Late Bottled Vintage Port vs. Vintage Port

Today  we're concluding our series on Port in the only really appropriate way, by ringing the bell on the official Port "showdown". LBVs and Vintage Ports are no doubt the two Port styles that most confuse consumers.  Here's a tip: if you don't get caught up in the semantics of LBVs you'll be better off! Pop on over to Wicked Local today to get the  full scoop to navigating these two lovely beasts with greater ease. (Today's image is c/o 2007 Vintage Port, which also provides more info about the latest vintage to be declared.)

Are you in favor of LBVs? Which properly aged Vintage Ports have you enjoyed?

What's new(s) in wine and tasting it

I'm not sure I will ever fully understand why some known wines get a make-over largely in name only. A few years ago it was Moet doing away with their White Star Champagne bottling and replacing it with a slightly different iteration (in terms of the style of wine itself) and calling it Moet Imperial Brut. White Star was a really recognized name in the marketplace and today it is still a point of confusion for many looking for the White Star, and being handed the Imperial Brut. Is the wine different? Yes, a bit. But why not roll with the old name? Now it looks like La Mission Haut Brion is making a similar name shift. Check out this brief Decanter article on why the change.  Then tell us, as a consumer, does the reasoning make sense to you? Do you care? Next up we have an article that three different friends sent to me (from two different sources), to ensure I didn't miss it: the latest in wine health news reports suggests that women who drink have a better chance of avoiding obseity. Egad, will these studies ever cease? An entertaining read if you, like me, don't mind another guilt-free reason to keep pouring your nightly glass of wine.

Last but not least, we have a fun Old World vs. New World showdown on The Tasting Docit! On Friday March 19 you and other foodie nerds at WGBH can enjoy the fun for a mere $25. And there will be music to further enrich your tasting experience. Check it out!

Pay respect to Chile - enjoy these Wicked Wines

Three big earthquakes now in so short a time. It’s a lot to digest. And with the biggest one having hit Chile, the 5^th largest exporter of wine to the United States, it seems only right to feature four of Chile’s most Wicked Wines this March. For many wine drinkers, Chilean wines are an acquired taste. But if you have a little guidance, you can surely find some tremendously delicious and often fabulously priced wines. Pay respect to Chile (and to the many quake victims worldwide) by popping over to Wicked Local to see what deliciousness is in store for you this March!

What is your impression of Chilean wines?

http://www.wickedlocal.com/somerville/news/business/x2096601077/Pour-Favor-pays-respect-to-Chile-with-March-Wicked-Wines

Chilean wine news

It's probably no surprise that all news on the Pour Favor blog this Friday - one week after the Chilean earthquake - is dedicated exclusively to Chilean wine. Ironically, I had the pleasure of meeting winemaker Jean-Pascal Lacaze just last Thursday in the early evening, just before he headed back to New York to catch his flight home - and resume business as usual (harvesting) after the weekend, the unofficial end to summer. I haven't heard if he's made it home yet or what impact the quake had on his lot. No doubt agriculture and wine are an important part of the Chilean economy and will play a role as the country gets it's bearings again. Check out these few articles to learn more, then pop back this Monday for some great wines to seek out as we unleash March's Wicked Wines, Chilean style.... Prior to the quake, the skinny on Chilean wine exports via the LA Times.

A more humanized view of how things looked last Friday, Feb. 28th via my old fav, Dr. Vino.

And an updated, trade-oriented snapshot of where we are a week later via Decanter.

Generally speaking, do you think the buzz around the  magnitude of this quake will generate new or even greater interest in Chilean wines?

White Port 101

Last week we talked Tawny Port. But because we’re on the tail end of winter now and 40 degree temps are more normal, it’s only natural to talk white Port – a libation that is often most enjoyed with a slight chill on it. No doubt this Port style is lesser known and lesser appreciated.... If you've been missing out on this lovely treat, pop on over to Wicked Local to learn why you should grab a bottle!

