National Wine Experience Washington, DC at the Newseum

The National Wine Experience kicked off its inaugural show here in Washington, DC on Saturday evening with over 1000 guests and wines from 25 states at the Newseum.






Yours truly presided over an exciting line up of 13 wines from 6 states, including Arizona Stronghold from Arizona, Sawtooth from Idaho and Brooklyn Oenology from New York.

I did manage to sneak away from my Vino50 tasting table while the Wine Diva held down the crowds so I could have a peek around at some of the more interesting wines being featured at the event. I decided to skip the California floor (who needs more Robert Mondavi in their life?) and found myself enjoying tasty treats from Nebraska, Texas and even South Dakota! Here are some highlights:

Prairie Berry Winery, South Dakota
I had never tried any wines from South Dakota and am always skeptical of "fruit" wines but these were really interesting and fun.

La Crescent, a fruity and aromatic off-dry white wine with notes of apricot, lychee and rose petal. Very reminiscent of Gewurztraminer.

Pheasant Reserve, an interesting red blend of Washington state Cabernet Sauvignon and South Dakota chokecherries. Soft and fruity with tart cherry and bright acidity.

Red Ass Rhubarb, an interesting semi-sweet wine from rhubarb with tangy rhubarb and raspberry notes. Would be fabulous with mulling spices on a cold winter's day.

Lawrence Elk, a semi-sweet wine made from black currants. Bright and juicy with loads of black currant flavors. I could totally see this paired with a blackberry tart.

Glacial Till Vineyard & Winery, Nebraska

2009 Chambourcin, a dry red wine full of terroir. Dark fruit and forest floor aromas followed by tart plum and cherry flavors with smoke and spice on the finish. Silky smooth. What a tasty wine!

Chapel Creek Winery, Oklahoma

2009 Norton, a dark and earthy red that would make Jenni McCloud of Virginia's Chrysalis Vineyards proud.

Plum Creek Winery, Colorado

Sauvignon Blanc, warm climate style with lemongrass notes.

Riesling, slightly off-dry with lime zest and apricot notes.

Grand Mesa, a big Bordeaux blend of Cab Sauv, Merlot and Cab Franc with mouth filling texture and load of dark fruit, spice and earth.

St. Clair and DH Lescombes, New Mexico

St. Clair Zinfandel, a classic spicy and fruit-forward style with wild berry and spice notes.

DH Lescombes Cabernet Sauvignon, dark and rich with cassis, plum, graphite and smoky spice.

Thanksgiving Farm, Maryland

2007 Meritage, Merlot based blend that could perhaps fool you into believing it hails from France. Bright with dark fruit notes mixed with pepper, spice and smoke. This wine does need time to open up and from previous experience it tastes much better after a day of breathing.

Spring is in the Air...

Finally. Its been a long winter. Specifically the last month or so. The ice. The sleet. The snow. And the wind. Now that I have shed my wool coat, it seems appropriate to break out the fresh and floral whites. And lately, I've tasted through an overwhelming array of interesting whites to whet the palate:

2005 Xarmant Txakolina, Txakoli de Alava, Spain--not sure if I've ever tasted a better sushi wine to be honest, bright with notes of banana, lemon citrus and a clean, crisp finish. Blend of Hondarribi Zuri, Gros Manseng, Petit Manseng, and Petit Courbu from the Basque region of Spain.

2004 Oremus Tokaji Dry Furmint 'Mandolás', Tokaj-Hegyalja, Hungary--this must be one of the most interesting wines tasted in a long while, aromas of sweet peach and white lilies, with hints of lavender and mango, round on the palate with a clean and floral finish. Reminds me a bit of Viognier, but more concentrated and floral. A must try!

2005 Cascina Bongiovanni Arneis, Langhe, Piedmont, Italy--delicate aromas of banana and mango with minerality and citrus notes, crisp acidity on the finish.

2005 Gabriel Meffre 'Laurus' Côtes du Rhône Blanc, Rhône Valley, France--blend of Roussane and Viognier with aromas of peach, mango and touch of almond on the finish, medium bodied with a rich and silky texture.

2005 Cline Viognier, California--whoa! This smells like a tutti-fruity fruit bomb with loads of tropical fruit aromas and almost sickly-sweet flavors. Why is it that California Viognier always seems to have overpowering fruit flavors plus residual sugar? This isn't supposed to be like White Zinfandel folks! Leave this one at the wine shop. Sad, as I tend to like Cline's wines.

2006 Bidoli Pinot Grigio, Friuli, Italy--normally I find Pinot Grigios to have a certain sameness, until this one rolled into my mouth--slightly herbaceous a la Sauvignon Blanc with lemon citrus and minerality and a lip-smacking finish. Aged on the lees for a bit of complexity.

