Every Monday, discover new wines, regions, and ways to understand this fermenting sea.
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Munching Vidal Blanc on Keuka Lake, New York
Author Archives: waywardwine
A Study of Scarlet: A Red Wine “Conundrum” #MWWC6
Of all our adventures together, I hesitated to publish this for fear of disclosing information dire to national security and international trade. However, upon hearing that the serial publication, Monthly Wine Writing Challenge (#MWWC6), had chosen “Mystery” for its 6th topic, I could not resist. The following is an account of one of Sherlock Holmes’ greatest discoveries.
We arrived at the crime scene before Scotland Yard.
My associate opened the door and we walked into a cavernous space. It was brightly lit, like a stage at London’s Palace Theater. But instead of costumed-actors, brightly colored isles spanned for a seeming eternity. Innumerable produce and products of manufacture filled its shelves. It reminded me of a Sunday market or bazaar but entirely under one roof.
I expected him to jump into action, as was his habit. Instead, arms folded, only his eyes studied the room as we walked.
“The telegram explicitly stated it would be here”, he murmured impatiently.
“What would be here?” Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged California, Charlie Wagner, Conundrum, Durif, Palace Theater, petite Sirah, pinot noir, Sherlock, Sherlock Holmes, United States, Watson, Wine color, Zinfandel
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My Fair Muscadet: Plain Grape Turned Into Audrey Hepburn
Before New Year’s Eve kicks in, this Monday’s EU Austerity Drinking Tour post revisits a candy shop on France’s Atlantic Coast.
We zig zag through Nantes’ medieval streets.
The rain and gray sky drives us in and out of glittering shops. But not far from city center glows Gorges Gautier: chocolatier:
“Chocolate? But this an EU Austerity Drinking Tour travel post”, you wonder. Fret not. Past the window’s marzipan mountains and licorice forests, which look like a Francophilic Candyland, we spot Muscadet:
Inside, surrounded by a sea of gilding and ornate wood paneling, we go to the bar. A magic mound of green foil promises chocolates with Nantes’ famed grape Muscadet and its spirit hide inside. Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged Chocolate, Chocolatier, Confectionery, European Union, Food, France, Gorges Gautier, Muscadet, Nantes
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Counting Down: How to Crack Champagne for New Year’s Eve
The countdown begins. Eyes watch the ball drop. 3. 2. 1.
Corks crack open, impale an uncle, and flutes fill with Champagne. It disappears just as quickly. But between the hugs, huzzahs, resolutions, and regrets, you wonder: was that $40 plus bottle of Frenchness worth it?
It tasted fine. Maybe a bit tart, or a bit fruity, or a bit toasty. But memorable? Maybe it was too cold. Maybe the excitement distracted you. But we here at Wayward Wine blame New Year’s Eve. Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged 2014, Blue Top, Bordeaux, Brut, Champagne, France, Heidsieck & Co Monopole, New year, Non Vintage, Paris, Prosecco, Sparkling wine
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Other Muscadets and Oddities: Coteaux de la Loire, Grandlieu, Gros Plant, Fiefs Vendeens, Chenin, and Muscadet
Yes. Winter grips the Northern hemisphere. But turn your minds to warmer weather. Our 7 month 13 country EU Austerity Drinking Tour has visited Muscadet’s famed Sèvre-et-Maine and every-day Muscadet. This Monday, we try on Muscadet’s other wine regions for size.
On the Loire’s right bank, North of Sèvre et Maine sits Coteaux de la Loire in the hills above Ancenis:
They too mainly grow Muscadet. But how do they perform:
Les Vignerons de la Noëlle’s “Folies Siffait” Muscadet Coteaux de la Loire, France 2011
Like most Muscadet, Noëlle looks pale lemon with a slight fizz. Continue reading
Festive Fizz: Skip Champagne for Sparkling Wine from Limoux, France for New Year’s
Holiday parties, like the blob, suck all your time. New Year’s Day, like Dick Clark’s ghost, looms. Appetizers stare at us, like piranha on small plates. We need bubbly.
But we tire of bargain Prosecco. Champagne cost too much to share. American bubbly is either too cheap, or too expensive. Cava works, but seems too familiar.
Enter Limoux:
The Pyrenees Mountains cut France and Spain apart. Their foothills form Limoux: a region just south of the medieval fortress town of Caracassonne. Inland and high up, both Mediterranean warmth and Atlantic cold make Limoux the coolest region this far south in France. Its soil is equally rough: full of rocky, sandstone, limestone, and clay.
Cold temperatures, challenging soil, high elevations: the perfect recipe for quality bubbly. Continue reading
Posted in EMPTIED BOTTLES, Limoux, Sparkling
Tagged Alfons Mucha, Blanquette de Limoux, Boucheron, Caracassonne, Champagne, chenin blanc, Dick Clark, France, French New Wave, Languedoc, languedoc-roussillon, Limoux, Limoux wine, mauzac, Mauzac grape, Mucha, Pyrenees, Sparkling wine, St-Hilaire
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WAYWARD WINE 