A matter of enjoyment.

I love wine. I moved cross country because I love wine. I write this blog because I love wine. I love relaxing at night with a great bottle of wine. I love the history, the science and the art that goes into modern winemaking.

Of course, sometimes I love it more than others. I most enjoy having wine with great friends, or a special someone. Wine can be a very intimate thing. Certainly, I'll enjoy a glass at a party. But consuming a bottle with one or two people changes how it's enjoyed, and changes how that time with those special people is enjoyed. As I said, it's an intimacy thing (and the alcohol certainly helps), and I would expect that most people who approach life or wine in a similar manner know what I mean. In short, enjoy the moments while they're there.

2005 Les Champauvins Domaine Grand Veneur Cotes du Rhone Villages

Ruby to purple in color, this wine has a nice bouquet of black pepper, blueberry and blackberry. Well-rounded fruit on the palate, though the aftertaste is somewhat limited. Overall, a nice wine at a decent price. Three and a half stars (with a half-star for value).

Quinta do Vale Meao

I've received a ton of hits recently for people searching for reviews on Quinta do Vale Meao. Here are my notes on the 2004 and 2003. These are very enjoyable wines, both by themselves or with a nice, hearty meal. In fact, I wish I could find a good supplier of these wines in the Bay Area (while Total Wine always seemed to keep them stocked, I don't think they've made it west of the Rocky Mountains). These wines have cost about $65 to $80 for recent vintages which, while expensive, is a better bargain than what one would find from top producers in California and Bordeaux -- and, I've found these wines will easily compete with those producers in terms of quality. So, if you're thinking about buying a bottle, pick up two (you'll regret not having one around).

If only....

Great article from Slate... and it makes me wish I had discovered wine about 6 years ago, instead of 3.

Grgich Hills Cabernet Sauvignon 2004

Very young wine, with deep purple color. Aromas are intense, with plum, blackberry, currant, mocha and herb. The tannins are powerful and rich. Decant, or wait at least two years before opening -- but it should be delicious after some bottle aging! Three and a half out of five stars. Tasted from a half-bottle.

What's the deal with Champagne?

To me, nothing symbolizes more that enjoying wine is as much about context, as it is the quality of wine, than Champagne or sparkling wine. Going back hundreds of years, Champagne has been a wine for celebration. Even Dom Perignon, the monk credited with inventing sparkling Champagne (although he did not do so), is credited with saying "Come quickly, I am drinking the stars!" when he tasted his "first" glass. In short, Champagne has a history that signifies exuberance, celebration, joy. But let's be frank -- there's a lot of bland Champagnes or sparkling wines on the market, and yet people will joyfully celebrate the New Year, toast a co-worker or newly married couple with those same, bland wines.

So here's a question: would one rather celebrate a great event with a wine that will be remembered? And is a still wine a better value than a sparkling wine for such celebration?

News Year's Resolutions

It's 2008, so I'm making some New Year's Resolutions... and I'll come back next year to see how I did.

1. Post at least three times a week to the blog.

2. Go to a wine producing region outside the United States.

3. Try a varietal I have never had before (this one might be tough....).

4. Try to hold out one more year before opening the 1995 Cheval Blanc. Then again, I might panic... after all, it could be drinkable now!

5. Spend less on wine.

6. Start a Crushpad barrel. This one will probably violate # 5.

and....

7. Share more wine with more people!

And for the record... I'm betting I'll only succeed on #s 3 and 7.

UPDATE: #3 was taken care of 5/17/2008.