Which white Port has caught your fancy? Or is this a style you've skipped over somehow?

Prohibition is as prohibition does

ProhibitionPhoto

I don't know anyone who doesn't like a good story. A story with historical truth, that is remarkable and compelling for the audacity of what "went down" is even better. This week there are several interesting wine-related news/events links I could send your way. But I'm going to streamline your wine reading instead by pointing you in only one direction.... Last Friday as my post was hitting the web-waves, Deborah Blum from Slate was churning out a deliciously interesting article about Prohibition days in America. I love history, but somehow my AP American History class skipped over this particular snapshot of what the US government was willing to do (kill) to enforce the new law. Grab your cup of coffee or enjoy a great lunch break at your desk this afternoon; this is a great read!

What other historic snapshots from Prohibition do you know of that are similarly voyeuristically compelling today?

A bit on Port dessert wine

Some of us are comfortable drinking Port all year long (with or without a slight chill), but many more of us find it most compelling after a full day at the office, followed by an evening rendezvous with Mr. Shovel…. No doubt, with snow finally falling in Boston, it’s hard not to think about (let alone enjoy) these noteworthy dessert wines! There are myriad styles of Port on the market – from white Ports to Ruby’s, Tawny’s, Vintage Ports and everything in between! When most people think of Port they are most often thinking of Tawny’s. So today at  Wicked Local we delve into this highly sought and oh-so-enjoyable libation.

Which Port is your fan favorite this winter?

modernity and wine - the debate on diversity

adventuresonthewineroutebookcover

I've been reading and rereading the astoundingly delicious Adventures on the Wine Route by Kermit Lynch for at least a year now. It is so well written and such a delightful trip through wine country - from seemingly "ages" ago. Lynch writes about tasting wines from the 40s, 50s, 60s, and 70s - even the 1920s! It provides tremendous perspective, that's for sure. But what I find most compelling about the book as a whole is Lynch's search for totally unadulterated juice. Today it is appreciated (or understood?) more, perhaps; yet this idea of using modern tools and approaches gets more play, I'd argue.

Today, pop over to this post by Eric Asmiov - and spend a few extra minutes reading BOTH articles he links to, particularly the one by Cory Cartwright. Personally, I would love to see more people more naturally through the course of things embrace "the diversity" in wine.

Do you find wines with a more "modern" flare more or less appealing?  Is this idea even something you consider when you are wine shopping?

Shopping for wine in February is where it's at!

Many folks get obsessed with whether a vintage is “good” one or not. At the end of the day what consumers may or may not recognize is how a particular wine from a particular vintage will evolve simply on the shelf, in its bottle, over the course of one year. Here we are in the middle of February, on the cusp of vintage changes; this is the time when many red wines are really ready to drink! Learn more about the benefits of February wine shopping by heading over to Wicked Local today!

Are you compelled to purchase a case of vino this time of year, before new vintages are released? Or are you happy to just roll with the punches and see what the coming year has to bring?



Wine corks, grape crop and... the chocolate wine pairing debate!

A bit of business and a bit of fun this week in wine! Let's get the business out of the way first: It looks like the 2009 crop in California is going to keep the price ship rather righted moving forward! Gotta love the economic principle of supply and demand. Check out this article on what the Press Democrat (at least) thinks we can come to expect moving forward.

Next up... a Cork Report! There are a bunch of wine bottle stoppers on the market now, made from myriad materials. Traditionalists still appreciate finding real cork under the foil. Environmentalists and others in the wine trade promote other closures as the better way to go.  Read this Decanter article to find out what Portugal is doing by way of cork promotion these days.

And yes, we've saved the best for last! What with Valentine's Day this weekend, I'm sure you've seen quite a bit about either chocolate or wine recommendations - or both! But are they a really a good match, or just a traditional pairing with no real rhyme or reason? Enjoy the debate as translated by Dr. Vino!

What's your Valentine's Day wine choice this year?