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 This past week I had the opportunity to attend Lebanese Wine Day in NYC. In addition to taking a Master Class on Lebanese wines with Christy Canterbury, Master of Wine, I sampled wines from twenty-six wineries representing several regions of Lebanon at a “walk around” tasting.  Prior to the class, a press conference was held where we listened to several speakers talk briefly about Lebanon’s rich wine heritage and its global presence today. Louis Lahoud, Director General of the Ministry of Agriculture was among the speakers. Lebanon is a very small country in the Middle East bordering the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea on one side and imposing mountains on the other side, bordering Syria. Lebanon enjoys a Mediterranean climate. With a long growing season that has minimum variance in temperature, little or no rain and cool nights from the high altitude, Lebanon is producing wine with unique characteristics. The vineyards are the highest in altitude in the northern hemisphere ranging from about 3,000 to 6,000 feet. The combination of the warm sea air and cool evening temperatures, plus the limestone and clay soils, makes this environment very conducive for growing grapes.  Lebanon is considered one of the oldest sites of wine making that dates back to 6000 BC. And, it is steeped in history and stories from the bible. Here is an interesting timeline taken from Wines of Lebanon website: Timeline • 7000BC Modern scholarship is cautiously confident that early Lebanese create a vine and wine culture • 3000BC – 330BC Phoenician traders begin making and exporting their wines to Egypt, Cyprus, Greece and Rome as well as what is now Sardinia and Spain • Lebanon’s reputation for producing fine wines continues into the Middle Ages when those produced in Tyre and Sidon are coveted in Europe and traded by Venetian merchants. • 1517 What is now Lebanon is absorbed into the Ottoman Empire. Winemaking is forbidden, except for religious purposes. This allows Lebanon’s Christians, mainly Maronites and Greek and Armenian Orthodox, to produce wine. • 1857 Jesuit missionaries introduce new viticultural and vinicultural methods as well as new vines from French-governed Algeria, laying the foundations of the modern Lebanese wine industry. • 1918 The French civil and military administration that govern Lebanon between the wars create unprecedented demand for wine,while Lebanon’s post-independence role as a cosmopolitan, financial hub sees the country enter an economic golden age, presenting further opportunities for a new wine culture to take hold. • 1975 Lebanon descends into a 15-year civil war that stunts the development of the sector • 1992-present with peace come new opportunities and unprecedented growth. The three major wine growing regions are Bekaa Valley, Batroun and Mount Lebanon. Bekaa Valley is the most well-known wine region, producing 90% of Lebanon’s wines. It profits from 3200 hours of sunlight during the growing season and has an altitude ranging from 3000 feet to 6000 ft. It is also home to Lebanon’s oldest and largest producing winery, Chateau Ksara, founded in 1857 by a Jesuit priest and Chateau Kefraya, second largest producer, established in 1979. Batroun is a mountainous region to the north and the second largest in wine production. Vineyards thrive in an altitude of 1000 to 3300 feet grown on terraces due to the steep terrain. Batroun produces 6% of Lebanon’s wines. Mount Lebanon is located in the south with the average vineyard planted at 3,000 feet and produces 4% of Lebanon’s wines. Although Mount Lebanon benefits from a Mediterranean climate, the altitude brings wet and snowy winters. Chateau Musar, founded in 1930 by Gaston Hochar is located here. Chateau Musar is considered the third largest producer of wine in Lebanon and is also one of the most well known wineries. An international influence is seen in the varietals planted in Lebanon with Cabernet Sauvignon, Cinsault, Carignan, Grenache, Syrah, Muscat, Merlot, Mourvedre and Sauvignon Blanc being the most widely planted. Lebanon’s indigenous white grapes are Obaideh and Merwah and are grown by a few wineries, with the most famous being Chateau Musar. Most of the wines are aged in oak and convey the imprint of French wine making techniques. I found the wines that I tasted to be surprisingly unique and quite enjoyable with a range of styles and complexities that would please any palate. The passion and dedication of the winemakers is evident in every bottle. The white blends were aromatic with a lovely combination of fresh fruit and citrus. The Sauvignon Blanc blends were my favorite, although the Chateau Musar White 2007, a blend of Obaideh and Merwah was exceptional. It was rich and aromatic with tropical fruit and floral dancing on the finish. Most of the reds that I sampled were robust and ranged from layers of juicy ripe fruit to dark fruit and spices. They were full-bodied with medium tannins and fresh acidity. Hands down, the reds are exotic and leave a lasting impression. Below is a slide show of some of the wines I tasted. In 2015, nine million bottles of Lebanese wine were produced. Thirty percent was exported, and the Lebanese consumed four million bottles of their country’s wine. I know what I’m going to be checking out the next time I’m in a wine shop. I suggest that you pick up a bottle or three as well. You’ll be happy you did!
Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at wineknittercomments@gmail.com  It has been one of those weeks so far that has me on the go with very little time to land on my feet. I have several wine events yet to attend and some interesting wines from England, Italy and Chile waiting for me to review. I hope to post a story in the next few days! In the meantime, I’m off to a “Taste of Oakville” at Carnegie Hall where I will be sampling some wonderful wines from Napa Valley. Look for my photos on Instagram @thewineknitter and Twitter @peninablogger today! Have a great Wednesday!  Cheers!
Penina  My love for sparkling wine and passion for supporting Breast Cancer Awareness has me singing the praises of “Pink Cork for the Cause”. Mionetto USA is running this program for the second year in a row. Having donated a total of $40,000 last year to charities committed to fighting breast cancer and supporting survivors and their families, Mionetto USA launched “Pink Cork for the Cause” on September 1st.  By purchasing Mionetto Prosecco Brut DOC or Mionetto Gran Rosé, you have a chance to win a pink 5-speed hand mixer if you find a pink cork in any of these promotional bottles. All winners will be automatically entered into a Grand Prize Drawing for the chance to win a $10,000 charitable donation by Mionetto USA made to the breast cancer charity of the winner’s choice. There will be a total of four grand prize winners across the US. Enore Ceola, managing director and CEO of Mionetto USA, said “Now in its second year, ‘Pink Cork for the Cause’ represents our long-term commitment to the fight against this disease and to giving back to our family of loyal customers, many of whom are among those affected”. The program has been extended to November 30th, 2016. Bottles with pink corks are still in stores throughout the USA. Francesco Mionetto founded Mionetto winery in 1887. It is located in the village of Valdobbiadene, just north of Venice. The winery has been one of Italy’s foremost producers of Prosecco wines for more than 125 years. Francesco’s brothers joined him in the business, building and establishing the winery’s presence. However, all three brothers were called to serve in WW1, leaving the winery unattended and unfortunately it sustained heavy damage. Francesco’s grandsons, Giovanni and Sergio Mionetto, after taking over the winery in 1961, began rebuilding it. Today, Alessio Del Savio is master vintner who studied as Sergio Mionetto’s protégé for more than 15 years. Alessio continues the winemaking tradition of producing high quality sparkling wine. The Prosecco Brut DOC Treviso is made with Glera grapes and has a pale straw color. The nose is filled with aromas of pear, honey crisp apples and apricot. It is light and crisp on the palate with a dry and pleasingly fruity taste and hints of pear and lemon on the finish. Alcohol: 11%  The Mionetto Gran Rosé is made with a blend of grape varieties selected from Veneto and Trentino region. The color is a combination of bright salmon and peach. A pleasing bouquet of fresh fruit, raspberry and pink grapefruit are prominent. The palate offers strawberry, raspberry and hints of succulent peach. Well-balanced acidity with a dry and enjoyable finish. Alcohol: 11.5% http://www.mionetto.com  In addition to the “Pink Cork for the Cause” program, another incentive to purchase these sparkling wines is that they pair well with light appetizers, fish and desserts. They also make a great aperitif. With a suggested retail price under $15 and the holidays approaching, these are great sparkling wines to have on hand.
