Usually Wine In A Box Is Enough

Since I was a child, I’ve found great enjoyment in receiving mail. Tempered slightly over the years by the constant onslaught of junk mail and bills, I still none the less find a sly grin on my face when I realize the postman has brought a personal note from a distant friend. Lately, the absence of arriving parcels has been more anticipated than those from my favorite wine shop, Madwine.com. Perhaps there is nothing greater in this world than opening a box only to discover it contains wine, thank you Jesus!

But this rant stems from the arrival of my most recent shipment. As always my shipment arrived in a timely manner, inside was the case of Kestral Lady in Red wine, the 1st Holiday addition. (I intend on cellaring the wine until next season, where I suspect it will be a fan favorite and perhaps even an Ebay hit.) I had hoped that I might enjoy the in-box holiday chocolates Madwine ships this time of year, but I opened the box to find that there was none. Knowing the holidays were over I was un-phased and proceeded to cellar my cherished new collection of wine. It wasn’t until I heard from a friend that I became disturbed.

Apparently, a pal of mine who also received a package from Madwine was luckier than I. Contained within his package was a sample of, what he described, superb gourmet tea. The sample was labeled Green Goddess, named for Guanyin, the Buddhist goddess of compassion. Apparently this tea is currently China's most popular oolong. In contrast to its sister tea 'Iron Goddess', this tea is remarkably floral and produces a stunning, rich aroma reminiscent of tropical flowers. Needless to say I wanted to sample this tea for myself.

Normally, I simply would have been happy for my friend, but I stumbled across a site that left doubts in my head. Surely my rational mind knows that the government had no reason to open my package prior to delivery and even if they did there is little reason to believe that they might remove a sample of gourmet tea meant for me. Yet the possibility that the opportunity even existed somehow penetrated deep into my psyche; just one more thing to diminish that childhood wonderment of the meaning of personal mail.

A New Year to Toast

After only one year of aimless mental wondering and questionable wine insight I have apparently made an impression on more than a handful of not so loyal readers. In fact, it appears that I have stumbled upon an award that many have worked a lifetime to achieve. So then, how does one celebrate being named person of the year and having their picture on the cover of Time magazine? Well, for a mild manner bloke like myself, you party like its nineteen ninety nine.

With a glass of Penfolds Bin 138 Old Vines Shiraz 2002 in hand, I watched with tempered enjoyment as Seattle simulated the demolition of the Space Needle. Billed as the greatest New Years fireworks building display, I found myself more enthralled with my New Years kiss and glass of wine than the spectacularly lacking visual extravaganza. (Don’t get me wrong, the fireworks are great, but like most things, the display couldn’t live up to the hype.)

In contrast, my glass of Penfolds had no trouble living up to the billing. In the mouth the wine is a rich, rounded collection of ripe berries, with floral high notes with softly stated yet firm tannins. The juice is a contrast between the spicy generosity of the Shiraz and muscular structural contribution of the Mourvedre. This combination leads to a long, persistent finish. Just another example of a Penfolds' wine that drinks well above the value.

To me however the lingering flavor in my mouth was a bit more abstract. In the glass the wine exuded colors of joy and happiness for the accomplishments of the past year. On the nose were hints of prosperity in the near future. But once in the mouth the wine displayed a perfect balance of enjoyment, love and appreciation for those that made this and the many other happy new years possible.

Dom Perrion Gift Box - Expense it

The best way to say thanks at years end is with a bottle of Champagne. So why not thank those you know with a Dom Perrion Gift box. Take it from me, I know the power of the gift.

When you're self-employed, it's a ride of boom and bust. The better you get at your craft the smoother the sailing. For my part as a writer the sailing is well,... let's just say I write my own blog. Take that as you will, the point is it's Christmas time, the season of giving. The gifts you give have meaning, if not power.

As I'm reading my list of gifts:
Mom
Dad
Sister
Brother
Uncle
Grandma
Cousin
Special Lady Friend
Niece
Friends
Co-workers
Bla
Bla bla bla bla

I suddenly realized my expenses have shot way up. Every penny I thought was spare has just been spent. So knowing it's almost time to make my New Year's wine order, naturally I'm thinking about what I should be drinking for the new year. Taking into acount the storms on next year's horizon, (not to mention the bills I know have to get paid) I realized it's great to celebrate, however as a business I need to keep my cost down. Perhaps the gift to myself should be a bit more conservative. I'm just a bill. So why not order a Dom Perrion Gift box, it's a reasonable exspense.

