FASCINO ORGANIC PROSECCO VENETO REGION (CAPITAL: VENICE), ITALY

Strictly - and legally - speaking, the word Champagne can be used only to describe the sparkling wines produced from grapes grown in the Champagne region of France, and produced according to strict regulations and methods. Other wine regions of the world use the term sparkling wine. 

Italian sparkling wines, depending on their level of effervescence (the strength/size of the bubbles), are classified as spumante (full-sparkling) or frizzante (semi-sparkling).

Fascino Organic Prosecco, made from the Glera grape, is an uncomplicated, dry, crisp frizzante sparkling wine, exhibiting light citrus flavors. Serve as an aperitif or for toasting. It pairs favorably with ham, mild cheeses, and sushi - or with anything else that your own taste buds dictate.

Taste and see!

The staff of Harney's thanks all of you for your patronage, and wishes you a happy and healthy new year.

FRANCISCAN ESTATE CABERNET SAUVIGNON NAPA VALLEY, CALIFORNIA

Years ago, a customer asked me to recommend a Cabernet Sauvignon. Her usual wine of choice was Merlot, and she wanted to try a different red varietal. Within an hour she telephoned: that was the worst-tasting wine I ever tasted, she said, obviously annoyed at me for recommending such a terrible wine. What did it taste like? I asked. She answered: I could taste licorice, black pepper, tobacco, and leather, among other things. Lady, you have a very sensitive wine palate; not many people I know would be able to detect as many flavors as you did. What I sold you was a very fine Cabernet Sauvignon. I think I'll go back to my Merlot, she said and hung up.

This Franciscan Cabernet Sauvignon is 83% Cabernet, 10 Merlot, 3 Malbec, 3 Petit Verdot, and 1% Syrah. It is medium- to full-bodied, deep in color and intensity, with aromas and flavors of plum, blackberry, licorice, leather, black pepper, mocha, spice, and vanilla.

Taste and see how many flavors you can detect.

DR. L (LOOSEN) RIESLING MOSEL VALLEY, GERMANY

The most widely-grown wine grape varietal in Germany is Riesling. The Mosel Valley in Western Germany, where this Riesling is produced, is right across the Rhine River from Alsace, France.

Our most popular imported Riesling is Dr. L, and with good reason. Not only is it a great value, but, vintage after vintage, it never fails to satisfy. The Loosen family, for over 200 years, knows what it is doing.

Rieslings range from dry (not sweet) to off dry (a hint of sweetness) to medium sweet to sweet to late-harvest sweet (the grapes are allowed to hang on the vines well beyond normal picking time to be used mainly for dessert wines). Remember the formula for fermentation: yeast + grape juice = alcohol, sulfites (all wines contain sulfites), and carbon dioxide (bubbles, which are trapped when making champagne); less yeast or killing off the yeast (usually by dropping the temperature) will result in a sweeter wine. So, the end result is in the hands of the vintner.

Dr. L Riesling is off dry (just a hint of sweetness). It exhibits refreshing acidity, with aromas and flavors of peach and nectarine, with a mineral note (from the slate soil).

Taste and see!

UPPERCUT CABERNET SAUVIGNON NAPA VALLEY, CALIFORNIA

A Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley! Enough said! In my opinion, no place in the wine world produces a Cabernet Sauvignon that is comparable - with the possible exception of Chile; I recently had an exquisite Don Melchior from Chile.

This Uppercut selection (98% Cabernet Sauvignon, the balance: Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Merlot) is unmistakably a Napa Valley Cab. It satisfies all expectations, exhibiting classic Cabernet Sauvignon aromas and flavors of blackberry, black cherry, black currant, cocoa, espresso, caramel, and a hint of wood. A perfect balance of fruit, tannins, and acidity, it has a rich mouthfeel, velvety texture, with a deep, intense flavor.

Enough said! Taste and see!

14 HANDS HOT TO TROT RED BLEND

Anyone who knows me is aware that my favorite Merlots - and Merlot-based blends - in the United States come from grapes grown in and around the Columbia Valley, Washington State. A friend, who was in the Air Force in Washington State in the 50s, tells me that, at the time, the prevalent crop there was sugar beets . . . sugar beets! Then, someone with vision realized that the valley had near-perfect conditions for growing wine grapes, particularly red wine grapes: hot, dry days; cool nights; abundant runoff water from the Cascade mountains to the west; and a longer growing season than even Napa Valley. (I suspect that the Mendoza region of Argentina produces such great Malbecs because it shares conditions similar to Columbia Valley: hot, dry days; cool nights; abundant runoff water from the Andes mountains to the west.)

