My Top French Value Wines for 2020 Enjoy!!! and Cheers to a great 2021!

2020 was the most unusual year; but it wasn’t with out it’s brighter sides which was the ability to try a wine every now and then…or maybe more than that :-). With the pandemic in place and the the trade tariffs that made finding some of your favorite French wines a little challenging. I had the opportunity to try several and these were my favorites for 2020. A lot of what makes my list has a lot to do with accessibility and the overall value of the wines. I recommend you seek these out. Cheers!

2017 Chateau Cambon la Pelouse (750ml) Cabernet Sauvignon from Haut-Medoc, Bordeaux, France

Big black fruits and a ton of ripe tannins make this wine dramatic with darker edge in its blackcurrant, you get saw dust, underbrush, tobacco and earthy aromatics; it’s medium-bodied, beautifully concentrated, particularly ripe and juicy wine that will age.

2016 Chateau Larrivaux (750ml) Merlot from Haut-Medoc, Bordeaux, France

Animated, with lovely aromatic upper notes, crammed with dark fruits, red cherry fruit, flowers and mint and general richness, Its dry, firm, with licorice, some bramble and tobacco notes.

2015 Esprit de Pavie (750ml) Merlot from Côtes de Castillon, Bordeaux, France

With blackberry and black-truffle nose; the Esprit de Pavie is a great Bordeaux sleeper bargains of the 2015 vintage. (a blend of vines in Côtes do Castillon and young vines from Pavie and Monbousquet from the renowned St. Emilion limestone plateau. Full-bodied, round and juicy. This spicy red has good fruit and chewy tannins and uplifting finish.

2016 Chateau Charmail (750ml) Cabernet Sauvignon from Haut-Medoc, Bordeaux, France

Overlooking the Gironde River just north of Saint-Estèphe Château Charmail is one of those secret charms. The blend is 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc, with a dash of Petit Verdot. It’s a medium to full-bodied, elegant, definitive wine that offers lots of darker fruits (cassis and blackberry), Powerful and ripe spice, leather and minty as well with as a kiss of forrest floor. Balanced firm and chewy.

2016 La Fleur de Bouard (750ml) Merlot from Lalande de Pomerol, Bordeaux, France

From the de Boüard family of the famed Château Angélus a bouquet of blackberry pie, raspberries, crushed flowers and hints of tobacco, with mocha, spice and mint all run through this silky energetic wine with great tannins and a nice lingering finish. 

Contemplating Muscat, Muscadelle, and Muscadet Wine... What’s the difference?

 

I am writing this not only because it is a fun subject, but many people ask me what’s the difference between Muscat, Muscadelle, and Muscadet and some other similar wines. What follows is some good info; so the next time you go into your favorite wine shop you have it all straight….

Let’s talk about Muscat first. There are many pseudonyms for this grape. For example Moscato (in Italy ), Muskadel (in South Africa ), Muskateller (in Germany ) and Moscatel (in both Spain and Portugal ). Phew!!!

Why can’t everybody just agree on one freakin’ name, right? Life would be too easy.

To make it even more confusing, Muscat can have various names attached to it, such as “ Alexandria ”, “Ottonel”, and the rather drawn-out phrase “Blanc à Petits Grains”. But don’t focus on these add-on phrases – they’re just different varieties of the same grape, and all will be extremely sweet-scented, aromatic and grapey.

So, just note that Dry or Sweet; Still, Sparkling, or Fortified: Muscat has a discrete aroma and flavor that is absolutely beautifully delicious.

The next one is Muscadelle, which is not related to Muscat at all. Just to be clear….

Muscadelle, is one of the three grapes allowed for white French Bordeaux, the other two more notable grapes being Sauvignon blanc and Sémillon.

Muscadelle is commonly used to add a tangy and tasty, youthfulness to white Bordeaux blends. It hardly ever gets top billing because it lacks the characteristics necessary to make a single varietal wine you’d call yummy. But it’s a matter of taste. If you see one, pick it up and try it.

Wait! hold your horses!

There is one exception to this Muscadelle rule and it is in Australia, where Muscadelle is used on its own to produce lusciously sweet fortified wines. The grape is called “Tokay” over there. Don’t ask why. But it is incredible! By the way, there is Tojaji from Hungary which Peter the Great used to drink calling it the “Wine of Kings” …but that’s another story.

Finally, there’s Muscadet. A popular LIGHT and DRY wine produced in the western part of France's Loire region.

Distinct from most other wines in France, the name of the wine is not taken from a town or geographic area, but rather from a grape known locally called Muscadet, even though its proper name is Melon de Bourgogne.

Although it can be a bit neutral in flavor, Muscadet has a lot of energy. It is dry with a crisp zippy acidity, making it a great match for shellfish. You might see the term “sur lie” on the label. If you do, make sure to buy that one because it has been aged on the lees (with all the wine sediment), and this lends a delicious richness to the wine.

I hope this helps clarify Muscat, Muscadelle, and Muscadet; because it’s really great stuff and if you love wine you should be having a lot of these three.

 

Wine is Good for you! It boosts the immune system; fights the flu and cures sore throats too!...It protects you!

Whoever thought we would have and Outbreak; much less an Outbreak that would force us to be in hideaway. But here we are and 2020 is going to be interesting. While we practice 'safe at home' and 'stay at home'. It's probably a good time to be with a close knit group and try to enjoy things as much as possible; have some of your favorite food and wine as we work our way through this Coronavirus(Corvid-19).

