This information came out a few months ago, but it remains relevant: did you know that the way you pour your wine can affect how much you drink? [Read more…]
Can You Trust a Wine Critic? Science Says No
Millions of people — and sales of millions of cases of wine — are significantly influenced by the point scores assigned by wine critics. However, research suggests that consumers shouldn’t be swayed by the critics, because they’re not tasting the same thing. [Read more…]
Nick Faldo Launches Wines
As if the world didn’t have enough celebrity “winemakers” …
The latest well-known name to dabble into wine production is golfing great Nick Faldo. Faldo has launched a new line of “easy drinking” wines, just in time for the Rhyder’s Cup golf tournament between the US and Europe (September 19-21). We can be certain that the wines’ release corresponding with the tournament is NOT a coincidence.
Interestingly, “Faldo Wines” have been around since 2000 — it is a special line produced by Katnook Estate in in Coonawarra, Australia. Are the wines any good? I have no idea, as I’ve not seen nor tasted these wines yet. I imagine they might have a “green” character …
If I can find the Faldo Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, or Shiraz, I will be sure to taste it head-to-head against the same wines from Greg Norman Estates and report the results here. It will be much cheaper than watching these two golfers compete in person, and certainly more enjoyable.
Beaujolais Nouveau This Week
For those of you too snobbish to give credence to the “new wine” of 2007, please click away from here until next week.
For the more adventurous and open-minded readers, you may be interested to know (if you don’t already) that the first wine of 2007 from Beaujolais, France will be arriving in the USA this Thursday, November 15th. (Ironic, isn’t it, that it gets here exactly a week before Thanksgiving?)
Anyway, if you’re interested, I will be posting my tasting notes and overall impression of these first wines beginning just after midnight this Thursday. It appears that the first bottles I’ll be able to get my corkscrew on will be from Georges Duboeuf, and as young wines from other producers become available in my market, they will be reviewed as well.
If you’ve never had Beaujolais Nouveau before, understand that “it is what it is” : a new, young wine, produced from grapes picked and pressed only weeks ago. So don’t expect it to taste like a well-aged, barrel fermented Aussie Shiraz, Napa Cab, or Meritage. Instead, think of it as something between a rose and a “real” red wine. Enjoying Beaujolais Nouveau is all about managing expectations.
Come back here tomorrow to read “all about Beaujolais Nouveau” and early in the AM on Thursday for my first tasting notes.
Sokol Blosser Winery Awarded for Sustainability
In the spirit of Earth Day this week, Sokol Blosser Winery has been recognized by the City of Portland, Oregon, for its commitment to “green” practices. As part of the city’s 15th annual “Businesses for an Environmentally Sustainable Tomorrow”, Portland’s Office of Sustainable Development granted Sokol Blosser with the “BEST Practices for Sustainability—Small Company” award.
One of Oregon’s oldest wineries, the 80-acre property includes a 75-acre estate vineyard, wine production facility, and a tasting and retail sales room that are all dedicated to the principles of The Natural Step, and are the first winery in the world to have obtained LEED certification.
Their efforts go way beyond the usual recycling and use of unbleached paper products (though they do that, too). For example, they’ve recently installed 12 giant solar panels to provide about one-third of their energy needs — a move which reduces dependency on fossil fuels and reduces greenhouse gases. Their vineyards have been fully certified as USDA organic (since 2005), and are cultivated with farm tractors that use 50% biodiesel fuel. For more detailed information on their green practices (and their wines), visit the Sokol Blosser website.
For those who follow a strictly organic diet, and/or have a strong affinity for buying products from socially-responsible companies, you herewith have a selection of fine wines from an Earth-friendly winery. Even if you’re not a member of Greenpeace, you can still enjoy Sokol Blosser wines — there’s just as tasty as other Oregon bottlings — and in the process feel like you’re doing your small part in saving the Earth.
