For now, let's just say that the entire winery offers brands revolving around a postman theme, which range from young, easy drinking reds and whites to complex, concentrated Cabernet Savignons, Bordeaux-style blends, and Shiraz. Of course, my interest was firmly planted in the reds, as Australia is Shiraz’s natural home.

Getting time to clean out the old wine fridge. After two months of laying around, drinking coffee, tea, water and gatorade and laying off the good stuff I am beginning to feel the need for a long day of wine shopping, but the fridge is full and I will just have to do my part in making room for more. Here the grapes for Frascati are grown.

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. don't always know where she gets her inspiration and last night I did not see any of her cookbooks on the counter, so that means she thought about this recipe while trimming her herb garden.

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. was also out of bed early enough to tag along, which is unusual. did stop at one and tasted their 2007 Meritage. It seems to be that the wine always is a bit different, no, a lot different than what I remembered.

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.

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.

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. The hard part was deciding which ones I would post on the blog. After this article I will post once more on a NY Riesling and may list all those I have had. Both were opened with a BBQ chicken dinner.

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. You can add comments or photos or just sit back, relax, read what others are having and just sip away on your own wine.

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. Gary noted four wineries, one of which I vaguely remember from an article written by Evan Dawson for the New York Cork Report. Sipping later was delightful.

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. Other than ordering on line, it is very difficult to find New York wines other than Finger Lakes and Adirondack wineries in the local shops. Enough history.

Apparently, blending syrah from the Northern Rhone with Bordeaux was fairly common in the pre- appellation controllée era, particularly in weaker vintages, to result in a wine that had been “Hermitagé,&# so-called after the celebrated region that produces fine syrah. in the one I tasted last week.

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. The 2008 Red Tail Ridge semi-dry Riesling was suggested by my sister-in-law. This is now one of her favorites.

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.

While Merlot’s fall from grace can be traced to one line in the movie Sideways , the fall of Syrah has been more difficult to track. Australian wine, with Shiraz as the signature grape, has experienced a decline in sales over the past couple of years. The Carlei , Heathcote Shiraz, Green Vineyards 2003 from Victoria opened our tasting.

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. The first two left me with mixed feelings about the wine. did enjoy this with some Muenster and Dubliner cheese. It'll be fun!!!

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

BTW, they are Zinfandel, Syrah, Pitite Sirah and Carmenere. The Zins are coming along better than expected and Syrah is rapidly becoming one of my faves. Tags: California red wine Petite Syrah 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.

Cashmere is a silky and wonderful blend of Mourvèdre, Grenache, and Syrah. One of the great things about social networking is that you often get in contact with friends and classmates from a time when all was great, life was fun and we were all going to live forever. This disease is not reserved for just women. Here's what I learned.

So much so, at half time of game, I got on-line and ordered more Atwater Cab-Merlot and Syrah. 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. blend of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon and 47% Merlot.

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.

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. While visiting Damiani Wine Cellars on Seneca Lake this past spring I tasted an excellent Syrah and I was sold. Cool-climate Syrah produces elegant wines, brimming with dark fruit, spice and earth.

For example, Syrah/Shiraz is described as “powerfully flavored and full bodied, known for its flavors of spicy blackberry, plum and pepper,&# while flavors attributed to Cabernet Sauvignon include black currant, dark berry, cedar and vanilla. “Look, horns!&# “How apropos!&#. Sweet. 26 Little W. 12th St. 9th Ave.

The wine is 85% Cab/Sauv, 10% Merlot and 5% Syrah which gives it a nice fruity and peppery finish. ** 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. The first one I opened was the Martellotto 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon.

From All Recipes; Syrah, Zin or Riesling were suggested with the different submitted recipes. Alright, here's my dilemma or at least one of them. Tonight Shirley and daughter Pam are making 'halupkies' for dinner. The dilemma, I have no clue as to what wine to open. That only added to the dilemma. Color was a nice light greenish gold.

Summer arrived in New York with a splash -- cold and wet -- but the trains are still packed out to Montauk, the Jamaica-stop on the Long Island Railroad has traingoers negotiating the politics of seating arrangements with sweaty seniors and the disabled, and the New Jersey Turnpike is packed from north Jersey to Exit 8. Flights are delayed.

Bonterra adds a little Merlot and Syrah to expand it's flavor and texture. I have a daughter that is living at home right now while she fixes up a house she bought a few months ago. She is very much into eating healthy and buys only organic veggies and fruits and free range meats, eggs and cheeses. Great Buy!

1998 Brokenwood Graveyard Vineyard Shiraz, Hunter. 2004 Mt Langi Ghiran Langi Shiraz, Grampians. 2006 Henschke Mt Edelstone Shiraz, Eden Valley. 2004 Penfolds RWT Shiraz, Barossa Valley. 2006 Glaetzer Anaperenna Shiraz/Cabernet Sauvignon, Barossa Valley. 1980 Yarra Yering Dry Red Number 2 Shiraz, Yarra Valley.

In honor of Australia Day last week, and because I think syrah is most seasonally apt in the winter, I tried a Northern Rhone syrah against an Aussie shiraz. And the lighter alcohol was a relief from many a shiraz. Okay, there was no shootout. Sort of a duel, but without the guns, wounds or Aaron Burr. Joseph.

