Grape Thinking » tastevine http://grapethinking.com Fusing Mind with Vine Mon, 30 Apr 2012 19:52:35 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 Tastevine, a new beginning for something not so new http://grapethinking.com/tastevine-a-new-beginning-for-something-not-so-new http://grapethinking.com/tastevine-a-new-beginning-for-something-not-so-new#comments Wed, 03 Dec 2008 21:16:12 +0000 Tayloe http://www.grapethinking.com/?p=1420 more...]]> Image by Polifemus via Flickr

Image by Polifemus via Flickr

I’ve been cruising around the wine world for a year and a half now. While I know more about wine than I did when I started I still have been unable to quantify what I’ve learned, am I any closer to understanding wine? Perhaps, but I still feel that I haven’t even begun to scratch the surface, which might be its allure.

I can differentiate the varied sections of Burgundy, but then there’s the Loire Valley and after that there is some other place or grape. Shakespeare once wrote, “The fool doth think he is wise, but the wise man knows himself to be a fool.” This quote not only reminds me of my foolish roommate, but also those who decide to take wine too seriously. Don’t get me wrong a healthy enthusiasm for knowledge is great but mastery does not come when you have finished every book known to man about wine, nor after visiting ever major wine region. There are still those diamonds in the rough that make the journey through wine even more rewarding. A great example is the Tannat coming from Uruguay.

I never want to feel like I know everything there is to know about wine because then where would I go, its almost as absurd as conveying a complete understanding of life, preposterous. And while Tastevine will hopefully never be able to fully explain wine, we hope that it will give its users a tool in which to explore, to let wine’s mysteries draw you in as it has me. Cheers all of you fellow quaffers. And remember to share your experiences with friends so they can share the joys too.

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]]> http://grapethinking.com/tastevine-a-new-beginning-for-something-not-so-new/feed 0 Wine Racks and Beer Bellies http://grapethinking.com/wine-racks-and-beer-bellies http://grapethinking.com/wine-racks-and-beer-bellies#comments Wed, 14 May 2008 20:13:39 +0000 Jake http://www.grapethinking.com/?p=1407 more...]]> So, while browsing the web today, we stumbled upon an interesting site, and decided that we had to share it with you.

Introducing The Wine Rack

What a great little gadget. You fill up the “rack” with wine (or any other drink) and head off to the concert, or event of your choice.

Apparently they are adjustable, in the sense that you don’t have to worry about “flattening” as you continue to drink. You can simply fill them back up with air as you drink all the wine.

Guys, they did think about you, and knowing that it wasn’t likely that you wouldpass as normal wearing a wine rack, they created the Beer Belly.

Unfortunately, you may never get a chance to explain to the hot girl at the show that you aren’t fat, your just sporting a beer belly to avoid the $10 cans.

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]]> http://grapethinking.com/wine-racks-and-beer-bellies/feed 0 Tastevine – Wine Tasting http://grapethinking.com/tastevine-wine-tasting http://grapethinking.com/tastevine-wine-tasting#comments Tue, 30 Oct 2007 18:57:36 +0000 Tayloe http://www.grapethinking.com/?p=1360 more...]]> For all of you who have missed my recommendations lately here is one that will truly benefit all. Go out and buy a bottle of wine! Its the middle of the work week, spice it up. Once you’ve drank that wine log-on to tastevine.com and rate it. The fall is truly here with colder temperature moving across the south, this is how I know its fall. Neauvo Beaujolais is produced this season and varies year to year but generally produces a crisp red wine. Check out grapethinking.com for other recommendations from wine correspondents around the world. Cheers!

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]]> http://grapethinking.com/tastevine-wine-tasting/feed 0 Da Vinci Chianti/Ravenswood Zinfandel http://grapethinking.com/da-vinci-chiantiravenswood-zinfandel http://grapethinking.com/da-vinci-chiantiravenswood-zinfandel#comments Fri, 19 Oct 2007 19:44:51 +0000 Tayloe http://www.grapethinking.com/?p=1388 more...]]> I have have been in Charleston, SC all weekend doing wine tastings and I have two great recommendations to get everyone on their way to discovering their tastes in wine.

Da Vinci Chianti is a reasonably priced and easily accessible Chianti from Italy. Chianti is Italy’s most famous red wine, which takes name from the eponymous traditional region of Tuscany. It used to be easily identified by its squat bottle enclosed in a straw basket, called fiasco (”flask”); however, the fiasco is only used by a few makers of the wine now; most Chianti is bottled in traditionally shaped wine bottles. Low-end Chianti is generally fairly inexpensive, with a basic Chianti running less than US$10 for a bottle. More sophisticated Chiantis, however, are made and sold at substantially higher price points.

And Ravenswood Zinfandel, a great Zin from California. Typically, Zinfandel wine tastes spicy and fruity. Vintners use Zinfandel grapes to produce a wide range of wine styles including sweet White Zinfandels, light-bodied reds reminiscent of Beaujolais nouveau, full bodied dry reds, sweet late harvest dessert wines, and port-style wine.

