Bo Knows VINO

My wine made me HURL!

2011-08-01T15:26:00.002-04:00

Actually, just gagged a bit... Let's explain--no, I wasn't on a bender and no I didn't consume too much. In fact, I hadn't had anything to drink at all! I was just on the 'smell' stage (e.g. Swirl, sniff, sip) and the result was so harsh I actually almost threw up.

Background-had an old 1995 French wine; nothing super nice, just something my Mom had out in their workshop for a while (a/k/a wine room). I don't know if it got hot there (that room is air conditioned though), in the car on the way home (even though we drove w/Air Conditioning and we never parked/left it in the sun) or if it was just plain OLD but I should have known better than to have sniffed so hard... I decanted it and it was quite orange (a bad sign; old and aged but mainly just old...) and then I poured a glass, swirled a few times and stuck the nose in deeply to take a huge sniff and... OMG! Calm the gag reflex dude! I couldn't believe it. Was it corked or just plain old? I had to throw it out and opened up something young and fun to put that smell out of my memory banks. (I actually left the decanter out for a bit; tried a SMALL sniff about an hour or so later but it was still foul). SO lesson learned-if it looks ugly, be a bit more careful about a huge sniff! The result may not be so friendly.

(I think I have another bottle of the same that I poached some time ago; we'll have to see if perhaps the 1st one was a one-off or if both are way past their prime!) Again, it wasn't an old-growth Bordeaux, but typically Bordeaux can be (should be?) cellared about a decade to calm the tannins; as an example last night I had a nice 1998 Robert Sinsky Stags Leap Cabernet and it was PHENOMENAL, so the fact that it was 16 years old shouldn't have been a problem--we'll have to try the last bottle to see if it too is nasty...)

A new fave, and it's "Hot to Trot"!

2011-05-19T10:02:00.004-04:00

No horsing around: 14 Hands "Hot to Trot" blend is a winner! I picked some up at Sam's Club last week and found it to be a yummy, fruit-forward blend. What a great deal I thought for just over $10!

THEN I saw an old flyer from Bullock's and it's only $8.97 per bottle! Time to stock up a bit! Click HERE for a data sheet from the vineyard and click HERE to find Bullock's (Sandy Plains in East Cobb and off Barrett Parkway, east of I-75. This is a perfect BBQ wine (yes, I actually recommended something OTHER than a ZIN!) and will be great for your Summer parties. ENJOY!

Snob or Sale?

2011-05-13T15:31:00.000-04:00

I get accused of being a wine snob. Au contraire, mon frere! While I do love wine, my perception of a wine snob would be someone who would turn their nose up at the inexpensive beauties that I tend to recommend. Sure, I'd love to drink something like Orin Swift's "The Prisoner" all the time, but I can't drop over $30 per bottle of wine. Even a "deal" like an email I received for a Mollydooker wine for around $20 doesn't help--that's just too high for my wallet these days. So am I a wine snob? Hardly! I do like yummy wines though; I just tend to buy more bargains--it's like 'hunting"--I love to find a great wine at an inexpensive price! So let's go shopping!

As noted before I love blends. I received a flyer from Bullocks (East Cobb/Woodstock) and found Apothic Red to be $7.97! Other winners include Monte Antico Rosso (a blend of Sangiovese, Merlot and Cabernet) is $8.97 (the 2006 was rated at 90 points per Wine Spectator), La Crema Pinot Noir is $15.97 (yep, that's 'high' but it's touch and go finding a 'cheap' Pinot out there that's as solid as La Crema). Finally, Ravenswood Vintner's Blend is a low $6.27. I know many other top retailers like Tower and Total Wine have similar pricing; get out there and shop!

But that's all red wine, and it's hot out there! You can also find a good value on Estancia Chardonnay at Bullocks ($7.97) and Brancott Sauvignon Blanc for $6.97 (look for any Sauv. Blanc from "Marlborough" in New Zealand and you can't go wrong). Pinot Grigio is a nice, crisp option as well and "Kris" Pinot Grigio is under $10 there too. Why not try something different? Other wines that beg to be left in the ice bucket can be found from Spain (Albarino) Viognier (Rhone or Central Coast/CA), and Argentina's Torrantes, as mentioned in Gil Kuler's most recent AJC article.

One quickie about wine glasses--yes, I can be a wine glass snob; check my previous posts about Riedel. Suffice it to say that I hate going to restaurants that have crappy glasses. One thing that can hurt you more than a cheap glass is a smelly glass! I've talked about this before--I have several types of glasses, from stems I bought for $5 at Cost Plus World Market (excellent!) to the same 'style' (e.g. for the same varietal of wine) that was given to me (Riedel's "Sommelier Series" that retails for almost $100 per glass!)--all the glasses are in a glass-front cabinet in the kitchen. EVERY time I pull out a glass, if I don't rinse the glass, it smells like the cabinet! If it wasn't rinsed well, it may also smell like soap. All I'm saying is that the glass should be clean, dry and not have residual odors. As over half of your wine experience is based on what you smell (yep, even over the taste itself!) you really need to do this before serving your wine! Give it a shot-take 2 glasses, rinse/clean one and try the wine out of both--you may be surprised at the difference between the two!

Good news/bad news with vino

2011-04-22T13:28:00.001-04:00

Good news: found a new yummy wine at a reasonable price! Keep a lookout for Amitage, a lovely red blend from Columbia Crest Winery in Washington State. Here's some info on the wine; I believe it was under $10.

Bad news: I don't remember where I bought it : ( I am guessing it was a warehouse club (most likely Sam's?) but I am unsure. Once I figure it out, I'll let you know!

APOTHIC RED FANS: new low price at BULLOCK's in East Cobb!

TOTAL WINE FANS: they are doing the "6 mixed" sale again, through 4/30/11!

Cheers, Bo

HR 5034: Back from the dead as HR 1161! Shame on Georgia Representatives David Scott and John Barrow!

2011-04-22T13:11:00.004-04:00

I had heard rumblings that we are in a 'take 2' situation as it relates to the war against consumer choice waged by rich wholesalers. This article explains what's at stake in clear, concise terms. Please take a moment to read it and then contact your representatives in Congress! (By the way, Tablas Creek is some YUMMY juice!)

So SHAME on you Rep. David Scott, Rep. John Barrow of Georgia! Guess they're getting PAID by the wholesalers, along with the rest of the other co-sponsors!

Here we go again: HR 1161

2011-03-22T10:07:00.002-04:00

So this article popped up on my radar this morning. Sounds like they are trying to dump of alcohol regulation to the States. On the surface, that sounds like a good thing but in all reality (as shown by our weak Republican leaders in the Georgia Senate) the local interests (Christian Coalition, Wholesalers and Distributors) will use their influence (and money) to line the pockets (AGAIN) of the Regulated Beverage Committee and the Consumer will LOSE. We need to be able to order wine from whatever source we choose--consumer friendly laws should be the focus, not further limits to competition! But then again that's just my 2 cents as a Centrist/Libertarian.

Oh SNAP! Must-see video : )

2011-03-03T14:59:00.001-05:00

Hopefully this is the CHEAP WINE section! What a shame; all that lovely vino tossed onto the floor in this EPIC FAIL! CLICK HERE to watch the video. Don't let this happen to YOU! Cheers, Bo

Coolest wine ad EVER

2011-02-23T13:33:00.002-05:00

As you know, I love Zinfandel. Enjoy this awesome ad: CLICK HERE! (Worth watching even if you hate wine, etc.)

"Cowardly Republicans" in Georgia

2011-02-23T11:08:00.004-05:00

This posting by Neal Boortz is right on. Our Georgia Republican representatives are afraid of their special interest groups--the Christian Coalition. We have an out of date law on the books; it's time to give me (a voter, citizen, etc.) a chance to vote on the issue. Do I have enough wine around the house? Sure (i.e. I don't need to go buy anything on Sunday). Do I want the CHOICE to be able to purchase it (when we do our grocery/warehouse club shopping--typically on Sunday)? YES. Heck, at this stage, I'd like a shot at being able to VOTE to buy on Sunday. Right now, the elected officials are too chicken$hit to let the law pass, and put it on the ballot for us (Georgia residents) to vote yay or nay. Shame on you, elected officials! What next? Will you run away from Unions? Oh wait--those goons protect the Democrats (just ask Wisconsin and Ohio--and look how great those state balance sheets are looking, but I digress). LET ME VOTE on this issue!

Of Sales, Value and Wine to Drink!

2011-02-16T15:49:00.001-05:00

I love shopping at various places, including the warehouse clubs (BJ's, Costco and Sam's), local shops like Sherlocks, Bullocks, or Tower, but if you've ever read my blog you know I'm also big fan of Total Wine & More. They have a great selection and some pretty solid pricing--my only consistent gripe is that they won't give a case discount on 'mixed' cases. If you buy an entire case of 1 wine, you receive a 10% discount (as with most retailers). Until the end of this month you can receive the same discount on only a 6 bottle purchase! Go stock up!
It's funny-is expensive wine 'worth it'? Sometimes yes, sometimes no. 2 thoughts on that: There is a very well-known brand that gets tossed around often--I won't 'go there' but back in my wine bar days, when someone asked if we had that brand I immediately knew that 1) they didn't know a lot about wine 2) they had some money and 3) typically they have friends who thought highly of that wine as well. It can be a bit of the "Emperor's new clothes" as the reputation is still there, but the quality (in my opinion) is not... For that same $80 I could easily blow that brand away.
As for the second case in point, I took a huge risk and bought a $60+ bottle of wine totally on faith. Yes, the same guy that tells you never to buy a wine for the label alone took a chance on buying an expensive Napa Cabernet solely because it shared the same name as our good friend's newborn (Congrats again J and Carol!) Their new son's name is Cade and when planning for a 'celebration' dinner for all of us, I was excited to see a bottle with the same name and knew we had to toast to the new baby with it! What an amazing wine, probably one of the best I've had in a while. So every once in a while I guess it's best to 'take a chance' and see what happens! So was it worth it? Even if it had been 'good', yes, it was worth it to share a special moment with friends--the fact that the wine was amazing was a bonus! Step outside the box a little and try something different than what your wine snob friends recommend--try something new and fun or go wild (like I did) and take a chance on something fun.
By the way--if you find yourself off Dresden (Brookhaven) you need to stop in "Pour" and have some wine. What a cool place (and fun, moderately-priced selections). Pour Wine Market is a pretty neat wine shop/wine bar that is not a chain (and it shows!). After a glass or two, Kaleidoscope is a fun restaurant (try the duck fat fries--trust me) and it's just a few doors down. Pour also offers craft beers if you aren't into wine (shame on you ; )

More fun with ZIN

2011-02-16T14:17:00.002-05:00

I love the style of this article--maybe it's the 'user friendly' style of Zinfandel that makes me such a fan. Yes, there are many cheap 'fruit bomb' zins out there (and some pricey ones too) but the awesome single-vineyard selections from Ravenswood, Rosenblum or Ridge (the three R's!) are 'benchmark' wines. Give Zin a chance; it's one of the most food-friendly wines out there! Cheers, Bo

Open That Bottle Night 2011

2011-02-16T14:05:00.003-05:00

Heard of this event? Have you ever saved 'something' for a "special occasion" and found that the opportunity had come and gone (or was missed completely)? While I do have one bottle that is set aside for a special occasion that will continue to be saved (until January 3, 2021 to be exact) I do have some other bottles that need to be dusted off and consumed in the name of "Open That Bottle Night". Read this press release and learn more about OTBN 2011! What's in YOUR cellar? : ) Wine is a living creature--if you keep it too long it may turn into very expensive vinegar so go ahead--Open That Bottle this February 26th! Cheers!

Wine Sale at Total Wine and More!

2011-01-28T13:35:00.004-05:00

Total Wine & More is always a fave of mine but next month they have a sale on 'mixed' wines (one gripe I have always had with them is that you ONLY get a discount on full cases of the same wine). If you a minimum of 6 bottles, you get a 10% discount! They also tend to have a lot of fun value wines (e.g. under $10) and I recently had one called Daisy Chain "Ana's Red". If you can get past the girly label (light blue with a lot of yellow daisies) the juice is quite nice for around $8 (the blend in the 2008 is Zin/Merlot/Cab/Syrah and is quite yummy). Another one I have mentioned before is the Grand Pacific "Heritage Red" ($8)and the 2009 is a blend of Petit Verdot, Sangiovese and Cabernet Franc.

The only 'catch' (if you call it that) is that their true 'deal' wines (prices that end in 7, like Ravenswood Vintners Blend for $6.27!!!) are NOT part of the 10% discount as they have already cut the prices to the bone (try finding that price on Ravenswood at your local grocery--more like $9!). BTW--You've got until 2/26/11 and this offer is available only in GA per the email I received from them...

Have fun, stock up! Cheers, Bo

Oh, Zinfandel!

2011-01-15T14:10:00.002-05:00

Here is a great article about my favorite wine, ZINFANDEL! Such a yummy, food-friendly wine (try it with spicy foods especially!), you should buy some for tonight's Falcon's game (to go with your Pizza and wings, 'natch! Ridge is amazing stuff, and there is a Ravenswood at all price points (from the $7 Vintner's Blend, to the sub-$20 'county' series to the $35-45+ single vineyard series). Take some time to read about this wonderful wine's history!

What I'm having for New Year's Eve...

2010-12-31T13:20:00.004-05:00

Tonight's menu? "Surf and Turf" with king crab legs (RIP Captain Phil!) and steak; on the wine front, I picked up a lovely Blanc de Noirs from Gruet yesterday at Total Wine & More. All Pinot Noir, so it may have a bit of a blush color, but will be a nice 'middle of the road' option for both items. (In all reality, I'll probably end up popping a nice aged bottle of 'something red' as well). Regardless, God Bless you and have a great evening--best wishes for 2011!

(Gruet is a great label from New Mexico, click here for more info. Cheers!)

Wine and Freakonomics

2010-12-29T11:31:00.001-05:00

Not sure if you've read the book Freakonomics but this is a funny twist on wine pricing and how high prices may or may not relate to quality. What really 'got me' was the fact that 'experts' who tasted the same wine (blindly, and more than once) had given wildly differing scores! Very interesting point of view. I find it funny to hear how one gentleman purchases wine (most expensive looking label, but under $15 a bottle--that would rule out most 'critter wines' that look silly!). Click HERE for the article. Enjoy!

Another HR 5034 Rant

2010-11-18T16:17:00.004-05:00

Another article against HR 5034. More money going to Congress, big surprise there! Let's make this go away, shall we? Contact YOUR Congressman and say NO, this won't do...

Is my champagne still good?

2010-11-17T17:40:00.003-05:00

Your questions answered! Read this article to learn about 200 year old champagne STILL being yummy after all those years! CAVEAT: this wine was "stored" properly--contents under pressure, with a constant temperature and not affected by light or humidity. Your results could vary ; ) See you in 200 years, eh? Cheers, Bo

Another warehouse club 'find'

2010-11-12T16:12:00.004-05:00

Found another cheapie... online you can find Marques de Riscal Tempranillo for just under $10 (not that you can ship to GA but I digress--see my comments on HR5034 while you're at it) but locally I found it for $6.99 at BJ's Wholesale Club. Not a bad wine at all; great price and good quality. If you belong to BJ's, give it a shot! If you don't, you can typically get a temporary shopping pass (unlike the other clubs you can just walk into BJ's--they don't ask for a membership card until you check out). Enjoy your weekend! Bo

Fun with Wine!

