#Cabernet Day 2012
Last modified on 2012-08-29 20:51:40 GMT. 0 comments. Top.
Ciao Amichi,
If you’re into shitty (excuse my Bordeaux) Cabernet, tomorrow is Cabernet Day. Do I come across harsh? What can I say Cab sometimes (or in my case all the time) does that to a man. Anyway here’s a few ways you can celebrate:
3rd Annual #CabernetDay August 30, 2012 - Eventbrite
#Cabernet Day 2012 | Facebook
..and of course drink Cab. Personally I’ll be celebrating with a Chianti.
Bah!
The Case for Nerello Mascalese
Last modified on 2012-08-29 22:15:25 GMT. 0 comments. Top.
All work and no play makes meeky a not so exciting gentleman. After running well over a hundred miles and burning tens of thousands of calories (per week) I think a glass or two of wine is deserved. ..I mean really, I work hard too.
This particular evening I found myself at a small Italian pizzeria in the West Village with a bunch of Italian language enthusiasts. I exchanged subtleties and ordered their ..we’ll call it Meetup Pre-fix which is a light appetizer of assorted pizza squares and a choice of Italian Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, or Pino Noir. Apparently (and disappointedly) they only serve Chianti by the bottle. I ordered the Cab and expressed my disappointment which I’m sure the bartender didn’t appreciate.
After stumbling though the Italian language for 2 1/2 hour I made a B line for the train home and to reunite with Papi Juan Javier Jesus Anthony. But then I notice a grand opening of a new wine shop at the West 4th Street station, and it just so happens tonight they were hosting a wine tasting!
Unfortunately I missed the wine tasting by 3 fellow imbibers and 15 minutes as the tasting consisted of one bottle and a 4 hour tasting window. I’ll need to convey to the store owner that opening up just one bottle of wine for a tasting in a city of 10 million people is unfair at best. Anywhoo after chatting with Alex and his partner (in wine, not sex) about all things Italian (wine) I purchased a bottle anyway to try at home.
Name: Gaspare Vinci
Producer: Nerello Mascalese
Vintage: 2009
Country: Italy
Region: Sicily
Where Purchased: N/A
Price: $15.00
Recommendations:
Gaspare Vinci’s take on Nerello Mascalese features a medium, slightly hazy purplish hue. This red wine has an aromatic plum tobacco, and biscotti nose, a smooth dry (but not bone-dry) red wine with a good balance of tannin, acid, and flavor. My impression of Nerello Mascalese is a tang, pepper, and clove palate with a short finish. Not so much the aperitif this wine is best served with food. Try pairing it with a mild cheese like Brie, or a pasta dish.
Happy drinking!
[[1119]
Summer Wines 2012
Last modified on 2012-08-29 20:23:56 GMT. 0 comments. Top.
Ciao Amichi,
Summer it tis upon us. Shout out to my Virginia family currently experiencing insane thunderstorms follows by purgatory-style heatwaves. I assure you religious folk we are not (yet) experiencing the second coming of Christ!
As far as little ol me up here in the big city, we have had our own string of lovely 100+ degree days. I’ve been keeping cool with wines that cool and sparkle. Here are a few of my summer favorites thus far:
Reggiano Lambrusco - I simply adore this wine and find I’m frequently recommending it to new and wine drinkers, alike. Usually it’s my go to wine for individuals that are on the Moscato trend, especially since I loathe muscato and have made it my mission to banish the grape to wine world Hell! Read my full review of Reggiano Lambrusco click here.
Next Up is Domain Ste Michelle’s Blanc De Blanc – a true Champagne (from the region in France) that’s cool crisp and invigorating. My ex got me hip to this Champagne and I enjoyed it very much at the time, but as wine enthusiast know drinking certain wines harkens back to a time when you first tasted it – bringing back all those old (hopefully good, but not always) memories. Drinking Blance De Blance reminds me of the vat tax every time I drink it and that doesn’t sit well with my palate so…. DOWN WITH CONSUMPTION TAXES!
Another favorite of mine herald from aWhole Foods – that ridiculously (yet wonderful) grocery store we go out of our way to justify why we’re shopping there. It’s called Cranberry Wine and as the name suggests it’s a wine made of fermented Cranberries. Cranberry wine is a wonderful little sweet wine, in a cute little bottle perfect for a picnic. It’s a little pricy at $8.99 but it’s sold at Whole Foods so I’m sure you anticipated that. Read my full review click here.
For those recent unemployed college grads you are not forgotten! There is a Summer 2-buck chuck with you name one it…well, Charles Shaw’s name on it but you know what I mean. Charles Shaw’s Sauvignon Blanc is a brilliant little light-bodied White wine with a fresh Springy cut grass note, and apple palate.
Lastly, we’ll go with one of my mom’s favorite wines Bosca’s Verdi – a soft sparkling and cheerful little Wine wine…. The type of wine you drink while watching one of those ridiculous reality shows like the Real Housewives of at least my mom did. You can polish off two bottles of Verdi without realizing it (at least my mom did). It’s not a wine for the serious wine folk but one that is self-effacing and silly…and oh, just buy a bottle..it’s only $5.99 and if you don’t like it, you can always just give it to the dog, at least my mom…
Cheers!
A Rioja
Last modified on 2012-05-26 15:46:06 GMT. 0 comments. Top.
Ciao.
Being the creature of habit I am (and if you’ve been browsing this blog occasionally) you know that I gravitate to the same varitals often. And as any wine professional will reinforce ”We drink what we like!” Aye, aye! We do drink what we like. I prefer my Chianti, my good friend Matt prefers his Cabs (he’s forgiven for this), and my dear sweet cousin Carol and her Prosecco. Occasional though you should step outside your palate-zone and try something new. Believe me I know this is harder to do then me typing it BUT you may just find something you like; which brings me to this delicious Rioja I reluctantly purchased at the recommendation of the store owner at wineexchange.com in Lower Manhattan.
