Wine Words Demystified: Malolactic Fermentation

You know the deal, the more some folks learn about a topic, the more shortcuts/slang/acronyms/initials/technical jargon can be tossed around.  I’m here to help you understand those sometimes mysterious words and phrases, thus – Wine Words Demystified! This week’s word/phrase is Malolactic Fermentation According to Karen MacNeil‘s The Wine Bible: This process has nothing to do with regular FERMENTATION since…

Wine Of The Week – 2009 Tablas Creek Esprit de Beaucastel

It was a tough call for wine of the week for March 24-30.  Why?  I went to a big Rhone Rangers tasting  on March 25th and tasted dozens of wines!  But at the end of the day (several days thereafter actually), I kept reminiscing about the 2009 Tablas Creek Esprit de Beaucastel. When I think a about…

T.G.I.F. Champagne and the like…NV Charles de Cazanove Champagne Brut Premier Cru

Here’s a Champagne with which few American’s are familiar. It’s the #2 selling brand of Champagne in France

Wine Of The Week: NV Contadi Castaldi Franciacorta Rosé

My wine of the week for March 17-23 is the NV Contadi Castaldi Franciacorta Rosé.  Franciacorta, refers both to the territory, located in the Lombardy region of Italy, and the sparkling wine produced from grapes grown within the boundaries of the territory.  Since 1995, Franciacorta has had DOCG status, the highest echelon of Italian wine…

Wine Words Demystified: Botrytis

You know the deal, the more some folks learn about a topic, the more shortcuts/slang/acronyms/initials/technical jargon can be tossed around.  I’m here to help you understand those sometimes mysterious words and phrases, thus – Wine Words Demystified! This week’s word/phrase is Botrytis According to Karen MacNeil‘s The Wine Bible: A beneficial fungus, also known as noble rot, which is necessary to…

Wine Of The Week – 2001 R. López de Heredia Rioja Blanco Crianza Viña Gravonia

My wine of the week for March 10-16 is the 2001 R. López de Heredia Rioja Blanco Crianza Viña Gravonia.  Man that’s a long name!  If you’re not familiar with Spanish, let me break it down for you – “Rioja Blanco” means White wine from Rioja – “Crianza” refers to how long the wine is aged…

T.G.I.F. Champagne And The Like…NV Nicolas Feuillatte “Blue Label” Brut Champagne

Have you ever wondered what’s the best-selling brand of Champagne in France?  Sure, all the big names in Champagne are there, but I’m thinking the average middle-class French consumer doesn’t have the coin for Moet and Mumm on a regular basis.   The answer is the maker of this week’s bubbly, Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte.  Feuillatte…