The Enthusiasts! NYC Wine Club: The Mediterranean

It's May, which means warmer weather (finally!), getting outside on the streets of NYC (or for some of us - gazing outside from the confines of the library for finals) and dreaming of vacations. So, t

his month The Enthusiasts! are going to be exploring the wines of the Mediterranean!

Photo Source: 

http://www.thecultureconcept.com/circle/wine-women-and-song-a-tripartite-motto-for-all-time

The Mediterranean. It's a sea, it's a delicious cuisine type, and it's a wine region. But, what does the region really encompass in terms of countries, history and wine? Well, that is what we are here to find out! This post will provide an introduction to wine from the Mediterranean region and focus on wines from Greece, Croatia, Israel, Lebanon, and Turkey.

Greece

Greece is one of the oldest wine making regions in the world. Evidence reveals that they have been making wine for over 6,500 years. Thus no discussion on wines from the Mediterranean would be complete without Greek wine. 

In terms of terrain, Greece is the third most mountainous country in Europe. Thus, most of the vineyards are located on the slopes. While one may assume that the weather in Greece is more coastal Mediterranean, in reality the mountain regions have a continental climate with sunshine, mild winters, dry summers and cool evenings. One unique factor about Greece is the volcanic soil which yields interesting wines.

Most Popular Grapes

The three major white grapes are: (1) Assytiko, (2) Moschofilero, and (3) Roditis.

Assytiko is commonly grown in Santorini, a region known for its volcanic soil (which sometimes adds a pungent component to the wine). 

The two major red grapes are: (1) Agiorgitiko and (2) Xinomavro.

Xinomavro is a unique grape, which literal translation means "acid black." Like the name implies, wines made from this grape tend to be darker and contain higher acidity because the grape ripens late. 

Most Popular Greek Wine Regions

The most notable wine-growing regions in Greece include:

(1) Macedonia

(Northern Greece) including Naoussa and Amynedo; 

(2) Peloponnese

(Southern Greece) including Mantinia, Nemea and Patras; and

(3) The Islands

 including Santorini, Samos, Rhodes and Crete.

Greek wines are regulated in similar appellations to that of other European wine making countries. There are three main categories:

1. Onomasia Proelefsis Anoteras Poiotitos (O.P.A.P.), Wines of Appellation of Origin of Superior Quality, which includes mostly dry wines
2. Onomasia Proelefsis Eleghomeni (O.P.E.), Wines of Appellation of Controlled Origin, which includes mostly sweet wines, and
3. Epitrapezios Oinos, similar to France's Vin de table category which does not involve an appellation of origin and may include blended wines from different regions.

You may also see "cava" which refers to more prestigious aged "reserve blends." Not to be confused with Cava from Spain, the awesome white sparkling wine. The minimum aging for whites is typically 2 years and for reds is 3 years. X. Some labels may also include the term "retsina," which refers to a traditional greek wine making process where the wine is flavored with pine resin. Restina wine is usually white or rose style and the unique flavor associated with this style of wine is said to date back to the Greek tradition of sealing wine vessels with resin. I have yet to taste a bottle, but when I do, I will share what the flavor is like! (I am hoping it does not taste like a pine tree car freshener!)

On a final note, when searching for quality Greek wines, the following vintages are known as safe bets: 2005, 2007, 2008 and 2009.

Croatia

You may not know, but Croatia is a wine powerhouse with over 100 indigenous grapes. Croatia has 2 major grape growing regions, 12 sub-regions and 71 appellations. The style of Croatian wine varies greatly given its diverse landscape. In the north, where the landscape is more continental, the wines are rich, fruity, and similar to those of Austria or Slovenia. Likewise, wine from the northern Istrian coat mirror big Mediterranean style of its Italian neighbors, or, wines from the harsher climate of the Dalmatian Islands are significantly different from wines made in the north.

Most Popular Grapes

Some of the most popular grapes grown in Croatia include: (1) 

Graševina, a white varietal that serves as the backbone of the Crotian wine industry; (2) 

Malvazija, an adaptable white varietal used primarily in northern coast, and; (3) 

Plavac Mali, the leading indigenous red varietal used in the Dalmation islands known for its bold flavor and strong tannins.

Photo Source: 

http://erinamsili.blogspot.com/

2011/02/wine-tasting-in-israel.html

Israel & 

Lebanon

While it may be politically questionable to discuss these two countries together under one heading, I subscribe to the philosophy that all is fair game when discussing wine - and these two countries are linked in more ways than one.

