The Good Doctor!

Feeling down in the dumps, need a pick me up, consult with the good doctor, Dr Ernst Loosen and the wonderful world of riesling.  I am not talking about the cheap domestic sugar water.  I am talking about a world class estate producing some of the best German rieslings around.

Ernst Loosen was born into a great tradition of German winemaking. The Dr. Loosen estate on the Mosel River has been in his family for over 200 years.  Ernst dove into winemaking while completing his studies at Germany’s renowned winemaking school in Geisenheim and then launched into a self directed review of the great wines of the world.  When Ernst Loosen assumed control of the Dr. Loosen estate in 1988, he recognized a lot of potential that was going unused.  Ernst inherited a good number of vines that were well over 100 years old — vines perfectly suited to the low-yield, highly concentrated style he wanted to produce.  With no hightech equipment, Ernst and his cellarmaster had no choice but to make wines in a minimalist manner, with very little handling and long, slow fermentations.  Since Ernst took over, Dr. Loosen wines have received countless awards and glowing reviews in the wine press. The estate has become a member of the prestigious VDP, Germany’s association of top-rated wine estates, and has been named one of the 10 best estates in Germany by nearly every wine publication worldwide. Ernst was named Germany’s Winemaker of the Year in the 2001 edition of Gault Millau’s Weinguide Deutschland and Decanter magazine’s Man of the Year in 2005. He was also the International WINE Challenge’s White Winemaker of the Year in 2005.

Dr. Loosen estate information:

Total vineyard area: 40 acres

Annual production: 100,000 bottles(roughly 8500 cases)

Varieties: Riesling, 100%

1st Growth vineyards: Bernkasteler Lay, Erdener Prälat, Erdener Treppchen,

Graacher Himmelreich, Ürziger Würzgarten, Wehlener Sonnenuhr

Elements of Quality:

Regional Climate:  Steep south facing slopes is ideal for riesling in this low-lying northern sun.  Generally cool conditions that allow for slow ripening.

Slate Soil:  The stony soil and rocky outcroppings warm the vineyards by reflecting sunlight and holding the warmth of the sun.  The thin topsoils add that stress to the vines so that they dig deep for water and nutrients. 

Old Ungrafted Vines:  Who said getting old wasn't fun...less vigourous and naturally lower yields equals higher concentration and richness and thats what we like!

You can find Dr Loosen's wines readily in the market but on February 10th I bring to you a sweet treat(no pun intended).  Dr Ernst Loosen will be in Athens!!!  Come by Gosfword Wine between 6:00-7:30 to meet and taste through some of Ernst's selections.  I promise you that you will not be down in the dumps after this tasting.

See you there...

Ponzi is for Pinot

Ponzi Vineyards is celebrating its 40th anniversary. When Dick and Nancy Ponzi founded their family winery and vineyards in 1970, they were among a handful of vintners forging a new start in Oregon’s fledgling wine endeavors. Four decades later, Ponzi Vineyards has continued to be a leader, practicing a philosophy of innovation, experimentation, respectful stewardship of the land, and achieving consistent excellence in its wines.

In 2000, the Ponzi family proudly achieved LIVE Certification for the winery and each of their vineyards. The LIVE Program (Low Input Viticulture and Enology) encourages biodiversity in the vineyard with a goal to produce the highest quality wines for refined palates and environmentally conscious consumers by using sustainable techniques.

So Ponzi is for Pinot...Gris and Noir.  Viewed as one of the most consistent wineries in the Willamette Valley, Ponzi still continues to excite.

2009 Pinot Gris, Willamette Valley:  Produced in traditional Ponzi fashion leaving no detail overlooked, this Pinot Gris remains a varietal flagship throughout Oregon.  Fermented in 100% tank and 50% MF(malolactic fermentation), this gris has a nose of green apple and citrus zest.  A perfect balance between sweetness and acidity. 

