WineGuy: Wine information 101

This is not a site for wine snobs/experts, just for those learning about wine or those who want to know the basics. Monthly I will spotlight a great wine to try. Also, there will be more wine information updates as the questions roll in. On the site there are great wine gift ideas, breakdown of the most common wine varietals, and suggestions on what wine goes best with food! Salud!

Kestrel Winemaker Select Estate Malbec 2005

I have had a couple of Kestrel wines in the past, both their Cab and Merlot, which were great. However, I had not tried their Malbec until a friend brought a bottle over, and i was blown away. The Kestrel 2005 Malbec was full bodied, with a very rich, dark color. The wine had a plum, blackberry and mocha flavors, with a complex spicy mineral undertone. Absolutely fantastic finish. Price is around $30 (US)

Kestrel Vintners started in 1999, the winery is located in the Prosser Wine and Food Park (Washington State). Kestrel is predominately a red wine producer; their wines are aged one-to-two years in the finest French, American and Hungarian oak barrels.

Check them out here:

http://www.kestrelwines.com/

Lockwood 2007 Pinot Noir Block 7

Lockwood makes some good wines, but I was surprised how much I enjoyed the 2007 Lockwood Pinot Noir. This Pinot is extremely smooth and well rounded. The wine has a fruity and floral aroma, with notes of cherry, blueberry and cranberry on the palate. Try this Pinot Noir with salmon, chicken or with a "light" pasta dish. I picked it up for $14 us.

Mollydooker the Boxer (2008)

Mollydooker is a great winery in McLaren Vale, Australia (this region is producing some of the best wines in the world right now). Mollydooker has been producing some great and highly scored wines for the past few years. The 2008 Boxer Shiraz (rated a 91 from Wine Spectator, priced around $25 us) is a great big mouthful of spice and fruit, which will go great with almost any Holiday dinner. I shared this wine with some friends who were not "wine fans", and they were quickly "knocked out" by the Boxer (pun intended). This is by far my favorite wine in this price range.

Check this winery out at:

www.mollydookerwines.com

Just the basics, so you aren't embarrassed at a restaurant or dinner party.

Here is the basic rule of thumb:

White goes well with chicken, fish, seafood, pork, salad, and vegetables.

Red pairs with red meat, bbq, heavy-tomato sauces on pasta or pizza.

Here are some variations, specifications and clarifications of the basics:

Spicy Asian food: Gewurztraminer (best choice), Merlot or a Pinot Noir would work nicely.

Thanksgiving dinner: Any White would work. You could also try a Rose if you feel daring. I prefer a Pinot Noir or even a Shiraz.

Turkey or Wild Game: Pinot Noir or a Syrah/Shiraz.

Steaks: Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec (the best), or Zinfandel.

Sushi: Gewurztraminer or a Pinot Noir.

Salmon: I love a Pinot Noir, but most White Wines or even a Rose would work.

Other Fish/Seafood: I would choose a Riesling or Chardonnay.

Lamb: Pinot Noir

Mediterranean-style dishes: Sangiovese, Syrah, Merlot or Pinot Noir.

Mexican Foods: This is a tough one. You could try a Gewurztraminer or a Pinot Noir with light, spicy ingredients (that include chicken, pork or seafood). For more hearty dishes, with beef (or a tomato sauce), a Merlot, Shiraz, Sangiovese or even a Malbec could work.

Lastly, here are some recommendations on what to AVOID at all costs:

1. Red meat with white wines or sweet wines.

2. Pungent/strong cheeses and dessert foods with cabernet sauvignon, rose or chardonnay.

3. Chilling Red Wines.

Learn everything you want or need to know about wine. Excellent book for the new wine lover!

Basic description of popular wines.

The most common wines are red and white. However, there is a large market for "something in between" - better known as Rosé. Rosé wines are produced by removing the skins of the wine grapes, not by combining the red and white wines. Rosé is served chilled (like white). The other "in between" wines are white zinfandel and white merlot. These wines are not technically Rosé, as the grape skins are not removed, but rather the grape is "bled" to remove the color, and create a sweet wine with a blush tone. In most "wine circles" white zin and white merlot are not believed to be real wines, but their popularity is growing worldwide.

There are hundreds of red wine grapes and varietals, the most popular are Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petite Sirah, Syrah, Grenache, Shiraz, Sangiovese, and my "new" favorite red, Malbec. Merlot has been the "favorite" red for years, however Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Shiraz and Malbecs have gained in popularity and quality over the past decade. "Flavors" in red wine grapes vary, but here are common "nuances" found: Cinnamon, Coffee, Cocoa, Leather, Licorice, Toast, Smokey, Cherry, Plum, Strawberry, Blackberry, Raspberry, Currant, Fig, White or Black Pepper, Clove, Anise and Tobacco.

