Happy Halloween!

As you may know, Halloween began as a pre-Christian Celtic festival which stood as a celebration to honor and interact with the dead. During this time, crops were harvested and large bonfires were lit to honor the dead and keep them away. People dressed like ghosts to keep demons and ghosts away. Finally, and most importantly, people would leave food and wine on their porches as an offering to the dead in the journeys.

Following the birth of Christianity, Halloween became something quite different. As the Christians were converting the Celtics and getting rid of their pagan holidays, Pope Gregory I stepped in to say that it was better to continue to allow people to hold their beliefs and own rituals as long as these practices were under the name of Christ.

So tonight I suggest putting on a scary costume, enjoying food and wine with friends and leave a glass of port and some blue cheese on the porch when you turn in. Wouldn’t you enjoy this delectable treat if you were on a long journey?

TN: Boizel NV Brut Reserve Champagne

Having recently tried the 1995 Boizel Brut Champagne Joyau de France and really enjoying it, I was really looking forward to this NV Brut Reserve. At $20 / 375 mL (which is the bottle I tasted from) it’s quite a fair price for a good Champagne ($20-$25 online for 375 mL, around $50-60 for 750 mL).

The first difference was the presence of an actual “pop” when I opened the bottle.  As I noted with two bottles of the 1995 Boizel, there was only a very little pressure in the bottle which worried me, but did not impact the wine.   This NV Brut Reserve had similar fruits in the nose with grapefruit really standing out as well as a touch of hazelnut and minerals.  The wine was complex and had great presence and very good balance.  The finish was crisp and refreshing, but did not have the same lasting impression as the 1995, which I would expect.  This NV Brut Reserve is ready to drink now and was a steal for $20 / 375 mL.  A much different style than Veuve Clicquot Brut or Taittinger Brut; less acidic and crisp, but creamier and quite refreshing .  My rating: 88 pts.

Robert Parker, Anatomie d’un Mythe

Robert Parker has been writing about wines for the last forty years. The Monkton, Maryland resident and former attorney fell in love with wine on a 1967 trip to France and has since become one of the most recognized and respected wine critics in the world. He is considered by many to be “the” authority on wine, especially French Bordeaux’s. Well known for tasting wines “blind” (without knowledge of the producer as to prevent bias in scoring wines) and his knack for rating wine vintages, Parker has recently been the center of allegations of the integrity of his practice.

In a new book written by his former assistant Hanna Agostini, Parker is under the gun as having written about wines he hadn’t actually tasted and for being “in bed” with many French wine-maker’s, which is an obvious conflict of interest for someone who is trying to remain objective about wines. Agostini makes the claim that Parker was often invited to elegant meals consisting of expensive food and wines which were funded by producers of the wines he rated highly. She cites personal correspondence with Parker in which he admits his reviewing a wine without “knowing” it.

As expected, supporters of Robert Parker find these claims to be absurd and are the first to point out that Ms. Agostini was fired by Parker in 2003 and is simply trying to get revenge for her being let go. Further, wine-maker’s and associates of Parker in France have gone as far as trying to have sections of the book removed (by law) to prevent false assumptions about their ties to and interactions with Parker. The French legal system has ruled that the material in the book is suitable for publication without editing, although an appeal is likely to happen.

Personally, I have strong sentiments against the practice of giving favorable reviews in return for compensation (of any sort) or reviewing wines that I have not tried. These actions compromise the integrity of wine reviews as a whole and worse, can lead consumers to try wines that are over-priced or just plain bad!

Without having read the book (only available in France, try Amazon.fr), and going by what has been published in other sources, I’m inclined to give Robert Parker the benefit of doubt. Innocent until proven guilty, I guess. But I will say that I would not be surprised if in his almost forty years of wine writing and traveling the world, he didn’t receive a kickback of some sort for a favorable review. Nor would it surprise me if he once or twice (or more) wrote about wines he didn’t actually try.

I will continue reading reviews by Robert Parker and taking his recommendations to heart. Whether or not he’s guilty of the accusations made by Ms. Agostini, one thing is for sure, Robert Parker knows wine and is still today one of the most influential and respected wine critics in the world.