Did you know wine protects you? No Seriously...

Wine keeps you healthy and prevent you from getting sick. It's just the kind of news we need these days. Especially in these times with the Coronavirus (Corvid-19) and practicing Social Distancing and Self Quarantining.

New research reveals that high concentrations of resveratrol — a compound that is found in red wine — can stop poxviruses from multiplying in human cells. It boosts the immune system; plus fights influenza and it cures sore throats.

Researchers working at Kansas State University in Manhattan as well as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) tested various concentrations of resveratrol in human cells infected with the vaccinia virus.

This is a close relative of the virus that causes smallpox and it also formed the vaccine that eradicated the deadly human disease. Their study showed that resveratrol stops vaccinia virus from replicating its DNA and genome.

Why is this important?

Wine protects you. At high concentrations, resveratrol stopped vaccinia from multiplying itself in the early phase of infection, thereby preventing the virus from spreading to other cells.

There has been news in the past that drinking wine can help a lot things. It can maintain heart health, prevent cancer and even settle a mean case of diarrhea. Research even now shows it’s also good for your throat. According to a new study, a cocktail of compounds found in both red and white wine fights germs that can cause sore throats.

“Exposure to wine had a persistent antibacterial effect,” the authors wrote in their study, detailed in an upcoming issue of the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. Prior to their research, the authors said the effects of wine against germs found in the mouth hadn’t been studied.

After isolating the compounds from wine, which included lactic, malic, succinic and tartaric acids, the researchers neutralized their acidity. They then showed that the isolated antibacterial compounds were more successful than wine alone at killing 99.9 percent of the sore throat bacteria, even when used in far lower concentrations than found in wine.

Furthermore, drinking wine may help prevent influenza, as a compound found in these beverages can boost the immune system, scientists say.

Researchers at Washington University in the US found that a particular gut microbe can prevent severe flu infections in mice, by breaking down naturally occurring compounds called flavonoids.

This strategy is effective in staving off severe damage from flu when the interaction occurs prior to infection with the influenza virus, researchers said.

Microbes that live in the gut do not just digest food. They also have far-reaching effects on the immune system, they said. "For years, flavonoids have been thought to have protective properties that help regulate the immune system to fight infections," said Ashley Steed, from St Louis Children's Hospital in the US.

"Flavonoids are common in our diets, so an important implication of our study is that it is possible Flavonoids work with gut microbes to protect us from flu and other viral infections," Steed said.

Flavonoids are commonly in red wine. It can be French Wine, California Wines, Canadian Wines, Wines from Spain even Champagne! Any wine!

It's really encouraging to know...

The previous studies found that the gut microorganisms in our bodies may be important in protecting against viruses and severe influenza infections, so in this study, researchers aimed to identify just what gut microbes might provide that protection. "This prevented influenza-related lung damage in the mice. It is this kind of damage that often causes significant complications such as pneumonia in people," 

Interestingly, red wines have stronger bacteria-fighting effects than white wine, although not by much. Curiously, the acidity and alcohol isn’t responsible for wine’s germ-fighting properties—instead, it’s a collection of organic (carbon-containing) compounds found in the drink. How about that?

So, have some wine and know that it is really is good for you in more ways that you could have thought! 

Take care

There’s two worlds you say? - Two very distinctive styles of wines? ... The “Old World” and the “New World” - Which style is better?

In the world of winemaking there are two different Worlds. Known as
the “Old World” and “New World”. Likewise, no two wines are created
the same.

There’s two worlds you say…?

Yes!

And in both these worlds the approaches to making wine give life to
two very distinctive styles of wines. The “Old World” and the “New
World”

Geography plays a huge part in the flavor profile of wines but
tradition also impacts the approach winemakers take when deciding on
what sort of artistic quality they use and at the end of the day what
type of wine style they intend to make.

So, wines made in the “Old World” style are related to the traditional
winegrowing regions in Europe such as France, Italy, Spain and
Portugal. These regions are famous for their early history in wine
production, with their style of wine regularly showing a level of
elegance and finesse sought out by the global wine enthusiast.

On The other Hand, wines made in the “New World” are from countries
where winemaking is a comparatively modern industry. Places like North
America, Australia and New Zealand have a winemaking history that is
only 100 to 200 years old. These wine producing countries are often
climatically varied to those of their European counterparts. So these
‘New World’ regions frequently experience longer, warmer summers that
result in riper fruit with more obvious varietal characteristics.

What is the real difference in Old World and New World Wines?

With a very deep and wide history, the Old World winemaking approach
evokes images of age old, traditional wine practices where, because of
the climate, the varietal expression is difficult so the winemaker
will focus more on creating a wine that has wonderful structure and
texture. The Old World style develops softer, more subdued oak flavor
profiles – to ensure balance with those subtler varietal expressions.
These wines tend to be defined by the winemaker’s knowledge of
blending theory where the winemaker tries to produce a ‘seamless
transition across the palate’, from start to finish.

Winemakers in the New World tend to be blessed with a warmer climate
and so their approach will often focus on emphasizing the evident
primary fruit features delivered naturally by Mother Nature.

Yet again, to ensure balance, the winemakers may employ stronger oak
influences and will create wines that are noticeably fuller bodied
than their European counterparts. These factors are most notable in
the highly regarded big & bold Shiraz style for which Australia is
most famous and Wines from Napa Valley

Which style is better?

