wine book club

Types of White Grapes

a. Chardonnay (Shar doe nay)
Where it is produced : France, US, Australia, South Africa, Chile, New Zealand and many other places.
Characteristics : Known as the “King of White Wine”, it is currently the most popular white wine grape. It’s color is pale to straw yellow and its aroma can vary from region to region. In cooler climates, there are hints of apple, citrus, butter and vanilla whereas in the warmer climate, the aroma swings toward melon and tropical fruits. It is usually oaked and is full bodied and toasty with moderate acidity.

b. Sauvignon Blanc (Saw Vee nyon blahnk)
Where it is produced : Bordeaux, Loire Valley, US, Australia, South Africa, Chile, New Zealand, Italy and many other places.
Characteristics : Also known as Fumé Blanc, this grape is a popular blending grape for Bordeaux wines. It’s color is light to medium yellow with a tinge of green. It has a grassy bouquet like the smell of freshly cut lawn. May also display scents of lemons, asparagus and fig.
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Meritage Wines

I have been asked regulars to give them the low down on Meritage wines. What does it mean in the wine world, how is it pronounced, is it an important wine style to know, and should I be drinking them.

Well yes, you should be drinking them. Some of my favorite wines in the world are Meritage wines and if you give them a try they will most likely creep onto your favorites list also.

First off, Meritage is pronounced as if it rhymed with Heritage. It is actually a name derived from combining the words Merit and Heritage. It is NOT pronounced as if it were a French word, Mer-it-ahhhhjje. Meritage wines are fashioning themselves after the classic blended wines of Bordeaux, France. The famous Bordeaux region uses five grapes to produce their great red wines. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petite Verdot. The white wines of this region are blends of Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon and Muscadelle. The red wines dominate the scene in Bordeaux, getting recognition as some of the finest wines produced in the world and collected by countless wine enthusiasts whose cellars would never be complete with out these precious French masterpieces.
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Nobilo – Waiting for Sauvignon Blanc

Nobilo is the second largest wine company in New Zealand. It was founded in 1943 by Nikola Nobilo, a Croatian of Italian descent from the island of Korcula. In fact several members of the Nobilo family still survive on the island and have been tending vineyards there for some 300 years. Nikola planted his first small New Zealand vineyard at Huapai, just to the northwest of Auckland on the North Island, and went on to inspire a family-driven operation that developed into the leading exporter of New Zealand wines.
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Turkey Day Wines

It’s that time of year again folks, so feel free to read this article and take from it what you can. This is one huge meal that always gets a lot of people wandering the wine aisle’s trying to pick out that one perfect wine. Don’t do it. Don’t think that there is one perfect wine. There are hundreds and hundreds. This is a feast that can accommodate so many wines that I could walk blindfolded through my wine store and come up with wines that match.

If you try the blindfolded thing just bring someone along to steer you clear of the wine displays, and if you try it out with your eyes wide open, give these varietals a look. Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Chardonnay, Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Merlot and Sauvignon Blanc. So you are getting the picture, right. Lots of options and nothing to stress out about.

The reason all these wines can work is because they all have something different to offer the main course and all the accompaniments.
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More Breakfast Wines

Good Morning Sauvignon Blanc!!
I have a continuing interest in getting wine involved in not just my lunch and dinner plans, but also in my A.M. meals. Like I’ve said before, “If breakfast is my most important meal of the day, then why should I skip my wine at this tremendously significant meal?” I have written in the past about some of my favorite pairings of wine and breakfast items,but what about when I am in a bit of a crunch and don’t have a full fridge of “stuff” to breakout another gourmet breakfast?

Or maybe I have run out of Lucky Charms again. Well, I choose to run up the road and get a sixer of donuts, and I prefer Dunkin’ Donuts with my wine. Luckily I have one of those Dunkin’ Donuts shops conveniently located about a mile from my pad (but who doesn’t on the East Coast) so I always have an easy way to find a quick breakfast if needed.
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At the Winery: Caymus Vineyards

Caymus Vineyards
Rutherford, Napa Valley CA
Phone 707-967-3010

As you cruise up Route 29 through Rutherford and possibly pass all 500 or so residents you will see many well-known wineries and vineyards. If you are lucky enough to know about Caymus Vineyards then you will know to turn off the main drag and find the winery. Whether you cross the Pope Bridge built in the late 1800’s and take a right as we did or if you take a more direct route, once you get there, you will enjoy.

However, make sure you made your tasting reservations in advance. They recommend up to ten days prior, although we made ours one day in advance and they happen to have a couple spots open. The tasting is free and it will be memorable. It’s not the typical pile up of people at a counter waiting for others to finish.
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