Tuesday, April 19, 2022

All about Wine Tasting Etiquette

Should we behave a certain way when we go to tastings? And the answer is yes, definitely!
 
I believe that if you plan to be taken seriously in the wine industry or anywhere else, you need to behave.  One of the first things I learned on my first tasting that was about Ribera del Duero wines, was to spit… Yes people, please use spittoons! It's the only way you can taste several wines without getting drunk and making a fool of yourself in front of your colleagues…. Of course it required some practice to aim right and not to splash wine all over the table or on people... try to stay closer to it, and also be kind to fellow tasters, and move away from the spittoons and allow others to use them. I swear this always happens to me, some people start talking with the pourer and forget their bodies are blocking the thing, just when I need to spit my wine.These days, thankfully and because of Covid 19, wine events’ organizers give each attendee a large paper cup so that we can spit there and then pour in the actual spittoon. It’s a hassle to joggle the wine glass on one hand, the paper cup on the other and your phone to take notes, but safety comes first. 

Another important thing is to drink plenty of water and to have some food in you before tasting. This is vital for me, especially if you are tasting big wines, tannic wines, high alcohol wines, maybe it’s because I’m older now but I process alcohol differently and I feel it the very next day…so dry up inside and super thirsty… To avoid this, I make sure to drink a nice bottle of water before I go, and more during the event, especially if it’s a long session. 

You may wonder how many wines one should taste in any wine session. I have one Master Sommelier that confessed to me she can do 100 bottles in one sitting, that is way too much for me!!!!, I get palate fatigue very easily, actually my maximum during the NY Wine experience was 60 wines and in two hours (I had water and food in the middle).  Plus, when I begin to feel the fatigue… I always drink something refreshing like some sparkling wine (Champagne, ideally) or Riesling… they cleanse my palate really well and maybe help me go on a bit longer.

Yet, ideally for me, the ideal number is no more than 20 wines at a time, but when you are at a tasting event, that is impossible. Mostly because there’s so much to taste and you have such little time to do so. On top of that I also take pictures of the bottles, not only to keep their info to myself but to post on social media. A note to all event organizers please check the lighting of your venues, a setup of a rain forest, may be fun for you to show, but for us who need to take pictures it is impossible to do so because it’s so damn dark. 
Something I always take with me is my crossbody little bag, this way I don’t have to hold my large purse in one hand, while trying to swirl, taste and take pictures. I prefer to read the tasting books on my phone, but when this is not available, I take them at the end, and take pictures of the wines I like through the session, which will help me to identify whatever I tasted earlier.  
 
 
 
Another great tip is to always wear comfortable shoes, ideally flats, and comfy clothes… meaning keep it business oriented ok?, though this has changed over the years... you don’t want to look as if you are homeless either.
Whenever possible I try to ask questions to the pourer/winery rep, but that depends on how busy they are. Sometimes, there is no time because they need to pour to so many people. I must admit that there were occasions when I poured myself (a little bit of wine, not a whole glass), this happened when the table didn’t have a pourer (because she/he went to the bathroom) or they are talking so much making a sale, that I didn’t want to interrupt them. But, hey! my time is precious too, so don’t make me wait longer than I need.

I normally do my homework before going to large tastings, this way I know what I want to taste and where to go.My students that sometimes come with me, often have trouble keeping up. Thankfully, organizers usually send the list of wineries a few days earlier, which makes everything super easy, this way, when I arrive, I know the tables I plan to stop by. Yet the truth is that there’s so much wine out there, sometimes I don’t know all the brands… in those cases, I go to appellations that I’m interested in and avoid others. You bet I found many good surprises!!! 

Now for my next life,  I wouldn’t mind having a third arm, this way it will be easier to carry all of my stuff around including brochures, maps, shelf talkers, food, etc. A note to all producers:  make your sales materials smaller and people will definitely take them.
Cheers! Silvina.
 
