A great new wine........Life is Good!

If you are anything like me, the discovery of a great new wine is well.......great!. I recently had this experience when I drank the first bottle of Sojourn 2007 Sangiacomo Vineyard Pinot Noir. I have come to trust and appreciate the recommendations of Andy Frieden from J.J. Buckley. He recently recommended Sououn Pinot as a must try offering. I bought 4 bottles and had the first tonight. Let me start by quoting another wine lover on Cellartracker,com: About the same color as the Sangiacomo with deep garnet. The nose was the most striking of the bunch. There was a sweet candy strawberry cupcake scent surrounded by vanilla bean. The oak influence was perfect as to not interfere with the true bing cherry and plum flavors. The palate was balanced between the fresh acidity and medium tannins. This bottle felt the youngest of the bunch and will most likely change over the next 1-2 yrs. The finish was exacting and fun. My favorite Pinot of the tasting. I can tell you that this wine was just about the best Pinot I have had from Californina. You can contact Andy, ( Information below) to get this wine.........If you have never had great Pinot, or even if you are a longtime fan.....This wine will quickly become your favorite. Others that I love.....SeaSmoke, Kosta Brown, Black Kite, Beau Frair, Melville. find it....buy it....love it......Cheers

Fine Wine SpecialistJ.J. Buckley LLCToll Free: (888)-85-WINES (9463-7) ext. 323(510) 632 – 5500 ext. 323
(510) 632 - 5400 Fax
(510) 517 - 2013 cell
Andy.Frieden@jjbuckley.com

Malolactic What?

Often when we discuss wines we mention fermentation and malolactic fermentation. What do these terms mean? Why when buying wine does it matter? For the answer, we offer our version of Summer School...Fermentation is basically an organic transformation. When we talk about fermentation and wine, we are generally discussing the process in which the sugar in the grapes is transformed into alcohol. When the grapes or the grape juice comes into contact with yeast, the yeast causes the fermentation to occur. You may remember we have previously discussed that some winemakers use the wild yeasts that occur naturally on the grapes and in the cellar for fermentation. In other cases, the winemaker carefully selects the yeasts that will be added to the grapes and juice to cause the fermentation.Malolactic fermentation is a different type of fermentation that sometimes occurs when wine is made. It is also referred to as the secondary fermentation. In this case, the malic acid that is found in the grapes is transformed into lactic acid. I know this sounds like a bunch of science... but understanding the result helps describe some of the attributes you may like about a wine. Malic acid is sharp and tart, lactic acid is soft and round. Most red wines go through malolactic fermentation, whereas only some whites do. It is common for Chardonnay to go through malolactic fermentation to obtain that rich, round mouth-feel. Other wines will go through partial malolatic fermentation to keep more crisp acidity, while gaining some of the roundness. If you like the round, creaminess, ask about white wines that go through malolactic fermentation. If you prefer more crisp acidity, ask for wines that have not gone through or only go through partial malolactic fermentation.

Watch for an announcement of a wine paring dinner at Gilmore's restaurant in West Chester, Pa. Peter Gilmore will feature a 5 course dinner and Carol and I will pair and describe the wines with each course. Please contact us at bobv@neconsultants.com to reserve your spot. This unique dinner will quickly sell out.

A sign of the times

In this fast paced, high volume, profit oriented world ,you might wonder what ever happened to Service, Pride and great customer relations. I found it again in a wine called Pax. A friend sold me a bottle of of the Lauterbach Hill, Russian River Valley Syrah, that I cellared for about a year. Carol and I had the bottle at dinner with friends. The conversation gradually turned from the usual; Politics, and the Economy, to this stunning wine. This Sonoma Rhone was like it's Austrailian cousin Shiraz , but in a tuxedo. Everything you love about Mollydooker, or Kilikanoon, but without the blast of alcohol and pruniness. We were so impressed with the wine, I went on a mission to find it. As the wine is "low production" I contacted the winery via the webpage. To my surprise, I spoke to the owner, Joe Donelan. Joe thanked me for my interest, we discussed his wine. He recommened a few different single vineyard bottlings, then sold and shipped my wine.

Now you may think, "that was nice, but so what." So did I. I received a call from Joe to follow up on the shippment, and to make sure that I recieved the wine. I referred a few friends from my wine group, who also purchased from Joe. Joe was appreciative and passionite about his wine. He even offered to come to one of our "Gang of Seven"wine tastings, to taste thru his wines. Now, that's what I call service, and more importantly, interest in his wine, his customer.

I highly recommed Pax Syrah, ( try the Alder Springs vineyard, "The Emerald Pool" 2006) and hope you and Joe have a chance to say hello. http://www.paxwines.com/

MAKE SURE YOU LISTEN TO CAROL AND I DISCUSS SHADES OF BACCHUS ON www.brandywineradio.com/ ON SUNDAY AT 5:30 PM. THE PROGRAM IS BRANDYWINE SPEAKS. WE HAD A BALL....PLEASE LISTEN. The 30 minute program will be available after next week, by clicking "Archives."

What are you drinking this Summer?

When warm weather comes, and we spend more time outdoors, our wine preferences tend to change. Most people default to their old standbys, Chardonnay and Pinot Gris. Why not try something a bit different. The availability of wines from all over the world has never been greater. Along with this availability, come a number of great whites for you to try this Summer season. Viognier, Albarino, Semillion, Rieslings, are but a few great choices. Note flavor profiles on the chart below. Try one or two wines that you have not had before. Most are inexpensive and redily available. Try the Yalumba "Virgilius" Viognier for a truly pleasurable example of the diversity for which you are in store. Expand your palate.....you will be glad that you did....Have a happy and safe 4th of July......Cheers

Sparkling Wine
Apple, pear, yeast
Medium
Sauvignon Blanc(also Fume Blanc)
Herbaceous, grassy, hay, citrus, grape-fruity
Light to Medium
Chardonnay
Pear, apple, oak, buttery,creamy
Medium to Heavy
Viognier
Floral, peach, apricot, pear, fruity
Medium
Pinot Gris/Pinot Grigio
Crisp, pear, peach, apricot
Light
Pinot Blanc
Pear, apple, floral
Medium
Chenin Blanc
Peaches, fruity
Light
Gewurztraminer
Lychee nut, spices, rose petals
Medium
Riesling
Apple, lemon, floral, apricot, fruity
Light.....