Enobytes Wine Blog

In the global wine export industry – which increasingly looks to China as a developing market – it is sometimes remarked that the United States has not made in-roads within the PRC, especially in comparison with the likes of France, Australia and Chile, the main import leaders (in that order).

Even with a strengthened yuan (RMB) and weakened US dollar, American wines do not appear particularly affordable here, especially when distribution costs and local taxes are factored in. But, irrespective of currency fluctuation, US wines are often perceived to offer weak QPR (quality-price ratio) compared with wines from other countries, almost regardless of where you’re buying them. As a Brit, I remember well the polarized selection available on retail shelves or from specialist merchants in the UK: one could choose from either budget/bulk or a narrow range of the ‘premium’ to ‘super-premium’.

Obviously, this picture is unfair to the diversity of what the US offers, either in terms of product or, in some cases, QPR. At the same time, it’s easy for those of us who don’t live in the States to forget that, if most American wines are consumed domestically, arcane shipping laws mean US wine lovers often miss out on that diversity too.

But what’s going on in China? What challenges do American wineries face if they want to capture a piece of this developing market? Read the rest of this entry »

Innovative restaurants are making bold moves to compensate for the lack of regulars -- change is the only path to success when you are not successful with your current business model.

Today on Wine Bytes, my wine blog on OregonLive, I talk about  how encouraging it is to see that some innovative restaurants have made bold moves quickly to compensate for the lack of regulars, for whom they depended on for years. I applaud any entrepreneur that realizes change is the only path to success when you are not successful with your current business model. Check out my latest post here.

The spin among wine journalists, bloggers and winery owners that believe negative wine reviews are of no use to anyone is a concept that I find as hard to swallow as a raisiny Zin with TCA. Photo credit: sfgate

Today on Wine Bytes, my wine blog on OregonLive, I talk about The positive side of negative wine reviews. Many believe negative wine reviews are of no use to anyone, which is a concept that I find as hard to swallow as a raisiny Zin with TCA.  I buy wine like a consumer.  That status will never change no matter how many samples we receive, and the process of our tasting regimen is vastly different from the Wine Spectator, Robert Parker, Wine Enthusiast, Stephen Tanzer, Tasted, and Vinography. If you are not familiar with our procedure to tasting, reviewing and rating wine check out my latest post here and read my take on the positive side of a negative review.

If you’re looking for some good wine values under $15 a bottle, you’ve come to the right place. Every Thursday, we’ll let you know about some of our top picks under $15 which are sure to please your palate without breaking the bank. These are great wines worth seeking out, so go pick up a bottle or two and enjoy!

2008 Veramonte Sauvignon Blanc , Chile ($10-$15)
What’s interesting about the ‘08 Veramonte Sauvignon blanc is that it hits all the flavor profiles of a traditional Sauvignon blanc and then throws in a punch of raciness and spice to mix it all up.

On first taste, it hits a whole lot of herbaceous notes of grass, weeds, and lemon grass, and then it brings on a dash of asparagus, grapefruit and lime finishing with a blast of sharp, tart, mineral and spice.  …more>>

2006 House of Nobilo Pinot Noir, New Zealand
Fresh and fruity this one delivers despite being consumed long before it was ready. A faint hint of violets and raspberry in the aroma light but pleasant. Bright cherry flavors come across as a classic representation of NZ Pinot. Nice texture in the mouth and a slightly tart slightly smooth finish make this a good wine and  …more>>

2006 Grayson Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles, CA ($10-$15)
Two years and two vintages later after our first review of this wine it has not really changed much. Exhibiting open and pour access I think we can say the wine is approachable. The aromas stay true to the past vintages with a nose of dried cherry and cassis. The flavor profile brings similar components of intense blackberry, cassis, and cherry flavors. The texture is smooth as it spreads across the palate. Overall it is a …more>>

