Kris Chislett

Reviews July 12, 2012

Barnard Griffin Syrah Port, Columbia Valley, Washington State.

Grapes 100% Syrah   Facts I’ve had this bottle laying around my office for a few months now, and I finally decided (late last night) that it should probably get a review. Normally I wouldn’t review a “cold weather wine” such as the Barnard Griffin Syrah Port in the middle of summer, but I’ve always been of the opinion that fortified wines don’t get the recognition they deserve. Instead, they unfortunately seem to get pigeonholed…

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News July 11, 2012

French Cows Fed 2 Bottles of Wine a Day to Increase Flavor.

A number of farmers in the Languedoc wine region of France have taken to feeding their cattle local red wine to improve the flavor of their beef. According to The Independent, local farmer Claude Chaballier has been feeding his cattle wine, which reportedly has resulted in “lean, marbled and tasty,” beef. The extraordinary development has seen a ‘Vinbovin’ label of meat established which is already being championed by some of the best restaurants in Paris….

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News July 10, 2012

Looking to Build a Wine Cellar and Happen to Have a Spare $59k?

  Ladies and gentlemen, here’s a chance to own a serious piece of winemaking history! Measuring 9′ in diameter, almost 9′ in length, and weighing-in at approximately 2,500 lbs, I would like to present to you the wine cellar to beat all wine cellars! And it’s all yours for $59,000 (OBO). This barrel was hand-crafted in Europe and then shipped to the United States in the early part of the 1900s. It originally held 3,750…

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News July 10, 2012

French Wine Merchants Boycott Californian Wine in Protest Over Foie Gras Ban.

Ze wine merchants in southwest France are a little pissed-off with the recent foie gras ban in California, so much so, they have decided to take all Californian wines off their shelves. Foie gras has been outlawed across California as a law banning force-feeding of animals came into force on 1 July. In southern France, the center of production for foie gras, winemakers are doing their part to show solidarity to the region’s many producers….

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Facts July 10, 2012

What is a Sommelier?–Happy Hour for I Know Jax

I mentioned a few weeks ago that I was taking part in filming wine-themed segments for I Know Jax, a TV series based here in Jacksonville. It’s essentially a TV magazine-style show, about fun things to do in the greater Jacksonville area. The show is produced by Talentino Media and is housed on the website with the same name – iknowjax.com. The episodes air every Saturday at 11pm on CW 17, right before Saturday Night…

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Facts July 9, 2012

5 Tips for Pairing Foods with Rose Wines.

There’s no doubt that White Zin has tainted most peoples’ perception of “pink wines,” and if you’re one of those people, I’d like to reassure you that there’s a whole category of wine out there which awaits your discovery….and it’s not all sweet! The other hindrance to the success of roses is that, that whole “masculinity-thing” (if you’re a guy…obviously)! In other words, if you don’t feel comfortable wearing pink clothing, chances are you probably…

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News July 9, 2012

Wine Flash-Deal Websites See Rapid Growth….But At What Cost to Wineries?

  A new group of middlemen is rapidly emerging in the U.S. wine business, using “flash-deal,” Groupon-like tactics to connect wine lovers with wineries and brands at ultra-discounted prices.  They’ve earned the moniker of “flash-deal sites,” a play on their business-model of blasting offers several times a week to their email subscribers. The deals last for 24 to 72 hours, highlighting wines sold at up to a 70% discount. New York-based Lot 18 is seen…

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News July 8, 2012

Hallelujah! Another New Study on the Effectiveness of Wine Sealed with a Screw Cap.

  A thrilling new study is taking place at the University of California at Davis! They have decided to help to close the debate on whether screw cap closures are as effective as corks when it comes to aging wine. The university is working with the PlumpJack Group, a wine and hospitality company, cofounded by billionaire philanthropist Gordon Getty and California Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, to assess the quality and aging potential of different closures….

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Reviews July 6, 2012

Primarius Pinot Noir, Oregon, 2010.

  Grapes 97% Pinot Noir 3% Syrah   Facts If it’s good enough for the President of the Philippines and Hillary Clinton, it’s good enough for you! What am I talking about? Well, the Primarius Pinot Noir was recently served at a June luncheon at the Department of State in Washington DC. Check-out the full menu at the bottom of this post. It’s only been in the last 2 years that I’ve started to grow…

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