Legs, Tears and All Those Fears!

Legs -- also referred to as Tears:  provides information on the amount of viscosity or body in the wine and can help determine if the wine is from a cool or warm climate.  

Many a client has asked me about the legs or tears in wine, usually with a voice full of trepidation, worried that because they don't really know what legs are, they can't get a grasp of the wine in their glass.

If you want to know what all the fuss is about, take a glass of wine and swirl it, then, watch the wine fall down the sides of the glass.  If it runs fast, the wine is most likely lighter in body and in alcohol and the grapes are from a cooler climate.  If the legs are slow, than the opposite -- higher body and alcohol, with grapes from a warmer climate.  But there are always exceptions, such as dessert wine because of their sugar content.   

Legs can give you indications about the wine but are not absolutes -- tasting the wine will provide you with much more concrete evidence and is a bit more fun than watching it fall down the sides of your glass!

Lively Minerality, Lemon Zest And Apple - As Only A TRUE Chablis Can Offer

May sound odd, but I'm tasting this lovely William Fevre Champs Royaux 2009 Chablis at room temperature.  I evaluate almost all my wines at room temp because this temperature gives a clearer picture of the wine, faults and all.  At tonight's dinner party, we will serve it much cooler to give the lively acidity and minerality room to shine.

Chablis is a region in France that produces amazing Chardonnay --.once the largest white wine import into the United States. Famous for flintiness, stoniness, razing acidity, and fruit, most Chablis are great food wines and this William Fevre is no exception (and extremely well-priced, under $20.)  Try it as an aperitif, with oysters, almost any shellfish (minus the butter sauce,) cheese, fish and chicken piccata.

Spent yesterday in Monterey, Carmel By The Sea and Carmel Valley (organizing WineFUNdamental's first ever consumer wine weekend -- details soon to follow.)  Met with Michelle at Chateau Julian -- great wines and fantastic place to have a party!  Check it out at www.chateaujulien.com.

In Solidarity With My Bordeaux Brethren...

VINEXPO, the largest wine trade show (i.e. wine tasting) in the world is taking place in Bordeaux this week and, unfortunately for me, I'm still in California.  I've rarely missed it but just couldn't fit it in the schedule this year.  I've had to endure the opening of invitation after invitation to special tastings going on at the show, soirees at famous chateau's, meeting opportunities, etc., and frankly, in lieu of being depressed, I decided to open my last bottle of 2000 Bordeaux -- Chateau Pichon Longueville Comtesse De Lalande. 

Oh yeah, it's good and I'm feeling a bit better! 

Earthy and complex with cigar and cedar -- fruit and tannins still young and delightful.

At least by not going to VINEXPO, I won't have to suffer plate fatigue for the next several weeks.  Yep, that's the best I can do...

Looking For A Graduation or Wedding Gift? Bubbles Never Disappoint ...

Tis the truth, bubbles never disappoint.  As much as I would contend that sparkling wines should be an everyday experience, the American mind set is that they are for celebrations.  So, try the wines described below and celebrate!  And, if you need an idea for a graduation or wedding gift, put together a box with two wines; the first, a non-vintage Brut and the second a vintage Champagne.  Add a note that tells your recipient that he/she should drink the non-vintage at the time of opening and the vintage exactly one year later.  You will be amazed at how much the second bottle will be cherished!

Quick Teaching Moment -- all Champagnes are from the area of Champagne in France (someday Korbel of Sonoma will get the message!)  Most Champagnes are good, if not wonderful and may say "Method Champenoise" but if you don't want to pay the price or if you're more akin to another region but want the quality of production, look for "Method Traditionnelle" which means that wine was made in the traditional Champagne method but not produced in Champagne.


Suggestions:
Non-Vintage Brut - Mumm Napa Brut Prestige (Method Traditionelle)
Creamy with a hint of vanilla, bit of yeast, green apple and lingering flavors!

Francois Montand Brut Rose -- for the more adventuresome (Method Traditionelle and inexpensive)
Think dried strawberries with bubbles!

Rivata Moscato D'Asti - for the younger recipient or the sweet at heart
Fun, fruity, sweet and floral...easy to drink and enjoy!

For the Vintage:
Champagne Mailly Grand Cru 2004
Lot's of yeast and complexity - worth waiting for!

My Students Loved The Fact That I Got A Wine Trivia Question Wrong

 The question?  True or Falise -- Is Gattinara 100% Nebbiolo? I answered "True" because I think of it as mainly Nebbiolo.  At a mandatory 90% Nebbiolo it practically is, but here it comes, I WAS WRONG.  Ok, I've said it now time to move on!

 

A Trio Of Nebbiolos:

Three of my recent reviews... 

 

Travaglini Gattinara Tre Vigne 2001 -- drinking beautifully now and still available commerically -- a ten-year-old, ALMOST 100% Nebbiolo wine.  Lot's of blackberry fruit with bramble thrown in and smooth, silky tannins.  Perfectly complex with the aromas of age...

Rivata Barbaresco 2006 -- easy to drink, fruity with sour cherry and some depth (not the best example of Barbaresco but not bad and certainly affordable.)

Casa Sant'Orsola I Siglati Barolo 2007 -- rich, earthy flavors with more sour cherry, bright acids and solid tannins. Save a glass or two for tomorrow as this wine continues to open up!