Wine Whore Review:


When I am not busy drinking wine, thinking about wine, or writing about wine, I like to see the world and meet new people. I am especially happy when wine has a chance to play a role in these adventures. For me, there's nothing more exciting than the discovery of a new place and a great meal accompanied by a nice bottle of vino! I have to admit that although I live in Florida, some of my fondest memories are set in the 'Left Coast'.

How does someone from Florida, or anywhere for that matter, find great places for wine and food?


Off the Vine is a magazine passionate about all the fabulous food and wine that the left coast has to offer. They talk about everything from wine and restaurant reviews to their favorite weekend getaways, cookware and even taco trucks. They're based in the Napa valley, but have coverage spanning all the way from Vancouver, British Columbia down to San Diego, California and everywhere in between. If you're looking for the best wine, restaurants, gourmet shops (or anything else culinary) to be found on the west coast, you will be sure to find it in Off the Vine.


There is tons of free content on their Web site and you can get even more by subscribing for full site access. After the launch of their print edition in September, they'll be printing six times a year. The Web site is updated all the time, so be sure to check 'em out whenever you decide to take a break from the Wine Whore... or better yet, just open up a new window so you can stay up to date with both of us!

Click here for more wine, food, and travel discussion at the Wine Whore Forum!

Cheers!


(Read more wine reviews and info at The Wine Whore)

WW Review:



Dear fellow wine lovers, I need your help:

I will be attending a wine tasting party where everyone will bring 3 bottles that cost between $6 and $18 each before tax of their favorite wine:

1 bottle of red
1 bottle of white (chilled)
1 red or white (don’t chill)

We will be tasting one red and one white bottle from each person in attendance. The bottles will be wrapped (blind tasting) and everyone (except the host) will vote on which one they like the best. The participant who brought the winning bottle of wine gets to take ALL of the third bottles home.

As the Wine Whore, I really want to win all of the free wine… What should I bring?

If I choose your selection and win, I'll dedicate an entire post to the wine you suggested.

Stay tuned for the results and pictures of the tasting...

(Read more wine reviews and info at The Wine Whore)

Wine Whore Review:
Score = 8/10 Points (stats below)



Summary:
Opening a bottle of this wine feels like stepping into the sunlight of a summer day. The golden pear hue warms me as I soak in its bouquet. The sour apple tartness parades across the tongue leaving the palate refreshed like a brisk swig from a cool glass of tangy lemonade.

Despite differences in heritage, this particular wine reminds me of a Sauvignon Blanc. Both grapes produce fresh, aromatic white wine yet differ in primary growing regions. Miles away from Sauvignon Blanc, Torrontés is classified as the characteristic white wine grape of Argentina. While little is known about their arrival, it is certain that they have been rooted in Argentina for quite some time. To make matters even more complicated, there is a strong belief that Torrontés is related to the Malvasia group of grapes from the Eastern Mediterranean. Regardless of its history and heritage, it is certain that this grape can produce wines capable of both excellence and beauty.

Recommended Food Pairing:
I took a chance and tried this wine with some delicious homemade Chicken Parmesan. It complimented the tanginess of the red sauce sufficiently while also standing up to the flavor of the battered chicken. Refreshing after every bite, this wine is also ideal with seafood, Chinese, and spicy Thai food.

Vintage Info:
“This wine has a fresh flavor and is smooth. It has flavours of rose grapefruit, ripe fruits like peaches and quince. A balanced wine with great fineness in aromas and flavours. It presents intense floral aromas combined with tropical fruit and citric notes.”

Stats:
Vintage: 2008
Varietal: Torrontes
Appellation: Mendoza
Residual Sugar: N/A
pH: N/A
Production: N/A
Alcohol %: 15


Wine Whore Score:



With its sweet, dry finish, this Torrontes comes in with a total of 32 out of 40 points and an average score of 8 out of 10 points. Low cost and high enjoyability make this well balanced, soft and refreshing wine a great choice to relax with on a warn summer day or any day of the year for that matter.