This 14 Hands offering has long been a favorite here at Harney's. A blend mainly of Merlot and Syrah (Shiraz, the same grape), it exhibits aromas and flavors of cherry, red currant, plum, and tea, and has soft tannins, with a lingering finish. Simply delicious!

Taste and see!

MASCIARELLI WINES

In previous Wine of the Week write-ups, I featured the five Masciarelli wines which were to be served at our Wine Dinner - a huge success! - at Gerardi's Cafe. The two remaining Masciarelli wines we offer at Harney's are:

MASCIARELLI MONTEPULCIANO D'ABRUZZO  Already a favorite among our patrons, this wine is affordable, earthy, intense, with aromas and flavors of black cherries, red currants, violets, with a hint of tobacco.

MARINA CVETIC MONTEPULCIANO D'ABRUZZO  This is one of my top five wines at Harney's; to me, it is the ultimate - to date, at least - expression of the Montepulciano d'Abruzzo grape varietal. This is a powerful wine, full-bodied, succulent, earthy, bursting with aromas and flavors of blackberries, black cherries, dark chocolate, smoke. It has a silky texture and a long, long finish.

Taste and see!

Wine Dinner

WINES OF THE WEEK

Featuring the three red wines that will be served at our Wine Dinner November 9th at 6:30 at Gerardi's Cafe - call 508-394-3111 for reservations.

THIRD COURSE: MASCIARELLI VILLA GEMMA MONTEPULCIANO D'ABRUZZO RISERVA  A mouthful, but so is the wine. Montepulciano d' Abruzzo is the name of the grape. The wine is full-bodied and savory, with gentle tannins, with aromas and flavors of blackberry, plum, and hints of chocolate. A perfect accompaniment to the lamb and mushroom ragu.

FOURTH COURSE: MASCIARELLI MARINA CVETIC MERLOT My favorite Italian wine producers are Piero Antinori and Marina Cvetic. This Merlot is unlike any other Merlot that you have ever tasted. Full-bodied, rich, complex. Similar - I may be bold to say - to the Merlots from Washington State. Pairs perfectly with the grilled fillet Mignon.

FIFTH COURSE: BEPPE MARINO BRACHETTO BRAMUSA  Brachetto is an Italian red wine grape. The wine is usually served as an aperitif or as a dessert wine. It is light-bodied, lightly sparkling, slightly sweet, and highly aromatic, the predominant aromas and tastes are strawberry, raspberry, and rose petal. It will be served with dessert: chef's surprise. 

WINES OF THE WEEK

In anticipation of our Wine Dinner at Gerardi's Cafe on November 9, at 6:30 - call Gerardi's for reservations - we are featuring two white wines that will be served that evening:

MASCIARELLI TREBBIANO D'ABRUZZO

Abruzzo is one of the twenty regions of Italy; its western border lies 50 miles east of Rome, its eastern border is the Adriatic Sea. This wine is 100% Trebbiano grape. It is straw-yellow in color with hints of green, exhibiting aromas and flavors of apple and apricot; all the components are held together by a crisp acidity. It is fermented and stored in stainless steel vats which ensures its lightness and freshness.

MASCIARELLI MARINA CVETIC TREBBIANO D'ABRUZZO

Marina Cvetic and Piero Antinori are my favorite wine producers in Italy. Her version of Trebbiano is accomplished by fermenting and maturing in new oak barrels - as opposed to the Trebbiano above. The results are a matter of difference, not of quality. Oak introduces the notes of honey, candied fruits, wood, caramel, vanilla; this version is smoother and richer.

Taste and see the difference! Or, what is even better, come to the Wine Dinner on the 9th, and taste and see the difference!

SHANNON RIDGE ZINFANDEL HIGH ELEVATION COLLECTION LAKE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA

This is the last wine that will be served at our Wine Dinner at The Loft Restaurant in The Cove Resort Inn, West Yarmouth, on Thursday, October 27th @6:30; for reservations call 774-552-2177.

