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This weekend I'll be at the Vintage Virginia Wine Festival helping pour for Hiddencroft winery. If you have $25 to spare... I highly suggest you join us for 2 days of tasting from some of Virginia's finest wineries.
Vintage Virginia Homepage
Friday, May 23, 2008
Farm Tours in Loudoun; Loudoun Valley Vineyards
Shame it rained cats and dogs last Sunday when I visited Loudoun Valley Vineyards off of route nine; the view would have been spectacular. Despite the rain though, my mother and I forged through the rain to see lavender farms and exotic cattle (Yes, I had to drag her to the winery as she was far more interested in Scottish Highlanders).
We squeezed some space for ourselves at the bar, and waited, first to be seen by the hostess, and then another 10 minutes to be served. It was a celebration weekend to be sure. The winery charges for tastings; $5 for the standard and $10 for a "cheese and chocolate plate" that was grossly overpriced. In fairness though, my mother and I did the pairing to see just what this winery had to offer.
Recently bought by a husband and wife team, they have just begun their overhaul of the vines. According to the hostess, Bree, the winemaker/wife had brought cases from her last venture to hold the winery over until the vines could be recovered and improved. These wines included: Vinifera White, Cabernet Franc, and Dynasty.
We began with a stainless steel Chardonnay which landed on the palette more like a Gewürz than a Chardonnay. The nose held green apple and slight banana notes while the palette exhibited spice and vanilla. Moving on to the Vintner Select Chardonnay, we discerned honey and banana on the nose and cream, and honey on the palette, finishing with a slight spice. This chardonnay was paired with pecorino. Aged in French oak, this wine underwent malolactic fermentation to yield its smoother flavors. One of Bree's wines, the Vinifera White, exhibited apple and honeysuckle on the nose, and oak and spice on the palette. The Riesling was a nice example of a traditional German Riesling and paired with Brie, the fruit tones resonated well. The Classic White, winner of a gold medal, was probably my favorite of the day simply due to the accessibility of the wine. This wine you can serve to a variety of different palettes and retain a "oh, that's tasty!" from even the most stingy of guests. You won't get anyone's socks knocked off though... Starting off with a highly floral nose exhibiting honeysuckle and rose notes, the wine's palette is full with strong honey notes. Paired with swiss, the sugar abates and the wines fruit notes become more apparent.
Now for the most unique wine, the Zinfandel Blush. Now, I am familiar with the "White Zin" variety of wines but this blush is not what you think. They call it their "Christmas" wine due to the strong clove and juniper berry notes apparent on both the nose and the palette. The spice blends nicely with the berry notes, but is not for the faint of palette. She's a strong one and quite an experience.
The two red wines on the tasting were both provided by Bree. First, the Cabernet Franc, which displayed black currant, tobacco, and chocolate notes, finishing light. Second the Dynasty, which is the winery's version of a Meritage Bordeaux style wine, exhibited blackberry and vanilla with a nice tannic bite.
Overall, the wines were lacking in character (save the blush) and in refinement (save the Classic White), though the grapes are only now beginning to enjoy their new ownership. I think this winery has much growing to do but will continue producing at least a few winners as they develop their venture.
Bottom Line: 2 out of 5 (they need time to recover those vines!)
We squeezed some space for ourselves at the bar, and waited, first to be seen by the hostess, and then another 10 minutes to be served. It was a celebration weekend to be sure. The winery charges for tastings; $5 for the standard and $10 for a "cheese and chocolate plate" that was grossly overpriced. In fairness though, my mother and I did the pairing to see just what this winery had to offer.
Recently bought by a husband and wife team, they have just begun their overhaul of the vines. According to the hostess, Bree, the winemaker/wife had brought cases from her last venture to hold the winery over until the vines could be recovered and improved. These wines included: Vinifera White, Cabernet Franc, and Dynasty.
We began with a stainless steel Chardonnay which landed on the palette more like a Gewürz than a Chardonnay. The nose held green apple and slight banana notes while the palette exhibited spice and vanilla. Moving on to the Vintner Select Chardonnay, we discerned honey and banana on the nose and cream, and honey on the palette, finishing with a slight spice. This chardonnay was paired with pecorino. Aged in French oak, this wine underwent malolactic fermentation to yield its smoother flavors. One of Bree's wines, the Vinifera White, exhibited apple and honeysuckle on the nose, and oak and spice on the palette. The Riesling was a nice example of a traditional German Riesling and paired with Brie, the fruit tones resonated well. The Classic White, winner of a gold medal, was probably my favorite of the day simply due to the accessibility of the wine. This wine you can serve to a variety of different palettes and retain a "oh, that's tasty!" from even the most stingy of guests. You won't get anyone's socks knocked off though... Starting off with a highly floral nose exhibiting honeysuckle and rose notes, the wine's palette is full with strong honey notes. Paired with swiss, the sugar abates and the wines fruit notes become more apparent.
