For the love of...Chablis!

What a rewarding surprise to find when you Google “Chablis” you are not taken to the homepage of Gallo, purveyors of a California white jug wine that is responsible for an overwhelming misconception of what Chablis actually is: a winemaking village in France’s well-regarded Burgundy region. And when you get down to the particulars of what the wine is, we’re talking about a refined, unoaked Chardonnay with a tremendous spine of minerality unique to the region itself. Chardonnay? Yes. This, the world’s most recognized white wine grape, has its roots in Burgundy, no pun intended, where they focus on drawing out the natural flavors of the grape itself. On this July 4th weekend holiday, get ready to relish a bit of something super special! Pop over to Wicked Local to get the skinny on this special "take" on Chard.

When you hear "Chablis" what do you think of first?

Juicy fooder to whet your wine whistle over the 4th!

This week the bloggosphere has been uncorking juicy tidbits left and right. And since we all need a bit of levity over a holiday weekend (or anticipation on one on a Friday), here are some of my favorites: Dr. Vino doesn't hold back at all with this week's Sipped & Spit line-up. Bordeaux, Grateful Palate banter, Bourgogne Blanc and Brews.... Sit back and be entertained!

Next week we'll be adding some wine knowledge to your week over at Wicked Local. In anticipation of that article, check out this entertaining banter on the obscure Melon Queue Rouge varietal. Chardonnay? Or something else? Have you ever encountered it before?

While you consider your response to the above question, sip on this fine suggestion from Deb Harkness. She has your back (and BBQ needs) covered this Fourth of July weekend. Independence from decision-making = Happiness!

Last leg! Memories from trip to Cairanne, Southern Rhone

Ever heard of the French village of Cairanne? Neither had my GPS… Not terribly far outside of Avignon in the Vaucluse region, Cairanne is a very tiny locale gaining increased consumer recognition for their outstanding Rhone vin. I had some early introduction to the wares from this region because my wine mentor is a huge fan of Gigondas and Vacqueras wines, a stone’s throw from Cairanne. Cairanne provided an opportunity to enjoy wines with tremendous concentration and sense of place, without commanding the bigger bucks of its highly regarded neighbors.

Three years ago my interest and appreciation of these wines was further piqued when I had the opportunity to meet a tremendously talented winemaker at a Boston wine trade event. Who was it, you ask? Pop over to Wicked Local today to find out!

Have you brought home a Cairanne recently? From which producer?

June Wicked Wines are... GOAL!

And…. We’re off! The World Cup games have started so it is definitely time to uncork a few bottles and celebrate the games. Of course there’s no better way to do that than traveling the world a bit. This month our Wicked Wine tour starts in France, travels to Italy, then comes back to Portugal and ultimately flies south of the equator to the home of the games: South Africa. Who are you rooting for? Which of these picks gets the most points on your tally sheet?

Wine Tasting in Tavel

When I was planning my trip to the Southern Rhone, visiting Tavel was a given. Not only was I arriving in May, the beginning of rosé season, but Tavel offers perhaps the most revered bottlings of this sacred juice internationally. It is the only region in France where rosé is the only “official” wine allowed to be produced. That is, any producer can produce any wine, but the way French wine law works you only get “credit” for a wine if it follows certain strict regulations, or guidelines. In Tavel that guideline is a mandate for rosé. See which winery was my host and what my taste-buds told me over at Wicked Local today!

Have you enjoyed any great Tavel rosé yet this year?

in my glory in Chateauneuf du Pape

Wine is a cerebral “sport”, it’s true. Of course, like anything, it doesn’t have to be; but anytime you invest a little extra something into what’s on hand, you benefit even more. In the case of wine, we’re talking about the curious intersection of history, tradition, terroir, climate, culture, cuisine and grape. And so traveling to wine country is one of the best ways to really explore the stuff we pour so willingly into our glasses. Case in point: a recent trip to the Southern Cote du Rhone proved as enlightening and dramatic an experience as I hoped! Pop over to Wicked Local to get the scoop on (part one) of my wine country tale!

Which producers would you visit when in the Rhone?

No bigger event than a trip to the Southern Rhone!

This Friday I bring to you something new, in my world of wine news and "events". I took myself to the Southern Cote du Rhone last week and had a blast! There is no better way to fully appreciate a region's special magic than seeing it, the land, the climate - the Mighty Mistral! - at work  for yourself; meeting the local winemakers who make your heart sing back in the states; and enjoying the local culture, cuisine and hospitality. I posted my web album et. al. over on Ball Square Fine Wines' blog earlier this week. Pop over to check it out!

Where are your wine travels taking you this year? Have you also been to the Southern Rhone?

2010 rose wine season off to a good start

Last year we waited, and waited, and waited for warmer days to come. Rosé wine, one of the best ways to enjoy said weather, took a kind of backseat amidst the dreary doldrums we experienced here in New England. It wasn’t until August that I finally had the inclination to write about how gorgeous (and not sweet) rosé wines are – and offered them as a solution to the hot and humid days of summer. This year we're off to a much better start - and the 2009 roses are starting to come in! Pop on over to Wicked Local to get a refresher course on these lovely wines and a few recommendations to kick off your 2010 rose travels.

Respect the grape: Chardonnay

Chardonnay gets a bad rep. Some people seem to find it too mundane. Others complain about the over-oaked Chards that used to dominate the domestic market. You know things are really bad when somewhere along the way a “group” called the ABC’s came into being (Anything BUT Chardonnay). But such hate is not just unbecoming, it’s also unnecessary. Pop over to Wicked Local today to get a fresh take on this highly "controversial" varietal! Are you a Chard lover - or hater?

Easter wine recs

Easter is a holiday that not everyone celebrates – nor in the same ways. Traditions are a bit more fluid somehow here in the United States. Maybe your family prefers a delicious Easter brunch after a morning visit to church and an Easter Egg Hunt for the kiddies. Maybe you do your own thing with your family in the morning, then visit with friends in the afternoon over a mid-afternoon dinner of baked ham or a leg of lamb. But one thing is certain: such a lack of specific tradition can cause some level of Easter week “panic.” Of course, there's no need to stress when a little advice is at the ready. Pop over to Wicked Local today to get some ideas for your celebration! Will wine have a place at your Easter table this year? What will you uncork?