Red Is a Holiday Color — Just Not on the Carpet!
Monday evening was a momentous occasion. We were getting ready to sit down to watch Monday Night Football, all set to see my favorite team (the 49ers) play an exciting, hard-hitting game. Just as I was about to sit down on the couch, I went to put my glass of red wine on the side table. The glass slipped on the coaster, and the entire glass of wine spilled onto the lovely light beige carpet in the family room. This freaked me out. What I will tell you is that I am a bit (understatement?) compulsive and love to have the house tidy and clean. There were many wet, ugly red splotches of wine on the rug! It was a big mess and quite upsetting, to say the least.
I ran for the Wine Away and hoped it would help. I had used it successfully on clothes before and really hoped it would work on the carpet. Unfortunately – it didn’t, it was really to no avail. It turned the red spots to a lighter purple. I needed a back up. I remembered the stain remover named Folex. A good friend (Thanks, Frank!) had recommended it a few years ago, and it was a lifesaver. We worked diligently on the rug, using Folex and old white athletic socks, which were quite absorbent. The stains faded, to the point that I’m pretty sure no one would even notice. It really was quite a relief.
Wine Spectator’s Top 100 of 2013: Just In Time for the Holidays!
It is that time of the year again — when Wine Spectator announces its top 100 wines of the year. Movies have their Oscar’s, sports have the Espy’s, music has its Grammy’s, and so on. Such is the “case” for wine (pun intended). Remember that this is not an industry announcement, but an evaluation by a magazine with very seasoned and experienced tasters making the judgments – so there is credence to their assessments. This is what Wine Spectator states about their list:
“Each year, Wine Spectator editors survey the wines reviewed over the previous 12 months and select our Top 100. This annual list honors successful wineries, regions and vintages around the world. As always, we select the Top 100 based on quality (represented by score), value (reflected by release price), availability (based on the number of cases either made or imported into the United States) and an “X-factor” we call excitement. However, this year, we have given more emphasis than ever before to the X-factor—the intensity of interest the wines excited by way of their singularity or authenticity.”
Ovid Wine: A Class Act
We spent this past week relaxing and enjoying the Napa Valley. It was time to explore and discover new wines and tasting experiences, and one of the stops was at Ovid Napa Valley. This is an absolutely beautiful property and a wonderful wine, which are well worth the time and money to experience. The setting is magnificent on top of Pritchard Hill, and you’ll pass by several other well known wineries on your way to Ovid. The expanse of the valley is in full view from the patio and is simply gorgeous. We were told that on a clear day, you can see all the way to downtown San Francisco. I frankly prefer to see vineyards over buildings, but this gives you a sense of the expanse of the view. (Check this out in the pictures below.) The structure itself is state of the art – set up to move the wine from crush to barrel via gravity flow. This is an innovative property that has been set up to honor the setting and the land.
If you get the sense I am going on about the setting – well, I am. It was exquisite, and the tasting itself was classy with great attention to detail. As we walked into the tasting room, our names were on the chalkboard welcoming us to our visit. We were given a tour of the property including the crush pad, the lab, and the barrel room. Our host was very gracious and knowledgeable.
What’s Wrong with this Picture?
I know it’s not a great picture, but this (Pahlmeyer) is a beautiful wine. It is the 2009 vintage, which garnered very high scores from both the Wine Advocate and Wine Spectator. So what is wrong here? Well, it is 2013 (almost 2014), and this lovely bottle appears to have been on their top shelf for almost four years standing upright. The first problem is that heat rises, and wines really like to be kept cool. Secondly, and more importantly, the cork will dry out in this upright position. And here’s the problem with a dried cork — more air will get into the bottle, which increases the chances that the wine will be oxidized (meaning it was exposed to too much oxygen). That’s not good for any wine. The flavors will be muted and bitter; the nose will be faint, if there’s any at all. This really does depend on the degree of oxidation, yet why take a chance on an expensive wine (this bottle retails for $150, minimum) and not have the full pleasure of what should be a great experience.
Press Restaurant in St. Helena — a WOW Dinner!
I am just about to dive into my dessert of coconut sorbet. One of the only times I ever order dessert is after a meal at the excellent Press restaurant in St. Helena, and it is well worth the indulgence. Quite frankly, it is the smoothest and richest sorbet ever, and it’s following a wonderful dinner here at Press. This is simply my favorite restaurant in the Valley — the food and the service are amazing. Tonight, I had my favorite meal of New York strip steak cooked to perfection with a side order of brussels sprouts. I know, I know – you’re saying, “Brussels sprouts??” These were served sautéed with bacon and cranberries — simply wonderful. The New York strip steak had a perfect char on the outside with juicy, meaty flavors. I hope I am making you hungry. Oh, yes, and the wine – a rich, opulent 2008 from Blankiet.
