D'Agos Wine Blog

Priorat Wine Fair

noreply@blogger.com (Eduardo Miranda) — Sat, 02 May 2015 21:57:00 +0000

The 20a. Fira del Vi – Falset (el Priorat), happening now, 2 and 3 of May 2015, is the tasting show for Montsant and DOQ Priorat wines held in Falset, an extraordinary event which brings together the very best producers in the region, a program rich and diverse, full of surprises, with joy and good wines and oils that are part of a landscape that is pure culture.

The fair itself takes place on 2 and 3 May, in which attendees can enjoy an excellent representation of the wines of the region, along with region's olive oil and artisan cheeses of Catalonia.

On May 2 at 10:00 the twentieth edition of the "Falset Wine Fair" opened its doors to the public with a timetable and ongoing attention that lasted until 20:00. This year marks the 20th edition of the Fair, and as such, needs new and important events that underlie its importance and prominence.

This is a HUGE opporyunity to find new business!

Le Noveau ést arrivé

noreply@blogger.com (Eduardo Miranda) — Sat, 22 Nov 2014 13:46:00 +0000

This is the slogan for Beaujolais Nouveau Day, the third Thursday in November when wine lovers in France and around the world race to take part in the traditional tasting of the year's Beaujolais Nouveau. Far from France and Beaujolais, Ubifrance celebrated the day by offering a Beaujolais taste at Alliance Française, on Kildare St. There was Patrick Thevenet, presenting wines from AOC Chénas and Moulin à Vent - délicieux!

Beaujolais is a French AOC wine usually made from the Gamay grape. Whites are made mostly from Chardonnay grapes though Aligoté is also permitted. Beaujolais tends to be a very light-bodied red wine, with relatively high amounts of acidity.

The wine takes its name from the historical Province of Beaujolais, located north of Lyon, and covers parts of the north of the Rhône, in the Rhône-Alpes region, and southern areas of the Saône-et-Loire in Burgundy. The region is known internationally for its long tradition of winemaking, for the use of carbonic maceration.

But there are more than Le Noveau in Beaujolais. Some wines are made to be released later, and the best ones come from areas named Crus, classified as stand-alone appellations. They are: Brouilly, Chénas, Chiroubles, Côte de Brouilly, Fleurie, Juliénas, Morgon, Moulin-à-Vent, Régnié and St. Amour. While Le Nouveau is made in a drink-now style, Les Crus are made more traditionally, and tend to be released a year or two later.

Piedmont Beyond Nebbiolo

noreply@blogger.com (Eduardo Miranda) — Thu, 20 Nov 2014 20:42:00 +0000

There are much more in Piemont than the usual Barolos, Barbarescos and Barberas!

Piedmont, or Piemonte in Italian, is Italy's most distinguished viticultural province. The region combines Alpine and Mediterranean zones, and houses more DOCGs (Denominazione d'Origine Controllata e Garantita) than any other Italian wine region, and it's famous for its cellar-worthy red wines, nuturing Nebbiolo in the communes of Barolo and Barbaresco.

Barolo and Barbaresco can only be made in a few villages in the region of Piedmont, but Nebbiolo is grown all over the region, not just in the villages that use it to create the high end wines. One of the most beautiful aspects of Nebbiolo is its scent — the wine actually smells of roses. In addition to this notable scent, the wine has a great amount of acidity, mouth-drying tannins and earthy flavors.

While Barolo and Barbaresco are the stars, the number one grape planted in Piedmont is Barbera, and its most famous expressions come from the southeast neighboring communes of Asti and Alba. Barbera is crowd-pleasing with typically juicy black and red berry fruit, high acid, medium alcohol and soft tannins. The second most planted variety is Dolcetto, which generally offers more delicate fruit and lighter body, often benefiting from a light chill before serving.

You might look for Dolcetto di Dogliani - also labelled simply Dogliani - for a more serious wine. Recently elevated to DOCG status, these wines are low-yielding, latepicked, super-selected, concentrated, (almost always) barrel-aged with a weight and structure foreign to other Dolcettos. Its dry austerity can often be mouth puckering, then you'll need to add cellar time them. The result is a satisfying, rich, chunky, vigorous wine that opens a new and unsuspected window on the Langhe.