Just Drink It

This year when I finally snapped out of the holiday emotional purgatory I was holding a bottle of Columbia winery Syrah 2003 in my right and a bottle of Lindemans Bin 99 Pinot Noir 2006 in my left. Can you believe I was debating which wine to drink?

The funny thing about the moment was the selection of wines that I had passed, I've never felt like such a wine snob. Other than the bottle I brought, A-Mano Primitivo 2003, the wines left on the table were an interesting selection of personality but definitely lacking quality. I learned long ago, you can’t judge a book only by its cover. Figuring it would be poor form to drink the entire bottle of wine that I brought I turned to the two bottles previously mentioned, as the only options suitable for my consumption.

Lindemans, a fine Australian import that for the price, can suits ones needs. And let me just say it is a “very affordable” wine. I’m sure the gifter was pleased to find a Pinot Noir at such a low price. Pinot’s popularity and thus the rise in price seems to continue thanks to a certain movie. (It’s funny to see what advice people will follow blindly.) I was confident the Lindemans Bin 99 Pinot Noir 2006 would be fine.

In the other hand was a Washington Syrah, one of the best grapes grown in Washington state. Though I’d argue that Columbia winery makes a better Cabernet than Syrah, the Columbia winery Syrah 2003 is perfect for a holiday party. (I know the gifter of this wine would agree, since I saw her stash the bottle for herself once it got down to the last glass.)

I looked about the room and laughed at myself, who cares which wine I choose. Surely I’ll be back to try the other. In fact, I sampled quite few wines on that table. When it comes to the holidays there is plenty of time to find joy. I just need to relax and stop worrying about finding the perfect thing. Instead, I just enjoyed what life threw my way. Turns out, any wine can be a great wine, when you allow yourself to enjoy the experience.

My Candidate of Change - Glen Carlou Grand Classique 2002

When asked which winemaking region to watch, I reply, “South African wine is the next big thing.” Sure, the safer bet is Spanish wine, but who has time for the safe bet. True reward comes from standing up for what you believe, even if that means taking a risk. And though Spain is gaining popularity with those that like to travel and thus is gaining popularity among “wine tourists”, drinkers of wine will note that Spanish wine still has plenty of room for improvement. Not to say there aren’t great Spanish wines to be had. Rather, in my opinion, in the last 10 years no nation has improved their image and their wine as much as South Africa.

Glen Carlou Grand Classique 2002 is a perfect example of the quality wines South Africa has to offer. A classic Bordeaux blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot. Grand Classique opens with intriguing aromas of clove, sandalwood and fresh blackcurrant that are followed by a velvety smooth palate brimming with ripe berry fruit and well supported by supple tannins on gentle oak.

Of course listening to my opinion is just as silly as listen to those that will handy cap midterm elections. My guess is as good as theirs, but never the less it is only a guess, educated as is maybe. The future is for the people to decide and even a fortune teller can’t always be sure how the public will choose to speak out.

So while we wait for the passing of time to reveal our fate, I’ll continue to enjoy my bottle of Glen Carlou Grand Classique 2002. Don’t worry though, “I told you so” is such a cliché thing to say. I prefer a simple wink, a sly smile and the knowing statement “cheers.” Even when you are lucky enough to see the future their is no reason to brag, your time is best spent enjoying the wine.

Bow Down to Washington - Wines and All

"Hello Dawg Fans",..."Hello Lou" we reply. It's homecoming week! And for those celebrating it around the country, it’s time to give in to the fun, soak up every moment of the festivities and recall how it was in your day; the pre-game rituals, the sound of the crowd, the smell of the barbeque, the noise of the pack stadium, the scent of beer on your breath. Yes, college was a time full of good and bad, so why not enjoy this one day a year when you can actually return to your home.

