Wine Toys

On the market today, are many wine toys and tools (aerators, chillers, thermometers, preservers, etc.), all of which are supposed to enhance the wine experience in some way. Some actually work reasonably well while others are downright silly and stupid. I know I’d be put off if I went somewhere and they had a thermometer sitting in a full bottle of open wine to measure its serving temperature or there were metal ice cubes submerged in a glass of vino to keep it cool. In my mind, treating your wine naturally (chilling in an ice bucket, aeration by decanting, etc.) without much of this paraphernalia is probably a more sanitary and aesthetic way to enjoy the nectar of the grape.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

One of my all time, favourite, big reds is Châteauneuf-du-Pape. This blockbuster, blended vino from the most southern part of the Rhône Valley in France is a gem. By law, it can be made from as many as thirteen grape varieties, including some whites, but it is mostly produced from the red Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre and Cincaut. As a rule, it is spicy, bold, dark-fruited, oaky, alcoholic and long-lived. Notes of black raspberry, earth, game, pepper, tar, leather and dried herbs are common. Absolutely fabulous with big, full-flavoured dishes in dark sauce, game, spicy fare and old, hard, seasoned cheeses! You can tell those that are produced from a single estate by the embossing on the bottle.

New Years Resolution

Happy New Year wine lovers! Here’s a great resolution for 2015. Why not try drinking less, but better and maybe experimenting a bit more. This means looking for wines from specific regions like Napa Valley or Bordeaux. Vie for wines labeled “Chateau” or “Domaine” indicating all the grapes came from one property. Wines with specific grape varieties on the label, like cabernet sauvignon or chardonnay, guarantee a certain taste profile and are usually a good bet. Vintage-dated wines, especially from better years, showcase a single year’s quality. And don’t be shy, expand your repertoire by checking out wines from countries like Portugal and Hungary, that are less known to you. There are certainly some great offerings to be had. 

Drinking Upscale for the Holidays

To accompany holiday meals, what you drink should be a notch or two above the ordinary. Nothing is more festive or special than bubbly and the best comes from France in the form of Champagne. For still wine, try single vineyard offerings that use the words “Chateau” or “Domaine” on the label. This means all fruit that went into making the wine came from one property. For French wines, especially Bordeaux and Burgundy, you might vie for “classified growths” (Grand Cru and Ier Cru for examples). Sweet wines are always a perennial, Christmas favourite, so try some Vintage or Date of Harvest Port from Portugal, fabulous Sauternes from France or amazing, world-famous Canadian Icewine. Happy ho ho.

Off-Season at a Winery

Ever wonder exactly what goes on at a winery during the off-season or winter months? While it is a slower time for winery folk in general there are lots of things going on. As the vineyards are dormant, there is very little, if anything, happening in the fields. Inside the winery, the wines from the fall’s harvest are being meticulously tended to finishing off their production, perhaps putting them into oak. Many wineries use this time to repair and update equipment (both vineyard and winery), spruce up winery interiors and plan winemaking and marketing strategies for the next season. Most importantly, it’s a good opportunity for the winery to showcase and sell some of their existing wines to make room for the new vintage. 

Reserve Wines

The term “reserve” on bottles of wine throughout the world implies the wine is somehow different and usually better than regular bottlings. It can mean the wine has possibly been kept back at the winery and aged longer in either barrel or bottle before release. Perhaps it was made with grapes from older vines that produce less fruit, but of better quality. It might signify the grapes came from a very special vineyard that possesses unique terroir. The reason can be any one of the above, another or a combination of several and this info is usually mentioned on the label somewhere. Most reserve wines are small production and will age longer too. Ultimately, this wine is more expensive to produce and most likely will cost more to purchase.

Wine, Music and Lighting

I’m sure you’re aware that wine will taste much better when consumed out of a decent glass or one that is specifically designed for its style or varietal. Music and lighting can also enhance the experience according to research at Oxford University. When serving an ethnic wine, if you play music from the country that that wine was produced in, it will taste much better. I suppose this provides more of an authentic experience, almost like being there. When it comes to lighting, they found that if green lighting is used for ambiance, the wine will taste fresher and sharper and red lighting will make the wine taste fruiter. Now all that’s left to do is some experimentation of your own to see if it works.