6TH COURSE: Chocolate mousse topped with fresh raspberries. This Zinfandel exhibits aromas and flavors of smoky cherry, raspberry, blackberry, caramel, vanilla, and spice. The raspberry flavor in the dessert and in the wine make this a perfect pairing.

Taste and see! Or, what is even better, come to the Wine Dinner, and taste and see!

SHANNON RIDGE BARBERA LAKE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA

To continue with the wines that will be served at our upcoming Wine Dinner at The Loft Restaurant in The Cove Resort Inn, West Yarmouth, on October 27 @6:30 - for reservations, call 774-552-2177:

5TH Course: Shannon Ridge Barbera served with slow braised short rib atop whipped garlic mashed potatoes, grilled asparagus, with a demi-glace.

This is, perhaps, the finest Barbera outside of the Piedmount area of Italy that I have ever tasted. So often, grape vines are taken from their native soil and transplanted in a different country, in a different continent. The resultant wine may be a good wine, but the tastes do not approximate those of the original area - a different climate and a different soil produce a different wine. This Barbera not only approximates the tastes of the Piedmount area, but, in my opinion, may even surpass them. The grapes were allowed to remain on the vine for an extended time to allow for maximum ripeness. This is a full-bodied, well-balanced wine with aromas and flavors of raspberry, cherry, creamy vanilla, and spice, with a lush, silky finish.

Taste and see! Or, what is even better, come to the Wine Dinner, and taste and see!

VIGILANCE CIMARRON RED BLEND SHANNON RIDGE LAKE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA

  

To continue with the wines that will be featured at Harney's Wine Dinner at The Loft in the The Cove Resort, West Yarmouth, on October 27th @6:30 - for reservations, call 774-552-2177.

4th Course: Vigilance Cimarron (meaning a wild, natural place, referring to the use of sustainable farming practices) Red Blend served with a grilled lamb chop atop cauliflower puree, grilled artichoke hearts, and topped with chimichurri sauce (an uncooked garlicky Argentinian sauce). Wine varietals used in the blend: 38% Zinfandel, 25% Syrah, 12% Petite Sirah, 20% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. Medium- to full-bodied, this wine exhibits aromas and flavors of blackberry, cherry, spice, a herb component (bay leaf?), and black pepper. The tannins are soft, there is a good balance, and a long, lush finish.

Taste and see now! Or, what is even better, come to the Wine Dinner, and taste and see! 

VIGILANCE CHARDONNAY SHANNON RIDGE FAMILY OF WINES LAKE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA

We are continuing to feature the wines which will be served at our Wine Dinner to be held at The Loft at the Cove Resort Inn, West Yarmouth, on the 27th of October at 6:30. Please call 774-552-2177 for reservations.

Third Course: Vigilance Chardonnay served with curry shrimp set atop a warm shaved apple, radiccio, cilantro and mint salsa. This Chardonnay exhibits aromas and flavors of melon, pear, apple, a hint of pineapple, toast, and vanilla; there is a fine balance of creaminess and acidity.

Taste and see now, or, what is even better, come to the Wine Dinner, and taste and see!   

SHANNON RIDGE SAUVIGNON BLANC LAKE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA

Over the next few weeks, I will be featuring the wines of Shannon Ridge Family of Wines as a prelude to our Wine Dinner to be held at The Loft Restaurant at The Cove Resort Inn, West Yarmouth, on the 27th of October at 6:00. If interested - our last Wine Dinner at Gerardi's Cafe was a huge success - please call 774-552-2177 for reservations.

As more and more vineyards are thankfully doing, Shannon Ridge practices sustainable farming which means that it wants to ensure a productive future for the land for generations to come.

The first wine served at the Wine Dinner will be Shannon Ridge Sauvignon Blanc to accompany an Arugula salad with shaved fennel, orange, grape tomatoes, and champagne lime vinaigrette. This wine, not as intense and fruit-forward as the Sauvignon Blancs of New Zealand, has aromas and flavors of apple, grapefruit, mango, lemon grass, with a good acidity which holds all the components together. A perfect complement to the salad.

Taste and see! What is even better, come to the Wine Dinner, and taste and see!

BODEGAS ONDARRE CREATOR RIOJA, SPAIN

By:  Ed “The Wine Guy”

N.B: Spain has the largest surface area of vineyards in the world; it is the third largest wine producer. Bodegas is the Spanish word for winery/wine cellar/wine storehouse.