Now for the most unique wine, the Zinfandel Blush. Now, I am familiar with the "White Zin" variety of wines but this blush is not what you think. They call it their "Christmas" wine due to the strong clove and juniper berry notes apparent on both the nose and the palette. The spice blends nicely with the berry notes, but is not for the faint of palette. She's a strong one and quite an experience.
The two red wines on the tasting were both provided by Bree. First, the Cabernet Franc, which displayed black currant, tobacco, and chocolate notes, finishing light. Second the Dynasty, which is the winery's version of a Meritage Bordeaux style wine, exhibited blackberry and vanilla with a nice tannic bite.
Overall, the wines were lacking in character (save the blush) and in refinement (save the Classic White), though the grapes are only now beginning to enjoy their new ownership. I think this winery has much growing to do but will continue producing at least a few winners as they develop their venture.
Bottom Line: 2 out of 5 (they need time to recover those vines!)
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
The Thirsty Owl Vidal Blanc
The most difficult part of pairing wines, is not to pair them with food; but to pair them with the appropriate taster and environment; food comes last. For example, you do not pair the balls forward cab with a petite elderly woman at a black tie gala who has previously downed a serving of foie gras.Sunday night I had a good friend over to educate me on the sensation called "blond Bond." I had not seen the most recent Bond installment, and apparently I was missing out. Jennifer presented me with the following problem: She has a delicate palette, loves sweet wines, and was in the process of consuming a vat of popcorn smothered in salt. This on top of a Bond movie? I felt I should be breaking out the lambic.
So as we sat down to watch our shoot'em up spectacle, I paired Thirsty Owl's Vidal Blanc with Jennifer. Why? Well let me count the ways: first, a vidal blanc is unassuming. It's flavors are full, but not overpowering, allowing it to hold its own against the salty popcorn as well as maintaining the sweetness Jennifer enjoys. And second, it's casual enough for a movie, and easy to drink.
The Thirsty Owl Wine Company of the Finger Lakes created a delicious example of this grape for $14. On the nose, the characteristic pineapple is accompanied by apricot, honey, and grass scents. The palette exhibits honey to begin, followed by strong peach, citrus, and green apple notes. The finished is wet, with moderate grapefruit. The wine imparts a nice acidity; making this wine not too sweet, not too acidic. Overall, a very enjoyable wine.
Oh, and Bond was very enjoyable too. Probably because of those blue eyes, but what do I know?
The Thirsty Owl Wine Company's Vidal Blanc: 3 out of 5
Monday, May 5, 2008
Hiddencroft Vineyards Grand Opening
I love grand openings. It's the only time where you're guaranteed to meet the owner, and consequently pelt them with questions about which oaks they use.
Hiddencroft is a family owned vineyard tucked behind the Lovettsville Volunteer Squad. They're true home turf for me, so I expect to visit here often to see how they grow over the years. From Leesburg, they're a thirty minute drive, with only a short spell on gravel (if you're concerned about keeping your car clean). They produce most of their grapes, and the vines grow alongside blooming cherry trees; we happened to pick the most perfect day for a tasting with the high around 70 and the sun shining bright. You can sit on the patio and enjoy their wine slowly, overlooking the Loudoun hills- not a shabby spot.
We began with a the hybrid Traminette grape. A combination of Gewürztraminer and Seval, this wine retains the spicy character of a traditional Gewürz, while incorporating the more wet and fruity flavors of the Seval grape. Hiddencroft's wine exhibited a nose full of roses and citrus, with a hint of green apple. On the palette, the spice of the Gewürz came loud and clear, with lemon and lime notes to finish. Overall a nice summer wine; easily paired with Thai or heavy pastas.
We followed with an early release Chambourcin, aged in oak for 12 months. This wine had a blackberry nose spiked with spice. The palette was very smooth and chocolaty, with hints of tobacco and earth. Pair with creamy pastas; the acidity will balance well.
The Cabernet Franc was a blend of two vintages, '05 and '07. Exhibiting the pepper indicative of this grape, this wine had a nice fruity contrast with blackberry notes. The nose was strong with raspberry and blackberry notes.
