Tannat Cab Frank Reserva 2008. Tannat 2008 Riserva de la Familia. 44 Cab franc 28 Tannat 18 Cabernet Sauvignon 10 Merlot. "Welcome!" says attractive dark haired Federico Domingo, Export Manager for Bodegas Castillo Viejo as we squeeze into his tiny car. Alexander joins his. as well as a member of the Castillo Viejo family.

Tannat reserve 2008. blend of Tannat Cabernet Franc Cabernet Sauvignon  Malbec Merlot). "What exciting wines!" is my first reaction to meeting Marcelo Irurtia, who is in charge of vineyard management for his family's 100 year old winery, and Maria Silvia Bianchi, who is in charge of exportation. The brand of these two wines is Km.0

Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot are the grape varieties of Pauillac. As of 2008, the second label of Lynch-Bages will be called, "Echo de Lynch-Bages". Very soon I will visit Chateau Cordeillan Bages! About the history of Chateau Lynch-Bages. Lynch-Bages has been run by the Cazes family ever since.

That was made clear by how she talked about Anyela's and what had been accomplished since their opening in 2008. had already tasted and reviewed their 2007 Cabernet Franc and found that to be one of the best Finger Lakes '07 Cab Francs from what was a very good FLX vintage. Entrance sign off W. Lake Rd. Very professional!

Today was the first day of the Languedoc Roussillon Study & Certificate Program offered by the French Wine Society with support from Sud de France. 2008 Mas des Dams La Dame AOC Languedoc (18.00). Twenty lucky students (most of whom I knew through my travels) crowded into the Maison de la Région Languedoc -Roussillon. I will try.

Peter generously brought a bottle of Selosse Champagne from France for my birthday in the fall. This bottle comes entirely from 2008 and is a blend of equal parts Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Well, of the last few months anyway. So I'll compile them in a best-of-the-unposted list from the last part of 2011. And more Sherry.

To combat these problems, he revitalized key vineyards with organic dirt buried in a cow horn he bought from a professor of biodynamics in France. We try the Grand cru Mailly champagne (90% pinot noir, 10% chardonnay) 2008 extra brut - it has an aroma of vanilla with a touch of honey and vanilla, as well as its no dossage counterpart.

Allow me to geek out: This particular blanc de noirs comes from pinot noir in his father’s vineyard, hand-harvested at low (for Champagne) yields of three tons per acre, all from the 2008 vintage, fermented with indigenous yeasts and then rests on the lees for 16 months, and is bottled with no dosage! “Will you wear a wool hat?,”

The two Bordeaux blends are the Constantia Glen Three and the Constantia Glen Five, with the “Five” containing the typical five grapes (Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc) and the “Three” containing the major Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon. “Welcome!” says Gus C.G. News S.

Today the French insurance company AXA owns several wineries which produce the world’s most exquisite wine, such as Chateau Pichon Longueville, Chateau Suduiraut, Chateau Petit-Village, Chateau Belles Eaux, and two other properties outside France, Disznoko in Tokai and Quinta do Noval in Portugal. “A French insurance company owns a Chateau?”

Back at the tasting table, we finish with the Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru 2008, lip-smackingly delicious with the aroma and palate of ripe sweet fruit … think of tiny framboise on Valentine’s day, with sweet vanilla from French oak barrels. FRANCE. This is important for long, slow fermentations and great aging potential. Gallois.

The wines were from California, Italy, France and New Zealand. Dino Torti Forza Inter Pino Nero Oltrepo Pavese 2008 Italy Also soft pressed, complex aromas of almonds, fruits and flowers, flavors of nutty, apple and pear, dry but satisfying. Great deal at $10. Nice long layered finish. SRP $40. For the price ($17) very nice. Beautiful.

Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon round it all out, along with Petit Sirah and Merlot. Kit's Kiler Cab 2008. News Wine reviews craggy range chardonnay 2010 craggy range sauvignon blanc 2010 kit's killer cab 2008 terrezas de los anges reserva malbec 2009 the climber 2010Terrezas de los Andes. Reserva Malbec 2009. 21.99.

