Their goal is to ensure consumer choice in wine.

Did you know that the 1^st Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals (a federal court) declared in January 2010 that a Massachusetts law barring shipments from wineries producing more than 30,000 gallons was unconstitutional. The legislature was tasked with developing a remedy but has failed to do so over the past two years.

Currently a Massachusetts  bill, HB 1029 lies in a coma in committee. Massachusetts is one of only 12 states that still do not allow wineries to direct ship to consumers. Considering that wine is a legal, agricultural product and I am an of-age consumer trying to support  American made products I should be able to purchase such products at my own discretion and not be limited by some archaic three-tiered system put in place at the end of Prohibition to tell me what I can and can’t purchase. This old system no longer protects the consumer, as it was originally set up to do. It only serves today to protect the wholesale tier and undercuts and ties the hands of the people who actually produce the wine.

Read the information written by Free the Grapes! below. They have included a customizable letter and links to the representatives on the committee deciding this bill’s fate. Please take a moment to write to these representatives if you live in the state of Massachusetts and let them know that you don’t want your choices limited by an outdated system. In case you need another incentive. Passing the HB1029 Direct Wine Shipping bill is worth $4.5 million in tax revenue to the state per year!

http://capwiz.com/freegrapes/issues/alert/?alertid=45435501

Torrontes Proves Argentina More Than Just a One-Trick Pony : PALATE PRESS.

Suggested Wines:

Luigi Bosca Finca La Linda 2010 Torrontes – from Cafayate in the Salta province this wine is grown at some of the highest elevations in the world (5,600’ asl). 100% Torrontes, light yellow coloring tinged with green reflections this wine exhibits great balance between the floral and fruity aromas, and matches the flavors on the palate of white flowers, citrus and peach. An elegant expression of the Torrontes grape. Cold fermented with selected yeasts. Once stabilized it is only lightly filtered before bottling. La Linda comes in at 13.9% abv and intended to be consumed within two years of bottling.

Doña Paula Estate 2010 Torrontes – Grown in Cafayate in the Salta province the extraordinary altitude and thermal exchange work together to concentrate the aromas of this native Argentinian wine. Slightly golden in color, more floral than fruity on the nose, citrus on the palate, this wine is grown in the old world style of the trellised parrón, with furrow irrigation fed by melt water from the Andes Mountains. The grapes are harvested at three different times throughout the growing season, fermented in concrete vats at low temperatures and blended together before bottling. Harmonious components.

Bodegas Catena Zapata Alamos 2010 Torrontes – This 100% Torrontes, from vineyards in Cafayate in the Salta province this wine has intense floral aromas, similar to a Gewurztraminer. Fuller mouthfeel, with tropical fruits on the palate along with peach and some minerality, and spice.  Lightly pressed and racked right from the press before cold fermentation. Some barrel aging in French and American oak. 13.5% abv. Consistently high scores from the wine press and value priced. A dependable winner. Will not disappoint.

Michel Torino Don David 2010 Torrontes – The 100% Torrontes is from the Cafayate Valley in the Salta province. It has that characteristic orange muscat aroma similar to a Gewurztraminer or Viognier, with a white pepper spice on the nose and palate. Orange, lime, and grapefruit flavors. 13.9% abv. Grown using sustainable farming practices and hand harvested, this wine is crisp, refreshing, and elegant.

Cielo 2007 Estate Grown Torrontes – From the Famatina Valley in La Rioja in the Mendoza province this full-bodied wine has a satiny mouthfeel, showing softer acidity from aging but not flabby. Great floral nose balanced by the tropical fruity palate. Grown at the lower altitude of approximately 1,900’ in more fertile, well-irrigated soil than the northern regions Cielo has 14% abv.

Valentin Bianchi Sensual 2009 Torrontes – From Rama Caida, San Rafael in Mendoza this 100% Torrontes grows at 2,200’ and is twice sorted after hand picking. Cold fermented in stainless steel. A zippy, tropical fruit and apple palate to match the orange blossom and spice aromas. Refreshing acidity. Well balanced. 12.5% abv.