#thoughtsoflawina #WineWednesday #winetastingetiquette 
 
Find me next at the Guía Peñín Wine Event, happening on May 24 at City Winery. Register here, using this code:PENIN2022. This event is open exclusively to the Media and Trade.
 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Remember to subscribe to keep receiving Thoughts of La Wina in your inbox and to follow me in Linkedin and Instagram @Silvinalawina.

Tuesday, April 5, 2022

Easter Wines to Impress your guests!

For most people, Easter means brunch with family and friends after church services, which usually include plenty of delicious food. To me, Easter is also the kick-off of Spring. We move from heavy dishes and stews to lighter dishes and we welcome some of my favorite Spring vegetables, like asparagus, green peas, sugar snap peas and artichokes.
So, whether you are celebrating Easter with the typical glazed ham, a delicious roasted leg of lamb or your favorite Spring veggies frittata, I have the perfect wine to recommend to you.  

Apaltagua Chardonnay 2021, Casablanca, Chile $12
Made from 100% Chardonnay grapes grown in the Casablanca Valley. Completely fermented in stainless steel and aged on its lees for 4-6 months. This vivacious white features passion fruit,  pineapple and honey notes, giving away to a mineral scented and mouth-watering finish.
Serve this with Easter deviled eggs, grilled asparagus with Parmesan cheese, baked fennel with olive oil, artichokes with lemon sauce or my favorite  brunch item! mushroom and asparagus frittata.

Funckenhausen Rosé 2021, Mendoza Argentina, $15
A blend of 85% Malbec, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Cabernet Franc.This fresh and uncomplicated rosé is fermented in stainless steel to preserve fruitiness, without any malolactic fermentation. The nose features strawberries, dry red cherries and pink grapefruit aromas that echo into a juicy and zesty finish. The ideal wine to have by the beach or at a picnic too!
Serve it with your glazed roasted ham, scalloped cheese potatoes, creamy mac and cheese with bacon and mushrooms, roasted carrots with dill or creamy peas with butter. It will also go well with all kinds of salads or scampi flounder fillets.

Celler Unio Convey 2017, DOQ Priorat $17
A polished red, made from a blend of 50/50 Garnacha and Carignan. Aged for 6 months in oak. This savory and medium plus bodied red showcases blackberry, figs and raisin notes, with a touch of spicy clove and nutmeg that intensify the smoky finish.

Lazuli Cabernet Sauvignon 2017, Maipo Valley, Chile $45
A Powerbomb made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. It’s vinified in stainless steel and aged for 16 months in second hand French oak. This succulent red features black currant, plum, black olives and tobacco notes. Soft tannins give structure as well as fine tune the expressive finish.

Serve these two delicious reds with your braised leg of lamb with rosemary and garlic, grilled lamb chops with mint jelly, savory lasagna with beef rag
ú or roasted pork loin with honey mustard sauce.


Yum! Don’t forget to leave some space for some delicious chocolate eggs, hot cross buns or bunny cupcakes. Happy Easter to everybody! Cheers, Silvina

#thoughtsoflawina #winewednesday #easterwines #holidaywines
 
Remember to subscribe to keep receiving Thoughts of La Wina in your inbox and to follow me in Linkedin and Instagram @Silvinalawina.


Tuesday, March 22, 2022

Impressive yet Affordable Chilean Cabs!

Value wines… indeed are the holy grail of all wine writers whether big or small like me. We taste and taste and always strive to find the next wine holy grail: wines that combine great quality at an affordable price, wines that most of our readers will love and easily find.

And of course, when thinking about that, South America always comes to mind, and especially Chile, also known as the Bordeaux of Latin America, it is the ideal place where any wine lover can find outstanding Cabernet Sauvignon without breaking the bank.
 
Cabernet Sauvignon and Chile is like the perfect marriage, since from the beginning and influenced by the French, this grape became the flagship of all Chilean producers. These days over 40,200 hectares are dedicated to Cabernet Sauvignon, flourishing in almost every Chilean appellation from the Atacama desert to the Araucania region down the coast. Yet, the best wines are produced very close to the capital of Chile: Santiago. Here from Chile’s Central Valley, and in particular from the Maipo Valley hail the best samples of note. Colchagua, located 80 miles south is another important enclave. 
 