Sunday October 9th kicked off the fourth annual Regional Wine Week, an event started in 2008 by Jeff Siegel ( The Wine Curmudgeon ) and Dave McIntyre ( Dave McIntyre's WineLine ) and hosted by DrinkLocalWine.com. On Sunday I opened my favorite Finger Lakes red wine, a Cabernet Franc. This one was a 2008 for Sheldrake Point Winery.

Mark was smiling widely tasting both the Dr. Frank and the Salmon Run Chardonnay while I could just not believe the 2008 Dr. Konstantin Frank Meritage. Mark of course was won over by the HH classic Chard while I enjoyed both the classic and Ingle Vineyard Pinot Noir and I was not leaving home without the 2008 Blaufrankisch.

did pass on a few nice California reds though and stayed with the Finger Lakes and a Salmon Run Meritage 2008 ( $11 ), a blend of 54% Cabernet Franc, 39.5% Grilled a few NY strip steaks this past week-end and looked forward to opening a nice red wine for change. Seemed to be stuck on Finger Lakes white wines all summer. Merlot.

And the winner was: a Hosmer Winery Cabernet Franc 2008( $18 ). did like many of the Finger Lakes '07 Cab/Francs, but this was my first '08 and I was not expecting anything grand after the fantastic red wines of '07. Well, I was wrong to think that way. There were some hints of dark fruit, black raspberry or maybe black cherry.

Following a tasting of Médoc and Sauternes Grand Cru Classé wines from the 2005 and 2008 vintages there was a “9-star” dinner created by a trio of three-star chefs: Alain PASSARD (L’Arpège, Paris), Anne-Sophie PIC (Maison Pic, Valence), and Yannick ALLENO (Le Meurice, Paris). Fabulous opening dinner at Haut-Brion last night for the press.

He imports a range of exciting wines from Spain (and France) exclusively from small, family-owned properties that include some of the best white wines from Spain. It’s not made every vintage; in 2008, there was no cepas vellas. One American who relishes being on the ground in Spain is Andre Tamers. Yeasty! Gulpable! Boo hoo!

Does the above picture effectively showcase the "dream" of Southern France? And according to Gerard, the 2008 is the best example of this wine (reason #2). That blue sky, with the white puffs of clouds, is real. And from this fresh, sunny climate we also get the wines of Gerard Bertrand, who owns six estates in the Languedoc.

note: from my travels in France, this is actually a familiar story!). He brought two red wines, with the first being Domaine Alain Voge 2008 Cotes du Rhone Les Peyrouses. HdR2011 is kicking off with a bang with the first panel, which is moderated by Christophe Tassan, sommelier at MIX in Las Vegas. 100% Syrah.

Here are five current releases I would cellar for 15 years that will bring a whole lot of bang for much less buck: Domaine Baudry, La Croix Boisée, 2008. Cabernet franc grown on limestone from a top grower in Chinon. And around $30 a bottle? have a case and plan to age at least half of it for a decade. It sells for under $30. Roda I.

2008 First Drop Minchia Montepulciano – Adelaide Hills. 2008 SC Pannell Pronto Tinto Grenache Touriga Shriaz Monastrell – McLaren Vale. 2008 Moss Wood Ribbonvale Cabernet Merlot – Margaret River. 2006 Giant Steps Harry’s Monster Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc – Yarra Valley. Shiraz Blend.

Then we drank the 2008 Domaine Gauby Vin de Pays des Côtes Catalanes Les Calcinaires , $27, imported by Weygandt Metzler. And lastly, with a slightly aged hard goat cheese, we drank an amazing Amontillado Sherry, the Valdespino Jerez-Xérès-Sherry Amontillado Tio Diego , purchased in Epernay, France for 20-something Euro, not imported.

The blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Peite Verdot and Malbec was again delightful. Tonight was one of them nights when Shirley did not feel like cooking, I was not hungry and the NCAA Basketball National Championship was being played. game I have not missed in 38 years. This one was another blend called Mercury Rising.

thought also 2008. 2008 Domaine Bachelet Côte de Nuits Villages (France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Côte de Nuits Villages). 2008 René Bouvier Bourgogne Le Chapitre (France, Burgundy, Bourgogne). Of course, there is always a theme. Sometimes it is comparing quality, sometimes comparing regions.

2008 Macari Cabernet Franc (USA, New York, Long Island, North Fork). Style note: Elegant and vibrant style of Cabernet Franc, "Old World" in the sense of slightly subdued fruit with many nuances of texture and flavor. color: purple medium + intensity, tears fast to form and fall. body is med, alc est 13.5 finish is med+.

How does cabernet franc age? The Domaine makes only wines from cabernet franc, with the exception of a white wine from chenin blanc at the Croix Boisée vineyard. The tannins are fine; the wine in 2009 exhibits fine tannins while the 2008 could benefit from more bottle age (or a good decant). I’d tend to agree.

It was excellent wine and it's elegant richness, and the sense of completeness it exuded leads me to guess that it is based on the superb 2008 vintage. This is ripe but controlled and perfectly balanced, absolutely drinkable Cabernet Franc. 2008 Comptoirs de Magdala Vin de Table (Provence) La Chance , not more than $20.

will add some more flesh to these bare bones in a future posts, particularly for Muscadet, some cabernet franc, and one heirloom variety. The Loire has such diverse wines–red, white, pink, sparkling, sweet–that there’s enough to keep a wine enthusiast’s attention for a long time. French wine

Behold a savory and delicious carmenere: the Clos Ouvert Loconmilla 2008. final note for those of you who are into global wine logistics : the wine appears to have been bottled in France since it has a French tax stamp on the top of the bottle. Although the wine lists 14.5% wine picks

When it was purchased by Albrecht Seeger and his family in 1978, the winery moved to the Brae Burns Estate (where you can find Icewine varitals such as Riesling, Cabernet Franc, and Vidal. so I am in Canada to celebrate the Icewine festival. Today the winery, located in Niagra-on-the-Lake, is covered in fresh snow.

Also, people in Champagne enjoy drinking red wine from time to time and from what I gather, in much of France, you drink the local wine. Here are the wines we drank in the order in which we drank them, along with a few notes: 2008 Roger Coulon Coteaux Champenois Blanc , $40-50, Rosenthal Wine Merchant. knew I needed to try more.

also have become more interested in the wines of France. My best Rosé - Heron Hill Cabernet Franc Dry Rosé 2006. Best White wine - Atwater Estate Vineyards Riesling 2008. The 2008 Atwater was what I brought to our Thanksgiving dinner. Here at home, I guess eventful would be saying it a tad mildly. Now for my best of 2010.

As a student in various wine educational programs, yes, I have – and when faced with several wines fitting this description, it can often be choosing between Pinot Noir, Gamay, and Cabernet Franc (assuming it is traditional old world varieties). would not know if they were Gamay, Pinot Noir, or Cabernet Franc. color: purple.

In 1959 Poirier and Moet & Chandon founded Bodegas Chandon Argentina, the first branch of the company outside France. 2008 Reserva Malbec. 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon. Terraazas de los Andes is a beautiful property in Lujan de Cuyo with an amazing history. The wines come in three quality levels. Winemaker Gustavo Ursomarso.

Narrating the seminar was Anne Parent of Domaine Parent, a very important producer in France that has been in the Parent family for generations. Cecile Mathiaud pouring wine at the December 8, 2010 Burgundy Training Seminar Imagine how lucky you would be to experience Burgundy right in the middle of Manhattan! More restrained in its vibrance.

