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Posts Tagged ‘harvest’
Harvest in the Hill Country
Texas Hill Country Newsflash
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On the left you will find the alphabetical list of the wineries that are part of this growing association. And for more information please visit:
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Grapevine & Parras de La Fuente
Parras de la Fuente Parras, located in the northern Mexico in the state of Coahuila, is an agricultural town with sprawling vineyards. Parras has its own annual grape festival, Fiesta de la Uva, and is also home to the oldest winery in the Western Hemisphere – Casa Madero – which was founded in 1597. Grapevine and Parras celebrated their 10th anniversary as sister cities at GrapeFest 2006. Parras is located 150 km west of the State’s capital, Saltillo (21 km south of Federal Highway 40) in the State of Coahuila, Mexico; is one of the most colorful and typical towns in Coahuila. Parras de la Fuente, with many colonial buildings, is noted for its beautiful places to swim and its huge trees. These features have given it the name “Oasis of Coahuila”. Parras is also famous for its wines, produced by wineries that date from the 16th century and which have received many international awards. One of the most important attractions of Parras is the wonderful colonial building “Museo del Vino” (Museum of Wine), with displays of grinding machines, stills, and retorts that were brought from Paris during the 19th century. The main festival in this town is la Feria de la Uva y el Vino (Grape and Wine Festival), which takes place in August. Another winery currently producing for over 400 years is the Antiguas Bodegas de Perote, producing wines from port style, muscat, table wine and brandy.
In 2004, Parras de la Fuente was recognized as a “Magic Town” by Mexico’s Secretariat of Tourism as well as State and Federal entities. This is a symbol of the magic experience visitors get while visiting such a picturesque location full of legend, history and charisma. The following link is a promotional video for the Pueblos Magicos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGIu4kQUaH8
Last Saturday of February
Yesterday marked the last Saturday of the shortest month in 2010 -with it, came a night full of laughs, new friendship, old acquaintances, and many wines. Sommelier Brian Hay held a party at his humble maison, where guest were asked to bring a bottle, one that might have been saved for a special occasion, and hence Open That Bottle Night went underway. There was nice food on tables [a delicate slow-cooked pork with a rockin' habanero jelly], good conversation (ranging from Arak to Bordeaux to Ouzo to Zinfandel) between oenophiles and nice wine to inbibe.
There were many to choose from, from Californian cabs and blends, to classic Argentinian and Chilean reds, traditional Italian such as Brunello di Montalcino, Spanish such as Ribera del Duero, and French wines such as Cotes du Rhones, as well as the Aussi or Kiwi bottlings. Too many to name, too many to try them all indeed. However, just a brief list of some of my favorites in no particular order
By far the oldest vintage I saw that night, a classic example of the kind, and it was a wine I had been saving for such a special night:
1999 Chateau d’Armailhac, Grand Cru Classe, Appellation Pauillac Controlee; from the house of Baronne Phillipe de Rothchild in Bordeaux
- The wine has a fine, rather vivid red colour with a ruby tint and a very open, complex nose on which fresh fruit (cherry, blackcurrant, redcurrant) and floral aromas (violet, lilac) mingle with denser notes of vanilla, tobacco leaf and cedarwood.
The body builds rapidly from a substantial attack on round, harmonious tannins which unfold over elegant, well-integrated oak, developing a pleasant suggestion of liquorice, menthol and spice on the palate.
The long, elegant finish displays highly refined tannins and lingering red fruit flavours.
2008 Wolffer Estate ‘Diosa’ Late Harvest Ice Wine, The Hamptons, Long Island, New York
- Bright golden color. The nose is filled with amazing fruit aromas of ripe apricots, peaches and even some lime, all drizzled with honey. The fruit is extremely clean and focused. The mouth-feel is lush and vibrant with bursts of rich, ripe fruit that is very well balanced by acidity. This concentration of flavors with the abundance of sugar and the crisp acidity together in each sip make this such a special wine. The finish is layered with fruit and beautiful sun drenched skin characters that together with the acidity help to make this a very food friendly wine and are the key to longevity. Technical Notes: Although it is labeled as Chardonnay the wine is a blend of 75% Chardonnay, 12% Vignoles, 10% Gewürztraminer and 3% Trebbiano.
2006 Inniskillin Riesling Ice Wine, Niagara Peninsula VQA
- Perfectly balanced, this wine shows unique aromas and flavours of apple and pear, with a hint of clove and nutmeg. A good golden colored aided by the aging in Candian Oak barrels, a truly elegant sample.Serve chilled on its own as a dessert, or serve with apple or pumpkin pie, fruit based desserts, pâtés and selected cream based cheeses accompanied with dried fruit.
2004 Trius Vidal Ice Wine, Niagara Peninsula VQA
- A full-bodied sweet wine with a creamy, rich mouth feel. Wonderful flavours of honey, peach and pear jam, sweet spics and golden pineapple fill the mouth. Marmalade lingers on the finish. Quite a lovely way to end the night, any night!
NV Matusalem Oloroso Dulce Muy Viejo 30 Años, Vino de Jerez/Xerez/Sherry
- It has a delightfully rich golden-brown in the glass, fading out at the edge to a honey-amber hue. The nose simply delightful; it seduces with aromas of toffee, walnut, raisins, tobacco, clove, chocolate, oak, and much more. It is a complex wine, dry yet creamy, pleasant to drink but can also be seen as too hot, or too sweet by some. However, this is a fine example of Pedro Ximenez, the sweet grape in the world of Jerez. Not a wine you drink everyday, I thought it would be nice to take this one along for everyone else to try.
It was a great way of starting the spring and harvest realm at the Vineyards!
