Wine Rack Store Blog

Wine Rack Store Reviews 2005 Clos Du Bois Merlot

2009-09-28T09:31:00.000-07:00

I’m a greener. Have I mentioned before that I’m a greener? I love all things green: M&Ms, frogs, trees, beer, and of course green living! I also love wine, which comes from grapes that start out as green! When my love of wine also contributes to my green lifestyle, I’m just tickled green about it. So when I come across a vineyard and/or winery that strives to be green, I pay homage. Last night I pulled a Clos Du Bois 2005 Merlot from my carbon free wine rack and reveled in the joy of responsible earth friendly living.

Clos Du Bois is a French term loosely translated as “a wooded enclosure”, but in this case it refers to a Californian winery located in the beautiful Alexander Valley of Sonoma County. This winery is a leader in developing, implementing, and promoting sustainable agriculture and environmentally responsible business practices. I love that! Here are just a few things they are doing to protect our earth (as described on their website):

“Recycling Programs

* Recycle approximately 90% of all solid waste, including grape processing waste, which we compost and mix into the soil of their vineyards.
* Maintain a rigorous employee recycling program for paper, aluminum, glass, and plastic.
* Other recycling programs include a production program that recycles cardboard and plastic, accepting recycling from neighboring wineries, and working with vendors to ensure packaging materials are returned and reused.
*Our glass is made from 40% recycled material.

Energy Efficiency

* Install windows in the cellar ceiling to reduce the need for electric lighting.
* Our barrel room is cooled with an ice bank system that allows most of the energy usage to occur during evening hours Responsible Water Consumption

* Drip irrigation is used throughout the vineyards to drastically reduce water usage. Waste water from winery processes is recycled and rerouted to the vineyards.
* One acre of our vineyards uses less water than a typical family of four.

Integrated Pest Management

* Our organic compost operation produces over 7,000 cubic yards of compost annually for use in the vineyard, increasing the sustainability of the overall operation.
* Microclimates were created to cultivate predatory insect communities through the planting of
cover crops.
* Canopy management is utilized as a preventive measure against mildew, bunch rot, and insects, and also to enhance fruit quality through sun exposure. Restoration of Riparian Habitat

* We actively convert existing vineyard land bordering the Russian River back to a dedicated riparian environment, and plant trees and shrubs for shade to promote healthier fish habitats.
* Clos du Bois is a founding member of the Fish Friendly Farming Organization.

Wetland Restoration

We engage in a program of wetland restoration to create a healthy habitat for migrating birds.”

But let’s get real, just because a wine is green, doesn’t mean it tastes good. So let’s pop the cork and get to the nitty gritty details:

I love it! Cheers!

…..Ok…I’ll come up with a bit more of a description for you. Clos Du Bois Merlot is a very friendly wine. Just as friendly on the palate as it is on the earth. It is reasonably priced at around $15 a bottle, and it is consistently yummy. Juicy and fruity on the nose, and smooth and velvety on the tongue. Mellow and blended flavors of berry, coffee, and toasty oak with enough depth to savor, yet easy on the more cautious palates. This is a great wine to take to a dinner party, as it will likely work for just about anyone. It will pair beautifully with steak or pasta, but is mellow enough to accompany lighter fair such as pork or roasted chicken. A mainstay in my wine rack, Clos Du Bois Merlot is a keeper! Cheers!

Wine Rack Store Succumbs to Vixen Syrah

2009-09-18T09:09:00.000-07:00

Vixen: it’s an all female rock band, it’s an all female fox, it’s an all female football team, IT’S AN ALL FEMALE WINE! Ok, so maybe not a female wine, but Vixen Syrah is a foxy red that will have you lickin’ your chops like the fox that caught the goose in Grandma’s henhouse.

Vixen. I love that word; it possesses so many possibilities for varied usage. Technically speaking, a vixen is: A female fox; A shrewish, ill-tempered or spiteful woman; a virago*; An attractive woman who often takes advantage of men. One of Santa’s reindeer (ok, maybe the last definition is not exactly technical). A vixen conjures thoughts of an alluring, yet perhaps dangerous adventure. A taste of temptation with a nip of naughty thrown in. Naked Winery aims to tease, and their Vixen Syrah is right in line with their other sumptuous wines.

This wine is bold and fruity. It’s intrepid introduction to the senses begins with a juicy berry bouquet and luscious cherry palate. But don’t start thinking this temptress from the wine rack is pure sweet innocence. It’s got a foxy bite of tannins and spice that reminds you whose in charge of the experience. Even the vintner suggests you bring your whip to this tasting! Hubba hubba hubba!

This sexy red charmer is not for the faint of heart. It will pair well with rich cheeses and of course the Vixen will cuddle right up with lamb.

* Virago is a term that refers to a strong, brave, or warlike woman (from Latin vir "a man", compare Tomboy). The term has also been used to refer to a noisy, bossy, and scolding woman. It is closely related to termagant, which is a quarrelsome, scolding woman and shrew, which is a nagging woman.

Wine Rack Store Reviews Missionary Cabernet

2009-09-15T13:21:00.000-07:00

The Naked Winery in Dundee, Oregon “aim to Tease!”, and tease they do, with their tantalizing wines such as Penetration Cabernet, Foreplay Chardonnay, and Vixen Syrah. Just reading the labels gives me shivers and makes me blush and giggle! But tonight, I left my inhibitions at the door and picked out a bottle of 2004 Missionary Cabernet my classic wine rack. Don’t let the term “missionary” lead you to believe that this bottle of vino is timid or boring. Uncorking one of these lovelies is like taking your quite office girl to Vegas for the weekend: unexpected and vivacious!

This cabernet has a rich fruity bouquet of ripe red fruit begging to be ravished. It’s luscious red color fills the mind with dreams of sweet summer cherries, and, WHOA check out those legs! Age looks good on this beauty, and even though the label says “it was meant to be taken advantage of right away”, I think the years have treated Missionary kindly. The 100% oak ageing gives the wine that lovely structure and warmth that I so love about Cabernet. It has a nice kick of tannins, but all of the rough edges have been smoothed away. The finish is a sweet and not too dry.

