Uncorking Columbia River Landing 2013 Riesling

 This weeks wine is Columbia River Landing's 2013 Riesling. I found very little to no information about this maker. I did find out however, that it was launched in Trader Joe's on March 2015.
With many things from TJ's I am finding that it is hit and miss with their wines.

My Notes: Peach, Blackberries, mildly peppery, medium high tannin, medium bodied,  medium acidity. Back of mouth, tart, sweet, crisp, tangy, sharp, fresh, meaty after taste on finish.

When I got it home and went to open it, I noticed a little 'floater' in it. It was a piece of the cork. Now from what I have heard the cork can give the wine a sour off putting taste.

I have based my notes above based on the current taste and may give this wine a second chance. However, that being said. I found it to be a bit bitter and not sweet as other Rieslings I have tried.

Still even though it wasn't as sweet and a bit more bitter than as I had hoped for, it was still a nice way to finish the night. 

~Cheers

Wine and Nuts - a quick guide

Typically around the winter holidays is when you find nut trays being displayed at dinner and social parties. But really any party can have a selection of nuts for snackish guests. If you are planing on holding a party where you wish to have nuts out, this is a great article for you.

Today we are going to be looking at pairing nuts with wine and how the two flavors and textures mix. When you add nuts to your dishes you make them more wine friendly.
Legumes add a depth of character to a dish which depending on the nut itself can either add a toasted or rich flavor that can really round a dish out.
When adding them to dishes like salad or artichoke, you can then almost always match them to an appropriate wine. When mixing wine, nuts and cheese, there are a few combos you could try.

1.) Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, and other light wines would be a perfect match with cashews or maybe even pistachios.

2.) Toasted or Raw, Almonds always pair well with Sparkling.

3.) Hazelnuts are really good with fruity rich whites like Chardonnay.

4.) Walnuts pair almost seamlessly with Rose wines, where lighter reds complement Pecans.

So there are four tips that is sure to help with any dish or nut you want to put out. Need more help? Check out this great Pairing Article I found on Corborns.com.

~Cheers

Help me to raise awareness about #palmoil and how it's killing #orangutan and destroying their habitats www.inyourpalm.org #inyourpalm #savetgeorangutans

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Tonight's #wine is Oak Leaf #moscato #moscatowine #2013 #winesnob #amateurwinedrinkers #amateurwinesnob http://ift.tt/1MwMxGR #wines #winetime #wine30

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Uncorking Lobo Hills 2013 PGR Yakima Valley White Wine

This weeks wine is Lobo Hills 2013 PGR Yakima Valley White Wine.

Wine Makers Notes: " PGR blends those three varietals made famous in the Alasce and Rhineland. This happily complex nose wafts aromas of pineapple, peach, banana and lychee. Selected as the Best White Blend from the Columbia Valley in the 8th Annual Washington Wine Awards."

My Notes: pepper, musty, earthy, perfume, sharp finish, green apple, crisp, side of tongue, high acidity, medium tannin, lingering tart aftertaste, medium bodied.

Now this wine was very interesting to me. When I purchased it, the wine seller said that it was really sweet and well rounded.
Well expecting that I found that it is dry and peppery.

There is a sweetness but not one that you would expect of a blended wine. That being said, it did bring the best of each of the wines and marry it in a cohesive way.

This would be a good meaty dish, like steak or bbq (in my humble opinion.)

However, if you are looking for a sweet wine this is not it, despite what the wine makers notes say. You would be better just buying a Gewurztraminer or Moscato or a Pino.

~Cheers

The Grapes of Wrath Vino

Grapes, these wondrous berries (yes they are considered a berry I looked it up) are natures miracles and have such a strong varying in flavor and sweetness.

 So being new to the wine drinking game I wanted to know about the different grapes and the wines they made. This is what I found.

