Sunday, March 25, 2012

WINES for EASTER by Philip S. Kampe

Spring is in the air. Flowers are beginning to bloom. Birds are everywhere. And EASTER is around the corner. Traditionally, after 40 days and nights of suffering, it is, once again, time to re-learn your bad habits. If you gave up chocolate or alcohol for 40 days, Easter Sunday is your day to return to your vices.

Traditionally on Easter Sunday, HAM with some sort of sweet glaze is served as well as LEG OF LAMB made with the rosemary and garlic.

EASTER is a true CELEBRATION. Wines are necessary to pair with HAM and LAMB.
I have a few recommendations from a wine associate in Manhattan:

WINES FOR HAM with a sweet glaze:
RIESLINGS
St. Urbans-Hof 'Q.B.A. 2010' ($14)
Jim Berry 'LODGE HILL 2006' ($18)
Chateau St. Michelle 'EROICA 2010' ($19)
Wilm Cuvee 'EMILE WILM RESERVE 2008 ($21)
Salomon Valley ',LEBECCA GROWERS COLLECTION 2007' ($27)
Trimbach Cuvee 'FREDERIC EMILE 2005' ($44)

VIOGNIER
Domaine de Triennes "SAINT FLEUR 2009' ($15)
'(YANGARRA VIOGNIER 2009' ($19)

ROSES
'MULDORBOSCH 2011' ($10)
'DOMAINE HOUCHARTST VICTORIE 201' ($17)
'CHATEAU d'AQUERIA TAVEL' ($18)
'CHATEU de PULIGNY MONTRACHET 2009' ($19)
'DOMAINES OTT CHATEAU ROMASSSAN 2010' ($36)

PINOT NOIR
Dr. Konstantin Frank 'SALMON RUN 2009' ($14)
Wild Rock 'CUPID'S ARROW 2008' ($17)
'BEAR BOAT 2007' Russian River ($19)
'BENTON LAKE 2009' ($23)
'PALLISER ESTATE 2007' ($25)

WINES FOR LAMB
WHITES
La Vielle Ferme 'COTES-du-LUBERON BLANC 2010' ($8)
Tablas Creek 'PATELIN de TABLAS BLANC 2010' ($18)
Montirius Vacqueyras 'MINERAL BLANC 2008' ($24)
Domaine de Baumard 'SAVENNIERES 2008' ($29)
Richard Leroy Anjou 'LES ROULIERS 2009' ($33)
Philippe Colin St. Aubin 'CHARMOIS 1er 2009' ($39)
Bruno Colin 'CHASSAGNE MONTRACHET 2009' ($49)

REDS
La Vielle Ferme 'ROUGE COTES-DU-VENTOUX 2009' ($8)
Domaine d'Andezon "COTES-DU-RHONE 2010' ($13)
Domaine du Pegau 'PLAN PEGAU LOT 2009 VDP' ($17)
Clos de Caveau Vacqueyras 'FRUIT SAUVAGE 2008' ($18)
J.L. Chave Cotes du Rhone 'MON COEUR 2009' ($19)
Michel Poinard 'CROZES HERMITAGE 2009' ($22)
Bonny Dune 'LE CIGARE VOLANT 2007' ($34)

PHILIP S. KAMPE
WineFoodTravel@yahoo.com

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

VINHO VERDE Sales INCREASE a WHOPPING 250% in Volume in America by Philip S. Kampe

After attending an extremely well-polished, sophisticated wine tasting featuring PORTUGAL'S "Light, Spontaneous Wine", VINHO VERDE, I realized that I was drinking 'Summer In A Bottle'.

The aroma of citrus and fresh green herbs seduced me.

Spring is in the air and somehow, the citrus, tart, pear/apple flavors of VINHO VERDE burst onto my palate as if it were 95F (35C) outside and I was hot and in need of a beverage to quench my thirst.

VINHO VERDE is a wine from the MINHO region of northern Portugal. I have not visited the area, but, have heard from others how majestic the region is.

Vinho Verde means 'Green Wine' but when translated by the vineyard owners and winemakers at the tasting, they say Vinho Verde actually means 'Young Wine'.

VINHO VERDE refers only to this one region in Portugal and has no imitators. The wine can be white, red or rose. Many wine growers, due to tradition, 'Train their Vines' high off of the ground to help create an easier harvest (see FACTS below).