Now go and find a pink cork! Cheers! Penina  I can’t seem to sample enough Chilean wine. With ideal climate conditions and more Chilean winemakers producing quality-focused wines, plus attention being given to organic and biodynamic agriculture, it’s no surprise that eyes and palates are on Chile! The wines are unique, luscious and many are pocketbook approachable. Check out my past posts on Chile. Don Melchor Cabernet Sauvignon is Chile’s first and most renowned icon wine. It is Concha y Toro’s signature red and it’s outstanding! I recently tasted the 2013 vintage. But before I review this wine, let me give you a little background information. Don Melchor founded Concha y Toro in 1883. With the help of Pierre Labouchere, a French enologist, they introduced to Chile, samples of French rootstock brought back from Bordeaux. A century later, in 1986, Eduardo Guilisasti, who had become Chairman of the Board of Concha y Toro, challenged his team to produce a wine that would put Chile on the map as a serious and “world class player” in fine wine production. So, the winery enologist and Rafael (Guilisasti’s son) flew to Bordeaux with Cabernet Sauvignon samples from their Puente Alto vineyard to confer with the father of modern winemaking, Emile Peynaud. Impressed with the samples, Peynaud and Jacques Boissenot gave advice and assisted in the creation of the final blend in Chile. Their trips became annual and today Jacque’s son Eric continues the yearly trip to Chile working with Enrique Tirado, winemaker for Don Melchor since 1995. Don Melchor Cabernet Sauvignon’s debut vintage was in 1987.   Don Melchor established the Puente Alto vineyard in 1890 with the vines he imported from France. Puente Alto vineyard is located in the sub-region of Maipo Valley which is considered Chile’s “Cabernet Sauvignon heartland”. The vineyard sits on the north bank of the Maipo River and at the foot of the Andes Mountains. The Puente Alto vineyard is home to Don Melchor (314 acres) and Almaviva, (210 acres) a joint venture with Château Mouton Rothschild. The vineyard is akin to a “quilt” grouped into seven blocks (6 Cabernet Sauvignon, 1 Cabernet Franc) with 142 parcels. With each parcel offering unique expression that changes from year to year, the key traits of fresh fruit, fine tannins and finnesse transcend through the vintages. Winemaker Enrique Tirado adds, “Don Melchor is not a single Cabernet Sauvignon, but multiple expressions, and that making this multi-Cabernet blend is a challenge.” Tirado selects fruit from 50 to 60 parcels out of the 142 for each vintage of Don Melcher. The rest of the fruit goes into making Concha y Toro Marques de Casa Concha Cabernet Sauvignon which I will taste and review in the next week or so! Don Melchor Cabernet Sauvignon arrived wrapped in tissue paper, inviting and festive.  This 2013 vintage is a beautiful blend of 91% Cabernet Sauvignon and 9% Cabernet Franc. The wine is aged in 100% French oak for fifteen months. The color is royal ruby with intoxicating aromas of lush red fruits, plum, black cherry and spice. This is a full-bodied wine with plenty of character. The palate is a convergence of red fruit, dark currents, spice and hints of stone with soft tannins. The finish is silky and long with lingering cherry notes. This is a wine that has an aging potential of 20 to 25 years.  Alcohol: 14.5% Price: $125 http://www.conchaytoro.com I’m looking forward to sharing the rest of this bottle with friends this evening!