Crios de Susana Balbo 2010 Torrontes – 100% Torrontes from the Salta province, with some Mendoza Torrontes in the blend. Aromas of peach and white flowers, on the palate, citrus and honeydew. Mouth-watering, refreshing acidity. Great food wine, shellfish, spicy dishes, soft cheeses. Tremendous quality:price ratio. High points by anyone’s rating system.

Trying to eat healthy but need that chocolate fix for Valentine’s Day? Surprise your sweetie with this delicious, light and, yes, even healthy desert, elegantly presented in a martini glass. The recipe comes from The Biggest Loser.

Chocolate Raspberry Daydreamers                                   

4 cups fresh raspberries

The above recipe is adapted from “The Biggest Loser Quick & Easy Cookbook” by Devin Alexander and the Biggest Loser Experts and Cast. ©2011 Universal City Studios Productions LLLP, published by Rodale.

Wine and Chocolate Pairings

Dark Chocolate

• A full bodied Zinfandel, especially late harvest, or Cabernet Sauvignon as both are made with more concentrated, ripe fruit.
• Fortified wines – Port, especially Vintage or Tawny, Banyuls, Sherry, Madeira, and Cognac
• Strawberries dipped in dark chocolate are always a hit. A favorite pairing is the Italian sparkling red wine, Brachetto D’Acqui, a wine aromatic of strawberries is perfect  – and so romantic. 
• Truffles are often filled with Cabernet, Merlot, Champagne, Port and Chardonnay, so it follows that these wines will complement your chocolates.
• FOR THE BEER DRINKER: Chocolate is fast becoming an item to pair with beer. A very dark beer, such as Grant’s Imperial Stout, or a Porter will be a winner if paired with your favorite chocolate dessert.

White Chocolate

• Some dessert-style fortified orange muscat wines made in California are intensely flavored and will go well with any kind of white chocolate. The Italian Moscato D’Asti also does well with white chocolate.
• White chocolate is often combined with fruit and berries. In general semi-dry white wines with a burnt aroma and a little sweetness will complement white chocolate.

Milk Chocolate

• Try a creamy chocolate cheesecake with a soft Merlot.
• Pinot Noir, a red wine that is lighter than Merlot works well with an airy chocolate mousse.
• Fortified wines with flavors of dried fruits, spices, and oak compliment milk chocolate, including Port, Madeira, and Sherry. Royal Tokaji, the famous desert wine of Hungary pairs well with milk chocolate.
• Try Sauternes, Italian Vin Santo or Piccolit, and semi-sweet white sparkling wines with milk chocolate, especially Moscato d’Asti which has just a prickle of carbonation Italians call Frizzante.

Bittersweet Chocolate

• Rich Bittersweet Chocolate with an equally rich Cabernet Sauvignon is an outstanding tasting experience. Both have a slight bitterness, a roasted flavor, and an earthy quality. The chocolate coating on your tongue take away some of the astringency of the wine. Try melding the two to make an extraordinary sauce to add to desserts.
• Chocolate desserts which have a hint of bitterness can also be enjoyed with young red wines, wines of the Loire Valley, and Beaujolais.
• The grape variety Pedro Ximenez is dried in the sun and mashed into a paste. Cream Sherry made with these grapes, sweet and thick and goes well with white chocolate.

Some people “dance it out” when they have pent up emotion or frustration, like on Grey’s Anatomy with Meredith and Christina. While this is not normally a topic for this blog, this is my blog and I needed a place to “write it out”.

I visited New York last weekend to see the 911 Memorial. Of course it was the coldest day in a winter that has spoiled us with spring temperatures since October’s Snowmaggedon. I was prepared to be emotional. I have seen the endless replaying of the day’s events each year as the anniversary approaches, watched the documentaries, and was prepared to be moved to tears. I feel a weird kind of survivor’s guilt as a former New Yorker. I have many friends who were much closer to what happened than I, and feel fortunate not to have lost any loved ones personally but we all lost something that day. So I thought I was prepared. Snaking around the airport-like security lines that walk you around whole city blocks I was thinking about my father, a union carpenter, and how proud I always was to say that my father worked on the Twin Towers back in the early 70’s. At the time I saw it more as – my father built the Twin Towers. I was a little oblivious to the 200,000 plus other tradesmen who helped him build the Twin Towers. My father was present at what he called the “Topping Off” party, when construction reached the highest level. This is what I was thinking as I approached the Memorial. I was trying to keep myself upbeat.