FACTS about VINHO VERDE:
+ The Romans reached the Atlantic (Portugal) 2000 years ago carrying Vinho Verde's first vines.
+ First recorded sales transaction of Vinho Verde occurred in 870 A.D.
+ Vineyards were planted by religious orders to take advantage of tax breaks.
+ In the 12th century wines were exported to England, Germany and Flanders.
+ With the arrival of corn in the 16th century and lack of space to plant the crops, the vineyard owners were told to drape their vines on trellises and use ladders to pick the grapes, thus making room for the corn.
+ The 'Vinho Verde Region' was recognized by law on September 18, 1908.
+ Regulations controlling the production of Vinho Verde were set-up in 1929.
+ Vinho Ver4de received its DOC in 1984.
+ Currently there are over 90,000 acres (35,000 hectares) of vines planted in the Vinho Verde region of Portugal.
+ There are over 600 bottling plants in the region.
+ 80 Million liters of wine are produced annually, with 85% White, 13% Red and 2% Rose.

Portugal is renowned for it's production of wines and known for PORT and MADEIRA.
The reputation and popularity of Vinho Verde is growing internationally. The wine has a slight spritz, once due to a secondary fermentation.

When you discover the taste of Vinho Verde and ask what grapes are used to make the wine, numerous indigenous varieties emerge.
The WHITE Grape Varieties of Vinho Verde include:
ALVARINHO (Albarino)
ARINTO
AVESSO
AZAL
BATOCA
LOUREIRO
TRAJADURA

The RED Grape Varieties of Vinho Verde are:
ALVARELHAO
AMARAL
BORRACAL
PADEIRO
PEDRAL
RABO-de-ANHO
VINHAO

The two most successful white varietals include ALVARINHO (Albarino) and LOURIRO.
ALVARIHNO produces low yields,while the aromatic LOURIRO produces higher yields.
Most whites contain medium alcohol(12.5%) and are usually lemon/straw in color.
Whites tend to be dry, medium to full-bodied and aromatic with fruity, citrus overtones.

Red wine production is dominated by the VINHAO grape. Wines tend to be full-bodied with intense color. Most vineyards thrive in the granite-rich soil that dominates the hillsides or man-made terraces (like Douro).

There are many well known producers of VINHO VERDE.
My favorite labels include:
WINES OF VINHO VERDE
VINIVERDE,S.A.
VALUE WINES
SOLAR do LOUREDO
SOLAR de SERRADE
SOGRAPE VINHOS,S.A.
QUINTA de GOMARIZ
QUINTA de CARAPECOS
QUINTA das ARCAS
QUINTA da RAZA
QUINTA da LIXA
PROVAM
JOSE MARIA da FONESCA
ENOPORT UNITED WINES
CASA de SEZIM
BROADBENT SELECTIONS
AVELEDA
ADEGA COOPERATIVA de PONTE de LIMA

VINHO VERDE wines have gained renewed popularity (250% increase in volume in 2010-2011) in America. The enthusiasm has propelled a three-year campaign to create awareness and interest in VINHO VERDE wines in the U.S.A. At the reasonable price points and outstanding quality of the Wines of Vinho Verde, it is easy to jump on the bandwagon.

Here are a few of my Favorites:
Fonesca 2010 "TWIN VINES" $9.99 a bottle
Fuzelo 2010 "VINHO VERDE" $7.99 a bottle
Casal Garcia 2011 "VINHO VERDE" $6.49 a bottle
Gazela 2011 "VINHO VERDE" $6.69 a bottle

PHILIP S. KAMPE
WineFoodTravel@yahoo.com

Monday, March 19, 2012

CITY WINERY Hosts a GOLF OUTING Fundraiser by Philip S. Kampe

CITY WINERY is sponsoring a FUNDRAISER for Music Education in New York's Public Schools. The goal is to raise money for the 'UNDER-SERVED' youth.

LIBERTY NATIONAL Golf Course in Jersey City, NJ is hosting the event sponsored by MICHAEL DORF and the staff of CITY WINERY (155 Varick Street).

The event is titled "18 HOLES PAIRED WITH 18 WINES".

On Monday, June 11th EIGHTEEN Foursomes will play this prestigious golf course with proceeds going to FIKS (FIXING INSTRUMENTS IN KID'S SCHOOLS).

Eighteen wines will be served,including A to Z PINOT NOIR, TURLEY VINEYARDS CINSAULT, 2010 LA POSTA COCINA TINTO, 2010 KESNER VINEYARDS PINOT NOIR, CRISTOM VIOGNIER and 2009 ALVARO PALACIOS 'CAMINS del PRIORAT'.

The 19th hole AFTER-PARTY will include GIFTS,PRIZES,GOODIES and MUSICAL PAIRINGS.

Fore more information and to BUY Tickets, call MEGAN at(212) 608-0555 X716.

PHILIP S.KAMPE
philip.kampe@thewinehub.com

Friday, March 16, 2012

#winelover, don't drink and post.


Today I woke and found this at the top of my twitter page (for everyone to see - not a Direct Message "DM"): "@thewinehub Yes, I have a thought. Two. Get a shave and visit the dentist."

