Enobytes Wine Blog http://enobytes.org/wine_blog Mon, 12 May 2008 07:01:35 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 en New Anderson Valley Winery Debuts http://enobytes.org/wine_blog/2008/05/12/new-anderson-valley-winery-debuts/ http://enobytes.org/wine_blog/2008/05/12/new-anderson-valley-winery-debuts/#comments Mon, 12 May 2008 07:01:35 +0000 enobytes http://enobytes.org/wine_blog/2008/05/12/new-anderson-valley-winery-debuts/ Boonville, Calif., May 8, 2008 - The newest winery in Anderson Valley, Calif. debuted May 8, 2008 with the launch of Foursight Wines, a small family owned and operated winery producing just a few hundred cases of cool-climate Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc each year.

Foursight Winery, Charles Vineyard, Anderson Valley
Foursight Winery, Charles Vineyard, Anderson Valley

(more…)

Share This

]]> http://enobytes.org/wine_blog/2008/05/12/new-anderson-valley-winery-debuts/feed/ Improving the Reputation of Merlot http://enobytes.org/wine_blog/2008/05/05/improving-the-reputation-of-merlot/ http://enobytes.org/wine_blog/2008/05/05/improving-the-reputation-of-merlot/#comments Mon, 05 May 2008 07:01:06 +0000 Marc Hinton http://enobytes.org/wine_blog/2008/05/05/improving-the-reputation-of-merlot/ When I was a young man, I used to preach the atrociousness of the varietal of Merlot being produced as a stand-alone wine circa 1985-1989. I will actually admit that back then, I would hold up Bordeaux wines as an example where Cabernet ruled and Merlot took a back seat. How uneducated my claims were back then especially with the facts being St. Emilion and many St. Julien’s consist primarily of Merlot and these regions have continued to make standout wines vintage after vintage. That would make my limited education obviously challenged and all the rants ludicrous and unsubstantiated. To all the new-world produced Merlot and all the Bordeaux regions I may have slighted, I officially apologize.

Now on to new business, I recently weighed in on some wholesale grape price disparities in Napa, primarily the gap between Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, $2300-4500 per ton on Cab and only $1400-2500 for Merlot. Some Cabernet even went for a whopping $39,000 a ton. In my opinion, the Merlot retailing in the $25 –$35 price range far outshines comparable Cabernet at the same price point. Who is getting rich here? Is the real joke on (more…)

Share This

]]> http://enobytes.org/wine_blog/2008/05/05/improving-the-reputation-of-merlot/feed/ Pairing Wine with Mexican Food http://enobytes.org/wine_blog/2008/05/02/pairing-wine-with-mexican-food-%e2%80%93-its-not-as-difficult-as-one-might-think/ http://enobytes.org/wine_blog/2008/05/02/pairing-wine-with-mexican-food-%e2%80%93-its-not-as-difficult-as-one-might-think/#comments Fri, 02 May 2008 07:01:45 +0000 Pamela Heiligenthal http://enobytes.org/wine_blog/2008/05/02/pairing-wine-with-mexican-food-%e2%80%93-its-not-as-difficult-as-one-might-think/ Cinco de Mayo is upon us and many question wine pairings with Mexican dishes. Dr. Vino posted this same conundrum on his blog, approriately titled, "Burritos - impossible food-wine pairing!?", for which he asks his readers to recommend what they would pair with a burrito. It’s interesting to see posters recommend everything from sparkling wine to Zinfandel. One poster went as far as to say everyone was wrong with their suggestions, since "Mexican food + mexican wine = the only match".