Wine is in the eye of the beholder. That’s entirely up to you, your palate,
and how you’re trying to enjoy your wine or what food you are pairing it with.

Wines made in the the Old World style are often designed with the
intention of cellaring, allowing the further development palate
structure and texture over time. For some this approach is considered
the hallmark method of crafting exceptional wines – particularly the
long-lived Cabernet Sauvignon from Bordeaux, France.

 But in no way does this mean that New World wines are not designed to age.
The approach is just different. For example, In fact it is well known historically
that the Wines of Napa Valley have outscored the wines of France head to head
in several very famous competitions over the past 40 years.

Oregon Wines versus their (90+ Point) European counterparts! - Wednesday February 26, 2020 at Vizcaya Restaurant - 6:30-9:30 PM - $75 - A Very Special Wine Dinner

A Very Special Wine Dinner is coming soon – An American Wine Society Tampa Event

Join us for a Night of Award-Winning Oregon Wines versus their (90+ Point) European counterparts!

Coming Wednesday February 26, 2020 at Vizcaya Restaurant - 6:30-9:30 PM - $75

Vizcaya

3671 S West Shore Blvd,

Tampa, FL 33629

Chef and restaurant personality; Vizcaya Restaurant’s Felix Piedra with Tampa’s Wine Correspondent, Ralph Del Rio, have prepared an exclusive wine dinner experience just for you. Each of Felix’s deliciously made courses is perfectly paired with a new world vs old world selection of wines from Northwest winery of the year winner Reustle-Prayer Rock Vineyards.

Owner/Winemaker and wine judge Stephen M. Reustle will present wines from Umpqua Valley’s AVA and compare them with their European counterparts. Traveling from Rioja, to Burgundy, Northern Rhone Valley, and Austria would take a great deal of time and effort.

…But located below Willamette Valley in the Umpqua Valley of Oregon you can experience wines that rival wines these European prestigious wine regions.

For this American Wine Society Tampa Bay event; we will present four award -winning wines from the Umpqua Valley match and them up with a delicious chef inspired plate… Grüner Veltliner, Pinot Noir, Syrah, and Tempranillo and taste them side-by-side with their (90+ point score) European counterparts.

...Featuring some of the Top Wines of 2019

“After tasting these wines an knowing how great Oregon terroir is; I know that this a one of a kind event that’s going to be a lot of fun, educational and hedonistic.” – Ralph Del Rio, Certified Somm

Seats are limited and filling up quickly, contact to reserve today

Contact winecorrespondent@gmail.com or americanwinesocietytampa@gmail.com

Wines of France - COMING SOON! JANUARY 30, 2020 THURSDAY 6:30 PM-9:30 PM - Beaune's Wine Bar - Ybor City (Tampa)

Wines of France

…A night with wines from arguably the world's most important wine-producing country

Wine and Charcuterie - $40-50 Thursday January 30, 2020 6:30 -9:30 (a supercharged assembly of charcuterie plus any surprises) this will be an assortment of cured meats and veggies paired with different accompaniments, such as toast, fruit, cheeses, and sauces. It’s going to be great! Good wine good education and food pairing! Along with French wine from different regions.


Beaune’s Wine Bar/West Palm Wines

located at:

2009 N 22nd St.

Tampa, Fl 33605



You will have access to their wine cave/cellar with some incredible wines. (Seriously folks…)

There will be discounts on wine purchases too!


Beaune’s (pronounced Bone’s) is the wine capital of Burgundy in the Bourgogne region of France. It’s known as “a wine lovers paradise.” Beaune’s Wine Bar bears the same name and reputation.


*In regards to Beaune’s Wine Bar …. Very few establishments in the Tampa Bay area have been granted Wine Spectator’s Best of Award of Excellence. Nine, to be precise, Bern’s, Bob Heilman’s, Forlini’s, Island Way Grill, Tio Pepe, Charley’s, Columbia, SideBern’s and Beaune’s.



Get ready for French Wine paired with a variety of fromages and other culinary musings.

Terroir, Terroir Terroir! It's difficult to study on a scientific level...

Terroir, Terroir Terroir!

Terroir is a key concept in viticulture because it relates to the bodily characteristics of wine in respect to the environmental and socio- economic conditions in which the grapes are grown.
Grading the quality of wine and wine style most likely, to a large extent, can be explained by terroir. (The winemaker and his process may quibble at that)

But, terroir is very difficult to study on a scientific level because many factors are involved, including climate, soil, cultivation and human practices, all of these factors interact.

The best expression of terroir is achieved when the capacity of the grapevine variety is suited to the local climatic conditions in such a way that full ripeness of the grape is reached by the end of the growing season; Not every grape can be grown in very place.

Also, grapes are an extremely climate sensitive crop and vines have been cultivated for several thousand years. What has happened is that over time many grape growing regions have been recognized, whose specific climatic conditions matched the capacity of certain varieties to produce wines of distinctive character.

To produce high-quality red wines, environmental conditions should encourage reasonable vine strength, either through practical water shortage stress or through low nitrogen supply which comes from surroundings with shallow or stony soils, in temperately dry climates. Likewise, regular but not excessive vine water and nitrogen supplies are needed to produce high-quality white wines.