Modern Israeli wine production was founded by Baron Edmond de Rothschild with the founding of Carmel winery in 1882. Since then, five primary wine-making regions have emerged including: (1) Galil, (2) Judean Hills, (3) Shimshon, (4) Negev, and (5) the Sharon Plain. But, in terms of grapes, you will see the traditional French varietals, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnary and the like.

Modern Lebanese wine production, on the other hand, can be traced to Chateau Ksara which was founded in  1857. Today, most if not all of the quality wineries are located in the Bekaa Valley. Though, like Israel, most of the varietals grown in Lebanon are non-indigenous  including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cinsaut, Carigan and Grenache. The blog has yet to discuss the Carigan grape - which is a Spanish grape grown extensively in southern France and California. Cinsaut is a robust and bright grape found mostly in southern Rhone.

Turkey

Believe it or not, but Turkey has the fourth-largest area growing grape wines in the world (after Spain, Italy and France). Though given its predominantly Muslim population, these vines are used to grow table grapes or currants rather than produce grapes for wine. The grapes that are used to produce wine are produced in the following key regions: (1) Marmara (Thracian), and (2) Aegean. Most of the grapes are non-indigenous. 

Now this is where it gets complicated, since major wine powerhouses like Spain, Southern France and Italy technically all have coast lines on the Mediterranean - they could be considered producers of "Mediterranean wine." However, to keep things simple (and this post shorter) we will leave these countries out of the discussion ... for now.

Though if you really can't wait, be sure to check out my earlier posts on

Italy! 

 Now go enjoy some Mediterranean wines!

Cheers!

Introduction to Italy: The Results!

Dear Enthusiasts! This post has been a long time coming - the results from the wine club's Italian wine tasting! The club's gathering on Italian wines was a little less formal and more like a family meal (which was awesome!). We had antipasti, foccacia, and pasta to enjoy with our wine. Since this meeting was less formal, this results post will provide more detail on the grapes behind these wines instead of the traditional detailed review of the individual wines.

For those who hate surprises --

 we tasted the following wines:

 (1) Pinot Grigio, (2) Soave, (3) Chianti Classico, and (4) Montepulciano d'Abruzzo.

(1) Pinot Grigio

As previously mentioned, Pinot Grigio is an Italian white wine (the most popular white in Italy) that does not get much love from the wine experts. It's typically criticized for its subtle and sometimes nonexistent flavor. However, despite its lack of popularity with the cool kids, a quality Pinot Grigio can surprise you with its freshness. Its most commonly grown in Italy's northern regions, including: Alto Adige, Friuli-Venezia Guilia, and Lombardy. 

Wine Tasted:

Villa Sonia Pinot Grigio Venezia, 2012

Grapes:

100% Pinot Grigio

Taste:

Apple, pear and melon with a clean finish.

Wine Tasting:

 For the price, I would recommend this wine as a great summer sipper or something to enjoy outside with food. The scent consisted of a honeysuckle aroma. Personally, I felt the taste was a bit too mild and I was hoping for a brighter fruit flavor. 

The group says...

that the wine was refreshing and drinkable. In particular, the Pinot Grigio lovers were satisfied and would buy this wine again. 

(2) Soave

Soave is a misunderstood Italian white wine. Once a powerhouse white in the U.S. during the 70s and 80s, it saw a decline in popularity in the 1990s. The culprit for this decline? None other than the rapper named Gerardo (never heard of him?). He was made famous for his one hit wonder, "Rico Suave," and check out video

here

. Seriously! An article in the

NYTimes

discussed a correlation between the release of this song and decline in popularity of Soave wine in the U.S. 

Despite the effects of "Rico Suave," Soave remained popular in Italy. And, remember that Soave is the name of the

wine region

 and not the main grape in the wine. The primary grape in wines from the Soave region is actually called Garganega (You may see it blended with Trebbiano or Chardonnay). Garganega ripens later in the season and is known for its acidity. You may also see either

classico

 or

superiore

on the label. If you have the choice between the two, go for classico. It refers to wine grown on the hillside, which means the land is less fertile and the grapes struggle a bit more (and we want our grapes to struggle - it means greater flavors!). Superiore, on the other hand, comes from the flat lands, or valley floor, which has more fertile land and prevents the grapes from struggling.

Wine Tasted:

 Pieropan 2010 Soave Classico

Grapes:

 Garganega

Taste:

 Light and crisp taste with vibrant flavors of citrus, apple, pear and tangerine.

Wine Tasting:

 The label says this wine has a brilliant straw yellow color with intense fruit aromas and long lasting fruit forward flavor.

The group says ...

 they agreed! Personally, I have always loved Soave because it's a lot like Sauvignon Blanc (acidity!). The group loved the freshness. 