As a Dawg fan I plan to pack the House that James built. On the way to my seats I'll touch the 91 plaque and remember one of the toughest team to ever play the game. Next, I’ll enjoy a good laugh, remembering all the talk before Whammy in Miami. (By the way we still want those rings Dwayne.) It was after that game we started holding up four fingers at the end of the third quarter. (But I don't know why the rest of ya'lll do it around the country.) Once at my seats I'll give in to the stadium, becoming part of the infamous crowd who’s deafening cheers rain down on the players,..."GOOoooooo!,.......HUssKiessssss,....GOOOooo!,.....HUSsKIesssss!." At the half I’ll likely miss the homecoming court presentation and sadly the hall of fame inductees, (If ever a dawg deserved a ring) you'll find me enjoying a fine Washington wine at the tailgate. But surely I'll be back to my seats in time to catch the Husky Legend before the forth quarter. And soon another Homecoming will have come and gone. But before it’s over make sure to stop by our tailgate and celebrate 80 years. Just make sure to wear some purple and bring something good to drink.

A Sweet Sound - Geyser Peak Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

When I first started experimenting with wine, the world was a much simpler place and it seemed we had more time for simpler pleasures. Thinking back on those carefree times always brings a warm smile to my face. One activity that I dearly miss is grabbing a bottle wine (Geyser Peak Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, a personal favorite of the era) and making my way over to the sound garden.

There on cool summer nights, a steady breeze could awaken a concert of sound, that coupled with a fine wine would intoxicate the senses. Alone or with friends the power in that moment would transcend the present, creating a trance like state were in my mind I could explore the beautiful possibilities of tomorrow. It was and still is in my memory a place of peaceful harmony.

However, thanks to Homeland Security, the Patriot Act and other post 911 changes the sound garden has been closed to the public. Though I was disappointed, at the time I understood because the sound garden resides on land owned by NOAA, a government organization. And as we all know after 911 all government facilities needed to be secured.

Now that times has passed questions have grown in my heads as to why NOAA needed to be protected from terrorist. Perhaps, if those evil doers did stumbled upon the sound garden they too would be soothed by its charms. Sadly though I’ve come to the conclusion that the current administration didn’t care about a terrorist treat, it was me they didn’t want accessing NOAA land. Though people thought I was crazy current events support my thinking. It makes me wonder what other “crazy people” might actually know.

For now, I’ll revisit simpler times, enjoying a bottle of Geyser Peak Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2004, and think positively about the future.

Vote to Enjoy a Glass of Francis Coppola Diamond Merlot 2004

November is almost upon us, time once again to vote. So weather you call, email or work a phone bank for your favorite candidate of change; make sure you remind everyone you know to get out and vote. Don't tell people to vote because it’s their civic duty, (nobody wants to think they have more work to do) remind them to vote because the voting process brings the community together.

When I was a kid I loved the energy at the polling place. We'd see all the neighbors, new and old. My parents would take time to chat with everyone there. If we ran into the old lady from next door she always give me a piece of candy from her purse. Sometimes I'd wait out front, playing with the pets who's owners where busy inside. Other times one of my parents would take me in the voting booth and actually let me pull the lever, showing me how I might vote someday. The grandness of that small event always made me feel like a piece of a special process. Wearing the little "I voted" sticker on the walk home always filled me with pride.

Unfortunately, these days that sticker doesn't seem to embody the same prestige. Like many people I don't even go to the polling station anymore, instead choosing to vote absentee. I miss my neighbors, their pets and the candy. But more than that, the older I get the smaller my vote seems. Some of what I read makes me wonder if my vote even counts. Voting can feel like a chore that won't hurt anybody if left undone. You are not alone, many of us have lost faith in what use to matter.

When I think back to what people here and around the world went through to get a vote I'm reminded how sacred the right to vote is. I urge you, talk with your friends, your neighbors or even strangers. Invite people out to celebrate their vote. That small act is part of the the history that made this country great. Maybe over the generations we forget, but when you talk to an immigrant like my father they remind us that through voting we can have a peaceful transfer of power in this country.

I plan to celebrate my vote over a glass of Francis Coppola Diamond Merlot 2004, more than the wine's great taste I like the "blue" label. I hope you too choose to celebrate your vote. If you wear your sticker I’ll be happy to pour you a glass.

Found: One Muse. Where: in glass of Amisfield Sauvignon Blanc.

