Question: I am having an argument about the correct answer for which grape is best suited for growing on granite soils to make wine.
Answer: Difficult question because I do not believe there is just one correct answer. Several grape varieties seem to thrive on granite. Cru Beaujolais made from Gamay are famous. Also the Hermitage hill in the Northern Rhone produces fantastic Syrah. But there are other granitic soils around the world that do well with a variety of grapes: Stellenbosch & Paarl in South Africa, parts of Australia & California, as well as Portugal (Dao) and Spain (Rias Baixas for Albarinos). I enjoy the Riesling grape grown on granite soil vineyards in Alsace from Brand & Schlossberg! Lots of correct answers.
A drive through the country. Crisp autumn air. Leaves turning color. Apple picking. Pumpkin carving. There’s no better way to warm up this harvest season than trying some delicious new recipes. Whether it’s a wonderful addition to your next dinner, celebration table or a simple picnic in the orchard, use theses flavor combinations as your inspiration for a warming chutney, jam, jelly or preserve. They make great holiday gifts too!
Question: Sid I would like to know if you favor wine made by wild ferment or with the use of cultured yeast?
Answer: Interesting topical question. Yeasts are an important factor in winemaking. Think of how sourdough or levain influences your bread. I like wines that use the wild yeasts which are in the vineyard and the winery. These usually bring a slower more risky less efficient fermentation – but sometimes results in less alcohol with better terroir. Cultured yeasts nearly always work fast and efficiently. However, recent research reveals that the yeasts you use for the first time in the winery tend to remain and dominate regardless of your later choice. If you want to go with wild yeast it might be a good idea to paint the inside walls of your brand new winery with yeasts from your vineyard to get them well established!
If you’re a rare wine collector, then 2016 is shaping up to be your year! First came billionaire tycoon Bill Koch who, in the spring, auctioned off 20,000 bottles from his massive collection, which ended up garnering an astounding $21.9 million dollars. And just last week, a treasure trove of fine Bordeaux belonging to the late Aubrey McClendon, co-founder of Chesapeake Energy in Oklahoma City was also placed under the gavel. Projected to sell between $5.1 and $7.6 million dollars, this collection ended up defying expectations by earning $8.44 million with approximately 80% of the lots going above the high estimate.
McClendon, a pioneer in hydraulic fracturing (a.k.a. fracking) and former co-owner of the NBA’s Oklahoma City Thunder was also known for being one of America’s biggest wine collectors. Never shy about showing off his spoils, reporter Chris Helman wrote that during an interview at a restaurant owned by the billionaire, McClendon poured him a 1989 Petrus, a 1989 Haut Brion, and a 1982 Lafite Rothschild. Not a bad five figure pairing to go along with some steak and fries, but as he told Helman rhetorically, “We can drink cheap wine, or we can drink good wine.”
So when Hart Davis Hart Wine Co., based in Chicago announced that the collection comprising of 1057 lots would be auctioned off, wealthy oenophiles from around the world were ready to bid, both in person and online. According to the company’s press release, nearly 1,000 bidders from 42 states, 17 countries and 4 continents generated $57 million dollars in bids. Unsurprisingly, given McClendon’s philanthropic endeavors along with his public role in moving the Seattle Supersonics to his home state, many native Oklahomans showed up to bid. “We had more than ten times the usual number of Oklahoma bidders on this record breaking day,” said the president of Hart Davis.
Question: Why do some Syrah wines have a mix of Viognier?
Answer: Many Syrah are 100% for pure definition of that variety. Some others add less than 10% Viognier to the mix. Recent Master of Wine and a native of Australia Marcus Ansems MW is the proprietor of Daydreamer Wines in the Okanagan Valley producing an excellent Syrah. At a wine seminar on global Syrah this month Marcus gave 3 reasons for the use of Viognier with Syrah:
I asked Marcus if in addition to the floral pepper aromas and rounder mouthfeel whether co-fermenting with Viognier might also improve colour density. His reply was that Syrah usually has plenty of intense colour already.
Loading ...
