tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71675032813143950922024-03-14T01:00:32.274-07:00Wine-Knows: Fine Wine & Gourmet Food Journeys for the Discerning TravelerJune Forkner-Dunn, PhDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13464775803820294761noreply@blogger.comBlogger630125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7167503281314395092.post-37286032739273757612024-03-14T01:00:00.000-07:002024-03-14T01:00:00.142-07:00White Wines of Northern Spain<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLr8pOm-tJHasdG_dB1kXB01sEi8l74cTsUT610G7O_W7OIars7IoLGbiYesbiMQmleBl6EUTuV6m0jf5zQRvmGIV3r_DFrVmxrxMKOadeQFxT5C0YXuTt6e9Ndlo1WpuVi-r6qHhUBti1yt6kbqaS-6T200OXKyCSH62pz_TpyHnoLZf-hE_Qiw693CU/s1200/blog%20viura%20white.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="798" data-original-width="1200" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLr8pOm-tJHasdG_dB1kXB01sEi8l74cTsUT610G7O_W7OIars7IoLGbiYesbiMQmleBl6EUTuV6m0jf5zQRvmGIV3r_DFrVmxrxMKOadeQFxT5C0YXuTt6e9Ndlo1WpuVi-r6qHhUBti1yt6kbqaS-6T200OXKyCSH62pz_TpyHnoLZf-hE_Qiw693CU/w640-h426/blog%20viura%20white.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <i>The Viura grape, by law, must be at least 51% of a white Rioja blend</i><br /> <p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">White grapes in Spain’s home of the world famous red Tempranillo
grape?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> That</span> seems like an
oxymoron to those who enjoy the Rioja or the Ribera del Duero’s world-class reds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, wait!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There is "white" life beyond "red" for wine lovers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Spain’s north produces some wonderful white
wines and you don’t have to travel to Spain necessarily to have them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With summer approaching these sublime
whites can enchant even the most discerning of wine connoisseurs.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixHUh6Jny8W4nDPHttUAT39j3QpYPBCoK7x07GdSWaRrfnu16x2YTapYp4Vc49_gZ4OKaCLyqAbDut7EtHCxWoYdI-OCVXkh4L5WBG6IjeF0d4RDI3JsIcg64GbefIUXhMGp3kh46Rzkm5csfXnTQIgxE9MaaPpoguD0RGof1-iMTQj57XgBImLRmorLg/s600/blog%20rioja%20blanco%20tapa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixHUh6Jny8W4nDPHttUAT39j3QpYPBCoK7x07GdSWaRrfnu16x2YTapYp4Vc49_gZ4OKaCLyqAbDut7EtHCxWoYdI-OCVXkh4L5WBG6IjeF0d4RDI3JsIcg64GbefIUXhMGp3kh46Rzkm5csfXnTQIgxE9MaaPpoguD0RGof1-iMTQj57XgBImLRmorLg/w400-h400/blog%20rioja%20blanco%20tapa.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <i> Rioja Blanco is a rarity in the red Tempranillo-centric Rioja district<br /></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">White Rioja <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">(aka
Rioja Blanco) </i>is made from a blend of white grapes, the most important of which
is Viura.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rioja Blanco is rare,
accounting for only a mere 10% of the Rioja’s entire wine production.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Often aged in oak, these whites take on bold
aromas of roasted pineapple.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the
palate, an older white Rioja can reveal layers of subtle lemon flavors,
minerals and good acidity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In its youth,
these whites offer a lemon-lime profile, laced with honeydew melon and mineral
nuances.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">As mentioned above, white Rioja is a blend of Viura
with an accompaniment of a few other obscure white varieties not known to
consumers outside of Europe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For
example, ever hear of a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">white </i>Tempanillo?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A cousin of the red Tempanillo grape, this white often appears in a Rioja Blanco.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Malvasia and white Garnacha are two other popular white grapes used for
blending.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By law, however, Viura must
account for the majority of any Rioja Blanco.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 14pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUX1vDSbiVfQKgN9fm8edqmGw9cZaf9bT2fwyOkyCXzaofGn1CsZBG7vhbhyphenhyphenCphdDTREs4VNn_Wfmv-T215w7hvL1fQde9HSuPsEd5A6RgFTitpc3c_hLdgD2C5ZK70TWuUEK52guBUrbX9FCos2MUXrhcUk5jKUJIKItIdqERh7RvW3BmhMNxnUndnGA/s1254/blog%20verdejo%20paella.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="836" data-original-width="1254" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUX1vDSbiVfQKgN9fm8edqmGw9cZaf9bT2fwyOkyCXzaofGn1CsZBG7vhbhyphenhyphenCphdDTREs4VNn_Wfmv-T215w7hvL1fQde9HSuPsEd5A6RgFTitpc3c_hLdgD2C5ZK70TWuUEK52guBUrbX9FCos2MUXrhcUk5jKUJIKItIdqERh7RvW3BmhMNxnUndnGA/w640-h426/blog%20verdejo%20paella.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <i> Seafood paella, popular in Spain's south, is often accompanied by a Verdejo from the north</i><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Verdejo is the other hallmark grape of northern
Spain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Go into any restaurant in Spain and
ask for a glass of white wine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or, head
to any wine shop in Spain and ask for white wine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chances are in both cases you’ll be offered a
Verdejo from Spain’s Rueda wine region.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Verdejo
accounts for 40% of <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">all wines</b> sold
within the country of Spain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Its
popularity may be due to Spain’s warm climate, although Verdejo is a flavor
bomb offering up tropical, stone fruit and citrus. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">If you’re looking for a new white for the summer, both White Rioja and Verdejo from Rueda are terrific wines to try. Both are available in the US.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><br /><p></p>June Forkner-Dunn, PhDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13464775803820294761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7167503281314395092.post-24668040271910690892024-03-04T01:00:00.000-08:002024-03-04T01:00:00.150-08:00Rueda Wine: 5 Important Facts to Know <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzVB3GUjFkn3VeUa68L2CvzRA-Zn1MKcEPuWntTjqtTg8VeOjzVxKfn-BImcbZQVk-zFf9XxP3N8hUNISUINsUdETZaiLQXUHA5pDX3S6oZxT9eaW_NUcPeqtQ7BCVI9Uys-zQaYaGTcCP75qhok4kEmiZWPxkr3lf7tl7VDb7Sfbn-XNyScw7GijgkGM/s1200/blog%20rueda%20grain%20and%20wine.jpg" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="628" data-original-width="1200" height="334" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzVB3GUjFkn3VeUa68L2CvzRA-Zn1MKcEPuWntTjqtTg8VeOjzVxKfn-BImcbZQVk-zFf9XxP3N8hUNISUINsUdETZaiLQXUHA5pDX3S6oZxT9eaW_NUcPeqtQ7BCVI9Uys-zQaYaGTcCP75qhok4kEmiZWPxkr3lf7tl7VDb7Sfbn-XNyScw7GijgkGM/w640-h334/blog%20rueda%20grain%20and%20wine.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><i> An inhospitable terroir allows only grapes & grains to grow in the harsh Rueda</i></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">The last three blogs have discussed the wines of Spain’s
Rioja, Ribera del Duero and Toro wine regions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today we move to the final wine district in
the quartet of northern Spain wine regions that Wine-Knows travelers will be visiting this autumn, the
Rueda.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first three wine regions are
known for their red wines.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Rueda, however,
is all about white wine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Below are five facts
a wine lover visiting the region (or simply drinking these high QPR wines at
home) should know.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">1. The
Verdejo grape put Rueda on the world’s wine map.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b></p>
<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">The Rueda is home to the largest
number of Verdejo vines in the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>98%
of Rueda’s wines are white and the majority of them come from the Verdejo
grape.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Research has shown that Verdejo
arrived in Spain from North Africa in the 11<sup>th</sup> century.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It gradually made its way north to the Rueda after
adapting in the vineyards of Spain’s south.</span></p></blockquote>
<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Today 4 out of every 10 wine bottles
sold in Spain is made from Verdejo and most of it comes from the Rueda.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p></blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <b> 2. </b></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Verdejo wine is a light to medium bodied aromatic wine with the following </b></span><b style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">characteristics:</b></p>
<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>~ Citrus (lemon, lime, grapefruit)</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>~
Stone fruit (peach, apricot)</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>~
Tropical (pineapple, melon, mango)</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>~ Herbs (licorice, grass)</span></p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Well made Verdejo,
unlike many white wines, can often age beautifully for 5-10 years developing
rich textures and nutty nuances in addition to its fruit-centric tastes.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p></blockquote>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 57.75pt; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-cV5MjEuK5ODUlSrXe5eP85CwlDgzQuL7kXD-0VXQaWqZZkYKjmpCFDf0FAOPpNeEa2jUd9upZFg_5lJY2tbvCYEnTiBhZjLwAzpEfhBOqlIbwR5WikS6KS1p5qH-QERw-KnBgO0msb9YVZyNvxpb1YLQZ40RPSshAkEP2jcDOz2348mGhGrfOhbOgC0/s800/blog%20rueda%20stony%20soils.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-cV5MjEuK5ODUlSrXe5eP85CwlDgzQuL7kXD-0VXQaWqZZkYKjmpCFDf0FAOPpNeEa2jUd9upZFg_5lJY2tbvCYEnTiBhZjLwAzpEfhBOqlIbwR5WikS6KS1p5qH-QERw-KnBgO0msb9YVZyNvxpb1YLQZ40RPSshAkEP2jcDOz2348mGhGrfOhbOgC0/w640-h320/blog%20rueda%20stony%20soils.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-weight: bold;"> </span><i> Stones absorb the heat during the day & warm the vines during cold nights </i><br /><br /><p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 57.75pt; mso-add-space: auto;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">3. Rueda’s terroir forces
grapevines to work hard.</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 57.75pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Like the adjacent Toro
wine region, Rueda is located on the same 2,000-3,000 foot plateau where the harsh
landscape is wild and the soil is low in nutrients.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the other hand, this higher altitude means cooler temperatures during the area’s extreme summers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Plants are forced to work hard to survive so
only grains and grape vines grow in Rueda’s inhospitable terroir. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 57.75pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Rueda’s stony soils
provide a great drainage system for winter rain to seep deep into the earth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In order to live during the hot summers the grape vines must send
their roots downward through the earth to seek water and nutrients.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Traversing many layers, the struggling vines
bring back to the plant complex nutrients which translate into complex wines. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 57.75pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">The Duero River helps moderate the heat of summer and cold of winter so it’s no
surprise the finest wines are made from vineyards located along the Duero’s
banks.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 14pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgpb8VYGqM1ZnR-XsLfFxHIAsIKMQT50vXRZoAFdyFoWG4Dp46RtgqDVpZ_a62s6QefXXWmkzYai5PyzfmtTmCeZGzfVL3Jr_5bQP-kS8yyyWQzoiRaemaNRE4eNSPDQRc45WzxhRRiz1zZ0nP9HYTYfaxHktmtGiIC5wvEQAQCE0MFU0gD2a5tM8k8jw/s291/blog%20rueda%20menade.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="193" data-original-width="291" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgpb8VYGqM1ZnR-XsLfFxHIAsIKMQT50vXRZoAFdyFoWG4Dp46RtgqDVpZ_a62s6QefXXWmkzYai5PyzfmtTmCeZGzfVL3Jr_5bQP-kS8yyyWQzoiRaemaNRE4eNSPDQRc45WzxhRRiz1zZ0nP9HYTYfaxHktmtGiIC5wvEQAQCE0MFU0gD2a5tM8k8jw/w640-h424/blog%20rueda%20menade.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><i>Wine-Knows has a harvest appointment at Menade to taste their high-scoring wines</i><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <b> 4. </b></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Rueda's wine laws effect what's in your wine glass.<o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Rueda received official
status from the Spanish Government (D.O.) as a unique region with noteworthy
wines in 1980.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In order for Rueda to
appear on a wine label, it must contain a minimum of 50% Verdejo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wines labeled “Ruedo Verdejo” have a higher
bar in that they must have a minimum of 85% Verdejo grapes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ruedo
Verdejo,</i> however, are made entirely from the Verdejo variety.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">The D.O. wine laws also
permit blending with Sauvignon Blanc, along with Palomino, Virua, Viognier and
Chardonnay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That being said, Verdejo
D.O. must be a minimum of 50% of all Ruedas made.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<div style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.5pt; border: none; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0in; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 1pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext 1.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">5. The
Rueda also grows some red grapes for red wine.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext 1.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Up until the end of the
19th century when the vineyard bug phylloxera destroyed most of the vines
throughout Europe, the Rueda region was known for its red wines.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It wasn’t until after the phylloxera
pandemic that white grape vines were planted. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Rueda, like its western neighbor Toro and eastern
border Ribera del Duero, grows Tempranillo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Garnacha
are also permitted by Rueda’s D.O. laws. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext 1.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext 1.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p>
</div>June Forkner-Dunn, PhDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13464775803820294761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7167503281314395092.post-16962520412274830542024-02-25T01:00:00.000-08:002024-02-25T01:00:00.138-08:00 Toro is Taking the Bull by the Horns<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_HSGmMLBRNBPQdqUdNYN6D4MV6XoMyoayuwrgJoqyG9WwSGuthaf4DxPtcYo68fgGJYETCEJVyKTBHEARao8YrDHfI4PpJ0syza4-yWDNbwTRKK2NXdTnyxoJzxuzZ8vObP7MDcMZle3iF5vkYe3NWot0AjWGcmijfnLpdIjIEHsuYsrDe16swfFB0zI/s600/blog%20toro%20map.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="510" data-original-width="600" height="544" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_HSGmMLBRNBPQdqUdNYN6D4MV6XoMyoayuwrgJoqyG9WwSGuthaf4DxPtcYo68fgGJYETCEJVyKTBHEARao8YrDHfI4PpJ0syza4-yWDNbwTRKK2NXdTnyxoJzxuzZ8vObP7MDcMZle3iF5vkYe3NWot0AjWGcmijfnLpdIjIEHsuYsrDe16swfFB0zI/w640-h544/blog%20toro%20map.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <i>The Toro wine district will be the first Spanish wine region Wine-Knows will visit </i><br /><p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Toro means </span><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">bull</i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">
in Spanish.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">This tiny wine district lies
just across the border from Portugal’s grape growing region for Port grapes,
but it’s not just a border these two wine areas share.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The famous Douro River in Portugal flows from
Portugal’s most famous viticultural region, to the city of Porto where it
empties into the Atlantic.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The Douro becomes the</span><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> Duero </i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">River the minute one crosses into Spain.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The Duero/Douro is actually birthed in Spain
between the Rioja and the Ribera del Duero wine regions.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 107%;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 14pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1YeewTJ1pF1yhcM6PllWqgM5ABmwlLIkgyp6KmL-ME65p-DgPDpJxNpA0qwJ_A7EiCp3FV65ANqlmDFlepyzKIdGZ9h3mSVMzFJ6ec4pxPjSFmfvhUGqOtHdOWhhN7Pj76fr4ybxYPb8RWz-ebYSjSrnH9q2edgUDHYbO1MY25le3E0-s7pJhttKnf_o/s320/blog%20toro%20river.JPG" style="font-size: 18.6667px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1YeewTJ1pF1yhcM6PllWqgM5ABmwlLIkgyp6KmL-ME65p-DgPDpJxNpA0qwJ_A7EiCp3FV65ANqlmDFlepyzKIdGZ9h3mSVMzFJ6ec4pxPjSFmfvhUGqOtHdOWhhN7Pj76fr4ybxYPb8RWz-ebYSjSrnH9q2edgUDHYbO1MY25le3E0-s7pJhttKnf_o/w640-h480/blog%20toro%20river.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><i> The Duero river exerts a tremendous influence on Toro's terroir</i><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Wine-Knows will follow the Douro to the Duero on our trip from Portugal to Spain on this
autumn’s itinerary.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Toro,
like Napa, is the name both of the area’s main town, as well as the wine
district. </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">While it is unclear exactly
how the town’s name originated, the “bull” is nonetheless a fitting symbol for
its quite robust red wines have been coveted by royalty since the 13</span><sup>th</sup><span style="font-size: 14pt;">
Century.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ1lth30wYayBdtRvJpGoT_kADBlq0En9hTlBklMaC2OKIsLsCLs4elUXisdk8SqtxA_JUuVlfVVRTyY7uGJIbiLJvQJzsIP1yCFjctG_Cmb8kXekoSXO5OEjE0fhCOr6SqZCLzNrSH84kqcxJaOr7RnSdlgaOmtS-ZBrIADzbTsx-so8Nw6LtxCKuojQ/s1600/blog%20toro%20town.JPG" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18.6667px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ1lth30wYayBdtRvJpGoT_kADBlq0En9hTlBklMaC2OKIsLsCLs4elUXisdk8SqtxA_JUuVlfVVRTyY7uGJIbiLJvQJzsIP1yCFjctG_Cmb8kXekoSXO5OEjE0fhCOr6SqZCLzNrSH84kqcxJaOr7RnSdlgaOmtS-ZBrIADzbTsx-so8Nw6LtxCKuojQ/w640-h480/blog%20toro%20town.JPG" width="640" /></a> <i style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Toro town, with a population of 8,000 persons, offers a slice of off-the-beaten-path Spain</i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">The Toro region was among the first to be recognized
by the Spanish government as having unique and special wines.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In 1933 it was granted important D.O. status
which at the time was the highest quality wine in Spain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shortly thereafter the Spanish Civil War broke
out and Toro wines were one of the many casualties.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It took 50 years for the area’s winemakers to refocus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In 1987 a handful of local wineries banded