However, great terroir emerges almost only when socio-economic conditions are satisfactory to the establishment of quality-orientated wine production. These conditions are is often measured as a combination of education, income and occupation. As we know, examinations of socioeconomic status often expose inequities in access to resources, plus issues related to privilege, power and control.

Those with more money and better access have more opportunities...and you have chances at better Terroir because of it. It's just the way it is.

The Best up and coming Oregon region is not Willamette Valley it’s Umpqua Valley!

The best up and coming Oregon region is not Willamette Valley it’s Umpqua.

The Umpqua Valley of Oregon has 3 separate AVA’s Elkton, Red Hill and Umpqua. It’s approximately 25 miles due east of the Pacific Ocean and extends a further 20 miles east.

“The Hundred Valleys of the Umpqua” because it is made up of a series of interconnecting small mountain ranges and valleys. Umpqua Valley is a result of the collision of three mountain ranges. 

Oregon’s AVA’s are becoming increasingly more popular. One of Oregon’s more diverse climates, the Umpqua Valley can successfully grow both cool and warm varieties. It’s comprised of three distinct climatic sub-zones which makes it very interesting because it’s not only Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris that call attention it’s Merlot, Syrah, Tempranillo and Pinot Noir. The soil is a mix of metamorphic, sedimentary and volcanic rock, though more than 150 soil types. What’s interesting is the Diurnal temperature variations can vary by as much as 25 degrees F. The result is a complex jigsaw of meso climates, aspects and soil mix that create a wide-ranging assortment of growing environments.

Just to know, most of the Pinot Noir grapes produced in the Umpqua Valley are slated for sale as bulk fruit to wine producers in California or Oregon’s Willamette Valley. You are drinking it already! It’s just plain good stuff.  In fact, Copper Cane, with it’s top-selling Elouan, Pinot Noir a Napa Valley, California, winery sells more Pinot Noir made from Oregon grapes than anyone else, and often at a lower price. 

Yep, sounds unfair. That’s why you scratch your head and say How much Pinot Noir can California produce! Copper Cane's owner, Joe Wagner and Jim Blumling their VP of Operations, are meeting with Oregon Liquor Control to try to resolve this imbalance. That’s another story…

Umpqua Valley Pinot Noir would lend itself gamely to the production of rosé. No doubt…A Pinot Noir-based rosé could easily emerge as the region’s signature wine.

As times moves on The Umpqua Valley appellation continues to evolve as new winemakers discover the area to make great wine.

The justifiably popular wineries like Abacela, Spangler, Girardet, Reustle-Prayer Rock, Henry Estate and Brandborg (to name only a few) of Umpqua are being joined by a new group of wineries. Top scores and reviews too! Seek them out or better yet; take a trip and make a visit.

Wines of Spain.- Rioja !!! Wednesday December 11, 2019 - 6:30 – 9:30+ - at Vizcaya Restaurant in South Tampa

Wines of Spain. Wednesday December 11, 2019  -  Rioja  6:30 – 9:30+  at Vizcaya Restaurant in South Tampa

Wine and Tapas - $35 (it covers the wine and 3 or 4 Tapas plus any surprises) ...after that if you want to explore their menu you 're on your own; feel free. It's good and authentic. It will be fun. Good food pairing!

Vizcaya

3671 S West Shore Blvd

Tampa, FL 33629

The wines will be CAVA, Crianza, Reserva and Gran Reserva along with some Spanish Tapas. The wines will be from Rioja and there maybe a Ribera Del Duero in there... But it's guaranteed to be a good time and a learning experience. 

Crianza: A wine labeled crianza has spent one year in oak barrels.

Reserva: A wine that says reserva on the bottle has been aged for two years; one of these years has to have been spent in oak.

Gran Reserva: These wines are aged for two years in oak and three years in the bottle.

Cava: Spain's iconic sparkling wine style, and the Iberian Peninsula's response to Champagne    

Most Riojas are red, and Tempranillo is the principal red grape used. The native grapes Garnacha Tinta (Grenache in France), Mazuelo (Carignan) and Graciano are also allowed in the blend. The Riojas can be in the elegant Bordeaux style, with hints of vanilla from the oak aging; which is the traditional style characterized by lengthy aging and some sweetness; or, gradually, in a more modern style with less aging, which highlights deep and fresh fruit flavors. All this pairs great with food.

White Rioja wines are usually made from Macabeo, Garnacha Blanca and Malvasia grapes. Their will be some of that too.

Hope to see you there.

This Holiday season do something a little different, host a Holiday themed Wine and Cheese tasting party. Here are some tips.

One way to break up the madness that comes during Holiday season is to do something a little different, host a holiday themed wine and cheese tasting party. Here are some tips on throwing a good wine and cheese party.

Just gather several of your closest friends, wine, and a whole lot of unique types of cheese.

The perfect size for a seated tasting, in my opinion, is between 12-16 guests.

Pick seven Wines. Place all of the wines inside brown paper bags and assign a number. This way, no one would know which wine is being poured. Everyone will sip wines priced anywhere from $5.00 to $120.00.  Either provide all of the wine or another way to do it is to have everyone bring a bottle of wine of his or her choice. You can assign the type of wine, vintage, etc. as a guide so that the wines are all comparable. Then sample the wines in no particular order.