(3) Chianti

Chianti is one of the most popular wine of Tuscany (one of the most beautiful wine regions in Italy, and definitely on my must see list!). Remember the three levels: (1) Chianti, (2) Chianti Classico, and (3) Chianti Classico Riserva. Just in case the Italian classification system was not complex enough... they introduced a fourth level -

Chianti Classico Gran Selezione.

This new top level must be produced solely from estate-grown grapes and sold at least 30 months after harvest. 

With that said, there is a lot (a lot!) to learn about Chianti that likely needs its own post, so let's get to the wine tasted by the group!

Wine:

 Costello D'albola Chianti Classico

Grapes:

 Approximately 80% Sangiovese

Taste:

Medium body with firm tannins and medium acidity followed by bright red fruit flavor.

Wine Tasting:

The group says...

 the wine had a spicy component and a balanced taste. Personally, I don't love Chianti. No real reason why, the taste just seems hit or miss. But the group thought this moderate flavor of this wine was worth recommending to friends.

(4) Montepulciano d'Abruzzo

Montepulciano is a red wine grape grown primarily in central Italy and Italy's second most produced grape, after sangiovese. Wine made from the montepulciano grape is known for soft flavors, strong colors and moderate tannins. It is recommended that these wines are consumed in their youth and with food.

Wine:

Per Linda Montepulciano d'Abruzzo

Grapes:

 At least 85% Montepulciano (can be blended with sangiovese)

Taste:

Moderate acidity with deep cherry and plum flavor

Wine Tasting:

The group says ...

this was by far the groups favorite. They appreciated the complex flavor and noted that it paired well with food. Definitely try this wine!

That brings this (long time coming) post on the group's Italian wine tasting to a close. Until next time!

Cheers!

The Enthusiasts! NYC Wine Club: Pinot Grigio vs. Pinot Noir

Dear Readers! I know it has been a while, but the wine club is finally getting back together, and this month's topic is: a comparison of pinot noir and pinot grigio!

You may be thinking - the name of these two grapes are similar, are they related? Well, Pinot noir is a noble red grape and ancient variety whose origin, while somewhat unclear, can be traced to Burgundy, France. On the other hand, pinot grigio/gris is a white grape that emerged as a mutation of pinot noir. How these genetic mutations occur would take hours, days, weeks, years ... well a long time to research and explain (at least for our purposes). Yet, for our discussion it is beneficial to know that research suggests the mutation of two essential genes in a red grape parent (thousands of years ago) is responsible for the creation of the multiple white grape vines, including pinot grigio, in existence today. Pretty cool!

So what is the story on Pinot Noir?

Photo Source: www.kenbrownwines.com

Name Origin:

 Pinot noir is a red (that looks almost black) wine grape whose name is derived from the French words for "pine" and "black."

Famous Regions:

 Pinot noir grows best in Burgundy, Champagne, California, and Oregon.

Preferred Climate:

Pinot noir grows only in cool climates. Fog, cool ocean breezes and cool nights are beneficial for the cultivation of pinot noir grapes. 

Flavor:

 Grape flavors include; raspberries, red cherry, high-acidity. Winemaking flavors include; smoky and earthy.

Generally, pinot noir is one of five high-acid grapes. The other four include: riesling, chenin blanc, barbera and sangiovese. Acidity is a very important component of wine, especially when balanced with the fruit component. Overly acidic wine will likely taste tart or sour.

The most notable (and expensive) bottles of pinot noir are produced in Burgundy and Oregon. These wines can be somewhat pricey (say at least $30 for a quality bottle) because pinot noir is tempermental and difficult grape to grow. However, if you are looking for a cheap alternative that still maintains quality - you should check out New Zealand pinot noir. Now, you may find some negative press about New Zealand pinot noir. Back in 2011, the NYTimes

crew

reviewed 20 bottles of New Zealand pinot noir. They spent most of the article hating on their 2008 and 2009 selections of New Zealand pinot noir, concluding they were "friendly ... wines you would serve at a neighborhood block party ... and boring." Firstly, I see nothing wrong with an affordable quality wine that is served at a neighborhood party. And secondly, as with most bargain wines, you will have to do some experimenting to find a good bottle for you and New Zealand pinot noir is definitely worth experimenting.

And Pinot Grigio?

Photo Source 

beausbarrelroom.blogspot.com

Name Origin:

Pinot gris is a white grape variety whose name is derived from the French words for "pine" and "grey." Pinot grigio is a synonym used in Italy. Both names reference the color grey because of the grapes typical greyish-blue color.

Famous Regions:

  Pinot gris grows best in Alsace. 

Pinot grigio grows best in Italy, California, and Oregon.

Preferred Climate:

Cooler climate.