The better known white wine varietals include Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Gewürztraminer and my favorite Viognier. Like red wine grapes, there are hundreds more that I did not include because they are less common to the average consumer. Common white wine "flavors" are often described as: Apple, Pear, Melon, "Mineral", Lime, Lemon, Passion Fruit, Grape Fruit, Floral, Honey and Citrus.

Unlike your average table wine, dessert wines have an extremely high sugar content (or residual sugar). The residual sugar in dessert wines varies from 3 percent to 28 percent. Because of the sweet nature of these wines, many "new" wine consumers find these easier and more enjoyable to drink. There are essentially four different varietals of dessert wines:

1. Madeira: A fortified wine produced on an island of the coast of Portugal called....Madeira (surprise). Well known for its dark color, rich texture, and nuances (varies) of coffee, hazelnut, caramel or raisin. The best Madeira's can be aged up to 100 years. As a side note, Madeira was a favorite of Thomas Jefferson, and was used to toast the Declaration of Independence. Try Blandy Madeira Malmsey Rainwater for around $18us.

2. Ports: A fortified wine traditionally produced in Spain and Portugal, that has a higher alcohol content then other dessert wines (as high as 19%). Two primary types of Port are Tawny (my favorite) and Ruby. Tawny Port has a rich golden brown color, and often a nutty flavor (and sometimes a hint of spice). Ruby Port is more common, has a rich red color and is known for more a fruitier flavor.

I recommend Warre's Otima 10 Year Tawny (Portugal) for about $26us.

3. Late Harvest Wines: Most common of the dessert wines, the grapes are left on the vine until they begin to rot (called Botrytis or the "noble rot) and "raisin", producing a very sweet, rich wine. Late Harvest Rieslings (often with honey and citrus flavors) are common, but I had a Late Harvest Zinfandel that was fantastic. Try Hogue Cellar's Late Harvest Riesling 2005 a great buy for around $10 us.

4. Ice Wines: These wines are often called "liquid gold" because of the color and the cost to harvest and produce. Because they are left on the vine longer (and essentially after they freeze) they are super sweet, and almost looks likes syrup when poured. Most commonly produced in Germany and Canada. Try King Estate Domaine Vin Glacé Pinot Gris 2005 (from Oregon) for around $18 us.

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A great blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cab Franc

A very nice wine from Eastern Washington, priced from $16-$20 U.S.

Here are the winemaker's notes:

Desert Wind's signature blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot embodies our commitment to the "spirit" of classical Bordeaux red winemaking. Each lot that comprises the Ruah was personally selected by the winemaker as best showcasing the quality of fruit from Desert Wind Vineyard. The nose of the wine is intensely aromatic, with Bing cherry, cinnamon, and toasted walnut in the forefront. On the palate, flavors of cherry, raspberry, and clove mingle harmoniously with supple tannins ending in a long finish. Enjoy with a ride array of foods.

90 points - Wine Spectator

"Firm in structure, with refined tannins around a sweet, generous core of currant and blackberry fruit, lingering on the long, expressive finish. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2011 through 2015."

Silver Medal - 2009 San Francisco International Wine Competition

Bronze Medal - 2010 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition

Check out the winery here:

http://www.desertwindwinery.com/

Top 10 American Wines at or under $20

1. A to Z Wineworks Pinot Noir, Produced in: Oregon : Price $20

2. Château St. Jean Chardonnay, Produced in: California : Price $15

3. Cline Cellars Zinfandel, Produced in: California : Price $12

4. Ferrari-Carano Fume Blanc, Produced in: California : Price $15

5. Hess Select Cabernet Sauvignon, Produced in: California : Price $13

6. Hogue Cabernet Sauvignon, Produced in: Washington : Price $10

7. Robert Mondavi Private Selection Cabernet Sauvignon, Produced in: California : Price $11

8. Benziger Chardonnay, Produced in: California : Price $17

9. Clos du Bois Merlot, Produced in: California : Price $20

10. Dr. Frank Dry Riesling, Produced in: New York : Price $15

Wine Question of the month:

Frei Brothers Reserve 2007 Syrah Russian River

Just had this great wine that would REALLY go well with Thanksgiving day dinner. The Frei Brothers Reserve Syrah is from the Russian River (probably my favorite region for Pinot Noir's), and was a shockingly great wine. I loved the spice notes, and pepper and berry nuances. You will like this wine, and it was a pretty good price, about $14 us.