This wine is subtle enough to enjoy on it’s own, sexy enough to be adorned with Fireman wine charms, and rich enough to compliment a lovely little lamb. Of the Naked wines I’ve imbibed so far, Missionary is definitely my favorite! Salute!

Wine Rack Store Gets Naked

2009-09-11T08:07:00.000-07:00

“I think this birthday-suit-thing could really catch on”, she squeals happily as she prances through the sprinkler on a hot summer day. Aahhhh, those joyful days of being a toddler with a highly evolved vocabulary. Sadly, those summer days did not last long. The weather cooled, and society demanded the proverbial fig leave be donned. But on days like today, a beautiful Indian Summer sort of day, that joyful naked abandon can be revisited through Naked Winery 2005 Merlot.

“Oooooh, it’s such a pretty red”, she gasps, “just like my mother’s ruby red lipstick I longed to wear when I was three. And a bit like the stilettos I have stashed in my closest now”, she snickers seductively.

“I love bewwries!” she shrieks, as she runs amuck in Grandma’s garden, savoring the tart raspberries, the sweet strawberries, the decadent plums. She even braves a bite out of the giant rhubarb stalk. She smiles sweetly at this memory evoked by the aromas of Naked Merlot swirling out of her lover's charmed wine glass.

Even after all these years, she still loves berries; and she shivers with pleasure to know that they abound in her Naked filled wine rack. Her adolescent love of summer fruits leads to the spicy finish of free-spirited maturity. As she savors the merlot, she feels a kindred connection with the vintners at Naked Winery, because they have captured and married the sweet, reckless abandon of youth with the musty, sensuous pleasures of adulthood in their bottle of 2005 Merlot.

Jenn's tasting notes: Ummm...yeah, what she said. It's a fun fruity merlot with a nice finish. Very drinkable, and ecstatically entertaining. Cheers!

Wine Rack Store Reviews Banrock Station 2007 Merlot

2009-09-08T13:57:00.000-07:00

Banrock Station cares about our planet. A visit to their website shows a variety of efforts and endeavors designed to reduce the company’s environmental impact. Built from sustained Australian forests, designed with multiple energy saving aspects, powered by solar panels, and lit by natural daylight, the tasting room and restaurant welcome guests to experience Australian wetland preservation first hand. Visitors don’t need to travel all the way to Australia (but who wouldn’t WANT to), because Banrock Station’s website allows anyone to enjoy the wetlands through the web cam, and encourages conservation with a handy water calculator. Banrock Station’s website is approved by OffsetCarbonFootprint.org.

I have to put in a word of disclaimer here: Banrock Station’s wine label uses to “red flag” tactics which I have previously warned against in choosing wine. The origin of the wine is a vague “south eastern Australia”, and the bottle is stuck with a “Wine Enthusiast 10 Best Buys since 2005” gold sticker. I did find some mention of the 2005 Merlot in an article in an online magazine, Wine Enthusiast, “84 Banrock Station 2005 Merlot (South Eastern Australia); $5. Just the thing you need if there are dozens of people on your deck, and burgers are on the grill. Cherry and red plum flavors have earthy, oaky accents. It’s medium-bodied and easy to drink. Best Buy.
—Daryna Tobey”.

Jenn’s Tasting notes:

This wine smells of tart berry and earthy stuff. The merlot’s color is a pretty red, although perhaps a bit thin. It’s also rather thin in the mouth feel, but ironically pack’s a punch in flavor. The taste mirrors the berry flavors, and the earthiness comes across as sharp leather and tobacco. Banrock Station 2007 Merlot is not a velvety smooth wine, like many merlots aim to be, but the earth friendly attitude and recession friendly price make it worth a place in your wine rack. Cheers!

Appreciating a Simple Dinner at the Wine Rack Store

2009-08-26T20:48:00.000-07:00

Tonight my boyfriend and I were stumped for dinner ideas. Our garden is full and we have been having stir fries, and fresh salsa for a few weeks now, but we wanted something different. We talked about going out to dinner, which we decided against, since we do have such abundance in the garden. Finally we walked down to the local grocery store to pick up some fresh coho salmon with plans for a delicious and easy salmon-topped salad. We've got some wine brewing away in our kitchen, but that won't be ready for six months, so, we headed down the wine rack aisles to pick something to accompany our meal.

We picked out an inexpensive wine that claimed to go well with seafood, and headed to the register. After a nice walk home in what could be the last warm evenings of summer,my guy cooked up the salmon and some quinoa while I harvested greens from the garden. I love cooking fish, especially salmon, because it is so simple. Pan-fried in a bit of oil, with some fresh squeezed lemon, and chopped garlic (from our garden, of course,) the salmon cooked up quickly. It was perfect over the grains and greens, for an easy, tasty and nutritious dinner, and, the wine complimented the flavors nicely- though I can't wait until the wine is coming from our own wine racks!

Every part of this evening was wonderful. Spending some quality time walking with my favorite person, picking out the main course and the wine, appreciating the good weather and waning sunlight, and of course the delightful meal. Sometimes its important to recognize and appreciate the simple pleasures life has to offer.

Girls Dinner and the Wine Rack Store

2009-08-24T20:24:00.000-07:00

Last night I had a fabulous dinner with some of my girlfriends who I haven't seen in a while. We are starting up a cooking club and the first meeting was last night. The hostess sent out these creative invitation and asked us to bring different parts if the meal that would all go along with the theme: Layers. We had a smallish group for the first dinner, but the food was delicious and we were all stuffed. Next time we may have to take a walk or at least a little break before we hit dessert.