Other important, yet lesser known red varieties include: Grignolino (a red grape with intense flavors, brisk acidity and notable tannin and light body), Ruché (a rare aromatic red grape which offers intense aromas and flavours of nutmeg, cinnamon, lavender, peony and dark red cherries), Pelaverga (produces bright and perfumed wines, with accents of roses and violets, medium bodied and very fresh), Vespolina (bright with hints of sour red berries, violet and white pepper) and Freisa (perfumed, tannic and acidic - perfect for hearted dishes as stews and saussages)

White wines are slightly less famous, but equally distinct, food friendly, and versatile. Grapes like Arneis (complex with a soft bouquet of fresh flowers, ripe fruit and hazelnut), Cortese (moderate acidity and light, crisp flavors, medium bodied with notes of limes and greengage), Erbaluce (dry with noticeable acidity and apple aromas and flavors) and Moscato (elegant floral aromas and notes of peach, apricot and fresh grape juice) will give you a true taste of Piedmont whites.

Finca Labarca Reserva 2006, DOCa Rioja

noreply@blogger.com (Eduardo Miranda) — Sat, 08 Nov 2014 17:48:00 +0000

Finca Labarca Reserva 2006, DOCa Rioja

Appearance: Clear medium garnet.

Nose: Clean, pronounced aromas of red baked fruits, spices (nutmeg, cloves), vanilla, cream, butter and oak.

Palate: Dry, medium acidity, medium tannins, medium alcohol, full body, pronounced flavours of cooked fruits and sweet spices. Long finish.

Conclusion: A classic Rioja Reserva: full body, creamy and buttery, and a subtle oak after taste. Supervalu special for €12 (from €15,99, they say).

Sartori Valpolicella Ripasso Superiore 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Eduardo Miranda) — Sat, 08 Nov 2014 16:45:00 +0000

Sartori Valpolicella Ripasso Superiore 2012

Appearance: Clear medium ruby.

Nose: Clean, medium pronounced aromas of cooked fruits, jamminess.

Palate: Dry, medium+ acidity, -medium tannins, medium+ alcohol, medium body, medium intensity, flavours of cooked fruits and spices. Medium+ finish.

Conclusion: For me Ripasso wines are made to please, you can't go wrong with it. This is no exception: well balanced and very structured, is a fantastic wine for many occasions, ready to drink. For the "locals", Supervalue offers it for 12€ this week, reduced from 19.99€, they say.

La Châsse, Blason D'Or 2012, AOP Costières de Nîmes

noreply@blogger.com (Eduardo Miranda) — Sat, 08 Nov 2014 15:40:00 +0000

La Châsse Blason D'Or 2012
AOP Costières de Nîmes

Appearance: Clear pale ruby.

Nose: Clean and youthful, with pronounced aromas of fresh red fruits (red cherry, strawberry) and a sweet spice hint (liquorice).

Palate: Dry wine with low acidity and low to medium tannins. Medium alcohol sensation (despite its average 13%), medium to light body, with flavours of red fruits aromas found on the nose, plus subtle spices and herbal notes. Medium finish.

Conclusion: Soft tannins and medium alcohol with lots of fruit aromas make this wine an easy drinking one, ready to drink. For those in Ireland, Supervalu is offering this wine for 9€ (reduced from 18€, they say).

Grape Varieties

noreply@blogger.com (Eduardo Miranda) — Thu, 04 Sep 2014 23:29:00 +0000

Vitis vinifera is a species of Vitis, native to the Mediterranean region, central Europe, and southwestern Asia, from Morocco and Portugal north to southern Germany and east to northern Iran. Although there are currently between 5000 and 10,000 varieties of Vitis vinifera grapes, only a few are of commercial significance for wine and table grape production. All of the familiar wine varieties belong to Vitis vinifera, which is cultivated on every continent except for Antarctica, and in all the major wine regions of the world.

Below you'll find the more popular grape varietals and a brief description of each.