90 Points WE 

2008 Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley:  This Pinot Noir is a blend of LIVE Certified Sustainable fruit from Ponzi’s Aurora, Madrona and Avellana Vineyards along with Linda Vista, Gran Moraine, Gemini, Zena West and Alloro Vineyards.  Sweet black fruits with a mid palate of blue fruit and soft silky tannins make this a great wine for any occasion. 
91 Points WA; 91 Points IWC

What I'm Drinking

Inspired by the recent readings from the Wine Advocate(Issue #192 December 23, 2010), I pulled out a particular bottle to revisit.  Argentina continues to explode and pour into the US market with a vengeance.  Parker recently highlighted Argentina best over $20.  I don't know about you but when I think of Argentina I think of under $20.  That doesn't mean there isn't unbelievable wines over $20.  Compared to it's equivalent, Argentine Malbec's and Cab's over $20 are still better bargain's.  Point in case....Flechas de los Andes, Gran Malbec 2008 Mendoza.   The owners of this estate are Laurent Dassault, owner of (Grand Cru) Chateau Dassault in St. Emilion, and Baron Benjamin de Rothschild, who needs no introduction.  This wine is aged in a combination of tank and barrel for 12 months.  This wine is a great expression of what Argentine malbec can become.  This is a great bridge between the super cheap and some of the upper echelon malbec's.  This wine is worth hunting down.  This is the third vintage I have had and it continues to excite me.  Around $20-$25(depending on who you know!).

Muscadet?

Yeah Yeah, Muscadet in the dead of winter.  What am I thinking.  Whites for summer & Reds for winter!  Not necessarily.

Muscadet(meuhs-kah-DAY) a light, dry, white wine located in the western portion of the Loire around the town of Nantes.  Muscadet, although local known as Melon de Bourgogne, is often viewed as an inexpensive and ordinary wine.  And for the most part it is.  It's not to say there are not some great producers.  When hunting for a Muscadet look for Muscadet de Sèvre-et-Maine, preferable one that is labeled mise en bouteille sur lie or bottled directly off the lees.  Not only is this the best of the four regions for Muscadet but the process of lees aging and bottling without fining and filtering adds soft, creamy and more flavorful nuances.

A producer that I enjoy is Louis Métaireau Petit Mouton, Muscadet de Sèvre-et-Maine 2008 "Sur lie".  This particular estate started as a vision of one man and became a collective group of growers and winemakers looking to improve quality, and improve the purity and personality of the region's wines.  Today the estate is in the hands of Métaireau's daughter Marie-Luce & her husband Jean-Francois Guilbaud.  Totaling roughly 30 hectares of 35 year old vines, Jean-Francois & Marie-Luce continue to make wines in a traditional way.  In order to preserve the old vines, all the grapes are harvested by hand.  After spending the winter on its lees, each vat is tasted blind and a decision is made as to which cuvee it will become. Bottling takes place in the spring according to the age-old sur lie method. In the spring after the vintage, the wine is drawn off from its lees with as little handling as possible, and no filtration.  This wine is very fresh with a fairly bright citrus character.  Old vines grown in siliceous rock give this wine its backbone of minerality.

Enjoy this wine with shellfish, light cheese, as a starter, or even in the dead of winter.

Ummm Bordeaux

Having tasted some pretty stellar Bordeaux's today, I thought I would share.


Highlights:


2005 Bellegrave, Pomerol-Situated in the Northwest section of the commune of Pomerol, Chateau Bellegrave is seven hectare of gravelly, sandy soils with only small amounts of the coveted rich clay. The result is a softer, more elegant, feminine Pomerol with great finesse.  The 05 Vintage is a 75/25 blend of Merlot/Franc.  Organic viticulture, with no artificial fertilizers or treatments helps to maintain the health and strength of the 35 year old vines.($45)

2005 Phelan Segur, Saint-Estephe-Château Phélan Ségur lies in the commune of Saint-Estèphe in the Bordeaux region of France, neighboring vineyards Château Calon-Ségur and Château Montrose. In a 2003 Cru Bourgeois classification revision, it was listed as one of 9 Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnels. The 05 is a 50/50 blend of Cab/Merlot and shows very good depth of dark black fruits, damp cedar, and a solid backbone of minerality wrapped around the drying tannins.($65)


Grab a bottle @ 5 Points Bottle Shop Westside or have some friends up @ Aromas(Bellegrave on the list $70).

