Gourmets of Wine: May 2005 Archives

Gourmets of Wine > May 31, 2005

Headlands Inn Bed and

[Stay Eat] Indulge yourself and be pampered with warmth and hospitality at the Headlands Inn. Come and relax on a featherbed in a romantic ocean view room with a crackling fire, and enjoy an exceptionally creative gourmet breakfast lovingly prepared and delivered to your room. The Inn is located in the heart of the Mendocino Village with just a short stroll to Mendocino’s unique shops, fine galleries, superb restaurants and the mighty Pacific Ocean.

Wine Blogging Wednesday 10 Announced.

[Spittoon - wine news and tasting notes.] On reading Lenn’s announcement of Wine Blogging Wednesday #10 I thought “What the ... White Pinot?” Is this some bizarre American concoction similar to those ghastly blush wines, only desecrating the elegant Pinot Noir rather than Zinfandel?

Posted at 07:36 PM

May 31, 2005

Headlands Inn Bed and

Posted at 07:39 PM

Wine Blogging Wednesday 10 Announced.

Posted at 07:36 PM

Winecast 18 - Wine Blogging Wednesday #8

[Winecast] Another special, mid-week podcast for Wine Blogging Wednesday featuring the red wines of Sicily. I have selected three wines made from the native Nero d’Avola grape for another live, “virtual tasting". I also share a bit of background on Sicilian wine.

Posted at 07:34 PM

Winecast 13 - Wine Blogging Wednesday #7

[Winecast] Today’s show is a special edition for Wine Blogging Wednesday #7 whose theme is, “Obscure Red Grape Varieties”. Thanks to Andrew Barrow of Spittoon for inviting me to participate as the first podcaster to join the fun of WBW!

Posted at 07:33 PM

Back on Pacific time, y’heah?

[amuse-bouche] Meantime, contemplate this more-or-less heartwarming piece about the Mondavi brothers (Robert and Peter), who have temporarily put down their longtime family feud to make a barrel of wine together for the Napa Valley auction...

Posted at 07:30 PM

French Wine Woes.

[Spittoon - wine news and tasting notes.] "If French wine is to offer a livelihood as well as a way of life, vintners cannot shun the realities of selling. Global marketing may be the antithesis to French wine culture, but wine that won’t sell cannot even be used as industrial alcohol, without help."

Posted at 07:26 PM

Selaks Merlot 2003

[Chardonnay - Merlot - Pinot Noir - Riesling - Sauvignon Blanc - Shiraz] Medium bodied with concentrated berry fruit characters. Rich and flavoursome offering spice, mushroom and toasted oak flavours. Fine tannins provide an elegant, well-balanced finish.

Posted at 07:07 AM

Jamiesons Run Coonawarra Shiraz Cabernet Merlot 20

[Chardonnay - Merlot - Pinot Noir - Riesling - Sauvignon Blanc - Shiraz] An abundance of dark plum, cherry and blackberry fruit, with spice and cedary oak. A smooth, medium-bodied wine that is rich, silky and bursting with berry fruit, chocolate and spice characters.

Posted at 07:04 AM

Did you Think Pink? It's Wine Blogging Wednesday #9

[Becks & Posh] 'Becks and Posh' is modern cockney for 'nosh'. Follow English-Girl-Abroad, Sam Breach, on her culinary journies, mainly in the San Francisco Bay Area, but also on her travels further afield, whilst she plays at being amateur restaurant critic, wine taster, food photographer, cocktail connoisseur, party planner, good food forager and practising home cook, with trusted French advisor, Fred, by her side.

Posted at 07:02 AM

Summary of Wine Blogging Wednesday Posted

[Winecast] Andrew has posted the first part of his summary of Wine Blogging Wednesday #7 at Spittoon. It makes very entertaining reading and I am honored he considers Winecast “pithy". High praise from an Englishman, indeed

Posted at 06:58 AM

Winecast 10 - Merlot

[Winecast] Today’s show is focused on the great grape of Bordeaux: Merlot. I also begin my basic wine tasting series and share some listener comments.

Posted at 06:57 AM

New Zealand's 500th winery opens.

[Spittoon - wine news and tasting notes.] ""In 1995 there were 204 wineries in New Zealand. With the opening of the 500th winery this year, the numbers have more than doubled - that's the equivalent of a new winery opening every two weeks."

