Tom da Wine Guy

Helpful Wine Tips

2012-01-18T13:41:00.001-08:00

“Cabernet Sauvignon is like a Black Labrador - it comes up and licks you. Pinot Noir is more cerebral-it’s like a cat.” -Attributed to Scott Rich, Moraga Vineyards -

Many Trader Joe's customers ask very good questions while visiting the wine section at our store. This posting will address some of the more often asks along with my clever, witty replies. Hope you enjoy.

Helpful Wine Tips

Storing an opened bottle. People often ask me how to store an unfinished bottle of wine. Having never experienced an unfinished bottle of wine, I had to do some research on this predicament so that I could pretend that such an occurrence had happened at least once and that I knew what to do.

White wine is easy.....just stick the cork or screw top back in (or on) the bottle and put it in the refrigerator. It should last 4-5 days. The wine air pumps have become popular but I find them unnecessary. The wine tastes the same to me with either method, at least up to 4-5 days. Longer than that, a pump may be an advantage.

Red wine has two options; if the wine will be consumed the next day, put the cork or cap back and leave it on your counter overnight. Not only should it be drinkable the next day, but often, red wine actually improves because of “breathing” due to contact with air and the wine may soften overnight. If the wine will not be consumed the next day, then put it in the refrigerator. It will not soften as much as the previous option but it will last 2-3 days, usually. After that length of time, the wine will slowly oxidize to a point that it becomes undesirable.

Removing a wine label: Literally, this is a very HOT TIP. Ever want to remove a label either because it is attractive or because it will help you remember a wine that you really enjoyed? You don’t need to soak it for hours in the sink before trying to pull or scrape it off which often results in a cute little pile of label confetti. First, fill the empty bottle with hot tap water and let it sit for two minutes. Next, empty the tap water and refill the bottle with boiling water and let it stand for 3-4 minutes. Grab a corner of the label and gently pull. The label should easily peel off in one piece for your wine scrapbook.

Wine Serving Temperatures: The proper temperature for serving wine will show off the particular characteristics of the varietal. If served too cold, the flavors are hidden. It’s like eating a frozen pizza while it’s still frozen. If served too warm, the taste of the alcohol can be overbearing. When serving red wines, “room temperature” really means “cellar temperature,” which is 55-60 degrees.

Red wines should be served between 60-64 degrees.
Ports - 55-58 degrees.
Rose’ - 55 degrees.
Viognier - 52 degrees.
Chardonnay - 48-50 degrees.
Riesling - 45-48 degrees.
Champagne - 45 degrees.

Okay, okay, how do you distinguish between 52 and 55 degrees without a wine thermometer? I can’t. Just chill your reds in the fridge for half an hour or so before serving and chill your whites in the fridge overnight (then let them warm in the glass) or put them in the freezer for an hour before serving. Don’t over-chill chardonnay, though, as the aroma and taste is really dampened if too cold. Maybe a wine thermometer is the way to go...

Needless to say, I also get numerous questions about food/wine pairings but I won't get into that as it's complicated and often personal to the wine consumer.

"Tom da Wine Guy"

“An alcoholic is someone you don’t like who drinks as much as you do.” -Anonymous-

Trader Joe's Hot Tip on Two French Wines

2012-01-01T14:02:00.000-08:00

Trader Joe's has two French wines that I just love.

(1) Laurent Reverly 2010 Sancerre from the Loire Valley. It's 100% Sauvignon Blanc and it's superb. Lots of citrus but not as grapefruity as the New Zealand versions. Personally, and this is just my humble opinion, but I think that Sancerre is the benchmark for Sauv Blancs. At $12.99 a bottle, this is a lot less costly than my wife and I were paying on our last visit to France in October (wow, over two months ago).

(2) G. Chevalier 2009 Sauternes. This incredible dessert wine is rich with guava and apricot. This 375ml bottle is $12.99 and worth every penny! As soon as it came into our store I bought a bottle to take home and taste. My wife and I finished the entire bottle before the night was over. That means it was very good. Again, it's very difficult to find a decent Sauternes for a mere $12.99. Yes, I said "mere."

This Sauterne is from the Bordeaux region so the grape blend, while unspecified, will consist of Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, and probably a little Muscadelle.

For those of you who like the Hillgate Zinfandel from Lake County, it has returned to TJ's. This 2010 vintage is not quite as good as the 2009 but still good enough at $6.99 a bottle for a case purchase...that means I like it.

Hope all of you have a great year in 2012 despite the Mayan Calendar!

Tom da Wine Guy

Whimsical Wine Gift Scenarios

2011-11-26T15:15:00.000-08:00

"Wine... the intellectual part of the meal." -Alexandre Dumas-

Each holiday season I offer a series of wine gift scenarios different persons in your life. So here goes for the coming 2011 Christmas and New Year holidays.

You need a great wine gift for your boss. Your performance review is coming up so you want to get a memorable and impressive bottle of wine. A wine that will remind your boss of YOUR generosity when he presents the review. You know that your boss prefers red wine so consider the highly rated Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars “Artemis” 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon at $49.99. Yes, it’s pricey, but you might consider “accidentally” leaving the receipt in the bottom of the TJ gift bag. It might assist with your next promotion. It’s a big, bold cab with tannins and black currant aromas and tastes.

You need a wine gift for your very frugal parents-in-law. Sure they’re frugal, but they grew up affected by stories of the Great Depression, which was even worse than our current economic situation, so cut them a little slack. You’re visiting the in-laws for a holiday dinner, which will be superb! You wrestle with purchasing an inexpensive wine that they will appreciate as a great value (but you won’t), or do you get the celebratory Veuve Clicquot Champagne for $42.99, which they will consider wasteful? Perhaps a compromise is in order. Go with the Toasted Head or Rodney Strong Chardonnay, each $10.99 and both are superb. The Toasted Head is a bit buttery, while the Rodney Strong is a tad crisper.