Riesling:

These grapes are found in in all wine districts. The German variety are sweet a semibold acidity. Wines made from Riesling's grown in the Eastern US can be a bit different as the wines produced in this region are done a bit differently but usually are just as aromatic and less sweet. And wines made in California are typically less successful but are sweet though lacking acidity for balance.

Rieslings should be light, and fresh. With age they become more rounded and tastier.

Gewürztraminer:

Gewürztraminer are very aromatic grapes. They are grown in Germany, The West Coast of the United States and in some regions of the East Coast in the US as well. 

Gewürztraminer's are very fruity sometimes taking on the taste of peaches and the floral smells of rose's, and can be a bit spicy too. 

This wine may not be as refreshing as some white wines, but I found it to be really good and is now a staple in my wine rack.






Chardonnay:

This grape was a very popular one for making wine through the 1900's as it could be either made into sparkling or still wine. Because of its ability to adapt to different climates and growing regions Chardonnay is widely used.

Often more smooth and wider bodied than that of other white wines, it can have a somewhat citrus flavor like that of a grapefruit, and depending on how it is aged can take on that of vanilla or toffee. However if it is a Chardonnay from France the taste can be quite different.

Sauvignon blanc:

Blancs come from a variety of locations like New Zealand, France, and Australia.  They tend to be less fruity and somewhat flat. In France it is mixed with Sémillon (which is another gold grape used in making dry sweet wines.) 

Sauv Blanc's typically have a herbal more earthy taste like that of fresh cut grass. The stronger flavors are that of sour apples and gooseberries, with undertones of mango, and melon. Some can even be a bit smokey in flavor.

Syrah:

Shiraz grapes can be found in France, California, and Australia. When made into wine they can take on blackcurrant and peppery tones. 

When aged and fermented in oak it can take one toffee and flavors. This versatile grape can make average wine or it can make more sophisticated mature wines with bold flavors that have a long shelf life.







Merlot:

Merlot is the quintessential wine that most people are familiar with or have at least heard in conversation from time to time. Considered a classic 'introduction" wine. 

This grape is now being grown here in the US as well as a handful of other countries, though it hails from The Bordeaux region of France. 

It has the taste of dark cherries and can have some herbal tones. You typically experience this wine in the middle of your tongue but depending on quality or age can be felt on the tip.

Cabernet Sauvignon:

Cabernet sauvignon is typically considered the best grape. When making wine it is sometimes mixed with merlot and cabernet franc in oak barrels. 

These grapes are usually grown where ever red wine grapes grow. They are part of the Medoc wines in France, and part of the fine red wines of California and Australia.  

It can sometimes have a vanilla smell if its aged in oak.

Pinot noir:

These grapes are considered one of the noble red wine grapes. They are very difficult to grow and are almost never blended. They can be found in California, Oregon, and France. 

The wine they make is very delicate and fresh and very fruity smelling with undertones of damp soil or leather. Because of its versatile nature, it is almost impossible to pinpoint where it is grown.

But regardless the grape, or the wine, I believe we can all appreciate the long arduous process that is undertaken in order to make wine. Now personally when it comes to eating grapes I tend to like the dark purple/black ones. But I am finding when it comes to drinking wine, that I am leaning more towards whites over reds. But when I first began drinking wine, I was all about the Sweet Red, now Im really loving Moscato or Gewurztraminer.

~Cheers 

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Uncorking Oak Leaf Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc

This week's wine is Oak Leaf Vineyard's Sauvignon Blanc

Wine Makers Notes: "This medium-bodied, zesty Sauvignon Blanc has bright aroma's of  lemon and fresh melon, with a clean, crisp finish."

Awards and Accolades: BRONZE - 2012 Florida State Fair International

My Notes: Mushroom, musty, pepper, asphalt. Clean, Semi dry, medium acidity, smooth cliff, perfume finish.

I was surprised by how different this wine was from other white wines. I had expected it to be fruity and sweet but found it to be dry and tangy. It was a medium feel in my mouth a little tart but sweet but not a traditional white sweet.