When it comes to Mexican food, there really isn’t much difference between burritos and grilling up some meat and accompanying it with some vegetables, herbs and a starch. So why do we have such a hard time selecting a wine that compliments Mexican dishes? Some may think it’s an impossible task, but (more…)

Share This

]]> http://enobytes.org/wine_blog/2008/05/02/pairing-wine-with-mexican-food-%e2%80%93-its-not-as-difficult-as-one-might-think/feed/ Cost Conscious Wine Consumers Take Note http://enobytes.org/wine_blog/2008/05/01/cost-conscience-wine-consumers-take-note/ http://enobytes.org/wine_blog/2008/05/01/cost-conscience-wine-consumers-take-note/#comments Thu, 01 May 2008 07:01:42 +0000 enobytes http://enobytes.org/wine_blog/2008/05/01/cost-conscience-wine-consumers-take-note/ After reading comments left regarding a recent post about restaurant wine lists and corkage fees I felt compelled to make a comment of my own.

First, I would like to say I appreciate the fact someone actually reads my blog. I was even more elated to find out I am not the only one that feels on-premise wine sales are pushing the limits lately with profit margins and ridiculous corkage fees. Now I would like to chime in on retail prices and mark ups. I have previously mentioned the industry norm was (more…)

Share This

]]> http://enobytes.org/wine_blog/2008/05/01/cost-conscience-wine-consumers-take-note/feed/ Vaynerchuk Versus Proctor or Pride and Prejudice in Napa http://enobytes.org/wine_blog/2008/04/28/vaynerchuk-versus-proctor-or-pride-and-prejudice-in-napa/ http://enobytes.org/wine_blog/2008/04/28/vaynerchuk-versus-proctor-or-pride-and-prejudice-in-napa/#comments Mon, 28 Apr 2008 07:01:56 +0000 Marc Hinton http://enobytes.org/wine_blog/2008/04/28/vaynerchuk-versus-proctor-or-pride-and-prejudice-in-napa/ A couple of posts back I mentioned the entity known as Crushpad to introduce another exciting option wine enthusiasts have for procuring custom made premium quality wine. After reading the following post, it may become an idea that not only sounds advantageous but also an idea whose time has come.

The reason I mention this option again is there is a current debate about the fall of the great Napa region’s reputation and (more…)

Share This

]]> http://enobytes.org/wine_blog/2008/04/28/vaynerchuk-versus-proctor-or-pride-and-prejudice-in-napa/feed/ Spring Wine Releases Worthy of Attention http://enobytes.org/wine_blog/2008/04/25/spring-wine-releases-worthy-of-attention/ http://enobytes.org/wine_blog/2008/04/25/spring-wine-releases-worthy-of-attention/#comments Fri, 25 Apr 2008 07:01:08 +0000 Marc Hinton http://enobytes.org/wine_blog/2008/04/25/spring-wine-releases-worthy-of-attention/ I tried another wine from the Rosa D’ Oro winery down in Lake County California last night and low and behold folks we have another winner! The 2005 Primitivo (a close relative to the Zinfandel grape) was fabulous; deep woodsy aromas with
big, juicy, luscious flavors with intense fruit flavors. These folks are making some of the best Italian varietals I have tasted in a decade.

Speaking of new releases (well if we weren’t we are now) there are quite a few from our neighborhood scheduled for (more…)

Share This

]]> http://enobytes.org/wine_blog/2008/04/25/spring-wine-releases-worthy-of-attention/feed/ Looking for something different? Try Dolcetto http://enobytes.org/wine_blog/2008/04/22/looking-for-something-different-try-dolcetto/ http://enobytes.org/wine_blog/2008/04/22/looking-for-something-different-try-dolcetto/#comments Tue, 22 Apr 2008 07:01:52 +0000 Marc Hinton http://enobytes.org/wine_blog/2008/04/22/looking-for-something-different-try-dolcetto/ Dolcetto originates in the Piedmont region of Italy, where it is overshadowed by the more powerful and concentrated Nebbiolo and even Barbera. In California, there are less than 100 acres under vine, typically grown by expatriate Italians. The grape produces deeply-pigmented wines, thick with fruit character, high in natural acidity and having only mild tannins. Dolcetto is best consumed young, as its youthful fruit character fades quicker than its acidity.

