Red Wine

• May 2012

  I just tried my first full bottle of Amarone as the Giro d' Italia started ... of this robust and hearty red wine.  The winemaking style with the dried grapes is really interesting too.I matched up the Amarone with a Amarone style wine from an Oregon winery using Washington... Read moreI just tried my first full bottle of Amarone as the Giro d' Italia started ... of this robust and hearty red wine.  The winemaking style with the dried grapes is really interesting too.I matched up the Amarone with a Amarone style wine from an Oregon winery using Washington Grapes.2007 Musella Amarone Della Valpolicella v. 2008 Tre Nova SeccopassoYou can read the full details of the match on my LuchaVino blog.I will continue to feature Italian wine through the end of May as I follow the route of the Giro.Cheers    (hide)

  Forum post in the topic Amarone Dinner

  
  
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  May 2012

  Kitchen Sink Red Table Wine

  Snoothrank: Starting at $8^.99

  easy-drinking; mellow, nice red for the price

  Wine review by bobcatpunk

  
  
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  May 2012

  Domaine Drouhin Oregon Laurène Pinot Noir Red Hills Estate 2008

  Snoothrank:

  (my wine said "Dundee Hills" not "Red Hills") look = 6/10, smell = 12/20, taste = 13/20; total = 31/50

  Wine review by mistersplice

  
  
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  May 2012

  Vini Menhir N Negroamaro 2008

  Snoothrank:

  This is a leathery and earthy wine with bitter cherry and red currant flavors held together by luscious, silky tannins.

  Wine review by Craig Bilodeau

  
  
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  May 2012

  Château de Caraguilhes Corbières Rouge 2009

  Snoothrank:

  Corbières wine has retained a certain rusticity - though hardly rusticated from the wine world. Quality, however, is advancing at a tortoise-like clip held up only by the halo-effect of an emphasis on organic farming. This wine is above average - dominated as it is by Syrah,... Read moreCorbières wine has retained a certain rusticity - though hardly rusticated from the wine world. Quality, however, is advancing at a tortoise-like clip held up only by the halo-effect of an emphasis on organic farming. This wine is above average - dominated as it is by Syrah, Grenache and Mourvèdre. Thankfully, the days of the pedestrian Carignan juice filling the southern French wine-lake are past. The wine itself is dark and brooding with a very slight garrigue nose mixed with cranberry and sweet cherry. The entry is slightly bitter with a hint of creamy, sugary red fruit to offset the country wine ambiance of the flavour profile. Less rustic than my last wine from this region many years ago, and well made for further aging. Good value.    (hide)

  Wine review by zufrieden

  
  
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  May 2012

  Trahan Winery Cabernet Sauvignon 2007

  Snoothrank:

  Pours a bright and rich purple-ish red color. Lots of dark berries and dark ... is a friendly and versatile red wine. Great for grilling or drinking on its own. Opened it with friends who are not 'wine drinkers' per se and they thoroughly enjoyed it, as did I

  Wine review by steve16046

  
  