Posted at 06:56 AM

End of Month Egg on Toast Extravaganza - Limerick Edition.

[Spittoon - wine news and tasting notes.] End of Month Egg on Toast Extravaganza - Limerick Edition. Walnut Bread IngredientsI have a confession to make - I forgot to toast the bread! I was so excited to sample a morsel, having spent most of the day either kneading the dough or waiting for it to rise, that this vital instruction for EoMEoTE just slipped my mind. I do have a couple of limericks that I offer in compensation though; for this months blog-happening is the Limerick Edition of End of Month Egg on Toast Extravaganza. Technorati Tags: wine food & drink eomeote egg Continue Reading: "End of Month Egg on Toast Extravaganza - Limerick Edition."...

Posted at 06:54 AM

May 30, 2005

Coast Guard House Historic Inn

[Stay Eat] The Coast Guard House Historic Inn is situated on a bluff over-looking the Pacific Ocean at Arena Cove on the rugged Mendocino Coast. The inn, a 1901 Cape Cod, was once home to brave sea rescuers who performed their duties just a few hundred feet away. Today it is a peaceful Bed and Breakfast Inn, featuring rooms in the main building and two private cottages with fireplaces and whirlpool spas for two.

Posted at 08:33 AM

Mondovino: By their dogs you shall know them (Review roundup)

[Depraved Librarian] "Libraries are brothels for the mind. Which means that librarians are the madams, greeting punters, understanding their strange tastes and needs, and pimping their books." - Guy Browning

Posted at 08:29 AM

Wine snobbery in an age of globalization.

[Spittoon - wine news and tasting notes.] Bringing together the film Mondovino, terroir, snobbery and mentioning that we live in a golden age for wine...

Posted at 08:27 AM

Mondovino on National Public Radio

[Depraved Librarian] The new documentary Mondovino turns the camera on the wine industry. It caused a sensation when it premiered at the Cannes Film Festival with its depiction of globetrotting consultants and corporations eager to appeal to the widest possible market. It also describes established wineries trying to hold onto traditions. Beth Accomando of member station KPBS reports.

Posted at 08:26 AM

Corks and Corkscrews

[Seafoam Woodturning] Sometimes wine goes off due to contact with cork which has been contaminated with mold and chlorine. This creates a chemical known as TCA and the bottle is said to be 'corked'. This has caused considerable debate about the use of cork, and there are many calls for vineyards to consider switching to alternatives. This has created some concern within environmental organistions such as the RSPB, who warn that a large move away from cork might mean destruction of the cork oak forests and the loss of species such as the Iberian lynx, the Spanish imperial eagle and the Bonelli's eagle.

Posted at 08:26 AM

The Thing Is With Sainsbury's.

[Spittoon - wine news and tasting notes.] I seldom get to a Sainsbury’s and in need of a Pinot Gris for next weeks Wine Blogging Wednesday I placed an order online (via SainsburysToYou) for a few groceries. I didn’t have a list to hand of requirements (bad move) so ended up with some prawns (on a buy one get one free special), deodorant, cat food and chocolate muffins along with a few bottles of wine. I liked the book a delivery slot implementation.

Posted at 08:24 AM

A fine Australian winery

[::the daily bread:: a food blog] (They apparently also have a shop in Richmond, but I have never been to that one). They have the best selection of Australian wine that I have encountered at any shop outside Australia. It is actually not that difficult to get very high good quality Australian wine in the major chains (especially Oddbins) and supermarkets (especially Sainsbury's) in the UK, but if you want one of the more unusual and particularly Australian styles of wine, or something from an interesting small winery, you are often out of luck. And if I am cooking dinner for friends or going to a dinner party, something Australian and interesting is often what I want to have.

Posted at 08:23 AM

May 29, 2005

Joshua Grindle Inn

[Stay Eat] 44800 Little Lake Road PO Box 647 Mendocino, California 95460 707-937-4143 800-GRINDLE Reserve / Email / Website Experience the only AAA Four Diamond B&B in Mendocino Village...

