Overview To Sampling Wine
The fundamentals of tasting red wine are reasonably straightforward to find out. As soon as the basics are understood, the nuances and details can be enhanced over a lifetime. Like any kind of various other skill, More »
Red Wine Types
Red wine has a lot of different types, among which, the most popular include Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz. Moreover, More »
Category Archives: Zinfandel
How to Build a Wine Rack
Whether you are an avid wine connoisseur or a normal wine drinker, an alcohol rack will help you manage your collection easier. You can also use your wine rack to properly store your spirits so that it will not be wasted.
MATERIALS NEEDED TO MAKE A WINE RACK
The materials that you needed for your project are wood stock, one by two strapping stock, tack nails, bolts, carpentry glue, screws and nails.
TOOLS
The tools that you needed to for this endeavor are saw, drill with bits, tape measure, hammer, pen and paper.
STEPS IN BUILDING YOUR WINE RACK
One of the first things that you should know before beginning your project is where you will place it. If the standard rules regarding alcohol storage are followed, it should not be constructed near doors and window, in an area where there is a high degree of humidity and in a place where there is sunlight. One of the most well-known variations of alcohol racks are table top racks. They can be place in alcoves and in the top of cabinets.
For this rack variation, you need to use a thin wood stock. Sizes differ for this variation but it is recommended to use one inch deep and two inches wide. Determine what will be the height of your creation and create 2 pairs of legs. With the help of a stock, decide the length and width of the set-up and create the cross braces and holders needed.
For a 6 wine bottle rack, you need to create sixteen braces-twelve for the alcohol bottles and a pair of braces for the ends for additional support. Installing the braces can be accomplished in three different ways: using nails, screwing and using a drill. Carefully connect each part and make sure to place a cross brace for additional strength.
If you are making it in a wine cellar, it needs to be constructed near a power outlet. It should also be made above ground so that it will not be affected by the moisture in the ground. The main difference between a bigger rack and kitchen bottle rack is that this will be installed to the wall for additional support.
Create thick posts for it and a single two by four stock with cutouts for the wine bottles. Make clamps for the bottle support. Do this for one portion and then make it as a reference for how many wine bottles that you needed.
Sonoma County Wine Country
France has historically been the top of the heap when it comes to wine production. Northern California has certainly given France a run for its money in the last 40 plus years. The Sonoma County wine region is one area that doesn’t get as much attention as it should, but it has a ton to offer.
Sonoma County is located above San Francisco and sits close to Napa Valley. Although located above San Francisco, the best way to access the area is through the Oakland airport. Regardless, an hour or two later in a rental car will deliver you to an absolutely beautiful set of valleys that are lined with wineries. This means vineyard after vineyard, a site to behold for both the eyes and palette.
Sonoma County is roughly a square in size with 50 miles per side. There are 260 wineries in the County. Over the roughly one million acres in the county, sixty thousand of them are planted with vines. There are 13 different American Viticulture Areas [AVA] in the county. Of these, Chardonnay is the dominant choice with over 15,000 acres planted. Cabernet Sauvignon comes in a somewhat distant second with over 10,000 acres planted. Overall, Sonoma Country produces between five and seven percent of the total wine tonnage in California every year.
On a personal front, I can tell you Sonoma County has much to offer in both the quality of wine produced and the general culture of the area. Napa Valley is the undisputed media darling of Northern California, but this also makes it a hectic place when it comes to tastings and such. Sonoma County is the opposite. Unlike Napa, you can head over to a quality winery like Stag’s Leap and talk personally with the vintner [makes the wine] and viticulturist [grows the grapes]. It is a quaint and friendly experience that reminds you of years past when California was a hidden secret when it came to wine production. For better or worse, those days are long gone.
Sonoma County is often overshadowed by Napa. If you are considering a trip to the area, try Sonoma County for a relaxed, education experience in fine wines at fine wineries.
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A Wine Lover’s Weekly Guide To $10 Wines – A Peloponnesian Greek Wine
This will be our third Greek wine review. The first was a sweet wine from the island of Samos. Then came a red from the island of Crete also made by today’s producer. Now we continue with a white from the Peloponnesian peninsula. This particular wine comes from pink Rhoditis grapes in the foothills near Patras at an elevation of about 650 to 1500 feet (200 to 450 meters). The producer Kourtaki has the largest wine production facility in all Greece, which is not surprising when you consider that it is the largest producer in the country. What may be surprising is that they are the first in Europe to use the patented “Crystal Flow” wine stabilization method. There is a lot happening in the world of wine, and Greece is no exception. By the way, should you so desire they still bottle and sell that classic standby, Retsina. Don’t look for a review of Retsina here. Ever. And yes, I have tasted it.
OUR WINE REVIEW POLICY All wines that we taste and review are purchased at the full retail price.
Wine Reviewed Kourtakis Kouros Patras 2008 11.9% alcohol about $ 10 Let’s start by quoting the marketing materials.