To begin with, we had a layered appetizer, a chili bean dip that we scooped up with tortilla chips. It was so good we couldn't help piling up our plates for seconds, though later on our full bellies regretted it. The salad was a layer of beautiful red lettuce, then green lettuce, shredded zucchini, some feta and an amazing creamy minty lemon dressing. We had a lasagna for the entree and a delectable pudding/whipped cream/chocolate-layered dessert on a nutty crust. We started off with a fancy blackberry-layered drink in wine glasses and the hostess was smart enough to break out her wine charms so everyone could keep track of her own glass.

Aside from the feast the company was fabulous. A number of us are taking classes in the fall, so we're getting our books and preparing for the school year to come. It was an absolutely beautiful day, so we all enjoy the tour of the garden and meeting the backyard chickens the hostess has for eggs. She also showed off her new wine table, a nice decorative addition to her living room, already filled with her favorite wines to offer guests on a moment's notice. I cannot wait for another get together with this group of fabulous and creative cooks!

Friends of the Wine Rack Make Adoption Easy

2009-08-20T12:00:00.000-07:00

I am prone to emotional decisions; it's often how I choose wine for my wine rack. I'm also a sucker for a baby-in-need. So when someone dropped off a box of kittens at my neighborhood watering hole, what was I to do! These blue-eyed babies probably shouldn't have been taken from their mother yet, but what was done was done. Another family member was the last thing I needed to add to my household: Litter boxes, YECK! Vet bills, UGH! And who knows what diseases and parasites the little mitten (that's "mutt kitten") could be carrying home with it, EWWWW! Yet, I couldn't bear the thought of the last, unclaimed kitten being hauled off to the pound, nor could I stomach the idea of someone being careless and/or negligent with it. So I did what, in my mind, was a step towards saving the world..OK, maybe it was just saving a cat, but it was an act of selflessness, nonetheless.

Now the kitten (maybe we call it Frankie, after Old Blue Eyes, whatdya think?) is yowling away through the night, and I am obsessing over whether or not it's eating and pooping, and whether or not everyone is washing their hands thoroughly after playing with it, and whether or not it's a boy or a girl (the opinion changes regularly)! It also made me think about what it feels like to adopt: whether it's a human, a cat, a dog, a tree, or even a road. Adoption is an act of caring for something that you did not create. It's taking responsibility for life outside of your own. But adoption doesn't have to be difficult, nor does it have to be time consuming or expensive! Our friends at OffsetCarbonFootprint.org make adoption easy. At OffsetCarbonFootprint.org, you can purchase carbon credits, that in affect are like adopting a part of the earth. It shows that you take responsibility for your own carbon footprint, and perhaps even for someone, or something, else's footprint! So, even if you don't want an addition to your family, please remember that just $25 can save the earth!

Now, if someone will please tell me how to train the mitten NOT to use my premium wine rack as a scratching post....

Wine Rack Store Pedals Away With Cycles Gladiator Cabernet

2009-08-18T10:08:00.000-07:00

The Cycles Gladiator boasts not only a kick ass label reminiscent of my favorite Botticelli paintings, but it also has a fantastic history lesson at the website, as shared below:

Cycles Gladiator symbolizes a celebration of the freedom and happiness that pervaded Europe in the late 19th century—an era known as the Belle Epoque. This era marked many notable inventions and improvements to daily life, not the least of which was the modern bicycle or Le Bicycle Velocipede.

Started in Paris in 1891 by Alexandre Darracq (an eccentric, who would later become famous for manufacturing automobiles), Gladiator was one of the dozens of bicycle companies that saturated the market when the cycling craze boomed. The Golden Age of cycling reached its pinnacle in 1895—and that same year printer G. Massias unveiled one of the great Parisian advertising posters. Only four of these original posters exist today.

The famed artwork that once showcased the stylish Cycles Gladiator now graces the bottles of our classic wines from California’s Central Coast. The mythological image of the nymph riding her winged bicycle captures the grace and uninhibited beauty of our hillside vineyards.

History of the Bicycle

The invention of the bicycle had a revolutionary impact around the world. Considered the first democratic means of transportation, the bicycle eliminated dependence on the horse and carriage and allowed people the freedom to transport themselves faster and more efficiently. Though the exact history of the bicycle is unclear, the Golden Age of Cycling reached its pinnacle in the late 1800s, during the Belle Epoque era, when a number of modifications brought the ordinary bicycle to its highest level of improvement. The modern bicycle was now more comfortable and safe to ride and liberated people from traditional methods of transportation.

Women in particular benefited from the enhanced mobility and independence, and it spurred a revolution in women’s fashion. Women now wore pantaloons, trousers and other cycling ‘gear’—which was considered shocking by the traditionalists and newspapers of the day. Susan B. Anthony once wrote: “Let me tell you what I think about bicycling: It has done more to emancipate women than anything else in the world.”

The Belle Epoque Era

The years between 1871 and 1914 represent one of the most fascinating periods in European history. During this time Europe was enjoying a period of interior peace, and a modern world began to emerge. Arts and sciences developed with an incomparable speed and intensity. A joy of life awoke in all social classes, and with that a desire for new, extraordinary, sensational things. People were seized by the feeling of a new start into better times and a sense of freedom and happiness prevailed.

History’s greatest transformation of art and poetry from traditional to modern occurred during the Belle Epoque. Art in every genre prospered like never before. In Paris, a recognizable artistic style emerged during this era where it appeared in numerous forms—most notably in posters advertising various goods and entertainment. Food, beverages, bicycles, and theatrical performances were but a few of the subjects of these now famous Parisian works.

A hundred years later, the same thing happened to the wine industry. History’s greatest transformation of wine from traditional to modern has occurred during the last two decades of the 20th century and wine has prospered like never before—advancements in viticulture and winemaking coupled with the widespread and media-driven acceptance of wine as a part of a healthy lifestyle have transformed the wine industry, and empowered our wine racks!

Lush and bold, the Cycles Gladiator 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon opens with rich dark fruit aromas. Brooding mocha, raspberry and black cherry notes are immediately revealed, and then supported by dusty tannins and well-balanced acidity. Broad on the palate, this multifaceted wine is very approachable when consumed.

