• Home
  • Wine 201 and About Eve
    • Full Disclosure
  • As Seen On
  • Las Vegas Highlights (Press: send your news regarding LV restaurants, bars and wineries to Eve@EveWine101.com)
  • Staff & Guests

Eve's Wine 101

  • Eve Bushman
  • Michael Perlis
  • Eve of Destruction
  • Guests

Why Empordà should be on your European quality wine list

December 28, 2021 by evebushman

NEW YORK (PRWEB) – It’s high time Empordà wines gained the recognition they deserve, The last wine journalist to have acknowledged their quality has been critic Jancis Robinson who has praised Empordà wines in the Financial Times. “Cool Catalans” reads the title of her article where she reports about her most recent visit to the Spanish region and how it has become an example of serious wine production.

From: With Husband in Tow.

Wine culture reached Catalonia around the 6th century BC. The area was then the most important Greek colony in Spain, and Emporiae was the Greek city that later gave its name to the Empordà region. In the Middle Ages, when vines were grown near abbeys and monasteries, the terraced vineyards cultivated by the Monastery of Sant Pere de Rodes covered the slopes of the Rodes Mountain range. It is here that the winemaking monk Ramon Pere de Noves learned to master the winemaking art and wrote a treatise on the subject.

The region’s growers have chosen to forget international varieties, and are now focusing on native varieties. The most important are the red grapes Garnacha and Carignan, which more and more wineries vinify in single-vineyard expressions, thus offering interpretations of terroir subtleties. Juicy and vibrant, these red wines show the long-forgotten potential of the region. Most recently, Empordà producers have been increasingly investing time and energy white varieties, especially native ones, such as Lledoner Blanc (Grenache Blanc), Lledoner Roig (Grenache Gris) and Carinyena Blanc (Carignan Blanc). Grenache Gris in particular has been at the core of a Renaissance movement, casting new light on this aromatic variety that gives life to crispy whites. Both family wineries and coops have embraced a quality approach and the results are visible and are starting to be appreciated outside the region as much as within. “Empordà is very definitely on the move” wraps up Jancis Robinson.

About TASTE THE DIFFERENCE PROGRAM
The program: European quality wines: taste the difference is a project financed by the European Union and managed by Unione Italiana Vini and PRODECA for the promotion of PDO and PGI European wines abroad in China and US. In order to achieve this objective, the TTD.EU program will organize wine seminars, workshops and b2b meetings both in these countries and in Spain and Italy, inviting wine professionals to join study trips to Europe. The program, realized in the span of three years (2021-2023) aims at creating awareness about European quality wines, in particular Italian and Spanish, which share a long tradition and a high standard of quality.

The beneficiaries: Unione Italiana Vini is the oldest and most commissioned Association of the Italian wine market. It represents cooperative, private and agricultural wine-companies, bottlers, consortia, associations and wine-making machines or wine cellars / laboratory manufacturers, located throughout the Italian territory.

Promotora de Exportaciones Catalanas (PRODECA) is a public company established in 1986 and part of the “Ministry of Climate Action, Food and Rural Agenda of the Government of Catalonia”. It supports the agri-food sector and its companies with the knowledge, tools and experience to increase their products in Catalunya and worldwide.

Filed Under: Guests Tagged With: aroma, blanc, bottle, carignane, cellar, critic, garnacha, grapes, gris, Italy, jancis robinson, juice, red wine, spain, taste, taste the difference, terroir, varietal, vineyards, white wine, wine education, winemaking

Vintage Eve Circa 8/2014: New Zealand Tasting of Yealands with the Winemaker

January 9, 2018 by evebushman

Today we are introducing readers to a New Zealand producer of fine wines – “Yealands, owned by the legendary kiwi entrepreneur Peter Yealands” and “the dynamic winemaker behind Yealands, Ms. Tamra Kelly.”

17800451_10155222191950152_8845593011796112315_n“The Yealands story is an interesting one. This young winery was founded in 2008 by Peter Yealands, who built a fortune as a leading player in the green-shelled mussel industry. He has a passion for wine and the environment, and began purchasing vineyards in Marlborough’s Awatere Valley in the mid-2000s. His namesake winery was the first to be carbon neutral from the foundation, and he seeks to be NZ’s most sustainable winery – not an easy task in this land of sustainability!”