“Tasting Note : Straw/lemon yellow color; lanolin, lemon and mineral aroma; crisp apple & lemon flavor; light body; crisp finish. Serving Suggestion : Pasta salad & olive oil dressing; fried seafood” And now for my review.
At the first sips the wine presented refreshing acidity. It was lemony. The initial meal centered on a soy-barbecued chicken breast. The wine showed strong lemon with good acidity. It was tasty. I got the feeling of the Greek seaside. The meal included an old favorite of mine, potatoes roasted in chicken fat. (The Greeks do their roasted potatoes differently.) The wine cut the grease. With a white corn and black bean salsa the wine’s acidity picked up but its fruit descended. With the dessert of fruit juice candy I got the lanolin that I had been promised.
The next meal involved a packaged eggplant rolatini with tomatoes, ricotta and mozzarella cheese that I slathered with grated Parmesan Cheese. This wine presented strong lemon flavor and acidity with a moderate length. Dessert was a high-quality, French lemon pie with a buttery crust. The wine was thin and yet pleasant. The two lemons meshed.
My final meal involved an omelet perked up with garlic powder and crushed chillies. The wine was pleasantly acidic and round with a side of moderately spicy guacamole. The wine became more acidic but remained pleasant and refreshing. This was a summer terrace wine. Before the traditional two cheeses I enjoyed some Matjes herring. The wine became sweet with a delicate lemon flavor. This was a pretty good pairing.
The first cheese was a local Provolone. This relatively flat cheese managed to weaken the wine. With a nutty Swiss, the wine wasn’t very present and not worth wasting on the cheese.
Final verdict. I have no plans to buy this wine again. There is just too much competition out there. But it did come close. Why can’t they do better?
Whether Wine Cellar or Wine Racks, What Are Your Wine Storage Needs?
Proper wine storage is the best way to protect your quality wines so that they last for a long time. Wine storage provides the perfect temperatures and maximum storage space so that you can find the wines you want easily and quickly. There are many specialty companies that create storage units in a variety of options. Wood and metal racks are available as well as cooling units, cabinets and fridges. Some are elegant and some are simple, and they come in different shapes and sizes to meet your needs. Your choice will depend on your taste, supply and budget. The most popular choices include racks, cabinets, table top units and rack cubes.
Wine Racks
Racks come in wood and metal. They are also available for commercial businesses. This is the easiest solution if a person has a small supply of bottles. With regards to the wood racks, there are usually a few different shades to choose from. They also come in many different sizes and shapes. There are table top racks, scalloped racks, display top racks and other styles for wood racks. They are perfect for the decoration of any elegant room. They are elegant and beautiful additions to any collection. If you are not interested in wooden wine racks, then you can choose a metal base. Metal racks come in 36” or 48” sizes. They are also available for decorative bottlers or larger bottles. There are also floor to ceiling frames that can add character to any room. Finally, commercial racks are larger and come in wood or metal, allowing companies to choose which option best suites their place of business.
Wine Cabinets
Cabinets offer elegance and safe storage for your wine collection. They are a great addition to any living or dining room. There are also built in cooling systems to protect your supply. Cabinets are usually made out of high quality oak but can come in different shades. They come in 220, 330 or 440 bottle storage sizes. Some companies may also have a credenza cabinet with a 216 bottle storage and cooling system. Depending on the company, it might be possible to customize your own style and color to match your home. The cooling units have temperature adjustments and professionally designed storage to protect your investment. They may be considered storage space, but these beautifully handcrafted cabinets are made so that you and your guests will be amazed.
Table Top Units
Table top units come in different shades of wood. They store anywhere from 24 to 48 bottles safely in a limited space. This option is for people who want to store a limited supply in a small space. The wines can be displayed for guests to see, giving them a variety of options to choose from. Pine and redwood are the most popular wood finishes, and they can complement any home. They are also affordable, practical, sturdy and attractive additions to any kitchen, living or dining room.
Wine Rack Cubes
Rack cubes are modern and easy storage units for about 24 bottles. They are designed to save space and create a neat look whether in a wine cellar or dining room area. Cubes come in many different sizes and a few wood colors. Two shades of pine and two shades or redwood are available for buyers to choose from. Sometimes two rack cubes can be purchased to be placed side by side or on top of each other. If your selection is larger, then four can be bought to create a large storage cube. There are also bins to store cases and other items and supplies. These may be placed in a wine cellar for storage and organization.
WineRacksAmerica has many different options for your wine storage needs. They range in color, size and style. Check out their inventory to find the perfect storage system that meets your taste, budget and supply.