Stylistically, Chilean Cabernets differ according to the location of the vineyards, those planted at high altitudes, like in the between ranges or Alto zones, tend to be more elegant and refined, showing Cabernet Sauvignon’s angular structure and herbal notes. While vineyards from the warmer, lower valleys tend to have riper fruit, rounder structures and smoother tannings. For more information about the climate, soils and terroirs in Chile please read my article about Chilean reds published in February 2021.

Here are my five Chilean Cab recommendations that I hope you will try soon!

Miguel Torres Reserva Especial Cordillera Cabernet Sauvignon Maipo 2018, Maipo Valley $20
Renowned Spanish Wine producer Miguel Torres has been making wines in Chile since 1979. This reserva especial  is made from 100 % Cabernet Sauvignon, vinified in stainless steel and aged for 18 months in a blend of French and German oak. This medium plus bodied red delivers blackberry and dark cherry aromas combined with  leather and smoky/ toasty notes, featuring vibrant acidity and an elegant finish with silky tannins.

Echeverr
ía Limited Edition Cabernet Sauvignon 2016,  Maipo Valley, $25
This suave red is made from a blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Syrah, and 5% Carmenere. It’s vinified in stainless steel tanks and aged for 12 months in French oak. This full- bodied red delivers dry currant, chocolate and green peppercorn notes, complemented with a touch of balsamic and mild pyrazine (green pepper) notes. Chewy tannins support the textured structure.

Maquis Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2018, Colchagua Valley $20
This round and velvety red is a blend of  90% Cabernet Sauvignon with 6% Cabernet Franc, 3% Carmenere and 1% Petit Verdot.  Clay rich soils in Colchagua yield a denser, smoother and fatter Cabernet Sauvignon. This wine is full of plum and blueberry notes, mixed with spicy cinnamon and clove. The finish is long and tight with smooth yet very present tannins.

Los Vascos Cromas Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2018, Colchagua Valley $22
The Lafite Rothchilds of Bordeaux’s great fame produce this everyday Chilean red, a combination of the best of the new and the old worlds. Cromas is a blend of  85% Cabernet Sauvignon, with 10% Syrah, and 5% Carmenere. Indeed!, a velvety red that yields plenty of raspberry and red cherry notes, with bay leaf, tobacco and graphite aromas. This wine was aged for 12 months in second hand French oak. It has a nice and flavorful finish.

Terranoble Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2018, Colchagua Valley, $20
A perfumed, seductive red, made from a 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. This full-bodied tinto delivers layers of plum, violet, blueberry and chocolate framed by spice and inky notes. Its fine tannins build up its wonderful depth and lovely structure.
 
Cheers! Salud! DrinkChile! Silvina

#Thoughtsoflawina #ChileanCabs #Winesofchile #drinkchile #WineWednesday.

Remember to subscribe to receive Thoughts of La Wina in your inbox and to follow me on 
Linkedin and Instagram @Silvinalawina.


Tuesday, March 8, 2022

Priorat: Wines of Power and Elegance!

Priorat DOQ is a tiny enclave/ appellation that stretches out from the foot of the Sierra of Montsant, in Catalonia, Spain. Though grapes were grown here since the middle ages, Priorat gained international fame, very recently, in 1989, when five producers decided to launch wines made from very old Garnacha (grenache) vines. The five pioneers were René Barbier from Clos Mogador, Carles Pastrana from Costers del Siurana, Joseph Lluis Perez from Mas Martinet, Daphne Glorian from Clos Erasmus and Alvaro Palacios, heir from the Rioja's family Palacios Remondo. The superb wines they made/make, put this appellation in the wine world map and helped Priorat to become a DOCa (Denominación de Origen Calificada) which is the highest quality level in Spain, similar to the Italian DOCG.
                                         
