GrapeLines

A review of some recently released Kosher Wines.

“Good kosher wine” is no longer an oxymoron. Due to increased demand for alternatives to the traditional sweet wines, the quality and variety of kosher wines has steadily improved. The wines available for this year’s Passover demonstrate that this trend is continuing. For a wine to be designated kosher, the wine-making equipment can only be utilized for kosher wines and only kosher materials can be used during production. Shabbat-observant Jews supervise the entire process and no artificial colorings or preservatives are added. Kosher wine which will be handled by non-Jews is briefly heated to make it meshuval. Using current techniques, this does not affect the quality of the wine. Wines certified “kosher for Passover” do not come into contact with any unleaven materials during production.

Read more>>

A look at some recently released .

While it may not have won the Academy Award for Best Picture, “Sideways” has had a profound effect on the way Americans view wine. The film features Pinot Noir wines, of which the lead character says: “Its flavors are the most haunting and brilliant and subtle and thrilling and ancient on the planet.” The result has been a dramatic surge in demand for Pinot Noir with sales increasing as much as 135 percent in some areas.

Read more>>

A review of recent releases from the Clarendon Hills Winery.

Like Curt Schilling in the World Series, winemaker Roman Bratasiuk is at the top of his game. The owner of the Australian winery Clarendon Hills is a Ukrainian émigré and former biochemist. The winery, located in the McLaren Vale region, was started in 1989. Bratasiuk bases his wines on old — some as old as 75 years — low-yielding vines and even older winemaking techniques. The grapes are grown close to the winery, and the yeasts are indigenous as well. He does not filter or use other techniques to refine the wine, depending instead upon new oak barrels and long maceration times to allow the wines to develop their characteristic flavors. The results are flavorful, complex wines that have subtleties often associated with the finest French wines — which is exactly what Bratasiuk is trying to achieve.

Read more>>

A review of recently released Petite Sirahs.

Petite Sirah is the Rodney Dangerfield of grapes. A big, bold wine with cherry and berry like fruit and a mild peppery spiciness, it is frequently added to other varietals for color, body and flavor. Seldom does Petite Sirah get the respect that it deserves. However, this perception is slowly changing as the number of California winemakers producing quality Petite Sirah steadily increases.

Read more>>

Dessert wines are an under-appreciated treasure.

Dessert wines may well be the next American wine craze. It seems only natural that a country that has donut shops and ice cream parlors on nearly every corner will learn eventually to appreciate the wonders of a well-made “stickie.” It is a mystery why dessert wines are not more popular. They are a great way to end a meal with more flavor and fewer carbohydrates than a slice of cheesecake. Good dessert wines have a noticeable sweetness balanced by other components, and the best examples have an amazing complexity of flavors. Most are served slightly chilled from half-bottles, or splits, which can serve up to 12 guests. If you are looking for a gift for a wine-lover, a bottle of dessert wine always will be appreciated.

Read more>>

Sweet dessert wines are perfect gifts for wine lovers.

There are many ways to choose a wine to give as a gift. Some people pick based upon the appearance of the label, thinking that a cute animal or pretty picture somehow translates into a drinkable wine. Others select wines that they have previously tasted while some choose based solely on the price, or color, or country of origin. This results in chardonnay, merlot, and cabernet as the most commonly selected gifts.

Read more>>

A review of some tasty Zinfandels.

If Bordeaux is a classical symphony, then Zinfandel is the Allman Brothers Band. Big, bold, quintessentially American and at times sublime, Zinfandel at its best has rich, lively fruit flavors with an earthy, spicy and sometimes peppery character. It is versatile, found in blends with other grapes or as a single vineyard bottling. And it also has been made into the slightly sweet white Zinfandel. But it is the red wine that has achieved remarkable heights during the past several years. Some can be aged for as long as 10 years; however, most Zins are drunk young, generally within five years after release. Usually they are affordable, but some Zins, such as Turley and Martinelli, have achieved “cult” status and you have to wait years to get on a mailing list to obtain a bottle.

Read more>>

Some wine suggestions for winter meals.

With the arrival of cooler weather, entertaining moves indoors. And the fall and winter holidays add another dimension to family get-togethers. The menu changes from the lighter summer fare to richer and more robust dishes. Similarly, the wines that best match the meals for this time of year are often more complex and fuller, with a medium body and bolder flavors. Usually these are red wines, although some white wines can work as well, depending upon the food being served.

Read more>>

Collecting wine is easy and doesn’t have to be expensive.

A good wine is fun to share. Keeping bottles of wine around the house makes entertaining easier and eliminates the last minute run to the store to find “something to serve.” Starting a wine collection is actually very easy and can be done to fit any budget. And learning about different wines is an experience that couples can do together.

Read more>>