Rioja is both a region in north-central Spain and a type of wine, a red blend, with the Tempranillo grape being the best known and most widely used grape in the blend. A distinctive characteristic of Rioja wine is the effect of oak aging, without which the wine would be quite thin. Ondarre Creator exhibits aromas and flavors of black cherry, blackberry, toast (oak influence), with hints of coffee and spice; but, first and foremost, what strikes you immediately is its pronounced and unifying acidity, which holds all the other components together.

What a delicious wine! Taste and See!

Listen for the Wine of the Week every Wednesday between 8-9 am on the New   Frank Morning Show with Stevie, Sarah and Marty from Harney’s Wine and Liquor’s

     

UNDERWOOD PINOT NOIR OREGON

 By:  Ed "The Wine Guy"

For many years, the white wine of choice in the USA was Chardonnay, the red wine of choice was Merlot; now, it is Pinot Grigio (Gris, the same grape) and Sauvignon Blanc - a virtual tie - for white wine, and Pinot Noir for red. Tastes change, in clothes, in cars, in wines. The change in favor of Pinot Noir is due, in large part, to the 2004 movie SIDEWAYS, in which Pinot Noir was featured.
The Burgundy region of France is the home of Pinot Noir where the wines can age well, often 15 to 20 years after the vintage. The Pinot Noir grape is a very difficult variety to cultivate and transform into wine; difficult but most rewarding. It is very thin-skinned and sensitive, less tolerant of hard, windy, hot and dry, harsh conditions than Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah (Shiraz, the same grape), Merlot, and Malbec. Many vineyards aren't even tempted to grow such a finicky grape. We are thankful to California and Oregon for their boldness and skill.
This Underwood Pinot Noir is light- to medium-bodied; transparent; exhibiting classic aromas and flavors: raspberry, a hint of chocolate, earthy undertones.
As an aside: Underwood is now producing wines in a can. I was very skeptical at first; believe it or not, they are delicious and handy: ready-to-travel wines.
Taste and see!

     

Washington Hills Late Harvest Reisling, Washington State

Cuvee Les Maulins Bales Domaine Fournier Par Celestine Blondeau, France

LOBSTER REEF SAUVIGNON BLANC MARLBOROUGH, NEW ZEALAND

By: Ed "The Wine Guy"

Think lobster, think Maine. But in this case think the southerly island of New Zealand, the Marlborough coastline, inhabited by a species of brightly-colored Rock Lobster. New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc continues to be one of Harney's top categories of wine; its aroma and taste is unique in the wine world. The cool climate, extended sunshine hours, and soil (terroir) produces an intensely aromatic, fruit-forward, light, crisp, dry, fruity - but not sweet - wine, with flavors and aromas of citrus (commonly grapefruit), lemongrass, and passion fruit (hints of pear-strawberry), with an herbal (tomato stalks?) and mineral component. Very complex and stunning! Chile, the U.S., and France also produce notable Sauvignon Blanc, but the aromas and flavors are much more subdued than those of New Zealand. Even a novice to the wine world, in a blind tasting of several worldwide Sauvignon Blanc, can tell the difference. Taste and see!

AIME ROQUESANTE COTES DE PROVENCE ROSE' FRANCE

By:  Ed “The Wine Guy:

Gone are the days of sickenly-sweet, heavy Rose' wines. Now, the Rose' of choice is dry (not sweet), light, with hints of fruit (strawberry, peach, melon, citrus), and refreshingly crisp and clean (due to its acidity). Aime Roquesante is one of these wines which have become known as the Provence style of Rose'. Just a few years ago, Harney's had about a dozen Rose' wines to satisfy the palates of our clients; now we have at least three times that number, the majority of which are of the Provence style. Aime Roquesante is a blend of the varietals: Cinsault, Grenache, and Syrah; it is salmon in color, with a creamy mouthfeel. I suggest serving it as an aperitif, as an accompaniment to salads, to chicken, fish, and seafood dishes, and to clambakes. Taste and see!

