Tasting Wine Like a PRO: 4 Easy Steps

You picked ME to taste the wine?!?!?

Time and time again when dining out, I see a look of fear, embarrassment, and intimidation the moment a server or sommelier bestows the distinct honor of "tasting" the wine upon a lucky member of the table.  Fling the fright!  Read these four easy steps and then step up to the plate next time you hear: “who is tasting the wine this evening?"

 

Step 1:  Take a look at the wine. Pick up the glass by its stem (never by the bowl) and inspect the color.  Older red wines will be orangey while younger wines will be more deep purple or ruby colored.  I like to lean the glass slightly against the white tablecloth or napkin so that the true color of the wine can be inspected.  Generally for red wines, the lighter the color, the lighter the body of the wine...the more intense the color, the more full bodied the wine.

 

Step 2: Swirl your glass. You can do so either in the air or on the table…just pretend as if you're tracing imaginary circles with the base of your glass. Why swirl?  Because it helps the wine aerate and release its aroma or bouquet.  

Step 3:  Smell the bouquet.  After swirling, don’t be shy and dip your nose as deep into the glass as you can.  I close my eyes as I find it to help fine tune and accentuate my olfactory perception of the wine…take a big sniff and concentrate on the aromas…what does it remind you of?  There is no wrong answer!  However, if you smell wet cardboard, rot, or intense cork, be alert…the wine may have a defect. 

Step 3: Sip and savour.  This is the fun part.  You’ve seen, swirled and smelled…now purse your lips, take a small sip of the wine, and let it linger for awhile in your mouth.  Swish it around and enjoy.


Step 5: Summarize.  How does the wine taste? Big and jammy or light and dense? How long did the wine taste stay in your mouth (this is called the “finish”).  Personally speaking, the longer the finish, the better I enjoy the wine. 

The most important tip for tasting?  Remember that the point of the "tasting" ritual at a restaurant is to determine whether the wine has a defect NOT to give your opinion on whether or not you like the taste!

 

Got any tips of your own or any amusing wine "tasting" moments?  Share them with me!  

CHEERS!

Five FAB Fall Wines Under $15

As the days of summer slowly dwindle to an end, I find myself lingering over each and every last drop of the light, crisp and refreshing Sauvignon Blancs and rosés in our cellar. While I'm not quite ready to bid adieu to the long, balmy, routine-free days of summer, I must admit that thoughts of  rich and robust  red wines, fireside chats with family and friends, and the breathtaking tapestry of fall foliage make welcoming autumn less dreary and a little more exhilarating.

With the equinox quickly approaching, I look forward to sipping heavier, more intense reds that envelop me like a thick, luxurious velvet blanket on a brisk autumn day.  Here are five fabulous red—all under $15—perfect for the cooler temperatures…grab a cozy blanket, light a fire, and enjoy…

Happy Fall…CHEERS!

1.  Estancia Estates, Keyes Canyon Ranches, 2011 Merlot

Toasty, Velvety, and Easy to Drink!

This merlot is a medium bodied, but intense wine with a  rich, purple color and moderately long finish. The nose is spicy and woody, with hints of licorice while the taste is jammy with notes of berries, plum, wild cherry and vanilla.  It is an easy to drink wine, likable to a variety of palates and great to pair with hearty fall meals like meatloaf, chili, and roast duck.

The word "estancia" loosely translates to "estate" in Spanish and illustrates the Estancia Winery's philosophy that the best wines are those that bring their place of origin to life.  Estania is comprised of three vineyards located on the Central Coast of California:  Pinnacles and Stonewall Vineyards in Monterey and Keyes Canyon in Paso Robles.  The latter region's cool evening temperatures, paired with warmer days make it the ideal climate for the Merlot, as well as Cabernet and Zinfandel grape varieties to yield wines that are lush, smooth, and perfectly balanced.

This merlot is a superior find for the taste and value.  

Wine Notes
Bouquet: Spicy, woody, licorice

Taste: Dense black plum and cherry, jammy, vanilla and berry flavors

Finish:  Moderate, smooth, complex, and oaky

Price: Approximately $12

2. Acentor Garnacha, 2011, D.O. Catalayud, Spain

Birds of a Feather Flock Together

A grand garnache from Spain and named after the small birds that flock together to eat the grapes of the these 50 year old vines, this wine is an explosion of blackberries, herbs, and autumn pies. It is medium bodied, fruit-forward and smooth on the tongue with flavors of rich berries and spices that produce a clean finish.  Acentor pairs beautifully with pork, hams, and roasted or grilled poultry and game.