• May 2012

  Had the pleasure of atending the 2nd annual Historic Vineyard Society Vineyard Tour and Dinner hosted by Joel and Morgan Peterson of Bedrock Vineyard. Was an all day affair that included walking tours of 4 historic Old Vine site planted in the late 1800's in Sonoma Valley.Started... Read moreHad the pleasure of atending the 2nd annual Historic Vineyard Society Vineyard Tour and Dinner hosted by Joel and Morgan Peterson of Bedrock Vineyard. Was an all day affair that included walking tours of 4 historic Old Vine site planted in the late 1800's in Sonoma Valley.Started the day out at Old Hill Ranch. Planted in 1885 it is a classic field blend of Zinfandel, Grenache, Cabernet, Carignane, Petite Sirah and over 30 other varieties.Farmer Will - Will Bucklin, Owner/Farmer of Old Hill RanchThis ranch has been dry farmed since its original planting and Will had some great stories of the history of the ranch and he lengths his family went in order to restore a field overgrown with blackberries to a working vineyard. Old Hill has historically been used by Ravenswood as well as Wills own label "Bucklin".125 year old Grenache Vine at Old Hill RanchNext stop was the iconic Pagai Ranch. Anyone who has traveled thjrough the Sonoma Valley will recall seeing Pagani with its massive Alicante Bouschet vines lining Hwy 12 just south of the Kenwood Inn. The 7' x 7' spacing of the vines here make it one that is incredibly tough to farm as the rows are too narrow for most farm equipment. It was orignally plowed by horse draw implements. Therefor many vines have been killed by the modern plow discs. Pagani fruit is currently used by Ridge, Seghesio, Carlisle and Bedrock.If this vine could talk, the stories it could tell.Notice the interesting leaf shape on the Lenior vines. Lenoir is a red grape with not just red skin but red juice. The juice looks like blood. The juice is used to add deep black color to field blends much the same way Alicante Bouschet is. Also used as an ink for USDA grade stamping of beef here in the States.Next on the tour was a winding ride up a one lane road to the Eastern slopes of the Sonoma Valley high above the Kunde Estate at 1500' elevation. Fredericks Vineyard was planted in the late 30's early 40's to the oldest Ruby Cabernet vines in the US which have subsequently been replced by Zinfandel and other mixed blacks. The awesome red volcanic soil is reminiscent of Monte Rosso, the terracing is impressive and the views are breathtaking.If you look real hard you can almost pick out the two towers of the Golden Gate Bridge off in the distance.Tegan Passalaqua of Turley explains how their organic dry faming methods have brought this vineyard back from overcropping to a sustainable high quality fruit site. This was one the most beautiful sites I have had the opportunity to see. 30 % of the Fredericks fruit goes into the Turley Fredericks SVD and the rest is used in their Old Vines Blend.Next up, Bedrock Vineyard. Joel (Ravenswood) and Morgan-Twain (Bedrock Wine Co) Peterson own the Bedrock Vineyard which is another gem of viticullture in the Sonoma Valley. Nestled beteen Hwy 12 and Arnold Dr just south of BR Cohn, it takes up a large swath of land. Planted to 48 separate blocks containing 11 red varietals it was a real eye opener to walk. The passion of Morgan is infectious and walking with him was asentertaining as it was educational.Monster 120 year old Carignane dwarfs its neighbors.Morgan talks about his Mourvedre plantngs that he uses for his Ode to Lulu Rosé.The deer love Petite Sirah and have eaten all the shoots off this vine.Morgan beams when he talks about his love just as a parent boasts about their children.A lizard hitched a ride on our tour.Got a million photos with each vine more majestic than the other but I'll have to keep the post readable. After the tour we had dinner and wine hosted by Bedrock in the vineyard. Joel Peterson waxed poetically about his years in the wine business.Vintner/Wine Historian Carole Meredith shared a story of the search to find the origins of Zinfandel. Considered a California wine she traced its roots, and for that matter DNA, back to Italy and then across the Baltic to a small town on the coast of Croatia where the original planting of a mere 9 vines of Crljenak Kastelanski are the mother of the Zinfandel/Primativo we all enjoy. Aren't you glad the name changed?Each winemaker on hand, Joel Peterson (Ravenswood), Carole Meredith (Lagier Meredith), Mike Officer (Carlisle), David Gates (Ridge), Tegan Passalaqua (Turley), Will Bucklin (Bucklin) and Morgan Twain-Peterson (Bedrock) gave a short presentation while we enjoyed the fruits of their labor paired with the best BBQ you can find in Sonoma County.Our hosts from left to right: Mike Officer, Joel Peterson, Mike Dildine, Tegan Passalaqua, David Gates and Morgan Peterson.The sun sets on another memorable day in Wine Country.    (hide)

  Forum post in the topic Sonoma Zinfandel / Historic...