Gassier Sables d'Azur Rose 2009 From Cotes de Provence in France, this Rose comes in an hourglass shaped bottle and is a Grenache blend loaded with flowery aromas, waves of grapefruit, apricot and orange peel, with flavors of cherries and roses. The crisp palate shows a tart freshness that sings with the essence of rose water and cherries.

In my family, I seem to be the only one who drinks white wine during thanksgiving dinner, so if I want to drink 2008 Knebel Riesling Trocken and 2009 Peter Lauer Saar Riesling Barrel X , then that is exactly what I shall drink. How do I pick wines to bring for Thanksgiving, Brooklynguy? What should I buy? No one wants to discuss the wine.

After a very formal coffee and croissant breakfast, we were met by the energetic blonde Corinne Michot, who along with Marie-Louise Schÿler, Director of Communications, spent several weeks planning the extensive details of our very extensive trip to various AXA properties in France and Hungary. Visiting Pichon Longueville. The Cellar.

The FMC 2008 (about $65), comes from unirrigated, low-yield, 42-year-old bush vines, grown organically (but uncertified since 2002 because of onerous fees, Ken says). The machines are imported from France and Italy, and catch lots of bugs, chamelons and spiders as well as grapes. Ken Forrester likes Chenin Blanc. Prohibit corks.

Today the French insurance company AXA owns several wineries which produce the world’s most exquisite wine, such as Chateau Pichon Longueville, Chateau Suduiraut, Chateau Petit-Village, Chateau Belles Eaux, and two other properties outside France, Disznoko in Tokai and Quinta do Noval in Portugal. Sunday: Dinner in a Chateau. The Lunch.

2008 Michel Delhommeau Muscadet Sèvre et Maine Sur Lie Cuvée Harmonie , about $15. 2008 Claude Riffault Sancerre Les Boucauds , about $28. The 2008 was all young craggly rocks, and you could drink it with oysters and then scrape the mud off a pig with whatever is left in the bottle. By the way, Rouge Tomate is really good.

The lineup includes about six wines, red, white and rosé, all from France. My favorite wine of the lineup was Domaine Le Garrigon , a 2008 Cotes du Rhone. Wine in a box? Try wine in a crate. They are priced at about $40 for a three-liter box. Search for the wines at retail.). Are you gellin’? For Wineberry box, the answer is yes.

drank a lot of 2005 Grand Vignolle, didn't love the 2006, never saw the 2007, and liked the 2008 a year ago at a Dressner tasting. If you like Cabernet Franc from the Loire and you haven't tried this wine, you honestly should make a point of buying this. The wines deliciously express terroir and are modestly priced. This is great wine!

2008 Alamos Seleccion Malbec. The color would be familar to most Malbec drinkers -- in France, it is often called the "black wine" and this wine shows an opaque, dark violet color. "Viva, Argentina!" Laura joins the Team. The rest is history, with the family now owning quality territories all across the country.

But today, Terzian says, she started this scheme in fall 2008 to fill a niche, tapping into two key themes, environmental awareness and the economy. She installed her first machine in June 2009 at the Cora supermarket in Dunkirk and now has them installed in eight supermarkets in France. Or you can get one at the store. Print receipt.

would have pulled out a nice Gewurztraminer if I had one, but settled for a Fontana Candida Frascati Superiore DOC 2008. Getting time to clean out the old wine fridge. Shirley keeps doing her part by challenging me to come up with a pairing for some of her weird dinner experiments. Here the grapes for Frascati are grown.

Stoney Lonsesome Estates 2008 Reserve. I love it when Shirley decides to experiment in the kitchen. It either means we end up going out to dinner or I am in for a special treat. What I do know is that she cooked skinless chicken breast in apple juice with oyster mushrooms, slices of gala apples and diced mint fresh from the garden.