2005 Alphonse Mellot 'Les Pénitents' Chardonnay, Vin de Pays des Coteaux Charitois, France--a beautiful chard from grapes grown close to Sancerre, green apple and straw notes with nice minerality, subdued almond notes on the finish, medium bodied.

Bitch, Bitch, Bitch

First there was Bitch (Grenache). Then Bon Bon (Shiraz Rosé). Now the Grateful Palate brings us Pure Evil (Chardonnay) and Evil (Cabernet Sauvignon). These fun little wines hail from our friends 'down under' and for the money, these are great buys for everyday drinking.


2006 Pure Evil Chardonnay, South Australia--ripe and luscious with stone fruit, honeysuckle, and citrus notes. Medium bodied. Smooth finish. Only slightly oaked.





2006 Bon Bon Shiraz Rosé, South Australia--sweet strawberry and raspberry notes, hint of spice, crisp and refreshing with a lingering finish. Medium bodied.








2005 Bitch Grenache, Barossa Valley, Australia--this wine is defiinitely not a bitch to drink--an explosion of luscious black currant, black cherry, plum, velvety texture and notes of smoke on the finish.




2005 Evil Cabernet Sauvignon, Southeastern Australia--ripe and juicy with sweet plum, black raspberry and eucalyptus notes. Smooth and easy drinking. Spice notes on the finish. Medium/full-bodied.


I wonder what's next? The Evil Bitch?

Vin Rouge from New Zealand?

Most people associate New Zealand wine with crisp and racy Sauvignon Blanc. Sure its the most planted grape variety down there, but New Zealand also makes a fair amount of red vino. Fact: Pinot Noir is the second most planted grape with Merlot coming in fourth. The better Bordeaux style reds come from the North Island (Waiheke Island and Hawkes Bay) and the best Pinots are coming out of the South Island, especially the rugged Central Otago near Queenstown (pictured left).

I recently tasted a few stellar reds worth seeking out for your collection:

2004 Wild Earth Pinot Noir, Central Otago--notes of black plum, black currant, gamey aromas with a hint of spice, complex and elegant with dark brooding flavors and a persistent finish.

2002 Peregrine Pinot Noir, Central Otago--rich and complex with black plum, spice and a funky, gamey nose, silky black cherry and plum flavors followed by tar and leather on the finish.

1998 Mission Estate Winery 'Gimblett Road Reserve' Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot, Hawkes Bay--tobacco and cigar box aromas followed by cassis and black currant flavors, full and round on the palate with dried red fruits and vanilla and cedar on the finish. Still showing some grippy tannins although almost 9 years old.

For more information on the New Zealand wine industry, visit nzwine.com.


Photo of Rippon Vineyards, Central Otago, New Zealand. Copyright Andrew Stover @2004

I Braved the Blizzard...

Earlier in the week, I braved the ice, snow, wind, cold...all of it, to attend a wine dinner hosted by St. Francis Winery and Grapeseed Bistro & Wine Bar in Bethesda, MD. The event marked the launch of Wild Oak by St. Francis, a new line of premium wines from the Sonoma County winery.

Many of you know that I am not usually a big fan of big name, big production, big marketing budget wines (If you missed the story, click here). I did however, enjoy the Wild Oak Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauv. Are they worth $28.99 retail? Maybe, I'll let you be the judge if you can get ahold of these wines, which are apparently only available in small quantities in select markets at this time.


2005 Wild Oak Chardonnay, Sonoma County--notes of toasted almond, oak, baked apple with a hint of tropical fruit. Fat and buttery on the palate. Slight mineral notes on the finish. Supposedly made in the 'burgundian style' but I have yet to find a fat and buttery White Burgundy. Could be my palate was off.

2004 Wild Oak Old Vines Zinfandel, Sonoma County--sweet raspberry and spice notes. Smooth and balanced. Not overripe and alcoholic like some Zins. Touch of smoke on the finish. Medium bodied.

2003 Wild Oak Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma County--mineral and green pepper aromas. Smooth and silky with black plum and cassis notes. Silky tannins leading to spice on the finish. Medium-full bodied. Uses only fruit from mountain vineyards. Nice show.

Red Wine Kinda Mood

Hey. Ever get the urge to just pour yourself a glass of wine. But not just any wine will do--it's gotta be red. Well, I'm having one of those moments this evening, so I uncorked two bottles I acquired on vineyard trips, a Syrah from Argentina and a Pinot Noir from France. I'm diggin on the Syrah a little more than the Pinot Noir to be honest--its a little TOO austere for me. Go figure, its a Sancerre Rouge from the Loire Valley. Anybody else get in the mood to just pour a big glass of red wine, especially when its 15 degrees outside?

