What I Did On My Winter Vacation

It's been awhile since I have posted to this blog. Not because I gave up drinking, far from it! It is because I have been drinking the same wines listed here. I have not gone out and tried something new and instead went for the familiar and the inexpensive. You see I have been living with a pregnant woman during my winter vacation and while she is a very pleasant and beautiful mommy to be, she's not much of a drinker. So logic tells me not to buy an expensive wine that I may not finish or a new wine that she will not enjoy with me. Just stay with the tried and true. Here are some of the wines that I have been enjoying.

My every day wine (just a figure of speech, not a drinking problem) is in that $10 and less sweet spot. It has to be an easy drink and cheap so if it goes back in the fridge and goes bad before I can get to it, so be it. I'll just open up another bottle of cheap wine. The wines in my bandoleer are:

Big House Red -- a long time favorite with a screw top for longevity in the fridge.
Ten Mile -- I think this has a screw top.
Cellar No. 8 Zinfandel
Castono Hecula Monastrelli -- I like to think of this as my Spanish Big House Red.
Casono Monastrelli -- same place, cheaper wine. David and Rachel gave this to us as hosts gift and I am drinking this as I type. A lovely bottle even if it makes me sound gay. Happy gay not, um, you know, oh never mind.

When I want to break out of my cheap bottle and go for something extravagant I have been opening two of my favorites.

Ridge Three Valleys -- a man trip favorite
Seghesio Zinfandel -- a consumer reports favorite

While each of these costs $20+ at the local wine shoppes (note fancy spelling) I can get them for about $16 at Costco. And while I am there I grab a few big house reds and ten miles. And maybe a large jar of Atomic Fire Balls, a 4 family size box of Cheerios and the latest Family Guy season out on DVD. Damn you Costco!

I can't go any further without giving a "shout out" to my new friend, the off-brand 8 bottle wine cooler. Leigh bought this for me at Lowes and I tried to mount it in a cabinet but it never would get cool. So that's why you can't cover up the vents. It now lives on the floor under Leighs sewing table and does a wonderful job of keeping my wine at lovely 58 degrees. There's that word again.

I keep the corks from the wine I drink. Not because I have any hording issues but I know one day I will be able to do something with them all like float down the Cahaba River. It IS a little disturbing that the bowl has been filling up and Leigh has not been drinking for at least 8 months. Oh well, I guess she just needs to catch up.

That's all for now. I'll probably keep up this routine for a few months more and at least until Pinot Grigio season gets here. I might even tone it down because newborns don't care if you drank a bottle two hours ago, they want to be changed, NOW!

So, what did you do on your winter vacation?

Shawn

Beringer Founders' Estate 2005 Old Vine Zinfandel

I haven't had anything by Beringer in quite a while but they have a very good reputation in my mind. We found this to be an easy drinking Zin. Not really a peppery Zin.

Tasting Notes from the winery: Historically, a vineyard like this often has multiple varieties mixed-in among the Zinfandel vines, so it seemed fitting that the wine be made in that traditional and crowd-pleasing ‘American-Zin’ style. The resulting wines showcases clove, white pepper and jammy black fruit aromas that lead into a mouth full of black berries and sweet spice.

Found this at Bruno's on sale for about $9.

Cave Des Papes Côtes du Rhône Héritage

Charlie Elmer brought this wine to our supper club. We were very surprised at how smooth and good this wine was. It made the Syrah we had been drinking just a tad bit harsh even though they where very good. This wine was was made from 70% Grenache, 25% Syrah and 5% Mourvedre. Charlie pointed out that wines with this mix of grapes are always good and smooth. This wine was in the $10-$13 range. Not sure of the vintage. I give it 3 stars. The description from the web site follows.

Ogier-Caves des Papes, *The Cellars of the Popes* was founded in 1859 and is the proprietor of the oldest and largest wine cellars in the ancient town of Chateauneuf du Pape (summer residence of Popes), in the heart of the Rhone Valley. For 140 years, the Caves des Papes name has symbolized the finest wines from the vast Rhone Valley.

Our red wines are concentrated, full-bodied and are based on the regions best grape varieties, Grenache and Syrah. Caves des Papes wines are recognized the world over and annually garner high acclaim for their exceptional quality.