Winemakers notes: A classic Bordeaux style blend of Cabernet Franc, Merlot & Cabernet Sauvignon. 61% Cabernet Franc, 28% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Sauvignon. I don't often go with Shirley and Pam to the Saturday morning Central New York Regional Farmer's Market, but I made an exception today. King Ferry Winery was founded in 1984.

I've been holding out on the wine reviews until everything gets back to normal after my surgery. At present, my Cardiologist has OK'd 3-4 oz. of wine per day and, for me, that just don't cut it. do cheat a bit and I also skip some evenings. That is what happened with the first bottles I opened. little lighter bodied than what I'm used to in Zin.

Unlike a vineyard you might have seen in Napa or France, that long-ago winter the vines were coiled up like gnarled, sage snakes, waiting to strike at the first sign of spring. Hatzidakis is another producer and their 2008 Santorini Assyrtiko. Crave an exotic island rarely seen by American eyes?

Last March I posted a press release on a new collection of artisan wines in an innovative attractive new package. An international wine collection with six brands and ten items packaged in a new exciting premium 3L wine cask from the Octavin Home Wine Bar ™. The Chardonnay was not impressive. Definitely a good party wine.

The Cotes du Jura en Barberon, 2007 & 2008, grown on limestone soil, had a lovely richness. With distinctive minerality, the 2007 was quite approachable, and the 2008 a bit more closed, not surprisingly. Cave Augé, 116 Boulevard Haussmann, 75008 Paris, France, +33 (0)1 45 22 16 97, [link]. By Timothy Eustis. Just not today.

A blend of Mourvedre, Grenache and Syrah make up this subtle and simple everyday red wine from the Cotes du Ventoux region of France. Tags: France Syrah Andre Goichot Grenache Mourvedre Cotes Du Ventoux Medium to light weight with cloudy rose colors and aromas of cherries and stone.

This week I decided to open a dry and semi-dry from the same winery to compare and I chose one of the nicest Rieslings so far; Chateau Lafayette Reneau 2008. With May and New York Riesling month coming to close soon, it is safe to say that I tasted more Riesling this month than any one year in my life. Why, I'm not sure. Truly enjoyable.

From Chile's Rapel Valley, comes this blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Syrah, 5% Carmenere, and 2% Cabernet Franc, 68% of which was aged for 7 months in French oak barrels, while 32% was aged in stainless steel tanks, before bottle aging. 2008 Winner of Wine Enthusiast's New World Winery Purchased on line for $13 from WineExpress.

My choice for the evening was a 2008 semi-dry Riesling( $14 ) from the Long Point Winery. This past Monday evening was a first for me on-line. Because of my work schedule and Shirley's extra long 'honey-do' list I never have the chance to do a tweet up on Twitter or follow a wine party on Facebook. All from the Seneca Lake wineries.

The first one I opened was the Zugibe semi-dry 2008( $14 ). This past weeks edition of the Syracuse New Times, a weekly alternative newspaper published in Syracuse, New York, contained an interesting article on Finger Lakes Riesling. Evan is passionate about Finger Lakes wines and authors some of the most interesting articles on the subject.

The 2008 Alice and Olivier de Moor Chablis Rosette , $38, Louis/Dressner Selections is the first Chablis I've had from the 2008 vintage. 2005 is thought to be a great vintage because, as in most of France, conditions were essentially perfect. We had a bunch of people over for dinner this weekend for Chablis night. But close.

The two wines we tasted were the 2008 Riesling and the 2008 'dry' Riesling. To continue Riesling month here in New York, I wanted to find something other than my favorites from the Finger Lakes region. Doing so seemed almost impossible. Brotherhood also happens to be America's oldest winery. Enough history.

The 2008 Red Tail Ridge semi-dry Riesling was suggested by my sister-in-law. Just finished watching the movie "Avatar" while sipping on my first Riesling of the summer. Finger Lakes Riesling of course. This month is Riesling month in New York and this will be the first of many I'll enjoy over the next 30 days. Sound good? What else is better!

