| Custom Wine Marketing, LLC |
|
|
|
 |
|
Summer is Finally Here!!
Greetings!
This month has been fantastic for wine tasting! The days have been cool in the morning and warm in the afternoon. A couple of years ago I traveled to Walla Walla for winetasting and found that July and August were NOT good months to taste in that area.....it was way too hot! Mid 80's is the way to go! So taste in the Willamette Valley the balance of the summer and save your trip to Walla Walla for later this fall or next spring.
Last month I had the pleasure of revisiting Owen Roe in St. Paul across from Champoeg Park, Illahe Wine Cellars, Left Coast Winery, Maysara Winery, and Methven Vineyards. There were so many lovely Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir wines to try....not to mention the entire "stable" of Owen Roe wine - from Riesling to Cabernet Sauvignon to Zinfandel. We are incredibly fortunate to be close to so many wineries and exciting winemakers.
If you would like me to set up a wine tour or wine schedule for you, please let me know. I'd love to steer you in the direction of some of my old favorites as well as make suggestions on some of the newer wineries with innovative and imaginative winemakers. Give me a call!
Cheers! |
|
What does the term "NV" mean? This term indicates that the wine - sparkling or still - is a combination of more than one vintage. This is often done when creating sparkling from chardonnay and pinot juice but is also seen more and more in red blends. |
|
|
Matt Kramer, guest writer for Wine Spectator and a feature writer for The Sunday Oregonian, recently penned an article on "What Makes a Wine Age-Worthy." I thought this article was worth passing on as this is one of the more frequently asked questions I receive from anyone who accumulates more wine than he/she intends to drink in a month's time.
Matt says that there is no reason to age wine except in the belief that it will transform into something better. Today, most wines will endure for varying spans of time if kept in a cool space as nearly all wines today are well-made. The basic philosophy is that red wines may get smoother with age, shedding whatever tannins they had; white wines will slowly oxidize into oblivion. Nowhere along the continuum do they really transform. See: http://www.winespectator.com/webfeature/show/id/43281.
So what elements really contribute to transforming a wine? In red wine, it's the tannins and acidity that contribute to the transformation. These are considered the "backbone" and with aging they begin to soften, allowing the true component of the varietal to sneak through. In white wine, look for the acidity. Again, that allows the wine to develop but with white wine, 2-3 years is tops for storing. White wine usually does not "age" well as it lacks the tannic quality of red wine. I was told once by a wine "scholar" while visiting a winery that one should sniff the wine in their glass twice before sampling - first, stick your nose deep in the glass and sniff; then holding on to the stem, swirl the wine, adding a bit of oxygen with each swirl; sniff again. It's the second "sniff" that will give you a hint into its future. If the wine opens up and produces big aroma and big flavors, then there is a likely expectation that with a little age it will transform.
Read Matt's article for more detail but, hopefully, this little primer will help you when making the decision how long a wine should lie down.
Salud! |
|
Cellar Select News ~~
The first delivery of Cellar Select wines went off without a hitch the week of July 12th. I selected some outstanding wines for members to sample. The White Select group had a delicious Soave Classic to try while the weather is hot, while Red Select wine box had a fantastic Christopher Michaels Syrah. I am already "tasting" wines to include in the October shipment as well as finding a venue for the Fall Event for Cellar Select members. I would love to have you as a member - there is still time to get on board for October and be a part of the Fall Soiree!
White Select: An all-white 3 pack of wine. $40/every 3 months
Red Select: An all-red 3-pack of wine. $45/every 3 months
Barrel Select: A Selection of 2 whites and 2 reds. $60/every 3 months
|
| * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * |
|
This Month's Special Wines
We are well into August, and you can feel a little chill in the morning, signaling that Fall (and Harvest!) is coming. Don't let your summer end without trying some of these great value wines or something special in my Featured Wines for August. My problem is trying to narrow down choices so my newsletter is manageable - but I'm finding it gets longer and longer each month! Here are my special value wines for you to consider:
Mills Reef (New Zealand) 2008 Sauvignon Blanc Reserve:
Intense aromas of gooseberry, tropical stone fruits, cut grass, fresh capsicum and hints of passionfruit lead into a round and supple palate, with tropical stone fruits, passionfruit and lime flavours. The palate is fresh and clean, with excellent length and balanced acidity, and a satisfying crisp finish.