To create “HERITAGE “ Côtes du Rhône, the Caves des Papes winemakers challenged the wine estates which were known to have produced the most consistent wines of high quality to surpass their previous best. The wines from 13 estates, the majority located in the area close to Chateauneuf du Pape and Gigondas, were selected as the finest expression of red wines from the Côtes du Rhône. Classic Rhone varietals, dominated by 65% Grenache, 35% Syrah, Cinsault and Mourvedre.

Aging 12 months in casks and tapered oak upright vats. Deep ruby color. Expressive, elegant nose with complex flavours of ripe fruit, spice, and a touch of oak. Attractive bouquet and soft tannins. Accompanies red meat, such as roast beef or steak but best with anything off the barbecue.

Napa Cellars Zinfandel 2005

I found this yesterday while picking up a few bottles at Village Wine Market. The winery is not one I'm familiar with but will remember it now! This wine struck me as un-Zin-like during the first glass. It had more of a syrah character - smooth and refined fruit. In later glasses more of the expected spice came out. It's a really good wine, easy to drink on its own and delicious with food (steak in our case).

The winery website sums it up well: "Napa Cellars Zinfandel is the perfect middle ground between the spicy Zinfandels of the Sierra Foothills and the fruity jammy Zinfandels of Sonoma. Both characteristics can be found in moderation with this wine. You can expect a swirl of the glass to reveal intense, sweet ripe berries, cinnamon and black pepper spice with elements of sun-baked earth."

$14.99 (sale price)

Mas Donis barrica 2004 Montsant

Hola amigos - bienvenudos to another good Spanish red blend. This tasty rojo is 85% grenache and 15% syrah. One post I read called it a poor man's Cote du Rhone. The Brewers give this one a solid 2 stars and will definitely pick up more for the cellar.

"The 2004 Mas Donis Barrica is 85% Garnacha from 80+-year-old vines and 15% Syrah aged for 8 months in French and American oak. Opaque purple, it has a wonderfully expressive nose of spice box, pencil lead, pepper, blueberry, and blackberry liqueur. On the palate the wine is full-bodied with layers of ripe, spicy black fruits, nicely concealed tannins, and a long, pure finish. It is an outstanding value for drinking now and over the next 4-6 years."
-Wine Advocate

$10.99 at Western.

Very Old Vines Carignan Vin de Pays de L'Aude 2006

That long description tells us a little - it's a predominantly carignan blend, a local wine (vin de pays) from the L'Aude. What's that? A department in south-central France named after the Aude River that is between the Mediterranean and the Pyrenees. It's the home of Carcassonne. Other wine you might have heard of is the AOC Corbières.

OK, so it's a decent inexpensive French red. Not too oaky or boozy (12.5%)

Wild Horse Merlot 2005

We have been enjoying this Merlot for years; I think we received our first one as a gift in 2001. Based on our experience you will always be happy with this.

"this deeply pigmented wine offers flavors of plum, black cherry, cedar and toasted oak." (I didn't notice the oak).
$15 at Western (normally $19)

Twenty Rows - The Grappler 200x

One of our many selections for Man Trip 2007. We previously reviewed this wine in December 2006 and grabbed it again on a recent trip to Western.

"The Grappler is an intriguing blend of 58% Zinfandel, 30% Syrah, and 12% Cabernet Sauvignon. The three grapes come from three different regions of California: Lake County, Paso Robles, and Calistoga respectively. But this melting pot wine is in no way undistinctive. It's got deep color, intense aromas, great integration of flavors, and everything you'd want in a masculine Zin blend. Black cherries with some spicy cinnamon and pepper, a hint of smoke on the finish, and a long finish make this an experience from start to finish."

$18 @ Western.

Qupe Syrah 2005

Gosh, how many times have we quaffed this and it hasn't been blogged. Not officially anyway. The 2004 did make the trip to NC last year but didn't get described. Anyway, this is a delicious and very reliable CA Central Coast Syrah. It is extremely well balanced in fruit, spice (a hint of pepper), and finish.

From the winemakers: "This wine is 93% syrah, 4% Grenache, 2% Mourvèdre and 1% Counoise. The grapes come from 16 different vineyards in the Central Coast – 55% from Santa Barbara County; 39% from Paso Robles and 6% from the Arroyo Grande Valley.