2010-11-05T15:18:00.002-04:00

Enjoy this widely circulated email funny!

A Real Man
A real man is a woman's best friend. He will never stand her up and never let her down. He will reassure her when she feels insecure and comfort her after a bad day. He will inspire her to do things she never thought she could do; to live without fear and forget regret. He will enable her to express her deepest emotions and give in to her most intimate desires. He will make sure she always feels as though she's the most beautiful woman in the room and will enable her to be the most confident, sexy, seductive, and invincible. . . . . . . . .

No wait... sorry... I'm thinking of wine. It's wine that does all that...... Never mind.

The A-list (+ one!)

2010-10-19T11:11:00.000-04:00

I love wine (DUH) and you know I love a good deal (also DUH). Today I offer three wines that start with the letter "A" (oh great, now I hear the voice of Grover in my head...). In an earlier blog posting I talked about finding a great deal on a yummy wine called Aconga. The blend is 80% Malbec and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and the 2009 evidently scored 85 points from Wine Enthusiast magazine. The best thing? With your Kroger Plus card, the price is only $3.99 (though it's only $3.88 at the Mcfarland/Hwy.9 Kroger in Alpharetta)! One thing to note, however, there seems to be a limited supply of this wine so you better stock up quickly!

My second A-wine is actually called A by Acacia. Like many other producers, Acacia has several different product lines. Their single-vineyard products are their finest (and most expensive), but you can find the more reasonably priced "A" line in stores and restaurants. Their Pinot is great (around $20) but I love the A by Acacia "Red Blend" (much lower-priced, at around $10 to 12) as it is a Syrah based wine. You won't find it everywhere but it is worth looking for (or trying at restaurants).

My 3rd (and favorite of the 3!) A-list wine is called Apothic Red. I also blogged about this one previously (as did Gil Kulers with the AJC) and I can't get enough of it! Excellent fruit, but not a full-on, in-your-face 'fruit bomb'. Apothic LOVES spicy foods and is widely available ($8.73 at Sam's, around $8.50 at Tower and even Kroger had it for under $9 a few weeks ago!). Syrah and Zin? YUM!

Bonus wine--a week or two ago I was in the Alpharetta Costco, wandering through the wine aisle. A nice blend caught my eye--a bordeaux blend with 34% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Cabernet Franc and the final 33% Merlot. As the price was $15, I thought what the heck, I'll buy it (really, you had me at 33% cab franc). You may have read this old blog post about friends in the wine biz (and my 'heroes'), so you know how happy I was when I saw the names on the back of the bottle--Highway 12 Vineyards was co-founded by the guy who gave me my first job in the wine industry, Paul Giusto. Check out their website and try the wine--the winemaker is Michael Sebastiani (bet you've heard that last name before?) who I also worked with at Viansa ages ago. Kudos to them; the wine was awesome as well! Cheers!

A new inexpensive fave-Apothic Red

2010-09-16T16:16:00.003-04:00

As you know, I am always a fan of a fun blend at a good price--especially if it has something to do with Zin or Syrah! How about one that has zin, syrah AND merlot? It's funny, I had read about this wine AFTER buying it, but BEFORE drinking it. Well, finally had it the night before last and it ROCKS! Gil Kulers is totally on the money-two thumbs up--way up! Check it out online using this link. Cheers, Bo

(by the way--Gil's article said $14; I found it at Sam's Club for $8.73!)

More on HR 5034

2010-09-15T14:32:00.001-04:00

Read this article NOW and contact your local congressman NOW... The article makes it clear WHY this bill is a bad idea for YOUR Freedom of Choice!

Glorious Grenache!

2010-09-11T13:06:00.001-04:00

Read this article to learn more about another one of my favorite wines. As you know I LOVE zinfandel, but GSM's or any other Grenache/Syrah blend is also a typical choice. Why? The ones I find tend to be less than $10 and you can also find pretty decent quality for that price. Cotes du Rhone may be a bit higher (around $15) but many Australian examples run less. "Garnacha" from Spain are also around $10 (give "Garnacha de Fuego" (Garnacha of Fire, baby!) a chance--complete with flames on the label)--great 'food' wines as well. Read the article for a more educated explanation (but higher priced examples) and run to your local wine shop (or even your grocery, believe it of not) to find some fun stuff! Cheers, Bo

More on CARE

2010-08-20T16:25:00.003-04:00

This law should NOT pass! Write your Congressman today! See this article to understand what I'm talking about. Another article hits the same issue from a different angle. Contact your Congressional representative TODAY and say NO to this act!

Great offer at Total Wine & More through Sept. 11

2010-08-20T15:40:00.003-04:00

While I love Total Wine & More I am always annoyed that they don't offer discounts on mixed cases (i.e. you do get a discount on a case of a single wine, but not on a 'mix' of wines). Well, I just got an email today that you can mix a 6-pack of wines and get 10% off! They have many fun wines for you to try (recent faves include the "Kitchen Sink" red blend for around $9 and Grand Pacific Red "Heritage Blend" (petite verdot, sangiovese and cabernet franc) for around $8). SO get out there and get shopping! I am betting this is a test for them to see if it will bump sales; let's show them that it's time to do this more often! Mix away!

It's all in the GLASS

2010-07-30T11:52:00.003-04:00

Most of my emails focus on what is IN your glass, but this one will focus on the not so obvious--the glass itself. I have long been a Riedel wine glass fan and have glassware to match many of our favorite wine varietals. If you go to Riedel's website, you will see they have hundreds of choices at many different price points. The 4 types we have are the "Wine" series (glass, machine made, avg. retail would be around $10) the "Vinum" series (lead crystal, machine made, average retail of around $20) the "O" series (stemless, glass, probably $20 or so for 2?) and finally the "Sommelier" series, which are hand-blown lead crystal and can cost over $80 each! What's the big deal? PLENTY!
As noted in the past, we have only 5 primary taste 'senses' (salty, bitter, sweet, sour and "umami", which can loosely be translated as 'protein'). While we're not as proficient as Spike the wonderdog at smelling, we humans can pick up over 10,000 nuances of smell. Again you ask, what does that matter? To truly enjoy the wine (and specific attributes of a particular varietal) a wine glass can 'make or break' a wine. Take your favorite red wine (or a white wine that's not too cold) and put it in a drinking glass, a cheap wine glass, one of those silly Waterford crystal wine glasses you got for a wedding gift (pretty, but useless) and take a sip from each. If your last glass happened to be a nice stem (Riedel is nice, but try Cost Plus World Market for some inexpensive clones) you will be blown away at the difference! If you have different shaped wine glasses, take it a step forward-a cabernet glass is usually upright and tapered, a pinot noir glass is more rounded with a big bowl. If you tried the cabernet in both glasses you may be surprised how much better it is in the true cabernet glass versus the big bowled pinot. All I can say is TRY IT and you will be amazed! Go for the proper shape and no heavy 'rim' around the glass (think of that rim as a 'speed bump' messing up the flavors).
Final shot-what is the achilles heel of this entire exercise? How clean is that glass? If you store glasses in a cabinet, top down or over a stove, you will not get the full effect of the wine. Make sure to rinse the glasses prior to drinking them as you will smell less of the wine but more of where it was stored, such as the 'wood' of the cabinet (or grease if over the stove). Try smelling the empty glass 1st or put a bit of wine in the glass--you may see what I mean. Then rinse it out and try again and you will smell the wine, not the cabinet! Too much soap residue can ruin your wine experience as well. Cheers!

Again, I'm not the only one.

2010-07-19T08:59:00.001-04:00

This article talks about Cheap Wines and how that is becoming the new norm in wine shops. At the end of the day, there ARE a ton of 'good' wines for inexpensive prices. Stick around; I'll share what I find for ya! Cheers, Bo

Good and Cheap!

2010-07-16T12:46:00.003-04:00

Can't come up with a better subject line than that... As you have no doubt noticed, I am not afraid to try a cheap wine. Caveat: I do tend to stay away from cutesy, hyped or 'overly marketed' wines, like "Critter" wines (wines that have a cute animal on the label to get stupid people to buy the wine based on the label alone). And have also noted that I don't always buy wines in the grocery unless I know it's a good price (typically on a wine I already know). So here's an end-cap with a Malbec blend at Kroger, marked down to $3.99 from $8.99 (got to love that Kroger Plus Card!). I think to myself, "Why not?" Well, it is actually pretty yummy! The wine label didn't look cheap and silly and it came from Mendoza in Argentina so its 'particulars' were solid, so for $3.99 it appeared to be a great deal. The wine is called Aconga and is an 80% Malbec 20% Cabernet blend. It drinks pretty well for a 2009, which I would have thought too young. If your local Kroger has this wine (at this price) I'd recommend buying several bottles--perfect BBQ or grilling wine (an easy-drinker as well). Cheers! Bo

Another tale from the darkside...

2010-07-02T11:38:00.004-04:00

Okay, I have a confession, actually a couple of confessions. I bought an animal wine. Yep, a bottle of wine with a small animal on the label; designed to be chosen by a consumer who may or may not know about wine (but they think it's cute and buy it). The other confession? I bought wine at Wal-Mart. Yes, THE Wal-Mart. Let me explain...!

So I'm in my local Super Wal-Mart looking for a few simple items for our garage sale--Julia wanted to sell lemonade so I picked up a jar with a spigot, some ice and lemonade mix. Let me tell you, it's hard to find the *&%$ lemonade mix at our Super Wal-Mart--I even ran into a friend who was likewise looking for drink mix! Regardless, in my search for lemonade I buzzed down the wine aisle (quelle surprise?) as I'm apt to do, and found some familiar/common brands (no, I didn't expect a 'deep' selection and no, I didn't find it).

What I did find was a wine for around $5 that I figured 'what the heck' and bought. You ready for it? Lucky Duck Malbec--it didn't even have a vintage on it (guess that would have cost more?). I enjoy Malbecs from Argentina and the price was right and to be honest, I thought it was quite yummy! SO, if you're looking for an inexpensive red wine (and you're at Wal-Mart!) give it a shot! Look for the yellow duck on the label and consider yourself the lucky (and thrifty) one! Cheers, Bo

Happy 4th! Here's the perfect wine: ZINFANDEL

2010-07-01T09:57:00.003-04:00

Our uniquely American grape, Zinfandel is in the news; this article hits on several EXCELLENT examples of my favorite grape. My only gripe? No Ravenswood mentioned :) (for that matter, no Rosenblum either).

If you are in a 'splurge' mode, see if you can find a Neyers Zin (Tofanelli, yum!) Nalle (look for the fruit flies on the label) or Frank Biale's "Black Chicken" (kind of rare). Otherwise, head to Total Wine & More for Shenandoah Zinfandel (CA, not VA) for $8.99 (88 points Wine Enthusiast; producer is Paul Sobon--good stuff); Ravenswood's inexpensive line "Vintners Blend" for $6.27 (in contrast to $10 at the grocery!), Bogle Zin for $8 or look for Renwood Zin, which ranges from $10 for their 'value' blend to almost $50 for the 'Grandpere'.

So Happy Birthday USA, enjoy some wonderful Zinfandel with your cookout!

SHAME ON YOU: GA Representatives John Barrow, Paul Broun, John Gingrey, David Scott and Lynn Westmoreland

2010-06-22T11:20:00.001-04:00

Take a glance at this article on HR 5034. This bill is going to take wine consumption back to the dark ages of Prohibition! Write your Congressman! Likewise, check out this site and find out more about this horror-show.

As for Georgia residents, time to go on the attack! If you are in the following districts, you need to yell at your representative NOW. As for John Barrow (D-12th), Paul Broun (R-10), John Gingrey (R-11), David Scott (D-13) and Lynn Westmoreland (R-3): SHAME ON YOU. I plan to research your contributors and I can almost guarantee that the big distributors have given them a lot of money. Meanwhile, I still can't get Ridge wine shipped directly to me due to overzealous restrictions on the State level--if HR 5034 passes, I will NEVER get the specialty wines I used to get from them. BOO!

Zinfandel--it's not just me...

2010-06-21T11:26:00.001-04:00

Read this article about two of my favorite producers--Ravenswood and Ridge. Cheers!

What to drink in the Summer heat!

2010-06-18T15:17:00.001-04:00

Okay, it is HOT in Atlanta right now (especially with a broken A/C unit--it was 84 degrees upstairs when we went to bed last night!). I doubt you're sitting at your desk contemplating what wine to drink in this heat (or maybe you are?), but as long as it's cold and white, you have a ton of choices! Chardonnay? Well, that's not my first choice. For heat, I want a wine that needs to be really cold and chardonnay is better out of the ice bucket and warming up a bit (if it's super cold, you miss most of the flavors--try letting it warm slightly to experience its' true nuances). For 90+ degree heat you may want to go for more 'crisp' wines like Sauvignon Blanc (look for examples from New Zealand, Marlborough to be exact) or a Pinot Grigio (think Ecco Domani for less than $10 or other Italians). Other choices? For slightly sweet bubbly, remain in Italy and seek out a Prosecco for under $15. Still seeking 'sweet'? How about a nice Riesling from Germany or Washington State? Finally, if you want to try something really daring look for a Vinho Verde from Portugal (the name means Green Wine and is light and crisp) or "think pink" and seek out a nice Rosé (look to France or Spain for common examples).

If you're like me and love your reds (and love summer grilling) look to Zinfandel, Syrah or Côtes du Rhône (which typically include Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre). Similar "grill worthy" wines are Tempranillo (commonly from Rioja) from Spain and Shiraz (same as Syrah) from Australia. All that I mentioned can likewise be found in the $10 range or even up to the $30+ range for single-vineyard Zins or specialty producers. The other main reason for the recommended reds above is the fact that most can be enjoyed while cooking (i.e. solo, not only 'with' the food, unlike some wines that tend to be better with food vs. sipping). That reminds me of the silly slogan "I love cooking with wine--I sometimes even put it in the food!" Have a great weekend!

