Wine Rack Store  
Skip to content

The Wine Rack Store Explores Sherry

Sunday, March 14, 2010

ttar_sherry_wine_v

I know a lot of women named Sherry. Each of them spells her name differently, and their personalities vary tremendously. Sounds like the drink in question: each is a beautiful mixture of different qualities. In the case of the drink, in most cases darker tends to be sweeter, the inverse being true of light-colored sherries. This fortified wine originated in Cadiz, southern Spain, and has a long history. I used to enjoy a glass of sherry at Christmas when I lived in England, where the drink is found on many wine racks. I haven’t had a glass for a long time, but I favored a sweet, cream sherry. I chose to describe the following sherries because their names attracted my attention. That’s all, completley arbitrary. Just names that conjur images I like.

     Frist of all, Pedro Ximenez. Just try saying that without asking someone who speaks Spanish. Have a good laugh. What a great excuse to go up to some attractive, Spanish-speaking guy: ‘please, could you tell us how to say (point to the name)’, and then could you say it over and over again?’ (bat eyelashes and swoon). The eponymous grapes give way to a dark drink with the aroma of raisins. Pedro Ximenez has a high alcohol content.
     Palo Cortado is a mahogany liquid I’ve never come across. Dry, smelling of hazelnuts (yum), this sherry can be as weighty as 22%, so sip slowly.
     Fino is a clear, light-colored drink. As noted above, light usually means dry, as in this case. Fino can have an alcohol content up to 18%. I zeroed-in on this name because I recently wrote about a tapas tour in Spain. One of the drinks participants imbibe during this tour, Fino, now calls to mind authentic Spanish dwellings, tapas, and the part of Spain less travelled by tourists looking for the Zoo or Warner Brothers Amusement Park.

     Manzanilla is not just famous for green olives. They also produce a sherry which can only be made in coastal Sanlucar de Barrameda. This very pale and dry example of the drink can have a kick of up to 17% alcohol.
     All of which sounds as far from being British as any Spanish drink can. Then again, what’s in a name?

Filed in WineRackStore.com, wine rack, wine racks | Tagged , , , , , | Comments (0)

Is a Wine Rack Store Writer a Winerd?

Saturday, March 13, 2010
Winerd

Winerd

Browsing the internet is fun, especially when I don’t know exactly what I’m looking for. Having recently explored Florida tourism on-line, typing ‘Florida’ and ‘wine’ into the search engine seemed like a good idea. What I found turned out to be worthwhile: there is a relatively new game for wine buffs (or wine nerds as the game name suggests): Winerd.
     Created by Tamara Leigh Murphy, reviewers at The South Florida Punch call this a cross between Monopoly and Trivial Pursuit. With four different colored ‘corks’ as playing pieces, participants have to make their way around the board, answering questions, tasting wine, passing comments on color, flavor and aroma. There is even a blind tasting component to win the game. Nearly 300 quiz cards test your knowledge on the subject of wine. That would be a guessing game if I played, but it would be interesting to play the game with someone who really does know her stuff (or someone who thinks she does). For about $27, the price is comparable to the aforementioned board games too. Consider giving this as a gift to a wine lover you know on Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, perhaps not St. Patrick’s Day (that’s a time for Guinness and Murphy’s, not wine). Rather than storing this box in the game’s cupboard (I have one, it’s a scary mess), perhaps keep in on your wine rack instead.
     My only question is: when does a wine enthusiast become a wine nerd?

Filed in gift, wine rack, wine rack store, wine racks, wine table | Tagged , , , , | Comments (0)

Wine Rack Store Heads to the Sonoma Valley: Fox Brook Cabernet Sauvignon

Thursday, March 11, 2010

My trip to California to stay with the wine lovers draws ever closer and I am still searching for a cheap red from that part of the world that I can fall in love with. I’m hoping it’s the 2008 Fox Brook Cabernet Sauvignon as that’s what I’m tasting this evening.

As I took this off the wine rack it felt a little familiar as though I had purchased this in the past but turns out that was a Foxburg and this is a Fox Brook. What’s with all these foxes? Hmm one day I’ll have start thinking about what I would name my wine, an entertaining diversion but I digress…

3329849079_57b9373022_m

I bought this for three reasons: cheap Cab from Cali; simple as. Its from the Sonoma Valley which I now know it’s the heart of Californian wine country and the label detail makes it sound like a ten dollar bottle in a four dollar wrap so lets hope it lives up to its own hype.

The first thing I smell is mace. At first I thought nutmeg but no it’s definitely a hint of mace which of course makes me think Victorian Christmas cakes in an English country kitchen which is also distracting. Some days I am so annoyingly British. I give it a good swirl to see what else is in there. Slight lemony odor but oakey twigs rather than branches which makes me worry for the finishing of this cheap Cabernet.