together to reapply for a second D.O. status.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was granted and this began a renaissance in Toro.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 14pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQjKES6QX1hjy466x5yuwrTQHOmJLMltWZVst_-iKv0UbBCKYbBKpLosuDutnD84kyjZ1XiandrNE101SyYtRTiM6O4ofIHg0VeLuA9t5VbHnOsmGgsKX-WYKn-3JN8Y61aSA3Hxh-eYxpJ3e5kyn8arPHeAnjuVMSEZM7JNMjj3WdpTT6t31DbapWVkY/s474/blog%20D.O.%20TOro.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="342" data-original-width="474" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQjKES6QX1hjy466x5yuwrTQHOmJLMltWZVst_-iKv0UbBCKYbBKpLosuDutnD84kyjZ1XiandrNE101SyYtRTiM6O4ofIHg0VeLuA9t5VbHnOsmGgsKX-WYKn-3JN8Y61aSA3Hxh-eYxpJ3e5kyn8arPHeAnjuVMSEZM7JNMjj3WdpTT6t31DbapWVkY/w640-h462/blog%20D.O.%20TOro.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><i>D.O. guarantees the consumer a level of quality from grapes grown under certain conditions in Toro</i><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Fast forward to today, there are now 60 wineries in Toro.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many of the owners of these new
wineries are from outside of Toro (most notably the Ribera del Duero and the
Rioja), however, some of the most illustrious movers-and-shakers in French wine
have invested heavily. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Moreover, Toro is winning awards on the world-wide
wine stage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Britain’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Decanter, </i>(their<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>equivalent of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Wine Spectator)
</i>is giving 97 point scores to Toro’s muscular reds<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">.</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 14pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSR0aPZFu2dsT5cfNRofA0_CzN0t78SJ15wACCVlYvB0Tot-mJ6uEZh0YQl0sdtG4wm54F2G6pslcJWd8DejChjpQ3nV7gmhr27u1X50Bm1X8X84qVoDnkzwsu_mdFA2NQ1PcP8E9C0AoCc5JPzvl56gqRL4EdG4zaW97U1p2u5ozMWNw3KJSpSAVQIww/s474/blog%20zamora%20TORO.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="278" data-original-width="474" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSR0aPZFu2dsT5cfNRofA0_CzN0t78SJ15wACCVlYvB0Tot-mJ6uEZh0YQl0sdtG4wm54F2G6pslcJWd8DejChjpQ3nV7gmhr27u1X50Bm1X8X84qVoDnkzwsu_mdFA2NQ1PcP8E9C0AoCc5JPzvl56gqRL4EdG4zaW97U1p2u5ozMWNw3KJSpSAVQIww/w640-h376/blog%20zamora%20TORO.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><i> Wine-Knows will be staying in Zamora, a historic Roman city on the Duero while in Toro</i><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">If you’re one
of the fortunate Wine-Knows coming with us on the Portugal-Spain tour in
September, you’ll have the opportunity to taste this upcoming region’s stellar
wines and learn first-hand how Toro’s unique terroir is responsible for shaping
a different version of the renowned Tempranillo grape.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;"><b>Ever heard of Spain's Rueda wine region? The next blog will cover these coveted white wines made from the Verdejo grape.</b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;"><br /></span></span></p>June Forkner-Dunn, PhDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13464775803820294761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7167503281314395092.post-9357954536821832782024-02-15T01:00:00.000-08:002024-02-15T01:00:00.155-08:005 Big Differences: Ribera Del Duero v. Rioja <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghXA3H0ysswWXteZ2sS2Hth70GUmmfhN02LlRGgPewYZiO6Vn67OWosIXfCXlfVOY3iCavl-FVOCbxL3YBOkkOeeZPdsytHC8nGJlHZXpGvBbhsM1whhjPSSWH203T0Ql97DdX2N4PnwTmU5cvyLlWxkBizhb5Q3jbWBe53rmQD3i5ZNrXxINhsWww9LQ/s600/blog%20rib%20glass.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghXA3H0ysswWXteZ2sS2Hth70GUmmfhN02LlRGgPewYZiO6Vn67OWosIXfCXlfVOY3iCavl-FVOCbxL3YBOkkOeeZPdsytHC8nGJlHZXpGvBbhsM1whhjPSSWH203T0Ql97DdX2N4PnwTmU5cvyLlWxkBizhb5Q3jbWBe53rmQD3i5ZNrXxINhsWww9LQ/w640-h480/blog%20rib%20glass.jpg" width="640" /></a></p> <i> Although both districts are Tempranillo-centric, the wines of the Ribera del Duero are very different from the Rioja </i><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Spain’s Rioja wine area was discussed in the last
Blog.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Today, we’ll focus on the neighboring
Ribera Del Duero (RdD) district.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The RdD,
like the Rioja, produces high quality, complex wines that have great aging
potential. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">While both of the wine
regions are located at approximately the same latitude and only a few hours
drive from one another, they are distinctly different.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Below are five significant differences
between the two rock-star districts.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 14pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNREdFaUYbIi9tDRSEUdahIXB6gYEk3cP0PV7yToXXSI_VnzU1sNM8msCfD8TZlnDtXwmkCgJ2XSlvRAf6jgJMHLhmox8LwfRgJPJapd6j_tuK4BAxPZp2n4nHa_7ovXK1ucdq1OctUTbmEKnoCe-OAYKo_RuM2g0cWl6okfcwLdKXcjCG2Hxy-bM0xJY/s640/blog%20duero%20riv.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNREdFaUYbIi9tDRSEUdahIXB6gYEk3cP0PV7yToXXSI_VnzU1sNM8msCfD8TZlnDtXwmkCgJ2XSlvRAf6jgJMHLhmox8LwfRgJPJapd6j_tuK4BAxPZp2n4nHa_7ovXK1ucdq1OctUTbmEKnoCe-OAYKo_RuM2g0cWl6okfcwLdKXcjCG2Hxy-bM0xJY/w640-h428/blog%20duero%20riv.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><i>The Duero River (Douro across the border in Portugal) exerts a huge influence on the RdD's terroir</i><p></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Terroir<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Both the RdD & Rioja have major rivers that
moderate their climates. The RdD, traversed
for 70 miles by the Duero River, is a 3,000 foot high plateau with baking hot
summers and freezing cold winters which are tamed by this river. Unlike the Rioja, there is no maritime
influence from the Atlantic. Furthermore,
in contrast to the Rioja, the RdD’s soil is clay, silt & limestone.</span></p></blockquote><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 107%;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 14pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnLaXDheEeL1GGKdTVo7leyPutYH3nJoxkib7YSS1GHcmt5-d7-0q-YdafLZeplMzLstrcCUenM3JNAKcrZe6PGnUw60sIbmiZs4XTK0Y0JKn3ERnR5wl-hsfoN7Xx1MP7vw3V0y4PZDa8YejKxRtVNdwW6Dknyy3pT_GM9L9qKU4cze9yuRcMyBx9NLk/s1080/blog%20rib%20wines%20glass.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnLaXDheEeL1GGKdTVo7leyPutYH3nJoxkib7YSS1GHcmt5-d7-0q-YdafLZeplMzLstrcCUenM3JNAKcrZe6PGnUw60sIbmiZs4XTK0Y0JKn3ERnR5wl-hsfoN7Xx1MP7vw3V0y4PZDa8YejKxRtVNdwW6Dknyy3pT_GM9L9qKU4cze9yuRcMyBx9NLk/w640-h320/blog%20rib%20wines%20glass.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><i> RdD wines are more masculine than the Rioja's softer style wines</i><div><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div><div><span style="line-height: 107%;"><i> </i></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 107%;">2.
Wine Characteristics</span><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">The extreme climatic conditions coupled with the
heartier soils of the RdD translate to wines that tend to be more muscular than those of the Rioja. RdD wines are typically from riper grapes of darker fruit with higher alcohol potential. Due
to its terroir, the RdD also has more assertive flavors (think black cherry & blackberry), while the Rioja offers softer red fruit
flavors such as strawberry.</span></p></blockquote><div style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.5pt; border: none; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0in; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 1pt;">
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="border: none; margin-left: 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext 1.5pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">3.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Grapes<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
</div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div><div style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.5pt; border: none; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 1pt;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext 1.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span> </span>Tempranillo is King in
both the RdD and the Rioja. In the RdD, however,
<span> </span><span> </span>Tempranillo is called <i>Tinto Fino (</i>an
actual local varietal of Tempranillo that has adapted to the harsh terroir). In contrast to the Rioja, the RdD also uses
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Malbec for blending.</span></p></div></div></blockquote><div><div style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.5pt; border: none; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 1pt;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaILCN6QZzyPBMKjJ7JiG-tAjbMm-WL2foS1Mat6I2xsQlTh9D9A0Sc-DXZpNaPwloOXSIZKkbmte0kUtcoT0-PbYgr-TuNEbKXwEGe4o4JSXaSGJQIsSZdM6x_CB8TUv5ntEyZAobryGbtA8NYziZSOtfgBo9qTrViQwJUm0Vkh6fX-cheCtyYoC5U2c/s366/blog%20rdd%20DO.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="251" data-original-width="366" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaILCN6QZzyPBMKjJ7JiG-tAjbMm-WL2foS1Mat6I2xsQlTh9D9A0Sc-DXZpNaPwloOXSIZKkbmte0kUtcoT0-PbYgr-TuNEbKXwEGe4o4JSXaSGJQIsSZdM6x_CB8TUv5ntEyZAobryGbtA8NYziZSOtfgBo9qTrViQwJUm0Vkh6fX-cheCtyYoC5U2c/w400-h274/blog%20rdd%20DO.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="text-align: left;">The official seal guarantees authenticity for the consumer that wine is from the RdD wine region</i></div><p></p>
</div><div style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.5pt; border: none; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0in; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 1pt;">
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="border: none; margin-left: 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext 1.5pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">4.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Wine
Laws</span></b></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="border: none; margin-left: 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext 1.5pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"> The RdD is a wine infant
in comparison to the Rioja.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">The Rioja’s
wine laws were established in 1925 while the RdD did not launch its regional
rules until 1982.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">While the Rioja is
entrenched with nearly a century of laws, the new kid on the block is
thinking out of the box and pushing the envelope for new ideas such as single
vineyard wines. </span></p></div><div style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.5pt; border: none; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0in; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 1pt;"><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="border: none; margin-left: 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext 1.5pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">5.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Amounts
& Types of Wine Produced<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
</div><p class="MsoNormal">
</p></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div><div style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.5pt; border: none; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 1pt;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext 1.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">The RdD produces 98M
bottles annually, however, the Rioja produces a whopping 350M bottles. While both wine districts are red-centric
producers, the RdD’s production of red wine accounts for 97% of its total. In contrast, the 86% of the Rioja’s wines are
red. </span> </p></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div><div style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.5pt; border: none; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 1pt;">
</div></div><div style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.5pt; border: none; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 1pt;"><i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.5pt; border: none; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 1pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i>Stay tuned for the next Blog which will showcase the wines of the Toro region that Wine-Knows' travelers will also be visiting on the October tour of Northern Spain.</i></span></div>June Forkner-Dunn, PhDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13464775803820294761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7167503281314395092.post-63789975850489805502024-02-05T01:00:00.000-08:002024-02-09T12:49:26.568-08:005 Facts You Should Know about the Rioja<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg71QLAHlSAgLHqGx4h29DCcNsDOqdncLa2EXF-ZSX5rMB-B-iP61Pfvka3it3HzdLfmxDAzOqQJ2nvjoWJx9SwW7AeGY5XCPZNyJtL7miOQOmxNPFgdjPa_UJirKnFpUsRHFlTKupUU2cz_D2itdheE65LKzGa7NagLDoiqWnLxR8ODForWM2kvdphM6s/s720/blog%20rioja%20cork%20top.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="720" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg71QLAHlSAgLHqGx4h29DCcNsDOqdncLa2EXF-ZSX5rMB-B-iP61Pfvka3it3HzdLfmxDAzOqQJ2nvjoWJx9SwW7AeGY5XCPZNyJtL7miOQOmxNPFgdjPa_UJirKnFpUsRHFlTKupUU2cz_D2itdheE65LKzGa7NagLDoiqWnLxR8ODForWM2kvdphM6s/w640-h426/blog%20rioja%20cork%20top.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18.6667px;">Whether you're coming with Wine-Knows on their sold-out tour to Spain this autumn or not, here's a quick summary of the top things for wine-lovers to know about the Rioja wine district.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0px;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18.6667px;"><b>1</b>. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: bold;">The Rioja is Spain’s most famous wine district.</span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span></p>
<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt;">The
Rioja is arguably Spain’s top wine region and certainly the most famous wine
area with the exception of Jerez (Sherry) in southern Spain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Internationally renowned, the Rioja’s prestigious
wines often receive top-ratings by critics and connoisseurs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This being said, the Rioja has increasingly
had to fight off competition from the nearby Ribera Del Duero region.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nonetheless, the Rioja is
still considered Spain’s most important and finest producer of premium red
wines.</span></p></blockquote><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBCJxBfMvqew-qXMGFR1bXvopVC_KxzPy1GXSwSoIJOpQ93sZWITEF-3iXacwXQbCFZLX_ZxwCg7VeYqBNnE0GGEDyUqGe25eKczNyyvOW0q6P-xotnHr9e5_icXYKJfqBU7CvbFrZNYfC0cKvNab9iZF37j58SQRsuB1xV3nOD64iBd_4rwic88sBxKc/s4320/Rioja,%20Spain.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4320" data-original-width="3240" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBCJxBfMvqew-qXMGFR1bXvopVC_KxzPy1GXSwSoIJOpQ93sZWITEF-3iXacwXQbCFZLX_ZxwCg7VeYqBNnE0GGEDyUqGe25eKczNyyvOW0q6P-xotnHr9e5_icXYKJfqBU7CvbFrZNYfC0cKvNab9iZF37j58SQRsuB1xV3nOD64iBd_4rwic88sBxKc/w300-h400/Rioja,%20Spain.JPG" width="300" /></a></div> <i>Tempranillo, the Rioja's most famous grape, is a major part of red blends</i><br /><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> 2. Wines are often blended in the Rioja.<o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt;">Red wines in the Rioja are traditionally a blend
of traditional Spanish red grape varieties.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The base of the blend is Tempranillo, however, Garnacha (aka Grenache),
Graciano and Mazuelo (aka Carignan) are also used in the blends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><o:p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 14pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqfwysPO3V6PlgwSkf6h6OibhkuLNlPDj7Us7y44PtxoY92WxaeIGVvOQMZ9OQ1br2lBubsGZny24Y-8COX0sA1HZA7zGaAGueRDCMvmu7lT5VP3xNXpYXBTdPQm1EANdA2YhlZG90cEbhSkc7KAO8yO2boXyrkzQBJvshIyLrgaF3ceq5clLIKqH1Msk/s877/Rioja%20landscape%20with%20castle%20and%20vines.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="612" data-original-width="877" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqfwysPO3V6PlgwSkf6h6OibhkuLNlPDj7Us7y44PtxoY92WxaeIGVvOQMZ9OQ1br2lBubsGZny24Y-8COX0sA1HZA7zGaAGueRDCMvmu7lT5VP3xNXpYXBTdPQm1EANdA2YhlZG90cEbhSkc7KAO8yO2boXyrkzQBJvshIyLrgaF3ceq5clLIKqH1Msk/w640-h446/Rioja%20landscape%20with%20castle%20and%20vines.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span> The Rioja is also one of Spain's most beautiful wine regions</i><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><o:p><i><br /></i></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> 3. The Rioja also produces terrific white, rose & sparkling wines.<o:p></o:p></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt;">Although the Rioja is associated mainly with red
wines, the region also makes some stunning whites and rose <i>(rosado)</i> wines. White Rioja (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Rioja Blanco)</i>, is quite rare making up only 5-10% of the region’s
wines. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Viura is the main grape of these
white wines, however, <i>Rioja Blancos</i> are a blend of other
grapes like Garnacha Blanca, Tempranillo Blanco, Malvasia, and even Chardonnay. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18.6667px;">Sparkling wine is also made and has been included in the Rioja's latest wine classification.</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 14pt; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5b0JfxN-52yoeNmhdswQVZPct0PrzT_YPcgxHb2qWOxaw5KhFQMc-wMVXvtowEkyF-A7_UnoBr3AE7_muL0_Mj2MFRQwfn6SZeIuCMLQbkqUJH8sMs8kpPBSup3VVNtKmpXcAQL3K5yc5WQSAiqFkTbg3NzDD_CRYw8nGW5bL3xOETrOdm8In7GJPcM0/s3381/blog%20rioja%20mts%20backgrnd%20me.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3381" data-original-width="3240" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5b0JfxN-52yoeNmhdswQVZPct0PrzT_YPcgxHb2qWOxaw5KhFQMc-wMVXvtowEkyF-A7_UnoBr3AE7_muL0_Mj2MFRQwfn6SZeIuCMLQbkqUJH8sMs8kpPBSup3VVNtKmpXcAQL3K5yc5WQSAiqFkTbg3NzDD_CRYw8nGW5bL3xOETrOdm8In7GJPcM0/w614-h640/blog%20rioja%20mts%20backgrnd%20me.JPG" width="614" /></a></i></div><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span>Rioja Alavesa lies at the foot of the mountains separating the Rioja from the Atlantic</i><p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -0.25in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> 4. </span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt;">The Terroir of the
Rioja is Diverse.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 35.25pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 35.25pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 35.25pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 35.25pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt;">The Rioja wine region is about 210 square miles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The mountains on its
northern border help moderate the climate by protecting the region from the
strong influences of the Atlantic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
River Ebro flows through the region also moderates the climate, protecting
it in winter from freezing temperatures and cooling it in the scalding
summers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In general, the Rioja’s soil
is limestone and iron.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 35.25pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 35.25pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 35.25pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 35.25pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaf4jI-erKgAVPLe9zZmCTquvLL2YkkxOVLHBEqMMa5i52w7SAyjhwB8s93eIBQwMUVEinQJQRhxY4teYOimTaYo7EED5UWAPGMyQpCaqVEVhDEYTed7RlrTxOhNk1R2ZFaTj-xsx5d7XNm-Cd1NWePk8Ww3OnxMJnnVzlshyVCgIAjNTDN6VZDlehkzE/s850/blog%20rioja%20wine%20areas.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="567" data-original-width="850" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaf4jI-erKgAVPLe9zZmCTquvLL2YkkxOVLHBEqMMa5i52w7SAyjhwB8s93eIBQwMUVEinQJQRhxY4teYOimTaYo7EED5UWAPGMyQpCaqVEVhDEYTed7RlrTxOhNk1R2ZFaTj-xsx5d7XNm-Cd1NWePk8Ww3OnxMJnnVzlshyVCgIAjNTDN6VZDlehkzE/w400-h266/blog%20rioja%20wine%20areas.png" width="400" /></a></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 35.25pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: times;">The