2002 Bodega Navarro Correas 'Colleccion Privada' Syrah, Mendoza, Argentina--blackberry and plum aromas, smooth and silky on the palate with ripe black fruit flavors. Touch of spice. Medium bodied. Not bad for a wine I picked up in a grocery store in Mendoza back in 2004.

2002 Domaine du Carrou (Dominique Roger) Sancerre Rouge, Loire Valley, France--a light bodied Pinot Noir with dried fruit and earth notes. Seems a little thin and overly austere for my taste. Found this one in the wine shop at Le Printemps in Paris back in 2005. Another glass of Syrah, please?

What do you all like to drink when its the dead of winter?

La Tienda del Vino de Jaleo Crystal City

Finally had a chance to peruse the wares at Jose Andres' Wine Shop at Jaleo Crystal City restaurant. The shop specializes in only Spanish wines and has a great collection to boot. I was most interested in the 1+1=3 Xarel-lo from the Penedès region. I greedily snatched up the last two bottles on the shelf (I am sure there are more) and rushed home to crack one with dinner.

1+1=3 Xarel-lo 2001, Penedès, Spain--Made from one of the native Spanish grapes used in Cava. Gold-hued with lush aromas of pineapple, honey and almond, smooth and creamy on the palate. A Very distinctive wine. Lingering nutty finish. Retail: $20

Pick up a bottle at:

Jaleo Crystal City

2250A Crystal Drive

Arlington, VA

703.413.8181

Wine bottle courtesy of www.umesufan3.com

7 Sips for '07

Happy 2007!

Add these sips to your to-do list for 2007. I am guessing these are slightly easier to keep than your 'other' New Year's resolutions.

1. Alexander Valley Vineyards 'New Gewürz' Gewürztraminer 2006, North Coast, California--spicy, fruity, yummy! An explosion of rose petal and lychee aromas followed by grapefruit and ginger flavors. Clean, zesty finish. A hint of residual sweetness.

2. M. Lawrence 'Sex' Sparkling Rosé NV, North Coast, California--made in Michigan from California wine. A provacative blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir with strawberry and raspberry aromas, yeasty accents on the finish.

3. R. Winery 'Bitch' Grenache 2004, Barossa Valley, Australia--a sassy little number from our friends downunder. Luscious black cherry and plum notes, loads of spice, velvety texture and a hint of smoke on the finish.

4. Goosecross Cellars Chardonnay 2005, Napa Valley, California--you might be over Napa Chardonnay by now, but this one deserves some attention. Small production--just 1200 cases--and you dont need a knife to slice it. Grapefruit and pear aromas with a hint of vanilla. Full and complex with a crisp citrus finish.

5. Cristom 'Mt. Jefferson Cuvée' Pinot Noir 2004, Willamette Valley, Oregon--one whif of this and you might think its Red Burgundy. Elegant cherry and spice aromas with mushroom and wet earth on the finish.

6. Wild Earth Pinot Noir 2004, Central Otago, New Zealand--the name says it all. Dark plum, black currant and wild gamey aromas, rich and elegant mouthfeel with a spicy and persistent finish.

7. Camaraderie Cellars Malbec 2004, Yakima Valley, Washington--unlike its Argentine cousins, this Malbec is not an over-the-top fruit bomb. Think bright and spicy with black cherry, raspberry and a hint of cedar. Medium bodied. Great food wine.

And feel free to send over feedback on any of these suggestions once you taste them.

Drink up!

Vin in Raleigh

Would you believe that one of America's hottest wine bars is located in Raleigh, North Carolina? Well, believe it. Located in an old ice cream factory in downtown Raleigh lies the hip and friendly Enoteca Vin. Exposed brick walls, wood floors, a large wrap-around bar, 30-bottle cruvinet system and Ashley Christiansen's American-French-Mediterranean fusion cuisine combine to create a food and wine mecca in the good ol' South.

Dishes not to miss:

Wagyu Beef Tartare with Fallot Mustard and Cornichon

Cauliflower Soup with Braised Apple and Black Tea Cured Bacon

Pommes Frites with Malt Vinegar Mayonnaise

Braised Kurobuta Pork Shoulder with Goat Cheese Gnocchi, Lentils, Roasted Beets and Mint

Brown Butter Scallops with Chanterelles, Pink-eyed Peas and Crispy Collards

For wine, diners can choose from over 50 wines by the glass and a reserve list of old wines, including a 1978 Meursault from Jobard--for a mere $125 a bottle. By the glass wines can be sampled in various sizes: 1.5 ounce, 3 ounce, and 5 ounce--perfect for creating a customized flight.

