Article: Early Harvest

Read about the harvest in the Napa Valley this year.  What does an early harvest mean for 2013 wines?

Cab Franc

http://www.steelewines.com/store/browse.asp?var=12&doFilter=true

Wednesday Wine Tasting

So it’s not every Wednesday you are asked by the ugly dwarf to accompany him and the Finn to Napa to go to Anderson’s Conn Valley! If you’ve never been you should! Our usual host Josh Luhn was on vacation so Alicia Williams was our host. She was awesome( everyone I’ve ever had there was awesome!).

We were early so while waiting we played a few games of bocce ball! Not a bad way to start!

Riding up to the cave in the electric golf cart we realized it wasn’t going to make it and had to activate the “all Steve drive”! It sure gets me thirsty being pushed up a hill!

We ran into Robert Hunt, Conn’s winemaker, who was working in the caves. I met him last year at their annual “Cave Dweller” party. More from Robert to follow…

We started with the 2012 Sav Blanc. It is the first wine that is 100% Robert’s since he became head wine maker. It is very crisp and one of my favorite whites. Then came the 2012 Chardonnay. It’s done in more of the burgundy style, not super buttery. I like it. This is when Robert ( what a great name!) came by with some 2012 that he has kept in the barrel! Mmmmmmm!

Part two to follow….

Thirsty Thursday

Toasted Head Cab is one of my favorite Wednesday wines. This evening it was the after dinner wine that paired nicely with watching my guys build a Star Wars model.

Wine Wednesday

Even though it is still hot outside, tonight’s dinner called for a glass of simple red wine.
I present to you: Unruly Red.

This red blend is one of the few blends I really enjoy.  Enough tannin on the back end to make it taste more expensive than it is, but not so much that it dries out your tongue. Bright jammy flavors make this wine fruity without being too sweet (though still a little sweet to my palate – I’m not a “sweet” person.  Yes, I know how that sounds…).  Dinner tonight had a lot of strong Mediterranean flavors (including feta cheese, kalamata olives, and sun dried tomatoes), this simple Wednesday Wine stood up and did exactly what I expected it to do.

http://www.unrulyred.com/

Also, I hear that my co-author spent the day in Napa today… I can’t wait to hear about the tastings he had… once he recovers…

Giddy Discusses Wine Wednesday

Even though it is still hot outside, tonight’s dinner called for a glass of simple red wine.

I present to you: Unruly Red.

 

This red blend is one of the few blends I really enjoy.  Enough tannin on the back end to make it taste more expensive than it is, but not so much that it dries out your tongue. Bright jammy flavors make this wine fruity without being too sweet (though still a little sweet to my palate – I’m not a “sweet” person.  Yes, I know how that sounds…).  Dinner tonight had a lot of strong Mediterranean flavors (including feta cheese, kalamata olives, and sun dried tomatoes), this simple Wednesday Wine stood up and did exactly what I expected it to do.

Also, I hear that my co-author spent the day in Napa today… I can’t wait to hear about the tastings he had… once he recovers…

Cat in the Hat

Rutherford Red (2009)

Barrel Tasting at St. Supery

DPR: Monday Wine

 

Bay Moon Savignon Blanc 2012 Monterey aromas are melons, pears, lemon grass and Meyer lemon with a hint of fresh dried herbs from the glass…( I wasn’t prepared and copied the notes from the bottle!)

Durian Wine: Next Big Thing?

Durian Wine?

According to this article, Durian Fruit is "described by the poetic Anthony Bourdain as the smell "if you'd been French-kissing your dead grandmother."

What do you think, would you try wine made from it?

Giddy's Monday Wine

Tonight’s featured wine is a typical Wednesday Wine around my house.  Bogle Cab. Sauv.  Found in the local Safeway for around $8-9, this is a simple red that has a fruity nose and isn’t too heavy on the tannins.  My recommendation is to open the bottle about 12 hours before you want to drink it.  It is fine right after you open it, but I’ve found that it gains flavor if you open it for a couple of hours, then cap it and let it sit overnight.  Obviously you’ll have to have something on hand to drink while you are waiting.  Cheers!

All About the Wine

From Wednesday Wine to the good stuff… and everything in between, friends travel from the local Trader Joe’s to Napa Valley and tell you about all the stuff they drink.