Tasting Notes: Miscellaneous French Wines

Domaine Ehrhart Pinot Auxerrois 2004 - $16: Nice floral nose, notes of minerals and pear with good acidity. My rating: 85 pts

Domaine Marc-Morey Chassagne-Montrachet 2005 - $80: Flower notes on the nose with peach, citrus and mineral notes. Complex and elegant, good fruits and spice with a touch of jasmine and honey. Good structure with crisp acidity and refreshing mineral notes. Lingering finish, very good. My rating: 90 pts

Alberto Furque Malbec 2004 - $14: Dark cherry, plum, leather, solid early with rough tannins in the finish that fall off. My rating: 84 pts

Domaine Foret de Michielle, Confidentia Cotes du Rhone Villages - $20: Cane syrup, caramel, light tar, blackberry, plum, medium tannins not perfectly balanced but overall good. My rating: 85 pts

Mas des Bressades, Grenache/Syrah 2006 - $12: Great nose nice fruits, reminiscent of a Touriga Franca based wine. Rolling flavors of plum, red fruits and spice with good tannins and a subtle, but long finish. Great value wine. My rating: 88 pts

Domaine Chauvenet Chopin, Nuits St. Georges, 2004 - $54: Earthy tones, leather, medium tannins, interesting fruits, black cherry, lovely. Bought a few bottles and look forward to trying them in a couple years…should improve with age. My rating: 91 pts

Andre Brunel Chateauneuf du Pape, Les Cailloux, 2004 $45 - 90 pts: Great nose, black cherry, pepper, spice with overall well defined fruits. Balanced with medium tannins that should even out with aging. Lean but lasting finish. My rating: 90 pts

October Wine Club Meeting: 14 bottles of wine, 14 people and one large order of Mexican food…

We had another very fun and successful wine tasting this past week (Oct 25, 2007). The theme was Mexican food and wines that accompany which resulted in some interesting wines that were new to me! A big thank you to Donna for setting everything up! She made the night happen! Below are my notes on most of the wines…I “misplaced” the other notes at some point during the evening! And don’t worry, next month’s tasting is currently being worked out and will be something incredible!

Helfrich Gewürztraminer (Steinklotz) Alsace Grand Cru (2001) - $20: Nose: honey, melon, apricot, mineral, a
lot of grapefruit. The wine had a very delicate texture, concentrated fruits and a touch of acidity. Sweet but not overly sweet with spice notes on the finish. Very good. My rating: 90 pts

J&HA Strub Niersteiner Bruckchen Riesling Kabinett (2005): Light, white peach color with peach and vanilla nose as well as a bit of rubber which was off. Very sweet, lacking balance. My rating: 83 pts.

Elk Run 2005 Gewürztraminer: Was quite impressed with this Maryland made Gewürztraminer. Elegant layers of fruit and spice with a very warm texture. Was great with a Chile Rellano. My rating: 88 pts

MollyDooker - The Violinist (Verdalho) - 2006: This Verdalho (a Portuguese grape) showed a great nose of wet stone, citrus and apple. On the palette the wine was an explosion of tropical fruits and pineapple, with a very smooth texture and a great finish. This was my first time having this but definitely will not be the last! Was a great wine for the food, especially with a chimichanga. My rating: 91 pts

Penfolds Kenunga Hills Shiraz (2005): Great nose of smoke, toasted marshmallow’s, vanilla and a touch of coffee. Big dark fruits, sour cherry, lots of spice. This wine was bought for $10 but could easily stand up to some of the $50 or more Shiraz’s I’ve had recently. Very well done by Penfolds. My rating: 92 pts

Saumur Les Pouches - Loire Valley (2006): Consistent with the last time I had this wine (see notes here). Opened the night before, maybe 88 pts this time around but still very good. My rating: 88 pts

MollyDooker - The Boxer Shiraz (2006): Decanted 1 hour. Giant nose of blackberry, plum, toasted oak, and a good amount of spice. I have to say it again…huge nose! The wine had good balance overall and I look for the tannins to balance out in another few years. Ripe fruits on the palette with chocolate notes and spice, with a big finish lasting quite a while. My rating: 90 pts

Montes Alpha 2005 Syrah Colchagua Valley Apalta Vineyard: This was one of the better values of the night. Great fruits with exciting spice and good tannins. Very good overall. My rating: 90 pts

Barbara d’ Alba (Massolino) 2006 (Two bottles of this): First bottle was corked, so we opened another. This wine showed ripe fruits but was a bit tight. Should have decanted it longer. In any case, good wine. My rating: 88 pts.

Razon 2005 Pythagorean Theorom - Spain: Quite interesting nose of Chile peppers, plum, cassis with a touch of orange rind (yes, weird). A lot of great flavors going on throughout the palette and surprisingly smooth tannins. Would have wanted more out of the finish, but again another good value wine. My rating: 86 pts

Marietta - Old Vine Red Lot#44 Geyserville (2005): Another wine filled with dark berries, plum and toasted oak. Great spice throughout, again with pretty forward fruits. Good acidity carries the wine through the finish. Overall good balance. My rating: 89 pts.