(Read more wine reviews and info at The Wine Whore)

Wine Whore Review
Score = 7.9/10 Points (stats below)



Summary:
The brilliant potential of wine would never be realized if kept trapped within the solitary confines of a glass reservoir. Wine yearns for a life of enjoyment, socializing, talking informally, and drinking together. Wine seeks to “hobnob” and as wine lovers we uncover pleasure in the same.

Tonight I celebrate the opportunity to hobnob with fellow wine lover and writer from ‘Wine at Five?’ Many wine enthusiasts mask themselves by gravitating towards a persona of pretentious and stuffy garble, however Shelly remains solid to the true meaning of life, love, and wine. Holding firm to realty yet still enjoying what’s real, she teaches us all through her life in text that “life is short and full of surprises. Live it to the fullest and drink lots of wine in the process.” Life’s manual for living masterfully simplified in two short sentences.

Surprise, enjoyment, and unpredictability are fundamental to the mystique of hobnobbing. Hob Nob Wine verbosely bottles this essence like a fine perfume. This wine is not about the stuffy and conventional. Masquerading as a hip California wine, Hob Nob’s trendy label cleverly masks this product of France. The label coupled with fact that it bears the Shiraz title proudly reserved for Australian wine of the sort is especially unconventional.

Hob Nob expresses the new age, loud, impulsive side of wine which refuses to conform to constraints, categories, and norms. Its atypical Shiraz bouquet and delicate finish are unpredictable yet enjoyable. From its grape jam glow to its sweet spice aroma, this wine stands apart and like Shelly, teaches us the magnificent beauty of surprise and why we must all enjoy a good glass of ‘Wine at Five.’

(Hob Nob with Shelly's review of this wine at Wine at Five?)

Recommended Food Pairing:
While Hob Nob recommends that this wine is paired with “mushroom sauces, pizza, swiss cheese burger, and sushi” I chose to pair this plum nectar with a steaming plate of lasagna. The soft fruity characteristics of the wine conversed well with the decadent parmesan cheese without overwhelming the tangy flavor of the spicy meat sauce.

Vintage Info:
“Mood: Loud. Character: As succulent as a dark chocolate covered cherry. Cherry aromas, hints of vanilla, velvety palate.”

Stats:
Vintage: 2006
Varietal: Shiraz
Appellation: French Table Wine
Residual Sugar: N/A
pH: N/A
Production: N/A
Alcohol %: 13


Wine Whore Score:



With its subtle spice and delicate cherry-plum fingers, Hob Nob Shiraz comes in with a total of 31.5 out of 40 points and an average score of 7.9 out of 10 points. This low cost wine will leave you amazed to discover that a French wine can be fun, modern, relaxed and enjoyable. Like every day that passes, this affordable wine is meant to be enjoyed.

(Read more wine reviews and info at The Wine Whore)

Wine Whore Review:



(Read more wine reviews and info at The Wine Whore)

Wine Whore Review:



To succeed in winemaking requires mathematical thinking. Multiple variables are manipulated, tested, and analyzed to discover the perfect formula. If incorrect, the result will be undrinkable, unaffordable or a combination thereof. On the other hand, the right combination has the potential to maximize quality at a low cost.

One winery proposes a unique solution to this mathematical quandary. The ‘mathematicians’ at X Winery propose a brilliant yet simplistic solution. Employing innovative and often overlooked techniques from vine to consumer, they effectively maximize quality while minimizing cost. Utilizing these variables, X Winery solves the seemingly paradoxical equation of how to satisfy both the consumer and winery’s goals.

Aside from being employed as a mathematical variable, ‘X’ is often used to mark the spot of something extraordinary, exemplary, or even unexpected. Through technology, efficiency, and delivery, such metaphorical buried treasure has been uncovered by X Winery. The map to success was drawn out in the MBA business plan of Reed Renaudin, winemaker and CEO. The goal: produce wines with an outstanding value proposition for consumers thus creating a niche in an otherwise overcrowded market.