Trading Down

2010-05-28T12:23:00.001-04:00

Trading down is a common term in the real estate business. The typical example relates to 'empty nesters' who no longer need a huge home after the kids move out, or as it relates to our current economy, where people are downsizing their homes (and lifestyles) to save money. When money is tight, people change their habits and consume less/borrow less (I sure wish our government would figure that out, but I digress!). This trend is no different in the wine business. Retailers say that the over $20 market is dead and restaurants are selling less by the bottle versus by the glass (which ironically is a higher markup than by the bottle). Either way, this is a shift in consumption habits and it can create some opportunities for bargains! For example, many restaurants are offering half-price (or other similar discounts) bottle sales on special nights. Wine shops are using closeouts to move older products. Even California vineyards are using '2nd labels' like France's Bordeaux region (e.g. Chateau Lafite-Rothschild and Carruades du Lafite) or selling off some of their production to people like Cameron Hughes that I talk about all the time (even the Wall Street Journal talks about his wines, not just what you can find today at Sam's Club). There are still bargains to be found--even for 'name-brands'. A recent AJC delivery included flyers from Sherlocks (Chateauneuf du Pape for under $25?) and Bullock's (Ravenswood Vintner's Zin for under $7) and last week I found several fun deals (as always) from Total Wine and More. Other local retailers such as Pearson's and Tower send email deals so be on the lookout for specials. Just remember that trading down in price shouldn't mean you have to trade down in quality! Ask for suggestions at your local retailer; most have great staff members to help! Keep an eye on my wine blog as I put tips on there from time to time (and I plan a post called "The $10 Connoisseur" listing some fun wines for $10 and under (thanks for the idea, John!). Cheers, Bo

More about Carmenère

2010-05-14T14:22:00.004-04:00

About 98% of the world's Carmenère is produced in Chile and you can find many bargains of this yummy Bordeaux-blending varietal. However, this article focuses on how a "humble" (in quotes as it costs around $80 compared to many sub-$10 examples) Carmenère won an exclusive tasting in NYC. How exclusive? Try beating Opus One, Château Lafite-Rothschild or Stag's Leap SLV for an example? My message is to seek out something different than a garden-variety Cabernet for dinner this weekend--try something new and fun like a Carmenère and you may be surprised! Cheers, Bo

(Bonus article: info on Malbecs here!)

More on Direct Wine shipping

2010-05-10T10:52:00.001-04:00

While THIS ARTICLE is about Michigan laws, the concept is the same. Contact your Congressman today and stop this silly new law!

Oh goodie! Another good find at Sam's

2010-05-05T14:51:00.003-04:00

It should be NO surprise to learn that I am a zinfandel lover. For those of you who are new to wine, I am not talking about pink zinfandel, but the beautiful rich red zinfandel, friend to spicy foods and bbq alike! I had to run to Sam's Club to pick up some items and saw that they have an old friend for sale at a fair price of $7.98--Rosenblum Vintner's Cuvee. Similar concept as Ravenswood's Vintner's Zin, but less production. If YOU are a zin lover you will already know that I just mentioned 2 of the 3 R's--the most famous zin producers are Ravenswood, Rosenblum and Ridge. All three make other wines, but their single-vineyard products are incredible! Sure, I'd love a Biale "Black Chicken" or a Neyer's zin, but a) they are hard to find and b) pretty pricey but then again most of the single vineyard products from the 3 R's are up there as well. How about agreeing that all are great but the 3 R's are pretty much bulletproof? For $8, I am looking forward to seeing how good this 'lot' of Vintner's Cuvee is! See you again soon, Bo

Uh-oh... Winelovers, it's time to call your Congressman!

2010-04-19T15:51:00.001-04:00

Looks like the lobbyists are surrounding DC as it relates to direct wine shipments! Read THIS ARTICLE and learn more! The horror!

You get what you pay for...

2010-03-31T13:07:00.000-04:00

I always wondered what "Aldi" grocery stores were all about, so after having lunch at the re-opened "Havana" sandwich shop (best Cuban Sandwich I've ever had!), Susie and I gave it a shot. Other than finding some no-name lip-balm on the cheap (3 sticks for $1.50, compared to Nivea's $5 per!) and some Devil's Food Cake cookies (yum!) we picked up 2 bottles on the cheap, a Malbec from Argentina for $3.99 and a Crianza (aged in oak for a set time period) Tempranillo/Cab blend from Spain for $5.99. We haven't had the Crianza yet, so the jury's out, but the Malbec turned out to be pretty good, though the first 'fruit bomb' nose was initially a turnoff (but as it opened it was quite nice). No silly 'animal' labels or catchy names, just a varietal I like at a fair price. Caveat--I am a red-wine drinker and finding decent quality for a low price can be a difficult thing to find. For example, it is quite difficult to find a good, cheap Pinot Noir (a true oxymoron!). You CAN find some for around $14-18 (which unfortunately IS cheap for Pinot) such as La Crema or "A" by Acacia, but I recently had a Lindeman's "Bin" series Pinot for under $7 that was pretty tasty. Again, this is not even close to a fine French Burgundy (well, maybe the 1980's jug 'burgundy') but a decent, drinkable Pinot. I normally shy away from Cabernets and Merlots that are super cheap as they tend to be fruit bombs and not really 'varietal specific'. Again, for the price, what do you expect? I have had some success with Australian Shiraz (and blends) such as Rosemount's Shiraz/Cab blend and if you look around you can even find some inexpensive Rhône blends (such as Grenache, Syrah (Shiraz) Mourvedre).&n bsp; As always, it's all in the hunt! For under $10 what's the true risk? Be honest-when is the last time you had to dump out a freshly opened bottle of wine? Another trick at the grocery is to look at the 'gap' in sale prices at Kroger. If a wine is a dollar off, for example, I normally pass. As noted recently, I was 'rewarded' when I bought a Mumm Cuvée Napa rosé when it was marked down to around $14 from $24. If you have a clue what the price point of a wine 'should' be you can sniff out some bargains! Email me your wine 'finds' so I can share them!

Celebrations with bubbly-packaging!

2010-03-29T12:23:00.002-04:00

We had a gathering at our partners' home in Moultrie, GA and enjoyed some yummy Veuve Clicquot champagne. We purchased it a few months ago and had it in the refrigerator at work just waiting to celebrate something. Well, an out of town 'break' was just the ticket and we took the wine with us! It was wrapped in a lovely orange neoprene 'huggy' that kept it nice and chilly for a few hours. We popped it in the fridge upon arrival but it was good to know that it remained cold for most of the voyage. Several producers have released their wines in unique packaging designed to keep the wine cool. I know Moet recently had a their base champagne released in a metal canister that served the same purpose. Why all the fuss? That can be followed up with this question: What hurts wine greatly? Temperatures! I've noted how leaving a wine in a hot car can pretty much ruin it (unless you like 'hot' wine like hot tea--or vinegar if you leave it in there longer!). With that being said, if your wine temperature rises or lowers over time, it should be okay (unless as noted you reach extremes, either too cold or too hot). A nice wine cellar is great, but as long as your wine is in a 'cool' dark place it should be fine. That lovely rack over your fridge? Not the best place, FYI. That rack in your dining room that receives full sun for most of the day? Ditto. If you don't have much space, take a wine case, turn it on its' side and leave it in a closet. Voila! A wine-cellar for 'our times'.

Illegal Wine Shipments?

2010-02-23T10:00:00.002-05:00

One topic that drives me crazy is the fact that we can order ____ (fill in the blank with ANY product you can think of, PC's, food items, pet meds, fruit, etc.) and have it shipped to our home with just a click of a mouse or a phone call. What about WINE? NO. While our laws have been loosened slightly there are still barriers to receiving wine as noted. Read this article. It focuses on Indiana, but the facts are similar here in Georgia (I wonder if there is a 'follow the money' website for GA contributions to legislators? I know that the Alcoholic Beverage Committee receives thousands from the distributors as they want to limit our choices--to THEIR products. Anyway, that's my rant of the day....

Money talks... or does it?

2010-02-18T12:05:00.002-05:00

Remember all the fuss about the 'cult wines' like Screaming Eagle? I can't quote true dollar figures but it seems like several years ago each bottle was worth several thousand dollars (worth? the proper word is 'cost'). I honestly believe they cost over $10,000 for each bottle, so at 4 glasses, it's $2,500 per glass, or at 24.5 ounces per bottle, that's $408 per ounce. OUCH. I read about some researchers at Stanford University and the California Institute of Technology who asked people to try some wines marked with prices from $5, $10, $35, 445 and $90. Care to guess the results? Yep, the $90 wine was 'the best'. In fact, (since they were scientist types) brain scans confirmed that when these people tried the expensive wine their "pleasure" sector of their brains lit up; when they tried the cheaper wines, the pleasure readings were lower. What can we conclude from this? Their expectation (based on price) was that a higher priced wine equated to a higher quality wine. That can be the same with any 'luxury' product that can be seen as a commodity such as a car--a Yugo can get you from point A to point B just like a Rolls Royce (okay, bad choice as the Yugo may or may not run) or a Timex tells time just as well as a Rolex (i.e. they all perform the same function. What is the punchline to this study? The $90 wine was the SAME as the $10 wine; the $45 wine was the SAME as the $5 wine. Who knew??? While I'd rather drive (or ride) in that Rolls vs. the Yugo for many other factors than just the price, remember to focus on the quality of the wine, not merely the price (or the silly label--check out this blog posting from AJC writer Gil Kulers on "Critter Wines" for some fun). Have a great weekend!

BoKnowsVino, but does Sarah Palin??

2010-02-05T13:12:00.004-05:00

I caught this reference in a random email and had to click through to this article. It seems that Sarah Palin is going to speak at the Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America's convention in Las Vegas. What the? How could someone who preaches 'free choice' and/or 'open markets' speak to such a "controlling" group? You can read the article to fill in the blanks a bit more, but suffice it to say that Wholesalers as a rule are NOT truly looking out for the individual wine consumer's best interests. They do NOT like direct wine shipments to consumers and spend a ton of money buying politicians (I mean 'lobbying', sorry) in order to ensure that it is not easy for you to call a vineyard and order a random case to be shipped to your home. While Georgia's laws were relaxed a few years ago, we are still highly restricted as it relates to direct shipping. Nothing against Sarah, but I rank Wholesalers up there with Nancy Pelosi (actually, just under Pelosi) and I hope she gives them a piece of her mind, you betcha and all...

Going light = going green

2010-01-29T11:15:00.002-05:00

I've blogged about this previously; looks like we're finally 'in production'. Lighter bottles = lower shipping costs. I'm interested to see if this makes it to our shores--I assume it will. It's funny-many wine producers have chosen 'pretty' bottles (and/or really 'substantial' or heavy bottles) to show off how cool or 'special' their wine is. Well, as always, it's not the bottle. It's not the label. It's the JUICE inside that matters!

I'm not the only one...

2010-01-29T11:12:00.003-05:00

See, I keep saying "Think Pink" and remind you to drink 'sparkles' for any occasion--I'm glad to know I'm not the only one! Read this article and learn about some yummy Valentine's day ideas. See my previous post about my New Year's choice as another option. Cheers!

Sparkle Plenty!

2010-01-18T16:37:00.000-05:00

I actually took my own advice when planning for New Year's eve. I found myself at Total Wine & More in Alpharetta with an 'old friend' in my hand when I was approached by a helper in the Champagne/Sparkling wine section. While the Perrier Jouët Brut I carried was a great 'go-to' selection (around $35), I decided to see what one of their staff members recommended. We looked at several different options in the same price point and ended up looking solely at rosé champagne. She pointed out one specific bottle that she loved, which was a 90+ point champagne that I hadn't tried before. What the heck, the PJ went back on the shelf and we had something new for New Year's eve. As suggested, the wine was a definite winner and my impression of Total Wine remains positive! Give Champagne Montaudon Grande Rosé a shot; you'll be pleased! And while I'm at it, don't forget that champagne (or Sparkling Wine from CA, Spain, etc.) is ALWAYS a great choice and NOT just for celebrations alone!. Cheers!

Hero Worship

2009-12-08T11:28:00.002-05:00

It's funny--we're in the middle of "Tiger-gate" with 24/7 coverage of Tiger Woods' fall from grace. It's a shame to see this happen to a 'hero'. I am not really into celebrities--not that I'm not excited when I see 'somebody' but I don't go crazy unless it's someone I really care about (such as the time I got Robert Plant's autograph for our Led Zepplin loving son--I must admit I could barely talk!). I also don't go crazy for athletes, especially since I lived next door to several Cincinnati Bengals players when I was in law school (we even went to the Super Bowl against the 49-ers). So having 'celebrities' for neighbors kind of made me 'jaded' towards athletes. Suffice it to say that I would be impressed if a 'major' star walked in the room (Jordan, Tiger, Michael Schumacher) but a 'run of the mill' person wouldn't do much for me.

What does this have to do with wine? I guess I'm laying out the fact that athletes aren't really my heroes. But when I was in California several years ago, Susie and I were dining in Healdsburg, CA (Sonoma County, baby!) and saw Gina Gallo. It might as well have been Angelina Jolie or something because this is someone that I think is cool--true wine 'royalty'. No, I didn't go chase her for an autograph as she was with family (much like my 'encounter' with Ben Bernanke) but I was still very geeked to see her as she was instantly recognizable as the face of Gallo. Today, if you pick up a bottle of Sterling's coastal wines, you'll see the back of the bottle signed by a friend of mine, winemaker Joe Kidd. Yes, I got geeked the first time I saw that and fired off a 'kudos' email to him. He lived here in ATL for about a year, when he was in grad school at Tech and worked part-time at the wine bar I ran. I learned a lot from him and he's very knowledgeable. So pick up a bottle of Sterling and I'll say "I know that guy" and feel geeked about that. Is he a celebrity? Maybe only to me, but here's to one of my friends and 'heroes'... Cheers, Bo

Thanksgiving wine: "the aftermath"

2009-11-30T09:46:00.003-05:00

So you know what I recommended for Thanksgiving, here's what we drank :) We had some Georges DuBoeuf Beaujolais Nouveau (which was quite nice this year; actually very lively and not at all like 'cough syrup', which has been the lingering aftertaste in some vintages); then some Mumm Champagne (yum!). The Mumm was a gift-pack closeout from BJ's Wholesale club (found in Woodstock, not sure of other locations). The bottle + 2 glasses was only $32--for 'full-French' champagne (esp. a well-known name) that was a deal! My sister brought some Acacia Pinot Noir which was very yummy with the turkey! It's funny-my Mom had some IceWine that I tossed in the fridge to go with the desserts but we were all too full to have any that night (wine OR dessert!). Over the weekend we drank a good amount of good old Red Zinfandel (yes, I still have to qualify it by putting the "Red" in front of Zinfandel, lest someone think I like pink and sweet! I do enjoy pink vino, but more of the dry variety for sure (think Rosato or Rose blush wines, dry and not sweet at all). What did YOU drink for Thanksgiving? Have a wonderful week!

One note about BJ's and wine sales in general--while BJ's has some good prices on vino, they don't have a huge selection (which is fine). They do have one coveted bottle for sale--Roderer "Cristal", one of the top champagnes in the world, usually over $200 per bottle in a 'normal' store. They have a bottle or two for a lot less and a few bottles of Dom. However, they have it displayed in a glass cabinet with lights in it. What does that matter? Well, these lights shine down onto the bottle which MUST be cooking it slowly over time. I guess my message is to pay attention where you buy your wine--it's not solely about the price as I would venture a guess that the sub-$200 Cristal would not turn out to be the deal you'd expect as it may not be as amazing as it should be (or even turn out to be bad)! Food for thought! Cheers, Bo

Thanksgiving Wine!

