it is just grapejuice

 Last year thanksgiving was spent in the UK (see archives ‘malbec the halls’) so this time around it was nice being at home and just myself, the Misses and our 2 1/2 year old Julian for a casual feast. We had stuffed tofurkey, with cranberries, roasted sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, green mole, green beans with romesco sauce and I chose a Mendel 2004 malbec to wash it all down with. When I think of thanksgiving flavors, I tend to think of a bigger styled red like Argentine malbec with some juicy red and blackfruit flavors and rounded edges. Priorat was also on the top of my mind as I think of cranberries, root vegetables and tofu with mushroom gravy. I imagine some smirks and guffaws because tofurkey doesn’t gobble or have two legs to stick out or even a nice skin to crisp to perfection. No dark or white portions to choose from. Really, once all those sauces and starch and proteins run together on your plate and create that confluence of flavors known as thanksgiving… it’s all pretty damn good. The Mendel fit right in, not quite as grand as the celebrated, cabernet blended “unus” , but for my tofurkey day, just right.

RF

Where the heck is Malmesbury?

Answer:  It is in Swartland, a region of South Africa.  Apparently they make some very good quality wines there but I can’t remember having consumed one.  If you can think of a good one I’d LOVE to hear about it!!

If you haven’t tried it seek out a bottle of the Val Joanis Cotes du Luberon (the red specifically).  It shouldn’t cost you more than about $11 and can be found at either Avon Liquor or Drink!  It is a blend of Syrah and Grenache from Luberon in the Provence area of France.  It is hands down the best value in wine I have seen in a very, very, very, long time.  It is a perfect example of why French syrah nearly always kicks new world syrah’s ass.  Check it out,  you’ll see what I mean.

What is Clos Des Richemont?

Answer:  Premier Cru Meursault

  So rose drinking season has definitely past, but I am still not near the toasty, wintry, big reds yet. Coming up on mid November and I am still drinking mostly whites. Global warming or just a phase? My latest fling has been with Torrontes. Another one of Argentina’s prized varietals… this one originating in Galicia, northwest Spain and has been (say some at the UC Davis lab) genetically linked to Muscat. No wonder that abundant bouquet as if someone dropped flower petals in your glass. After trying 3 bottlings:  Susana Balbo Crios 06, Pircas Negras 05 and Tomero 06, I think I have found a common thread…  ever had those candy peach rings which are orange on one side and yellow on the other ? Okay, that plus pellegrino. Almost. The Pircas Negras from La Rioja was the driest and not near as rich and peachy as the other two.  Pircas Negras comes from a large cooperative in the Famantina Valley of La Rioja which consists of some 900 vineyard owners with an annual production of 40 million bottles. All organic to boot. Very accessable and good value. I have to admit that I am partial to the more heady and opulent style, if we are going to do Torrontes and Susana Balbo’s “Crios” is my favorite (so far). Susana, possibly the first lady of Argentine fine wine seems to make beautiful wine from any varietal she tries and this Torrontes from Salta is no exception. Salta is an interesting place, being up near the northern frontier nearing Bolivia with some of Argentina’s highest plantings (4900 to 9800 ft!) and less than 2% of the national production. This could be a place to watch as well as a great travel destination with it’s Spanish colonial style and removed location. I didn’t get around to much homework on the Tomero… this one from Mendoza, some 800 miles south of Salta and certainly the most important region in the country overall in wine production. This bottle was a step behind the Crios with many of the same characteristics, only unravelling somewhat early as it breathed. Adorable, just a pity it was matched against the formidable combo of terroir-winemaker of the Crios. All these wines are great fun and I’m on th lookout for anything called Torrontes from anywhere.

What is Rieslaner?

Answer:  It is a cross between Silvaner and Riesling that is grown in Germany’s Franken region.  It is somewhat rare and extremely late ripening.

What is St-Drezery?

Answer:  The smallest named terroir within the Coteaux du Languedoc appellation in southern France.  Most of the wines produced there are through the local cooperative with the exception of the Chateau Puech-Haut wines which are notable. 

What is the grape in a Lugana?

Answer:  Trebbiano

Where is Carso DOC?

 Answer:  Carso is in northeastern Italy and right on the Slovenian border.  It produces wines from Refosco and Malvasia, in recent years there has also been quite a bit of experimentation with the barrel fermentation of Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.  One of my personal favourites from this area is a Vitovska (yes, that’s the grape) made by Zidarich. 

Check out Asimov’s latest discovery-

http://thepour.blogs.nytimes.com/