What’s been happening to California Pinot Noir? In the 1970s and 1980s, Burgundy was the model - the Holy Grail – of California Pinot Noir producers. Over the years, they got better at making Pinots with good fruit and aroma (real “varietal character”), if not with as much structure and elegance as Burgundy. But in the 2000s, California Pinot Noir has been changing and moving beyond the Burgundian model. It’s gotten more popular, but also darker, heavier, higher in alcohol – with more cassis than strawberry in the nose. There was a scandal: a brand of imported Pinot Noir was found to be Syrah. But many wine lovers believe that the evolution of Pinot Noir to be ever more Syrah-like is the real scandal.
Simi Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 1985 (photo by Gerald)
Many wineries make a regular bottling as well as a premium product. The regular bottling may be crafted for early release (quicker cash flow!) and younger drinking while the premium wine is for aging and special occasions. “Reserve” (or Riserva, Reserva) is one way to designate the high-end product that has been given extra-special treatment in the winery. “Single-vineyard,” “Premier Cru,” and “Estate” are among the many other terms used for a wine producer’s better or best efforts.
What goes into making a reserve wine? Does the word, “reserve,” carry any legal weight? Is there anything that Reserves in California have in common with the Grand Vins of Bordeaux or the Riservas of Chianti? This is what I discuss in this podcast!
On May 23, we had a group of 11 participate in the second Enriching Lifestyles seminar. I gave a short talk on the choices that winemakers make when they may red wines and white wines. And we tasted seven wines. It was a great evening in that I felt the group members learned some things about wine that they never knew before. Even better, the seven wines we tasted were so delicious and so distinct. It was great to introduce a group of novice wine tasters to several wines that stand apart from each other in terms of color, aroma and flavor.
The video below is the slide show and talk that I gave on how red and white wines are made. In the post below this one, you can see a slide show in which I talk about the wines that we tasted.
The third Thursday in November is almost upon us. On that date, the Beaujolais Nouveau will arrive – in Lyon, Paris, London, New York, San Francisco, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Sidney….. (Will it reach as far as Johannesburg?)
Do you get into the spirit of the day? Enjoy the party and the fun of getting your first taste of the vintage? Or are you down on Beaujolais Nouveau as one more product of HYPE on a global scale? Do you see the light and simple wine as having destroyed what was once a unique and special appellation in France?
Whatever your views, in this podcast I’ll try to give you some perspective on and insight into the wine of the Fall season. You’ll learn where Beaujolais is located, what’s special about the land and where the best wines are made.
Would you like learn what they do to make a red wine with good color but without much tannin? I’ll explain the carbonic maceration. And what is it that makes wine enthusiasts shake their heads when they think about Beaujolais and Beaujolais Nouveau? I’ll try to explain chaptalization – the method of adding sugar to raise alcohol. (Wait?? They add sugar to wine? Indeed, they do… But keep it quiet!)
2005 William Fevre Chablis Grand Cru "Bougros" (photo by Gerald - aka "Syr Rah")
Chablis can be confusing to people new to wine. Have you been confused by Chablis? Some believe that, as a white wine from Burgundy, it must be terribly expensive. But others, who have seen California jug wine labeled as “Chablis,” think its another cheap white wine style.
Chablis is a white wine from Burgundy – a delicious, dry, zesty Chardonnay with a famous hard mineral character. The best wines of Chablis, the Grands Cru and Premiers Cru, can be expensive. But plenty of Chablis is affordable – and great value if you consider the difficult conditions, small yields and great technique of the Chablisiens (people of Chablis.)
In this podcast, you will learn about the wines of Chablis: vineyards, winemaking, and traditions. As always, I try to make the vocabulary of wine and wine tasting clear to you.
Does it seem that many wines from California, Australia, Chile, Argentina – and even France – often taste alike? True, wines are made from the same grapes (Cabernet, Chardonnay, Syrah), and winemakers in one country may wish to emulate (be inspired by) the wine styles of other countries. But if winemakers remain true to their local terroir, the wines should taste different – even if the same grapes are used. In this podcast, we will discuss how consumer demand and competition are driving many winemakers to make wine that conforms to an “international style.” And we will look at how wines in one particular location do NOT follow that style.
Are you confused by tasting notes written in English? In this podcast I will define and help you understand some of the words and expressions that are often used in tasting notes.
1998 Cuilleron St. Joseph, "Les Serines" (photo by Gerald)
I drank a delicious wine the other night. It really stood out against the cheap junk I’ve been forced to drink lately. (You can call them “Recession Reds!”) It was a 1998 Yves Cuilleron St. Joseph, “Les Serines.” In this podcast I discuss where this wine came from and what I liked about it. You will learn about wines from the Rhone Valley of France and hear me talk about the grapes and vineyards of the Northern Rhone and the St. Joseph appellation. You will also hear me describe this wine, using some common words and expressions for the colors and smells of wine.
Do you like Syrah – or Shiraz as it is known in Australia? Would you like to learn more about where to look for good-tasting but affordable European Syrah? Then please listen in to this podcast about a Wine form the Northern Rhone.
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(1996 Hanzell Pinot Noir from Sonoma County. Notice the color: red – not opaque.
Themocracy