You need a wine gift for your best girl friend! She loves white wine and she loves to help you with your problematic boyfriends and you do the same for her. What a friend! She deserves and will get something special. She’s going to receive the Moet & Chandon Champagne at $32.99 a bottle. Your best girl friend will share this wine with you, of course, while the two of you gleefully reflect events of the past year and discuss plans for a wild New Year’s celebration! This Champagne offers a crisp, dry yeasty flavor.

You need a wine gift for your best “Man-cave Buddy!” But you’re worried because you’ve always given him a case of beer for the holidays but he’s been venturing out with some simple wines and you want him to experience something better. You’ve purchased a bottle of Wild Horse Merlot for $11.99 a bottle. He comes to your Man-cave and you offer the gift. “Wow, dude, that’s the smallest case of beer I’ve ever seen, but I love the wrapping,” he says. “Yeah, it’s the Sunday funnies; I wanted some color,” you explain. He rips through Dennis the Menace and Doonesbury. He stares at the bottle...”You shouldn’t have, dude.” “I’m glad you like it,” you reply. “No dude, I meant you shouldn’t have....just kidding! Thanks, dude, you’re the best! Let’s pop this cork and put the game on. This should go great with the chips, salsa, and nachos. Ah, life is good, dude!” Your best dude is easy to please, so no worries.

You need a wine gift for the host and hostess who have invited you to their holiday dinner. You go to TJ’s and see Tom da Wine Guy for assistance. My first question, of course, is what entree is being served? You don’t know, but being clever, we narrow it down to either turkey, prime rib, ham, pasta with red sauce, or seafood. Given the potentials, a sparkling wine would work but I suggest a Pinot Noir, specifically the La Crema at $18.99 a bottle. It’s a favorite Pinot and will work with any of the above entrees. It’s a fruit-forward Pinot with lots of raspberry and light tannins and has personality plus!

One word of advice when providing hosts with a bottle of wine; you don’t need to know the entree. In fact, the hosts probably have planned a wine pairing unless they’ve specifically asked you to bring the wine. Any bottle of wine you bring is your thank-you gift and if they choose to serve it with the meal, that’s their prerogative, but your wine will be appreciated regardless of the meal. So don’t sweat it. Just enjoy the meal and the visit with friends.

You need a wine gift for a special service provider. Maybe it’s your hair dresser, or your manicurist, your plumber, or your personal trainer. It’s a business relationship with someone you respect and whose service you appreciate, but they’re not your best friend. I would suggest almost any wine in the $8.00 to $12.00 range. You can select very nice red or white wines in this range; too many to mention, but ask someone in our wine section for specific recommendations. Also, look for “Tom’s Choices” or “Eli’s Picks.” We’re here to help.

Lastly, you need a wine gift for the office party. You drew the name of a co-worker that you’re not particularly fond, so what to do? Do you insult him with a bottle of famously inexpensive wine or do you try to mend fences with a nice wine that you know will be appreciated? You need to weigh your experience with the co-worker and determine if a “peace offering” will work or will he just see you as weak? I think that I might play it safe and just go with the insultingly inexpensive wine. Just kidding!!! After all, tis the holiday season. Walk the high ground, get a nice gift in the same range as for the “special service provider.” You’ll be the better person for it and you can revel in knowing that you did the right thing; the next step is his, or hers.

“So life's year begins and closes; Days though shortening still can shine;
What though youth gave love and roses;
Age still leaves us friends and wine." -Thomas Moore-

Hot New Wines at Trader Joe's!!!

2011-10-19T15:50:00.000-07:00

Hello Readers. There are two new wines at Trader Joe's that I am highly recommending.

(1) Trader Joe's 2009 Reserve Carignane (Kare-in-yawn) for only $9.99 a bottle. My wife and I tried this wine a few nights ago and we both had an OMG eye-popping first sip experience. The entire bottle was consumed with our meal. Lots of pepper, blackberry, and raspberry. As you probably know, Carignane is generally used as a blending grape in the Southern Rhone Valley of France. This domestic version was bottled in Paso Robles by Castoro Cellars. Yup, only $9.99 a bottle.

(2) Cotes De Provence 2010 Rose' bottled by Quinson & Fils. This Rose' is bone-dry with a tinge of watermelon, spice, and some minerality. But only $4.99 a bottle! That's almost highway robbery at that price.

Get thee to your nearest Trader Joe's and stock up on these two wines.

I'd upload photos but I'm having trouble with the server. Sorry.

How does Trader Joe's Do IT???

2011-10-12T15:05:00.000-07:00

Greetings readers. Just back from a trip to Europe which included Alsace region in France, then to Prague in the Czech Republic; next to Dubrovnik, Croatia, and then back to Lyon, France before heading to Paris.

My question above has to do with TJ's pricing of wines. In Lyon, we went to a market looking for an inexpensive bottle of red wine. Much to my surprise and delight, they had a shelf of Vidal-Fluery Cotes Du Rhone which we sell at Trader Joe's for $6.99 a bottle. Unfortunately, the price in the French store was 6.90 Euros which translated to $9.32!

How does TJ's do it? I mean they sell it here in the USA for $2.32 LESS a bottle! Kudos to the TJ wine guys for bringing well-priced wines to all of us TJ shoppers...and they have it shipped a long way to get to the stores. Sheesh, amazing.

Here they are for 33% more in Lyon France.

On another subject, I was disappointed in the Alsace white wines but it's a personal thing in that I drink very few sweet wines. We did find some dryer Rieslings and Gewürztraminers which were quite nice but generally speaking, I couldn't live in a region that doesn't have some heftier reds. Just my preference.

"Tom da Wine Guy"

MORE Hot Trader Joe Wine Tips!

2011-09-03T19:27:00.000-07:00

Two new wines from Green Barn Winery. The first is the Red Field Blend with a mix of approximately 51% Zinfandel, 39% Syrah, 6% Grenache, and 4% Petit Sirah. The Zin is not very jammy so this wine is on the dry side but not difficult to drink but it stands up nicely to beef, burgers, or pizza. And a mere $6.99 a bottle. Yes, I said "mere."

