History and Organizing.

Greetings and Salutations!

I am currently neck deep in history and reviews for this coming Sunday. My first wine event is taking place, entitled "Moscatos of the World". Wine, cheese, snackies (tres elegant). 

Besides organizing this event, I also have been digging deep into the origins of this long overlooked and often underestimated varietal. While Moscatos have been dubbed "Cheap", "Party Wine" and by many bears the same rank as a White Zinfandel, I have found that our refreshing summer wine is more than what it appears. 

Few know that Moscato (cousin of Spumante) is one of the most archaic wines in the world. The grape and drink was brought over to Italy by Roman soldiers which then thousands of years later was brought over to America by French and Spanish immigrants. Amazingly, only within the past ten years has Moscato gained any kind of influence in the United States. Many stores still carry just a hand full of brands. 

As a representative to my business I get to sample and rate some of the worlds best wines, but an everyday individual cannot. I believe it is my duty to help people understand what it is they are buying and the best way to do that is to try it first. 

That doesn't mean it's not easy getting all of this together. *collapses under piles of book* Yeesh.

Anyways, wish me luck. If all goes well my next event will be in October for fall wines and what to serve at Thanksgiving. 

Until then, enjoy the sunshine and a glass with a friend.

~Racecar

Bealieu Vineyards (BV) Sauvignon Blanc

Greetings and Salutations!

It is hot outside, so I decided to pour myself a glass of one of my favorite varietals: Sauvignon Blanc! The wonderful delights of this white is, like any wine, no two are a like. Some can be tart, some can be heavy some can be heavenly and , occasionally, some can be down right awful!

I decided to try Beaulieu Vineyard's (aka BV) version this time around. It has been hit and miss for me with american brands, but with the holidays this week, I couldn't pass up a $6.99 sale price.

http://www.bvwines.com

The vineyard first started in 1900 when French immigrants, Georges and Fernand de Letour, came to Napa Valley. When they arrived the first thought that came to them was "beau lieu" meaning "beautiful place". The two of them were one of the first to challenge Europe in the field of elegant viticulture, some of the first to establish the glory that Napa valley is today.

Brand: Bealieu Vineyards Coastal Estates

Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc

Location: California

Vintage: 2011

Price: $6.99 sale price (normally $9.99)

Color: slight hay color

Aroma: citrus, refreshing

Mouth Feel: slightly sharp

Start: lightly acidic

Finish: small lingering of lime, but otherwise clean.

Flavor: Small amount of acidity, a bit tart. Not offensive, but a bit more bold than some other brands.

Other: This was not as refreshing as some of the other Sauvignon Blancs I've had but I've also been spoiled

by high class New Zealand brands. This is also was a little heavier then some I've had, but California does

have a different growing climate. Not bad for a west coast brand.


Overall: 8.0 out of 10


On, the plus side of everything, I had 3/4 of a bottle leftover that my mother used to cook with. She used a

sauce packet put out by McCormick's to make Chicken Scallopini (with zucchini and rotini pasta) and the

Sauvignon Blanc just blossomed with all the extra flavors! It spiced the dish right up and tasted extra

delicious!



Well, until next time, may the sun shine bright and share a bottle between friends!



~Racecar

Blue Mountain Vineyards (I'm back!)

Greetings and Salutations!

I told you I had a new wine review for you guys. And I couldn't help doing this one. A fairly new addition to my top ten favorite wines list. There's only one problem. You can only get this wine in Pennsylvania.

That's right! Blue Mountain Vineyards of New Tripoli, PA! YAY!
http://www.bluemountainwine.com/

Now, I am originally from Philly so, for my birthday last year, I took a trip back to my hometown and stayed with my godparents for a couple of weeks. I WANT TO GO BACK. Upon one the first of my several trips to Redding Terminal Market (Joy!) and I happened upon the little shop that specifically sells this vineyards varietals. And I have to say that I would feel no shame dropping a couple hundred dollars to ship a couple of cases of that wine back to Minnesota.