I'm not going to mention who posted this (it is totally irrelevant), but I wanted to talk about it because our community cannot afford to have the general public labeling us as "you people" (when someone wants to make a reference to us - people who use social media), but it's challenging to argue against their point of view when they seem to be right... How can we possibly hold people responsible for their erratic words ("you people") when we read so many alcohol-influenced words in our realm today? I believe that the only possible method is that of our community continuing to stress the importance of responsible writing.

So here is a suggestion: Don't drink and post. We can be inspired and excited with the excess of alcohol in our blood stream, but we may find our comments regrettable the next morning. Worse than that, each one of our comments will reflect on the reputation of our community as a whole! Feel free to write anything at any time, after as many drinks as you prefer, but please refrain from "hitting the button" until you had a sober reflection of your words. We are trying to build a reputation for people who love wine and use social media to share their passion with the world. The #winelover's community thanks you in advance for understanding and contributing intelligently.

 ===> Being told in public that I have to shave and that I need my teeth fixed: #fail -
Making our community a better place by elevating the quality of our postings: #priceless

Cheers,
LA


www.thewinehub.com
One of the  pillars of TheWineHub is Wine Tourism. Whether you are a wine maker, or a wine drinker, we all enjoy having discoveries... TheWineHub exists to help you with that.

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

GERRY DAWES knows SPANISH WINES by Philip S. Kampe

After wandering in a few minutes late to a Special Tasting and Launch of GERRY DAWES SELECTIONS at DESPANA (410 Broome Street, NYC), I realized that I had entered a new world of wines--maybe those I dream of--but, in this case, all Spanish wines, each unique and full of character.

GERRY DAWES is known to be the LEADING American authority on Spanish cuisine, wines and all that bear the word 'SPAIN' in any given sentence. What makes GERRY DAWES different than most is his PALATE and the way he conducts his sessions with those, like me, on the learning side.

GERRY is black and white--either you get it or something is wrong with you?

Well, in this case, I GOT IT...

The Spanish Artisan Wine Group (www.SpanishArtisanWineGroup.com), known as GERRY DAWES SELECTIONS follows a Wine Philosophy that is the Key to Understanding WHY Gerry
chooses the wines he does. This is what I learned:
+ Gerry prefers Family owned Bodegas with non-irrigated vineyards.
+ Vineyards must reflect the individual palate of the winemaker through soil, climate and grapes.
+ Preferred wines are 13.5% alcohol or less.
+ BATTONAGE and harvesting OVERRIPE grapes is discouraged.
+ Barrel fermentation in new oak that is improperly prepared is discouraged.
+ Hand-harvesting is essential.
+ Wine closures cannot be screw top, plastic corks or composite corks with chemical binders.
+ Every year a producer makes a wine, vintage year or not, Gerry believes the producer must achieve the highest quality of wine possible for that year.

With those spelled out rules, GERRY DAWES SELECTIONS first group of wines have arrived in America and are ready to be sold.

What I missed due to my late arrival:
JOSEPH MASSACHS VINA POLO NV BRUT CAVA (11.5%) $11.99 on the shelf
ALIAGA TEMPRANILLO TINTO 2010 NAVARRA (13.5%) $13.99

What I sampled:
ALIAGA GARNACHA VIEJA 2007 NAVARRA (13.9%) $19.99
ALIAGA RESERVA de la FAMILIA 2005 NAVARRA (13.5%) $24.99
TERRA REMOTO CAMINO TINTO 2009 EMPORDIA-COSTA BRAVA (14%) $28.99
ALIAGA LAGRIMA de GARNACHA 2011 NAVARRA (13.5%) $23.99
HERMANO MERINO CATAJARROS ROSADO 2010 CIGALES (13%) $13.99
BODEGA ADRIA VINA BARROCA MENCIA 2010 (13.5%) $14.99
ADEGAS D. BERNA MENCIA 2010 (13%) $19.99
DECIMA MENCIA TINTO2010 AMANDI, SIL RIVER RIBEIRA SACRA (12.5%) $21.99
DON BERNADINO TINTO JOVEN 2010 AMANDI, SIL RIVER, RIBIERA SACRA (12.5%) $16.99
SABATELIUS TINTO 2010 CHANTADA, MINHO RIVER, RIBIERA SACRA (12.5%) $21.99
TOALDE TINTO 2010 CHANTADA, MINHO RIVER, RIBIERA SACRA (13%) $24.99
VILLA CAZOGA TINTO 2010 AMANDI,SIL RIVER, RIBIERA SACRA (13.5%) $26.99

The wines I sampled were all unique examples of wines that exhibit the talent of each winemaker to get the most out of his vineyard following the Philiosphy of Gerry Dawes. Each wine's unique flavor was a journey into palate pleasure through the correct balance of the terroir ,grapes and micro-climate.

GERRY DAWES SELECTIONS should be NUMBER ONE on your list for 'NEW WINES' to try..

