Walla Walla Valley

     Walla Walla Washington! Home to amazing wines and wineries; host to wine enthusiasts greatest adventures. Walla Walla is the Native American term for "place of many waters" which has changed in the eyes of winos around the world. Walla Walla is now a "place of many vineyards"; at least within the community. Walla Walla was not always a dominant wine region having grown tremendously with time. In the 1900's, there were only six wineries but today this valley hosts over one hundred wineries stretching 1,900 acres of premium grape growing land. The wine boost came from a combination of great soil, early developers, an infusion of California and French wines, and the motivation to create world class wines with a definitive identity to the region itself.

     Red wine is the predominant creation in this valley: Bordeaux varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot,Cabernet Franc, and Malbec; Rhone grapes like Grenache and Syrah and even Tempranillo from Spain. However, white wines can be found as well. Winemaker Charles Smith has created an insanely tasteful Riesling which pairs extremely well with the spiciness of Asian inspired cuisine. His Kung Fu Girl Riesling has slight green apples and pear flavors on the palate allowing for an easy drink and lasting finish. 

     Walla Walla Valley may be associated with the state of Washington but approximately 40 percent of the vines are located on the Oregon side. This is what most attribute to the cool flavors associated with the wines. The grapes are allowed to grow in such climates that they stress temperatures causing for an incredible taste in the bottle. If you ever find yourself taking a trip to the West Coast, California may be the most talked about wine region but it may not be the only location to try new wines. You never know what gems you may find in this ever-growing wine region. As always, stay classy!

What Your Color Says About You

Wine is an acquired taste for most; some find it dry, tasteless, tart or other ghastly flavors on their palate. The first thing that I had to learn was to value a wine not only on its taste but on the other elements it has to offer. Appreciating wine on its aroma and taste are only two way of experiencing the journey that wine takes us through. Wine uses all our senses and with that in mind sight should be the first instinct we take towards appreciating a good wine.

Before cracking open a bottle and having a race to the end take time out to appreciate the color of the wine. After all the color of the wine is the first hint that we have as to what the wine is, other than the label of course.

This chart helps better explain some of the distinctions between the different colors and styles of wines.

Starting on the top left reds:

1. Notice how the middle of the wine is transparent. This means that the wine is light-bodied which tends to have low tannin and high acidity. Examples of these wines are Pinot Noir or Gamay.

2. At the tip of this wine notice there is a medium rim width and a semi-transparent opaque core. This is a medium-bodied wine which tend to have moderate tannin and medium acidity. Examples of these wines are Tempranillo, Merlot, Sangiovese

3. The next wine is a full bodied red wine which tends to have higher tannin and low acidity which can be found in wines such as Syrah, Malbec and the ever popular Cabernet Sauvignon.

4. The more purplish wine is a distinction of a young wine. The colors may range from violet to red and the wine itself is at a peak level of tannin,acidity and fruit aroma.

5. The final red wine image is that of an older wine. Wine tends to lose its acidity and tannin over time but gains aromas of spice. The color becomes more dull between the red and orange family. 

1. For the white wines the first depiction is of pale straw colored wine. The color falls between a yellowish green; it is clear this is a light-bodied wine. These types of wine have high acidity and are best when served cold. Some examples are Pinot Grigio, Albarino and Muscadet.

2. The next would be a pale gold color with a platinum glow. The medium-bodied wine tends to have moderate acidity; this is where most white wines fall into. Examples of these would be Sauvignon Blanc, Trebbiano and Chenin Blanc.

3. The third wine on the chart is a richer yellow with a copper glow. This is considered the color for a full bodied wine which have lower acidity and rich creamier flavors. Chardonnays, Viognier and Semillon varietals fall into this category.

4. Similar to the younger reds. the whites have a brighter glow which stem from a yellow to green. These wines have higher acidity and fresh flavors.

5. Old wine is much different, with a dull color which is a more faded yellow to brown color. Aging is best for full-bodied and sweet wines. The acidity becomes lowered but nutty aromas become present.

(chart from winefolly.com)

So when taking a lovely counterpart out on the town use some of these visual techniques of wine to help impress. It will also help you weed out any issues in the wine for yourself as well. Enjoy and like always stay classy!

What's On Your Wine List?

Wine is such a unique experience, one which used to be for the upper class.Wine worth drinking came at a high price rate, stemming from a sixty dollar bottle to a few thousand dollars. Wine has become an everyday event for some and even dwells in the social circles of the younger generation (over the legal age). Wine has become a movement and because of that movement so many different varieties of wine have emerged. Here are some of the newer wines that I have come across that are worth trying while hanging around with friends or just relaxing with that special someone on a rainy night in.