The Green Barn Chardonnay is very nice with 12% Sauvignon Bland blended into the product. Additionally, 93% is fermented in stainless steel while 7% is oaked. The result is a fairly soft, yet crisp Chardonnay. I've had a couple of bottles, both with just cheese and crackers (from TJ's of course) but also with a fine shrimp entree. Again, only $6.99 a bottle, yes, I said "only."

Tom da Wine Guy

Toad Hollow Winery

2011-08-19T14:57:00.000-07:00

I've been meaning to write about Toad Hollow Winery since our visit in early June. What a pleasant surprise their tasting room was! We were first greeted by Debbie Rickards who was as friendly and adorable as could be. We were later joined by Jim Costa, Tasting Room Manager. Debbie and Jim as a duet were quite amusing and entertaining.

We learned that the winery had been established by Todd Williams who partnered with Rodney Strong (yes, THE Rodney Strong) to produce quality wines at affordable prices. I'm happy to say that they were successful.

Unbeknownst to me was that Rodney Strong was a professional dancer and choreographer in Paris and on Broadway before moving to Sonoma and starting his wine prowess. Mr. Williams was a restauranteur for many years before "retiring" and starting the wine company with his wife Frankie.

We tasted some mighty fine wine including an unoaked Chardonnay, a Pinot Noir dry Rose', a Russian River Pinot Noir, and their Proprietary red wine "Erik's the Red," principally Petite Sirah, Zinfandel, and Syrah. We bought quite a few bottles of Toad Hollow wines because they are affordable.

They also have the best wine bottle labels in the world, at least the cutest, and all with a Toad theme, even a high-stepping dancing toad. All the labels are the work of Maureen, their long-time designer.

The tasting room is located a 409A Healdsburg Ave, in Healdsburg, CA 95448. Check out their website, it's very clever. Be sure and visit if you're in the area; you won't be disappointed!

Tom da Wine Guy

Two Buck Chuck or..........$25-Buck Chuck (read on for explanation)

2011-08-13T21:47:00.000-07:00

At our Trader Joe's we try to schedule a wine tasting for the Crew once a week as part of the "Product Knowledge" program. The wines being tasted are paired with other TJ foods , snacks, and cheeses to enhance the overall presentation.

A few weeks ago, we tried all the Charles Shaw wines (in two different tests on two different weeks) in a blind tasting against other labels of the same varietals. First we did the whites, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, and Chardonnay against wines that were a few dollars more per bottle. In the following week, we tasted the reds, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Shiraz against the same varietals, again, at just a few dollars more.

The bottles were in brown bags and the tasting was blind. To my "Wine Snob" surprise, the Shaw wines held their own, although more than half picked the more expensive wines. But I was surprised at how well the Two-Buck Chucks did! Being a "wine snob," I can't ever be seen walking out of TJ's with a bottle of Shaw, but I now have a better understanding of why people buy the Shaw label. Not bad, indeed...

Now to the $25-Buck Check reference. Sometime ago, a woman came through the wine section and told me that she had just returned from a business trip from Beijing, China. On their last night, she and her colleagues went to the liquor shop in their 4-star hotel looking for some wine. They found Charles Shaw wines for $25.00 a bottle! The Shaw's were more expensive than some of the French wines in the shop. Go figure. They bought a couple of bottles of Shaw at $25 a bottle.

The next time you pour anyone a glass of Charles Shaw, make it clear that they're drinking a bottle of $25 wine! Guess it's just a matter of location. Location, location, location. Sounds like real estate.

"Tom da Wine Guy"

A Wine NOT to Buy!!!

2011-08-06T13:39:00.000-07:00

Usually, this blog recommends wines to buy but this post is about a wine at Trader Joe's NOT to buy.

I bought a bottle of a Benefactor Shiraz from Southeastern Australia for $4.99. Took one sip then another to make sure that I tasted a wine that bad. Then I dumped it down the drain. Benefactor also has a Cabernet and a Chardonnay in the store. A co-worker tried the Cab and she had the same experience. She dumped it down the sink also.

Normally, I wouldn't post about a wine that I didn't like but a couple of months ago, TJ's had a Benefactor red blend from Paso Robles that was AWESOME so when I saw the new arrivals, my heart beat increased with excitement. I had hoped for another awesome wine at a great price, but that was not the case. So, if any of you readers purchased the first Benefactor you too probably would have bought some of this new batch of Benefactor wines. But don't.

Thank you, Bo, for your comment correcting my statement about Goldeneye Winery being located in the Alexander Valley when in fact, it's in the Anderson Valley. I knew that...

Tom da Wine Guy

Hot Trader Joe wine tip

2011-07-06T10:59:00.000-07:00

Greetings readers. Go to your nearest TJ and grab a few bottles of Hillgate 2009 Zinfandel from Lake County. This wine is a mere, yes, I said "mere," $6.99 a bottle. I grabbed six more bottles yesterday cuz it's really good and becasuse it's a "hustle buy," it won't be around for long.

It's a hefty Zin. Fruit-forward but not overly jammy. Soft tannins and lots of spice, most notably, pepper.

Hurry! Don't miss out, get thee to your Trader Joe's for this terrific bargain.

Tom da Wine Guy

What is a Meritage?

2011-06-29T16:45:00.000-07:00

Lately, at Trader Joe's, we've had several Meritage blends to offer. As a result, I've had more questions asking what a Meritage is. In my monthly wine newsletter for our store, the feature article was "What is a Meritage." That writing follows for you reading pleasure.

Once upon a time, many years ago, in a land far, far away, the term “Meritage” was born. Wait, it was in California, so not so far away, and it happened in 1988, not that long ago, but before many of this store’s Crew Members were born (they’re so cute and young, aren’t they).

