Oregon Fourth of July

Posted on June 23, 2010 by Candice L.

A tour of July 4th events state by state reveals some interesting information. For example, arriving at winery related celebrations is harder in Oregon than in California. In Oregon there seemed to be more family-oriented, alcohol free events. I can see why some people would prefer not to combine alcohol and fireworks.

For those who still want a glass of vino with their celebrations here are some suggestions. Amity Vineyard is hosting a wine tasting and BBQ with live music. Come eat, dance and drink from 12:30 until 3:30. Cost is $5 though wine club members get in for free. Check them out at 503-835-2362, Extension 1.

Art and the Vineyard is a three-day festival at Alton Baker Park in the South Willamette Valley. Buy a three day pass or drop in for $6 to find out what the connection is. Call 541-345-1571 for more information

Visit Sweet Cheeks Winery in Eugene for Mimosa Sunday. Patrons enjoy free tasting and live music from 12-6pm. They run something every Sunday if you miss out on the 4th of July: call Sweet Cheeks at 541-349-9463.

Or just set up on a balcony with some bottles of sparkling wine from your own wine rack to uncork with friends as fireworks go off around your town.

Cono Sur Gewurztraminer

Posted on June 23, 2010 by Candice L.

Having come to associate South American wine with Malbec, since that’s the variety I most often look for from that region, I decided to expand my view. After all, the Malbec is great: why not see if that same quality applies to other products.
I was not disappointed in trying the Cono Sur Gewurztraminer. In fact, this bottle trumped my first taste of this dry white earlier in the year, chosen based on the recommendation that if I liked Ortega and Riesling, I should enjoy a Gewurztraminer. As always, every winery does things a little differently, while grapes grown in different soil, climate etc. each produce their own unique flavors. Consequently, last night’s glass was less dry, allowing distinct qualities to shine.
On the nose, Cono Sur’s version of this varietal invites you with a crisp dryness. At first I had a hard time narrowing down the citrus fruit which was dominating, until I took a few sips. Then all became clear. Grapefruit. Distinctly grapefruit. Very refreshing and crisp, a slow sipper for a hot evening. In fact, I had the heat in mind when choosing my bottle yesterday.
My verdict is that if you are looking for an off-dry white to add to your summer wine rack, try the Cono Sur Gewurztraminer. Again, low priced Chilean wine will prove that you can get more than you paid for.

The Gravity of the Blind Taste Test

Posted on June 23, 2010 by Trish P.

I came across an article on NPR the other day that spoke of past blind taste tests that changed the world of wine forever. Back in the 1970s a blind taste test resulted in California wines being brought into the international spotlight. A few years later, a similar event made the Chilean vintners famous for their talents. Now it seems the blind taste test is returning to favor in an attempt to make Asian wines more popular across the world.

It seems the things we choose to place on our wine rack aren’t always our own decision.

After professionals conduct these blind taste tests, the world of wine can change dramatically. We get into the habit of drinking what is fashionable, what is recommended and what seems to suit our palette. All these decisions determine what is available on the Internet and wine shop shelf. For those in the much touted wine clubs, the selections are even slimmer and totally determined by other people.

All this is influenced by the result of blind taste tests. The tests involve professional wine tasters meeting and trying numerous wines without knowing anything about their origins, varietals or price. The result i.e. which wine is the most flavorful, well structured and has the most appealing bouquet (or all such elements in combination) is deemed the best. Often, the experts are surprised by their own results.

Recent attempts to reintroduce the traditional bulk taste testing of the 1970s have produced similar results. That is, the Chileans and Californians taking precedence over French varietals. Wineries can use blind taste tests to promote a certain region of wine making. If they truly believe their wine will be considered the best, it makes sense right?

But what about all those wines that don’t do well in the rankings of the blind taste test? What is the likelihood they will ever end up in our wine racks? Wine professionals respect each other’s opinions (to an extent) and if every professional decides a wine stinks, the price will drop, it will hit the bargain bin in franchised wine merchandisers and slowly slip out of circulation.

