Wine Gifts $25 or less

I was reading the Wine Spectator's 2008 Top 100 list and was surprised to find so many bottles of wine for $25 or less and that EVEN includes one in the top 10. Nice!

Here's a list of the wines from the list that are $25 or less. You can get that someone special a quality bottle of wine and NOT brake the bank. Score!

The first number represents the wine ranking within the top 100 list and the second score is the Wine Spectator score using the 100 point scale.

• #10, 93 - Seghesio Zindandel 2007 Sonoma County, $24
• #30, 93 - Byron Chardonnay 2005 Santa Maria Valley, $25
• #38, 92 - Bodega Colome Malbec 2004 Toro San Roman, $25
• #40, 91 - Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc 2008 Marlborough, $19
• #42, 92 - Amavi Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 Walla Walla, $25
• #44, 92 - Leasingham Riesling 2007 Clare Valley Magnus, $12
• #51, 90 - Fattoria di Felsina Chianti Classico 2006 Berardenga, $17
• #52, 90 - Bodegas LAN Rioja Reserva 2004, $17
• #55, 91 - Yalumba Viognier 2007 Edna Valley, $19
• #58, 90 - Louis Latour Marsannay 2005, $20

This is a great list. Everything is $25 or less, 90 points or higher, and there is a wonderful selection of wines to choose from, both reds and whites.

Directions for use: print this out, go to nearest favorite wine retailer, find wines on list and buy =) Don't be afraid to pick up a bottle or two for yourself!

-H

Amazon to Free the Grapes!

The word on the street is Amazon is going back into wine sales. Their first foray was a 30 million dollar investment in Wine.com back in 2005 that basically failed, in large part, due to difficult and varied interstate wine shipping laws.

Another reason was, Wine.com actually would pose as a customer and have other wine sellers ship them wine illegally and then turn that seller in to the authorities. It didn't take long for many of Wine.com's customers to feel betrayed and NOT buy wine from Wine.com.

An organization called Free the Grapes! is trying to enact legistlation that will allow consumers to purchase directly from the wineries and retailers, i.e. no middleman/wholesaler. This will remove the many convoluted shipping laws that are keeping us from getting some great wines at great prices.

So Amazon, once again, is getting into the wine business. They will be using a company called New Vine Logistics that deals in wine fulfillment and can deliver to 45 states. Wine purchases on Amazon would even qualify for its discount shipping program, Amazon Prime, in which goods are shipped free for a yearly fee of $79. Amazon Prime is SO totally worth it for wine... SCORE!

There are many things going on behind the scenes here. Naturally the Wholesalers are lobbying for all the laws to stay the same. If they don't, they will lose a lot of business. My hope is that Amazon will use its signifacant pull to further the goals of direct-to-consumer laws.

Amazon's wine sales were supposed to be up last month some time, hopefully it will be up before the Christmas season. Keep a look out for it.

-H

CSW Exam - Certified Specialist of Wine

I am continually studying for the Certified Specialist of Wine certification. The Tasting Room has set up access to Gallo's Wine Academy for for everyone that works for them. The first person to complete the Academy gets to take their CSW exam on TTR's dime.

I finished first, but have yet to take the test. I really should have taken the test right after completing the Academy. I will need to go through the whole Academy again as a refresher and I hope to have my CSW by the end of November.

In the mean time, here's some questions you might find on an CSW exam - answers below:

• Where is the wine region of Mendoza located?
• Who is the man responsible for the "Balanced Vine" theory?
• What is a synonym for Chenin Blanc in South Africa?
• Wine is mostly comprised of what?
• The Los Carneros AVA is best known for which varietal of wine?
• When did prohibition end in the USA?
• Catarratto, Grillo and Inzolia are used to produce what fortified wine?
• What are the two primary white grapes in Bordeaux?
• How many aromas can humans be trained to identify?
• Humans are most sensitive to which taste?

So these are only 10 questions of about a 1000 they can give. The actual exam is 100 questions. The questions range from viticulture to viniculture to every continent that grows wine and all the major wine growing areas within those regions. This is definitely A LOT to learn, but for me well worth it.

