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Chateau Tanunda Grand Barossa Cabernet Sauvignon

May 20th, 2013 · · Wine Picks No comments - Tags:

It has been a while since I’ve reviewed an Australian cabernet sauvignon, but when I tasted this wine I knew it was time to change that.

This is a delicious wine from the Barossa region in Australia and comes from Château Tanunda, the oldest and largest château in Australia.  Its history dates back to 1890 and the estate is responsible for some of the earliest grape vines in the Barossa Valley.  But while the château has a long history, it has had its ups and downs.  In the past 15 years it has been going through a revival, since John Geber purchased the estate in 1998.

The Château Tanunda brand is part of the Banfi portfolio of wines.

Chateau Tanunda Grand Barossa Cabernet Sauvignon

The nose on this wine has just what I would want from a cabernet sauvignon—a harmonious blend of aromas like black currant, black cherry, vanilla, leather and blackberry.  All of that comes with just the right amount of intensity.  In the mouth this wine is juicy and delicious, with plenty of ripe black currant, blackberry and blueberry flavors and a smooth mouthfeel.  There’s just a touch of baking spice flavor too.  The finish is quite long, with tasty ripe berry flavors lingering ...

#WBA13 – Vote for Terroirist!

May 20th, 2013 · · Wine News No comments

This morning, the finalists in the 2013 Wine Blog Awards were announced — and Terroirist made the list for Best Overall Wine Blog! 

The final winner will be determined via a 50/50 weighting of the public vote and that of the judges, so please consider voting for Terroirist! Voting ends on Friday. Winners will be announced this year’s Wine Bloggers’ Conference in Penticton, British Columbia. 

Vote here!

Best Blog Post of the Year

Best Original Photography or Video on a Wine Blog

Best Industry/Business Wine Blog:

Best Wine Reviews on a Wine Blog:

Best Single Subject Wine Blog:

Nomacorc Cork Recovery Program at WBC13

May 20th, 2013 · · Wine News No comments - Tags:

For the second year in a row, Nomacorc is helping lead the way in wine closure recycling at the Wine Bloggers Conference. This year, Nomacorc will be collecting all types of corks during the conference, and they’ll be working with new partners to ensure that used closures are recycled and upcycled in the most efficient and effective way.

Partnering with retailers across the U.S. has allowed Nomacorc to regionalize recycling programs and focus on supporting local communities. For example, in Texas, they’ve placed bins at Spec’s Wine & Spirits’110 store locations to collect used closures, which are “upcycled,” or repurposed for other uses like crafting. All proceeds generated from this upcycling program are donated to a local breast cancer awareness program.

In Washington, Nomacorc has partnered with Total Wine & More and AtWork! to help streamline the cork collection process. Located just outside of Seattle, AtWork! is a highly supportive and innovative conduit between adults with disabilities and mainstream employers that provides customized jobs for AtWork! participants. After closures are collected at Total Wine, they are sent to AtWork!, where employees will separate and sort natural and synthetic corks, which are then sold to various recyclers. Currently, ...

Anne Curtis & Brian say “I DO!!!”

May 20th, 2013 · · Vineyards No comments
Saturday’s weather was not looking that great for an outdoor wedding.  Families and friends arrived early to hang out and [...]

Anniversary of American Wine

May 20th, 2013 · · Virginia Wines No comments
Philip Carter Winery of Virginia cordially invites you to join us, and bring your family and friends for our annual Anniversary of American Wine, Saturday, May 25th. Experience history!  Be part of a truly memorable day of celebration commemorating the...

Where the Buffalo Roam

May 20th, 2013 · · Virginia Wines No comments
May 25, 2013: Come roam the Buffalo…. Foggy Ridge will have shuttles to Buffalo Mountain where you can hike to the top and see magnificent 360 degree views of the Blue Ridge.  Come back to enjoy local buffalo burgers and chili...

Daily Wine News: Simply Awesome

May 20th, 2013 · · Wine News No comments

Rowdy & Dirty, respectively, who make Mourvèdre from Shake Ridge.

“Sure there are a lot of very well developed vineyards, but what Ann Kraemer and family have accomplished at Shake Ridge Ranch is awesome.” In Appellation America, Roger King writes a wonderful profile of Shake Ridge Ranch.

“For the red wine lover looking to choose a wine that possesses more finesse than power, Volnay on the label offers a good signpost.” In the Wall Street Journal Europe, Will Lyons explains why he so enjoys the wines of Volnay.  

From Alfonso Cevola, “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to Valdobbiadene.” 

Over on the blog for Dickenson, Peatman & Fogarty, a Napa-based law firm, John Trinidad writes about the TTB’s new guidelines on social media and alcoholic beverage advertising. 

“Until recently most of the wine grown in the Hautes-Côtes was pretty thin stuff, but this is changing — partly because summers are getting warmer, and partly because of people such as Olivier Jouan… [who] seems even more determined to make great wine than his counterparts downhill on the Côte d’Or.” Jancis Robinson writes about climate change and the wines of the Hautes-Côtes.”  

In the Telegraph...

Wine Reviews: Weekly Mini Round-Up For May 20, 2013

May 20th, 2013 · · Wine Tasting & Reviews No comments

So, like, what is this stuff, anyway?
I taste a bunch-o-wine (technical term for more than most people). So each week, I share some of my wine reviews (mostly from samples) and tasting notes with you via twitter (limited to 140 characters). They are meant to be quirky, fun, and easily-digestible reviews of currently available wines. Below is a wrap-up of those twitter wine reviews from the past week (click here for the skinny on how to read them), along with links to help you find these wines, so that you can try them for yourself. Cheers!

  • 10 Tendril White Label Pinot Noir (Willamette Valley): Inching its way towards spicy awesomeness, should really bloom in 5 or 6 years $48 B+ >>find this wine<<
  • 10 Euclid Sierra Foothills Syrah (Sierra Foothills): Not afraid of exploring the feminine side underneath the manly, smoky exterior. $40 B+ >>find this wine<<
  • 09 Z'ivo Pinot Noir (Eola-Amity Hills): Juicy wild cherry, slathering itself in spices as it admires its own sexy-thang-ness. $40 B+ >>find this wine<<
  • 11 Cloudburst Chardonnay (Margaret River): Like plugging into the Death Star's power generator, if made ...

Brooks 2011 Runaway Pinot Blanc

May 20th, 2013 · · Entertaining No comments

Brooks is a small winery in Amity, Oregon committed to organic and biodynamic farming practices.  Last week, I uncorked a bottle of their 2011 Runaway Pinot Blanc and definitely knew it was a bottle I wanted to share with you guys!

Brooks

Tasting Notes

This Pinot Blanc pours a pale, gold color in the glass.  It opens with aromas of tart green apple, pear, and lime.  It is crisp and tangy on the palate with tastes of citrus, peach, and a hint of nuttiness.  The racing acidity and vibrant flavors are sure to awaken your taste buds! ($15, 11.3% alcohol)

My Wine Rating – B+

Food Pairing Suggestions – Pair with shellfish, sushi, or brie cheese.

www.brookswine.com

*Media Sample

Congratulations Ashley & John!

May 19th, 2013 · · Vineyards No comments
Congratulations to Ashley & John who were married at Keswick Vineyards on Thursday, May 16th.  This wedding was definitely a [...]