A group of California vintners, who were dedicated to producing wines made in the Bordeaux tradition of blending specific grape varietals, created the the term Meritage from the words merit and heritage. In fact, the correct pronunciation of “Meritage” rhymes with “heritage.” Although Bordeaux wines and hence, Meritage wines can be blends of either red or white varietals, today we’re talking about the red Meritage wines.

The guidelines state that at least two of the five traditional Bordeaux grapes must be blended (all five can be blended, if desired). The five are: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and Petit Verdot. No one grape can exceed 90% of the finished blend. Other than that, there are no rules.

As in Bordeaux, the percentage of any given grape in a Meritage blend can vary vintage to vintage, depending on the crops that year. And also as in Bordeaux, a Meritage wine emphasizes the region or appellation where the wine originates. This is in contrast to naming a wine by its grape variety such as a Syrah, Zinfandel, or Cabernet. So you’ll often see it called a “Napa Meritage,” or a “Central Coast Meritage.”

Each winemaker has many options when structuring his Meritage as each grape brings a unique quality to the final product. Cabernet Sauvignon, for example is full of black fruit, particularly black currant, and has high acidity and tannin levels. Merlot is more subtle and softer and offers more red-fruit character, such as cherry. Cabernet Franc can be spicy and often adds floral notes. Malbec adds rich color and red fruit, and Petit Verdot can also add rich color with firm tannins and some spiciness.

If you go to my blog, you’ll read of a blending class that we took at Conn Creek Winery in Napa. I created my own Meritage using Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cab Franc, and Malbec. I did not include the Petit Verdot in my final blend as it had lost its typical varietal characteristics while in the barrel. But what a fun experience! Oh, and that Meritage won a prestigious blind wine-tasting up in the San Francisco area, but that’s another story. I must remain humble.

Tom da Wine Guy

Weekly Wine Tasting at Trader Joe's

2011-06-22T19:17:00.000-07:00

Most Wednesday's at TJ's Ventura, we do a wine tasting to inform the Crew. We have a fun experience and revel in "product knowledge." The tasting notes I wrote are below, but today's tasting featured five French wines. The surprise to me was that the favorite wine of about 17 of the 20 participants was the Muscadet from the Loire Valley. It's from the Sevre et Maine region, which it turns out, is the premier Muscadet region in all of France.

So, check it out at your TJ's outlet. $6.99 a bottle. Also, check out the green tag on the top of the label. That means the wine was intended for consumption in France. The green sticker means the producer paid tax to sell it in France. If it's intended for export, the tax is not paid. So in summary, you can get a fine wine from France that was not intended for your consumption.

Look for Chateau Des Cleons 2009 Muscadet Sevre et Maine for $6.99 a bottle and drink what the French were supposed to drink. I would suggest having it with seafood because that's what the French pair this wine with.

As a side note, all five of the French white wines were admired greatly. Our Crew was pleasantly surprised and delighted with the tasting and "product knowledge." And it gets the work day off to a pleasant start. Besides, we had cheese, bread, and different fruits to accompany the wines. It was a delicious repast.

Here are the tasting notes....

Chateau Des Cleons 2010 Muscadet: Muscadet is made from the Melon Bourgogne grape and comes from the most western part of the Loire Valley. Most Muscadet is made “Sur Lie” or “on the lees” (spent yeast cells), meaning the wine was left in contact with the yeast lees for several months before bottling. This adds extra flavor and a refreshing spritz. Muscadet is a fabulous wine to pair with seafood. Muscadet is rarely in oak, mostly stainless. Alcohol=12%. $6.99 a bottle.

Chablis: This 2009 white wine is 100% Chardonnay and is fermented in stainless steel. Chablis is the northernmost region of Burgundy where the weather is harsh, wet, and cold, and the soil is clay and limestone. Makes for an often very acidic wine. Alcohol=12.5%. $7.99 a bottle.

Le Ferme Julien 2010 White Blend: A blend of Bourboulenc, Grenache Blanc, Ugni Blanc, and Roussanne from the Rhone Valley. Bourboulenc adds acidity, Grenache Blanc is the workhorse for the white southern Rhone wines and adds high alcohol and low acidity, Ugni Blanc, a neutral grape, is used as filler for inexpensive southern blends, and Roussanne, an aromatic, elegant white from the northern Rhone. Alcohol=13%. $4.99 a bottle.

Mouton Cadet 2009 Bordeaux: From the western side of Bordeaux. A blend of 65% Sauvignon Blanc, 30% Semillon,, and 5% Muscadelle. Sav Blanc adds crisp austerity, Semillon is dry and clean, and Muscadelle adds a light floral character. Alcohol=12.5%. $7.99 a bottle.

Pouilly Fume: This wine from the eastern Loire Valley is 100% Sauvignon Blanc. Fermented in stainless steel and is generally crisp, clean, and acidic. Another great wine to pair with seafood. Alcohol=12.5%. $10.99 a bottle.

Get to Trader Joe's and find any or all of these very nicely priced, yet, superb wines.

Tom da Wine Guy

Goldeneye Winery in the Alexander Valley

2011-06-10T15:31:00.000-07:00

"WINE: Helping ugly people have sex since 3000 B.C." -Unknown-

As regular readers of this blog know, I am a BIG fan of Duckhorn and Paraduxx Wineries. Me and my usual drinking buddies (all family members on this trip) have wanted to visit the third winery in this group of Duckhorn wineries for some time. As you may recall, Duckhorn focuses on premium Bordeaux varietals while Paraduxx specializes in blended wines with special attention to Zinfandel. Goldeneye produces premium Pinot Noirs.

Our friend Angela at Paraduxx introduced us to Jennifer who the next day would be in attendance at Goldeneye. So, early the next morning, off we headed for Goldeneye in the Alexander Valley of Mendocino County. The drive was about 1-1/2 hours from our Sonoma hotel and it was a beautiful drive through tree lined curving roads and fields of wild flowers in abundance. The roads snaked back and forth through the hills. It would have been a great ride in a sports car like my cool and pretentious Honda Z2000 but this day we were in bother-in-law Glenn's more prosaic Camry Toyota. The good news, of course, is that his Camry holds not only more people, but more cases of wine (and even his trunk size was tested).

