by Denman Moody
I once read a wine article in which the writer quoted a wine shop salesperson as saying that instead of reading wine guides or wine reviews, you should just trust your own palate. Well, that’s an interesting idea, except that it could take 10 wine purchases before “your own palate” finds one that is a great value. There’s no question that different writers appeal to different consumers. I’ve had recommendations from wine shop salespersons and wine writers that were perfect, and just the opposite. When you do find someone in the know with whom you agree most of the time, better stick with him/her! Also, the writer of the above-mentioned article outlined the exact temperature and humidity percentage for storing wine under ideal conditions. I have no problem wit...
by Denman Moody
In a “Wine Spectator” column some years ago, Jancis Robinson, M.W., compared regular-sized bottles of a wine to the same wine in imperials (eight-bottle size), and found, that in most instances the bottles were better. The first lavish big-bottle event I attended was some 25 years ago in San Francisco. At one unforgettable dinner, we enjoyed Chateau Leoville Barton 1929 (imperial), Chateau Ducru-Beaucaillou 1929 (imperial), Chateau La Lagune 1929 (jeroboam) and Chateau Ducru-Beaucaillou 1928 (jeroboam). In the mid-‘70s to early ‘80s, wine auctions were few and far between, and almost unknown except to devoted enophiles. We regularly purchased and drank Bordeaux wines from ’45, ’47, ‘49’ ’59 and ’61. Occasionally, wines would be on the block from the great ...
by Gabrio Tosti
It takes time to experiment! A lot of people have been talking about alternative closures for a bottle of wine. The reason, of course, is that the traditional closure the cork isn't perfect. Cork, like wine itself, is an agricultural product, and like wine, cork can have flaws. When cork fails, the results can be disastrous and costly. Elio Altare, for example, had to pour away the entire production of his 1997 Barolos because of failed corkage. That cost Mr. Altare and the cork producer hundreds of thousands of dollars, and trust me, the loss of a year's worth of loving effort cost more than a few tears too. For a while we heard a lot about plastic corks. In a strange echo across the decades, we were told "there is a great future in plastics." And like the hesitant Ben in 1967 classic...
by Kent Benson
The question beginning wine enthusiasts ask me most frequently is, “How can I start learning more about wine?” A visit to a local wine shop or a glance at a restaurant wine list can be a confusing and intimidating experience, but it doesn’t have to be that way. What should you do to build your confidence and increase your enjoyment of wine? Keep It Simple First, let’s talk about what you should not do. Don’t get in over your head. I made that mistake many years ago and paid the price by spending many subsequent years without the enjoyment of wine. In my naïve desire to learn about wine I unwittingly chose to read a book that was not intended for beginners. I was like a curious, young science student, attempting to understand the physical world by reading a doctoral dissertat...
by Ron Kapon
At the southern tip of Africa, where two mighty oceans meet in the shadow of landmark Table Mountain, lies the finest Cape in the world. Known locally as the Mother City, Cape Town is the gateway to the South Africa wine lands and one of the great wine capitols of the world. Here the cultures of Africa, Europe and the East have met and mingled for over 350 year’s, shaping a city both ancient, rich in colorful history and culturally diverse. Archbishop Tutu described the new South African nation as “the rainbow people of God”, and the “rainbow nation” was born. The Cape wine-growing areas, situated in the narrow viticulture zone of the southern hemisphere, have a mainly Mediterranean climate with the mountain slopes and valleys ideal for wine grapes. Long, sun-drenched summers...
by Subhash Arora
Think of the three white noble grapes. Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay come to mind immediately. But you may scratch your head before thinking Riesling. You are not alone. It is one of the three classic white varieties, growing the most in Germany, but found also in Austria, Alsace, Australia, New Zealand, USA, South Africa, Ukraine and Canada. But the varietal has not been very popular in India so far. I have reasons to believe that it will be soon in fashion here. The German Riesling has been considered an aristocratic wine and was the noblest variety, some selling at prices even higher than the Bordeaux Chateaux wines a century ago. It was truly the grape for the kings, nobility and czars. Unfortunately, the quality started going down over time till it became identified as a mere com...
by Emily Schindler
Perhaps you have noticed that the 2004 Sauvignon Blancs are hitting the market. Depending upon where they are from, some are being touted as being the result of one of the all-time great vintages in years. So what makes a Sauvignon Blanc stand out from one year to the next? Most great winemakers will tell you that a wine is made in the vineyard. In other words, you can't turn bad grapes into a great wine. To get the best grapes, a winemaker will put a lot of work and experience into massaging the grapes to their optimum flavor. Irrigation, canopy management, thinning and careful timing are major factors. The name Sauvignon comes from the French word sauvage, which means wild, and wild is what the vines quickly become without careful management. What else is needed? Well, you'll n...
by Shiv Singh
Pierre Henry Gagey of Louis Jadot was in Delhi recently to promote his wines. Louis Jadot is one of the five largest Burgundy wine producers. Louis Jardot wines are available in most five star hotels and select restaurants across India. Read excerpts from an exclusive interview that he conducted with Sommelier India. Pierre-Henry Gagey was born in Beaune, France in 1955. He became President of Maison Louis Jadot in 1991 after working as assistant MD under his father, André Gagey, one of the most respected figures in the Burgundian wine trade. In India recently with his wife, Mr Gagey spoke to Sommelier India in an exclusive interview. Excerpts from the wide-ranging interview are given below: Can you tell us what makes Burgundy such a great wine producing region? We have been producing ...
by Emily Schindler
The wine regions of Austria are divided into 4 areas, called Lower Austria, Styria, Burgenland, and Vienna. Each of these regions is then further divided, for a total of 19 designated wine growing areas. To roughly get your bearings, Lower Austria encompasses the wine growing areas north and west of Vienna, with Burgenland south and east of Vienna and Styria south and west of Burgenland. Lower Austria, called “Niederosterriech”, is divided into 8 sub-regions: Wachau, Kremstal, Kamptal, Danubelands, Traisental, Carnuntum, Weinvertel, and Thermenregion. Calling this region “Lower Austria” may be a bit confusing. As mentioned above, the four main wine regions of Austria are all in proximity to Vienna, and so are all in the eastern half of the country. Of the four, Lower Austria is th...
by Gabrio Tosti
Throughout history, divine properties have been attributed to wine. Jesus miraculously transformed water into wine. Catholics represent the blood of Christ by wine. The Popes made their own wine, the Chateauneuf du Pope, which was used for their own holy consumption (and also served to dignitaries). In historic texts predating Christianity, miracles involving wine abound. The Greeks had one god devoted entirely to wine. The habit for winemakers in ancient Greece to chant the name of this deity while crushing the grapes persisted well into the Roman Empire. It was common to hear a Roman say "in vino veritas" meaning "there is truth in wine." Perhaps not exactly a religious statement, but the idea that people were more likely to be honest while drinking wine was considered something ...
