Weekly Wine Review

Image from mrjorgen

Welcome to the first edition of the Weekly Wine Review!

Choosing wine can be an intimidating process. For some people, it can be difficult to dish out “x” amount of dollars and commit to a wine which they may or may not like – that’s where this review comes into play.

Every Thursday (just in time for the weekend!) I will review two different wines – some good and some not so good – my goal is to help gear you towards making wine choices with confidence and without hesitance. All the wines reviewed are purchased economically (most will be $25 or less), so you can purchase a great tasting wine on a budget!

Whether you are looking for a new wine to try, a bottle of wine to bring to a friends house or a wine to choose for a date, this review should aid you in your selection!

Salute!

Zinfandel

Zinfandel is a luscious and robust red wine that is planted in approximately 11% of California’s Vineyards. You will see a fair amount of labels which read “Old Vine Zinfandel” (or something similar to that). Simply put, “Old Vines” means that the vines have been used to make that particular variety for generations – they’re heirlooms, of sorts!

Cardinal Zin: Beastly Old Vines, 2006

Cost: $19.99

95% Zin, 5% Mourvedre

Vinted and bottled by Cardinal Zin Cellars, Livermore CA.

14.5% Alcohol by volume

medium-full bodied

Some vines in this wine are over 100 years old. I really enjoyed this wine and I also get a kick out drinking wine from a vine that first sprouted its fruits in 1910. This wine has delicious notes of blackberries, cherries and plumbs with a soft oak undertone. The finish lingers nicely, but it doesn’t stay too long and the Tannins are fairly subtle which adds to the experience.

When you buy it, open it up and let it breathe for at least 10-15 minutes before drinking it. After it opens up it is very pleasurable.

Dry Reisling

Traditionally, this grape is grown and harvested in the Rhine Region of Germany and is typically know to be very sweet, almost like a dessert wine. But Dry Reislings are more palatable (in my opinion!) because they aren’t nearly as sweet. These drier reislings are actually beginning to take the world by storm!

Dry German Reislings are best, but don’t hesitate to try Reislings made in other countries as well!

Pacific Rim: Dry Reisling

Cost: $15.99

20% German Reisling

80% Columbia Valley Reisling

Vinted and bottled by Pacific Rim Wine Makers, Santa Cruz CA.

12.5% alcohol by volume

This is a perfect wine for late spring/summer. It is crisp, clean, dry and fragrant with floral elements, lime and a hint of melon. It dances well on the tongue and in ways it reminds me of a Sauvignon Blanc with much less citrus. Word of advice: try not to drink white wine if it is too cold, drink it a bit below room temperature. Drinking white wine when it is slightly below room temperature brings out more flavors and aromas. If the wine is too cold, the flavors do not reach their potential.

Cheers!