Flavor:

 Pear, apple, lemon and mineral. 

Pinot gris from Alsace is both rich, complex, and spicy.

 Pinot grigio from Italy lacks this spicy complexity and commonly has less flavor. 

Today, pinot grigio/gris is a widely cultivated and fast expanding mid-color grape. However, it's growth in popularity has yet to catch its growth in cultivation. Generally, it is beneficial to discuss pinot grigio and pinot gris separately, however, remember that these two wines are made from the

same grape.

 It is the climate, soil, and winegrowing area (aka terroir!!) that makes these two wines so different. Let's discuss pinot gris first. Pinot gris of Alsace (and also Oregon) are crisp, fuller bodied and more aromatic. Pinot gris also offers complex flavors of tree fruits and even almonds.

Alternatively, pinot grigio is the most popular white wine produced in Italy. Pinot grigio has a nice, crisp, and dry white wine with a neutral flavor. Generally, the more expensive the pinot grigio, the more likely the wine will have fuller body and flavor. The best pinot grigios have crisp acidity, citrus flavor and a hint of minerality.

Thus concludes my introduction of pinot noir and pinot grigio - stand by for the results from the group!

Cheers!

The Enthusiasts! NYC Wine Club: Introduction to Italy

Chi ha pane e vino, sta meglio del suo vicino*

Photo Source: http://www.kairos-holidays.com

/greek-god-of-wine.html

If you take away only one thing from this post, it should be this... 

Italy is complex.

Seriously. In Italy there are more than two thousand different wine labels, twenty wine producing regions and ninety six provinces. Even the wine classification system is so complicated that  some of the finest sommeliers may break a sweat.

So today, we are going to keep it simple with a little history and an overview of the wine regions, grapes and producers you are more likely to see outside of Italy.

The History of Wine in Italy

Oh those Romans...

 we cannot talk about wine in Italy without mentioning the Romans. After the Romans defeated  the Carthaginians around the second century B.C., they expanded wine on slave-run plantations. Eventually, so much wine was produced that laws were enacted requiring the destruction of vineyards  in order to free land for food production.

A turn towards Modernity...

Italy finally introduced DOC legislation in 1963. The DOC laws (which stands for

denominazione di origine controllata

) were modeled after the French laws to standardized quality. However, the original Italian attempt was flawed because it failed to establish a small number of easily identifiable regions with an identifiable style (like the French law). As a result, the Italian wine became increasingly dominated by mass production and most wineries became passionless factories.

Current Situation...

 However, in 1992 the Italian wine classification was overhauled to comply with EU law (aka Goria's law). This change incorporated a category of wine called IGT, which fell into the system below:

• DO - Denominazione di origine (vini da tavola or "table wine") 
• IGT - Indicazioni geografiche tipiche, established to form a buffer between the DOCs and table wine categories
• DOC - Denominazione di origine controllata (controlled designation of origin)
• DOCG - Denominazione di origine controllata e garantita (controlled designation of origin guaranteed) 

Frankly, this overhaul will not fully transform the Italian wine industry until, like France, the industry is organized into a few major regions with a recognizable style and reputation.

The Basics in Italian Wine

Photo Source: http://my.opera.com

Tuscany - The Home of Chianti

There are three levels of chianti: (1) chianti, (2) chianti classico, and (3) chianti classico riserva, which must be aged  a minimum 2 years and 3 months.

Grapes?

 Under the DOCG, chianti is required to be made at least 80% of sangiovese. 

Other Tuscan wines to watch for:

Other quality reds from Tuscany include: Brunello di Montalcino, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, and Carmignano.

Piedmont - Big Reds

Piedmont is famous for producing fine red wine, specifically Barolo and Barbaresco.

Grapes?

 The major grapes in Piedmont are dolcetto, barbera and nebbiolo.

The Details on Barolo:

 Barolo is made with the nebbiolo grape, consists of at least 12.5% alcohol, contains a more complex flavor and body, and aged at least three years (one in wood). If the wine is a "riserva" it is aged for at least five years.

The Details on Barbaresco:

Barbaresco is also made with the nebbiolo grape, consists of at least 12.5%, contains a lighter body than barolo, and requires at least two years of aging (one in wood). 

If the wine is a "riserva" it is aged for at least four years.

Photo Source: http://www.smh.com.au

Veneto - The Home of Amarone

Veneto is known for producing wines like valpolicella, bardolino and soave.

What is Amarone?

 Amarone is a type of valpolicella wine made with only the ripest grapes (the grapes used include corvina, rondinella and molinara). Then after harvest, the grapes are left to "rasinate," which ferments the sugar and ultimately raises the alcohol content.

