Bam!
*Disclaimer: I received this wine as a sample from the PR folks for the brand. Today’s wine is the NV Broadbent Vinho Verde. It clocks in at 9% alcohol by volume, has a real cork closure, and retails for $8. In keeping with my earlier post this week, I’m trying a slightly different format here...
Wine and Philanthropy
*Disclaimer: I received this wine as a sample from the PR company for Markham Vineyards. Community activism + wine = Markham’s Mark of Distinction. Three years ago Markham Vineyards began a program called “Markham Mark of Distinction,” inviting charities to apply for a $25,000 grant in order to make a tangible difference in their communities....
Take Aways from the 2011 Wine Blogger Conference
1.) I look just like my picture. I started attending the Wine Blogger Conference during its very first year in Sonoma. I missed Walla Walla, but otherwise I have attended all other years. After 4 years, the most common thing people say to me upon meeting me for the first time is “You look just...
Speed Tasting #12
2008 Maycas del Limari Reserva Especial Chardonnay. From Chile. From a totally arid area. I haven’t had too much Chardonnay from Chile but I’m seeing it more and more. Can smell the slight oak on the nose with some smoke and cream. Apple and pear. Creamy oak and apples on the palate. Retails for $18-$22....
Speed Tasting #11
2010 Sivas-Sonoma Sauvignon Blanc. Retails for $14 and 3000 cases produced. This has green pepper jumping out of the glass. Grass and herbal. Some lemongrass hiding underneath. This is the new venture from Sebastini (throwback to first WBC!). Mix of RRV and Sonoma County grapes. Some melon and more of the pepper on the palate...
Speed Tasting #10
2010 Jefferson Vineyards Pinot Gris. Retails for $19. Some Viognier and Riesling blended. 1100 Cases produced total. Some oak treatment some stainless steel.Quite aromatic, you can easily see the Viognier influence. Some honey notes and pear. Very dry ...
Speed Tasting #9
2008 Michael Shaps Viognier. Making under this label since 2000. Pear and flowers. Very light nose, but smells very dry and with good acidity. Very dry and crisp. Lots of pear and peach flavor. Less tropical than I’m used to. Naturally fermented in stainless steel. Made in a custom crush facility. Retail price is $32...
Speed Tasting #7
2009 Barboursville Viognier. This was the first commercial vineyard in VA. Pineapple, tropical, floral, very aromatic. Total stainless steel fermented, left on the lees for 11 months. Has a nice spicy note on the nose. Honeysuckle and pear on the palate with the spice from the nose following through. A wonderful wine. VA can do...
Speed Tasting #6
Boxwood Rose. A newer VA winery, they grow only red grapes. Today they are pouring 2010 Boxwood Rose. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot blend, fermented in stainless only. Lime and raspberry on the nose. A little sweeter on the palate, tastes like a little residual sugar. Mostly cherry and raspberry on the palate with a bit...
Speed Tasting #5
2010 Chateau Morrisette Chambourcin Rose. VA wine. They make about 80K cases overall. Smells like watermelon. Some smoke and spice on the nose. Cherry and raspberry round out the nose for me. Pretty crisp, lime, fresh. Retails for about $14 and is distributed around the mid-Atlantic. One of the oldest wineries in VA! Filed under:...
Speed Tasting #4
2009 Llana Estacado from Texas. Gewurztraminer, Viognier, Riesling, and Muscat Canellini. I’ve never had a Texas wine before. This one smells quite sweet. The Gewruztraminer is very present on the nose with spice, honeysuckle, and pear. THe palate is no where near as sweet as I expected. Very light and bright and on the dry...
Speed Tasting #3
2008 Afton Mountain Tete De Cuvee Brut. A VA sparkling! You don’t see that very often, so very cool to be able to taste this. It’s not yet released. Retail will be $30 when released. Family has owned the winery since 2009. Apple pie, cinnamon, spice, yeasty. Only 200 cases produced. Great spice on the...
