In Vino Veritas

  I’ve compiled a short list with simple explanations for some facts that can impress people: What are the 5 red varietals allowed by French law in Bordeaux wine? Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Malbec and a sixth almost never used varietal.. Carménère What two parent grapes gave way to Cabernet Sauvignon? Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc (its easy to remember too because its in the name) Champagne vs. Sparkling wine Champagne is only from…

  There I was. In the dark. In my bed. I awoke with a shudder. There is something in the room with me. Fear grips me. I can sense it close. I can even hear its heart beat. Thump thump thump. I dare not move. Straining my eyes as if I will suddenly be able to see with but a hint of light. Thump thump thump. How close must it be that I can hear its heart…

    I was asked to teach a class two Sundays from now, and was trying to decide what I would go over. Where does one begin when just being introduced to wine? I asked myself a few questions that I asked when I first started. I’m going to tease you with answers now, but if you are in San Francisco on the 18th I will go into far more detail at the…

Intrigue isn’t usually a word I would associate with wine tastings. I went to Paris not too long ago. I took a train for a day trip to Epernay, in the heart of Champagne, and then cabbed it to Ay to see Gosset (the oldest wine house in Champagne). I enjoyed the small town and the history there. It had that small village feel with little cobblestone bridges over small rivers…

Drew told me the tasting was at three. I knew I had to get back to the house by at least 2:15 or I’d miss my ride to the tasting. I ended up wearing a gray fleece coat and suede brown pants. The car was screaming through traffic to make it on time. I dodged three strollers and a crosswalk guard. The crazies were out that day, determined to stop me from reaching my house and the tasting.  I…

Imagine if you will a warm summer night. The moon is missing, making the dark thicker then Papa Jones’s molasses barbecue sauce. A gang of fireflies pierce the void with a spattering of the tiniest suns. The breeze brings a mosquito that changes its meal ticket as soon as you blow cigar smoke in her famished little face. The group of friends you are on the front porch with raise a toast of port to your well being and…

I’d like to continue talking about my favorite region in California. Santa Barbara I left off with Longoria. Mosby is another winery that we frequented. At Mosby they produce almost entirely Italian varietals, and do a great job of it.  William ‘Bill’ Mosby is an eccentric ex-dentist who made the switch back in ‘98 to full time wine making. They have a no-frills tasting room, but they make grappa. They have a crappy shitter, but…

When I first started getting into wine I went to Santa Barbara area and tasted wine at many places repeatedly over the course of ten years. Every year we would go to some places religiously. Most of which are still my favorite California wineries to date. I often wonder how much nostalgia plays a part in the longing for these wines. How much the touch of simpler times and family makes my heart glow when I think of these wines. We always…

I have an on going battle with a lot of wine geek friends of mine. I love Italian wine and talk about it often whereas they love everything else. Italian wine grows on you if you let it. Kind of like a jasmine vine if someone introduces it to you and tells you how amazing the perfume it gives off is. In no time at all you will have Italian wine in your…

Here I am writing on my birthday. I’ve begun consumption of an inexpensive Sauvignon Blanc, and started listening to  Tony Tribe “Red Red Wine.” Classic I can’t seem to collect my thoughts. Distracted by music and my mind keeps drifting to people I’m thankful for, so if this one is a bit divergent, self indulgent and short you’ll have to forgive me. I talked last week about Champagne and how its named after…

    If Champagne cost less than $30. Then you bought it off the back of a truck alongside a pair of Folex wrist watches and a Juicy sweat suit that actually said Bouncy in a half circle rainbow from the left cheek to the right one. When you are in the torrid Sahara desert, and the blues start to play all wispy.. at first. Then.. the saxophone wails notes that make the…

Why is it that sometimes when you taste a wine produced by a specific vintner it might taste fabulous. Then the next year it doesn’t float your boat. In fact the little cargo ship that carries your happy wine thoughts gets torpedoed by a U-boat. Just as you were laying on the deck chair reading about how chaos exists in nature. The explosion rips through the hull sending you flying into…