I agree with the label that the wine has a long finish. It was a bit of a roller coaster. Smooth beginning, dry middle and slightly ‘lemon face’ finish. But lemon sucking in a good way. My mouth was entertained and surprised. There’s a smoothness to the structure which makes me think Merlot rather than Cabernet but perhaps I just prefer a different kind of Cabernet. I’m still learning about all this please remember.

The second sip is similar to the first but I detect a certain roughness to the taste and texture of the wine. Does t3192552536_dd8c051f7c_mhat mean it tastes cheap? I really wouldn’t know. Can I drink it without food? Of course. Would I? Probably not.

For a change I would pair this with red meat, probably beef and boiled potatoes, nothing overpowering. That finish should stand alone. I would keep this on my wine rack for Cabernet newbees to give them an idea of the cheaper end of the Cabernet scale. Would I buy it for myself to enjoy? I don’t think so.

Well back to the search for a hearty cheap and satisfying on all points Californian.

I will not give up.

Filed in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Comments (0)

Wine Rack Store Goes to the Dentist and Comes Back with Spanish Wine

Thursday, March 11, 2010

It’s been one of those mixed bag kind of days. I had a dentist appointment today to replace a filling and decided because I arrived in town too early, I would visit the wine shop before I had the needle. Not that I was going to drink of 4116669153_a7ecaa2edb_mcourse but to stock up the wine rack for later. And I’m glad I did as I made a new leap in the world of wine and headed to Spain.

I’ve patronized this store on a number of occasions but this was the first time on a Thursday. I won’t get into details but Thursday isn’t really ever my day. But the saleswoman happened to be a fan of red wine and gave me a recommendation. Not based on her own choices but based on the preferences of her customers.

I understand the worry about wasting money on a drink that you aren’t sure you will actually like. I think that is one of the elements of being a wine enthusiast; that little brush with the unknown. Anyway, she mentioned there was a Spanish wine a couple came in and bought several bottles of every week as though their very life depended on it. She was curious to know why it had such appeal. And now the Novocain has finally worn off, its time to see what has this couple so hooked.

The wine is (wait for it deep breath) 2008 Tempranillo Manyana from the Bodegas San Valero Soc. Coop. Phew! Even the makers had to abbreviate part of the name. I am intrigued by the potentially socialist cooperative origins as well as the green bottle and golden orange label.

3217051847_e58093f702_mI detect black cherries and vanilla in the bouquet: summer fruits and ice cream. A swirl reveals a creamy musty odor and a hint of citrus. The label states red fruits and a mix of pinot and merlot grapes. I don’t know about all that but it smells like a mix between a dry white and a soft red to me.

The first sip makes me lean towards the soft red end of the mix. It’s slightly dry with a loose structure. So far pleasant but not overly exciting. I feel a little more weight with the second sip and more aridity and structure. It’s not half bad. Makes me think roast chicken sunshine and lazing around in the shade. Aaah when will this winter end…

It’s a very nice red wine not overwhelming and a great price. I don’t know if I would be rushing out on a weekly basis to buy before anyone else like the reported couple but its quite good and a little intoxicating. Oh, that’s because its 12.5 percent alcohol by volume. Oh those Europeans.

I recommend this and will report back positively to the wine shop. This will grace my wine rack in the future. Isn’t it nice when you find something you weren’t looking for and it turns out to be good? And on a Thursday?

Win win I say.

Filed in wine rack, wine rack store, wine racks | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments (0)

Wine Rack Store is Baking with Red Wine

Thursday, March 11, 2010

4326229079_02f2253d26_mCooking with wine is nothing new. My husband does it all the time with the leftovers from my wine blogging but I’m more of a baker myself. I like to put everything in a single pan and pop in the oven for a designated time and walk away. I’m not sure if that makes me apathetic or smart. The problem is red wine is a bit of a puzzler when it comes to baking. And finding ways to get that excess off the wine rack gets more difficult the more wines I taste.

I notice my fellow blogger finds wonderful recipes and foods that contain wine. Unfortunately I don’t do dairy so Shiraz and ice cream may be a joy but it is out for us poor poor lactose intolerant folks. I did come across a recipe for sugared pears baked in red wine; now that sounds yummy to me.

Well, the recipe did call for a little fresh cream on the finished baked pears but the fake stuff works just as well. Stand pears in a baking pan, drizzle with home made caramel sauce and fill the baking pan with a mix of red wine and rum. Bake for about an hour at 350 degrees.