Rioja is divided into 3 sub-districts based upon terroir.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: times;"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;">~ Rioja Alavesa</span></i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> is the most northern of the 3
sub-regions. It is closest to the Atlantic so the area is colder. Soil here is
limestone and clay.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: times;"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;">~ Rioja Alta</span></i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> comprises the higher altitudes
vineyards in the western section of the Rioja. Soil is iron rich and clay.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
</p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: times;"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> ~ Rioja Oriental</span></i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> (formerly called <i>Rioja Baja</i>) is located
in the eastern section of the district and accounts for 40% of the
region’s wine. This area is composed of lower
altitude vineyards. Unlike the other two sub-districts, it is
warm and dry. Soil, washed down from higher altitudes, is high in
iron.</span></span></p></blockquote></blockquote><p><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 14pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_-fvXt81Gw8Z0UsBDiXmo5ErXFxgvz64_m-sGgTX-V4DS4SpvLTtxz9f5JurMd0AVCU82X74hxMGtdcvq-P234kGchfagKYxAG-6syZ8RkUGJIMxFNrhFLzR1ooAGCDJFgkZOmSYFcKDxz77cgDV4gvedK-A1bcU_iZB2xRevf8hAzZgEZU2NblBIMTA/s758/Blog%20Rioja-Wine%20Classification.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="429" data-original-width="758" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_-fvXt81Gw8Z0UsBDiXmo5ErXFxgvz64_m-sGgTX-V4DS4SpvLTtxz9f5JurMd0AVCU82X74hxMGtdcvq-P234kGchfagKYxAG-6syZ8RkUGJIMxFNrhFLzR1ooAGCDJFgkZOmSYFcKDxz77cgDV4gvedK-A1bcU_iZB2xRevf8hAzZgEZU2NblBIMTA/w640-h362/Blog%20Rioja-Wine%20Classification.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -0.25in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt;"> 5. The Rioja’s wine classification
system was changed in 2018.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -0.25in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">While aging requirements have always been present in the Rioja's wine system (<i>Crianza</i> 2 year minimum, <i>Reserva</i> 3 year minimum & <i>Gran Reserva</i> 5 year minimum), the biggest change in the new rules is the addition of the sparkling wine category, <i>Gran Anada,</i> and the allowance of single vineyard wines echoing the importance of terroir.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18.6667px;"><b>Stay tuned for the next article on the Ribera del Duero wine district that Wine-Knows travelers will also be visiting this October.</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br /></p>June Forkner-Dunn, PhDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13464775803820294761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7167503281314395092.post-16259268665141147442024-01-22T13:22:00.000-08:002024-01-22T13:24:42.916-08:00Champagne's Unusual Way of Pricing Grapes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDpuyfGIeNrQwqT-M_4gO3-MYGB0vDYdk6ilBzPM8CR7Cr3I9aMg9fkE-KkfD209iedqiYD0y93QZydPrajVPUJt0MYCH3WcyJgG0BbSmQjkIk-KkM01fVtnilXfcvScCHspJ2zBbjUo1dDp78eknJJG9WlFzklBsneDPr_Y06f92QrHSzCtuGY7Qwx4I/s1024/blog%20ay%20anicent%20postcard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="552" data-original-width="1024" height="346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDpuyfGIeNrQwqT-M_4gO3-MYGB0vDYdk6ilBzPM8CR7Cr3I9aMg9fkE-KkfD209iedqiYD0y93QZydPrajVPUJt0MYCH3WcyJgG0BbSmQjkIk-KkM01fVtnilXfcvScCHspJ2zBbjUo1dDp78eknJJG9WlFzklBsneDPr_Y06f92QrHSzCtuGY7Qwx4I/w640-h346/blog%20ay%20anicent%20postcard.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <i> Champagne's grape pricing system began in the early 1900's</i><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Did you know that the cost of grapes in the Champagne
district is totally dependent upon a quality rating system <i>based upon the village in which they are grown</i>? Let me explain this fascinating system used
in the Champagne appellation to determine how much certain grapes are worth.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Overview
of Champagne Region <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The Champagne region actually begins about 75 miles
east of Paris. It is quite a large
geographic area (90 miles north - south, by 70 miles east - west). Moreover, the Champagne appellation has 318 different
villages that grow grapes for the world’s most coveted bubbly. Each village has been given a quality rating
and the price of the village’s grapes are dependent upon this.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ4H6eORLczUMfICZaKIpIsfH4FzwTcakMlDBW36fGsCu4Ax08VIxmrZ0vjLztcAFUlXV08sZreFQO5bihnDfJB3F7fZglVhy01C6WO-6lIy52kq-KQX0-WbW6cDSeMZW8HigdAPoKLeey5_lwcVChVfscJNHXF56yNHkCJajpQaYwdeEgWXsUPJHxSCU/s474/blog%20mt%20reim.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="474" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ4H6eORLczUMfICZaKIpIsfH4FzwTcakMlDBW36fGsCu4Ax08VIxmrZ0vjLztcAFUlXV08sZreFQO5bihnDfJB3F7fZglVhy01C6WO-6lIy52kq-KQX0-WbW6cDSeMZW8HigdAPoKLeey5_lwcVChVfscJNHXF56yNHkCJajpQaYwdeEgWXsUPJHxSCU/w640-h426/blog%20mt%20reim.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <i>The mountain of Reims has several villages classified as either Grand Cru or Premier Cru</i><br /><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Quality
$ystem<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Think of the Champagne vineyard rating like a ladder
with 3 rungs. The top rung composes grapes from the 17
Grand Cru designated villages. The
middle rung includes grapes from the 44 Premier Cru villages. On the bottom rung are the grapes of the remaining 257
villages. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Each year the price of grapes is determined by the CIVC
<i>(Comite Interprofessioanl de Vins de
Champagne), </i>a joint trade association representing both the grape growers
and Champagne makers. Once the annual
price is established here’s how the three parts of the ladder are paid:</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">~ Grand Cru
villages are paid 100% of the price<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">~ Premier Cru villages are paid 90-99% of the price<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">~ The remaining villages are paid 80-89% of the price</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjXOVZdfofGhSQ-X-RV6qsZBNqU3DNUp4xNVpb4XTvEUNyP-k1NUR7VrwrxtE6G8-gXg1yb9PC1CaIV3jvPK5lzLy4ErtJietdu0QQnHAlZydSy4IpTC-T-ORdwdCHxDFgLF5upvwP9PvE2e45NirU5PIT1ary-6TXmN6jhrgHEffoNYtKtjov4Z5PAwM/s1440/champagne%20toast.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1015" data-original-width="1440" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjXOVZdfofGhSQ-X-RV6qsZBNqU3DNUp4xNVpb4XTvEUNyP-k1NUR7VrwrxtE6G8-gXg1yb9PC1CaIV3jvPK5lzLy4ErtJietdu0QQnHAlZydSy4IpTC-T-ORdwdCHxDFgLF5upvwP9PvE2e45NirU5PIT1ary-6TXmN6jhrgHEffoNYtKtjov4Z5PAwM/w640-h452/champagne%20toast.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <i> Wine-Knows' Champagne, Burgundy & the Rhone trip is sold out</i><br /><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">If you’re one of the fortunate participants of this
September’s trip, you will actually be hosted by the CIVC trade
organization for a private seminar and tasting.
Additionally, you will be
visiting Champagne makers with Grand Cru and Premier Cru vineyards.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Toasting all a healthy 2024! </span></p><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgF79kQiNmhQIuJkANcOvGM4fUUiE0YLy1hldh97vKe80Kb6P2eFn707vnfEB5fPN452glGFgjxujCL15q3KVScyXSc-qfadvOuvUZpsdOGuWCABbBbOXfOZR82vRbhhtKN6567OrdSCI_U8RjNXbuhTdO1ytFP3O2hXSdxhAg8nh0vaNgR253WS3lN4to" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><br /></a></div><br /> </span></div>June Forkner-Dunn, PhDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13464775803820294761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7167503281314395092.post-18311132256114514512024-01-12T01:00:00.000-08:002024-01-12T01:00:00.143-08:00What is GSM?<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLnl9Ax0I7oFxnnIr0eHtQF75mvmP_vQiCrffqcPVmWiAxfMalIDNJnh-HIICpDi1e1i8l5SWoGztPcqAtVqaijfc69l1iWJXPWsjBRlhgAYpJMhAp4-eugCVCaaZaB-ItOR0ySDF8_n4nb_8OIA9HNFMtsW01BN9sz9EzGjia5vIl-p2aY8vZ-1HGwmY/s1250/rhone%20valley%20vineyards.jpg" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="672" data-original-width="1250" height="344" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLnl9Ax0I7oFxnnIr0eHtQF75mvmP_vQiCrffqcPVmWiAxfMalIDNJnh-HIICpDi1e1i8l5SWoGztPcqAtVqaijfc69l1iWJXPWsjBRlhgAYpJMhAp4-eugCVCaaZaB-ItOR0ySDF8_n4nb_8OIA9HNFMtsW01BN9sz9EzGjia5vIl-p2aY8vZ-1HGwmY/w640-h344/rhone%20valley%20vineyards.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 115%;"><o:p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><i>France's Rhone River Valley is ground zero for the GSM blend</i></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Over the past twenty years the phrase GSM has become
quite popular among serious wine lovers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> S</span>ommeliers are using the term to discuss their wine list, and tasting room personnel in California’s Central Coast wineries
toss it to and fro like it was commonplace. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For those of you who are coming on our
September trip to the Rhone Valley and don’t know the term, you need to know
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>GSM is code for the immensely popular
Rhone blend of <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">G</b>renache, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">S</b>yrah and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">M</b>ourvedre.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBqjZdtF4BVpVGqBvsw9YQAXcizBFDPZyv5ayaYyKFv0VnL9-V7E1pEg_IHe20t_LZdlfpaNo7fhw_jA4aWhSasqsXDzKBl0ZBbl2lSq0jl0g3W5VpNwZ3gWTJkDrdgxLqSWY2sWm_kwd5GZ2KE26_f9wF_AFhnep6ZZdtrpsNdbYbpvlorgQo2s50hrA/s1856/rhone%20valley%20vinyrds%20MAP.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1856" data-original-width="1700" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBqjZdtF4BVpVGqBvsw9YQAXcizBFDPZyv5ayaYyKFv0VnL9-V7E1pEg_IHe20t_LZdlfpaNo7fhw_jA4aWhSasqsXDzKBl0ZBbl2lSq0jl0g3W5VpNwZ3gWTJkDrdgxLqSWY2sWm_kwd5GZ2KE26_f9wF_AFhnep6ZZdtrpsNdbYbpvlorgQo2s50hrA/w366-h400/rhone%20valley%20vinyrds%20MAP.jpg" width="366" /></a></div> <i> GSM appears in both the north & south Rhone but in differing proportions </i><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The Rhone Valley is the second largest wine growing
region in France.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">GSM is dominant throughout
both of its two sub regions, the northern & southern Rhone. Here’s a recap
of these three varieties that comprise GSM.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Grenache<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">One of the most versatile red grapes in the world,
Grenache thrives in hot, dry climates such as the Rhone Valley, Spain (where it
is named <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Garnacha</i>), and California. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Grenache produces wines that can range from
light to full-bodied; from simple inexpensive wines that offer immediate
satisfaction to complex ones that are cellar worthy and do not come cheaply. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Grenache is all about fruit…strawberries,
blackberries, raspberries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That being said,
the variety’s earth notes can include an interesting layering of spices such as
allspice, cinnamon or pepper, as well as subtle nuances of floral notes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Grenache is the superstar grape in the wines of the
southern Rhone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chateauneuf du Pape, for
example, is typically a blend of 75% Grenache.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In second and third place in the south’s blend are Sryah and Mourvedre,
respectively.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 14pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV6jpQgiHSRN5VB635v_xEDjitwtRipOi9yae6k130dfJEU13WBhc2YGxZUI-O9Gf2m_IYvuy3EoizIKXosnd6JrI7ATg2-BsVGJmtuJ9cZgYcpzr80EOrS_zed7GERl_su6Qlr3aS5kvgDeeHBSaDlDUEXOlXxE5AGtenIrANiLDdWXnRtAeau-DbtPg/s600/blog%20chapel%20fake%20group.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="337" data-original-width="600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV6jpQgiHSRN5VB635v_xEDjitwtRipOi9yae6k130dfJEU13WBhc2YGxZUI-O9Gf2m_IYvuy3EoizIKXosnd6JrI7ATg2-BsVGJmtuJ9cZgYcpzr80EOrS_zed7GERl_su6Qlr3aS5kvgDeeHBSaDlDUEXOlXxE5AGtenIrANiLDdWXnRtAeau-DbtPg/w640-h360/blog%20chapel%20fake%20group.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><i>Wine-Knows visit the famous hill of Hermitage in the Northern Rhone</i><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Sryah<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Unlike the southern Rhone where Grenache rules, Syrah is
King in the Northern Rhone dominating the blend in famous wines such as
Hermitage and Cote-Rotie. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, DNA
testing shows the Syrah grape is indigenous to the Rhone Valley.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Syrah, in contrast to Grenache, contributes not only
firm tannins that make for powerfully flavored and full bodied wines, but Syrah’s
very dark inky color adds <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>deep hues to
these northern Rhones.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Similar to Grenache, on the other hand, the
Syrah grape yields rich fruit flavors in the form of black cherry, blackberry
and plum. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Syrah also provides a
beguiling spice profile of cloves, licorice, white or black pepper, and even
chocolate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOVgE7ln7rUuN__a0RaPdb_c94DOybqyaQZoA1DIbVFadpInjUFLVye3gNPb3a4pbJiWHqMAQ0K0O5NlKoMBie8WBA_OPbzVPmCp3I23RgbaMze6l3EiC1XlUhdKV6xv7q5GKrL72DSwnmS9HM4AOPw7NjqwtprtTD_jDgpAVMpB5hjk9V0CeqaVQWkyc/s800/blog%20chateauneuf%20store.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOVgE7ln7rUuN__a0RaPdb_c94DOybqyaQZoA1DIbVFadpInjUFLVye3gNPb3a4pbJiWHqMAQ0K0O5NlKoMBie8WBA_OPbzVPmCp3I23RgbaMze6l3EiC1XlUhdKV6xv7q5GKrL72DSwnmS9HM4AOPw7NjqwtprtTD_jDgpAVMpB5hjk9V0CeqaVQWkyc/w640-h426/blog%20chateauneuf%20store.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Wine-Knows will visit the town of Chateauneuf du Pape & its famous wineries</i></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Mourvedre</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The “M” part of GSM tends to produce deeply-colored
and tannic wines that can be high in alcohol.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Mourvedre is mainly used for blending in both the northern &
southern Rhone and is rarely vinified as a varietal except in the appellation
of Bandol (on the Mediterranean) where the cooling maritime influence can
change it into a rockstar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mourvedre
offers earth flavors such as leather, as well as dark fruit flavors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is often even a patina of chocolate.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">If you’re joining the Wine-Knows' harvest tour this
September in France you’ll have several opportunities to sample GSM in the
famous southern Rhone appellation of Chateauneuf du Pape, as well as Hermitage
and Cote Rotie of the northern Rhone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
have remaining 1-2 spaces still available for a lucky GSM lover. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, since we’ll also be visiting Burgundy and
Champagne on this same trip, Pinot Noir & bubble lovers are also welcomed!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.wineknowstravel.com/burgundy-champagne/">Burgundy
& Champagne – Wine-Knows Travel (wineknowstravel.com)</a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>June Forkner-Dunn, PhDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13464775803820294761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7167503281314395092.post-80868428996454359772024-01-01T01:00:00.000-08:002024-01-03T13:12:26.849-08:003 California Wines To Consider<p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiITZ2yNcOiOO_ahu9UGnZGSuEoXige23GUGBiZZNS7E-OHXjWzVMSfegP-7n6d8j017hVY9MX4liFyt5m39M5eN6r41dhZ_TfF6YSyFYYc0EIJHRJc_OzjngeKpbUUrQwMTC5gQ4csPzQ2iV4S4pea2DFzgVtOekoSEybwM9vKdl9MlACddzVd05MDktA/s4000/Home%20Tour%20Wine%20Cellar.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2664" data-original-width="4000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiITZ2yNcOiOO_ahu9UGnZGSuEoXige23GUGBiZZNS7E-OHXjWzVMSfegP-7n6d8j017hVY9MX4liFyt5m39M5eN6r41dhZ_TfF6YSyFYYc0EIJHRJc_OzjngeKpbUUrQwMTC5gQ4csPzQ2iV4S4pea2DFzgVtOekoSEybwM9vKdl9MlACddzVd05MDktA/w640-h426/Home%20Tour%20Wine%20Cellar.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /> <i>A built-in-the-round wine cellar was one of our first projects when we moved to San Diego</i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">In 2009 when we moved from the San Francisco
Bay Area to San Diego County we moved >2,000 bottles of wine down in a large, refrigerated truck.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Today our cellar has
about 50% of what we transported to San Diego, and our wine purchases have
slowed to a drip as we add more birthdays.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Five years ago my
husband and I went on a moratorium for wine buying….my husband thought this
meant “more” wine, however, after a serious talk regarding our ages we agreed that our
serious wine buying days were over. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Today we rarely buy cases of wine, however,
this article discusses three stellar case exceptions that were added to our cellar in
2023.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 107%;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 14pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWx1MJELYOiI6aBPrNb-4y2qyc-hTp-lxrSB0ua3BIXw2dvTjGMioLb1Ane-uBWHYI-nDXb8Z6NmgeIQEk2t17h4Vl-sVkk30K_coC6wtKTBIR2JAJ3tPPi60bKQT5tCcC4wqrfGdg9c9yNMbxf4EBX_XfW64XcRS96_qJC2umE2yztH2T3WDZWzLPwss/s1142/santa%20Rita%20Hills.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="799" data-original-width="1142" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWx1MJELYOiI6aBPrNb-4y2qyc-hTp-lxrSB0ua3BIXw2dvTjGMioLb1Ane-uBWHYI-nDXb8Z6NmgeIQEk2t17h4Vl-sVkk30K_coC6wtKTBIR2JAJ3tPPi60bKQT5tCcC4wqrfGdg9c9yNMbxf4EBX_XfW64XcRS96_qJC2umE2yztH2T3WDZWzLPwss/w400-h280/santa%20Rita%20Hills.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><i>Santa Rita Hills are the only east to west hills in Cali, thus allow the cooling influence of the sea</i><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Brewer-Clifton</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Santa Barbara County is making some great wines,
however, Brewer Clifton (BC) produces some<b> phenomenal</b> wines. Two of our three cases from 2023 came from
BC. Greg Brewer, named Winemaker of the
Year in 2021, is the owner & winemaker and we were fortunate to have him
meet us for a tasting. The first case
we purchased was the stunning Perilune Chardonnay sourced from fruit in the
coveted Perilune vineyard of the Santa Rita Hills. This
is a limited production wine, but I can say that my love for it was limitless. <i>$80
bucks a bottle</i> and worth every penny in my opinion, it’s only available at
the winery (however, they ship).</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">The second of our year’s few cases purchased was
Brewer Clifton’s Machado Vineyard Pinot Noir.
Our cellar has an enormous amount of Pinot Noir from Burgundy and
California so the fact that we walked out with 12 more bottles of this variety
is testimony to the quality of this wine.