After more security checkpoints than people on the No-Fly list encounter at airports, you enter the Memorial site at what is called the Glade, an open area surrounded by the tree plantings of swamp white oaks, selected from within a radius of 500 miles of Ground Zero, as well as specimens from areas near the Pentagon and Shanksville, PA. In this mild winter the brown leaves still cling to the branches. It must be marvelous in spring. As you approach the south pool you hear the water falling into the pool. It is very quiet otherwise.

I remember seeing in a documentary that the bronze placques bearing the names of those lost would always feel warm to the touch so that if a loved one visited they could always reach out and touch their name. I wouldn’t say on that single digit temperature day that the placques felt warm per se but they were not cold either. I touched many names, including a few that became almost immediately folkloric like Todd Beamer, and Mark Bingham. It was overwhelming. The north pool’s waterfall was not on and that was quite sad to see. The museum is not open yet but you can look into it and see the giant trident supports rescued from the original structure. Heading back towards the glade I saw the first of several thing that really choked me up. It was the Survivor Tree. I had read about this tree some time ago and was really moved by it.

The tree was recovered from the rubble of the towers collapse. A decision was made to make every effort to save this tree. It was as if this tree would have to stand for all of the people who could not be saved that day. It was moved to the Van Cortlandt Nursery in the Bronx, almost an hour away and cared for with the best soil and natural enhancements possible. The tree truly looked as though it had endured a battle, its limbs severed down to stumps. The arborists had no idea if this tree, a callery pear, would survive. It happened at a time of year when the tree was already preparing to go dormant. They had to wait until spring to see that from one of the scarred stumps a shoot would sprout and a leaf would open up. This tree was nursed back to health very lovingly over the next ten years. Even so, it had to survive yet another episode of disaster when it was again uprooted by Hurricane Irene in 2010. Seeing that tree there and knowing how hard it had worked to survive and the help and care it received for ten years, I was overcome. When I got home I looked up the tree in spring. In the ten years’ time it had regained its mature height of 35 feet and in spring it blossoms into the perfect specimen of a beautiful pear tree and you can hardly see the scars.

From there we walked over to the Preview Site and Visitor Center, and Tribute WTC Visitor Center. We first passed by  the FDNY Memorial Wall, a 56 foot bronze bas-relief sculpture on the side of the Firehouse for Engine Company 10 Ladder Company 10.

The dedication haunted me all day – “Dedicated to those who fell and those who carry on. May we never forget”.  A framed poster alongside the sculpture shows the portrait of all 343 firefighters who made the supreme sacrifice that day.

Their names are carved into the sculpture. Visit them here: http://www.fdnytenhouse.com/fdnywall/bravest.htm .

Next we stopped by a small Visitor Center where a commemorative motorcycle designed by Paul, Jr. of American Choppers was on display. The shop was crowded and it felt odd to be looking at souveniers from this place. Around the corner is the Tribute Museum. It takes you through a multi-media sensory overload of wall panels, audio, video, artifacts, a timeline from the construction of the original World Trade Center, to the 1993 bombing, and through the aftermath of the recovery and re-building of the new World Trade Center. Walking through the first level you walk along a wall that is a re-created wall of missing posters, put up by the families hoping to receive word of their missing loved one. It is an extremely emotional thing to see. Then it brings you into a three walled room of floor to ceiling photos and momentos of those lost. These smiling pictures, contributed by family members, show their loved ones in happier times. Curated along with little items like little league trophies, eyeglasses, a business card, a finger painting, etc., this is the real tribute to those who died that day. At times I just wept and there were boxes of tissues everywhere. I was not prepared for how emotionally draining that would leave me for the rest of the day. Some people don’t want to feel those emotions. They’re difficult. I get that. I think it’s important though.

