I will publish my new post next week, as I'm heading to Destin, Florida to attend the 25th Annual Sandestin Wine Festival that will take place on April 28th - May 1st, 2011 at Baytowne Wharf.
See you there!
Sunday, April 24, 2011
WINE INTERMISSION
Dear Readers,
I will publish my new post next week, as I'm heading to Destin, Florida to attend the 25th Annual Sandestin Wine Festival that will take place on April 28th - May 1st, 2011 at Baytowne Wharf.
See you there!
I will publish my new post next week, as I'm heading to Destin, Florida to attend the 25th Annual Sandestin Wine Festival that will take place on April 28th - May 1st, 2011 at Baytowne Wharf.
See you there!
Monday, April 18, 2011
GREEK WHITE WINES. OPA!
One of my favorite places in the world is Greece. Most of you might know Greece for the Aegean Sea, its islands, Kalamata olives, and the traditional Ouzo, but did you know Greece produces great white wines too?
Well, let me introduce you to some of their best white grapes:
Assyrtiko: This grape is cultivated in the Santorini Island, and produces dry white wines that have citrus aromas and a mineral taste due mainly to the island’s volcanic soil.
Athiri: Is one of the most ancient grapes in Greece. You could find this grape in Macedonia, Rhodes and Attica. This grape has a thin skin, producing a sweet and fruity wine.
Lagorthi: Is a grape from the Peloponnese Region that produces wines with medium levels of alcohol; it has an elegant aroma combining peach, melon and basil flavors.
Malagousia: Is mainly cultivated in Macedonia, and is an elegant full body wine with medium acidity, offering aromas of exotic fruits, citrus, jasmine and mint.
Moschofilero: Is a distinct grape that has a gray colored skin that produces crisp wines with floral aromas, like roses and violets, with hints of spices. You can drink this as an aperitif.
Wines have been part of Greek culture for more than 3,000 years, and the ancient Greeks used to organize intellectual gatherings known as “symposia”, where they would eat and talk about philosophical matters while drinking wine. Seems like a good plan to me.
Opa!
 |
| Santorini |
Well, let me introduce you to some of their best white grapes:
Assyrtiko: This grape is cultivated in the Santorini Island, and produces dry white wines that have citrus aromas and a mineral taste due mainly to the island’s volcanic soil.
Athiri: Is one of the most ancient grapes in Greece. You could find this grape in Macedonia, Rhodes and Attica. This grape has a thin skin, producing a sweet and fruity wine.
Lagorthi: Is a grape from the Peloponnese Region that produces wines with medium levels of alcohol; it has an elegant aroma combining peach, melon and basil flavors.
 |
| Peloponesse Region |
Malagousia: Is mainly cultivated in Macedonia, and is an elegant full body wine with medium acidity, offering aromas of exotic fruits, citrus, jasmine and mint.
Moschofilero: Is a distinct grape that has a gray colored skin that produces crisp wines with floral aromas, like roses and violets, with hints of spices. You can drink this as an aperitif.
Wines have been part of Greek culture for more than 3,000 years, and the ancient Greeks used to organize intellectual gatherings known as “symposia”, where they would eat and talk about philosophical matters while drinking wine. Seems like a good plan to me.
Opa!
Monday, April 11, 2011
LAMBRUSCO, AN ACIENT ITALIAN WINE
Lambrusco is an Italian red wine cultivated since the Roman Empire in the provinces of Modena, Mantua and Parma. Since then, its production has been evolving into clones and sub varieties creating different Lambrusco wines, based on the region.
This wine needs to be drunk young, and the grape is not naturally sweet, as some producers like to keep it that way with less fermentation, so they could create a dry wine with a bitter finish.
Due to the fact that Lambrusco can be either sweet or dry you have to pay attention to its label, as it will indicate “Secco” which means dry, or “Amabile” meaning sweet.
These are the following types of Lambrusco you could find in the market today:
Lambrusco Grasparossa di Castelvetro: violet notes, sparkle and fruity.
Lambrusco di Sorbara: 60% Sorbara and 40% Salamino grapes is the most acidic of all the types.
Lambrusco Salamino di Santa Croce: ruby red color with a lot of structure.
Lambrusco Reggiano: considered a rosé varietal, it has a light body.
It is a refreshing wine with floral notes, low in alcohol, and fantastic for a picnic or cook out. It pairs perfect with grilled sausages, meat and chicken.
Lambrusco is an amazing wine for a warm evening by the pool.
Cheers!
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| City of Parma in the 15th century |
Due to the fact that Lambrusco can be either sweet or dry you have to pay attention to its label, as it will indicate “Secco” which means dry, or “Amabile” meaning sweet.
These are the following types of Lambrusco you could find in the market today:
 |
| Ducal Palace - Modena |
Lambrusco Grasparossa di Castelvetro: violet notes, sparkle and fruity.
Lambrusco di Sorbara: 60% Sorbara and 40% Salamino grapes is the most acidic of all the types.
Lambrusco Salamino di Santa Croce: ruby red color with a lot of structure.
Lambrusco Reggiano: considered a rosé varietal, it has a light body.
It is a refreshing wine with floral notes, low in alcohol, and fantastic for a picnic or cook out. It pairs perfect with grilled sausages, meat and chicken.
 |
| Baptistery of Parma |
Cheers!
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