Wines to try:


2002 FX Pichler Riesling Smaragd 'Steinertal', Austria--steely, mineral notes, bit of petrol and lime peel. Smooth, medium bodied, lingering finish. Dry.

1999 Prager Chardonnay Smaragd 'Weissenkirchen', Austria--aromas of honey, apricot, straw, earthy undertones, seems unoaked. Rich. Medium bodied.

2001 Eric Ross 'Saralee's' Pinot Noir, Russian River--cherry and red raspberry aromas, sweet spice and floral undertones. Light tannins, easy drinking.

2004 Bedford Road Pinot Noir, Marlborough, New Zealand--dark plum and fresh raspberry notes, touch of herbal aromas with earthy undertones. Medium bodied.

410 Glenwood Avenue
Raleigh, North Carolina
919.834.3070

Photos coutesy of chiefwino.com

Carolina Wine Trail

Just back from a great little road trip down to Raleigh, North Carolina and wineries in the Yadkin Valley. Designated an American Viticultural Area (AVA) in 2003, the Yadkin Valley borders the Blue Ridge Mountains in Northwestern North Carolina, near Winston-Salem. With its clay-loam soils and temperate climate, the area seems quite suited to growing vinifera, especially Viognier, which outshined most other varietals tasted.

Here is a recap spots tasted:

Chatham Hill Winery

The first stop on the wine hunt. Located off I-40 in Cary, NC in an industrial park. The winery sources grapes from other growers in North Carolina, California and Virginia.


2005 Pinot Grigio, California--made from Lodi, California fruit. Very floral nose, honeysuckle notes. Crisp. Was this acidified? Last time I checked, Lodi is a pretty hot growing area and not necessarily known for its crisp white wines.

2005 Viognier, North Carolina--spicy, peach aromas on the notes. Thin body for a Viognier. Seems watered down.

2001 Cabernet Franc, Virginia--spicy pepper aromas, plum and cherry notes. Thin finish.

2002 Cabernet Sauvignon, North Carolina--smells like Cabernet Franc. Spicy pepper notes, plum and black cherry aromas. Light bodied. Not bad if you like very light red wines. Best in Category at the 2006 Atlantic Seaboard Competition. (I think this means that Cabernet Sauvignon probably should not be grown on the East Coast--I guess I am like Robert Parker and I like my Cabs big and juicy.)

2003 Zinfandel, California--Another wine made with Lodi fruit. Spicy aromas but where is the big, juicy Zinfandel fruit? Bitter finish.

NV Christmas White--blend of Chardonnay and French Colombard. Big, intense peach and melon aromas. Made in the style of an off-dry Riesling. Tasty!

NV Pomegranate Wine--This is a fun wine. Pom juice added to a dry white wine after fermentation? The winery would not disclose exactly how this wine is made. Fruity aromas with distinct Pomegranate flavor. Off-dry. This would be a good wine for Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner.

Hanover Park Vineyard

My first stop in the Yadkin Valley. Hanover Park has roughly 5.5 acres under vine and conducts tastings in a lovely farmhouse circa 1897.

2003 Chardonnay--fermented in stainless steel. Crisp green apple and citrus notes. Refreshing. Lingering finish.

2003 Viognier--intense pineapple and apricot aromas. Melon and honeysuckle flavors. Fairly light bodied. A tad bit of residual sugar on the finish.

2002 Barrel Fermented Chardonnay--aged in Hungarian Oak. Savory oak and toasted vanilla noted followed by baked apple flavors. Medium bodied. Crisp finish.

2003 Mourvedre--blend of Mourvedre and Syrah. Spicy aromas. Almost tastes like a Cab Franc. Light bodied, light tannins. Lingering cherry spice finish.

2004 Chambourcin--sweet tart cherry aromas followed by spicy white. Light bodied with light tannins.

2001 Cabernet Franc--spicy green pepper aromas. Light bodied with light tannins.



2001 Cabernet Sauvignon--aromas of black currant and cherry spice. Medium body, fairly light tannins.

2002 Michael's Blend--Blend of Cab Franc, Cab Sauv, Merlot and Syrah. Aromas of dried red fruits and spice. Medium bodied. Fairly easy tannins.

Flint Hill Vineyards

After two seemingly lack luster tastings, I happened upon a little spot called Flint Hill. I was blown away by their 2005 Viognier--that just MIGHT be better than the famed Chrysalis vineyards Viognier from Virginia.

