A Wine PASSIONISTA, that’s me!
It’s wine and passion that makes the world go round.
Is there any other, more fabulous, tasty, or delightful element on this earth, which offers so many attributes in one sip, glass, or bottle? Flavors, aromas, and colors melding together, drawing expression, emotion, and the chance to savor the Nectar of the Gods (Bacchus, God of Wine). The presentation, accoutrements, and rituals of opening and sharing wines with others, adds new dimensions of pure enjoyment. Can you taste the earth? See the vineyards and grapes in your mind? Feel the sunshine and smell the rain? Experience the trip back-to-nature as you roll the wine around in your mouth and breathe in to increase the flavor and aromas? This is the Passion for Wine!
I love visiting tasting rooms from the most expensive and glamorous Domaines and Castles, to the small, boutique, sometimes hidden jewels found in most areas. Meeting the wine makers and discovering their passion for their wines and winemaking, enhances the tasting experience. Roaming through emerging wine areas is a beautiful way to spend a day away from crowds and find unique varietals, uncommon to the more popular areas.
My wine immersion started by finding the desire, only eight years ago, to learn about the different varietals and tastes and moved from there to volunteering at a boutique winery, first pouring wine for guests, and learning first hand about customer service and sales. Expanding the experience took me into the vineyards for pruning, harvest, and then on to crush. I have done my share of monitoring wines in the barrels to bottling and labeling, and have created various blends of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Syrah, Petite Syrah, and Zinfandel. Growing up and living in wine country helps, a lot!
I have studied wines, winemaking, and the business of wine from a local college, U. C. Davis, and the CIA. Oh, not the spies, although investigating different wineries and wines could be a spying adventure. I mean the Culinary Institute of America, at Greystone, in St. Helena, CA. During this time, I was introduced to tastes of the most expensive wines from around the world, and some of the worst tasting. Required for educating your palate and making comparisons, one learns what to look for in the different varietals.
Wine replacing Chocolate? Yes, indeed, I actually found one, once! A Burgundy, from the cellars of Domaine Christian-Clerget. A 2000 VOUGEOT 1er CRU ~ “LES PETITS VOUGEOT” Aromas of roses, chocolate, earth, and tobacco. Bold, dark-berry flavors, silky feel, with a long, lingering finish. I would trade or give up any chocolate for this wine! This was the best wine I have ever tasted in my life! I still have the bottle and cork, and the aromas linger… ahhhhhhhh… Sadly, this was the last bottle available in the states and the cost was too dear to have a case shipped over. Additional vintages are wonderful and available, they do not match this ultimate in my humble opinion. I will continue my journey to find that elusive gem again.
The next favorite of mine is Cabernet Franc. One of the five varietals in a bordeaux blend; as a single varietal and made to enhance its particular characteristics, this becomes a lovely wine, pairing well with most dishes. I do search for and visit wineries which make Cabernet Francs. Not one to limit myself I am extremely fond of tasting all other varietals as well. Whites, Reds, Sparklings, Ports, Sauternes, and Ice Wines increase the odds of finding something tasty anywhere the wine journey takes me.
Would you like to come along for the ride?
Cheers!