After the tasting I discovered it had been given a score of 97 by a serious
wine critic. Personally, I would even rate it
higher: <i>$90 per bottle </i>of pure hedonistic pleasure.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgI1Fvr481tYEpMDgmsY8RsnNlI5rFv6fSwzaUQlKnsrJmsuFHuVs7c7pCZUxpUJRfZpXgA1zzl-44Qi-SMs6mHEbzQGOHV9RXMoawcBY0S0bkZw9zNgpOTk9SwMSZlgra_a6Tttym0Ns5eQ4P2WIlGLldep3zsph_uNuuXs5sVPH_I6ZI7Dzxl4vmgiU/s1170/beringer%20blog.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="658" data-original-width="1170" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgI1Fvr481tYEpMDgmsY8RsnNlI5rFv6fSwzaUQlKnsrJmsuFHuVs7c7pCZUxpUJRfZpXgA1zzl-44Qi-SMs6mHEbzQGOHV9RXMoawcBY0S0bkZw9zNgpOTk9SwMSZlgra_a6Tttym0Ns5eQ4P2WIlGLldep3zsph_uNuuXs5sVPH_I6ZI7Dzxl4vmgiU/w640-h360/beringer%20blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <i> Beringer Winery, one of Napa Valley's architectural masterpieces, also makes masterful wines</i><br /><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Beringer
Private Reserve Chardonnay 2021<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">The last wine we purchased recently we learned of at a private autumn several-course
dinner at a restaurant in San Diego where each course was paired with a
different wine. The wine distributor
for the portfolio of terrific wines was present and discussed each wine. Beringer’s Private Reserve Char was the first out of the gate and was paired with crab cakes. Our table was the first poured of the 50
persons present, so we were able to enjoy the Char both as an aperitif and a small
refill with the crab cakes. There were 4
other great wines presented that evening but I couldn’t keep thinking about the
first. The next day I ordered a
case. I wasn’t surprised to learn that
the <i>Wine Spectator’s </i>James Suckling
had given it score of 98. This Char has
a great QP/R at $37 per bottle and is available at Total Wine.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Cheers to a healthy 2024 filled with some memorable wines!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal">
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>June Forkner-Dunn, PhDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13464775803820294761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7167503281314395092.post-84702698928502918972023-12-21T01:00:00.021-08:002023-12-21T01:00:00.145-08:00Roll Out the RED Carpet for the Holidays!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI27o463Zd_ttdcaxj_17d1Qabq91THREOpO0kvPY26CL6y_pAqEZesIc8vl-RoEqOk-psCmAFseqOmTgbsdrGxcQOrPjOQDSlZ7o506GTdbm9d1PRZEMuMkGeE5x_I2enjilRGZ9o0WQrB9uXp_gVkFGeQJvaa_IUeQqHQiTRXXJswBn6G7U56LnB0xs/s1472/blog%20chambord%20bot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1472" data-original-width="1472" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI27o463Zd_ttdcaxj_17d1Qabq91THREOpO0kvPY26CL6y_pAqEZesIc8vl-RoEqOk-psCmAFseqOmTgbsdrGxcQOrPjOQDSlZ7o506GTdbm9d1PRZEMuMkGeE5x_I2enjilRGZ9o0WQrB9uXp_gVkFGeQJvaa_IUeQqHQiTRXXJswBn6G7U56LnB0xs/w400-h400/blog%20chambord%20bot.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <i> Chambord screams holiday splurge!</i><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">This blog's theme for the month of December has been the color red. The last in the trio of articles is about the scarlet red-colored liqueur Chambord. Made from a melange of berries (e.g. raspberries, currants and blackberries), Chambord is named after the illustrious <i>Chateau </i></span><i style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Chambord </i><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">in France's Loire Valley where a drink using a similar berry liqueur was served to King Louis XIV nearly 400 years ago.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Chambord is a premium liqueur that uses XO French Cognac as its base, along with Madagascar vanilla, Moroccan citrus, and exotic spices such as cinnamon, cloves and ginger. While the French Chambord brand was birthed in the 1980's in France, in 2006 it was purchased by the American liquor conglomerate Brown-Forman who owns famous brands such as Jack Daniels, Finlandia, and several Scotch companies. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLLq0i_5jpL4wkxZ7qRAlLPr57-86tfSMblr-AeTkKm2Xb2zwpj2eZ-4r5ps4-fkjqcnYO0uwnbDq_0X8WP-J23F5XUhOAyMQs2d2SgpaygUocLyBdHb6QK4Hr0v7GIgp2WVmgc56fDYYNAxjzd2pme1KgTMDxyMOLF9SGhVcwynjG66yzT_9CrPT0Jds/s598/blog%20chambord%20apperitif.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="566" data-original-width="598" height="379" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLLq0i_5jpL4wkxZ7qRAlLPr57-86tfSMblr-AeTkKm2Xb2zwpj2eZ-4r5ps4-fkjqcnYO0uwnbDq_0X8WP-J23F5XUhOAyMQs2d2SgpaygUocLyBdHb6QK4Hr0v7GIgp2WVmgc56fDYYNAxjzd2pme1KgTMDxyMOLF9SGhVcwynjG66yzT_9CrPT0Jds/w400-h379/blog%20chambord%20apperitif.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><i>A Chambord Spritz with a sprig of mint makes for a perfect holiday aperitif</i></span></div><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">With a bottle that is instantly recognizable behind a bar, Chambord has become a favorite of many mixologists for its flavor profile and intense red color. Perhaps the most famous aperitif made with Chambord is a deluxe Kir Royale (often called a Kir Imperial), where a couple of teaspoons are added to a flute of Champagne (the non-deluxe version uses Creme de Cassis, a less expensive berry liqueur). It's not unusual to see such drinks as a Chambord Moscow mule, Chambord gin fizz, or even a Chambord margarita on upmarket bar drink lists.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Chambord is on the pricey side, but remember a little goes a long way. While the large bottle is beautiful, I suggest you consider a smaller one. Once opened, the liqueur only lasts about six months. After that period Chambord oxidizes and turns an orange-brown with an off-putting taste. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><i>Toasting you Happy Holidaze with a Kir Imperiale!</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>June Forkner-Dunn, PhDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13464775803820294761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7167503281314395092.post-70558945072151928852023-12-12T01:00:00.001-08:002023-12-12T01:00:00.142-08:00"Seeing Red" for the Holidaze<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTcFf7pvC1rDXtXrgKJN9FROZFD9_JF3xItxEqRnHQ-w_KFEU4T9bFc9b1LmBnWcXT20c3JOF76AZWTobMyaZS4bNjWx662SfNnyd0ZRt0_hCM6GtW1KsGwxCw2gZL3EVKgCV4iQ_EyrhbJeBNYZAzOg7uvYqF-hEzORje8YIO49KGjbt_7nCDMnZ0T_k/s714/piquillos%20stuffed.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="714" data-original-width="536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTcFf7pvC1rDXtXrgKJN9FROZFD9_JF3xItxEqRnHQ-w_KFEU4T9bFc9b1LmBnWcXT20c3JOF76AZWTobMyaZS4bNjWx662SfNnyd0ZRt0_hCM6GtW1KsGwxCw2gZL3EVKgCV4iQ_EyrhbJeBNYZAzOg7uvYqF-hEzORje8YIO49KGjbt_7nCDMnZ0T_k/w480-h640/piquillos%20stuffed.jpg" width="480" /></a></div> <i>These oven-ready lamb-stuffed piquillos are a stunning holiday show-stopper</i><br /> <p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">"Red" is the theme for December's blog and this will be the second article in a three-part Holiday series. Today we pay tribute to the neon-red colored piquillo pepper from Spain. In case you don't know them, piquillos are sweet, smoky flavor-bombs that can be served multiple ways. Their color and the fact that they can be easily stuffed with a huge variety of scrumptious goodies make them perfect gastronomic treats for yuletide tapas.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0sk5mLLMKIwFIP8-lSsksdwzyt3lPP59bfuVfBNhLrTHvxz58MCLnGqlzj0GDLxvWQt_aOQ4CZbBGRMEzZi4eol0aAlH1n2smiGu_kZ69iX4hhvm6VBipzOUeZmVkUlNMTW2LM2hpvYWGa_KWLD_w4yST-gVPtXxkGe9Gzt8wfCrR5PptTcfBc1Xxn2E/s1200/blog%20piq%20goat%20cheese.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0sk5mLLMKIwFIP8-lSsksdwzyt3lPP59bfuVfBNhLrTHvxz58MCLnGqlzj0GDLxvWQt_aOQ4CZbBGRMEzZi4eol0aAlH1n2smiGu_kZ69iX4hhvm6VBipzOUeZmVkUlNMTW2LM2hpvYWGa_KWLD_w4yST-gVPtXxkGe9Gzt8wfCrR5PptTcfBc1Xxn2E/w640-h640/blog%20piq%20goat%20cheese.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <i> Goat cheese & chive-filled piquillos scream holidaze</i><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">One of my favorite stuffings is minced lamb mixed with a host of Middle Eastern spices such as tumeric, toasted cumin and fresh mint. Top them with minced chives and you have Christmas on a plate. Other faves of mine are a goat cheese-stuffed piquillo, or an earthy wild-mushroom & truffle filling. But the sky's the limit as piquillos make a wonderful ingredient in a holiday omelet, pasta, risotto, or even blended to make a lip-stick red holiday sauce. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuv2hfCowZzDPqoRAj4Vw58g6PnEqJU9J7zs8OxEw9Y6ckhVhoI1NOEkjXgHFowmk40eZS2qUu8LCrB2sFMIZDr4Y7rNfp9G3v9W3bNHN1JNXN4OrlxhGZxBQdIK5CeRs80zoVKDVkRpBOgsel2Ga0f0ES1Lbq0VBJV15-LRkFXi5b4YkSRXh3QbsNwP4/s1080/blog%20piq%20crab.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1080" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuv2hfCowZzDPqoRAj4Vw58g6PnEqJU9J7zs8OxEw9Y6ckhVhoI1NOEkjXgHFowmk40eZS2qUu8LCrB2sFMIZDr4Y7rNfp9G3v9W3bNHN1JNXN4OrlxhGZxBQdIK5CeRs80zoVKDVkRpBOgsel2Ga0f0ES1Lbq0VBJV15-LRkFXi5b4YkSRXh3QbsNwP4/w640-h426/blog%20piq%20crab.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">But, wait! December is dungeness crab season on the west coast which means piquillos can be filled with crab </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">for a very special holiday appetizer (or first course)</span><span style="font-size: x-large;">. I mix a little binding agent (Greek yogurt is okay if you're watching fat content, or if you're blowing the wad for the season use creme fraiche). Mince into the crab mixture a little fresh tarragon and you have a decadent, colorful, and absolutely outrageous yuletide dish.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>Note: if you can't find piquillos, they are available online.</i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Happy holidaze....</span></p><p><br /></p>June Forkner-Dunn, PhDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13464775803820294761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7167503281314395092.post-52974060771866456492023-12-02T01:00:00.022-08:002023-12-02T01:00:00.155-08:00Shades of Red for the Holidays<p><span style="font-family: times;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA4ApaF5HCbjK_FRrP_R5RxojOYmuLHq4PcewEM9M0jNbmzLOguCHBPhAp8DoG6oy18kocK4bEDgucENNj4FOPUP2wY5Tl1sr0vNTnNV_5_hYtJ4MYkPNgmjbdMarCCKS8m07RBZDVPWp-Il9eXEHW6HTdcguq1oNcvv0uIK-GQ3U6Pm3qZlEx2dMjZEw/s4000/2017%20Europe_Cassis,%20Julia,%20Castig,%20Canaries%20Madeira%20095.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA4ApaF5HCbjK_FRrP_R5RxojOYmuLHq4PcewEM9M0jNbmzLOguCHBPhAp8DoG6oy18kocK4bEDgucENNj4FOPUP2wY5Tl1sr0vNTnNV_5_hYtJ4MYkPNgmjbdMarCCKS8m07RBZDVPWp-Il9eXEHW6HTdcguq1oNcvv0uIK-GQ3U6Pm3qZlEx2dMjZEw/w640-h480/2017%20Europe_Cassis,%20Julia,%20Castig,%20Canaries%20Madeira%20095.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><i>These very light-colored Kir Royales had only a teaspoon of Cassis</i></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hello, December! This article is the first in the month's trio of <i>"Seeing Red</i>" in honor of the traditional red color of the Holidays. December's blog will cover Spain's neon-red piquillo peppers, as well as two popular scarlet red liqueurs, Cassis and Chambord. Today's posting is about the red colored liqueur made of black currants from the hills of Burgundy in France. Commonly called Cassis, it's proper name is actually <i>Creme de Cassis.</i></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUFMSZjwv4fn0vh2EJXN7GcpTrTcW42AmfWZgSzdylDgGpC3lVmirw12GBaMnKK2SJ9bFLdPy0Azbac5Tg8XsV9Q9Rbl9DLI3xSQssILyhr04ymBti8zVjfeH3wxoZX334HsSASFY5ubuKSWLflryIt4HSI0Wmf7JS34iEwbVm00E55Jzb9vIAfg4j6kE/s1600/cassis%20kir.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1094" data-original-width="1600" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUFMSZjwv4fn0vh2EJXN7GcpTrTcW42AmfWZgSzdylDgGpC3lVmirw12GBaMnKK2SJ9bFLdPy0Azbac5Tg8XsV9Q9Rbl9DLI3xSQssILyhr04ymBti8zVjfeH3wxoZX334HsSASFY5ubuKSWLflryIt4HSI0Wmf7JS34iEwbVm00E55Jzb9vIAfg4j6kE/w640-h438/cassis%20kir.jpeg" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: times;"> <i> Typically a Kir's ratio is 1 part of Cassis to 4 parts of white wine for a much deeper red</i><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Open a bottle of Creme de Cassis and you'll find it's like dipping your nose into a jar of berry jam at a farmer's market. Sip a taste and you'll find that Cassis is sweet, but not cloyingly so. With an alcohol level of 15% (not much higher than wine), Cassis is now a popular ingredient in aperitifs and cocktails. In fact, two of France's most famous pre-dinner drinks use Cassis: both Kir Royale (made with Champagne) and Kir (made from a still white wine), contain Creme de Cassis.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4CvtkRgbJ1HirfH4ejspvcQIKYI9jBhdbSQNHJo_36XyYK_VcFr71hHJ188lyDhm1rSEMsc5Uas3t2-4RKW42BgOV_iymZuDaV_VruNxK9s4GinUbr_Zt7etKa9NzIzpO9Bq0Y7NeDqTEI-wnUAzBbh_DTbE4L3et2VVi8g5v6OpfPglGRSJCDYzKxFY/s600/blog%20priest%20KIR.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="377" data-original-width="600" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4CvtkRgbJ1HirfH4ejspvcQIKYI9jBhdbSQNHJo_36XyYK_VcFr71hHJ188lyDhm1rSEMsc5Uas3t2-4RKW42BgOV_iymZuDaV_VruNxK9s4GinUbr_Zt7etKa9NzIzpO9Bq0Y7NeDqTEI-wnUAzBbh_DTbE4L3et2VVi8g5v6OpfPglGRSJCDYzKxFY/w640-h402/blog%20priest%20KIR.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: times;"> <i> Priest Kir was an active participant in the French Resistance</i></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;">Kir and Kir Royale are named after the inventor of the drinks, a priest who was mayor of Dijon during the Nazi occupation of France</span><span style="font-family: times;">. During this period it was required that Burgundy's top wines be handed over to the Nazis which left little available for the locals. The </span><span style="font-family: times;">step-sister white Aligote wine wasn't wanted by the Nazi. </span><span style="font-family: times;">Mayor Kir came up with the brilliant idea of mixing Aligote with Creme de Cassis (the Nazis didn't want it either). The "kir" drink pale red color mimicked the color of Burgundy's purloined Pinot Noir. And, as they say, the rest is history. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi885xUym1vghhxbPSl0JgaYWuJLbTCaEkccs6Qn8XdJiHyDPEBqeycSd_5bm5HKpyuysfIdgqsUOmlvBiCa9rE3LMkPUNncrOi0UvzcZGJqcCleRMdqhgdwfAiNErEVjk-x3D5LRck-bLzsD9oOx0Vn40SJdliR80x4JI0BBtZ3GibgbCoXfMK__Dud4Y/s398/cote%20d'or%20vertical%20with%20cross.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="398" data-original-width="355" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi885xUym1vghhxbPSl0JgaYWuJLbTCaEkccs6Qn8XdJiHyDPEBqeycSd_5bm5HKpyuysfIdgqsUOmlvBiCa9rE3LMkPUNncrOi0UvzcZGJqcCleRMdqhgdwfAiNErEVjk-x3D5LRck-bLzsD9oOx0Vn40SJdliR80x4JI0BBtZ3GibgbCoXfMK__Dud4Y/w570-h640/cote%20d'or%20vertical%20with%20cross.png" width="570" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: times;"> <i>The hills of the Cote D'or are the Rodeo Drive of Burgundy</i><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Creme de Cassis has been made in Burgundy for nearly 200 years. While some of the world's most famous wine (think Romanee Conti) is produced in Burgundy, the higher elevations of the legendary Cote D'or ("hills of gold") is black currant territory. The recipe for Cassis is simple: black currants are macerated with an odorless and flavorless alcohol and a little sugar is added. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Wine-Knows will be visiting Burgundy during the September grape harvest next year. We still have 3 spaces available. Why not join the group and have a Kir Royale at its birthplace?</span></span></p><p><a href="http://www.wineknowstravel.com/">Wine-Knows Travel – For the Discerning Traveler (wineknowstravel.com)</a></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p>June Forkner-Dunn, PhDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13464775803820294761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7167503281314395092.post-66972733740703754382023-11-25T01:00:00.000-08:002023-11-25T01:00:00.150-08:00Sensuous Whites of the Southern Rhone<p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJcpOanG5s3QCfVt8OLfpltxjW55GpysUHDR96owEUYr3UAg3Go3nbSrrtWqAo1l7oGPYQ8v4YD_ro3Hnd0OldwOhwMUckyJ-zBdAGsNihTe_a_Vdyua_YYWovOwMSxlnD3aEvcaIIJfq6v_Ndgy8EPCfjGskI394dKgmIimhuQtYdIp9bbix1iSve944/s1134/blog%20southern%20rhone.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1134" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJcpOanG5s3QCfVt8OLfpltxjW55GpysUHDR96owEUYr3UAg3Go3nbSrrtWqAo1l7oGPYQ8v4YD_ro3Hnd0OldwOhwMUckyJ-zBdAGsNihTe_a_Vdyua_YYWovOwMSxlnD3aEvcaIIJfq6v_Ndgy8EPCfjGskI394dKgmIimhuQtYdIp9bbix1iSve944/w339-h400/blog%20southern%20rhone.jpg" width="339" /></a><br /> <i>Switzerland's Rhone Glacier is the birthplace of the Rhone River</i></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Today's blog will discuss the rare but wonderfully voluptuous white wines of the Southern Rhone River Valley. </span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The Rhone River is one of the most significant waterways in all of Europe. Birthed in the Swiss Alps near Geneva, the river flows westward into France, then makes a sharp turn in the city of Lyon southward toward the Mediterranean. On its southern journey to the sea, the Rhone River passes through both of the coveted viticultural areas of the Northern and Southern Rhone. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">White wine in the Southern Rhone accounts for only 4% of the wine production. These whites are scarce little gems. Whenever I'm in France dining at a Michelin star restaurant this wine region is one of the first I turn to on their wine list. I love the white grape varieties used in these white blends. (Also, I love the area's reds but they are plentiful in the US, so why not try for something I can't get so easily back home?) If there's a white from the Chateauneuf-du-Pape appellation, that will be one of the first I consider.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaNQ8F5oH1ezOF6gAXoRRa4ta4HoscMU_Z3pcULnX-G8fn__BgPdGoIMK4KACPc8OdlprPCDlkspyCw_qquEfKl-2CvjcVMtN66pgMZck4UY1zUpmaYeyOKS21us6PeJOHV6NCRaezidaSKt8Ys-SSQhkefz_BxqoCXKb54s7esh6PFYQjXNt-vL4M9ZY/s1200/blog%20chateau%20le%20nerthe.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="786" data-original-width="1200" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaNQ8F5oH1ezOF6gAXoRRa4ta4HoscMU_Z3pcULnX-G8fn__BgPdGoIMK4KACPc8OdlprPCDlkspyCw_qquEfKl-2CvjcVMtN66pgMZck4UY1zUpmaYeyOKS21us6PeJOHV6NCRaezidaSKt8Ys-SSQhkefz_BxqoCXKb54s7esh6PFYQjXNt-vL4M9ZY/w640-h420/blog%20chateau%20le%20nerthe.jpg" width="640" /></a><span style="text-align: left;"><i>Wine-Knows will be visiting this esteemed Chateauneuf-du-Pape producer on their 2024 trip</i></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">As the Rhone River weaves its way toward the Mediterranean the southern section the valley widens and the climate changes. This area becomes more Provence-like with strong influences of the Mediterranean in their culture and warmer weather than its northern counterpart. While the white grapes in both the north and the south are the same varieties, the distinctly warmer summers and milder winters of the southern Rhone produce more voluptuous white wines.