Certainly a light-bodied Loire Cabernet Franc would be beautiful (I was thinking specifically of the lightly chilled and delicious 2007 Filliatreau Saumur-Champigny , $15, Louis/Dressner Selections, but I didn't have any in the house because I am a fool). prefer an actual spring, but when life gives you summer weather, grill. Why would it be?

He’ll shop around the world’s best wine regions, including France, Italy, Spain, Australia, Argentina, South Africa, and California to find some very good juice in bulk that a vineyard might sell for $55 per bottle and sell it for $15. Lot 159 Santa Barbara Chardonnay 2008: new release $14 Musky aromas, citrus, creamy oak.

Recently, the wife and I have been discussing a possible trip to California next year. few of the issues are for how long and where. Of course my choice would be Napa Valley, Sonoma Valley or Russian River Valley, the home of some of the best wines in the world. Oh, I'm sorry, did I leave out Paso Robles, Lodi, Central Coast or Livermore Valley.

I'm leaving Chile(till later) and heading over to California to try a few more Zin's. I'm starting to surprise myself with what I am finding with Zinfandel and also a bit disappointed that I wasted so many years with such a limited selection or narrow palate. Deep dark fruit aromas with some cherry. Hey, you're never too old to learn.

Here are my favorites right now (prices are with the 10% mixed case discount): Whites 2008 Benaza Monterrei Gode llo , $11.70, Jose Pastor Selections, Vinos & Gourmet Imports. 2008 Knebel Mosel Riesling Trocken , $12.60, Mosel Wine Merchant, USA Imports. This is slightly rustic Cabernet Franc. think it it is possible, yes.

Jamesport Vineyards 2005 Melange de Trois Bordeaux blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot and 26% Cabernet Franc. Wölffer Estates 2006 Fatalis Fatum 42% Merlot, 29% Cabernet Franc, 27.5% Clovis Point 2007 Archaeology 56% Merlot, 21% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Cabernet Franc, 6% Petit Verdot, 6% Syrah, whew! million per year.

Tonight I uncorked another Carmenere from Concha y Toro , the Casillero del Diablo 2008 Reserve. This is the third of the Carmenere wines I tasted this month. As I stated in my previous two articles, Carmenere is one of the wines I've pushed aside in the past, but have placed on a list to re-examine in 2010. I'm still not sold on Carmenere.

It's been a few years since I tasted Carmenere. If I remember right, it was a take it or leave it, nothing special, too many other fine wines, don't shop for wine. My last review confirmed that feeling, but in a very serious attempt to expand a lazy palate I purchased a few different labels to compare. The first was disappointing.

Wish I had a nice Canadian wine tonight so I could toast the Canadian Olympic Hockey Team on their winning of the Gold medal. am not an avid hockey fan, but I do watch occasionally and tonight enjoyed one of the best ever games. Instead, I uncorked an Arboleda Carmenère 2006 from the Colchagua Valley of Chile. Bring on the steaks!!! Wine Acidity: 5.31

Deetrane's parents have a condo in Chamonix, France, right near the border of Switzerland. In the end I decided on two wines that are from the part of France that borders Switzerland, Savoie and the Jura. It was my friend Deetrane's birthday the other night. We began with an excellent plate of charcuterie. Then came the fondue.

Think my taste buds are back. I've been having a few problems with red wines since finishing some prescribed meds a few weeks ago. No matter what was tried I was getting a very musty taste. opened a few old reliables thinking there must have been some bad bottles in the rack, but they turned out to be the same. Bogle Winery 2007. Great value!!

The tasting room is located in an 1850s farmhouse and the wine is the Cline Cellars Cashmere 2008. Cline Cellars is a national sponsor of the event and contributes $25,000 from the proceeds of 2008 Cashmere sales. was reminded of just that this past week as I chatted with an old friend and High School classmate from the mid-60's.

