WINES OF THE WEEK

WINES OF THE WEEK

Rose’ Collection

By:  Ed “The Wine Guy”

Since the response to our Rose' collection has been so great, I decided to feature four (4) different Rose' wines than the last couple of weeks. For your information: most Rose' wines should be drunk within two (2) years of the date on the label. Since there is low acidity and low alcohol, due to the shortness of the fermentation process, the quality will not last, so they should be drunk young. Beyond the two years, I suggest - no kidding - using a Rose' in place of vinegar in a salad dressing; that and a good extra-virgin olive oil, will produce a very tasty fruity vinaigrette. CHATEAU D'AQUERIA TAVEL has long been my favorite Rose' wine. Made from Grenache and Syrah, it is dry, with notes of rose petal - which I detect more and more and appreciate in a Rose' - and raspberry. ESTANDON, also a French dry Rose', is cool, crisp, and elegant, with hints of fruit. MUGA from Spain has red apple and tropical notes. MULDERBOSCH from South Africa (a forgotten land, but with memorable wines), made from Cabernet Sauvignon, has hints of strawberry, cherry, and raspberry. All of these wines are excellent as an aperitif, a picnic or deck wine.”

Wines of the Week, Rose' Wines

WINE OF THE WEEK

ROSE' WINES

By:  Ed "The Wine Guy"

Harney's is featuring Rose' wines just in time for the holiday weekend and for the beginning of the summer season. For a full presentation of how Rose' wine is produced, please click here. I have selected a sampling of four Rose' wines this week, including WHISPERING ANGEL, Cotes de Provence, our largest selling Rose' for the last two years, an elegant, dry (not sweet) Rose' from France, with hints of strawberry and peach; BIELER PERE ET FILS, also from France, similar in style to Whispering Angel; A TO Z, from Oregon, darker in color than most Rose' wines, with a note of sweetness; NATURA, from Chile, made with organically grown grapes, fresh, fruity, and balanced. Compare all four wines, as well as many other Rose' wines we carry, all of which are ideal as an aperitif and with lighter summer fare.

Wine of the Week, May 10, 2015

DOMAINE BOUSQUET MALBEC 2014
MENDOZZA, ARGENTINA

By:  Ed "The Wine Guy"

About fifteen years ago, it could be said that a Malbec wine from Mendozza, Argentina, in the foothills of the Andes Mountains, was predictably good. Then, for a period of about three to five years, the wines were flabby, blah, and uninteresting. What this was due to, I'm not entirely sure. Did the vintners have to import grapes from other regions to keep up with the demand? Did they rush the wine-making process, not allowing sufficient time for aging. Was there a period when the weather was not conducive to producing quality grapes? As I said, I'm not sure of the loss of quality. However, it may now be said once again that a Malbec wine from Mendozza, Argentina is predictably good. The Malbec grape is the most widely planted red grape variety in Argentina. Domaine Bousquet is made from organically grown grapes. Organic may not make a difference in taste, but it certainly does in health: no artificial chemical fertilizers, pesticides, fungicides, and herbicides. This delicious Malbec has aromas and flavors of blackberry, currant, and plum, with the typical Malbec spice; its tannins are soft, and its finish is long. A great match for grilled meats.

About fifteen years ago, it could be said that a Malbec wine from Mendozza, Argentina, in the foothills of the Andes Mountains, was predictably good. Then, for a period of about three to five years, the wines were flabby, blah, and uninteresting. What this was due to, I'm not entirely sure. Did the vintners have to import grapes from other regions to keep up with the demand? Did they rush the wine-making process, not allowing sufficient time for aging. Was there a period when the weather was not conducive to producing quality grapes? As I said, I'm not sure of the loss of quality. However, it may now be said once again that a Malbec wine from Mendozza, Argentina is predictably good. The Malbec grape is the most widely planted red grape variety in Argentina. Domaine Bousquet is made from organically grown grapes. Organic may not make a difference in taste, but it certainly does in health: no artificial chemical fertilizers, pesticides, fungicides, and herbicides. This delicious Malbec has aromas and flavors of blackberry, currant, and plum, with the typical Malbec spice; its tannins are soft, and its finish is long. A great match for grilled meats.

WINE OF THE WEEK (5/3/2015)

GNARLEY HEAD AUTHENTIC BLACK 2013
LIMITED RELEASE
LODI, CALIFORNIA

By:  Ed "The Wine Guy"  

Inky in color, this inexpensive Petite-Sirah based medium-bodied blend exhibits aromas and flavors of blackberry, black cherry, plum, black pepper, black licorice, and spice. NB: Petite Sirah is not Syrah; they are totally different red wine grape varietals; if you tasted the wines made from these grapes side by side you would immediately recognize the difference: the Petite Sirah - produced from small, intensely colored berries - possesses a lively acidity, the Syrah, a heavy, earthy mouth-feel. As we enter the barbecue season, I suggest this Gnarley Head Authentic Black as a satisfying match to any and all meat creations from the grill.