tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70176546539229707522012-02-16T07:46:03.124-08:00A little about what little I know about wines.Jonathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04259070848629173819noreply@blogger.comBlogger181100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017654653922970752.post-35363494145311793262009-03-15T19:10:00.000-07:002009-03-15T19:51:03.418-07:00

First, happy birthday Kim.Over the last several years, my neighbors, my wife and I have begun the tradition of celebrating birthdays with a nice dinner out.Max's Alley, a locally-owned restaurant in Concord with an amazing wine menu has been the spot-du-jour on several occasions. I always enjoy eating there because the wine is always a treat.Tonight was no different (and perhaps even more

Jonathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04259070848629173819noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017654653922970752.post-86286754586587962472009-03-11T16:47:00.000-07:002009-03-11T16:58:59.330-07:00

Continuing on the theme of reds (but moving away from Malbecs, as promised), I bring you another Cabernet Sauvignon. And in the interest of a slumping economy, it's a cheap (read REALLY CHEAP) Cab.I picked up a bottle of 2008 Black Swan Cabernet Sauvignon at Harris Teeter on sale for 2/$10. I figured, what's a $5 gamble on a young wine?As it turns out, it was a good gamble. Because it's a 2008

Jonathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04259070848629173819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017654653922970752.post-3121737908756031592009-03-09T15:03:00.000-07:002009-03-09T15:09:00.309-07:00

Sorry for the long delay in posting. My computer died about two weeks ago, and I've been suffering from blogger's withdrawl ever since.In the meantime, I spent an amazing week in Belize. While there, I admittedly took a break from wines and enjoyed the local beer (Belikin) and the Belizan rum, both of which come highly recommended. One Barrell rum is up for a worldwine rum of the year award.My

Jonathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04259070848629173819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017654653922970752.post-55689900087758512382009-02-22T19:06:00.000-08:002009-02-22T19:31:49.685-08:00

At the request of a friend who was looking for a good deal on a good Cabernet Sauvignon, I began a quest to taste a few sub-$10 wines and offer my take on the best.Meridian 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve took the cake. It's a medium-bodied wine with great balance and a full flavor. Hints of blackberry, currant and vanilla give way to a smooth, subtle finish that makes this a sure-fire hit with

Jonathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04259070848629173819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017654653922970752.post-74172661926309737532009-02-18T16:49:00.000-08:002009-02-18T17:06:58.453-08:00

After a long day of work, I decided to open a white that had been chilling in my fridge for several weeks. The Tres Pinos 2007 Paso Robles Tierra Blanca was a welcome delight.It's a blend of Gewuztraminer, Chardonnay, Viognier and Muscat Canelli, and perhaps one of the most well-balanced wines I've tasted in a while. At this point, this is my top pick of 2009 for under $10.Tres Pinos is a product

Jonathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04259070848629173819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017654653922970752.post-1708398225071954662009-02-15T17:32:00.001-08:002009-02-15T19:42:31.914-08:00

Home for a long weekend that promises to produce future blogs (picked up two new wines that I'll review somewhere down the line, once I find the occasion to enjoy them), but wanted to update with two quick notes.First, if you're in or around Durham, N.C., check out Brandywine Cellars across from Southpoint Mall. www.brandywinecellars.comThe owner is a 30-something wine lover, and the shop is an

Jonathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04259070848629173819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017654653922970752.post-5280281363344315112009-02-10T16:50:00.000-08:002009-02-10T19:34:15.697-08:00

New Zealand's 2007 Monkey Bay Sauvignon Blanc scored 87 pts. by Wine Spectator magazine. Not too shabby for a sub-$10 bottle of wine. This light-bodied white is defined by hints of lemon and grapefruit as well as gooseberry and grassy notes, with a dry, but quick finish. It would pair best with seafood or other light offerings. It's certainly not my favorite Sauvignon Blanc, but it's on the short

Jonathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04259070848629173819noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017654653922970752.post-12230049683090879412009-02-09T18:14:00.000-08:002009-02-09T18:33:19.206-08:00

To really enjoy a wine to its fullest, it's important to experience the subtle nuances that different varieties offer.One way to do so is to make sure you're drinking from the proper glass. While you won't likely notice substantial difference based on what type of glass you drink from, small differences in the size, and shape of a glass can bring out small differences in a wine. The size of the

Jonathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04259070848629173819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017654653922970752.post-18298631232474809162009-02-08T16:26:00.000-08:002009-02-09T18:54:34.711-08:00