This is, quite literally, one of the BEST wines I have ever had in my experience as a wine specialist. I have had Pinot Grigio's from Pompeii, I have sampled the finest Ports of Washington state and I can say, without hyperbole, that Blue Mountain Vineyards gets an A+ in my reviews!! I was so impressed that I returned to Redding Market several more times just to get a few more bottles to bring home. And I very rarely do that.

Anyways, here's a little history on the vineyard itself.

Blue Mountain started up in 1986 by husband and wife team Joe and Vicki with a simple 5 acres of french hybrids and vignoles grapes in New Tripoli's Leheigh Valley. Eventually, they learned that Pennsylvania soil has many similar properties that European terrains claim and they soon expanded on their inventory. In 1998, they added on another 20 acres of syrah, petite syrah and riesling vines until today where they claim over 100 acres of grapes. In fact, their fields grew so much the two of them opened up a new vineyard in 2007 (Leaser Lake Vineyards)!
In April of 2008, Joe and Vicki were granted the designation of the American Viticulture Area. In other words, they were able to label their wine as Estate Bottled. And Leheigh Valley is now classified with the elite status that only comes from Sonoma or Napa Valley, CA!

Now the best part. REVIEW TIME.
I will be reviewing Blue Mountain's "Mountain Frost" varietal.

Brand: Blue Mountain
Varietal: Mountain Frost
Location: New Tripoli, PA
Vintage: N/A
Price: $10.99-$12.99
Color: Golden
Aroma: Sweet, fruity with a hint of pear and honey
Mouth feel: Medium bodied. Smooth and easy of the pallat.
Start: Silky sweet
Finish: Clean with a little bit of a slight, syrupy aftertaste. Not offending at all (just made me want to have another glass).
Flavor: Honey, pear, apricot with a hint of effervescence.
Other: ANOTHER GLASS PLEASE

Overall rating: 9.9/10 (this is quite literally the highest I will ever rate a wine)

The only problem with this wine that I've ever had (or any wine I've fallen in love with) is that fact that I can't get it anywhere in the midwest........or any of the food I grew up with back home in Philly.......except for Scrapple. They can keep that. Other then that I get a little too enthusiastic for this varietal and the next thing I know I'm on the couch, with the cat, singing Puccini.

In other words, if you happen to be anywhere in the area.....pick up a bottle.

Until next, pray for sunshine and enjoy a bottle between friends.

A bientôt!

~Racecar

Yes....I am still alive.

Greetings and Salutations!

Please forgive the lack of updates, but life, the universe and everything likes to make sure that I am constantly running. *looks at previous posts*........Holy cow, it's been a while. Where have I been?!

Good news, though! This July I will be starting a series of wine events that will continue on through the year (and hopefully longer). In other words, I am buried under books and papers of research on our favorite wine  of the summer, Moscato! This series will continue on, each with a different theme ("Fall varietals", "What to serve with your turkey", "It's christmas and you've got a party-oh no!" and so forth).

Anywho, more wine reviews will be a coming and hopefully I'll survive that crazy, whirlwind of "fun" we call life. Onward and upward......I am off!

Until next time.....let there please be sunshine and a bottle of wine to keep us company.

Ah bientot!
~Racecar

March is for Washington

Greetings and Salutations!With great adoration I announce that March is Washington Wine Month!

Washington State is America's second-largest wine producing region with over 700+ growers and over 300+ grape growers.
There are 12 Appellations of wine growing regions in the state.
Yakima Valley - Established in 1983
Walla Walla Valley - 1984
Columbia Valley - 1984
Puget Sound - 1995
Red Mountain - 2001
Columbia Gorge - 2004
Horse Heaven Hills - 2005
Wahluke Slope - 2006
Rattlesnake Hills - 2006
Snipes Mountain - 2009
Lake Chelan - 2009
Nache Heights - 2011

The leading varietals are Riesling (at 21%), Cabernet Sauvignon (20%), Chardonnay (18%), Merlot (18%) and Syrah (7%). On the ration of 52% to 48% white wines are Washington States' most popular ,varietal. Altogether, Wine Grape Acreage is roughly 43,000+ acres or 17,000+ hectacres with over 160,000 tons of grapes harvested every year.
Washington gets 17.4 hours per day of summer sunlight with is about 2 hours more than California's prime wine grape-growing regions. The annual amount of rainfall is eight inches in the east (the major grape growing region) and 48 inches in western Washington state.