  
  
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  May 2012

  Domaine Drouhin Oregon Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 2009

  Snoothrank:

  Pale garnet color. Raspberry, strawberry, and violets on the nose, as well as some earthy and black pepper notes. Mid-plus acidity, mid-minus tannins, and high alcohol (14.1% abv). On the palate there is some sweeter notes (red cherry), probably in part due to the relatively high... Read morePale garnet color. Raspberry, strawberry, and violets on the nose, as well as some earthy and black pepper notes. Mid-plus acidity, mid-minus tannins, and high alcohol (14.1% abv). On the palate there is some sweeter notes (red cherry), probably in part due to the relatively high alcohol. Overall this is a very well balanced and pleasant, though not overly complex, wine. Will benefit from some more bottle-aging.    (hide)

  Wine review by Matthijs Visser

  
  

• May 2012

  Holy crap, BP wine has dug out another cellar with some pieces of CA wine ... WS942001 Dominus Proprietary Red Wine, 3 x 750mL -- $159 WA981983 Eisele Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, 1 x 750mL -- $175 sbsl, no capsule1993 Helena View Cabernet Franc Johnston Vineyard Estate, 1 x 750mL... Read moreHoly crap, BP wine has dug out another cellar with some pieces of CA wine ... WS942001 Dominus Proprietary Red Wine, 3 x 750mL -- $159 WA981983 Eisele Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, 1 x 750mL -- $175 sbsl, no capsule1993 Helena View Cabernet Franc Johnston Vineyard Estate, 1 x 750mL -- $15 signed bottle2007 Hewitt Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford, 1 x 1.5L -- $115 WA93, WS921997 Lokoya Cabernet Sauvignon Diamond Mountain, 6 x 750mL -- $135 WA951997 Lokoya Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain, 12 x 750mL -- $125 WA931960 Louis Martini Cabernet Sauvignon California Mountain, 2 x 750mL -- $149 1989 Monticello Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Corley Reserve, 12 x 750mL -- $25 1985 Monticello Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Jefferson Cuvee, 1 x 1.5L -- $75 ts, cc, sbsl2004 Neal Family Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley, 12 x 750mL -- $39 2007 Neal Family Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley, 1 x 750mL -- $39 1997 Neal Schifflett Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley, 5 x 750mL -- $49 N.V. Opus One Overture, 1 x 750mL -- $75 1983 Opus One Proprietary Red Wine, 3 x 750mL -- $209 lstl, cc1995 Peter Michael Winery Proprietary Red Les Pavots, 1 x 750mL -- $129 WA91, WS931996 Peter Michael Winery Proprietary Red Les Pavots, 1 x 750mL -- $129 WA96, WS961997 Peter Michael Winery Proprietary Red Les Pavots, 2 x 750mL -- $165 WA962008 Provenance Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford, 8 x 750mL -- $25 1971 Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon Eisele Vineyard, 1 x 750mL -- $695 WA94 vts1966 Robert Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley, 1 x 750mL -- $395 tl, bsl 1994 Robert Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville, 1 x 750mL -- $39 WA901989 Robert Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, 1 x 750mL -- $55 dc1982 Robert Pepi Cabernet Sauvignon Vine Hill, 1 x 1.5L -- $75 