2009 Amarone

I recently returned from northeast Italy where I tasted all the 2009 Amarone that are just being released into the market. Although way to early and almost impossible to tell what these wines will be like as they need lots of time to evolve, here are my first impressions. The fruit structure is good with lots of richness. There are plenty of typical balsamic notes in the wines. There seemed to be less variability between sub-regions. Alcohol levels seemed to be a little higher. I would have liked the wines to possess a little more acid to help elevate the fruit, which makes me wonder about longevity. Overall, I feel they will be powerful, but easier drinking than the ‘08s. It will certainly be interesting to see how the ‘09s pan out

Methods of Harvesting Grapes

There are two methods of harvesting ripe wine grapes. “Mechanical” harvesting utilizes a tractor that goes over the rows of vines shaking everything off of them. Not only healthy grapes fall off onto the trays beneath it, but bad grapes, bugs, animal residue, twigs, branches, etc., so an intense selection process must take place at the winery. This method is fast, economical and used for commercial wines. A better method is “hand” harvesting, where people handpick the grapes. Having eyes and brains, we pick only healthy fruit, reducing the selection process at the winery. Generally, quality wines or those grown on rough terrain are picked this way, but because of the labour intensity, are usually more expensive.

Syrah & Shiraz

Confused about the difference between Syrah and Shiraz? The good doctor can set you straight. Syrah and Shiraz are the same grape, viticulturally-speaking. Syrah is the European term for this grape and generally, the wine has more of a focused, peppery, leathery, earthy, black berry character. In the “New World” it’s called Shiraz. Here it possesses all the same descriptors, but has more of a coffee, chocolate note and sometimes tastes a tad sweeter. Occasionally in the “New World”, winemakers will call it Syrah if the wine they’ve produced is more European or “Old World” in style. Both work wonders with spicy robust food, grilled/roasted red meats, gamey dishes and hard seasoned cheeses. Gotta love it!

Malolactic Fermentation

In winemaking, after fermentation is complete, a secondary, natural fermentation happens. It’s called Malolactic Fermentation. Here, harsher malic acid, the kind found in apples, is transformed into softer lactic acid, similar to what’s in milk. ML is especially important for red wine destined for aging and selected whites like Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris. Aromatic numbers such as Gewurztraminer and Riesling are not usually allowed to undergo ML as they rely heavily on malic acid to enhance their flavour character. Often more detrimental in cooler wine-growing regions than warmer ones, it’s a key process in determining a wine’s structure and balance.   

Opening Bubbly

The holiday season may be over, but bubbly is always in vogue for any celebration. Here’s a tip on how to open it safely. These wines are under a lot of pressure so be careful. Don’t shake them up before hand. Once the wire mesh is off, keep your face away from the top of the bottle and ensure that one hand stays over the closure at all times. You may want to stay away from windows, chandelieres, etc. should the cork get away from you. With one hand, hold the bottle on a 45-degree angle and rotate it around the cork that you’re holding with the other hand. Don’t pull on the cork. As you rotate the bottle around the cork, you’ll feel it start to give way as the pressure within pushes it out. That’s all there is to it. Cheers!

The Night Before Christmas

It was the night before Christmas and Santa was busy. Picking wine presents was making him dizzy. Wine bottles, corkscrews and books by the dozens. Decanters, glasses and screwpulls for cousins. Storage equipment, racking and tags. Stuff for the cellar, maybe even some bags. If feeling inspired, don’t give up hope. A trip to wine country will help them cope. If feeling confused, here’s what to do. Gift certificates will always come through. Seminars, tastings, courses and more. The gift of wine sure ain’t no bore. So remember you this when the big guy comes calling. Milk and some cookies might not be enthralling. A small glass of Icewine might just do the trick. To put a big smile on the face of St. Nick. Happy Holidays!

Port

With the cooler weather here, a small glass of Port seems enticing. This famous fortified wine from northern Portugal has brandy added to it during fermentation, increasing the alcohol to around 20%. There are several distinctions in port. First, most Port is blended and not from a single year. Secondly, some Port is wood-aged while others are bottle aged. Wood-aged Port spends the majority of its life in barrel taking on woody characteristics. They tend to be more elegant and round. Bottle-aged Port spends little time in barrel and is meant for the long haul in bottle. These guys are much bigger and sturdier. With the exception of white Port, both styles are sweet, unctuous and pack quite a punch, so sip sparingly. Enjoy!