2009-11-19T15:37:00.002-05:00

Let's talk turkey! It's time to plan NOW for your Thanksgiving wine and food fest. I know that having a group over to your home can be overwhelming enough but trying to choose a 'one-size fits all' wine for dinner is pretty much impossible! Earthy flavors like turkey and dressing plus sweet flavors like sweet potato casserole (I'm getting hungry) and top that off with slightly bitter cranberry relish and you've got a taste 'mash-up' that can truly confound you! What's the solution? Have several wines! One wine (one that I don't normally 'push') that holds up well to so many flavors is Chardonnay-go for a Carneros (Napa) or Russian River (Sonoma) from California, and try to avoid super 'oaked' wines. One splurge is Au Bon Climat, which is more of a central coast choice but worth it. Another white that will pair well with such varied flavors is a dry Riesling (a phenomenal choice is Chateau Ste. Michelle's "Eroica", around $20 but yummy). As for reds, my old friend Zinfandel (I stole a quote I read-try the "3 R's": Ravenswood, Ridge or Rosenblum) is a great catch-all but you may want to choose something lighter like a Pinot Noir (From CA, look for Acacia, Chalone, Schuug or go for Oregon, Foris, Witness Tree or Erath) . A fun choice is always Beaujolais Nouveau, which is always released on the 3rd Thursday of November (a/k/a TODAY). Always light and fruity it can be a fun addition to your celebration. Finally, an option that is always appropriate is Champagne. From a Spanish Cava (usu. around $10) to a sparkling wine from the USA (Gruet from New Mexico is awesome, around $14, Chandon from Napa (also $14) or Ch. Ste. Michelle from Washington) to a "fully French" selection (Moet White Star-$35, Veuve Clicquot-$40)--you can't go wrong with bubbly. The final thing to note-get to your local wine shop early as they won't have time to help you find hidden gems as they will be SLAMMED like Hartsfield airport as we get closer to Thanksgiving. Sure, they can point you in a general direction but for more 'hands on' help you need to get there sooner rather than later.

The Day After...

2009-11-18T17:17:00.001-05:00

This was a posting about the day AFTER our wedding anniversary dinner at Aria restaurant. I basically emailed them noting a price I had in mind and that I wanted wine and food paired. THAT'S IT. I had NO CLUE what we were to have that evening, and I couldn't be more pleased! Here's the article from my newsletter that was originally supposed to come out 9/24 (but was going to be updated to come out 9/28). Hope you like it!

This month's email subject line said "The Day After"--I'm sure at some point you thought to yourself, "The Day After WHAT?". Well, whether you cared about that line or not, Wednesday marked our third wedding anniversary (if you're curious, the traditional anniversary gift is leather and no I didn't buy her a whip--I'm contentedly whipped enough already : ) I took her to a favorite restaurant of ours, Aria, in Buckhead. I'll let you in on a secret--if you call in advance, you may be able to book the wine cellar for up to 4 people. Tiny steps lead you into the basement with no more than 1 token light hanging over your table, and you're surrounded by wine and candles. I didn't need to bring a corkscrew as a week earlier I had contacted Andres Loaiza (manager and wine guru) and asked if he and chef Gerry Klaskala would be able to put together a tasting menu with food and wine pairings. Basically, I knew where we were going but had no clue what we would be enjoying for dinner. I must tell you that this is such a fun experience but you must be open minded! I will note-their menu has a $39 3-course prix-fixe nightly that has some enticing choices; I'm sure they would pair wines if asked! As for our meal, we had 8 courses of incredible foods and the wines they chose were perfect to go along with our meal! You really need to step out of your box and try something new--it's so much fun!

Bootlegging, Choice and taking recommendations

2009-10-28T11:15:00.003-04:00

It's funny to think about buying wine here in ATL to take to KY for my parents. It seems that they just can't get some of the cool wines we get in ATL at home. My late Father would fax a list of wine for me to pick up for him and bring home whenever we headed that way--he even placed an order before he died since we were already scheduled to be there the following weekend. Why was this necessary? Our prices were better here, our selection was better, and the wines were current family favorites.

I can't speak to pricing as much, though I have bought some wine at Sam's club at home (Owensboro, KY) and found their prices were low as found here in ATL metro Sams's clubs. I can speak to selection as their local Kroger did not sell wine (only beer; not sure if that was a local rule, KY law, or something else) and there isn't much selection in shops as the focus seems to be on beer and liquor (you can find a ton of single-barrel bourbons there, many I've never seen outside of KY). I hate that it is so tough to ship wine from out of state, but rules have been relaxed as they were part of one vineyard's wine club and receive a few shipments a year. I like the fact that they can get wines delivered, but sometimes you need help in the form of advice before committing to purchase and delivery of a 'new' wine.

Earlier in the Summer they got a recommendation from a staffer at Total Wine in Kennesaw to try a zinfandel called Truscott (I think it was an Amador county red). They bought it blindly and it turned out to be amazing (the selling point was that it was worth over $20 but they sold it for $15--right up Dad's alley!). When I picked more up for them last month it had received high 90's from some wine guru so I'm sure that 'secret' is now out and it will soon be sold out. Contrast that with a patient associate trying to help some other people purchase some vino while I was waiting for help loading up that Truscott--the people gave a few names that they liked and asked for help with other selections. He patiently showed them at least 5 or 6 different wines that blew away the wine they were comparing and they ended up going back to the wine they started with. Why? They wouldn't step out of their comfort zone I guess! As a huge zin lover, I happened to know the wine in question (though I can't remember it)--it was good, and around $20 per bottle. He pulled several comparisons, from large producers to smaller/lesser known producers and they kept coming up with reasons to go back to their "safe" wine. What a shame--they could have saved money and had some great juice, but they weren't open to "change". So the wine message today is to shop around, look for people you trust and be open to trying new things. With so much good juice on local shelves, it's easy to try something inexpensive. Focus on a few varietals that you may not know well (like Malbec, Carmenere, Grenache for reds, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier and Pinot Grigio for whites) and get a feel for what you like. Then start experimenting with different producers and countries. Ask for recommendations and see what happens! Fun places? Try Total Wines & More (Perimeter location does wine tastings all the time), Vino 100 in Alpharetta, and Cost Plus World Market (sometimes slightly pricey but always a varied collection of wines) as well as your local warehouse clubs. Don't forget local retailers; you can chat with someone to see if their tastes are similar (give them some of your faves) and take a chance! Enjoy! Bo

Do you know your stuff?

2009-10-08T10:18:00.001-04:00

Check out the Atlanta Wine School's latest quizzes. I didn't do that well on the first two! I Actually did better on the last; perhaps I guessed better. Sometimes a bit of knowledge is a problem (at least that's what I'm telling myself today!). I have never done well on multiple choice tests anyway ; ) Cheers! Bo

Restaurant Dirty secrets!

2009-09-23T12:51:00.002-04:00

Wow... I just read this article and I am amazed at some of the topics included! (Even worse are some of the comments at the bottom). While some of the stories I could tell about my days waiting tables at Houston's in ATL are entertaining, I will note that I did NOT see gross things like they talked about in the article. I loved Houston's then and still do! Sigh... ask me what I had to ask some of the people who ordered "Prime Rib" sometime and you'll get a chuckle... Cheers, Bo

BYOB!

2009-09-22T16:38:00.002-04:00

Don't remember what BYOB means? Bring Your Own Bottle! I have mentioned that I love to bring wine to one of our favorite dining spots in Cobb (partly to save money, but mainly due to a limited wine list) but I just learned that there is a new website called "GoBYO.com" that allows you to search for restaurants that allow you to bring your own wine! Not only that, you can search using different zipcodes and you can further narrow it down using filters allowing you to search for the cost of corkage (corkage = a restaurant charge for the 'service' of opening your bottle and providing you glasses). There are a LOT with no fees! How cool is that?

Baby left in car to die; news at 11

2009-09-21T11:25:00.002-04:00

Unfortunately we hear a headline like this at least once a year here in the South, either for a baby/child or a dog (insert joke about never hearing about dead cats here). As we all know (but yet someone each year fails to figure this out) a car can turn into a furnace in a VERY short amount of time. Well, we need to keep this in mind when we purchase (and transport) WINE as well! Yes, this is a stretch to compare a human being or animal with wine, but remember that wine is a living creature as well, evolving over time and (hopefully) getting more interesting or complex. If you leave wine in a car, it can die as well! Not only that, it can more or less 'cook' the bottle and its' precious contents! Heat will create pressure on the cork and can push it out of the bottle. Even if it is only pushed up a tiny bit it can allow the cork to seep and make a mess in your car. I learned that one time (even though it was NOT hot outside) when I discovered that the trunk of a previous car got warm just above the exhaust pipe-after a 2 hour road-trip one bottle had already leaked a bit onto other luggage. Just keep that in mind as you travel and even if you're just 'running inside the store for a moment' think about a police officer coming inside to put you under arrest for the 'death' of your vino :)

Wine bottles on a diet!

2009-08-27T15:47:00.002-04:00

Wine producers overseas are giving lighter wine bottles a try. An average 750ml wine bottle with a screwtop weighs about 500 grams (around 17.64 ounces). The "new and improved" lighter bottles will weigh around 300g (10.58 oz). All I can say is I wish bottles weighed less when I was a barback WAY back in 1989 in Northern Kentucky. When I worked at "The Waterfront" we had to carry all our wine/beer/liquor up from the bottom of the bar (The Waterfront was a 3 story bar/restaurant built on an old barge across from Cincinnati). I remember we would weigh ourselves on the big scales they used for deliveries (for produce/seafood, etc). I know that Absolut Vodka bottles (1.75L) weighed the most but the only actual weight I remember was 2 cases of Corona beer weighed 110 pounds! Factor in that we carried all this on our shoulders... I'm surprised I don't walk with a gangsta lean to the right!

In any event, lighter bottles = lighter shipping containers = less energy consumed. I can see the ads now: Drink Wine, Save the Earth :) Cheers, Bo

Newsletter Article on Wine Memories

2009-08-26T16:53:00.000-04:00

What was your best Summer wine memory? I have several and all seem to be tied in with food for some reason! Like anything else, it's the combination of several things that make for a great memory. Great food, family and friends, and a wine that pairs 'just right' with what you're eating. One recent example was when all of us at Harris Wagner Law Group had a 'family outing' to a wine tasting at Atmosphere restaurant here in ATL. We tasted several French wines and enjoyed some great food that was perfectly paired with each wine. That's something you should resolve to do soon: try a wine and food pairing. As an example, I don't typically drink a lot of white wine, but at a tasting yo u are pushed to try new things. At Atmosphere, the theme was "Wines from Burgundy" and we enjoyed 2 whites and 3 reds (remember-European wines tend to be named after their region, and Burgundy wine grapes are primarily Chardonnay and Pinot Noir). I cannot remember all of the chef's food/wine combinations, but each was perfectly matched to the wine we were drinking (one memorable one was duck confit with a medium-bodied Pinot--yum!) That's when wine can be really fun--when it is a perfect compliment to your food, not something that masks or overpowers your meal. That's what made it a great memory--great friends, yummy food and a perfect wine to accompany our food! The next time you see a prix fixe or tasting menu with wines chosen by the sommelier or wine steward, GO FOR IT! You may be surprised how fun it can be (and you might just find a new favorite vino)!

When "Petite" equals HUGE

2009-08-24T15:26:00.002-04:00

Prior to the Jonas Brothers concert (see my other blog) Susie, Julia and I went to Dante's Down the Hatch for some fondue. I chose EOS Petite Sirah to accompany our dinner and I'm glad I did (no, Julia didn't have any, but she did have a lovely tropical fruit drink sans alcohol). Petite Sirah is a totally different grape than Syrah, though I think their DNA may cross paths somewhere down the line. Dark as ink (and teeth-staining as well), Petite Sirah is a massive wine. Young wines tend to have huge tannins but if you decant and/or allow some time for aging, you'll be pleased to find a rich wine full of depth. Despite the tannins in most Petite Sirahs, you will find that the flavors are not so much as to 'take over' your meal as Cabernet Sauvignon can do. As we had chicken, pork, beef and shrimp in our fondue mélange, the wine didn't seem to overpower any of the flavors and actually paired nicely with all the sauces (teriyaki, remoulade, sweet/sour and (Susie's fave) creamy horseradish). So the next time you want to try something new, give Petite Sirah a shot--the EOS as mentioned is a great choice from Paso Robles; I think it's around $10-15. Enjoy!

A fun wine quiz from The Atlanta Wine School

2009-07-20T14:25:00.003-04:00

I would love to know which ones I got right and which ones I flat-out got lucky and guessed correctly. Good luck and have fun!

Click HERE for the quiz

"Girlie Wines", Marketing and Current Trends

2009-07-17T16:15:00.000-04:00

It's funny--I am a wine lover and also a male. I don't feel particularly worried about my manhood when I have wine vs. a cocktail or beer--no one has revoked my 'man card' yet due to my ordering habits. With that being said, sometimes I don't want a wine based on the cuisine or location. For example, I normally order a beer or margarita with Mexican food (though red Zin goes well with spicy food; so would Gerwurztraminer if you prefer whites). Likewise, for me, wings = beer. However, whenever I walk through a steakhouse and I see people drinking beer with a juicy steak I can't fathom not having a 'big' red wine, manly or not--but hey, that's my opinion (and I drink red wine with fish too, so there!).
I love beer ads but they definitely stereotype wine drinkers as less than manly (such as this Bud Light commercial). I love the humor, but the effect is not lost on marketers as they are trying to make wine more appealing to men, as noted in this article. I guess it's like putting silly animals on wine labels--I don't buy wine because of a catchy label. I buy it because of what's inside--so should you! On the other hand, if you choose to buy wine for any reason, who am I to say no? I am a fan of vino and hope more people try wine & keep us as the #1 wine consumer market in the world!
The slow economy has prompted a major change in consumer spending habits. Luxury companies are in trouble (slower sales at Neiman Marcus, Saks) while discounters are raking it in (TJ Maxx, WalMart). This trend is also evident in the high sales of value wines vs. high dollar examples. We are lucky as there are so many great wines out there--many under $10! Click on this link for Whole Foods' current top 10 picks. To find prices I looked to Total Wines & More. The Escudo Rojo referenced is $11.99, the Koonunga Hills is $7.79. Search their catalog for yourself! While I haven't tried the Presto Prosecco, I highly recommend this lightly sweet/fruity sparkling wine as a great aperetif wine--especially for hot Summer days! Cheers!

Box Wines in the news

2009-07-17T15:34:00.002-04:00

Believe it or not, I am seeing a lot of press about box wines of late. Yesterday's AJC had an article that referenced a fun one that I have previously written about-- Cline's Red Truck 'mini-barrel'. Here's yet another one that references a high-dollar french restaurant in NYC that actually sells box wines as well! In defense of Chef Daniel Boulud, the wines referenced sound like a 'cut above' as the 3L mentioned costs $40 (vs. $20 for the Cline, at no less than Sam's Club). I do like the fact that it's all about the juice INSIDE the packaging (kind of like my comments about not buying wine based on the label alone).

By the way, if you're in NYC, go to Boulud's other restaurant Cafe Boulud and enjoy Gavin Kaysen's wonderful creations! We ate there in April and were very impressed! Our 9-year old even enjoyed the tasting menu--just don't tell her she ate braised veal cheeks!!!

The US needs better education!

2009-06-16T17:00:00.002-04:00

Actually, it is not so much the level of wine education, it's the fear of the unknown! The average US wine drinker needs to step out of their box and try some new wines! Check out this story about name recognition of various wine regions. It's sad that so many of my favorites are not well known. Two things that jumped out--the Chianti comment about "Silence of the Lambs" was hilarious and I expect that the people polled were relatively young as I'm surprised that "Chablis" did not have a higher rating--not because of people knowing/loving what Chardonnay should taste like (crisp with mineral undertones as the French produce, versus some of our California oakey butter-bombs!) but because of the famous "jug wines" of the 1980s' (it's okay, everyone drank those Gallo Gallons back in the day; both Chablis and Burgundy :) How many of the wines do YOU recognize? If you DON'T recognize something, why not head to your local store and pick up a bottle? It may be a pleasant surprise! Cheers, Bo

Brown Bagging, wine style!