It does have a crisp finish as the wine maker suggests. As for the aroma's of lemon and melon, i'm not sure about all that. However, I am still an amateur.

I might keep this one on hand for more mature drinking times. It is nice and as I said before crisp. Just shocked at its lack of sweet. But a joy none the less.

~Cheers

KOVOT 5 Piece Wine Bottle Tools - Review

I got this Wine Tool kit the other day as my first review for the blog. I have to say it is super cute. I really love this little tool set. It looks just like a real wine bottle which adds to its charm and personality.

 I also like the fact that it is made from good sturdy plastic and feels well made. The tools inside are really good quality too. The foil cutter is great because i typically have to use a razor knife and have almost cut myself doing so because of the bottle slipping due to condensation.

I couldn't be happier with it. I am going to order another one for a gift. I did receive this one at a steep discount for reviewing it on my blog.

Get yourself one or one for the wine lover in your life http://amzn.to/1UVrrY8

~Cheers

All about the Cork

Corks or Twist Caps. Either way they can both be a pain in the butt. However, today we are looking at the different types of corks there are for keeping the vino fresh and in its place.

Now just like everything else thus far, I didn't know there was so many different types of cork. There is Natural Cork, Synthetic Cork, and 1+1 Cork.

For well over 300yrs Corks have been the stopper of choice. But depending on the style and how well its made can depend on how your wine tastes or how well its preserved. But just like any thing you have your purists and your innovators. There is a large debate over the virtue of cork verses new materials. I personally love the look and feel of a real cork verses that of a modern one. However, this is probably still due to the fact that Im new to wine.

Traditional/Real Cork:

Real traditional cork is made from an evergreen oak's bark. It takes about 40yrs to harvest the first acceptable cork. Because natural cork is comprised mainly of air, it is a natural choice for the different shapes and styles of bottle. Also natural cork has a waxy substance that makes it water resistant and helps keep the wine fresh and from leaking. At the time of manufacturing the cork is coated with wax with also helps to repel wine and Silicone, and acts as a lubricant for inserting the cork and extracting it.
However, in reality, natural corks can not and do not keep out all of the air, but it does keep it from oxidizing wines at a fast rate. This oxidization is evident when looking at bottle aged wine verses barrel aged.

Traditional corks can also cause what is known as "Cork Taint". This is when the cork has become infected by a mold by-product called 2,4,6 trichloroanisole (TCA). TCA masks a wine’s fruit character with what is described as moldy, earthy or “wet basement” aromas.

Synthetics: 

With synthetics and plastics, wine makers and vintners of the modern day find that by creating synthetic corks that they are more reliable and do not pose the problem of TCA. However, overseas markets and orchards where cork is grown and harvested, many dont want the change made to synthetic even going as far as to state that "there is no difference, its a matter of choice." But synthetic corks are more shelf stable for wines that are to be drank within a year or two. They do close up more securely, however can shift and push.

Screw Caps:

Screw caps are those metal caps that you twist off. Some novis wines and champagnes have these and are typically what new wine drinkers move up from. They would seem to be an unlikely choice for expensive, long-aging reds. Personally for me I think of these types of wines a low quality. Kind of like drinking boxed wine. However, in 1997 Plumpjack released 300 bottles of their wine with screw caps and proved this theory to be wrong, and people have been talking about it for the past 18 years. I still hold on to the tradition of popping a cork vs unscrewing (again just me.)


1+1 Corks:

These corks marry the new with the old. The middle of the cork is comprised of ground cork with natural cork slices on the ends. They are an alternative to traditional corks and are suitable for just about any wine on the market. They come in a grading system as well:

Grade A: High Grade for wines up to 4 years in age

Grade B: Medium Grade for wines up to 3 years in age

Over All

Over all it just comes down to personal choice and functionality. As we all know corks no matter what they are made of, can be a pain in the tokus to get out of the bottle with out either spilling it, or busting a vain in your head. I prefer real cork or 1+1 style over the plastic synthetic kind. I like to smell my corks after I open a new bottle. And looking in my cork bin now, I see that i have a bout 40/60 split.