Upon arrival at Goldeneye, we're greeted by Jennifer who turns us over to Hospitality hostess, Emily Hillman. Emily was terrific, warm, friendly, engaging, and knew her wines.

I will start by saying that all the wines we tasted were of the highest quality. The following wines were tasted and made our knees buckle. I almost had to call 911.

1) Anderson Valley 2010 Vin Gris of Pinot Noir. A delightful Rose'.
2) Anderson Valley 2007 Pinot Noir. 100% Pinot Noir blended from 10 different vineyards.
3) Anderson Valley 2007 Pinot Noir, single vineyard, 100% Pinot from Confluence Vineyard.
4) Anderson Valley 2007 Pinot Noir, single vineyard, 100% Pinot from The Narrows Vineyard.
5) Anderson Valley 2007 Pinot Noir, single vineyard, 100% Pinot Noir Gowan Creek Vineyard.
6) Anderson Valley 2005 Pinot Noir, 100% Pinot Noir blended from 12 Vineyards.
7) Anderson Valley 2010 Gewurztraminer. This was a surprise! Just off-dry. Really good.

We also tasted two wines from their Migrations series, a 2008 Pinot Noir and a 2009 Chardonnay, both Anderson Valley wines.

All of their Pinot Noirs are aged in 100% French Oak for 16 months.

I've purposely kept this short and pithy otherwise I could have rambled for many paragraphs. Let me summarize by saying that the Goldeneye wines are as spectacular for their specialty (Pinot Noir) as the Duckhorn and Paraduxx Wineries.

All three wineries produce Premium wines that while not inexpensive, are nevertheless, worth every penny. So get thee to Napa and the Anderson Valley for some really fine wine tasting at the three Duckhorn Wineries.

Tom da Wine Guy

A Brief Trip to Napa and then on to Sonoma!

2011-06-07T17:03:00.000-07:00

"When I read about the evils of drinking alcohol, I gave up reading." -W.C. Fields

The goal of our intrepid threesome was Healdsburg in Sonoma County but first we stopped at Paraduxx Winery in Napa to visit our friend Angela, theTasting Room and Hospitality Manager. Paraduxx is one of our favorite wineries and we always stop for a tasting. It establishes the benchmark for fine wine and warmth of character and customer service. Paraduxx is hard to beat. I always tell my Trader Joe's wine clients to visit Paraduxx if they're going to Napa. Those that have visited have often become members of the winery. so be sure to visit on your next trip and tell Angela that you're a friend and reader of Tom da Wine Guy and she may just give you a hug in addition to her exemplary service.

We left for Sonoma, and specifically, Santa Rosa to visit a winery or two before they all closed. As fate would have it, we ended up at De Loach, and what a fine time we had, due in large part to Brad Bou, our host and wine pourer.

Brad was affable, knowledgeable, and entertaining. I'm not going into details of our wine tasting other than to say that De Loach focuses on Pinot Noir and that we enjoyed them immensely. Very fine wines! But our biggest surprise was their "mini barrel" wine presentation. This is very clever! They actually have boxed wines that are then placed inside a small barrel with a spout. This is the greatest invention for a party wine that I've ever seen! Too bad they didn't have this in the movie "Animal House." There is a 10 liter (13 bottles) or a 3 liter (4 bottles) that is then placed in these mini barrels. Wow, really fun and really fine wine in those boxes.

That was the end of the day. We retired to our hotel, went out to dinner and planned our next day's wine visits.

Tomorrow, Alexander Valley and Goldeneye Winery. Yes, yes, yes!

Tom da Wine Guy

Couple of Hot Wines to Try

2011-05-23T10:13:00.000-07:00

Trader Joe's had two new wines that I'm very pleased with, actually, one is thrilling!

First, try the D 2009 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir. Yes, the label is a large black "D" on a white label. This Pinot has an alcohol level of 15.18% but it's not hot in the mouth. It's very balanced and has several layers of complexity. I'm getting a few more bottles of this one for my wine cooler. It's only, yes, I said "only" $14.99 a bottle. You'll savor every drop, every sip.

Secondly, Trader's has a new Meritage under its own label. It's one of the Grand Reserve series with the black label. It's a 2009 vintage from Napa. A blend of 71% Cabernet, 20% Merlot, 4% Cab Franc, 3% Malbec, and 2% Petit Verdot. The Meritage is a little dryer than the Lost Sonnet that is recommended in a previous blog but it's a hefty wine with good tannic structure and dark fruit once it opens up. $12.99 a bottle. Give it a try!

Tom da Wine Guy

SUPER Special Wine to Buy!!!

2011-05-04T19:06:00.000-07:00

Race to your nearest Trader Joe's and grab at LEAST one bottle of Lost Sonnet 2007 Meritage. It's $9.99 a bottle at TJ's but under its own label (which will remain anonymous) it's $65.00 a bottle!!! Yes, I said $65 a bottle that you can buy at TJ's for $9.99. That's a saving of $55 a bottle. So, if you buy a case, you'll save $660!!! Tell your wife or husband that you just saved $660 and reap the rewards!!! They'll be so proud of you. But HURRY, this stuff doesn't last long. Run, run, run!

Tom da Wine Guy

Back to Santa Ynez for Wine Tasting

2011-04-23T13:20:00.000-07:00

We travel to Napa and Paso Robles, somewhat regularly, but more and more, I enjoy the Santa Ynez area. First, it's only an hour's drive from Ventura and only two hours from Los Angeles. The area is really attractive, restaurants are very good, and the wineries seem to be improving. The Pinot Noirs, Chardonnays, and Grenache wines are particularly wonderful.

Thanks to our new friend at the Santa Ynez Inn, Hospitality Coordinator, Christina Papalexis, we were able to visit two wineries that required appointments. The first was entirely new to us and the second was a revisit.

