Archive for the ‘Wine Review’ Category
Pythagoras, A Geometric Blend
Friday, July 11th, 2008
It has been a month now since I re-entered into life in the States. Though three months isn’t that long of a time, my transition from Paris to Southampton, NY was a bizarre one. Who would have thought hearing people speak English around you would feel strange. In Paris everything was at my doorstep and now here I am out east on Long Island in driving distance of everything. The one thing that is in full source here are the wine vineyards. Long Island is not typically known for great wine. They are developing more and more over
the years. The varietals that strive are Chardonnay, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc. And that is what I am trying to accomplish here, bringing pride back to Long Island Wine Country.
Pindar is a vineyard that has been in the North Fork of Long Island for 15 years. Usually they are dressed in a tacky label, and because of this I have always over looked it. What can I say, I like visuals. While walking the ailes of the local wine store I came upon a label with the Pythagorem Theroem across it, a2 + b2 = c2. It was called Pythagoras. My mom is a math teacher, though I’m not a math wiz, I always did enjoy algebra. Because the label was so different from any other Pindar wine I was shocked to find out it was in fact the same vineyard. That’s lesson number one, don’t judge a wine by its label.
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Tags: cherry, figs, Long Island, Pindar vineyard, Pythagoras, smoke
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Pinot Grigio to Pinot Gris: Italy, France and Oregon
Monday, July 7th, 2008
The summer months have come upon us and hopefully you, like I, have ventured into the realm of light white wines, namely Pinot Grigio or Pinot Gris (same grape, French style). In Italian Pinot Grigio is light and crisp notably different from the creamier minerality and fruitier nature of Pinot Gris in France and Oregon. Alsatian Pinot Gris has a heavier viscosity like that of a Riesling, as Alsace borders Germany and at one point was part of the German Republic. Last week I had the opportunity to drink Villa Dugo Pinot Grigio, O’Reilley Pinot Gris (a Oregon Pinot Gris done in the French style) and Cleebourg’s Alsatian Pinot Gris, all great yet different examples of this light white varietal.
Tags: comparison, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Gris, review, Wine
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Au revoir à Paris with a Cremant d’Alsace
Wednesday, June 18th, 2008
Well my time here in Paris is over and what better may to go than with sparkling wine, a Cremant d’Alsace. Cremant goes through the same process, as Champagne except there is one difference, location. In France and all of Europe for that matter, wine cannot be legally called Champagne unless it is in fact from Champagne. Sparkling wines from outside Champagne in France will usually go by Cremant. Of course there are going to be slight differences in taste due to the terrior. Sparkling wine is popped during times of celebration. This is the end of a great three months and the start of something new as I move to Long Island’s wine country.
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I chose this wine because with the unofficial start of summer Alsace is perfect. The white wines here are well known with the Rieslings and Gewurztraminers, and their sparkling wines prosper as well. Another key point is these wines are not expensive at all. Alsace is respected but it doesn’t have the same prestige as Champagne, Burgundy, or Bordeaux. This is great for you. In the US a typical bottle will be between $12 to $20. (more…)
Tags: Celebration, Champagne, Cremant, elixir, Europe, France, New York, Paris, peaches, pears, review, Wine, Wine Your Diet
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2006 Collioure, Appellation Collioure Controle
Tuesday, May 27th, 2008
With my stay in Paris coming to an end I decided it was time to revisit old favorites. Relaxing in parks and gardens that took complete control of my senses, walking the streets that I fell in love with, going to that local cafe or creperie that made me feel at home, and of course drinking the wine that expanded my palate. Taking chances is what wine is about. You won’t know unless you try it once. I can certainly say that there are wines I would be reluctant to try again, but of course I will because who knows, I might have caught it on a bad day. A bad day can happen to even the best wine…
Tags: 2006 Collioure, elixir, Grenache Noir, Languedoc Rousillon, Paris, review, Wine, Wine Your Diet
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Caveau Wine Bar, Heritage Square, Cape Town
Friday, May 23rd, 2008
Caveau is a good escape from Long Street’s chiaroscuro of either uber-pretentious or super-scummy dives… I swear I will never set foot in Miam Miam again but Marvel also grows a little old once you tire of becoming a human bolus being masticated against the gyrating bodies of every tourist and pick-pocket in Cape Town.
Caveau is a breath of fresh air for the city centre, with an urban-rustic feel to it, combining class and elegance with a laid back environment. The design, lay out and mood leave you feeling like you’ve stepped out of Cape Town and discovered a more modern Franschoek. On the three occasions I’ve been there I’ve shared a bottle of their 2004 Spice Route Mourvedre. Accustomed to the Cape’s usual Noble varietals it’s amazing to see how well other cultivars benefit from the Cape’s rich soils. This is a nice big red that has a faint bloody-Maryesque note on the nose. It’s great to see how this Spanish wine has done – bring on Tempranillo!
Tags: Cape Town, restaurant, review, South Africa, Travel, Wine
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