Great Wine Source Wine Blog

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Archive for category Reds

Wine of the Day – Mourvedre

Feb 1

Posted by greatWineSource in California, France, Reds, Spain, Wine of the Day | Comments off

Wine of the Day for February 1, 2010

Mourvedre

Can you believe it’s February already?! A month down, 11 to go. :) Hope I can find 334 more topics to write about. Please send me ideas. I’m open to hearing from you about what you’d like to see.

Origin

Mourvedre actually originated in Spain, where it is known as Monastrell, and had been a component of Châteauneuf-du-Pape until Grenache overtook it, and is only surpassed in acreage in Spain by Grenache. It is also cultivated in France, Australia and California.

Mourvedre grape

Style

This black grape can be found as a single varietal, but is widely blended with Syrah, Carigñan and Tempranillo to produce wines that have aging potential as well as to improved tannin and color.

Characteristics

Wines made from Mourvedre have beautiful intense garnet color, deep red fruit flavors, with aromas of game and leather. This grape makes it challenging to select any distinct characteristics, but when young in highly tannic and alcoholic, so decant, decant, decant your young Mourvedre.

Pairing

Mourvèdre-based wines pair well with grilled and roasted meats, root vegetables, mushrooms and dark fowl such as duck. It is a great wine for a winter meal of chicken and dumplings.

Stop by

If you are out and about this week, stop by Associated Bank on Richmond Street in Appleton, and check out my display (it’s a small display). Let me know what you think.

Cheers to full glasses all around!

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Wine of the Day – Malvasia

Jan 31

Posted by greatWineSource in Greece, Italy, Reds, Whites, Wine of the Day | Comments off

Wine of the Day for January 31, 2010

Malvasia

Wine of the day has missed a day. Oh no!! We went to my sister’s cabin in Rib Lake and there is absolutely no reception out there, and I just was too busy to get it up before we left. So, here it is a day late. Enjoy it over a glass of wine.

Malvasia grape

Origin

Malvasia is found in Italy, Spain and France, but its roots are found in Greece. Wine shops in the Venetian Republic were called Malvasie in honor of this very popular grape.

Style

Malvasia is primarily a white-wine grape but has the remarkable feature in that it produces both red and white wines, including a red version called Malvasia Nera. Each of these wines, however, is very different in their characteristics. Malvasia Nera is used primarily as a blending grape in Italy, valued for the dark color and aromas it adds. The best known whites are Malvasia del Lazio, Malvasia delle Lipari, Malvasia di Candia, Malvasia di Sardegna, and Malvasia Istriana.

Characteristics

The more popular white grapes produce golden, aromatic, flavorful wines with hints of apricots, musk, and almonds. Malvasia is not a high-yielding vine and is being replaced by better-producing grapes such as Trebbiano from Italy and Viura from Spain.

Pairing

Pair the reds with calamari, rich seafood stews and game. Pair the whites with flaky pastry desserts.

It’s a bit of work researching and trying to find some of these wines. Oh, it would be so fantastic if this was my full-time job. What fun it would be to drink wine and just write about it all day. Perhaps in my next life. :D

Cheers to full glasses all around!

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Wine of the Day – Grenache

Jan 26

Posted by greatWineSource in Reds, Spain, Wine of the Day | Comments off

Wine of the Day for January 26, 2010

Grenache

You know when you’re sick, wine really isn’t the first thing on your mind, but I made a commitment to get this updated daily, so come rain or shine, sickness or health, early or late, a new post will be added daily!

Grenache grape

Origin

Known as Garnacha or Garnacha Tina in Spain, Grenache is thought to have originated in Aragon in northeastern Spain (although some might argue that Grenache comes from the Italian Island of Sardinia, where it is called Cannonau). Grenache is the 2nd most planted grape globally as well as in Spain (Tempranillo is #1 in Spain), and is often blended with Syrah.

Style

Grenache is a red wine grape that is naturally high in sugar and low in tannins and is often blended with other varietals to add body and a sweet fruitiness, and is often used to create rosé. Grenache does well in hot climates and is the dominant grape in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, from the Southern Rhône region in France, as well as wines from Priorat in Catalonia, Spain.