Nibble on many cheeses: For example; Midnight Moon, Humbolt Fog, Manchego, 5 Year Aged Gouda, Parmesan, English Cheddar, Stilton, and Guilloteau St. Angel. Cheeses like this will be absolutely delicious! Separate the cheeses by milk type: goat, cow, and sheep.

You’ll find that even friends who swore they strongly disliked certain kinds of cheese will happily fill up their plates with them. It just happens 😉

Serve  cold cuts, breads, crackers, fruit, and jams which are gluttonous pairings for the wines. For the jams, make sure you include included lavender honey, sweet mango chutney, and the very fashionable hot pepper jelly….maybe Pate too.

Printed score sheets on white, linen paper. Numbers 1-7 are added to rate each wine and the instructions were printed at the bottom of the page leaving plenty of space for note taking.

After everyone has a chance to feast a bit on all the delightful food, sit down and began to finally try each wine. Each place setting has 7 glasses. This will allow guests to go back and compare the wines.

What makes it so much fun is you have no idea what you are actually drinking.

After much sipping, debate, and laughter, tabulate the scores. The results get posted and listed from highest to lowest score.

You just never know what the result will be at a wine tasting event given everyone’s different palate. It sure is fun to find out! So, this year, do things differently and have a healthy, delicious, and memorable holiday season.

Here’s a quick idea for a wine list:

Col Solare ($60.00)

Caymus ($65.00)

Far Niente ($109.00)

Darioush ($90.00)

Faustino 1 ($25.00)

Yellow Tail ($8.00)

Tignanello ($80.00)

5 Hand-Picked Red Wines that are Great year in and year out. Give them a try!

Here are some red wines that never skip a beat year in and year out. Tasty and delicious and accessible. While even most wines meant for immediate consumption, several reads with quality improve if they're aged a year or two. These can good to drink now or lay down two or three years! 

Even the best wineries do not produce consistent quality year after year; But these wines I have enjoyed regularly and always seem to be available; which is a big plus… serve these in a big wide glass. They go well with an assortment of food as well. Pasta, Steak, Pizza, Burgers, Fish Tacos.. 

No frills. I have hand picked these 5 red wines.

2017 ‘CS’ Substance Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley, Washington

Delicious and structured wine with deep dark cherry, espresso bean, cedar and baked spice flavors. A rich and round wine. Good Length on the finish. Good Stuff from Columbia Valley Washington that continues to impress over the past few years. If it was form California it would be a lot more expensive than it is.

2015 Petra Zingari Toscana 2015 Tuscan Blends, Tuscany, Italy

Savory tobacco notes, earth and herb notes, lots of plums and big tannins. An Tuscan wine with Merlot and Petit Verdot. A juicy wine with cherries, dark chocolate I blind tasted this wine among some solid French Bordeaux and it the comments were fantastic; given that it is about half Sangiovese. It can age too.

2017 Chateau Puygueraud Bordeaux Cotes de Francs, Bordeaux, France

Black fruits, black olives and soy, smoky tobacco and rich. Every year seems to provide a better and better value. A very fine Bordeaux from the Cotes de Francs. Mostly Merlot with a good dose  of Cabernet Franc and the rest Malbec; it’s dense with layers of fruit.

2016 d'Arenberg The Footbolt Shiraz McLaren Vale, South Australia, Australia

I’ve been drinking this one for over 10 years now. Dark fruit chewy and round tannins. These tannins have a long, spicy, peppery finish. Clean, Oaky and complex wine showing tons of fruit like a blackberry pie along with that fresh mushroom and forest floor you want from an earthy Shiraz.

2015 Guigal Cotes du Rhone Rouge Cotes du Rhone, Rhone, France

An always elegant and rich Syrah, from up and down the Western Rhône. Spicy, peppery, and smoky, dark fruit, alive and earthy and more salt notes of black olive on the finish. Year in and year out this wine has always hit the mark. This Côtes du Rhône GSM from Guigal is aromatic and smooth.

What in the world is Orange Wine !?!

Let’s start real quick here “Orange” is not a type of grape or winemaking technique. It’s a color! And it’s just one color in the enormous style, and color spectrum, of skin-contact wines.

Like red and white and rosé before it, people have begun to use the color orange to define and judge wines. Any white-wine grape can be used to make orange wine. It’s true!

Hey! If colors are what open your world up to try wines; more power to you. Skin contact on wines has been around for thousands of years.

If you go to the Wine Folly website…you’ll get this:

The process of making orange wine is very old, but the reinvigoration of this ancient process has only resurfaced in the last 20 odd years. Many modern-day orange winemakers look as far back as 5000 years in Caucasus (modern-day Georgia,–not the state) where wines were fermented in large subterranean vessels called Qvevri (“Kev-ree”) that were originally closed with stones and sealed with beeswax.

Which I am sure will cause debate and confusion.

So just remember this…

1.       It’s not made from Oranges

2.       Orange wines are the product of vinifying white grapes the way red wine is normally made.

3.       Most Orange wines taste like a bolder, savorier version of wines from the same white grape it was made from.

4.       It’s not like Blue Wine which is Blue wine is made from red and white grapes, and gains its strange color from that.

5.       Orange Wine goes with a lot of food and they handle this wide range of flavors well. Especially foods that do not usually go with reds.

6.       All skin contact wines are not orange, but all orange wines are made from skin contact.

By all means, try an Orange Wine. It’s now the trendy thing to ask for…

Franciacorta! The Champagne of Italy!