This is my first (or maybe second) forray into Rioja – a wine native to Spain with a history dating back to 10463 AD. Rioja characteristics historically include oak and vanilla. As far as this particular Rioja, let’s check how it stacks up:
Name: Crianza
Producer: Bodegas Lan
Vintage: 2006
Country: Spain
Region: La Rioja
Where Purchased: WineExchange.com
Price: $20.00
Recommendations: I wasn’t apprehensive about this wine as I uncorked it and took my first sniff. Everything about Rioja reminded me of Chianti and Tempranillo. The deep ruby red color, the plum, citrus, and thyme spoke to me in my native sangiovese, and the leather, orange peel and tobacco palate screamed Temprenillo…and that would be because this wine is made with 100% Tempranillo grape. Bodegas Lan’s Rioja Crianza is a balanced red wine with notable tannins and best enjoyed with food. I paired mine with some left over pizza, and a spinach patty. Overrall I’d say this wine falls somewhere between Chianti and Pinot Noir. If you love either of those varietals you should ejoy Crianza. Let me know of any Rioja wines you tasted (or hated).
Until next time. Cheers!
A Spanish Tempranillo
Last modified on 2012-04-30 02:59:14 GMT. 0 comments. Top.
Ciao Amichi,
After a cooking haitus I headed back in the kitchen aka man’s final frontier to dust off my Italian-American (in my head) chops. I’m a huge fan of pasta. Not only is it yummy, but it’s excellent carbs for runners such as myself. When I eat at home at least half my meals are pasta, cheese and wine are optional although however likely 
I paired my pasta with a potent Tempranillo I nabbed from Greene Grape, one of my new favorite wine shops in Fort Greene Brooklyn that features small producer wines
Name: Tempranilla
Producer: Volver
Vintage: 2008
Country: Spain
Region: Las Mesas, Las Mancha
Where Purchased: Green Grape, Brooklyn, NY
Price: $21.00
Recommendations: This luscious garnet Tempranillo features a, raisin, prune and apricot nose. Dry with present tannins- which could stand to be aged a another year or so, created a mouth-puckering experience in my mouth. Left to tell the tail were cocoa, oak, red berries (particularly strawberry) and spice creating a smooth 1950s, smoke-filled room at 2am bluesy palate. The 15% alcohol makes this wine hardly the choice as a aperitif, rather enjoy this wine with a blander cheese, red meat, or creamy pasta.
A Little Wine Therapy
Last modified on 2012-04-07 20:38:19 GMT. 1 comment. Top.
Ciao Amichi,
Last week I made a quick pit stop in a cute little wine boutique in Nolita called Wine Therapy (which is always welcome) before heading to my good friend’s birthday party. Wine Thearpy run by Trisha and her busines partner features off the beaten path, small producer, and “organic” wines. Wine Consultant Spencer Harrington was there featuring a 3 distinct wines for their Saturday tasting; a French Gamay based Marcel Lapierre 2010 Raisins Gaulois, a 2010 Thymiopoulos Naoussa that’s almost impossible to find online, and my surprising favorite of the bunch a 2010 Domaine Maestracci Vin de Corse Calvi E Prove Blanc
Name: Calvi E Prove Blanc
Producer: Domaine Maestracci
Vintage: 2010
Country: France
Region: Vin De Corse
Where Purchased: Wine Therapy
Price: $15.99
Recommendations: .2010 Domaine Maestracci’s Calvi E Prove Blanc was my first array into the Vine De Crose region – a sliver of an island located 55 miles west of Italy and although shares much of it’s wine making practices culturally with Italy, is regionally France. Vermentino is the primary grape in Calvi E Prove Blanc. Vermentino is a late-harvest ripening grape so it wouldn’t be wrong to expect a sweeter wine. Domaine Maestracci’s Calvi E Prove Blanc has a citrus nose scrambled in with a little yeast, and a lemon and green apple palate. Complimentary acidity and overrall refreshing. An excellent asperitif.
Cheers!
Peanut Butter and Blanc
Last modified on 2012-02-04 03:54:10 GMT. 0 comments. Top.
Ciao,
After a day sudo-studying, people watching and consuming a lion’s shared of Tall Blonds at Starbucks I trudged home feeling less than productive. It’s Friday and I’m not really in the mood for too much of anything; which explains my organic peanut butter and jam on whole wheat dinner paired with a glass of Sauvignon Blanc at half-mast (or is that half-glass?). And if you’re asking if I’m drinking white wine now, my response will be a resounding NO! #TeamRedWine for life! This Sauvignon Blanc was purchased for my White Wine Tasting Module for my online WineSpectator.com class. I’m training my palate to not abnegate white wine. No, seriously, I’m training my palate to better ascertain oak. There were two other wines (a Resiling, and a Chardonnay) which I may formally review in a later post that represent the oaky and non-oaky ends of the spectrum. This little Sauvignon Blanc that could (and does for the most part) fits snugly in the middle:
Sobon Sauvignon Blanc 2010
Name: Sauvignon Blanc
Producer: Sobon
Vintage: 2010
Country: United States
Region: Plymouth, CA
Where Purchased: Total Wines
Price: $15.99
Recommendations: …ok attempting to be as objective as possible since I don’t usually drink white wine, Sobon’s Sauvignon Blanc wasn’t bad… a little green ( young) but not bad. Expect a “new car” and apricot nose in this golden sheer white wine. As far as taste, the wine didn’t sit too well with my palate. The oak was more pronounced than I espected, and tickled my tounge with the tang of unripened green fruit. The finish wasn’t short but didn’t overstay it’s welcome either. I would imagine a sweet dish would probably do this wine a bit of justice – if not just holding it a year before drinking. Let me know what dish you paired this wine with in the comments.
Cheers!
Toscana
Last modified on 2012-01-04 14:51:58 GMT. 0 comments. Top.
wine_notes
Name: Toscana
Producer: Grifone
Vintage: 2008
Country: Italy
Region: Tyrrhenian Coast
Where Purchased: Trader Joes
Price: $5.99
Grifone Toscana
Recommendations:
Grifone’s Toscana is a delightful red wine made with Sangiovese, Syrah, and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. Toscana sports a medium garnet hue and massages the nose with leather raspberry, and cherry aromas. As a person who loves red wine I found this “Super Tuscan” a good balanced dry red wine and a flavorful citrus palate. This wine deserves a cheesy pizza or low to medium sweet red pasta sauce pairing.