Finally, we delighted in a Sweet Cherry Wine comprised of 100% Montmorency cherry. Frankly, it tasted like cherry, very tasty cherry. I had rushing memories of picking cherries with my cousins for grandmother's cherry pie. Sip this for desert, or pour it over cheesecake; the possibilities are endless.
Bottom Line: Quite accomplished for a young winery. For $14, a bottle of Sweet Cherry will do you very well. (Buy it!) 2 out of 5
Contact:
Hiddencroft is a family owned vineyard tucked behind the Lovettsville Volunteer Squad. They're true home turf for me, so I expect to visit here often to see how they grow over the years. From Leesburg, they're a thirty minute drive, with only a short spell on gravel (if you're concerned about keeping your car clean). They produce most of their grapes, and the vines grow alongside blooming cherry trees; we happened to pick the most perfect day for a tasting with the high around 70 and the sun shining bright. You can sit on the patio and enjoy their wine slowly, overlooking the Loudoun hills- not a shabby spot.
We began with a the hybrid Traminette grape. A combination of Gewürztraminer and Seval, this wine retains the spicy character of a traditional Gewürz, while incorporating the more wet and fruity flavors of the Seval grape. Hiddencroft's wine exhibited a nose full of roses and citrus, with a hint of green apple. On the palette, the spice of the Gewürz came loud and clear, with lemon and lime notes to finish. Overall a nice summer wine; easily paired with Thai or heavy pastas.
We followed with an early release Chambourcin, aged in oak for 12 months. This wine had a blackberry nose spiked with spice. The palette was very smooth and chocolaty, with hints of tobacco and earth. Pair with creamy pastas; the acidity will balance well.
The Cabernet Franc was a blend of two vintages, '05 and '07. Exhibiting the pepper indicative of this grape, this wine had a nice fruity contrast with blackberry notes. The nose was strong with raspberry and blackberry notes.
Finally, we delighted in a Sweet Cherry Wine comprised of 100% Montmorency cherry. Frankly, it tasted like cherry, very tasty cherry. I had rushing memories of picking cherries with my cousins for grandmother's cherry pie. Sip this for desert, or pour it over cheesecake; the possibilities are endless.
Bottom Line: Quite accomplished for a young winery. For $14, a bottle of Sweet Cherry will do you very well. (Buy it!) 2 out of 5
Contact:
Friday, May 2, 2008
You are what you drink?
An interesting article over at globeandmail: you are what you drink. Allegedly, the wine you consume can tell others exactly what sort of character, you really are. My first reaction; I knew it! Though wine people throw the curve a bit, you can tell someone's political leaning, personality, and sometimes their exercise habits by the wine they enjoy the most.
For example, "Julia" (I'm not going to use real names here; they'll know who they are) loves White Merlot. What does this say about her? She's liberal (the conservatives like the hard stuff), unencumbered by appearances, universally jovial, and doesn't exercise often. Definitely a White Merlot drinker.
"Celine" is a sparkling wine drinker. Preferably Asti. Let us see inside her heart: Still not an exerciser, extremely influenced by others decisions, hard to please but easy to settle, and most clearly conservative. I've yet to find a liberal who claims sparkling wine as their favorite drink.
"Elane" enjoys cabs. We're talking the ball-busters of the California coast. She's conservative, fiesty, and likes her steak raw and wriggling. She's influenced by her peers to some extent, but when she gets going, there's no stopping her. She's also one of those gym nuts who's gym clothes cost as much as their eveningwear.
"Ben" drinks syrah. Ben goes to yoga. Enough said.
I could continue with far too many of my friends (though half of them are winos and by default are hard to corner). I concur, you are what you drink!
For example, "Julia" (I'm not going to use real names here; they'll know who they are) loves White Merlot. What does this say about her? She's liberal (the conservatives like the hard stuff), unencumbered by appearances, universally jovial, and doesn't exercise often. Definitely a White Merlot drinker.
"Celine" is a sparkling wine drinker. Preferably Asti. Let us see inside her heart: Still not an exerciser, extremely influenced by others decisions, hard to please but easy to settle, and most clearly conservative. I've yet to find a liberal who claims sparkling wine as their favorite drink.
"Elane" enjoys cabs. We're talking the ball-busters of the California coast. She's conservative, fiesty, and likes her steak raw and wriggling. She's influenced by her peers to some extent, but when she gets going, there's no stopping her. She's also one of those gym nuts who's gym clothes cost as much as their eveningwear.
