Tag Archives: World Cup

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

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 →