SAN ANGELO PINOT GRIGIO CASTELLO BANFI WINE ESTATE MONTALCINO, TUSCANY, ITALY

 By:  Ed "The Wine Guy"

Montalcino: the home of the Super Tuscans, Brunello di Montalcino, and San Angelo Pinot Grigio. We usually think of Italian Pinot Grigio as coming from the northeast of Italy (the wider Venice area). However, San Angelo, in my opinion, rivals - if not surpasses - the Pinot Grigios of northeast Italy, including Santa Margherita, which for a long time has been the standard of that varietal. Perhaps Santa Margherita has been the standard because it was the first Pinot Grigio to have such an impact, just as Cloudy Bay was the first New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc to create such a stir. Both wines have achieved the status of cult wines, with the resultant higher prices. Don't get me wrong, both Santa Margherita and Cloudy Bay are very good wines, but others have come along that, in my opinion, have equaled, if not surpassed, them. For example, Whitehaven Sauvignon Blanc and San Angelo Pinot Grigio. Many vineyards worldwide - too many, really - have jumped on the Pinot Grigio bandwagon; it is their new cash-cow; the proliferation offers nothing or very little that is unique/distinctive, similar to so many Merlots, which are interchangeable: if you have tasted one, you have tasted a hundred. San Angelo has a fuller body than most Pinot Grigios; no oak; it is crisp; fresh; refreshing; with flavors and aromas of peach and a hint of anise; with a good finish (how long it stays with you). Vernaccia, from the region of San Gimignano, and San Angelo are my two favorite Italian white wines. Taste and see!

 

DONA PAULA ESTATE MALBEC and RED BLEND BLACK EDITION

By: Ed "The Wine Guy"

DONA PAULA ESTATE MALBECMENDOZA, ARGENTINA

Originally, the Malbec grape was used in blends in Bordeaux, France. Argentina has taken the grape and produced wines that are exclusively Malbec, bringing out its true varietal characteristics - as Chile has done with Carmenere, Australia with Syrah (Shiraz), and, it can be said, New Zealand with Sauvignon Blanc. This Malbec is typical of the Mendoza region of Argentina, possessing, arguably, the best climate and soil to produce the best Malbec. It exhibits aromas and flavors of black fruits, violets, spices, with mineral notes. The Dona Paula Estate Vineyards are managed using sustainable agricultural practices.

DONNA PAULA ESTATE RED BLEND BLACK EDITION

Red Blends are easy to drink, which is one of the reasons why they have become so popular. A Red Blend typically consists of 40-50% of one type of grape and a smaller mix of 2 or more other grapes. It has a long tradition, as exemplified by the blends of Bordeaux, France - which were referred to in the Downton Abbey production as Claret. This wine is a blend of Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon (structure, tannin concentration), and Petit Verdot (tones of violet and leather), each grape adding specific characteristics. It exhibits aromas and flavors of dark berries, dark chocolate, and spice, with a velvety mouthfeel and a smooth finish.

SPANN VINEYARDS YIN-YANG CHARDONNAY-VIOGNIER SONOMA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA

By:  Ed “The Wine Guy”

Yin-Yang is one of our boutique wines: a wine that comes from a small winery or single vineyard, offering a limited production of very distinctive, high-quality wines which are hand-crafted by a master vintner, who oversees all aspects of production from soil management to the bottling, with attention given to wine-making as an art rather than as a business. The Viognier grape in this blend adds flavors and aromas of apricots and peaches; the Chardonnay grape adds body and acidity which makes the wine very food-friendly.

CLAMBAKE ROSE' SOLANO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA

 By:  Ed “The Wine Guy”

Now, what wine would go good with a traditional clambake? Considering the complexity of flavors in a clambake: potatoes, corn, sausage (kielbasa/linguica/chourizo), lobster, clams, mussels, etc. - I also include a couple of fennel bulbs for just a hint of licorice - I suggest a nice, chilled Rose' wine as the perfect drink pairing. Clambake Rose' from the Northcoast is made from 100% Syrah; it is light and dry, with hints of strawberry and peach, similar in style to the Rose' wines from the Provence region of France. But, you don't have to have a clambake in order to enjoy Clambake Rose'.