• Argentina
• Richard Smart
• Steen
• Water
• Pinot Noir
• 1933
• Marsala
• Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon
• ~1000
• bitter

-H

Fun Wines for Halloween

It has been a busy month and I have neglected my beloved wine blog. So let's get this month going with a post about this time of year...

Halloween, definitely my favorite time of year. It celebrates the Autumn season with spooky fun and that brings up some interesting wines. Here's a short list of wines that come to mind:

Evil Cabernet - A full bodied fruit bomb from the irreverant Aussie's
Vampire - They make Pinot Noir, Merlot, Chardonnay and more
Poizin - From the award winning Armida winery in Sonoma
Ghost Block - "Nestled on a gently sloping knoll, Ghost Block vineyard is named in honor of Napa's pioneer winemakers who rest in a tiny 150 year old cemetery on the north edge of Yountville - the epicenter of Napa Valley"

I've personally tried the Evil Cabernet and Vampire Pinot Noir. The Evil Cab is great and the Pinot was just OK for me. Poizon and Ghost Block have gotten great reviews and I'm looking forward to trying them. I hear that getting Ghost Block is very difficult too.

-H

Chenin Blanc - A Chameleon Grape

Chenin blanc is the white chameleon grape from the Loire, France, morphing and blending into its environment. In France it is known as Pineau de la Loire, in South Africa as Steen, and it is known as Pinot Blanco in Brazil, Chile, Mexico, and Argentina. Chenin's versatility stems from its high acidity. It can be used to make sweet wines, dry wines and even sparkling wines.

For an off-sweet to sweet Chenin Blanc the usual aroma and flavor profile is floral, honey suckle, honeydew or canteloupe, with a possible hint of vanilla or sweet wood.

For an off-dry to dry Chenin Blanc the usual aroma and flavor profile is apple, lime and pear with hints of vanilla and honey.

Some of the more notable places you will find Chenin Blanc are Sauternes, a desert wine usually blended with Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, Crémant de Loire sparkling wines, and Vouvray makes off-dry style of wines.

I personally knew very little about the versatility of Chenin Blanc and didn't realize how many wines it is used in. I love desert wines, so I am a fan of Sauternes. I've also tasted a Vouvray of which I also liked. If you drink whites and are looking for a new white to try, get Chenin Blanc. I think you'll enjoy it.

-H

Ike, The Tasting Room, and Normalcy

In the aftermath of Hurricane Ike many were looking for a way to relieve stress, wanting some human interaction and above all, a sense of normalcy.

My wine bar had power and minimal damage. I thought it was crazy that my wine bar was open on Sunday for business and that my manager had asked for anyone that could work, to please come in and pick up the shift. I honestly didn't think anyone would show up, employees or Guests.

I ended up going in around 3:30 just wanting to help out if they needed it and if they didn't, I'd get online and touch base with all those not in Houston. What I saw was kind of amazing. A lot of people were there and it almost looked like any other day except for the downed trees and our broken Willow (of which all that work there, love).

I got to sling some wine, order some food and listen to what other people were going through with Ike and no power or running water. Many who were spared the worst, were hopeful and thankful. I could tell our Guests were glad to be doing something as simple as drinking a glass of wine and to just get away even if only for a half hour.

I am happy I went in to work and glad that management decided to open. It helped a lot of people to relieve a bit of stress and time to enjoy what they do have instead of dwelling on what was lost. Kudos to the The Tasting Room and all those other establishments that opened as soon as they could to help ALL of us feel a bit of Normalcy.

-H

Two Hands Gnarly Dudes 2006

I went out with a couple of friends of mine last night. We all work at the Uptown's The Tasting Room (TTR) and when we go out, we usually drink beer so that usually means we drink at Champps.

Last night was different though, we all wanted to drink wine, but not at TTR. We chose Max's Wine Dive since we get the employee discount there (it is owned by TTR) and of course the food is goooo ooood.

We decided on the Two Hands Gnarly Dudes 2006. I've had it before and like it very much. This wine is on the more mid-range as far as price, going for about $40-50 a bottle.

It is an Australian Shiraz and is characteristic of one. It is fruit forward, good alcohol, and firm but not overpowering tannins. The fruit is dark; cherries, blueberries, with a bit of spice and hint of milk chocolate. It is supple on the tongue and has a lingering finish. A very nice bottle.

-H