Yes it seems going in blind can pay off or result in failure. Who knew the world of wine could be so cut throat.

Living and learning.

Exploring Wine Racks

Posted on June 23, 2010 by Trish P.

After looking through the different types of wood used to make wine racks in my last blog, I decided to keep researching wine racks. Anything to expand my wine and wine storage knowledge right? So I began to look at the different styles of wine rack out there and which one works best given one’s particular storage needs and available space.

The table top wine rack is a favorite of mine. With those of us with little in the way of free space as well as young children running about, the table top wine rack is a bit of a life saver. It allows for the wine to be stored on its side rather than upright and it keeps it well out of the way of curious little hands. They come in a range of styles from single bottle holders (great for dinner parties) to more practical 12 bottle holders that really allow you keep a nice collection in the house.

Stackable and modular wine racks are all the rage these days with the true wine aficionados. Besides offering the custom designed look, they allow you to start small and build your collection with your budget. Modular racks come in a variety of designs and materials. Wooden styles from sustainable hardwoods can be stained to suit your décor and have enough flexibility to withstand temperature and humidity changes.

Many wine lovers have invested in the wine refrigerator. This is a cooling unit and wine rack all in one. It regulates environmental factors such as temperature and humidity and comfortable holds a few dozen bottles (depending on the size). The drawback for some may be the expense but for others its space. The wine fridge is one heck of a great wine storage option if you have the place to put it.

Wall hanging wine racks look great, save floor space and can be a great addition to kitchen or dining room décor. Be sure to choose one that is sturdy and attach it to a wall stud. One bottle of wine isn’t too heavy but the weight adds up with every bottle. I would go with a unit that allows you to display a few choice bottles and keep the rest elsewhere. I view the wall rack as more decorative than practical when it comes to wine racks but that’s just my opinion.

And then lastly, for those of us with a penchant for multi tasking the wine rack come kitchen island come cutting board come wine glass storage come tasting table is a great way to go. Ideal for large kitchens, the island wine storage unit is attractive, useful and plain old cute.

Choosing a wine rack comes down to a number of factors such as weight, space and materials although it seems personal preference wins out every time.

Isn’t that always the way with wine?

Types of Wood for Wine Racks

Posted on June 23, 2010 by Trish P.

A friend of mine knows I write for this wine blog and actually humbled me by asking my opinion on a new wine rack. Well of course I know very little except my own preferences for choosing wooden wine racks made from sustainable trees or wine racks made from recycled materials. But the question got me thinking: which wood would be the most suitable for a new wine rack?

Well, according to the wine rack experts (you know, the guys that run this site) there are several types of wood that make great wine rack material. These include: oak, cedar, spruce, pine and American hardwoods. Wine racks made from strong aged woods that show at least ten years of growth have the right rigidity and strength to make a good wine storage center.

I love oak and pine for wine racks and furniture of all types. Oak and pine are woods with a lot of character and versatility. Buying wine racks unfinished not only saves you a few bucks but lets you stain the wood to suit your space. Oak and pine are great at taking stain. When you purchase products, any product in oak or pine wood, you know it’s going to be with you for a long time. Wine racks are a permanent addition to your household so a durable wood is key.

If I were to purchase a new wine rack right now I would probably go with cedar wood. I love my pine wine rack but am certainly on a cedar kick. As I have limited space, the next wine addition to my home will be a closet conversion. Unfinished cedar has that wonderful smell that makes it perfect for enclosed spaces.

The latest trend in wooden wine racks is redwood. This native sustainable wood is durable yet flexible and surprisingly much stronger than traditional pine or cedar wine racks. Redwood comes in a variety of colorings and looks good stained and unstained. As it is so strong, it is the perfect wood for wine lovers with a larger collection. Wine gets heavy, especially when stored in one space. Redwood is the best way to distribute the weight, take the pressure, environmental changes and encase wine in an attractive display.

So there you have it, a little insight into the world of wood and wine racks. Well, it’s no comprehensive analysis but it can certainly help you narrow your search the next time you buy a wooden wine rack.