On a lower level, dedicated to hope for the future you descend a staircase through a curtain of colorful origami cranes. A placque on the wall explains that in Japan the crane is a symbol of longevity and that there is a legend that if one folds a thousand paper cranes a wish will be granted. Children in Japan contributed these colorful paper cranes and they have come to symbolize peace and hope for the future. In the room at the bottom of the stairs there are postcards on a wall. It is a place where anyone who visits can contribute their impressions and feelings and become a part of the tribute. School children from all across the United States made over 15,000 paper cranes to be given out to the families who visited the Memorial for the tenth anniversary. A basket overflowing with the cranes sits on a table in the place associated with Hope, offered to all who visit. I took one and will always cherish it and remember its meaning.

I don’t believe anyone can go there and be unmoved. You feel it when you’re there in a visceral way – a sacred, holy place where voices are hushed and a feeling of reverence comes over you. You will not be prepared either but you should go there sometime. When you are there, and your heart is heavy, just look up from just about anywhere and see the magnificent, gleaming One World Trade Center, called the Freedom Tower rising up to make the bold statement that we are still here. We will persevere. Upon completion it will stand 1,776 feet high and be the tallest building in the United States. Not in my lifetime perhaps but someday people will visit this place as a memorial park, as a place to enjoy life,  a respite from the office, a picnic lunch, a concert or art exhibit, and not as another dead memorial like so many cannons or soldier statues we see in public spaces. I wish I could say that I’ve seen it and would not need to put myself there again but I can’t help it, I want to see it in spring, when the trees leaf out, when I believe I may be able to catch that feeling of hope.

One World Trade Center

The Celebration of the Gift of Giving Returns with Restaurant.com’s

Feed It Forward

Company’s Award-Winning Program Enables Consumers to Give Away FREE Restaurant.com eGift Cards

Arlington Heights, Ill.—Restaurant.com announced its holiday giving program, Feed It Forward, returns for a fourth year. Feed It Forward enables participants to give away free $10 Restaurant.com eGift Cards now through Christmas Day. Individuals can give up to 40 gifts per day to family, friends, co-workers, neighbors or anyone who deserves a kind gesture. Giving comes from the heart and creates a powerful sense of joy (watch the video).

WHAT IS FEED IT FORWARD – Youtube Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLxqIdwGtr0&feature=youtu.be

FEED IT FORWARD–What is Giving Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-MS86_Hq2U&feature=youtu.be

“Feed It Forward was launched in response to the tough economic times with the understanding that there is a hidden emotional gem in giving to others. This is about celebrating the gift of giving,” said Cary Chessick, CEO of Restaurant.com. “We’ve created this free gifting opportunity so that everyone can share in the holiday spirit. They can give to friends, give to family, give to neighbors and give to colleagues, teachers, and families in the military. Anyone can visit the site now through Christmas Day and send good cheer to the important people in their lives.”

To send free $10 Restaurant.com eGift Cards, visit www.Restaurant.com/FeedItForward and log in with either a Restaurant.com or Facebook account. Givers can access their Gmail or Yahoo accounts to select people for their gift list, or enter email addresses manually.
Feed It Forward eGift Cards are sent to the selected recipients via email with a personalized template and note from the giver. Recipients can redeem the eGift Cards through the Feed It Forward site, choosing dining destinations from more than 10,000 participating Restaurant.com restaurants nationwide. There is no expiration date on the Feed It Forward $10 Restaurant.com eGift Cards.

“Restaurants are the social centers of our communities, the places we gather to break bread and celebrate with family and friends,” said Chessick. “We are proud to be able to join forces with more than 10,000 Restaurant.com restaurants to help this nation experience the joy of giving to others.”

The Feed It Forward site includes treasured stories of giving, gratitude and inspiration from givers and recipients across the country.
“We share these stories as they have been an inspiration to us and they both capture and spread happiness while representing the true holiday spirit,” said Chessick. 

 
There are some enhancements to Feed It Forward 2011, including:
·       Celebrity Ambassadors – The Double Saving Divas, Tai and Tarin Perry, stars of TLC’s “Extreme Couponing,” have partnered with Restaurant.com to help spread the message of the gift of giving to communities across the country. “We truly believe Feed It Forward can help change the world,” said the Double Saving Divas, Tai and Tarin Perry. “Giving is infectious!”
·       Nonprofit Support – Restaurant.com is proud to partner with the American Lung Association, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation of Illinois and Make-A-Wish Foundation of Illinois to help spread the gift of giving.
·       Random Acts of Kindness – Restaurant.com has made it quick and easy to spread holiday cheer among the entire Restaurant.com community. With the simple click of a button, Feed It Forward users can give their remaining daily allotment of eGift Cards to other Restaurant.com customers. 