1985 Rombauer Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley, 1 x 1.5L -- $139 1986 Saddleback Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley, 1 x 1.5L -- $89 writing on label1994 Silver Oak Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley, 6 x 750mL -- $65 WA931996 Silver Oak Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley, 6 x 750mL -- $59 WA92N.V. Souverain Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley, 1 x 750mL -- $25 6cm, sbsl1998 Stag`s Leap Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Fay Vineyard, 1 x 750mL -- $59 1998 Stag`s Leap Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon SLV, 2 x 750mL -- $69 1989 Stag`s Leap Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon SLV / Fay, 2 x 750mL -- $75 1998 Stag`s Leap Wine Cellars Proprietary Red Cask 23, 1 x 750mL -- $109 1999 Sterling Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley Reserve, 9 x 750mL -- $45 WS912000 Sterling Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley Reserve, 11 x 750mL -- $40 2005 Sterling Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley Reserve, 4 x 750mL -- $35 2008 Sterling Vineyards Proprietary Red Reserve, 30 x 750mL -- $20US--Chardonnay1996 Kent Rasmussen Chardonnay Reserve, 9 x 750mL -- $5 1997 Mayacamas Chardonnay, 1 x 1.5L -- $75 1993 Robert Mondavi Chardonnay Reserve, 1 x 750mL -- $15 WA93, WS91US--Dessert1977 Harbor Winery Mission del Sol Amador County, 1 x 750mL -- $25US--Merlot1999 Duckhorn Merlot Howell Mountain, 1 x 750mL -- $55 WS921986 Duckhorn Merlot Napa Valley, 1 x 750mL -- $50 lstl1988 Duckhorn Merlot Napa Valley, 1 x 750mL -- $38 lstl1990 Duckhorn Merlot Three Palms Vineyard, 4 x 750mL -- $89 1990 Duckhorn Merlot Three Palms Vineyard, 4 x 750mL -- $89 lstl1994 Rutherford Hill Merlot, 2 x 750mL -- $15 1990 Stag`s Leap Wine Cellars Merlot Napa Valley, 4 x 750mL -- $39 lstlUS--Other Whites2009 Rosenblum Cellars Viognier Kathy`s Cuvee, 1 x 750mL -- $9US--Pinot Noir1998 Cameron Pinot Noir Clos Electrique, 1 x 1.5L -- $75 lnl1970 Hanzell Pinot Noir, 1 x 750mL -- $195 4cm1973 Hanzell Pinot Noir, 3 x 750mL -- $175 1974 Hanzell Pinot Noir, 1 x 750mL -- $295 1996 Keegan Pinot Noir, 5 x 750mL -- $35 1999 Keegan Pinot Noir, 8 x 750mL -- $25  1994 Panther Creek Pinot Noir Reserve, 1 x 750mL -- $29 WA901990 Robert Mondavi Pinot Noir Napa Valley, 1 x 750mL -- $19 1992 Robert Mondavi Pinot Noir Reserve, 1 x 750mL -- $39 WA92US--Syrah/Grenache2006 Saxum Proprietary Red 32 James Berry Vineyard, 1 x 750mL -- $175 WA972005 Saxum Proprietary Red 44 James Berry Vineyard, 1 x 750mL -- $155 WA96, ST942005 Saxum Proprietary Red Booker Vineyard, 1 x 750mL -- $99 WA94, WS952006 Saxum Proprietary Red Booker Vineyard, 1 x 750mL -- $99 WA94, ST92, WS942007 Saxum Proprietary Red Booker Vineyard, 1 x 750mL -- $235 WA992009 Saxum Proprietary Red Booker Vineyard, 2 x 750mL -- $139 WA96+2007 Saxum Proprietary Red Heartstone Vineyard, 2 x 750mL -- $139 WA98, WS972008 Saxum Proprietary Red Heartstone Vineyard, 1 x 750mL -- $95 WA93, WS952005 Saxum Proprietary Red James Berry Vineyard, 1 x 750mL -- $119 WA95+2006 Saxum Proprietary Red James Berry Vineyard, 1 x 750mL -- $135 WA95, ST932007 Saxum Proprietary Red James Berry Vineyard, 4 x 750mL -- $499 WA100, WS982008 Saxum Proprietary Red