III Forks Presents Heroes and Villains
October 10, 2010
Announcing Our 1st Sponsor – Underwood Jewelers
October 10, 2010
It gives me great pleasure to announce the 1st official sponsor of this website!
Underwood Jewelers was founded in 1928 by industry legend Herbert F. Underwood. The jewelry store started as a diamond and watch store in Palatka, Florida, just prior to The Great Depression.
I only ever used William Yeoward wine glasses for my reviews and if you have not experienced true quality wine glasses before, you need to check out the selection at Underwoods. Now I do have to mention that these glasses are not inexpensive, however you are paying for true hand-crafted crystal. I guarantee that you will be able to see the difference in a good quality wine glass
So don’t get me wrong, on any other day of the week I am using El Cheapo wine glasses (if I ever broke one of my nice glasses I would cry), but if it’s a “nice” bottle, out comes the Yeoward!
The design inspiration for William Yeoward Crystal is drawn from antique pieces originally made in England and Ireland during the 18th and early 19th centuries. Every piece of William Yeoward Crystal is entirely made by hand using the same traditional methods employed over 150 years ago.
I am still slowly looking for other sponsors for the website, however I’m staying selective over who I work with. I put a good amount of time and money into this website and its ongoing progress, therefore I need companies that share a similar passion for hard-work, commitment to providing a high-quality product/service and whom are inline with the “theme” of this site.
If you are interested in becoming a sponsor of The Jacksonville Wine Guide email me at kris@blogyourwine.com
It happens to the best of us…
October 5, 2010
Interview with Robert Pecota from Robert Pecota Winery
October 5, 2010In July, 2006, Robert Pecota and his family sold their Calistoga winery and estate vineyard, established in 1978, to Jess Jackson of Kendall-Jackson fame. It will become the home of the high-end Atalon brand of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.
The Pecota family has retained ownership of the Robert Pecota Winery name and all Pecota-branded wines, and has acquired another property close-by on Bennett Lane just across the Napa River from Chateau Montelena. Plans are to plant 22 of the 27 acres to primarily Cabernet, while devoting the rest to a home and small winery. Until the new winery is operational, the family will continue to produce wines at its former facility.
Interview conducted with Robert Pecota at The Grape Bistro & Wine Bar
Could you tell me about your winemaking background.
Well it all started in my youth, which has long since abandoned me [laughs]. I, at age 19 became an apprentice for the Hills Family who made coffee in San Francisco, and I learnt how to become a "coffee cupper" and coffee taster. In the meantime, I had moved away from home being the youngest in a very large family and in our apartment my roommate, Malcolm Dunlap and I made our 1st garbage can full of wine when I was 19, now I’m almost 71, and I haven’t missed a vintage since!
Posted in Interview | 1 Comment //Interview with Jane Ferrari from Yalumba Wines
October 5, 2010
A winemaking graduate from Roseworthy College, Australia, Jane joined Yalumba in 1987 and worked in mainly technical roles before her current position as Yalumba Communications / Brand Ambassador.
From the brief lunch that I enjoyed with Jane, even though the majority of conversations were Yalumba focused, I could really sense that Jane could talk for hours, not just about wine, but also her travels around the world in the different jobs she’s held. Jane also writes a blog entitled Yalumba Stories.
Kris Chislett: Occupation?
Jane Ferrari: Story Teller for The Hill Smith Family who owns Yalumba Winery
KC:What’s your past?
JF: Well, I’m a winemaker by trade, I started in the Barossa years ago, and I’ve done everything but winemaking at Yalumba. I ran the night-shift crush for a couple of years, I worked bottling quality control for a couple of years, then I left and worked at Rockford (cult Barossa Valley winery) for 3 years and looked after their cellar door and the general public. It was at Rockford that I was introduced to winemaker Robert O’Callahan who’s this gorgeous custodian of the historical keys of the Australian winemaking world. He was really the first to introduce me to how important the relationship a winery has with its consumer.
Posted in Interview | Leave a comment //Burgers with Peanut-Chipotle Barbecue Sauce Paired with Robert Mondavi Cabernet Reserve 2006
October 4, 2010
Awesome wine, awesome burgers, average pairing.
Let’s first get to the wine!
This was the Robert Mondavi Cabernet Reserve 2o06 average retail $135. And just in case you were wondering, no this isn’t the average price tag of wines I drink!
I recently enjoyed the Caymus Special Selection 2008, a beautiful Napa Cab at a similar price, but even though it was 3 years younger it was actually was much open and ready to drink.
The Mondavi Cab was very tightly wound, even after decanting. These types of wines are always difficult to judge, because you aren’t actually rating them on their current merits, but actually their potential future merits after considerable aging.
The ‘06 Mondavi is a 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 3% Malbec, 1% Petit Verdot and 1% Syrah blend, and shows bold, extremely concentrated chewy black fruit, chocolate covered cherries, vanilla, spice and the smallest hint of bell pepper. Very smooth, with oak that is well balanced with the fruit, and a 10 minute finish. I truly believe the Robert Mondavi Cabernet Reserve 2005 could do with maybe another 5 years in the bottle, but I would really like to see how it’s doing in 10 years +.
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