Don't Fear the Grape

In this episode Patrick and I answer listener submitted questions. Keep them coming!

Questions:

• How long will the wine keep after it is opened?
• Why do are some wines need to “breath?”
• What is decanting?
• What is the best way to cleanse your palate between tasting different wines?
• What’s the deal with screw-tops?
• What’s that dent in the bottom of the bottle?
• Where are the best wine values coming from these days?
• Do you think that Minnesota-grown wines can compete in quality with California wines?
• Does glassware really make a difference?
• How many servings are in a bottle of wine?
• What wines are good for a party of large gathering?
• Serving temperature for wine?
• What is the nutritional content of wine?
• Why do some wines give you a headache? It’s from the sulfites right?
• What are sulfites and should I be worried about them?
• I’ve always wondered why some white wines make your pee neon green the next day.

Our other podcasts:

Animation Station: www.animationstation.info
Crash! Bang! Pow!: www.crashbangpow.com

 Episode 14A [25:10m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (85)

2007 Trinchero Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Bottled Chicken Ranch Vineyard

Region: California > Napa Valley > Rutherford
Date Tasted: 3/23/2010
Notes: This wine review is on day 2.
Color: Medium purple
Nose: Cherry, daust, earth, oak and plum
Taste: On the palate dust, spices, floral, cherry and vanilla.
Finish: Medium and concentrated finish.
Evaluation: This is an amazing wine for the price point of $25. (92 pts.)

2007 Trinchero Cabernet Sauvignon Cloud’s Nest Vineyard

Region: California > Napa Valley > Mt. Veeder
Date Tasted: 3/23/2010
Color: Dark purple
Nose: Dust, minerals, charcoal
Taste: On the palate dust, cherry, blueberries, figs, charcoal, oak and floral.
Finish: Medium and multi layered finish.
Evaluation: Great acidity and this wine should improve a few points over the next five years. (93 pts.)

2007 Trinchero Cabernet Sauvignon Mario’s Vineyard

Region: California > Napa Valley
Date Tasted: 3/23/2010
Color: Medium purple
Nose: Smoke, dust, blackberries, floral and oak.
Taste: On the palate awesome concentration with blackberries, blueberries, smoke, dust leather and oak.
Finish: Medium, mulit layered finish with some serious punch.
Evaluation: This is a cellar selection wine. (94 pts.)

2007 Trinchero Family Estates Cabernet Sauvignon Central Park West Vineyard

Region: California > Napa Valley > St. Helena
Date Tasted: 3/23/2010
Color: Medium purple
Nose: Bacon, charcoal, tobacco, and spice.
Taste: On the palate rich with cherry, bacon, charcoal, and earth.
Finish: Medium finish.
Evaluation: Since the recorded show I did on Trinchero wines this wine improved to a solid 91 point score. (91 pts.)

2007 Morgan Metallico Unoaked Chardonnay

Price: $20.00
Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
Region: California > Monterey
Website: www.morganwinery.com

Tad’s Rating: Drinkable
Patrick’s Rating: Like it

Our other podcasts:

Animation Station: www.animationstation.info
Crash! Bang! Pow!: www.crashbangpow.com

 Episode 13B [13:52m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (79)

Continuing our discussion on Cabernet Sauvignon. Most notably Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. Located 55 miles northeast of San Francisco, Napa Valley produces only around 5% of all of California’s wine.

Read more…

 In-Depth 4 [15:57m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (79)

In this episode Patrick and I give the tips and tricks to host your own wine tasting party.

Wine Tasting Types:

• The Vertical Wine Tasting
• The Horizontal Wine Tasting
• Old World vs. New World Wine Tasting
• The Wine and Cheese Tasting
• The Wine and Chocolate Tasting
• The Top Ten Wine Tasting

Tips:

• Don’t pour more than 1-2 oz. of wine. The object is to taste the wine, not get drunk.
• Try a blind tasting—people’s preconceptions of a wine can greatly influence their tasting experience.
• Hold off on sharing the price of the wine until after the tasting process.
• Determine your guest list and send invites at least two weeks before your tasting.
• Keep the atmosphere light and engaging.

What You Will Need:

• Four to six wines
• Tasting card
• Appetizers
• Loaf of bread
• Wine glasses
• Pitcher of water
• Dump bucket
• Brown bags
• Pens and extra paper

Links mentioned in this episode:

Wine and Cheese Pairings: www.dontfearthegrape.com/resources/wine-and-cheese-pairings/
Wine and Chocolate Pairings: www.dontfearthegrape.com/resources/wine-and-chocolate-pairings/
Wine Tasting Card: www.dontfearthegrape.com/resources/wine-tasting-card/

Our other podcasts:

Animation Station: www.animationstation.info
Crash! Bang! Pow!: www.crashbangpow.com

 Episode 13A [15:47m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (76)