This & That: News Briefs from the Wine World

Hey gang, here are just some interesting tidbits I came across this week in wine news...

Go ahead, drink up. Don't' worry about hangover headaches...anymore?

The effects are all too familiar: a fancy dinner, some fine wine and then, a few hours later, a racing heart and a pounding headache. But a device developed by University of California, Berkeley, researchers could help avoid the dreaded "red wine headache."

Chemists working with NASA-funded technology designed to find life on Mars have created a device they say can easily detect chemicals that many scientists believe can turn wine and other beloved indulgences into ingredients for agony.

The chemicals, called biogenic amines, occur naturally in a wide variety of aged, pickled and fermented foods prized by gourmet palates, including wine, chocolate, cheese, olives, nuts and cured meats.

The prototype — the size of a small briefcase — uses a drop of wine to determine amine levels in five minutes. The researchers found the highest amine levels in red wine and sake and the lowest in beer. For now, the device only works with liquids.


CONGRATS TO NEW ZEALAND...Seems they're entering the big leagues.

A New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir have been voted the best in the world at the International Wine and Spirit Competition. The competition is considered one of the top wine awards in the world, and makers of Malborough's Vavasour Sauvignon say the win should help put them on the international map.

Villa Maria Pinot Noir was also judged best of its category and the winery also won best wine producer in New Zealand.

With over 300 other wines to compete with, it was the aroma and fine lingering finish of Marlbourgh's Vavasour Sauvignon that captivated the judges.

"It literally means it is the best of the best for that particular variety," says Executive Director of the competition, Alan Gibbons.

The event carries some impressive credentials. It started in 1969, with winemakers from around the world entering to have their best bottles judged by 40 international masters.

And prices are reasonable too, the wine crowned the world's best Sauvignon Blanc can be yours for around $20.


Docs Continue to find benefits of Grapes

New York researchers are focusing on grape polyphenols in wine and grape juice to help maintain long-term cognitive health.

Researchers at the Center for Research in Alternative and Complementary Medicine in Alzheimer's disease research at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York say Concord grape juice and red wine polyphenols show promise in counteracting beta-amyloid plaques associated with cognitive decline.

Two recent population studies associated moderate red wine and 100 percent fruit juice consumption with lowering the risk of Alzheimer's disease dementia.

That's all...enjoy your weekends!

Pop the Cork - Ravenswood, Sonoma, California

We visited the Ravenswood Winery recently during a trip to the west coast, where we shot up to Somona County and Napa Valley. One of the wineries we especially enjoyed was Ravenswood right outside of Downtown Sonoma. Surrounded by beautiful scenery and staffed by knowledgeable, UNintimidating staff that makes you feel very comfortable and welcome.




If I remember correctly, this wine was sourced from a local Sonoma vineyard owned by Barbara and Patricia, hence the name Barricia.

The wine: Ravenswood Barricia Zinfandel Sonoma Valley 2004

Country: United States

Region: Sonoma Valley, California

Category: Zinfandel

Vintage: 2004

Price: $26.00

The color: Ruby red,

The Nose: Nice cherries and currants, red fruit

The Tasting Notes: Not what you might be expecting from a zinfandel. A well rounded subtle wine, with lush dried cherry and other red fruit flavors. A well rounded wine that would pair very well with food. The finish could be a bit longer, but a very classy wine. The label gives unquie facts like the picking date (Sept. 9, 2004), bottling date (April 19, 2006), total cases (1220) and total acidity (0.65g-100ml).

The Verdict: High 8 corks

Wine Everyday Keeps the Doctor Away?

Several weeks ago I published an article about the massive increase in the purchase and consumption of red wine after a medical study revealed that an element in red wine may extend a person's life span. That study was truly remarkable and provided some weight for the argument to drink a glass of wine everyday to keep the doctor away.

To take that to the next level, an article on WineSpectator.com discusses another medical study which found that a pigmentation chemical that makes grape skins and wines red has been found to kill human leukemia and lymphoma. However, the compound, a type of anthocyanidin common in plants, left healthy blood cells alone. The study will be published on May 4 in the Journal of Biological Chemistry. For the full Wine Spectator story, click here.

The medical team focused on one of the most common anthocyanidins, which are forms of anthocyanin, water-soluble flavonoids that provide color to flowers, leaves, fruits and vegetables. In grapevines, anthocyanidin is believed to play a part in attracting honeybees to the vines' flowers, as well as serving as a natural sunscreen by protecting against high levels of ultraviolet radiation.

