Georges Duboeuf Fleurie - Flower Label - Beaujolais 2010

Seriously, what was I thinking? Why didn’t I wait a month before beginning the next two writing courses? I don’t know how adults returning back to school, taking a full course load, working, managing a home and family do it. This week alone may do me in. I just have to breathe; this is the only week all four classes will overlap. Wonder why they don’t just wait until the first set of courses are finished to begin the next set? As far as I’m concerned it’s the University’s poor planning! Last night I was so tired I could barely lift my wine glass, but I did manage to sample a little wine, Georges Duboeuf Fleurei.

The first whiff was pure heaven, full of heady red roses, cherry and bark. Flavors are delicate and floral, this is a wine I would describe as “pretty”. I found the wine to be dry not in the cheeks where I tend to pick up dryness but more on my tongue. It wasn’t a turn off though because I find a lot of Beaujolais a little too meek and mild. Made from 100% Gamay and priced around $18, it was a nice departure from the typical Beaujolais.

After 40 years of honing his Beaujolais winemaking craft, Georges Duboeuf, is regarded as the reigning King of Beaujolais. This information I retrieved from the Georges Duboeuf winery website. “Born in 1933 in Pouilly-Fuissé, the son of a winegrower, Georges began selling his family's wines from the back of his bicycle to now-legendary local chefs such as Paul Bocuse and Paul Blanc. In 1964, Georges realized his dream and founded his own company: Les Vins Georges Duboeuf.”

Developing strong relationships with the regions top growers allows Georges to be involved in all facets of his winery. Annual sales now top 30 million bottles making Georges Duboeuf one France’s best known wine brands.

I know this blog post is really short and I do apologize. I started this post last week and still have some courses to go through along with assignments before my in-laws arrive tomorrow from Denmark. In between the course work there’s the usual crunch of getting your home ready for house guests. Laundry, dusting, de-pollinating the floors and of course ensuring the we’re well stocked with wine!

If you would like to send samples for my review, please contact me at kstargaard@yahoo.com.

2012© Kellie Stargaard.  All Rights Reserved.

http://winechicksguidetoeverydaywines.blogspot.com/

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Waterstone Study in Blue, Napa Valley Red Blend 2007

Ever feel like you’ve bitten off a little more than you can chew? This week I’m designing a new website, finishing two Adult Ed courses, beginning two more, trying to get a jump on the next three blogs and getting ready for my in-laws visit beginning next week. I’m starting to feel just a tiny bit stressed, ok I’m feeling a little more than just a tiny bit, I may just get to full blown panic mode in the next four days. It’s enough to make anyone turn to drink! My choice of course would be wine and I would turn to Waterstone Study in Blue, Napa Valley Red Blend 2007.

Blueberry jam, oak and tobacco on the nose. Flavors of black pepper, blackberry and plum combine with well structured tannins and fine acidity. This is a wine that will lift your spirits after a stressful day at the office or in my case the homestead. Priced at $45 it is what I would consider a special occasion wine. But like I say a special occasion can be anything you want; it’s Friday, the in-laws are here, the in-laws are leaving, you get the picture.

Varietal - 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Syrah, 10% Merlot
Appellation - Napa Valley
Alcohol - 14.8%
TA -0.61 g/100ml
pH - 3.75
Oak Aging - 24 months
Oak Cooperage - French oak, 80% new
Production - 1,050 cases
SRP - $45

Waterstone Winery formed in 2000 as collaboration between veteran winemaker Philip Zorn and longtime wine executive Brent Shortridge. The goal was to produce luxury wines at affordable prices (obviously their wallets are a little deeper than mine). Wanting to focus on the winemaking versus the vineyards, the pair does not own the vineyards or the equipment used to make the wine. They lean on committed relationships with growers, since it’s not the winemaker that makes the wine good, it’s the quality grapes that are key to any winery’s success.

I do apologize for the short blog this week and the next two will be short as well. As I explained above the next three weeks are a bit hectic. But stay tuned, my husband is working on our chicken coop and we should have peeps a little after Easter!

If you would like to send samples for my review, please contact me at kstargaard@yahoo.com.