Grape Name		Description
Aglianico		Southern Italy's most prominent red grape, it produces the famous Taurasi wine. Full of fruity, smoky complexities - tannic when young, harmonious, dense and oaky.
Albariño		Spanish white varietal producing a crisp, fruity wine similar to Riesling.
Aligote		Used in the Burgundy region of France. The Aligote is generally considered unimpressive, but it is still used to make a few wines.
Auxerrois		The local French name for the Malbec (or Côt) red wine grape variety grown in the Cahors region of France.
Baga		Predominant in the Bairrada region of Portugal, where this grape accounts for 80 percent of all grapes grown, it is quite dependable and shows promise, has yet to establish truly fine varietal characteristics.
Barbera		A prolific Italian variety grown in Piedmont, making light, fresh, fruity wines that are gradually growing in quality and popularity.
Cabernet Franc		One of the major black grape varieties worldwide. It is mainly blended with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot in the Bordeaux style, but can also made varietals. It is lighter than Cabernet Sauvignon, making a bright pale wine that lends finesse to blends with more robust grapes.
Cabernet Sauvignon		The primary grape used in Bordeaux and Meritage red wines. It provides elegance and structure. Flavors are of blackcurrants and cedar, but in other areas may include green peppers and mint.
Carmenère		See also Grand Vidure. Primary grape of Chile producing bold red wines, it is sometimes mistaken for Merlot.
Chardonnay		This classic variety is responsible for producing the greatest white Burgundies and is one of the three major grape types used in the production of Champagne. Also known as Muscadet, Pinot blanc and Pinot chardonnay.
Chenin Blanc		A variety used in the Chenin Blanc region of France. Good acidity level, thin skin and a high natural sugar content, making it very suitable for either sparkling or sweet wines, although some dry wines, are made from it.
Cinsault		A prolific grape found mainly in southern Rhone and Languedoc-Roussillon vineyards, where it makes robust, well-coloured wines. Best results are obtained when it is blended, as at Chateauneuf-du-Pape, for example.
Colombard		A grape that produces thin and acidic wine ideal for the distillation of Armagnac and Cognac, but has adapted well to the hotter winelands of California and South Africa, where its high acidity is a positive attribute.
Cortese		The primary grape for Gavi wine, this grape ripens early and makes a neutral white wine. It is grown primarily in Piedmont, Italy.
Corvina		A prolific Italian variety where is it blended into the windes of Bardolino and Valpolicella. The grape's thick skins contribute color and tannin. Has leathery, chocolaty, nutty-spicy, and herbal flavors and some cherry aromas.
Dolcetto		Well-known grape widely grown in Piedmont region of Italy. Has synonym name Nera Dolce, meaning "Sweet Black" in english. Has aroma flavors described as reminiscent of almond and liqorice.
Dornfelder		German hybrid developed in 1956 which produces a dark-colored, soft, chocolatey red wine.
Ehrenfelser		Created by crossing the Johannisberg Riesling grape and a Sylvaner grape clone, Ehrenfelser is extremely frost resistant. The wine it creates tastes a great deal like Riesling wine. Ehrenfelser is grown primarily in Canada.
Fiano		Native to southern Italy, this grape produces a white wine with pear and spice flavors. Also tropical flavors, citrus and a nutty edge.
Gamay		This is the only grape in red Beaujolais wine, in France. At an early age, flavors have been described as bananas and bubble gum, and evolve into spice, mint, hazelnuts and walnuts.
Gewürztraminer		Means "spice" in German. It has a slight grapefruit, ground pepper, floral, and nutty taste. In Alsace it is drier than the German versions and usually medium-bodied. Also grown in Italy, California, Canada, and Australia.
Grand Vidure		Also known as the Carmenere grape, this low-yielding grape was best known for its use in Medoc wines. Cuttings were taken to Chile in the mid-nineteenth century.
Grenache (noir)		Common in the Rhone and Spain (as Garnacha), it is a deeply colored, fruity red, but a bit on the rustic side. Usually blended and primarily found in the wines of the Southern Rhone.
Grenache Blanc		The white Grenache variant that is widely planted in France and Spain. It is an ancient Spanish variety that has the potential to produce a good-quality, full-bodied wine.
Johannisberg Riesling		A synonym often used to distinguish a wine made from the true Riesling grape. It is said to be at its best in the Rheingau vineyards of Johannisberg thus the name.