The team studied the effects and the mechanisms of cyanidin-3-rutinoside (C-3-R), to see how it behaves in the presence of cancer. The C-3-R was extracted and purified from black raspberries, though it also abounds in red wine. The C-3-R was tested on several lines of human leukemia and repeated using cell cultures of lymphoma, another immune system–based cancer. The scientists observed that, at low doses of C-3-R, half of the cancer cells in all of the lines died within 18 hours of treatment. At higher doses, the C-3-R killed all of the cells by the end of the 18-hour period. The experiment was repeated several times, on different types of leukemia cancer cells, with similar results.

Now I don't need another reason to drink a glass of wine everyday, but some of you might. The health benefits of wine have been professed for centuries, and often in the form of wives tales. However it seems that the medical world continues to conduct studies that illustrate some very promising health benefits. About 44,000 new leukemia cases will be diagnosed in the United States in 2007, and there will be about 22,000 leukemia-related deaths according to the National Cancer Institute. I'm not saying red wine will cure cancer, but anything that can possibly prevent or ease the disease is OK in my book.

Your thoughts?

So what's in your cellar?

I was looking over my wine collection yesterday, trying to take a visual inventory. Afterwards, two things came to mind. The first was that I have some very nice bottles I completely forgot about, which are at their peak right now and ready to drink. I guess because I've been so busy, and because of the world wine tour we conducted here on this blog (which we'll begin again shortly) many of these wines were neglected. But while I made a mental note of the bottles I'd be drinking in the coming weeks, I thought I would write about it as well so you folks would rummage through your collections and start drinking those bottles that are just screaming for your attention. For example, I have a 2001 Torbreck Shiraz that's been tucked away for a few years. No doubt it's ready to accompany my next meal...in fact tonight might be it's lucky night.

The second thought that came to mind was that my collection of white wines is, quite frankly, depleted and piss poor. With the exception of some vinho verde and some miscellaneous bottles of Chardonnay, my collection of whites is non-existent. But the reason I mention it is because I am a big fan of white wine, and I'm a little disappointed in myself for letting my white collection get this bare. I can assure you that several trips to Wine Library will cure that ailment.

Now, enough about me. What is it that you fine people have sitting in your cellars? Which aspects of your collections are you looking to build on? And, most importantly, is there a wine variety that you just have to have at this very moment?

The mic is open...sound off.

Wine Industry News: Got Wine? And Paris in Bordeaux?

So I was perusing through some recent wine industry news, and came across two items that thought might be of interest to you fine people. I do this from time to time on this site because I think it's important to stay up to date on what's happening in the world of wine. So let's get right to it. The first items is a real news item, the second is something that truly makes my stomach turn. Keep reading...

Forget Milk, Got Red Wine?

Anybody remember reading about two high profile medical studies published in November 2006 that highlighted several health benefits associated with red wine? Well I do too. Apparently, those two studies from the Harvard Medical School and the National Institute on Aging garnered significant positive attention for red wine. In case you don't recall the news, in early November, newspapers and media outlets nationwide covered medical studies finding that daily doses of resveratrol, a substance in red wine, may slow the aging process.

And, of course, who wouldn't want to stay young forever? Well, according to the tremendous amount of red wine purchased after the studies' results were published, no one. Sales growth of red wine outpaced sales growth of the total category by 40% in the 20 weeks ending March 10, according to figures just released by The Nielsen Company. The positive numbers, showing red wine dollar sales up 8.5% versus total wine sales up by 6.0%, reflect increased attention to the potential health benefits of red wine.

Paris in Bordeaux? You have to be kidding me.

Now any of you who know me well know that I am not one of those people who reads the celebrity rags, and stays up to date on what stupid things and ridiculous acts they are up to now. But when I saw this little dandy of a news item, I literally said out loud "are you f-ing kidding me?" I am absolutely baffled...in fact, I'm angry about this...

The fine French wine-producing region of Bordeaux has apparently decided to make Paris Hilton the new face for the region. Yes, PARIS F-ING HILTON! You know, the woman who is famous for doing absolutely nothing? According to decanter.com, this lady (if you can even call her that) will reportedly appear numerous print and broadcast ads throughout the summer and autumn in Europe and the US. The decanter.com article goes on to say that the millionaire socialite herself would launch the campaign on the first day of Vinexpo, arriving at the fair – which is attended by more than 50,000 members of the international wine trade – in a hot air balloon.

I'm sorry, I just don't get it...well actually, I understand the publicity aspect of it. However, I don't understand why such a revered wine region would want to use the services of a person whose reputation is not consistent with that of the wine produced in the region. The wine of Bordeaux is complex, powerful, intricate, professional and well put together. How about their new spokesperson? Well, not so much.