Cheers!
Wine Flights & Fire and Vine
Last modified on 2011-12-18 03:35:40 GMT. 0 comments. Top.
Last night I had a business meeting with a new buddy of mine and my little brother (MMA athlete, and personal trainer) @tony_starks. Since I had to work the next day we choose a local resturant called Fire and Vine. Fire & Vine’s claims to be a “big city dining experience offers a refreshingly contemporary New American woodfired menu and uncompromising service, all matched with a nationally award winning wine program.” I do concur the service was good. The put up with me demanding a large table for 3 people and my desire to sit near and electrical socket with style and grace. Unfortunately, I didn’t get a chance to really sample the work of Executive Chef Marc Taylor since my pact with woodland creatures promising to no longer eat them.
As far as the wine selection Fire and Vine prides themselves on a 350 new world wines. New world wines (simplified) are wines made outside of Europe. North and South America, Australia, and South Africa are examples of New World wine producing countries. So, with no Chianti in sight (or on the menu) I decided to try my first wine flight of the year …or at least that I’ll recall. There were lots of Cabernet Sauvignon, and Zenfandel flights but I choose the one I figure would be most tolerable to my palate, Pinot Noir; an easy-to-please-your-palate type grape if you ask me. If you’ve never heard of a wine flight before it’s a pretty cool concept. Wine flights can be anywhere from 3 or more samples of wine from a particular varietal (grape), country, region, or vineyard. The idea is really cool because if you are trying to learn about wine it gives you the chance to taste 3 Pinot Noirs for example, and see, smell, and taste the difference between wine makers, regions, and vintages. I highly recommend trying a wine flight of your favorite wine the next time you eat out …as longs as that wine isn’t Merlot or Moscato!
My buddy Allen ordered a Greek Woodfired Pizza with smoked feta which was nothing short of delicious even after allowing my slices to drop well below room-temprature because I was busy tweeting about the wine I was drinking. My wine flight consisted of 3 Pinot Noirs, one from Oregon by R Stuart & Co, the second by 42 Degrees South – an Australian Pinot Noir, and lastly and my favorite of the bunch, a California Pinot by Siduri Wines. Siduri’s Pinot Noir 2008 is a traditional pinot noir with sterotypical characteristics of a pinot noir; medium-bodied, medium ruby color, black fruit aroma, and a cherry/raspberry palate. It’s a fruity, and non-threatening red wine and I definitely recommend it. Check Siduri’s distribution list for a local wine shop in your area.
Definitely check out wine flights and Siduri Wine’s Pinot Noir! I have a ton of wine that’s spoiling so I should have lots of content to write about this coming week. Cheers till then!
Team Tempranillo
Last modified on 2011-12-17 00:00:11 GMT. 0 comments. Top.
God I love the smell of Tempranillo! Sour cherry, tobacco (non-burning), and oak. Yum, yummie! Outside of Sangiovese, and the financially ever-elusive (for me anyway) nebbiolo grapes Tempranillo holds a special place in my heart. Tempranillo is a red wine grape native to Spain but is also grown extensively in Argentina, Chile, and Mexico. Thiswonderfully feminine Tempranillo I tasted this evening is from Mendoza, Argentina. See full wine stats below:
Wine Stats:
Name: Tempranillo
Producer: La Finca
Vintage: 2011
Country: Argentina
Region: Mendoza
Where Purchased: Trader Joes
Price: ~$5.99
Recommendations:
La Finca Tempranillo is a off dry medium-bodied red with good balance and sports a cloudy ruby red hue. Expect a mix of black fruit and oak and a medium finish on your palate. Pair this food-friendly La Finca Tempranillo with curry or a Spanish dish. If you haven’t guessed already I highly recommend this Tempranillo. It has all the characteristics of a traditional Tempranillo at a great price point!
Cheers!
Experienced Wine Drinker: Buy
Noob Wine Drinker: Pass
Sangiovese of Romagna
Last modified on 2011-12-04 16:53:31 GMT. 0 comments. Top.
Ciao Amichi,
Work has kept me pretty busy the past week and then I became ill. I’ve been battling this cold the past 5 days; which was not the way I wanted to celebrate my birthday (Dec 2nd if you missed it). I’ve also started training for my first full marathon. I haven’t choose a race yet but I’m hoping to schedule the end of my training in in time for one of the Rock n Roll series races this coming May. Ok, with that out of the way, anyone that reads this wine blog knows how much I love Chianti and it’s primary ingredient Sangiovese. Tonight I’m profiling a Bolla Sangiovese hold over from Thanksgiving.
Wine Stats:
Name: Sangiovese Di Romagna
Producer: Bolla
Vintage: 2009
Country: Italy
Region: Emilia-Romagna
Where Purchased: Commasary (Virginia Beach, VA)
Price: ~$10.00
Recommendations:
Don’t expect this wine to be proper repensation of luxurious Emilia-Romagna region of Italy, home of Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Ducati but it’s a decent table red that pairs well with cheese pizza or spicy Indian food. Bolla’s Sangiovese Di Romagna (literally Sangiovese of Romagna) is an aromatic youthful off dry red wine that I found fresh and not very intense. Expect a fruity nose, and peppery and basil palate.
Cheers!
Experienced Wine Drinker: Buy
Noob Wine Drinker: Pass
Countdown to Beaujolais Nouveau
Last modified on 2011-11-15 17:27:53 GMT. 0 comments. Top.
Ciao Amichi,
I’m very excited to participate in the annual Beaujolais (Pronounced Bow-Jo-LAY) nouveau Day and I hope you participate as well! Beaujolais nouveau is a young sweet red wine made from Gamay grapes and produced in Beaujolais, France that marks the end of harvest, and sold just 6 – 8 weeks after picking the grapes. The wine displays a purple hue, low tannin, and a banana, fig, and pear palate. If you can get your hands on a bottle early Georges Duboeuf is known for his Beaujolais nouveau.
