Alan Kerr?s Vintage?s May 28 Release ? Tasting Notes

As another barrage of Californian wines prepares to hit the shelves, the good news is some of them are very good and a couple are exceptional. However, the bad news is they are not cheap. As always, there are several wines to be found that won?t make the wallet wince so please read on. WINES [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/gangofpour/uncZ/~3/a44L6rWp70U/vintages-may-28-release-%e2%80%93-tasting-notes

Melissa Rycroft Melissa Sagemiller Mena Suvari Mia Kirshner

Alan Kerr?s Vintage?s June 11 Release ? Tasting Notes

Veneto wines are the feature of this release and, as Father?s Day is on the horizon, there are several highly touted wines suggested as treats for dad and for those kiddies with really deep pockets, well do read on… THE WINES OF VENETO 029850 TENUTA SANT?ANTONIO MONTI GARBI RIPASSO VALPOLICELLA SUPERIORE 2008 Veneto $17.95 Notes [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/gangofpour/uncZ/~3/CjfTHEI96Mw/vintages-june-11-release

Leighton Meester Leila Arcieri Lena Headey Leonor Varela

TasteCamp East:Bloggers Arrive in the Finger Lakes

This is one of my favorite times of the year.  I’m fortunate enough to be included on the list of wine bloggers and writers who get asked to attend TasteCamp East, organized by Lenn Thompson and Evan Dawson at The New York Cork Report. Last year, Long Island Wine Country hosted our group and although [...]

Source: http://familylovewine.wordpress.com/2010/05/06/tastecamp-eastbloggers-arrive-in-the-finger-lakes/

Sienna Guillory Sienna Miller Simone Mütherthies Sofía Vergara

Is the 2009 Belle Glos Meiomi as Good as the 2008?

Get 50% off shipping when you purchase six or more bottles of French wine with promo code "drink84"

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No, it's not. At least not for me, of the three bottles of the 09 I've tasted and compared to the eight bottles of the 08 I've tasted.

That said, it's still a good value in California Pinot Noir. The 09 is just lacking that little something extra the 08 had - and still has. I thought the 2008 was a 92 point wine and while the 2009 doesn't reach that same level of excitement for me, it is coming to market at very compelling prices. Whereas I'd never seen the 08 available for less than $19.99 I've seen the 09 for as little as $17.59 at Costco locations in Massachusetts and Arizona.

This price adjustment could be related to an intentional decision Caymus Vineyards (Belle Glos is Caymus' Pinot Noir label) made to drop their wine prices in response to the economic downturn that began a couple years ago. Gotta love a company that has a sense for market trends and eases pricing a bit at just the right time. I've seen Caymus Special Selection drop from around $125 to $99 and Conundrum from $20 to $15. I haven't seen Caymus drop below $55 yet however - have you?

Here are my notes: 

2009 Belle Glos Meiomi Pinot Noir

I was very interested to try the 09 vintage of this wine after thoroughly enjoying the 08 (92 pts across a half-dozen bottles). The signature sweet spice is still there but I also get ample chimney smoke at Christmas. It's a little unusual - we'll see whether I sense it in future bottles. But I still think this is a solid wine. Will buy more for sure.

89/100 WWP: Very Good 

Recommendation: If you see the 08 around buy it. There's not much left in the market and the 09s are replacing the 08s at most all high volume retailers. That said the 09 is still a pretty good play - especially south of $18.

Question of the Day: What do you think? Is 2009 as good as the 2008?


Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WellesleyWinePress/~3/fRdrZX0sjA0/is-2009-belle-glos-meiomi-as-good-as.html

Melissa Joan Hart Melissa Rycroft Melissa Sagemiller Mena Suvari

June 20, 2011 Florida Jim Cowan?s 2011 Tasting Notes Archive-Part Two

The 2011 archive part 2 is presented by date the notes were compiled and submitted. Part 1 may be found here. Prior year’s tasting notes may be found here. June 20, 2011 2008 Ant Hills Farms, Pinot Noir Mendocino: 13.2% alc.; smells of crunchy red fruit, light spice/oak and maple sugar; clean and medium weighted, [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/gangofpour/uncZ/~3/0axCLMWIxfU/jim-cowans-2011-tasting-notes-part-tw

Salma Hayek Samaire Armstrong Samantha Mathis Samantha Morton

Taste of the Nation Boston Thursday, April 14th 2011

Coming Thursday April 14th, 2011 to Boston is Taste of the Nation - an expo style event where you can taste food from local restaurants along with wine from around the world. Beer, cocktails and entertainment too.

I attended last year on a press pass and enjoyed the quality and breadth of the offerings. Interesting wines, creative dishes, and festive yet manageable crowds. There was something for everyone and proceeds go to a good cause.

A sampling out the participating restaurants:

  • Craigie on Main
  • Hamersley's Bistro
  • KO Prime
  • L'Espalier
  • The Oak Room
  • Redbones
  • Jasper White's Summer Shack
From their press release:

Boston?s Culinary Icons Come Together for the City?s Largest Hunger Fundraiser
Share Our Strength?s Taste of the Nation Boston Hosts 23rd Annual Fundraiser on April 14th

Boston, MA ? Inspired by a passion to fight childhood hunger, Boston?s hottest chefs, restaurants and mixologists will gather for Share Our Strength?s Taste of the Nation® benefit, the city?s premier culinary event. Taste of the Nation Boston, which will be held on April 14, 2011 at the Hynes Convention Center, will raise the critical funds needed to support Share Our Strength?s efforts to end childhood hunger in Boston and across the nation by 2015.

Since 1988, Taste of the Nation has raised more than $73 million for organizations in the United States, Canada and abroad, including more than $1.4 million in Boston alone. Area charities that will benefit from this year?s event include The Greater Boston Food Bank; Food for Free Committee; Cooking Matters, formerly known as Operation Frontline ? Massachusetts; and Project Bread/The Walk for Hunger.

WHAT: Share Our Strength?s 23rd annual Taste of the Nation Boston

WHEN: Thursday April 14, 2011 from 6:30 p.m. ? 9:00 p.m. EST; VIP reception beginning at 5:30 p.m. EST

WHERE: Hynes Convention Center, 900 Boylston Street Boston, MA

WHO: More than 65 of the city?s finest chefs and restaurants will participate in the gastronomic event. Along with Andy Husbands of Tremont 647 and the last season of Hells Kitchen, and Jody Adams of Rialto, participating restaurants will include Gargoyles on the Square, Hamersley?s Bistro, L?Espalier, Sel de la Terre, Summer Shack and Oceanaire. Attendees will also be able to sample over 100 different varietals of wine and sample a variety of cocktails prepared by some of Boston?s premiere mixologists.

DETAILS: Tickets for Taste of the Nation Boston are $90 in advance / $100 at door for General Admission tickets are $150 in advance / $160 at the door for VIP and can be purchased by calling 1-877-26-TASTE or visiting www.strength.org/boston  or www.TasteOfTheNation.org.
For more information about Taste call 202-478-6516. To purchase tickets or to get involved, visit TasteOfTheNation.org.


Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WellesleyWinePress/~3/3MV4wokW65U/taste-of-nation-boston-thursday-april.html

Nadine Velazquez Naomi Watts Natalie Imbruglia Natalie Portman