"Ben" drinks syrah. Ben goes to yoga. Enough said.
I could continue with far too many of my friends (though half of them are winos and by default are hard to corner). I concur, you are what you drink!
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Embracing the Femininity
It's not often that I am truly "girly." As a chemist, they teach you early on to compete with men, and thus the feminine side is often left ignored. Last night, we set out to be purely and unabashedly feminine, cocktails and all. My middle-school mate, and fellow blogger, Liz and I traveled into DC to enjoy an anniversary party for the upscale boutique Terra. Sadly, wine was not present, but my friend mojito was, and we spent the evening chatting with the ladies of Terra and their guests.
Let me explain the mojito: crisp, refreshing, and far to easy to drink. I'm especially fond of nibbling the saturated mint leaves at the bottom of the glass. Hardly ladylike, but delicious. A traveling bartender from Latin Concepts did the honors. I do admit that mojitos, as goes for all cocktails, usually contain far too much sugar for my taste: thus the vino issue. But these tasty treats had plenty of mint to contrast the sweet, and frankly tasted fantastic. Dangerously delicious, as my dear friend Liz found out. She'll probably discuss it in depth on her own so I'll spare her my assessment.
We perused the store to find lovely dresses, many of which I'll drool over for months to come (I'm a closet fashion addict). Like this one by Black Halo; one of many beautiful tailored pieces at the store. I'm actually considering that Black Halo may be my next designer addiction. I adore the clean lines and simple elegance that their clothes exhibit. In contrast to my couture obsessions, these dresses are surprisingly wearable. A cobalt wonder worn by one of the stores "models" also caught my eye, but I cannot find the dress to show you.
In addition to drinks and gelato (from Dolci Gelati), the store invited a traveling makeup artist peddling Laura Mercier and Nars. I don't usually wear much in the way of makeup, so in the spirit of mojito, I implored her to do "whatever you please!" I walked out with the most sensuous smoky eye in DC. This morning as I compose this piece, I still retain the eyeliner, unable to remove it.
Nonetheless, despite the unfortunate lack of wine (and the resulting digressive post), Terra embraced Liz and I, and perhaps earned themselves some young clients. If nothing, I am happy to encourage all females to explore this lovely boutique as the selection is classy, elegant, and the staff are nothing short of lovely!
photo credits: Neiman Marcus, Life of Luxury
In addition to drinks and gelato (from Dolci Gelati), the store invited a traveling makeup artist peddling Laura Mercier and Nars. I don't usually wear much in the way of makeup, so in the spirit of mojito, I implored her to do "whatever you please!" I walked out with the most sensuous smoky eye in DC. This morning as I compose this piece, I still retain the eyeliner, unable to remove it.
Nonetheless, despite the unfortunate lack of wine (and the resulting digressive post), Terra embraced Liz and I, and perhaps earned themselves some young clients. If nothing, I am happy to encourage all females to explore this lovely boutique as the selection is classy, elegant, and the staff are nothing short of lovely!
photo credits: Neiman Marcus, Life of Luxury
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Randy Olsen at the National Geographic Society
I had the esteemed pleasure of hearing Randy Olson's lecture on his work this past Friday at the National Geographic Society in Washington DC. For those unfamiliar with Randy Olsen, he is a social photo-journalist with NGS, who quite frankly, takes phenomenal photos of humanity in all its forms. Not only was I treated to his amazing photos and his fantastic commentary (we all plagued the poor man during the reception), but the reception featured a wine I had nearly forgotten, La Créma's deliciously creamy chardonnay. For those of us on a budget (myself included), might I suggest this wine?
For $18 dollars, this chardonnay exhibits a vibrant bouquet with citrus and apricot notes. On the palate it is warm and creamy, with buttercream, honey, and pear flavors creating a rich fullness in the mouth. It finishes smoothly with caramel undertones. For ease of consumption and price, this is often the wine I choose to serve. Pair it with pastas and light fare.
As for Randy Olson, I highly suggest you look up his work. He's a reluctant speaker, but once he gets going, there's a whole wealth of knowledge there. I managed to get him talking about how different cultures interact with strangers. He related an experience where he stood outside of a home in Turkey, and was fed, whereas if he had tried that here in DC, he would have conversely gone hungry. I wonder sometimes if our culture eliminates the enjoyment of humanity; we sprint between job and home without enjoy the great farce that is the human race. We hurry about our lives without giving notice to our neighbors or those around us. A few months ago, a great violinist played inside of a metro stop here in DC. Very few noticed the beauty resonating from his instrument; they needed to get to work. Perhaps we all need to slow down.
