We recently had the opportunity to taste a selection of six white wines courtesy of the Santa Barbara County Vintners’ Association as part of #winechat on Twitter. The timing could not have been more perfect. With summer temperatures well into the “hot” range, white wines are definitely in order.
Allegrini Estates a large wine producer by almost any standard (1 million cases per year), is a family-woned winery with a long history. The estate was founded in 1858, though family winemaking dates back 500 years. Production has been handed down through the generations since. The estate is located in the village of Fumane within Valpolicella Classico, near the city of Verona in northeastern Italy (find Venice and go due west to find Valpolicella).
During the excursion we took prior to the Wine Bloggers’ Conference 2013 (WBC13) in Penticton, British Columbia, we tasted wine at three wineries in the Kelowna area. We wrote about those winery visits in prior posts. During the tastings, we collected a few wines to take home with us. We did so with the idea of sharing them with the wine tasting group on Thursday nights at Fine Wines of Stockton. George and Gail gave Pete the floor for the tasting last Thursday night.
Pinot Noir is among my very favorite wine varietals. It’s one of the first red wines I learned to identify reliably by scent. I love that bramble, earth-scented nose. Berry, tart cherries and mushroom flavors with a light weight in the mouth, and that transparent ruby color in the glass, seal the deal for me. I prefer a lighter, less rip style of Pinot Noir, but have respect for a riper style as well.
Appropriately enough, The Wine Bloggers’ Conference 2013 kicked-off with a wine event (oh, yeah there was great food too). The event was so spectacular, we all want to write about it. Those WBC people are very clever.
Somehow, when considering white wines for summer, I often overlook Chenin Blanc. I’m more likely to think about Viognier, Riesling, Torrontes, Pinot Blanc, even unoaked Chardonnay. I guess Chenin Blanc is the Rodney Dangerfield of white wines, it just gets no respect.
Are wine judges consistent in their judging? Should they have to pass a certification course?
We recently received this brightly colored two bottle wine carrier to review. The artwork is by Billy The Artist, internationally recognized pop artist known for his eclectic style. The bright puzzle-like images are printed on both sides of the carrier.
The Wine Bloggers’ Conference 2013 (WBC13) focused on the wines of the Okanagan Valley in British Columbia, Canada. In addition though, a number of wine groups from around the world brought their wines for us to taste. They were presented at group tastings, individual sessions, luncheons and receptions. Join us in tasting these wines.
An online tasting with wines from Murrieta’s Well and Charles Communications Associates.
We enjoy wine, food and travel. Pull That Cork is a chronicle of our wine adventures, the food and wine pairings we create and our travels which are increasingly organized around wine.