Franciacorta! Ever heard of it? Franciacorta is a sparkling wine from the Province of Brescia (Lombardy) with DOCG status, located on the hills located between the southern shore of Lake Iseo and the city of Brescia.

Where’s that? Italy. The top of the boot in the center; in between Piedmont and The Tre Venezie.

If you’re drinking a bubbly from Italy, there is a very strong chance that bubbly is Prosecco, but did you know that there’s another bubbly called Franciacorta, and has more like Champagne than Prosecco?

Honest! And it’s growing in popularity.

The still wines from Franciacorta have ancient traditions and documented in Brescia City council books as "Franzacurta" as far back as in 1277. The Middle Ages! But the sparkling wines are new and only been made since 1961. Prosecco as we know has been around for hundreds.

The difference between Prosecco and Franciacorta is the way each of the wines is made.

In the case of Prosecco, is made using what is known as the Charmat method. It’s a faster and cheaper way to create quality sparkling wine. In this method, the wine is transferred from its first fermentation vat to a large sealed pressurized tank where it undergoes secondary fermentation to create the carbonation. Then the carbonated wine is bottled and shipped to market. The result is a wine that is bubbly with delicious hints of fruit and freshness.

Franciacorta, on the other hand, is made the exact same way winemakers in France make Champagne.

The Method Champenoise or the Traditional Method, Franciacorta receives its bubbles by allowing a secondary fermentation to occur in the bottle. During this fermentation the CO2 (Carbon Dioxide) that’s created is absorbed into the wine, it does not escape and creates the bubbles we’ve come to love in Champagne. This process also usually means the wine is drier with a yeastier and less fruity character than Prosecco. This process of “sur lie” aging is what many say makes wines made in this method more complex.

Furthermore, there is another major distinct difference between Prosecco and Franciacorta. It’s the grapes used to make each of the wines. In Prosecco the grape is Glera, a white grape that has been grown in the Veneto and Friuli regions for hundreds of years. It’s a grape with high acidity, which makes it perfect for bubbly.

Franciacorta uses Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Blanc, which are the grapes also used to make Champagne. Just like Champagne... Franciacorta — it’s the name of the wine and the name of the region where it’s made Just like Champagne... it's a warmer region than the chilly Champagne region, so the grapes are riper and fuller, which results in a wine that is not as racy and/or have the minerality that the Champagne region does. It’s a rounder profile but with the the designations for dosage exactly like those in Champagne.

Do the differences really matter? Only if you try them and enjoy how one, or both, taste.

Seek it out.

2018 Bordeaux Futures - it’s a very good vintage with several incredible wine values; I dig this vintage’s potential.

2018 Bordeaux wine is complicated. In a nutshell, the buzz is it’s a very good vintage with several incredible wines! When you look at the scores awarded, you can see how much I dig this vintage’s potential.

The news is that 2018 Bordeaux is a very opaque vintage. Almost every wine is inky or dark; the wines are complex with all sorts of red and blue fruit aromas.

The 2018 Bordeaux is concentrated, richly textured and full-bodied. Pure fruit; the wines will be mouth filling heavy and dense. Yet with all that the vintage will be vibrant and big at the same time.

As the story goes, the best wines come from the Left Bank in Northern Medoc, where the roots were able to dig incredibly deep into the soils. Plus the Clay rich terroirs make a difference. Cabernet Sauvignon is the mainstay and it comes from St. Estephe, Pauillac and St. Julien which are exceptional. 

Likewise, the Cantenac highland of Margaux is another excellent area as well as parts of Pessac Leognan for the red wines. There are spectacular wines from each of these appellations, that Bordeaux wine lovers should take seek out.

In the Right Bank, Merlot and Cabernet Franc are the focus and depending on the soil can be of astonishing and sometimes of unexpected beauty. 

In the 2008 vintage successful wines at least from the Right Bank slopes and elevation of Pomerol and in Saint Emilion, the wines produced the in limestone soils; the gravels near Pomerol and the clay rich soils close to, or in Saint Christophe des Bardes contribute.

By the way, Saint Christophe des Bardes is becoming a major hot spot in itself.

Here’s a list of reds and whites 2018 Bordeaux to look for; along with influential notes. Granted most of these wines will not be available until 2020 and 2021. The scores are phenomenal on these Bordeaux values.

2018 Fleur la Mothe, Medoc (750ml) »FUTURES« From Medoc, Bordeaux, France

Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2018 Fleur la Mothe opens with plums and earth with herbs, fungi and a waft of olives. Full-bodied, rich and seductive, it has a plush texture and great length. 91-93 points, Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate (Issue # Interim - Apr 2019)

2018 Clos des Lunes Lune d'Argent Blanc (750ml) Semillon from Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France

Brightness and serenity to this white with lemon rind and pear skin, highlighting the cooked-apple character. Medium to full body, bright acidity and a vivid finish. 92-93 points, James Suckling (Apr 2019)

              

2018 Chateau Larrivaux (750ml) »FUTURES« Merlot from Haut-Medoc, Bordeaux, France

The 2018 Larrivaux is quite pretty and expressive in this vintage. Freshly cut roses, red berry fruit, mint, and savory notes give the 2018 brilliance, energy and expressive aromatic persistence. Silky tannins add nuance. Two thousand eighteen is an especially fine vintage for this mid-weight, gracious Haut-Médoc. Larrivaux is 64% Merlot, 26% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petit Verdot and 3% Malbec. Tasted two times. 88-91 points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous (Apr 2019)