Sourced from Central Coast vineyards harvested in the early morning hours while the wine grapes are still cool and firm, this wine is vibrant and supple with brilliant flavors of red fruits, clean structure and pleasing tannins.

The complex, dark flavors stand up to rich meats and hearty pasta dishes. Try it with horseradish topped Filet Mignon and mashed red potatoes, an old family recipe for spaghetti with meat sauce or smoky, grilled bratwurst and blue cheese potato chips.

And now for my honest, yet humble, opinion: This wine attacks the nose with it’s fresh, intense, almost sharp, fruit aromas. The nose alone tastes the concentrated flavor of richly fermented cherries mingled with hints of sweet and pungent tobacco, just wait until it hits your palate. It is certainly different than your Everday Cabernet (which by the way, would be a GREAT name for a wine, dontcha think?) Upon sampling, the spices arouse the tongue, and the pungent tobacco drapes across the palate much like a smoking jacket across the shoulders of Hugh Hefner. The taste is a seductive commingling of decadent, overripe fruit, and forbidden smoky mysteries, and the finish!…. The finish is a sharp, spicy awakening leaving you to wonder what the hell just happened to your taste buds!

**Disclaimer: you may be strongly tempted to also buy a pack of cigarettes when you purchase this wine. **

Although I would not say I am in love with this wine, it was definitely an experience to remember. Cheers!

**Additional Disclaimer: We at the Wine Rack Store, do not in any way condone smoking, or irresponsible liaisons, or blue cheese potato chips. We do, however, condone, and even encourage, green living, good wine, and great wine racks!

Early Birds Wanted at Wine Rack Store

2009-08-17T11:59:00.000-07:00

They say the early bird gets the worm. I’m considering this age-old saying as I watch birds hopping around my yard at 11am. It’s not so early, really, but they are still finding worms. It seems that all birds have a chance at finding a worm, whether they rise early, or sleep in a bit. I’m also thinking that perhaps I don’t want a worm after all, so what does it matter if I’m early or late? Then I realize that if said bird is willing to eat dinner at 4pm, the early bird also gets a great value at many diners and restaurants (yes, they ARE different). With these thoughts bouncing around in my somewhat attention deficit disordered brain, I wonder what else an early bird can get that perhaps others cannot. Here is a small list of worms waiting for an early bird (in no particular order):

*get trampled on Black Friday
*if trampling is survived, get great deal on new slippers
*time to contemplate one’s carbon footprint before actually making it
*wave of pre-existing conditions (I’m ADD, got sidetracked researching insurance, sorry)
*front row tickets at the Jonas Brothers concert
*broader choices of classes at the local community college
*the first cup of coffee
*freshly prepared buffet food (as opposed to the “spent three hours under the heat lamp” buffet food)
*covered seats at the high school football stadium
*time to visit OffsetCarbonFootprint.org and read fabulously informative and entertaining blogs

Of course, this list is just a small segment of the worms that are actually out there for early birds. I encourage you to get out there early, and find some of your own worms. But if you are like me, and prefer to hit the proverbial worm bins after the crowd has dissipated, rest assured that you will be welcome to every benefit at both Wine Rack Store and OffsetCarbonFootprint.org, no matter what time you decide to fly in.

The Wine Rack Store and Camping with Friends

2009-08-13T21:20:00.000-07:00

This summer we have been lucky enough to have many visitors. We are becoming old pros at the host role and now have another chance to show our colors. Today our friends arrived after a six hour drive to hang out for a few days. We have an adventure planned for Olympic National Forest, but we'll take a day or two on either end to relax and enjoy eachother's company.

Once our friends got settled into the guest room, we started to catch up right away. Luckily I had some wine we made last summer hanging out in our wine racks, just waiting for a special occasion to be opened up and shared. Of course we ended up chatting until we realized we were all starving and decided to order some food for delivery, and pull out another bottle from the wine rack. We had to get our fill of wine in, since we decided it is a little extravagant to carry wine 8 miles into a backpacking trip. Not that we haven't attempted such a feat before.

Tomorrow we are headed up to the largest alpine lake in Olympic National Forest. It's a beautiful spot where we have gone to before, and hopefully the mosquitoes won't be too disruptive. We're looking forward to picking huckleberries, fishing, sleeping under the stars and enjoying our last chance for a backpacking trip this summer. There is nothing like the quiet peace offered by a camping trip with some good friends.

Wine Rack Store Shares Ten Tips for Reading Labels

2009-08-13T10:10:00.000-07:00

Many wine consumers feel intimidated with buying wine, or even choosing from their own wine rack! This feeling often is made worse by not understanding wine labels. New world wines tend to be less complicated: wines bottled in the United States, South America and Australia are more direct in their representation of the type of wine and the name of the vineyard. In stark contrast, Old World wine labels like those from France, Italy, Spain and Germany, provide a plethora of mystifying classifications, harvest-types, town names, vineyard titles and producer idiosyncrasies. To make it worse, they are all in a foreign language! While these labels embody the delightfully classic aesthetic associated with a sophisticated wine label, they almost always cause bewilderment for the average wine buyer.

In an effort to make the process more simple and more fun, here is a list of the ten things to look for on a wine label. The first five are things you want to look for (good stuff), and the last five are things that should raise a flag of caution or perhaps don't mean what you think they should (maybe not so good stuff).

1. Cru

If there's one term you should learn when looking for a good French wine, it's Cru. The infamous wine regions of Bordeaux, Burgundy and Alsace in France will carry the term Cru somewhere on the label to indicate that the wine is from a town or producer of high quality.

2. Poor Soil / Deprived of Water

This may be described on the back of the wine label. It sounds counter-intuitive, but wine that is grown in poor soil and deprived of water irrigation is actually likely to be of better quality. When a vine is deprived of excess water and nutrients, it spends more of its energy into ripening the fruit, rather than growing bushy and vibrant leaves. The result is a higher quality, more concentrated grape.