But I digress, in the spirit of this piece... slow down... drink more wine.
For $18 dollars, this chardonnay exhibits a vibrant bouquet with citrus and apricot notes. On the palate it is warm and creamy, with buttercream, honey, and pear flavors creating a rich fullness in the mouth. It finishes smoothly with caramel undertones. For ease of consumption and price, this is often the wine I choose to serve. Pair it with pastas and light fare.
As for Randy Olson, I highly suggest you look up his work. He's a reluctant speaker, but once he gets going, there's a whole wealth of knowledge there. I managed to get him talking about how different cultures interact with strangers. He related an experience where he stood outside of a home in Turkey, and was fed, whereas if he had tried that here in DC, he would have conversely gone hungry. I wonder sometimes if our culture eliminates the enjoyment of humanity; we sprint between job and home without enjoy the great farce that is the human race. We hurry about our lives without giving notice to our neighbors or those around us. A few months ago, a great violinist played inside of a metro stop here in DC. Very few noticed the beauty resonating from his instrument; they needed to get to work. Perhaps we all need to slow down.
But I digress, in the spirit of this piece... slow down... drink more wine.
Friday, April 4, 2008
The Monticello Wine Festival
$15 dollars and 20 wineries from the heart of Virginia's Wine Country (and you could get crabcake sandwiches!) Needless to say, I was ecstatic that my brother agreed to accompany me to the tents of the Monticello Wine Festival on that rainy sunday. Hosted by the wineries of the Monticello wine trail, the event sported artisan food, music, and most importantly, handcrafted wine from the wineries of the Charlottesville Region.
A chill wind wound through the fields and chased off all the riff-raff and less the loud drunken crowds of UVA students, left the festival open for long chats with the hosts. Not to say we necessarily took this luxury with all wineries, but we did enjoy several relaxed chats about terroir.
I won't discuss all of the wineries in attendance for two reasons: 1)there were far too many to reach in one day and 2) some have not reached their stride yet, and do not deserve bad reviews in return for inexperience and underdeveloped terroir- give them time, they'll get there yet.
I'll begin with the Veritas, clearly one of the bigger players at the festival, and consequently one of the few that actually provided bins for excess wine and water (the others expected you to throw it in the grass- hey, it was raining, it'll wash away). Our wine was poured by an affable young lady, who though unable to answer some of my questions about growing conditions, provided a cheery and warm environment despite the chilly wind. Though most of Veritas' wines exhibited excellent body, nothing stood out save for one: The Vintner's Reserve. Our hostess winked as she poured the ruby wine, "We don't usually pour this." Now, for vinos, this is the siren's call. If you tell us that we're special, we'll usually buy it. Though, in this case, the exclusivity was worth it: the wine was my favorite of the day. The nose exhibited warm strawberry notes and the color shone deep ruby-red. Exquisitely balanced, the wine sported strong raspberry and red fruit on the palate without sacrificing the tannic structure. Now, I like oak (even in chardonnay!) but too much oak can turn a fantastic wine south very quickly. Veritas expertly balanced the oak flavors, leading to the smoothest red of the day. The finish was full with creamy vanilla and caramel flavors. No, I didn't buy any, but this one goes down in the books. Fantastic alone, or paired with rich meats. $25-Veritas Vineyard and Winery- www.veritaswines.com.
Unfortunately, the wines went downhill from this point on. Not that they were all bad (some, yes) but the day started with a fantastic red- a hard act to follow. From the Kluge Estate, notables included a fresh and wonderfully dry Blanc-de-Blancs Brut, and the New World Red. The Blanc-de-Blancs exhibited a zest that sorely lacked in this festival of chardonnays and would pair excellently with rich fish courses as well as full-flavored hors-d'oeuvres. The New World Red was surprisingly smooth, though lacking in body despite the tasting notes claims, making it an excellent sipping wine.
This next winery I would have left to the "too young" category but I felt I had to report a previous review by a good friend of mine. She had returned from Afton Mountain Vineyards, announcing that their wines tasted like "feet." Consequently, I now pronounce only one wine at the winery to deserve this title. The rest, some actually quite tasty, deserve far nicer descriptions. In fact, their Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon exhibited raspberries and blackberry notes and a spicier fullness on the palate with some of the harsher tannins of the day. However, I do concur, that their Gewürztraminer did taste vaguely of feet. None of the delightful honey, caramel, orange peel, spice of the grape I fell in love with. Though I admit, I'm impressed that they got it to grow.
