France

Reviews December 17, 2011

Perrin & Fils “Les Sinards”Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France, 2007

  Grape 70% Grenache, 15% Syrah, 15% Mourvedre   Facts I do have to say, I’ve always had an affinity for Chateauneuf-du-Pape, even before I started really getting into wine. Maybe it’s because, for some reason,  I deemed it to be my first “serious” bottle of vino.  I’ve always thought of Chateauneuf to be almost stuck in time. Whereas most other wine regions of the world have seen at least a partial amount of modernization;…

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Reviews December 8, 2011

Chateau des Capitans Julienas, Beaujolais, France.

      Grape 100% Gamay   Facts The Chateau des Capitans Julienas is made by the Beaujolais-pimp himself, Georges Duboeuf. He’s in his late-70’s now, but still heads the company. Must be all that wine he drinks! It’s estimated that around 1/3 of the entire harvest of the Beaujolais region is sold as Beaujolais Nouveau. Duboeuf produces over 2.5 million cases of wine annually. There are only 37,000 hectares (142 sq miles) of Gamay…

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Reviews November 15, 2011

Domaine Carobelle Gigondas 2009

Grapes 80% Grenache 15% Syrah 5% Cinsault Facts I have a special little place in my heart for Gigondas, it was one of the first bottles that really got me into the world of wine. The name Gigondas [jhee-gon-dahs] comes from the Latin Jocunditas meaning “great pleasure”, as the region was home to many Roman Legions as an area of recreation.   Grenache is always the main grape in red Gigondas, and is not permitted…

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Reviews November 11, 2011

Little James’ Basket Press – A Wine by Louis Barroul.

Grapes 100% Grenache   Facts Louis Barruol, the winemaker behind the Little James Basket Press is part of the new generation of winemakers in the Southern Rhone region of France, who through years of study and instruction from his winemaking father, has breathed a fair amount of new life into their old family-held estates.   The Barruol family has a long heritage in winemaking and has been involved with the hugely respected Chateau de St….

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Reviews October 26, 2011

Chateau de la Dimerie Muscadet Sevre et Maine

  Grape 100% Melon de Bourgogne – and yes, I know you’ve probably never heard of it…   Facts …and the French wonder why people stopped buying their wine, and moved toward New World producers!?!?! No-one can understand the wine labels!!! The full name of this wine is so intimidating, it makes you wish you’d paid better attention in 3rd grade French class!   Let’s take a look at the label above, and break it…

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News September 12, 2011

A Tour of the Languedoc

Pick up any wine book, and flip to the page on the Southern Languedoc region of France. More often than not, the term “wine lake” or “ocean of vines” will be used, usually within the first set of paragraphs. No-doubt, the Languedoc certainly has some marketing challenges on its hands! With wine history in the region dating back to Roman times, the Languedoc has had plenty of time to practice the art of winemaking. However,…

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Pairings September 9, 2011

Tortoise Creek Pinot Noir Paired with Hanger Steaks with Wilted Spinach and Gorgonzola Sauce

The Mrs. wanted burgers, I wanted steak. Since it way my day off, and therefore my turn to cook: STEAK IT IS (WAS)! Hanger Steak is one of my favorite cuts of meat, however, I think my brief stay in England a few weeks ago might have impaired my ability to grill red meat to a cooking temperature of rare. I’m serious! It’s a major problem over there, with most beef being served to the…

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Funny, News August 31, 2011

Last Night’s Nerdy Impulse Purchase!

I couldn’t resist! Fernando Beteta  (Master Sommelier) made a post on Twitter late last night which spoke to me, channeling my inner-wine nerd! Haven’t YOU always wanted a guide to the wine regions of France, all laid out before you in all its 18×24 glory, formatted in a similar style to the London or Paris subway maps!?!? Ok, granted it has never crossed my mind either until I saw San Francisco architect and professor David…

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Reviews July 12, 2011

Rhone Gang – Hold Up 2007

  Grapes 30% Grenache 70% Pinot Noir – kind of a crazy blend, but you could have guessed that something about this wine isn’t right by the label…   Facts In case you were wondering, the wine doesn’t come with its own stick-on moustache, but what a genius marketing idea! I should patent that! The Hold Up is a new project by the self-proclaimed Rhone Gang: Louis Barroul from Chateau St. Cosme, Paul Chaudiere from…

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Funny, News May 28, 2011

This Week In Wine – May 28th 2011

  English sparkling wine should be called Champagne, says Camilla English sparkling wine should be called Champagne, according to the Duchess of Cornwall. The quality of English fizz is so good the drink "is champagne" the Duchess declared, echoing what many in the English wine trade believe, but showing scant regard for complex and strict European food labeling laws. The Duchess’s comments came as she and the Prince of Wales toured the Denbies Wine Estate…

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Pairings May 17, 2011

Chicken and Watercress Salad with Almonds and Feta Paired with M.Chapoutier Bila-Haut Blanc

I decided to switch things up a little with this pairing. I’ve been trying to do the “low carb thing” for the last few weeks, and also going forward into the next few months. I figured I needed to drop a lb or three! For this reason, the next few months worth of pairings will probably not feature any type of carb item. Just a friendly warning. I found the recipe for Chicken and Watercress…

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