Cellar Notes

Notes about the wines we have tried recently.

Carpene Malvolti Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco

Carpenè Malvolti 1868 Extra Dry Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG — Hard to Say But Easy to Like

Stop rolling your eyes. Yes, I know the complete name of this delightful Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore is very long (and nearly impossible to pronounce) but there is a lot of information and history in its name. And it’s the perfect opportunity to learn a bit about one of Italy’s most prestigious Prosecco designations. Let’s dissect its meaning then taste the wine.

Killka Wines

Wines from Bodegas Salentein: The Killka Collection

Bodegas Salentein is located in the upper elevations of Valle de Uco, Mendoza in Argentina. The goal of the winemaking team is to produce wines that reflect the high-altitude terroir of the Uco Valley. The Killka collection of wines is named for the Killka Gallery, home to a collection of Argentinean artwork, which graces the labels of this collection of wines.

LocationsFranceWine

Locations F4 – French Red Wine

This wine is the fourth release of Dave Phinney’s F wine produced and bottled by Locations Wine. It is a blend of Grenache, Syrah and assorted Bordeaux varieties sourced from growers in the Rhône, Roussillon and Bordeaux regions of France.

DomaineDuTheronCahors

Domaine du Théron Cahors: Malbec From Its Origins

If you are a casual wine drinker, or new to wine, you may associate Malbec with Argentina – and with good reason. More Malbec is produced in Argentina than anywhere else in the world today. Argentinian Malbec is fruity, easy to like and relatively inexpensive. And it’s widely available. But, dating back at least to the Middle Ages wine has been made from Malbec along the Lot River in southwest France near the village of Cahors. This Malbec is not so well known, and that’s a shame.

ChateauMontelenaCabernet

Chateau Montelena Winery: Famous for Chardonnay, but Don’t Overlook the Cabernet Sauvignon

On May 24, 1976 Chateau Montelena’s fortunes changed for the better — and in a big way. Jim Barrett’s 1973 Chardonnay won the Judgement of Paris white wine competition. It wasn’t just any competition. The Judgement of Paris was organized as a blind tasting of California Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon against France’s best Burgundy and Bordeaux. Not insignificantly the competition was in France and the judges were French.

ProseccoLunch

The Prosecco Lunch – It Should be ‘A Thing’

Few things make me as happy as a glass of bubbly. Bubbles are beautiful in the glass and I love that explosive sensation once I take a sip. Often we think of bubbles as a celebratory beverage, and certainly bubbles can make any occasion a celebration, but it isn’t necessary to wait for a celebration to enjoy a glass of bubbly. An enjoyable Prosecco we recently received as a tasting sample proved just that point.

FerratonPereetFilsSamorensWines

Wines for Any Season from Ferraton Père et Fils

Ever have one of those evenings when you just don’t feel very decisive about the type of wine you want to drink? When the weather is very warm my choice is easy: white wine or rosé. As the weather cools I’m all in for red wines. It is during the in-between seasons that I feel most indecisive. I’m not ready to give up on white wine and rosé, but it may be too warm for a heavy red wine.