Final Notes:

• Italian Wine Labels: Italian wines are named in three different ways: (1) by grape variety, (2) by village or district, and/or (3) by proprietary.
• Other Wine Regions to Look for: Abruzzi, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Lombardy, Umbria, Compania, and Sicily.
• What about Italian Whites? Many wine educators do not address Italian white wine with the same depth as red wine because the majority of Italian white wines are simply less complex then the red wines (and most Italians will admit it). Leave a comment if you disagree! Some known Italian white wines to try include: pinot grigio, soave and gavi.

For more information on Italian wine, check out my ever-awesome sources: Kevin Zraly's Complete Wine Course 2012, The Sotherby's Wine Encyclopedia 5th Edition, and 

winefornomalpeople

.

For those of you looking for a translation of the quote at the beginning of the post, here it is: "

Who has bread and wine is better off than his neighbor." 

Cheers!

Wine and Chocolate: The Results!

Wine and Chocolate: The results are in!

In honor of the Oscars, I figured I would share the results of the latest Enthusiasts wine tasting! And - oh my! - will the results surprise you! This week the Enthusiasts tasted wine with chocolate and below are the list of wines we paired with chocolate and some comments from the group:

(1) Trader Joe's House Chardonnay

About the wine:

a.k.a. "formerly known as two buck chuck." Since the tasting was based pairings with chocolate, we tried to save money where we could on wine. This chardonnay is known for its pear aroma, medium body, and perfect price.

Paired with:

 White Chocolate

Comments from the group:

 Most of the group was surprised how much they liked this pairing and how the buttery aspects of the wine and chocolate were featured when paired together.

(2) Trader Joe's House Sauvignon Blanc

About the wine:

 See above, but with a touch of acidity and bright fruit.

Paired with:

White chocolate

Comments from the group:

 No one in the group disliked this pairing, however, it wasn't anything to write home about and most felt white chocolate and chardonnay paired better.

(3) Rosenblum Cellars Zinfandel

About the wine:

 On its own - this was a great wine worth mentioning to friends. It had everything you want in a zinfandel - a well rounded taste with spice and berries.

Paired with:

 Dark Chocolate

Comments from the group:

 Many in the group thought this was a weird pairing. In fact, most thought the flavors of the wine clashed with chocolate. Ultimately, the group concluded that perhaps zinfandel generally does not pair well with chocolate.

(4) Mark West Pinot Noir

About the wine:

Most reviews on this wine salute its balanced taste and affordable price. Its aroma includes cherry and plum. The taste includes ripe cherry, plum, strawberry and earthiness.

Paired with:

 Milk Chocolate and Dark Chocolate.

Comments from the group:

 Generally, the group thought both pairings tasted nice and balanced. Most concluded pinot noir is a great red to pair with chocolate.

(5) Dante Merlot

About the wine:

 This lovely merlot has an aroma of raspberry, strawberry, cherry and vanilla spice. The taste is bold upfront with bold red fruit and a pleasant tart cherry finish.

Paired with:

 Dark Chocolate.

Comments from the group:

 Despite the group's apprehension for chocolate paired with red wine, many in the group enjoyed this pairing. In fact, I thought the dark chocolate actually enhanced some bold fruit flavors in the merlot - one of my favorite pairings!

(6) Trader Joe's House Cabernet Sauvignon

About the wine:

 See above - drinkable, affordable, red, with bold fruit flavor.

Paired with:

 Dark Chocolate and Milk Chocolate

Comments from the group:

 Similar results as with the pinot noir - both chocolates paired well with this wine. 

(7) Dr. Hans Von

M

üller Riesling

About the wine:

Check out the label - there is a lot to see and learn! First, what is Mosel? Well, its foremost a river in southeastern Germany and the wine region is known for producing some of the most famous rieslings around. The soil in this region varies from sandstone/limestone to clay slate and stone. This terrior plays a major role in the famous acidity and balancing sweetness of riesling. Second, what is auslese? Translated from German, it means "selected harvest." Generally, it describes a category of German wine that is very sweet, made from late-harvested grapes.

Paired with:

Milk Chocolate and Dark Chocolate

Comments from the group:

 Most in the group enjoyed riesling pair with milk chocolate and said it emphasized a buttery taste. However, riesling paired with dark chocolate was everyone's favorite! The dark chocolate brought out the fruit flavor of the wine.

(8) Old Vine Tawny

About the wine: 

The good thing about the Enthusiasts

 is that the group can taste new wines and learn what they love - and what they don't. While the label describes this wine as a murky brick red color with spiced berry and ripe plum flavors. Unfortunately, the group only seemed to notice a murky flavor and it did get better when paired with chocolate.