Planning a good weight loss plan would be alternating atkins diet with the blood type diet. Dieticians favour anything but a weight loss surgery.

Tasting notes: Marc Degrazia Imports

From a recent free tasting of a few Degrazia Imports:

• 2006 Massone Masera Gavi -$15: Spring flowers and apricot on the nose. The wine displayed vibrant fruits including apricot, pear, and melon, as well as hints of wet stones. Would benefit from a touch more acidity, but good overall balance. My rating: 87 pts

• 2006 Villa Giada I Suri Barbera di Asti - $13 : Earth tones with ripe cherry and plum, good structure and integrated tannins. Great value from Piedmont. My rating: 86 pts

• 2005 Paolo Scavino Rosso di Tavola - $20: This Nebbiolo had a floral bouquet with notes of jasmine and spice. Dark cherry, minerals and chalk on the palette with good spice notes up front. Coming into the finish the wine lost me for a second, but ended up pulling out some nice dried fruits and sour cherry along with medium tannins that were quite pleasant. My rating: 87 pts

• 2006 La Spinetta Moscato di Asti $24: This Italian dessert wine has a big bouquet of fruits, lavender and vanilla. Sweet and fun, this Muscat would be a great pairing with fresh fruits or a handful of hazelnuts on a warm spring or summer night. My rating: 88 pts

Cleavage Creek Cellars

I know, last week it was Mary Antoinette’s breasts, now this week a post about Cleavage. But I assure you oenophiles that this is once again related to wine and in fact, supporting an excellent cause.

In 2005 businessman and farmer Budge Brown lost his wife of almost 50 years to breast cancer. When Arlene Brown passed away, Budge was angry at breast cancer and decided that it was time to take action against this devastating disease. “My wife died for no damn good reason. It’s time to do something about this,” he stated on the Cleavage Creek Cellars website.

So what did Budge decide to do? Well nothing major, really. He just created a new wine label with an amazingly clever and fun name and promises to donate ten percent of the gross dollar amount of the operation to fund breast cancer research.

This month 8 varietals of Cleavage Creek were released with prices ranging from $18 - $50. Each label will feature a photograph of a breast cancer survivor. Having a mother who survived breast cancer twice, I feel very strongly for supporting these wines. Even if you just buy one bottle, you’re supporting an excellent campaign against breast cancer and getting some great wine. Wines can be purchased through the Cleavage Creek website: http://cleavagecreek.com/ccmain.html.

Tasting Notes: Dow’s Port

Random Notes from a recent wine maker’s tasting:

Dow’s Bomfin - 2005: This Touriga Franca, Touriga Nacional, Aragonez (Tempranillo) and Tinta Barroca was the only red table wine on hand. I found the nose to be quite interesting with some nice dark cherry and plum, as well as a touch of spice. The fruits in the wine were ripe and overall very good, but the wine fell apart into the finish and left me wondering where all the fruits went from the nose! I think that a little more of the Touriga Nacional could have went a long way in gving this wine a good structure and more tannins. My rating: 84 pts

Dow’s 2001 Late-Bottled Vintage: Nose of ripe fruits, spice and burnt oak. Well put together on the palette with a long, dry finish. Would benefit from more structure, but quite good. My rating: 86 pts

Dow’s 10 Year Tawny Porto: - Soft reddish yellow color. Hazelnut and vanilla on the nose, as well as grapefruit and anise. Sublte notes of hazelnut and citrus on the palette, but lacking any serious presence. A delicate, medium dry finish. My rating: 86 pts

Dow’s 20 Year Tawny Porto: - Beautiful amber color with reddish hue. Bouquet of nuts, vanilla, spice, and burnt wood chips. On the palette the wine is alive. Rolling flavors throughout the palette consisting of nuts, citrus, vanilla, and nutmeg. Much better structure and overall integration than the 10 year. Very good. My rating: 91 pts

Dow’s 2003 Vintage Porto: - Spicy nose that needs time to breathe to reveal black cherry and blackberry fruits. A lot of great flavors in this wine with solid fruits that I feel could evolve into something special. Keep this one in the cellar for a while. Drink 2020-2040. My rating: 90 pts

Dow’s 1985 Vintage Porto: Good color for the age. Rich nose of chocolate, black fruits, and a touch of spice. Very elegant across the palette with exceptional balance and focus. Long, lasting finish that is a touch dry but complex and very pleasing. Ready to drink now. My rating: 93 pts

An overview of Porto

Port wine is a type of fortified wine produced solely in the Douro region (Porto) of Portugal. The wine begins as a blend of many different grapes (Touriga Nacional being the primary grape used) and becomes a “fortified” wine during fermentation when alcohol, usually brandy, is added to the wine to cease fermentation and allow high amounts of residual sugar to remain. The outcome? Seriously rich, sweet wine that is served with desserts or with blue cheeses. Non-port fortified dessert wine are made in other areas of the world, but by international law can not use the term “Port” or “Porto” on the label.