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]]> http://grapethinking.com/da-vinci-chiantiravenswood-zinfandel/feed 0 Deck Party – RTP, NC http://grapethinking.com/deck-party-rtp-nc http://grapethinking.com/deck-party-rtp-nc#comments Thu, 18 Oct 2007 19:37:11 +0000 Tayloe http://www.grapethinking.com/?p=1380 We helped sponsor the Deck Party in Research Triangle Park, NC and had an awesome time. We’re going to do it again in Atlanta next weekend, so come join us for some fun!

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]]> http://grapethinking.com/deck-party-rtp-nc/feed 0 The Big Easy http://grapethinking.com/the-big-easy http://grapethinking.com/the-big-easy#comments Sat, 29 Sep 2007 19:34:44 +0000 Tayloe http://www.grapethinking.com/?p=1378 Wow, we just had a blast partnering with NeoSemantics to throw a party at the Big Easy in Downtown Raleigh, NC. You can also check out the pics on flickr.

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]]> http://grapethinking.com/the-big-easy/feed 0 Why Twist Tops Rule! http://grapethinking.com/why-twist-tops-rule http://grapethinking.com/why-twist-tops-rule#comments Wed, 12 Sep 2007 19:30:23 +0000 Tayloe http://www.grapethinking.com/?p=1376 more...]]> Most traditionalist look at twist tops with disdain and perceive them to be uncouth. Forget those snobby bastards, Twist Tops Rule, not only do the provide an environmentally friendly alternative to corks, which must be manufacture by cutting down cork tree and processing them in large manufacturing plants. They can be more easily recycled; the bottles are easier to open, especially when inebriated; and lets not forget, look really cool!

Jip Jip Rocks is an Austrailian Winery that has a great Cabernet Shiraz out for around 15 dollars with this modern marvel (the twist top) of human engineering and has a great taste that I would urge anyone who has a chance to buy. Wine Spectator has given in at 90 out of 100 pt ranking. So go and flock to the store, buy your wine and enjoy today.

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]]> http://grapethinking.com/why-twist-tops-rule/feed 0 Recommendation – Cabernet Sauvignon / Chardonnay http://grapethinking.com/cabernet-sauvignon-chardonnay-recommenation http://grapethinking.com/cabernet-sauvignon-chardonnay-recommenation#comments Wed, 08 Aug 2007 19:23:08 +0000 Tayloe http://www.grapethinking.com/?p=1372 more...]]> If you know any friends who are interested in wine and would like to recieve these messages tell them to request to join the Tastevine facebook group. Hosted two wine tastings in Charlotte this weekend, good wine and great company. If you are interested in hosting one, give me a shout.

Toasted Head Cabernet Sauvignon is a reasonably priced CabSav available at most supermarket chains in your area. A full bodied red wine with hints of smoke and dried earthy fruits. Great with a steak.

Sticks 2004 Chardonnay has been brought to my attention as a wine that has no definition. A chardonnay without the buttery richness associated with chard, this wine is crisp and fruity, great for the summer. Reasonably priced but a bit hard to find, ask local wine store owners if he can order it for you.

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]]> http://grapethinking.com/cabernet-sauvignon-chardonnay-recommenation/feed 0 Some History Behind Pinot Noir http://grapethinking.com/some-history-behind-pinot-noir http://grapethinking.com/some-history-behind-pinot-noir#comments Wed, 01 Aug 2007 19:20:54 +0000 Tayloe http://www.grapethinking.com/?p=1370 more...]]> Mainson Louis Latour Domaine de Valmoissine is a real Pinot Noir from France. Recommended by Jeffery Connelly who has spent much time in the region, this is a reasonably priced wine with great flavors.

History: Pinot noir is a red wine grape variety of the species Vitis vinifera. The name may also refer to wines produced predominantly from pinot noir grapes. The name is derived from the french words for “pine” and “black” alluding to the varietals’ tightly clustered dark purple pine cone shaped bunches of fruit.
Pinot noir grapes are grown around the world, mostly in the cooler regions, but the grape is chiefly associated with the Burgundy region of France. In De re rustica, Columella described a grape variety in Burgundy in the 1st century A.D. that sounds like Pinot noir. It is widely considered to produce some of the finest wines in the world, but is a difficult variety to cultivate and transform into wine.

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]]> http://grapethinking.com/some-history-behind-pinot-noir/feed 0 Summer Wine Recommendations http://grapethinking.com/summer-wine-recommendations http://grapethinking.com/summer-wine-recommendations#comments Fri, 27 Jul 2007 19:09:14 +0000 Tayloe http://www.grapethinking.com/?p=1368 more...]]> After just finishing up a tasting in Charlotte I have come across two highly recommended Sauvignon Blancs.

Trey Moore has recommended Sterling Vintner’s Collection Sauvignon Blanc and Heath Evans has recommmended Honig Sauvignon Blanc. Two great white wines for summer.

History: Sauvignon blanc is a green-skinned grape variety which originates from the Bordeaux region of France. The grape gets it name from the French word sauvage (”wild”) and blanc (”white”) due to its early origins as an indigenous grape in western France. It is now planted in many of the world’s wine regions, producing a crisp, dry, and refreshing white varietal wine. Conversely, the grape is also a component of the famous dessert wines from Sauternes and Barsac. Sauvignon blanc is widely cultivated in France, New Zealand and California.

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