2018 Chateau Les Gravieres (750ml) »FUTURES« Merlot from Saint-Emilion, Bordeaux, France

Made from 100% Merlot, the 2018 Les Gravieres is deep garnet-purple and rocks up with gregarious blueberry pie, chocolate-covered cherries and plum preserves scents with nuances of violets, spice cake and mocha. Big, full and decadently fruited, it has a firm frame of super ripe, grainy tannins and wonderful freshness, finishing very long and layered. 94-96 points, Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate (Issue # Interim - Apr 2019)

2018 Chateau Lilian Ladouys (750ml) »FUTURES« Cabernet Sauvignon from Saint-Estephe, Bordeaux, France

This has a very pretty lilac note out front, followed by fresh plum and black cherry fruit flavors. Juicy in feel, with the minerality buried at the very end. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Drink now. 90-93 points, James Molesworth, Wine Spectator (2019)

2018 Chateau La Vieille Cure (750ml) »FUTURES« Merlot from Fronsac, Bordeaux, France

This is so delicious already with wonderful, tight and polished tannins, medium body and a long, flavorful finish. Always excellent quality for the money. 92-93 points, James Suckling (Apr 2019)

              

2018 Chateau Lagrange Les Fiefs de Lagrange (750ml) »FUTURES« Cabernet Sauvignon from Saint-Julien, Bordeaux, France

The second wine of the Lagrange property which was established in 1985 following the acquisition by Suntory group.

The 2018 Les Fiefs de Lagrange is deep garnet-purple colored with earthy, mushroomy notions and savory meats over a cassis and plums core plus herbs hints. The full-bodied palate is rich and packed with fruit, with firm, grainy tannins and a long finish. 90-92 points, Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate (Issue # Interim - Apr 2019)

2018 Chateau Taillefer (750ml) »FUTURES« Merlot from Pomerol, Bordeaux, France

The 2018 Taillefer is very pretty. Succulent dark cherry, spice, leather, tobacco, licorice and menthol develop in a mid-weight, understated Pomerol that will drink well with minimal cellaring. Silky tannins round out the polished finish. This is very nicely done. Tasted two times. 88-91 points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous (Apr 2019)

Just found a little terrific Perubian restaurant ...Terra Sur

Just found a little terrific Perubian restaurant in Carrollwood , Florida called Terra Sur. Thanks to some good friends...My style.

It has your traditional Spanish Perubian fare such as Octopus, Shrimp, Clams with baked cheese, Chicharron de Calamar,  Lomo, Beef Tenderloins, Tapas... rice dishes, the whole 9 yards.

To me the best part is the winelist which includes wines from California like Plumpjack, Justin, Austin Hope, Peju, Provenance and a slew of others Spanish and Argentinian at a good price point. If you like wine with your grilled meats; this is the place. Plus, the staff is always talking up the wine offering a taste hear or there.

Not to mention that next door is a Cafe owned by the same people which is more bistro than restaurant and it's worth trying as well.

It's definitely a place you can go to several times for pairing...mixing and matching food and wine.

Desserts too!

Terra Sur is located at 5358 W Village Drive Tampa ,FL  33624

I like it.

Red wine is King in Spain...Three main Sources to know are Rioja, Ribera del Duero and Priorat

Red wine is King in Spain. It's a staple of every day life, every day meals. Delicious red wine is found all over the country. Just like France and Italy, Spanish wine is full of history great regions and history.

But to be clear; there are three premier sources for red wine in Spain that every wine fan must know and that's Rioja, Ribera del Duero and Priorat. Now that's not saying that La Mancha or Catayuld or even Montsant are not doing good stuff. They really are!

The main three to know are Rioja, Ribera del Duero and Priorat.

Here's a little tidbit of info on the characteristics of  wine of each place; enough to be dangerous on each region and one wine to look for from each.

Rioja: Rioja wine has a elegant cherry nose and has a dusty spice notes They are aged well. They are often blended from dozens of vineyards. There are 15-20,000 grape growers but about only 700 wineries. That gives you an idea of what is going on in general. Tempranillo is the main grape in Rioja. Crianzas are aged 2 years with at least 6 months in oak barrels. Reservas and Grand Reservas much longer

Ribera del Duero: Ribera del Duero has the distinction of being the second most famous wine region in Spain. Rioja does not let them live that down. It does not mean their wines are any less spectacular. On the contrary. As in Rioja the grape used is Tempranillo. But they call it Tinto Fino. Ribera's climate is hotter, more sun. So the wine is more intense but no less complex to Rioja's. It's just a different interpretation that blows your mind. More than often the same methods are used as Rioja's but not always which adds more creativity sometimes.

Priorat: Priorat is the latest and greatest new best region. Southwest of Barcelona and not very big on the map, yet mountainous. But holy smokes it's powerful wine. In the 1980's a bunch of renegade wine makers went there and started making incredible wines. Great food wine too. This place was abandoned for years adfter the Spanish Civil war.  Using grapes like Carignane and Garnacha started to make these luscious and exotic wines that got the worlds attention in a big way. Like a big bang! Instant classic wine region. Just like that! Unbelievable but true.

