I just finished a bottle of wine & was quizzed.
Is that bottle of wine out?
Yup, then I stopped and stared...at the empty bottle.
Why did this bottle seem to disappear so quickly?
Did I use it for cooking?
Did I share it?
Was I really enjoying it?
Were my pours generous? No to all of these...
Or...
Was it the punt?
Yeah, it was the punt!
The indentation underneath the bottle---
A very noticeable and generous dimple.
So why have this huge indentation at the bottom of a bottle?
The sentiment is that it helps collect sediment in the bottle.
The bottle is made stronger.
It assists a person opening the wine.
Some believe it says the wine is of a better quality.
When you purchase a heavier bottle and get less wine
well, it's a no-brainer; not a good experience.
Why put the punt in play?
For me the many positive points of the punt
do not outweigh the negative experience.
The expectation is to be memorable, celebrated & shared.
The punt is a flaw, not unnoticed.
Come on man!
Cheers!
Sunday, August 26, 2012
Monday, August 20, 2012
Wine Views
In wine country we sniff, swirl, glance and sip.
This is done by visitors in tastings rooms everyday.
It is the beginning step of their wine education.
Does looking at a glass of wine matter?
Some people look only to determine if it's red or white.
Many people do not look and go right for their sense of taste.
Then there are those that slowly examine the liquid details.
These folk know that their glass of wine is telling them a story.
Let's think about what these tasters are examining.
The wine's color is obvious to read---either it's red or white.
How is the wine's clarity? Is it clear, still or cloudy?
Does it have many bubbles or just a few?
The color shows hints to a taster
such as age, grape varietal, origin and quality.
White wine colors will progress this way:
young pale, moderate yellow,
mature gold, older or unhealthy tawny.
Red wine colors reflect this way:
young purple, moderate ruby,
mature garnet, older brown.
These shades of color only tell a piece of the wine's story.
White wine's color does not reveal much but age. With red wines,
thicker-skin grape varietals are darker like Syrah & Cabernet sauvignon
and thin-skinned grapes are paler like Pinot Noir.
Cooler climates can usually produce paler wines and warm
climates show deeper colors in reds & whites.
Wines that show bubbles could mean it is flawed.
Fast-rising, tiny bubbles are great in sparkling wines,
but not in still whites & large slow bubbles are not a good in any whites.
Is the wine clear and clean? This is normal.
Or is it dull or cloudy? These wines are likely flawed.
Gently swirl the glass.
The wine will form vertical beads known as legs.
Showing many legs on the glass means the wine is dense,
high in sugar and alcohol.
Fewer legs means the wine has less sugar & alcohol.
When a taster tilts their glass, it shows the wines hue & depth.
Is the color consistent? Look at the edges any separation of color?
These traits show when a wine is maturing or
breaking down especially if it is brownish.
So the next time you see someone peering long at their glass
just give them some room, some serious detective work is in progress.
Cheers!
This is done by visitors in tastings rooms everyday.
It is the beginning step of their wine education.
Does looking at a glass of wine matter?
Some people look only to determine if it's red or white.
Many people do not look and go right for their sense of taste.
Then there are those that slowly examine the liquid details.
These folk know that their glass of wine is telling them a story.
Let's think about what these tasters are examining.
The wine's color is obvious to read---either it's red or white.
How is the wine's clarity? Is it clear, still or cloudy?
Does it have many bubbles or just a few?
The color shows hints to a taster
such as age, grape varietal, origin and quality.
White wine colors will progress this way:
young pale, moderate yellow,
mature gold, older or unhealthy tawny.
Red wine colors reflect this way:
young purple, moderate ruby,
mature garnet, older brown.
These shades of color only tell a piece of the wine's story.
White wine's color does not reveal much but age. With red wines,
thicker-skin grape varietals are darker like Syrah & Cabernet sauvignon
and thin-skinned grapes are paler like Pinot Noir.
Cooler climates can usually produce paler wines and warm
climates show deeper colors in reds & whites.
Wines that show bubbles could mean it is flawed.
Fast-rising, tiny bubbles are great in sparkling wines,
but not in still whites & large slow bubbles are not a good in any whites.
Is the wine clear and clean? This is normal.
Or is it dull or cloudy? These wines are likely flawed.
Gently swirl the glass.
