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