I drive by Prince Michel Vineyard and Winery every time I visit my brother. I refer to it as "that place with the gaudy wineglass sculptures." So frankly I expected similar brough-haha in their wines. Conversely the only notables would be the Prince Michel Symbius, which was a pleasant Meritage, exhibiting the smooth chocolate and blackberry flavors characteristic of this blend, and the Mt. Juliet Petit Manseng, which smelled like a bouquet of exotic flowers. Perhaps the sculptures are compensation?
My brother had never tried a Norton wine, so we made our way to the Horton Cellars tent. At this point the rain decided to unleash the floodgates, so we hunkered down to taste every fruit wine they had (as well as the usuals). OH the fruit wines; lovely fruits blended with the vibrant viognier. These were simply enjoyable. I will not try to pass judgement on sugary one-note beverages, but nonetheless these were just like drinking jolly ranchers (fantastic!). Their Rkatsiteli, though hardly in competition with Dr. Frank of the Finger Lakes, makes a delightful summer wine with citrus notes and a crisp, even finish. Altogether, Horton takes the prize for embracing the terroir and the locale, producing fun and addictive wines, despite not producing the highest quality of the more common grapes.
We passed from the festival damp but happy, running through the rain to the car. We hadn't reached all the tents, but certainly made a good dent. I hope to review some of these wineries individually in the future, as to provide a more thorough review of their wines (as opposed to what I did or did not enjoy). Until then, the judgement remains undecided on the Monticello wines.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Williamson Wines
Imagine the palate of a wine newbie. For those who skipped this phase, or fail to remember it, I can only describe it as blunt. More or less comparable to feeling the nuances of delicate lace with a catchers mitt. Now imagine tasting your favorite wine, encumbered thusly. So began the palates of my comrade and I as we traversed the rolling hills north of San Francisco. Hardly, tactful to say the least.
But then we walked into the Williamson Wines tasting room, located in the amicable town of Healdsburg, Sonoma County. Small, but expertly decorated in mute earth tones, and accented with deep, red woods, we instinctively felt out of place. The constant driving left our clothes unpressed, and we hardly seemed the proper cliental for such a, forgive me, "classy place." Nonetheless, the Australian couple behind the bar claimed otherwise and quickly invited us alongside two apparently wealthy couples from Los Angeles. Dawn Williamson poured us our first glass, a smooth buttery Chardonnay that exhibited a perfect balance of oak and robust fruit flavors–I was floored. In my naïveté, I assumed I wasn't a Chardonnay person. On the contrary, I prefer a more balanced Chardonnay–one which harmonizes oak with the other flavors of the wine. This Chardonnay exhibited a rich buttery, oak flavor that corresponded with the delicate acidity of bright, green apple notes. Dawn detected my surprise. "French Oak," she said. I unleashed my full ignorance, and prodded her for information. Turns out, Williamson Wines insist on using French Oak, and only French Oak in their craft. Why? Dawn began on an elaborate description as to the benefits of French versus American, old versus new, oak barrels. She insisted that the balance that I so enjoyed, was a direct result of aging the wine in both new and old barrels, and that the oak itself imparted that delightful buttery, vanilla flavor.
So began the discussion of French winemaking techniques, culminating in the presentation of the winery's cabernet sauvignon, made of grapes from the Dry Creek Valley. In my previous post, I discussed my young palate's distaste for the California "Big Cab," and frankly, I wasn't too excited when they poured this. Bill Williamson, who previously determined that the two students standing at his bar were both biochemists, pulled peppered salami from beneath the bar, and began his lecture. He first explained the action of the acid in the wine on lipids and instructed us to taste the wine on its own. Again, I nearly lost footing. I had it all wrong! What I blamed on the grape merely demonstrated a lack of craft. Beautiful, rich blackberries sparred with a delicate spice, in this delightfully full bodied wine. Then the salami–this was no wine to be toyed with; it sparkled next to the spice of the salami, simultaneously invigorating the flavor of the meat, while maintaining its own complexity. Isn't this what a wine should be? Capable of enjoyment both with, and without the companionship of food? And so the bar was set at an unfortunately early hour for my future wine tasting lifestyle. For those unfamiliar with Williamson wines, let me say this–the wineries of Napa couldn't keep my attention.
Though, I haven't discussed all of the wines produced by Williamson here, every wine I experienced presented exquisite quality for the price.
