Happy Wine Down Wednesday Winos!
Gerwürztraminer
If there is only wine that brings me joy to talk about it's Gerwürztraminer. While the German translation is "spicy grape" the spirit of the translation means perfumed or aromatic grape. It's like a beautiful woman with a lovely perfume, her personality is spicy and electric and everyone likes her.
Tell Me About It!
Gerwürztraminer likes it chilly, it is often grown in Germany; Alsace, France; Canada; Washington state; and Northern California. For being a white wine the skin is actually pink instead of green. They have to be picked at just the right time because they ripen easily. They can be made to be semi-sweet to sweet.
Today's Pick
Fetzer's Gerwürtraminer. I picked this one up at Winco for under $8 and even though I had never tried it before until just now, I looked at the info on the back to lead me to this one. I prefer my Gerwürtraminer to be sweet. The reason why this wine is so nice for everyone including beginners is that even when it is sweet, it isn't "too sweet" for many that feel like Moscato is too sweet yet sweeter than a Chardonnay for those that feel it is too dry. It is a perfect balance. This wine is yellow in color, not quite golden. It tastes like flowers and honey and fruit. It is divine!
Also on a completely separate note, I love the marketing on Fetzer. "Rebels: Nothing worthwhile is never easy." Growing Gerwürtraminer isn't easy but it definitely is worthwhile. Plus for all you hipsters out there, you too can enjoy it before it's cool. It can be hard to find and not many winemakers make it. They also pride themselves on sustainability and making earth-friendly wine. I actually think that is pretty cool.
*Pro Tip*
White wines should be served chilled, if the wine is too warm take an ice cube and swirl it in your glass for 3-5 seconds. This will cool the wine down without watering it down.
Cheers!
Shawntelle
www.fetzer.com
Wednesday, June 24, 2015
Wednesday, June 17, 2015
Chardonnay on Display
I hope everyone is having a wonderful day on this Wine Down Wednesday.
Quick News: I will be heading to Napa next month and will be doing many wine tastings and reviews. For any of you that don't know when I'm not sipping down on wine I am a photographer and I will be there on assignment. If there are any places you'd like me to review on please let me know in the comments.
Chardonnay- That white wine you have chilled on ice that you grab when it's hot out.
Tell Me About It!
The most famous white wine in the world is Chardonnay. While its history is a little rocky, one thing is for sure is that Burgundy is where it found its claim to fame. Chardonnay is a green grape that can be grown all over the globe; the climate and terrain give it many unique flavors. It is a wine makers wine since they can form and shape it to taste how they want it to taste with ease. It can be oaked, unoaked, and malolactic fermented these different processes give the wine a 3rd dimension.
Today's Pick!
Dark Horse Chardonnay made here in California with varietals coming from Lodi and the Delta. I got it at Winco for $7.98 a bottle. It is a golden hue white wine. Slightly sparkling with strong citrus aromas, high acidity, and is medium dry. I taste strong citrus flavors, some pear and the tiniest hints vanilla and brown sugar. This is one of the better Chardonnays I've tried, mostly for that hint of vanilla and brown sugar adding the slightest sweetness which makes the wine for me. I personally am not a huge fan of super dry wines, they need at least some sweetness for me to enjoy it and this wine has just that. While many Chardonnays have flavors of a buttery flavor, this simply does not because it did not go through a malolactic fermentation. It reminds me of when I went wine tasting with my mom and we tried a Chardonnay she said it reminded her of popcorn because of the buttery taste, yet all I could taste was the strong apricot taste. All taste buds are different and Chardonnay is so flexible for the wine makers, I encourage you to just go out and try some yourself.
Cheers!
-Shawntelle
http://www.darkhorsewine.com/wines.php#chardonnay
Quick News: I will be heading to Napa next month and will be doing many wine tastings and reviews. For any of you that don't know when I'm not sipping down on wine I am a photographer and I will be there on assignment. If there are any places you'd like me to review on please let me know in the comments.