2005 was an amazing vintage for both quality and quantity and, in fact, it’s one of the best vintages I’ve seen in my 27 years on the Central Coast. The grapes had impeccable balance and flavor intensity and the perfect weather allowed us to really dial in the harvest sugars."

About $13 at Overton & Vine.

Castano Monastrell 2005

The Winoblog team has been drinking but not posting. Sorry 'bout that. I think we have mainly been repeating selections previously written about. Anyway, here's a new one that caught my eye this week in the supermarket. The large bold "C" on the label seemed familar. Turns out it's another juicy tasty offering from Bodegas Castaño. (see July 1st post). This is 100% Monastrell (Mourvèdre) - loaded with fruit in the right concentration.

Winemaker notes: "Excellent example of the Monastrell grape in its early years. Intense aromas of black fruit (plums) and less ripe red fruit (cranberries, mulberries, redcurrants, blackcurrants). On the palate it is fruity and fresh, and alive with tannins which leaves a pleasant aftertaste."

The Wine Advocate - "The 2005 Monastrell is an insane value produced from three vineyard sites ranging in age from 40-60 years. Opaque purple-colored, it gives up fragrant aromas of blue fruits, plums, and prunes. Ripe, layered, and full-flavored, this hedonistic effort can be enjoyed now but will surely evolve for 2-3 years. Match it with beef and lamb."

$6.99 at Western.

French wine map

I just received this in an email from the French Tourist Office - it's an interactive map (in English) of French winegrowing regions. C'est utile pour l'education.

View map

The Wolftrap 2005

This is a Syrah, Cinsault, Mourvedre, Viognier blend from the South African makers of The Chocolate Block. It's a really sensational blend in the style of a southern France wine such as Chateauneuf du Pape, Cote du Rhone, or Cotes de Provence. (Interesting that a little white is used.) We are posting this just after having our first couple of glasses with grilled pork chops and wilted spinach.

2+ stars. Great value at 8.99 at Village Wine Market. (Imported by Vineyard Brands of Birmingham)

86 Points - Wine Spectator
"Soft and forward, with mocha, cherry and plum flavors and an easygoing finish. Syrah, Cinsault, Mourvedre and Viognier. Drink now. 27,500 cases made."

Wines at Charlie Trotter's, Chicago

On 07/07/07 the Brewers and the Simon-Tills celebrated the numerologically significant day. Our wines:

• Mirabile Insolia 2004 (Sicily)
  
• Naiades Bodegas Naia 2005 (Rueda, Spain) Verdejo
  
• Barbaresco Moccagotta "Cole" 2003 (Piedmonte, Italy) Nebbiolo
  

Some comments we found ...

2006 Mirabile Insolia: ($16 retail) Insolia, a native Sicilian white grape variety, is known for its perfumey, herbal scent. Mirabile’s bottling is no exception; the oddly appealing aroma recalls ripe mango and pineapple along with fresh oregano.

2005 Naiades Bodegas Naia: ($29 retail) This wine is made from 90 year old vines and is 100% Verdejo. A mixture of pear, honey and crisp acidity along with white peach and honeysuckle aromas soar from the glass of this surprisingly Burgundian style white. Enjoy with seafood and in particular shellfish.

Barbaresco: Nebbiolo - 100%. Vinification and aging: Maceration on the skins in steel vats with temperature control, ageing in French oak barriques for 18 months. Wine Advocate (Robert Parker), 91; Wine Spectator, 91. Mary says "damn good". Generally it's said that you should serve your best bottle first while the palate is extra alert. But we had this one last and it was "wow". I will note that our sommelier was extremely helpful and easy to work with. ($53 retail)

French Winemakers Welcome Warmer Summers

Heard on "Morning Edition", August 6, 2007 · In 2003, France got a glimpse of what the future may hold. A summer heat wave broke all temperature records, straining the country's medical and energy resources. But a future of warmer summers could bring unexpected pleasures — including wine.