The process begins with the young and efficient team of only eight people. By interchanging roles, they learn many aspects of the business and are able to share responsibility in multiple job functions. Costs are cut further through cooperative vineyard agreements and independent distribution networks.

Advanced winemaking techniques coupled with fruit from premium winegrowing regions throughout California promote small grower sustainability while also forming the foundation of a great wine. Eco-friendly wine bottles reduce overall impact on the environment by lowering the carbon footprint by up to 25%. Unique screen-printed mosaic X labels strengthen brand awareness while offering an alternative to the traditional paper badge. When added together, the efficient design and reduced bottle weight allow more bottles per truck, reducing excess trucking.

The result: A portfolio equal to eleven different varietals of quality wines retailing in the $10-$25 price category. Such mathematically sophisticated X Winery varietals include Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Petite Sirah, Zinfandel, and Napa Valley Bordeaux-based wines.

Before you open the next bottle of wine, stop for a second and consider the math that went into its creation.

Is the bottle you are about to drink the maximum sum of ‘X’?

(Read more wine reviews and info at The Wine Whore)

Wine Whore Review



(Read more wine reviews and info at The Wine Whore)

Wine Whore Review
Score = 7.5/10 Points (stats below)



Summary:
As a tribute to the amazing nectar contained in the small 375ml bottle, I present the following abridged review which is intended to be short and sweet, just like this wine.

Harvest Moon Russian River Valley Late Harvest Estate Zinfandel is made from the marvelous RRV grapes which are left on the vine for weeks longer. These grapes are only allowed “sips of water” torturing them into sweetness through dehydration. The suffering of these grapes produces a marvelous blend of sweet crimson zinfandel exhibiting the soft, tangy, and elegant signature the makes Harvest Moon memorable.

Recommended Food Pairing:
Chocolate covered strawberries. Alone.

Vintage Info:
“For those who exhibit patience with this wine, they'll be rewarded with a fully integrated (it smells like it tastes) dessert wine that will knock your guests' socks clean off. Otherwise, open and enjoy it while it's young and feisty.”

Stats:
Vintage: 2008
Varietal: 100% Russian River Valley Late Harvest Estate Zinfandel
Appellation: Russian River Valley
Residual Sugar: 6%
pH: 3.32
Production: 900 cases
Alcohol %: 13


Wine Whore Score:



Harvest Moon RRV Late Harvest Estate Zinfandel will appease your sweet tooth while also offering that peppery kick that zinfandel fans crave. This after dinner treat comes in with a total of 30 out of 40 points and an average score of 7.5 out of 10 points. The magnificent affair of taste and decadence captured in this wine is both undeniable and unforgettable.

(Read more wine reviews and info at The Wine Whore)

Wine Whore Review
Score = 7.4/10 Points (stats below)



For less than $10, this interesting South African blend of Cabernet and Pinotage not only tastes great but also always stocked at most local supermarkets, wine/liquor stores, and restaurants.

Summary
The golden yellow cheetah adorning the badge of Sebeka’s South Africa Cabernet-Pinotage makes this an easy bottle to spot amongst crowded shelves. Unlike its animated label, this wine is composed of a varietal that is often overlooked. To form this blend, Pinotage, first engineered as a cross between Pinot noir and Cinsaut in 1925, is married with cabernet, the familiar friend of many red wine lovers. Although not as well known in North America, Pinotage is suited to the harsh climate and terroir of South Africa making it the region’s signature red wine grape variety. Mated with other types of grapes, Pinotage creates a balanced blend of flavor and fragrance. Sebeka’s blend uses cabernet to expand upon these native characteristics while also incorporating “good tannins and a velvety finish of toasted oak.”

Recommended Food Pairing:
“As a full bodied wine rich in fruit flavors and tannins, Sebeka Cabernet/Pinotage pairs well with a wide variety of rich foods, such as pasta, fire-grilled meats, and vegetables.”

Vintage Info:
“2007 Sebeka South Africa Cabernet-Pinotage is a fruit-driven wine with subtle oak flavors of chocolate and mocha that features the blackberry, currant and herbal notes typical of Cabernet along with red fruit, acidity and smoky earth notes typical of Pinotage. Drink at time of purchase or age in the bottle for 2-3 years.”