AMITY VINEYARDS WHITE PINOT NOIR 2015 WILLAMETTE VALLEY, OREGON

By:  Ed "The Wine Guy" 

What a delightful surprise! But, I shouldn't have been surprised by a WHITE Pinot Noir. Some of the finest champagnes are made from the Pinot Noir grape. First and foremost, it should be remembered that all grape juice, including the juice from red-skinned grapes, is white. Exposure to the skins creates the color of the juice. So, removing the juice in a timely manner can create a White Pinot Noir . . . a White Cabernet Sauvignon, a White Malbec, a White Anything. The juice of this wine, in the absence of the skins, was fermented in stainless steel; treat it as you would any other white wine: chill it to 55 to 65 degrees, then enjoy. It is dry, crisp, medium-bodied, and exhibits hints of citrus and melon. I suggest pairing it with a seafood-pasta salad made with mayo/yogurt/sour cream or a combination thereof - the internet has countless such recipes - or having it on its own. What a delightful surprise! It may be a bit pricey for an everyday wine, but the rewards are great.

LAVENDETTE ROSE' 2015 ALPES DE HAUTE-PROVENCE, FRANCE

By:  Ed "The Wine Guy"

If you enjoy Rosé wine . . . if you enjoy Rosé wine especially from Provence, France, then you'll just love Lavendette - my new favorite Rosé wine - from Alpes de Haute-Provence, a French Department in the south of France, formerly part of the province of Provence. The region is renowned for its production of the aromatic lavender herb, hence the name of this wine: Lavendette. The herb influences the character of the wine, as it does the character of the local honey: Lavender Honey - there are 250,000 beehives in the region! Lavendette is a blend of Cinsault, Grenache, and Syrah grapes; it is clean, fresh, and crisp, with aromas and flavors of berries, violets, and, of course, lavender. 

OZV RED BLEND 2013 OAK RIDGE WINERY, LODI, CALIFORNIA

 

By:  Ed "The Wine Guy"

Many of you are already familiar with OZV Zinfandel, which has been our best selling Zinfandel for almost two years. Oak Ridge Winery, located in Lodi, California - "the Zinfandel Capital of the World" - has now released its OZV Red Blend (Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, Merlot). It is sure to become one of Harney's best selling Red Blends. It is medium- to full-bodied, with a lush mouthfeel, and exhibits aromas and flavors of blackberry, plum, vanilla, and toasted oak. The tannins are soft which leads to a long, lingering finish. A perfect complement to summer barbecue favorites.

VIGILANCE CIMARRON (RED BLEND) 2013 LAKE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA

 

 

By:  Ed "The Wine Guy"

New to Harney's. Produced in Lake County in the north-central portion of California, adjacent on the east side to Mendocino, north of Napa, north-east of Sonoma. What a great location for a vineyard! 38% Zinfandel (spice and acidity), 25 Syrah (earthiness), 12 Petite Sirah (color and density), 20 Merlot (fruit), 5 Cabernet (tannins). Count them. Five red grapes, each contributing something distinctive to the seamless, harmonious blend. Cimmaron has aromas and flavors of blackberry, cherry, spices, with soft oak. Great with foods with barbecue sauce.

MARK WEST PINOT NOIR BLACK 2014 MONTEREY COUNTY, CALIFORNIA

By:  Ed “The Wine Guy”

The thin-skinned Pinot Noir grape is a difficult grape both to grow and to be turned into a noteworthy wine, demanding great skill and sensitivity - just as thin-skinned people do. The majority of growers and vintners (wine makers) avoid it. Mark West Winery has accepted the challenge, and produces good Pinot Noirs. Many of you are already familiar with the entry-level Mark West Pinot Noir; it is our best-selling California Pinot Noir. A step up from that is the BLACK version, darker, richer, and more intense. It is medium- to full-bodied, with aromas and

flavors of dark cherries, plums, mocha, vanilla, and caramel; the tannins are soft, and it finishes long and lush. It pairs well with foods from the barbecue, and with dark chocolate for a decadent dessert.

WINE OF THE WEEK CHLOE PINOT GRIGIO 2014

By:   Ed “The Wine Guy”

Now that we're approaching the warmer weather, it is time to start thinking about chilled, crisp, refreshing white wines. Not too long ago, Chardonnay and Merlot were the favorite white and red wines in the country; now it is Pinot Grigio (Sauvignon Blanc a close second) and Pinot Noir. New to Harney's is Chloe Pinot Grigio from the northeast of Italy where many fine Pinot Grigios are produced, including Santa Margherita and Kris, two of our best-selling wines. This medium-bodied, non-oaked, fruity wine exhibits aromas and flavors of peach, apple, honeysuckle, and lemon, with a hint of herbs. It is a perfect complement to the lighter foods of the season: salads, chicken, fish, and seafood.