Our Reg Price: $16.00 Sale Price: $ 14.00
Townshend T3 Red Blend NV (Cab | Merlot | Syrah):
A very good value red blend - unctious, bold yet fruit forward enough for a juicy grilled burger or steak. The syrah adds just that hint of spice to a full flavored cab. For $14.00 this red blend is impossible to beat!
Our Reg Price: $17.00
Sale Price: $ 14.00
Elyse 2008 Rose' (Napa Valley):
True pink with delicate aromas of raspberries, nectarines, green grasses, rhubarb and strawberries with cream. A full palate buoyed by crisp acidity and plenty of lively fresh fruit. Rosés are a great companion to most foods and are just plain fun to drink.
Our Reg Price: $15.00
Sale Price: $13.00
Check out the rest of my recommendations under Featured Wines.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * |
Here's an exciting event for you to consider - Appoloni Vineyards and other yummy wineries like Cuneo Cellars are inviting wine lovers to the
2nd Annual Italy in the Valley
Cana's Feast Winery
 Sunday, August 22nd from 1-5 PM
in Carlton, OR for only $15!
Wine tasting, logo glass, panini - For Ticket information:
Join 16 local winemakers producing Italian varietals. This is a great afternoon of wine tasting, music, food and fun!
Check out the the August wine selections and call or e-mail me with your order* Today! And remember personal delivery within one week of your order. Warmest regards,
Chris Hardy
Custom Wine Marketing, LLC
Phone: 503-310-4576 *3-bottle minimum order |
|
|
Featured Wines for August 2010*
Lucien Albrecht 2007 Riesling Reserve: Slightly yeasty, as well as of fresh lemon and lime, ripe peach, red raspberry, and ginger. Generous fruit and spice with admirable refreshment, this wine is perfect with shell fish and light cream sauce. The finish is nicely reinforced by a subtle hint of sweetness well-suited to its admirably efficacious, ripe acidity.
$17.00/bottle
Shooting Star (by Stella Winery) 2007 Chardonnay:
Grapes grown in coast region of central California. Wine is laced with crisp green apple fruit with hints of the buttery, rich, tropical fruits of a California Chardonnay. This wine will appeal to every palate.
$14.50/bottle
Thomas & Fils 2007 Sancerre:
Refreshingly crisp white wine that offers citrus and tropical fruit flavors with very aromatic notes of green chilies, grass, herbs, asparagus and gooseberries.
$28.00/bottle
Killer Red (by Terra Blanca) 2005 Syrah: An intensely flavorful wine, brimming with black fruit jam, peppery spice, and panache. $12.25/bottle
Regusci NV Parcel 41 2007 Merlot: The goal with Parcel 41 was to make a Merlot that is supple and elegant yet still has the structure, depth and richness you find in more expensive offerings. At a average retail price of $20 per bottle they have far exceeded their goal. $17.50/bottle
Opolo Winery 2007 Zinfandel: Named for the creek that runs through their west-side vineyard in the Santa Lucia Mountains, this Zinfandel offers intense fruit, including ripe black cherry, raspberry and a touch of spice. In the mouth, this well-balanced wine offers a delightful aftertaste that keeps on giving. $18.00/bottle
Forgeron NV Waldeaux Smithie: An excellent value, this is full of plum and deep cherry flavors and shows fresh acidity. All this is set against a backbone of soft tannins. Poured this yummy red blend with a grilled pork tenderloin last night - fantastic! $14.75/bottle
Availability and prices guaranteed through August 31, 2010 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
