Wines to Discover this Year

Another year has begun and hopefully we are all up for new wine exploration.  There is  a vast number of wine regions at our disposal, so I say out with the familiar and in with something new and different.  Here are a few regions that produce some very interesting wines for you to try this year:

Germany:  yes, Germany is famous for their sweet wines made from the Riesling grape.  But did you know they make red wines from the Pinot Noir grape?  German Pinot Noir wines have a subtle strawberry-dark berry flavor with an herbal undertone and is light in tannin.  This wine is perfect as an everyday red.

Languedoc-Roussillon: many great reds come from this area, made with varieties; Grenache, Syrah, Carignan, Mourvedre and Cinsault.   But this region also makes great sparkling wine in the same manner as Champagne;  Blanquette de Limoux.  Blanquette de Limoux is a white sparkling wine made with three grapes;  Mauzac, Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay.  It’s an off dry sparkler with an aroma and flavor of cut grass and subtle apple.  It’s a sparkler to be enjoyed alone or with your everyday seafood dish.

New York Finger Lakes AVA:  climatically compared with Germany, this region produces some of the best Riesling based wines in the USA.  Vibrant floral aromas together with succulent citrus flavors make these wines best drunk anytime, anywhere with anything.

Happy New Year!

enjoy

The tragedy of Newtown belongs to all of Us:

I am a wine writer whose main intent is to educate people about wine and the regions they come from in the hopes bringing people together and relationships closer at the meal table and beyond.  In thinking about what I do and the tragic shootings in Connecticut I realize that what happened there is a collective tragedy and belongs to all of us.  In the wake of a tragedy like this, we tend to want to blame what is physically in front of us, evidences of what we can see.  It is what is unseen that is to blame.  The blame is in our everyday thinking about our lives and our priorities.  Responsibility for this needs to fall on each and every one of us.  We as a people need to question not the right to bear arms, but why assault weapons, such as what was used in the killings of what would have been our future, was ok to purchase.  For what reason does any person not on the combat line need an assault weapon that shoots 30 rounds per magazine?  The thought about what is right and consequences for action and inaction legislatively and morally has fallen by the wayside.  This tragedy has become my business, it’s become our business.  No judgment here, just thoughts.  Me and We as parents need to question what our children watch on television, what video games they play, who they play with, what influences them outside of the home, what it is that we as parents do to influence and shape who our children become.  This tragedy is about who we will be from this moment forward.  Will we be a people who pays attention?  Paying attention to what we think, what we do that influences our children, what we do about the nations children crying out for help.  Because not doing this affects all of us eventually.  What’s become clearer for me, in what I need to do, is paying more attention to my contribution to this world, in thought and deed.  Paying attention to positive traditions started and not yet started….paying attention to what I do and say each day, because I know words affect.   Paying attention to the life I lead and the example I intend to set ……I hope you will all join me.  Let’s wrap our arms around not just our families but wrap our arms around who we are and how we intend be in this world. 

Foodware

There is no reason on earth to save your most beautiful foodware for a special occasion.  Your special occasion is every moment of everyday.  Eating anything on beautiful ware makes all the difference in your food experience:)

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Chardonnay?

{Chablis} is Chardonnay

{Macon-Village} is Chardonnay

{Meursault} is Chardonnay

{Pouilly-Fuisse} is Chardonnay

{white Burgundy} is Chardonnay

{Blanc de Blanc Champagne} is Chardonnay

 

Flavor Styles:

{cool climate} - green and citrus fruits - high acidity

{moderate climate} - citrus, stone/melon fruit - medium/high acidity

{hot climate} - tropical fruit (pineapple, banana) - medium acid

{oak} vanilla, toast, nut, coconut, coffee

{lees} savouriness, creaminess

{age} hazelnut, honey, toastiness, savouriness

{malolactic fermentation} softens the acid - adds texture and structure

 

enjoy