The wine will form vertical beads known as legs.
Showing many legs on the glass means the wine is dense,
high in sugar and alcohol.
Fewer legs means the wine has less sugar & alcohol.
When a taster tilts their glass, it shows the wines hue & depth.
Is the color consistent? Look at the edges any separation of color?
These traits show when a wine is maturing or
breaking down especially if it is brownish.
So the next time you see someone peering long at their glass
just give them some room, some serious detective work is in progress.
Cheers!
Friday, August 17, 2012
Wine & Fantasy Football
The season and emails requesting my Fantasy football picks has begun.
Fantasy Football lets the NFL grow fans and keep an eye on their product.
These fantasy games are silly, addictive and fun.
We are rooting for a football player's numbers also known as stats.
Many NFL fans argue who are the best players because of these stats.
This argument is so wrong and makes football coaches in the USA cringe.
Football is a team sport, 11 players on offense, 11 on defense. Many
other back-up positions players wait for their number to be called.
All coaches teach that games are won and lost as a team.
Fantasy football snubs this concept entirely.
Pick your best 7 players on offense, and 1 team as your defense.
Score points, make yards, don't fumble, tally it all up and you win or lose.
This game is not realistic..... Go Numbers...Really?
The NFL made this game easy, but it is nothing like playing football.
Blocking and tackling is how you play.
I feel like a CPA after Monday night football is over.
Now how is this supposed to be about wine you ask?
Well, here are my picks for 2012 Sonoma CA Winery Fantasy Team.
QB- Silver Oak Winery...Always Dependable.
RB- Ridge Winery... Go to wine 100+ per game.
RB- Pedroncelli Winery...A Tireless Bruiser.
WR- Nalle Winery...All American Zin Status.
WR- Sbragia Winery...Go ask Joe Montana.
WR/RB- Carol Shelton Winery... Like the Breakaway Mobility.
K- Seghesio Winery... Straight thru the Goalposts.
Defense- Preston Winery... Earth's Ultimate Defender.
We don't need points here, just some great food.
Touchdown!
We Win!
So who are your picks?
Cheers!
Fantasy Football lets the NFL grow fans and keep an eye on their product.
These fantasy games are silly, addictive and fun.
We are rooting for a football player's numbers also known as stats.
Many NFL fans argue who are the best players because of these stats.
This argument is so wrong and makes football coaches in the USA cringe.
Football is a team sport, 11 players on offense, 11 on defense. Many
other back-up positions players wait for their number to be called.
All coaches teach that games are won and lost as a team.
Fantasy football snubs this concept entirely.
Pick your best 7 players on offense, and 1 team as your defense.
Score points, make yards, don't fumble, tally it all up and you win or lose.
This game is not realistic..... Go Numbers...Really?
The NFL made this game easy, but it is nothing like playing football.
Blocking and tackling is how you play.
I feel like a CPA after Monday night football is over.
Now how is this supposed to be about wine you ask?
Well, here are my picks for 2012 Sonoma CA Winery Fantasy Team.
QB- Silver Oak Winery...Always Dependable.
RB- Ridge Winery... Go to wine 100+ per game.
RB- Pedroncelli Winery...A Tireless Bruiser.
WR- Nalle Winery...All American Zin Status.
WR- Sbragia Winery...Go ask Joe Montana.
WR/RB- Carol Shelton Winery... Like the Breakaway Mobility.
K- Seghesio Winery... Straight thru the Goalposts.
Defense- Preston Winery... Earth's Ultimate Defender.
We don't need points here, just some great food.
Touchdown!
We Win!
So who are your picks?
Cheers!
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Excellent Wine Harvest Event
Summer vacations are coming to an end and the start of school is getting near.
In Sonoma, the friendly wine folks are kicking it up a notch.
This is the beginning of Harvest.
Today, workers are hard at work inspecting, measuring
and harvesting sparkling wine grapes.
More varietals are scheduled in weeks to come.
For wine growers, wine makers & crew the waiting is over and hard work begins now.
You can see this daily on drives along CA highways 101, 128 & 12.
It's a special time in Sonoma.
You can actually feel, see, taste and smell the change of season.
Many of these tasks must be done.
Wineries are scheduling, storing, buying, selling,
cleaning equipment, attending to customers & wine club events
plus this duty, monitoring mother nature.