3. Methode Traditionelle (Traditional Method)

This applies mostly to sparkling wine made in the United States and Australia. If you see Traditional Method on the label, it means that it is made in the same way as traditional Champagne, and will usually cost much less!

4. Vieilles Vignes (Old Vines)

Like to the concept of vines grown in poor soil with minimal irrigation, old vines have more intense flavors. The result is a vine that produces wines with denser, richer flavors and other more robust aspects of the grape, such as the tannin and the acidity. A reference to Old vines either on the front or the back label is a positive sign of the wine's quality.

5. Estate Bottled

On a bottle of French wine, you will see this labeled as Mis en Bouteille au Chateau, Mis en Bouteille au Domaine, or Mis en Bouteille au Propriete. An estate bottled wine is grown, produced and bottled at the same location. There is an assumption that the wine maker takes extreme pride in all aspects of the wine making process and wants everyone to know that he or she oversees every element of the wine's production. As such, it is usually an indication to higher quality wine.

6. Odd Sounding or Unfamiliar Wine Awards

This is something that should raise a red flag. Australia notoriously has troubles with wine makers placing gold, silver or bronze stickers on their wine labels that boast winning an award at an obscure wine festival. Until very recently, there was no regulation in place for what type of award was worthy of placing on a wine label. If you do see award-winning stickers, be sure that the event sounds familiar or at least sounds credible.

7. Flowery Marketing Terms

Most consumers can easily identify marketing adjectives from genuine inferences to why a product is high-quality. Be wary of terms that a marketer developed while pulling an all-nighter in the midst of a brain-storming frenzy. Anything attempting to impress by using words like extraordinary, from wine maker's personal bin, or limited release is probably trying to sell the wine based on gimmicks rather than on its quality.

8. Vague Geological References

Quality wines are generally a manifestation of the unique characteristics of the small plot of land on which the grapes were grown. Wine makers want to highlight this fact by referencing their specific region or town and the vineyard name. Be cautious of wine labels that reference a vague geographical location. South-Eastern Australia is a notorious labeling term you will find on Australian wines, which is about as specific as saying This Wine Was Made on Planet Earth. South-Eastern Australia includes the majority of the country's wine growing regions. Similarly, a wine that only says California Wine, or French Wine without specifically naming towns or more isolated regions should be avoided.

9. Grand Vin

A Grand Vin term on a French wine label simply refers to the fact that the wine is the chief one produced at that vineyard. It is often confused with Vieilles Vignes (Old Vine), which is a reflection of quality. Grand Vin is a neutral term that will give you little indication either way.

10. Superieur

This labeling term causes confusion much like the Grand Vine listed above. It sounds fancy, but all it refers to is the fact that a French or an Italian wine has a higher alcohol content than what it is traditionally known to have.

The art of understanding the wine label can seem insurmountable, but the average consumer can improve their choices by understanding some of the key items on a label. Be adventurous and continue to explore new wines! Taste them and see how the label reflects what you like (or don't like) about the wine. If it was flat and watery, were there gimmicky marketing terms that were used in the description? If it was full, balanced and complex, did it have a reference to Old Vines? The terms listed here will help equally with choosing wine off of a menu at a restaurant as buying a bottle in a store. Listen carefully to the waiter or sommelier's description. You never know what gems you’ll discover by simply being aware of these ten terms!

Wine Rack Store Reviews Fetzer 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon

2009-08-12T19:17:00.000-07:00

Years ago, during a dinner party conversation, I was asked to recommend a reliable Gewurztraminer. My understanding of wine was still in it’s infancy, and my investment in wine was absolute minimal (pennies, really, if I could find a wine for pennies!). I recommended Fetzer. A nearby fellow, obviously a connoisseur, overheard the conversation (eavesdropped really, how rude!) He was much more mature in both years and experience than I (old, rude, and snobby!), and he laughed heartily while poo-pooing my innocent, albeit naïve, suggestion. He obviously had more pennies than I to devote on wine. Anyhow, I never quite recovered from that, (much like that poor kid who always got pantsed in P.E. class, I imagine) and I have veered away from Fetzer ever since then, for fear of appearing to be a wine novice. Silly, I know, but brutally honest.

Despite my attempt at wine snobbery, I am not nearly snobbish enough to turn down a free sampling (leftover from the penny days, I presume). So, when a friend brought over a bottle of Fetzer 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, I swallowed my pretentiousness, adorned my glass with a humble wine charm, and attempted to approach the wine with an open mind.

Winemaker Dennis Martin says, “Cabernet Sauvignon grapes hang on the trellis long after the fall harvest begins. Patience is a duty, not a virtue, as we wait for the grapes to ripen. I’m reminded to slow down and wait for Nature to unlock her secrets. So I relax and enjoy this wine full of black cherry flavors, a hint of chocolate and aromas of vanilla and spice. Patience is truly rewarded."

The wine was more “fruity” than many Cabernets, and the flavors did not swirl in a velvety dance around my mouth, but it was not entirely unpleasant. The finish was a bit rough, but nothing another bite of steak couldn’t cure. This may not sound like the most favorable review, but considering our past, Fetzer and I got along just fine this time. The price is good, and the wine is decent. I probably won’t be rushing out to fill my fancy new 444 Bottle Premium Wine Rack with Display with Fetzer, but I won’t turn down a glass if it’s offered.

The Wine Rack Store and an Impromptu Dinner

2009-08-09T15:18:00.000-07:00

Yesterday afternoon a good friend of mine called and reminded me that we hadn't seen each other in too long. And so, we opened up our calendars and realized we are both booked every weekend for the next few months. I always think being out of school for the summer will mean I am less busy, but really, between work, camping, berry picking, wine-making, visitors, traveling and canning, I manage to schedule up all of my days to full no matter what time of year it is. Anyway, my friend and I had no choice but the have dinner together that very evening.