  
In the first three years of Feed It Forward, the Restaurant.com community gave away more than $32 million in Restaurant.com eGift Cards.
Visit www.Restaurant.com/FeedItForward to participate in the giving celebration and to learn more about Feed It Forward.

About Restaurant.com
Restaurant.com helps deepen relationships and create lasting memories one dining experience at a time. The company offers savings at more than 18,000 restaurants nationwide with more than 45,000 daily gift certificate options. Restaurant.com brings family and friends together to relax, converse and enjoy dining out. Restaurant.com has helped customers save more than $500 million since the Arlington Heights, Ill.-based company was founded in 1999.

http://palatepress.com/2011/11/wine/westport-rivers-not-your-typical-regional-wines/#respond

Wine Connextion at 117 Main Street, North Andover, MA 01845 is a family owned and operated wine shop that does a great job of serving the needs of both the novice and casual consumer, and the connoisseur. Their selection is well thought out, and rotates frequently, but also always manages to keep the perpetual bestsellers around too. No dust ever settles on their bottles. It’s set up like a big, bright, open space, nothing obscuring your eye level of the entire store. Every wine has a sheet explaining everything you may want to know about the wine – price, country, appellation, flavor description, food pairing, and more. You can literally walk around this shop and self-learn about wine. The selection ranges from the best of the value wines category to premium choice wines. They maintain a climate controlled wine cave for some of their best wines. The prices are very good, and extremely competitive with the nearby New Hampshire state controlled liquor store. For example, take a commonly available wine like Apothic Red. In just my immediate market I have seen it for $15, $11.99, even $9.99. Wine Connextion sells Apothic Red for $8.99!

They also have a large tasting bar and host many events throughout the year. Sam and Tina Messina, brother and sister owners, know how to throw a party. Yesterday was the third in a recent series, called 90 Points and Above. They served 12 wines, all rates 90 pts and over priced from $9.99 – $79.00. Regardless of where you fall on the 100 point rating system argument, most people, especially casual consumers, rely on these 100 point rating systems to give them some reasonable assurance that the wine will taste above the standard for that varietal or blend type. So here was an opportunity to taste for free 12 decent wines, none of which I had ever tasted before. I love these kinds of shopping trips! Who wouldn’t love to shop with a glass of wine in your hand? Suzanne and I realized too late that we perhaps should have eaten lunch first. 12 little tastes do add up and humus and chips was not enough.

Below are the names, tasting notes, and prices in order that they were served, white to red, light to full. The tasting notes they provided were so right on the money that I am re-printing them here, and adding a comment or two of my own.  I really appreciate the opportunity to taste so many quality wines. We bought some wine but there were people there filling up shopping carts. My recommendation is if you live in Northeastern Massachusetts you should check out this wine shop. If not, find some place like it in your neck of the woods. A place with a large and changing selection, helpful, knowledgeable staff who love to talk about wine, and great prices.

Kilikanoon Mort’s Block Riesling 2009 (Australia) Robert Parker 91 pts. The Mort’s Block Riesling is an intense racy wine that showcases the strength of the Clare Valley with this varietal. Green apple, lemon blossom, and bath salts dominate the nose. The taut palate shows grapefruit and lemon zest with a stony mineral edge and crisp natural acidity. While irresistible now, this wine will age beautifully for 10+ years, developing toasty, honeyed characters. Me: I didn’t get the bath salts but everything else was in there. $15.99 

Landmark Overlook Chardonnay 2009 (California) Robert Parker 91 pts. Overlook Chardonnay smells and tastes of peaches, butter-poached pears, allspice, hazelnuts, fresh pineapple, and apple pie. Its richness is balanced by good acidity and layers of flavor. Buttery Chardonnay lovers are sure to enjoy this. $21.99

Delas ”Saint Esprit” Rouge Côtes-du-Rhône 2009 (France) Robert Parker 90 pts. The “Cuvee Saint Esprit” shows the strength and pepper taste typical of the Syrah grape. The color is deep garnet red and has intense red berry aromas. It is an exceptional full-bodied wine with fine tannins. Me: Yes, intense raspberry aromas. We bought some of this. This is an exceptional bottle for the price. $9.99