2005 Viognier--intoxicating floral, peach and apricot notes followed by juicy tropical fruit. Well-balanced fruit and alcohol. Simply fabulous!

2005 Chardonnay--green apple notes with slight oak undertones. Aged in neutral oak for three months. Crisp. Refreshing.

2004 Cabernet Sauvignon--notes of spice and blackberry. Medium body with light tannins.


2005 Olde Yattken--off dry blend of Chardonnay and Viognier (Why are they using the fab Viognier in this blend??). Apricot and peach notes. Fairly refreshing. Not cloying.

2005 Crushed Velvet--Made from the Chambourcin grape. Sweet spice notes followed by black cherry and raspberry notes. Definitely a must with chocolate desserts.

RagApple Lassie Vineyards

The last stop on the tour before the drive home to Virginia yielded a few interesting finds, like the 'Boonville Blanc' off-dry Viognier, a perfect wine to sip with fresh fruit based desserts.

2005 Pinot Gris--notes of fresh figs, honey and pineapple. Medium bodied. A bit dull.

2004 Viognier--classic floral and honeysuckle notes. Medium bodied. Tad flat and thin on the finish.

2004 Chardonnay--toasted oak and baked apple aromas. A tad buttery. Barrel-fermented and sue lie aged. Another flat finish.

2003 Merlot--cherry and anise notes with a hint of spice. Light and a bit thin.

2004 Cabernet Sauvignon--a hint of dried fruit with underripe fruit notes. Light. Thin.

2004 Syrah--spice and black pepper notes. Light. Thin.

2004 Zinfandel--juicy red fruit aromas with a hint of chocolate. But where is the big robust classic Zinfandel fruit? Light body, light tannins.

First Blush NV--I try to steer clear of wines with the word "blush" in the title, but this was kinda fun. A blend of Traminette, Marsanne, Semillon and Malbec. Slight salmon color. Rose and lychee notes. Medium body. Citrus on the finish. Off-dry.

Rockford Red NV--blend of Cab Franc, Merlot, Cab Sauv, and Zinfandel. Red fruit aromas followed by chocolate-covered cherries. Medium body. Semi-sweet.

Boonville Blanc NV--made from 100% Viognier. Orange blossom and apricot notes followed by a hint of pear. Medium bodied. Semi-sweet. An interesting use of the Viognier grape.

Evening Sunset NV--made from the Symphony grape. Rich and intense with fresh grape, lychee and muscat-like aromas. Not overly cloying. Good dessert wine.

So my first jaunt into the wilds of North Carolina wine country uncovered a few finds, some great scenery and left me looking for some better red wine. Unfortunately, I didn't have a chance to grab any of the barbecue, which I hear is quite good. I bet those thin reds would pair quite nicely with a pulled-pork sandwich smothered in tangy Carolina barbecue sauce.

Pumpkin Pie Anyone?

Urbana Restaurant and Wine Bar celebrates fall with a special six-course Pumpkin Tasting Menu with wine pairings. Chef Richard Brandenburg has created a sumptuous menu using pumpkin (which is a fruit by the way) in a number of unexpected ways. Wines have been paired by nationally-renowned wine consultant, Leslie Sbrocco, author of the newly released book, The Simple & Savvy Wine Guide.

Earlier this week I had the opportunity to sample the spectacular menu with Leslie Sbrocco while discussing her new book. Here is a run down of the pairings:

Slivered Scallop Ceviche and Roasted Pumpkin with Arugula and Peppers
Paired with Hoffstater Pinot Grigio, Alto Adige, Italy

Wine Notes: aromas of pineapple, honeysuckle, zesty lemon citrus on the palate, crisp finish. Nice acid for pairing with the scallops and acidity of the dish.

Crispy Sardine and Pumpkin Confit with White Balsamic Ginger Sauce
Paired with Michele Chiarlo Cotese de Gavi, Veneto, Italy

Wine Notes: Full and rich with honey and lemon citrus notes. Medium bodied. Not a horrible pairing; however, the wine seemed a bit dry for the sweetness of the pumpkin confit. A riesling or traminer from Alto Adige would have been a better selection.

Bone Marrow Ravioli and Pumpkin Risotto with Basil Pesto
Paired with Antinori Cervaro Della Sala, Umbria, Italy

Wine Notes: Blend of Chardonnay and Grechetto. Powerful and rich, apricot and sherry-like nut aromas, with earthy/mushroomy notes on the palate. Full-bodied. Great pairing with the nutty flavors of the risotto and pumpkin seeds. Also good body match.

