On the Road with the Grape Guy

On the Road with the Grape Guy is a on-going feature that follows me from event to event ... I post my thoughts, feelings and reviews of what happened and what I tasted ... basically it is here that I review the events I attend and the things that thrilled me.

Report from - Jean Jean / Ogier … November 12, 2008 (1:00 PM) – Part 2 of 3

16 Nov 2008

 

Next tasting on November 12 was a preview of the Beaujolais inspired wine from Jean Jean called Syrah Primeur 2008.  This was a cloudy tank sample that gave us a sneak peak of what is to come on November 20 when the Beaujolais Noveaus are released.  This strawberry-raspberry bubble gum confection of a wine is quite tasty and relatively inexpensive at $9.95 ... More on the Beaujolais Nouveaus and comparable wines next week. 

I also have to tell you that there is no way you'll get a bunch of wine writers out to try one single wine, therefore you have to promise them more ... we got to sip on other Jean Jean wines, some Ogier wines and a few other wines carried by EuroVintages Wine and Spirits that will be hitting shelves soon. 

Jean Jean ... (Read more)

 

To read about more interesting adventures thru the world of wine check out the On the Road With the Grape Guy blog.

 

 

Report from - Wente Tasting … November 12, 2008 (11:00 AM) – Part 1 of 3

16 Nov 2008

 

It's been a long day so bear with me … Today I went to three tastings, all downtown, and I walked to them all.  For those of you who know Toronto, I was at the Sutton Place Hotel, then went south to the Esplanade, and finally a walk west to Niagara Street (off King, west of Bathurst).  My legs are tired, my eyes are heavy and my palate is close to shot … but before I retire for the evening let me run down of the day's activities.

Started my day at the Sutton Place Hotel, where I met Carolyn Wente of Wente Vineyards, who are celebrating 125 years of winemaking excellence in the Livermore Valley (North of San Francisco).  Carolyn proved to be an excellent host and the three writers present on this, the early leg of her meet and greet, helped guide her into some very interesting stories:  like how her great grandfather (or is that great great?), founder C.H. Wente, found his way to the San Francisco Bay area; how the Wente brothers and Beaulieu circumvented wine regulations during the prohibition era on nothing more than a handshake; and about an upcoming Mexican-Californian venture they seem to be involved it.  She spoke highly of winemaker Karl Wente, the fifth generation family member to be involved and how he brings the maverick approach and young sensibility to winemaking … and how his willingness to try new things lead to the establishment of the Nth Degree small lot wines (no more than 300 cases of each varietal made).

Wente started as a 47 acre winery in 1883, today they have 2,000 acres in the Livermore Valley and another thousand in Monterey ... (Read more)

 

To read about more interesting adventures thru the world of wine check out the On the Road With the Grape Guy blog.

 

 

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