Stats:
Vintage: 2007
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinotage
Appellation: Western Cape, South Africa
Sugar: 0.6g/100ml
Total Acid: 6.0g/L
pH: N/A
Aging: N/A
Alcohol %: 13.8%

Wine Whore Score:



Sebeka Cabernet/Pinotage offers great value as a well crafted yet low cost wine. After tasting this wine for the first time at the ABC Wine Tasting, I no longer wonder why this wine was awarded prestigious accolades in nine wine competitions held in 2008. Enjoyable, inexpensive, and easy to purchase, this wine comes in with a total of 29.5/40 points and an average score of 7.4/10.

(Read more wine reviews and info at The Wine Whore)

The only thing better than drinking wine is drinking wine in the company of other passionate wine lovers. I am excited to announce that I have discovered such a wine watering hole in my very own backyard. With their great selection of wine, reasonable prices (most less than $20), and helpful staff, New Tampa WineStyles offers a local hotspot for wine lovers to get together, enjoy a glass of wine, and have a great time.

At last Thursday night’s Wine Tasting Event, Troy and the welcoming staff from WineStyles were friendly, attentive and entertaining. They offered a range of knowledge appealing to wine connoisseurs and those new to the world of wine alike.

The tasting flight for the evening consisted of generous (and often multiple) pours of the following wines:

Axis Cellars Napa Meritage
Milo Valpolicella Italy
Laguna de la Nava Reserva Tempranillo 1999
I’M (Isabel Mondavi) Chardonnay 2004
Milo Soave Italy
Bridgeview Oregon Blue Moon Riesling


My favorite of the night was the Axis Cellars Napa Meritage. It needed to open up when it was first corked but once it relaxed it released all of its magnificent plum and tannin beauty. Being impressed with the Axis Meritage, I decided to take home a bottle of Axis Cabernet as part of an experiment in comparison.

You can be sure to find me at this and other fun New Tampa WineStyle’s events.


(Read more wine reviews and info at The Wine Whore)

(Original post from The Wine Whore)

You may want to think twice before deciding to bring that bottle of wine from home to your favorite restaurant. Although you make think this is a creative way to save some cash when it comes to those inflated restaurant wine prices, there are some important rules you may want to read before you rush to grab that bottle of wine on your way out the door. While bringing your own special bottle from your collection can be a fun way of celebrating with friends and family, it is important to understand proper etiquette or else you could make an embarrassing and costly mistake.

Always follow these simple rules when bringing wine to a restaurant to avoid any surprise or embarrassment:

Call the restaurant in advance to verify that corkage is allowed.

Find out the exact corkage fee before arriving (most restaurants don’t charge over $20).

While some restaurants may waive the corkage fee you purchase an additional bottle, do not assume that this is always the case.

Try to bring something unique. Whatever your bring, make sure it is NOT on the wine list.

Offer the waiter and/or sommelier a taste of the wine you have brought once it is opened.

Keep in mind that a lot of restaurants offer their “regulars” a discount and sometime even waive any corkage fees.

Audience Participation:Have you recently brought a bottle to your favorite restaurant? If so, post a comment below about where you went, how much you paid to cork, and what you brought. Has anyone learned any corkage etiquette that I didn’t mention?

(Read more wine reviews and info at The Wine Whore)

Wine Whore Score = 7.9/10 Points (stats below)
(Original post from The Wine Whore)


Summary:
As a huge fan of the thin-skinned, inky, dark colored Malbec grape, I was elated to taste ‘The Wait’ Malbec Rose. Made from 100% Malbec grape from the Mendoza region of Argentina, this wine’s exciting pink hue is developed from grapes left for 18 hours of maceration with their skin.