I have to say, I am truly disappointed they went in this direction, and am curious to see what the consumer response will be. In fact, let's run a mini consumer survey right now. What do you think of Bordeaux's new celebrity spokeswoman? I really want to hear from you.

The mic is open...sound off!

Taste of Oregon: Wine Rating #1 of 5

The Wine: Henry Estate Pinot Noir 2000 Oregon Umpqua Valley Barrel Select

Winery: Henry Estate
Country: United States

Region: Oregon, Umpqua Valley

Category: Red Table Wine

Vintage: 2000

Price: $25

Decanted or Not: No, but bottle was open for 2 hours before tasting

Alcohol: 13.5%

Tasting Notes:

The Color: Ruby

The Nose: Strawberries, some plum and a bit of earthiness on the nose.

The Taste: Sour cherries, nice acidity with great vanilla notes on the finish. This is not a New World fruit bomb. Great mouthfeel and silky texture, perfect balance of fruit with good tannins. A pinot in the Burgundian style. Very impressive. Paired very well with an aged sirloin and horseradish mashed potatoes. It's a little more than I tend spend on wines, but we'll worth it. I have to give credit to Grand Harvest Wines in Grand Central Station in New York City for pointing me in the direction of this bottle. If you've never been to this wine store, I would recommend it purely on that fact the staff is extremely knowledgeable. You'll pay a couple dollars more, but think about the real estate they're paying for, and as I said they know their sh*t. They always seem to point me in the right direction.

The Verdict: 9 Corks

Taste of Portugal: Wine rating #3 of 5

Hey folks...hope you're enjoying the snow.

The Wine: Bridao Ribatejo Red 2003

Country: Portugal

Region: Ribatejo

Category: Red Table Wine

Price:$7.99

Dencanted or not: No

Tasting notes:

Color: Very deep ruby red

The Nose: Ripe dark cherry and blackberry. Surprising pepper and spice.

The Taste: Fruit up front, cherries and plum, with a kick of pepper. A little oaky, and bitter. Finish is smooth and fruity, but the aftertaste is bitter. Overall, I don't like it. Maybe I had a bad bottle, but to me the bitterness was quite prominent. Maybe it's because I paired it with turkey meat loaf and spinach, but I did not like it.

The Verdict: 4 corks

Taste of Portugal: Wine rating #2 of 5

The Wine: Lavradires/de/Feitoria Tres Bagos 2003

Winery: Lavradoes de Feitoria
Country: Portugal

Region: Douro

Category: Red Table Wine

Vintage: 2003

Price: $11.99

Decanted or Not: No

Alcohol: 13%

Tasting Notes:

The Color: A pitch black, very dark red

The Nose: Powerful nose, with black raspberries and ripe cherries, small notes of vanilla.

The Taste: Tastes of currants, dried red fruits; not overly fruity, but showing well. Nice structure to the wine with good legs and a nice, but not overly long finish. A very solid wine that paired well with a hearty Italian meal, but didn't overwhelm the food.

The Verdict: 8 corks

Taste of Spain: #4 of 5

The Wine: Bodegas Hijos de Juan Gil 2003
Country: Spain
Region: Jumilla
Category: Mourvèdre
Vintage: 2003
Price: $14.99
Decanted or Not: No

Tasting Notes

Color: Dark Ruby

The Nose: Fruity bouquet, showing currants, raspberries, maybe even a touch strawberry and vanilla.

The Taste: As the nose would suggest, dried cherries and currant flavors, lots of fruit up front, mellowing out with some mineral notes, vanilla and spice from oak. Beautiful silky texture and mouthfeel. Just an all around well crafted wine. Highly recommended, delicious wine.

As many of you have probably noticed, I don't give out corks very easily, but I particularly liked this wine. I paired it with a pork braciole (did I spell that right?) and acted a worthy foil to the cheeses and hearty red sauce. Mrs. Grape Nut actually purchased this wine and it was a great find. She knows me well.

Verdict: 9

Taste of Argentina: #5 of 5

Well folks, this review concludes our tour of Argentina. I hope you enjoyed reading about these 5 wines as much as we enjoyed drinking them. As a reminder, there is still time to vote for which country you'd like to see us visit next. The poll closes today at 6 pm...and at the moment Spain has a significant lead over the other options. If you have suggestions on how we can make this world tour more fun or interesting, please let us know. We'd really love to hear from you.