2012© Kellie Stargaard.  All Rights Reserved.

http://winechicksguidetoeverydaywines.blogspot.com/

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González Byass Family of Wine Altonzano, Beronia and Finca, Rioja, Spain

Spring has sprung in the NE Georgia Mountains. Daffodils have been pushing up since February and more pop up each week. The trees are flowering and some are turning green. Soon I’ll be lightening up my wine choices but before I do, I have several Spanish wines that would work well in just about any climate. Altozano Tempranillo & Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, Beronia Tempranillo 2008 and Finca Constancia 2007. All wines are part of the González Byass Family of Wine portfolio. Warning, website has music you can mute in the lower right corner.

Altozano Tempranillo & Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Spice and red fruit aromas. Flavors full of black pepper, plum, cola and a hint of nutmeg with a long spicy finish. I find many Tempranillos a bit too dry for me but the addition of the Cabernet really polished the wine.
Varietal – 50% Tempranillo, 50% Cabernet Sauvignon
pH – 3.8
TA – 4.27 g/l
Alcohol – 14%
Sugars – 1.8 g/l
SRP –  $10

Produced at Finca Constancia, Otero where the array of soils provides various nuances in each varietal resulting in complex and rich tasting wines.

Beronia Tempranillo 2008

Robust earthy aromas. Fruity and slightly sweet cherry and strawberry licorice flavors followed by a spicy finish. A very light and refreshing Tempranillo.
Varietal – 100% Tempranillo
pH – 3.65
TA – 5.2 g/l
Alcohol – 13.5%
Sugars – 1.8 g/l
SRP – $15
Located in Ollauri, in the Rioja Alta, the name is taken from the Berones, who inhabited the area in the third century BC. The unique soil composition provides for quality and award worthy wines.

Finca Constancia 2007

Spice and dark fruit aromas. Abundance of currant and rich ripe red fruit flavors. This was probably my favorite of the three. Rich, complex and smooth it washes over the palate like velvet.
Varietal – 42% Syrah, 41% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petit Verdo, 6% Tempranillo, 3% Graciano, 1% Cabernet Franc
pH – 3.65
TA – 5.2 g/l
Alcohol – 13.5%
Sugars – 1.8 g/l
SRP – $20
Located in Otero, Toledo the soil ranges from moderately acidic to high alkaline and a range of chalkiness allowing for a unique blend of varietals.

The González Byass Company began as collaboration between Manual María González Ángel and Robert Blake Byass. Lured to the Jerez region by the thriving Sherry industry, Manual purchased a small winery in 1835. By 1885 Manual joined with Byass, his agent from England thus giving birth to the González Byass Company. Manual was also the first in Jerez to have electricity, running water and worked on the first railway project in Spain.

This forward thinking continues with the family today. The family is committed to protecting the environment and the restoration of the historical town of Jerez. Many family members sit on local boards and many have held consul positions in European countries. This along with keeping up with innovative winemaking technology will ensure the The González Byass Company will continue to stand the test of time. 

If you would like to send samples for my review, please contact me at kstargaard@yahoo.com.

2012© Kellie Stargaard.  All Rights Reserved.

http://winechicksguidetoeverydaywines.blogspot.com/

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Troublemaker Blend 3 by Austin Hope, Paso Robles

Watching our new cat Daisy tear around the living room, jump on one couch, jump to the other and dismount off the back of the couch, I have to wonder what we’ve gotten ourselves into. It’s been awhile since I’ve had a young cat and I’ve forgotten the energy they exude during a typical day. This week I’ve caught her drinking out of the toilet, attempting to get outside to catch a squirrel, sitting in the windowsill and meowing loudly while I was on a conference call. At 4:00 AM I was awakened to her usual morning Crazy Daisy routine while I was doing my usual, trying to fall back asleep while waiting for the sound of a crash. All in all, we did get very lucky; she’s very affectionate and seems rather smart. Now we’re considering getting her a playmate, just hope we don’t bring home a troublemaker. However, there is one troublemaker I wouldn’t mind bringing home again, Troublemaker by Austin Hope of Hope Family Wines.

Earthy and wild cherry aromas. Flavors of dark fruits, more cherry and blackberry wash over the palate. Medium bodied with a round texture, the finish is long and smooth. It’s one of those wines that envelopes you in velvet and keeps you warm on a cold winter night.

