section of Wines from Spain. There is even a three-part podcast there hosted by Doug Frost, Master of Wine and Master Sommelier.
There is even a contest you can enter, by submitting an original recipe for their wine and food pairing contest. Three top contest entries will each receive a case of Rías Baixas Albariño wines and one grand prize winner will also receive a gift card from Williams-Sonoma valued at $1,000.
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Animals & Wine
There are numerous wines that have animals on their labels, from the high selling Australian Yellow Tail to the South African Goats Do Roam wines. Why is that so? Because it does seem that animals on the labels sell wine. Studies have been done showing the selling power of these animals.
The Cork Jester has an interesting article about animals and wine, and not just on the labels. It talks about a variety of animal & related issues, from those animals which threaten vineyards, like locusts, to animals which help the vineyards, such as goats.
So check out the article and enjoy.
The Cork Jester has an interesting article about animals and wine, and not just on the labels. It talks about a variety of animal & related issues, from those animals which threaten vineyards, like locusts, to animals which help the vineyards, such as goats.
So check out the article and enjoy.
Monday, September 3, 2007
Wine Auction: Catalog
Skinner, a large auction house, is going to start holding wine auctions in Boston. No other auction houses in Massachusetts currently hold wine auctions. Skinner’s retail partner in this venture is Lower Falls Wine Co. Their first wine auction will be held on September 14, 2007 at 6pm at their offices at 63 Park Plaza, Boston, MA.
Their wine catalogue is now available online. There are 216 lots up for auction. You will find Bordeaux and Burgundy, California Cabernet Sauvignon, Port, Champagne, Penfolds Grange, Italian wines, and Oregon Pinot Noir. The majority of lots are French wine.
Some of the top lots include:
9 bottles of 1982 Chateau Mouton Rothschild, valued at $6000-$9000. This wine was awarded 100 points by Robert Parker.
12 bottles of 1982 Chateau Lafite Rothschild, valued at $6000-$9000. This wine was awarded 100 points by Robert Parker.
6 bottles of 2002 Harlan Estate from California, valued at $4000-$6000. This wine was awarded 100 points by Robert Parker.
A magnum of 1959 Château Lafite-Rothschild, valued at $6000-$8000. This wine was awarded 99 points by Robert Parker.
The cheapest lot is valued at $60-$90.
The auction is open to the public and should be interesting to view, even if you might not purchase anything.
Their wine catalogue is now available online. There are 216 lots up for auction. You will find Bordeaux and Burgundy, California Cabernet Sauvignon, Port, Champagne, Penfolds Grange, Italian wines, and Oregon Pinot Noir. The majority of lots are French wine.
Some of the top lots include:
9 bottles of 1982 Chateau Mouton Rothschild, valued at $6000-$9000. This wine was awarded 100 points by Robert Parker.
12 bottles of 1982 Chateau Lafite Rothschild, valued at $6000-$9000. This wine was awarded 100 points by Robert Parker.
6 bottles of 2002 Harlan Estate from California, valued at $4000-$6000. This wine was awarded 100 points by Robert Parker.
A magnum of 1959 Château Lafite-Rothschild, valued at $6000-$8000. This wine was awarded 99 points by Robert Parker.
The cheapest lot is valued at $60-$90.
The auction is open to the public and should be interesting to view, even if you might not purchase anything.
Spanish Wine Harvest
The 2007 grape harvest in Spain could potentially be excellent!
Wine Country is reporting that the summer of 2007 may be the hottest in 400 years. The harvest is likely to begin earlier than previous years and could be excellent all across Europe. There should also be a smaller yield than usual, but the quality could be very high.
When I visit Spain at the end of the month, I should get a more intimate idea of the quality of the wine harvest. I will visit at least 9 wineries, in several different wine regions, so will get a good overview of the harvest across much of Spain. If it is a good harvest, I am sure the wineries will be in great moods. As the harvest will likely be earlier this year, then probably all, or nearly all, of the harvest will be completed by the time I arrive.
Wine Country is reporting that the summer of 2007 may be the hottest in 400 years. The harvest is likely to begin earlier than previous years and could be excellent all across Europe. There should also be a smaller yield than usual, but the quality could be very high.
When I visit Spain at the end of the month, I should get a more intimate idea of the quality of the wine harvest. I will visit at least 9 wineries, in several different wine regions, so will get a good overview of the harvest across much of Spain. If it is a good harvest, I am sure the wineries will be in great moods. As the harvest will likely be earlier this year, then probably all, or nearly all, of the harvest will be completed by the time I arrive.
Sunday, September 2, 2007
2004 Cantina Sasso Aglianico del Vulture
I previously tasted the 2004 Cantina Sasso Aglianico del Vulture ($11.99) at a wine education class at the OurGlass Wine Co. I had a bottle of the wine last evening with a meatball calzone. I enjoyed it at the tasting but how did it fare this time?This aromatic wine is very light in color. It feels light bodied in the mouth as well as it is very smooth and easy drinking. It has some good fruit flavors, cherry, strawberry and maybe even raspberry, with a tinge of sweetness. It had a bit of acidity that made it fine for pairing with food. I very much enjoyed this wine and felt it was different from other Italian wines, probably due to the different varietal. At its price, it is an excellent value wine and should please most everyone. A definite Drink & Buy. I am glad I bought a few bottles of it.
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