“Beaujolais had always been made a vin de l’année to celebrate the end of the harvest, but until WWII it was only for local consumption. In fact, once the Beaujolais AOC was established in 1937, AOC rules meant that Beaujolais wine could only be officially sold after the 15th December in the year of harvest. These rules were relaxed on 13 November 1951, and the Union Interprofessionnelle des Vins du Beaujolais (UIVB) formally set the 15 November as the release date for what would henceforth be known as Beaujolais Nouveau. A few members of the UIVB, notably the négociant Georges Duboeuf, saw the potential for marketing Beaujolais Nouveau. Not only was it a way to clear lots of vin ordinaire at a good profit, but selling wine within weeks of the harvest was great for cash flow. Hence the idea was born of a race to Paris carrying the first bottles of the new vintage. This attracted a lot of media coverage, and by the 1970s had become a national event. The races spread to neighbouring countries in Europe in the 1980s, followed by North America, and in the 1990s to Asia. [2] In 1985, the date was changed to the third Thursday in November to take best advantage of marketing in the following weekend. This “Beaujolais Day” is accompanied by publicity events and heavy advertising. The traditional slogan, even in English-speaking countries, was “Le Beaujolais nouveau est arrivé!” (literally, “The new Beaujolais has arrived!”), but in 2005 this was changed to “It’s Beaujolais Nouveau Time!”. In the United States, it is promoted as a drink for Thanksgiving, which falls a week after the wine is released.” – wikipedia
Beaujolais nouveau Day Tips:
- RSVP at evenbrite.com
- Get to your wine shop early to pick up your bottle of Beaujolais nouveau, many stores sell out early so you may want to call ahead of time.
- Make a nice dinner, Beaujolais pairs well with turkey
- Get with some friends and celebrate Beaujolais nouveau Day! Check Meetup.com for a Beaujolais nouveau Day event in your area.
[894]]
The Case For Pinot Noir
Last modified on 2011-11-11 00:01:15 GMT. 0 comments. Top.
Ciao amichi,
As we fall deeper into the late seasons (ooh a pun! 
), Ive been gravitating more towards Pinot Noir varietals. Pinot Noir is a red wine grape stereotypically associated with the Burgundy region of France but is grown all over the world; typically in cooler regions. If you have dough France and the United States makes some of the best Pinot Noirs. Focus on the recent 2006, 2007, and 2009 vintages. Russian River Valley Keefee Ranch and Kanzler Vineyards are consistently ranked in the upper 80s and low 90s by @winespectator.
If you gravitate towards wines under $20 like me you can find great Pinot Noir values in lesser known regions like Chile, and New Zealand. A quick scroll of wine.com I happened upon a Wine Spectator 90 point score (out of 100) $18.50 Chellian Pinot Noir by Veramonte Ritual 2009, or if you really want to low-ball it try the appropriately named Pennywise Pinot Noir 2009 out of California (no shame, we’re still in a recession).
So why Pinot Noir when I’m a slave to Sangiovese you ask? Well, both grapes produce red wine, both are fruity, and can be light to medium-bodied wines, although wines made with Sangiovese tend to be spicy(er). As a principal Italian red wine drinker I struggle to find apéritif (wines typically drunk without food, or before diner). Pinot Noir is a fantastic balance of a light-bodied, fruity red wine that can be sipped before a meal, or while cozied up on your couch with your significant other, or spoiled Chihuahua watching some TV. Shout out to my doggie Papi Juan Javier Jesus Anthony.
Sorry i don’t have any wine stats for you today. I lost my wallet and had to cancel all of my credit and debit cards. I’m still waiting for them to arrive in the mail. In the mean time ive been reduced to drinking, water, and running an un-Godly amount of miles. I guess its a blessing in disguise for my health, which ill be sure to toast to with a bottle of Chianti, or better yet a Pinot Noir when i get my cards back!
Cheers!
The Art of Jazz, The Fine Art of Wine, and Art Riffs
Last modified on 2011-11-04 21:57:30 GMT. 0 comments. Top.
The first Wednesday night of each month the Chrysler museum hosts an evening of wine, jazz, and art. The triple threat series features jazz musicians from across Hampton Roads area performing in the gorgeous Hubert Court of the Chrysler Museum of Art, wine selections by the gracious wine consultant and hostess for the evening Samantha Niezgoda and some amazing art works. It was my first evening attending and like a noob I lost all of my wine notes taken with my new Android tablet, save for a dry Riesling. Im a fail but here are a few photos from the event and my notes of a Riesling I managed to retrieve from my non-auto-save Polaris Office app.
Wine Stats:
Name: Riesling
Producer: Chateau Ste. Michelle
Vintage: 2010
Country: Columbia Valley
Region: Washington State
Where Purchased: http://store.ste-michelle.com
Price: ~$9.00
Recommendations:
I very much enjoyed this American Riesling. Expect a clean apple nose, dry, fresh green fruit and confident palate.
Cheers!
Experienced Wine Drinker (Buy/Fail): Buy
Noob Wine Drinker (Buy/Fail): Buy
Ugh!
Last modified on 2011-11-04 21:56:26 GMT. 0 comments. Top.
You know a wine is bad when you have to find the nearest Trader Joes Cab to rinse you mouth out! Ciao, amichi! I had the worst wine of my young drinking life thus far (likely ever)!
This 350 ML bottle of pure vile was purchased at Whole Foods. I gues this is what you get when you buy from WholeFoods wine clearence area. Let this be a lesson toyou all, dont drink cheap
crap! According to Toro Loco this wineis made with 100% Pedro Ximenez. According to J. Martinez, President of Espana Foods, Inc. “The wines capture the robust flavor of Spain, and proudly represent the country’s inner character: courageous and passionate, as exemplified by the Bull, the national symbol of Spain.” I found this wine to capture the robust flore of a cheap liquor and hardly representative of Spain! For a good representation of Spain go for a Tempranillo.
Wine Stats:
Name: Toro Loco
Producer: Solera
Vintage: 2004
Country: Spain
Region: Cordoba
Where Purchased: Trader Joes
Price: ~$7.00
Recommendations:
Dont buy this!
Cheers!