Varietal – 55% Syrah, 20% Grenache, 20% Mourvèdre, 5% Petite Sirah

Region – Paso Robles
Aging – French Oak (30%) 12 mos
Vintage – 2009 (40%), 2010 (60%)
SRP - $20

Following in his father’s footsteps, Austin Hope is now head winemaker and President of Hope Family Wines. After moving to Paso Robles with his family in the 1970’s, he began working the vineyards with his father at the age of eight. Following the advice of his father, Chuck Hope, Austin jumped at the opportunity to work under Chuck Wagner, founder of Caymus, and further his knowledge of winemaking. This spawned a desire to not only grow the grapes but to produce the wine as well. After graduating from Cal Poly with a fruit science degree, Austin spent time in Rhone Valley studying their vineyards and learning their winemaking techniques.

Troublemaker is a blend of Rhone inspired varietals grown 100% in Paso Robles. Hope Family Wines sources grapes from California’s Central Coast. A long-standing relationship with growers provides for consistent quality grapes. The growers are not faceless resources but instead are strong friendships. So much of the wine business has moved from family owned wineries to corporate business and bottom lines, it’s nice to share stories of families working with families to produce great wines.   

Stay posted on when and if we bring a second cat home to join our family. I’m sure there will be many stories to tell.

If you would like to send samples for my review, please contact me at kstargaard@yahoo.com.

2012© Kellie Stargaard.  All Rights Reserved.

http://winechicksguidetoeverydaywines.blogspot.com/

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Wine and My Happy Place

I feel like my brain is a pile of mush this week. I’ve had to spend all my time on one program at my paying gig this week. I feel as if I’ve been sort of side swiped as it’s hogging all my time. I need to go to my happy place and I need to go soon! Since it’s only 3:00 in the afternoon and that’s a little too early to start drinking wine alone, I’ll have to reminisce about a recent wine that took me to my happy place. Hmm, wow, seems there were quite a few. Maybe I’ll just give you a potpourri of wines that make me happy.

Zonin Rosé Brut Sparkling Wine

Ah, pink bubbly, my favorite. Apple and yeasty notes carried through the bubbles waft out of the glass. Flavors of dried cherries, apples and I swear I taste rose petals. Made from a blend of red and white grapes the red grapes are gently crushed. The grapes are allowed to lay on their skins for a short time giving the wine its pinkish hue. This is labeled as Brut but I found it to be a little on the sweet side. Best served chilled between 5° and 7°C (41°-45°F). Pairs well with hors d’oeuvres, risottos or as I enjoyed it, on its own. Alcohol – 11%. SRV - $11

Biltmore Estate Méthode Champenoise Pas de Deux–Sec

Crisp apple and white fruit aromas. Delicate floral, peach and pear flavors. The wine is semi-sweet and carries a slight yeastiness but is not unpleasing. The wine is 100% Muscat with 12.5% alcohol. I paired this sample with Breakfast for Dinner. The saltiness of the bacon and the peach and pear flavors were a perfect match. SRP -$18.

Have I mentioned how much I enjoy sparkling wines? They’re fun, festive and my husband doesn’t care for them so I get them all to myself. How’s that for a happy place!

Bridlewood Estate Winery Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
I found this gem all on my own while visiting a near by wine and liquor store. Aromas of cassis, spice and black pepper. Full to medium bodied, bursting flavors of plum, raspberry, cherry and a vanilla finish. This was such a wonderful surprise and priced at just $10.99, I plan on making the trek back to the store to pick up more soon. 

Hope Family Wines Liberty School Chardonnay 2010
Full of peach and green apple aromas. Crisp and fresh white fruits and citrus burst through the flavors. Finish is a subtle oak that seems to melt on the palate. 94% Chardonnay and 6% Viognier, the fruits benefit from the warm sunny days and the cool nights of the Central Coast. With an SRP of $11.99, it’s just one more thing to make me happy.

I feel better already. Letting the stress of the past few days roll off my shoulders and pool around my chair and dry into a fine dust to be blown away by the early spring winds. It’s days like these when I truly love living in NE Georgia. Just this morning I watched 8 deer feed on a few green sprigs popping up, just feet away from the house. As the fog lifted above the trees, the birds began singing their morning song and a few of them came to visit by landing on the front porch rail. I’m very fortunate to live in what I consider my dream vacation.

If you would like to send samples for my review, please contact me at kstargaard@yahoo.com.

2012© Kellie Stargaard.  All Rights Reserved.

http://winechicksguidetoeverydaywines.blogspot.com/

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