Meet the Winemaker

Tamra Kelly-Washington, was born in Marlborough, New Zealand – and has come back to her roots to work at Yealands Estate Wines. Tamra got her enology degree, and began amassing some great winemaking experience 15 years ago.  She began working around the world doing harvests; in Australia, as well as Napa, (learning all about warm climate wines) then back to Australia.  She also traveled into Sicily, Puglia, and other areas of Northern Italy – spending a total of five years in Italy – furthering her winemaking experience.

Kelly heard about Peter Yealands and what he was doing back in New Zealand. Wondering if she would fit in, she was excited about how Sauvignon Blanc was making its mark back home.  She thought it was a good time to return, and Peter needed a winemaker at his new winery back in Marlborough.  Starting afresh with a brand new proposition, this was the end of 2007.  By 2008 they had their first vintage. A big challenge, Kelly said, that she’s really enjoyed.

“Peter is very in tune with nature” Kelly said, and “the land, a big chunk of it, is on the water.” And while they have 133 block and nearly 2,500 acres, Sauvignon Blanc is just one of several varietals that they now grow.  Warm sunny days in summer paired with cool nights, holds the flavor in, while maintaining the grapes’ freshness and acidity.   There is no treatment, according to Kelly, as “what you are tasting is a really natural product.”

Taste the Wines (aroma and flavors separated by 😉

2013 Sauvignon Blanc (100% Sauvignon Blanc, Seaview and Wairau vineyards)

Lemon, lemon zest, condensation on metal; good citrus fruit, acidity, fresh sliced pear flavors throughout the finish.

 

2013 Estate Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc (100% Sauvignon Blanc, Seaview vineyard)

Nut fruit, apricot, crisp golden delicious apples; same fruit comes forward on the palate, viscosity, nice acidity.

 

2013 Block S1 Sauvignon Blanc (100% Sauvignon Blanc, Seaview vineyard)

(SI means Special One to Tamra)  They chose to make this wine from a single block that received lots of sunshine.

Grapefruit, limeade, cool stones; zingy, good crisp citrus fruit and acid.

 

2013 Pinot Gris (100% Pinot Gris, Seaview vineyard)

Kiwi, candied apple, honeycomb; juicy fruit, moist feeling, less acidic than the Sauvignon Blancs, could have this with French Toast, maple syrup and fruit.  Cool climate vineyard, according to Tamra, allowed for them to retain the acidity.

 

2013 Pinot Noir (100% Pinot Noir, Awatere and Wairau Valleys)

Stewed plums and Luxardo cherries, green pepper; great fruit and balance between fruit and pepper, with a long clean finish.

 

2013 Estate Pinot Noir (100% Pinot Noir, Seaview vineyard)

Slightly heavier fruit, darker cherry, white  and green pepper; bigger yet with a pleasant tartness, nice.

 

And you should be able to find these wines at BevMo, Vons and a few independent retailers!

 

Learn More about Yealands

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yealandsestate?fref=ts

Website: http://www.yealands.co.nz/

Filed Under: Eve Bushman Tagged With: aroma, Australia, climate, grapes, gris, Italy, Napa, New Zealand, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, sustainable, taste, tasting notes, vineyard, Wine tasting, winemaker, winery

Perlis Picks: Rhone Rangers at the Skirball – Part 2

September 3, 2016 by evebushman

Starting the Rhone Ranger event with the seminar was a great way to kick off the day for Karen and me. The seminar was moderated by Patrick Comiskey, wine writer for the Los Angeles Times as well as Wine & Spirits magazine. In addition, soon after you read this, Patrick’s book American Rhone: How Maverick Winemakers Changed the Way Americans Drink should be available – I am very much looking forward to this.

10256671_10152418237509650_364383550276313207_o

Panel participants and wines tasted were:

Larry Schaffer of tercero wines – 2014 Verbiage Blanc [64% Roussanne, 24% Viognier, 12% Grenache Blanc] from Santa Ynez Valley.

William Allen of Two Shepherds – 2013 Pastoral Blanc [50% Roussanne, 25% Marsanne, 13% Viognier, 6% Grenache Blanc, 6% Grenache Gris] from Russian River.

Jason Haas of Tablas Creek Vineyard – 2015 Cotes de Tablas Blanc [26% Viognier, 25% Grenache Blanc. 25% Marsanne, 24% Roussanne] from Adelaida.

Kale Anderson of Kale Wines – 2014 Heritage “McGah Vineyard” Rutherford [87% Grenache, 8% Mourvedre, 5% Syrah] from Napa Valley.