All of these tasks can make or break your season.
This is why it is affectionately known as Crush!
A great way to take part in the harvest season is by attending a locals event.
It is the Sonoma County Fall Harvest Fair which will be held this year
October 4-7 at 1350 Bennett Valley Rd Santa Rosa, CA 95402.
It's approx 90 min. north of the SF Golden Gate Bridge on Hwy 101 N.
This is a scenic and easy drive.
For event & ticket information see www.harvestfair.org.
There will be plenty to taste, see and do here.
The concept of the fair is to inform, value and judge everything
that is made or raised in Sonoma County from art, foods,
wines (150 wineries under 1 roof) etc.
It is a once a year event not to be missed
and a great way to be part of the Crush.
Cheers!
In Sonoma, the friendly wine folks are kicking it up a notch.
This is the beginning of Harvest.
Today, workers are hard at work inspecting, measuring
and harvesting sparkling wine grapes.
More varietals are scheduled in weeks to come.
For wine growers, wine makers & crew the waiting is over and hard work begins now.
You can see this daily on drives along CA highways 101, 128 & 12.
It's a special time in Sonoma.
You can actually feel, see, taste and smell the change of season.
Many of these tasks must be done.
Wineries are scheduling, storing, buying, selling,
cleaning equipment, attending to customers & wine club events
plus this duty, monitoring mother nature.
All of these tasks can make or break your season.
This is why it is affectionately known as Crush!
A great way to take part in the harvest season is by attending a locals event.
It is the Sonoma County Fall Harvest Fair which will be held this year
October 4-7 at 1350 Bennett Valley Rd Santa Rosa, CA 95402.
It's approx 90 min. north of the SF Golden Gate Bridge on Hwy 101 N.
This is a scenic and easy drive.
For event & ticket information see www.harvestfair.org.
There will be plenty to taste, see and do here.
The concept of the fair is to inform, value and judge everything
that is made or raised in Sonoma County from art, foods,
wines (150 wineries under 1 roof) etc.
It is a once a year event not to be missed
and a great way to be part of the Crush.
Cheers!
Thursday, August 9, 2012
Baseball & Wine
July 2012 is over and was officially recorded as the hottest month ever in history. As they say in baseball, these are the dog days of summer. I have been thinking about sports, summer and wine as usual.The connection could not have been any clearer. Baseball and wine--- are there any similarities? I found some interesting connections.
Lets take a look.
Baseball and Wine:
Each revel in history, technique and traditions.
Anticipate the beginning of spring.
Use the sense of smell--- cut grass, butter, oak.
The season is spring, summer and fall.
Use the sense of taste--- nuts, corn, mustard & brats.
They both experience a crisis on a daily basis.
Each are meant to be savored, not gulped - per Bill Veeck.
Need the use of wood products, especially the barrel.
Each relish the term "There's no place like home".
Both are shared and cherished with guests in attendance.
Use the principle "Practice makes Perfect".
Each value being placed 3rd in the order.
Use the descripitors jam, pepper, leather & huckleberry.
Rely on mother nature, season stats and timing.
Indulge in spitting.
And finally both have the ability to improve with age.
Cheers!
Lets take a look.
Baseball and Wine:
Each revel in history, technique and traditions.
Anticipate the beginning of spring.
Use the sense of smell--- cut grass, butter, oak.
The season is spring, summer and fall.
Use the sense of taste--- nuts, corn, mustard & brats.
They both experience a crisis on a daily basis.
Each are meant to be savored, not gulped - per Bill Veeck.
Need the use of wood products, especially the barrel.
Each relish the term "There's no place like home".
Both are shared and cherished with guests in attendance.
Use the principle "Practice makes Perfect".
Each value being placed 3rd in the order.
Use the descripitors jam, pepper, leather & huckleberry.
Rely on mother nature, season stats and timing.
Indulge in spitting.
And finally both have the ability to improve with age.
Cheers!
Monday, August 6, 2012
Fun Wine Math Facts
Fall harvest is right around the corner for our winegrowers and winemakers.
For all our potential winemakers and winebuyers this is for you.
Wine math, here we go.
Have fun with this!