The following are the major types of Port:

• Tawny port - Aged in Oak for some time, Tawny port takes on a light, brownish yellow color and tends to have “nutty” flavors which are from the long time spent in oak. Most people new to Port really like Tawny ports which are often very elegant. A 10 year Tawny Port is a blend of wines that are at least 10 years old. Often, older wines are combined with younger wines to create good complexity, bringing young ripe fruits into an oaked, developed older wine. The result can be elegant layers of fruit and spice.
• Ruby port- The least expensive of the Ports, Ruby is aged in concrete vats or stainless steel tanks, preserving the characteristics of the fruits. The result is a wine with a rich color and is drunk young. Some Ruby Reserves can be great wines and are usually less than $20.
• White port- As the name suggest, this is made from all white grapes and is very light in color. It can be dry (which is often mixed with tonic water, lime and mint leaves as a cocktail) or can be sweet and served chilled on a warm summers night. White Port is a great alternative to the dark stuff and can be quite refreshing and enjoyed as an apertif.
• Vintage port- The most sought after type of Port, Vintage Port consists of grapes that are all from one particular vintage. These are only made with outstanding vintages of Port and therefore are quite rare. Vintage Port is rich and elegant, and usually requires decades of aging to reach full potential.
• Late Bottled Vintage (LBV)- LBV Port is made from wine that was harvested as a vintage Port, but for one reason or another did not make it out of the Oak barrels in the time frame required (i.e. low demand). Nonetheless, LBV Port can be very good Port that can be a touch sweeter than Vintage Port, a lighter style of wine, and is usually about half the cost of the Vintage type.

A final note: Port wine is great with or as a dessert, and also with pungent cheeses. Don’t be afraid to try a few different styles and see what you prefer. Although they can be costly and are not usually drunk in large quantities (maybe a small glass or two in a night), Ports tend to save well in the fridge and can be enjoyed over days, an in many cases even a few weeks. With all wines, always store them in cool, dark places when unopened, and once uncorked, kept with a good seal in the fridge!

Saude!

Oh what a night!

On Friday, October 19, 2007 a group of wine lovers met up at Cafe de Paris in Columbia, MD to say farewell to old friends and welcome in new (check back soon for a full review of the restaurant). The theme of the event: “Big Reds”. Completely vague, this led to a very interesting assortment of wines from around the world. Although putting together flights was quite a challenge, Newsguy (the celebrated man of the evening) did an excellent job. The event was my first time meeting up with the group but I feel confident in saying it wasn’t my last! Kim and I had an amazing time and look forward to future events.

Without further ado, here are my notes from the evening. I did not include the notes for the NV Cafe de Paris Cuvee which was slightly watered down and did not leave a lasting impression. Oh what a night!

1990 Charles Heidsieck Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne Blanc des Millénaires: The nose on this thing was incredible. Very nutty with subtle melon and grapefruit. The wine literally made me smile upon tasting it…it was that good. The palette had explosions of elegannt fruit and such great texture. It was very refreshing into the finish that left me searching for another splash. My rating: 96 pts.

1995 Boizel Brut Champagne Joyau de France - I opened the first bottle and was surprised by the lack of a “pop”, concerned the bottle had been compromised. The second followed the same suit and both were good with consistent notes. A lot of ripe fruits but a little tight. I would expect this to get better over the next 5 or so years. I’d give this 90 pts with hope that it would develop nicely. My rating: 90 pts

Final Notes: The Blanc des Millénaires was incredible. The best Champagne I can remember having and definitely drinking quite nicely. I think the Boizel was a little young but definitely saw some potential in it. Winner here was an easy one: Blanc des Millénaires

Round 1:
2001 Le Macchiole Bolgheri Superiore Paleo (100% Cab Franc): The nose on this wine was wonderful and complex. I noted berry fruits, mineral, saw dust, carrot, amazingly unique! Great structure and balance with solid fruits and a creamy texture. Lovely wine. My rating: 95 pts