James Berry Vineyard, 2 x 750mL -- $209 WA98, WS972009 Saxum Proprietary Red James Berry Vineyard, 3 x 750mL -- $175 WA982009 Saxum Proprietary Red Paderewski Vineyard, 2 x 750mL -- $145 WA972003 Saxum Rocket Block James Berry Vineyard, 1 x 750mL -- $195 WA982002 Saxum Syrah Broken Stones, 1 x 750mL -- $179 WA962006 Saxum Syrah Broken Stones, 1 x 750mL -- $149 WA97, WS962007 Saxum Syrah Broken Stones, 3 x 750mL -- $139 WA96+, ST95, WS962008 Saxum Syrah Broken Stones, 2 x 750mL -- $109 WA94, ST93, WS932009 Saxum Syrah Broken Stones, 3 x 750mL -- $115 WA962003 Saxum Syrah James Berry Vineyard Bone Rock, 1 x 750mL -- $119 WA95, ST932006 Saxum Syrah James Berry Vineyard Bone Rock, 1 x 750mL -- $129 WA96+, ST952007 Saxum Syrah James Berry Vineyard Bone Rock, 1 x 750mL -- $249 WA99, WS982008 Saxum Syrah James Berry Vineyard Bone Rock, 1 x 750mL -- $139 WA962009 Saxum Syrah James Berry Vineyard Bone Rock, 3 x 750mL -- $129 WA942009 Saxum Syrah James Berry Vineyard Bone Rock, 1 x 1.5L -- $259 WA942000 Turley Wine Cellars Petite Sirah Hayne Vineyard, 1 x 750mL -- $99 WA962001 Turley Wine Cellars Petite Sirah Hayne Vineyard, 1 x 750mL -- $75 WA96 sscl2002 Turley Wine Cellars Petite Sirah Hayne Vineyard, 1 x 750mL -- $59 WA93-95, ST93-951993 Zaca Mesa Syrah Chapel Vineyard, 1 x 750mL -- $25US--Zinfandel1996 Beringer Zinfandel North Coast, 3 x 750mL -- $15 1975 Joseph Phelps Zinfandel Alexander Valley, 1 x 750mL -- $45 1975 Joseph Phelps Zinfandel Alexander Valley, 1 x 750mL -- $45 lstl1975 Joseph Phelps Zinfandel Alexander Valley, 1 x 750mL -- $45 bn1976 Mayacamas Zinfandel Late Harvest, 1 x 750mL -- $65 bn1976 Mayacamas Zinfandel Late Harvest, 1 x 750mL -- $55 hs, ssos1976 Mayacamas Zinfandel Late Harvest, 1 x 1.5L -- $149 1978 Mayacamas Zinfandel Late Harvest, 1 x 750mL -- $55 1984 Mayacamas Zinfandel Late Harvest, 1 x 750mL -- $45 sbsl1966 Parducci Zinfandel, 1 x 750mL -- $25 5cm, lstl1966 Parducci Zinfandel, 1 x 750mL -- $25 5cm1966 Parducci Zinfandel, 3 x 750mL -- $25 5.5cm1966 Parducci Zinfandel, 2 x 750mL -- $25 lstlN.V. Parducci Zinfandel, 3 x 750mL -- $25 6cm, lstl1970 Souverain Zinfandel Napa Valley, 1 x 750mL -- $15 htms, dc, sbsl, scc1970 Souverain Zinfandel Napa Valley, 1 x 750mL -- $15 htms, sos1996 Turley Wine Cellars Zinfandel Black Sears Vineyard, 1 x 750mL -- $95 WA941997 Turley Wine Cellars Zinfandel Dogtown Vineyard, 5 x 750mL -- $39 WA89-91, ST90 sscl1998 Turley Wine Cellars Zinfandel Dogtown Vineyard, 1 x 750mL -- $39 WA90, ST911998 Turley Wine Cellars Zinfandel Dogtown Vineyard, 1 x 750mL -- $39 WA90, ST91 trc1999 Turley Wine Cellars Zinfandel Dogtown Vineyard, 2 x 750mL -- $45 WA92, ST921999 Turley Wine Cellars Zinfandel Dogtown Vineyard, 1 x 750mL -- $45 WA92, ST92 scl2000 Turley Wine Cellars Zinfandel Dogtown Vineyard, 4 x 750mL -- $45 ST922000 Turley Wine Cellars Zinfandel Dogtown Vineyard, 1 x 750mL -- $45 ST92 trc2001 Turley Wine Cellars Zinfandel Dogtown Vineyard, 10 x 750mL -- $39 WA91, ST912002 Turley Wine Cellars Zinfandel Dogtown Vineyard, 4 x 750mL -- $39 WA91-93, ST912003 Turley Wine Cellars Zinfandel Dogtown Vineyard, 8 x 750mL -- $39 WA91-93, ST911997 Turley Wine Cellars Zinfandel Duarte Vineyard, 1 x 750mL -- $37 WA90-92, ST91 sscl1998 Turley Wine Cellars Zinfandel Duarte Vineyard, 1 x 750mL -- $33 WA93, ST911999 