AAC Wine Tasting July 16, 2020 | 8 PM
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AAC Wine Tasting July 16, 2020 | 8 PM Objectives for Tonight • What is Red Wine • Why is Red Wine Red? • Where is Red Wine Grown? • What Kinds of Red Wines are there? • How is Red Wine Made? • What is the Difference between Red Wine and Kosher Red Wine? • How do you taste Red Wine? What is Red Wine and Where is it Grown • Red Wine has Been enjoyed for at least 8,000 – 12,000 years • Wine that was fermented, stored, and consumed for pleasure has been in China for 9,000 years; Iran (and Israel) for 7,500 years; and Europe for 12,000 Years • The grapes for these wines were indigenous to their geographies and have changed over time. • World’s Major Wine-Making Countries: Italy, France, Spain, US, Argentina • Major Red Wines: Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Syrah/Shiraz, Sangiovese, Nebbiolo, Tempranillo • Other well-known wines: Bordeaux, Burgundy, Chianti, Cabernet Franc, • Sparkling Wines: Champagne, Cava, Prosecco • The wines we are going to discuss descend from the European Wines • US Viticulture and wineries really only date from mid-19th century, 1st in California Where is Red Wine Grown? Signature Wine by Wine-Making Country: Signature Wines by US Wine-Making States • Italy – Sangiovese • California – Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot • France – Bordeaux, Burgundy Noir • Spain – Tempranillo • Oregon – Pinot Noir • US – Cabernet Sauvignon • Washington – Cabernet Sauvignon Argentina – Malbec • • New York – White Wines, Riesling, Chardonnay • Chile – Carmenere, Crianza • Virginia* – Viognier, Cabernet Franc, Norton, • Australia – Syrah/Shiraz • Germany – Riesling • New Zealand – Sauvignon Blanc *Virginia wineries, now numbering 280+, grow Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and blends Grow & Harvest Grapes Crush & Ferment (With Skins On) Press the Fermented Juice (wine) Age the Red Wine Rack the Aging Wine (and blend) Filter the Aged Wine Bottle, Cork, Label and Serve Kosher or Non-Kosher Red Wine: How are they Different? Kosher Wine Production and Quality Creating a wine that is “Kosher” is The principles of making Kosher wine are the irrelevant to its quality same as for non-Kosher wine. A Kosher certification does not imply wine quality. • Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, from California, • Wine quality is independent of Kashrut. A badly Bordeaux, or Galilee, are each grown made Kosher wine is a bad wine, full stop. But it is • Harvested in the same way, not bad because it is Kosher. • Many Kosher wines also score 90+ points from • Fermented the same temperature-controlled way, critics at the highest levels of competition for all • Aged in the same small oak barrels, and wines and win trophies and gold medals, despite being Kosher. • Bottled in the same manner. • Either winemaker will have studied at a place like U.C. Davis • Winery equipment is the pretty much identical. A Kosher winery is just like any winery producing non-Kosher wines, except … Only Jews make the wine Three Major Types of Kosher Wine: How are they Different? • There are three basic categories of Kosher wine: • Kosher - Produced in a manner that is approved to be in accordance with Jewish Dietary Laws (Kashrut). • Kosher for Passover – Kosher Wine that has not come into contact with bread, grain, or products made with leavened dough (you guessed it, pretty much all wines fit this description!). Most Kosher wines are also “Kosher for Passover.” • Kosher le Mehadrin - Wine for which the rules of Kashrut have been stringently approved. So, if Kosher wines are equal to non-Kosher wines, Why do Kosher Wines sometimes have a bad reputation for Taste? It’s quite possible that the concept of Yayin Mevushal (literally “cooked wine”) and sweet sacramental wines have something to do with it. • Sacramental Wines – Wines Used for Kiddush in Rituals (often sweet, rarely high quality) are the Kosher Wines we are each most familiar with. But, there is a very fine 93 Point California Cabernet called Covenant. • Mevushal Wine - Kosher caterers and Kosher restaurants in the United States only serve “Mevushal Wine” (pronounced mev’ooshal). This is a Kosher wine that has been flash pasteurized, so it remains Kosher even if a non-observant or non- Jewish waiter serves the wine. What Makes Kosher Wine Kosher? How is Kosher Wine Made? - Kosher wines are NOT blessed by a Rabbi. To make Kosher wines, there are two basic requirements: 1. Kosher Wine Must Only Be Handled By Jews In The Winery • Only religious Jews may handle the wine and touch the equipment from the time the grapes arrive at the winery. Even a Jewish winemaker who is not orthodox is not allowed to draw samples from the barrels. This may be frustrating for a hands-on winemaker, but Kosher producers are used to it…and it is not a restriction that affects quality. 