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: georgia; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrZqL088QNkZD8mEHWfSm79E8dX3T3sLB5YlWVCiHpMybXxbT40BFw9jnEtQpQCJBP-1t-e_prWYXeTPVptqXIl1zPZ8OSnnNuG0HRKuP0GPY5eW-TeGSpyjMEnE0zbyKWutVl18srzjw4wSnQMcgDCS2_0KPHqhjswohLo8py0dEDN_x7IMt4P9R17Fs/s667/blog%20cndp%20bottle.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrZqL088QNkZD8mEHWfSm79E8dX3T3sLB5YlWVCiHpMybXxbT40BFw9jnEtQpQCJBP-1t-e_prWYXeTPVptqXIl1zPZ8OSnnNuG0HRKuP0GPY5eW-TeGSpyjMEnE0zbyKWutVl18srzjw4wSnQMcgDCS2_0KPHqhjswohLo8py0dEDN_x7IMt4P9R17Fs/w384-h400/blog%20cndp%20bottle.jpg" width="384" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: times;">Even the actual bottle of Chateauneuf du Pape is elegant with embossed lettering</span></i></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">White wines of the Southern Rhone, especially those of Chateauneuf-du-Pape, are some of France's most elegant and prestigious whites. Always blended, they are elegant, rich, full-bodied seductive bombs of tropical fruit, laced with stone fruit and citrus notes in the background. The four most common grapes found in the blends are </span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Roussane, </span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Grenache Blanc, </span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Clairette Blanc and </span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Bouboulenc. To learn what each of these grapes contribute to the blend, join Wibne-Knows on its September 2024 tour to the Rhone, Champagne, Burgundy and Provence.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Let me close by saying, "There's no place like Rhone...," especially the southern whites.</span></p><p><br /></p>June Forkner-Dunn, PhDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13464775803820294761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7167503281314395092.post-29924179375006829382023-11-15T01:00:00.184-08:002023-11-15T01:00:00.140-08:00Seductive Reds of Chateauneuf-du-Pape<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5UvsQOWR8fAhSo82TCGYxnLU8ML0RxtH_Et0Ih3Myo7Y-_T3v5Y79qW0nv4rnzHuBPhj8CDDMvOEeWvC5vRwDYThegdr19Kl7fDbsYEXaDO3FgYVJQRksiIlOuXcWPS8G5NOZt7u-rMuklPcqRJd_vthas7xjX7vGBeOCBIh2E5dbZXTck4GC10fgJ2g/s1280/galets%20with%20man%20for%20perspective.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5UvsQOWR8fAhSo82TCGYxnLU8ML0RxtH_Et0Ih3Myo7Y-_T3v5Y79qW0nv4rnzHuBPhj8CDDMvOEeWvC5vRwDYThegdr19Kl7fDbsYEXaDO3FgYVJQRksiIlOuXcWPS8G5NOZt7u-rMuklPcqRJd_vthas7xjX7vGBeOCBIh2E5dbZXTck4GC10fgJ2g/w640-h360/galets%20with%20man%20for%20perspective.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><p><i> Rocks from the nearby Rhone River help warm the vines in winter & cool them in summer </i></p><p><i><br /></i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>This is the second article in November's trio on the wines of the Southern Rhone.</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The first blog of this series discussed the genesis of the name Chateauneuf-du-Pape (CdP), the "new chateau of the Pope," which came about when the papacy was moved from Rome to the southern Rhone Valley. Today, we'll learn about the highly coveted reds of CdP. It is important to note that these red wines are <b>blended</b> wines...<i>from both red and white grapes. </i> This blog will address the main red grapes used in these red wines. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcPblFSXM3uZmhi4X6MXOcietQMuRmYCcMYFTDKjNWv2O3Zu5Ra-2oqetAVidJsAvzN4zrA134fGrxGyKS-yGmWcLP8EckjKQ-eH5EV4kodL8NWeWmWoZ2Uc4GOP9hOx-gigZBWSSOctA4XcJCsgsQc3EOIIu9PM9U2GeHh3_fdfx1ripYm0LuWyB5Sno/s500/blog%20map%20cdp.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="441" data-original-width="500" height="564" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcPblFSXM3uZmhi4X6MXOcietQMuRmYCcMYFTDKjNWv2O3Zu5Ra-2oqetAVidJsAvzN4zrA134fGrxGyKS-yGmWcLP8EckjKQ-eH5EV4kodL8NWeWmWoZ2Uc4GOP9hOx-gigZBWSSOctA4XcJCsgsQc3EOIIu9PM9U2GeHh3_fdfx1ripYm0LuWyB5Sno/w640-h564/blog%20map%20cdp.gif" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i> CdP is located <10 miles north of the Papal Palace in Avignon</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">With more than 8,000 acres of vines planted, CdP is the largest appellation in the Rhone. Red wine is King in this area and represents 94% of the district's production. Of the eight red varietals planted, Grenache leads the pack accounting for approximately 3/4 of the vines. Grenache offers medium tannins and acids so it is often much more approachable at a younger age than a Cab Sauvignon. Flavors of Grenache are strawberry, cherry and raspberry laced with nuances of cinnamon and licorice. </span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">As CdP's reds are blended, however, Grenache is never vinified as a varietal in this appellation.</span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Syrah, the second most popular red grape, is another important part of CdP's blends. While Syrah grapes are only 12% of the vines, this variety is important to the blend. Deep colored Syrah is added to darken up Grenache which is far lighter in color. Syrah also has more tannins and acids than the far more gentle Grenache so it adds structure to the blend. While Grenache offers red fruit flavors, Syrah's contribution is <i>black</i> fruit, as well as chocolate and pepper notes.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1WiB1_H2SkNY12-gECZypx1AWVI88GJTA_fPUHPQ_ZBmW4PdLm5YQMrifEeecmNwM6GArbH07bfME-GkzYvu8fLjZJGXynUVg-49ycd0B6tg0VUY_DhpSQOrlnt7zRITtRVYSeSFkdSVQvFORq-S2obxK47a11gM_RbEatBfga1K2amEYPpBqi_xgBxs/s800/blog%20chateauneuf%20store.jpg" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1WiB1_H2SkNY12-gECZypx1AWVI88GJTA_fPUHPQ_ZBmW4PdLm5YQMrifEeecmNwM6GArbH07bfME-GkzYvu8fLjZJGXynUVg-49ycd0B6tg0VUY_DhpSQOrlnt7zRITtRVYSeSFkdSVQvFORq-S2obxK47a11gM_RbEatBfga1K2amEYPpBqi_xgBxs/w640-h426/blog%20chateauneuf%20store.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i> Everything in the village of CdP is wine centric</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The third grape most used in CdP reds is Mourvedre. While accounting for <10% of the vines planted, Mourvedre adds an important profile to these blended wines. Like Syrah, Mourvedre adds structure and dark fruit flavors, however, it also brings the grapes' signature nuances of cedar and herbal aromas...both adding layered complexity to the blend. As Mourvedre thrives in the heat and is drought tolerant, this grape is now seen as a hedge against global warming.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Wine-Knows will be spending a day in Chateauneuf-du-Pape learning about these gorgeously complex blends. We have 2-3 spaces available on our September 2024 harvest trip. </span><a href="http://www.wineknowstravel.com/burgundy-champagne/">Burgundy & Champagne – Wine-Knows Travel (wineknowstravel.com)</a></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />June Forkner-Dunn, PhDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13464775803820294761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7167503281314395092.post-25521951884815391902023-11-05T01:00:00.016-07:002023-11-05T01:00:00.233-07:00How the Popes Changed French Wine History <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhslpB5LbFiV0326_ujGcMlTP-IikoQi1PJAC6YC-slaVDxR1s0xd0KEXco1MLLk72hC4IdlCCUNibcg316vMb3OdXYawSX2qTE7b--fXKwI1dKKIeSj28W92EohLKFzuRnSzEV4_53SwLQEUVojNf3qIrJt72OFX0MwXCCdBZg9imS_5cTZTT0B5ED6ig/s685/blog%20pape%20clement.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="550" data-original-width="685" height="514" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhslpB5LbFiV0326_ujGcMlTP-IikoQi1PJAC6YC-slaVDxR1s0xd0KEXco1MLLk72hC4IdlCCUNibcg316vMb3OdXYawSX2qTE7b--fXKwI1dKKIeSj28W92EohLKFzuRnSzEV4_53SwLQEUVojNf3qIrJt72OFX0MwXCCdBZg9imS_5cTZTT0B5ED6ig/w640-h514/blog%20pape%20clement.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><i> </i> Pape Clement V changed the location of the Popes from the Vatican to France<div><br /></div><div><i><span style="font-size: medium;">This is the first article in a three-part series during November on the illustrious wines of France's Southern Rhone wine district.</span></i></div><div><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Did you know the Papacy moved from Vatican City in Rome to the French city of Avignon from 1309 to 1376? For nearly seventy years seven Popes ruled the Catholic Church from southern France's Rhone Valley. Today, their majestic Papal Palace remains one of the largest and most important medieval Gothic buildings in all of Europe.</span></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0uExNwZs1_SwMeDE_-UOmuyOGGl2rLB-LAoiXWQ5XhZywr16c0RFR06B5MJ36o2WUS_IyFFyHBaUULKXhuUTqKflg_Vm8gBQ5ZM7qBiEPLUv324GQQg5Mra6RMjhWkYJ2w3Lr-pHSQJomfFryPPjLRtnk-lZL_x3CSzZ96pKL63HErLJVPdAUZSsKTPA/s1600/blog%20popes%20pal.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0uExNwZs1_SwMeDE_-UOmuyOGGl2rLB-LAoiXWQ5XhZywr16c0RFR06B5MJ36o2WUS_IyFFyHBaUULKXhuUTqKflg_Vm8gBQ5ZM7qBiEPLUv324GQQg5Mra6RMjhWkYJ2w3Lr-pHSQJomfFryPPjLRtnk-lZL_x3CSzZ96pKL63HErLJVPdAUZSsKTPA/w640-h360/blog%20popes%20pal.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><i>Avignon's Papal Palace is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site</i></div><div><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The first French Pope, Clement V, was the former Archbishop of Bordeaux. Fearing chaos in Rome after his controversial election to Pople, he refused to move to Rome. Instead, Clement V did the unthinkable and set up oversight of the Papacy in the Episcopal place of the Bishops of Avignon. Located on a natural rocky outcrop, the palace offered unobstructed views of the Rhone River just below it. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRHtwmRi-BL1nx4tybWJ2lDdQuN_sCUurn7-wzeN0oNY2xv6OWTdqAZFkpQW1IQY11s6229-LFN6qSpN8lAuzP1WNYdgouozx4Tf7en7Z5e8OWbSCesPEGe_26JsCjrvvaZHsAQ2wlSFhMu1CH15iprTajuOaMVrkxgnXjplDUKE62lAnZZsgUCRs7Uaw/s600/blog%20cndp%20vinyard.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="399" data-original-width="600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRHtwmRi-BL1nx4tybWJ2lDdQuN_sCUurn7-wzeN0oNY2xv6OWTdqAZFkpQW1IQY11s6229-LFN6qSpN8lAuzP1WNYdgouozx4Tf7en7Z5e8OWbSCesPEGe_26JsCjrvvaZHsAQ2wlSFhMu1CH15iprTajuOaMVrkxgnXjplDUKE62lAnZZsgUCRs7Uaw/w640-h426/blog%20cndp%20vinyard.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <i> The hilltop "new chateau of the Pope" offers a 360 panorama of vineyards</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Clement V loved the countryside just outside of Avignon and stayed at various chateaux in the rural area frequently for extended periods. His rule as Pope was cut short when he died in 1315. His successor, Pope John XII, decided to build a summer chateau in this very area. His Papal residence was called Chateauneuf du Pape, the "new castle of the Pope." It wasn't long before the area around the chateau prospered and a village evolved at the foot of the castle. A sea of wine grapes was soon planted as far as the eye could see as Clement V and all of the subsequent "Avignon Popes" were great lovers of wine.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtkexi9qny-K8BFYR24AQGz7BIckYZ7w86qgupFhX55DVGCqFY5WCl_jblqgAOc1Lp4LUr4qwH9G7ixP1EpD7oVEPLMPOOZLUjbnoD1rPt8ZedZ87o90Y4hPW0x4pfQZrh0YykImPgn_Of1D8BRUukbf1KNLcRaK1jWnDSzgKunsovwNoGZST2lZdwjCI/s3730/blog%20cropped%20harvest.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2554" data-original-width="3730" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtkexi9qny-K8BFYR24AQGz7BIckYZ7w86qgupFhX55DVGCqFY5WCl_jblqgAOc1Lp4LUr4qwH9G7ixP1EpD7oVEPLMPOOZLUjbnoD1rPt8ZedZ87o90Y4hPW0x4pfQZrh0YykImPgn_Of1D8BRUukbf1KNLcRaK1jWnDSzgKunsovwNoGZST2lZdwjCI/w640-h438/blog%20cropped%20harvest.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Come experience the Chateauneuf-du-Pape harvest with Wine-Knows in September 2024</i></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-size: medium;">Today, this area is one of the most famous wine appellations in France: Chateauneuf-du-Pape. Wine-Knows will be visiting </span><span style="font-size: medium;">Chateauneuf-du-Pape next year for the grape harvest. </span><span style="font-size: medium;"> <b>At this point, we have spots remaining for two or three lucky travelers.</b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span>Learn about the magnificent red wines of </span><span>Chateauneuf-du-Pape in the next article of this series which will appear on November 15. In the meanwhile, explore Wine-Knows' trip to </span><span>Chateauneuf-du-Pape, which also visits Champagne & Burgundy!</span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="http://www.wineknowstravel.com/burgundy-champagne/">Burgundy & Champagne – Wine-Knows Travel (wineknowstravel.com)</a></div><div><br /></div><div><div style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.5pt; border: none; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 1pt;">
</div></div>June Forkner-Dunn, PhDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13464775803820294761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7167503281314395092.post-77434235880857185812023-10-25T01:00:00.150-07:002023-10-25T01:00:00.140-07:00France’s Premier Chocolate, Valrhona <p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU_tsmLB8oCq0Eox1bkam_a2dTchEUjCj8KkxCvE9fC3HrrLbIcRFbSYXbsnkEr_r7yqW-sRFRo4qxgD6v74FgIqweBrDBc1We96182YdQtYdvbzoeatKJ5dtB0GhRaXLEromoWcgaYHp1JjZTz8oQmyKO9oqwvrk7osxXbS0ZYtHa8XAMNYK2LTHf710/s300/blog%20valrhona%20this%20one%20VN.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="250" data-original-width="300" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU_tsmLB8oCq0Eox1bkam_a2dTchEUjCj8KkxCvE9fC3HrrLbIcRFbSYXbsnkEr_r7yqW-sRFRo4qxgD6v74FgIqweBrDBc1We96182YdQtYdvbzoeatKJ5dtB0GhRaXLEromoWcgaYHp1JjZTz8oQmyKO9oqwvrk7osxXbS0ZYtHa8XAMNYK2LTHf710/w400-h333/blog%20valrhona%20this%20one%20VN.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><i> Wine-Knows will visit Valrhona's on its tour to Champagne, Burgundy, the Rhone & Provence</i><div><i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Today's article is the third in October's three-part series on France's Rhone Valley. When one thinks of French chocolate, the name Valrhona is at the top of the list. Valrhona is synonymous with quality. Revered by Michelin star chefs around the globe, Valrhona chocolate is made in the Rhone Valley. Take another look at the name: Val - Rhona, short for <i>Vallee du Rhone</i> (or Rhone Valley in English). The chocolate is named after the region in which it was first made more than 100 years ago.</span></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTKrXfohBwQYtDi_pwLjpRG8U_uJ0XYPPMgTXRmtGvOjrK6YIDNuQ7GD6KsW2G_HawlATT-SmxTLdqZOAzRt1HVATFYSDE4m-dWM8jUS8ertVS1eyzCm9YWmyj_1VvtCPvGzkuf9HcD28EXty8eH87E8SCX9td_NDkgDlzC7vjLY2YkRRLf5r1RIDvuTs/s550/blog%20valrhona%20cite%20choc.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="550" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTKrXfohBwQYtDi_pwLjpRG8U_uJ0XYPPMgTXRmtGvOjrK6YIDNuQ7GD6KsW2G_HawlATT-SmxTLdqZOAzRt1HVATFYSDE4m-dWM8jUS8ertVS1eyzCm9YWmyj_1VvtCPvGzkuf9HcD28EXty8eH87E8SCX9td_NDkgDlzC7vjLY2YkRRLf5r1RIDvuTs/w640-h480/blog%20valrhona%20cite%20choc.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <i> The Rhone Valley is famous for wine as well as chocolate</i></div><div><span><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span><span style="font-size: large;">In 1922 pastry chef and candy maker Albert Giuronnet opened a chocolate shop in Tain Hermitage, a thriving small wine town located on the Rhone River. Attentive to quality, Monsieur Giurronet insisted on roasting his own cocoa beans. It didn't take long for his chocolate products to become well known and he became the supplier for the best pastry chefs in the Rhone Valley.</span></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuY4bZZfTlKCjWlZWJZXlpqmwp0wvmU66z7wK5fAXtzAeeYbf_y4UBPBNEPYEYQdFVmW6GYMkugS9geWkXhR08PlwJqqUsiZVv73ldKCd3pIV_80c1OYgBv-GHZhG-GptthwxK-P7CmHLi4WECx_ARsqtr8PEf_6yfFWyTximtKIEo3IoE2i1iqNnfzrI/s818/blog%20val%20choc.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="818" data-original-width="818" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuY4bZZfTlKCjWlZWJZXlpqmwp0wvmU66z7wK5fAXtzAeeYbf_y4UBPBNEPYEYQdFVmW6GYMkugS9geWkXhR08PlwJqqUsiZVv73ldKCd3pIV_80c1OYgBv-GHZhG-GptthwxK-P7CmHLi4WECx_ARsqtr8PEf_6yfFWyTximtKIEo3IoE2i1iqNnfzrI/w400-h400/blog%20val%20choc.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><i> One of Valhrona's iconic products, the "Rinette," is still made today by hand in Tain Hermitage</i></div><div><span><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Fast forward 100 years: Valrhona's chocolate empire remains in Tain Hermitage a croissant's toss from the Rhone River. Today, it's a large high-tech factory with a visitor's center called the <i>Cite du Chocolat </i>(City of Chocolate). Within this complex is the <i>Ecole du Chocolat </i>(School of Chocolate) where professional chefs from around the world flock to learn about the wonders of cooking with Valrhona's expansive portfolio of high-end chocolate products.</span></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUTSJLoHDLoWB1HqUGKctkd5deSupPgv3mphqxxKHmn9jvbv0-8BfVVa0pkXqtpBJevefZbCVY0qcSahAss3IsmM_cFs7pEM7UNYc4Ff3ag_3pfbtWbkvjaHFLHZJOwWsTPazIzpV217ATohtxCIO-BH6KxMI2RIrCsaTLtPObSyWAi_hE5p2oX5dyLMA/s600/blog%20tain%20herm.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="399" data-original-width="600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUTSJLoHDLoWB1HqUGKctkd5deSupPgv3mphqxxKHmn9jvbv0-8BfVVa0pkXqtpBJevefZbCVY0qcSahAss3IsmM_cFs7pEM7UNYc4Ff3ag_3pfbtWbkvjaHFLHZJOwWsTPazIzpV217ATohtxCIO-BH6KxMI2RIrCsaTLtPObSyWAi_hE5p2oX5dyLMA/w640-h426/blog%20tain%20herm.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <i> The Rhone Valley offers dramatic vine-draped beauty, top wine & premier chocolate</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Wine-Knows will be visiting Valrhona's Cite du Chocolat next September to tour the facility. A word of warning: there will be many samples for tasting! We have a few vacant spots remaining on this trip which also visits Champagne, Burgundy & Provence.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="http://www.wineknowstravel.com/burgundy-champagne/"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;">Burgundy & Champagne – Wine-Knows Travel (wineknowstravel.com)</span></a></div>June Forkner-Dunn, PhDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13464775803820294761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7167503281314395092.post-82448276679494184362023-10-16T01:00:00.010-07:002023-10-16T01:00:00.141-07:00Ground Zero for Luscious White Viognier<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqmHy88lHaF4p3k5SIwzShYSeVg-1C2-rTFAPr_od2cqUhmQY6HbRW5QknZPNsdf1Fg2kUS4WDvYPZ4KUzqPcBPJvgBrr09u56nt7A5ixOAw5GUSuXnendsg2gfzekxgJQ4agonc4W3kUeCMq7I7_Mk55UBmDbchCSr-7l5L6OmmMK1m_oBC5NiPOxZrk/s600/blog%20condrieu%20with%20bike.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqmHy88lHaF4p3k5SIwzShYSeVg-1C2-rTFAPr_od2cqUhmQY6HbRW5QknZPNsdf1Fg2kUS4WDvYPZ4KUzqPcBPJvgBrr09u56nt7A5ixOAw5GUSuXnendsg2gfzekxgJQ4agonc4W3kUeCMq7I7_Mk55UBmDbchCSr-7l5L6OmmMK1m_oBC5NiPOxZrk/w640-h480/blog%20condrieu%20with%20bike.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /> <i>Wine-Knows will be visiting the home of Viognier wines next September, 2024</i></p><div style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.5pt; border: none; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 1pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext 1.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">This is a second article
