Questions You Always Wanted To Ask About Wine Part 1
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In this episode of Winephabet Street, Debbie and Lori tackle the questions you've been hesitant to ask about wine. Remember, in the world of wine, no questions are considered foolish. Whether you've been pondering about tannins, wine pairings, or curious about corks, now is your opportunity to gain clarity without hesitation. We had such a good show and didn’t get to all the questions, we have a part 2 coming up. I hope you enjoy!
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Petit Manseng: The Rising Star of Virginia Winemaking
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Welcome to another engaging episode of Winephabet Street, where the world of wine becomes more accessible, one letter at a time. In this episode we're delving into the letter "P" with a focus on Petit Manseng, a varietal that may not be on every wine lover's radar but certainly deserves a spotlight for its distinctive qualities and growing popularity, particularly in Virginia. Lori and I are joined by Lee Hartman from Bluestone Vineyards in Virginia, who shares his deep insights into Petit Manseng. Lee's journey in the wine industry, from his initial reluctance to his aha moment realizing the...
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Exploring the Unique Flavors of Orange Muscat
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In December on Winephabet Street we learned about the Orange Muscat grape with our special guest, Andrew Quadi of Quadi Winery. Nestled in Madera, California, Andrew and his wife have been crafting exceptional wines since the late '70s, transitioning from an engineering background to the art of winemaking. Orange Muscat, is a grape variety that boasts a fusion of orange and apricot flavors that fascinate the senses in a surprisingly delightful way. Despite its green skin, the wine reveals a captivating golden orange hue and an irresistible aroma, The winemaking process for Orange Muscat...
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Legacy of Whitecliff's Olana Vineyard in Hudson NY: A Blend of History and Viticulture
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Back in the fall, I had the opportunity to spend an afternoon with Michael Migliore, owner of Whitecliff Vineyard and Winery, at their Olana Vineyard in Hudson, NY. This is a 10 acre site just over the Rip Van Winkle Bridge on the Hudson side, in the shadows of the Olana Estate and on the banks of the Hudson River. Michael established and started farming this land in 2015 with Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir, Gamay Noir, and Chardonnay. The vineyard is situated on land that has a long agricultural history dating back to indigenous peoples who inhabited the area over 3,000 years ago....
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Clinton Vineyards Bought By Milea Vineyards-What It Means for Hudson Valley Wine's Future & Identity
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I wanted to talk to you today about an article that was in the Daily Catch. org. It was written by Scott Davis and full disclosure, I am quoted twice in the article. The article is about Milea Vineyard's plans. with Clinton Vineyards. And if you're not already aware, Clinton Vineyards was purchased by Malaya in 2022. And it was a great article, talks about Phyllis and Ben Feder, how they started Clinton Vineyards, with the Seyval Grapes, because they knew that the Save All Grapes grew well on that property. And they made Meth and Champagnois, still wine. So what they plan on doing with the...
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Nero d'Avola: Sicily's Crown Jewel with VALLE DELL' ACATE's Gaetana Jacono
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I’m taking you on a virtual journey down Winephabet Street, where we dive deep into the world of N for Nero d'Avola, a red wine varietal from Sicily. In this episode of Winephabet Street, our special guest comes from the heart of Sicily, Gaetana Iacono from VALLE DELL' ACATE Winery. Gaetana hails from a family in the wine business for six generations. She has a great affinity for the native wines of Ragusa, Sicily. Determined to continue the legacy, she works hard to promote the value of the native wines of her region. The region is known for it s beautiful...
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Indulge in the Virtual Journey to Argentina's Malbec Magic! with Winephabet Street
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Join us on our journey to South America, where the rich soils of Argentina have produced some of the world's best Malbec wines with guest Veronica Kathuria from Wines of Argentina. Argentina it's located in the southern most corner of South America the South American content And it's about in a better way I have I will speak kilometers and miles because I still go to kilometers but it ranges about 38 kilometers distance from extreme north to extreme south. A Brief History: Malbec's Journey to Argentina Malbec's origins can be traced back to France, especially in regions...
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Lagrein Unleashed: A Journey into Alto Adige's Bold Red with Karoline Walch on Winephabet Street
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In the heart of Alto Adige, a region nestled amidst snow-capped mountains and verdant valleys, thrives a grape as bold and characterful as the landscape itself - Lagrein. Join us on Winephabet Street, as we delve into the fascinating world of this indigenous Italian variety, accompanied by a very special guest - Karoline Walch from the esteemed Elena Walch Winery. The Magic of Lagrein Born from Alto Adige's mineral-rich soils and varying climatic conditions, the Lagrein grape creates an intoxicating wine that commands attention. Its dark fruit flavors, robust tannins, and slight spiciness...