Oh my goodness was this yum with a little left over Cabernet Sauvignon. The heaviness of the wine, the sweetness of the rum and the caramel pears made for one heck of a delicious dessert. One pear was enough after a full meal but five minutes in the microwave later that evening and I “forced” myself to consume a second piece of gooey sticky winey 435687193_89e39f2069_mjuicy fruit.

I should probably look for healthier baking recipes for wine although I’m a sucker for caramel. Maybe I should start thinking about making some vegan cookies with red wine. Okay that’s not much healthier. Mmmmm…cookies.

Time to grab another left over bottle from the wine rack and start experimenting. I’ll keep you posted.

Filed in wine pairings, wine rack, wine rack store, wine racks, wine recommendations | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments (0)

A Glass of Chablis at the Wine Rack Store

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

chablis

So the word on the web is that chablis, aka chardonnay, is an under-appreciated wine. Much maligned as filler for jug wines over the years, chablis now has a bad name it does not deserve. I guess, as with all wines, a skilled wine maker can produce something worth drinking while those with little discernment and even less money to spend can find something uninspiring (aka cheap).
     I have developed some discernment, though I still can’t afford the good stuff. On the other hand, what I want to do is uncover really good value wines which one might otherwise overlook because they cost less than $10 per bottle (and that’s Canadian, so when I write cheap, I mean cheap). With this in mind, I bought a bottle of Franciscan Vineyards California Chablis.
     I wasn’t expecting anything astounding, though I was pleasantly surprised by the tanginess of this wine’s aroma and flavors. Chablis is represented by lemon, green apple and pear. All this wine is missing is the pear, so in the words of Meatloaf, two out of three ain’t bad. Chablis is also known for it’s lightness in comparison to chardonnay. I would say this wine reminds me of a sauvignon blanc without the lingering flavor on the tongue and far less body.
     All in all, for the price of this wine I really cannot (and would not) complain. It may not be worth storing on my wine rack, but I wouldn’t be ashamed to serve this chablis on a hot summer’s day while watching the sun go down.

Filed in Apple, California, Chardonnay, cheap wine, white wine, wine rack, wine rack store, wine racks | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments (0)

Expensive Treats Amuse at the Wine Rack Store

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

chateau-mouton-rothschild-1992-750ml

A cruel joke has been played on many a rich man and woman. Expensive, exclusive treats often arrive from ironic backgrounds. For example, the most expensive coffee in the world derives from the fecal matter of a cat. Why it is so expensive, I don’t know, but for the money this coffee fetches I’d be willing to scoop and sell my cat’s poop. Might put my girls through university that way, actually. The most expensive tea apparently comes from the fecal matter of certain caterpillars. I’m sure these are very special cats and caterpillars, not your ordinary animals found in back alleys or on suburban hydrangea.  Their poo is really special.
     Then again, the most expensive wines cause me to titter: not because they are made from grapes pooped-out by rare exotic birds, but because they’re so old one cannot drink them any longer. Or, worse still, one might drink the 1945 Chateau Mouton-Rothschild, but then one’s wine rack is bereft of this rarity once more. 65 years of aging to a deeply concentrated blackcurrant flavor finally over and tens of thousands of dollars spent on one bottle. Then again, what if the owner waits too long, only to find this rich red from the Medoc region of Bordeaux has finally succumbed to the cruelty of time? Now all that the owner has is an open bottle which is undrinkable, the seal now broken, the bottle’s value destroyed for potential resale in two hundred years (that would be for your heirs, you generous billionaires).
     Such is the farce of life, the reason I will drink my cheap Chablis tonight and laugh.

Filed in coffee, french wine, wine rack, wine rack store, wine racks | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments (0)

Wine Salami at the Wine Rack Store

Monday, March 8, 2010

volpi

One of our local grocery stores carries some wonderful gourmet items meant to be served at light meals, as appetizers paired with good wines, or even made with them. If you have never heard of wine salami before, be prepared to pay nearly as much for a log of this stuff as you would for the wine itself.
     I am talking about Volpi salami, made with ‘high quality’  chianti, pinot grigio, and rose wines. I have been tempted more than once to buy some, as my daughters love salami, yet I’m not sure they would appreciate the delicate flavors and would be just as happy to eat a regular cervelat. For now I will satisfy myself by profiling this unusual product wrapped decoratively in fine quality, colored papers to attract the eye.

     The Volpi website notes that these salami are dry-cured with minimal processing and no nitrites. They use natural pork too. The trend right now in deli-meat sales and production is to highlight the lack of ‘nitrates’ and now even the absence of ‘nitrites’, an ‘i’ supposedly being healthier than an ‘a’. Since such ingredients do not affect my wine rack I hardly notice, though ‘nitrite’ conveniently rhymes with ’sulphite’ to help me remember the names (I don’t know what they are or what these chemicals do that’s so bad.)