ExperiencedWineDrinker(Buy/Fail):Epic Fail
Noob Wine Drinker (Buy/Fail): Epic Fail
Hippie Wine
Last modified on 2011-10-23 00:33:26 GMT. 2 comments. Top.
Ciao amichi!
I was reminded tonight why I no longer play mass multiplayer online role playing games; frankly my pitiful little HP laptop can’t take the heat, quite literally! Halfway though the voice-chat class my computer shut down in an effort to avoid over-heating. I have to admit I was quite relieved in a way. There’s such a learning curve with Eve (that’s the name of the game) that it requires an in-game class for all but the most nerdiest among us. And although I am a self-proclaimed nerd I felt my two last brain cells crashing and burning as our in-game professor taught us about training skills, the correct ships to fly, fleets, and how the in-game market place was similar to the stock market. My laptop overheated and died shortly after that. I had to put my laptop in the fridge to resuscitate it:
I guess I’ll opt for some Mariah Carey favs on my DroidX2, my October Wine Spectator mag, and curling up with Papi Juan Javier Jesus Anthony and a glass of wine on the couch.
Wine Stats:
Name: Red Table Wine
Producer: Green Fin
Vintage: 2010
Country: United States
Region: California
Where Purchased: Trader Joes
Price: ~$5.00
Recommendations:
I think this is the first California red that I can truly say I enjoy as a aspertif (a drink that are typically served before or without dinner). This buttery aroma red wine is made with CCOF certified organic grapes, and sports a cute ruby red color. Expect a soft, round wine, with hints of bubble gum, fun fruit, and vanilla. This wine will have to become apart of my non-Italian wine red wine regulars! Definitely check this wine out!
Cheers!
Experienced Wine Drinker (Buy/Fail): Buy
Noob Wine Drinker (Buy/Fail): Buy
Vive la France
Last modified on 2011-10-21 00:42:05 GMT. 3 comments. Top.
Ciao Amichi
The weather has been less than stellar even for Michigan. It’s had me in quite the funk. Fortunately nothing a glass (or two) of red stuff can’t perk back up. I haven’t been to Trader Joes in a while, instead opting to purchase my wine from our local grocers, and wine.com, so I figured it was past due.
Now, I tend to stay away from French wine frankly because the subject of French wine is so intimidating! Unlike many other countries France labels their wine according to their origin, region, and producer instead of by grape variety like Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Malbec, etc. so you know what you are drinking. It’s easy to not even realize what wine you are drinking when you choose a French wine, especially if you’re someone that me who gravitates towards certain grapes. Nonetheless and because of somewhat time constrains I ended up at the register with five bottles of French wine, and pleasantly an exception to this labeling rule:
Wine Stats:
Name: Pinot Noir
Producer: MGM (Martine Galhaud Moulin)
Vintage: 2010
Country: France
Region: Former Languedoc - South France
Where Purchased: Trader Joes
Price: ~$6.00
Recommendations:
This wine has a beautiful perfumed nose although my agreeable adjectives stop there. I found this wine vegetal, malic, and hallow; definitely lacking character and a short finish, like drinking water. Now, that’s not to say I won’t drink it …that would just be a waste of money, just expect a decent table wine and not sophistication when you pick this bottle up.
Cheers!
Experienced Wine Drinker (Buy/Fail): Buy
Noob Wine Drinker (Buy/Fail): Fail
Craving a Cab
Last modified on 2011-10-05 02:05:27 GMT. 0 comments. Top.
Ciao Amichi,
Please forgive me for being gone so long. There’s been so many new things in my life and I must admit I’m a creature of habit so when anything new introduces itself into my realm it takes me days (or weeks) to adjust. So no more working, late night runs, and even later night dinners with wine. I have a new lady friend. She’s an amazing woman, intelligent, creative, and recycles. I also have a new partner in charge. His name is Papi Juan Javier Jesus Anthony. Here’s a photo:
Don’t be fooled by the cute face. He’s trouble. Anywhoo, I’m celebrating my first day back running. And, what a run itwas. I cleared 9 miles and probably could’ve done a few more. To celebrate I happened upon a neglected Yellow Tails Shiraz/Cabernet; to which I say, if it wasn’t cab in it it would’ve been drank already. Stats…
Wine Stats:
Name: Yellow Tail
Producer: Casella Wines
Vintage: 2010
Country: Australia
Region: SE Australia
Where Purchased: Meijer
Price: $7.99
Recommendations:
As much as I loathe cab (only 20% worth in this wine), I found this wine to have great drinkability and great balance of sugar, fruit, acid, and tannin. The wine sports a deep plum hue, pipe, blackberry, and blackcurrant palate and pairs well with a pasta and red sauce (be a liberal as you like with the fresh black pepper and parmigiano-reggiano)
Cheers!
Experienced Wine Drinker (Buy/Fail): Buy
Noob Wine Drinker (Buy/Fail): Fail
FourSquare Mania and a Valpolicella
Last modified on 2011-08-31 15:12:32 GMT. 0 comments. Top.
Ciao Amichi,
I hope this blog finds you well. I have a confession to make. I’m addicted to Foursquare. And the first step to recovery is admitance so I’m uh, admitting. I wonder if they have have rehab for social networking addicts (yet)? If they do let me know in the comments section.
So why am I addicted to Foursquare? I don’t know exactly. I’ve had the app on my mobile for a year. Likely my Klout score is the culprit of my newfound addiction to Foursquare. Klout is this website the measures your influence across the major social networks measuring your network influence, amplification (retweets), and true reach (total network count). My current score is 41 and growing with each new Linkedin, Facebook, Twitter, and Foursquare addition. And so I spent the better part of today running around Downtown Ann Arbor, visiting some of my favorite stores like William Sanoma, Macys, Pottery Barn, Cupcake Station and Godiva, checking into each place along the way. It annoyed my sweetie to no end, and by the end of the day my Droid X2 was confiscated. Overall though is was an amazing day! It felt so great to get out and enjoy the sunshine, and to play tourist in my little town of Ann Arbor. My treasure of the day is this amazing military jacket I found at Antilope Antiques downtown Ann Arbor. The gentlemen there are so friendly, and their store is a treasure trove of oldies from the 1940s until today. Check it out:
… my new winter coat, only $10 dollars! Anyway, after our long day of walking, and shopping I was way to exhausted to cook tonight so I ordered Papa Johns pizza and cracked open a bottle of Bolla Valpolicella.