Lambrusco		An Italian variety, famous for its production of the medium-sweet, red, frothy wine of the same name in the Emilia-Romagna area.
Lemberger		Aliases for Blaufrankish and Limberger. Lemberger is a popular Austrian wine that is also planted heavily in Washington state.
Malbec		A grape traditionally used in Boreaux blends to provide color and tannin. Also grown in the Loire, Cahors and Mediterranean regions, and is THE red grape in Mendoza. Black cherry, tobacco and chocolate flavors.
Malvasia		Most widely used as Malvasia Bianca. It can produce wines in a wide variety of styles ranging from very dry to very sweet. In any form, the wines have aromas of pears and spice with fresh fruity flavors.
Marsanne		A grape that makes fat, rich, full wines and one of the two major varieties used to produce the rare white wines of Hermitage and Chateauneuf-du-Pape.
Mauzac		A late-ripening grape with good natural acidity, grown in southwest France. Flexible in the styles of wine it produces, it is particularly suitable for sparkling wine.
Meritage		Not a grape, but a California-style blend of predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc (<10%). It has qualities and similarities that often rival its French Bordeaux red wine cousin.
Merlot		This is an early ripening grape, with gentle flavors of plum, cherry, and sometimes toffee. In some areas of France, it can take over as the main grape in the Bordeaux blend.
Merlot Blanc		A variety cultivated on a surprisingly large scale on the right-bank of the Gironde, yet said to be unrelated to the more famous black Merlot variety.
Mission		One of the earliest grapes planted by Spanish settlers in South and Central America and California.
Monastrell		Spanish version of Mourvédre grape.
Mourvédre		An excellent-quality grape variety that has been used in Chateauneuf-du-Pape blends in recent years. It is grown under the name of Monastrell in Spain and Mataro in Australia and a popular grape in Chile.
Muscadelle		Part of the confusing-Musc-series, Muscadelle is one of the white grapes grown in Bordeaux. Not related to the Muscat grape, but does have a grapey-tasting flavor. This grape is most well known for its use in the Tokay.
Muscadine		Grown almost exclusively in the southeastern U.S. and in Mexico, the Muscadine is a large grape with a thick skin. It is very hearty, very aromatic, and grows in regions that may be inhospitable to other grapes.
Muscat		A family name for numerous related varieties, sub-varieties and localized clones of the same variety, all of which have a distinctive musky aroma and a pronounced grapey flavour. The wines produced range from dry to sweet, still to sparkling and fortified.
Muscat		This is a very grapey-tasting grape that doesn't ripen easily. There are various varieties of Muscat, such as Muscat blanc, Moscato (Italy), which is used for the sparkling Asti Spumanti wines, and Muscadel.
Müller Thurgau		The grape most widely planted in Germany, Müller-Thurgau comes as a mix of Riesling and Sylvaner. This is also grown in Austria, New Zealand and the northwest section of the U.S. It has a floral aroma.
Nebbiolo		This is a late ripening grape that's known for being tannic, pruny, tarry and chocolaty. It is notoriously difficult to grow, but adds complexity and ageability to wines. Also known as Spanna.
Pais		See Mission grape.
Palomino		Native of Spain and used in the production of fine sherries. It is a variety that is used especially for the dry light Fino sherries.
Petit Verdot		A grape used in Bordeaux because it is a late-ripener, bringing acidity to the overall balance of a wine. Not seen as a unique wine varietal, but can produce a characterful, long-lived and tannic wine when ripe.
Petite Sirah		Often confused as a relative of the Syrah grape, but really a different varietal. It produces intensely flavored wines with a lot of tannin.
Pinot Blanc		A variety at its best in Alsace where it is most successful, producing fruity, well-balanced wines with good grip and alcohol content. Also known under the more common name of chenin blanc in central France.
Pinot Gris		This is a clone of Pinot Noir, grown in France, Germany, Austria, Italy, and along the west coast of the US. It's also known as Rulander or Grauer Burgunder. It can be used to create both fine whites and roses'.
Pinot Meunier		An important variety in Champagne, where, vinified white, it gives more up-front appeal of fruit than the Pinot noir when young. It is essential for early-drinking Champagnes. Now showing up as a single varietal wine.
Pinot Noir		Used to produce Burgundy wine and makes wines which are moderately fruity with noticeable red-berry (stawberry, cherry, raspberry) floral, and spicy aromas. Usually medium-bodied, dry, and light to moderately tannic. Without skins, they are used in Champagne.