Patz & Hall Hyde Vineyard Pinot Noir 2008 (California) Robert Parker 91 pts. This wine is both extremely rich and super supple, with fine-grained, mouth-filling tannins, balanced oak and an intriguing dusty quality. The aromas are alluring and sophisticated, offering layers of raspberry, cranberry, blueberry, sassafras, milk chocolate, cinnamon, clove, and cassis. A classic expression of Hyde Vineyard – powerful, elegant, and intricate. Me: Extremely elegant and complex. $45.99

Meandro Do Vale Meão Douro 2007 (Portugal) Robert Parker 90 pts. Wine Spectator 91 pts. The 2007 Meandro Quinta Do Vale Meão is very fine wine, deep, bright, beautifully balanced and well-structured wine. It has great complexity. Full-bodied, ripe and plush with a surplus of dark plum, dark cherry, and Kirsch flavors. Silky tannins and creamy notes power the spicy finish. Drink now through 2014. Me: We bought some of this as well. This a versatile food wine or sipper. $22.99

Pio Cesare Barolo 2006 (Italy) Robert Parker 94 pts. Pio Cesare and the 2006 vintage marry beautifully to produce a layered, opulent, textured, rich wine that is bursting with zesty red fruit, sassy spice, leather and toasted espresso bean. What really sets this wine apart is the dense smoothness of its texture. Save this bottle in your cellar for 10 years or more. Me: I thought this wine should have been tasted after the John Duval Shiraz later in the tasting. Lots of texture and spice. Will definitely age well. $49.99

Kilikanoon Testament Shiraz 2006 (Australia) Robert Parker 94 pts. Testament expresses the opulence and density expected of wines from the legendary Barossa Valley. A nose of great intensity, ripe mulberry and cherry notes lead, complexed by roasted plums, quality dark chocolate and sweet molasses, all pulled together by ripe, gritty tannins and balanced acidity. $22.99

Marqués de Murrieta Castillo Ygay Rioja Gran Reserva Especial 2004 (Spain) Robert Parker 94 pts. The Castillo-Igay Gran Reserva Especial 2004 is a complex and elegant classic. This Gran Reserva Especial is made from Tempranillo and Mazuelo from vineyards located at 500 meter above sea level. Limited in production and sought after all over the world, it is the worthy choice for the emblematic Castillo-Igay label. $47.99

John Duval Entity Shiraz 20008 (Australia) Robert Parker 94 pts. A true reflection of Barossa’s soil and climate. Entity displays youthful dark fruits of blackberry and plum that combine with a hint of mocha and savory French oak. The long, rich palate is driven by concentrated dark fruit characters that are balanced by firm tannins, bright acidity and well-integrated French oak that adds structure and polish to the wine. Me: Made by former Penfolds winemaker responsible for making the stellar “Grange” before Peter Lago. A stunner. $29.99

Anderson’s Conn Valley Vineyard Estate Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 (California) Robert Parker 98 pts. One of the few wineries to make a 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve that eclipsed its 2007 counterpart in Anderson’s Conn Valley. A spectacular effort that is as black as a moonless night. This full-bodied wine boasts abundant aromas of creme de cassis, camphor and subtle oak presented in a voluptuously textured, full-bodied style with terrific richness and depth. Great intensity and opulence as well as a layered mouthfeel make for a remarkable wine that should age for 20-30 years. Me: Outstanding! $62.99

Robert Mondavi Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 (California) Robert Parker 95 pts. Intensely fragrant with aromas of creme de cassis, graphite and notes of lavender and bay. Rich flavors of blackberry and huckleberry merge with earthiness and minerality. Tannins are generous and well-developed. $79.99

Chambers Rosewood Rutherglen Muscat NV  (Australia) Wine Spectator 91 pts. A rare and delicious dessert wine from Australia; what Australians call a “sticky”. Renowned critic Robert Parker noted, “Chambers Rosewood Vineyards makes my short list of greatest fortified wine producers. The winery was started in 1858 and continues to be owned by the Chambers family. Some of the material for these blends is over 100 years old.” This Muscat has extraordinary layers of sweet flavors including maple, honey, orange, apricots, and nuts. A tremendous bargain. Me: I am a fan of dessert style wines, particularly those with a good balance between the sweetness and acidity. This wine has an extremely full-bodied mouthfeel, like heavy cream. Not my favorite but it is a great price. $12.99