Wine Stats:
Name: Valpolicella
Producer: Bolla
Vintage: 2010
Country: Italy
Region: Northern Veneto
Where Purchased: T Joes
Price: $5.99
Recommendations:
Bolla’s Valpolicella is a medium-dry red win with a spicy, black cherry, and a plum palate courtesy of the Corvina grape. If you enjoy a stronger red table wine from Italy this wine will be right up your alley, otherwise stay away.
Experienced Wine Drinker (Buy/Fail): Buy
Noob Wine Drinker (Buy/Fail): Fail
Back From My Summer Blog-a-way
Last modified on 2011-11-04 22:00:08 GMT. 0 comments. Top.
Good Day Amichi,
I hope life has been treating you all well and that you are all enjoying your Summer. I’ve been ripping and running all over the place and taking some Summer classes in between but I’ve sorely missed blogging and im happy to be back home to my definitive collection of John Coltrane, my cookware graciously endorsed by Wolfgang Puck and of course wine!
I had a fantastic morning at the office and the afternoon was looking bright (weather was good too) until I heard a song by our late Amy Winehouse. What proceeded the next four hours was a stale look on my face as I played Amy Winehouses’s Back to Black album… and morned. *sigh* Amy…Amy…Amy 
…a good meal and wine was just what I needed to lift my spirits so that’s what I did. For dinner I cut up some and sauteed some garlic, shallots, and some arbor rice and made risotto.
As far as the wine, check the stats below
Wine Stats:
Name: Montepulciano D’Abbruzzo
Producer: Tato
Vintage: 2008
Country: Italy
Region: Tuscanny
Where Purchased: T Joes
Price: $8.99
Recommendations:
After drinking this wine for the past half hour I’m keen on nick-naming this wine The Wine of 1000 Aromas! Every time I put my nose to the glass I smell something different. Maybe its just me, or maybe my senses are more sensitive because I haven’t been sniffing wine as much the past few weeks. Either way I catch aromas of licorice, saltwater taffy, sink pipe, and baby powder. The wine has excellent balance of acid, tannin, and fruit (featuring plums), and a traditional ruby red color. I rated this wine a 8 out of 10 in my wine journal and I’m going to recommend it as a fantastic table (dinner) wine for red wine drinkers.
Now if you’ll excuse me I have a Netflicks date with myself. I’m watching Once Upon A Time In Mexico. Hopefully I don’t drool all over my couch at first sight of that delicious specimen they call Salma Hayek …but even if I do it’s leather so who cares.
Cheers!
Experienced Wine Drinker (Buy/Fail): Buy
Noob Wine Drinker (Buy/Fail): Fail
Wine Tip: Get yourself a decent wine goblet http://goo.gl/SdeiT
*sigh* Chianti
Last modified on 2011-05-22 14:58:59 GMT. 0 comments. Top.
Ciao Amichi,
The weather is sunny and I’m inspired! AND…..old habits die hard! :-p Yes, it was me who claimed on Facebook that we would be drinking Prosecco, and Rose all Spring and Summer but how on God’s green grape-filled earth could I deny myself the occasional Chianti?? So indeed yesterday I spent a quiet Saturday evening at home, just me, my Janice Robinson’s Wine Course DVD, a bowl of whole wheat spaghetti, and yes, my bottle of Chianti!
Wine Stats:
Name: Chianti
Producer: Placido
Vintage: 2009
Country: Italy
Region: Tuscanny
Where Purchased: Hillers
Price: $7.99
Recommendations:
Placido’s Chianti is a pretty standard Chianti (dry red dinner wine) with it’s ruby red color, a berry aroma, and fairly acidic palate. A creamy white pasta sauce would likely do this wine well. If you love dry red wine, and specifically Chianti this wine has a good price point.
Experienced Wine Drinker (Buy/Fail): Buy
Noob Wine Drinker (Buy/Fail): Fail
Wine Tip: Today, most Chianti falls under two major designations of Chianti DOCG, which includes basic level Chianti, as well as that from seven designated sub-zones, and Chianti Classico DOCG. Together, these two Chianti zones produce the largest volume of DOC/G wines in Italy. - A. Domine (ed.) Wine, pp. 402-411, Ullmann Publishing, 2008 ISBN 9783833146114
A California Pinot Noir
Last modified on 2011-05-22 13:24:49 GMT. 0 comments. Top.
Ciao Amichi,
It’s been quite a few rainy days here in Michigan as is much of the rest of the country. It’s made me quite lazy in terms of blogging. I found myself many a day just staring out my bedroom window watching the rain come down, listening to the murmur of thunder complimenting the lightening illuminating the sky. *sigh* …We get quite the torrential down pours here in Ann Arbor, and it’s quite the spectical if you like that sort of thing. Anyway, I did leave the house long enough to pick up a few bottle of wine, a couple dark chocolate bars, and some gnocchi for dinner Thursday.
Now, I don’t feature too many California wines on my blog (at least I haven’t up until this point) . I never really thought about why that is. Maybe it’s because some of grapes California is known for; Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Sauvignon Blanc I loathe ( there are a few exceptions Vinny!), or because it’s always easy to just dismiss most new world countries like the United States, and Australia in preference to old world wines coming out of France, Italy, and Spain. Either way this California varietal I had last night didn’t do much to sway me to consider another California wine during my next trip to the wine shop.
Wine Stats:
Name: Pinot Noir
Producer: Robert Mondavi
Vintage: 2009
Country: United States
Region: California
Where Purchased: Hillers
Price: $12.99
Recommendations:
Robert Mondavi’s 2009 Pinot Noir is a peppery and dry red wine, with a steely aroma. After it aerates for a while you may also catch a whiff of blueberry and fig as well. I found the wine pretty acidic, medium-body, low sugar, low fruit, and a short finish. In short, uninspiring. You can view the full tasting notes on Robert Mondavi’s website here: http://www.robertmondavi.com/files/FlexibleFile/18/RMW_08_Carneros_PN_1pg.pdf As for me, I can’t recommend it.