Summer is over and what do I have to show for it? Apparently a blog doesn’t write itself nor does a writer blog when he’s too busy living, thus the life in this blog was lost in the search for the inspiration to write. Basically when you dance to close to your muse you risk being seduced by her charms and soon find yourself chasing that muse. For me that translated in a summer of stories but no desire to share them. Rather, my muse and I danced late into the summer nights, drunk on joy and full of great times.

But as the days shorten and the nights are much cooler I find myself and my muse settling back in to a healthier symbiotic relationship, once again inspired to share my stories of life, wine and levity.

Warming myself by a fire, Ibrahim Ferrer croons in the background; I pour myself a glass of Amisfield Sauvignon Blanc. All at once my muse is with me, and our stories from the summer past pour out as I drink her in.

The floral bouquet of Amisfield Sauvignon Blanc fills my nose reminding me of the joy, love and passion experienced at the many ending I endured this summer. In the height of wedding season I often find myself overwhelmed by the perpetual party that is weddings. However, given the time to reflect, like a good bouquet the lasting impression of a wedding brings a smile to one’s face.

The bright golden color in the glass brings me back to the long summer day spent worshiping the sun and hiding from the work day. For ever more Amisfield Sauvignon Blanc will be the color of enjoying life.

On the palate the full bodied and dry wine shows great intensity, much like the long bar nights where I discover new friends, balanced by a fruity, refreshing acidity finish. The flavor of old friends, some sweet and then at times bitter but always entertaining. For memories without ones old friends might be pleasant but never lingering. Time spent with friends are the moments the last.

As I finish my glass I realize the summer has past and though I may not have shared the stories of a glories summer with you, thanks to my muse those stories will always be there for me to recall in a glass of Amisfield Sauvignon Blanc.

If A Friend Must Die, Enjoy Good Wine - Penfolds

The current box-office hit teen comedy is John Tucker Must Die. But for me, see this movie would be a waste of 8 bucks on a Thursday afternoon. I’ll see this drama play out this weekend.

Sometimes in life of friend of your will get themselves in over their head, trying to bite off more than they can chew. And when it is women his it trying to chew on, it always come bite him back, usually in a public place. In my case, my friends undoing will be at party. So as a good friend I need to ask myself, how should I haddle this situation. In short, what type of wine should I bring to the party.

A box of Franzia could help move the festivities along nicely. The Chardonnay is an excellent, dry California white wine with apple and pear flavor. When pour from the box this semi-dry and medium bodied wine exudes a crisp and clean wine finish, all the while packing a sweet little punch. Chairs should be flying in my friends direction in no time. For most this is a safe route.

However, my taste is a bit more refined. I’d rather linger in the romance of a moment that a great wine can help create. That’s why I’ll be sipping on Penfolds RWT Shiraz. This wine is not for use by children. Mouthfilling and expansive, yet at the same time contained and tightly structured. Penfolds RWT Shiraz is bigger and richer than the cues afforded by the nose, and undeniably assertive and defined. This generously flavored wine opens with dark berry fruit, with a touch of spice followed by ripe and rich tannins. Layered, long and luscious with excellent aging potential, Penfolds RWT Shiraz is a wine to be enjoyed.

And enjoying this weekend promises to be. While teens flock to movies in hopes of catching a hilarious drama unfold on the big screen (better bring the Franzia box), with popcorn in hand. I’ll be watching the real thing play out with a new good friend by my side.

All the Elements for a Great Day

Needing a break yesterday I sat down for some lunch and later discovered I real treat. Though a replay of stage 17 of the Tour de France was playing in the background, my focus was on a glass of Artesa Elements 2001. I had mostly given up on the tour after team Discovery (Lance's old US Postal team) had conceded defeat and Floyd Landis (the top American) had fallen behind by 8 minutes after stage 16. It seemed that once again America would come up short on the international sporting stage.

Lucky for me Artesa Elements 2001 was a wine worth enjoying. The wine is a wonderful blend exhibiting lively black fruit flavors. Supple and spicy, the wine finishes with hints of mint, cinnamon, oregano and some say camp fires. (But I'd argue its a smoky oakish flavor.) As I sat there sipping my wine I realized Floyd was making a move. (I wish I could say I realized this was a specail moment not to be missed, but in truth I thought, hey this is a good enough excuse to enjoy a second glass.)