When I hung up the phone I got excited for our spontaneous evening plans, but I realized I had a lot to do. This couple would be understanding if I didn't provide a five-course gourmet meal, but I had to make something better than a box of Annie's mac and cheese. Of course, as I figured out the meal, I realized our wine rack was nearly empty, and I had no good drinks to offer them with the meal. Off to the grocery store I went.

Luckily, I live within walking distance to a great grocery store with an excellent selection in their wine racks. I found an Argentinian Malbec I've been wanting to try ever since a friend raved about it. I made it home quickly and cooked up some chicken on the grill and through together a quick garden salad to serve our guests. The wine went perfectly with our dinner and we had a great night chatting, even if we did stay up a bit late.

Olympic Scultpture Park Tour for the Wine Rack Store

2009-08-06T21:05:00.000-07:00

Last week when my parents were visiting we had the greatest time checking out one of the coolest spots in Seattle. After a short, easy walk from parking near the Seattle Center, we entered the spacious, larger-than-life outdoor art display called Olympic Sculpture Park I had heard about and even driven by this Seattle treasure, associated with the Seattle Art Museum, any number of times, but I had never taken the time to explore it.

We wondered around the artworks, walking through, under and around them when we could, admiring them up close and from afar and generally enjoyed the awesome view. A pathway meandered through the pieces, bringing visitors the chance to admire each sculpture within the 9-acre park. It was a wonderful walk and afterward, it was a little past lunch time so we headed inside the building on site to see what they had to offer.

The Taste Cafe turned out to be a delicious place to grabs some treats and a light lunch. To our surprise, this little cafe offered a solid selection in their wine rack. In spite of the early afternoon hour, we indulged in a nice glass of chilled white wine to round out the tasty lunch. Only after we sat down to savor our meal did we realize the Taste Cafe uses only local and sustainable ingredients for their foods and their wine racks are filled with Northwest wines. This discovery satisfied the ecologically responsible among us, and even got my folks talking about buying carbon credits to offset the heavy carbon foot print from the plane ride across the country.

Altogether, this trip into Seattle turned out to be the perfect way to spend part of a day. The artwork and good eats satisfied our souls as we set out to the rest of our Seattle adventure for the day.

Baseball and the Wine Rack Store

2009-08-04T21:34:00.000-07:00

Last week I was lucky enough to spend some time with my folks who were out here visiting from the east coast. We had lots of time to hear about their trip to wine country and sample the wines they were kind enough to share with us. Of course, we had to do explore the Northwest a bit, in spite of the hot spell that had taken over our part of the world.

My parents are both big sports fans, and what better way to appreciate a hot summer day than at a professional baseball game? OK, so, the Seattle Mariners are not exactly a team to brag about. But professional baseball is a spectacular event, even when the team has only won half their games. It has been since I went to a pro ball game, and I had a great time.

Did you know the Food Network has named Safeco Field (where the Mariner's play in Seattle) "the best ballpark eats in America?" There is Thai food and sushi, tacos, nachos, and of course, you can't go to a ball game without the option for a genuine hot dog. In addition to all that variety, they actually have a wine stand at the game! I couldn't help myself, in spite of the traditional beer readily available at any moment, I had to try out something from the vendor's wine rack.

Well, the game actually ended up being incredible with or without the food selection. Their best hitter, Ichiro Suzuki, pulled out a sweet hit placed just out of reach between second base and center field with two outs, two strikes and bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth. But I know if I go again, it will be worth it regardless of the outcome of the game. The food and options from the vendor's wine rack along with the ball game spirit were enough for me to have a great time.

Fermenting Berries into Wine to Fill up my Wine Rack

2009-08-02T15:05:00.001-07:00

Well this Saturday was officially the opening date for picking blueberries at our favorite organic u-pick blueberry farm. Less than two miles from our house, we made our way early-ish on Saturday morning to beat the heat and get as many of the sweet ripe berries as we could. We know if we want to make a mead good enough to save in our wine rack, we need the freshest berries we can get our hands on. Two of us managed to pick 15 pounds of berries in two hours, before the sun convinced us it was time to cool off inside. While 15 pounds is excessive for even a five-gallon batch of mead, we knew we'd need plenty left over for munching, sharing (with my 2 year old nephew in particular, who cannot get enough!) and a sweet dessert, like blueberry pie, for example. Plus, we like to freeze berries when they are fresh and perfect from the summer and enjoy them all winter long.

Once we got ourselves cleaned up and cooled down from the morning of picking, we washed off the berries and sorted out which ones we wanted for the mead. We had a great time mashing the five quarts worth (about five pounds) of berries into a watery squishy mess in the primary fermentation vessel (that's fancy-home brewing language for five gallon bucket). We warmed up some honey and water in a huge pot to help the honey dissolve into nice solution. Adding the honey water mixture to the berries, now we get to wait for the yeast to work their magic for a few days before we can strain and transfer the solution to a carboy for the secondary fermentation. With attention to sterilization and getting our timing right, we'll have 25 bottles of blueberry mead aging in our wine rack, waiting for the perfect occasion to be opened up and enjoyed!

Wine Country for the Wine Racks Store

2009-07-28T07:12:00.000-07:00

Last weekend my parents arrived from NJ to visit. Before they got here they took a short side trip to one of the best vacation spots in California- wine country. I particularly appreciate their stop in Sonoma County before their longer visit with me, because I reap the benefit of a couple of great bottles of wine to enjoy now and a couple to save for a special occasion in my wine rack.

My mom, the self-labeled "amateur wine connoisseur," has visited Sonoma before. She's been back the the Sebastiani vineyard twice now, and I can't say I blame her. The wine is fabulous and doesn't break the bank. Really, expensive wines can be incredible, but it isn't hard to find a great wine for a great deal, and Sebastiani is one of those places. The wines my mom brought up for us to taste and share are the 2006 Zinfandel and the 2007 Pinot Noir.