in this month’s series devoted to wines of the Northern Rhone wine
district.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you know Viognier wine?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If not, you should!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The appellation of Condrieu is ground zero
for lovers of the highly perfumed white Viognier grape.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While Viognier is often used for blending in
the Rhone, in the AOC of Condrieu it is 100% varietal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, the only wine that can be sold under the Condrieu AOC is a white wine made entirely from the Viognier grape.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext 1.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx9igd8LxrOkK_NXDIyEqvl3OoJFm_8FRApuP8UbNB-MPzNgEklx6I8JH-nkWOSlMyDHbc-iVFB-ipaELgND2CSdQhOR0gvIR61KVTCzgkwydDlCHzGLHFyxhzgCEw3vVmqlFT-SS3eAcBdxryK_DWzmkfiE_9eii9rhFB_hnvgjYYjmrUiw321k52nRs/s1200/blog%20condrieu%20wine%20terrace.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1200" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx9igd8LxrOkK_NXDIyEqvl3OoJFm_8FRApuP8UbNB-MPzNgEklx6I8JH-nkWOSlMyDHbc-iVFB-ipaELgND2CSdQhOR0gvIR61KVTCzgkwydDlCHzGLHFyxhzgCEw3vVmqlFT-SS3eAcBdxryK_DWzmkfiE_9eii9rhFB_hnvgjYYjmrUiw321k52nRs/w640-h360/blog%20condrieu%20wine%20terrace.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <i>Condrieu's appellation allows only one wine: white wine made from Viognier</i><p></p><div style="border-bottom: 1.5pt solid windowtext; border-image: initial; border-left: none; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding: 0in 0in 1pt;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18.6667px;">Viognier from Condrieu is a rich, opulent wine.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18.6667px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18.6667px;">One of its pleasures comes before sipping.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18.6667px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18.6667px;">The Viognier grape makes highly aromatic wines (think summer honeysuckle and/or fragrant roses).</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18.6667px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18.6667px;">For Viognier’s flavor you’re in store for another exotic summer experience (think ripe mango & papaya or even sweet tangerine).</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18.6667px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; padding: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm3_lCBJGomjFs4h8oypS8iW39WOR0SsdbWsDfCaBAidn86XoKUPtzjt7qwNqrDs3Ocm7MvPX9RMEISwBRfhacAXvg38ayaEN8z9ILN1yhaWz9M86RGZv5todpoAtBiGBFfgdKsiYkJYXcdJ61eCvCe21hL6Ma_uUtbRvPaCE01pOgS_6jGmMgINhNV4/s600/blog%20viognier%20harvest.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="398" data-original-width="600" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm3_lCBJGomjFs4h8oypS8iW39WOR0SsdbWsDfCaBAidn86XoKUPtzjt7qwNqrDs3Ocm7MvPX9RMEISwBRfhacAXvg38ayaEN8z9ILN1yhaWz9M86RGZv5todpoAtBiGBFfgdKsiYkJYXcdJ61eCvCe21hL6Ma_uUtbRvPaCE01pOgS_6jGmMgINhNV4/w640-h424/blog%20viognier%20harvest.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <i>Viognier is known for its aromatic intensity and full bodied taste</i><br /><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18.6667px;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">Now for the bad news. The Rhone’s Viognier production is very small. If you see Viognier from the Rhone on a wine list (or on the shelf in a wine store) you’ll most likely be somewhere in the Rhone Valley. While Michelin star restaurants in France will usually have a few Viogniers, the wine is not plentiful outside of the Rhone Valley. That being said, here’s a magical trio worth every dollar and they’re all available through K& L Wine Merchants.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; padding: 0in;"></p><ul><li><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">Andre Perret Coteau du Chery Condrieu ($80)</span></li><li><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">Clos de la Bonnette Legende Bonnetta ($60)</span></li><li><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Francois Villrad “De Poncins: Condrieu ($70)</span></li></ul><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">If you’re interested in tasting Viognier in the Rhone, why not come with Wine-Knows next September (2024) on its trip through the Rhone, Champagne, Burgundy & Provence. There are 3-4 spots remaining.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; padding: 0in;"><a href="http://www.wineknowstravel.com/">Wine-Knows Travel – For the Discerning Traveler (wineknowstravel.com)</a></p></div>
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</div>June Forkner-Dunn, PhDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13464775803820294761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7167503281314395092.post-77394956925247108572023-10-06T01:00:00.079-07:002023-10-16T09:03:24.959-07:00The Rhone’s World-Class Hermitage Wines<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQD6HjXe1Tkv39L6QeclXtewOew6A9gwS29C2kT6KmizU8niDXrR2I3NS_dTx_k4XG0FI0ztn1JbMSAK3yXE7MxjJto2G1O96-PIej3ZqiltlUQ1MqA6HCp3E_0SxnIE1Z7jCM3uUoo-rj3tGz-MWrG4ltmi8rdCCzsu0rRAQiNxdc_OpF_Hxhclr_4Qc/s1024/blog%20hermit%20from%20across.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="678" data-original-width="1024" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQD6HjXe1Tkv39L6QeclXtewOew6A9gwS29C2kT6KmizU8niDXrR2I3NS_dTx_k4XG0FI0ztn1JbMSAK3yXE7MxjJto2G1O96-PIej3ZqiltlUQ1MqA6HCp3E_0SxnIE1Z7jCM3uUoo-rj3tGz-MWrG4ltmi8rdCCzsu0rRAQiNxdc_OpF_Hxhclr_4Qc/w640-h424/blog%20hermit%20from%20across.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /> <i> The Hermitage hill as viewed from the hotel where Wine-Knows will be staying in 2024</i></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">This is the first in a three-part series on wines from the Northern Rhone. Hermitage wines have a cult-like following by serious oenophiles. Located just south of the city of Lyon, the small Hermitage appellation is situation on a perfectly positioned steep granite hill. Drenched in full afternoon sunlight, this vine-draped slope overlooks the majestic Rhone River which cools during the valley's sizzling summers and provides warmth during its frosty winters. The Hermitage hill is named after a tiny chapel which adorns its crest. </span></p><div style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.5pt; border: none; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 1pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 14pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja_IZifhOjsIqiVcn78sxtQJPzol1FcVHSE9kKL91NXjAhENATEHsLK3kunNNnT9oZ_u3mBluJp-ibQ2Q6IzNA65Sq_GRw65whta7Ytc1mQLqHto24jQtWTBtBLy1zDqxgi-G6u6xHuGKOuFOuvpNgp_vEiSlS0V4dcss4tT_Mc2iiHgB1ynWVH8rMQd4/s600/blog%20chapel%20fake%20group.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="337" data-original-width="600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja_IZifhOjsIqiVcn78sxtQJPzol1FcVHSE9kKL91NXjAhENATEHsLK3kunNNnT9oZ_u3mBluJp-ibQ2Q6IzNA65Sq_GRw65whta7Ytc1mQLqHto24jQtWTBtBLy1zDqxgi-G6u6xHuGKOuFOuvpNgp_vEiSlS0V4dcss4tT_Mc2iiHgB1ynWVH8rMQd4/w640-h360/blog%20chapel%20fake%20group.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><i>The birds-eye view Hermitage chapel provides a perfect view for wine lovers </i><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext 1.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 106%;">The Hermitage appellation
is known for its red wines which are made from the Syrah grape. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For
Syrah devotees, Hermitage is the Holy Grail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> This is not surprising considering the Syrah grape comes from the Rhone region. </span>When young, these wines are rich and concentrated with bold
tannins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their youthful profile is one
of blackberry, dark cherry, spice and mineral. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Older Hermitage wines are elegant and complex
with an earthy spectrum of leather, cocoa and coffee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because of their tannins, these opulent
Hermitage can age for decades.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext 1.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 106%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ULUof09j-hRhmQ2HyzeMk1AuAs-aUDt6QtJym59GAjRrVqopvYtSjy7H42_4aGpc-DJJjNkU_02tEFKni0D1IaP3rzTX8WaxNFM-gGxg7tHtKYmPRgWSHALPTtHQ31tggcRSfFRkCqe3XkwgK9YxGCHKLhqOaao58vhUt5uz4WXCpcULOPD0zMDYLkE/s4032/blog%20hermitage%20bottle.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ULUof09j-hRhmQ2HyzeMk1AuAs-aUDt6QtJym59GAjRrVqopvYtSjy7H42_4aGpc-DJJjNkU_02tEFKni0D1IaP3rzTX8WaxNFM-gGxg7tHtKYmPRgWSHALPTtHQ31tggcRSfFRkCqe3XkwgK9YxGCHKLhqOaao58vhUt5uz4WXCpcULOPD0zMDYLkE/w300-h400/blog%20hermitage%20bottle.jpg" width="300" /></a></div> <i> "La Chapelle" vineyard is one of the most coveted on the Hermitage hill</i><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext 1.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 106%;">Hermitage is one of the
few appellations that allows an addition of up to 15% of white grapes into its
red wine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Luscious Marsanne and
Roussanne that are used to complete these perfect reds, adding interesting
floral, stone fruit and citrus nuances.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Both of these white grapes are also used to produce the area’s rare
white wine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These hedonistic whites,
known for their dense texture and a long finish, are highly coveted.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext 1.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 106%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext 1.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 106%;">Hermitage’s red wines are
the benchmark by which all other Syrah wines are measured.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For an up-close-and-personal experience
with Hermitage wines, why not consider coming with Wine-Knows on its September
harvest next year, 2024?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have 3-4
openings left at this time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext 1.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 106%;">www.WineKnowsTravel.com<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext 1.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 106%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext 1.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 106%;"><br /></span></p>
</div>June Forkner-Dunn, PhDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13464775803820294761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7167503281314395092.post-72760211745248709892023-09-27T01:00:00.079-07:002023-09-27T01:00:00.141-07:00Wine Aromas & Flavors---What Causes Them? <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaScRvo8Qi_fVg7MBBIylu8LEN_wkNWQckq3WuDiLdpeX8a1H0M_7RzvamU8Q_GMIBQrJGsxdqDLO7FXhHpdPAHeBM23XBm06MxEjfAftqD7LV7QZQKGCBYgIkrONdb15urWkMPEgJuBf1hGA6HXZg-qecUlkq39Ruu9WGkU3qYJCNRnxdAbVCaUbk/s316/blog%20ferment.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="55" data-original-width="316" height="70" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaScRvo8Qi_fVg7MBBIylu8LEN_wkNWQckq3WuDiLdpeX8a1H0M_7RzvamU8Q_GMIBQrJGsxdqDLO7FXhHpdPAHeBM23XBm06MxEjfAftqD7LV7QZQKGCBYgIkrONdb15urWkMPEgJuBf1hGA6HXZg-qecUlkq39Ruu9WGkU3qYJCNRnxdAbVCaUbk/w400-h70/blog%20ferment.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div> <i> As grape sugar is converted by yeasts into alcohol, thousands of chemical by-products are produced</i><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 106%;">This is the final article in September’s series on the
grape harvest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today’s blog discusses
aromas & flavors of wine that are a direct result of the fermentation process.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How can a wine smell like a banana?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why do Sauv Blancs often have a grassy
profile?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What is it about Champagne
that causes many to have almond nuances?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Did you know that all of these aromas and flavors occur because of
chemical reactions during fermentation?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Let me explain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 106%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 14pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb3UVnxnuLZLhV84V-hn96ljN_3I98I0-WB1nIP67K288CHUjJl6GOaiiEPrM2bFYGtu9sCO8cZHPIAm0jUs6gPLACHvQcqe2Xb-uv0apAqm2sHG1JhBx2Fvpk8H9vvhJ2cy-Xr5guWvP-WcesEpKY2mORii97zvZWdVGryDtkqXaS89M0WKHOaSFO/s2500/blog%20banana.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1675" data-original-width="2500" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb3UVnxnuLZLhV84V-hn96ljN_3I98I0-WB1nIP67K288CHUjJl6GOaiiEPrM2bFYGtu9sCO8cZHPIAm0jUs6gPLACHvQcqe2Xb-uv0apAqm2sHG1JhBx2Fvpk8H9vvhJ2cy-Xr5guWvP-WcesEpKY2mORii97zvZWdVGryDtkqXaS89M0WKHOaSFO/w400-h268/blog%20banana.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><i> Banana flavors & smells are due to isoamyl acetate produced during fermentation</i><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 106%;">First, let’s talk about the banana smell and taste.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a direct result of the
fermentation process where yeasts change grape sugar into alcohol.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The banana profile is the result of a
chemical compound by the name of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">isoamyl
acetate</i>, a by-product of yeasts during fermentation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Isoamyl
acetate</i> is used as an artificial banana flavoring in desserts).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These banana aromas & flavors can be found
often in Chardonnay and Pinot Gris, especially from warm climates where grapes
are super ripe. Again, this is a result of the chemical changes during fermentation.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 14pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVc_zc2wD26VMwKpcICoytc8S2odvz-9zs4bbFLhxSZdfIJrGjCdx4p_a42CKemiH4rMuTPXwccRIMHkBWuVr5hveu_7sWq6CZ3llkE9suxaroZNZzWiVItcnpcyYiHiE8uQdwUmFIwpcMwlxjQMt-4ftPpMY4zMGCkT3jXPZ9hK0c60HwOBuZzEgT/s1600/blog%20grass.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1195" data-original-width="1600" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVc_zc2wD26VMwKpcICoytc8S2odvz-9zs4bbFLhxSZdfIJrGjCdx4p_a42CKemiH4rMuTPXwccRIMHkBWuVr5hveu_7sWq6CZ3llkE9suxaroZNZzWiVItcnpcyYiHiE8uQdwUmFIwpcMwlxjQMt-4ftPpMY4zMGCkT3jXPZ9hK0c60HwOBuZzEgT/w400-h299/blog%20grass.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><i> Aldehydes form during fermentation & are also present in grass</i><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 106%;">Have you ever wondered why your Sauv Blanc is
reminiscent of freshly mowed grass?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
classical grassiness nose and taste is due to chemicals called <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">aldehydes.</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These compounds, released during fermentation,
evoke the smell of just-cut grass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sauv
Blanc grapes have the ability to produce high levels of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">aldehydes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i>Similarly, grass
contains elevated levels of this highly fragrant chemical and cutting the grass
releases it into the air.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 106%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 14pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMcZFsx-DB_a7jppfmvN2u9rPJReaj1XVtrNrD4X3FtfMkiGwMRjoDyOzyqDMo_awYjzlQkv0447YEVVR24iOSE2kAOfTQu-f1uQY2eQwfbnu6xBK8u_7d9rnlQBzNz4REZDgjxo07u21FF812GPfu_8WRSRwVBx18ydH03XZg-vipYIamRyFzwbZL/s350/almond.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="219" data-original-width="350" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMcZFsx-DB_a7jppfmvN2u9rPJReaj1XVtrNrD4X3FtfMkiGwMRjoDyOzyqDMo_awYjzlQkv0447YEVVR24iOSE2kAOfTQu-f1uQY2eQwfbnu6xBK8u_7d9rnlQBzNz4REZDgjxo07u21FF812GPfu_8WRSRwVBx18ydH03XZg-vipYIamRyFzwbZL/w400-h250/almond.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><i> One of fermentation's many by-products is benzaldehyde</i><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 106%;">The almond profile in the real-deal French Champagne is
also produced by yeasts as they change grape sugar to alcohol during
fermentation. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During the process of
making Champagne the fermenting grape juice is often stirred.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The chemical <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">benzaldeyde </i> is released during the fermentation process and it is
dramatically heightened during the stirring (“battonage”). <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Benzaldehyde</i> tastes and smells like
almonds.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 106%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 106%;">In summary, during fermentation yeasts eat the sugar
of the grapes and convert it into alcohol.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In this process of fermentation, thousands of various chemicals are
produced by the yeasts activities and they often influence the aromas and tastes of wine.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 106%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 106%;"><br /></span></p>June Forkner-Dunn, PhDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13464775803820294761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7167503281314395092.post-84719604075345304242023-09-17T01:00:00.033-07:002023-09-17T01:00:00.138-07:00Whole-Bunch Fermentation---What & Why?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh106mAwty1OISxJ-wWOQGSmMTh0w0RzVS4sqpIyNcQ-y7neVrBKSoCcvtm71Pje1PLfeHRd9mwhE6Ob3f0tj2jW6CvbZ75PnqyD-35EjtRDbYNAvkY18BlNAuNoe-Xsdk53ZcLCwPUSgmIN4Kcrg7xCRgfbmJuTGY7ddm9PEkGxy58rDe6y7okKiHs/s6000/BORDEAUX%20closeup%20grape%202nd%20day%20D.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh106mAwty1OISxJ-wWOQGSmMTh0w0RzVS4sqpIyNcQ-y7neVrBKSoCcvtm71Pje1PLfeHRd9mwhE6Ob3f0tj2jW6CvbZ75PnqyD-35EjtRDbYNAvkY18BlNAuNoe-Xsdk53ZcLCwPUSgmIN4Kcrg7xCRgfbmJuTGY7ddm9PEkGxy58rDe6y7okKiHs/w640-h426/BORDEAUX%20closeup%20grape%202nd%20day%20D.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <i> Whole grape clusters are used, including all of the stems</i><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">This is the second in a trio of articles for the month
of September exploring common terms used in the grape harvest. Those of you who have visited wineries may
have heard the term <i>whole bunch
fermentation, </i>but do you really know what it means and more importantly, do
you understand why it is used? By the
time you finish reading this article you will know what it is, as well as why some
winemakers choose to use it.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Whole-bunch (or whole-cluster) fermentation involves
the practice of not destemming the grapes.