(1) Tantara Winery specializes in Pinot Noir, Syrah, and Chardonnay. It was unusual fun because we were able to barrel taste about a dozen Pinots, mostly 2008 vintage. The grapes, sourced from different regions in the Valley, offered different tastes from soft and fruity to very complex with heavier overtones and light to medium tannins. But all were very, very good! All the Pinots were one week from bottling so our visit was timely.

The owner/winemaker, Jeff Fink was not at the winery during our visit, but we had a great time with Kevin Law, the Asst. Wine Maker. On average, the Winery produces about 6000 cases annually. I highly recommend this Winery and their wines on your next visit to the area, but call for an appointment.

Phone 805-938-5051. Address: 2900 Rancho Tepusquet Rd, Santa Maria, CA 93454.

(2) Demetria Estate. Again Christina made an appointment for us to revisit Demetria Estate. This family-owned winery is is quickly becoming a favorite of ours. It offers rustic elegance, yes, I said "rustic elegance." We brought a lunch and sat outside eating while tasting the wines that Alexis, one of the owners and the winemaker, brought us.

We tasted 12 different wines, all were excellent. Alexis' style is more Old World, with drier Chardonnay's (which I love) and earthy Syrah and Pinots, and a wonderful Viognier, on the drier side. We also enjoyed a refreshing Grenache Rose'.

I highly recommend this winery for a relaxing and enjoyable visit. The view from the garden where we ate lunch, was again, "rustic elegance." And Alexis knows his wines and offers as much information as you want with each wine that you taste.

Call the winery at 805-686-2345 to arrange an appointment. You'll be happy that you included a visit to Demetria on your itinerary.

Tom da Wine Guy

Hot Trader Joe's Wine Tip

2011-04-19T10:37:00.000-07:00

Greetings readers! I have a couple of wine tips for you.

(1) Just arrived in the store. Trader Joe's Grand Reserve Pinot Noir. Look for the black label. This wine is 78% Pinot Noir, 14% Syrah, and 8% Zinfandel. It's a big Pinot and the Syrah gives it some body and rich color. $12.99 a bottle. I really like this wine.

(2) This may be hard to find but look for it. Tribunal 2009 Red Wine. A blend that under its own label is $35 a bottle but only $9.99 at TJ's. Like I said, it may be difficult to find as we didn't receive too many cases.

Tom da Wine Guy

Hot Wine Tips from Trader Joe's!!!

2011-03-20T21:38:00.000-07:00

Hello Blog Followers. It's been a while since I last blogged but not because of slothiness but because I've been waiting for a few new wines that I could rave about. But even at Tj's we sometimes go through a slow period where new wines are limited. We have received some in the past month but none of them were worth mentioning....at least to my discriminating followers. But...now on to a few wines that have excited me, or at least captured my attention for one reason or another.

(1) Bogle 2007 Phantom. This is a blend of 53% Petit Sirah, 44% Zinfandel, and 3% Mourvedre. This fierce apparition has a vivid essence of black pepper, dark fruit, and blackberries. It's full-bodied and ready to drink but age in the bottle will integrate the varietals even more. $15.99 at the Ventura store.

(2) Trader Joe's "Grand Reserve" Meritage at $12.99 a bottle. This Napa Meritage has all five of the Bordeaux varietals with Cabernet Sauvignon being the predominant varietal. Lots of dark fruit and very tasty and a great value at this price.

(3) Lazy Bones 2009 Cabernet Franc at $6.99 a bottle. At first, I was skeptical because of the very cute label which usually is a marketing coverup for an inferior wine. There's a picture of a nude female lounging with her derriere in the air. Butt...much to my surprise, this Cab Franc was a pleasant surprise! It's a very decent surprise, especially at $6.99 a bottle! So, if you're into booty wines, this one is for you. I guess that I am into booty wines cuz I like it at this price....the wine, not booty.

(4) Trader Joe's "Grower's Reserve" Sauvignon Blanc at $4.99 a bottle. This Sauv Blanc is very tasty with aromas and tastes of citrus and light pineapple (that's my palette talking trying to impress you with my sensitive taste buds). Had this wine with dinner tonight for the first time on the recommendation of another TJ's Crew Member and it was a VERY pleasant surprise. Especially at $4.99 a bottle!

Talk to you soon....

Tom da Wine Guy

Santa Ynez Wine Trip, Day #2

2011-02-15T14:58:00.000-08:00

“An alcoholic is someone you don’t like that drinks as much as you do.”

WHAT A SURPRISE!!! Day #2 was not what I had planned for our group of six. The Hospitality Coordinatior at the Santa Ynez Inn, Christina Papalexis, knows many of the small boutique wineries and suggested a different itinerary for our day of pleasure. Our agenda consisted of four wineries/tasting rooms that we had never visited. The first...

Foxen Canyon Winery. Okay, we’ve been to Foxen many times but not the NEW tasting room at 7200 Foxen Canyon Rd., Santa Maria. Many of you have seen or visited the roadside shack depicted in the movie “Sideways.” It’s an institution with its Porta-Potties and weather-regaled interior, located at 7600 Foxen Canyon Rd.

The new tasting room has real bathrooms!!! And it’s comfortable and very attractive. Best of all are the tasting room staff. We were greeted by the newlywed, Michelle, who was warm, friendly, knowledgeable, and inviting. We were later joined by old acquaintances Bobby and Sally. The three of them were awesome and made us all feel right at home.

As always, the wines we tasted were incredible. Personally, I love almost every Foxen wine I’ve ever tasted. And as usual, we spent much more money on wine than we had planned, but it’s money well spent. My two favorites were the Block 8 2008 Pinot Noir and the Tenaquaic Vineyard 2008 Syrah. I’ll give them a year before consuming...maybe. You can contact the tasting room at 805-937-4251

Next we visited Demetria Estate, 6701 Foxen Canyon Rd., Los Olivos. What a wonderful surprise this winery turned out to be! It’s a boutique winery established n 2005 and is now owned and operated by Alexis Zahoudanis. Alexis was a fabulous host, laid-back, took his time, let us sip and enjoy the wines along with the view from the patio where we sat in repose. The view down the hillside was bucolic, scenic and relaxing.