2006 Les Freres Couillaud Muscadet Loire, France ($10-$15)
The 2006 Les Frères Couillaud Muscadet de Sèvre et Maine Sur Lie Château de la Ragotière Sélection Vieilles Vignes is a medium-bodied, zesty lemon-lime wine with a clean, long finish. The Loire produces an abundant amount of Muscadet made from the Melon de Bourgogne grape, and this wine, like many Muscadets are vinified sur lie meaning that the wine is not racked off the lees after fermentation - it is bottled straight from the vat without racking, which, in turn, provides some carbonation (fizziness)  …more>>

If you’re looking for some good wine values under $15 a bottle, you’ve come to the right place. Every Thursday, we’ll let you know about some of our top picks under $15 which are sure to please your palate without breaking the bank. These are great wines worth seeking out, so go pick up a bottle or two and enjoy!

2007 Dry Creek Vineyards Chenin blanc, CA ($10-$15)
A medium bodied Chenin blanc with lots of melon, nectarine and honey flavors. Zesty and clean, this wine has crisp acidity and finishes with a refreshing, mouthwatering lemon flavor. Drink as …more>>

2006 Villa Pillo Red blend, Italy
This blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot is fabulous right after opening and then it goes through a settling in period. If you are serving it among a group, decant it. If alone, it will open at your pace. Big and tight in the beginning, this wine has the breadth of appeal usually associated with wines from names that draw a lot more  attention. Powerful aromas of dark cherries and blackberry with an abrupt hit of licorice that settles down quickly, making this a very…more>>

2006  Cline Cellars Zinfandel, CA ($10-$15)
I am often asked my opinion on best zinfandel under $10 and the word that always rolls off my tongue is Cline. Without hesitation nor a moment for thought regardless of vintage consideration. The folks at Cline have been making great Zinfandels for decades now. There was a time another vintners name came to mind but they have rested on their laurels for way too long leaving Cline the hands down all time favorite. Exhibiting sweet   …more>>

2006 King Shag Sauvignon blanc, New Zealand ($10-$15)
Cool birds, great wine. This value oriented Crisp white quaffer hits all the right notes and delivers flavor beyond what might be expected. The nose is huge expressing pineapple, grass and a heavy dose of grapefruit. A classic Marlborough NZ Sauvignon Blanc; it has opening flavors that carry the same grapefruit and grass as the nose with a luxurious mouth-feel and pleasant full flavored finish. Varied drinking temperature can bring intriguing palate changes in viscosity and flavor. At colder temperatures, the wine is extremely crisp, refreshing and great. With a few  …more>>

April 2009 Wine Picks

2005 WineSmith Cabernet franc, CA
2005 Quenett Redd Red Wine, Columbia Valley, WA
2005 Titus “Lot 1″ Red Blend, Napa Valley, CA
2007 Seghesio Zinfandel, Sonoma County, CA

If you’re looking for some good wine values under $15 a bottle, you’ve come to the right place. Every Thursday, we’ll let you know about some of our top picks under $15 which are sure to please your palate without breaking the bank. These are great wines worth seeking out, so go pick up a bottle or two and enjoy!

2006 Nobilo Sauvignon Blanc, New Zealand ($10-$15)
The 2006 Nobilo Sauvignon Blanc is light straw in color with aromas of mineral and grass. Flavors reminiscent of a tangy key lime pie with a dash of apple and grass; It’s a medium-bodied wine with flavors that carry through from start to finish; round mouth-feel and a long, opulent …more>>

2006 Eola Hills Pinot Noir, Oregon
Consistent aromas and flavors from this quality producer. This wine has the cherry and floral aromas of much more expensive wines. The texture in the mouth is pleasurable and the flavors are classic Oregon pinot. Medium to large structure and cherry mingled with earthy smoke flavors make this wine a wonderful addition to any …more>>

2007 La Spinetta Vigneto Biancospino Moscato d’Asti, Piedmont, Italy ($10-$15)
This producer has been making wine in the heart of the Moscato d’Asti country since 1977, which is home to [and known for] light and simple dessert wines. La Spinetta believed that the Moscato grape had a potential to produce exquisite wines from this region, hence “Vigneto Biancospino”. They certainly accomplished their goal, because I was  …more>>