Welcome to tasting season in France, and there are plenty of Italians and Spanish here as well. Stay tuned there will be more on her, but let me tell you, her 2008 blend La Gramiere is elegant and delicious and love the dash of dry wild forest honey. I have no idea how these guys do it. and she drove me. Great fun.

Mind you, 2008 was the right vintage for its moment and thankfully there are still plenty of 08s available. It was not quite as good as 2008. It was the last place in France that was dominated by negociants, everywhere else in France, wine drinkers had learned to seek out the best domains. Is Riesling a hard sell? Great.

Sometimes when you least expect it, you open what may becomes your new favorite bottle of wine. Tonight I opened one of my remaining bottles of Finger Lakes wine purchased at my last tour in December. An Atwater Estate Vineyards , Cabernet-Merlot 2007. blend of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon and 47% Merlot. Can't do much better than that. Alcohol: 13.0%

Big break in weather today here in Central New York. Temperatures will reach about 30F. Must be the annual January thaw! To celebrate I figured to open one of my usually reserved for warm weather whites. My choice is one that was recently purchased at Lakewood Vineyards on Seneca Lake at the December 'Deck the Halls" event. 2007 Riesling.

Somewhere among my 50 New Year's resolutions (99.9% failure rate) was to leave my wine comfort zone more often as I continue to expand my trapped palate. To do so, I will have to taste, I mean drink, more wines that I never tried or wines I just never liked. So, to start off the new year I opened one of my least favorite wines, Zinfandel.

The blog started out in 2008 only as fun thing to do and to give my new wine affiliate web site it's first link. When I made my first Finger Lakes wine tour in 2008, I went expecting to taste only white wines. New favorites are the Cabernet Franc, Lemberger (Blaufrankisch) and Syrah's from the Finger Lakes.

Driven by sales of red Bordeaux, which country saw a fifteen-fold increase in imports from France during 2002 – 2008? SIPPED: upgrading label info? Discussion ensued over at wineberserkers whether there was a loophole in the statement.) With this information, consumers can have a better handle on the freshness of such wines.

Winemakers Notes: Syrah has found an ideal home in the Finger Lakes , where our climate mimics France's Rhone Valley, where the grape produces some of the finest wines in the world. Syrah has always been one to those wines I could take or leave it. Almost all that I had ever tasted were the Shiraz from Australia. From that day on I was a fan.

The first was a 2007 Domaine de Cezin, a wine made from the Chenin Blanc grape that grows in a tiny AOC region called Jasnieres in Touraine in the Loire Valley (France). Actually, the grape is the Jacquere and it ONLY grows in the Savoie area of France, which is between the Italian and Swiss Alps. It can grow in warm and cool climates.

This has been one fantastic year of enlightenment for me when it comes to all things wine. Believe I may do a year end article on the subject. If I do, I will have to include the German grape, Dornfelder as one of the highlights. Dornfelder is a cross between Helfensteiner and Heroldrebe grapes. It is the 3rd most planted red wine grape in Germany.

Every year from 2000 – 2008 (2009 data are not yet in but look to continue the trend), per capita wine consumption rose. dissertation about the political economy of the wine industry in France and the US. Everyone’s looking back! The signal trend highlighted by Jonathan Ray is making pink wine acceptable.

** Disclaimer: I received these wines from Martellotto Wine s One of the benefits of writing a wine blog is the occasional UPS delivery of wine to taste and review on the blog. It can also be disappointing when the wine received is one that I don't normally drink or one that I have a hard time with. Now Cabs I have no problem with.

Latkes are difficult and while I could see a cabernet franc, the greasiness screams out for a sparkler. Pinon, Francois NV Vouvray Brut AND if you want to go ultra geeky-- Donati 2008 Malvasia dell'Emilia IGT Frizzante $2o. They asked for help. tried to do my best. Here are the first four requests. 1 This one came in from Susan.

fabulous swedish style meat ball over egg noodles was served with the Anthony Road 2008 semi-sweet Riesling. Cab/Sauv, Cab/Franc, Merlot and Gewurztraminer produced a very elegant semi-sweet red wine with lots of very dark plum and black cherry and a velvety smooth finish. We were able to visit 16 of the 30 participating wineries.