Turley Wine Cellars Zinfandel Duarte Vineyard, 5 x 750mL -- $35 WA91, ST921999 Turley Wine Cellars Zinfandel Duarte Vineyard, 1 x 750mL -- $35 WA91, ST92 sscl2000 Turley Wine Cellars Zinfandel Duarte Vineyard, 3 x 750mL -- $35 WA92, ST922000 Turley Wine Cellars Zinfandel Duarte Vineyard, 2 x 750mL -- $35 WA92, ST92 sscl2001 Turley Wine Cellars Zinfandel Duarte Vineyard, 6 x 750mL -- $39 WA92, ST922001 Turley Wine Cellars Zinfandel Duarte Vineyard, 1 x 750mL -- $39 WA92, ST92 sscl2002 Turley Wine Cellars Zinfandel Duarte Vineyard, 4 x 750mL -- $59 WA91-93, ST902003 Turley Wine Cellars Zinfandel Duarte Vineyard, 2 x 750mL -- $29 ST902002 Turley Wine Cellars Zinfandel Dusi Vineyard, 6 x 750mL -- $55 ST922000 Turley Wine Cellars Zinfandel Hayne Vineyard, 1 x 750mL -- $65 WA93, ST91-932001 Turley Wine Cellars Zinfandel Juvenile, 13 x 750mL -- $49 WA892001 Turley Wine Cellars Zinfandel Juvenile, 1 x 750mL -- $49 WA89 scl2001 Turley Wine Cellars Zinfandel Juvenile, 1 x 750mL -- $49 WA89 sscl2002 Turley Wine Cellars Zinfandel Juvenile, 13 x 750mL -- $39 WA90-922002 Turley Wine Cellars Zinfandel Juvenile, 1 x 750mL -- $39 WA90-92 sscl2000 Turley Wine Cellars Zinfandel Mead Ranch, 8 x 750mL -- $39 WA912001 Turley Wine Cellars Zinfandel Mead Ranch, 4 x 750mL -- $45 WA922001 Turley Wine Cellars Zinfandel Mead Ranch, 1 x 750mL -- $45 WA92 sscl2003 Turley Wine Cellars Zinfandel Mead Ranch, 4 x 750mL -- $33 WA90-922003 Turley Wine Cellars Zinfandel Mead Ranch, 2 x 750mL -- $33 WA90-92 sscl1997 Turley Wine Cellars Zinfandel Moore Earthquake Vineyard, 3 x 750mL -- $59 WA94-961997 Turley Wine Cellars Zinfandel Moore Earthquake Vineyard, 4 x 750mL -- $59 WA94-96 sscl1998 Turley Wine Cellars Zinfandel Moore Earthquake Vineyard, 4 x 750mL -- $59 WA921999 Turley Wine Cellars Zinfandel Moore Earthquake Vineyard, 2 x 750mL -- $59 WA951999 Turley Wine Cellars Zinfandel Moore Earthquake Vineyard, 1 x 750mL -- $59 WA95 scl2000 Turley Wine Cellars Zinfandel Moore Earthquake Vineyard, 3 x 750mL -- $45 WA922001 Turley Wine Cellars Zinfandel Moore Earthquake Vineyard, 6 x 750mL -- $79 WA952002 Turley Wine Cellars Zinfandel Moore Earthquake Vineyard, 2 x 750mL -- $75 WA94-972003 Turley Wine Cellars Zinfandel Moore Earthquake Vineyard, 5 x 750mL -- $49 WA93-95 sscl1997 Turley Wine Cellars Zinfandel Old Vines, 1 x 750mL -- $50 WA92-941997 Turley Wine Cellars Zinfandel Old Vines, 3 x 750mL -- $50 WA92-94 scl1997 Turley Wine Cellars Zinfandel Old Vines, 3 x 750mL -- $50 WA92-94 sscl1999 Turley Wine Cellars Zinfandel Old Vines, 4 x 750mL -- $45 WA931999 Turley Wine Cellars Zinfandel Old Vines, 1 x 750mL -- $45 WA93 sscl2001 Turley Wine Cellars Zinfandel Old Vines, 28 x 750mL -- $29 WA882001 Turley Wine Cellars Zinfandel Pesenti, 15 x 750mL -- $49 WA922001 Turley Wine Cellars Zinfandel Pesenti, 1 x 750mL -- $49 WA92 sscl2002 Turley Wine Cellars Zinfandel Pesenti, 13 x 750mL -- $39 WA92-94, ST932000 Turley Wine Cellars Zinfandel Turley Estate, 3 x 750mL -- $39 WA932000 Turley Wine Cellars Zinfandel Turley Estate, 3 x 750mL -- $39 WA93 sscl2001 Turley Wine Cellars Zinfandel Turley Estate, 2 x 750mL -- $75 WA952002 Turley Wine Cellars Zinfandel Turley Estate, 5 x 750mL -- $59 WA92-942002 Turley Wine Cellars Zinfandel Turley Estate, 2 x 750mL -- $59 WA92-94 ss    (hide)