     Look at the Volpi website for a gift this Easter, including the “The Perfect Gift Basket” filled with Volpi salami, chocolate and more. Sounds like luxury to me.

Filed in chocolate, gift, wine rack, wine rack store, wine racks | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments (0)

Wine Rack Store Tries Tisdale Cabernet Sauvignon

Monday, March 8, 2010

Well after reasonable success with the Merlot from the Tisdale winery the other day, I was hoping my luck would hold 3934042284_a7c40a1dc0_mas I took the Cabernet off the wine rack. This bottle costs a whopping $4.25.

Should I be worried?

Well, if the issue with the cork is any sort of indicator yes. I had this problem with the Merlot. The cork is very soft and the cork screw goes straight though unevenly. Well that’s what husbands are for right? He fixed the cork, got it out of the bottom and I poured my 50 cent glass of wine.

It smells fresh. Does no vintage mean it is from this year? Or simply not worth putting a date on? I detect the odor of garden peas, lemon and black cherry but not too much in the way of twig. The swirl released a sweet caramel and cinnamon overtone, more peas and green grass. It smells pretty good so I’m going in.

An unexpected creaminess and, like its brother Merlot, a lack of structure. There’s a lack of body and it doesn’t really have the weight or oakiness of a Cabernet but it doesn’t really taste bad. It’s red wine just but it’s not an acquired taste nor a heady rush of black cherries falling from the branches of oak trees sitting in fresh wet grass. In other words, it tastes nothing like Cabernet Sauvignon. It’s an okay cheap but perfectly reasonable for the price red wine.

I’m pairing it with roast chicken and homemade pasta as that’s what the husband is making for dinner. But it works. The 3063537992_013ba853f3_mmeal makes me want a Shiraz or even a Sauvignon Blanc but this will do. It’s not the worst thing I’ve tasted.

Hmmm…I’m not sure if that is a compliment but oh well…

Well, we finished the bottle so it was very easy to drink but it was more like drinking watered down grape juice than wine. What can you expect though for four dollars? I guess I should be grateful it tasted as well as it did.

I’m not sure if I’ll stock up my wine rack with this red wine. It was simply something to drink. I think my exploration of cheap wines has taught me than around eight dollars a bottle is okay, ten dollar bottles work for my humble palette and more than that is well, simply out of the budget these days for many of us.

Can’t say I didn’t try.

Filed in wine pairings, wine rack, wine rack store, wine racks, wine recommendations | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments (0)

Wine Rack Store Explores the Wine Caves

Monday, March 8, 2010

276611514_d32424dea1_mIf you’ve ever thought about expanding your kitchen wine rack to a wine cellar good for you. Besides being a great talking point for visitors, the wine cellar helps store your grape juice at as close to perfect conditions as you can manage in a normal domestic setting.

But have you ever heard of a wine cave?

Well neither had I until I stumbled across some info online which yes, I’m going to share with you.

It seems the wine cave has been with us for a couple thousand years and started when the ancient Romans used the catacombs to store their wine. From there, the French used the caves built by the Romans for storage and then the idea spread across Europe and people began digging out the earth to create caves specifically for housing their wine collection.

In America in the middle of the 19th century, wine caves began showing up on the west coast. The Chinese construction workers having just completed the railroad system on one half of the continent were employed to dig out the earth around wineries and vineyards so small label producer could store their wine. Prohibition slowed construction and then there was a resurgence of the wine cave in the 1960s that continues to this day.492015836_5068f9ae3c_m

Wine caves provide cool underground storage where conditions can be controlled by the owners. The Napa and Sonoma Valleys in California are popular locations for wine caves.  Building permits are not required for these often elaborate underground structures. Top wineries have wine caves adorned with statues and book cases. Popular features include heated floors and humidity control devices. The wine cave sounds primitive but is in fact quite luxurious.

Storing wine underground helps with the fermentation and aging process and protects the wine from temperature variations and seasonal changes. The cave limits the evaporation process to a minimum meaning consumers get more wine for their buck.

The sizes of the caves depend on the budget of the winery rather than natural conditions. The caves are bored out using mining equipment and the latest engineering technology. Fifty feet below the winery is a typical measurement. The actual enclosures can be hundreds of feet in length and ten to twelve feet in height. The variation is great and tailored to suit the purposes of the vineyard.

Many wine caves are open to the public but their mere presence at a vineyard can drastically increase the price per bottle. But they do sound like interesting places to visit, even if you can’t afford to purchase the contents.

Filed in wine rack, wine rack store, wine racks, wine storage | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Comments (0)