Somewhere between the dominance of California and the growing fame of Chile and Argentina, Mexico has been the forgotten country of wine.

If you ask wine lovers, especially those from Mexico of course, they would say this is a mistake. Unfortunately, it is not always easy for the average consumer to tell one way or the other because not all of their products are available in the United States (and certainly not in Canada).

Since Mexico is a vacation hot spot for victims of winter, it’s no stretch to imagine that a lot of readers will consider making a visit during the month of March. This would be an ideal time to learn more about the vintners and vineyards of Cancun-Riviera Maya. A wine and food festival will take place there from March 15-18th, providing a great opportunity to showcase national talent in both arts.

While I do not know exactly whose wines will feature at tasting sessions and seminars, here are a few Mexican wineries to look out for.

Casa de Piedra keeps an interesting Tempranillo/Cabernet Sauvignon blend on their wine rack.  Bajabound.com suggests that consumers be alert to berry and cocoa notes.

Another red comes from Santo Tomas, where a fruity Barbera is made.

Go to L.A. Cetto for a Chardonnay which has absorbed vanilla from its oak barrels, or a Sauvignon Blanc worth a taste.

For 17 years now, Wine Rack Store’s fabulous wine racks and custom wine cellars have brightened many homes and businesses, making the most impact during the various holiday seasons. This Valentines Day is no exception. Additional to the Valentine’s Day themed wine charms, which are always a hit this time of year, three of Wine Rack Store’s best selling wine storage solutions are 20% off through February 14th.

“When I think of Valentine’s Day I think of chocolate, flowers and of course wine,” said Wine Rack Store’s Director of Communications, Heather Hoskins. “I’ve always believed, if your going to invest in a couple of nice bottles of wine for special occasions such as this, why not also invest in a beautiful wine storage solution as well.”

Of course, wine racks and wine cellars from the Wine Rack Store make wonderful gifts all throughout the year, but with their ever expanding and evolving inventory its always a bonus to that a particular wine storage solution while it’s on sale.

Be My Valentine Wine Charms

The excitement of Mardi Gras is coming to Jackson, Michigan.

Sandhill Crane Vineyards will host this event on the 18th and 19th of February. Tickets cost $35 and $20 respectively. Taste spicy Creole/Cajun food, listen to Zydeco or Dixieland, and dance till your feet hurt. Twelve wine-tasting tickets are provided with each ticket. Call 571-764-0679 as reservations are recommended.

Valentine’s Day may be over, but the Wineries of Old Mission Peninsula will be Romancing Riesling on the 18th of February from 11-5. For $15 guests receive a souvenir glass with which they can sample Rieslings from every wine rack along the route. This grape is said to grow very well in the area, so judge for yourself.  There is a 10% discount off of all bottles of the varietal on that day.

This March 20-23rd, Maribor in Slovenia is hosting a unique event. A Music, Wine, and Fashion Festival will bring all three elements together in this European cultural center.

Listen to music by the ‘Kings of Strings’, three renowned guitarists. Youth will be invited to take lessons from these men, while wine makers from Slovenia display what goes on their wine racks. Take a guided tasting with the vintners. Learn about the making of Idrija lace and watch displays by local crafts people.

This is not just an opportunity to watch the masters: emerging musicians, wine makers, and fashion designers will also have opportunities to gain a following. Participants are welcome to take part in workshops, or they can simply form a part of the audience.

Lanthier Winery is located in an historic part of Madison, Indiana. One look at the building will reinforce the realization that visitors are tracing more than a century of historic footsteps.

Madison has been associated with the abolition of slavery since before the Civil War. A church building and college from the middle of the century testify to the area’s commitment to equal rights. Visit Eleutherian college where men and women of both races were entitled to gain an education. The 1844 Lanier Mansion and Gardens will transport tourists to another era, while the late 19th Century hospital with its antique medical paraphernalia might make them shudder.

Lanthier Winery is another brick building, its walls covered in ivy. Inside, the management has established a relaxed atmosphere where patrons can sip samples from their wine rack for free. They are perhaps best known for their sweet and semi-sweet wines, such as cranberry, blueberry, and cherry, though they also make a Beaujolais-style Chambourcin.

On the 11th of February, visit from 11-3 for a complimentary Schocolade Celebration. Chocolates, fudge, and other sweet creations will be served, while there is the opportunity to purchase six sweet wines for the price of five.

Call 812-273-2409 or 1-800-41-WINES for more information.

Sauvignon Blanc is a fairly reliable white, and Marlborough wineries are among the best places to find them.

One such New Zealand example is Mount Fishtail. Their Sauvignon Blanc opens up with strong herbal notes. The color is lemony with the promise of citrus.

Lemon and other citrus flavors did back-up the structure, but apple and herbs came to the forefront. This is a truly dry wine, though not bitingly so. Its finish was neutral rather than lingering, but overall I enjoyed this white.