And the wines weren’t bad. In fact, they were wonderful. The winery specializes in Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, the classic Burgundian wines but also Rhone-styled wines, both Red and White. There’s a broad palette from which to select and which our group accomplished with alacrity. I purchased a bottle of the Chablis-style 2007 Chardonnay from the Santa Rita Hill area and a bottle of Cuvee Constantine, a 2007 red blend of Grenache, Mourvedre, and Syrah. Both are excellent!

We bid Alexis adieu, until our next visit which will be in short order, and headed for our third winery of the day, Harrison Clarke. A visit to this winery is by appointment only so call Roger and Hilarie at 805-686-0850 or email: wine@harrisonclarkewine.com.

Roger manages the vineyards and he was kind enough to take us on a walking tour of the vineyards before visiting Hilarie in the tasting room. Hilarie is the winemaker and Harrison Clarke specializes in Grenache and Syrah. Since those two grapes are amongst my favorites, it was not surprising that I totally enjoyed their wines. Hilarie even included a barrel tasting of their 2009 vintage which was young and rough but the potential was palpable. Hilarie continued with a vertical tasting of their Syrahs and one could experience the difference the aging made with each wine. It was both educational and fun!

Needless to say, we again spent more money than planned. My wife Jacquie and I purchased a 2005 Grenache, a 2008 Grenache, and a 2006 Syrah. They were all excellent and we had to have them.

Call Roger and Hilarie for an enjoyable wine experience. You won’t regret it!

Last but not least, we headed for Ken Browns tasting room for his Ken Brown Wines. As many of you know, Ken Brown is recognized as one of Santa Barbara County’s pioneering winemakers. He was among the first vintners to realize the great promise for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in this cool-climate appellation in the mid-1970’s. He was also the first winemaker to introduce the Syrah grape, as well as Pinot Gris and Pinot Blanc, to Santa Barbara County.

Ken was Zaca Mesa’s first winemaker and in 1984, he and his wife Deborah started Byron Vineyard in the Santa Maria Valley before selling it to the Mondavi family in 1990. Now he runs a small production winery for premium wines; Ken Brown Wines.

A visit is by appointment only so email Deborah at deb@kenbrownwines.com or call 805-448-3791.

Ken greeted us at his office/tasting room. He was all alone and did the pouring and explaining. I’ll admit that I was a little star-struck. I’ve known of his repute for years but had never met him before so it was an honor.

We tasted all the wines he was pouring and all were as you would expect. Superior wines through winemaking experience and great fruit. Ken was generous with his time and spent an entire hour talking wines while pouring and showing us on various maps, where the different vineyards were located. It was such an experience!

For the last time in this blog posting, I will say that our group spent more than budgeted. Jacquie and I purchased two bottles of Cargasacchi Vineyard 2008 Pinot Noir that is going to be awesome in another year. It’s near-awesome now.

So good readers, to summarize, four new wine locations to visit: Foxen Winery’s new tasting room, Demetria Estate, Harrison Clarke, and Ken Brown Wines. I urge you to visit these wineries. What’s especially interesting is that each has its own character, personality, and feel. It was a wonderful “wine blending experience.”

Oh, wait! I forgot something important. Directly across the street from Ken Brown’s is an incredible tapas restaurant called Avant Tapas and Wine. We ate lunch there the next day before leaving for home.

The Chef’s name is Brooke and she looks about 18 years old but don’t be fooled.

She went to UCLA then the Culinary Institute in Santa Barbara
Her working motto is “fat doesn’t contain flavor - spices and herbs do.” I’m paraphrasing, that’s not an exact quote. But the point is, she uses spices and herbs to develop her flavors.

Her food is remarkable, full of flavor, beautifully served and totally satisfying.

We had a Kobe Beef Slider Trio with Caramelized Onion, Gorgonzola, Cheddar, Fresh Mozzarella and Balsamic Reduction. Hot and juicy, excellent!

Shrimp Cocktail - cold shrimp with a homemade cocktail sauce. Our favorite, simply delicious.

Grilled chicken salad. With red grapes, candied walnuts, dried cranberries, green onions, mixed greens, gorgonzola, and a caramelized onion vinaigrette. Deelish!

Wood fired pizza with artichoke, sundried tomatoes, kalamata olives, basil, oil and feta. A remarkable range and depth of flavors. You got to visit this place. It’s an awesome gastronomic experience

Tom da Wine Guy

Hot Wine Tip for Valentine's Day Wine

2011-02-14T10:06:00.000-08:00

Rats, I should have posted this a few days ago in time for Valentine's Day, but hey, the wine I'm gonna rave about is great any day. So hustle over to Trader Joe's and grab a bottle of.......

Evenus Zinfandel Port!!! It's awesome! And only a mere $9.99 for a 375ml bottle. Yes, I said mere. Pair it with a small piece of very dark chocolate, a small piece of bleu cheese, and a couple of pieces of candied walnuts. You'll think you died and went to heaven.

I first experienced Zin Port about three years ago at the Zin Festival in Paso Robles. I stumbled upon Zin Alley Winery and ended up buying two 500ml bottles at $44 each. As you can imagine, I was ecstatic when TJ's started carrying the Evenus because $9.99 is a whole lot less than $44! Yes, a whole lot less.

By the way, thanks to all of you with your comments. I do read them all and appreciate hearing from you. I haven't been replying just because of lack of time but will try to do better.

Tom da Wine Guy

Santa Ynez Wine Trip, Day #1

2011-02-09T13:36:00.000-08:00

We drove from Ventura Thursday, February 3rd and checked into the Santa Ynez Inn. Wow, this place is great and a first time visit for us; a little pricey but a great experience. Big rooms, fancy bathroom with jacuzzi tubs. And a big fat breakfast each morning and wine and hors’d oeuvres each evening at 5:00 p.m. and desserts and coffee at 8:00 p.m. Easy to put on weight while staying there.

