Uncorking Menage a Trios Midnight Dark Red California 2013

This weeks wine is Menage a Trios Midnight Dark Red California 2013

Wine Makers Notes:  A gorgeous garnet color in the glass, this luxurious red wine blend wraps you up in a velvety embrace. Voluptuous blackberry and plush spiced plum flavors seduce your palate, while hints of mocha and exotic spice linger on your lips like a stolen kiss. Silky and smooth with a long, powerful finish

My Notes: Pepper wet asphalt dark berries heavy body medium acidity medium tannin bold finish

This wine will knock the socks off of you. This is not for the new comer, and will make the most dedicated red lover take a step back. It is powerful, strong, and bold. It is also very dry. A friend of mine bought it for us to drink one night and thought that it would be something fun to try. She is used to drinking blends and sweet red, so this was over powering for her (and im not going to lie was almost to much for me.) It was just heavy and IN YOUR FACE. But as the wine maker says on their site "we’re known for creating wines that are bold and sensual—even a tad risqué."

I wouldn't recommend this to anyone who doesn't love red, with a deep DEEP passion.

~Cheers

Soaking in WINE?

There is a Luxury Spa in New York that claims soaking in Red Red Wine is beneficial to you and your body. Recently NBA Star Amar'e Stoudemire blew up social media when he posted a picture of himself soaking in a tub of red wine.

The antioxidants in the wine are supposed to reduce and eliminate free radicals in the body which can cause damage to the skin, proteins, and even our DNA. However the only real benefit of taking a wine bath is for its antiseptic and astringent properties. The other chemicals and sulfates in wine actually do not penetrate the skin all that well. There is no real added benefit to it. As the video below from C&EN Speaking of Chemistry states:

So really outside of saying that you did something so 'lavish' about the only thing that you should do is either drink or cook with your wine. There are other, much better, products on the market to help keep that youthful sheen to your skin.

~Cheers

Uncorking Chateau Ste Michelle Gewurztraminer Columbia Valley 2013

This weeks wine is Chateau Ste Michelle Gewurztraminer Columbia Valley 2013

Makers notes:  this Gewürztraminer is such a flavorful wine with beautiful, expressive fruit and clove spice. This is a lush style of Gewurztraminer with a lot of floral character, yet it still maintains the grape’s natural crisp acidity.

 My Notes: leather pepper side of tongue quick finish sour apple tart  medium tannin medium body medium acidity sharp

Unlike other Gewurzt's this one was in my opinion lacking over all taste and aroma. it was good and refreshing otherwise. I only tried this wine because a friend recommended it and said "she absolutely loved it".

Never having tasted anything from this vineyard ( and the fact that I like Gewurztraminer) I thought that I would give it a shot.

Its finish was very quick and under 3 seconds for the aftertaste. With the Nose Test I picked up some pepper and earthy leather tones but really wasn't fragrant like some of the others I've had.

Again it was a 'good' wine but not a Gewurztraminer that I would run out and get again, but that is my humble unrefined opinion.

~Cheers

Wine Powered Computer?

As if wine wasn’t amazing enough, Intel has purposed a new computer chipset that could/would be powered by a glass of red wine! Intel has started looking into this future tech in hopes of connecting people in underdeveloped countries.

These low powered processors have become the main focus at the Developer’s Forum in San Francisco.

Dr. Genevieve Bell showcased the new technology by pouring a glass of red wine that was connected by two electrodes to a computer with an e-ink screen. The acid in the wine creates enough power to run the chipset. Though the tech is still decades away from being a truly viable power source for the 3rd world, it could be possible that future space exploration could be powered by this method.

POWER TO THE VINO

~Cheers

Uncorking Arbor Mist Moscato Mango Strawberry

This weeks wine is Arbor Mist Moscato Mango Strawberry.
I have tried over the last week or so to try and get information about this wine and the winemakers notes but at the time of this posting their site has been 'under construction' and so I couldnt get the wine makers notes.

My notes: berries, fruity, floral, sweet smelling, front of pallet light bodied, light tannin, light acidity, well balanced, quick finish, fresh, crisp.

I know most consider this a 'kid' wine but I really liked it. It was very smooth and just good. I remember hearing about this when I was in High School, but this is the first time that I tried it and am really happy with it.

It is one of those fun bar wines, or a good picnic/BBQ wines.  Now when I saw that it was Mango and Strawberry Moscato my mouth started watering instantly as I love all these flavors, the only way that it could have been better is if it were peach, and upon doing a Google search I see they do have a Peach Moscato. So I think that may be in my collection soon.