The wine, from the Aragon region of Spain, is produced by famous Spanish winemaker Isaac Fernandez widely known in the viniculture world as the creator of some of the most prestigious fine wines of Ribera del Duero including Bodgegas Mauro, Neo, and Astrales.

Acentor is an elegant wine without the hefty price tag associated with an Isaac Fernandez wine.  It's no wonder that the acentor birds devour these grapes for dinner...

Wine Notes
Bouquet: Blackberries, herbs, cherry pie

Taste: Spicy, jammy, berry

Finish:  Fresh, smooth, soft tannins

Price: Approximately $12

3.  Domaine Andre Brunel Cotes du Rhone, 2010, Southern Rhone, France
A Smooth French Belle

Earlier this year, The WineSpectator featured a cover story on the quality and value of Cotes du Rhone wines.  Since then, I’ve tasted a number of these wines and have found the Domaine Andre Brunel to be one of my all-time favorites from Southern Rhone.  This medium-bodied and robust wine is a beautiful bargain red with notes of blackcurrant, cherries and small red berry fruits and hints of mild spices.  The blend is 80% Grenache, 10%Syrah, and 10% old vine Cinsault.  I have paired this beauty with mussels, stews, ratatouille, roasted vegetables, and tomato-based pastas.

Andre Brunel’s family has made Southern Rhone their home since the 18th century.  His grandfather established the winemaking tradition and his father ran the Cailloux estate until 1971, when Andre took over the helms and catapulted the domaine into world class recognition.  The estate destems all of their grapes to prevent bitterness and bottles their wines unfined and unfiltered.  The winery is best known for its much-celebrated and high end Chateauneuf-du-Pape Les Cailloux and the Cuvee Centenaire.

This bargain beauty is an ideal companion for a meal on a brisk and blustery fall day.

Wine Notes
Bouquet: Blackcurrants, spices, cherries


Taste: Ripe red fruits

Finish:  A bit harsh in the beginning, but rounds out in the end and the longer the bottle is open

Price: Approximately $11 

4.  Gascon Malbec, 2011, Mendoza, Argentina

A Red That Tangos

This 100% malbec wine from the Mendoza region of Argentina is a good, everyday wine that exhibits characteristics of mulberry, cedar, and strawberry jam.  Intense, thick and chewy, the wine is medium bodied, yet spicy and robust.  A grilled steak with chimichurri and potatoes is an excellent accompaniment to this big South American wine.

The wine is named after the original founder of the winery, Don Miguel Gascon, who built his grape empire in 1884 after moving to Argentina from Spain.  Don Gascon's heirs and descendants ran the winery until 1993 when another prominent wine family in Argentina, the Catenas, took over the vineyards with a group of investors.  Since then, winemaker, Ernesto Catena, has brought the Gascon wine to world-wide recognition.

The Gascon Malbec suits many different palates and is a value wine that has the warmth and richness needed for crisp fall weather.

Wine Notes
Bouquet: Mulberry, cedar, strawberry jam


Taste: Blackberry, plum, cocoa

Finish:  Spicey and long

Price: Approximately $10

5. Layer Cake Shiraz, 2011, Barossa Valley, Australia

Let's DRINK Cake (despite the screwtop)...

This stunning Shiraz is a show-stopper!  However, please don't judge the screwtop...this wine is full-bodied, smooth, supple, and bursts with flavors and aromas of chocolate, coffee, and black fruit.  Blackish, ruby in color, it is rich, intense and possesses an incredibly long finish that remains on your palate well after you’ve swallowed a sip…it's reminiscent of the feeling after a mouthful of POP ROCKS.

Layer Cake is made by winemaker Jayson Woodbridge, most known for his pricey and well-regarded Hundred Acre wines in Napa Valley, California.  He created the Layer Cake wines so that everyone...not just the elite can savour fine wine without breaking the bank.  The wine is produced in the famous Barossa Valley in Southern Australia and made from old-vine shiraz.  According to many reputable wine reviewers, this is one of the top shiraz wines on the market.  It is best to open this wine several hours before sipping as it needs a bit of time to open up and show off all its intensity.