Posted at 08:57 AM

Wines for next show acquired

[Winecast] One of my questions was where they buy their wines here and they suggested I check out The Wine Club and Wine Exchange. Both stores have great selections of domestic (particularly California) and imported wines with very knowledgeable staff. They are a wine lover’s dream and are hightly recommended; I just wish I brought a larger bag I was shocked to see wines I pay $30 in Minneapolis for $19, but that’s another story…

Posted at 08:54 AM

Wine Blogging Wednesday #8 Announced

[Winecast] I will be producing another special edition of Winecast in honor of Wine Blogging Wednesday this time focused on the wines of Sicily. The date is April 13th. I will look for wines made from more conventional grapes this time

Posted at 08:53 AM

It's the end of the month - which can only mean...

[Spittoon - wine news and tasting notes.] As the month of May drew to a close, A culinary delight we propose...

Posted at 08:50 AM

UKWinesOnline Update: Unwins.

[Spittoon - wine news and tasting notes.] Unwins, the last of the major high street chains to offer online ordering, has just launched a new website to enable you to do just that...

Posted at 08:49 AM

blogger's wine freebie

[gapingvoid] Once Stormhoek launches in the States (not sure when exactly, but I think within a few months) I hope to repeat the same offer on your side of the pond. So watch this space etc.

Posted at 08:48 AM

May 28, 2005

Drinkin' Wine and Bronco COLAs

[A Fool in the Forest] We are about to start a looong Memorial Day Weekend, so it is appropriate that the Court of Appeal has issued a looong opinion, weighing in at 75 pages. Earlier, Bronco had urged that it had received COLAs [Certificates Of Label Authority] from the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms permitting it to use brand names such as "Napa Ridge," "Napa Creek," and "Rutherford Vintners" without regard to whether any portion of the wine within was made from grapes grown in the Napa Valley or in or near the town of Rutherford, and that California's state statute should be invalidated because it conflicts with the federal approval. That argument was rejected by the California Supreme Court.

Posted at 10:13 AM

Spring Salad and Sauvignon Blanc.

[Spittoon - wine news and tasting notes.] That faintly disturbing white ballon thing is an egg, in case you were wondering. The recipe is adapted from Waitrose Seasons Magazine May/June 2005.

Posted at 10:12 AM

Pub Association to ban 'happy hours'.

[Spittoon - wine news and tasting notes.] "Offers like pay Â£10 on the door and all drinks are free; drinking games; and schemes that encourage people to drink too much too quickly have no place in our sector and we are determined to stamp them out. With the backing of the Government, the Police and Licensing Authorities across the UK we aim to ensure that all pubs operate to these standards of corporate and community social responsibility, said Mark Hastings, Director of Communications, BBPA."

Posted at 10:11 AM

When Knives Are Outlawed”¦

[ damnum absque injuria] A Win-Wine-Whine (Or Not?) Filed under: Law Politics Wine by Xrlq @ 12:32 pm I just bet Paul Deignan a bottle of w(h)ine that last week’s “compromise” capitulation will backfire. If the Dems do not filibuster a single judicial candidate between now and January 20, 2009, or if the first filibuster is met with the same “nuclear” response the Republicans should have brought last week, Paul wins a bottle of Merlot, of a label of his choice, price not to exceed $20.00. Otherwise, I win a bottle of a type of my choice, subject to the same price constraints. Basically, I win either way. I’m open to suggestions. Depending on whether you expect me to win or lose the bet, I’d like to know (1) what good wines, if any, are available in Indiana, or (2) the best way to ship wine. UPDATE: Never mind, the bet’s off. First, by Paul’s own admission, there is no wine in Indiana, so it would be impossible for me to collect on the bet if I won. Second, shipping wine to Indiana is illegal...

Posted at 10:10 AM

Winecast 4 - Shiraz

[Winecast] I review wine software for the Palm OS, a couple of stories from the wine world and taste three Australian Shiraz: - Rosemount Estate Diamond Label...

Posted at 09:58 AM

Cline, “Ancient Vines” Zinfandel 2003

[Winecast] Cline, “Ancient Vines” Zinfandel, California 2003 ($11) - Garnet color, boysenberry nose with some oak, “thick” plum, blackberry and oak...

Posted at 09:58 AM

May 27, 2005

Hunter's 2001 Chardonnay

[Chardonnay - Merlot - Pinot Noir - Riesling - Sauvignon Blanc - Shiraz] Rich and elegant, bursting with ripe fruit flavors. Ideal accomopaniment..

