Author Archives: waywardwine

About waywardwine

Follow Wayward Wine (WSET3) to tour the world's exciting vineyards, breweries, and distilleries, while discovering new drinks.

Temples, Towers, Beaujolais? And Duché D’Uzes a New AOC: Nîmes, France (P2)

Posted on July 7, 2014 by waywardwine

Part 2, Day 121, continues our visit to Nîmes: birthplace of denim (get it, de Nîmes). After last post’s Roman arenas and temples, we hike to the park. Amidst Fall’s colors, fountains, and walkways rests the Temple to Diana:

The ruin still feels lifted, intricate, delicate: much like the following wine. Although this is Southern France, it is November, and we buy the one wine that matters: Beaujolais Nouveau.
Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged amphitheater, Beaujolais, Duché D'Uzes, Grenache, Nimes, Nimes bulls, Orenia, Philippe Nusswitz, rome, Syrah | 2 Comments

Wine for July 4th: Qupé Syrah, Central Coast, California 2011

Posted on July 3, 2014 by waywardwine

US Soccer may have lost, albeit heroically, to Belgium (a country about the size of Maryland) in the Fifa World Cup 2014 knockout stages.

But crying is un-American. We have the explosive bombast of July 4th to distract ourselves with this Friday. Better yet, we can watch France lose to Germany. So dab those (non-existent) tears with the flag. Fire up that meat-annihilating grill. And grab a bottle of American wine.

Qupé, Syrah, Central Coast, California 2011 Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Belgium, Bob Lindquist, Boysenberry, Fifa, Jim Clendenen, Qupé, Rhône Ranger, Soccer, US Soccer, World Cup | Leave a comment

Random Wine Review: Torbreck, The Struie, Shiraz, Barossa, Australia 2011

Posted on June 23, 2014 by waywardwine

Torbreck, The Struie, Shiraz, Barossa, Australia 2011 Appearance: A clear, packed red ruby with nary a clear edge. Aromas: Proud aromas of fresh spearmint leaf, desert, pumice, dried herb, red cherry pie, ash. Palate: Dry, with a soft, medium acid … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Thirsty Thursday World Cup Wine: Berlucchi, Franciacorta, ’61 Brut Rosé

Posted on June 19, 2014 by waywardwine

Celebrate 2014’s already mad World Cup with bubbly. But not just any bubbly, Italy’s answer to Champagne: Franciacorta DOCG.

Betwixt Brescia and Lake Iseo, this designation tries to one up the French. Like Champagne, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are king (but with some Pinot Blanc and no Meunier). Like Champagne, each bottle undergoes secondary fermentation in cellars to fizz them up. 18 months are the minimum (compared to Champagne’s paltry 15, meanwhile Prosecco cuts corners in a massive tank). This bottle ferment means extra, integrated buzz and increased autolytic magic. Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Brescia, bubbly, Champagne, Daniele de Rossi, DDR, Fifa, Franciacorta, italy, Lake Iseo, pinot blanc, Pirlo, wine, World Cup, World Cup 2014 | 4 Comments

Nîmes, France (P1): Romarin Cheese, Wine, and Roman Temples and Amphitheaters: EU Austerity Drinking Tour Day 120

Posted on June 16, 2014 by waywardwine

DAY 120. Our EU Austerity Drinking Tour returns to France, its wine, and fabulous cheese. Why?

Spain wore us out. It was beautiful yet challenging. So our combination of illness, poor Spanish, and budget tightwad-ery pushes us back into France. Now with a return flight, a handful of months remain to tap the rest of Europe’s drink. We leave Valencia for Nîmes:

But not before Barcelona. Worst of all Shakespearean tragedies, Spain had killed my iPod: home to wine notes and fuzzy photos. Continue reading →