Bottles to try...all clearly under $35

1. Rioja - La Rioja Alta Vina Ardanza Reserva

2. Ribera del Duero - Tinto Pesquera Crianza

3. Mas Alta Black Slate Vilella Alta

Babbalucci is a new Italian restaurant in South Tampa and there’s going to be a focus on Southern Italy. Let’s talk about the wines of southern Italy

Babbalucci is a new Italian restaurant in South Tampa and there’s going to be a focus on Southern Italy. I like this place. Brought to you by Chef Felix from the popular Spanish Tampa restaurant Viscaya; I have previewed the menu and the wine list  and I recommend you get in there to try this food and wine while they are getting their feet wet. It’s great. The veal dishes are great, so are the pork chop dishes. The pasta is homemade...The best Sea Bass in town. Yes, it's Italian! 

There’s a bar for cocktails upstairs and an outside view. Very Cool. Feels like a Bistro in places. Now that does not mean that there won’t be your traditional fair of pasta dishes…but expect something truly different and expect some interesting wines. The best time to try restaurants is when it first opens. You’ll get a sense of how things really are as they get everything in gear.

Chances are you’ll eat something that you’ll love and it won’t be on the menu too long. It’s all about getting everything started. It’s the same with the wine. Italian wines are vast and they go great with food. Totally recommend it. Good place to eat and hang out. With the good food, bar, cocktails, music  and dancing. It makes you wonder if spirit of Viscaya will blend into this restaurant somehow; because it has that feel.

So, let’s talk about the wines of southern Italy in some detail. The wine is a lot different that the Central and Northern Italian wines….To me they are more voluptuous; more memorable.

Three regions to look at are Campania, Puglia and Sicily…

Campania:

Campania, the region surrounding the city of Naples, is at the center of southern Italy’s wine renaissance. This is home to the Amalfi Coast, the isle of Capri, Mt. Vesuvius, and of pizza. The rich soil and temperate climate here are ideal for growing all kinds of fruits and vegetables. Grapes are no exception.

Campania’s top three wines come from the Irpinia hills area, just outside of Naples: the red Taurasi, and the white Fiano di Avellino and Greco di Tufo wines.

Taurasi is a full-bodied red that requires aging, like its northern cousins, Barolo, Barbaresco, and Brunello. Good vintages of this powerful, tannic, complex wine are at their best when aged 15 to 20 years. Taurasi is made of mostly Aglianico grapes with the majority of better Taurasis containing 100% Aglianico. By law, Taurasis must age at least three years before bottling with one of those years in wood.

Fiano di Avellino is Southern Italy’s leading dry, white wine. It is delicate with overtones of pear and almonds. Unlike most white wines, Fiano di Avellino improves with at least five to six years aging and good vintages are drinkable up to fifteen years. Fiano di Avellino is required to be made of at least 85% Fiano grapes.

Greco di Tufo, both a grape and a wine, was introduced to Italy by the Greeks over 2000 years ago. It thrives in the volcanic soil just outside the small village of Tufo. This wine is crisp and intensely fruity. Greco di Tufo is usually ready to drink in three to five years and can age up to about twelve years.

Lacryma Christi del Vesuvio (literally: the tears of Christ at Vesuvius) is grown on the terraced slopes of Mt. Vesuvius, the infamous volcano that looms over Naples. The area’s rich volcanic soil produces very good red, white, and rosé wines. All three are designated “Lacryma Christi.” There is even a sparkling (spumante) version.

Puglia:

The region of Puglia, along the Adriatic Sea, is another southern Italian wine mecca. Negroamaro, Primitivo, and Malvasia Nera – all red – are the three main grapes grown here. Also noteworthy is a historic, sweet, high-alcohol dessert wine, made with Aleatico grapes, called Aleatico di Puglia. The wines of Puglia carry the following place designations: Salento, Daunia, Tarantino, and Valle d’Itria.

Salento wines are dark, robust, and full-bodied with ripe fruit flavors and a high alcohol content. The Salento peninsula is arid and flat with palm trees and cactus plants. This difficult soil combined with the cool evening breezes from the Adriatic are perfect for producing complex red wines.

Castel del Monte was first made in Puglia in the 13th century. This wine’s namesake, medieval castle still stands. Castel del Monte can be a blended red, white, or rosé wine. The red (rosso) is a dry wine made from mostly Uva di Troila or Aglianico grapes. Aglianico is one of those historic wines that could have been on the table during the “Last Supper” ….Think about that for a moment. The white (bianco) is made from Chardonnay or Pampanuto, a local grape. Both wines are soft and very dry.

Sicily:

Sicily, the largest island in the Mediterranean, also has a rich wine history. For almost 4000 years, Sicilians have been producing wine. Today they produce about 1/6 of Italy’s wine, the majority of it white. This is a perfect accompaniment to the fresh seafood and fish that abound in Sicily. Sicily is also noted for its fortified wines, like Marsala, and its dessert wines, such as Moscato.

Catarratto Bianco is the island’s most-planted white wine grape. Nero d’Avola is the main red grape. In general, Sicilian wines are light-bodied and dry. They go well with the cuisine of the island: pasta, veal, and seafood. Cannonau is terrific and wine tastes like ripe berries, plum, cranberry, and white spice.

The wines of southern Italy are improving their quality and their production with each vintage. They are much more affordable and increasingly available in the United States. Ask for them….better… Demand them.

Watch for them at Babbalucci or a wine store near you.


Babbalucci is located at S. Westshore Blvd 33629