WINES OF THE WEEK, CANTINA ZAGGAGNINI MONTEPULCIANO d'ABRUZZO and PINOT GRIGIO

 By: Ed "The Wine Guy"

The following two wines have long been favorites here at Harney's. We are featuring them in case you may not have tried them yet or you are new to the store. Both wines have a tralcetto: a grape vine, around their neck:

CANTINA ZAGGAGNINI MONTEPULCIANO d'ABRUZZO

Montepulciano d'Abruzzo is a red grape variety grown extensively in the region of Abruzzo, Central Italy. The wine is medium- to full-bodied, earthy, exhibiting aromas and flavors of plum, blackberry, leather, black pepper, vanilla, with a herbal component.

CANTINA ZAGGAGNINI PINOT GRIGIO

Typical of an Italian Pinot Grigio, this wine is fresh, light, dry (not sweet), clean, crisp, well-balanced, with pleasant aromas and flavors of citrus, with a mineral component. It is an excellent complement to fish, seafood, chicken, cheese and cracker appetizers.

WINE OF THE WEEK CANNONBALL CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2012 CALIFORNIA

 By:   Ed “The Wine Guy”

The 2012 vintage in California, both in red wine as well as white, has been universally praised. Even the least skillful vintner could not help but make a good wine. This Cannonball Cabernet Sauvignon is an example of that vintage. What is remarkable, unlike most good California Cabernets, is that it's so affordable. The aromas and flavors satisfy my expectations of a California Cabernet: blackberry, currant, chocolate, hazelnut, some oak. It is firmly structured, yet the tannins are soft and well-integrated; it has a lingering finish; the 3% Petit Syrah   adds complexity. If your Easter dinner consists of red meat, this Cabernet will be a good complement to the meal.     

WINE OF THE WEEK CHLOE CHARDONNAY 2013 SONOMA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA

By:  Ed "The Wine Guy"

A California Chardonnay, a California Chardonnay from Sonoma, a California Chardonnay with grapes primarily from the Russian River Valley. You can't get much better than that! The Chardonnay grape is one of the most widely planted grape varietals in the world, and, because of its versatility, lends itself to many styles of wine including Chablis, White Burgundy, and many sparkling wines, most notably Champagne. Being a rather neutral-tasting grape, it depends on the terroir (climate, soil) for its characteristics. In a cool climate, the wine tends to be lean, crisp, with high acidity; in a medium climate, such as Sonoma's, tropical fruit characteristics dominate. This Chloe Chardonnay is a medium-bodied, well-balanced wine, exhibiting aromas and flavors of orange, pineapple, and pear, with soft acidity, a buttery mouthfeel, and a long silky finish.

FIRST CRUSH WINERY, SANGIOVESE CAPE COD

                                            

BY:  ED “THE WINE GUY”

What a delightful surprise! The Sangiovese grape is an ancient grape, tied to the Tuscan region of central Italy. I am familiar with the use of the Sangiovese grape in the making of Chianti, in the making of the Super Tuscans and the Brunellos (which are both subject to aggressive oak treatment), and in the making of the dessert wine Vin Santo, all of them very satisfying wines, only proving that the Sangiovese grape lends itself to be made into a variety of styles of wine. However, the grape is thin-skinned and finicky - similar to the Pinot Noir grape - taking its time to ripen and mature, so, only a skillful vintner will be successful. Dr. Puzio has proven himself to be a skillful vintner. My expectations of this wine - made from grapes grown in the New World as opposed to Italy - I have to admit, were not very high; I expected a somewhat tart wine, an indifferent, quaffing wine, at best, but - what a delightful surprise! - this medium-bodied Sangiovese has a soft, round mouthfeel; it bursts with aromas and flavors of cherry, blueberry, blackberry, and plum. At a recent tasting of this wine at Harney's, I waited to see a smile appear on the face of the taster with the first sip; I was not disappointed; the reactions were universally very favorable. This wine is immediately drinkable; it should be drunk young, up to three years - but its longevity remains to be seen; it is very food-friendly, a perfect complement to pizza and pasta with tomato sauce; it would make an excellent summer red, a wine that can benefit with a slight chilling to hold the taste of alcohol in check.

We await the release of Dr. Puzio's new Zinfandel. I have already sampled it, and, I suspect, that it, among all of Dr. Puzio's creations, will become my personal favorite.