Posted at 09:25 AM

Redwood Creek Cabernet Sauvignon 2003

[Barely Legal Substance] If the place was loud and crowded tonight, the wine was well-matched. I tried to have some conversation across the table, but by the end of the bottle I was tired of it shouting. Mellow out, man. Even though I tasted some berries, and lot of smoke, I remain unconvinced that this wine was anything other than a mediocre Led Zepplin cover band.

Posted at 09:23 AM

A beefed up M&S offering.

[Spittoon - wine news and tasting notes.] A beefed up M&S offering. Not often I look at the main supermarket online offerings so was greatly pleased by an email altering me to the expanded online offerings from Marks & Spencer. From the lacklustre offerings of recent times the range available online now reaches the dizzy heights of 50 wines! I shouldn't knock it though - the wines, although all own-label, are of very good quality from excellent producers. Just do not go looking for anything 'safe' and 'familiar'. This bank holiday weekend they are offering some excellent savings. These range from 33% off new wines to 36% off their Chablis and 44% off the Gold Label Chardonnay. Runs until May 31st. MarksandSpencer.com "We have extended the online range of our wine cases to bring you a comprehensive list of over 50 wines to choose from. All our wines are exclusive and offer great value when you buy a case of 6 or 12. Plus, you only pay one delivery charge per order, no matter how many cases you buy." Technorati Tags:...

Posted at 09:21 AM

stormhoek: my latest gig

[gapingvoid] I was down South last week, attending the London International Wine & Spirit Fair. I've been asked by my buddy, Jason Korman...

Posted at 09:20 AM

Taste of London Show.

[Spittoon - wine news and tasting notes.] But there’s more. Taste of London features fantastic entertainment on the Freestyle® Stage sponsored by Standard Life Bank in association with the Evening Standard. Every day there will be a non-stop programme of entertainment including jazz from Ronnie Scott’s (all days); Oyster Opera (all days) and The Open Air Theatre (Friday only).

Posted at 09:16 AM

Renwood, “Old Vine” Zinfandel 2002

[Winecast] Renwood, “Old Vine” Zinfandel 2002 ($20) - Dark ruby color, herb and blackberry aromas, boysenberry and plum flavors with a bit of oak and ripe...

Posted at 09:14 AM

Winecast 16 - Chardonnay

[Winecast] The theme of today’s show is the great white grape of Burgundy: Chardonnay and I also feature a “virtual” wine tasting of three wines made from this grape.

Posted at 09:13 AM

May 26, 2005

Wine holding “Party Plate”

[culturedwino.com: A blog about wine and other yummy things] I first came across these things of sheer brilliance at Wine South. They’re square-shaped plates with a circle in the corner designed to hold a wine glass. You can now safely nibble without trying to balance your glass in the crook of your arm, or standing near a table all night.

Posted at 12:00 PM

Planet of the Grapes Competition.

[Spittoon - wine news and tasting notes.] May 24, 2005

Posted at 11:58 AM

If You Think That's Bad, Wait Till You Hear What They're Doing With Loaves and Fishes

[A Fool in the Forest] Not every winemaker in California wants to receive those hyper-ripe, alcohol-engendering grapes. Some -- Jim Clendenen of Au Bon Climat is a leading example -- make it an article of faith that grapes can be fully "ripe" for winemaking purposes without excessive sugar levels, and work hard to produce wines of charm and longevity at and below the 13% level without post-harvest tinkering. Huge producers may insist that their growers provide those longer hang times, with the result that the average alcohol level in the mass market is likely to remain high for the near future -- perhaps until the Great Consumer Rebellion of 2007 foreseen by Tom -- but there is still opportunity for small and mid-size wineries, particularly those that grow their own grapes, to buck the trend.

Posted at 11:55 AM

Seghesio, Zinfandel, Sonoma County 2003

[Winecast] Seghesio, Zinfandel, Sonoma County 2003 ($17) - Dark garnet, intense plum and current aromas with oak, jammy blackberry flavors - almost over the...

Posted at 11:50 AM

Ravenswood, Zinfandel, Sonoma County 2002

[Winecast] Ravenswood, Zinfandel, Sonoma County 2002 ($20) - Garnet, blackberry nose, rustic fruit flavors with firm tannins, opens up a bit after some time in...