Pinotage		Developed in the early 1900's and used primarily by South Africa, Pinotage is a mix between pinot noir and cinsaut. The grape makes a wine that is hearty, with a fruity and spice taste.
Portugieser		The widest-planted black grape variety in Germany, originating from the Danube district of Austria. As it makes very ordinary and extremely light red wine, it is often used in bad years to blend with the too acidic white wines.
Primitivo		An Italian variety, grown in Apulia, where it produces rich wines, sometimes sweet or fortified. Some think it is the same variety as Zinfandel.
Riesling		Most fine German wines from the Moselle and Rhine areas are made from Riesling, which may have floral, fruity (citrus, peach, apricot, pineapple) and honey aromas. Light to medium-bodied.
Rondinella		An Italian variety, secondary to the Corvina grape in terms of area planted, used for the production of Bardolino and Valpolicella.
Roussanne		One of the two major varieties used to produce the rare white wines of Hermitage and Chateauneuf-du-Pape in France's Rhone Valley. This grape makes the finer, more delicate wines, while those made from the Marsanne are fatter and richer.
Sangiovese		The principal variety used in Chianti, it is grown in Italy's Tuscany region. In a pure varietal form it has floral, herbal and cherry aromas, and now popular in California.
Sauvignon Blanc		This grape is grown primarily in California and France. It has a grassy flavor and makes a crisp, light wine. The same grape is used in Fumé Blanc wine, which is its "drier" version.
Scheurebe		This is a mix between Sylvaner and Johannisberg Riesling. It is mostly planted in Germany and is used for aromatic white wines.
Semillon		This thin-skinned, grape ripens early and is used mostly in Bordeaux, France. It has a grassy, "figgy" flavor. It is also grown and showing promise in Australia and California, and is often blended with Sauvignon Blanc.
Shiraz		Australian grape varietal. See Syrah
Siegerrebe		A German Madeleine Angevine x Gewurztraminer cross. Can make a very good dry/off-dry dinner wine, but best as a late harvest dessert wine.
Steen		A synonym for the Chenin blanc used in South Africa. Not to be mistaken by "Stein" which is also used in South Africa, but rather a semi-sweet style of white wine. Many "Stein" blends contain a large percentage of of Steen.
Sylvaner		Originally from Austria, this variety is widely planted throughout Central Europe. It is prolific, early maturing and yields the dry wines of Franken and Alsace. It is also widely believed to be the Zierfandler of Austria.
Syrah		The name is derived from Shiraz, the capital of Fars, a province of Iran. In Hermitage, in the northern Rhone, the grape makes big, rich tannic wines with a good deal of fruit. Known as Shiraz in Australia.
Tempranillo		The most important variety in Rioja, where it is traditional to blend the grapes. Also grown in Argentina. Many pure Tempranillo wines though, are of excellent quality, producing long-lived wines of some finesse and complexity.
Tinta Cao		One of the best Port grapes.
Torrontés		Argentina's famous white grape, it produces spicy, dry, refreshing whites. It started life in Galicia, northwest Spain, where it is still found in the white wines of Ribeiro.
Touriga Nacional		The finest Port grape in the entire Couro. The wine is fantastically rich and tannic, with masses of fruit, and is capable of great longevity and complexity.
Trollinger		A variety mainly restricted to the Wurttemberg region of Germany. It produces fresh and fruity red wine.
Verdicchio		Maritime aromas, crisp fruit and almond flavored finish characterize this Italian grape. It produces a full-bouquet, fruit-packed wine that sometimes requires a bit of oak to add heft.
Vermentino		Sweet without being fat, this Spanish varietal is widely planted in Italy and produces a fresh and fruity summer wine. Has notes of apple, pear and herbs but can be borderline meaty.
Vernaccia		One of Italy's native grapes, it has been around for centuries and is somewhat simple and lightly aromatic. It provides light citrus and apples flavors and is often blended with chardonnay to give it structure.
Viognier		This varietal originated in Condrieu, on the northern Rhone. It is predominately found in the Rhone Valley and now California. Noted for spice, floral, citrus, aprict, apple, and peach flavors.
Vranac		A grape indigenous to Yugoslavia, where it makes dark-colored, full-bodied, characterful wines.
Zinfandel		Regarded in California as a native grape, but may have its heritage as the Primativo grape of Italy. Used for the origional "blush" wines but usually make jammy, spicy wines.

