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