Paired with:

 Milk Chocolate and Dark Chocolate.

Comments from the group:

Do not recommend this wine to a friend :(

(9) Girl Go Lightly Moscato

About the wine:

I was very excited to open this wine for two reasons: (1) the label is so freaking cute. I know what your thinking - c'mon Kelley how can a wine enthusiast like you get hung up on the label. True, I generally urge my friends that the quality of the wine is in no way associated with the label art. However, sometimes the label is a little piece of art in its own right and is worth mentioning, and (2) its the first time the Enthusiast! gets to discuss Moscato! 

Moscato is actually made from the muscat grape variety. This grape is known for its pronounced sweet aroma and multiple varieties and synonyms. For example, Muscat is known in Spanish as Moscatel, and Moscato in Italian.

Paired with:

 White Chocolate

Comments from the group:

 The group thought this wine paired nicely with white chocolate!

And the award goes to... wine and chocolate!

Cheers!

The Enthusiasts! NYC Wine Club: Wine and Chocolate

This month... a red hot exclusive for the Sweetest Month of the Year - Wine and Chocolate Pairings!

Some Initial Thoughts

Like cheese or any other food, you can never go seriously wrong with pairing wine with chocolate. If it tastes good to you, then its a perfect pairing!  However, some critics argue that one needs to be more careful when pairing wine with chocolate because the wrong pairing may yield a bitter result.  Some basic tips include: (1) 

Pair light chocolate with lighter wines, and (2) 

Pair darker chocolates with full-bodied wines

What You Have Been Waiting For... The History of Chocolate

The chocolate we know and love today has had a rich history, which dates back almost 2000 years. In fact, for most of it's existence chocolate was known as a beverage and not a candy bar. As an introduction, some of the most important chocolate terms include: (1) 

"Cacao" - refers to the plant or its beans before processing, and (2) 

"Chocolate" - refers to anything made from the beans, while "cocoa" refers to chocolate in powdered form.

Photo source:

www.xocolatamante.com.au

The word chocolate has been traced to several sources, including, the Aztec word "xocoatl" referring to a bitter chocolate drink, and the latin term for cacaco tree,

Theobroma cacao,

" meaning

food of the gods.  

In the early days, many cultures (shout out to the Mayans and Aztecs in particular!) considered chocolate valuable enough to use it as currency.  E

uropeans finally discovered the awesomeness of chocolate around the 17th century and hot chocolate quickly became a fashionable drink.  Chocolate remained popular throughout Europe for its nutritional, medicinal and even aphrodisiac properties.  Chocolate finally took bar form in 1847, when Joseph Fry (according to the Smithsonian) created the first chocolate bar.  A small British company called Cadbury (who is not so small anymore!) was credited with introducing boxed chocolates to the masses in 1868.  Nestle (another well-known name today) was credited for introducing milk chocolate just a few short years later.  Since then, chocolate has remained a staple part of the food industry: it was included in army rations during both world wars and has grown to include exotic truffles and intricate candy bars. 

Wine and Chocolate Pairings

Salted Caramels and Fortified Wine.

One recent article from the

New York Times

featured this pairing as a favorite if one wants to pair wine with chocolate. Salted caramels are growing in popularity and need no introduction. Fortified wine, however, may be a different story. Put most simply, fortified wine is with combined with another distilled beverage, usually brandy.

Icewine and Fruit Filled Truffles.

Icewine (in German - Eiswein) is a type of dessert wine made from grapes that were frozen while still on the vine. Here, the sugars and dissolved solids that add to the flavor of the wine do not freeze, but the water does, so the juice that results from these frozen grapes is sweet and highly concentrated. This sweet dessert wine will pairing nicely with any fruit based chocolate because the fruit enhances the honey flavors of the wine.

Reisling and White Chocolate.

For my choco-holics, you may already know that white chocolate is not chocolate at all. It is actually made of cocoa butter, sugar, milk solids and salt. As a result, the vanilla and honey flavors of white chocolate blend well with the tangerine notes found in most rieslings.

Bordeaux Blends and Intense Dark Chocolate.

Most bordeaux blends are full-bodied wines that contain dark fruit flavors. Chocolate with a high cacao content will stand up to the intensity of most bordeaux blends and bring out the berry flavors. 

Other interesting Pairings include:

(1) Rose Champagne and Truffles, the sharp tannin is balanced by the decadence of the truffles; (2) 

Pinot Noir and Medium Dark Chocolate; and (3) 

Chanti Classico and Vanilla Filled Truffles, Chianti has a dark and full-bodied flavor that balances nicely with the strong aroma and mild flavor of vanilla truffles.

