Winecast

The wines of Beaujolais are featured on today's show, I finish the basic wine tasting series and mention my appearance on Garrick Van Buren's First Crack podcast.

Wines tasted:

- Louis Jadot, Beaujolais-Villages 2003 ($7)

- Georges Duboeuf, Régnié 2002 ($8)

- Georges Duboeuf, Morgon "Jean Descombes" 2003 ($9)

Today's show is a special edition for Wine Blogging Wednesday #7 whose theme is, "Obscure Red Grape Varieties". Thanks to Andrew Barrow of Spittoon for inviting me to participate as the first podcaster to join the fun of WBW!

I had to stoop down quite a bit at some wine stores here in Minneapolis as I looked for varietals I had never heard of, let alone tried. I ended up picking 4 wines for tasting, all for $8 USD or less. Unfortunately, one of the wines was disqualified as it was a blend of Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvugnon and Merlot; my full tasting notes of that wine are posted here.

What was great about this theme was it forced me to look for things I normally pass by at the wine store and I would have otherwise never found any of these interesting wines:

- Castellani, Negroamaro, Puglia, Italy 2003 ($6) - Deep garnet, dusty berry nose, simple, peppery berry flavors somewhat like Dolchetto, good rustic finish with moderate tannins, nice pizza or pasta wine, very good value, plastic cork!

Score: 8/10

- Castellani, Nero d’Avola, Sicilia, Italy 2003 ($7) - Garnet, pleasant fresh berry nose, deep, simple black cherry flavors, no tannins to speak of, good “quaffable” drinking now, another plastic cork!

Score: 7/10

- Cortello, Estremadura, Portugal 2001 ($8) - Made from native grape Castelao (a.k.a. Periquita) and Argonez grapes; deepest garnet, lean berry nose, round plum flavors and silky mouth-feel, finishes a little bitter and funky but overall quite good.

Score: 7.5/10

Best of tasting and best value goes to Castellani Negroamaro 2003. I will be looking for this variety from other producers in the future to share on Winecast.

Thanks once again to Andrew from Spittoon for the invitation; I am looking forward to WBW #8!

This week's show is about Sauvignon Blanc, the grape of the Loire. I continue the basic wine tasting series focusing on aroma, showcase wine podcasts and share listener comments.

Wines tasted:

- Kim Crawford, Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2004 ($16)

- Sterling Vineyards, Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley 2003 ($10)

- Veramonte, Sauvignon Blanc Casablanca Valley, Chile 2003 ($8)

Today's show is about Petite Sirah and I continue my basic wine tasting series focusing on wine's color and appearance.

Wines tasted:

- Foppiano Petite Sirah, Sonoma County 2000 ($20)

- Concannon Vineyards, Petite Sirah, Central Coast 2001 ($13)

- Bogle, Petite Sirah, California 2002 ($12)

Today's show is focused on the great grape of Bordeaux: Merlot. I also begin my basic wine tasting series and share some listener comments.

Wines tasted:

- Robert Hall, Paso Robles Merlot 2001 ($18)

- Simi, Sonoma County Merlot 2001 ($16)

- Markham Vineyards, Napa Valley Merlot 2001 ($22.50)

Today's show is about Chianti, Tuscany's famous red blend. I also talk about strategies to get the best wine-by-the-glass in chain restaurants, read listener comments and cover my own tasting preferences to help you calibrate your taste buds to the reviews on the show.

Wines tasted:

- Castello di Gabbiano, Chianti Classico Riserva 2001 ($18)

- Banfi Chianti Classico Riserva 2001 ($17)

- S.Michele a Torri, Chianti Colli Fiorentini 2002 ($10)

Today's show is a tasting tour of the wines of the northern Willamette Valley in Oregon and a discussion of alternative wine closures.

Wines tasted:

- Erath Pinot Gris 2002 ($13)

- Erath Pinot Noir, Estate 2001 ($25)

- Erath Pinot Noir, Reserve 1999 ($18)

- Erath Pinot Noir, Prince Hill 1997 ($40)

- Erath Pinot Noir, Anniversary 2000 ($30)

- Erath Pinot Noir, Juliard 2000 ($40)

- Ponzi Pinot Blanc 2003 ($15)

- Ponzi Pinot Noir 2002 ($30)

- Ponzi Pinot Noir, Reserve 2002 ($50)

- Argyle Brut Sparkling Wine 1999 ($21.50)

- Argyle Chardonnay, Nuthouse 2001 ($28)

- Argyle Pinot Noir 2003 ($20)

- Argyle Pinot Noir, Nuthouse 2002 ($40)

- Argyle Pinot Noir, Spirithouse 2002 ($50)

This week’s show is all about Pinot Noir, featuring a wine lover's review of the film, "Sideways", and tasting three Pinots from California and Oregon:

- La Crema, Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2002 ($18)

- Erath, Oregon Pinot Noir 2002 ($15)

- Beringer Founders' Estate Pinot Noir 2002 ($9)

On this week's show I taste three Dolcetto from the Piedmonte region of Italy and showcase 2 podcasts.

- Stefano Farina, Dolcetto di Diano d'Alba 2001 ($9)

- Cantine Giacomo Ascheri, Dolcetto d'Alba Nirane 2002 ($13)

- Marchesi di Barolo, Madonna di Como, Dolcetto d'Alba 2003 ($16)

Today's show is all about Riesling from Germany, tasting:

- Avelsbacher Hammerstein Kabinett 2001 from Weinbaudomaene Trier ($13)

- Bernkasteler Badstube Kabinett 2001 from WWE. Dr. H. Thanisch ($12)

- Schloss Vollrads Spatlese 2001 ($25)