Saturday, February 27, 2010

Ice Wine - Grapes must be picked in frigid weather

                                                                     Photo by Rivard on Flickr

Would you get up early and drive over an hour to pick grapes in frigid temperatures for no pay?
Thankfully, many do.  I love ice wine and am very grateful to the pickers - without them, we would not have this nectar of the gods.

Read more in this article from the New York Times.

Monday, December 7, 2009

Philosophy on Wine - BoutiqueWines.com

I love their philosophy on wine - especially "Wine and people age together and give one an opportunity to reflect on their joint past."

Wine is all about the people and passion regardless if you are a winemaker or wine lover.

Cheers!

BoutiqueWines.Com - Philosophy on Wine

"The most important influence in creating a fine wine is people. People have crafted fruit into wine for millennia. This has become art for other people to smell and taste. It is these same people who have taught others about the many aspects of wine over time. Wine then trades through numerous hands to be ultimately drunk and enjoyed with others in an environment that creates happiness and good memories. From these experiences and stimuli they learn to treasure wine and save these delights for future pleasure. Wine and people age together and give one an opportunity to reflect on their joint past.

Wine is art. Opinions about art are subjective. Trusting your palate is like looking at painted art; people either understand it and admire it or they don’t relate to it. It’s critical to remember that people enjoy many types of art and it’s true that when people open a bottle of wine, they want to like it, whether they do or not is up to the individual’s tastes. Thus our company’s mission is to convey the story of various origins of wine to people who embrace wine as a dynamic art made by hand."

Boutiquewines.com offers a newsletter - sign up today


(Note - Wine And Vine Experiences is not connected with BoutiqueWines.Com - we just like to promote sites we visit and enjoy)

Boutique Wines - What Are They?

I think AVAWine.com has a good explanation -

" A boutique winery is run by people.

Unlike the giant conglomerate corporations that race to fill bottles to meet demand, our boutique producers fill bottles to satisfy their life's passion. While the massive wine companies watch national distribution trends, our wine makers put their reputations in every bottle. The difference is obvious as soon as the cork comes out of the bottle."


Sunday, November 29, 2009

Rodney Strong Cabernet Sauvignon

From grapes grown on over 250 acres of prime cabernet sauvignon in the well drained alluvial and volcanic soils on the benches and hillsides of the celebrated Alexander Valley.

Aromas of blackberry, cocoa, and earth lead to a rich, layered mouth feel, black cherry, cedar, and cassis, and structured with lush, mature tannins.


  • Gold/Best of Class, Pacific Rim Inertnational Wine Competition, April 1, 2009
  • Silver, San Diego Wine Competition, March 1, 2009

Sketchbook Cabernet Sauvignon

This wonderful dark, rich, full-bodied dry red wine from Mendocino Wine Company is one of my all-time favorites.

Cabenet Sauvignon: this versatile grape originally from France, produces exceptional wines around the globe. It's usually medium to full bodied with a fine structure that supports black and red fruit flavors with typical notes of olive, chili and herbs that add complexity.

Aged Bordeaux-fashion in lightly-toasted French oak, the lush, dark berry flavors are rounded out by velvety, chocolate tannins. Perfect with hearty fare: burgers, steak with roasted vegetables, etc. This superb wine should age in the bottle for up to ten years.

Thursday, April 2, 2009

Batasiolo Moscato D'Asti


2006 Batasiolo Moscato d'Asti

This "baby champagne" is sweet, fresh, and light... ever so slightly effervescent with the delicate flavors of peaches and apricots. This is one of the most versatile dessert wines at a very reasonable price.


One of my favorites!

Tuesday, March 31, 2009

It's all about the experience, isn't it?

Wine drinkers and wine lovers are an interesting group - I think all of us will confess to feeling the heart tug of a wine label, a new wine or wine gadget.




We're all about the experience.

So often, we can recall where we first tasted a certain wine or the experience that prompted us to buy a bottle.... how great it tasted with a certain food.

Most of us love to visit new tasting rooms, wine cellars or festivals when we travel - or plan trips around a particular winery or festival.

This site is dedicated to those experiences. I hope you'll visit often and let me know about places you've visited and enjoyed as well as those that have not been the best experience.