In a brash American style Floyd raced up and down the mountainous stage 17 on a defiant solo mission to prove one bad day does not define a man. I was rivited to this replay. Though the results could have easily been obtained on the internet, I was able to enjoy the moment as if it where a live event. As Floyd continued to chop into the Yellow Jersey's lead, down to 7 minutes, then 6 and half, then only 5, then 3, can you believe it down to 2 minutes; the bottle of California blend emptied, my buzz grew and I began to cheer at the TV. Come on Floyd!

Suddenly, I have a new appreciation for the Tour. To be in road side in France with a bottle of wine in hand as cyclist fly past sounds heavenly.

In the end Floyd fought all the way back to only 30 seconds off the lead, which many are calling the greatest performance in the Tour ever. I polished off a bottle of wine for lunch which is no small feat either. And after today only 30 seconds, the stage 19 time trail and the final stage 20 ride into Paris seperate Floyd from Yellow. Firmly back on the band wagon I'm left to ponder what should I do in a show of support.

Fine French Whine

One simple act can spoil a legacy. Sadly France fans, no amount of aging will soften the bitterness of that moment. Instead, while all of Italy enjoys the sweet taste of victory, the French are left with only thoughts of what could have been. Don't fret Les Bleus, you still have your memories of the 98 World Cup in France. I suggest grabbing a bottle of fine wine from 1998. Sip it slowly, allowing it to help you recall happier times. There is no hurry, we all have until 2010 to enjoy this fine French Whine. See you in South Africa.

Oooo, Aaaah, Wine

Happy 230th America, I enjoyed the party and lots of great wine.





Now it's time to get back to work restocking my empty wine cellar.

No More Crissy to Make You Pissy - Drink Deutz

Lovely ladies, lots of bling and copious amounts of Cristal, use to be the classic signs of the hip-hop high roller. And why not, Cristal has all the trappings of elegance. In the glass the wine reveals a lustrous amber yellow color with an exuberant bouquet of ripe fruit and toasted wooded notes, complemented by a classy, well bodied palate with a long persistent finish. A beverage recognizable from across the room. Of course those in the know saw Cristal more as a mixer, adding it to equal parts of Alize over ice to create the smooth and refreshing beverage known as Thug Passion. For those not in the know listen to Tupac’s All Eyez on Me disc 2 track 6 for tasting notes.

Until recently there was no substitute for the Cristal experience. However that all changed when Jay-Z got hold of his subscription of the Economist. An interview with Frederic Rouzaud, the managing director of Louis Roederer, Cristal's parent company, left such a bad taste in Jay-Z mouth that no amount of Cristal could wash the taint away. Thus Jay-Z is calling for a boycott of Cristal, vowing to keep it out of his clubs and personal life.

This is drastic news for young playas hoping to impress the ladies. How now are you supposed to exude flair and refinement: Dom P, Krug or Cooks? No, the true baller will reach for Deutz.

Duetz Brut Classic greets the nose with floral aromas, toasted notes and ripe white fruit. On the palate the freshness of the chardonnay grape, the power of pinot noir and the suppleness of pinot meunier, bring together in an elegant ensemble perfect for blending with a fine bottle of Alize. At less than half Cristal’s price there is plenty of money left over to upgrade your bling.

Buy a Rolling Stone and Put it on Ebay!

In our world of abundance it can be difficult to discern what is quality in all the quantity. Most of the time basic economics dictates where the quality lies. Think supply verse demand. In theory quality products are automatically more expensive. Of course there are ample examples where this theory fails. Just as some things are over priced, others can be under valued. A whole art form has evolved around understanding price in relation to value. In every industry these people are called collectors. Given time, a good collector is rewarded for their investment.

Wine has long had collectors. These are people often thought of as obsessed with wine, they can’t get enough. More accurately though the wine collector shares the same qualities found in collectors from other industries. No, not a crazy fetish gene, (though I’m sure the human genome project will soon show evidence that a hording gene exists) collectors are driven by discovering something before its value has peaked.