Savory Pumpkin Pie and Roast Quail with Wild Mushrooms and Port Sauce
Paired with d'Arenberg 'Ironstone Pressings' Grenache/Shiraz/Mourvedre, McLaren Vale, Australia

Wine Notes: An amazing wine from the 1999 vintage. Aromas of dried cranberry, mushroom/earth notes, a touch of cedar. Medium-bodied. Matches well with the quail and mushrooms. Pumpkin pie is amazing....very savory as no sugar is added.


Venison Loin with Pumpkin Ice Cream, Morello Cherry Sauce and Chesnut Puree
Paired with Paolo Scavino Bric del Fiasc Barolo, Piedmont, Italy

Wine Notes: Aromas of dark cherry with a hint of chocolate, smooth on the palate with a big tannin bite. Could have been softened through decanting. Nice match for the meat and also the cherry and nut flavors in the dish.

Pumpkin Spiced Cake and Mascarpone Cream
Paired with Domaine de Durban Muscat de Beaumes de Venise, Rhone Valley, France

Wine notes: aromas of spice and apricot followed by a touch of honeysuckle on the palate. Sweet enough to handle the dessert but not overly cloying (too sweet/thick). Nice body match between wine and dessert.

The Pumpkin Tasting Menu is offered through Thanksgiving for $60 plus $20 for the wine flight.

Urbana Restaurant & Wine Bar
2121 P Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036
202.956.6650

Photo courtesy of Urbana Restaurant and Wine Bar

A Taste of Lebanon

Earlier this week, I was invited to taste the portfolio from Lebanon's Château Musar with Ralph Hochar, one of the winery's owners. Located in the Bekaa Valley of Lebanon, Musar is known for its outstanding flagship red wine--a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cinsault and Carignan, which is typically released 7 years after vintage.


One interesting fact: all of Musar's vines are grown as bush vines (goblet training)---no wire training is used.

Here are some notes from the tasting:

Cuvée Blanc 2004--made from a native Lebanese grape named Obaideh. It is believed Obaideh is related to the Semillon grape. Intense aromas of almond and citrus followed by a somewhat oily mouthfeel and crisp acidity. Great for seafood.

Château Musar White 1998--blend of the native Marwah and Obaideh grapes. Deep, golden yellow color with notes of banana, mango and almonds. Almost has sherry-like aromas. Rich and complex on the palate with a lingering finish.

Cuvée Rosé 2004--made from 100% Cinsault grapes and produced using the saignée method--where juice is "bled" off of a red wine fermentation which results in pink colored wine. Intense ripe red fruit and strawberry jam notes. Smooth and spicy on the palate. Lingering finish.

Cuvée Rouge 2003--blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cinsault, Carignan and Syrah. Beautiful ripe strawberry and cherry aromas followed by a smooth, silky mouthfeel. Light-medium bodied with soft tannins.

Hochar Père et Fils Red 2001--blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cinsault and Carignan. Somewhat of a second wine to the flagship Château Musar Red (see below). Rich and complex. Aromas of dried sweet fig, tobacco, leather. Smooth and silky mouthfeel. Medium bodied with light-medium tannins.

Château Musar Red 1998--blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cinsault and Carignan--the flagship red wine. Intense aromas of earth, dried red fruits, tobacco and spice. Silky mouthfeel. Well-balanced with light-medium tannins.

Château Musar Red 1997--blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cinsault and Carigan. My favorite of the lot. Robust aromas of dried cranberries, cherry, tobacco and a hint of chocolate. Silky and round on the palate with light-medium tannins.

Photos courtesy of Ralph Hochar, Château Musar.

IDAHO--More Than Just potatoes

In my neverending quest for the next up-and-coming wine region, I sauntered into Charlie Palmer Steak DC this evening to see what's cookin' with their all-American wine program.

Charlie Palmer Steak DC has an interesting mix of wines--all from the United States. Their goal is to have one wine from each of the 50 states on their menu---however, certain state and local regs prevent some wineries from exporting outside their state boundaries. So far, they have amassed wines from 40 different states...and the last 10 are apparently more difficult to acquire. Don't even get me started on the whole three-tier system and how wholesalers bottle-neck small artesian producers from selling their wares outside state lines. That is a story for another day...

I had been reading about wines from Idaho in various online and print wine media. So far, the press seems encouraging. And why not? The climate for some of the vineyards mirrors that of the great Columbia Valley in Washington State. Consumers don't seem to turn their noses up at Washington State wines, so Idaho wines might be just as good, right? Anyone else have a comment on this?