Personally, I loved them both. If I had to pick a preference, though I would go with the Zinfandel. It had this amazing flavor, without being overwhelming. Here is what the winery has to say about it:
"Bright ruby in color, your nose will delight in the raspberry and strawberry fruit aromas. The flavor offers pure raspberry fruit and nuances of cedar and vanilla oak. This wine is exceedingly elegant, and the lower alcohol level allows the purity of fruit to shine through. It is enjoyable in its youth, yet has enough structure to make it age worthy. Try it with any red-sauced pizzas, barbecued spare ribs, or Teriyaki shrimp."

We did enjoy this one with a Teriyaki stir fry, and I'm excited to add it to my collection to taste in a few years. That is if I don't pull it out of my wine rack next week!

Why the Wine Rack Store is Good for a Cooking Club

2009-07-23T19:32:00.000-07:00

Today I was lucky enough to be in touch with an old friend from Idaho. We reminisced a bit and she got me thinking about the cooking club we were in together. Ever since I moved away, I have wanted to start my own chapter of the "Dining Divas". This was one of the most fabulous tight-knit group of "foodies" I have ever known, and I just loved the idea of getting together for a gourmet meal once a month and getting some solid hangout time with these amazing ladies.

Here's how it worked. Every month one of the members of the group would host a dinner at her house. She would choose a theme and send out invitations to the rest of us. The theme would often be a surprise and was always very creative. Each month the different parts of the meal were assigned to different people, so we all got a turn providing the appetizers, salad, soup, entree, drinks, side dish, and dessert. Of course, which ever piece of the meal you brought had to fit the theme. It was incredible how well the meal would always fit together, in spite of the fact that few of us would reveal what we were bringing. The monthly meal was an opportunity to try out some fun new recipe or to bring in an old favorite. We really went out on a limb to create a delicious meal and spoil ourselves. It was the perfect opportunity to pull out that special wine I'd been saving in the wine rack. And I loved getting to use my wine charms to identify our glasses with such a full house! Dinner would always begin in the afternoon, so we'd have 4 hours to really savor our meal and company.

Anyway, it has been far too long since I've had a crew like this to enjoy a fantastic dinner with. They are still going strong, but I'm too far away, so I need to try to recreate this monthly feast in my current location.

Wine Rack Store Gardening

2009-07-22T20:49:00.000-07:00

It has a been a beautiful summer so far and I am enjoying every minute I can outside. Last weekend I finally took the time to focus on my garden, which was slowly being taken over by weeds. Six hours of weeding surely deserves opening the bottle of wine I indulged in from my wine rack. This year we have a 50x20 foot space to grow all kinds of delicious vegetables. We've got it all streamlined with drip tape running down four wide rows, with narrow footpaths to maximize growing space. Which is way different from last year when we got everything started so late, and the summer was mild. We had a lot of green tomatoes in September.

So this year is way better, and I love this time of the summer, where everything is green and full and flowering. Getting those weeds out of the way really tidied up the place and let the veggies breathe. I cannot wait to pick tomatoes, peppers, corn, beets, squash, onions and potatoes. For now, I'll just enjoy the variety of abundant greens, including spinach, speckled lettuce, endives, arugula, and chard, or I'll even fix up a kale slaw. Our garlic is even producing wonderfully already this year. We may have planted enough to last us through the winter! It is so rewarding to walk outside my door and pick a serving of peas from the vine to go with my dinner, complete with a bottle of wine from my wine rack. Now if only this Pacific Northwest weather will stay warm enough to ripen my tomatoes.

A Wine Rack Store writer's perfect end to a busy day

2009-07-20T18:57:00.000-07:00

Today I had a busy day! To begin with I had to get some paperwork sorted out with enrollment services at my school. That always seems to turn into waiting in a line to learn about one more paper you need to fill out, followed by waiting in the same line to find out about one more paper to fill out. Luckily, the enrollment office opens early and I made it to my doctor's appointment with time to sit and wait there. Once I finished up at the doctor's, it was off to work at the native plant nursery. I completely love my job, but it is still work. All day I was on my feet potting up, fertilizing and watering salmonberries. It may not sound hard, but in the heat of the summer it tires me out quick!

So I make my way home and stop in my garden to admire all the growth, picking some peas and peppers and kale for a salad, and finally get in the shower. After the shower, I do a calming yoga routine to ease away from the stress, and finish off the night opening up a bottle of wine from my wine rack. My boyfriend is getting a delicious dinner ready in the kitchen while I sip away in my pajamas, waiting to finish off full day with a well-deserved relaxing meal, good company, and my glass of wine. Perfect.

Gathering supplies

2009-07-17T17:50:00.000-07:00

Well, so far this summer has been treating me well. All of these beautiful, warm, sunshine-y days have encouraged my garden to absolutely flourish. And I just love going down to the Farmer's Market to check out all the seasonal produce and deliciously fresh fruits available. It's getting me excited for the berry picking and wine making that's right around the corner.

Right now I am working on getting all the materials I need to make a big batch of honey wine. I've gotten a carboy, a couple of five gallon buckets, some good cleaning brushes and an airlock. Now I just need to gather up 50 empty wine bottles to fill with homemade mead, since by the end of the fall I plan to have enough to fill up my wine rack to last me the year. I could buy some, but I think I'll be able to get all the bottles I need without too much trouble. My friends are definitely willing to drink as much wine as they need to help me out, and I certainly will be drinking my share of wine in order to get enough bottles! Maybe I could invite a crowd over and put my sweet new wine charms to use, in an effort to empty some of those bottle for my home-brewing adventures.

Anyway, by the time I've gotten all my materials together I'll be off to pick pounds and pounds of blackberries for a fabulous brew. Until then I'll keep soaking in this sun and pestering my friends to take their empty wine bottles out of the recycling bin and bring them to me!

Hey folks, I'm Michelle!