Tags: Wine Reviews Syrah Sparkling Shiraz Imbibe Wine Club

At snooth on Sunday afternoon I participated in a blind tasting of 12 red wines. Led by Greg Dal Piaz of Snooth, all the bottles' labels were covered and we sampled 4 flights of three each.

of Syrah was very interesting.  A 2003 Artadi Pagos Viejos Rioja and the 2001 Grant Burge "Meshach" Shiraz.  While the Meshach Shiraz was HUGE.  A Sangiovese/Syrah/Cab Franc blend was intriguing and determined to be a great food wine.  While I went away (within Israel) for the sabbath to a friend of the family. 

A very well made yet restrained wine, the Cab Franc is much lighter in body than most Cabs, Merlots, or Syrahs, and is a great choice for your lighter holiday meals as the wine will not overpower the food as might be the case with the bigger bodied wines. are their single varietal Merlot , Cabernet Sauvignon & Shiraz. 

Find some winemakers who eschew new wood even on their syrah and pinot. But I was so happy for the silty, sweaty experience of the syrah. He toted a Barossa Shiraz that he loved and just didnt see that its profile didnt match the wines on the table. Find some winemakers who eschew new wood even on their syrah and pinot.

Find some winemakers who eschew new wood even on their syrah and pinot. But I was so happy for the silty, sweaty experience of the syrah. He toted a Barossa Shiraz that he loved and just didnt see that its profile didnt match the wines on the table. on the street? Its really not so hard. Eat at Coco 500 in San Francisco. Oh, my!

Whereas a good Bordeaux can age for 30, 40, 50 years and more, Pushing your California Cab past 20 years or Australian Shiraz past 10 might be a bit of a gamble. What is better, an old wine or a young wine? The truth is, there is no RIGHT answer to this question. Furthermore, even red wines that CAN be aged, don't necessarily HAVE to be.

Michaud also had a 2003 Chalone Syrah that I also really thought was great.  A beautifully structured elegant & velvety Syrah with a WOW bouquet (elegantly put if I do say so myself). Wine Enthusiast magazine put on their "Toast of the Town" wine & food event yesterday in NYC at Lincoln Center.  But it wasn't all perfect. 

Merlot, Cab, Syrah - been there done that. lighter wine than a Cab, merlot or Syrah, Barbera is said to be the most (or second most) planter varietal in Italy. was told that the blend was an UNUSUAL one - containing Petit Verdot, Shiraz & Petit Sirah. Come on Wine Tasting Guy, give us something unusual. Worth a shot!

Also in the $13-$14 range from Galil Mountain and worth checking out is their Merlot &/or Shiraz. Another fruit forward wine with a BIG BURLY BODY is the Estate Shiraz from Dalton. Their Shiraz/Cab blend is a very nice wine. Also from Yarden is their Syrah and Pinot Noir. Buy it up, drink it and be proud. category.

Petit Sirah is also known as Durif (a French varietal and said to be a cross between Peloursin & Syrah). The 2006 Pillar Box Red is a blend of 50% Shiraz, 42% Cab & 8% Merlot and packs a whopping 15% alcohol. Got a couple of interesting wine offer emails over the weekend. And two stood out, as they were priced to TRY.

Flight Two: All Syrah all the Time 2005 Edmunds St. John, From Parkers Wine Advocate Im going to get more articulate on this one but when it was first opened, it was shy, with some fruit fowardness and not that much animal syrah character. 2006 Yellowtail Shiraz $10 Anywhere Australia (I forced Christine M. Many thanks! Epine?

The Domaine Terlato Chapoutier Shiraz Pyrenees Malakoff , A 100% Australian Shiraz (although the label makes it look more like a Cote du Rhone), is well priced here at under $30.  It can be found elsewhere online for between $33-$42.  Not cheap at $30, but seemingly a good deal where others are asking $35, $40 & even $42.

We were tasting wines at the Grant Burge area when the winemaker encouraged us to go check out his "Meshach" Shiraz up in the VIP area. Yesterday, January 24th, jet lagged and feeling a bit under the weather, I attended the Wine Australia Festival in NY's Wall St Cipriani. just to name a few. Didn't work well. But I digress. CHEERS!!!

No Cab Franc, Petit Verdot or even any Syrah (shiraz). I just got back from a fabulous impromptu Italian wine & pizza tasting with several of my wine tasting group members (and some guests/possible new members??). wine lovers who have sacrificed a good livelihood for one we infatuate over. am too BUZZED to get deep right now.

Well ladies and gentlemen, the results are in. will be copying a list of wines & their scores from Israeli Wine Critic Daniel Rogov's "Wine & Food Forum".  I am waiting for my physical copy of the issue to arrive before I comment specifically.  More comments later.  Without further ado, the scores.

He likes syrah and said to me, "You know shiraz and syrah are the same grape?" but makes the place even more charming. The best BYOB in town. Go while you still can. In honor of the terroir that must be saved in Cornas, M graciously ferried in a 2000 Lemencier Cornas, in its last two-three years of glory. His eyes approved.

It starts out with primarily shiraz (syrah) and a good amount of the South African original, pinotage, a viticultural cross of Cinsaut and Pinot Noir created in the 1920's. One coolest thing about life in New York City is central park. It is huge. But the best part is Sheep's Meadow. Man, I love New York! and some munchies. No prob.

Tim at Winecast is hosting this month, and new world Syrah is his theme of choice. have little experience with Syrah, and I don't drink much new world wine, other than Oregon Pinot Noir. So it was with an intrepid spirit and good cheer that I set out to taste a new world Syrah for WBW #30. We'll see. First, the lamb. So what?

Interestingly enough the red in the package this month was a syrah. was about to pop a bottle of boutique Monterey syrah. So last weekend My wife and I, syrah in hand journeyed to the upper west side to visit some close friends for a night of good company, good conversation and as it turns out, great wine. It's pretty exciting.