Experienced Wine Drinker (Buy/Fail): Fail
Noob Wine Drinker (Buy/Fail): Fail
Wine Tip: Approximately 85% of the wine grown in the United States is grown in California.
The Produce Station’s “Meet The Maker” Wine Tasting
Last modified on 2011-05-04 05:37:30 GMT. 1 comment. Top.
Ciao amichi!
I hope you all have been well. So the weather is becoming more and more tolerable in A2 and the wine crew is stiring to the tune of two wine tastings this week; one yesterday, and another this Thursday. I was pretty excited for the Monday tastings since it featured Italian wines and cheese from the Produce Station – a specialty grocer Downtown Ann Arbor. Yum! This wine tasting was also special because we got a chance to meet Dimitri Pintar the wine maker at Villa Rubini who came all the way from Friuli, Italy to share 190 years of winemaking history with us.
I know many of the places the wine I write about in this blog are from far away lands and sometimes it’s hard to imagine some of these places so today I’m including a couple videos for a visual. Now, I couldn’t find anything specifically on Dimitri’s vinyard but I did find a nice video with shots of Friuli, Italy so you can have a visual of the area where these wines come from…maybe even while sipping one of Dimitri’s wines. I recommend the Dimitri’s Gialla Spumante (pictured), crisp, clean, brut, and sparkling!
http://youtu.be/ivIDQFvwp7w
I was also able to find a video of Dimitri! In this video he’s in Japan speaking about his wines. Japan, then Ann Arbor, Michigan?? I wonder where’s his next stop; Brownsville, Texas maybe?….well, what can I say, the man makes his rounds, that’s for sure.
So as you can tell I’m a fan of signore Pintar, and not just because he’s Italian, or because he brought wine to the party, or because he let me practice my Italian on him. He truly is a gracious host. Unfortunately, I forgot my camera (again) so I had to resort taking photos with my Blackberry while simultaneously tweeting, Facebook’ing, chatting with the wine crew, and taking wine notes. I’m surprised I was able to manage a decent buzz with all the multi-tasking I was attempting. Anyway, here are some photos from the event:
Seven wines in total were featured at this event. My favorites were the Spumante I mentioned already and the Tocai Friulano:
Wine Stats:
Name: Tocai Friulano
Producer: Dimitri!
Vintage: 2009
Country: Italy
Region: Friuli
Where Purchased: n/a
Price: $14.99
Recommendations:
As much as I love red wines my two standouts of this event were both white wines. Go figure! I found this wine young, fresh (think Run DMC circa 1985), mineraly, and a little oaky. Almond aroma, light-bodied, a clean finish round to out the charactistics of this fun white wine. I recommend!
Dimitri’s wine can be picked up or ordered at The Produce Station www.producestation.com if you are local to Ann Arbor, MI you can find them at 1629 South State Street or to order by phone call Jorge (Wine Director extraordinaire) at 734 663 7848
I’d also like to thank everyone at the Ann Arbor Arts Center for hosting the event. They have an amazing loft space only surpassed by the people who work and play there. www.annarborartcenter.org
Experienced Wine Drinker (Buy/Fail): Buy
Noob Wine Drinker (Buy/Fail): Buy
Wine Tip: If you are an Ann Arbor local, enjoy wine join, and want to hang out with a bunch of non-pretentious wine snobs join our wine meetup group! http://www.meetup.com/Ann-Arbor-Wine/
A Trip To Visit Family
Last modified on 2011-04-22 00:36:28 GMT. 0 comments. Top.
Ciao Amichi,
I’ve missed blogging this past week but I snuck out of town to go visit my family, and It so so much needed. I love my cousins so much! The are so ambitious and funny. I feel like all we did is go out to restaurants and drink escessively, but I’m sure I did other things like sleep…and work…and make out with my ex-girlfriend (I digress …I should’ve digressed a sentence ago). Anywhoo, I’m home safe and sound. It’s so lovely to see my beautiful decor, and dining table full of wine literture and bottles. *sigh* …Home Sweet Home 
As I write this I’m whipping up a quick meal of pasta and bread. It’s definitely time to get back to basics (wine, running, and cooking as art), especially after my questionable eating habits the past few days. I cracked open a bottle of Spanish Syrah to go with my meal. Check me out below:
Wine Stats:
Name: Syrah
Producer: LaGranja 360
Vintage: 2009
Country: Spain
Region: northern
Where Purchased: Trader Joes
Price: $5.99
Recommendations:
Lagranja is a dry red wine with characteristics typical of a Syrah. Expect blackberry, blackcurrant, a little fig and oak on the palate, a beautiful boquet of ripe fruit aroma, and cloudy plum hue. If you like dry red wine this is an excellent buy at 6 bucks otherwise you’ll probably want to stay away.
Experienced Wine Drinker (Buy/Fail): Buy
Noob Wine Drinker (Buy/Fail): Fail
Wine Tip: When a wine is simply named after it’s grape that means the wine (which is almost always blended with a least one other grape) is mostly that particular grape (typically 75% – 85% or more). In the case of Lagranja 360′s Syrah is made of mostly the Syrah grape.
Fuerza
Last modified on 2011-04-28 20:36:27 GMT. 0 comments. Top.
Ciao Amichi
I just finished running some last minute errands and a stop at T Joes before a quick meeting at work and a wine tasting tonight. I was so excited about my wine picks (which I must admit was as much about the funny labels as the grape varities). When I got home I couldn’t help but crack open one of the bottles. It’s daylight hours and I will need to be coherent for at least 8 more hours today so I went with a white wine. And because wine and food goes together I made a little snack…
Wine Stats:
Name: Blancos
Producer: Fuerza
Vintage: 2009
Country: Argentina
Region: Mendoza
Where Purchased: Trader Joes
Price: $5.99
Recommendations:
Fuerza’s Blancos is a lovely white wine that pairs well with a light lunch. I paired it with a lightly seasoned whole wheat couscous, and sweet potatoes. Expect exotic fruit aromas (think mango, pineapple, etc.) and a honeysuckle, pear, and butternut squash palate. I really enjoyed this white wine. It’s light-bodied, fruity, and is low in acid. Fuerza’s Blancos 09 vintage will likely become apart of my Spring wine arsenal. I recommend you give it a try.