Posted at 11:49 AM

Grapes of Wrath

[The Cummins Family Home Page - A Place for Family, Friends and wanderers of the Internet] Last week, in a 5-4 ruling that rocked Michigan's inbred beer and wine industry, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a regulatory scheme that had for decades forbidden out-of-state wineries from shipping directly to their Michigan customers.

Posted at 12:26 AM

"Bottled Poetry"

[A Fool in the Forest] One would call the style verbose, except that by definition verbosity is the use of words in excess of the occasion, and there seems to be no occasion.

Posted at 12:24 AM

Wine Makes Strange Benchfellows

[A Fool in the Forest] I have to agree with the Professor's analysis of the limited basis for the majority's decision: essentially, what the Court disallows is the discrimination between in-state and out-of-state wineries under the direct shipping laws under consideration. One "remedy" available to the affected jurisdictions is to treat the two classes of winemakers similarly by prohibiting all direct shipment of wine, without regard to whether the point of origin is inside or outside of the State's borders. I suspect there would be a unanimous vote of the Court for the proposition that the 21st Amendment authorizes that sort of regulation -- just as it would authorize a State to go completely "dry" if it so chose. We should learn soon in which of these States there is a sufficiently strong neo-Prohibitionist sentiment -- or a sufficiently strong lobby for the entrenched wholesaler/distributor interests -- to close the door that the Court opened this morning.

Posted at 12:23 AM

Review of Proyecto 4 Wine From Spain

[MATTLURIA dot COM] When we say chewy, the wine may feel a bit rough, like very fine sawdust, on the first sip and in my opinion is what gives this wine a good flavor and durability. The price of this wine is about the $11 mark which is generally a good buy range for college students or those on a tight budget and the availability of the wine is now common enough here so special ordering is not needed. As for the tang, if you keep the bottle in a lightly warm room, around 70 to 75 degrees, the tang and taste of the wine will stay longer even after you’ve opened it. Once the bottle has been opened, the wine will last a day or two with the same characteristics before they will start to fade.

Posted at 12:21 AM

Serving Wine

[ArticleCity.com] The flavors of both red and white wines fall apart if they are too warm. It is advisable to chill your reds in the fridge for about twenty minutes before serving them, and whites can generally be left in the fridge altogether. When in doubt, it’s better to serve the wine colder and let it warm in the glass than to serve it too warm.

Read related posts for „Serving Wine“.

Posted at 12:06 AM

7 Deadly Zins, 2002 Lodi, California

[culturedwino.com: A blog about wine and other yummy things] It made me smile. And then I read the label … and laughed. I’m glad I bought it; it instantly became my favorite Zin. I was reminded how much I first enjoyed it when recently I had a glass at Sage in Decatur.

Posted at 12:05 AM

Oyster Bay - 2004 Chardonnay

[Chardonnay - Merlot - Pinot Noir - Riesling - Sauvignon Blanc - Shiraz] Oyster Bay Chardonnays are consitently great wines. The 2004 is zingy on..

Posted at 12:03 AM

Morris 2000 Shiraz

[Chardonnay - Merlot - Pinot Noir - Riesling - Sauvignon Blanc - Shiraz] Full flavoured, and very drinkable. Cuisine Magazine recommended it, which is why I chose it. I tend to stay with New Zealand wines, largely to support the New Zealand industry and "buy your own"

Posted at 12:03 AM

Paringa 2003 Shiraz, South Australia

[culturedwino.com: A blog about wine and other yummy things] I’m a big fan of Australian Shiraz. It’s one of the few red wine varieties that I go ga-ga over. At it’s best, it’s a warm blackberry adventure, with some vanilla, spice and sometimes chocolate.

Posted at 12:02 AM

Decanter Wine Awards - advanced news.

[Spittoon - wine news and tasting notes.] "Taylors Jaraman Riesling 2004 won the trophy for Best Australian Riesling and the Taylors Jaraman Cabernet Sauvignon 2002 won the trophy for Best Australian Bordeaux varietal at one of the world’s most prestigious wine shows, managed by the globally influential Decanter magazine. The panel of judge’s is possibly the most prestigious in the world with the noted British author Stephen Spurrier acting as Chairman and the Australian regional chairman being Michael Hill Smith MW."