~Cheers

You say lush i say running low #winetime #wine30 #amateurwinedrinkers #amateurwinesnob http://ift.tt/1MwMxGR #winestagram #winelover

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Uncorking Charles Shaw 2013 White Zinfandel

This weeks wine is Charles Shaw 2013 White Zinfandel.

This wine and label is more commonly known as "2 Buck Chuck" as it was released to in Trader Joe's during its start as a wine that was only $1.99. I couldn't find out much about this particular wine other than it was owned by an umbrella vintner by the name of Bronco Wine Company.

My Notes: Peach, Black Berry, Pepper, sweet like a white, tart like a red. Middle of tongue. Crisp, medium body, medium acidity, low/medium tannin, perfume-tangy finish.

This was my first time with a White Zinfandel so I was really shocked at how it almost seamlessly married the two qualities of a white and red. It makes for a vary nice combination. At $2 it is a great wine to keep on hand for company or weekend drinking.

It was a very refreshing glass of wine that I am looking forward to again and again. I know its probably not a great pairing but I think this would go great with some BBQ and Watermelon!

~Cheers

Tonight's #wine is #ArborMist raspberry and strawberry a very fun and refreshing #budgetwine #winetime #wine30 #amateurwinedrinkers #amateurwinesnob #winestagram #winelover http://ift.tt/1MwMxGR

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Aromas vs. Bouquet

Is there a difference between a wines aroma and its bouquet? Yes there is a difference. Typically (at least to me) when I think of an aroma I think of its smell and when I think of a bouquet I think of flowers. However, when it comes to wine this would be wrong.

When talking of aroma and bouquets, you are naming two different things all together. An aroma can be broken into 3 categories:

1.) Primary Aromas: These are the varietal aromas, like what type of grape was used.

2.) Secondary Aroma: These are the aromas that develop as the wine ferments.
and

3.) Tertiary Aromas: These are the smells that are developed after the fermentation, and will further develop as the wine is being matured. How the wine is matured will also affect these aromas. If it is barrel aged it will take on a cedar, licorice, smoke, or toast flavor. If it is bottle aged then it can take on a nutty, sweet, or mushroom smell (in the best possible way.)


So a wines Bouquet is just the attributes it takes on after fermentation and depending on how it is stored afterwards to mature. These attributes or bouquets are the flavor tastes as described in the above 3rd Tertiary Aroma. So when describing a new wine one would shy away from the use of the word Bouquet while describing the aroma/smell of the wine, unless the wine is young and already developing those more mature flavors.

Tonight's #wine is Bay Bridge #merlot #wines #winelover #winesofinstagram #winetime #wine30 #amateurwinedrinkers #amateurwinesnob http://ift.tt/1MwMxGR #winestagram

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Uncorking Villa Alena Moscato & Peach

This weeks wine is Villa Alena Moscato & Peach.

I was not able to find much on this particular vineyard so if I do later down the road I will revise this post.

I purchased this at Trader Joe's for $8.99 on a whim to try something new. Now I will be blunt I am a peach anything person. I really have never come across a peach anything that I dont care for. And having fallen in love with Moscato, I though what the heck.

Though this wine has a low alcohol content, and an average rating on Vivino of 3.9 I still found it to be a very delicate and pleasing wine.

My notes: Fresh crisp peach smell,  juicy, wonderful peach flavor, sparkling, light body, smooth finish, back and side of tongue, apple, berry. Fruity floral bouquet.

The body on this wine was so very light and refreshingly pleasing. There is very little to no Tannin. The acidity was perfectly balanced like biting into a fresh peach.

I found that this particular wine is also sold at World Market for about $12, so finding it at Trader Joe's for $8.99 was a steal.

I am going to have to keep this one in stock for those special occasions.

~Cheers