Eve's Wine 101

Rusty Sly: Grape of the Night Discovers Malbec (The next meeting is tonight!)

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Monday, December 05, 2011,  die hard GOTN members put on their winter clothing and went to Valencia Wine Company to taste and learn about the various differences and nuances of Malbec wines.  This cold winter night was a perfect venue for the full bodied characteristics of this varietal and good friends.  As Christmas was at hand, ’tis the season to be jolly and that we were.  Even Guy, the owner of Valencia Wine Co. (VWC),  joined us adding more knowledge based on his many years of experience.

Since we have been learning about Bordeaux and Meritage wines over the last couple of weeks, I thought that this varietal would be nice to study.  Malbec wines originated in Northern Burgundy France according to amphaeological evidence.  In 1956, a very heavy frost occurred and 75% of the crops were destroyed.   Malbec became less popular in Bordeaux wines after this season.  The Cahors region of France, though heavily impacted, was replanted and continues to be popular.  This region supplies some of the Malbec to the Bordeaux region but is also blended in it’s own region with Tannat and Merlot.  Eve Bushman (my editor) and I had to beg for forgiveness as we both provided two different wines from the Cahors region for the tasting.  Unlike America, France only requires 75% of a given varietal to be called by that varietal.  My request of the group was to meet the 85% requirement imposed by the United States.

Wine Spectator Magazine last month dedicated their edition to the Malbecs of Argentina.  Malbec is the number one wine for this region and it shows in their success with it.  Many of the wines from this region score better than 90 points.   Malbecs from Argentina are not really known by the general public and for this reason many can be purchased  inexpensively.  Many are under $15 one of which I really enjoy is a 2010 Tapiz that I had at GOTN which is around $12 which is a steal.  This wine was big, full bodied, well balanced and had a nice finish.  Malbec grapes are now being grown around the world and  can be found in Chile, California, South Africa, Italy, New Zealand, etc.

The characteristics of this wine are an inky dark color and are generally very tannic.  Malbecs from the Cahors region are referred to as “Black Wines”.  Oz Clarke, a leading wine expert, describes  Malbecs from Cahors as “dark purple in color with aromas of damsons, tobacco, garlic, and raisin. In Argentina, Malbec becomes softer with a plusher texture and riper tannins. The wines tend to have juicy fruit notes with violet aromas. In very warm regions of Argentina, Chile & Australia, the acidity of the wine may be too low which can cause a wine to taste flabby and weak.  Malbec grown in Washington state tends to be characterized by dark fruit notes and herbal aromas.”

For those of you that saw the movie “Bottle Shock” the French, in a blind tasting, could not believe that California was producing winning wines not just once but again 30 years later.  When the Cahors region recognized the quality of the Malbecs from Argentina and how they were gaining international recognition, they seized the opportunity to promote Malbec wines as a whole including their own. In 2008 the French organized the first International Malbec Day in Cahors and invited Argentinean Malbec growers as their guests of honor.  Later that year the Argentinians reciprocated and hosted the event in Argentina with the French as guests of honor.  The French Cahors region and Argentina grow 90% of the worlds Malbec vines and are working together to promote this varietal.

Below is the list of Malbec wines that were sampled by GOTN:

·         2008 Tikal Amorio – Argentina
·         2010 Tapiz- Argentina
·         2010 Trumpeter Rutini Wines- Argentina
·         2008 Catena- Argentina
·         2005 Chateau Lamartine Cahors- France
·         2007 Chateau St Didier-Parnac Cahors- France

I found Malbec to be one of the most interesting varietals I have run across in a long time.  It is an inexpensive wine that will hold up to many other varietals at three times the price point.  It was very unusual that all of the wines were from Argentina and France.  I had expected to see some from California regions such as Paso Robles.  The differences between the French and Argentine wines at GOTN were remarkable though one must be aware that Tannat and Merlot can have a big influence on the wine.