Michael Larner of Larner Vineyard – 2012 “Elemental” Estate GSM Blend [47% Grenache, 38% Syrah, 15% Mourvedre] from Ballard Canyon.

Bob Lindquist of Qupé – 2014 “Los Olivos Cuvee” [57% Syrah, 29% Mourvedre, 14% Grenache] from Santa Ynez Valley.

David Gates of Ridge Vineyards – 2012 Lytton Estate [52% Syrah, 48% Grenache] from Dry Creek Valley.

Seven wines in total, three whites and four reds – all blends. Patrick noted that “California has always been all about the blend.” Larry’s aim was to show off the Roussanne. William, whose wines [to me] tend toward subtlety and require the taster to pay attention, was inspired by the Northern Rhone while Jason took his inspiration from the Southern Rhone valley. Kale said that the McGah Vineyard had the only Rhone grapes in Rutherford; I think this is the most massive Grenache-driven wine that I have ever tasted. Michael expressed that he enjoys making blends because he gets to be an artist.

Bob’s Rhones were gateway wines for me back in the day, when I was first introduced to Qupé by the late great Bob Senn in Los Olivos. [Bob Lindquist and I shared a toast to Bob Senn when I visited his table later at the Grand Tasting.] Bob also said something at the seminar that really resonated with me. Bob explained that Grenache is oxidative while Syrah and Mourvedre are reductive in nature, which is why Grenache brightens up the often closed-in flavors of the other two and a primary reason that traditional GSM blends work so well.

Last but not least, David’s Syrah/Grenache blend from an iconic property was another great example of how these two varietals work so well together and a delicious way to wrap up the seminar.

On to lunch, which was out on the patio on a beautiful summer day, to enjoy a buffet of chilled chicken, wild rice salad, seasonal veggies and cookies along with an assortment of white and rosé Rhone wines. A plus was hobnobbing with some of the winemakers who joined us for lunch, such as Kale Anderson of Kale Wines, Randall Grahm of Bonny Doon as well as Craig Jaffurs and Matt Brady of Jaffurs Wine Cellars. I especially liked the Jaffurs Grenache Blanc and the Withers Winery Rose, but there were lots of others there too. My favorite though was the Bonny Doon 2013 Vin Gris Tuilé, a “solarized” pink wine (a wine that had been set out in the sun in glass carboys for several months).

It was now time to head over to the Grand Tasting, being held inside spacious Herscher Hall.

Next week…the Grand Tasting.

Michael Perlis has been pursuing his passion for wine for more than 25 years. He has had the good fortune of having numerous mentors to show him the way, as well as a wonderful wife who encourages him and shares his interest. After a couple of decades of learning about wine, attending events, visiting wineries and vineyards, and tasting as much wine as he possibly could, he had the amazing luck to meet Eve Bushman. Now, as Contributing Editor for Eve’s Wine 101, he does his best to bring as much information as possible about wine to Eve’s Wine 101 faithful readers. Michael is also Vice President of Eve Bushman Consulting (fka Eve’s Wine 101 Consulting) http://evebushmanconsulting.com/ and President of MCP Financial. Michael can be contacted at michaelthezinfan@aol.com or michael@evebushmanconsulting.com.

Filed Under: Michael Perlis Tagged With: adelaida, Ballard Canyon, blend, California, cellar, dry creek valley, France, Grenache, Grenache Blanc, gris, gsm, los angeles, los olivos, marsanne, Mourvedre, Rhone, rhone rangers, Rose, Roussanne, Russian River Valley, rutherford, Santa Ynez, spirits, Syrah, varietal, vineyard, Viognier, wine education

Recent Posts

Western Foodservice Expo to Feature a Robust Trade Show Floor

LOS ANGELES, CA, April 18, 2022 – For three days in August the Western … [Read More...]

  • Guide to Santa Barbara Wine Country, Courtesy The Leta Hotel
  • Pacific International Liquor Announces Arrival of Ginjo Style KOBE SAKE
  • “Iconic Women in Italian Wine” tasting: Who, Where & Why?

Sign up for wine

Sign up to receive the Dear Wine Friend weekly eNewsletter and receive the Five Worst Wine Mistakes - Easily Corrected - FREE
* = required field

powered by MailChimp!

Eve Bushman

Eve Bushman, owner Eve’s Wine 101 and Eve Bushman Consulting.

Featured Video

SPONSORS

 

 

Copyright © 2022 · News Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in