France Schueller, Gerard 2007 Alsace Riesling Cuvee Particuliere This puppy isn't for everyone, but it will be great with cocktail food. 11.99 **Terres Dorees (Jean-Paul Brun) 2008 Beaujolais Chardonnay Your guests will fall in love with you, even the california drinkers. Expect a touch of that old natural VA. Real burgundy. Lovely.

Domaine Guion, Cuvee Prestige, Bourgeuil, 2006 (about $12): After our discussion online about cabernet franc, the polarizing grape , I had to add this wine to the following lineup. Another six-week session of my NYU class just wrapped up last week. How could it not be? It will be on my Thanksgiving table–and in a white wine glass.

Can't seem to find a Finger Lakes Riesling I don't like. Thanks to my son, this past weekend I opened a dry Riesling from Lamoreaux Landing Wine Cellars located in Lodi, NY, on the east side of Seneca Lake and my first stop on the annual " Deck the Halls " event on Dec. have to say his timing was impeccable. g/L pH: 2.93 Alcohol by Volume: 12.1

Tonight I added another favorite place to eat in Syracuse, Joey's Italian Restaurant. Shirley and I have been dining here for the last 10 years and it seems that the food just keeps getting better and better. Best of all is the fabulous and always changing wine list. The only downside is the lack of New York wines on the list and no NY reds.

didn't catch the vintage but would have to be 2008, though tasted more like the kick ass 2007, decanted. Eric last year in France. Eleven PM, Ten Bells, wondering where vigneron Thierry Puzelat was, oh, probably out there in Brooklyn getting a black eye or something, while I was drinking K, the gorgeous Marsanne from Dard et Ribo.

Very positive in general, Sifton said this about the wine list: "Totally acceptable selection, but much better to experiment among the 23 beers on tap and large selection of bottled beers that have traveled here from Britain, from Brooklyn, from Germany, from France." But none of this would have happened had I made a better beverage choice.

Now I have a few and tonight I chose a 2008 Reserve Reisling from Fox Run Vineyards. Thankfu lly for me, a no sugar guy, the 2008 vintage is a dry Riesling, 1.0% Only in years when ripening conditions are outstanding will this wine be produced and the 2008 is well worth it. The downside of this Riesling is the price.

The breakdown was 5 flights of 4 each of Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay (unoaked), Chardonnay (oaked), Merlot and Cabernet Franc. This past week the Long Island Wine Council sponsored a seminar and blind tasting of its wines to compare them with others from international regions. So, here we go.

passed over many of my favorites before keeping out a Billsboro Winery Sauvignon Blanc 2008. I think it gets a little scary when you choose a not so good wine for three consecutive nights. That happened this week. But, halllelujah, tonight was a bit more successful. pulled every bottle of white wine I had (about 20). Not a great buy, but.

Every Friday and Saturday after work, a few friends and I visit our favorite lounge for some great food off the bar menu and to down a few glasses(maybe more than a few) of wine. Of course, the lounge is owned by my son and his fiance and has become our regular hang out since opening one year ago. Finally, he has listened to his dad. At that price.

About two years ago I found a special deal on a gift pack of two wines from Candoni Wines. The gift pack wasn't what sold Shirley and I on the purchase, it was the label. The gift pack included a bottle of Merlot and a bottle of Pinot Grigio, of which we opened at a dinner dance held during my annual military reunion. First, the label. for $11.

Alright, here's my dilemma or at least one of them. Tonight Shirley and daughter Pam are making 'halupkies' for dinner. Halupkies are also known as stuffed cabbage or as we called them in our house as kids growing up in the Pennsylvania coal region, 'blind pigeons.' The dilemma, I have no clue as to what wine to open. That only added to the dilemma.