The name "Layer Cake" was inspired by Woodbridge's grandparents.  Each Sunday, his grandmother baked a layer cake that his grandfather would enjoy with a glass of wine.  The grandfather explained to him that the vines of a great wine "live in layers of soil just like the layers in Grandma's cake; each layer brining a different flavor."  He would later use that analogy to explain that everything in life has deep layers and complexity.

Woodbridge's mission with this shiraz was to "simply shock people about how good wine could be at a very affordable price"...I opine:  MISSION ACCOMPLISHED.

Wine Notes
Bouquet: Bitter chocolate, coffee, black fruit

Taste: Blackberry, black cherries, black currant, licorice

Finish:  Long, luscious and explosive

Price: Approximately $15

Sparkles and Shimmer!

The exquisite presentation at The Capella's Rye Bar

A few months ago I attended a fabulous soiree at the gorgeous Capella Hotel in Washington DC to debut Taittinger’s, one of the most prestigious houses of champagne, newest bottle of sparkly:  NOCTURNE. 

Just as the name implies, Nocturne (meaning “night time in French), is the perfect “end of the evening” libation.  With notes of fresh white flowers, crisp yellow peaches, and plump dried apricots, this shimmering champagne has a smooth, yet crisp taste and a long delightful finish.  It is comprised of 40% Chardonnay and Pinot Noir and 60% Pinot Meunier.  I found it to pair exquisitely with desserts, pates, and cheeses, as well as on its own, after a hearty-meal.  While on the pricey-side, this bottle of bubbly is a perfect choice for special occasions, holidays and/or gift choice for a special person.

Nocturne’s debut was absolutely decadent.  The champagne flowed freely while The Grill Room’s (the Capella’s restaurant) Chef Jakob Esko dished out an endless parade of his savory creations, each one more delectable than the other.  One of the highlights of my evening was meeting Mr. Taittinger himself.  He spoke with fervor about his family’s winemaking origins, their passion and  love of the vineyards, and their quest to produce one of the finest champagne houses in the world. 

The Taittingers started off in the 19th century as a family of wine merchants dating back to the 19th century.  After almost 75 years, the family sold their champagne business to the U.S. hotel group, Starwood, in 2005.  A year later, the Taittinger family purchased it back.  Their vineyards, located in Reims, France, comprise more than 700 acres and stock more than 12 million bottles of bubbly (wouldn't it be nice to be a Taittinger!)!  For more information, visit the Taittinger website.  CHEERS!

Mr. Clovis Taittinger!

Wine Notes
Bouquet: Aromas of fresh white flowers, yellow peaches, dried apricots

Taste: Crisp, with hints of raisins and honeyed fruits

Finish: Smooth, velvety, and long

Price: Approximately $60

A Wine that ROCKS..for a Cause

When I think of rock bands and rock stars, thoughts of screeching guitars, intricately etched tatoos, and FIERCE attitudes rush to my mind. I think of those tough-as-nails individuals who gulp down hard liquor as if it were water. I certainly have never equated rock stars with wine. In my frank opinion, its a tad bit, shall I say, "delicate" for rock stars...

So, you can imagine my surprise when Mr. Vino (my fabulous hubby) came home with a bottle of Drops of Jupiter Petite Sirah 2010 from Livermore, CA and told me it was created by the rock band Train. I have to admit, I was a bit skeptical at first about what the wine would actually taste like..BUT, one sniff of the bouquet and I almost instantly began opening up to the possibilities of what Jupiter could deliver.

The wine, produced by the Save Me Francisco Wine Company (the name of Train's first single and album) is an homage to the band's hit single "Drops of Jupiter."  It is a fruit forward, full-bodied Petite Sirah with a smooth and supple finish that can easily be enjoyed with or without food.

It's no wonder this wine is so delicious.  The production is a collaboration between the Save Me Francisco Wine Company, James Foster of The Wine Group and Concannon Vineyard, the very first winery to introduce an American Petite Sirah in the 1960s!

What's best about this wine?  It rocks for a cause.  Part of the proceeds of the sales goes to Family House, an organization that houses families whose children are receiving treatment at the University of California San Francisco Children's Hospital.

I agree wholeheartently with Train's Jimy Stafford who said, "Just like music, we believe that wine should be accessible. One can share and revel in Drops of Jupiter moments with the ones they love."  Buy a bottle, enjoy, and help a great cause....CHEERS!

Wine Notes
Bouquet: Aromas of currant and boysenberries

Taste: Fruit forward, jammy and intense

Finish: Smooth and supple with a sturdy backbone

Price: Approximately $10-12