The wait to taste this wine was unbearable. Curiosity and anticipation took hold of me as my eyes were illuminated by this glowing amber gem. I could sense this rare breed begging to be enjoyed as I gaze at it encapsulated within its transparent glass confine. The contents of which radiated like a dusky sunset caressing the shore’s edge as it slowly, slips away into the darkness of nightfall.

Pouring the wine into my anxious glass released a sea of hot pink nectar. Like sunset’s fingers dancing along the ocean, it anxiously flowed around the rounded bowl of my glass. As it washed upon my tongue, I found myself submerged in the scenery, sights, and smells which calmly permeate from the finale of a spring day. From the raspberry and wild cherry flavor to the round and luscious finish, this wine is not afraid to flaunt its personality. The gentle twin sister of Malbec, this Rose embodies the finest characteristics of this grape variety while also adding a sweet, fruity, edge, making this wine crisp and refreshing.

Recommended Food Pairing:
For fun, I tasted this wine alongside barbeque rotisserie chicken. The spicy and sweet coating of the poultry marinade made a welcome companion to the palate of this sweet Malbec. Refreshing enough to drink alone, it would easily pair well with tuna, green salad, pasta, or even spicy Asian dishes.

Vintage Info:
“This wine offers a smooth and velvety wine, expressing very fruity and fresh flavors. It has intense berries aromas. It is bright and intense rose distinctive color with violet hues.”

Stats:
Vintage: 2008
Varietal: Malbec Rose (100% Malbec grape)
Appellation: Mendozza
Residual Sugar: N/A
Production: N/A
Alcohol %: 14.3


Wine Whore Score:

The fruity aroma and crisp juicy finish of ‘The Wait’ Malbec Rose will transport you to a calming and soothing oasis. With its very reasonable price and overall enjoyability, this wine comes in with a total of 31.5 out of 40 points and an average score of 7.9 out of 10 points. If you are not looking for the deep full flavor of Malbec but still want to enjoy its vibrant qualities, this wine is exactly what you are looking for.

(For more wine reviews, check out The Wine Whore)

(Original post from The Wine Whore)

The linkage between time and human emotion is fundamental to the bond between winemakers and their grapes. Like a mother caring for her child, they wait, watch, and hope as their fruit mature. They shield the delicate growths from the harmful elements threatening to destroy their yield. Over time, their patience, hope and dedication pay off and they are finally rewarded for the labor of their love. Time has combined with their emotion to create magnificent wine. This wine is the product of “The Wait”.

Inspired by this journey, 'The Wait' collection of wines uses its intriguing, deep, dark side to reflect the difficulty, tragedy, and beauty of life. They tell the story of the wait while showing us that good things come to those who never loose hope.

“Sin el tiempo, esa invencion de Satanas, el mundo perderia la angustia de la espera y el consuelo de la esperanza.
(Antonio Machado)

Without time, Satan's invention, the world would lose its sorrow of wait and its hope of wait.”



‘The Wait’ begins its journey by selecting grapes from Mendoza, the center of Argentina’s wine industry. Located in the mid-west of Argentina at the feet of the Andes, Mendoza’s climate and terrier make it an excellent cradle for wine. Without any humidity in the air, Argentine vineyards are mostly free of fungal diseases which almost eliminate the need to spray preventive chemicals. Watered solely by the rivers of the Andes Mountains, this region experiences intense sunlight 320 days per year on average and rainfall that rarely exceeds 8 to 10 inches per year. Such harsh environmental conditions stress the vines causing them to respond with ultra-ripe grapes which are harvested through February and early April.

As the largest wine producer in South America and the 5th largest in the world, Argentina’s signature grape is Malbec. This thin-skinned, inky dark colored grape with robust tannins was originally brought to the region by the French as Auxerrois. Including their two wines made from Malbec, ‘The Wait’ produces a total of four different varietals: Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec Rose, and Torrontes. All of which sell for about $10.99 to $12.99 per 750ml bottle.

As a huge Malbec fan, I am elated to taste and review the Malbec Rose made from 100% Malbec. Stay tuned for the Wine Whore Review of this and the other wines made by ‘The Wait’.

(For more reviews, check out The Wine Whore)