Unfortunately (fortunately for Napa), Williamson is not a wide distributor of their wines. In fact, my residence in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains ensures that my pocketbook remains well protected from the lures of these amazing wines. However, for those with the purses to make the commitment, the winery offers an exclusive wine club with access to most, if not all of their production. Information can be found at their website (which I strongly encourage visiting–it's very educational) at Williamson Wines. I hope to return in the near future, to impart a more thorough review and to experience the new flavors emitting from this lovely craft winery.
But then we walked into the Williamson Wines tasting room, located in the amicable town of Healdsburg, Sonoma County. Small, but expertly decorated in mute earth tones, and accented with deep, red woods, we instinctively felt out of place. The constant driving left our clothes unpressed, and we hardly seemed the proper cliental for such a, forgive me, "classy place." Nonetheless, the Australian couple behind the bar claimed otherwise and quickly invited us alongside two apparently wealthy couples from Los Angeles. Dawn Williamson poured us our first glass, a smooth buttery Chardonnay that exhibited a perfect balance of oak and robust fruit flavors–I was floored. In my naïveté, I assumed I wasn't a Chardonnay person. On the contrary, I prefer a more balanced Chardonnay–one which harmonizes oak with the other flavors of the wine. This Chardonnay exhibited a rich buttery, oak flavor that corresponded with the delicate acidity of bright, green apple notes. Dawn detected my surprise. "French Oak," she said. I unleashed my full ignorance, and prodded her for information. Turns out, Williamson Wines insist on using French Oak, and only French Oak in their craft. Why? Dawn began on an elaborate description as to the benefits of French versus American, old versus new, oak barrels. She insisted that the balance that I so enjoyed, was a direct result of aging the wine in both new and old barrels, and that the oak itself imparted that delightful buttery, vanilla flavor.
So began the discussion of French winemaking techniques, culminating in the presentation of the winery's cabernet sauvignon, made of grapes from the Dry Creek Valley. In my previous post, I discussed my young palate's distaste for the California "Big Cab," and frankly, I wasn't too excited when they poured this. Bill Williamson, who previously determined that the two students standing at his bar were both biochemists, pulled peppered salami from beneath the bar, and began his lecture. He first explained the action of the acid in the wine on lipids and instructed us to taste the wine on its own. Again, I nearly lost footing. I had it all wrong! What I blamed on the grape merely demonstrated a lack of craft. Beautiful, rich blackberries sparred with a delicate spice, in this delightfully full bodied wine. Then the salami–this was no wine to be toyed with; it sparkled next to the spice of the salami, simultaneously invigorating the flavor of the meat, while maintaining its own complexity. Isn't this what a wine should be? Capable of enjoyment both with, and without the companionship of food? And so the bar was set at an unfortunately early hour for my future wine tasting lifestyle. For those unfamiliar with Williamson wines, let me say this–the wineries of Napa couldn't keep my attention.
Though, I haven't discussed all of the wines produced by Williamson here, every wine I experienced presented exquisite quality for the price.
Unfortunately (fortunately for Napa), Williamson is not a wide distributor of their wines. In fact, my residence in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains ensures that my pocketbook remains well protected from the lures of these amazing wines. However, for those with the purses to make the commitment, the winery offers an exclusive wine club with access to most, if not all of their production. Information can be found at their website (which I strongly encourage visiting–it's very educational) at Williamson Wines. I hope to return in the near future, to impart a more thorough review and to experience the new flavors emitting from this lovely craft winery.
Bottom Line: Amazing wines, for an appropriate price. 4 out of 5
Contact:
Williamson Wines
P.O. Box 848
Geyserville, CA 95441
website: Williamson Wines
phone: 707.473.0193
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Beginnings
I am a scientist. I don't write for fun. At least I didn't. My idea of a good read involves benzene and ethanol...fancy that.
I graduated, with two degrees in chemistry and biochemistry, and realized that traditional labwork (the hiding in a dark corner kind) failed to coax me from bed each morning (hopefully a temporary condition). I launched a crusade, traveling around the country to escape the monotony, sleeping on the cliffs of the Grand Canyon, wandering through giant trees, and swimming in raging rivers. Officially I was in a ducky, but these don't readily stay above the waterline). Overall, I stopped at all cheesy roadstops, and developed an impressive tan (for me at least).