The best way to understand the rush of collecting is by starting a collection. I started with a bottle of Frog’s Leap Cabernet Sauvignon. Fresh of the shelf Frog’s Leap is a quality organic wine. This California Cabernet Sauvignon opens with aromas of minerals and spice. In the glass flavors of blackberry, pepper and vanilla pick up as the wine builds to a lush mid-palate which eventually gives way to a long clean finish with soft resolved tannins.

Frog’s Leap Cabernet Sauvignon is an excellent wine, ready to be enjoyed. With age however, these flavors only seemed to intensify. Allowing for even softer tannins and more complex mid-palate flavors.

As with anything of quality, time allows the true beauty to shine through. In our busy world it is hard to always see quality in the moment. Collectors help grab moments of history for us so we can revisit greatness years later. With fresh eyes we can re-evaluate the collectible to discover how true quality holds up. For Frog’s Leap Cabernet Sauvignon I’d say it held up extremely well. When ever a $30 bottle of wine drinks like a $130 bottle, it’s a worthy investment.

If you’re the sort that likes to collect I strongly suggest Frog’s Leap Cabernet Sauvignon 2003 and the current issue of Rolling Stone. The wine will drink great especially given 5 years cellaring. The Rolling Stone should increase in value over the next 25 years. Kennedy Jr’s article will be remember for bringing the magazine back to its roots. Finally, Rolling Stone is more than a pop culture icon from years past; it is one again the magazine that represents the voice of a disgruntled generation. In the comming years I bet the June 2006 issue will fetch a nice price on Ebay. The truth about election fixing will eventually shine through. Until then, I'll need another glass of wine.

Every Wine Needs A Bachelor - Ask Firestone

The enjoyment of wine is truly a love affair. To fully appreciate it one should treat wine as if it is a woman. From the moment her label catches your eye, to the manner by which you get to the juice, wine should be romanced. Unlike cracking open another brew, wine has a delicate ritual which builds the anticipation. The romance only grows once wine enters the glass. We don’t shoot, or pound or shotgun wine. No, like courting a woman we take a moment to drink her in mentally. We, see, swirl and smell, pausing to enjoy all she has to offer, and only then do we attempt our first sip.

In fact, the whole yin vs. yang, male vs. female sense of the word, wine is definitely a she, (Beer is a man as wine is a woman and hard alcohol is bisexual but that is a whole other story) and why not, the sensibilities of wine are best described as feminine. Women and wine have much in common, and in fact women love wine. More than fifty percent of all wine drinkers are woman. Marketers know this and many try to build their wine’s image with women in mind. One of the most widely known attempts was the Bachelor.

The advent of Reality TV brought us faux realities which draw on our deep desires, a marketers dream. One such reality was the Bachelor, a show driven by the Disney sensibility of finding prince charming (It’s no wonder ABC broadcast the show). In the second season ABC smartly merged feminine desire with feminine sensibilities in the wine producing Bachelor, Andrew Firestone.

Suddenly Firestone was more than tires, it was wine, and a little known winery placed its name in the nation’s conscious. Firestone is a good little winery; they make a great Estate Sauvignon Blanc. Located in Santa Ynez Valley, the growing conditions are optimal for showcasing the varietal's bright, expressive character. Firestone Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2005 begins with striking aromas of passion fruit, kiwi and lemongrass. Crisp flavors of grapefruit zest and guava unfold with appealing mineral accents. A clean, focused texture joins firm acidity for a long, quenching finish.

Firestone was able to embrace the feminine spirit of wine and pair that with feminine desires to create a way for their wine to stand-out from all the other labels. Still, it is important to remember that it was more marketing than wine making that made the Firestone winery name. I'm sure the Celebrity of it all had something to do with it as well. For my money though it isn’t how she’s dressed or what others think about her, wine appreciation is not a pageant it is something more personal. The only thing that matters with wine and women is what’s inside. So take some time to find "your" great wine. Every wine deserves a bachelor to sing her praises.

Malbec – The Beauty of Immigration

Somewhere between Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot you will find the varietal known as Malbec. One of the five grapes used in the blending of French Bordeaux wines, Malbec is known in France by many names, Auxerrois, Cot or Pressac to name a few. Plagued by weather related problems, Malbec in France has slowly faded into obscurity. The grape may have remained a varietal only for blending if not for immigration. Luckily in the mid-19th century, with the help of Frenchman Michel Pouget, a change of scenery altered the fate of Malbec.