GERRY DAWES SELECTIONS can found at: NANCY'S FINE WINES, 313 COLUMBUS Avenue, NYC (212) 877-4040 and at AOC FINE WINES in New Rochelle, NY. GERRY'S wines can also be ordered Online...

PHILIP S.KAMPE
philip.kampe@thewinehub.com

Umbria è per gli amanti del vino

Per la prima volta a Vinitaly ci sarà un punto di incontro online, con wifi gratuito. Ciò è stato possibile grazie alla sponsorizzazione del Consorzio dei Vini Umbri che ha dato al gruppo # winelover uno spazio nel proprio stand ed offerto il servizio wi-fi. Attraverso il potere dei social media (Twitter, Facebook, Google Plus, Pinterest, ...), blogger e web tv, il gruppo #winelover porterà tutti gli aggiornamenti in tempo reale degli eventi del Vinitaly. L'obiettivo è quello di condividere l'amore e la sete di conoscenza del vino con gli appassionati e #winelover-s di tutto il mondo.
Il gruppo #winelover è stato fondato il giorno di San Valentino di quest'anno e da allora si è enormemente accresciuto fino ad unire Sommelier, Master of Wine, professionisti del vino, blogger e tutti coloro che desiderano condividere l'amore per il vino di tutto il mondo!/p>
Lo scopo finale del gruppo è quello di appassionare gli amanti del vino winelover #, professionisti e non, disposti a condividere le proprie esperienze nel campo del vino e di entrare in contatto con persone affini. Il gruppo, oltre a riportare tutti gli avvenimenti del Vinitaly, organizzerà anche attività connesse al mondo del vino presso lo spazio winelovers (spazio winelovers – Pad. 7B –Regione Umbria).
Di seguito riportiamo alcuni punti degli eventi organizzati:
  • Master Class dei vini Umbri: il nostro team di specialisti del vino vi porterà in un viaggio alla scoperta dei vini umbri.
  • Seminario / dibattito su ciò che è il winelover, sulle idee che ci accomunano, e le modalità per aderire online al fine di creare nuovi contatti e fare nuove amicizie
  • Seminario in cui approfondiremo come il gruppo winelovers può diventare un valido strumento per il marketing della vostra cantina, al fine di farvi conoscere a un mercato del vino più ampio possibile, in modo che il gruppo winelovers possa diventare un valido ambasciatore della vostra azienda sia online che offline.
  • Un corso organizzato dai Sommelier Italiani sull'abbinamento tra cibi e vini dell'Umbria
  • Wine2.0: una panoramica dei Social Media nel mondo del vino di oggi, con cui ci proponiamo di fornire una panoramica degli strumenti di comunicazione on-line oggi a nostra disposizione. E dimostrerà come i siti di recensione dei vini possono essere validi strumenti di lavoro sia per # winelovers sia per le cantine.
  • Quiz # winelover sull'Umbria: testerà la vostra conoscenza dei vini umbri e vi darà la possibilità di vincere una "cool" # winelover T-shirt!
  • MW Masterclass: un' introduzione al metodo di degustazione del Master of Wine Institute: una degustazione alla cieca (blind tasting) di vini italiani guidata dal celebre Master of Wine Peter Koff.
  • Introduzione al nostro mini # winelover vinocamp: vi faremo conoscere il nuovo movimento # vinocamp, spiegandovi come è nato e come funziona già con successo in Francia e Germania, per poi mettere insieme alcuni argomenti da discutere. Alla fine di questa sessione tireremo le conclusioni che verranno trasmesse online.
  • A winelover-s # giro d'Italia - una degustazione guidata dei vini di diverse regioni italiane. Questo evento si propone come una passeggiata per la fiera, guidata da un Sommelier, che visiterà i vari stand delle cantine più tipiche.
  • Quiz di # winelover sull'Italia: testerà la vostra conoscenza dei vini italiani e vi darà la possibilità di vincere una "cool" # winelover T-shirt!!
Un ulteriore approfondimento degli eventi della fiera vedrà protagonista Winedefenders.TV che evidenzierà la presenza del nostro # winelover group e lo spazio presso lo stand dell'Umbria (Pad. 7b).
Unitivi a noi online e condividete con noi le vostre idee e la vostra passione per il vino, per diffondere l'amore per l'Umbria, i vini Umbri e i vini Italiani sia a Vinitaly che nel resto del mondo!

To Giulia Luccio - Thank you very much for the translation!!

Cheers,
#winelover-s team



 
Our new t-shirt layout is just out... have you seen it?

40 Years of Winemaking at Russian River Valleys Sonoma-Cutrer by Philip S. Kampe

 Innovation in Winemaking at Sonoma-Cutrer began forty years ago. The focus has always been innovation for this Russian River Valley winery....