Chardonnay- That white wine you have chilled on ice that you grab when it's hot out.
Tell Me About It!
The most famous white wine in the world is Chardonnay. While its history is a little rocky, one thing is for sure is that Burgundy is where it found its claim to fame. Chardonnay is a green grape that can be grown all over the globe; the climate and terrain give it many unique flavors. It is a wine makers wine since they can form and shape it to taste how they want it to taste with ease. It can be oaked, unoaked, and malolactic fermented these different processes give the wine a 3rd dimension.
Today's Pick!
Dark Horse Chardonnay made here in California with varietals coming from Lodi and the Delta. I got it at Winco for $7.98 a bottle. It is a golden hue white wine. Slightly sparkling with strong citrus aromas, high acidity, and is medium dry. I taste strong citrus flavors, some pear and the tiniest hints vanilla and brown sugar. This is one of the better Chardonnays I've tried, mostly for that hint of vanilla and brown sugar adding the slightest sweetness which makes the wine for me. I personally am not a huge fan of super dry wines, they need at least some sweetness for me to enjoy it and this wine has just that. While many Chardonnays have flavors of a buttery flavor, this simply does not because it did not go through a malolactic fermentation. It reminds me of when I went wine tasting with my mom and we tried a Chardonnay she said it reminded her of popcorn because of the buttery taste, yet all I could taste was the strong apricot taste. All taste buds are different and Chardonnay is so flexible for the wine makers, I encourage you to just go out and try some yourself.
Cheers!
-Shawntelle
http://www.darkhorsewine.com/wines.php#chardonnay
Wednesday, June 10, 2015
It's Getting Hot In Here
Happy Wine Down Wednesday Winos!!
It is getting hot here in sunny California as the Greater LA just had our first 100˚F + weather. As it gets closer to summer, I picked a drink for you to cool down to.
Today's Pick
I decided to do a Wild Vines Blackberry Merlot. Now before you leave saying that I've gone too cheap, hear me out. I chose this wine to use for a frappe. I poured it in a blender with some frozen strawberries and ice. Now I wouldn't do this with any Merlot, however, the Wild Vines Blackberry Merlot is sparkling, sweet and only $2.75 a bottle at Winco, but there is hardly ever a grocery store that doesn't sell it. It smells and tastes like grape juice and the alcohol can'tbe tasted. The first time I had this was at the state fair with my mom, and they have Wild Vine frappe machines. It is such a treat!
If Blackberry Merlot is not your thing, the Wild Vines website (link below) has other recipes to mix up their wines like Strawberry Zinfandel.
This is the wine that for many people that say they don't like wine, just haven't tried this yet. This is perfect for a summer party. No you won't find this in a fine tasting room with a sommelier, but wine is meant for drinking and enjoying not necessarily something to be a snob about. Sit back, relax and enjoy this Blackberry Merlot frappe. Here's to the beating the heat!
Cheers!
-Shawntelle
http://www.wildvines.com/wines/blackberry.htm
It is getting hot here in sunny California as the Greater LA just had our first 100˚F + weather. As it gets closer to summer, I picked a drink for you to cool down to.
Today's Pick
I decided to do a Wild Vines Blackberry Merlot. Now before you leave saying that I've gone too cheap, hear me out. I chose this wine to use for a frappe. I poured it in a blender with some frozen strawberries and ice. Now I wouldn't do this with any Merlot, however, the Wild Vines Blackberry Merlot is sparkling, sweet and only $2.75 a bottle at Winco, but there is hardly ever a grocery store that doesn't sell it. It smells and tastes like grape juice and the alcohol can'tbe tasted. The first time I had this was at the state fair with my mom, and they have Wild Vine frappe machines. It is such a treat!
If Blackberry Merlot is not your thing, the Wild Vines website (link below) has other recipes to mix up their wines like Strawberry Zinfandel.