2009-05-29T14:02:00.004-04:00

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution had a great article today about bringing your own wine to a restaurant. I TOTALLY approve of this! There are several ways to look at this. As an example, restaurant Au Rendez-Vous (near Brookhaven) only has a few wines on the list and they actually encourage you to bring your own for $4 corkage fee per person. They (and other restaurants that don't have beer/wine licenses) are able to pull in a few more dollars based on their limited wines, etc. An example of another restaurant "mindset", Susie and I were regulars at one restaurant in Kennesaw but for a while their wine list was very limited. We discovered that they would only charge $15 for corkage fee (translation: a charge for the restaurant for opening your bottle (yep, even if it's a screwtop!) and providing glassware, service, etc.) so we started taking our own which a) saved us money b) kept us happy (better wines than they provided) and c) actually kept us COMING as we would most likely not have returned due to their old list). So corkage could be seen as a supplement to a wine list.

People, I know restaurants are in business to make money. I know that they normally 'make up' their margins on wine. However, the third mindset covers GREED. I get SO angry when I see ridiculous markups! Keep an eye out for some of your common restaurant wines--Take La Crema Pinot Noir as an example. It's currently $15.97 at Total Wine & More. Well, we recently have seen it go for $55 at an East Cobb restaurant, $60 in Buckhead and a CRAZY $70 at a well-known luxury resort/hotel about an hour East of Atlanta. It really annoys me to see that (another common one is Ravenswood's entry Zinfandel ("Vintners Blend, $5.97 at Bullocks) for $30 or more???). One notable restaurant chain going against this trend is Houstons. I have bought some amazing wines for what appeared to barely be over cost! I remember one dinner at the now-closed Dunwoody location--we had Nickel & Nickel Merlot (or Cab Franc?) for under $50, which was astounding knowing that the store price (IF you could find it) was around $40.

As the article notes, DON'T abuse this by bringing your cheap wine (2 Buck Chuck?) or some super-common wine that can be found anywhere or even on their menu (Kendall-Jackson chardonnay for example). I would bring wines that I knew they wouldn't have (like ATP Wines from Ridge) or a rare single-vineyard designate Ravenswood (usu. over $35) versus their Vintners Blend (under $7, unless you're crazy enough to pay more at the grocery). How about thinking of a bringing a wine with a minimum price point of $20 or more? Likewise, Chops allowed us to bring a special bottle to dinner when my parents came to town (caveat-I THINK they would have limited us to only 1 or 2 bottles at their corkage fee, somewhere around $20). We still bought a follow-up bottle from their list, but we were able to decant and enjoy a rare Sonoma Cabernet from 1997 which was a special wine for my family.

Moral of the story? Reward the restaurants whose prices are in-line or simply never return. But as the article said, tip as if you bought it from them (though I would venture a thought that I would tip an amount based on the retail price, not what they'd rape me for if I bought it there!) Cheap? Okay, I'll admit it... But at the same time, I will pay for good food and good service. I just hate paying too much for something that is just as important as the food--the wine itself! Cheers, Bo

Read this article! Try something new... (Ideas for Memorial Day wines!)

2009-05-21T10:03:00.003-04:00

This article was written by Teresa Eiland from the Piedmont Road Tower Wine & Spirits. It is very well written and I feel that it's spot-on with its message. The message? Drink wine, don't be afraid to try new things. It's not about silly names and catchy labels; it's what is INSIDE the bottles that gets me excited! When I see high ratings on wines under $10 I get excited--there is a lot of quality out there amongst the overpriced wines.

2 wines she mentioned are stellar grape varietals. I love Cabernet Franc; it's a fun wine that is lighter in character than Cabernet Sauvignon (so it can be a bit more food-friendly and "quaffable"). Give it a shot, you'll probably be a convert! Likewise, Vernaccia is an Italian hottie. Yes, the supermodel (Pinot Grigio) gets all the recognition, but Vernaccia is the girl next door that will surprise and amaze you. Have some chilled and on hand this weekend! Cheers, Bo

I love Zinfandel! ZAP was WOW!

2009-05-13T13:09:00.003-04:00

We attended the ZAP tour last night and I really enjoyed the event! It was not too big/crowded and there were a lot of quality producers in attendance. I am biased, of course, as I love our native American grape, Zinfandel. It's a great food-friendly wine and can be produced in several styles. I tend to like the more full-bodied "spicy" type vs. the 'fruit bomb' variety. Some standouts from last night? As always, my 2 favorite producers Ridge and Ravenswood were awesome, and enjoyed some 'old friends' like Renwood as well. In fact, when I visited the Ravenswood table, I met the Zinderella of Zin herself, Cathleen Francisco. No, you may not know her, but I have emailed her about their wines for over 3 years and this was the first time we had met in person! YUMMY wines and always great, from their $7 'vinter's blend' to their incredible single vineyard designates like Belloni, Teldeschi and Big River, to name the 3 she brought.

I did try a lot of new juice and found some standouts. Among them was D-cubed Cellars; the name stands for the winemaker's initials (DDD). I loved the 2005 Howell Mountain (yes, the same Howell Mountain of Cabernet fame). Another Howell Mountain producer was Lamborn Family Vineyards. In a word, WOW. Both of those were in the $40 (and you're surprised?) as was the Renwood Jack Rabbit (single vineyard) which was great! Fritz Winery's 2006 reserve was nice (gee, another $40 bottle). Haywood Estate Winery showed up with 3 examples from their Los Chamizal Vineyard in Sonoma; all three were excellent and it was amazing to see how the same grapes/vineyard were so different mainly due to the placement of the vines (for example, a higher elevation was different than the valley; and the 'Morning Sun' had more fruit due to the concentration of the sun). While those three were around $30, they brought along another product line, Z-52, which was a bit more fruit forward but also under $20--what's not to love? Finally, Tres Sabores had a 2006 estate as well as a blend called Por que no?--fun stuff! I need to keep my eyes open to some of these new producers! Just to toss some additional names in the mix, look for Hook & Ladder (you may remember them as Deloach from years ago) and Peachy Canyon from Paso Robles (yum!) Look for my other posting with info from ZAP ("Zinfandel Advocates and Producers") for a list of who came to ATL and links to their websites. Support these awesome vineyards! Cheers, Bo

ZAP!!! Zinfandel Lovers Unite!

2009-05-08T13:45:00.003-04:00

If you love Zinfandel like I do, you need to attend ZAP's Zinfandel Festival on Tuesday the 12th. I will be there with my family; you should attend too! We are talking about the lucious deep RED zinfandel, the native American grape and lover of food (i.e. it goes well with many types of food, especially spicy food and BBQ). For more info, click HERE. Cheers, Bo To purchase tickets, click HERE (or buy at the door if there are any left--this is the first time the ZAP tour has come to ATL--come join us!)

An Unsung Hero: Viognier

2009-04-23T11:39:00.002-04:00

First things first: we cooked a vegetarian meal this week and I must admit that I ENJOYED IT. Yes, I normally have some sort of meat/fish/fowl for dinner and I wasn't excited about having a vegetarian meal. It turned out to be WONDERFUL and it was enhanced by the wine choice: Viognier (vee-ohhn-yay). We had potato gnocchi with tomatoes, peppers, spinach and cheese--overall an "Italian" flavored meal. We also had a salad caprese (which is a 'salad' of slices of tomato and fresh mozzerella cheese, drizzled with balsamic vinegar and olive oil). With the salad, I'd normally choose a Sauvignon Blanc (as the acidity would pair nicely with both the cheese and tomato) but since we had some rich flavors with the gnocchi I chose Viognier. Perhaps I could have chosen a chardonnay (preferably a French Chablis, as their chardonnay is light, not super oaky) but it may have overpowered the 2 dishes. Nope, I chose a grape typically found in the Rhône region of France or in and around Paso Robles, California (Central Coast). My selection was a lovely 2007 Justin Viognier (sorry, just learned it's sold out) which was nice and balanced with a crisp taste on the tongue (perfect for the salad) and a smooth finish with a nice mouthfeel and a hint of vanilla with the fruit (perfect for the gnocchi). I know, I know, I'm using "Snob speak" for this, but it was a perfect pairing and I was suitably geeked. (If you ever seek a good pairing or have a Q/want a better explanation, feel free to email me!). Give this 'different' varietal a chance-it may turn out to be your white of choice for the future! Goes well with spicy food as well... (Costco currently stocks Rosenblum for around $15 and one of the BEST viognier blends from Treana for over $20--SO worth it!). Cheers, Bo

Tales from the Darkside

2009-04-15T10:52:00.002-04:00

No, I'm not chasing Kurtz in the jungle but I have made my own voyage to the dark side: I have purchased (and enjoyed!) a "box wine" (yes, a box wine, I'm not lying!). Please remember that I have always noted that wine is meant to be enjoyed, not merely some snobby thing to be enjoyed only by elitists. I think wines should be for everyone! Even wine is invading NASCAR--both Jeff Gordon and Richard Childress own vineyards and a race is run in Sonoma, CA just across the street from the vineyard where I worked. In fact, my box wine was produced about 2 miles from Infineon Racetrack in Sonoma, at Cline Vineyards. Have you seen "Red Truck" wines? A bottle costs around $9 at the local stores and is a lovely 'field blend' of syrah, petite sirah and zinfandel. I was in Sam's Club earlier this week and found that Cline produced a mini-barrel of Red Truck in a 3L size (that's 4 bottles!) for under $20! I couldn't resist and I have to say that it was just as good as if I had opened a bottle. The packaging says that it will last for 40 days (not likely in our household!) once opened and portions are recyclable. So you can save money, save the Earth and enjoy a yummy wine; what's not to love?

One other quickie--I am a true lover of rich, red Zinfandel wine. The ZAP (Zinfandel Advocates & Producers) tour is FINALLY coming to ATL-Here's where to find info on tickets! I'll see you there!

Cheap wine of the day!

2009-04-15T10:45:00.002-04:00

I know, I know, you can't really find a good, cheap Pinot Noir. However, Kroger has Lindeman's Pinot on sale for $5.98 that's actually pretty good! No, it's not going to compare to a fine Burgundy, but it's very drinkable and has a nice finish. Good fruit, good flavor, great price--what's not to love? Get some while it's still on sale (it was on sale for $7.98 the first time we bought it and we felt it was worth it even at that price).

Bonus wine--if they have any 2004 "Zen of Zin" by Ravenswood for $8.48, BUY IT. It's a steal--normally around $12.99!!!

OTBN 10! (No, not another Rocky movie!)

2009-03-05T16:23:00.000-05:00

In my last newsletter I talked about "Open That Bottle Night 10" as made popular by the Wall Street Journal wine editors. What did you open last Saturday the 28th? I actually did go with the 1990 Franciscan Magnificat as referenced. While the cork did break (thank goodness for decanters!) the wine was actually quite amazing! To recap, the goal of OTBN is to pop a cork that you have been saving for a "special occasion" that never seems to come around. I wanted to drink the 1990 along with a 1991, 1993 and 1994 but I thought it would be too far gone. Thankfully I was wrong! Why should you open one of your "special" bottles? Life is short! Another stated goal of OTBN is to relive a special memory. To be honest, I think I got that bottle shipped in Franciscan's Wine-of-the-month club (long before the stupid illegal shipping laws). While that's not too exciting, it does remind me of my first trip to Napa with friends who lived in San Francisco. What a magical experience! Whenever I drink Franciscan it also reminds me of another trip out west (yes Nate, the famous 'dancing in the fountain' photo!). So should I have left that bottle in the cellar in hopes of that mythical dinner party/vertical tasting? Nope! I got to pop, sip, smile! I'd love to hear from anyone else who participated in OTBN-leave me a comment. CHEERS!

Sunday Wine Sales-My 2 cents!

2009-02-25T11:48:00.002-05:00

I know that this is not the most important topic facing our Legislature. However, I think it's a really dumb restriction. With that being said, this is MY opinion on the matter, and you can do with it what you wish. I chose to voice my opinion directly (as well as here). Here is the text of an email I sent to my local rep and a representative on the Georgia Senate Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee

"I humbly request that you pass Senate Bill 16 so that the public can vote upon the legislation. I understand that our Governor does not support this bill, but this is not his call--let the people VOTE on this issue; then he can see where the people of Georgia truly stand. I cannot believe that Alabama, South Carolina, Tennessee or any other "Bible Belt" State's religious convictions are any different than ours, yet they (and 47 other States) have the ability to purchase alcohol on Sunday. Will it change my behavior? Not a lot as I buy wine in case quantities when I find a good deal, etc. From time to time, however, I have been on my way to a dinner party on a Sunday and have realized that I had no 'hostess gift' of wine with me. Likewise, we do a most of our weekly shopping on Sunday and we often shop in local warehouse clubs where they happen to have great wine deals. No, it's not the end of the world, and certainly not the most important topic for you to deal with, but I do believe that it is time for this anachronism to go away.

Again, personal convictions aside, it is not your call to determine what is right or wrong. It is up to the individual to decide whether or not they will choose to consume alcohol. It is your job, however, to pass legislation that makes sense and to allow your constituents to vote on the issue. We may end up seeing increased tax collections due to this; who knows! Thanks for your consideration."

Who knows... We'll see what happens!

Think Pink redux

2009-02-16T12:07:00.002-05:00

Okay, so this should have come out BEFORE Valentine's Day, but just a few reminders: 1) you can drink champagne WHENEVER--i.e. it doesn't have to be for a wedding or New Year's Eve 2) if you drink 'sparkles', step out of the box and try Rosé! No, pink does not equal sweet (this is NOT white Zin). Pink adds a certain nuance to the wine as the skins have been in contact with the juice for a bit longer in the winemaking process. The flavors are a bit more intense and the aromas are so great! Give it a shot! Look for Segura Viudas or Cristalino (both "Cavas" from Spain, each under $10) or go for the Veuve Clicquot I bought at Sam's Wholesale for $64 (hey, it was Valentine's Day after all...). Rosé is a perfect food wine too :)

Day 1: Positive Spin!

2009-01-20T16:21:00.002-05:00

You'll have to read my other blog to sort out my thoughts about "Day 1 of # 44", but I read this article which has some positive news about American wine producers. I never really thought about W's 'preferences' for the last 8 years, but anything that boosts wine consumption (and knowledge) here in the good old USA is a good thing : ) So tonight, Red State or Blue State, go home and pop a nice bottle of Red Wine or White Wine (or split the vote and have some Sparkles : ) Cheers!

Jeff Strikes Again!