I parked myself at the bar and started chatting it up with one of the bartenders. My visit to CP Steak was not necessarily just for fun--I was doing some research for a wine bar article I am writing for Where Magazine's Dining Guide.

After I studied the mammoth wine list, Nadine Brown, CP Steak's Sommelier, came over to chat me up. She explained their program and the difficulty in sourcing some of the wines. I asked her to note a few favorites, which included great choices from California, Washington and Oregon, plus a little beauty from Idaho--the Sawtooth Winery Syrah from the Snake River Valley. "It's an incredible wine. We sell quite a bit," she exclaimed.

Sounds good to me. Send it over.

HOLY MOLY. This is some tasty stuff. Did I mention it's from IDAHO?

Sawtooth Winery Syrah 2002, Snake River Valley, Idaho--rich and brooding, with notes of ripe black fruits, chocolate, cedar and a touch of vanilla and earth. An explosion of black currant and chocolate on the palate. Medium body. Velvety texture. Lingering finish of black fruits. A stellar companion to CP Steak's Wagyu Sirloin, which also happens to be sourced from the Snake River Valley.

Try that combo for an unusual pairing of place with place.


Images from charliepalmer.com and sawtoothwinery.com

Random Thoughts

I don't know what got into me over the past few days. I've been opening various bottles for tasting in an uncontrolled fashion--taste a few glasses and then back in the fridge it goes. Part of the craze has been fueled by a newly found product designed to stop open bottles of wine from oxidizing--VineyardFresh. Just a quick puff of the Argon/Nitrogen gas into the bottle and its safe for a few weeks from going sour. What a great concept! I can open 5-6 bottles at once and taste a glass or two and then save it for a later date.

So here is a run down of what's currently open in the fridge. Anyone care to taste?

Dutch Henry Winery Zinfandel 1999, Napa Valley, California--I opened this to go with a beef roast last week. Was a little concerned it may have been past its peak because of its age, but was showing nicely, although a little on the softer side. Notes of spice, black cherry, raspberry. Soft tannins. Medium body. Lingering black cherry finish. Drink it NOW.

Widmer Brickstone Cellars Pinot Noir 'Soft Press Vintage' 2003, Finger Lakes, New York--Not so much is all I can say for this one. Had a wonderful nose of strawberry and raspberry. Green, harsh and unripe tannins. Astringent. Unpleasant aftertaste. Save your money.

Cousino Macul Sauvignon Gris 2004, Maipo Valley, Chile--Yes I do like this wine a lot as I've posted on it before. I believe the 2004 vintage is no longer available and the 2006 should be coming into retail shops shortly. Amazing aromas of orange blossom and nectarine. Citrus fruit notes. Zesty. Moderate acidity. Medium body. Lingering finish.

Veramonte Sauvignon Blanc 2004, Casablanca Valley, Chile--Another tasty treat from Chile. Heavenly tropical fruit aromas, herbaceous notes. Lemon citrus. Crisp and clean. Racy acidity. Lingering finish.


VineyardFresh image courtesy of VineyardFresh.com
Widmer image courtesy of widmerwine.com

Cheap Cheap!

Nothing beats a good bottle of wine. And nothing beats a CHEAP bottle of good wine.

Two recent finds to seek out:

Du Peloux Ugni Blanc/Viognier 2004, Vin de Pays de Vaucluse, France--The south of France is a bargain hunters dream when it comes to quaffable, inexpensive wines. This little number was found at Trader Joe's for a whopping 5.99! Notes of ripe pear, melon, apricot, with a touch of honeysuckle and white flower. Medium body. A little oily. Short finish.

Yasa 'Old Vines' Macabeo 2005, Calatayud, Spain--Made from knotty 50 year-old vines in Spain's Catalonia region. Macabeo is one of the grapes used to make Cava and also widely used in white Rioja (where it is known as Viura). On its own, it makes a fresh, clean white wine perfect for quaffing on 90 degree, 100% humidity days. Picked this one up at the Wine Specialist for 7.99! Notes of green apple, tropical fruits and citrus fruits. Fresh. Crisp. Zingy. Slightly nutty. Lingering finish.

Photo of old Macebeo vines courtesy of www.kysela.com

Fresh for Summer

Two great wines to pick up for summer sipping:

2003 Boordy Vineyards Icons of Maryland Seyval-Vidal-Chardonnay, Hydes, Maryland--intense aromas of melon, lemon peel, pear, green apple, medium body, fresh, clean finish. Serve with Chesapeake Bay seafood specialties, including Maryland Blue Crabs or Rockfish.