Cheers! Penina There are many eye catching and whimsical wine labels that make one want to reach for the bottle regardless of style or origin of wine. I must admit that I have on very rare occasions bought a bottle just for the label! What can I say about these particular labels and wines? A lot! When I opened the shipping box delivered to me by the importers, I immediately thought that this was going to be a fun review!   Paolo Masi, who is a third-generation winemaker at Renzo Masi winery, makes both of these wines. Fattoria di Basciano is the estate owned by the Masi family since the start of the 1900s. Located in the south of Florence, in Tuscany’s Rufina district, the estate sits on a hill overlooking the Argomenna Valley on one side and the right bank of the Sieve river on the other. The Renzo Masi winery produces a broad spectrum of wines from entry-level to fine and is considered one of the best areas for Sangiovese grapes after the “Classico” region. Renzo Masi’s motto is “Big enough to be broad-minded. Small enough to care about the details”. Affectionately called “Rubio and “Blanca”, Il Bastardo Sangiovese di Toscana IGT 2015 and La Bastarda Pinot Grigio di Siciliana 2015 tell their own story the minute the wine is opened. La Bastarda is 100% Pinot Grigio from Sicily. Grapes are picked before they lose their natural acidity and become too sweet. The color is a soft golden yellow with fruity aromas including citrus and honey. The palate is crisp with inviting notes of mild citrus, pear and apple. This is not your typical Pinot Grigio, exhibiting more character and structure than most I’ve tasted. One can only imagine what “Blanca” must be thinking as she poses with not a care in the world while sipping wine! Alcohol: 12.5% Price: About $9  Il Bastardo is 100% Sangiovese mostly picked from Tuscany’s Rufina district. The color is dark ruby with hints of purple. The nose offers dark berry and ripe cherry that segue onto the palate. Fennel, a hint of pepper and soft to medium tannins give this medium-bodied wine a smooth finish. So where is “Rubio” going on his motorbike? Is he off to find “Blanca” or is he running away with this delicious wine? Alcohol: 13% Price: About $9  Both wines are well priced and sold throughout the US. And in addition to being a conversation piece, the wines will complement a variety of dishes. Have some fun and enjoy the adventures of “Rubio” and “Blanca”!
Cheers! Penina  In my last post, I visited the Marlborough region of New Zealand. If you haven’t already read the post, please check it out for some background information about the terroir and wines. http://thewineknitter.com/1/post/2016/10/day-529.html Before I leave New Zealand for other parts of the world, there are two more wines that I’d like to share with you.  Crowded House is part of Catalina Sounds and is located in the Marlborough region. The name Crowded House is derived from “the crowded, yet unique Marlborough region and our mission to stand out from this crowded world of wine.” Peter Jackson is the wine maker for both labels.  The Crowded House Sauvignon blanc 2015 is a fresh and zesty wine. The color is pale straw with aromas of tropical fruit, pineapple, citrus and hints of floral. The palate offers concentrated flavors of tropical fruit, soft citrus, pear and lemon zest on a long finish. The wine is beautifully balanced and would pair well with most seafood, salads, and light pastas or as an aperitif. Alcohol: 13% SRP: $12.95 http://www.crowded-house.co.nz  Nanny Goat Vineyard is located in Central Otago which is the most southerly wine region in the world. The vineyard is named after the wild goats that roam the mountainous terrain of the Central Otago.  Alan Peters-Oswald Photo courtesy of Nanny Goat The extremely hot summers, very cold winters, rocky soils and poor fertility, make for challenging conditions in producing “world-class cool climate wines”. However, winemaker, Alan Peters-Oswald who grew up in rural Central Otago farming Angora goats, now produces premium Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Syrah after getting his Diploma in Viticulture and Wine Production in Marlborough.  The Nanny Goat Vineyard Pinot Noir 2015 reflects the terrior and story of this vineyard. The color of the wine is dark cherry with berries, plum and spice on the nose. The palate is rich with layers of cherry, plum, blackberry, raspberry and violet. Soft tannins and a silky mouth-feel lead to a lengthy finish with hints of pepper and oak. This medium-bodied wine paired nicely with the Dijon crusted salmon and vegetable couscous. It would also complement stews, hearty soups and meat entrees. Alcohol: 14% SRP $23 http://nannygoatvineyard.co.nz  The wines are priced well and would be a nice addition the holiday table.
