A Few Tasty Wines

I’ve been a bit of a slacker when it comes to my blogs recently. My husband’s parents visited last weekend till Tuesday, and then the holidays were upon us. I’m hoping to get back into the swing of things this week. However, I have tried a few tasty wines within the past week.

 

Txomin Etxaniz produces wines in the Basque region of Spain. The native grapes grown in their vineyards include Hondarrabi Zuri and Hondarrabi Beltza. We tasted a white wine at a recent tasting, and thought it similar to many whites from the Rhone region in France, dry with hints of floral on the nose.

 

Another interesting wine, we tasted was a 2006 Bourgogne Pinot Noir. This wine presented characteristics very standard for a Pinot Noir in color and smell. However, the taste was extremely intense and well-rounded. I found this wine delightful, and I’m not usually much of a Pinot Noir drinker.

 

Finally, I tasted my first glass of Beaujolais Nouveau, an annual Thanksgiving tradition.  Beaujolais Nouveau is released the third Thursday of November and is only six weeks old. Grown from Gamay grapes, Beaujolais Nouveau is fruity, light-bodied and nearly tannin-free. It smells extremely sweet, bursting with fruits; however, it’s dry and light to the taste. Bottles are inexpensive, ranging in price from $6-$15. However, Jonathan thought the bottle was a bit flamboyant for wine.

Wine Spectator’s Top 100 Wines of 2008

As a follow-up to an earlier post, “The Top 100 Wines of 2008″ by Wine Spectator are listed on their website. Topping the list this year was Casa Lappostolle’s Clos Apalta Colchagua Valley 2005, a Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot blend. This wine retails for around $75 and was awarded 96 points by the editors of Wine Spectator.

In preparing the list, editors review over 19,500 wines from around the world in blind wine tastings. More than 5,000 wines earned 90 points or higher. The list was then narrowed down by four criteria:

 

*quality (represented by score)

*value (reflected in the price)

*availability (measured by case production or cases imported)

*excitement (the “it” factor)

 

This year’s list showcases representatives from 14 countries with an average score of 93. The average price for a bottle of wine on the list is $52. Personally, I can’t wait to hit the wine store in searching for some of these wines!

 

For the complete list, click here.

Lot 205 Winery Cabernet Sauvignon

 

Winery: Lot 205 Winery

Wine: Cabernet Sauvignon 2006

Location: Napa County, California

Purchased: The Corkscrew

Price: $9.99

 

Our local wine store is proving to be an excellent resource for inexpensive, new wines. Usually, they have a large selection of wines under $10, and continually rotate the selection. On this visit to The Corkscrew, we found a Cabernet Sauvignon from the Lot 205 Winery in Napa, California.

 

Are You Up to the Challenge?

The latest wine challenge, tasting at least 100 different grape varieties. Upon successful completion, adventurous wine lovers earn membership in the Wine Century Club. Members hail from all over the world and include wine educators, wine writers and simply wine lovers. The application process is quite simple, download the application form from the Wine Century Club website and mark at least 100 different grape varieties you’ve tried. Upon completion, return the application and in 4-6 weeks you’ll receive a certificate and medal.

 

For more information on the Wine Century Club, click here.

Top 10 Wines of 2008

As 2008 winds down, Wine Spectator prepares to release its “Top 100 Wines of 2008.” This has become an annual tradition started by the magazine in 1988. I, for one, love to see which wines I’ve tried and take note of other wines to try. In preparing the list, editors review over 19,500 wines from around the world in blind wine tastings. More than 5,000 wines earned 90 points or higher. The list was then narrowed down by four criteria:

 

*quality (represented by score)

*value (reflected in the price)

*availability (measured by case production or cases imported)

*excitement (the “it” factor)

 

This year’s list showcases representatives from 14 countries with an average score of 93. The average price for a bottle of wine on the list is $52. While the complete list won’t be available until November 17, Wine Spectator is building suspense by highlighting the Top 10. Here are the wines revealed to date:

 

10. Seghesio
Zinfandel Sonoma County 2007

 

9. Mollydooker
Shiraz McLaren Vale Carnival of Love 2007

 

8. Château de Beaucastel
Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2005

 

7. Château Pontet-Canet
Pauillac 2005

 

6. Pio Cesare
Barolo 2004

 

5. Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe
Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Crau 2005

 

Check out Wine Spectator to learn more about The Top 100 Wines of 2008 and other top wines as they are revealed.