General Suggested Pairings with Milk Chocolate.

If you like milk chocolate, try pairing it with the following wines: 

Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc (I'm thinking this may be weird - try it and let me know how it goes), 

Sparkling Wine/Champagne, and 

Dessert Wines. If you're thinking the term "dessert wine" seems like a general classification - you would be right! There is no simple definition for dessert wines. It simply encompasses any sweet wine that follows the meal and should be distinguished from

fortified wines

 that are commonly consumed before the meal. But, if you want to get technical, in the United States, a dessert wine is defined as any wine over 14% alcohol by volume and thus taxed at a higher rate.

General Suggested Pairings with Dark, Bittersweet or Semisweet Chocolate.

If you love dark chocolate, try pairing it with the following wines/beverages: Zinfandel, 

Pinot Noir, 

Cabernet Sauvignon, 

Merlot, Tawny 

Port, and Cognac. I know what you are thinking next ... what is

tawny port

. I'll admit I was interested in looking it up myself, but put most simply, it is wine, made from red grapes, aged in wood barrels, and gradually exposed to oxidation and evaporation. This exposure to oxidation creates a "nutty" flavor in the wine.

Pairings with White Chocolate.

For those of you who love white chocolate, try pairing it with: Chardonnary, 

Zinfandel, or 

Sherry.

For Those of You in the NYC Area, My Favorite Places to Buy Chocolate!

1. Vosges Haut-Chocolate. I love this place because they take pairing chocolate with interesting international flavors to a whole new level. My favorite is the dark chocolate truffle with coconut and sweet Indian curry. While these chocolates are available online, you should go to the store in Soho - there are tons of free samples!
2. Jacque Torres. The chocolates here are inventive and excellent. But if you had to come here for one thing, it would have to be the chocolate chip cookie. They are served to you after sitting on a griddle for several minutes, so not only is it warm, the chocolate chunks are also melting. Perfection!
3. Trader Joe's. I know I shout out TJ's all-the-time, but this really is a great store for those looking for a bargain. They offer a lot in terms of standards and I even see truffles from time to time.

Check out the following sources for additional detail:

Smithsonian

, on the history of chocolate; 

AllChocolate

, an online resource for all things chocolate; and

Oprah's website

on specific chocolate and wine pairings.  Stay tuned for the wine club results on what the group thought pair best!

Cheers!

Introduction to American Wine: The Results!

While this post is a bit dated, please enjoy!!

Image from goodfoodgoodfriends.com

This year my family started what I hope to be an annual Christmas tradition - a Wine Tasting and Holiday party held on December 26th.  In the end, it was a very successful event and the whole family is looking forward to next years! Below is the list of wines we tasted and some comments from the group:

(1) Rombauer Vineyards 2010 Chardonnay

Grapes:

 Chardonnay

Where its from:

California, Napa/Sonoma County, Carneros Appellation

Vintage:

2010

Alcohol:

14.4%

Comments: 

The label says...

Rich yellow color and becoming more golden with age. Inviting fruit aromas of honeydew, yellow peach and fig are supported by vanilla and caramel. Creamy vanilla integrates with honeysuckle, pineapple and apricot for a fabulous richness on the palate. A luscious mouthfeel leads to a generous and creamy finish.

The group said...

4 out of 5 rating, smooth, pronounced flavors with a buttery taste. For many it was their favorite wine of the evening.

Recommend to a Friend?

Definitely! The label did not lie - the wine was so smooth and had a balanced flavor.

(2) Aliceanna Riesling

Grapes:

 Riesling

Where its from:

Baltimore, Maryland

Vintage:

n/a

Alcohol:

n/a

Comments:

 This is a new winery located in a relatively undeveloped wine region. The riesling grape is known for its light and refreshing taste, fruitful and floral aromas and sometimes slightly sweet taste.

The group said...

all sorts of things! The average group rating was 3.5 out of 5. The comments ranged from overly fruity, weak and lacked character to lovely flavor with a sweet sparkling taste.

Recommend to a Friend?

Yes with Reservations. I would recommend this to a friend if you know that they enjoy reisling. (Really who doesn't?!) This was definitely a well done reisling, but may be too sweet for those who don't enjoy this style of wine.

(3) Napa Cellars Sauvignon Blanc 2011

Grapes:

 Sauvignon Blanc

Where its from: 

California, Napa Valley, including Rutherhford and St. Helena

Vintage:

2011

Alcohol:

14%

Comments:

The label says...

vibrant aromas of gooseberry, pineapple and fresh pink grapefruit. Flavors include pear, guava, passion fruit and citrus lime tones. The wine has a lush mouthfeel and  notes of sweet clover and melon, with balanced acidity.