So what is so special about Priorat
The name of this boutique region comes from the word priory, because once upon a time there was a Carthusian monastery here, built by Alfonso II in 1163.  This monastery was known as Scala Dei (God’s stairway to heaven), and precisely it was the monks, as they did in many other parts of the world, who brought the grapes and the winemaking know-how. Nowadays, Scala Dei is the name of a winery owned by world known Cava producer Codorníu, that operates from some of the old monastery buildings.
There are 12 distinctive wine villages or zones in Priorat and these are: Bellmunt del Priorat, Gratallops, el Lloar, la Morera de Montsant, Porrera, Poboleda, Scala Dei (monastery), Torroja del Priorat, la Vilella Alta, la Vilella Baixa, Masos de Falset and Solanes del Molar. (see below map courtesy of DOC Priorat)


Stylistically, Priorat wines are age worthy reds, and basically powerbombs! with big bodies and alcohol, plenty of tannins and structure, they feature ripe blackfruit notes, chocolate, wild herbs and mineral aromas. These wines are concentrated and extracted, this is the direct result of very low yielding vines, most of them providing only 5-6 hl/ha. These vines grow in a very special soil called Llicorella, which is a dry, poor, slate and quartz based soil. The climate in Priorat is one of extremes, hot during the day and cool at night, most of the vineyards are distributed around a series of valleys, with high elevations that go up to 900 meters/ 3,000 feet. If you visit Priorat, you will see the vineyards planted on terraces built a long time ago. I still remember when René Barbier drove me through the appellation and warned me before we were about to go down the hill. It felt pretty much like a roller coaster ride to me!

Priorat wines are blends, similar to the ones from the Southern Rhone. They are mostly Garnacha or Carignan based, with small percentages of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and native Tempranillo. The blend varies according to the winemaker’s taste, with some of them choosing not to include Carignan at all. Most of the winemakers prefer to age wines in French oak, following the Bordelais tradition, but some use American oak. Both Garnacha and Carignan love the heat so much, they can easily reach high alcohol levels on their own, yielding an average of 15% or more for most wines. But as my title suggests, Priorats are wines of  elegance, meaning you shouldn’t be discouraged by their alcohol, since it is usually very well integrated and balanced. The challenge of this region, if any, is to keep the freshness, so that the wines always remain lively and full of fruit.

Higher end Priorat is usually pricey ($50 and up) but there are plenty of  producers that make affordable wines that are quite good too, like my recommendations below, that I hope you will enjoy soon!

Clos Pachem Cami de la Mina 2018, $19.99
Vinos Atlántico, La Cartuja 2018, $24.99
Cellers Unio Roureda Llicorella Classic 2015, $24.99
Cellers Unio Roureda Llicorella Vitis 60 2016, $31.99
Prior Scala Dei 2017, $29.99
Pasanau Finca La Planeta 2015, $54.99

 

If you have the $$$ to afford the high end top wines. Here are some of the best I ever tasted:
Alvaro Palacios Finca Dofí 2019, $104
Clos Mogador 2019 $109
Vall Llach 2019, $100

Cheers! Silvina

Remember to subscribe to keep receiving Thoughts of La Wina in your inbox and to follow me in Linkedin and Instagram @Silvinalawina.

#thoughtsoflawina #WineWednesday#spanishwines #prioratwines

Tuesday, February 22, 2022

Wow-me Wines!

Tasting wine is possibly my favorite thing in the whole wide world, I prefer this better than eating or anything else. Though these days, I do most of my tastings at home, slowly and surely, in person wine tastings are coming back, which is something I’m so looking forward to, just the smell of opened wine bottles has the magic of putting a smile on my face, thinking about what I’m going to taste/ discover next!
 
And of course, when tasting a new wine for the first time, I usually ask myself, will it wow me or not? and once this happens, I make sure to write all the information down, to take a picture of the bottle  with my phone, to put stars next to it and to find out its price, so that I can recommend it to all of you, my faithful readers.
 
So, what characteristics must a Wow-me wine have?
 