NV L. Tramier et Fils 'Roncier' (Pinot Noir), Bugundy, France--notes of cherry, red fruits, spice, flavors of black cherry, mushrooms and forest floor. Very light body, light to medium tannins. A killer bargain at around $10 a bottle. Described by the importer as 'declassified' red Burgundy, hence the non-vintage and vin de table wine classification. Serve slightly chilled for summer. A great every-day red wine.

Roncier label from www.whimports.com

There's Gold in Dem There Hills

Liquid gold, I say. Tucked away in the Northeast Georgia Mountains...ok, let's call them hills, I struck gold this past weekend. Voluptuous, ripe and lively liquid gold in the form they call Frogtown down yonder.

Spent the past long weekend down in Hotlanta and sheesh was it hot. Happened to find my way with some friends up into the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains at a little place called Frogtown Cellars about an hour from Atlanta. What started as a trek into the hills to go tubing down a lazy river turned into an afternoon of wine sampling.

Frogtown is a 57 acre family-owned wine estate located in Dahlonega, Georgia and grows a variety of grapes ranging from Chardonnay, Viognier, Marsanne, Rousanne, Cabernet Sauvignon, Tannat, Sangiovese, Touriga Nacional, and Norton.

The location and view are simply spectacular: the winery is set atop a hill overlooking vineyards with rolling hills in the distance. The perfect spot for sipping on a 95 degree day.

I was most impressed with their white wine offerings, specifically the Rhone Valley varietals. Could the soil and climate of Northeast Georgia be similar to those of the Rhone in France? Hmmmmmm.......

2003 Marsanne--My favorite of the bunch. Rich and highly perfumed with ripe pear, honeysuckle and almond notes. Full bodied. Lingering almond finish.

2003 Rousanne--Notes of green apple, honeysuckle, pear, a hint of nuts. Full bodied.

2004 Viognier--Heady with notes of peach, honeysuckle, a hint of passion fruit. Voluptuous texture.

These wines tickled my fancy to such an extent, I had a mixed case shipped home. Stop by sometime for a first hand sampling.

Frogtown Cellars
3300 Damascus Church Road
Dahlonega, GA
706.865.0687











Wine label image from www.frogtownwine.com

Osoyoos What? Wine of the Week

So what do we think of when someone mentions Canada? Cold weather? Snow? Maple Leaves? Hockey? That silly Canadian 'eh' thrown in during conversation? Who thinks of wine? Well...maybe icewine, especially those tasty little numbers that pop out of the Niagara Peninsula. But have you ever had a Canadian red wine?

Better run out and grab this one folks: The 2001 Osoyoos Larose Grand Vin. A killer blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. The wine is a partnership between the Canadian wine giant Vincor and the French company, Groupe Taillan, which owns the Bordeaux Château Gruaud Larose.

The wine hails from the Osoyoos region in the south of British Columbia's Okanagan Valley, very close to the U.S. border with Washington state. The area is pratically a desert and is earning a name for producing rich, complex red wines. The Osoyoos Larose is an example.

This wine is no joke: full of big, rich, sweet black fruits (think plum, blackberry, a hint of cherry), vanilla spice and a hint of chocolate. Complex, yet balanced, with silky tannins and a medium finish. Comparable to some of the big California Mertiage blends but half the price, coming in at roughly $35 a bottle.

Bottle image courtesy of www.northwest-wine.com

Wine of the Week

Viva Virginia! Just tasted an amazing Virginia Viognier this week that merits mention: The 2005 White Hall Vineyards Viognier. What a STUNNING wine. Notes of intoxicating tropical fruit, honeysuckle, white peach, and mango. Balanced acidity and medium body. Lingering finish. Served chilled on your patio.

Bottle image courtesy of White Hall Vineyards

The Infamous Turley 'White Coat'

So, you know Turley Wine Cellars, right? That cult California wine producer whose wines are hard to find and often fetch extraordinary prices? As luck would have it, Chiefwino happened upon a fabulous wine bar in San Franscisco (Nectar Wine Lounge) last September, that not only sells wine on-premise, but also off-premise and has a number of Turley wines on their menu. I opted to bring home a few bottles, including the 'White Coat,' which I uncorked last night. Here is the skinny:

2003 Turley 'White Coat', San Luis Obispo County, California--Trio of white Rhône varieties (Marsanne, Viognier, Rousanne). Loads of intense tropical fruit/honeysuckle aromas, golden delicious apples, a hint of nuts. Full bodied and viscous. Noticeable alcohol--quite hot on the finish. Overall, not bad, but not worth what I paid, which was in the 50-60 dollar range. I think I would rather opt for a White Cotes du Rhône blend of the same varieties for more fruit, acidity and less alcohol---and a 1/4 of the price.