In the evenings, I’ve been flipping through The Wine Bible by Karen MacNeil in preparation for our trip to France. In particular, I’ve started on the Bordeaux section. I must say this book is packed with good information! Recently, we tasted several white wines from Bordeaux and really enjoyed those. The white grapes of Bordeaux include:

 

Muscadelle: Usually used for blending. Adds light floral character to the wine.

Sauvignon Blanc: A major grape with crisp and lively herbal freshness.

Sémillon: A major grape that’s dry and clean. It provides weight and depth to the wine.

Ugni Blanc: Another blending grape used in inexpensive wines.

 

“Dangers in the Shiraz Aisle: Midprice Bottles of the Popular Australian Varietal are Woefully Inconsistent”

The Australian wine industry may have hit hard times. Exports dropped more than 13% last year, and the country currently sits on a wine surplus. Two questions come to mind: First, why the slump? Secondly, are there any bargains for consumers? Looking at why Australia may be slumping can be traced back to a few factors. First of all, they might be a victim of their own success. The Aussies taught Americans that good wine can come from other places than the states and Europe. They introduced new wines at affordable prices. Now, other countries, especially in South America, are following this success thus causing a drop is Australian sales. Secondly, more emphasis was placed on the clever and attractive bottle labels than the wine. The quality of the wine began slipping especially in the midpriced popular bottles.

 

While, more expensive bottles of Shiraz exhibit more spice, blackberries and richness. The midpriced bottles offer inconsistency, making it difficult for the average consumer to stroll down the Shirazaisle and pickup a quality bottle. Consumers must search for good midpriced bottles of Shiraz or trust their wine merchant.

 

“Malbec Beckons – Heed the Call: Argentina’s Signature Red Deserves its Wild Popularity, Offering Zing and Boldness for Modest Prices”

One of the hottest wines on the scene right now is the Argentine Malbec. Consumers get a tasty, interesting wine with spicy, black pepper tastes, some blackberries, good acidity and crisp edges, when it’s done right. Plus, there are some real steals to find on the Malbec aisle. Great wines can be found for $10-$15! However, as popularity rises, will quality remain the same? This has been a problem for so many wines in the past. Suddenly, everyone wants to get in on the latest craze and plants vines in less than desirable locations, using shortcuts to produce the wine. Wine quality drops and so does consumer popularity. Here’s hoping Malbec producers continue making great wines.

Winery: Francis Coppola Presents Rosso

Wine: Shiraz 2003

Location: Rutherford, California

Purchased: Friar Tuck

Price: $9.99

 

Jonathan and I regularly enjoy the red blend from Francis Coppola. So we were eager to taste the Shiraz, knowing the quality for the price. Over 30 years ago, movie director Francis Ford Coppola searched out a Napa Valley retreat to make homemade wines. What he ended up buying was the Niebaum Mansion and the Inglenook Estate and so began the Coppola legacy in wine country. Today, that legacy grows with a second winery dedicated to the Diamond and Sofia collections and the Rosso & Bianco wines.

 

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Typically, red wines are more popular in cooler months, while the white wines gain popularity during the summer. However, in my house it’s always a good idea to have a glass of red wine. Remember red wines are served between 55-65 degrees. Here are a couple of my red wine favorites.

 

Cabernet Sauvignon

Currently, this wine is ruling industry. It can be grown nearly everywhere, and it is possible to find a great bottle of cabernet for under $10. Cabernets tend to age very well so if you find a great one put it away for a few years. They have a distinctive black currant aroma, and are highlighted with scents of green peppers, chocolate, mint, cigar boxes and violets. To the taste, cabernet sauvignon is strong and bold with a degree of richness. Cabernets are an excellent wine to pair with a mouth-watering steak or other red meat.

 

Merlot

No one will forget our friend the merlot after the movie Sideways. Paul Giamatti’s character absolutely hates merlot and refuses to drink the wine. However, merlot grapes produce a wine that is soft, round and drinkable by itself. It’s the perfect wine for sipping. It’s not overpowering, but gives the drinker a luscious taste in their mouth. Merlots give an aroma of blackberries, mocha and black cherries. They tend to be simple, without the strong finish or deep complexity of a cabernet.

 

Pinot Noir

Pinot Noir is often described as the “difficult” grape. It tends to ripen too quickly in the hot California sun, but seems to have found a home along the Oregon and Washington coast. Here the long, cool growing season allows the grape flavors to develop slowly. Pinot Noir aromas can be complex consisting of black cherries, spiciness, cinnamon and cola. Yet, it provides a soft, velvety texture to the palate. Pinot Noir is almost crisp to the taste and not heavy like other red wines.

 

Syrah/Shiraz

These are the same grape, but if you are a winemaker in Australia and South Africa it’s known as Shiraz. Some believe Syrah to be the next big grape; it’s relatively new to the California region, introduced in 1971. However, the Australians have been growing it successfully for years. The syrah leans towards a merlot, not heavy and big like a cabernet sauvignon, and it is now grown in the most important wine regions in the world. Syrah grapes form an intense wine with an intense color, almost black. The aromas and taste tend to be more spicy than fruity.  

 

Zinfandel

Scientists don’t know exactly where the zinfandel grape originated. It origins are believed rooted in Eastern Europe. However it easily sustains the California heat and has a strong resistance to most vine diseases. This enables zinfandel vines to reach over 100 years in age, and produce “old vine” zinfandel. These are known for their complexity, power and balance. I must admit this is one of my favorite wines today. Zinfandel’s have a spicy, black pepper taste and aroma. These wines are full of flavor and zest.