source: http://www.mywinetutor.com/grapetypes.html

Tasting Cap Negre 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Eduardo Miranda) — Mon, 05 Aug 2013 19:07:00 +0000

This red crianza from Roussillon is made from Carignan (or Samsò), Grenache (or Garnatxa) and Syrah. Roussillon is located in the French region also known as French Catalonia, where most of the population also speaks Catalan.

Cap Negre has a vivid cherry colour with purple trim. Its aromas of ripe fruit, mainly strawberries and blackberries, with notes of menthol, fine spices and a subtle dairy, very intense and well balanced. On the palate it has fruitiness, herbs and smoked notes, with a good and persistent length.

It was aged for 12 months in French oak barrels, which can be noticed on the aromas and the flavours.

Food recommendations are soft meat, spaghetti carbonara, and cheeses.

Be Aware of Wine Prices in Dublin's Supermarkets

noreply@blogger.com (Eduardo Miranda) — Mon, 05 Aug 2013 12:35:00 +0000

I don't buy my wines in supermarkets anymore, nor in off-licenses, nor in wine shops... It's been some time already that I only buy my wines online, from off-shore shops around Europe, wherever I can get a good deal in the shipment. This does not prevent me from being a market observer, and I'm constantly out there checking wine prices, and you don't have to be a sophisticated wine shopper to notice that wine prices tend to zigzag up and down like youngers making their way back home from a good craic. And then, we end up buying the nearest bottle that is on offer...
.
Supermarkets understand this, and most of the wine sold in Ireland is sold on some sort of offer, just for the use of the words "sales", "half price", "offer", etc. Some people are triggered by those words, but in reality they're telling us that we don't have a clue on how much they are actually worth!

Recently I've checked prices mostly in SuperQuinn, because is my local store, and to take an example, El Circulo, a red crianza Spanish Rioja, was retailed at €20, normal price, but was on sales for €10 the most of the year, but now SQ its normal price is €21,99! Other example is Farnese Lava Greco Di Tufo, a white Italian now retailed at €16.49 (on sale for €13,00), but I well remember not long ago its full price was €13,99, on sales for €7!

This is clearly not a SuperQuinn's phenomenon... Neither a Dublin's one! I checked Tesco's half-price offers online for the week (hurry up... it ends today!!) and they include a "Special Offer" were you save €11.29 (!) when buying Oceans Edge Pinot Grigio, which allegedly was €19.29 but now is only €8.00! Guess what? The actual price was €9.99 for the most of this year, with some offers on €8, but now they want you to believe it's a super special sale! If you pay €19.29 for it and then find that out later, would you feel like you've been conned?

The day after: Viña Arnáiz Roble, DO Riberra Del Duero

noreply@blogger.com (Eduardo Miranda) — Sat, 22 Jun 2013 17:09:00 +0000

D'Agos Wine Blog

Priorat Wine Fair

Le Noveau ést arrivé

Piedmont Beyond Nebbiolo

There are much more in Piemont than the usual Barolos, Barbarescos and Barberas!

Finca Labarca Reserva 2006, DOCa Rioja

Sartori Valpolicella Ripasso Superiore 2012

La Châsse, Blason D'Or 2012, AOP Costières de Nîmes

Grape Varieties

Tasting Cap Negre 2009

Be Aware of Wine Prices in Dublin's Supermarkets

The day after: Viña Arnáiz Roble, DO Riberra Del Duero

Tasting Paolo Rodaro Friulano 2011

XVIII Fira Del VI de Falset

American Way of Wine

Tasting Dominio de Tares Ciepas Viejas 2008

Tasting Brumont Merlot-Tannat 2011 - Vin de Pays Côtes de Gascogne

Spanish Wines - The Use of Oak Barrels

Tasting Muscadet Sèvre et Maine Sur-Lie from Domaine de la Chauvinière 2011

Tasting Oremus Tokaji Late Harvest 08

Tasting Ressons Clot de la Vella 2009

Tasting Puerto Salinas 2008

Tasting L'esquerda 2009

Tasting Lar de Paula 2010

Tasting IWS Single Cask Single Pot Still 17yo

Tasting Monterucco Riesling 08

Tasting Cantina Parroco Dolcetto d'Alba 2011