Carbonic Maceration

In red winemaking there is a procedure where grapes are not crushed. The process is called “Carbonic Maceration”, sometimes known as “whole bunch fermentation”. Whole grapes are put into a fermenter and covered with a blanket of CO2. The lack of oxygen forces the cell walls within the grape to break down, diffusing the colour from the skins into the juice and “intra-cellular” fermentation takes place. Because the skins, which usually give red wine its colour, are not crushed, none of the bitter components (tannins) are transferred into the finished wine. This process, used to make wines that are easier drinking and consumable earlier, has been around for hundreds of years and often used to make Beaujolais.

Upside Down Wine Glass

Hey folks, there’s a new wine glass on the market that may have you baffled. It looks pretty much like any other glass with a stem, bowl and base, but this one’s different. The bowl fills up with wine, but you don’t sip it from there. You sip through the base instead. Not exactly sure where you actually pour the wine in, but the concept seems ridiculous! Have to wonder who or why people come up with ideas like this! Too much imbibing get’s the crazy juices flowing? Besides who would buy this thing and actually use it? I suppose if you’re looking to confound, mystify and entertain friends at your next dinner party and look like a magician of sorts, then maybe, but doesn’t look like it would do anything for the vino!

Wine/Beer in Bookstores

American bookstore giant Barnes & Noble may start selling wine and beer in their outlets along with existing coffee and vinyl records. In an attempt to give them an edge and be more profitable, the national chain has just applied for a wine and beer license from the New York State Liquor Authority. A New Hartford location will be the first test store for this concept. This would certainly be an added perk for special store events and author book signings. Include some music and you have a party. One has to wonder though if adding alcohol to the menu will turn the place into a hangout more than it already is with coffee. I can see many folks enjoying a drink or two and nodding off while perusing a potential, new read.

Another “Sideways”

If you liked the wine-themed movie “Sideways, then perhaps you’ll enjoy the new French flick, “Saint Amour” coming out in March. The plot, somewhat similar to “Sideways”, depicts Gerard Depardieu and Belgian comedian/actor Benoît Poelvoorde as father and son cattle farmers. The son, more interested in wine than taking over the family cattle farm, embarks with his father on a tour of the wine regions of France in a taxi as an impromptu, bonding exercise. Depardieu, who actually has stakes in several wine operations in France’s Loire Valley, Bordeaux and the Languedoc, says he wants to unload his French assets. Perhaps because he has repeatedly criticized the French tax regime and became a Russian citizen in 2013!

Alcohol Content

Got a hangover from sipping only a little wine last night? Could be the vino had more alcohol than stated on the label. In most countries, winemakers are allowed to round alcohol levels up or down by at least half a percent. Researchers at the University of California found that, by sampling almost 100,000 international wines, 60% possessed an average of 0.42% higher alcohol than stated on the label. Doesn’t sound extensive, but even small discrepancies like a half percent could lead consumers to underestimate amount consumed, possibly affecting their health and driving safety. Apparently, Chilean and Spanish reds, as well as Chilean and American whites showed the most variance in alcohol than what was stated.

Wine and Junk Food

Ah “junk food”, the universal grub of sports events, movie theatres and TV watching. So what does the sophisticated “wineknow” drink with his/her favourite snack? For potato chips, the flavour dictates the wine match. Straight up, try Chardonnay. Spicy versions - syrah/shiraz or pinot Noir! Cheesy styles - Cabernet Sauvignon! For salt/vinegar or French fries, check out a crisp white like Sauvignon Blanc, Vinho Verde, Pinot Grigio or even bubbly. Buttered popcorn works well with an oaky Chardonnay. I love Sangiovese or Chianti with pizza. Nachos and cheese deliver with a fruity Gamay, Beaujolais, Zinfandel or Barbera and Salsa dances with rosé, Cava from Spain or off-dry Riesling.

Chateau “Kimye”

If you happen to follow the goings on of the Kardashians (I don’t) and particularly Kim and Kanye, then you might find this interesting. Apparently, they have been renovating their French, château–style mansion on their property in California since August 2014. On the site is a vineyard that they are rehabbing, with the help of experts, to grow grapes for wine. Kanye, who is a wine lover, has made reference to the Moscato grape in some of his music so perhaps this is what they are planning to cultivate. They say the vino will be strictly for personal consumption and not for sale, but they are such media hounds, that it wouldn’t surprise me if they went commercial with it like Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie with their Miravel Rosé.