WINE OF THE WEEK, CATALPA MALBEC 2013 MENDOZA, ARGENTINA

BY:  ED “THE WINE GUY”

From - where else but - Mendoza, Argentina. Originally a grape used in Bordeaux (France) red blends, Argentina took the Malbec grape and made it into its own unique and satisfying wine; the climate and soil of Mendoza are particularly suited to bringing out the best of this grape, just as the Columbia Valley, in Washington State, brings out, in my humble opinion, the best of the Merlot grape. This Catalpa Malbec, made from 70-80 year old vines which produce intensely-flavored fruit, exhibits a deep black color with flashes of purple, and aromas and flavors of blackberries, blueberries, with hints of coffee, spice, and minerals. This is a balanced wine with well-integrated soft tannins, delicate acidity, and a long, smooth finish. WINE ADVOCATE: 90 points; WINE SPECTATOR: 90 points.

WINES OF THE WEEK- RED BLENDS

By:  Ed "The Wine Guy"

More and more red-blend wines are appearing in the marketplace; even the more prestigious and upscale vineyards are now jumping on the red-blend bandwagon. (Of course, Bordeaux wines, for the most part, have always been blends.) The main reason for this trend is that red blends are meant, in most cases, to be immediately drinkable: open and drink. The vast majority of wine buyers purchase wines on their way home from work to be consumed that evening with dinner, or they buy wine for weekend consumption. There is little thought of cellaring (storing a wine, in some cases for years, until it matures). Many people, not having the time or the patience, find the need for aeration (exposure to air for a certain length of time to achieve maximum flavor*) to be a nuisance. The vintner (wine maker), in making the red blend, acts like a chemist, adding a particular varietal of grape/wine to achieve a desired effect. Perhaps a particular blend-in-the-making needs more fruit (add more Merlot), perhaps it needs a hint of wood (Cabernet Sauvignon), perhaps it needs some spice (Zinfandel and/or Malbec), and so forth, until the desired taste and texture have been achieved. We are featuring the following red blends: Columbia Winery Composition; Bogle Phantom; Josh Legacy; Vitiano; Conundrum; and Vigilance, but there are many more to choose from.
*White wines have no need of aeration; in red wines, air initially helps to expand flavor, but, after a while - depending on the wine - air will turn the wine into vinegar.

EDMEADES ZINFANDEL MENDOCINO 2012 CALIFORNIA.

WINE OF THE WEEK

EDMEADES ZINFANDEL MENDOCINO 2012
CALIFORNIA.

By:  Ed "The Wine Guy"

California is most renowned for its Cabernet Sauvignons, its buttery and creamy (owing to oak) Chardonnays, and for its Zinfandels. The Zinfandel grape, by the way, has been traced, by DNA analysis, to the Primitivo grape which is so widely grown in the heel of Italy, and further studies have traced it to the Croatian grape called Crljenak, just across the Adriatic Sea to the east of Italy. In general, the 2012 vintage throughout California, both for red wines as well as while, has been universally praised. Only the least-skillful vintners didn't make a satisfying wine. This Edmeades Zinfandel has aromas and flavors of blueberries, plum, leather, vanilla, and smoke, with a smooth and silky texture, which is verging on - I know this is unheard of in a Zinfandel - a creaminess. Taste and see.

WINES OF THE WEEK

 OVEJA NEGRA 

(BLACK SHEEP) 

 RED BLENDS CHILE

By: Ed “The Wine Guy”

Over the past few years, the category of red blend wines has grown tremendously. Menage a Trois and 14 Hands are two of the favorite red blends at Harney's. Another vineyard, Oveja Negra, Chile, is quickly becoming another favorite. Usually, the term "Black Sheep" is negative, as in someone being the black sheep of a family, but, in this case, it is positive, signifying that these wines stand out from the flock. Oveja Negra red blends are not your everyday wines. The winery is known for its innovation, experimentation, and daring. Who, but a creative and bold vintner, would blend a Malbec wine and a Petit Verdot wine, both of them already robust wines on their own? The result is a full-bodied, very complex wine, deep in color, aroma, and flavor - and very affordable. Although I enjoy all these blends: Cabernet Franc and Carmenere, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, Malbec and Petit Verdot, my personal favorite is the Cabernet Franc and Carmenere. A satisfying wine need not be expensive!