2009-07-15T17:25:00.000-07:00

I am so excited to start contributing to the Wine Rack Store blog. I have been reading the blog more and more lately, getting new tips on wine tasting and checking out all the great items the store has to offer. I'm looking forward to discovering fabulous wines, filling up my wine rack and sharing all I learn with you!

Right now I am a student enjoying summer vacation by working at a native plant nursery and gardening to my heart's desire. I love cooking great meals (paired with a tasty wine, of course), reading, biking and hiking, specially in Olympic National Park. I love the summer time for all the fresh fruit and vegetables and sunshine. Living in the northwest, of course, sunshine is hard to come by in the other season. Starting this fall I'll officially be a nursing student at the local community college. I've been working on getting my pre-req's in order for the last year, and it's great to finally start the program. I've heard nursing school can be pretty stressful, which will make having a full wine rack an easy and nice treat on those super hard days.

While I always game for trying a new wine from the store, I am also a novice wine maker. For the first time last summer I focused some of my energy on picking lots of fruit to make a variety of meads in my own kitchen. We did small batches of pear, blackberry, apricot, cherry and peach wine last summer. This summer I am going for big batches with a goal to have at least fifty bottles of my own wine to fill up my wine rack.

Thanks for reading! It's going to be a fun to try new varieties of wines and meads and report on my experiments as the summer progresses and my wine rack fills up.

Texas Barbeque at the Wine Rack Store

2009-07-14T10:42:00.000-07:00

Do you ever wonder what makes Texas bbq recipes so…well, Texan? Some believe that Texas has the best barbeque recipes, but what it is that makes them so unique?

Don’t tell George W., but I’m gonna let the cat outta the bag: Texas bbq recipes typically use some type of hot pepper such as jalapeno or hot sauce! That is the secret ingredient (aren’t you surprised it’s so simple!)

Here are delicious bbq sauce instructions that qualifiy as a Texas bbq recipe. You will need:

* 1 cup of tomato sauce,
* 1⁄2 cup of vinegar,
* 1⁄4 cup of Worcestershire sauce,
* 1 cup of brown sugar,
* 2 tablespoons of dry mustard,
* 3 tablespoons of margarine,
* 1 tablespoon of Tabasco sauce,
* 2 crushed garlic cloves,
* 1⁄4 cup of chopped onions,
* salt and pepper to taste, and
* 2 to 3 chopped and de-seeded jalapeno peppers.

1) Sauté the onions in a medium saucepan until the onions are translucent.
2) Add remaining ingredients. Continue cooking
on medium heat until the mixture is smooth.
3) Use this sauce to baste your favorite meat prior to cooking and during cooking!

More tips to a Great Texas Barbeque Sauce:

A few more simple tips to creating hot Texas bbq recipes that will spice up your meal and dazzle your charming cowboy (and cowgirl!) guests:

1) Use any of your favorite barbeque sauces and add jalapeno’s or Tabasco sauce to liven up your bbq sauce.

2) Purchase your favorite barbeque sauce from the grocery store and then add ingredients such as jalapeno peppers or hot sauce.

3) Add one teaspoon of liquid smoke to give your meat that outdoors flavor that many Texas chef’s use.

In Texas, the meat used most corralled for the bbq is beef, brisket is by far the most popular. There's something about taking a tough piece of meat like a beef brisket turned it into a tender delicious masterpiece that excites most Texans. Imagine that, like a cowboy wanting to tame the Wild West!

Now, YA’LL have a fun grillin’ and don’t forget to visit the wine rack for a finger-lickin’ good time!

Wine Storage 101 at the Wine Rack Store

2009-07-10T22:44:00.000-07:00

Wine was created to survive in primitive conditions. Let’s face it, those monks didn’t have central air! So today, I’d like to share some tips on how to store wine in 21st century. The ideal storage conditions for wine are much like the living conditions of any 15th century household: cool, dark, humid and still surroundings. While, storing wine is not brain surgery, there are a few simple, yet important, points to follow in order to ensure your wine has the best chance for long-term survival and optimal aging.

1) Chill Baby, Chill.

Optimal wine storage is right around 55°F, too much heat will wreak havoc on a bottle of wine. Keep your temperatures consistent, because extreme temperature fluctuations will also negatively impact a stored bottle of wine. Humidity is another factor to monitor when storing wine. A higher humidity level helps to keep the corks from shrinking and allowing oxygen in (shrinkage and O2 leakage results in oxidation of the wine...ummm..that’s bad!) Ideal humidity is between 65-75%.

2) Dim Those Lights

Many colored glass bottles of wine incorporate UV filters into the glass, but this doesn’t necessarily mean full UV protection. If a wine is in direct light for a period of time, it can affect the flavor of the wine drastically, as well as resulting in premature aging (Think sunscreen people! No one wants premature aging!). Typically, whites wines are the most vulnerable to light degradation, but reds will also suffer if they are subjected to too much light.

3) Relax. Stay Put.

Constant or consistent vibration will ruin a wine (you all read and studied my blog on bottle shock…right?!?). Keep your wine cozy and safe in a sturdy wine rack set on a sturdy floor, away from vibrating things such as refrigerators and hotel beds.

4) Lay Like Broccoli

Intentionally storing a wine on its side allows the cork to be in constant contact with the wine. This keeps the cork moist, which should prevent the cork from shrinking and allowing oxygen to sneak into the bottle. When oxygen comes into contact with wine the result is bad, very very bad- the wine starts to oxidize (think brown, rotten, vinegary, apple) and the aromas, flavors and color all begin to spoil.

Good thing the Wine Rack Store has so many options to help you store your wine, since caves are scarce these days. Because light and heat destroy wine quickly, make sure to protect your bottles by securing a cool, dark location to store your wine. If you do not have the room or funds for a wine cellar, basements are great storage facilities because they typically meet the cool and dark requirements. If a basement is not an option, then just keep the bottles in a cool closet.

Storing wine is simple, just remember to keep it chill, dim, still and on it’s side!