Sunday, January 29, 2012

I miss Burgundy

I started this blog when I first moved to Dallas. Out of boredom, and because after going to wine shops/grocery stores in the area, I was completely dumbfounded by their selections. Row after row, stack after stack of California wines, some Italian and South American and not one Burgundy or Bordeaux in sight. I am not bashing wines (yes I am)  from the west coast, but where is my Burgundy?
At my last job in NY, I was lucky enough to work with, what I think is one the best. Louis Latour. I even spent a week in Beaune, working my way through their cellars, drinking, tasting, pairing and learning about Burgundy. Don't take me wrong, there are some wines that I am not crazy about, but there are some that everybody should drink at least once. Special occasions or not. And I am not even talking about crazy expensive stuff like La Tache or Montrachet, bottles that go for hundreds and thousands of dollars, I'm talking about your $20-$30 bottle. I'm talking about Marsannay and Santenay and other gems that everybody should drink every once in a while. Put them on the shelf people, they will sell.
Marsannay is a village and NOT a grape, as I've said it before the grape is Pinot Noir. Like any good Pinot, they  have nice earthy aromas, and taste like berries and cherries. Beautiful ruby red colour, a little mineral, all around, just a really good bottle of wine.
Pairing? I don't remember what they served in Burgundy with it, but I'm sure there was a lot of duck and cheese around. I like pork with it, on the grill with a little char, maybe some sweet peas, definitely some garlic. Cheese? Who cares?
In the last couple of weeks, I went off course a little bit and did not speak about what I told you I will. What can I say, I miss my Burgundy, and as you can see I have a little anger towards wine shops in Dallas.

Sunday, January 22, 2012

75 degrees in Tx, so Sauvignon Blanc

Every posting I've had on this blog, ended with my following week's suggestion. According to my last posting, today I'm suppose to talk about Jam. But I've had a revelation.
As far as I'm concerned there are only three good things to come out of New Zealand: lamb chops, Lord of The Rings and All Blacks rugby. In the past I tasted a bunch of New Zealand wines, but  none of them made an impression on me. I've sold a bunch, pushed them to my clients, talked their ears off, but I never found one good enough to spend money on. Especially the high prices they go for nowadays. Until last night.
Since my wife got pregnant a few months ago, we only eat fish once a week. Last night, I bought a couple of pieces of cod, cooked them and then went through my wine collection looking for something to drink. Somehow, from one my tastings the week before a bottle of New Zealand sauvignon blanc made his way on my shelf. I am the only one drinking, so I figured: What the hell?! I don't wanna open something better, so I'll give it a shot.
Saint Clair Vicar's Choice Sauvignon Blanc is the bottle that set me straight about New Zealand wines. What a wake up call! I will never talk smack about them again. I don't know much about the producers, except that they are in Marlborough area and they are geniuses. The wine was not crazy mineral, which most wines from the region are, it tasted like grapefruit, blackcurrants and Granny Smith apples. I can honestly say, that I do not remember Sauvignon Blanc with a finish that long; I actually counted, and 20 seconds later I could still tasted it on my palate. Wow!!!
The wine is really not expensive, $15-$16 on the shelf. If you see it, buy it, you will not regret it. I've had $40 SBs from New Zealand that I hated.
Pairing? Fish. I cooked my cod with fresh tomatoes, onions, a lot of parsley and a squeeze of lemon, sort of like a marequiara sauce. The tomatoes complimented it, the lemon brought out the wine's acidity, the onions the sweetness, and the parsley I just happen to like a lot.
So, unless I find a bottle of Greek wine this week, that will change my mind about them, my next week's suggestion is gonna be Sophia Cabernet from Chile, one of my all-time favorites.