1) Nocking Point Wines: Stephen Amell (yes, Arrow) and Andrew Harding are co-founders of Nocking Point Wines which is Walla Walla Valleys newest and fastest vineyard. These gentlemen may be new to the wine game but there wines are out of this world. With nine different wines from their vineyard this duo will be rising to the top shortly. Check out their youtube channel Dudes Being Dudes in Wine Country to find out some more info.

2) Apothic Wine: Apothic Wine hails from California with a fairly well known bottle quaintly names Apothic Red. This blended wine has high notes of cherries, vanilla and mocha with a smooth and lasting finish on the palate. This bottle of wine can be found between the ten to fifteen dollar price range.

3) Charles Smith Wines: Charles Smith is another name coming out of the Walla Walla Valley with kick ass wines such as Kung Fu Girl Riesling, Boom Boom Syrah, The Velvet Devil Merlot, Broncho Malbec and other bad ass labeling. Charles Smith had an immersive career in the rock and roll industry which gave him the perfect edge to create impeccable and over the top wines. Most of his bottles can be found between the ten to fifteen dollar price range.

4) Gato Negro: This brand of wine comes from Chile.The buying point for most of the people with whom I have spoken to on this brand is the fact that the warmth of the region can be tasted through the wine. The wine speaks of the region and the region speaks for the wine. The most popular of the wines may be the Gato Negro Cabernet-Merlot which is a dark cherry red color. The wine has notes of blackberries and well rounded fruity taste.

These are only some of the wines that have comes across with great flavors at great price points. When you have the chance sample one of these wines and experience something new. Stay Classy.

America's Oldest Winery

So close to home for me is America's Oldest Winery; Brotherhood Winery. The winery is located in New York's Hudson River Region which was established in 1982. The winery, however, can be traced back to 1810 when a French Huguenot named Jean Jaques purchased the land. In 1837 Mr. Jaques needed more land and purchased a plot in Washingtonville NY and here, in 1839, was where his first vintage was created. The cellars he created are still used today at Brotherhood Winery. The Jaques family made wine in this location for over 60 years and later sold it to Jesse and Edward Emerson. When the Emerson family took over they changed then name of the vineyard to Brotherhood, which has stuck today.

The Emerson family worked the vineyard until prohibition. In 1921, Louis Pharell purchased the winery and its large quantity of sacramental wine. He was able to sell during the prohibition for religious reasons causing the winery to remain open. Louis and his wife were the beginning of the concept of wine tours. They would give tours of the underground tunnels and wine cellars to the public, which drew hundreds of fans annually and introduced the Brotherhood brand to generations to come.

Brotherhood is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and most visitors are eager to pay for tours of the vineyard. Guests can view the vineyard, historical museum, and the Vinum Cafe'. The winery has housed countless weddings and events. This vineyard is on a majestic piece of land that can not be overlooked. The original tunnels and landscape give birth to unforgettable memories and lasting impressions.  

The current owner of the winery, Cesar Baeza, has moved away from the grapey Vitis Labrusca to vinfera varieties. He has created a blanc de blanc sparkler, Riesling, and a ruby port-style wine. His change has been with steady success and even given a different interest to the winery. Whenever you are in the area this a must go to location with a loved one or with a group. This will be sure to be a trip worth remembering. 

Winederlust!

Traveling the world is the dream of many if not all. Sometimes we just come up short of meeting those goals and dreams. That's what I love about a nice glass of wine (or bottle depending on the day you had) because it allows for us to close our eyes, unwind and travel abroad using our senses of taste and smell. Wine is a ticket to different regions of the world. The rustic aromas of French Bordeaux or the cool breezy bite of an Australian Moscato take us to different sights.

Wine allows us to imagine ourselves in the vineyards where they were created; tasting the grapes from the soil in which they grew, smelling the environment which blossomed around. Wine is and should be more than a beverage. It should be an experience. Being such a young wine enthusiast myself, I realize I have much more to learn but the respect I have developed for such an in depth culture can never be surpassed. The complete dichotomy of science and nature creating such a blissful moment is amazing.

Wine is such a spectacular event because it is something so simple yet intrinsically complicated. Think about it; what is wine? It is the fermentation of grapes into an alcoholic beverage with little to no additive to this equation. This simple process however has managed to create thousands of wines with thousands different aromas and flavors. One thing I seem to encounter numerous times is the question of how does one find different flavors in wine. Many of my friends mock at the idea that one can taste raspberries or blueberries and mixtures of oak and chocolate in wine. The thing that I have learned is that tasting a wine comes with experience and also having a small understanding of the wine you're drinking. Wine tasting is an experience, one that should be taken with a grain of salt. Wine tasting should be done with a clear mind and the willingness to enjoy your time and open your senses to the environment and wine itself. 