2009-01-06T16:08:00.003-05:00

My partner Jeff Harris is spoiling us! He walked in on New Year's Eve (yes, we were open and closing loans!) with a bottle of Dom under one arm and a bottle of Veuve Clicquot under the other (bless him!) It made me very happy (but of course!) and it reminded me of a poll or article I recently read that talked about champagne consumption is dropping (or sparkling wines in general). Why? It seems that people ONLY tend to drink 'sparkles' when they have something to celebrate. True, yes, but why not 'every day'? No, not a $128 bottle of Dom, but there are SO many options out there that are so yummy! I even saw Korbel (from Sonoma, CA) at the grocery for under $10. Want something lighter, try a Prosecco from Italy. Even easier on the wallet? Cava from Spain. So maybe hold off on the over $30 bottles for a big event, but don't be afraid to make 'sparkles' your wine of choice! (by the way--you may want to invest in a champagne 'cork' that will allow you to store an open bottle for a day or two in case you just want an aperitif prior to dinner, etc.)

Forgotten Anniversary

2008-12-12T18:21:00.002-05:00

No, Susie is not angry with me because you may remember we celebrated our actual Wedding Anniversary WAY back in September. I'm referencing an event that I knew about (and 'celebrated' in my own way) back on December 5th--the Anniversary of the reversal of Prohibition! I truly enjoy wine with my dinner and I am thankful that the vineyards were able to remain in business through that dark period (sacramental wine, indeed!). Now look at the California wine industry-so strong, but do you know that there were wine producers all over the US prior to Prohibition? Yep, many were forced out of business thanks to all the people who wanted to force their will upon someone else (wow, Libertarianism 2 x in one day--take this quiz, you may be surprised to find you're one too!). We now have vineyards in most (if not all?) of the US again, but we could have better quality wines by now from some of these fledgling vines/vineyards. For an off the wall Libertarian view, read this article from the Wall Street Journal. Not sure how I feel about some of the items referenced being legal, but the premise sure makes sense... In any event, I'm hoping Friday traffic has slacked off a bit so I can get home to enjoy some Vino! Cheers, Bo

Turkey Wine and Out of State experiences!

2008-12-02T10:06:00.002-05:00

We had a lovely Thanksgiving and enjoyed some Beaujolais Nouveau prior to devouring our Turkey. We drove to KY to be with my family and brought a mixed case of vino (most under $12) including the Beaujolais. Most of the wines we drank were Zinfandel as they went perfectly with the meal. A Pinot Noir may have worked but the fruit of the Zin (remember, this is NOT the Pink stuff!) paired with everything, even the sweet potato casserole. We brought this wine from GA to KY because my parents cannot find a lot of variety in the big O (that would be Owensboro to you non-Kentuckians!) and what they do find is often overpriced due to lower competition. Meanwhile, before departing I made a run to Total Wine off Barrett Parkway (there is now one in the Perimeter area, there should have been one in Alpharetta but I was told that the powers that be blocked it--short sighted and silly at best) and made some fun selections for them. It's about choice, people! If I wasn't 'bootlegging' for them, they had no other option as you can't ship wine there (even GA still has some limits). Contrast this with Michigan-it's bad enough the auto biz is in the toilet (not that Real Estate is going gangbusters!) but the State is trying to limit their wine choices as well. Read THIS to see what's going on; I think they are fools. Let the people order their favorites and they can also pay TAXES on those wines (more money for MI). Wine lovers get what they want, the state gets what they want (MONEY). What's not to love? Well, for starters, the liquor/beer/wine retail industry has deep pockets. And politicians? They love to line their pockets with this type of special interest money! So consumers lose and politicians (and distributors) win. I wish the people of Michigan the best; hopefully a balance will be struck so there can be a "WINE-WINE" result! Cheers, Bo

4th and 20: PUNT?

2008-11-01T12:01:00.002-04:00

No, I'm not talking about Football; I'm actually talking about WINE (yum!) (though CONGRATS to the Sprayberry Yellowjackets as they pulled off a sub-regional championship Friday night; seeking the 1st regional championship in 26 years).

What is a punt? Pick up a nice bottle of wine and you will most likely find an indentation on the bottom of the bottle (a nice place to stick your thumb to show off a cool new way to pour!). What does it do? It's mainly there to allow sediment to fall and collect on the bottom. Many wine companies are choosing to eliminate the punt to make their bottle LIGHTER. What does that do? A lighter bottle means a lighter case; lighter cases = cheaper/economical shipping! Way to go green! To give you an example, the bottles in use at Fetzer vineyards (yep, big white zin producer) are on average 14% lighter, weighing in at 15.3 ounces when empty. With 23 million bottles shipped per year, that is about 2,200 TONS of glass saved. So less glass, less gas, more vino for you and me!

I've talked about Beaujolais Nouveau before (which is released annually the 3rd Thursday in November) but this year you may find different packaging; PET bottles! No, that's not something for Spike and Lillie (our dogs)--PET stands a type of plastic. Why BeauJo in plastic? It's actually a perfect use for the wine as the wine should be consumed 'immediately' (ideally before January--again avoid dusty bottles found after the new year). If the wine is expected to age, the vineyards will most likely continue to use punts, but in the case of young/fresh wines, expect to see flat bottomed bottles! We'll chat about BeauJo in a few weeks, stay tuned! We'll see how consumers adapt to plastic wine bottles--even though it's not truly green, I am 'old school' I guess--Cokes still taste better in the 8 ounce bottle to me ; ) Cheers!

You get what you pay for...

2008-10-22T17:54:00.001-04:00

One wine comment-sometimes you DO get what you pay for! I love a great bargain! Likewise, there are a lot of costly wines that are 'good' but not great/worth the price (Silver Oak for example). One converse was a gift of Roederer's Cristal Champagne. Jeff & Will brought some over; it was SO yummy and SO smooth. WORTH IT!

New Toy!

2008-10-02T07:33:00.003-04:00

Wondering what to drink tonight? Go to the bottom of this Blog page and check out what's new from RedPinkWhite. Their "widget" is an application that you can load onto your website or Blog (like I did!) OR merely go and search for wine from their website. It's a pretty cool tool, though I am not sure that we will be able to find some of the wines listed in their database here in Georgia. Regardless, scroll down and give it a shot!

For example, I chose "Varietal", clicked on Z to find Zinfandel. From there I clicked "Click to view" and could scroll through the 144+ offerings they listed today. What a cool search function! They listed small descriptions but their goal is for you to buy wine. Unfortunately we live in a 'police state' that barely allows us to have wine shipped to us so that is not an option for us here in Georgia. However, if it looks really cool, ask your local retailer to get it for you! Cheers!

Vertically Challenged!

2008-09-29T08:00:00.002-04:00

Actually not last night! We had some friends over for dinner last night and I dug out 2 bottles of a lesser-known Ravenswood wine called "Icon". Icon (the far right bottle) is a GSM, a blend of Grenache, Syrah & Mourvedre and I had a 2002 and 2003. It is interesting to do a Vertical tasting, which is when you taste/compare (or just DRINK) wines from the same producer but from different vintages. Contrast that with a Horizontal tasting where you would taste several wines (from different producers) from the same vintage. I thought the 2002 was a more fruit-forward and balanced wine while the 2003 was a bit more tannic. One guest is more or less beginning to learn about reds and I was pleased that he caught some differences as well. We weren't really doing a formal tasting but we did transition from one wine to the other and found some cool differences. Final shot-while each Icon was a GSM, the percentages of each varietal in each vintage differed. It's intriguing to taste the winemaker's (or wine blender's?) skill in producing a very similar wine (i.e. each year was a solid GSM, with true varietal characteristics) but also to be able to taste the differences. Likewise, it was fun to choose a favorite. Either way, it is always great to dine with friends and enjoy a glass or two together! Cheers!

Yo Ho and a bottle of Merlot!

2008-09-19T13:29:00.001-04:00

Ahoy mateys! It's that time of year again--it's TALK LIKE A PIRATE DAY again and I hope you raise a glass with a loud ARRRRRR! Cheers!

Wine dinners and/or wine pairings: Just do it!

2008-08-14T10:24:00.001-04:00

Just a reminder--don't be afraid to try something different. Recently we took a road trip (see my posting on my other blog) At Highlands Grill in Birmingham, we didn't look at a menu, we never saw a wine list. We did, however, have an enthusiastic server guiding us every step of the way and our meal was wonderful! Likewise, we had a similar experience at Carolina's in Charleston, SC (off the beaten path-more of a local kind of place rather than touristy). The wine guy was absolutely geeked to share some off the wall (and off the wine list!) pairings with our food. Enthusiasm again and a 'what the heck' attitude made for a great meal. Contrast that with our multi-course meal in Memphis... Sadly our 'marquee meal' of the weekend was lackluster to say the least. It was supposedly Memphis' best restaurant but it was not as great as in B-ham. Part of it was the food (good, but not great) but it was definitely the service. Their adaptation of fine French 'style' was to have servers scurrying about with little to no personality. With that situation, how could the food shine? For that matter, we've been to some 'big name' places in New York, Chicago and other large cities and have returned unimpressed. Atlanta has some great restaurants; you've just got to be willing to be open to something new (and unfortunately burn some expensive fossil fuels in some cases). I know, the economy stinks. No one is eating out as much these days, but save up (Just say NO to Starbucks) and splurge at least once a month-you'll be glad you did!

THINK PINK/THINK CHEAP!

2008-08-14T10:06:00.003-04:00

I recently made my way into that lovely yuppie 'grocery' known as Trader Joe's after hearing from a friend that a favorite sparkling wine was on sale. Lo and behold I was pleased to purchase 6 bottles of Segura Viudas Brut Rosé CAVA for only $3.99 a bottle! This wine is actually well rated by the wine gurus and is a STEAL for that price. I was told it's a one-shot buy so you better get there quickly! I might go back for 6 more : ) Cheers, Bo

For more info click HERE (Note: the rosé is not currently listed; that's probably the reason for the 'deal' at Trader Joes) There was also an inexpensive Paso Robles red for $4.99 (Tres Pinos) that was a bit of a fruit bomb but was a good buy. It was okay with meatloaf, but wonderful with chocolate chip cookies : )

VALUE wines...

2008-07-03T11:38:00.000-04:00

Why is value capitalized? For emphasis, obviously, but today I wanted to put the focus on the value, not the cost. Yes, I get geeked to find inexpensive wines, but it's also great to find a wine that's easy on the wallet but is really yummy! I continue to be blown away by Costco. Yes, I'm channeling Clark Howard again, but their line of "Kirkland" wines are very nice. Their Champagne scored around 90pts last year and they have several other varietals. I recently tried their Meritage (remember, it rhymes with heritage :) and loved it. It was primarily Merlot and had Cabernet and Malbec to finish the blend. I liked the Syrah, but I'm not completely sure about it but I LOVED their Chàteauneuf du Pape (a Grenache/Syrah/Mourvedre blend). The key to all of these wines? The quality is great, but the pricing is perfect! French Champagnes usually sell in the $30 range; Kirkland's is $20. A Napa Meritage? Try around $30-50 depending on the vineyard. Kirkland's? It was around $12! Finally, the CdP was around $19 versus $35+ for a 'brand name'. I have yet to try their Italian wines, but that may be on the list for our next spaghetti night! I know that you may not have a Costco near you or feel that it's worth being a member but I promise that the $35 annual membership fee is worth it! As you hear repeatedly, I buy a LOT of wine there (they are actually the #1 retailer of wine in the country!). If you are a foodie you can also find a lot of great values and varieties! Dinner anyone? (Costco info HERE)

Ramblings about cheap wine and consumption

2008-06-06T15:59:00.001-04:00

As noted on my other blog BoKnowsClosings, I was not really open to spending almost $10 for a plastic cup of "Barefoot" wines at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater. I remember trying one a long time ago and was not moved. The amphitheater did flash up a logo for "Tin Roof Cellars", which I've purchased at Costco but I didn't find it at the concession stands. Again, I paid $7.99 for their Merlot (a bottle!) and it would cost the same for a plastic cup at a concert. So yes, I'm griping! Over the weekend we did do some grilling and we drank some lovely Ridge Zinfandels. I can't wait to have my ATP wines shipped here. ATP stands for Advanced Tasting Program-some nifty small-batch wines (only several hundred cases produced). Once July 1st rolls around, I can start receiving those wines (and other clubs) here in Georgia (vs. shipping to another more 'friendly' state and waiting for friends/family to bring to ATL). It also helps GA vintners so they can ship (both intrastate and interstate sales).

The US is #2! We have overtaken the Italians for overall wine consumption but remain behind France. However, for per capita consumption, we lag behind (well, some of us do : ) French wine drinkers who consumed 52 Liters per adult in 2007, while Italians consumed 46L--Americans only consumed 9L per adult (that's ONE case of wine-heck we drink that over 2 weeks!). So do your part to increase our average! Current faves? Montevina "Terra d'Oro" zinfandel ($14, Sam's), Firesteed Pinot Noir (from $11 to 13). Cool info: Click on "Food & Wine Pairings" on this page from Sam's Club website!

GA Wine Shipping can start 7/1/8!

2008-05-23T15:55:00.001-04:00

Here's a great article noting why this is such a great thing for Georgians, both wine consumers, producers and distributors. Enjoy!

Memorial Day = Summer = Time to Grill!

2008-05-23T15:48:00.002-04:00

Last week was all about the whites. This week? Time to grill, so time to roll out some food-friendly REDS. Those of you who know me well can expect to hear about ZINFANDEL, one of my favorite grill-friendly wines. If you like to turn up the heat on your meats, Zin's fruity edge makes a perfect balance to the zing of your spices. Anything Ravenswood makes (from $6 Vintner's Blend to $40+ single vineyard wines) as well as from producers like Ridge, Rosenblum and Cline (from $9) will be hits. I love to grill chicken leg quarters-try spicing with Montreal Chicken seasoning, grill, then baste with a blend of Cattleman's BBQ sauce (1 Cup) Maker's Mark Bourbon (1/4 C) and Pace Picante Sauce (1/4 C). Yummy! What else goes well with Grilling? Aussies don't say "throw another shrimp on the barbie" for nothing-reach for a food-friendly Shiraz! While some Shiraz (also known as Syrah in other parts of the world-same grape though) can be highly complex, many excellent values come from Australia. Try Rosemount, Penfolds or spend a little more and grab Peter Lehmann's Barossa Shiraz ($14-16). Paso Robles in California makes great Syrah, one cheapie is Parker Station ($6 at "Sip Wine" in Crabapple). South of the border? Try Argentina for Malbec. Mainly known as a blending grape in the rest of the world, Malbec has come on strong of late. In fact, Chile's Carmenere (another lesser known 'blending' grape) is great too. Finally, try Monastrell (like Juan Gil for $15) or a Rioja from Spain. YUM!

Shopping thoughts; new shipping law (Hooray!)

2008-05-21T14:27:00.001-04:00

I was pleased to hear that the new wine shipping law turned out to be less restrictive than expected--these two links make it clear that we are finally out of the Dark Ages! That's great for ordering small-production wines that aren't found on local shelves, but what about 'daily drinkers'? As you know I love shopping at the Warehouse stores (BJ's, Sam's, Costco) and superstores like Total Wines & More in Kennesaw (you MUST go there at least once!). I ordinarily don't see great bargains/selection in groceries (except for Harry's/Whole Foods' 10% off on SIX bottles) but I do love wandering into Cost Plus World Market from time to time. They have great deals on Riedel-style wineglasses and cool 'stuff' & also have an eclectic wine selection with decent pricing (try Vino 100 too!) For that matter, don't be afraid to walk in ANY wine shop and ask for help! Most of the time wine people are happy to share their knowledge. In fact, I think 'winos' fall into one of 2 categories (both equally passionate)-Wine Geeks or Wine Snobs. I think WG's really want people to drink wine-any wine, be it cheapies, white zin, or whatever floats your boat. Wine Snobs, on the other hand, continue to keep wine unapproachable by the 'masses'. Yes, WG/WS's use similar lofty terminology to describe wines (approachable, mouthfeel, etc.) but overall, WG's don't make you feel stupid! They want to share their knowledge & passion; WS's tend to show-off how much they know. I say drink what YOU like!!!