1 oz wine = 30 ml (24 calories & no Fat Grams)
1 glass of wine = 5 oz, = 1.5 oz of whiskey or a 12 oz beer,
all have the same alcohol level. Check the can
or bottle for calories & fat grams :)
1 grapecluster = 5 oz of wine or 148 ml.
1 grapecluster = 1 glass of wine; see above... really; 5 oz pours!!!
4 grapeclusters = 1 bottle of wine.
40 grapeclusters = 1 vine of grapes.
1200 grapeclusters = 1 barrel of wine.
1 barrel = 60 gallons of wine or 7680 oz or 227125 ml
60 gallons = 25 cases of wine.
30 vines = 1 barrel of wine.
400 vines = 1 acre of vines.
1 Split of wine is 12.7 oz or 375 ml. or 2.5 glasses of wine.
1 Standard bottle of wine has 25.4 ounces or 750 ml or 5 glasses of wine.
1 magnum of wine has 54 oz. or 1.5 ml or 2.12 bottles.
1 double mag. or Jeroboam of wine has 108 oz or 3 ml or 4.25 bottles.
1 Rehoboam bottle of wine has 162 oz or 4.5 ml or 6.3 bottles of wine.
1 Imperial bottle of wine has 216 oz or 6 ml or 8.5 bottles of wine.
1 Salmanazar bottle of wine has 324 oz or 9 ml or 12.75 bottles of wine.
1 Nebuchadnezzer bottle of wine has 508 oz or 15 ml or 20 wine bottles.
Here's a related thought on cellaring wine. The magnum bottle is the best choice to mature wine over the standard bottle. A smaller proportion of air to wine lets the wine mature more slowly in the magnum.
Have you had enough of wine math? I have.
Now's a great time to grab a glass...now where's that bottle of Zin?
Cheers!
For all our potential winemakers and winebuyers this is for you.
Wine math, here we go.
Have fun with this!
1 oz wine = 30 ml (24 calories & no Fat Grams)
1 glass of wine = 5 oz, = 1.5 oz of whiskey or a 12 oz beer,
all have the same alcohol level. Check the can
or bottle for calories & fat grams :)
1 grapecluster = 5 oz of wine or 148 ml.
1 grapecluster = 1 glass of wine; see above... really; 5 oz pours!!!
4 grapeclusters = 1 bottle of wine.
40 grapeclusters = 1 vine of grapes.
1200 grapeclusters = 1 barrel of wine.
1 barrel = 60 gallons of wine or 7680 oz or 227125 ml
60 gallons = 25 cases of wine.
30 vines = 1 barrel of wine.
400 vines = 1 acre of vines.
1 Split of wine is 12.7 oz or 375 ml. or 2.5 glasses of wine.
1 Standard bottle of wine has 25.4 ounces or 750 ml or 5 glasses of wine.
1 magnum of wine has 54 oz. or 1.5 ml or 2.12 bottles.
1 double mag. or Jeroboam of wine has 108 oz or 3 ml or 4.25 bottles.
1 Rehoboam bottle of wine has 162 oz or 4.5 ml or 6.3 bottles of wine.
1 Imperial bottle of wine has 216 oz or 6 ml or 8.5 bottles of wine.
1 Salmanazar bottle of wine has 324 oz or 9 ml or 12.75 bottles of wine.
1 Nebuchadnezzer bottle of wine has 508 oz or 15 ml or 20 wine bottles.
Here's a related thought on cellaring wine. The magnum bottle is the best choice to mature wine over the standard bottle. A smaller proportion of air to wine lets the wine mature more slowly in the magnum.
Have you had enough of wine math? I have.
Now's a great time to grab a glass...now where's that bottle of Zin?
Cheers!
Saturday, August 4, 2012
Summer Meals & Wines
Summer has arrived. Our August days are quite warm and humid. When we dine under these unpleasant conditions, wine choice is a bit of a struggle, especially if one's appetite is missing. Meals tend to be lighter, salads or grilled seafood. Wine can tempt your sense of taste and assist your appetite. Some wines to pair with salads and fish are the lighter whites like Rieslings and Sauvignon Blancs but I know... there are so many different labels to try. Next time you are home or dining out order 2 glasses or 2 bottles of wine for the table using the same grape varietal. Review and note which is the better of the two wine choices. This will be your start with pairing food and wine. It's that simple this is how wine-cellars are born. A meal should be an event. Your wine choice enhances the experience.
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