Have a great Thursday! Cheers! Penina Having recently received a delightful lineup of wines from New Zealand, I thought it would be fun to “fly” over there and check out the wine scene.   New Zealand is an island nation comprised of two islands (North and South) in the southwestern Pacific Ocean that extends 1000 miles with eleven wine regions ranging from sub-tropical Northland to the world’s most southerly grape growing region Central Otago. Vineyards profit from the maritime climate with long hours of sun and cool nights. In fact, no vineyard is further than 80 miles from the ocean. According to stats from WineInstitute.Org, for the year 2014, New Zealand produced about 1.13% of the world’s wine and ranked #15, with France, Italy and Spain leading the pack. Although New Zealand wine production might be low, an impressive collection of varieties and styles are making their presence known. New Zealand has been making wine since the 1800s, with the oldest existing vineyard being established in 1851 by French Roman Catholic missionaries at Mission Estate in Hawke’s Bay. There are many grape varieties found throughout the wine regions such as Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah. Catalina Sounds is a small estate located in the Marlborough region, which is the largest wine region in the country. Marlborough region occupies the northeastern corner of the South Island. Eighty percent of New Zealand’s Sauvignon blanc is grown in Marlborough, followed closely by Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Many critics believe that Marlborough produces some of the world’s best Sauvignon blanc.  Peter Jackson Photo courtesy of Catalina Sounds Peter Jackson is Catalina Sound’s wine maker and his philosophy is simple: “Source outstanding fruit from exceptional vineyard sites. I believe the most critical decision a winemaker makes is deciding when to pick. Once harvested, my role is to simply steer the fruit in the right direction in order to best express the vibrant fruit flavors that Marlborough is renowned for while respecting the subtle differences of each site”.  Catalina Sounds 2015 Sauvignon Blanc is primarily sourced from Catalina’s “Sound of White” vineyard situated in Waihopai Valley. This is a beautiful and very friendly wine! The color is pale straw with enticing aromas of tropical fruit, peach, citrus and herbs. The palate offers layers of stone fruit, citrus, apple and floral notes. Nicely balanced with “juicy” acidity, the finish is dry and long. This wine would pair well with a variety of appetizers, light fish, cheese & fruit or on it’s own! Alcohol: 13% SRP: $16  Catalina Sounds 2015 Pinot Noir is sourced from Sound of White vineyard in Waihopai Valley and the Clayridge vineyard in Omaka Valley. Dark ruby in color, delicious aromas of sweet and sour cherry, earth and spice greet the senses. The palate is a lovely blend of berries, cherry, plum, spice and hints of oak followed by a long finish of lingering herbs and spice. Medium-bodied with a silky mouth-feel and soft tannins, this is an ideal wine for meat, poultry and hearty stews. It completed the Pumpkin Red Lentil Chili I made the other evening. The wine soothed the fire on my palate while adding another great taste sensation! Alcohol: 13% SRP: $19  My next post will be about Crowded House and Nanny Goat Vineyards. See you in New Zealand again soon!
Cheers! Penina  Best laid plans often go awry. Without going into detail, I missed my train to the Wines of Portugal event yesterday. However, I have lots of information about these delicious wines from my attendance at the event last year. If you haven’t already read them, here are the links to previous posts about wines of Portugal. http://thewineknitter.com/1/post/2015/10/day-360-wines-of-portugal.html http://thewineknitter.com/1/post/2015/10/day-361-more-wines-of-portugal.html http://thewineknitter.com/1/post/2015/10/day-371.html  So, instead of spending an afternoon in Portugal, I ended up in France! Lunching with a good friend in a cozy and authentic French bistro was the cure-all for a rainy day. We leisurely sipped on Philippe Prié ‘Depuis 1737’ Brut Tradition Champagne while catching up on life. Maison Philippe Prié is located in the heart of the Côte des Bar in the south of the Champagne region. They have been producing wines since 1737. All of their vintages are a blend of Chardonnay (giving it elegance and grace) and Pinot Noir (adding impressive structure). The 30 year-old vines are grown in clay and limestone soils. This particular blend is 80% Pinot Noir and 20% Chardonnay. This is a light but beautifully textured champagne. Invitingly aromatic with fine bubbles, the palate is entertained with tart apples, citrus, peaches, floral and a hint of honeysuckle on the finish. It is crisp and clean with a creamy mouth-feel. I am definitely adding this to my holiday list!  Happy Friday!
