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C O M ™ 06 08 We Ship ™ Nationwide! c h i l e a n Wine Grapes SPRING 2 0 1 1 feat u res Planet Bordeaux because you shouldn't Bordeaux & Bordeaux Supérieur Regional Guerra Research Review Appellations Featured at Annual Conference Evaluation of the Consistency of Wine Quality 06 Assessments From Expert Wine Tasters have to wait until the fall by Paul Wagner 14 to make great wine... by Bibiana Guerra Travel to Taiwan A Visit to Taiwan’s Pioneering 21 Wines to Watch 08 Vineyard and Winery by Ellen Landis by Bill Wilen, D.Ed. 16 Home Winemaking New or Noteworthy Don't Lose Your Marbles - by Jim Rink 11 Keep Them For Your Home Winemaking 19 by Ian Hugh Scott 13 Wines of Navarra Call Us at (877)812-1137 to Pre-Order Your Fresh Wine Grapes & Juice by Paul Wagner varieties to include: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Carmenere, Chardonnay, 12 Malbec, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, & Syrah Award of Merit PROUD TO SERVE WINERIES & WINEMAKERS Pennsylvania Wine Pioneers VISIT US MARCH 30th & 31st AT WINERIES UNLIMITED BOOTH 223 13 Earn 2010 AWS Award of Merit Please also consider our fresh juices, winemaking equipment, bottles, supplies, & wine classes by David Falchek M&M Wine Grape Co. (860)278-7703 101 Reserve Road Toll Free (877)812-1137 Hartford, CT 06114 Email: [email protected] americanwinesociety.org SPRING 2011 • 03 S0063_MMWine_winemaker_Ad.indd 1 10/1/2007, 8:58 PM EDITOR'S fOUNdER Konstantin Frank The AWS is the largest consumer based wine education organization in the U.S. AWS National OffICERS ANd BOARd Of dIRECTORS A non-profit group, the AWS is devoted to educating people on all aspects of VOLUME 43 NO. 1 · SPRING 2011 wine. Its members include wine novices, experts, grape growers, amateur and President Treasurer director of professional winemakers, chefs, wine appreciators, wine educators, restaurateurs Willis Parker Samuel D. Streiff Member Services and anyone wanting to learn more about wine and gastronomy. Nick Yankanich Message Published by Vice President director of The American Wine Society, Jane Duralia Educational Services Executive director & Information Technology John Hames a non-profit corporation, AWS ActiviTieS Secretary Peter J. Cisek Local community groups of AWS members sponsor programs, Joe Broski The first measureable snow of the season has fallen and even Christmas carols on the PO Box 279, Englewood, OH 45322 AWS Chapters: director of Competitions Single copies $5.00. Copyright © 2011 by usually monthly. Activities include: tastings, dinners, lectures, picnics, winery radio don’t soften the hard truth that I can no longer wear my slippers to go to the Lynne Montgomery AWS, Inc. Reproduction or use of the editorial tours, winemaking and cooking demonstrations, viticulture conferences, amateur mailbox. I could, however, wear my slippers in the winery, but that is a different story. or pictorial content without written permission wine-judging events, and other wine-related social events. Guests are welcome and PAST PRESIdENTS novices have nothing to fear. Chapters are self-supporting, so expect a nominal is prohibited. Library of Congress Class 1967–70 1989–1990 2001 charge to attend a tasting, dinner, etc. If a local chapter does not exist in your Number: TP544 A46A3 LC Card 76-647900 Albery W. Laubengayer Alton L. Long Pamela J. Davey area, national will be glad to assist in forming a chapter. AWS furnishes a chapter I’m guessing that many home winemakers have “lost their marbles” trying to create the 1971–72 1991 2002 Publisher manual, suggested meeting topics, and access to speakers and reference material. Robert A. Dickmann Stephen R. Kampers William H. Eisberg perfect wine. But how many have actually used their marbles? Ian Scott has. In this All that is needed are a few interested wine lovers. Meeting can be informal and John Hames 1973–74 1992 2003 held in member’ homes or in other settings, such as restaurants and wineries. J. Randy Hurteau issue, he provides some helpful tips on how to manage additives, yes, using marbles. Carl W. Damoth Frank C. Aquilino Editor 1975–76 1993 2004 Jim Rink AWS Regional Events: Organized by regional vice-presidents, include statewide Jerry S. Miller Alcide L. Porrell Willis L. Parker wine judging, contests, special tastings, regional wine conferences, regional picnics 1994 For those of you looking for something completely different, wine writer Ellen Landis 1977–78 2005 Contributing Writers and dinners. Kathryn Froelich George E. Wilson Tom Castronovo is back with new and refreshing recommendations on “21 Wines to Watch.” This well- Bibiana Guerra, Ellen Landis, 1979–1980 1995 2006 Kenneth P. Brewer Jim Rink, Paul Wagner, AWS National Conference: Held each fall—a two and one-half day national Joseph P. Nardone Janice Cobett researched list presents a great opportunity for AWS chapters