May 22, 2008
Blend: 40% Pinot Bianco, 40% Chardonnay, 20% Sauvignon Blanc
This white blend has rich aromas that tie together the freshness of Pinot Bianco, the fruitiness of Chardonnay and the bouquet of Sauvignon Blanc. A beautiful, clean white with well balanced flavors of stone fruits and minerals. This is a fantastic example of whites from this region - fresh, clean and pretty yet intense and complex. Either sip by itself or enjoy with seafood appetizers, shellfish, fresh salads, soups and mild white fish.
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May 22, 2008
Italy is the 2nd largest wine producing country with Tuscany as its most well known region and home to three of Italy’s most important red wines. Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino, and Vino Nobile de Montepulciano. Although Tuscany is the home to wine drinkers and food lovers, historically it did not make remarkably good wine. This changed with the wine revolution in the 1970’s and 1980’s when “Super Tuscans” changed Italy’s wine image and winemaking traditions. Winemakers wanted more lenience with their winemaking and started incorporating international varietals to make the best wine they could. The most premium ones became known as “Super Tuscans” which don’t adhere to the regions strict wine designation laws. Full Story »
May 10, 2008
100% Pinot Noir. A classic ruby red Pinot Noir with lifted notes of raspberries, blackberries and boysenberries complemented by subtle savory notes. A luscious, medium-bodied wine with a round, soft full palate, well-balanced acidity, supple tannins and lingering flavors. Blackberry and boysenberry dominate the palate and are supported by hints of raspberry and redcurrant. Ideal with red meat dishes, strongly flavored fish dishes, or pasta with tomato-based sauces. Delicious now while young of will age nicely for another 4 - 5 years.
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May 10, 2008
The Marlborough region sits at the northern tip of New Zealand’s south island. It is the most widely recognized wine region in the country and also has the largest wine production. In the 1980’s, Marlborough and New Zealand marked the international wine map with their renowned Sauvignon Blanc with distinctive flavors that it could not be ignored. The racy, vibrant, intense, citrus and sometimes grassy flavored Sauvignon Blanc became New Zealand’s forte and is loved the world over. Although Sauvignon Blanc is the country’s most popular white, New Zealand also produces excellent Chardonnay, Pinot Gris and Riesling.
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March 24, 2008
Historically, Rueda has been one of the most outstanding centers for vine growing since the 18th century. Aura bodega is situated in the town of Rueda, near Valladolid in the Northwest of Spain. Owned by the Velasco family, they have been instrumental to the development of the area and cultivating these lots and vineyards. They have a long tradition over several generations of growing and producing regionally influenced wines.
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March 20, 2008
Portugal is buried steep in tradition and is best known for their Port much like French Champagne and Spanish Sherry. The Douro region (named after the valley’s river) is one of the most impossible places for growing much of anything. The 60-degree slopes are made of rocks and slate often baked in 100-degree sun. However the vine is one plant that isn’t deterred by these conditions. Much of the vineyards sit on hillsides above the Douro River, built with reinforced walls due to the steep incline. Portugal’s red table wines are increasing in popularity and primarily made from the local varietal Touriga Nacional.
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February 28, 2008
Varietal Composition: 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc, 4% Merlot, and 2% Malbec
Deeply colored with a brick red hue, it has an inviting nose with aromas of rich toasted oak, molasses, tobacco, olive, blackberry and cool cassis. It’s unmistakably Cabernet. This well-structured, elegant wine offers a touch of menthol over tart cassis, tobacco, spicy black pepper and a hint of fennel with a clean persistent finish. While it’s ready to drink upon release, the good acid/tannin structure will allow further development over the next 12 - 15 months. This hearty Cab needs a hearty meal. Enjoy with grilled meats, steak and ribs.
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February 27, 2008
The 16-acre Gamble Vineyard is located in Yountville, norht of Carneros at the southern end of the Napa Valley. This superb rocky site is warm enough to develop Sauvignon Blanc’s tropical fruit flavors, yet cool enough to retain its natural fruit balance and crispness. Depending on what a winemaker is looking for, they may travel up, down and across California’s wine regions searching for the best vineyard sites and varietals to enhance their wine portfolio. Source-Napa on the other hand, owns all their vineyards in Napa Valley which provides additional control and efficiency to monitor the vineyards daily.
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January 15, 2008
Varietal composition: 85% Malbec, 15% Tempranillo
Ratings: 2004 vintage - 91 points Wine Spectator; 2003 vintage - 90 points, Wine Spectator
This is a fantastic example of a premium quality Argentine Malbec. It will keep you coming back for more. Aged for 12 months in oak, deeply saturated blue-purple color attests to the wine’s power and concentration, and the flavor is pure ripe berry, plum, with a nuance of sweet tabacco. The tannins are soft, lingering generously into a rich mouth-filling finish. Try pairing with grilled meats, flank steak, BBQ, Asian sweat & sour dishes and aged cheeses. Enjoy now or within next 2-3 years.
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January 15, 2008
Argentina is the fifth largest wine producers in the world but prior to the mid-1990’s, the country had no export aspirations mostly due to the unstable economy. But Argentine’s themselves, many migrated from Italy and Spain in the mid 1800’s, include wine at the dinner table and has long been part of their culture. With much investment and winemaking technology imported in the late 1990’s, Argentina quickly established in the global wine market and more is still to come. Torrontes is Argentina’s most prominent and widely planted white grape and is known for its floral perfume and flavor but with a naturally crisp character. The finest quality Torrontes comes from Cafayate, located in the Calchaqui Valley in the northern province of Salta (exactly where this Torrontes is grown). The combination of high elevation (4800 - 5600 feet), very dry weather, intense solar radiation, cool nights, and sandy soils brings out its best characteristics.
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