Whether you're an Event Planner looking for inspiration and ideas or a bourgeoning wine enthusiast wanting to know Why You Should Use a Decanter Every Day, we cover the wine and event planning bases here.
With August but days away, we'll be signing off for some needed R & R for a few weeks - perhaps with the occasional insight or newsflash to whet your whistle until we get back into the full swing of things after Labor Day.
But we can't NOT go out with Wicked splash first! Head over to Wicked Local today to find out about two more "Blanc" varietals you won't want to miss this summer! Giddy-up!
Which Chenin Blanc is your summer fav?
I always say "self awareness is half the battle". In this case I am aware that there can be a distinct disadvantage to reporting all the wine news that's fit to print on a Friday. By that point it's likely you've seen the really good fodder - which is why I try to throw in wine events or nerdier stuff you may be less inclined to come across in your own wine reading. But this week there were two articles I came across that were just too good not to pass on to my readers; and there is always the chance you haven't stumbled on these yet anyway. So here goes!
The Wine Rack. Seeing is believing! No doubt if this new item takes off there truly IS something for everyone - as gag gifts or otherwise! Check it out.
On a more serious note - and wicked cool - it turns out the oldest wine on the planet can actually be found on the bottom of the ocean. Who knew? Check out this old school Champagne - and then report back:
Do the descriptive terms they use to talk about what this wine tastes like really inspire your confidence in the "excellence" of the appraisal?
Two summers ago I put together a case of wine for a family gathering out on Block Island. I knew my sisters prefer their wines white in the summer – and as crisp and citrusy as they come (enticing labels never hurt either). Aiming to please, the case was filled with six bottles of white, two rosé and two reds. In that mix, a few were Sauvignon Blancs (the family “fan fav”) from different parts of the world and including a White Bordeaux (a blend of mostly Sauvignon Blanc and a little Semillon) and a little Chilean number. But my goal was also to expand their wine varietal horizons, and so I threw in a Pinot Blanc and two Chenin Blancs for good measure. I figured the “Blanc” would be familiar, but different, and peak their curiosity.
Discover "what the blanc?!" on Wicked Local today!
July is not a time to shy from bold red wines. Think about it: when the mercury rises as far as it has the last week plus, the last thing you want to do is turn on the oven. Instead you head out back to the grill. And what better accompaniment to a robust protein is there than a beefy red wine? Quite possibly… none. The key is to just get your beverage to the right temperature. Even if you can’t cool off, there’s no reason your wine shouldn’t! Give it a break from higher than desirable “room temp” by popping the bottle in your fridge for 20 minutes or so before uncorking it. No joke – you’re enjoyment, guaranteed, will be far superior! This month's Wicked Wines will give you a few ideas to get you going. Check them out!
What's your Go-To summer red?
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?
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!
Go on…. Close your eyes; breathe deep. Do you smell it? White flowers, a hint of ocean air and beach grass, something honeyed and sweet. Yes! It’s summer!
A few weeks ago a trip to New York City gave me the same thrill. No, I wasn’t in Central Park. I was at Hearth in the East village having dinner - and the Somellier/Owner Paul Grieco, apparently relishing my enthusiasm for wine, had just placed a glass of Bukettraube in front of me. Of course, he didn’t tell me it was Bukettraube. We were playing a little game of “Guess That Vin....”
Head over to Wicked Local today to hear more about my blind tasting fun and the delightful surprise on my glass that night!
Have you ever experimented with blind tasting?
This week we have a little something for every food and wine lover! Let's start with the "real" juice:
Just a few days ago Wine.com launched a new version of its old self, wineshopper.com. Who does this new site benefit? Those looking for more rare, esoteric or otherwise small production, lesser available/known stuff. The site also features special deals of the day by way of email blasts. Do you think you'll investigate this new wine buying opportunity?
We also learned this week about a specialty vinegar on the market, which apparently has chef's jumping out of their skin. Minus 8 is an Ontario-based outfit that harvests grapes at precisely that temperature - sort of like ice wine, but for food lovers! Check it out.
Last but not least, our friends at Divas Uncorked are gearing up for their annual food and wine fest out out the Vineyard. The event is a weekend affair August 12 - 15 and features various festivities all about the island. You can choose to attend certain events "a la carte" or buy the all-access pass. More information is available here.
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?
Perhaps you also have been experiencing technical difficulties what with the storms we've been having around Beantown this month (feels more like July/August, no?). Nevertheless, we're going to try to get back on our game here at Pour Favor for some more regular wine fodder - internet outages be damned!
This week we have some wine for thought the queue, so we'll keep things briefer on this end.
Check out this new company/wine tasting program out in California. The Tasting Room offers consumers a chance to sample uber premium wines before taking the plunge and buying a full 750ml bottle. Of course this service isn't on offer in Massachusetts what with our liquor laws, no doubt. But the idea raises a couple of interesting questions. Do you think you're more apt to buy a full bottle after sampling wines you have to pay for? Here in MA it is illegal for retail shops to charge for wine tastings so you still have the option to sample for FREE and then make a purchase. Is their program too contrived because there are only certain producers who participate?
And then there is the age-old (lol) question of what the heck the deal is with "Old Vines". Does it matter how old the vines are? And how old does the vine have to be to be old enough? Etc. Etc. Matt Kramer does a good job of starting the dialog on this tricky topic. Check it out! We might have to weigh in one of these days on our own....
What do you think constitutes "old vines"? Are you more apt to buy a bottle if it claims as much on the label?