looking for new wines 1996 Bill Wilen, D. Ed., Ian Hugh Scott conference and extravaganza of wine. Attendees become part of a tradition that 1981–1982 2007 has drawn wine-lovers, winemakers and gastronomes together every November Raymond A. Hartung, Jr. to highlight at group gatherings. And, since not everyone was able to attend this year’s David Falchek John M. Hasson Albert L. Guber, Jr. for over 40 years. Prominent American and international speakers conduct 1983–1984 1997 2008 Eugene J. Spaziani conference in Cincinnati, we offer articles that summarize two of this year’s sessions: Editorial Office seminars and lectures on all aspects of wine appreciation, wine production, grape Michael A. Farren Raymond A. Hartung, Jr. growing and cuisine. Members experience fine food at connoisseur luncheons and 1998 2009 Planet Bordeaux and Wines of Navarra. Jim Rink 1985–1986 dinners, tastings of hundreds of wines and royal treatment by the finest American Lewis H. France, Jr. Gary C. Pavlis Raymond A. Hartung, Jr. 2881 S. Lake Leelanau Drive 1999 hotels and resorts. The annual conference brings professionals, serious amateurs 1987–1988 2010 Lake Leelanau, MI 49653 and novices together to discover what is new in wine. Thomas C. Iezzi, Jr. Gayle M. Darugh Willis L. Parker The Journal wouldn’t be the Journal without at least one travel piece – this time up it’s [email protected] 2000 Charles E. Hastings Taiwan, as seen from the eyes of Bill Wilen, an AWS certified wine judge, wine educator unsolicited manuscripts or other and amateur winemaker. Although Taiwan is no Napa Valley, there are some serious information will not be returned unless accompanied by return postage. pioneers in the wine industry there – and, well, where would be without our pioneers? i want to join the AWS i want to give an AWS Gift Membership to: Advertising Office become A PO Box 279 Last Name First Name Middle Initial Beginning with the next issue of the Journal, we would like to feature photos taken of Englewood, OH 45322 our members while they were visiting wineries or vineyards here or abroad. To submit 888-AWS-9070 Street Address City/State/Zip Code your photo and cutline, contact me at [email protected] (high resolution pics (fax) 937.529.7888 executivedirector@americanwinesociety. Phone E-mail Complete and please, in focus. Please contact our creative firm at [email protected] with any Member org This Gift Membership is from: Mail With Your questions). And if you want to wear your slippers to go to the mailbox, go right ahead. Creative | Production Payment To: Last Name First Name Middle Initial Stay warm, Porter Design, Inc. American Wine Society 1340 Chandler Road Street Address City/State/Zip Code Lawrenceville, GA 30046 PO Box 279 | Englewood, OH 45322 Phone E-mail Jim Rink Phone: 404.925.2677 888-AWS-9070 | (fax) 937.529.7888 [email protected] Check Membership type: Method of Payment: Editor www.porterdesign.com E-mail: [email protected] Check/Money Order [email protected] individual $49.00 (payable to AWS) visa Mastercard AWS MeMber benefits inClude: Household (2 family members-same address) $62.00 American express discover » Participation in local chapter » Technical manuals, bulletins and Professional $85.00 (includes plaque) activities vintage charts lifetime $950.00 Account No. » Participation in local, regional » Wine Judge Certification Program and national events » National Wine Tasting Project www.americanwinesociety.org Student (21–25 years) $25.00 » Membership card and certificate » AWS-sponsored trips Expiration Date » American Wine Society » Winemaking competitions nOTe: Payment must be made in u.S. dollars. For Canada » AWS Educational Foundation and other non-uS countries, add $5 for postage. Cardholder’s Signature 04 • AMERICAN WINE SOCIETY WINE JOURNAL americanwinesociety.org » Bi-monthly AWS News several generations. A blend of 50 percent The last two wines were both Bordeaux Cabernet Sauvignon, 35 percent Merlot Supérieur Rouge, which, thanks to and 15 percent Cabernet Franc, it was strict regulations in the vineyards and nicely balanced, medium-bodied, it had cellar (lower yields, increased foliage great, round tannins and wonderful acid- surface, barrel ageing), the wines of- ity. Made in a classic style, with earthy to- fer more complexity and structure. It bacco notes and red fruits, it was a perfect was a great honor to have Xavier Mil- introduction to Bordeaux reds. hade present his own 2006 Château Recougne, a blend of 75 percent Mer- At Château de Lagarde, winemaker lot, 15 percent Cabernet Sauvignon Lionel Raymond’s vineyards are or- and 10 percent Cabernet Franc, which by Paul Wagner ganic, and the winery employs many showed a nose with appealing ripe, red energy-conserving and ecologically fruits and a mineral element. On the friendly practices throughout produc- palate, the wine was medium to full- Bordeaux & Bordeaux Supérieur Regional tion.