Roughly $16 will put a Mount Fishtail SB on your wine rack. Pair it with light dishes, something like pasta with pesto or a pizza featuring basil and tomatoes.

There’s an exotic, even lavish quality to Malbec wines which attracts my palate over and over. A combination of fruitiness, spice, and anything from chocolate to black olives could be blended in the nose and bouquet of a single bottle.

Instead of wandering around the store aimlessly, this week I am making a plan. I’m doing research (mostly on the BC Liquor Store website). There are several labels on my hit list, all of them from Argentina (although Malbecs appear elsewhere including Canada and Australia).

The first brand I found was Escorihuela 1884 Reservado, an ’01′ for dryness (the rest are ’0o’). It’s notes included coffee bean and spice with subtle blueberry.

Crios De Susana Balbo Malbec 2009 gives the drinker black cherry aromas with oak, and tastes of cherry, spice, flowers, plus a bit of sandalwood.

At Altos Las Hormigas there are four Malbecs to choose from. Fruit and spice feature in at least two, with variations on the theme.

My favorite bottle (with Susan Balbo a close second) is Finca Los Primos. This features spice, jammy fruit, chocolate, vanilla, and black olives. Chocolate and vanilla won me over, while the price was a bonus: $12. No consumer should have to pay much more than that for a decent Malbec.

Meanwhile, the varietal is so flexible that it’s not a bad idea to have several bottles from the above list on your wine rack to serve with an assortment of dishes, or as an after-dinner drink.

England’s Telegraph Newspaper recently reported that Selfridge’s of London now serves wine. This high-end department store (where the rich and richer buy diamonds, ruby-studded handbags etc.) is also home to the Wonder Bar.

There isn’t someone attending the bar: customers are served via an Enomatic Machine. Choose your label, amount of red or white, pay some money, and wait for the magic to happen (kind of like buying a parking ticket, except more pleasant and marginally more expensive). Presumably, non-shoppers being towed behind retail athletes are grateful for a sip, and they can afford the price if they’re shopping at Selfridge’s in the first place.

Two of their pours come from les Chateaux célèbre, Lafite Rothschild and Pétrus. The LR 2004 Pauillac costs £49 (about $65 USD) per 25mls. The Pomerol from Pétrus costs £52 (roughly $75) per 25mls.

According to Wine Access, the Pauillac was given 93 from Stephen Tanzer, 95 from Robert Parker. It is mostly made from Cabernet Sauvignon and emits flavors and aromas of tobacco, graphite, flowers, licorice, plum, mocha, cedar, and red currant (Wine Access).

A description of the Pomerol is even more loving than that of the Pauillac. It is called ‘the greatest example of a Merlot in the world’ (WA). Look for a creamy, thick red which will sit on a wine rack in your cellar for many years before reaching its peak. Your tongue and nose will be met with melted toffee, spice, iron, mulberry, black raspberry, new oak, cocoa powder, and truffles.

Some of the wines aren’t quite so costly to purchase, but since most people couldn’t possibly afford a bottle, perhaps a group of travellers could pool their pounds for a few mls each from these famous labels.

Frost on a glass, ice cubes, frozen grapes: these chilly images are appetizing, perhaps because they look so clean and refreshing. Ice wine cocktails are also elegantly different from other concoctions, since their main ingredient can’t be grown just anywhere. Someone has to suffer extreme cold to grow and harvest  the grapes.

Cocktails made from ice wine are very simple. For example, make a martini by adding vodka to your base and using frozen grapes to garnish.

A Cabernet Franc Icewine Cosmopolitan combines the Cab with vodka and Grand Marnier. Garnish with kumkwats.

Riesling Apple Ice Wine Martinis are the result of mixing vodka, apple liqueur, and the Riesling. Stick a baby crab apple on the edge of your glass.

Finally, the Royale: Cab Franc Ice Wine, sparkling wine, and a raspberry floating around in the glass. While you might not have the main ingredient on your wine rack, there shuold be a bottle of vodka around somewhere. Pick up a bottle of red or white while you go in search of kumkwats.

*Recipes from PellerIceWine.com.

Many dishes are made using wine as a marinade, but there are also plenty where a dry red or white goes right in the pot.

For example, Allrecipes.com lists Momma’s Wine Cake: a full 3/4 cups of your favorite Sauvignon Blanc (maybe, or Pinot Gris) is destined for the batter (leaving plenty for the glass). Like lemon juice or vinegar, this will give the cake quite a lift and maybe an edgy flavor. I wonder whose Momma thought of that?

Greek Shrimp Saganaki (also on Allrecipes) contains a full cup of white wine in the sauce. Makes me want to be sure I’ve got a spare bottle on the wine rack. Look for a bottle which would pair nicely with shrimp both to balance flavors in the pot and to drink with your meal.

Lamb Ribs with Honey and Wine (yep, Allrecipes again) is one of those dishes where most ingredients are added to a marinade. There will be soy sauce, lemon juice, and olive oil, but cinnamon adds a middle-eastern aroma.