  Forum post in the topic Utterly absurd

  
  

• May 2012

  nanashisan - all of the wines mentioned will have alcohol. What I think people ... letting the grape juice from red wine spend much time, if any time, with skin contact. The most common method is to crush the grapes and drain the juice out right away, and since the juice is almost... Read morenanashisan - all of the wines mentioned will have alcohol. What I think people ... letting the grape juice from red wine spend much time, if any time, with skin contact. The most common method is to crush the grapes and drain the juice out right away, and since the juice is almost always white, you get very little skin color.But the alcohol level has to do with how much sugar is in the grape when it's picked and then with how much of that sugar gets fermented to alcohol. So you can very easily, and frequently do, have a rosé with as much alcohol as the red wine that might be made from the grapes. Sometimes rosé is made with some remaining sugar and not all of it is fermented; that's done to leave a sweeter wine, but generally those are the cheaper wines and better rosés are not made that way. Same with any other grape really.Riesling from Germany can have some residual sugar left and therefore it may have a slight sweetness. Riesling from other places too obviously, but not always. For example, Australians typically ferment their Riesling completly "dry", which means no residual sugar, whereas that's not necessarily always the case in other countries. Fermented dry, you'll likely get around 12% alcohol; off-dry you may get around 10-11%. Typical whites these days are around 14%.  One suggestion is that you look at the stated alcohol level on the bottle. If it's German Riesling, the lower alcohol wines are more likely to be sweeter. So not knowing a wine, if I picked it up and it said 10.5%, I'd expect a touch of residiual sugar, whereas if it said 12.5 or 13%, I'd expect it to be drier.  That's NOT a hard and fast rule however!A hugely popular white these days is Muscat or Moscato or Moscatel. That's a very old and very fragrant grape that smells of flowers and people think it should be sweet and low alcohol. That all depends on how it's made, once again. It's very often fermented completely dry and will have maybe 12-13% alcohol. From Italy, if it's Moscato d'Asti, it may be left with a little residual sugar and may even have some sparkles. Normally a cheap, forgettable wine, it's suddenly hugely popular. Similar, but rosé instead of white, is Brachetto d'Acqui - a slightly sparkling pink wine that smells and tastes of strawberries and comes in around 7% alcohol.Some regions have rules regarding the minimum level of alcohol - they don't think the wine will be characteristic of the area if it's slightly sweet or not in complicity with the rule, so in Bordeaux for example, you generally have to have at least 10% alcohol for the reds and typically they would be 12-13% anyway but today many are 14.5 or so because they're picking the fruit riper when it has more sugar. It can be pretty austere wine however.In New Zealand, you have lots of Sauvignon Blanc - it's often reminiscent of grass and grapefruit and even cat pee but some people love it. Usually not sweet at all and rarely over 14% alcohol; often lower. They also do Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris or Grigio, depending on whether they use the French or Italian spelling, and those are usually quite dry too, and roughly the same alcohol level. And of course Chardonnay, which is often in barrels to give it a smoother quality in the mouth - not so acidic. Doesn't affect the alcohol tho.For reds, they have plenty although they're mostly known in the US for Pinot Noir. Still, they do better Syrah IMO and they also make Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and less well-known grapes. All of those are usually 13-15%, none that I've had tend to be sweet and jammy, and you don't really get an alcoholic burn, but you don't always get a lot of pleasure either! If you like those, fine, but if you don't try to pick up something from Australia's Barossa Valley - you might find it a lot more enjoyable as the stereotype of those wines for better or worse is "fruity".Price range is all over the map - Moscato and Brachetto tend to be cheap - like $10 US, most of the other wines a few dollars more and some ranging quite high. Not that they're worth the extra money, but price is also a way to signify that they think the wine is "important".Anyhow, again, you need not fall in love with wine ever.  But if you object to alcohol, know that sometimes it's less apparent than others, and now you have some guidelines to consider.Good luck with your searches    (hide)

  Forum post in the topic Dislike for alcohol. What's...

  
  

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