So where do you shop?

Try new things! Time for white wines!

2008-05-21T14:26:00.002-04:00

As promised, no economic news this time! It's time to focus on wine! You may remember that I'm no fan of Chardonnay. Don't get me wrong, a nice Chablis or Carneros wine will make me happy, but many Chard's can be too over the top. With all the buttery/oaky flavors, some examples overpower most foods. On the other hand, a lively Sauvignon Blanc is a wonderful alternative as it will go well with food and be yummy on its own! California SB's are hit and miss, as many producers try to 'oak it up'. One interesting blend that is always a hit is Caymus "Conundrum", which is an amazing wine (though pricey at around $24). From France's Loire valley, "Sancerre" is the benchmark for Sauv Blanc. Crisp, tart, lots of underlying minerals and 'grassy' flavors will pair well with most fish dishes (as well as Caprese Salad and/or oysters!). My favorite producers tend to be from Marlborough, New Zealand (like Monkey Bay or Nobilo, both under $10). Their SB's are BOLD! Chile produces some great ones as well, such as Verramonte or even Concha y Toro's Casillero del Diablo (again, both under $10). Make sure you buy them young; no need to age them! Don't forget 'sparkles' and don't be afraid to try a nice rosé. Nope, not sweet white zin, but a nice pale pink Pinot Noir or a Rhône-type rosé. While I'm at it, a good way to find bargains is to stray off the beaten path-try something you've never heard of like Vinho Verde from Portugal or a Chenin Blanc, Gavi, Albariño, etc. Have fun and BE BRAVE!

For the LOVE of wine!

2008-02-11T10:55:00.000-05:00

As you know, I am a wine lover. How did I become so enamored of the grape? I really got "the bug" in April of 1992 after visiting friends in San Francisco. We took a day-trip into Napa and visited several vineyards. I signed up for a wine club at Franciscan and happily received 2 bottles a month (1 red, 1 white) until the idiots in the GA legislature decided to outlaw direct wine shipments (see previous postings below). I am traditionally a red drinker but through this club I learned about many white varietals. I waited tables while studying for the bar (both in KY and in GA when I moved in 1993). In my hometown of Owensboro, KY I worked at a Houston's 'clone' (the owner was once a manager of both Lenox/Nashville locations) so I had a simple transition when I sought work at Houston's on Peachtree. I got to attend a few wine tastings through work and after beginning my career as a Real Estate Attorney I continued to attend events as well. I visited CA again (1998) and met a guy coming to ATL to open a tasting room/wine bar for a CA vineyard called Viansa (named for Vicki & Sam Sebastiani). After enjoying a glass or two in the shop, I ended up taking a job pouring wine on weekends for fun. In 1999 I took over as manager (it was called Lo Spuntino, which was on Peachtree) and REALLY began my wine education (Viansa had many odd Italian varietals). I was in CA 3-4 times per year! After 2 years, it was time to come back to the exciting world of real estate law!

A call to ACTION!

2008-02-01T15:59:00.000-05:00

It's funny-I get frothy about how important it is to Vote, then I get on my soapbox to push you to contact your local legislator on something that (in the eternal scheme of things) is not "important" (like tax, school or economic reform, etc.). Today I am harping on Direct Wine Shipments. In the late 1990's Georgia made it a felony to receive wine from out of state. I received 2 bottles a month from a vineyard and was learning quite a bit about wine (i.e. I tried many grape varietals only because they sent them to me). Well, the state said that they were protecting children. Yeah, right--I'm sure your average teenager wants to spend $50 and wait a week or two to receive 2 bottles that will most likely make them gag. Nice try! I actually researched the contribution records at the Secretary of State after that and found that Distributors were the Alcoholic Beverage Committee's largest contributors! Surprised? Not so much! In recent years they've changed this backwards law to allow you to ship up to 5 cases IF you were "on-site" to buy the wine. This doesn't cut it! As an example, I love Ravenswood Zin. You can buy "Vintner's Blend" all day long at Kroger, etc. What about their single-vineyard wines that are only sold at the vineyard (such as a limited 150-300 case production)? Those will NEVER make it go GA--THAT'S what I want shipped to me. Heck, I'd even pay GA taxes if that's the issue. Click HERE to find and Contact your STATE Reps today--you need your FULL zipcode! Another great resource is FREE THE GRAPES!

Wine of the Year

2008-01-18T10:07:00.000-05:00

The Wine Spectator took all the wines they reviewed over the course of 2007 and narrowed the list down to their top 100 wines. While the average price for the top 10 wines are $99.80 (with an average score of 95.9 points), the average for all 100 is $42 (with an average score of 93 points). I became interested in this list years ago when a $10 1992 Rosemount Shiraz took #2 on their list (the rest were over $100). Some standouts this year cost much less than the average and you may be surprised! Mid-priced? #91 is a 2005 Seghesio Zinfandel Sonoma County ($20, 90pts). I saw one at Costco for $14, but it may not be the exact one. Rosemount returns with ther 2003 GSM (#60, around $18 at Sam's recently). 2005 Rombauer Carneros Chardonnay was #39 (92pts, $32) and 2005 Altos Las Hormigas Malbec at $22 was #45. Two standouts (to me) in the top 10 were #2 Ridge Chardonnay for "only" $35 (95pts!) and #5 Two Hands "Bella's Garden" Shiraz, 95pts @ $60. I love anything from both of those producers! Those are all too rich for me (esp. in this market) so how about #35 for $13 (Ch. St. Jean Fume Blanc 2005) or #75 La Marca Prosecco for $12? Try #71 2004 Columbia Crest Merlot for $11. The biggest surprise? #72 2005 Yellow Tail Shiraz for $11! You can find that all day long in your local Kroger, right?? Go figure! Again, it just shows that a wine doesn't have to be expensive to be good! Click on the link attached; click on "Full list of Top 100-PDF" for the entire list. Enjoy! Click HERE

The Legislature is now in session!

2008-01-18T09:38:00.000-05:00

Here we go again! Time for tax and spend fun under the gold dome. One item that failed last year was the Sunday Sales amendment. I find it odd that Georgia is one of only 6 or 7 states that don't allow the sale of alcohol on Sunday. The fun logic of this is that you can go to a restaurant or bar and drink all day, then drive home, possibly endangering your life or the lives of others, but you cannot buy wine or beer at a store. Yes, if you plan ahead, there is no real problem in your life (i.e. stock up on Saturday is what people say) but I can remember heading to a friends' house on a Sunday and wished I had remembered to bring a 'hostess gift' of a bottle of vino. If we lived in 85+percent of the country we could have stopped in our local grocery and grabbed that gift, but no, Georgia (and Sonny) say NO. I find it odd that Georgia is 'more' Bible-belt than the rest of the Southeast Bible belt. Regardless, I recognize that this is not a hot button item for most people and to be honest, it is not truly that big a deal for me either. It is merely a question of convenience, not of conviction. My 2 cents.

What really burns me up is that it is STILL illegal to have wine shipped directly to you in Georgia. Yes, you can visit California and buy wine to ship "on the spot" but I can't just call up my favorite vineyard and order a case. It's not like anyone would order a case of Kendall-Jackson Chardonnay from California, it would be prohibitively expensive to ship. What I WOULD like to order is something like Ridge Winery's "ATP" program. I have bought wine in this program in the past and have shipped it to another state to pickup. Why? Ridge makes several small-production wines for this ATP program versus their wines found in any store/restaurant. I once had some of their Zinfandel that was part of a 13 barrel lot (under 100 cases made)--I would NEVER have been able to buy that wine in GA. Most producers send us very little of their production. It is the liquor distributors and their large cash donations to Politicians that keeps us from doing this. Sure, the legislators will say it's a loss of tax revenue, but I would gladly pay the tax just like I do when I visit my local retailer. I would still buy locally, but for collectors, we want more CHOICES. One sidenote, if you don't believe what I said about the lobbyists, try going to the Secretary of State's office and check the Election Commission's records. I did that in the late 90's when they passed the stupid felony law and was amazed at the contributions made by distributors to the Alcoholic Beverage committee. But hey, that's politics. How much money do you have, huh? That one vote of mine isn't enough... I need a check with several zeros I guess....

What is a connoisseur?

2007-12-21T12:14:00.001-05:00

Like I said, I just dig wine. While I did run a wine bar for almost 2 years, I just enjoy wine and love to find good juice for great prices! I don't profess to be an expert but I know what I like. Do you? Well you're a connoisseur too!

For your reference, here's an actual definition of connoisseur for you!

December 20, 2007 Newsletter

2007-12-21T12:03:00.000-05:00

Wine for the holidays? Go for bubbly!

Champagne is a versatile wine and it more or less 'goes with anything'. Too often it is relegated to "celebration only" status, but it's that time of year! Vintage Dom Perignon for $123 may be too much but there are plenty of quality wines out there from Spain, California and even some bargains FROM Champagne (i.e. the Champagne region of France). I hit Sam's and Costco over the weekend and found some great pricing and options for you. Costco had the better deal on Veuve Clicqout (look for the famous yellow label) as it was $42 (Sam's $45) and Perrier Jouet Brut for $29 (vs. Sam's @ $35). Sam's had a few that Costco didn't, such as Roderer Estate (a CA wine from the makers of $250 Cristal) for $19 and a really fun Cava (sparkling wine made like Champagne, but from Spain) called Cordoniu for $10 (don't be afraid that it's a Rosé-it's very dry). For a sweet dessert bubbly get the Rosa Regale from Italy for $17. One of my favorites at Costco is the Piper Heidsick Rosé for $30, or Costco's own Kirkland Rosé (also a true French Champagne) for the same price. A big surprise was seeing 90 points for Kirkland's $23 Brut (a "Top 100" wine from Wine Spectator as well!). Always popular Möet et Chandon "White Star" is about $36 (Chandon's CA version is only $15). Rounding out "the cheapies", go for Cristalino for under $6 (always a top seller) or Gloria Ferrer (CA, 90pts???) for $14. Final shot? Look for Segura Viudas from Spain for around $7. I LOVE that one! Happy New Year to us! (more...)

My other blogs

2007-12-21T11:55:00.001-05:00

My email newsletters are ordinarily split into three groups: Wine Tips, Economic News and Miscellaneous ramblings. Instead of saving each 'full' email in one blog, I split them into three separate blogs. Here we have the Miscellaneous Ramblings blog, which is "Bo Knows". The Economic News blog is "Bo Knows The Economy". Finally, wine tips can be found at "Bo Know VINO". All in good fun.... If all else fails, check out my website too! Cheers!

Here are all my previous wine tips from Weekly emails!

2007-12-21T11:35:00.001-05:00

Here are all my previous "year to date" tips. Enjoy!

December 7, 2007 “Drink to your health!”

As you already know, I am a red wine lover. Unless you've been under a rock, you've probably heard about the potential 'healthy' effects of drinking red wine in moderation (yes, RED wine... TRIVIA: Who wrote the song "Red Red Wine"?). Good cholesteral (HDL's) measurements commonly rise with red wine drinkers and there are several books about "the French paradox". I actually "lived" the French paradox while spending about 2 months near Lyon, France (and lost over 10 lbs even though I ate a LOT of pastry, desserts, red meat, and pommes frites). What's it all about? Well, many French foods have heavy and/or fattening ingredients. You'd expect to see a very obese and unhealthy populace but overall they are not as fat as Americans (sad truth-I figued out which departure gate was mine due to a convergence of large people wearing sweatsuits). Red wine has large amounts of antioxidants (such as Resveratrol) which have been linked to lower instances of heart disease. Other antioxidants found in red wine are known as polyphenols. Wines from Bordeaux, Cotes du Rhone, Bourgogne and Sardinia Italy have the highest levels of procyanidins-the compounds in grape seeds responsible for making red wine good for the heart. Full disclosure: you can find many of the same properties in cocoa (ooh..chocolate!) and blueberries. But a nice glass of wine goes much better with my steak!

November 15, 2007 Thanksgiving wine/Beaujolais Nouveau est arrive!

The turkey is in the oven, you're watching the Macy's Parade (wave at Mark Z & family) but you've got to plan on what to drink for the feast. You've got a wonderful 1997 Cabernet (the "Vintage of the Century" per the wine mags) that's been aging peacefully in the cellar, laid down since its' release. Well, guess what--this is NOT the occasion! Save it for your wonderful roast beast on Christmas night! Thanksgiving means Turkey and turkey needs something less tannic and more smooth. A white fan? Well, this is one of the rare times you'll hear me recommending Chardonnay. Go for a French Burgundy or an American approximation like from Acacia or other Carneros &/or Russian River juice. As far as reds go, I'd say Pinot Noir from the same places. Both areas have climates that are perfect for such a 'difficult' grape. The only bummer with Pinot is that it's tough to find a good inexpensive one. Oregon makes great Pinots as well. What are some alternatives? Viognier is always a favorite white and if your tastes run sweeter, a DRY (note the CAPS!) Riesling would be nice or even a Gerwurtztraminer (ger-Vurtz-trah-ME-ner). Finally--a family tradition for me is to bring home some Beaujolais Nouveau. This is more or less the first release from the Beaujolais region and it's meant to be drunk young (don't buy it after January even on special!) and it's very fruit-forward. Chill it slightly for even more fun! The grape is Gamay and you'll love it with the bird! CLICK here: (more...)

November 8, 2007 Miscellaneous “Wining”

No whining here! Just some random thoughts...

Cheap wine can be your friend! The "Round One" zinfandel that I found at BJ's wholesale club is now only $3.88! The "RED" from St. Francis I mentioned is evidently not at all Costco locations, FYI. Nice wine gift baskets are showing up at the warehouses as well--I picked up some Ravenswood (4 bottles of "Vintner's Blend" varietals + a cool tray!) at Sam's for $29

If you live in Cobb County, you MUST brave the Barrett Parkway traffic to visit Total Wine and More. It's next to Target where Media Play used to be located. Put it this way--did you ever visit Media Play when it was open? Think about how big that space was and picture it stocked with wine, beer and more--all at killer prices! Check it out!

Need some nice glassware? Get to Cost Plus World Market before their sale ends (Sat?)--they have various stems that are VERY similar to pricey Riedel stems--only $30 for 6! You can use them daily and won't cry if you break one ; )

What is a connoisseur? People who know how geeked I am about wine tend to introduce me as a wine connoisseur. I'm flattered, but in response to that I'd say do you know what you like? Then YOU are a connoisseur! You could try every wine I've ever recommended but you may hate them all! If your favorite wine is $5 or $50, as long as YOU are happy, NO WORRIES : ) Drink what you like, don't put up with snobs--ask questions and don't be afraid to try something new!