Click for text, photos, audio

Ten Mile

What a great wine. A suggestion from the wine dude at the Piggly Wiggly in Homewood. I wanted something easy to drink and cheap. A wine that would appeal to the "I don't care what it tastes like as long as it's Merlot" crowd and not hurt the wallet when the complained. In a nutshell I wanted something in the Big House Red or House Wine family. This was great and a big hit with everyone at the party. I suggest you pick up a bottle of this and because it is so cheap (around $10) maybe you should get two or three. And for those of you interested in the grape, it is a blend of Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Carignane and Barbera .

Vilosell 2005 Segre Red Wine

Another excellent red spanish wine. This was suggested to me by the fine wine dudes at Western Mountain Brook. One wine, which I have forgotten the name, was only ok and more expensive than the original. I opened this bottle tonight and was quite impressed. Even for a bottle that cost $13.99.

Leigh just yelled down the stairs to ask what the name of this wine was. She said "this is good! Or as they say, smooooth." That pretty much says it all. This will be a regular in the Wright wine cellar (8 bottle cooler).

For you wine nerds, "This Catalan red from wine maker Tomás Cusiné is made in the relatively new wine region Costers del Segre in Northeeastern Spain not far from Priorat. It's a very dark reddish-purple color with a garnet edge. Plum and black cherries add a hint of barnyard and a whiff of oak in a complex aroma. Fruit-forward flavors blend cherry cordial and sharp acidity, with more subtle earthy minerality, restrained oaky vanilla and perceptible tannins in the background. Warm and long, it seems a little more alcoholic than the advertised 13%, and it leaves a bit of gritty sediment in the bottom of the glass and bottle. US Importer: European Cellars LLC, Charlotte, N.C.; an Eric Solomon Selection."

Bodegas Castano 2004 Hecula

I have been wanting to drink more spanish wine lately. The spanish wines I have had at parties and friends houses have been excellent. I finally went to Western in M.B. and asked for a recommendation. This little $10 jewel was handed to me. I'll be back. Lifted description is below.

100% Monastrell.
Bodegas Castano has long been an advocate of the Monastrell varietal in the zone and its use has increased in other bodegas as a result. Known as Mourvedre in France and other parts of the world, the varietal is perhaps best known for its influence on the wines of Chateauneuf-du-Pape where the terroir and climate is not dissimilar to that of Yecla with both benefiting from a very warm, Mediterranean climate with warm days and nights.

Rosés coming up rosy?

The hot thing this year seems to be quality rosé wines because Mary and I are seeing them everywhere. They have always been there in the wine world but most of us had to erase them from our memory due to the horrors of white zinfandel and other "blush" wines.

We had a Spanish one at City Hall Diner in Vestavia about two weeks ago - the Marqués de Cáceres Rioja Rosado (rosy/pink/rosé rioja). It should be served medium chilled and will not be sweet (we didn't take notes).

What do you think? Post a comment about your rosé.

Ol' Red (a California blend)

This one might be a 3 star especially considering it's on sale for $9.99 at Village Wine Market. Enjoyed with steaks Saturday night, this red has nice fruit but doesn't overdo it. I thought it was delicious.

Cosentino in Napa is the winery and they say: A multi-vintage Solera style blend from 1997 to 2005 from California (Napa, Sonoma, Lodi and Solano County areas).

A unique blend of Pinot Noir, Syrah, Carignane and Zinfandel with small lots of Merlot, Sangiovese, Mouvedre, Petite Sirah and a few other things.

Originally each lot was made separately and barrel aged for one to eight years prior to blending. After blending the master lot a good portion is put back into barrels for further aging until the next cuvee is put together.

Ruby colored with crimson edges. Extremely rich and round with a feel of liquid satin. Baked cherries and berries with sweet baking spices in the nose. A creamy melange of red and black fruits with earthy complexities. Structured and balanced with supple, ripe tannins and a long smooth finish- this is a unique experience.

Note: they say it's out of stock.

Another Wine Blog

From NPR's story of the day podcast I came across the Wine Library. NPR states: "At a bland building in suburban New Jersey, Gary Vaynerchuk is demystifying the wine world. Through Wine Library TV -- an almost daily Web broadcast of wine tastings from his store -- Vaynerchuk hopes to put people at ease when they choose a bottle of vino." It is a great little blog and you should check it out.

http://tv.winelibrary.com/