Sunday, January 15, 2012

Roco Pinot Noir

Solve this equation: Oregon+Hippie=Pinot Noir. What's he talking about? are you gonna say. I'm talking about this gem of a wine, Roco, made by this hippie guy, Rollin Soles, in Oregon. Ohh, now I get it, you're gonna say. You don't get it, not until you taste this wine anyway.
A lot of people have heard of Argyle wines, but few know that Rollin is the one credited with putting it on the map. I have had the chance of meeting and working with him, and when it comes to making wine, the man is a genius. He has made more 90+ wines than anybody else in Oregon. Together with his wife, Corby, he bought a piece of property in Willamette Valley and called it Witts End. You know the guy is passionate about his vineyard if you hear him talking about it. I spent about 8 hours with him, and he described every clump of dirt to me. In detail. Twice. 
Anyway, the wine. He doesn't make much. The property is only about 7 acres and in the beginning, he only made enough for himself and a few close friends, and called it Private Stash. Nowadays, he makes two wines, and some of it makes it to the market but if you can't find it, go to his website and order some. The wines are luscious, full and rich, they taste of berries, cinnamon and white pepper. They have a long almost creamy finish, the kind of finish you would expect from a really expensive red burgundy.
If you find it, it should cost you around $40, which after you taste the wine, you are gonna think was a deal. And pairing? You are gonna laugh, but grilled cheese. With blue cheese. Creamy, salty, bit moldy, compliments the acidity of the wine. Mmmmm.
Next week Jam. No, not Jam Jar, I said Jam.

Saturday, January 7, 2012

Saldo

Lots of people have asked me in the past how do I put up with all the tastings my job calls for. Now, in all honesty, I am not sure if "put up" is the right word for it, but I didn't know how to spell entice. You see, tastings are not what outside the business people imagine them to be. Sometimes, they start at 9am, and you have a hangover from the night before. Trust me 9 out of 10 times they are work and not pleasure. Plus, they use spittoons. Imagine that? Traveling for work, can sometimes be fun also, but God help you if you get back from an all-expenses paid trip to a winery, and you don't act like an Oompa Loompa right away, and focus the rest of your life on that one winery.
Another way to taste a whole new line at your own leisure is to change jobs. Or in my case relocate and change jobs. Most people in the industry change jobs based on salary, but some (in the long run, smart ones), do it based on portfolio. At my last job in New York, I had the chance of tasting (most cases enjoying) a really big French portfolio. When I moved to Dallas, I decided to pick a company with a crazy good American book. So, for the last three months, I have been working my way through their warehouse. And to my European trained palate's surprise I have found some big gems.
Saldo is one of them. What is Saldo? It is THE best zinfandel I have ever tasted. Made by David Phinney (who also makes Prisoner, another crazy good wine), of Orin Swift Cellars, Saldo wins points and accolades every year, from every magazine out there. He uses grapes from, pretty much all over California, but still manages to create an insane wine. Never met the guy, (wish I will, just to be able to say I shook his hand), but from what I hear he is a bit off the rocker himself. More power to him. If you check his website, it says "he is now developing his own vineyard for this project". I say, "Dave, leave it alone man! Others have tried to create a zin this good forever, if it's not broken, don't change it".
Open a bottle, and you will see what I'm blabbering about. There is no need to swirl, decant, light a fire, shoot a firecracker, or whatever it's "cool" to do to wine these days. The wine is ready, is luscious, it tastes like berries and plums, pepper and spice. Long finish, almost like a Port, oak and call me crazy, tobacco on the nose. It can be aged, but why? Drink it now, don't save it, I'm sure next year Dave will bottle another gem. 
Pairing? Beef. The bigger and bolder the better. T-bone on the grill, even a really good burger with a couple of slices of Vermont cheddar on it. And contrary to what I always preach about sharing wine with friends and family, not this time. Let them get their own. I am gonna eat my burger, drink it by MYSELF, have a cigar, then go try and explain my wife why she couldn't have any. At around $30, I think I might get another bottle.
I was told by another wine blogger, that I shouldn't tell you in advance what I'm gonna talk about next week. Supposedly, that's how you build a follower base, keep people in the air. Again, I call BULL. Next week Rocco Pinot Noir from Oregon. There, I said it.