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Rick's Red Wine Reviews & Recommendations

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Rick's Red Wine Reviews & Recommendations Rick’s Grape Skinny [email protected] 2013 “If food is the body of good living, wine is its soul!” (Clifton Fadiman) Taste the World of Wine each country’s key varietals and/or most noted wines. in One Year! Be sure to enlist the help of your preferred “wine The notion might seem simple enough…but trust me, shop(s)”…and don’t hesitate to assign a price range! taking on the challenge of tasting the world of wine in a single year is a seriously ambitious task! To boot, France -- The first month, seek to taste the wines of regardless of the nature and scope of the wine world Alsace, Champagne, Burgundy, Jura-Savoy, and the chosen, there will be plenty of Wine Wizards offering Rhone Valley. The second month, select wines from a litany of wouldas, couldas and shouldas! But, if Provence, Languedoc-Roussillon, Bordeaux, Loire you’re game…let’s take on that task and taste a Valley, and Southwest France. range of vino from around the world of wine. And trust me, if you do this…you’ll know more than Italy – (Red) Barolo, Barbaresco, Barbera, Dolcetto, about 90% of those who buy and drink wine!! Brunello, Amarone, Chianti, a Super Tuscan, Montepulciano, Aglianico, Nero d’Avola, and Lambrusco. (White) Pinot Grigio, Vermentino, Where are we Headed? Fiano, Malvasia, Moscato, Cortese, Trebbiano, Great question! I had no idea you were so quick and Verdicchio, Franciacorta, Spumante, and Prosecco. ready to sip away! We’re headed for a world of wine that’s comprised of 11 countries. Here they are Spain – (Red) Tempranillo, Garnacha, Monastrell, arranged in descending order…beginning with the wines from Rioja, Priorat, and Montsant. (White) largest wine producer. For the nosy ones who are Albariño, Macabeo, Xarel·lo, Cava sparkling wine, wondering why not 12 countries…so we could take and at least two different types of Sherry . on one country a month…it’s because France will consume two months all by itself! OK…off we go! United States – (Red) Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot (White) Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc 1. France and Pinot Gris. Try California expressions from 2. Italy Napa, Sonoma and Central Coast…then from 3. Spain Washington, Oregon, and New York. 4. United States 5. Argentina Argentina – (Red) Malbec and Bonarda (White) 6. Australia Torrontes. Try several expressions of each. 7. Germany 8. South Africa Australia – (Red) Shiraz – Try several expressions. 9. Chile 10. Portugal Germany – (White) Riesling and Liebfraumilch. Try 11. New Zealand several expressions. (Red) Dornfelder –Eiswein In the spirit of full disclosure, you should know that th South Africa – (Red) Pinotage (White) Chenin Blanc China is actually the 4 largest producer of wine in the world…but…it doesn’t yet have any iconic wines. Chile – (Red) Carménère – Try several expressions! So What Should we Taste? Portugal – Vinho Verde (which can be red, white or Wow…another great question! So here are my blush), a Ruby and Tawny Porto and a Madiera. suggestions – being mindful that these are not all New Zealand – (White) Sauvignon Blanc – Try of the grapes or wines. Rather, it’s a list of those I several expressions. feel will enable you to enjoy a representative mix of http://www.grayghostvineyards.com Toast of the Month “Here’s to wine -- to wash me clean From the weather-stains of care.” (Ralph Waldo Emerson) Red Petite Sirah Spellbound 2011 So Delicious You’ll Be Howling! th (Lodi, CA)/$13-$16 From 4 generation Mondavi family winemaker, Rob Mondavi Jr., this intensely rich and supple wine is beyond delicious! Made from 100% Petite Sirah this vintage was aged in a combination of new and seasoned French and American oak…an The Monthly Bunch! approach that preserves the character and soul of the fruit. While this difficult-to-grow-and-tame varietal is Spooky Wines normally used as a blending grape, leave it to a Mondavi to break with convention and masterfully craft such a splendid varietal wine. Rob’s objective and focus is to White produce the highest quality affordable wines that people will love…and love to drink every day. Certainly for Chardonnay my palate and wallet, his Spellbound Petite Sirah fills Old North State Bare Bones NV that bill completely! http://www.spellboundwines.com/ Clean, Crisp and Ghoulishly Good! (Yadkin Valley -- Mount Airy, NC)/$8-$10 Merlot From the little town in North Carolina that served as Vampire Vineyards Dracula 2010 the basis for the mythical Mayberry -- home of Suck-u-lent and Bloody Good! Sheriff Andy Taylor and his sidekick Deputy, (Central Coast - Paso Robles, CA)/$13-$16 Barney Fife, this simple, straightforward and Talk about a wine into which one can sink their stripped down 100% Chardonnay is the real deal. teeth…look no further. In fact, this 100% Merlot is Don’t be afraid to try this devilishly delicious so fruit-forward and yummy…it just may drive you potion. It’s a very well crafted award-winning wine “batty!” With a name that begs the question, “Are amongst its Mid-Atlantic peers…and it’s a very you for real?” and a history that is steeped in the good vino value to boot! blood of many a rock and roll legend – the answer http://www.oldnorthstatewinery.com/ is a definite yes! Vampire Vineyards is indeed for real and they make some seriously good wines. Vidal Blanc Founder and owner Michael Machat parlayed his Gray Ghost Vineyards -- 2012 world of connections as an entertainment attorney Casper’s Fave…and Ghostly Great! into a brand that today enjoys worldwide (Amissville, VA)/$12-$15 One of Virginia’s most recognition and respect. Let a little of this “blood rewarded wineries, it’s named after the famous of the vine” trickle down the back of your Confederate Colonel – John Mosby – who was throat…and you’ll be respectful as well! affectionately called The Gray Ghost…for his http://www.vampirevineyards.com/ ability to slip through enemy lines undetected. And, there is ample evidence that The Gray Ghost did Blend indeed haunt the area where these grapes were Bogle Phantom 2010 grown…so forewarned is forearmed! The cold- Eerily Rich and Scary Good! hardy Vidal Blanc – a hybrid of Ugni Blanc (aka (Clarksburg, CA/)/$15-$18 – A limited-release and Trebbiano) and another hybrid grape known as fairly unique blend of 51% Zinfandel, 47% Petite Rayon d’Or -- was the first wine produced by the Sirah and 2% Mourvêdre, this jewel of a wine is owners, Al and Cheryl Kellert, in 1994. The 11.5% known as “black magic!” The word bogle means residual sugar “Adieu” version of this succulent goblin, specter, phantom, bogy, boggart, or wine was declared The Best Dessert Wine in the bugbear…and is arguably of Scottish or Welsh Country a few years back. This is a wine that you’ll origin. The 2010 Vintage was aged for 2 years in hold in memory for a very long time! 100% American oak. It’s fairly hard to find each year…so when you see it, get it! You’ll not be disappointed. www.boglewinery.com .
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