Cheers! Penina  The World Series begins this evening and it is going to be very exciting with two “underdog” teams playing, the Indians vs. Cubs. I’m rooting for the Cubs! And you? For the next week or so, most of us will be gathered around the television as baseball takes over our lives. Selecting the right food and drink is key while viewing the games. Finger food is great to serve because it requires the least amount of attention to eat. You don’t won’t to be slicing a steak or twirling spaghetti and miss out on a grand slam or someone stealing bases! A variety of “tea size” sandwiches work well, as does mini crab cakes, sushi, and sliders. You can turn most any recipe into bite size portions. Unless you’re watching the game at a bar or restaurant where the bartender is shaking up the cocktails, forget about serving complicated drinks or you’ll be spending most of your time in front of a blender or martini shaker. Wine, beer, cognac and single shot spirits work best. So, have a great evening watching the Series Opener and I’ll be back soon with thoughts on New Zealand wines and some interesting seminars I attended at Simply Italian Great Wines Tour US.
Happy Tuesday! Cheers! Penina  With the much-needed rain pouring down, it’s a perfect time to catch up on writing and sample a few wines. Let’s travel to Italy. Astoria Wines is located 50 miles north of Venice in one of the most beautiful wine-growing regions, the Veneto. This northeastern region of Italy stretches from the Dolomite Mountains to the Adriatic Sea. The Alps and the sea protect the region from harsh northern winds which in turn provide ideal conditions for growing grapes and producing wine. Astoria Wines is owned by the Polegato family and represents four generations of winemaking. The first winery, Vinicola Polegato, was established in the 1950s. Several decades later, Vittorino Polegato found an ideal location in the heart of the DOCG area to launch the next stage of the family business, the Val De Brun estate in Refrontolo. In 1987 Vittorino renovated an old 18th century home and converted it into Astoria’s headquarters. Giorgio and Paolo Polegato, (Vittorino’s sons) along with the next generation of Polegatos, led by Filippo, Carlotta and Giorgia, uphold the family name and winemaking tradition.  Photo courtesy of Astoria Wines Although Astoria Wines is noted for being the largest private producer of Prosecco DOCG in Italy, their portfolio includes Pinot Grigio, Moscatos (both red and white), Pinot Noir and a Red Blend.  The first thing I noticed when unpacking the wines was the unusual shape of the bottles. The packaging is eye-catching and original. The 2014 Alisia Pinot Grigio I.G.T is light yellow in color with intriguing aromas of fruit, floral and stone fruit. This 100% Pinot Grigio surprises the palate with fruit, peach and lemon. It is medium-bodied and dry but still fruity and nicely balanced. The long lemon zest finish is a treat! This wine would pair well with pasta, cheese & fruit, grilled vegetables and light fish. Alcohol: 12.5% SRP: $11  The 2012 Primo Rosso Red Blend I.G.T is made with 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Pinot Noir and 20% Merlot. The color is dark ruby. It is quite aromatic with berries, herbs and spice tickling the nose. The palate offers red berries, fennel, pepper and hints of plum. The finish has hints of cocoa and dark cherry. Medium-bodied with soft tannins make this an easy wine to pair with most foods. Alcohol: 13% SRP: $11  The wines are priced well and would make great little gifts to give out at holiday time. Keep a few bottles around for that spur of the moment party as well!
Next stop might be New Zealand. Stay tuned! Happy Friday! Cheers! Penina |
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