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A Look into the Indigenous Grape Variety from Crete the Kotsifali Grape
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The Kotsifali grape is an indigenous red grape variety from the Greek island of Crete. This grape is an essential component of many Cretan wines and is highly prized for its unique qualities.It is known for producing wines with medium to full body and moderate acidity. The grape is often blended with the Mandilaria grape to create wines with a deep ruby color and notes of dark fruits, herbs, and spices. The Kotsifali grape also produces rosé wines with fresh fruit flavors and floral aromas. The winemaking tradition of Crete dates back to ancient times, and the island has a long...
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The Unique and Rare Jampal Grape: Exploring Portugal's Hidden Gem
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The Jampal grape, also known as Jampel or Malvasia Fina de Jampal, is a unique and rare grape variety native to Portugal. It is believed to have originated in the Douro Valley region. It is predominantly grown in the Terras do Dão region, located in the country's central northern part. The Jampal grape is a white grape known for its high acidity and aromatic qualities. It is said to produce wines with a rich, full-bodied flavor that is often described as having a mineral quality with notes of citrus, green apple, and stone fruits. Jampal grapes are known for their thick skin, which helps...
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If you haven’t tasted wines from the Jumilla region of Spain, you must. You will become a fan instantly! Trust me!
On October 12, I had the opportunity to attend Spain’s Great Match at the Mercado Little Spain, NYC, and learned a little more about the wines from this region of Spain. The Jumilla region has some beautiful wines, and the predominant grape is Monastrell. Take time to read the article and listen to the podcast about the Jumilla region and the wines. You will have a better understanding of the grapes and wines from this region. You will reach for a bottle next time you are in the wine shop.
Here are some interesting facts about Jumilla. At the end of this article, please listen to the podcast about Jumilla.
- Jumilla is pronounced hoo-mil-luh
- There are 1600 growers and 42 wineries.
- It is located 60 miles inland and does get Mediterranean influence.
- The topography is high altitude with rolling hills. High altitude is between 1300 - 2950 feet above sea level.
- They have 3000 hours of sunshine. Great conditions for organic agriculture. 70% of the vineyards are certified organic.
- There are 8 red varieties and 8 wine varieties grown in the region. They produce 70% red wine, 5% wine, 4% rose wine, and 1% dessert wine.
During the Jumilla seminar, we got to taste 8 wines. I wouldn’t hesitate to pick up a bottle.
Parajes del Valle Bodegas y Vinedos Monastrell Organic 2020 - 100% Monastrell and aged in a concrete vat. Very fresh with red jammy fruit. Lots of red currants, cherry, and raspberry.
Bodegas Cerron La Servil 2020 Monastrell - 96% Monastrell grown at a high altitude of 3000 feet. Aged in 5000 liters French oak founders. It shows some soft minerality and soft and silky red fruit with a hint of baking spice on the finish.
Bodegas Luzon Altos de Luzon 2020 - 100% Monastrell from a single plot. Maceration for 10 days and aged 12 months is American and French oak. Fine tannins lace this wine with red and black fruit and sweet spice.
Bodegas Juan Gil Silver Label, 2019 - 100% Monastrell, grown at an altitude between 1800 and 2300 feet. It spends 12 months in French oak. It’s a fresh, easy-drinking wine with mild tannins, floral notes, and fresh berries. Would work well with Thanksgiving dinner.
Bodegas Vina Elena Familia Pacheco Barrica 2019 - This is a blend of 60% Monastrell 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 20% Syrah from 30 - 40-year-old vines. Medium-bodied with notes of plum, red fruit, licorice, and a Syrah finish of blue fruit.
Bodegas Carchelo Altico 2018 - 100% Single Vineyard Syrah. Aged 12 months in 225 Liter French Oak and 12 months in the bottle. Floral and fruity aromas with hints of violets. Fresh and silky on the palate with nice integrated tannins, blackberry, and spice.
Bodegas Ego GORU 18M 2016 - 70% Monastrell, 20% Syrah 10% Petit Verdot from 50 year old vines. Aged 18 months is new French and American oak. Soft and complex on the palate with notes of blackberry, red currant, licorice, cinnamon, and vanilla. Nice integrated tannins.
Bodegas Olivares Dulce Monastrell 2017 - This is a special wine that is not made every year. It’s 100% Monastrell from the oldest vines in the vineyard harvested into the fall. It spends 30 days in maceration. It is a sweeter dessert wine aged in concrete vats for 2 years. Aromas of black olives, tomato, balsamic, and figs lead to a rich palate with dark sweet fruit.
Listen to the podcast and learn about the Jumilla region of Spain and its wines.