In fact, the entire bunch (stems and all) goes directly into the
fermentation vat. Prior to World War
II, this was generally the way wine was made, as destemming machines weren’t commonly
used. So why would a winemaker use the whole-bunch
technique of fermentation rather than destemming the fruit before
fermentation? </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 14pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgToaV5hok6EpLtCTQBq6qZ6vViL8mRSa7izqWKowvnZQOjwli5lSaUMPdnF40w-Po8S6GR2Gzeg9Qamdpywce5QD-jaFZFC7qAiO6tAJvFcyxU-K9KXfS0cmhU31Q-n0pUjrl9N7rx_nB0E4AXFWktr_RQxMM-4yx4trRoY3jp4G4fezebi4ttomlM/s1620/blog%20destemmer.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1620" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgToaV5hok6EpLtCTQBq6qZ6vViL8mRSa7izqWKowvnZQOjwli5lSaUMPdnF40w-Po8S6GR2Gzeg9Qamdpywce5QD-jaFZFC7qAiO6tAJvFcyxU-K9KXfS0cmhU31Q-n0pUjrl9N7rx_nB0E4AXFWktr_RQxMM-4yx4trRoY3jp4G4fezebi4ttomlM/w640-h426/blog%20destemmer.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><i>The de-stemming machine (separates the grapes from the stems) is NOT used in whole-bunch fermentation</i><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Below are some reasons winemakers may choose to utilize whole-bunch
fermentation:</span></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">1. </span><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">Lower
alcohol wines</i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Warmer weather is
increasing the amount of alcohol in wines (riper grapes translate to higher
alcohol levels during fermentation.) High alcohol wines not only decrease the
amount of wine that can be enjoyed safely, but are harder to pair with food.</span><i style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span></span></i></p></blockquote><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><i style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">2. Paler color wines</span></i></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span> </span><span> </span>For inky opaque wines such as Syrah
or Mourvedre, lightening them up a bit </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">could </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">be desirable. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><i style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span> </span><span> 3. </span>Lower
acid wines</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"> Acids play an important part
in a wine’s structure, however, too much acidity is a problem. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraph"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18.6667px;">The last blog in this three-part harvest series will discuss the flavors and aromas of wine that are a direct result of fermentation. Look for it September 27.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18.6667px;"> </span></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p>June Forkner-Dunn, PhDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13464775803820294761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7167503281314395092.post-85731887989470729702023-09-07T01:00:00.158-07:002023-09-07T01:00:00.151-07:00Do you Know These Important Harvest Terms?<p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5PaKGhgHEu-_6YaSWypVdyGgO3CJHD_NdWgHfsSkgAKxxUMoTSmp7AKDTCTLbWoZVXtDCxwNHIlrqCg5xq0udFj9Q7rZmbAERN7h3ewfql3qoD-AUUz8rTXK8qdCsV5rpH-4bB0m8dmaQrndhzKJN2EgXaBYHj6CGkg9V2XSkGYQi8qS8WMciJ_SK/s667/blog%20quiz.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="366" data-original-width="667" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5PaKGhgHEu-_6YaSWypVdyGgO3CJHD_NdWgHfsSkgAKxxUMoTSmp7AKDTCTLbWoZVXtDCxwNHIlrqCg5xq0udFj9Q7rZmbAERN7h3ewfql3qoD-AUUz8rTXK8qdCsV5rpH-4bB0m8dmaQrndhzKJN2EgXaBYHj6CGkg9V2XSkGYQi8qS8WMciJ_SK/w640-h352/blog%20quiz.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br />It's harvest time in the northern hemisphere. Serious wine lovers who have visited wineries during this period (and/or attended wine appreciation classes) have probably heard most of the below terms of the wine-making process.<span> </span><span>But, do
you know what they really mean?</span><span> </span><span>Below
is a 5-6 minute quiz for 10 terms you need to know.</span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> <i> </i></span><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">(Answers at
end)</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i><p></p><p><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">1. Alcoholic fermentation:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">a. The addition of alcohol
to fermenting grapes.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">b. Alcohol that is produced
when grapes are mixed with Sulphur.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">c. The conversion of sugar
to alcohol.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">d. Fermentation of grapes
which causes higher acidity.</span></p></blockquote>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 106%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">2. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Battonage:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span> </span><span> a. </span>Separating the solid
parts of fermentation from the liquid.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span> </span><span> b. </span>Stirring wine during
fermentation.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span> </span><span> c. </span>The process of
transferring young wine from tanks to barrels<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span> </span><span> d. </span>Removing grape skins
& seeds from the juice.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">3. Brettanomyces:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span> </span><span> a. </span>Famous French scientist
who pioneered cork closures.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span> </span><span> b. A</span>mount of acidity in grapes.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span> </span><span> c. Instrument that m</span>easures a wine’s tannin
level.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span> </span><span> d. </span>Yeast that causes wine to
spoil.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 106%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">4. Fining:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">a. Sugar level of grapes
used to determine ripeness.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">b. Process used to make a
wine more clear.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">c. Removing microbes from
wine.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">d. Pressing grapes with
minimal pressure.</span></p></blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">5. Malo-lactic Fermentation<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">a. Removal of microbes that
interfere with fermentation.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">b. Developed in Spain, this
process reduces free radical acids in wine.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">c. A process to remove
harmful acids that cause a wine to spoil.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">d. Conversion of harsher
malic acid to the softer lactic acid.</span></p></blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">6. Must:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">a. Unfermented grape juice</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">b. End stage of fermentation</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">c. Must-add components to begin fermentation</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">d. First inspection of
grapes prior to fermentation</span></p></blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">7. Lees:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">a. Naturally occurring
microbes on grape skins</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">b. Yeasts that can interfere
with fermentation.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">c. Sediment that occurs during
fermentation</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">d. Calculation of acidity
during fermentation</span></p></blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">8. Racking:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.75in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">a. Evaluating when a wine
should be placed in a barrel after fermentation<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.75in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">b. Process of separating
wine from sediment by moving it to another barrel. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.75in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">c. Stacking barrels in a
winery to facilitate gravity flow. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.75in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">d. Process used during bottling
to keep wine away from oxygen exposure.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">9.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>TCA:</span></p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 106%;">a. Destructive chemical that causes a
wine to be “corked”</span></p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 106%;">b. Harsh acid that is found in the skins
& seeds of grapes</span></p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 106%;">c. An array of acid compounds that are
vital to the start of fermentation</span></p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 106%;">d. Test to determine the
physiological ripeness of grapes</span></p></blockquote></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 106%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p></blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span> </span><span> </span>10.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Topping-off:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> a. </span>Filling your glass at a wine tasting without permission</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> b. </span>Adding
Sulphur to a wine to prevent spoilage</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> c. </span>Filling
a wine barrel to its top level to prevent oxidation</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> d. </span>Adding
extra grapes during fermentation to enhance flavors </span></p></blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Answers:</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">c</span></span></li><li><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">b</span></li><li><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">d</span></li><li><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">b</span></li><li><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">d</span></li><li><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">a</span></li><li><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">c</span></li><li><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">b</span></li><li>a</li><li><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">c </span></li></ol><div><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;"><br /></span></span></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">How
high did you score?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>9-10 Correct:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wine-Know!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>7-8 Correct:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>WINE OH!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>6-7 Correct:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whine O<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <</span> 6 correct:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wine NO!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>June Forkner-Dunn, PhDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13464775803820294761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7167503281314395092.post-83939797267612716572023-08-26T01:00:00.077-07:002023-08-26T01:00:00.146-07:00Sexy Santorini & its Sensual Wines <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAQTUAGo7zFjD2Pfc4nSZoOBGKlE0x-4g8Iow8yWa7TKUkG0x0gMgErck-9rFr9ChzcK3MrBYauivEJjgzcTFssAhLM9hyxwVutP2hVJOJPGhilH1Rx7ySty8LM6PHhQ67hWIHJc_D8EBQoD-qkf5q1aVIFz8F92jstplN3YTcmra-BhdcrCQJ8jfn/s3504/Howard%20great%20shot%20Santorini%20with%20white%20boat.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2336" data-original-width="3504" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAQTUAGo7zFjD2Pfc4nSZoOBGKlE0x-4g8Iow8yWa7TKUkG0x0gMgErck-9rFr9ChzcK3MrBYauivEJjgzcTFssAhLM9hyxwVutP2hVJOJPGhilH1Rx7ySty8LM6PHhQ67hWIHJc_D8EBQoD-qkf5q1aVIFz8F92jstplN3YTcmra-BhdcrCQJ8jfn/w640-h426/Howard%20great%20shot%20Santorini%20with%20white%20boat.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <i>All of the surrounding islands used to be part of Santorini until the cataclysmic volcanic eruption</i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Santorini arouses all of one's senses...even for this
jet-lagged traveler who arrived yesterday.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">If
you’ve seen a travel poster or magazine cover with a dazzling photo of a Greek
island, there’s a very good chance it's from Santorini.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">This jet-setting, jaw-dropping,
pleasure-bomb-of-an-island is unparalleled for its seductive beauty---think dramatic
cliff-scaling white-washed villages, a profusion of bougainvillea in a rainbow of colors, all
against a backdrop of crystal clear sapphire seas.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCZGRu_EFuYE2EoWj1ADBgylV6VT8O6BLiLJ-p7YwED_Kay81WXqb280l6uJ9NDblRqdgLQ4bSj9VzfXAWiyDKN0tE46slO12V9aaMlwske_d8ex96tpiBEyQbGs7yK84pYQe5JjYWatqMc7LSkaN_zDlgCFGmby3ajd0QmQO_sU_b--pUGIF_9Jmw/s600/santorini%20gate.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCZGRu_EFuYE2EoWj1ADBgylV6VT8O6BLiLJ-p7YwED_Kay81WXqb280l6uJ9NDblRqdgLQ4bSj9VzfXAWiyDKN0tE46slO12V9aaMlwske_d8ex96tpiBEyQbGs7yK84pYQe5JjYWatqMc7LSkaN_zDlgCFGmby3ajd0QmQO_sU_b--pUGIF_9Jmw/w640-h480/santorini%20gate.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Santorini, however, isn’t just an erotic paradise.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The island offers one of the most unusual
archaeological ruins in the Aegean Sea.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Akrotiri,
a perfectly preserved city from 4000 BC, is frozen in time due to a catastrophic
volcanic disruption that annihilated the island’s civilization and buried the
settlement in volcanic ash for nearly 400 centuries.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Greece’s version of Pompeii, Akrotiri wasn’t
discovered until 1860 when earth and ash from Santorini started to be mined for
use in building and insulation of the Suez Canal.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuKE7eWC_OhgL4Woy6P8-Bt5A6cf3UFN9aaHYLX1OMaq3enIhdRn0dnKeuYEXstSeVHWixaaQyMfnw_9Ro4FSyJT9hTX9e0OyW4FiS3e4vQHDjY9iNZx8I7VK1AQns8ZDGkoWOsY02WtRxJjTmX6Jbxum8e1b3GFDGadX_moAqCeK6uoFa2ITCkLxY/s1600/999%20santorini%20glasses%20&%20plate%20of%20food.jpg" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuKE7eWC_OhgL4Woy6P8-Bt5A6cf3UFN9aaHYLX1OMaq3enIhdRn0dnKeuYEXstSeVHWixaaQyMfnw_9Ro4FSyJT9hTX9e0OyW4FiS3e4vQHDjY9iNZx8I7VK1AQns8ZDGkoWOsY02WtRxJjTmX6Jbxum8e1b3GFDGadX_moAqCeK6uoFa2ITCkLxY/w640-h426/999%20santorini%20glasses%20&%20plate%20of%20food.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 14pt; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The cataclysmic volcanic explosion that obliterated
Akrotiri and reshaped the entire island of Santorini (and all of the surrounding
islands), left behind wonderfully rich volcanic soil responsible for
producing Santorini’s voluptuous white wines. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Santorini
has one of the most unique terroirs in the Mediterranean.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Growing conditions are brutal as the island’s
arid climate, high mountains, and strong winds are inhospitable to all agriculture.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Vines that are able to survive, produce
powerful, fleshy wines.</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuByll5TrLgRp7bvGnI4TFG4h4PnMdgefTv6YAsMRbS0PiUC6kfPSxFd1zCDyfnsNJjQlwQBx2si6U9roEvS5cuiocI7-g-feKkh4uUVfPWFaM8PMMnZ8ZhZUCSmk4nwCuy1wD-hVTadghM0bSuUu4P8GMMJtfTuRYgOcT_YqMK0IeXUmv1ADSfSJz/s1024/blog%20santorini%20vine.jpg" style="font-size: 18.6667px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="593" data-original-width="1024" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuByll5TrLgRp7bvGnI4TFG4h4PnMdgefTv6YAsMRbS0PiUC6kfPSxFd1zCDyfnsNJjQlwQBx2si6U9roEvS5cuiocI7-g-feKkh4uUVfPWFaM8PMMnZ8ZhZUCSmk4nwCuy1wD-hVTadghM0bSuUu4P8GMMJtfTuRYgOcT_YqMK0IeXUmv1ADSfSJz/w640-h370/blog%20santorini%20vine.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="text-align: left;">Vines are grown in forms that conserve water & protect from treacherous winds</i></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">The island’s signature grape is a white variety,
Assyrtiko (a SEER tee ko).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While grown
in a few other parts of Greece, the grape is indigenous to Santorini.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, it’s in its birthplace that the grape is
its most sensual due to Santorini’s mineral-rich, well-drained volcanic soil. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Assyrtiko is often referred to as a white
wine with a red wine’s character.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Its
solid acid framework means this pleasure-giving wine can also age beautifully. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Look no further than Santorini for an unforgettable experience that will titillate all of your senses.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p>June Forkner-Dunn, PhDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13464775803820294761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7167503281314395092.post-63434024673198157752023-08-14T13:00:00.001-07:002023-08-14T13:42:38.656-07:00Two Perfect Scoring 1982 Bordeaux<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS8ltFU07omOVEQbpvCiuDxLZ5DH8YSsE-FDZIOu7lbo6uy6rAW8WUAVX4IkPnuoGQ0MOtBcBLAF0cRIiBL2P2faC0A0O5r0MDa_C3caY1W2nyhVnzQdk2whvXhHDn8Yg5tpgpYGoYyMClIDmGe1sCP3s8WLrTV8b2YNW5XWu5yVYCie2v4sW3kYEITgU/s1080/blog%202%20bottles%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="486" data-original-width="1080" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS8ltFU07omOVEQbpvCiuDxLZ5DH8YSsE-FDZIOu7lbo6uy6rAW8WUAVX4IkPnuoGQ0MOtBcBLAF0cRIiBL2P2faC0A0O5r0MDa_C3caY1W2nyhVnzQdk2whvXhHDn8Yg5tpgpYGoYyMClIDmGe1sCP3s8WLrTV8b2YNW5XWu5yVYCie2v4sW3kYEITgU/w640-h288/blog%202%20bottles%202.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <i>Chateau Haut-Brion & Chateau Latour---don't wait too long to open your special bottles </i><p></p><p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Recently we hosted
a Bordeaux dinner in our home with some significant wines.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">There were two </span><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">piece
de resistance</i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Grand Crus from the <b>1982</b>
vintage:</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Chateau Latour & Chateau
Haut-Brion.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Both of these wines were
given 100 point scores by Robert Parker.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">If you can find them, the Latour sells for >$2,600 a bottle, the
Haut-Brion north of $1,500.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Accompanying these First Growth wines was a Ployez-Jacquemart Champagne and a Chateau Suduiraut 2000</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">. It was a hedonistic evening.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWJuOgiKq7rXUTbzqwlpkwvODgpRvlv7LXxuDgpqNt4LRKbHzS_WPjXH6HHT9FCjYw0AeJaoRv010TfnY32JGOQjGkhJ10zQzXqIBFTpQ7QwowThJO1uTTtcg0zwCzSwCM761bSRXnkGc6LiaVjyTueyx2o9C-dSz75mNgcgapwKHTMw8vHy-UVOZa/s2048/blog%20HB%20website.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1151" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWJuOgiKq7rXUTbzqwlpkwvODgpRvlv7LXxuDgpqNt4LRKbHzS_WPjXH6HHT9FCjYw0AeJaoRv010TfnY32JGOQjGkhJ10zQzXqIBFTpQ7QwowThJO1uTTtcg0zwCzSwCM761bSRXnkGc6LiaVjyTueyx2o9C-dSz75mNgcgapwKHTMw8vHy-UVOZa/w640-h360/blog%20HB%20website.png" width="640" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; text-align: left;"><i> Haut-Brion, one of Bordeaux's 5 Premier Grand Cru wineries, is a usual stop on Wine-Knows trips</i></span></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt;">The Haut-Brion had