~Cheers

The benefits of joining a wine club

As I continue to learn more and more about wine, and visit different cellars and vineyards one thing continuously stands out "Wine Club". Everywhere it seems that sells wine, is part of or has their own club. But is it really worth it? Well it really does depend on you as a sipper.

Wine Clubs exist specifically for introducing and showcasing new wines and vintners. When you join a club you can typically expect them to send you a bottle a month, some do it quarterly, and even twice a year. But there are two types of clubs that you can join. One is typically a specific vineyard only producing a few wines, and another is a wine of the month type club, where you get several wines to try.

These types of clubs are great for building your taste and your collection. But other benefits of joining a club is that you are typically assured to get new wines (as in recently released) sent to you. Depending on your membership usually depends on how many bottles you get sent. You also usually receive discounts not available to the public. If its from a local place, then they usually will give you free admission to their tastings, and when they host members only events you are front row seat.

Still not sure about the club thing? Well here is a site created by Jessyca Frederick called Wine Club Reviews. She really suggest that you take time to read the fine print to make sure that the club is a good fit for you and your budget.

Life Imitating Art - Catalina Wine Mixer 2015

It seems if Hollywood has yet again created a new 'thing'. In the 2008 movie Step Brothers, Will Ferrell and John C. Rielly create a end all be all type party on the small island off the coast of California.

On Sep. 13th the Descanso Beach Club in Avalon will become one of the largest helicopter event since 1997. As well as performances from The Dan Band. Based on the almost cult like following of the movie, not to mention some of its more memorable quotes, the mixer is almost sure to be the rocking end of summer party that only could come from California. So grab your 'boats and hoes' and prepare for a great weekend on the island.

For more information go to http://www.visitcatalinaisland.com/event/catalina-wine-mixer

Uncorking Beringer Sparkling Moscato

This weeks wine is Beringer Sparkling Moscato.

Wine makers notes: Beringer Sparkling wines are festive, effervescent wines made by traditional techniques that highlight each varietal's vibrant fruit flavors and spicy nuances.

My notes: pepper, wet asphalt, fruity, citrus, med body, med tannin, sharp finish.

The effervescents of this wine was almost to over powering for me. I have had some sparkling wines that were softer and sweeter and expecting that of this wine was kind of a disappointment as it became more peppery for me.

Honestly rating this wine, I would say that it is really good and would probably be amazing with a good hearty steak or something of the sort. However, that being said. I was not a huge fan of it. But I am not a bubbly type person either, and will typically shake up my soda until it is almost flat.

If you are a sparkling or champagne drinker then you are going to appreciate this.

I normally love Moscato so I was excited to try this. But it just didnt work for me. I have yet to find a sparkling that I like *sigh

~Cheers

ENDANGERED GRAPES?

What am I talking about when I say endangered grapes? Well there are some wine grapes that are endangered of no longer being grown due to the lack being used in making wine. There are almost 1,400 different grapes in the world. But out of all of them only about 20 are used in making wine. Which means that these other unused grapes are not getting planted.

There are 155 Mediterranean varieties planted on a small number of acres. There is still many grapes that could be gone for good. One of the main reason these grapes are on the chopping block is that they produce poor quality wine and some are not drinkable but are really yummy. So how can you help? Well there are wines to look for that are made from Abouriou, Abrustine, Altesse, Charbono, and Erbaluce. Abouriou are grown in California and France. They are low in acid and high in tannin. Abrustine is a Tuscan red grape. But no one is sure how many vines are left. Altesse is found in France and is a golden grape. Charbono is found in California but is on less than 300 acres. Erbaluce has been around for several thousand years and is on about 800 acres. It is versatile but not widely used.

Now for me I love eating grapes as much as I am loving drinking them and would love to find these grapes and try them all. Being an amateur wine drinker I would be sad never to be able to taste some of these grapes and the wines made from them. Hopefully they wont disappear.

Uncorking Liberty Creek Pink Moscato

This weeks wine is Liberty Creek Pink Moscato.

The Liberty Creek Vineyards website didnt have any information about this wine nor its makers notes.

My notes: berries, peach, sweet smell, crisp, light, refreshing bubbly finish, low acidity, low tannin, balanced, light bodied.

I am finding that Moscato and Gervurtizminer are quickly becoming my favorites. The only time I dont like them is when they are sparkling. I dont really care for sparkling wines. 

This Moscato is very fruity and refreshing. I ate some cheesy garlic bread with it and found that for me it was a really amazing pairing. I know its probably not what it is supposed to be eaten with but well me being the rebel I am, I did!

~cheers