As always, I want to thank all that weathered the cold to enjoy such an interesting varietal.  I also want to thank Guy for being a part and adding further insight into this unique wine as well as allowing us to meet at Valencia Wine Company.  I also want to thank the staff at Valencia Wine Company for their assistance and dedication to service through the evening.  Our next meeting will be January 09, 2012 and the varietal will be to bring your one favorite discovery during the 2011 year at GOTN and to share why.  For new members, please bring your favorite wine varietal and tell us why it tops your list.

Cheers,

Rusty Sly

(Editors note: Rusty calls our meetings at 7pm, anyone may join, there is no “fee” for the class, each person – or couple – is asked to bring or buy a bottle of the designated wine to share.  If you choose to bring in a bottle, our deal with Valencia Wine Company is that you need to buy a bottle to bring home.  If you have any further questions you can e-mail me at ebushman@earthlink.net)

Rusty Sly: Grape of the Night Meritage/Claret

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For this Grape of the Night gathering the selected varietal was Meritage or Claret.  Since we sampled French Bordeaux wines at our October GOTN, I thought that it would be interesting to venture to the New World as a comparison.   It was interesting there were no labels that had the name Claret all were Meritage.

Staff Writer Rusty SlyClaret is an unofficial designation, or name, that Britain uses for red wines originating from Bordeaux, France.  So with that said, it has not stopped many American wineries, such as Bell, from using the name Claret on their wine labels.  Meritage, actually pronounced   MEH-rih-tij (rhyming with heritage), is often mispronounced  as if it were French (meh-rih-TAAAGGHHHE), myself included.
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  We all know that I love French wines.

Meritage is a trademark used by US vintners that produce French Bordeaux style wines.
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  Some interesting facts about the qualifications to be termed Meritage is that the wine cannot be mass produced and the winery must produce under 25,000 cases.  Meritage wine must be a blend of two or more of the red Bordeaux varieties with no single variety can compose more than 75% of the blend.   The grapes that can be used in a Meritage are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Malbec, and Carmenere.  It also must be high-end.  This fact sends a lot of questions as to what is meant by high end since the term “high-end” is not defined it leaves a lot of latitude for interpretation.  The patent may rest on whether the wine states that it is a Meritage on the bottle or that the blend on the label is recognized as a Meritage but is not stated as such.  Meritage wines will taste much like the Bordeaux wines of France except for the nuances added by the terroir and processes of each country.  One should expect  blackberry, cherry, spices, chocolate, and vanilla depending on the varietals chosen for the blend.  The key Bordeaux flavors of cigar box, rich fruits, with a hefty feel should also be found.  Meritages taste best when served at 64 degrees Fahrenheit which is also true of Bordeaux wines.

Here are the wines provided by the members for tasting at GOTN Meritage/Claret:

·         2005 Bell Sonnett (Napa)
Aroma: Light earth, spice and light fruit
Taste:  Smooth, red fruits, and soft tannins
·         2008 Chappellet Cuvee (Napa)
Aroma:  Spiced fruit
Taste:  Creamy cherry
·         2007 Robert Sinskey POV Pinot of View (Napa)
Aroma:  Lightly spiced and red fruits
Taste:  Red fruits and slightly creamy
·         2009 DAOU Micro (Paso Robles)
Aroma:  Chocolate, cherry and spice
Taste:  Red fruits, jammy and slight tobacco
·         2007 Estancia (Paso Robles)
Aroma:  Alcohol, licorice and medicinal
Taste:  Cherry, short finish and licorice
·         2008 Avenel Cellars Meritage (Napa)
Aroma:  Red fruit
Taste:  Red fruit (slightly sweet), Smokey, very light tobacco on finish

I found this GOTN quite interesting.  Remembering the old world earthiness of the Bordeaux wines from France and now opening up everyone’s palate to a New World Wine where the fruits are much more dominant and upfront.  I really enjoyed this meeting and I want to thank everyone for coming and bringing such unique wines.  This is what wines are all about.  Next, we are going to challenge the Malbec varietal.  This wine varietal is grown in many countries and will provide us with differences due to the various terroirs.  As always, I want to thank the Valencia Wine Company for their service.  I would like to especially thank Vic for pouring and tending to our needs while also taking care of customers that were not a part of our group.  I can’t wait until our next GOTN and as always, look for those unique Malbecs for us to sample,  analyze and enjoy.