Posted at 12:01 AM

May 25, 2005

UKWinesOnline Update: Grapevine Direct.

[Spittoon - wine news and tasting notes.] "Members get a 10% discount off all list prices. Membership is free but I do ask members to sign up for a mixed case every quarter (Â£95.00 inc vat and Â£5.00 dcelivery); you will only lose your membership discount if you buy less than 2 of the mixed cases in a year. I’ve also made a real effort to make delivery easier - particularly through the Collectpoint scheme (click on Delivery Options in the nav bar for some details”¦) Finally, one more innovation on the mixed case format: rather than the usual practice of 12 bottles at more or less the same price, I have it so that each case has a spread of prices - roughly speaking 3 good cheapies, 6 very nice ones at around Â£7.50 and 3 absolute crackers at around the Â£10.00 mark. The idea is to make for more interest and actually to deliver on the promise of a ”˜Discovery Case’ (which you hear about so often from the bigger retailers)."

Posted at 11:59 PM

Kempton Clark, “Mad Zin” 2001

[Winecast] Kempton Clark, “Mad Zin", Zinfandel, California 2001 ($11) - Garnet with purple edges, strong currant and blackberry aromas with a touch of oak, plum and blackberry flavors with firm tannins. A bit hot and raisony on the finish. Good now, but will reward a couple years in the cellar.

Posted at 10:53 PM

Gourmets of Wine > May 31, 2005

Headlands Inn Bed and

Wine Blogging Wednesday 10 Announced.

May 31, 2005

Headlands Inn Bed and

Wine Blogging Wednesday 10 Announced.

Winecast 18 - Wine Blogging Wednesday #8

Winecast 13 - Wine Blogging Wednesday #7

Back on Pacific time, y’heah?

French Wine Woes.

Selaks Merlot 2003

Jamiesons Run Coonawarra Shiraz Cabernet Merlot 20

Did you Think Pink? It's Wine Blogging Wednesday #9

Summary of Wine Blogging Wednesday Posted

Winecast 10 - Merlot

New Zealand's 500th winery opens.

End of Month Egg on Toast Extravaganza - Limerick Edition.

May 30, 2005

Coast Guard House Historic Inn

Mondovino: By their dogs you shall know them (Review roundup)

Wine snobbery in an age of globalization.

Mondovino on National Public Radio

Corks and Corkscrews

The Thing Is With Sainsbury's.

A fine Australian winery

May 29, 2005

Joshua Grindle Inn

Wines for next show acquired

Wine Blogging Wednesday #8 Announced

It's the end of the month - which can only mean...

UKWinesOnline Update: Unwins.

blogger's wine freebie

May 28, 2005

Drinkin' Wine and Bronco COLAs

Spring Salad and Sauvignon Blanc.

Pub Association to ban 'happy hours'.

When Knives Are Outlawed”¦

Winecast 4 - Shiraz

Cline, “Ancient Vines” Zinfandel 2003

May 27, 2005

Hunter's 2001 Chardonnay

Redwood Creek Cabernet Sauvignon 2003

A beefed up M&S offering.

stormhoek: my latest gig

Taste of London Show.

Renwood, “Old Vine” Zinfandel 2002

Winecast 16 - Chardonnay

May 26, 2005

Wine holding “Party Plate”

Planet of the Grapes Competition.

If You Think That's Bad, Wait Till You Hear What They're Doing With Loaves and Fishes

Seghesio, Zinfandel, Sonoma County 2003

Ravenswood, Zinfandel, Sonoma County 2002

Grapes of Wrath

"Bottled Poetry"

Wine Makes Strange Benchfellows

Review of Proyecto 4 Wine From Spain

Serving Wine

7 Deadly Zins, 2002 Lodi, California

Oyster Bay - 2004 Chardonnay

Morris 2000 Shiraz

Paringa 2003 Shiraz, South Australia

Decanter Wine Awards - advanced news.

May 25, 2005

UKWinesOnline Update: Grapevine Direct.

Kempton Clark, “Mad Zin” 2001

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Cline, “Ancient Vines” Zinfandel 2003

Renwood, “Old Vine” Zinfandel 2002

Wine holding “Party Plate”

Kempton Clark, “Mad Zin” 2001