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Washington Wines Revealed
For too long now, Washington wines have existed under the shadow of their neighbors to the south, and living under the pretense that they could not, and would not stack up to the boisterousness and nobility of California wine. Washington has been prisoner to the understandable misconception that they simply do not host a suitable grape growing climate. How could they grow grapes, you may ask, when it rains all the time? In fact, the majority of Washingtons wine growing region lies to the east of the Cascade mountain range, which, due to the rain shadow effect is arid and sunny. While damp and temperate Western Washington gets an average of sixty inches of rain per year, the East Side receives eight.
Its true that Washington was still making fortified wines based on Concord grapes in the 1960s when California wines were already receiving awards and becoming world recognized. But they have grown with leaps and bounds over the past 40 years and are producing high quality wines that compete with the best of California. The wheat fields and fruit orchards that were the previous staple economy in Walla Walla and Yakima Valleys have been replaced with acres of lucrative vines, growing from just ten wineries in 1970, to over five hundred today.
The Washington wine industry is currently worth three billion dollars and is ranked second to California in grape growing and wine production. The 1980s saw a huge demand for white wines and interest spiked for Rieslings and Chardonnays. Although the white wines are continuing to hold their popularity and prestige, Washington is now praised for its Syrahs, Cabernet Sauvignons and Merlots as well.
One of the most notable and celebrated winemakers out of Walla Walla Valley is winemaker Charles Smith. This year will mark his tenth year. The retired rock band manager shifted gears when he taught himself the art of creating quality wines, starting with very small batches of Syrah. Dont be fooled by the wine label effect and eye catching names, these are not mediocre wines with a cushy marketing budget. Inside the bottle are some of the most tremendous wines coming out of that region. These wines are not for the faint at heart. They are powerful, rock solid wine that pack a serious punch. With his wild thick hair, leather boots and a plain black t-shirt Smith looks like a cross between Jerry Garcia and a Harley Davidson poster child, and seems a little out of place in the perceived pretentiousness of the wine industry. His motorcycle riding, live on the edge, rock n roll personality shines through in all aspects of his winemaking, from labels to descriptions and within the wines themselves.
You can find Charles Smiths wines, the signature black and white labels, under his self-titled Charles Smith label, K Vintners and The Magnificent Wine Company. K Vintners is his original production and consists mainly of 100% Syrah and Syrah blends. The value-based Magnificent Wine Company label revolves around House Red Wine and House White Wine; quality table wine blends from multiple vineyards and vintages. His most recent endeavor is his Charles Smith wines, where he has been continuing with his full bodied, best wine possible approach and branching out to Rieslings, Chardonnays and Merlots.
Listed below are just a few of the favorites.
Charles Smith Label
Kung Fu Girl Riesling ($ 17)
Inspired by the Quentin Tarantino film Kill Bill
Tasting Notes: THIS GIRL IS SERIOUS! Aromatic, smooth, vibrant and tasty. Think tangerine, apricot, wet stone, key lime, clove and nectarine.now stop thinking and start drinking CAUSE KUNG FU GIRL KICKS ASS! Charles Smith
Eve Chardonnay 2007 ($ 15)
Tasting Notes: Sinfully temptingfresh, crisp, the perfume of sweet apple blossoms lures you into The Garden of Eden. Silky, soft, mouth filling deliciousnesstake the first sip! Charles Smith
Velvet Devil Merlot ($ 15)
Tasting Notes: If velvet had a flavor this would be it. Bittersweet chocolate, dark Italian cherries. Sweet rose petals with a firm, satiny finish. Pure Washington Merlot. HELL YEAH! Charles Smith
Chateau Smith Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 ($ 21)
96.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3.5% Malbec
Tasting Notes: Delicious Cabernet Sauvignon. Aromatics galorecigar box, pencil lead, cedar and currants with super refined tannins and a long, fine finish. French? No. Chateau Smith? OUI! Charles Smith
Boom Boom Syrah ($ 18)
99.5% Syrah, .5% Primitivo
Tasting Notes: Everything you want in a syrah.smooth, firm, fresh & darksuper
dense purple with meaty dark fruit, Asian five spice & sweet tobacco. Intense yet
plush textureit will KNOCK YOUR SOCKS OFF! Charles Smith
K Vintners Label
K Vintners Milbrandt Vineyard 2007 ($ 36)
Tasting Notes: As the day is longa never ending finish of spices, fresh tobacco, cured meats, and stone. So smooth, so fine. Charles Smith
K Vintners Northridge Vineyard 2007 ($ 40)
Tasting Notes: Extremely concentrated, intense color. Notes of huckleberry, cedar, cigar and kirsch. Built like a brick shit-house; exuberant ripe fruit with grippy backbone and spice and a seamless finish. Charles Smith
K Vintners Phil Lane Vineyard 2007 ($ 75)
Tasting Notes: Violets, lavender, roasted meat, game, crushed stone, and a super long finish. Charles Smith
Washington Facts retrieved from Complete Wine Course by Kevin Zraly. Additional Charles Smith information can be found at www.charlessmithwines.com, www.kvintners.com & www.magnificentwine.com