But how could I drive through the wine capital of the Americas without stopping? I passed through Napa quickly, enjoying a few (overpriced) tastings, but failed to connect with the owners who considered the collegiate sort a waste of effort. Frankly the wines fell flat. Not until Sonoma did I develop a true admiration for wine and its complexities. Though I tried sufficient amounts of excellent wine to develop an acute palate, I didn't understand what I was tasting for, or why one thing was "good" versus "bad." I drank like a student with access to free alcohol–raving at sweet ports and rosés, but recoiling at the traditional California favorite…big cabs. It took a vibrant Aussie husband and wife team to hone my taste buds. I won't discuss them in full now–they deserve an entire post devoted to their winery, but much of what I "love" about wine developed from that tasting. I want to share these gems. The little known wineries who barely make their way with fantastic wines (often far cheaper than the big names). These are the places where the owners pour the wine, and when prodded can tell you the soil acidity for that particular acre.
I like to combine travel and wine...in fact, I rarely do one without the other. Hauling a brilliant Tuscarora Red from Rockbridge Wineries to the summits of Mt. Marcy, Saddleback, and Basin seems expected at this point. Besides, it relieves the painful feet. Seems that the trailblazers of the Adirondacks failed to understand the concept of a "Switchback." Travel and wine seem natural bed mates, especially considering how we usually only attend tastings on vacation, whereas the the local supermarket suits just fine for dinner. Both are opulent and dynamic. So it should come as no surprise that the two are inseparable in my writing. For those who like to stay home, bear with me, this will be a wild ride.
This is a blog celebrating the diversity and versatility of wine. I visit the wineries where craft trumps cash (or are conveniently located near a trailhead, owned by computer geeks who speak my language, or generally fill the "eccentric" genre), not those who appeared in last months "Wine Spectator." Though, I can't avoid them, since I don't read the thing. Nonetheless, I want to share my wine and travel experiences and hopefully keep you entertained in the meantime. After experiencing the spice of Napa, the bright fruits of Sonoma, and the sweet of the Finger Lakes, I want to share the flavors of our country–and maybe prevent some bad dinner pairings.
I graduated, with two degrees in chemistry and biochemistry, and realized that traditional labwork (the hiding in a dark corner kind) failed to coax me from bed each morning (hopefully a temporary condition). I launched a crusade, traveling around the country to escape the monotony, sleeping on the cliffs of the Grand Canyon, wandering through giant trees, and swimming in raging rivers. Officially I was in a ducky, but these don't readily stay above the waterline). Overall, I stopped at all cheesy roadstops, and developed an impressive tan (for me at least).
But how could I drive through the wine capital of the Americas without stopping? I passed through Napa quickly, enjoying a few (overpriced) tastings, but failed to connect with the owners who considered the collegiate sort a waste of effort. Frankly the wines fell flat. Not until Sonoma did I develop a true admiration for wine and its complexities. Though I tried sufficient amounts of excellent wine to develop an acute palate, I didn't understand what I was tasting for, or why one thing was "good" versus "bad." I drank like a student with access to free alcohol–raving at sweet ports and rosés, but recoiling at the traditional California favorite…big cabs. It took a vibrant Aussie husband and wife team to hone my taste buds. I won't discuss them in full now–they deserve an entire post devoted to their winery, but much of what I "love" about wine developed from that tasting. I want to share these gems. The little known wineries who barely make their way with fantastic wines (often far cheaper than the big names). These are the places where the owners pour the wine, and when prodded can tell you the soil acidity for that particular acre.
I like to combine travel and wine...in fact, I rarely do one without the other. Hauling a brilliant Tuscarora Red from Rockbridge Wineries to the summits of Mt. Marcy, Saddleback, and Basin seems expected at this point. Besides, it relieves the painful feet. Seems that the trailblazers of the Adirondacks failed to understand the concept of a "Switchback." Travel and wine seem natural bed mates, especially considering how we usually only attend tastings on vacation, whereas the the local supermarket suits just fine for dinner. Both are opulent and dynamic. So it should come as no surprise that the two are inseparable in my writing. For those who like to stay home, bear with me, this will be a wild ride.
This is a blog celebrating the diversity and versatility of wine. I visit the wineries where craft trumps cash (or are conveniently located near a trailhead, owned by computer geeks who speak my language, or generally fill the "eccentric" genre), not those who appeared in last months "Wine Spectator." Though, I can't avoid them, since I don't read the thing. Nonetheless, I want to share my wine and travel experiences and hopefully keep you entertained in the meantime. After experiencing the spice of Napa, the bright fruits of Sonoma, and the sweet of the Finger Lakes, I want to share the flavors of our country–and maybe prevent some bad dinner pairings.
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