Reviews

Reviews June 7, 2011

Di Majo Norante Sangiovese, Umbria – Italy

Grapes 100% Sangiovese [San-joe-vay-say] The name Sangiovese is thought to come from Sanguis Jovis or “Blood of Jove” (Jove being the Roman name for Jupiter), indicating that wines were made from Sangiovese grapes even back in Roman times. Facts Di Majo Norante Sangiovese has been an easy-drinking Italian go-to of mine for quite some time now. Considering how many bottles I’ve popped open over the last few years, I thought a review was warranted. If…

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Reviews June 5, 2011

Layer Cake Shiraz, South Australia 2009

Grapes 100% Shiraz Facts The popularity of Layer Cake really seems to have exploded over the last couple of years, and why wouldn’t it!?!? There’s picture of a delicious looking cake on the front label! People are suckers for good-looking wine labels (myself included). Layer Cake is a winemaking venture from Jayson Woodbridge (no connection to Woodbridge wine), who first first came onto the radar in 1998, with a little-known wine called Hundred Acre. He…

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Reviews May 11, 2011

After-Work Bottle of Damilano Lecinquevigne Barolo 2004

Grape 100% Nebbiolo, pronounced as it reads, neh-bee-oh-low. Nebbiolo is most certainly the king of red wines coming out of the Piedmont region of Italy. It isn’t debatable. It’s a fact. The name Nebbiolo is believed to stem from the Italian word nebbia, meaning fog. Supposedly fog usually sets into the region during grape harvest.   Facts Barolo’s typically aren’t your everyday after-work gluggers, but last night I was feeling fancy! Why wait for a…

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Reviews May 3, 2011

Gewurz by Alexander Valley Vineyards – Gewurztraminer from Mendocino County

  Grape 100% Gewurztraminer   Facts Before we get started let’s get the pronunciation on the grape out of the way: ‘ga-VERTZ-trah-MEE-ner’ It’s a tough one! Alexander Valley Vineyards decided a few years ago that the Gewurz was one of those wines       perfectly suited to bottle under a screw cap.  This due to the fact that the wine should ideally be consumed within a few years of its vintage date.

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Reviews April 19, 2011

Verget Bourgogne “Terriors de Cote d’Or”

  Grape 100% Chardonnay   Facts Taken from the Verget website: “Verget’s philosophy can be summed up in one simple sentence: the best wine comes from the best grapes.”  Very original, I must say! Please note that this sentence is also to be found on 9 out of 10 other winery websites throughout the world. I can’t emphasize enough how much wineries really need to step up their game when it comes to their online…

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Reviews April 6, 2011

Bernard Baudry Chinon Les Granges 2008

  Grape 100% Cabernet Franc. Studies suggest that Cabernet Sauvignon is a cross between Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc.   Facts Cabernet Franc is the most important red grape of the Loire, and was thought to have been brought from there from the Bordeaux region. Sauvignon Blanc and Chenin Blanc are (arguably, as always) the most important white grapes in the region.

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Reviews March 15, 2011

Chateau Pipeau, Saint Emilion Grand Cru 2008

  Grapes 90% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc – I’m kind taking an educated guess based on previous vintages, since they don’t currently have an updated tech sheet for the ‘08 on the Chateau Pipeau website. They should probably get on that.   Facts The family-owned Château Pipeau wine estate was founded in 1929. Château Pipeau is often viewed as a decent-priced entry into good Bordeaux. The wines vary in price and rating…

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