Now I Know My Wine-Phabet: Q is for QbA

  In this new series called “Now I know my Wine-phabet”, I will explore letter by letter wine and what I believe are some of the most important and/or influential aspects in the world of wine.  Since I am only choosing one topic per letter, many will be missed.  Hopefully these posts come across as being whimsical and informative.

The Letter “Q”?  Hmmm, we could talk about Quarts de Chaume, but we touched on that during the letter “L” is for Loire.  What about Quinta?  Nah, boring it’s just means Chateau.  Let’s see what the teacher wants to do.

Teacher –  “Okay class, quite down and let’s sing along.”

Class –  “A-B-C-D-E-F-G—-H-I-J-K-LMNOP—-QbA-T-U-V—W-X—Y & Z  Now I know my Wine-phabet, won’t you sing with me?  Wait a minute, that doesn’t sound right!” Read Full

The Sommelier Challenge International Wine Competition 2012

The Sommelier Challenge International Wine Competition was held on Saturday and Sunday September 15th & 16th in San Diego.  The organizer, Robert Whitley, invited 13 sommeliers from San Diego and other parts of the US to judge 800 wine entries.

I was honored to be chosen as one of the judges at the 4th annual Sommelier Challenge.  San Diego represented with some great talent.  Brian Donegan (Market Del Mar), Michael Farrell (La Costa Resort and Spa), Tami Wong (Third Corner Encinitas), Chuy Galvan (SIP Del Mar), Mark Valin (the Bridges Country Club), Lisa Redwine (the Shores & Marine Room) and Megan Yelenoski (Vela) were there taking their palates to where no palates have gone before. Read Full

Now I Know My Wine-Phabet: P is For Phylloxera

 In this new series called “Now I know my Wine-phabet”, I will explore letter by letter wine and what I believe are some of the most important and/or influential aspects in the world of wine.  Since I am only choosing one topic per letter, many will be missed.  Hopefully these posts come across as being whimsical and informative.

I give many wine seminars for my staff and wine club members, and I can never get through a seminar without talking about Phylloxera.  What is Phylloxera?  It’s only the most devastating “NO SEE-EM” in viticulture.  When I was on the beaches of Australia “NO-SEE-EMs” were these little sand flies that made my life miserable.  Every night they would have a feast on my legs and back.  Phylloxera is not a sand fly but a small louse that feasted on the leaves of North American grape vines.

The gypsy aphid boarded a transatlantic ship and landed in Europe.  When Phylloxera arrived in Europe, it changed its eating habits and instead of feasting on leaves, it preferred the delicate deliciousness of the root-stock.  I am not sure if the root stocks had large amounts of estrogen, but the little mite transformed into an asexual louse, and the women started to reproduce only women.  This made it very difficult to stop the reproduction habits of the aphid.  It devastated the European wine industry.  The solution was to graft European vines on North American root stocks. Read Full

Now I Know My Wine-Phabet: O is for Oenophilia

 In this new series called “Now I know my Wine-phabet”, I will explore letter by letter wine and what I believe are some of the most important and/or influential aspects in the world of wine.  Since I am only choosing one topic per letter, many will be missed.  Hopefully these posts come across as being whimsical and informative.

Oenophilia has spread uncontrollably throughout the world.  It is a contagious disease that affects the most unassuming consumer.  Look what has happened in America!  The beer, spirit and Coca-Cola consuming nation is now becoming a leading consumer of wine.  Oenophilia is a disease that strikes people’s minds, hearts and palates.  It is the love of wine.  I am pretty sure Shakespeare wrote a play about it; if not, he should have.

“Oenos” is the Greek word for wine and “Philia” is the Greek word for love.  In the 1970’s Shirley and Steen Copperman coined the term when they opened their Manhattan restaurant, Oenophilia.  It was a bring-your-own wine restaurant which received much acclaim from the local press.  We may not remember what Shirley and Steen were serving on the menu, but we will forever remember the term, Oenophilia. Read Full

Wine Tasting Notes for August 2012

WINE TASTING NOTES FOR AUGUST 2012

My intention in posting my wine tasting notes is to give a brief description of some of the many wines I come across over a months time. Some wines will make the wine list and others will not. Choosing one wine over another for the list, comes down to what holes need to be filled. Keeping my notes online allows me to access them for future reference.

I do not want to rate wines on a point system. There many flaws with the point system, I merely want to give the reader a description of my interpretation of the wine on a given day. Wines are always changing, we are always changing and what comes across as unpleasing one day can be enjoyable the next. I want to give the reader an insight in to what the wines taste like rather than attaching a subjective score to them. Winemakers and wineries work hard and are very proud of their juice. I will evaluate their product, but I will not trash it. There are times when I can’t hold back and if I really like something, I will write “Yummy” or “Delicious”. I hope you enjoy my notes. Read Full