 I had to taste a few wines to get a feel for the varietal. So I had a tasting party last night with some friends, most of whom don’t know much about wine beyond whether or not they like what’s in their glass – and in the end that is all that really matters about the wine anyway. Below is a picture of my hot mess of a tasting party. Eight people, seven wines, lots of food, and a good time had by all. All of the wines were in the value sweetspot of between $9 – $15.

The Torrontes grape is Argentina’s native white grape. It is a natural combination of the Muscat de Alejandro, and the Mission grape, known locally as the Criolla Chica, brought over from Spain by 16th century conquistadores and missionaries. There is almost no other wine growing region in the world cultivating this grape, though some can be found in Spain and New Zealand.

The flavor profile of Torrontes is similar to a Gewurztraminer or Viognier. It is one of the aromatic grapes, with heady, intense floral aromas of orange blossoms, jasmine, and lavender, and tropical fruits from orange, lemon, lime, and grapefruit, to honeydew, apricot, lychee, and apple. There is often a spice like white pepper, or a minerality picked up from the sandy, stony soils.  

Grown predominantly in two of Argentina’s wine regions, the North, and the Cuyo or Mendoza region in the central western part of the country. In the north the Cafayate Valley in the Salta province is a key place to find Torrontes. The wines here are often leaner, crisper, with higher acidity. They grow at the highest altitudes in the world, over 5,600′ on steep slopes where furrows are dug to naturally irrigate the vineyards from snow melt coming down from the Andes Mountains. The average rainfall in Argentina is only 8″ per year and with extremely permeable soil it is crucial to capture this snow melt water. In the Mendoza or Cuyo region the elevation is much lower, 1,000 – 2,000′ and the soil is more fertile. The wines from this region tend to be fuller, rounder, with more intense flavors.

Wines tasted:

Luigi Bosca Finca La Linda 2010 Torrontes – from Cafayate in the Salta province this wine is grown at some of the highest elevations in the world (5,600’ asl). 100% Torrontes, light yellow coloring tinged with green reflections this wine exhibits great balance between the floral and fruity aromas, and matches the flavors on the palate of white flowers, citrus and peach. An elegant expression of the Torrontes grape. Cold fermented with selected yeasts. Once stabilized it is only lightly filtered before bottling. La Linda comes in at 13.9% abv and intended to be consumed within two years of bottling.

Doña Paula Estate 2010 Torrontes – Grown in Cafayate in the Salta province the extraordinary altitude and thermal exchange work together to concentrate the aromas of this native Argentinian wine. Slightly golden in color, more floral than fruity on the nose, citrus on the palate, this wine is grown in the old world style of the trellised parrón, with furrow irrigation fed by melt water from the Andes Mountains. The grapes are harvested at three different times throughout the growing season, fermented in concrete vats at low temperatures and blended together before bottling. Harmonious components.

Bodegas Catena Zapata Alamos 2010 Torrontes – This 100% Torrontes, from vineyards in Cafayate in the Salta province this wine has intense floral aromas, similar to a Gewurztraminer. Fuller mouthfeel, with tropical fruits on the palate along with peach and some minerality, and spice.  Lightly pressed and racked right from the press before cold fermentation. Some barrel aging in French and American oak. 13.5% abv. Consistently high scores from the wine press and value priced. A dependable winner. Will not disappoint.

Michel Torino Don David 2010 Torrontes – The 100% Torrontes is from the Cafayate Valley in the Salta province. It has that characteristic orange muscat aroma similar to a Gewurztraminer or Viognier, with a white pepper spice on the nose and palate. Orange, lime, and grapefruit flavors. 13.9% abv. Grown using sustainable farming practices and hand harvested, this wine is crisp, refreshing, and elegant.