I aim to please.

4th of July Events

Posted on June 22, 2010 by Candice L.

This may be the first of several articles looking at events for the 4th of July because the U.S.A. is one mighty big country. Otherwise I risk leaving out a lot of Americans who rely on websites like this one to tell them what is happening around the country. Starting with California wine country will provide a lot of leads to start with, though I focus on July 4th, not stuff going on July 3rd. I could be here all day if I didn’t set strict limits.

Go to Castro Valley,CA, for Winestock Alive. Here you will get your fill of ecclectic musical choices such as swing, reggae, jazz and more. The event runs from 12-5pm, costs $40 and organizers request that guests reserve. Their number is 510-582-9900.

Board the popular Napa Valley Wine Train for a fireworks display from the comfort of your carriage. Expect the usual classy experience aboard restored vintage rail cars taking passengers from Napa to St. Helena and back, viewing wineries, enjoying a meal, perhaps a glass or two. Tours start at 5:50, run until 10 pm and cost $104 per/person. If you miss this chance, The Wine Train runs tours all of the time including opportunities to get out at wineries and purchase bottles for your wine rack. Call 800-427-4124.

Finally, stop in at Vina Robles for a family day of entertainment and patriotism featuring a BBQ, music and carnival. Wine club members enter for $16; otherwise the cost is $20 per/adult, free for children. Call 804-227-4812.

Teacher Appreciation

Posted on June 22, 2010 by Candice L.

Maybe a few years ago, the idea of giving wine to my child’s teacher would have seemed inappropriate. Then again, Faye is 11 now and in grade 6. Perhaps for my 7 year old I would think again. In the meantime, Faye’s teacher loves red wine, so why give her another curio to stick on her shelf, dust once in a while, then give to the thrift store? Okay, so some people like those things, but when in doubt I say give teachers stuff they can use.
Faye and I spent some time talking and thinking about what to get her teacher whom she adores and she thought of wine, since a more recent bottle was gratefully accepted. Faye also wanted to make wine charms. My personal feeling was that the ones I made were just not good enough, while Faye could only have a better craft experience if we got the right tools and a bit of instruction. That seemed pretty complicated. So we were going to visit a winery to look at merchandise there and buy a bottle, until I told her our price range and we thought some more. Plus, out aim was to match the wine with everything in the gift bag.

Together we came up with the following: a bottle for her wine rack plus cheese and chocolate. Faye is pretty sure she likes those too. Next came the research. What wine could possibly go well with both?
Exploring the web brought me to three possibilities: KWV Roodeberg from South Africa, The Wolftrap, also from South Africa, or Chateau Valcombe Costieres De Nimes Syrah/Grenache from France. Having taken the time to write such a long name on my shopping list, this will be my first choice, otherwise I wasted my time.
Anyone liable to teach my kids in Salmon Arm over the next few years take note, and if you like the look of our gifts get on my good side. Madame’s bag (Faye is in French immersion) will include dark chocolate, brie, and probably the Syrah/Grenache along with a lovely card handmade by Faye. I’m pretty sure that beats a ceramic ‘#1 Teacher’ ornament.

Sommelier World Cup

Posted on June 20, 2010 by Candice L.

Of course, in the summer of World Cup soccer, spin-offs are bound to emerge. This will be true around the world, but a World Cup themed event hosted by South Africa makes a lot of sense, even if the competition revolves around wine. Wines of South Africa has been running a Sommelier World Cup since earlier this spring, for which there are now nine semi-finalists.
Patriotic contestants had to already be working in the wine or restaurant industry of a represented country of which there were several: South Korea, Belgium, the UK, the USA, Russia, Norway, Finland, The Netherlands plus two from Canada (east and west) and four from Germany (Berlin, Hamburg, Munich and Koblenz). The judges hail from South Africa, Germany and Sweden.
All contestants know their way around a wine rack, so testing had to have been tough. Theory plus blind tasting. They now face even tougher challenges to win an all expenses paid trip to South Africa for a tour of wineries and restaurants, meeting wine makers and learning more about the topic.
If given my preference between competing in soccer of wine tasting I would choose the latter as the words ‘skills’ and ‘ball’ do not belong in the same sentence with my name. If given a wine bottle, my husband would probably take out the cork and play soccer with it. He is English after all.