2006 J. Vidal-Fleury Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Cinsault Blend, Rhone, France ($10-$15)
It’s always a treat when an unexpected gem comes your way and this wine was one of those. The blend is 50% Grenache 30% Syrah 10% Mourvedre 10% Cinsault. A wonderful aroma and even better mouthfeel, the blend and time spent in barrels gives this wine a winning combination of  …more>>

Photo credit: fabandfru.com

Today on Wine Bytes, my wine blog on OregonLive, I talk about a great sauvignon blanc find from Dry Creek Vineyards, the “Taylor’s Vineyard Musque”. I also talk about the restaurant scene here in Portland. I know times are tight but please try to consider dining out more often and keep our restaurant scene in and around Portland buzzing maintaining the edgy inspiration that draws hungry patrons. Too many good eateries are just a few weekends away from having to close. It would be sad if eventually all we have left as dining choices were fast food or corporate casual dining. Our city deserves better than that and it’s up to us to make that happen. Check out my latest post here.

If you’re looking for some good wine values under $15 a bottle, you’ve come to the right place. Every Thursday, we’ll let you know about some of our top picks under $15 which are sure to please your palate without breaking the bank. These are great wines worth seeking out, so go pick up a bottle or two and enjoy!

2007 Vina Palo Alto Red Blend, Chile ($10-$15)
Complexity and depth should be expected when the blend is “CCS” as I affectionately deemed this wonderful blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenere, and Syrah. I was shocked at the fullness this wine offers like a mature pedigreed Cabernet or Bordeaux touting only a hasty few months in the bottle. This was a shockingly good find and worth seeking out.  …more>>

2006 Echeverria Chardonnay, Chile ($10-$15)
Advanced in its approach, this wine brings the fruit and leaves the extraction of oak and the added expense of malolactic behind. They still produce complex and exciting product without all the bells and whistles the jaded palates of American Chardonnay fans require. The wine has flavors of vanilla and cream on an apple pear frame - full bodied but not …more>>

2006 Kenwood Pinot Noir, Sonoma, CA ($10-$15)
Kenwood has a solid track record for producing medium priced better than average quality wines in almost every varietal available. This Russian River Valley Sonoma Pinot Noir is exactly that. The nose was a bit subdued and the wine itself was pretty tight for the first half-hour after it was opened which hints at the possibility this one could age a bit. Plumy, dark berry fruit full-bodied flavors and once the wine  …more>>

2006 Estancia “Pinnacles Ranches” Chardonnay, CA
This wine is crisp and refreshing and a style of Chardonnay that almost everyone will appreciate. Although the spec sheet states that the wine has been aged in French and American Oak and 60% of the blend underwent malolactic fermentation, neither the aromas nor the flavors reflect those techniques. I found the wine interesting and certainly capable of filling many culinary pairings. It was crisp and a bit  …more>>

So much for the domestic industry and the emerging preferences of some of China’s new wine consumers. What about imports?

Bottled importation of wine is barely fifteen years old as a market in China. Some wine importers have come or gone – or reinvented themselves – but it’s still a young market, obviously. Out at the front are Aussino and ASC battling for dominance in an environment unlikely to admit monopoly influence for any company in the long term. Other importers like Torres China – of the great eponymous Spanish wine family – Summergate, DT Asia, East Meets West, among many others, occupy a more middle ground. Then you have smaller specialist merchants and importers like Ruby Red Fine Wines, Globus Fine Wines and The Wine Republic who are serving to diversify the market. Companies traditionally stronger in Hong Kong and Macao, such as Watson’s Fine Wines and Links Concept, are now also active in the Chinese mainland.

This diversification is more than welcome and has yielded the odd surprise or two. Who would have thought, for example, that grower Champagne or domaine Read the rest of this entry »