Experienced Wine Drinker (Buy/Fail): Buy
Noob Wine Drinker (Buy/Fail): Buy
Wine Tip: Three Torrontés (the featured grape in Fuerza’s Blancos 2009) varieties exist in Argentina: Torrontés Riojano, the most common, Torrontés Sanjuanino, and Torrontés Mendocino. - wikipedia.org
Pizza Pizza
Last modified on 2011-04-07 16:25:24 GMT. 0 comments. Top.
Ciao Amichi,
I hope you all are well. Tonight I decided to try my hands at homemade pizza. There’s something romantic about cooking with your hands. No, I don’t mean with utensils, I mean really digging into the food, getting the ingredients all between your fingers. I’m so happy I got a chance to experience that feeling again tonight beating, kneading, and shaping the pizza dough into my best effort circle; it totally brought me back to childhood playing with Playdough.
Anywhoo, enough nostalgia. I paired my meal with an Italian red. After deviating from my beloved Italy the past couple weeks for a romp around Chilean wines, I’m glad to get back to something more familiar. Check out some photos from dinner, and the wine stats below:
Wine Stats:
Name: Toscana
Producer: Aquila D’oro
Vintage: 2009
Country: Italy
Region: Tuscany
Where Purchased: Trader Joes
Price: $5.99
Recommendations:
Aquila D’oro is a drinkable red with a good balance of fruit, sugar, acid, and tannins. It’s a ruby red medium-bodied Italian wine with banana, cinnomon, pepper, and oak flavors. This wine can be enjoyed as an aperitif or with a cheesy pizza.
Experienced Wine Drinker (Buy/Fail): Buy
Noob Wine Drinker (Buy/Fail): fail
Wine Tip: Every person with even a slight interest in wine should watch the movie Sideways.
100% Sangiovese
Last modified on 2011-03-30 00:49:35 GMT. 1 comment. Top.
Ciao Amichi,
Long time no blog! I know I know…I’ve been suffering from a bit o blogger’s block. It’s not that I haven’t been writing per se, I’ve just had a difficult time hitting the publish button. At first I blamed it on the weather, but then it got all sunny and beautiful (but still cold), so now I blame it on my half-marathon training, but that’s this Saturday. Shout out to all the Martian Marathon runners! Anywhoo, I’m back and there’s so much to tell you! I’ve been doing in the world of wine including more regular tastings (outside my home) , my first virtual wine tasting, and even a wine trade show! Please check out the Wine Tasting part of my website for full details!
So, a few days ago I headed to good ‘ol Trader Joes to see if they had any new Italian wine I have yet to indulge in, and not only did they have some new bottles, and vintages, but one was 100% sangiovese – my favorite grape AND for only $2.50. I picked up a few bottle! I actually went for the case at first, but then I remembered I needed food too….
Wine Stats:
Name: Sangiovese
Producer: Vola
Vintage: 2010
Country: Italy
Region: Tuscany
Where Purchased: Trader Joes
Price: $2.50
Recommendations:
I had every reason to love this wine, I mean, it’s Italian, it’s sangiovese, and it’s from my second favorite region in Italy – Tuscany (my first is Milan/Lombardia) but I didn’t care for it. Expect a squash, oak, and orange peel nose, and a alcohol, asparagus, lettuce, and plum palate. There was very little structure to this wine, almost no tannin, medium fruit, weak body, and just overall tasted undone. If you need a dry red wine for a recipe it’s a great value, otherwise I say stay away!
Experienced Wine Drinker (Buy/Fail): Fail (unless you really like sangiovese!)
Noob Wine Drinker (Buy/Fail): Fail
Wine Tip: Sangiovese is grown in Tuscany and some parts of California
Quinoa (pronounced Ken-wah) and the Taste of Africa
Last modified on 2011-04-28 23:24:10 GMT. 0 comments. Top.
Ciao Amichi,
I’m not sure if it was the smell of mulling spice I was boiling, the beautiful sight of a immaculately clean bachlor pad, or the blaring of David Lanz thumping from my Ipod but I caught a spell of inspiration and decided to cook last night. I was down to my last bottle of wine, but I’d have to say it was the best of bunch of my most recent trip to Trader Joes.
It was already late when I get around to cooking but thank goodness Quinoa doesn’t take that long, and I finally began listening to my mom started and cutting up my veggies and putting them in the freezer so when I need them they are already prepped and ready to go. Check me out below:
Wine Stats:
Name: Pinotage
Producer: Zafrika
Vintage: 2010
Country: South Africa
Region: Western Cape
Where Purchased: Trader Joes
Price: $5.99
Recommendations:
Zafrika’s Pinotage is a ruby red varietal, with a deep cherry and rose aroma that pleasantly tickles the nose. This young chewy red wine displays a good balance of acid, tannin, and fruit with notes of plum, asparagus, and other dark fruits on the palate.
I may have just been in a mood for a rich wine that night that doesn’t bring me to my knees like every Cabernet Sauvignon, but I very much enjoyed this wine and I’m going to recommend it for red wine drinkers, and wine drinkers that are feeling a little frisky and adventurous. Serve at room temperature and give it a few strong swirls around in the glass before sipping for optimal experience.
Experienced Wine Drinker (Buy/Fail): Buy
Noob Wine Drinker (Buy/Fail): Fail
Wine Tip: Pinotage is a red wine grape that is South Africa’s signature variety created by Stellenbosch University Professor A.I. Perold in 1925 and gaining wine acceptance by wine makers after wining the Grand Championship at the Cape Young Wine Show in 1959.
**There are many exciting things happening in South Africa’s wine world including a sustainable movement, Sommelier World Cup, and a free e-book full of Rose and Cape Tapas recipes. Check out their website here: http://www.wosa.co.za/
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