been brought by dear friends (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">merci,</i>
Carrol & Steve).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their bottle had
been purchased on futures in the late 1970’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>After bottling, it had carefully been stored in a cool, dark area for the
first twenty years, and in a wine refrigerator for the last twenty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our Latour had been stored in a refrigerated
wine case for over 20 years, and in a temperature-controlled/humidified wine
cellar for nearly fifteen years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
weren’t anticipating any storage problems with either.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 14pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZS3B2hd_AENy1dY7Viy6ZHz2ZWt7hrpmuQa-u_JKKm0wuT6QJ0FqPKKAdSzT-ROXaIkbNGqf2TS_tORQBC6q_PqalCkDqNahziP0BB8Z9DmDCupuDmLluBoZzywQDxLmMLmNdguSGqAphoXZfZLwclsz-IumVmbi6tfkC5Vsw2BPjOo-TixBBG6-1/s3072/Bordeaux%20Website_2012%20_Latour%20with%20Group.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2304" data-original-width="3072" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZS3B2hd_AENy1dY7Viy6ZHz2ZWt7hrpmuQa-u_JKKm0wuT6QJ0FqPKKAdSzT-ROXaIkbNGqf2TS_tORQBC6q_PqalCkDqNahziP0BB8Z9DmDCupuDmLluBoZzywQDxLmMLmNdguSGqAphoXZfZLwclsz-IumVmbi6tfkC5Vsw2BPjOo-TixBBG6-1/w640-h480/Bordeaux%20Website_2012%20_Latour%20with%20Group.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><i> Wine-Knows visits Chateau Latour, another of Bordeaux's 5 Premier Grand Cru </i><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">There was a great
deal of thought given by both parties regarding preparing the wine for its
ceremonious uncorking.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Typically, a ten
or twenty year old powerful Cabernet requires an hour or two of contact with
the air to soften its bold tannins.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">As
tannins and fruit both dissipate with age, however, there was concern of how
long these forty year old Cabernet-centric wines should be opened in advance:</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">too early could mean loss of fruit flavors
which were already on a downward trajectory.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Online sleuthing yielded a mixed
bag for when the wine should be opened.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Expert suggestions for length of time to open the wines were very
outdated (nothing had been written since the early 2000’s).</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">We were on our own to trust our best guess
based on the evolution of both tannins and fruit.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8YL6QPBGzSKtToXQX-uNeVOLl8Nu_AD43HuPhaTGhMHzMYwbNuxFb-Zl6oTNJfKsI8TSNf5oOW7xhwqQ8Qei4SQnt-sCKydi8R-1lCLBLGbaZ-aA95T1S2VeaJ6Am-G0Wdzz73fMMA6vMFI5z9ifLmsCFlM2BobIRfLEs_pxGWXoEoyX00HKVYhJu/s3072/Chateau%20Latour.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2304" data-original-width="3072" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8YL6QPBGzSKtToXQX-uNeVOLl8Nu_AD43HuPhaTGhMHzMYwbNuxFb-Zl6oTNJfKsI8TSNf5oOW7xhwqQ8Qei4SQnt-sCKydi8R-1lCLBLGbaZ-aA95T1S2VeaJ6Am-G0Wdzz73fMMA6vMFI5z9ifLmsCFlM2BobIRfLEs_pxGWXoEoyX00HKVYhJu/w640-h480/Chateau%20Latour.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <i>Chateau Latour's tasting for Wine-Knows featured 5 wines from 3 different vintages</i><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">My husband and I
finally agreed to open our Latour ninety minutes prior to serving and then decanted
it.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Our initial taste and smell,
thankfully, showed that the wine had no flaws.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Our friends opened their Haut Brion two hours prior to dinner, decanted
it, and then placed it back in the bottle to bring to our home where it
remained corked until shortly before serving.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Thankfully, their Haut Brion had also weathered the forty year storm
with no flaws.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 14pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTVbBSSazGi2MfyKGGa8SpuQssNlCBJrv5RTcaqvidne_0iIizV6970JjQHCJMl38uZVUfZfOAEDe-ozPwZ4BnK7kRFGoNJvlsl69AvX9YshZSo5ggUDjEnOP19uVqgmBDkyr_FiYDdt8STol4acWyDroH6lkaK40b84DFhSNrVRL5SOBcORA5rPeL/s1600/blog%20haut%20brion%20glasses.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTVbBSSazGi2MfyKGGa8SpuQssNlCBJrv5RTcaqvidne_0iIizV6970JjQHCJMl38uZVUfZfOAEDe-ozPwZ4BnK7kRFGoNJvlsl69AvX9YshZSo5ggUDjEnOP19uVqgmBDkyr_FiYDdt8STol4acWyDroH6lkaK40b84DFhSNrVRL5SOBcORA5rPeL/w300-h400/blog%20haut%20brion%20glasses.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><i> Chateau Haut-Brion is surprisingly owned by an American family</i><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt;">Each wine was
served in identical large Bordeaux glasses by Riedel, side by side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Beef short ribs cooked in a Cabernet sauce was
paired with the wines. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The structure of
both the Latour & Haut Brion was intact, although the two wines were
beginning to head on a downward course for both tannins and acids.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Experts had predicted that both wines would be
drinkable through 2030, however, both bottles should have probably been
consumed five to ten years earlier for a maximum tasting experiences. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The two wines’ flavor profiles were all earth-centric---very
little fruit, if any, remained in either wine.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">While pleasant, both wines lacked a certain </span><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">je ne sai quoi </i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">for complexity.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt;">The experience of
these two 1982 Grand Cru Bordeaux reinforced the following lessons:</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"> <span> 1. </span>Keep your wines well cellared.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"> 2. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">Consult the experts, but trust your gut based
upon knowledge of a wine’s </span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt;"> structural components & evolution.</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">3. Before
opening an older wine consider both structure (tannins & acids), as well</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt;"> as
fruit in determining the optimal open date.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></p>June Forkner-Dunn, PhDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13464775803820294761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7167503281314395092.post-28524085135657311442023-08-04T16:03:00.000-07:002023-08-04T16:03:00.144-07:00Croatia’s Venetian Gem<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlnVgw9SIRx4HBMUthYu8zEgku9zXoNjcBDslT9BHXwWOmANOaqOisKMMnrIRxXaSyEcD2MWyqdTR781460Z0jdAL0rWy2I-bcpPzUS6UujVrssaSwLXoNzOllRMUQKGyPoyyh_nSXwhJaAynA4ga-cEtU5XwlpgXOIzlbaElwyHTa-9Jpx7yzJGyU/s1280/blog%20trogir%20sea.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="828" data-original-width="1280" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlnVgw9SIRx4HBMUthYu8zEgku9zXoNjcBDslT9BHXwWOmANOaqOisKMMnrIRxXaSyEcD2MWyqdTR781460Z0jdAL0rWy2I-bcpPzUS6UujVrssaSwLXoNzOllRMUQKGyPoyyh_nSXwhJaAynA4ga-cEtU5XwlpgXOIzlbaElwyHTa-9Jpx7yzJGyU/w640-h414/blog%20trogir%20sea.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /> <i> Tiny Trogir island will be the starting point for Wine-Knows' yacht week in Croatia</i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Did you know that Croatia’s coastline was controlled
by the powerful Venetian Empire for 350 years?</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">One of the most enchanting of all Venetian
settlements along Croatia’s 1,000 mile coastline is the small island of Trogir </span><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">(“Tro gear”). </i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">In fact, it oozes so much Venetian charm
that Orson Welles chose the island to film his movie the </span><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Merchant of Venice </i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">in the 1960’s.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> While many movies have been utilized Trogir as a backdrop, it has recently skyrocketed to fame for the island's use in the </span><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Game of Thrones.</i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH-HKiVJN0BWfwVMCz7Q2CVHVHSv0JxtpvIZoTnCxdkaX3drUr53_3fpjv2wG3VJn9zse30KIMQSp1alRWg9tbOLXszlXSjuvcp2pPihWkXgSoyRaTrv35FKwNzHlEk_7FP7p9nMFlUTxcNd-daNFVSul2TBiP2d05b3RO-ChWzXJp81VBDWDPMnst/s400/blog%20cipiko%20palace.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="400" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH-HKiVJN0BWfwVMCz7Q2CVHVHSv0JxtpvIZoTnCxdkaX3drUr53_3fpjv2wG3VJn9zse30KIMQSp1alRWg9tbOLXszlXSjuvcp2pPihWkXgSoyRaTrv35FKwNzHlEk_7FP7p9nMFlUTxcNd-daNFVSul2TBiP2d05b3RO-ChWzXJp81VBDWDPMnst/w640-h480/blog%20cipiko%20palace.jpg" width="640" /></a> <i>These stunning buildings in Trogir could easily line Venice's Grand Canal</i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Located just off the coast near the city of Split,
Trogir is joined to the mainland by two bridges.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In 1997 the United Nations' cultural arm
decided that the entire island was of such historical significance that it was
granted special protection as a World Heritage Site (UNESCO).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This basically means that it now takes an act
of God to change anything on the island.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2wJd7M4sH6MwKZDh7YxDjlN9MRnZdBjRRIEZb-VxjZdep9ylXyX6K9MBpCKUnOLmrdkgz4vuXhR-nwXzHmDFkdG8NMBbJu3WIrCfbmwHDWTJSQyhd6rHVmolCibAfnl9zJBCIVJi1hSCRgJnQTjquuHUOEunVnC4OSSXKIeyvz4EVlnGwFhWu42y2/s4000/blog%20trogir%20town%20square.JPG" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2664" data-original-width="4000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2wJd7M4sH6MwKZDh7YxDjlN9MRnZdBjRRIEZb-VxjZdep9ylXyX6K9MBpCKUnOLmrdkgz4vuXhR-nwXzHmDFkdG8NMBbJu3WIrCfbmwHDWTJSQyhd6rHVmolCibAfnl9zJBCIVJi1hSCRgJnQTjquuHUOEunVnC4OSSXKIeyvz4EVlnGwFhWu42y2/w640-h426/blog%20trogir%20town%20square.JPG" width="640" /></a> </span><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Trogir's main square is the antithesis of Venice's St Mark's in a good way</i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Trogir is a treasure trove of Venetian architecture from
the 13<sup>th</sup> - 18<sup>th</sup> centuries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wander its tiny backstreets and you’ll swear
you’re in an authentic Venetian neighborhood (today, that’s an oxymoron as few
Venetians can afford to live in Venice).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You’ll know you’re not in Venice by the absence of endless souvenir
shops, designer boutiques, and hordes of tourists jockeying for a table on its main square where small orchestras entice visitors to stop for a $20 coke or
cappuccino. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Trogir’s far more simplistic main square has rustic charm for a fraction of the cost (and minus
the pigeons) of St Mark's in Venice.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIaaDmel38TXy5m7zBSvuWvnoqKTCdtIhxyzrmy58TWFlrUX_Ec9vZzvvBSOz4278cidPuIP8VqXNasFOHJz0coBrwEyUi2eHrI7VmMbNscTTT8LP0P-mq5rFjm1mykf6ODurUBV8PU8Dgodrec5N7Rp8gXYrYDuuZPd06BZ865bAoyCh8h_XR4icP/s4288/blog%20trog%20back%20street.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2848" data-original-width="4288" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIaaDmel38TXy5m7zBSvuWvnoqKTCdtIhxyzrmy58TWFlrUX_Ec9vZzvvBSOz4278cidPuIP8VqXNasFOHJz0coBrwEyUi2eHrI7VmMbNscTTT8LP0P-mq5rFjm1mykf6ODurUBV8PU8Dgodrec5N7Rp8gXYrYDuuZPd06BZ865bAoyCh8h_XR4icP/w640-h426/blog%20trog%20back%20street.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <i> This scene is < 50 meters from Trogir's central square...not a single tourist in sight</i><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">The island of Trogir was purposely chosen by Wine-Knows
as the boarding location for our private yacht. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For travelers arriving early a walking tour
with a local guide is recommended as the best way to experience charming Trogir.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Guides can be hired in advance via the web,
or once you arrive on the island the concierge at the Brown Beach Hotel can
assist with booking).</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">See you in Trogir!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p>June Forkner-Dunn, PhDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13464775803820294761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7167503281314395092.post-49501057445135925442023-07-25T01:00:00.020-07:002023-07-25T01:00:00.157-07:00Prosecco, Pear Vodka & St Germain<p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIodbf3xVnmmUbwflwGMdJOapf9yYn1IYJOydpBLtknjw8owdaccBbgA3Ok757BV3iQE6iMyER9dXo8Wxf-aeHLusGF4BYs37rFvQrfhBUvfUaYTbrsCuqKd-OKaQIJil2trVPcsUnJT0P5ZsAiTqaF6PkfrxaQJd1YmIzpjaaRBI8o3Uyiok4h5Fg/s941/blog%20prosecco%20lemon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="941" data-original-width="650" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIodbf3xVnmmUbwflwGMdJOapf9yYn1IYJOydpBLtknjw8owdaccBbgA3Ok757BV3iQE6iMyER9dXo8Wxf-aeHLusGF4BYs37rFvQrfhBUvfUaYTbrsCuqKd-OKaQIJil2trVPcsUnJT0P5ZsAiTqaF6PkfrxaQJd1YmIzpjaaRBI8o3Uyiok4h5Fg/w276-h400/blog%20prosecco%20lemon.jpg" width="276" /></a><br /> <i>This quickly assembled cocktail is perfect for a summer's eve</i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">This is the final article in a trio on enticing summer
cocktails.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">I serve this one typically in a
Champagne flute, however, the drink could be served in a chilled martini
glass.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">On the other hand, if the weather
is really warm you may </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">want to consider
serving it in a highball glass with ice and perhaps a splash of sparkling water
(imbibing any high alcohol drink too quickly is not a good idea so serving it
with ice & water is a prudent idea on a hot summer’s day).</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 14pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 107%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTJlYvMLe3-dr7ZoKyGiV0s9b58ADXFB-EGherVpvUdzlmzEaBOhH8oWK2Sq7oCCp-8AftPAV3_CxaQcntlbx9xTMvmKTBCIOiwLQ6WCtwAhkA2HPIz2mM2vEbANTn0kzi19ck7ZJedHugD46Krd2C4y9RfuInLGGnu7O8qho-MdspEvimlhOwUb07/s197/blog%20st%20germ%20with%20flowers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="197" data-original-width="197" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTJlYvMLe3-dr7ZoKyGiV0s9b58ADXFB-EGherVpvUdzlmzEaBOhH8oWK2Sq7oCCp-8AftPAV3_CxaQcntlbx9xTMvmKTBCIOiwLQ6WCtwAhkA2HPIz2mM2vEbANTn0kzi19ck7ZJedHugD46Krd2C4y9RfuInLGGnu7O8qho-MdspEvimlhOwUb07/w400-h400/blog%20st%20germ%20with%20flowers.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><i>St Germain boasts floral flavors laced with tropical fruits</i></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">No doubt everyone knows the first two ingredients
listed in the title of this article.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For
those who don’t know St. Germain liqueur, you should know it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An uber fragrant floral liqueur made from the
tiny elderflowers, St. Germain’s Art-Deco bottle alone is worth the price of
admission.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(St. Germain is not a one-trick-pony as it can also be used to add a very special <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">je ne sais
quoi </i>flavor to desserts.) <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">The drink is super easy to make (we’re talking 4
ingredients).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s all about ratio’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here’s the recipe I use for the Champagne
flute/martini glass version. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">2 oz <i>chilled</i> Prosecco (or any other dry sparkling
wine)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">1 oz <i>chilled</i> Pear Vodka<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">1/2 oz <i>chilled</i> St Germain<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Artful twist of lemon (or thinly sliced piece of a pear)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Poor, stir gently, top with twist of lemon and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">voila!</i><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Happy summer….<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p>June Forkner-Dunn, PhDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13464775803820294761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7167503281314395092.post-21081837760676277052023-07-16T01:00:00.002-07:002023-07-16T01:00:00.155-07:00Limoncello Spitz <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6dWfdLGIFKZ6nF0jBtO8YgXRNE1vDbFwz0on1LNz6ubg7LMyni11CuebBiuWSeZEjYvpZ9L_-z9DQcgc-4XZK6mPeR2lERVjkF6W-PLYIyYbljTdufDrRqBTrHunJCtnhuqmkEHNfaDkXzGezVFmw_BRaDstwfFDp-aXqQQezdXZ_X6rplbHx1Stk/s478/Limoncello%20spritz%20blueberries.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="478" data-original-width="474" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6dWfdLGIFKZ6nF0jBtO8YgXRNE1vDbFwz0on1LNz6ubg7LMyni11CuebBiuWSeZEjYvpZ9L_-z9DQcgc-4XZK6mPeR2lERVjkF6W-PLYIyYbljTdufDrRqBTrHunJCtnhuqmkEHNfaDkXzGezVFmw_BRaDstwfFDp-aXqQQezdXZ_X6rplbHx1Stk/w634-h640/Limoncello%20spritz%20blueberries.jpg" width="634" /></a></div> <i> Thyme & blueberries add the perfect note to this summer spritz</i><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">This is the second article in July on summer cocktails. Summer is here and with it comes a profusion of lemons
& blueberries, as well as a garden full of thyme in our San Diego area
home.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">My thought is when life serves you
up a bounty of lemons, why not make limoncello?</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">So, that’s exactly what I did.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">If you don’t wish to make the ever-so-easy
limoncello (recipes online), buy a bottle and make yourself a cooling summer
spritz as follows.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><b>Serves 5-6</b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Add the following to a glass pitcher and stir:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span> ~ </span>1 bottle cold Prosecco<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span> ~ </span>1 cup limoncello (from the freezer)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span> ~ </span>½ - 1 cup cold sparkling water (start with ½ cup &
taste)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Fill clear glasses with ice (so that guests can see the beautiful colors), then pour in the contents
of the above mixture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Garnish with
blueberries, sprigs of thyme (or basil), and thin slices of lemon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> If you really want to have a show-stopper and you own a dehydrator, add a dehydrated slice of lemon (dehydrating really intensifies the lemon flavor).</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">Cheers!</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></p>June Forkner-Dunn, PhDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13464775803820294761noreply@blogger.com0