WINO 101

Hello Friends and Wine Lovers!

Welcome to another Carpe Vinum Newsletter and Tasting Announcement! I just have to say that one of the more exciting aspects of wine is in the fact that it is a worldwide culture and a worldwide product. Each region has different styles, different levels of quality, different methods of production, and on and on. It’s all different. As a result, that makes us all wine explorers, and students of the wine world. In that, we’ve explored the specifics of individual regions of France, but not really the specifics of regions of other countries. So this is a first study in region-specific Spanish wines, and we’re starting with my favorite of Spain: Ribera del Duero! There’s a lot to cover here, so I’ll try to keep it brief-ish and not bore you to tears.

So Ribera del Duero is a region of Spain that is situated in the North part of Central Spain, and lies a few miles Southwest of Rioja on the Duero river. The Duero, by the way, is the same river that flows into the ocean in Portugal where it is known as the Douro River, the area around which the fortified Porto is made. I guess that’s a bit inconsequential . . . but anyway, same river.

The first producer in Ribera del Duero was the winery Vega Sicilia, founded by Don Eloy Lecanda Chaves in 1864. After travels in Bordeaux, he returned to the Ribera del Duero with Bordeaux-varietal vine clippings. What he found, though, was that given the same care, the native Tempranillo could produce a wine as fine as the ones made with the noble Bordeaux varietals.

Fast-forward a bit. No . . . a bit more . . . Okay, a lot. 1982. That was the year that Ribera del Duero was finally certified as a D.O. (Spanish legal term for a certified wine growing region. Specifically “Denominacion de Origen”. Translated in English to “Denomination of Origin,” just in case you couldn’t figure that part out . . . Hey, you never know . . . !) The wines you’ll find from Ribera del Duero will be predominantly Tempranillo, with touches of Cabernet Sauvignon, Garnacha and a smattering of others you’ve never heard of nor would remember if I told you. It’s okay . . . the Tempranillo is the important one. It’s Spain’s one “Noble” grape.

There’s one more thing about Spain’s wine laws that is important to remember, and mostly the same for all Spanish wines. I know, I know . . . The class has already gone on pretty long and we’re all tired, but we are wine students, right? So bear with me. This important thing is the fact that the Spanish have specified aging requirements, and names to go with them. This ensures that the wines are already aged to a certain point, and can possibly be more of a guarantee of drink-readiness. The terms are as follows.

Joven — A wine given little to no oak cask aging, and released soon after the vintage.
Barrica — Not really a law-specific wine term, but I thought I might include it since I’m pouring a “Barrica” wine. A Barrica is a large wine barrel, and the term just refers to the fact the wine has seen some wood age.
Crianza — The wine must be aged for 24 months prior to release, and at least 6 months of that is in wooden casks.
Reserva — The wine must be aged for 36 months prior to release, and at least 12 months of that is in wooden casks, and the rest in the bottle.
Gran Reserva — The wine must be aged for 60 months prior to release, and at least 18 months of that is in wooden casks.

So this is why we see many late vintage dates on the Reserva and Gran Reserva wines, since it’s been sitting in the winery’s cellar for quite a while. It’s probably also why so many are pretty expensive, since you’re essentially paying rent for the bottle’s stay at its parent’s house. The cheapest Gran Reserva from Ribera del Duero that I could find retails over $100. At any rate, I wanted to mention the aging designations since I’ll be pouring 3 Jovens, 1 Barrica, 2 Crianza and a Reserva. It sounds like a rhythmic Spanish wine mantra when spoken: Joven, Joven, Joven, Barrica, Crianza, Crianza, Reserva. Repeat until dizzy. Become one with the Ribera del Duero!

So Friday, February 24th, between 4:30 and 9:00 PM it’s:

Ribera del Duero!!
Vina Gormaz 2004 Joven
Vina y Tia 2004 Joven “Quintanal”
Bodegas Valderiz 2004 Joven “Senorio de Valdehermoso”
Martin Berdugo 2003 Barrica
Corona de Castilla 2001 Crianza “Prestigio”

More Ribera del Duero!!
Condado de Haza 2002 Crianza
Legaris 2000 Reserva

A stellar deal at $10 for the First 5, $6 for the Extra 2 Premium Pours
Hope to see you here!
Seize the Wine!

Next Friday tasting South Africa!