Ravenswood Old Vine Zinfandel

This wine is making its way around the community and if you haven't already snagged a bottle for yourself make sure you do so before it is too late! After all, wine is becoming a "thing" these days; especially great tasting wines at even greater prices. Ravenswood Wineries is climbing that affordable yet delectable wine ladder. This old vine Zinfandel can be found between the 10-13 USD range depending on your location. 

This wine is a blend of 75% Zinfandel, 16% Petite Sirah, 6% Syrah and 3% Mixed Blacks. This wine was aged 10 months in 100% french oak and has a medium high acidity. This is a great wine to buy and open same day, no need to let age. Allow the wine to aerate for an hour before consumption and the attack of flavors on your tongue would take you to a heavenly place. This is a bold wine with an alcohol content of 13.5% 

The aromas that immerse from this wine are that of black cherries, raspberries and blueberries. On the palate there is a small hint of vanilla which comes from the oak barreling. The taste on the palate is held with a long finish of ripe fruits and demanding yet flexible tannins. 

Chateau Smith Cabernet Sauvignon!

Chateau Smith 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon is just as big and bold as the man behind the bottle. This blend of 93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Petit Verdot, and 1% Malbec leaves an everlasting burst of flavors on the palate. This blend gives off immediate aromas of dark berries, wet earth, toasted herbs all followed with such a smooth finish. On the palate there is undeniable hints of blueberries, spice and a touch of violets. This bold Columbia Valley wine was at a remarkable price of only 13.99 USD, at this price point it will be nearly impossible to find such an everlasting wine. This wine only needs a half hour to breath before enjoying among friends and family...or to yourself!

Wine maker Charles Smith has an interesting history behind him which explains his extremely new age take on the wine world. Smith spent ten years touring Scandinavia managing rock bands before moving off to western Washington to pursue a career in wine. Convinced by fellow Walla Walla wine maker, Christophe Baron, Smith was introduced to the wine world. Baron convinced Smith to focus on Syrah particularly.

In 2001 Smith introduced his first 330 cases if K Syrah Walla Walla Valley under K Vinters banner. This was just the beginning of his wine adventures, Smith found his niche and grew with it. Most of Smiths grapes are purchased and his wines are made under three labels.The first label being K Vinters, followed by Charles Smith Wines, and lastly the Magnificent Wine Company. His marketing and self-labeling show how rugged and out there Smith is,and if you're a lover of bold wines then you should definitely search for some of his wines: Velvet Devil Merlot, Boom Boom, King Coal Syrah and Kung Fu Girl Riesling. Check out his wines at www.charlessmithwines.com

Menage a Trois!

If the title didn't get your attention then I don't know what will. I'm not going to lie, the name of the bottle is what caught my attention. I mean, who wouldn't at least be a little interested? This cleverly named brand comes from California's robust wine industry.

This wine is a blend of Zinfandel, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon with a moderate 13.5 alc. by volume reading. This wine is an excellent wine for a get together with friends without trying to take out a second mortgage on a home. The dollar amount on this wine is 12.99; with a little looking around I am positive it can be picked up for around the 9.00 price range. 

The wine goes down very smooth holding a good 25-35 second finish. This wine can be bought and drank within the same day, with a 5 year aging it would be even better. On the palate there is an intense burst of ripe red fruits, dark berries, and a subtle chocolate after taste. The aromas that bounce off the bottle immediately bring you to fresh raspberries with the tiniest bit of mint leaf on the back end. Allow this bottle to breath at least 30 minutes before drinking and have yourself a great night.

Stay classy friends.

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Wine...it connects us all

     Wine, to many, is a connector to the outside world; to the unfamiliar. For others, it is just like any other alcoholic beverage, it unites us with friends and family. So many use it as an escape from reality but that, in my opinion, is where we abuse the beauty behind a wine. Wine is an art form. It is a small piece of magic missing from the world due to the fact that it allows us to travel the world simply through a sip from a glass. One taste of the fermented grapes; flavors bursting onto ones palate takes us through a journey. Wine allows us to travel the world, we experience the culture and lifestyles of locations which may seem worlds apart from us. That my friends is the true beauty behind wine. The art given to us from cultures so different from ours. This blog will allow consumers to experience wines other than the cheap and highly marketed stuff in the local liquor stores

     After all, wines such as Barefoot or Yellowtail, are delicious but are made with a lack of respect for the art that is wine. For example, who says a great bottle of Sauvignon Blanc has to break the bank. This blog will help its readers find delicious, high quality wines at a price that is affordable for a friday night get together with friends. A big turn off from wine for many people is the notion that it is both expensive and the necessity to have allow the drink to age. Although aging wine is considered to bring out its aromas and flavors there are plenty of buy today, drink tonight varietals of wine. Stay tuned for more! Stay classy wine lovers.