WEINGARTEN

WEINGARTEN #10 SUMMER 2011
WINE, FINANCE & ASTROLOGY 
 
1. WINE NEWS & TRENDS
2. THE RIEDEL WINE CHALLENGE
3. WINE TASTINGS: CHILE & SA
4. SUMMER EVENTS
5. THIS AND THAT
6. LETTERS
7. VOTE!
 
1. Women say wine is an important part of a romantic date
 
This Wine is in the Bag 
 
Wine Watch: The road to China
 
Wine is emerging as a fashion statement
Bordeaux bubble’ dulls appetite for fine wine
 
2. RIEDEL WINE GLASS TASTING: IS THE CUP HALF FULL OR HALF EMPTY?
At Morton's Steak House on Fifth Avenue we were invited to discover the difference high quality (and elegant) Riedel stemware can make. It is universally acknowledged that Crystal Clarity, the right Shape, and a thin Rim are critical to enjoying fine wine.
 
For readers unfamiliar with this event, please see the Temple of Wine post for a brief discussion of the The Riedel Challenge.
Thesis: To play golf, you use more than two clubs; to drink wine, you need more than two glasses. To insure scientific accuracy, I brought along a super sensitive taster (Susan Hahn) to help me answer the eternal question of how much glassware truly matters for enjoying wine. 
 
Pretasting, we sipped Lunetta Prosecco and nibbled on Morton's hors d'oeuvres.  Both of us enjoyed the red wines from Chateau Ste. Michelle, 2007 Villa Maria Pinot Noir and especially the 2007 Cold Creek Cabinet Sauvignon, much more than the whites. Was it the glasses or the wine? J
 
Our conclusions from this tasting?
1)      Wine tastes far better in a quality glass than a plastic cup. J
2)      Different shaped glasses augment different qualities in wine.
 
Attendees agreed the correct wine glass for your grape varietal can make a difference.  We appreciated our parting gift of a 4-piece Riedel Vinum tasting set, which also allows us to revisit this challenge at home.
Bottom line: While elementary, if you have never tried it, you should enjoy taking this Riedel challenge.  
Note: 50% of the audience was repeats.  Given with our “gift”, the cost of this food and wine seminar is essential free -  Hence what a pleasant way to “shop” for additional wine glasses!
 
 
3. WINES FOR CHILE (WoC):  A WORLD OF TASTE 
Kudos to WoC for an excellently organized event. I especially appreciated their four THEMED TASTING LOUNGES: perfect WoC food and wine pairing selections from over 60 Chilean wine makers present.
·                                 Carmenere and Curry
·                                 Sauvignon and Cerviche
·                                 Cabernet and Carne
·                                 Green Room (organic wines with fresh fruits and cheese).
Moreover, there was also a separate table selection for gold winners of the 8th Annual Wines of Chile Awards.
I would like to see these two presentation ideas become a standard format at more wine tastings.
 
While there was an abundant selection of the 3C Chilean wines (Carmenere, Chardonnay & Cabernet Sauvignon) I was surprised that there were few Chilean Merlots, which is attracting increasing attention these days. Irene for some reason was big on discovering Value Pinots. Her favorite? Hacienda Araucano Pinot Noir ($11). Irene: "Where else can you find a good Pinot for $11?"
 
My two favorites? The gold metal winner Errazuriz Wild Ferment Chardonnay 2010 ($20), exploding taste due to wild yeast fermentation and the Best wine: Easily the lovely Lapostolle Clos Apalta 2008 ($80), a Carmenere blend with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot produced in limited quantities.  Tasting the delicious fruits of 60 to 100 year old vines clearly demonstrate the powerful intensity possible with old vines. While I find its $80 SRP price tag a bit high, unlike several of the other fine Chilean wines there, here you clearly drank your money's worth.
Weingarten Note: We evaluate primarily for 1) A wine’s drinking pleasure and 2) its value for money.
 
I close with the Classic Chilean wines toast:
Salud, amor y dinero, y tiempo para gustarlosIn
Health, love and money, and time to enjoy them!
 
WoSA Wine Workshops
My two favorite wines here:
Paul Cluver Sauvignon Blanc 2010 W.O. Elgin ($18)
De Toren Fusion V 2007 W.O. Stellenbosch (5 classic Bordeaux blends) ($36)
Fun Fact: Warwick Estate Three Cape Ladies 2008 w.o. Simonsberg-Stellenbosch ($22). The three original Cape Ladies were Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Pinotage.
Note this is the Pinotage blend wine that James Bond 007 used to seduce Jessica Willing! 
Bottom line: As one wine maker put it, “here was a very smart lineup.” I agree and I plan to attend next year’s WoSA workshops.
 
 
4. July 30 & 31  Bounty of the Hudson Wine Festival 2011
 
August 29 The Annual Champagne Tasting New York
 
SUMMER READING: Summer in the Glass by Evan Dawson.
Note: This book is best accompanied by drinking NYS Riesling from the Finger Lake Region.
Book review to follow next issue.    
 
5. 8th Annual "dedicated day" to celebrating Apéritif French Cocktail Hour we drank for the first time a delightful Sparking Chardonnay BARTON & GUESTIER B&G Premium Sparkling Chardonnay, a great summer value ($15) aperitif.
Winemaking: second fermentation in vats; 3 months of ageing in vats on the lees to enhance aromatic complexity.
 
The theme of this event was that France does not need to be expensive. The pleasant B&G Vouvray ($9) also made this point. The Chenin Blanc grape is food friendly and is somewhat like Riesling in pairing well with spicier dishes.
At the Hands-On” demo before the party by French Culinary Institute Executive Chef, Andre Marrero, I reconfirmed my wise career choice NOT to become a chef when I grow up! :)
 
Mobile App | Natalie MacLean is a new free mobile application. Use your smartphone camera to snap a picture of any bottle label bar code in the  liquor store. With one click, you get tasting notes, scores, and food pairings and more.
FYI: Natalie’s Top 10 Well-Done Wine and BBQ Pairings:
1. Juicy Steak and Shiraz
2. Grilled Salmon and Pinot Noir
3. Seared Tuna and Gamay
4. Flame-Broiled Hamburgers and Zinfandel
5. Grilled Portobello Mushroom and Rosé
6. Herbed Chicken and Syrah
7. Lobster in Butter and Sparkling Wine
8. Grilled Veggies and Sauvignon Blanc
9. BBQ Pork Chops and Chardonnay
10. Roasted Marshmallows and Tawny Port
 
6.  READER: SO ANYWAYS U AGREE THAT WINE EFFECTS MIND OR WAY OF THINKING.IT WILL NEVER LET YOU REMEMBER RIGHT THING.YOU WILL ALWAYS FORGET THE REAL QUESTION OR REALITY OF YOUR LIFE. THATS WHY INDIAN GURUS HAVE WARNED PEOPLE NOT TO DRINK WINE.
HW: NO. I disagree, or rather I conditionally disagree.  Wine has many physical as well as mental health properties in moderation e.g. wine with food can help with digestion and a proper wine lifestyle does not necessarily interfere with a meditative or religious lifestyle.   We are not talking about excessive drinking of any form of alcohol, which is clearly a no no.  As to the rest, I think it depends on the particular spiritual path one chooses, whether a householder or even for monks.  There are also many spiritual aspects to wine.  I believe the answer depends on the totality of your religious practices as to whether wine will or will not interfere with your spiritual progress.  This is an individual choice that I would not dare lecture others on, but neither would I categorically chastise or criticize others.
 
7. Please feel free to forward our WEINGARTEN newsletter to your wine loving friends.
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Salute 
Henry Weingarten 
WEINGARTEN
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