M

Hello Friends and Wine Lovers!

Welcome to another Carpe Vinum Newsletter and Tasting Announcement! This week we’re heading out of this cold, dry, and crisp Winter chill into the balmy Mediterranean land of the French Languedoc. I see it as bottled sunshine, warmed for a season on the vine and carefully stored in the bottle for warming us on these frosty nights. By the forecast, I’d say we’re going to need it.

So what is Languedoc? The name comes from the dialect (Occitan) that was spoken there centuries ago (Medieval times), and is actually still spoken there, in some areas. In that dialect the word for “Yes” was “Oc” leading people to refer to the land as where the language was of “Oc”. . .or Langue d’Oc. Isn’t that fascinating? I think so, but I suppose it’s immaterial regarding the wines, isn’t it? (Sigh.)

Anyway. . .It’s the region of France that runs along the Mediterranean Sea, from the border with Spain (which is technically the Rousillon district, but close enough for present purposes) to around the middle, where it meets the Provence district. You could say the region picks up where the Southern Rhone leaves off. . .both figuratively and geographically. The wines mimic the style of the Southern Rhone, with fruity and spicy reds made with Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Carignan, Cinsault, and on and on. Long story short: Big reds. Sure, there’s white wines there too. But enough about that.

For years the Languedoc was referred to mainly as a major contributor to the “Wine Lake”, (the wine surplus that the French are apparently now using to fuel their cars) and the quality of this major wine producer was not held in very high esteem. Over the last decade, however, there has been a renaissance in producing higher-quality wines, to which they’ve been doing very well, and they should be rightly proud. They certainly do have a lot of wines available from the area, and here I’ve assembled a bunch of good ones! Lots are old favorites, and a few new things to chew on, as well. . .Enjoy!

So Friday, February 10th, between 4:30 and 9:00 PM it’s:

French Languedoc!!
Mas de Lairole 2003 Coteaux du Languedoc
Ermitage Pic Saint Loup 2003 Coteaux du Languedoc
Chateau Camplazens 2001 Coteaux du Languedoc “La Garrigue”
Mas de Martin 2004 “Roi Patriote” Vin de Pays du Val de Montferrand
St. Martin de la Garrigue 2003 Coteaux du Languedoc “Bronzinelle”

More From the Languedoc!!
Dider Barral 2002 Faugeres
Chateau D’Or et de Gueules 2000 “Cuvee Trassegum” Costieres de Nimes

A stellar deal at $10 for the First 5, $6 for the Extra 2 Premium Pours
Hope to see you here!
Seize the Wine!

Next Friday tasting Spain’s Ribera del Duero!

Hello Friends and Wine Lovers!

Welcome to another fine newsletter and tasting announcement from Carpe Vinum! I’m pretty excited this week, as tomorrow we’ll be pouring the wonderful, super-powered, dark and fruity powerhouse of a wine that is Petite Sirah! For those of you unfamiliar with the Petit Sirah grape, read on! For those of you who ARE familiar with the grape. . .well. . .read on, anyway. . .and maybe help the other students.

So Now. . .Petite Sirah! What is it? Well, for one, it’s a grape. Okay. . well, I guess we could have all figured that, considering this IS a wine newsletter. But as all grapes are different, the characters of Petite Sirah are quite unique.

The grape name “Petite Sirah” is another name for “Durif”, named by the botanist who discovered the grape, Francois Durif. This leads me to believe it was either the first or only thing that Monsieur Durif had discovered, considering the “naming your discoveries after yourself” phenomenon should be carefully thought through; You may have only one shot at it, you better make it good. I guess a grape isn’t a comet, or anything. . .but if you’re a botanist, you take what you can get and put your name on what you can.

So Francois Durif discovered the grape in 1880, but did not know the full source of the grape’s lineage. It was only recently that scientists, using modern DNA tracking, were able to determine that this Durif/Petite Sirah, was actually a cross-pollination of two grapes: the well-known and well-loved Northern Rhone Varietal of Syrah, and Peloursin. . .a variety no one knows anything about. It’s like a celebrity or a rockstar marrying their high school sweetheart. . .it’s almost a letdown.