Shopping for Father’s Day

Posted on June 17, 2010 by Trish P.

I couldn’t resist placing a photo of my little boy in this blog after he jumped into a wine box and turned it into a car the other day. Yes ladies and gentleman to you and I it’s a way to get the bottles of Cabernet home safely; to my son is a Formula One racing car that does well on Berber rugs. Speaking of my son, Father’s Day is just around the corner and here are a few thoughts on what to get the wino male in your life this weekend.

When it comes to our wine rack, my husband is the one that does the majority of the shopping. This is because he works twenty miles closer to the wine store and because I’m cheap. But the great thing about it is I have a good idea of what types of wines interest him and can select a few to go with his new toolbox from my son.

If you aren’t sure about what wine would work best for your husband or significant other this Father’s Day why not think wine accessory instead? My husband loves appliances and tools, gadgets and gizmos and the world of wine certainly has no shortage of whatnots. Whether it’s a new fancy corkscrew or a wine bottle vacuum sealer, there is something for every wine loving man out there.

Of course the ultimate Father’s Day wine gift is a new wine rack. I’m quite partial to the sustainable timber ones myself having a bit of a green streak but the metal ones are interesting. My friends are gaga for this mid century theme and I see a new atomic age style wine rack on this site. Very nice. Think about your husband’s style as well as any space limitations before buying a new wine rack.

If you have the extra bucks why not splurge and make a start on a basement wine cellar conversion? Whether it’s a matter of just placing a bunch of wine racks downstairs for now or clearing out the junk to make room for the bottles, this is a great gesture and a good way to get your man involved in a new project.

And if your son or daughter is big enough to help? Well, a wine cellar conversion is a nice way for parent and child to bond. And give mom a little peace in the process.

Have a great Father’s Day everyone.

Father’s Day Brunch

Posted on June 17, 2010 by Candice L.

I’ll bet you thought I was going to suggest actual food for brunch. Though partly true, my main concern is the wine to serve with it. Okay, so 11:00 in the morning may sound a bit early for wine; then again, Father’s Day is too special to limit ourselves to plain old tea or orange juice.

Champagne and orange juice is the prosaic mixture, the one readily associated with a late breakfast/early lunch of omelettes, fresh fruit, waffles and so on. I think we can do better than that. After all, we’re talking about the men who raised us (or who take part in raising our children). Your repast may include pancakes, hashbrowns and fruit; muffins, croissants and waffles; eggs, bacon and sausages. The wine you choose will differ depending on how fatty or meaty your dish happens to be.

For example, sparkling wines are widely suggested for such a meal, no matter the particular dish, but you can still get that sparkle and drink it too. Try a bottle of Jacob’s Creek Sparkling Chardonnay/Pinot Noir from Australia. This dry offering will tickle your fancy at just $14.99 Cdn. Perhaps pair with steak and eggs or a heaping plate of sausages and bacon.

With eggs, try a Spanish offering, the Segura Viuda Brut Reserva. At $15.99 bottle, add a global component to your wine rack without breaking the bank, but also add necessary fizz to counter balance the, well, egginess of eggs.

Saving the best for last I have Gray Monk Odyssey Brut. Best, or perhaps just most expensive: $24.99 per bottle. I can’t comment on which of these actually exceeds the others in terms of flavor, but I know that Gray Monk of BC bottles a good wine. Their Sparkling Chardonnay/Riesling blend is ranked ’01′, off-dry. Let the bubbles and a slight retreat from complete dryness accompany your doughy treat of pancakes or waffles topped with whipped butter, fruit, cream, syrup…

Okay, when is Father’ Day again? I can’t wait – I mean, I can’t wait to spoil my husband.