Exploring the Diversity of Sonoma with Master Somm John Blazon
September 8, 2011
Familia Zuccardi Malamado Fortified Malbec
September 6, 2011
Grape
100% Malbec (fortified with brandy)
Facts
Q: When is a Port not a Port?
A: When it’s made in Argentina.
– The Malamado holds the title of the first ever fortified Malbec produced in Argentina; however it can’t be considered a true Port since it isn’t actually made in Portugal, even though it’s produced in the same style.
– All Zuccardi wines are made from estate-grown grapes (they generally don’t buy from other growers).
– Familia Zuccardi is Argentina’s largest family-owned winery and one of the leading exporters to the U.S. of Argentine wines.
– Zuccardi have one of the most state-of-the-art facilities in all of Argentina, and their enologists are currently busy researching the potential of relatively unknown and crazy grape varieties such as; Agliánico, Arinarnoa, Ekigaina, Malvasia Nera, Nero Amaro and Nero Dávola, among others.
I can’t wait to see the results of those experiments!
– Around 500 year-round workers are employed by Zuccardi. When they’re not working the grape harvest, they’re employed in making olive oil and growing peaches. The company obviously cares a lot about its people, and has built a cultural center for employees with library, sports facilities, free computer classes and cooking and healthcare demonstrations.
If that doesn’t make you want to buy their wines, I don’t know what will!!!
Caymus Cabernet 2009 for #CabernetDay
September 1, 2011
Grape(s)
81% Cabernet, 19% Merlot.
Facts
I was thinking to myself the other day; “I wonder if readers of my website think that I’ve decided to take a stance toward only featuring affordable wines?”
Not that this is too far from the truth, but the real reason that I feature a great deal of wines under the $20 retail mark, is that I purchase the wines for review myself. Affordability is therefore key! The only reason this particular wine is different, is that I didn’t buy it. It was sent to me by Caymus. Now don’t be mistaken for thinking that’s any type of disclaimer! I get wine sent all the time; it just doesn’t normally make the website.
In case you aren’t in the loop, today (September 1st) is #CabernetDay on Twitter! Without getting too deep into it, it’s basically a reason for wine nerds technology-enthusiasts (myself included) to gather together, taste Cabernet and tweet about it. Ergo the reason why Caymus threw a bottle of their Cab my way!
Willamette Valley Vineyards Winemaker Dinner at Matthews
September 1, 2011
Wine Masterpiece by Bodegas Navarro Correas
August 31, 2011
“We created a 13 x 8.2 foot structure with 1000 acrylic cells and an automated robotic mechanism, that would be filled with 6 different shades of wine, people could choose a cell and sent a text message, and the robot filled each box with wine. At the end people could recreate the Van Gogh’s self portrait and build a masterpiece with our masterpiece Navarro Correas wine.”
Last Night’s Nerdy Impulse Purchase!
August 31, 2011I couldn’t resist! Fernando Beteta (Master Sommelier) made a post on Twitter late last night which spoke to me, channeling my inner-wine nerd!
Haven’t YOU always wanted a guide to the wine regions of France, all laid out before you in all its 18×24 glory, formatted in a similar style to the London or Paris subway maps!?!?
Ok, granted it has never crossed my mind either until I saw San Francisco architect and professor David Gissen’s creation! Genius! At least if you’re into that sort of thing (which I obviously am)!
So anyway, I made the $24.95 purchase last night, all based off a single Tweet on Twitter from Fernando. The next 3-6 business days will be spend eagerly awaiting the mailman, and planning where to position the map on the already limited wall-space that I have available in my office.
And who said there’s no ROI in Social Media!?!?!
The Metro Wine Map Guide to France is available from DeLong Wine.
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