Characteristics

Grenache produces wines with a rustic quality, with aromas and flavors of black currant, blackberry, oak, toast and when aged in lighter oak barrels, vanilla and sweet wood.

Pairing

It will pair well with barbecue ribs, smoked or dried meats, as well as salty smoked fish, and stews.

I hope my cold is only around for a very short time, and all you who read this are healthy.

Cheers to full glasses all around!

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Wine of the Day – Barbera

Jan 22

Posted by greatWineSource in Italy, Reds, Wine of the Day | Comments off

Wine of the Day for January 22, 2010

Barbera

As you know from reading my other posts, I try to incorporate some of what I experience in my own wine journeys into the blog, so my readers can feel more connected. Well, last night, as I was updating my website with specials and contemplating what to post for today, my husband came home from work. He had a tough day and was very tired, but wanted to open a bottle of wine to help him relax. I selected a Barbera d’Alba we had on hand.

Barbera grape

Origin

Like Nebbiolo, Barbera originates in the Piedmont Region of Italy and is documented to date back to the 1200s. Barbera has migrated to California, popular in the Central Valley, as well as Argentina, and historically has been used as a blending grape. But recent vintner techniques including improved barreling have resulted in a higher quality style of Barbera being produced and results in a very enjoyable wine on its own.

Style

The red wines created from the Barbera grape have a natural acidity, while remaining low in tannins. Heat can reduce the acidity, resulting less appealing wines with a lack of fruit and crispness, however, even with warm climates, the Barbera grape retains this natural acidity, making it favorable to grow in warmer climates.

Characteristics

The wines produced with this grape can range in color from deep purple to dark amber (depends on your aging techniques), and because of its great color, low tannin and acidity, make it a great blending grape. When enjoyed on its own, you may notice aromas and flavors of currant, blackberry, cherry with hints of toast and spice. As with any wine, vintner, region and barreling techniques can result in vastly different characteristics.

Pairing

Wines made from this grape will pair well with polenta with meat ragù, a warm dipping sauce originating from Piedmont called Bagna càuda, made with with garlic, anchovies, olive oil, butter, and in some parts of the region cream.

The Barbera d’Alba I enjoyed with my husband last night is a lighter red. It was very enjoyable for a later evening wine, and can be savored without food as well as with.

Cheers to full glasses all around!

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Wine of the Day – Nebbiolo

Jan 20

Posted by greatWineSource in Italy, Reds, Wine of the Day | Comments off

Wine of the Day for January 20, 2010

Nebbiolo

I try to add a bit of humor into each of my posts. Today, though, I got up later than I had anticipated, so the funniest thing I can think of is that “I’m late, I’m late, for a very important date.” (I know, not many people will find that humorous, but my husband will get a kick out of it.)

Nebbiolo grape

Origin

It’s Italian week, so obviously Nebbiolo originates in Italy, but more specifically, it originated in northern Italy in the Piedmont region, and its name comes from the Italian term for “fog”, “nebbia”. There are some clones of this varietal that have been exported to other countries, including California, South America, South Africa and Australia where it has the largest acreage planted. However, Italian Nebbiolo continues to export the highest quality Nebbiolo.

Style

Nebbiolo is a red Italian grape that is highly tannic and very sensitive to terroir (soil, climate, geography) and aging must like Pinot Noir. While thin-skinned but still resistant to mold and pests, the sensitivity to geographical and climate conditions as well as requirement for long-term aging to balance characteristics can result in unpredictable and sometimes undesirable results.

Characteristics

This red wine produces rich wines with medium to full body, aromas and flavors of cherry and licorice, with hints of earth and tar. The wine is generally tart with slightly higher concentration of alcohol. Again, vintner and region can result in vastly different characteristics.

Wines produced from Nebbiolo

You will find Italian wines such as Barolo, Barbaresco and Gattinara produced from the Nebbiolo grape.

Pairing

Wines made from this grape will pair well with strong cheeses, rabbit, stews and believe it or not, broiled salmon.

Tonight my Meetup group is meeting at Bogart’s Wine Bar in Neenah. Come on out and see us. I’ll be writing about it tomorrow.

Cheers to full glasses all around!

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