Immigrating to Argentina was the prefect move for Malbec. By the end of the 20th century, the mountainous region of Mendoza became the Mecca of premium Malbec wines. High altitude, pure air and intense sunlight allowed for intense ripening, while cool nights allowed the Malbec grapes to retain sufficient acidity. The result is big, rich and deeply flavored wine balanced by rounded and luxurious texture. Unlike its French cousin the new more Argentinean Malbec juice ages well allowing for subtle intricacies to develop with time. Finished wines are sufficiently rich, able to stand up to red meat dishes, but soft enough to work with pork, veal or grilled fish.

Bodegas Escorihuela Gascon President’s Blend Malbec is a fine example of premium Malbec at an affordable price. The wines name refers to Argentinean President Juan Domingo Peron, husband to the beloved Evita. Annually this wine lives up to its big name billing. The 2003 President’s Blend is a deep red wine with purple hues. Rich and opulent this heady wine if full of fruit, the perfect guest for your next barbeque.

Immigration is always a charged debate. People often question what will happen when a forgien species is introduced into a new environment. The answers are of course not simple. However, at times the melding of two cultures can produce glorious results. Sometimes a new experience is all it takes for the ordinary to become extrodinary. Thus I propose a toast to Malbec and all immigrants that felt unwanted, through determination and a refusal to be ignored they eventully became majestic.

Hogue Cellars Genesis Cabernet Sauvignon 2002 - A Strange Brew

Wine has become so popular that people are willing to pull all types of scams just to get another bottle. Recently I heard a story that sounded like a scam first attempted in a movie. As the story goes, the person opened their bottle of Hogue Cellars Genesis Cabernet Sauvignon 2002 to discover a high amount of sediment inside. We’re not talking about residue left in the glass; apparently they found a whole stem in the bottle. Now, this is no mouse in the beer bottle, but more than one would expect.

Traditionally, Hogue Cellars Genesis Cabernet Sauvignon 2002 is described as having a warm raspberry and cherry fruit core with highlights of black olive, nutmeg, tobacco, vanilla, and coffee bean. It is well structured but not tannic. A well-rounded Washington Cabernet with good acidity and great length. However, my guess is the bottle in question was a bit more tannicy than usual with a high amount of earthiness.

Should you find a stem in your bottle the only reasonable thing to do is take it back to the winery. Everything workout for Bob and Doug. Who knows, perhaps when Hogue change the label with this vintage they wanted to do something special. The stem could represents a golden ticket. A free winery tour with Johnny Depp wouldn’t be bad. (Though I would prefer Gene Wilder) In any case the worst thing that could happen is they tell you to “takeoff hoser”. At which time you could try the story elsewhere, there are plenty of wineries in the neighborhood, eh.

High Score - Frescobaldi Nipozzano Chianti Riserva

American’s love to have their information quantified, streamlined and rated. Is it laziness? A lack of time? Or something else all together. I’m not sure, but clearly we love to have “experts” tell us what is best for America. Annually we track the Fortune 500, the 50 most beautiful people, top10 plays of the year and the list goes on. But our lists don’t stop there, constantly we have our information spoon-feed. Apparently we don’t want to figure things out on our own. My favorite is Yahoo!’s headlines; as long as you follow Yahoo!’s headlines you can engage in any cocktail conversation.

Wine too has its rating system, the Wine Spectator scores being the most popular. Scores do have value. However scores lose their affect when people become slaves to the score. All too often I hear people asking for wine with a score over 90 but nothing else. Wine is so much more than just a score, like life it is meant to be enjoyed. Remember, we all have our own opinions of enjoyment.

For example, Frescobaldi Nipozzano Chianti Riserva is a great wine. In 2002 the wine was described as having pretty aromas of licorice, berry and lightly toasted oak. Frescobaldi Nipozzano Chianti Riserva is full-bodied, with layers of fruit and silky tannins, followed by a Long finish. It was given a score of 90 by Wine Spectator.

