Enjoying Wines

Archive for the ‘Cabernet’ Category

The Californian wine makers E&J Gallo think they have spotted a gap in the market and have made a wine range aimed at men.Wine has long been considered a market dominated by women but Gallo feel with good marketing they can cut out a male niche. The new range signifies a new direction in their business model, after they recently stated they are looking to decrease the volume of wine they sell in 2009 by canceling some of their discount offer deals with retailers. Instead they aim to provide more sturdy “reliable” red and white wines that people can buy and know exactly what they will be getting.

The ‘Redwood Creek’ range is aimed at 35-65 year old men who have an enthusiasm for the great outdoors.It is not aiming to venture into the extreme sports of even very active sports markets but instead aims at appealing to those who they would consider “active in nature”.Outdoor pursuits that Gallo has said their new wines are inspired by include fishing, camping, hunting and hiking. They have already created links with the woodland trust, the Tourist Board of California,Riedel Glass and clothing label ‘Regatta’. The method of partnering with other strong companies is a tactic that has worked well in the States and they hope this will carry over the UK.

The new range of wines includes a simple Chardonnay and a couple of reds, a Merlot and a Cabernet Sauvignon.  Iain Newell marketing director for Europe has said that the new wine charms the very soul, with a rugged quality and a rich taste. “They will be everything you associate with nature and activity” comments Newell, “freshness, passion and full flavours” are all qualities that this wine boasts.There was a lot of time and effort put into the research for this project and if early US sales reports are anything to go by, it was well worth it.

A number of non-wine drinkers have been thrown by a common misconception about Vintage Wine. They believe the notion that because a wine has been labeled as a vintage wine, that it is better quality and taste. A Vintage wine is a wine that has been produced using grapes grown and harvested in one particular year.

The idea may have originated from the producers of Vintage Port in who make ports based off grapes from certain years, which are later analyzed and the ‘good years’ are then decided. These ‘good batches’ are then labeled as ‘Vintage Ports’ by each winery, indicating a particularly good batch.

Vintage wines do share some aspects of the labeling but it is not exactly the same. While they do use grapes from one year only, labeling it as a vintage does not guarantee that it is a good wine, it is more used to simple display what year the grapes were used. The wine community then samples the wines and connoisseurs then debate over the quality and which years yielded the best wines.

To add to this, Vintage wines do not actually have to be 100% made from grapes from that year. In areas such as Chilie and South Africa, Vintage wines can consist of 75% grapes from that year and up. In other countries such as Australia, New Zealand, America and the EU, they are required to be 85% and up.
The other types of wine, which are just called ‘non-vintage’ wines, can be made from grapes form harvests over two or more years. This is done by wine makers who are seeking to create and retain a consistent style of wine from year to year.

In the past when grape growing was heavily reliant on the weather, different years produced different quality wines, however with modern farming and irrigation, wineries can now grow consistent harvests every year, however this has done little to stem the debate amongst wine fans over vintage labeling.

Follow the link for more information on vintage wine cellars.

There are no set formulas for selecting the right wine for that special meal, event or person. In fact people have their own preferences when it come to wine. We have listed a few suggestions below to help you pick the right wine for the right moment or special meal. We hope it gives you some helpful insights to serving wines that should please any palate.

1. The Whites: When your guests first arrive and are enjoying the appetizers a white wine is always the perfect choice. They are commonly lighter and drier and leave the palate fresh for the main entree’. Some of the whites such as the Chardonnay can also be introduced during a rich dinner such as “Coq a Vin”, with its beautiful creamy wine sauce. Another suggestion is the Sauvignon Blanc that is excellent served with a first course salad or shrimp cocktail or even a plate of delicate fish.

The Cadillac of the whites would be a sparkling champagne.  A good champagne would be served at only those very special events in one’s life.

2. Red Wines:  A nice hearty red wine such as a Merlot or Burgundy would be perfect with an Italian meal or with grilled steak, pork or lamb.  Serving a good red with a meal can actually help to enhance the dinner.

The Pinot Noir, while not as commonly served as a Merlot or Cabernet, is a unique blend of plum, vanilla and blackberry. Oregon produces Pinot Noir where the blackberries grow wild and are sweet and juicy. This wine will certainly be a hit.

The peppery flavor of the Shiraz would be a great accompaniment to spicy Mexican or Italian meal.  This is another wine that would also go well with a meal of beef or pork.

A Chianti is a perfect choice for a hearty lasagna or spaghetti dinner.  You do not have to spend a lot to get a good Chianti. Who can resist those cute little bottles wrapped in the basket weave?

If you are serving a tender rib roast, tenderloin steak, Chateaubriand, filet mignon, or tournedos of beef, a robust Burgundy would be just the ticket.

As you can see from the suggestions above you may wish to have both a white wine and a red wine on hand when hosting a dinner. Some guests will most likely pick the wine they prefer and stay with that choice for the entire evening. Another may choose a white for the start of the evening and finish with a red. So always be prepared.

You may enjoy making your own wine.  You could start with one of the fruit wines.  They are relatively easy to make and go great with desserts.  Wouldn’t your guests be impressed.  Visit a fruit wine making website for some recipes.