1998 Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Crau: I got a lot of unique notes on this one as well. Cajun spice, red pepper, herbs, plum, boysenberry, gentle tannins with a subtle, lasting finish. This gets my vote for the most interesting wine of the night - I really had a lot of fun with it. My rating: 92 pts

1998 Brancaia Il Blu (Sangiovese with Merlot and Cab Sauv): Raspberry, dark fruits, floral nose. Mild acidity with soft tannins and quite a long finish. My rating: 92 pts

Round 2:
2001 Hanna Bismark Mountain Noir: Elegant nose of raspberry, sweet french oak, green pepper and a touch of tomato, which was interesting in a good way. As the wine developed in the glass it became “dark and serious” as pointed out by newsguy. We agreed the French oak fell off fast but the wine maintained great balance. My rating: 90 pts

1996 Flora Springs Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley St. Rutherford Vineyard: Cigar box, cedar, currant nose. The fruits were alive and came in layers while the tannins soft and elegant. I agree that this wine was overshadowed by the other two in the flight, but I felt that overall it was the most balanced of the bunch. My rating: 94 pts

1999 Fatboy Cabernet Behrens & Hitchcock: HUGE. I could leave it at that, but I’ll continue. This Fatboy lives up to its name. Big nose of dark cherry, blackberry and butter with a touch of thyme. The wine attacked my palette with big fruits and mouth drying tannins. Overall great balance and integration - was amazing with the lamb (as pointed out by Mrs. Jace!). What I want out of a big cab - My rating: 93 pts

Round 3:
2001 Sette Ponti Oreno Great color to this wine. Great fruits on the nose with mineral and smokey oak. Huge body with good balance and velvety tannins to match. The finish was incredibly long but fell apart a bit early. My rating: 91 pts

2003 Numanthia-Termes Toro Numanthia A first for me (Numanthia) but will not be the last. The wine had a deep, dark color with a big bouquet of fruits and earth. The wine started off complex and developed very nicely on the palette. Maybe a bit young or just needed a few more hours in the decanter? Regardless, exceptional wine that may be better in 5 years. My rating: 92 pts

2001 Casa Lapostolle Clos Apalta Colchagua Valley Spicy, dark fruit and anise on the nose with a touch of tar. Big wine that moves with elegance and grace across the palette, reminding me again on the finish of it’s great depth. My rating: 91 pts

Round 4: (warning: at this point my notes became less detailed and often a mere “good fruit, elegant…yum” or “this is fun”, but I feel confident in my overall impressions)
2002 Viader Napa Valley Worried this would be young, I was pleasantly surprised. The wine was not sharp at all and had a good structure and soft tannins. I noted the usual dark fruits, buttered toast, and a touch of herb that came in layers with a drop of cocoa on the finish. I gave this one 91 pts…Kim rated it much higher at 95 pts. My rating: 91 pts

1999 Dalla Valle Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Creamy nose with good dark cherry and raspberry and chocolate. All I have beyond that is “WOW…one of the best tonight, 94 pts.” I wish I had more to say! I know of the three, this had the longest, most exciting finish. I’ll stick with My rating: 94 pts.

1999 Viader Napa Valley This was more young than the 2002 and a bit more wound up. I agree that it needs a few more years but can see this becoming as good as, if not better than, the 2002. Similar fruit notes to the 2002. My rating: 91 pts.

My Wines of the Night:
1990 Charles Hiedsieck
1996 Flora Springs Cabernet
2001 Le Macchiole Bolgheri Superiore Paleo
1999 Dalla Valle

Baltimore Wine Bar Review: Ze Mean Bean

Ze Mean Bean Café www.zemeanbean.com
1739 Fleet Street
Fells Point, MD 21231
(410) 675-5999

Opened in July of 1995, this “Eastern European Café” doubles as a full service restaurant. Ze Mean Bean, located in Fells Point, offers a good place to meet up with friends and have a glass (or two) of wine. The selection is good, with about 100 wines by the bottle and 6 white and 6 red wines by the glass, all offered at a generally fair price. Overall the servers and staff are very friendly and quick to refill your water and bring out your drinks, but don’t expect to get a great wine recommendation or to find out much about what you’re drinking.

As far as eats go, there are a lot of many interesting appetizers (try the “Slavic Sampler” to get the best of all worlds and pair it with a Riesling or Chardonnay) as well as quite an eclectic dinner menu. For a main entree, try the Hungarian Goulash or Pierogies for a quick warm-up on a cold winter’s night. Expect to spend about $25 a person for a glass of wine and a bite to eat. Check their website out (www.zemeanbean.com) for a calendar of live jazz music and other special events. The menu is seasonal and new specials are constantly being created, so you’re sure to find something new and exciting each time you visit.