Just a quick post on a very nice wine my neighbor shared with me this weekend. And what a pairing the wine and weekend made. The 2007 Moselland Lighthouse Series Riesling ($10) is as attractive as it is tasty. The frosted bottle holds a medium bodied, crisp wine that's full of fruit flavors. Served well-chilled (optimum temperature is slightly warmer than refrigerator temperature), it's a great

Jonathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04259070848629173819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017654653922970752.post-25370690118168580852009-02-03T15:16:00.000-08:002009-02-03T15:26:09.613-08:00

It is a common misconception that sediment forming on wine corks or in the bottom of the bottle mean that a given wine has gone bad. In fact, there are several possible explanations for this build up.Some winemakers simply don't filter their wines as completely as others. Often, these winemakers will say they leave some residual sediment to enhance the flavor of the wine after bottling.Another

Jonathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04259070848629173819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017654653922970752.post-24209250693037356472009-01-31T19:29:00.000-08:002009-02-09T19:06:21.760-08:00

The downside to entertaining is all the leg work that goes into getting ready for guests.The upside is the host/hostess gifts -- especially when that gift is wine.My wife and I hosted two other couples from church for a nice, leisurely dinner. The wine flowed, and it was good.We started with a Baron Herzog 2005 Central Coast Cabernet Sauvignon ($13, Trader Joe's). This medium bodied Cab Sav was

Jonathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04259070848629173819noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017654653922970752.post-51076442007209891242009-01-28T15:40:00.000-08:002009-01-28T15:47:22.226-08:00

It was bound to happen, eventually, I guess. A wine that made the wrong list, in my mind.I came home, no real plans other than basketball and a glass of wine. I reached into the wine rack and pulled out "Gold Rush Red". I know little more about the wine than what the label offers (which isn't much), and, honestly bought it because of it's label. Odd though it seems -- although prophetic in

Jonathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04259070848629173819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017654653922970752.post-3209409972745309372009-01-27T17:46:00.001-08:002009-01-27T17:56:55.658-08:00

In wine circles, the term tannins is often used to describe a given wine.Tannins are basically the "pucker power" of wine, and are derived from grape skins and seeds. The longer a wine is aged in oak barrels, the more defined the tannins become. Because red wines typically remain in contact with grape skins longer and are aged longer, the tannins are typically stronger.As wine ages, tannins

Jonathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04259070848629173819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017654653922970752.post-42454614382284373202009-01-25T10:06:00.000-08:002009-01-25T10:17:44.382-08:00

Just a few tips for selecting what kind of wine to serve with meals. These are simply suggestions. As I mentioned in an earlier post, wine choice is personal. Drink what you like.- Pair light wines like Chardonnay with with seafood, grilled chicken or salads.- Pair more full-bodied wines like Cabernet Sauvignon with more hearty dishes like steak.- Consider the region of both the wine and the dish

Jonathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04259070848629173819noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017654653922970752.post-62218711022078662292009-01-23T15:44:00.000-08:002009-02-09T19:23:38.895-08:00

At the request of a friend, here are a few suggests for wine pairings with dessert. When pairing wines, it's important to find a wine that matches the general characteristics of the food. Red wines are typically more full-bodied than whites, thus pair better with red meats and more hearty dishes. The more spice and flavor in a dish, the more bouquet and oak well-matched wines would typically have

Jonathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04259070848629173819noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017654653922970752.post-45984263451742421322009-01-21T14:54:00.000-08:002009-01-21T15:02:30.632-08:00

Because wine tasting is a fairly subjective experience, it's often difficult to put into words exactly what you think about a particular wine, and even more difficult -- in many cases -- to know what others think of their wine. To help offer some sort of level playing field, several common terms have been coined.Here are some of the more common words associated with tasting wines, brought to you

Jonathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04259070848629173819noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017654653922970752.post-9521393384844736322009-01-20T16:53:00.001-08:002009-01-20T16:59:24.382-08:00

Just a quick note today, because I don't want people getting scared off by long posts like yesterday.The best way to properly store wine is on it's side. This prevents the cork from drying out, which would, in turn, let in air that would "spoil" the wine.There are several kinds of wine racks out there, but basically the choice is yours. Keep in mind how many bottles you usually have on hand and

Jonathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04259070848629173819noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017654653922970752.post-70963103087844439182009-01-19T15:15:00.000-08:002009-02-09T19:28:37.035-08:00

Malbec. For the occasional wine drinker, it's certainly not as commonly known as Merlot, or as well represented on wine lists as Chardonnay, but in many aspects, this up-and-coming varietal is as diverse as either.Also known as Cot, Malbec is used sparingly in the French Bordeaux region, where it is, in small quantities, blended with other varietals. Increasingly, however, this thin-skinned grape

Jonathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04259070848629173819noreply@blogger.com0