This is the wine that for many people that say they don't like wine, just haven't tried this yet. This is perfect for a summer party. No you won't find this in a fine tasting room with a sommelier, but wine is meant for drinking and enjoying not necessarily something to be a snob about. Sit back, relax and enjoy this Blackberry Merlot frappe. Here's to the beating the heat!
Cheers!
-Shawntelle
http://www.wildvines.com/wines/blackberry.htm
Wednesday, June 3, 2015
Old Vine Better Wine
Happy Wine Down Wednesday Winos!
Previously, I have been giving you my first reaction of trying a wine I have never tasted before. Unfortunately, that left me bringing you some lesser inspirational wine. This week I will be re-enjoying a wine I tasted earlier this week. I am very excited about it. Tonight I'm bringing you Gnarly Head Old Vine Zinfandel Vintage 2013. This is from Lodi, CA and the vines are between 35 and 80 years old. I bought this at Vons for $7.99.
About Zinfandel:
Lodi is proudly known for having the finest Zinfandel in the state of California. The term "Old Vine" is not regulated so it is important to know when picking out your win precisely how old the vines really are. After much grooming and pruning for 30 years, the vine becomes more consistent and starts to produce less fruit. Between 75-100 years is when a vine should truly be called an "Old Vine." During the growing boom of Chardonnay and Merlot in the 1970s-80s, White Zinfandel saved the Zinfandel vines from being burned down. Once red Zin became more popular again the vines were already older.
Gnarly Head:
This is a wine that both my fiancé and I really enjoy. By looking at it, it is a medium bodied. A swirl and sniff test opens up the aromas of berries, spice, plum, and vanilla playing peek-a-boo. A taste test reveals tannins all the way thru the tongue, lots of pepper, it's complex with many flavor swimming on the tongue. This would pair very well with a nice steak, smoked BBQ, Italian sausage, duck, Asiago cheese, blue cheese, and pepper jack cheese.
Atmosphere:
I recommend drinking this as an outdoor BBQ wine. Lots of friends around, music playing, and with 14.5% alcohol you'll be feeling nice and toasty.
Below is the link to Total Wine and More to buy the Gnarly Head Old Vine.
http://www.totalwine.com/eng/product/gnarly-head-old-vine-zinfandel/5068750
Cheers!
Previously, I have been giving you my first reaction of trying a wine I have never tasted before. Unfortunately, that left me bringing you some lesser inspirational wine. This week I will be re-enjoying a wine I tasted earlier this week. I am very excited about it. Tonight I'm bringing you Gnarly Head Old Vine Zinfandel Vintage 2013. This is from Lodi, CA and the vines are between 35 and 80 years old. I bought this at Vons for $7.99.
About Zinfandel:
Lodi is proudly known for having the finest Zinfandel in the state of California. The term "Old Vine" is not regulated so it is important to know when picking out your win precisely how old the vines really are. After much grooming and pruning for 30 years, the vine becomes more consistent and starts to produce less fruit. Between 75-100 years is when a vine should truly be called an "Old Vine." During the growing boom of Chardonnay and Merlot in the 1970s-80s, White Zinfandel saved the Zinfandel vines from being burned down. Once red Zin became more popular again the vines were already older.
Gnarly Head:
This is a wine that both my fiancé and I really enjoy. By looking at it, it is a medium bodied. A swirl and sniff test opens up the aromas of berries, spice, plum, and vanilla playing peek-a-boo. A taste test reveals tannins all the way thru the tongue, lots of pepper, it's complex with many flavor swimming on the tongue. This would pair very well with a nice steak, smoked BBQ, Italian sausage, duck, Asiago cheese, blue cheese, and pepper jack cheese.
Atmosphere:
I recommend drinking this as an outdoor BBQ wine. Lots of friends around, music playing, and with 14.5% alcohol you'll be feeling nice and toasty.
Below is the link to Total Wine and More to buy the Gnarly Head Old Vine.
http://www.totalwine.com/eng/product/gnarly-head-old-vine-zinfandel/5068750
Cheers!
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