Baltimore Wine Bar Review: The Wine Market

The Wine Market - Locust Point: www.the-wine-market.com
921 East Fort Ave
Baltimore, MD 21230
(410) 244-6166

Entering The Wine Market from the main parking area, you walk in to a small but well-organized wine shop. A few coolers on the right offer the usual suspects of beer, sparkling wines and a few cheese selections. As you move to the middle of the store you’ll find a shelf of bargain wines where it’s possible to find a very good wine for under $12. On the main rack in the middle of the shop are selections from around the world while the US inventory and spirits are on the wall to your left. Overall there is a good diversity in selections of wine, but as one might expect with the premier wine shop located near the luxe Federal Hill neighborhood, many of the selections are well overpriced.

Moving through the shop, you’ll find your way to the wine bar and restaurant area. Between 5-7 PM Monday through Thursday the bar will be crowded with young professionals taking advantage of one of Baltimore’s best “Happy Hours,” which features $3 wine, sangria, and appetizers all being served by Kelly, one of the best bartenders in town. Overall the service at the bar and restaurant is among the best in town, which cannot be said for the service in their wine shop (don’t expect a “hello” or “goodbye” when coming or going!). On the weekends the restaurant is filled with people excited to taste the outstanding creations of executive chef Christitan de Lutis: a few of my favorites are the Mac and Aged Cheddar Cheese (creamy and delicious), the Lamb Burger (perfectly seasoned), and the Braised Bison Ribs (tender is an understatement). Selections by the glass are generally between $4 and $10, with the option of a flight of 3 wines (3 oz pours) as well. You can grab a bottle from the shop and have it at the bar for a small corkage fee, or, after a few drinks at the bar, take a bottle home with you at 15% off.

Baltimore Wine Bar Review: Metropolitan Coffee House and Wine Bar

Metropolitan Coffee House and Wine Bar: www.metrobalto.com
902 South Charles Street
Baltimore, MD 21230
(410) 576-8692

The Metropolitan has a good feel to it. Opened in 2004, this coffee house, wine bar, and full restaurant has enough food and drink choices to keep you coming back at all hours of the day or night. Great breakfasts, good espresso and coffee, and one of the best Bloody Maries in town, make the Metropolitan a great place for a Sunday brunch. As a wine bar, the Metropolitan is good, but not great. The wine list would benefit from more diversity and on two recent visits, wines ordered from the menu were not in stock. You can expect to meet many interesting people at the small (12 person) bar downstairs, or the very spacious bar upstairs which is well laid out and a great place to unwind after a long day.

As a restaurant, the Metropolitan offers an extensive menu with a lot of typical dishes (crab cakes, steaks, etc.) and some great homemade classics. You can’t go wrong with the meatloaf, but on two occasions steaks that were ordered medium-rare came out more than well. A great option for a bite to eat with your wine may be one of the many sandwiches on the menu which have always been very good. Service has always been friendly but don’t expect expert food and wine pairing advice. Check their website for details on food and drink specials, as well as events (such as Thursday night beer tastings or info on their New Years Celebration).

Baltimore Wine Bar Review: Grand Cru

Grand Cru - Belvedere Square: www.grandcrubaltimore.com/
527 E. Belvedere Ave
Baltimore, MD 21212
(410) 464-1944

Situated comfortably in the Belvedere Square shopping area, Grand Cru doubles as a wine bar and wine shop. Overall there are only around 300 wines, but the selections are well thought-out and generally boast great values from all over the world. If the good values and great service aren’t enough to get you to stop by for a glass of wine, then consider this: Grand Cru is a part of a group of shops and markets in the square which feature outstanding sushi, great artisanal breads and meats, sandwiches, fresh fruit and even a coffee shop with great pastries. You can pick up a sandwich from the deli and take it with you to Grand Cru to enjoy it with a glass of wine! Check Grand Cru out on a Friday night in the summer when there’s live music and a party going on in the parking lot of the square or for a free tasting between 1:00 PM and 5:00 PM on a Saturday.

Baltimore Wine Bar Review: Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar- Inner Harbor:

Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar- Inner Harbor: www.flemingssteakhouse.com
720 Aliceanna St.
Baltimore, MD 21202
(410) 332-1666

This premier steakhouse in the Harbor East area doubles as a wine bar. The food aside, this is the best place in town to find a glass of wine that will fit everyone’s unique tastes with 100 wines by the glass every night. The wine list and reserve wine list are both quite impressive, but don’t expect to find very many boutique wines and expect to pay premium pricing for many of their selections.

