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
Tag Archives: pinot noir
Thirsty Thursday: Hugel, Gentil, Alsace, France 2012
Bordering Germany lays Alsace.
In 75 years, Germans and French swapped the region four times. The wines share this borderland mentality where Francophone varieties like Pinot Gris, Blanc, and Noir touch vineyards of Gewürztraminer, Riesling, and Sylvaner. What better introduction to this melting pot than a blend, the only blend from one of Alsace’s largest, but oldest (1639!) and most respected producers: Hugel et Fils. Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged 2012, Alsace France, Gentil, Gewürztraminer, Hugel, pinot blanc, Pinot Gris, pinot noir, riesling, Sylvaner, Thirsty Thursday
4 Comments
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
19 Comments
Wine Geek Gift: Spätburgunder (aka Pinot Noir), August Kesseler, “Pinot N”, Pfalz, Germany 2010
Your wine geek wakes early, runs downstairs, and to their delight, finds something green and red-capped beneath the tree.
The slender bottle looks German. “Mmm…Riesling”, they think. Then, on closer inspection, their head explodes like a Christmas craker:
Yes. Pinot Noir. From Germany.
Now German wine usually evokes rough memories of cheap Riesling:
Yet Germany ranks third in the world for Pinot Noir acreage (30,000, just behind France and the US). The problem is, Germans drink most of it. Meanwhile, they pulled the Blue Nun’s veil of Riesling over our eyes. We could only assume that they made nothing but sweet yet tart whites.
No more! Treat you and yours this holiday with German Pinot. Continue reading
Posted in Pinot Noir, Red
Tagged Alsace, August Kesseler, Blue Nun, California, DDR, France, Germany, goat cheese, Kesseler, Oregon, pinot noir, riesling, Spätburgunder, Vosges Mountains, Wine Geek
2 Comments
Night Cap: Eola Hills, Port Style Wine, Cabernet Sauvignon, Oregon 2007 LBV
With Turkey Day winding down, the family leaving, and dirty dishes at bay: you only have room for this.
Last Thursday’s Dry Riesling kicked winter in the ear. Today, Wayward Wine turns once more to that stalwart of winter-bound, fireside drinks: Port.
Years ago, we featured Warre’s Late Bottle Vintage 2000 Port (here). Neither a cheap, young Ruby, nor an expensive, age-able Vintage: their LBV forged a middle path into Portuguese fortified wine. Its sultry balance of spice, fruit, alcohol, and readiness reminded us of a belly dancer.
But can Oregon pull off the same trick? Continue reading
QUADY NORTH, SYRAH, 4-2, A, ROGUE VALLEY, OREGON 2008 $25
I met Herb last week. He stood behind a table, in a black shirt and cap. His wines lined up in front of him. Nothing else. Flanking him towered suit and tie representatives from Oregon’s famed Pinot Noir producers. They had flyers, business cards, banners, and slideshows of vineyard porn on small screens.
I tried their wines, heard their soliloquies, but kept returning to Herb. His black, cracked hands poured each bottle. He said even less. I felt that he itched to return to his vines, tanks, and family in Southern, Oregon. Continue reading
Posted in Red, Syrah
Tagged Australia, Bonny Doon Vineyard, California, Crozes-Hermitage, Herb Quady, Oregon, pinot noir, Quady North, Randall Graham, ROGUE VALLEY, San Francisco, Syrah, Valley Vineyards
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