21 posts tagged wine blends

Last Thursday, during the Web 2.0 Expo, there was an event called Wine 2.0 held at the Crushpad offices in the Dogpatch neighborhood of San Francisco. It was hailed as a merging of technology & wine that would showcase both area wineries as well as technology related to the wine industry.

This week we go back to back with cabernets, but when the cabs are as good as this, why wouldn’t you? We kick off with a central Victorian cabernet from a producer with a seriously impressive heritage. The follow up cab is a perennial favourite but which comes from a particularly good year.

For many people, “Bourdeaux” conjures up images of expensive, out-of-reach wine. But we found one under $12 (under $11, in fact) that is quite nice: Terra Burdigala Causse Rouge 2005 $11 (AOC - Bourdeaux) This wine is 95% Merlot & 5% Cabernet Sauvignon.

For many people, “Bordeaux” conjures up images of expensive, out-of-reach wine. But we found one under $12 (under $11, in fact) that is quite nice: Terra Burdigala Causse Rouge 2005 $11 (AOC - Bordeaux) This wine is 95% Merlot & 5% Cabernet Sauvignon.

Or yet another reason why the Wine Curmudgeon likes Washington state wine. This is a well-made, unpretentious red blend (cabernet sauvignon and merlot, with syrah, malbec and cabernet franc for good measure) that is everything so many Napa and Sonoma wines aren't. It's easy to drink, yet also food friendly.

Or yet another reason why the Wine Curmudgeon likes Washington state wine. This is a well-made, unpretentious red blend (cabernet sauvignon and merlot, with syrah, malbec and cabernet franc for good measure) that is everything so many Napa and Sonoma wines aren't. It's easy to drink, yet also food friendly.

In terms of export trends, it seem as though higher-end Argentine Malbec/Cab types of blends imported to the North American and UK markets have garnered better consumer reception than single varieties. Don’t get me wrong, I have enjoyed many of these and will continue to do so, though recently I must confess that I’ve been feeling a bit bored.

The last wine I’m looking at this week from Spier is a blend of Malbec (57%), Cabernet Franc (32%) & Petit Verdot (11%). The lots for this wine were aged separately in a combination of American and French oak before blending and bottling. As with the Shiraz I looked at yesterday this wine is part of Spier’s Vintage Selection series.

Tonight, hosting a small, small as in two couple dinner, I realized my wino voice has been stifled by this faux desire to be PC and poetic. The reality is I'm not such a good writer anyway, especially when I'm...

This week we look at a Cabernet from a region possibly better known for its shiraz, but which certainly hits the mark. We also look at a shiraz from the Great Southern region of Western Australia. There’s also a botrytis semillon from a smaller producer, in a smaller bottle perfect for the sweet wine.