General Manager/Wine Manager Scott O’Dell is a great resource for wine recommendations to fit any palate or food pairing. If he’s not around the guys behind the bar are just as willing and able to help out. The appetizers are excellent (try the Chef’s Artisan Cheese and Charcuterie) and the Filet Mignon sandwich is the best in town. The most expensive wine bar on this list, Fleming’s is in a category of its own. Expect to rub shoulders with many affluent men and women, including many of Baltimore’s up-and-coming business professionals, as well as a few Orioles or Ravens.

Baltimore Wine Bar Review: Chesapeake Wine Company

Chesapeake Wine Company - Canton: www.chesapeakewine.com
2400 Boston St.
Baltimore, MD 21202
(410)-522-4556

With a giant wine bar situated right in the middle of the wine shop, Chesapeake wins the award for best layout of those listed below. It may well perhaps be the best overall wine bar in town. At Chesapeake, you can expect a well thought-out and reasonably priced wine selection and great customer service. You won’t find the traditional big-name California Cabernets or first growth Bordeaux’s, but what you will find is wine from small producers all over the world. Owner Mitchell Pressman does an excellent job of keeping a diverse portfolio on hand and is constantly updating their stock, always bringing in new and exciting boutique wines. The bar generally offers 15-20 wines by the glass on any given night with a few additional sparkling and dessert wines. The food menu is simple, but offers many tasty treats that go great with a glass of wine such as a cheese and olive plate or a thin-crust veggie pizza.

I’d recommend getting on their mailing list (see the website for details) as they have weekly tastings which usually run $25 as well as other great events. Try to attend one of the monthly performances by the “House Band” (typically on a Friday night) to check out owner Mitchell on bass. If you’re looking for an upbeat wine bar with great appetizers, selection and service, head over to Chesapeake!

Wine Club - October Meet-up: Thursday Oct. 25, 2007!

Hey everyone -

Our wonderful friend Donna has taken the lead in organizing this month’s wine club gathering. The event will be next Thursday at 7:30 PM and will feature “Pairing Wine with Mexican Food”. See the Wine Club Page for a message from Donna!  (And no Miranda, tequila is not a wine…although it COULD be next Thursday!).

Don’t forget to RSVP! I hope to see many of you next week.

“Legend has it that they’re shaped from Marie Antoinette’s breasts.”

If the internet could talk, I think it would have said, in a Borat voice, “sexy time” as I read the Wine Spectator forums this morning. An interesting question posed by a WS forum member asked about the Champagne glasses pictured to the left that were often seen in old movies. (Image taken from: http://www.crystalandcandleshop.com) The first reply of course was: “Legend has it that they’re shaped from Marie Antoinette’s breasts.” (See thread)

Well as usual, legend is correct. Marie Antoinette, former Queen of France well known for her extravagant lifestyle and famous “Let them eat cake” statement, was infatuated with her body and her perfect figure. She felt her breast would make an ideal Champagne glass and had them shaped into a mold and made into what became known as the “saucer cup”.

“There is even an “original mold” preserved at a museum of France, which is the basis of all coupe glasses.” - WineIntro.com
And why wouldn’t there be! Unfortunately for Queen Antoinette, the shape of the glass was not ideal for keeping the Champagne’s bubbles in the glass over the course of time in which the Champagne was being enjoyed. Therefore, a more practical design, that of today’s Champagne flute, was put in place and the rest in history.

For more on this fun story see this article on WineIntro.com.

Why you’ll want to know how to pronounce “ah-LEN-tehzh”

Alentejo (pronounced “ah-LEN-tehzh, or “ah-len-te-sho”) is a major wine producing region in the southeast of Portugal (pictured in image). The region occupies a large stretch of land running north to south that consists of miles and miles of rolling plains and forest. This area is situated on very high quality soil of volcanic origin which of which you will find planted olives and vines. Further, the area is the home of hundreds of acres of cork forests which produce approximately one half of the worlds corks.

Until recent years Alentejo was relatively unknown in the wine world as it was often associated with mediocre Portuguese table wine. A rejuvenation in the wine making industry supported by both new technology and the energy of new and younger generation wine makers is currently underway. I expect great things from this region in the next ten years and here hope to briefly introduce you to some of the great things to look for in the near future.