The Wine: Carlos Pulenta Vistalba Corte B 2003

Country: Argentina

Region: Mendoza

Category: Red Meritage

Vintage: 2003

Price: $19.99

Decanted or Not: Yes, 90 minutes



Tasting Notes:

The Color: Ruby Red

The Nose: Very Powerful. Ripe berries, plum, wood and spice

The Taste: Very lush and juicy from the start. Intense dark fruit, with very nice spice. Middle is a little bitter and earthy with wood and leather/coffee flavors. Finish is very smooth - coats your tongue gently with tannins, powerful and again spicy and fruity at the end. Alcohol lingers in the back of your throat.



Overall nice bottle. A little bit of a fruit bomb, but I enjoyed it nonetheless.

The Verdict: 8 corks

That's all for now. Remember to swirl, sniff, and swig. Cheers!

Taste of Argentina: #4 of 5

The Wine: Morichetti Malbec 2002 (from Lujan de Cuyo)

Country: Argentina
Region: Mendoza
Category: Malbec
Vintage: 2002
Price: $15
Decanted: No

Tasting Notes
Color: Dark red, with almost earthy color

Nose: Not overpowering, lacked a bit, some floral and red fruit smells

Taste: Yes, I know, I'm reviewing another Malbec. I've been on a mission lately to find one that is worthy of being my house red.

This wine was very smooth, almost too smooth. I found it to be lacking the punch and the earthiness I generally find in a Malbec. There were slight hints of dried cherries and other red fruit but overall I found the wine underwhelming. Legs were not prominent, so I would assume it was pretty low in alcohol. I'm not sure I would want to pair this wine with anything stronger than a mild cheese or chicken. I allowed the wine to breath for quite awhile, in an attempt to let it open up to no avail. I would not recommend this wine, I guess what I am finding most on my mission is inconsistency.

The Verdict: 6 Corks

Has anyone out there tried this bottle? If so, let me hear how off base I am (maybe I had an off bottle). Lets hear it!

A Taste of Argentina: #1 of 5

The Wine: Nieto Cadus Cabernet Sauvignon 2002

Country: Argentina
Region: Mendoza
Category: Cabernet Sauvignon
Vintage: 2002
Price: $31.99 (I know, I know, a bit pricey)
Decanted or Not: No

Tasting Notes:

• The Color: Ruby red


• The Nose: Deep, dark, very ripe plum and berries. Smokey and earthy.

• The Taste: Very plump and very juicy. Intense spice. Smokey and earthy, with a little creaminess. Very smooth and sexy finish, with a burst of sweetness at the end.

This wine is so sexy your clothes just might fall off and sounds of Barry White will fill the room. Delightful, and even better after an hour of breathing. Best Cabernet I’ve had from Argentina. Worth every penny.

The Verdict: 9 corks

Drink the Vine Rating #2: Malbec; Hype or More Hype

UPDATE:
After opening a second bottle of this Malbec I realize I may have underrated this fine wine. With a little more air, I found this wine to be very good. I will be purchasing this wine again and maybe even a half case of it. It opened up with much more fruit (plum, dried cherries) and had a beautiful, long finish. I would now give this wine an eight on our ten cork scale and give it a strong recommendation for the value. Just try to be a little more patient than I was the first time. Grape Nut (impatient wine drinker)


The Wine: Bodegas Senetiner Nieto Reserva Malbec
Country: Argentina
Region: Mendoza
Category: Red, 100% Malbec, 12 months in French Oak
Vintage: 2004
Price: $8.00
Decanted or Not: No

I decided to review a malbec, because I generally like the bang for the buck you get from this wine. If you stick to certain Bodegas (wineries) you will generally do pretty well. You will most likely get a big, bold red showing a little terrior and don't usually have to pay too much to get it. Other times you end up with complete crap. This wine, I feel, falls somewhere in between.

I had heard good things about the Bodegas Senetiner. I saw it, saw the price, I bought it. I wish I could claim more research or a more esoteric reason, but not much more went into the purchase.

Tasting Notes:

Color: Dark ruby red

Legs: Good legs, bottles states it has an alcohol level of 13.5% by volume

Nose: Strong scent of dried cranberries and cherries on the nose. Almost a hint of flowers.

Taste: Wine showed nice dried fruit up front, with cherries being the most prominent (in my opinion). Strong tannins with an almost chalky, earthy finish. Mouth feel was good, with a nice velvet finish, but lacks a bit.

Not a bottle I would serve with the first course, more like the last the last course when company has been properly over served. I won't be purchasing it again, but I am not kicking my self for buying it.

THE UPDATED The Verdict: 8 Corks