Leslie Rudd, the owner of Press, is very active in both the Napa Valley and throughout the United States. He also owns Dean & DeLuca, the Oakville Grocery, and the wineries Rudd and Edge Hill. I would have to say that I am a big fan of Mr. Rudd. Historically, I have had many a meal at both Press and the Oakville Grocery, and I truly admire his dedication to quality wine. Rudd Winery is a beautiful property at the corner of the Silverado Trail and Oakville Cross Road in Oakville, CA (in Napa Valley). Mr. Rudd’s Edge Hill winery produces wonderful wines that age gracefully. I have enjoyed them all and have several cellared. While Edge Hill is not open for visits, a visit to the Rudd Winery is well worth the time. It is a sophisticated experience with a sit-down tasting that includes a tour of the lovely and lush grounds. The wine is deep and rich – the Sauvignon Blanc to the big cabernets are well crafted and enjoyable.
“Erna Schein” Petite Sirah — a Real Wow!
Just the other night, I opened a bottle of Petite Sirah. It was an Erna Schein 2005. Now, I realize that neither Petite Sirah nor Erna Schein are household names for many, so let me just say that both are well worth the time and journey. This bottle was well aged and well stored in the cellar. Upon opening, it provided a deep rich nose and, in the glass, an inky, almost purple hue. With richness and depth, this wine was a sheer pleasure.
Two questions may arise: Who is Erna Schein and what is Petite Sirah? Let me answer the second first. Petite Sirah is not the same as Syrah, yet it is related. At one time, it was thought to be unrelated. Thanks to the work of Dr. Carole Meredith (who makes a great Syrah under the label of Lagier-Meredith) at the University of California–Davis, the mystery was put to rest through the use of DNA research. Dr. Meredith determined that 90 percent of the Petite Sirah found in California is really Durif, a grape developed in France in the 1880s. While the grape never caught on in France, it made its way to and was planted in California early in the 20th century and referred to by most growers as Petite Sirah. It is known for its dark hue and firm tannins and is used often in blending wine to give color and structure. On its own it can make a hearty, age-worthy wine.
Great Buys from the Northwest
Many have heard of Screaming Eagle or Bryant Family Wines. Both of those bottles most recent release price for a 750 ml bottle are $850 and $800 respectively. (That is the regular bottle you buy – not a magnum.) When one loves wine and has unlimited resources, that may be the way to go. Yet even those are outpaced by the recently released bubbly described below in a review in Wine Spectator Insider. I saw this price and figured it would be a long while before I would have the occasion to spend that type of money on champagne! I really am trying to envision an event befitting the price. I will ponder that one.
For those of us with more moderate tastes, it’s good to know that our friends in the Pacific Northwest offer some fine wines that will fit your everyday needs. I wanted to share a few with you, so you could be on the look out for these selections. The case productions are large enough that they may make it to many markets across the U.S. I frequently find great buys with quality to spare from vintners in the Northwest. Personally, I’m on the look-out for Zero One, which looks quite enticing.
Malbec — A Great Value Wine
Dining out can be a great experience with food and friends. In a restaurant, the challenge can be finding an excellent wine that is well-crafted and ready, but which won’t break the bank. We all know that while food margins may be small, the margins on wine can be quite big. Some restaurants may charge twice the retail cost — sometimes more. What then is a good choice in those situations??
A good option many times is Malbec. It’s grown in France (the grape’s birthplace is in Bordeaux), Australia, New Zealand, Chile, and Argentina. It’s growing in popularity, and South America is leading the way in production and quality. At its best, perhaps in Argentina, it has a dark purple color and violet aromas. It has been described as lush, with a rich fruit flavor and a soothing, ripe tannic structure.
The Right “Stemware” for Beer Tasting…?
No one likes to be teased, but as long as it’s done with love — well, that’s okay, I guess. I have to admit — I have taken my share of jabs for the swirling and sniffing of wine. Friends and family have mimicked the process with their beer and pretended to be me.
Yet wine drinkers are not alone in their quest for aromas and taste. Beer itself has taken a big step forward in that same arena. At a meeting in Denver, we had a local distributor come in and do a beer tasting. He set up tables and glasses in the same manner as a wine tasting, using good glasses and arranging his samples for all from light to dark. He asked all to swirl gently and sniff to discern the notes of wheat, and so on. I am not a beer drinker (except when good wine is not available) and am not practiced in the nuances of beer, yet this event was no different from a wine tasting experience.
Update on B Cellars — 92 Point Score from Wine Spectator
Wine Spectator just released its score for B Cellars’ 2010 “Blend 24 Napa Valley,” and it scored 92 points!
Since I just posted about B Cellars last week, I wanted to share this news with you. The 2010 “Blend 24 Napa Valley” costs about $51, and 1600 cases were made.