Back in the day, when my column was called “Eve of Destruction” it would have made sense that I made fun of something (guess which then-local politician) and then had to answer for it (when said politician called me up and asked me to lunch).
Fast forward to my current glorious job as a wine writer. I read in my daily e-mailed “Wine Times” subscription that a company was putting wine into an aluminum bottle:
FLASQ™ Wines are HIGH QUALITY California varietals that appeal to both novice and sophisticated wine drinkers. FLASQ™ bottles are specially coated to prevent contact between the wine and aluminum, thereby preserving the taste from the barrel to the glass.
Nontransparent packaging prevents light exposure, thereby eliminating “light-shock”.
Wide mouth screw cap opening allows for additional aeration when drinking straight from the container, prevents oxidation and maintains freshness.
I tweeted the news, Flasq responded, could they send me a sample as it would appear that my column, for wine 101ers, was exactly the generation Y audience they were looking for. But of course! I started with the red:
FLASQ MERLOT
2009 SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY
14.1% Alcohol.
375 ML = 12.68 fluid ounces typical half-bottle of wine, serves up maybe two glasses. When I saw the silver container, I almost shook it up first! At least it wouldn’t have broken! And the big plastic threads on the can, once I removed the lid and poured, helped catch the drips.
(My daughter, 16 and wiser-than-mom, asked you are to drink it straight from the vessel. Which reminded me of a Mickey Wide Mouth malt liquor beverage – also marketed for a younger audience. I opted for wine glasses but I noticed that their marketing campaign photos did include pics of lovely lads and lassies drinking straight from the bottle. What a great way to travel!)
Color – Clear, good condition, deep raspberry.
Aroma – Some wet wood – which was nice to offset the metal container being a visual issue – cherry, stems, slight nose tingling menthol – not unpleasant – and the faintest hint of…what was that…clove?
Taste – Pale – but nice – ripe cherry fruit, short finish, very drinkable now, tongue tingly, soft tannins.
Conclusion – For those that like Merlot for what it truly is, a lighter red that goes with all kinds of red wine-friendly food it was very approachable. That little bit of spice on the palate made my mouth just want a wee…bit…more.
FLASQ CHARDONNAY
2009 MONTEREY COUNTY
13.9% Alcohol
Aluminum container felt more natural chilled in my hand than the un-chilled Merlot. (But, then again, I’m not against chilling red wine. It works fine for a light red, rose and white, so why not? There are no rules.)
Color – Clean, palest 14 k gold.
Aroma – Green apple, butter, faint oak, lovely honeysuckle floral notes.
Taste – Buttery, smooth, pear, refreshing, close to a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc with a little oak.
Conclusion – I almost liked it better than the Merlot. But, then again, it is 100 degrees outside today. Both wines had tingly-on-the-palate quality that was unexpected, were nicely balanced, and, very pleasant.
For my local California readers that are itching to pack-a-flasq for their next trek in the canyons, Flasq wines can be found online at FlasqWines.com where you can order a 12-pack of red, white or mixed for $84!
And, I was told that there is a new varietal coming out in early fall that promises to be sweeter and light…Pinot Grigio anyone?