October 26, 2007 “What’s in your barrel?”

I've talked a bit about regions in France and how many wines are blends of grapes typical for that region. As noted previously, Rhône wines ordinarily contain Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre. Bordeaux wines are primarily blends of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc. The English commonly call these wines Claret (Claire-ette) and in America, there are producers who call their Bordeaux blends "Meritage". Snobby waiters try to (incorrectly) say "Meri-taj" but remember this is an American creation. The word is a blend of Merit and Heritage and rhymes with the latter. Go forth and impress your friends! Click on the "more" link at the end for more info.

So you've got all this wine in barrels left over from your expensive blend (Opus One anyone? Merryvale Profile? YUM!) and don't want to flood the market (which would hurt the exclusivity and make the price drop). Why not take that wine and make a cheaper blend? I already talked about a mid-priced zin producer and its $6 'cheapie', now I have a new one-"RED" ($9 at Costco) from St. Francis. I'd call it a Bordeaux blend (see above) but they also add Zinfandel. Try it! While you're there, several other blends are available such as Peter Lehmann's Clancy's Reserve (Shiraz/Cab/Merlot, $14.50-90pts. WS), Big House Red ($7 from Bonny Doon), a "Rhône" blend from South Africa (Goat Roti, from Goats du Roam $14). Heck, they even have a $9 Bordeaux (80% Merlot 20% Cab). Go wild, they're not too pricey! Enjoy! (more...)

October 19, 2007 “What’s in your glass?”

I tend to talk about full-bodied reds and this week's topic is no exception. Another favorite wine is produced from Grenache (gren-aash). The grapes like hot climates so you'll normally find them produced in Australia, Southern France and in Spain (where it's called Garnacha). An article I read recently noted that grenache is one of the world's most highly planted grapes, if not THE highest (I learned something new!). I have mentioned Rhône wines before; many of them are Grenache/Syrah/Mourvèdre blends (which is why you commonly see "GSM" as an abbreviation). I recently saw a Rosemount GSM at Costco for around $18 and you may be able to find Ravenswood "Icon" for about $16, but it is primarily Syrah). Many Châteauneuf-du-Pape's from France are primarily Grenache, but likewise are blended with Syrah and Mourvèdre. They tend to be a bit more pricey (usually about $45). As for Garnacha, a favorite is Las Rocas (around $10) or their amazing Viñas Viejas (about $20) which is more of a 'reserve' wine (the more expensive bottle has a traditional Syrah or Pinot shape). Bringing up the bargain bin is Torres "Malena" Garnacha, which I found at Sam's for $6.88! Another bargain is La Vielle Ferme (which may totally be spelled wrong as it's been a while) that I found in 1.5L format at Pearson's for around $10-another GSM blend from the Rhône region of France. Note: some of these may seem to smell a bit 'off' when first opened; decant or give them some time to open up! Enjoy!

October 12, 2007 “Fall Means HARVEST”

First things first--I want to credit my friend Mike Mears for the photo he took in Sonoma, CA recently. Take a look at the grape cluster-just about time to harvest! I got an email from Justin Vineyards today noting that they are halfway through harvest. Can you believe that their white wines are already in bottles at this point? They began harvesting whites in August and expect to be finished with reds by month-end (Merlot & Syrah are aging in barrels while their Cabernet Sauvignon and Cab Franc are still fermenting). It's amazing to see the process in action. One of the coolest things it to be able to steal some wine! (No, not really but there was this one interesting story at Ravenswood that I could tell you about...) Confused? I'm talking about barrel samples as the tool used to pull wine out of a barrel is called a "wine thief" (which looks like a long glass turkey baster to me). It's interesting to taste the wine at different stages in the aging process. Most reds could be harsh and tannic or totally 'fruit bombs' when they begin the process. Over time the tannins can ease or the fruit may take on flavors from the oak barrels. Either way, I highly encourage you to "Go West" and visit the wine country soon. If you have several days, make sure to visit Sonoma (laid back) but if you have only a day/afternoon, head to Napa (can be snobby?) as you can visit several vineyards in a row. Ask me before you go! Cool weather now, think RED! (like Zin & Syrah) (more...)

October 5, 2007 “What’s in your bottle?”

When is a Pinot Noir not a Pinot Noir? How about Chardonnay? If you want to venture to Europe you may have trouble understanding their labels. If you were in the French wine section of your local store you'd have to search for wines from Burgundy to find these varietals. For example, Chablis produces wonderful chardonnays (nope, not those screw-top jug wines at Grandma's). Burgundy is comprised of five main wine producing areas: Chablis, Côte d'Or, Côte Chalonnaise, Maconnais and Beaujolais (Beaujolais wines are usually made from the Gamay grape). Other 'typical' wines? Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc's make up a high percentage of Bordeaux wines as do Sauvignon Blanc and Semillion. Chenin Blanc? Try Loire or Alsâce. Rhône wines are typically some blend of Grenache, Syrah and/or Mourvèdre for reds, Viognier, Rousanne or Marsanne for whites (many similar California blends from Paso Robles are produced by members of the "Rhône Rangers" who have an affinity for Rhône wines). Spain produces wonderful Temperanillo and Monastrell (or Mourvèdre) wines. Many German wines are made from Riesling. Going to Tuscany? Hopefully you'll enjoy some great Chianti (which is Sangiovese). If you hear the term "Super-tuscan" it refers to the practice of blending Sangiovese with Merlot and/or Cabernet).

September 21, 2007 “Celebration = Champagne!”

As the subject line proclaims, this is the Anniversary Edition! A year ago this Sunday I was lucky enough to be married to Susie and it's been a wonderful thing! We are heading out of town later today to celebrate! When YOU think of a celebration, do you think of bubbly? We do! Here are some great options for you.

While you can spend over $100 on a vintage bottle of Dom Perignon or Tattinger you can likewise find some great wines at a more reasonable price. Two 'standards' are Moët et Chandon "White Star" (usu. around $30) or Veuve Clicquot (look for the Orange label, about $35). For value hunters, look to Spain or California. While they are not allowed to be called champagne (as they are not made in the Champagne region of France) they are usually made in the style of champagne (méthod champenoise). Cava from Spain? Try Cristalino or Segura Viudas (both around $7!). Most of the well-known French houses have set up shop in California. Instead of $190 for Roderer Cristal (FR), try Roderer Estate (CA) for $22. Domaine Chandon or Mumm Cuvée Napa are also excellent choices, usually in the $15 range. Don't be afraid to go pink either! Rosé is pink in color, Blanc de Noir is 'off-pink' and both have lovely flavors (not 'sweet' but more floral and fruity). An off the wall place that makes incredible sparkles? New Mexico! Look for Gruet and expect to pay around $18 for award-winning wines. Try Italian Prosecco for a lighter/sweeter option. (more...)

September 14, 2007 “What’s in your glass-or what glass is it IN?”

Confused? Let's talk about crystal! Look at the photo and you'll see 3 glasses that are specifically designed for Cabernet and/or Merlot wines. 2 have stems and one has a flat bottom so it won't tip over. One thing you should notice is that they all more or less share the same shape--a wider middle section with a more narrow top (sounds like life after 40). Why are they made like this? When you drink that particular varietal (i.e. that type of grape) these glasses are designed to accentuate specific characteristics of the wine. I know it sounds crazy, but you can taste side by side and really discern the difference! I am not going to go into a ton of detail about why certain glasses are better for certain types of wine so I attached a link to Riedel if you are interested in learning more. (Fact to know--it's pronounced REEDLE like needle). You can find similar glasses at a cheaper price than Riedel but make sure that the rim of the glass is smooth without any 'speed bumps'. Look at a typical restaurant wine goblet--that heavy edge around the top makes the glass more durable, but it can really screw up the flavor. Other things that cause issues with your wine enjoyment relate to cleaning and storage. Smell your glass BEFORE pouring your wine. If you smell dish soap, rinse it out. If you store your glasses upside down you may smell the wood (ditto if in an enclosed cabinet). % (more...)

September 7, 2007 “What to drink this weekend-or what we DRANK”
I said what we DRANK because I helped out with a great wine tasting last night. As you may guess, I chose 'different' wines. We held the event at Vino 100 in Alpharetta (link to their site below) and had a great turnout. All of the wines we had were perfect for the heat and are great food wines. We started with a Vinho Verde from Portugal (which literally means Green Wine). "VV" is nicely acidic and has a bit of effervescence. Perfect to kick off an evening (and it went well with the prosciutto wrapped asparagus and cream cheese!). Up next was a Vouvray, which is a French wine made from Chenin Blanc (a future topic will talk about how most European wines are named for their regions, not their grape like in America). This wine was a bit too fruity for some last night, but I found it to be just 'peachy' (yep, crisp, but with some peach, apricot and floral notes). Our first red was an excellent Pinot Noir called "Grateful Red" (pun fully intended!). This "kind" wine was a perfect transition wine, with light cherry and strawberry fruit. The 4th choice was Plungerhead Zinfandel, which has an interesting closure--not a cork, not a screwtop, but a Zork! Pick up a bottle and see for yourself, but the contents are what matters--perfect zin attributes with a nice finish. Final shot (and favorite) was Petite/Petit (Petite Verdot and Petit Sirah). Big mouthfeel with teeth-staining plum & blueberry flavors. Go see Pete Servold at Vino 100 soon! Blame me! (more...)

August 31, 2007 “What to drink this weekend: Step out of that box!”
Nothing against wines sold in a box, but I happen to prefer wine in bottles... Regardless, I want you to take a walk on the wild side. When I used to run a wine bar (ages ago), I would go out of my way to NOT pour common wines at events. If you wanted a Cabernet, Merlot or Chardonnay you had to look elsewhere. If you wanted a Dolcetto or Vernaccia you would be in luck! As we are finishing out the summer (i.e. it's still HOT!) let's focus on a lesser known white wine--VIOGNIER (vee-own-yay). Viognier is commonly grown in the Rhône region of France but has also found success in some parts of California. I was in Costco recently (Factoid: I once read that Costco sells more wine than any other store in the US!?!) and found 2 wonderful examples. The bad news is that Viognier is not as common in stores, so you may pay a bit more than my previously-recommended $5.88 Zinfandel (which just went up to $5.99 I found!). The two I found at Costco were Rosenblum (around $14) and Treana (a blend-around $17). Both are excellent examples and are great food wines. They tend to have somewhat of a honeysuckle, floral and peach aroma and are dry, medium-bodied with a lot of fruit flavors. Pork would pair well with Viognier, as would mild cheeses and lightly flavored fish (i.e. not an overly fleshy or "fishy" fish). Pick up some pork tenderloin and use a nice spice rub (try Grill Creations Citrus blend); grill it (along with fresh grilled asparagus!) for a wonderful meal! (more...)

August 24, 2007 “What to try this weekend?”

I actually have been 'hitting the grill' a lot lately! Ribs, split chicken breasts and some steak have recently graced our dinner table (and you know there was some ZIN to be had as well!). This weekend we have to visit my sister in Spartanburg where I bet there will be some time spent in her pool! Just like Atlanta, it's been pretty hot and I expect the pool to be somewhat like bathwater. C'est la vie, my thought is to enjoy one of my favorite whites, Sauvignon Blanc (I know, dear friends from the past, this is yet another repeat).

It's hot, why not try something light and refreshing? Sauv Blanc is a great food wine versus everyone's favorite Chardonnay. Chardonnay tends to overpower food due to its' oak and 'buttery' flavor (though this makes it perfect to go with crabcakes, scallops and lobster, but I digress). Sauv Blanc is keen with oysters, but I think we may be out of season soon? How about a nice starter course of salad? Take a 'tube' of goat cheese, slice them into quarter inch rounds (run your knife under hot water); dip them in egg (or if you want to be more healthy, olive oil) and coat with breadcrumbs. Bake in the oven until slightly brown--then place on a bed of fresh spinach (or mixed greens) with a nice vinaigrette (try Good Seasons Italian--but only the kind you make yourself). My wife Susie adds apples (such as granny smith) to give it a bit more kick. Either way, you have a simple salad that goes well with Sauvignon Blanc.

What to buy? Here we go again--Monkey Bay is a cheapie that you can find in any grocery. I usually avoid California Sauv Blanc as they tend to be 'oaked' vs. being fermented in stainless steel tanks (in a nutshell--stainless steel keeps the wine crisp whereas (ooh--a lawyer word!) oak adds the woodsy flavor that's great for Chardonnay but not for my buddy Sauv Blanc). Other safe bets? ANYTHING from New Zealand, specifically from the Marlborough region. Chile has great offerings as well (Veramonte, Morande, etc.). Final shot: if you STILL think a wine needs to be expensive to taste good, check this out: (more...)

August 17, 2007 “What wine goes with Barbecue?”

Summer may be almost over, so it's time to think about a lovely Labor Day weekend cookout! I love grilling chicken leg quarters. The sauce I use has a slight kick, as do many other sauces. I think one of the most perfect wines for BBQ is ZIN. I know, I know, I'm talking about zinfandel again. I love the stuff! To someone who has never seen one of my emails, I am referring to the dark red zinfandel, not the sweet pink stuff (don't get me wrong--if you like it, drink it). I love some pink wines, although they are usually rosé champagnes or just plain dry rosé wines. I digress, but rosé wines also make for perfect hot weather drinking.

Regardless, why Zins? Firstly, the grape is an "American Original". They are full-bodied filled with some spiciness, but yet have a soft fruit component to the flavor. This 'sweetness' can help to smooth out the spice component and complement the grilled flavors. Some zins are light bodied, some we nickname "fruit bombs" and others can be appreciated (and aged!) like a fine cabernet sauvignon. It is a great food wine! Some great options? Anything from Ravenswood is a good bet, from the sub-$10 Vintners Blend (from grapes sourced from all over California) to their "county" wines (usu. $15-20, only from one county, such as Napa, Sonoma, etc. ). For true zin-lovers, they have single-vineyard designates which cost a bit more but are amazing. Another famous producer is Ridge, though many of theirs are pricey as well. What can you find on a budget, Bo? As I am always looking for a good "pizza wine" (translation--something under $10 that you'd pop for a burger or pizza) I have an excellent choice IF you are a BJ's Wholesale club member. I hate giving out this secret, but they have a zin called "Blackeye Zin" that is... shhhh... $5.88!!!!!!! It is a Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel that appears to be produced by Alderbrook Vineyards. Alderbrook is a great producer, but they normally are in the $18-30 range. This must have been a limited run "2nd label" for them. What do I say? WHO CARES! It is a great-tasting zin and amazing for the price! Not a BJ's member? Sam's club has a fruit-bomb called Gnarly Head that's around $8 and Costco always has Vintner's Blend from Ravenswood (plus I noticed several other choices such as Cline and Dynamite Vineyards and the silly "7 Deadly Zins").

Final shot--my leg quarter BBQ recipe is easy (no measurements). Put your leg quarters on the grill (I like to use "Montreal Chicken Seasoning"). As it slowly cooks, take a measuring cup and fill it about 2/3 full of BBQ sauce (like plain-jane Hickory flavored sauce). Add picante sauce to the cup, but leave a little room at the top for the final bit: add some quality bourbon, such as Maker's Mark. Mix it together and brush on your leg quarters for the last 10-15 minutes of grilling. You will be pleased : )