So this descendant-of-a-grapey-rockstar, better known as Petite Sirah, has had a varied career. Both parents of the grape come from the Rhone region of France, yet little of it is actually grown there. Petite Sirah, however, found a welcome home in California in 1884 and it has been increasing in popularity over the years. Like Zinfandel, it has achieved its own cult status with its own society “P.S. I Love You” and several Petite Sirah festivals, including the “Blue Tooth Tour.” No, that doesn’t have anything to do with the Bluetooth Wireless computer stuff, rather, it refers to what drinking Petite Sirah tends to do to your teeth. . .turn them blue. Well, Petite Sirah IS a very full-bodied wine, bold and fruity, and the extra tannins will tend to color your teeth and tongue. But not to worry, it’s temporary!

So Friday, February 10th, between 4:30 and 9:00 PM it’s:

Petite Sirah!!
Jewel 2003 Petite Sirah, California
McManis 2003 Petite Sirah, Lodi, California
Spellbound 2002 Petite Sirah, California
Marietta 2001 Petite Sirah, Sonoma County, California
Girard 2003 Petite Sirah, Napa Valley, California

AKA Durif!!
Norman 2002 Petite Sirah, Paso Robles, California
Lolonis 2001 Orpheus, Redwood Valley, California **It’s Organic!**

A stellar deal at $10 for the First 5, $6 for the Extra 2 Premium Pours
Hope to see you here!
Seize the Wine!

Next Friday tasting French Languedoc!

M

Hello Friends and Wine Lovers!

Welcome, once again, to the Carpe Vinum Weekly Tasting Report! This week I am happy to report the wonderful, luxurious wines of New Zealand, to which you may retort “Hurrah!” in support of these wines of great importance. Yes, I am often surprised by the wines from this small, isolated, dual-islanded country out in the South Pacific. Shall we learn a bit more about them? Absolutely!

The first vines in New Zealand were planted well-over a few centuries ago, yet it’s taken just about that long for the industry to get its bearings and hone in on what works best. The latitudes between the North and South islands range from the Northern Hemisphere equivalent of Morocco to Bordeaux, yet the climate is adjusted by cooler oceanic breezes, and increased precipitation due the mountainous terrain. The result is a bit like the climate in Oregon, for the most part. And what grows the best here? Pinot Noir.

The same goes for New Zealand. The New Zealand Pinots are getting worldwide acclaim, but still remains in the shadow of a more famous New Zealand varietal: Sauvignon Blanc! The Sauvignon Blancs of the region have astounded people with their complexity, finesse, and sturdy acidity. Like Pinot Noir, the Sauvignon Blanc requires a cooler climate to develop well. It begs the question: “If Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc do so well in New Zealand due to the climate, why does Oregon grow so much good Pinot Noir but very little Sauvignon Blanc?”  To which my answer is a resounding “Ah, um. . Hey!  What’s that over there. . .?”

Statistically speaking, Chardonnay is the primary variety grown in New Zealand which, like the rest of the world, is due to its popularity. That actually puts Sauvignon Blanc in the second place, and Pinot Noir in third. This tasting will not feature any Chardonnay, considering I have yet to see anyone here show an interest in that varietal. That certainly doesn’t break my heart, considering all the other wonderful wines I’m able to put in here.

So there are 2 Sauvignon Blancs this week (Yes, white wines! Those of you holding out for the white wines, here’s your chance!), 2 Pinot Noirs, 2 Bordeaux-style, and a Syrah! New Zealand makes a Syrah? Oh, yes. . and it’s delicious. Get this one now, since Schubert’s next release of Syrah doubled in price.

So Friday, February 3rd, between 4:30 and 9:00 PM it’s:

New Zealanders!!
Dog Point 2005 Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough
Sacred Hill 2004 Pinot Noir, Hawke’s Bay
Sherwood 2004 Pinot Noir, Marlborough
Villa Maria 2004 Private Bin (Merlot, Cab. Sauv., Malbec, Cab. Franc), Hawke’s Bay
Te Mata 2002 Woodthorpe Cabernet/Merlot, Hawke’s Bay

And a Bit More!!
Neudorf 2003 Sauvignon Blanc, Nelson
Schubert 1999 Syrah, Martinborough

A stellar deal at $10 for the First 5, $6 for the Extra 2 Premium Pours
Hope to see you here!
Seize the Wine!

Next Friday tasting Petite Sirah!

And apologies to anyone upset by my misspelling of Pittsburgh, last week. . mostly Stealers fans, I imagine. . .

M