Theloosetannin

January 13-California Pinot Noir

I can not go very long in this blog without mentioning the beloved wine movie, Sideways. If you haven’t seen it, the lead character, Miles, has a devotion to Pinot (cuz he ain’t drinking any fucking Merlot. More about the impact of that single movie quote on the wine industry some other time). His romanceContinue reading “January 13-California Pinot Noir”

Statti Gaglioppo, 2017

I feel like it’s been so long since I sat and tasted and typed but it’s been a mere 4 days during an incredibly drawn out week. I opened this bottle those 4 long days ago and needed to finish it, so decided to tell you about it! Gaglioppo is a grape endigenous to theContinue reading “Statti Gaglioppo, 2017”

January 6-Bordeaux Red Blend

Bordeaux seemed like a logical place to start this little excursion but also highly complicated so I’m going to attempt to simplify it as best as I can! A huge amount of the reason it is so complicated is due to the French Wine Laws. These laws regulate what grape varieties can be grown, howContinue reading “January 6-Bordeaux Red Blend”

Translating a French Wine Label

In the example label, starting at the top, it states Grand Vin de Bordeaux, While this sounds fancy, it really just means it’s one step up from a Bordeaux chateau’s lowest quality wine. Next, we see Cru Bourgeois. This designation is unique to the area this bottle came from (Médoc of the Bordeaux region) alsoContinue reading “Translating a French Wine Label”

January Wine Tasting Schedule

We won’t be wasting anytime and jumping right off with the most well known wine region in the world, Bordeaux! Let the adventure begin! January 6- A French Bordeaux Red blend (look for names like Medoc, Pauilliac, Saint-Emilion, Saint-Julien, Saint Estephe, Pomerol, Graves, Margaux) January 13- California Pinot Noir (Sonoma and Santa Barbara County areContinue reading “January Wine Tasting Schedule”

Shafer TD-9, 2016

For Christmas dinner, I wanted to pull a decent bottle of wine off my rack to pair with my prime rib. Upon scrolling thru my CellarTracker list (kinda like spinning the wheel from The Price is Right), I landed on Shafer TD-9. Shafer is a Napa Valley winery on the end north of Stag’s LeapContinue reading “Shafer TD-9, 2016”

Reale Cardamone, 2017

This wine is what happens when you take a list of varietals to your local wine shop. Last week, I was reading about unique Italian wines and I found Piedrosso so I noted it and kept reading. It also so happens, I hadn’t checked Piedrosso of my Wine Century Club list yet. When I wentContinue reading “Reale Cardamone, 2017”

Azienda Agricola F. Tornatore Etna Rosso, 2017

I was too young, a mere 26, when I traveled to Italy. On the trip, I enjoyed far more beer than wine but I dearly wish I knew I was so close to this winery as I stood on the south slope in the lava flows. The Tornatore family has been in the winemaking industryContinue reading “Azienda Agricola F. Tornatore Etna Rosso, 2017”

Foreplay and Main Event

When you wine taste, just as when you eat, your eyes take it all in first. Pour your ‘taste’. In doing so, your glass should not be more than ⅓ or ½ full and should not surpass the widest part of the glass. This ensures you are still able to swirl the wine to allowContinue reading “Foreplay and Main Event”

Accornero Bricco del Bosco, 2017

I was armed with a computer and too much information at my fingertips and that’s how I crossed paths with the varietal Grignolino. I checked my century club list to confirm what I already knew, I needed this one! So I went to my local wine shop website and like magic there it was. IContinue reading “Accornero Bricco del Bosco, 2017”