Wine of the Week, July 27, 2014

ARTAZURI GARNACHA 2012
SPAIN

By:  Ed "The Wine Guy"

The Spanish Garnacha grape is similar to the French Grenache grape. Some people (but neither the Spanish nor the French, out of national pride, I suspect) would say that they are identical. But, even if they were identical, the influence of location, soil, and climate - terroir - would make the resulting wines very different. Artazuri Garnacha is a good everyday red wine, bright-ruby in color; medium-bodied; with aromas and flavors of black cherry, raspberry, and plum; well-balanced (the fruit, acidity, and mild tannins combine harmoniously); and the flavors hold through the finish. A slight chilling period, perhaps a half-hour in the refrigerator, will control the taste of alcohol, which is sometimes apparent in a red wine on summer days, and it will not harm the flavors; in fact, I think that chilling the wine slightly concentrates the flavors. A thoroughly enjoyable wine!

Wine of the Week, July 20, 2014

ROSE 'N' BLUM PINOT GRIGIO 2011
CALIFORNIA

By:  Ed "The Wine Guy"

The name Kent Rosenblum summons up tastes of great Zinfandels and Syrahs. I was fortunate enough to sample his wines at the Rosenblum Cellars tasting room in Alameda, California, on more than one occasion. Extraordinary! He is so skilled a vintner, that he probably could make wines out of mushrooms! Kidding, of course. Mushrooms cannot ferment because of the lack of sugar. This Pinot Grigio of his is delightfully refreshing. It is light and fragrant, fruit-forward, exhibiting aromas and flavors of peach, pear, and green apple. Serve it chilled on its own, with appetizers, or with  a crisp salad or light meal. One taste, and you may choose it as your summer wine.

Wine of the Week, July 13, 2014

   DURNBERG GRUNER VELTLINER 2013, AUSTRIA

By:  Ed "The Wine Guy" 

The world gets smaller and smaller, and tastier and tastier. Near at hand, we have a jammy Shiraz from Australia; a spicy Malbec from Mendozza, Argentina; an intensely fruity Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand; a luscious Merlot from Columbia Valley, Washington State; an earthy Montepulciano d'Abruzzo from Italy; a Gruner Veltliner from Austria. Yes, Gruner Veltiner, a variety of white wine grape grown extensively in Austria. This wine is light and dry, crisp, with aromas and flavors of citrus, apple, and peach, with hints of white pepper and minerals. It is a very food-friendly wine. Perfect for summer salads, and the perfect accompaniment with raw oysters. Or, on its own, it is a refreshing aperitif.

Wine of the Week, July 06, 2014

LA VIEILLE FERME BLANC
 2013
FRANCE

By:  Ed "The Wine Guy"

Translated as The Old Farm, this is a white Rhone wine. Many of you are already familiar with the red version; the white is equally satisfying. It's an inexpensive ($7.99), unpretentious but delicious, fresh-tasting, everyday wine, crisp and dry (fruity, but not sweet), exhibiting aromas and flavors of peach, melon, and nut. Serve as an aperitif or with a simple meal of fish or chicken. It pairs very well with lobster salad.