Cielo 2007 Estate Grown Torrontes – From the Famatina Valley in La Rioja in the Mendoza province this full-bodied wine has a satiny mouthfeel, showing softer acidity from aging but not flabby. Great floral nose balanced by the tropical fruity palate. Grown at the lower altitude of approximately 1,900’ in more fertile, well-irrigated soil than the northern regions Cielo has 14% abv.

Valentin Bianchi Sensual 2009 Torrontes – From Rama Caida, San Rafael in Mendoza this 100% Torrontes grows at 2,200’ and is twice sorted after hand picking. Cold fermented in stainless steel. A zippy, tropical fruit and apple palate to match the orange blossom and spice aromas. Refreshing acidity. Well balanced. 12.5% abv.

Crios de Susana Balbo 2010 Torrontes – 100% Torrontes from the Salta province, with some Mendoza Torrontes in the blend. Aromas of peach and white flowers, on the palate, citrus and honeydew. Mouth-watering, refreshing acidity. Great food wine, shellfish, spicy dishes, soft cheeses. Tremendous quality:price ratio. High points by anyone’s rating system.

Americans consume more wine on Thanksgiving day than any other day of the year. If you have any interest in wine at all you will start to notice, much the same way Christmas decorations start going up in stores around the end of September, that everyone who has any opinion about wine will share their tips for choosing a good wine for your Thanksgiving celebration. So here are mine.

People often don’t realize that with all the many and varied side dishes served with the traditional turkey (not to mention all of the non-traditional hams, lasagnas, turducken, tofurky, and such), matching your wine to the meal is not so easy. Food pairing basics match the dominant flavors, how heavy the meal is, etc. Do you prefer red or white? The list below goes from crisp whites to reds, and includes dessert wines and digestifs.

Sauvignon Blanc – a crisp white wine that is noted for its earthy, herbaceous flavors – a prime candidate specifically for turkey and herb-filled stuffing.

 Viognier – an aromatic white wine with low levels of acidity and characterized by light floral flavors often surrounded by delicate touches of peaches and pears. Shout out to my friends in Virginia, where they make excellent Viognier.

 Riesling – a white wine that may either be bone dry or fairly sweet, excellent with any dishes that may have a bit of spice to them.

 Pinot Noir – this red wine is the very versatile and traditional favorite for Thanksgiving. It is easy going enough to complement just about any flavor you can throw at it. Elegant, but plays well with others.

Zinfandel – a  fuller bodied red wine that has a balancing effect on many traditional side dishes. This would be a great pick for those looking for a heartier wine with deeper flavors.

Syrah/Shiraz – another red wine that picks up the intensity and flavor, yet graciously handles the cornucopia of flavors in a traditional Thanksgiving meal. The peppery notes will accent a flavorful helping of stuffing as well as both the white and dark turkey meats.

Beaujolais – a light, fruity red wine from the gamay grape that goes very well with turkey and all of the fixings. It is like the cranberry sauce to the turkey! The tradition of serving a beaujolais has something to do with the annual release of Beaujolais Nouveau on the third Thursday of every November, a week before Thanksgiving in the U.S. This fruity wine is supposed to be drunk while young and fresh.

Sparkling Wine- Always a perfect accompaniment, especially with salty foods and foods with unusual texture- like the mashed potatoes or dishes with higher fat content (turkey gravy?) Can’t go wrong if you bring this wine as a guest.

Dessert Wines- Sometimes a good dessert wine is a sweet finishing touch to the meal, as with an ice wine (made from grapes left on the vine after regular harvest to concentrate the sugars), or Hungarian Tokaij, or Italian Vin Santo or Piccolit, or a Trokenbeerenauslese Riesling from Germany, or even a Moscato D’Asti or Bracquetto D’Acqui if you like the bubbles. Don’t overlook the dessert wine as a choice because you think they are all syrupy sweet. Many wines in this category are very fine and elegant expressions of their grape variety. Continuing on there are  fortified (wines with additional alcohol added, raising the final alcohol by volume) ports, sherry, vermouth. Be bold and try something new.

In our house we have the tradition of going around the table to say something we are thankful for. Some years we struggle but we always have something to be thankful for. I wish you, and those you celebrate with all the blessings of the holiday season. Happy Thanksgiving, and Cheers!

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2011 Wine Bloggers Conference Participant/Scholarship Winner