2. Kosher Wine Imposes Stricter Wine Additive Rules • Yeasts, fining, and cleaning materials have to be certified as Kosher and must not be derived from animal by-products. An example, fining agents that are not permitted include gelatin (animal derivative), casein (dairy derivative), and isinglass (because it comes from a non- Kosher fish.) Many Kosher wines are perfectly suitable for vegetarians – and vegans too (if egg white is not used). How is Kosher Wine Made in Israel • Israel Kosher Wines, - Must satisfy agricultural laws in the vineyard that date back to Biblical times! • Israel’s grape growing laws are the oldest wine laws in the world, but the practices (described below) are quite similar to high quality viticulture (grape growing) practices used all over the world. • For the first three years, fruit from the vine may not be used for winemaking, (known as Orlah). Only in the fourth year is the winery permitted to use the grapes for wine. • Growing other fruits between the vines is prohibited. (Kilai Ha’Kerem.) This was something done in domestic vineyards in Spain and Italy in the past – but the practice has mostly been abandoned due to wine quality issues. • Sabbatical Year Every seventh year (Shmittah), Due to economic realities, Israeli winemakers have developed creative ways to cope with this situation, and solutions are agreed on between Rabbis and wineries, which allows for some degree of flexibility. • Over one percent of the production is poured away (Terumot & Ma’aserot). In remembrance of the “ten percent tithe” once paid to the Temple in Jerusalem. Wine Tasting: The Shortcut Process What to Taste for in a Red Wine Wine Clarity / Aroma and Smells Taste Mouth Feel Overall Rank Tasted Appearance Zac Brown Look at glass for Open at least 20 mins Fill your Mouth and Reds vary a lot, Structure: Uncaged, color and clarity before drinking, 60 min Hold the wine. thin to supple and Balance of acid, 2018 chewy tannin, alcohol dominance Is it Ruby or Purple Oxygen “opens” the Move wine around, Smooth or Coarse Complexity/ wine after uncorking side to side, front to Depth Do all back and hold it, then fruits, tannins and swallow alcohol show up, layers, timing See through it ? Use a larger glass, more Front of Tongue Rich and full or thin Balance: Are the room to swirl Sweetness – Sweet and light fruits and adds in fruit, young balance or does 1 dominate Rim of darker color Put your nose right Sides of your mouth Harsh and Overall: Your Final down on rim of glass bitter or pucker reflect minerally, or fruits take; needs food, tannins tastes come thru good to sip etc. Legs or not First Smells: Fruits or Back or mouth rawness Berries, maybe pepper or coarseness is alcohol or acidity Other: Spices, Oak etc. Finish: Lingering taste after you swallow in throat, palate Let’s Enjoy the Wine – and Rate It Wine Region Winery Vintage Highlights Overall Rank Cabernet California Zac Brown 2018 Big, Chewy, Red Fruits, Tier 2 Sauvignon North Coast Smooth smooth, balanced Wine Tasted Clarity / Aroma and Taste Mouth Feel Overall Rank Appearance Smells St. Helena, Napa Valley, Ca Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Syrah, Pinot Noir, Red Blend, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc JOURNEY OF PASSION Zac Brown has always been a man on a journey. Zac has always remained downhome and truthful to his roots. John Killebrew, who grew up in California, developed a love for nature, gardening, cooking, and music at an early age. As a winemaker, John is able to tap into his desire to make things with his own hands, stay immersed in nature, and find each season’s expression through the vines In winemaking, there’s a term called “élevage,” which means “bringing up” — nurturing and raising grapes in the vineyard and wine in the cellar using the best growing practices with little intervention and a careful touch. This technique develops the wine in a way that brings out its full potential, and it’s the philosophy that guides Z. Alexander Brown wines. John Killebrew, winemaker Zac Brown Uncaged Cabernet Sauvignon Tasting Notes: Winemaker Notes: Bold, Modest Dominant Tastes: Red Unfolds with rich aroma of black cherry, cola and mocha. Bold Tannins Tannins, Dry, Fruit, Dark fruit, Oak, frame powerful mid-palate layered with mouth-filling blackberry, black Med Acidity Chocolate current, chocolate covered cherries with hints of baking spice. Smooth and balanced with finesse and a long lingering finish Let’s Enjoy the Wine – and Rate It Wine Region Winery Vintage Highlights Overall Rank Cabernet Israel Barkan 2018 Oak, Tobacco, Red Fruits, Tier 2 Sauvignon Galilee smoke, plum, smooth, blackberry balanced Wine Tasted Clarity / Aroma and Taste Mouth Feel Overall Rank Appearance Smells Upper Galilee Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot. Malbec, Pinot Noir, Red Blend, Chardonnay, Reisling Barkan winery was born at the end of the 19th century. Its current incarnation is a wine paradise. From the very first days of our existence, we have concentrated our attention on one thing only: grapes’ quality.