Cheers,
Rusty Sly

The All-You-Can-Taste Shopping Spree

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It’s that time of year again peeps, Halloween decorations are up and holiday shopping has begun.  I’m here to tell you the best way to shop – while drinking!  It begins with a beautiful venue, about a dozen pages of wines to sample that all can later be ordered at discounted prices.  And, to make sure you know exactly what I’m referring to, I sat my Wine Guru Guy Lelarge down to fill in the details:

“Each year, Valencia Wine Company brings you the world of wine in one day.  This year the event is held on Sunday, November the 6th from 1-5 p.m.,” began Guy.

“Weather will never be an issue as I have my suppliers pouring inside the Oaks Grille Restaurant, at TPC Valencia, and we also have the full patio where my guests are welcome to take their glass, have a seat, and enjoy a classic selection of Chef Daniel Otto’s outstanding hors d’oeuvres.

With a 10 or 12 page list of wines available to try, tasters can move freely from one tasting station to the next, without having to scrounge around for a ticket to get a taste.  If a table looks busy, there are no rules, just go to another and then swing back – I guarantee you’ll be happy with the wine selections at all the tables!

Plan on getting a world wine tour in four great hours, and then, if you like, refer to your list and place an order that day to get a discounted price after your ‘all-you-can-taste’ shopping spree.”

What Past Attendees Said

Jackie Hamby said, “Four hours of unlimited wine tasting. Heaven!”

Darlene Gandara thought it “An awesome event” mentioning the Layer Cake Cabernet Sauvignon as a favorite.

Helen LaPrairie chimed in that, “It was fantastic! Wasn’t the French Champagne at Jerome’s table delish??!! And so many others!”

Rob Trautwein told Guy that, “Monica and I had a wonderful time as usual at the TPC Holiday Wine Tasting! Wanted to thank you again for hosting such a fabulous event . . Cheers as usual!”

Stacey Mayfield contemplated, “Another beautiful Sunday wine tasting in Santa Clarita. Thank you Valencia Wine Co. After a few hours, I feel like I’ve spent a day in Napa.”

Mark White, with his lovely wife Julie, commented, “Get out of your red wine comfort zone” when faced with so many choices.

Mark and Julie White

“I have not enjoyed such an awesome display of wines and foods in all my years,” began fellow wine enthusiast – and staff writer on this website – Rusty Sly.  “I will NEVER MISS this event in the years to come.  The variety of wines from so many nations was fantastic. One Rep was pouring a $200 bottle of Meritage that was to die for. The Bordeaux, Burgundy and Chateauneuf Du Papes were great.  What I found interesting was that the wines were not the common low end wines that we find at most festivals.  These were mid to very high end wines for the people that truly enjoy wines and have a defined palate for such wines.”

And what does Guy himself say about his event?  “I do this every year because it’s a hell of a lot of fun – especially introducing, new, high quality wines to Santa Clarita.”

Wine Teasers

Guy, diligently toiling away at creating another classy wine list, told me that we will be tasting wines from the most popular wine making regions of California, Oregon and WA state, as well as other new world regions.  From France we will be tasting wines from the major wine growing regions in the Rhone Valley, Burgundy, Bordeaux, Champagne and the Loire Valley.  From Italy we will dip into fantastic Barolos, Brunellos and Super Tuscans…

What’s New This Year

And, just for that person reading this, that can’t come, but wants to give a present to someone else: For the first time, Valencia Wine Company is offering holiday gift packages for your family, clients and friends.

How to Attend

Contact Valencia Wine Company to reserve your entrance to the event.   They can charge the $70 fee to your credit card over the phone: 661-254-9300.  You can also e-mail them at wine@valenciawine.com and the website address is: http://valenciawine.com