If you would like to try some delicious Washington varietals might I recommend a few?
Airfield Estates has an incredible Late Harvest Riesling while Thurston Wolfe (a grape geneticist) has an all around red and white collection. McKinley Springs has a red blend under the name "Bomb Range" which is a full bodied red with a clean finish and an intriguing history. Columbia Crest has a light hearted, semi-sweet moscato with fresh fruit flavorings while the ever popular 14 Hands' lush, full bodied riesling joins it's family of exquisite blends.

Overall, I was most impressed by Barnard Griffin Fine Artisan Wines, one of Washington's oldest vineyards. Rob Griffin came to Washington in 1977 and became Preston Valley's first premier wine maker. Even though professors in California told him that Washington was too cold to grow grapes, he soon won Best in Show at the Seattle Enological society's Northwest Wine Festival with his own Chardonnay. In 1983, Rob started making his own private label with his wife Deborah Barnard. Their first batches mainly focused on Chardonnay, Fume' Blanc and Riesling. Their varietals have spread out to Cabernets, merlots and even a decadent Orange Muscat.
What impressed me the most about Barnard Griffin vineyards was their amazing 2009 Syrah Port. Rich and full bodied, with a hint of sweetness, this red was addicting from the first to last drop. Retail at $17.99 the Syrah Port is an affordable find for any port connoisseur.
http://www.barnardgriffin.com/

There are many, many more lovely Washington wines such as Chateau Ste. Michelle and Hogue, ranging from acidic and tannin filled to lush and juicy. Take your time, it's a long month.

I hope you have learned something new today and will go out an explore our lovely state of Washington and it's amazing growing climate.

Until next time,
Racecar

Sutter Home Sweet White

Greetins and Salutations!

This post will be talking about one of Sutter Home's newest varietals, their Sweet White.

Sutter Home first originated around the 1880's when a Swiss-German immigrant, by the name of John Thomann, started a vineyard in the heart of Napa valley. The vineyard really started becoming truely known in 1948 due to the hard work and constant elbow grease put down by the family.

Sutter Home was the vineyard that created the varietal that changed the world: White Zinfandel. When they debuted this wine in the 1970's it changed the way people drank wine forever. Sutter Home has become a household name and is the second largest, independent family-run winery in the U.S.

Anyways, onto the wine!

Brand: Sutter Home (No Photo available)

Varietal: Sweet White

Location: California

Vintage: none

Price: 5.99

Color: Very light pear color         

Aroma: Light, but floral 

Mouth feel:  Medium bodied    

Start: Very smooth

Finish: Clean      

Flavor: Medium sweet. Slight taste of mandarin and a hint of pear. A hint of honey as well.

Other: Very impressed. No sharpness and has a dessert feel about it. I am usually not a big fan of sutter home, but I could definitely recommend this to anyone who likes Riesling or moscato.

Overall: 85/100

That's all for today!

Jusqu'à Demain

Racecar

Lulu B. (I'm back!.....for now)

Greetings and Salutation!

I've been granted a break in my cold to leave you with a few wine reviews!

This post's review will be about Lulu B. Moscato!

To tell the truth, there is little that is known about Lulu B. wine, so unfortunetly, I will not be able to give a history report about this brand.

Anywho, on to the wine!

Brand: Lulu B. (No picture available) (Screw top)

Varietal: Moscato

Location: Spain

Vintage: None

Price: $6.99

Color: Pear, light golden colored

Aroma: Light, but fruity and sweet.

Mouth feel: Medium heavy. Smooth with a slight honey texture.

Start: Dry.                                                

Finish: Semi-sweet

Flavor: Apricot, peach with a hint of pineapples.

Other: Very slight tingle on the tongue.

Overall: 65/100

Not bad at all. It is more based for semi-sweet moscato drinker who wants their wine just a little heavier, but not to the point where it’s syrupy.

That's all for now!

Jusqu'à Demain

Racecar