Tasting @ Niko's Wine Corner

I am pleased to announce a tasting @ Niko's Wine Corner in Lawerenceville next Thursday January 20th.  Leslie and I will be kicking off a couple of new wines and for you Top Chef fans this will be an event to see.  Top Chef, Bravo’s James Beard Award-winning food show, selected the Terlato Wine Group – owner of five premium California wineries – to craft a handful of elegant wines that are refined, well balanced and food friendly. The result: Quickfire Napa Valley Chardonnay, Quickfire Central Coast Pinot Noir, & Quickfire Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, wines which will compliment a wide range of food styles.

For new and exciting Top Chef recipes, check out http://www.terlatowine.com/. 

We will also be trying The Federalist Zinfandel which was featured on multiple shows.

The Federalist’s vineyards are located in Sonoma County, California. Owned and managed by the Terlato Family, they have positioned the winery to produce single vineyard and estate wines with a focus on Zinfandel. The Federalist is sourced from 100% estate grown new vines on the estate. 

For all you Top Chef fans like myself, this should be fun!

Snow Day!

Well, seeing that the 10 inches of snow is going to put a damper on the work day, my question to you is......what are you drinking?  Inspired by the snow, I think of the snow capped Andes and the wonderful wines from Argentina.  And what a better way to celebrate the snow than a wine from Achaval-Ferrer.  For those who are not familiar with this 100% estate grown winery it would behoove you to seek these wines out.  Owned by Santiago Achaval, Manuel Ferrer, & Roberto Cipresso this 15,000 cases winery was founded in 1998.  Know for there expression of Malbec from their three unique vineyards(Altamira, Bella Vista, Mirador) there Mendoza appellation Malbec is not something to turn a cold shoulder too!!

2009 Achaval Ferrer Malbec, Mendoza Argentina

"The purple-colored 2009 Malbec is sensational for an entry-level wine. It gives up an alluring nose of wood smoke, Asian spices, floral notes, black cherry, and black raspberry. Layered, smooth-textured, and plush, this is a mouth-coating effort that is ready to drink but that will continue to deliver satisfaction for another 6-8 years.

Achaval Ferrer is now firmly established as one of Argentina’s benchmark producers. "
Wine Advocate, Jay Miller, 92 Points

**Would also like to give props to Mr Hugh.  As I enjoy a cup of coffee and my Sunday morning read(usually some sort of wine or food mag) of Saveur Top 100 Chefs' Edition I come across #91-Fish Tacos.  As I continue to read I see that good ol' Athens Georgia & 5&10 are the headline.  Love to see Athens(thanks Hugh) get some love.  Look forward to making these tacos!!

Geek Speak Answer

Who can name the 3 DOCa in Spain??

Rioja, Priorat, & Ribera del Duero

Geek Speak

The wine world is a class that never ends.  The plethora of information takes a lifetime to learn and even then I don't think you grasp everything.  To me that's what makes wine so fascinating. To help myself continue this challenge I am going to post question or interesting facts that I come across in my studies.  Maybe we can all learn something cool together.

1.  The governing laws that are followed and enforced by the DO(Denominacion de Origen) in Spain cover the entire nation and control every aspect of planting, cultivating, harvesting, vinification, ageing and labeling.  There are currently 66 DO's in Spain  There are however 3 DOCa classification.  This is a higher category of wine based on a proven track record of high quality wines.

Who can name the 3 DOCa in Spain??

What I'm Drinking

Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc Viognier 2009!  This is a very pretty wine of 80% Chenin Blanc and 20% Viognier.  These particular grapes are harvested from Clarksburg which is an appellation nestled in the Sacramento River Delta.  A very floral nose with hints of pear and lychee.  Slightly off-dry on the palate but wonderful acidity and peach/apple flavors.  Thinking food....think Sushi. 
90 points Wine Advocate

Wine Talk: It's Just Fermented Juice

Wine Talk:  Wine is an alcoholic beverage, made of fermented fruit juice, usually from grapes........translation, lets not take it to seriously!  I am going to start posting some different wines of the week as well as some cool new happenings aroung town.  Lets have some fun, try some new things and maybe learn a thing or two.

Happy New Year

Hello fellow wino's!! The objective of this facebook page is to bring the wine and foodies together through new and exciting info. Updates on the wine world, new and interesting wines, events around town, and educational tid bits will hopefully help expand everyones mind and palate. I am currently in the wine business and try to stay on the pulse of whats new. I look forward to making new friends.