First, elegance or finesse, this usually comes hand in hand with noticeable acidity, but I’m not talking here about aggressive crispiness, but more about refreshing acidity, and vibrant tension, that adds life to any wine. I also like complexity in a wine, mostly when a wine has layers and layers of flavors, especially, after being decanted, and after they had a chance to open up, shooting even more aromas and flavors to you. For example, I like wines that offer herbal, spicy or mineral notes. I think these make any wine more interesting, and of course, let’s not forget the bouquet wines develop from reductive aging; those delicious notes of mushrooms/ truffles, forest floor, leather, ink, smokiness or musk have the wow effect on me, giving any wine the extra kick.  
 
Balance of the elements is another wow-me factor. I like it when there are subtleties in my wine, like the perfect marriage, where every part plays a role in the whole and everything sings in harmony. For example, if a wine has been aged in oak, I like, when it has a touch of oak and it is not so oaky that all you can taste is wood, like the kiss of oak in a good Burgundy Chardonnay. All wow-me wines must have their elements intertwined so that their fruit, acidity, tannins, alcohol and body complement each other and don’t overpower the others. 
 
Texture is another component of any wow-me wine, wow-me wines have a density you can feel all across your palate. Oftentimes, this is described as meatiness or savoriness, it’s a very similar experience to what I feel when eating authentic Argentinian beef (those that have been to my country know how tender and juicy our filet mignon is). In wines, we can feel the same sensation, a sensation of roundness, smoothness, and suave, velvety quality.
 
A long finish, most of my wow-me wines have long endings, it’s like they need to leave a trace in your palate of their impressive presence, even after you have swallowed them. A long finish is indeed special and usually connected to a wine’s essence.   
 
Ability to age, is true that I enjoy many wines that are recommended to be consumed when young, when all their fruit is fresh inside the bottle, but most often, wow-me wines have the capacity to age, to get better in the cellar,  to evolve in time.
 
Yet, above all, wow-me wines should give us pleasure, make us feel special and entice us to keep on drinking. I find that certain wine regions in the world have that magic of producing such wines, better than others, and at times it’s hard for me to find wines that I don’t like. Among these are Brunello and Barolo in Italy. I attended two pre-pandemic tastings and I remember how much I liked all of the wines there; though, I must have tasted more than 75 different brands in one seating, everything was sooo good, it was so hard to choose! And even harder to find something I didn’t like. This is related to craftsmanship and know-how of most producers who seriously invest in improving quality.
In the US, Napa Valley is such an appellation, the quality and standards of Napa wines is so unbelievable, that I can drink and drink and drink these wines and never get tired. Learn more about Napa and its terroir here.
 
My recommendations are an assorted selection of Cabernet Sauvignons sent to me from Napa Vintners. I invite you to give them a try, and to let me know what you think. I’m sure some of these selections will WOW you too!
 
*Silverado Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2018, $50
Polished red showing layers of ripe raspberry and strawberry notes. Smooth and flavorful tannins fine tune the elegant finish.
 
*Buena Vista Winery Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2018, $65
Solid Cab offers a core of plum and crème de cassis fruit with espresso and mineral notes, finishing smooth and opulent.
 
*Pine Ridge Vineyards Stag Leaps Cabernet Sauvignon 2018, $140
Muscular red, a true Powerbomb, full of fruit, body and oak! featuring ripe red currant, cherry and anise notes. Combines power and finesse!
 
*Long Meadow Ranch Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2016,$55
Delicious red showing black cherry, licorice and cedar notes. Supple tannings provide structure and great length.
 
*Marston Family Vineyards Spring Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2015, $150
Full-bodied and beefy red featuring plum, blackberry marmalade and tobacco notes. Its majestic/ chewy tannins will soften with time. Outstanding bottle to cellar! WOW

 
Cheers! Silvina
#thoughtsoflawina #WOWmeWines #WineWednesday
 
Remember to subscribe to keep receiving Thoughts of La Wina in your inbox and to follow me on Linkedin and Instagram @Silvinalawina.