Lake County can produce phenomenal wines and the 2005 Rosa D’ Oro Dolcetto is one of them. Sticking to old-school winemaking techniques, this winemaker has brought out the best in this grape. (more…)

Share This

]]> http://enobytes.org/wine_blog/2008/04/22/looking-for-something-different-try-dolcetto/feed/ April 2008 Wine Picks http://enobytes.org/wine_blog/2008/04/18/april-2008-wine-picks/ http://enobytes.org/wine_blog/2008/04/18/april-2008-wine-picks/#comments Fri, 18 Apr 2008 07:01:00 +0000 enobytes http://enobytes.org/wine_blog/2008/04/18/april-2008-wine-picks/ April 2008 Wine Picks

Rosa D’ Oro Dolcetto 2005 Lake County, CA
Villa Cerna Sangiovese 2004 Tuscany, Italy
Saint-Cosme Syrah 2006 Cotes du Rhone, France
Baileyana Firepeak Pinot Noir 2005 Edna Valley, CA

Share This

]]> http://enobytes.org/wine_blog/2008/04/18/april-2008-wine-picks/feed/ Choices and More Choices, and That’s a Great Thing http://enobytes.org/wine_blog/2008/04/14/choices-and-more-choices-and-that%e2%80%99s-a-great-thing/ http://enobytes.org/wine_blog/2008/04/14/choices-and-more-choices-and-that%e2%80%99s-a-great-thing/#comments Mon, 14 Apr 2008 07:01:37 +0000 Marc Hinton http://enobytes.org/wine_blog/2008/04/14/choices-and-more-choices-and-that%e2%80%99s-a-great-thing/ Have you ever considered making your own wine but found the quest of acquiring a winery, grapes and a genius that can make the wine an expensive and daunting challenge? The mere thought of following this dream through completion is a strenuous and ambitious endeavor with the results squashing the hopes of almost every enophile; unless you have discovered the possibilities Crushpad offers.

Wine Barrels
Photo credit, wikipedia

With Crushpad you are allowed to pick the varietal and usually the type of clone from some of the most sought out fruit in the location that suits your desired flavor profile. You will have up to the minute harvest information. The fruit is then trucked to the winery in San Francisco the same day it is picked. Then you choose the method of winemaking or let their accomplished winemakers make that choice for you. If you want 12 months in new oak, that’s your choice. Say you fancy stainless steel and no malolactic fermentation for your Chardonnay; that’s your choice. Check out the Crushpad 30, a menu of options to fully realize the complete list of winemaking styles and choices; Thirty separate choices for putting together the wine of your dreams. (more…)

Share This

]]> http://enobytes.org/wine_blog/2008/04/14/choices-and-more-choices-and-that%e2%80%99s-a-great-thing/feed/ Are TSA Restrictions Impacting the Wine Industry? http://enobytes.org/wine_blog/2008/04/11/are-tsa-restrictions-impacting-the-wine-industry/ http://enobytes.org/wine_blog/2008/04/11/are-tsa-restrictions-impacting-the-wine-industry/#comments Fri, 11 Apr 2008 07:01:46 +0000 enobytes http://enobytes.org/wine_blog/2008/04/11/are-tsa-restrictions-impacting-the-wine-industry/ Are TSAs restrictions effecting the way you travel with wine? It’s a good question posed by Annie, one of our forum readers. “Getting wine from point A to point B has always been a bit of a challenge for air travelers. But since the liquid carry-on restrictions went into effect, it’s more difficult than ever”.

She is questioning the effects of these restrictions on people who travel with wine, whether it’s bringing a few bottles home from a wine country trip or taking a special bottle to a vacation destination. So what’s the scoop?

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post’s poll.

Share This

]]> http://enobytes.org/wine_blog/2008/04/11/are-tsa-restrictions-impacting-the-wine-industry/feed/