Of the many grapes you’ll find in Alentejo, the majority are prominently red. These wines tend to be big, fruit-forward wines that are approachable young and when done right display solid tannins with some ability to age. The most popular grape variety is what is known locally as Aragonez (Tempranillo). Aragonez is thick-skinned and performs best in cooler climates where it is allowed to develop to maturity. The grape is low in acidity and sugars and therefore performs better as a blend. Aragonez adds flavors of plums, berry, tobacco, leather, and herbs.

Portugal’s national grape, the Touriga Nacional, is usually found growing with a variety of other grapes and was traditionally blended to make Port. More recently, Touriga Nacional is being used to make table wine where it’s tough skin, big dark fruits, and great structure make it an ideal backbone for a big, juicy red. Another very popular grape in Alentejo is Trincadeira. This small, dark grape that grows in bunches provides dark fruits and medium tannins to wines. I have significant experience with Portuguese wines and have to say that one of my favorite grapes is the dark-skinned and delicate Castelao. The Castelao grape provides big raspberry fruits and lots of great spice and are approachable when young. It is often added to a blend of grape varietals to bring out some spice and give the wine youth.

Other common grape varietals include Moreto, Periquita, Touriga Franca (great dark fruits), Alicante Bouschet (a French grape hybrid providing acidity, red fruits, and great color) , and the very unique Alfrocheiro Preto which is found in Vidigueira in the far south. One final note is that although I did not go into them here, Alentejo whites are also up and coming.

In general, 2004 and 2005 were very good vintages in Alentejo. The 2006’s are just starting to show and are looking to be another great vintage. I’d recommend experimenting with the many different varietals and unique blends offered by some of the winemakers in Alentejo. Here are a few suggestions of where to start. One final note, keep in mind that these wines are just making their way back into the US market and are priced very good. This means that a lot of great bargain wines are out there waiting to be found. Good luck!

• Vinha da Tapada Coelheiros (2004)
• Encostas de Estremoz Touriga Nacional (2004)
• Monte da Caldeira Colheita Seleccionada (2004) (50% Trincadeira, 50% Aragonez)
• Quinta da Pinheira (2004) - (Trincadeira, Aragones, Castelao)
  • For more info, see: www.lusoimports.com or Wine Searcher

Great Sauvignon Blancs from the “Land Down Under”

I am becoming a big fan of Australian wines. The quality of wine making throughout Australia has been exceptional in the past 5 years and wines have benefited from overall very good weather. Furthermore, these wines are typically outstanding values do to their relatively new place in the market and large yields.

The number of plantings of Suavignon Blanc is on the rise and over the next 5 years I feel the quality will be comparable to what we expect from their neighbors in New Zealand who have been making great Sauvignon Blanc for 10 years. The wines have great flavor profiles with ripe fruits and great overall freshness. The best in Australia are currently coming from the areas with a cooler climate which tend to allow the grapes to achieve perfect concentration and acidity. Expect great Suavignon Blanc to come from areas such as the Yarra Valley, the Adelaide Hills, and Tumbarumba. (Image: SMILING QUOKKA - © Leroi Keiller | Dreamstime.com)

The 2005 Vintage was very good overall for Australian wines. At harvest, fruits showed a delicate balance of acidity and ripeness with great concentration and depth across the board. The favorable conditions led to Sauvignon Blanc that produced wines with good fruit, citrus quality and a refreshing acidity. I recently had a blind tasting with the following wines and was very happy with the overall quality and value of each wine listed below. I recommend keeping an eye on the vintage reports for the next few years of Australian Sauvignon Blanc. I feel safe in saying that the quality and potential of these wines is just beginning to show.

Salitage Sauvignon Blanc “Treehouse” Pemberton (2005): Medium bouquet with ripe apple and pear. Light body, very crisp with solid citrus notes. Refreshing finish. Good wine. My rating: 85 pts

Ferngrove Vineyards Estate Sauvignon Blanc-Semillon Frankland River Western (2005): Straw, peach, citrus nose with minerals and more peach on the palette. Citrus into the crisp finish. Well done and great price. My rating: 88 pts

Cape Mentelle Semillon/Sauvignon Blanc Floral nose with orange and vanilla. Lacks a solid structure, but the texture is creamy a ptsnd has a good amount of grapefruit that carries into a crisp finish. Overall a great value. My rating: 87 pts

Shaw & Smith Sauvignon Blanc (2005): Wow.A floral bouquet with white peach and citrus. Very well structured and perfectly tuned wine with an oustanding balance of acidity and fruits. Mineral notes are refreshing and lead to a pleasant finish with great length. Very good. My rating: 92 pts

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