The group said...

light and smooth. The average group rating was 3.5 out of 5. Many in the group would buy this wine again.

Recommend to a Friend?

Yes. Overall, this is a solid wine that would make a good addition to any table.

(4) Sterling Sauvignon Blanc 2011

Grapes:

 Sauvignon Blanc

Where its from:

California, Napa Valley

Vintage:

2011

Alcohol:

n/a

Comments:

The label says...

 Flavors of ripe melon, fig and citrus. Grapefruit flavors with a tart element. This wine pairs well with summer dishes, including grilled chicken and light pasta salad.

 The group said...

 light, fresh, very smooth, crisp and delicious. The average group rating was a solid 4 out of 5.

Recommend to a Friend?

 Definitely. This sauvignon blanc is well balanced and fresh. 

(5) Folie a Duex Pinot Noir 2011

Grapes:

 Pinot Noir grapes from 

Clarksburg, Central Coast and North Coast.

Where its from:

California, Napa Valley, St. Helena 

Vintage:

2011

Alcohol:

13.3%

Comments:

The label says...

vibrant cherry flavors, dusky violet notes and silken finish.

The group said...

 very oaky. The average group rating was 2 out of 5.

Recommend to a Friend?

  Yes with reservations. By no means is this wine undrinkable. For those who love a round, creamy or oaky finish - this wine will be great for you. However, for those of you who are turned off by an overly oaky wine, I would steer clear.

(6) Napa Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon 2010

Grapes:

 100% Cabernet Sauvignon

Where its from:

 Napa Valley

Vintage:

 2010

Alcohol:

 13.8%

Comments:

The label says...

the aroma primarily consists of plum and dark fruit. The taste includes black and red fruit flavor with a hint of cinnamon and tobacco. This wine aged for 17 months exclusively in French oak. 

The group said...

 they could not really taste the cinnamon, but definitely noticed a sense of burnt tobacco. The average group rating was 3 out of 5.

Recommend to a Friend?

Yes. 

(7) Napa Cellars Stagecoach Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2010

Grapes:

 100% Cabernet Sauvignon

Where its from:

 Napa Valley

Vintage:

2010

Alcohol:

 13.8%

Comments:

The label says...

this wine has cherry and plum aromas.  The taste includes black and red fruit flavor with a subtle hint of spice. This wine aged for 20 months in exclusively French Oak (92% of it new oak). 

The group said...

 nice, dry, spicy flavor that would be great with steak. Others said this wine was full bodied and lovely. The average group rating was 4 out of 5.

Recommend to a Friend?

 Yes. White wine drinkers may try to steer clear, but red wine drinkers will fine this wine both developed and complex. 

(8) Sterling Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon 2009

Grapes:

 Cabernet Sauvignon

Where its from: 

Napa Valley

Vintage:

 2009

Alcohol:

 n/a

Comments:

The label says...

this wine has a deep purple color and an aroma filled with black fruits and oak. The taste includes dark fruits, dried cherries, dark cocoa and sweet hazelnut. 

The group said...

 subtle taste, sharp and short finish. The average group rating was 4 out of 5.

Recommend to a Friend?

 Yes.

(9)

Sterling Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2007

Grapes:

 Cabernet Sauvignon

Where its from:

Napa Valley

Vintage:

 2007

Alcohol:

 14.8%

Comments:

The label says...

 this wine smells of dark fruit and fragrant spices. The taste includes layers of dark cheers, licorice, espresso and vanilla. 

The group said...

 amazing flavor with a smooth finish. Also, the wine had a nice bite at the end. The average group rating was a 5 out of 5.

Recommend to a Friend?

 Definitely! This wine is big, bold and complex. Definitely worth tasting.

(10) Folie a Duex Merlot 2010

Grapes:

 92% Merlot, 7% Syrah, and 1% Petite Sirah 

Where its from:

 Napa Valley

Vintage:

 2010

Alcohol:

14.2%

Comments:

The label says...

this merlot tastes of ripe, juicy black cherry flavors with notes of vanilla, tea and cocoa. 

The group said...

 very smooth and not much else. Do not get me wrong - this by no means an undrinkable wine. However, by this time in the tasting, the group was more interested in partying that taking intricate notes... a good night in my book!

Recommend to a Friend?

 Yes. Try it for yourself and leave a comment about the taste! I will update the blog with your comments!

With that, we have reached the end of our introductory tasting of American wines (aka California). Special thanks goes to my mom - Lori - to choosing this wonderful selection of wine from her collection and hosting the party at her place! Here's hoping next year is even better! (I'm hoping for from wine from south africa!)

Cheers!