However, when I drink Frescobaldi Nipozzano Chianti Riserva, I taste much more. One sip and I remember the aromas of Florence, Italy on a warm May afternoon. The taste transports me back to the Palazzo Frescobaldi. As the flavors lingers, my memory strolls back toward the Ponte Vecchio. In my mind's eye, I cross over the bridge, pushing through the crowds that have gathered to take in the sparkle from the diamonds and gold. I make my way up the road until I reach the Piazza Della Repubblica. I find a seat at the base of the monument in the middle of the plaza. As the sun begins to set, a Tuscan band begins to play. Taken by the music, a couple begins to dance, I smile, what a beautiful glass of wine.

Wine is more than a beverage, great wine can transcend a meal, a moment or even a romantic day. With something so beautiful how can it be quantified by numbers alone. Be adventuresome, be willing to try something new, with wine you never know what favors might arise from the next glass.

Welcome to the Cheese Burger Challenge

If you happen to be one of those people that has to travels frequently for business you know the constant headache is always food. Finding a place worth the wait, convenient, reasonably priced, worth the effort, having edible food, bla bla bla… these are but a few of the many questions a business traveler faces each night on the road. In my experience the landscape surrounding business travel is often filled with big corporate box restaurants where profit far out ways taste. Thanks to this fact (or shall I say no thanks) I’ve eaten at more RUI establishments then I care to admit. Basically, when on the road get use to big chain restaurants.

This isn’t to say the food isn’t good (or should I say edible); rather the food is better described as nothing special. When I think about large corporate chain restaurants the words predictable, sterile, basic come to mind. In city after city across the US one can expect a consistent experience that at times makes it hard to remember where you are, much less where you are eating. In short, business travel become a monotonous task, void of the romance usually conquered up by the once beautiful word travel. It was this experience of forgettable food that led to the development of “The Cheese Burger Challenge”. If you can’t enjoy the food at least you can enjoy the wine.

The Cheese Burger Challenge is really quite simple. A cheese burger (the all American staple, rich in flavor and hard to screw-up) serves as home, our baseline. Basically it’s the constant that one can count on no matter where you find yourself, weahter on the road or in paradise. Please burger lovers don’t miss understand me, like any food there are glorious exceptions and I do have my personal favorite. But when in comes to bland box restaurants the cheese burger becomes the most bland. So to make the meal on the road exciting, I invite competitors to the challenge. Competitors comes in the form of two glass of hearty red wine. Bite for bite, sip for sip we compare which wine holds up against Americas most recognizable food. French, Italian, California, where ever, wines of any region are eligible to compete. You might be surprised how well wines pairs with a cheese burger and which wines varietals you end-up enjoy the most.

In my most recent competition, fate matched Crosspoint Pinot Noir vs. Concannon Central Coast Cabernet Sauvignon. One of the great feature of the Cheese Burger Challenge is you are left to choose from only the wine carried by the restaurants. It’s always interesting to explore the cellars of these only for profit establishments.

Crosspoint Pinot Noir is characterized by aromas of cherry jam, rhubarb and stewed strawberries with a faint touch of sage underbrush spiciness. Overall it is a soft, fruit flavored, spicy wine. In contrast Concannon Central Coast Cabernet Sauvignon is full bodied, rich and fruitful. The wine is a complex California Cabernet with black cherry and vanilla-oak flavors followed by a rich, smooth finish.

Overall each wine had its moment. Alone I felt the Concannon Cabernet Sauvignon would be more to my liking. However, in the context of the Cheese Burger Challenge I was surprised to find I enjoyed the Crosspoint Pinot Noir much more, which is exactly the point of the entire competition.

The Cheese Burger Challenge has nothing to do with measuring quality, developing ones palate or even taking wine serious. No, the Cheese Burger Challenge is only about entertainment, which is the reason we drink wine in the first place. Wine was created to bring enjoyment, no matter what the situation. The Cheese Burger Challenge is meant to bring wine back to its roots, enjoyment. So remember, don’t get too caught up in the formality of wine and which wine goes with what, and what occasion one can or can’t enjoy wine. Instead, relax; enjoy a glass of wine and laugh, because anyone who is eating a burger and drinking wine (much less two glasses) has plenty to laugh about.