But time to do a little wine tasting and buy food at El Rancho Marketplace at 2886 Mission Drive, Solvang. Then on to Gainey Vineyard for a picnic. We share a bottle Gainey Sauvignon Blanc, which is citrusy and mild, perfect for our sandwiches and chips.

We pile in our cars and head for one of our favorite tasting rooms in Los Olivos. It’s Epiphany! I always love an epiphany, they’re so enlightening. The six of us enter and are greeted by Jonathan, who we’ve met several times before. We love they’re wines, some of our favorites in the Santa Ynez region.

Anyway, Jonathan is pouring and explaining the wines we’re tasting. We love them all, both white and red. But their red wines are all extraordinary thanks to their winemakers Eli Parker and Blair Fox. These two are really accomplished and both have been awarded “Winemaker of the Year.”

The visit really comes to life when the ladies in our group, all retired teachers from the Beverly Hills district recall some of their stories. I won’t bore you readers except for the going to the Academy Awards ceremony with Angelina Jolie when she was a student and then at one of the Oscar parties, where Oprah Winfrey joined them at their table. There were many other stories but enough. Jonathan was beside himself and couldn’t wait to regale his wife with the stories.

We add to our wine collections with several bottles of Epiphany wines and head for our last stop of the day at Roblar Winery. Roblar is a conundrum; beautiful buildings and tasting rooms and excellent member benefits such as their “wine pick-up parties.” The staff is superb, friendly, warm, and knowledgeable.

Just one problem...their wines suck. Especially the reds and to make it worse, the wines are priced as if they were fabulous Napa Cabernets. But they’re not. How do they get off charging $50 for a mediocre Syrah? I do like their Sauvignon blanc but that’s about it. They also charge $14 for a tasting, much more than most tasting rooms in the area. Again, it’s a mystery to me.

They are searching for a new winemaker as I write this so I hope they have some good fortune with that. So what I’m saying, is don’t go to Roblar until they have their ducks in a row. There are too many other great places near by. Beckman Vineyard, for example, is a favorite and less than a mile away.

Back to the Santa Ynez Inn for complimentary wine and snacks before dinner at Brothers Restaurant at Mattei’s Tavern at 2350 Railway Ave · Los Olivos (805) 688-4820.

New Wines at Trader Joe's Worth the Price!

2011-01-26T13:41:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone. There are two new wines at Trader Joe's that are very good values.

(1) Benefactor. Check out the cool label. Reminds one of the Grateful Dead. This wine is blend of 50% Zinfandel, 40% Syrah, and 10% Carignane. The zin provides lots of fruit but it's not jammy. This one is a steal at $4.99 a bottle!

(2) Dynamic. Another blend of 53% Syrah, 43% Merlot, and 4% Cabernet Sauvignon. The Merlot and Cab provide tannins and dark fruit, but the Syrah dominates with pepper and spice. This wine is $8.99.

Hurry to your local TJ's and get these while you can. They won't last long, I'm afraid.

Tom da Wine Guy

Trader Joe's Hot Tips on Wine

2010-12-28T16:34:00.000-08:00

Two hot tips for you readers.

(1) The Napa Station 2007 Chardonnay. This is the winery's inaugural release and I think it's awesome. Fermented 68% in stainless and 32% in French oak. This is a Chardonnay that's not dripping in butter, rather, it's crisply acidic with tastes of green apple and white peach. And best of all is the price. The suggested retail for this wine is $18 but you can get it at TJ's for $4.99! Now that's a deal!

(2) A Red Table Wine, something of a mystery to me. The principal grape is Zinfandel but I can't identify other varietals, but I suspect Petite Sirah among others. Lots of chocolate aromas and taste. It reminded me of Menage a' Trois but less sweet on the finish. A mere $6.99 a bottle and quite tasty.

"Tom da Wine Guy"

Duckhorn Vineyards in Napa Valley

2010-12-21T13:53:00.000-08:00

"When I read about the evils of drinking, I gave up reading." -Henny Youngman-

Duckhorn Vineyards in Napa Valley, is quickly becoming a favorite place to visit. First, their wines are fabulous, the staff is exceptionally knowledgeable and friendly and it's just FUN to visit. Duckhorn is actually three wineries and locations. Duckhorn is the "mother ship" specializing in Bordeaux varietals, while their Paraduxx winery produces blends, and their Goldeneye winery produces some of the best Pinot Noirs I've ever tasted. Visiting each is a unique experience.

In September, my wife, brother-in-law, niece, and I took a wine and food pairing session, "Food for Thought" at Duckhorn that was informative and lots of fun. Our hostess and instructor extraordinaire, Meghan Shaw, was both enlightening and entertaining.

Meghan explained the five taste sensations: bitterness, sourness, sweetness, saltiness, and umami (as in who's you mammy). Personally, I was oblivious of umami which is Japanese for "savory" and describes more of a sensation than a strong taste like the other four.

She explained a few important tidbits such as salt mutes cabernet and makes them fruity while lemon mutes acid and sugar also wipes out cabernets. We had the opportunity to test those pointers, and Meghan was right. One must be careful with pairings.

For our pairing experience we were served: 2009 Napa Sauvignon Blanc with goat cheese, leek and Pancetta Tart; 2007 Goldeneye Pinot Noir with mushroom dumpling and miso broth; 2007 Napa Merlot with skewered lamb meatball and Tzatziki; 2007 Napa Cabernet with pepper-seared beef tenderloin on vichyssoise, and 2006 Estate Cabernet, Patzimaro Vineyard with Rosemary parmesan cheese straw. The wines and food were a fabulous experience!!!

We went back and forth trying the different wines with the different foods, but the original pairing was the best and showed how the different wines and foods worked together and enhanced the sensation.

Meghan then brought out a couple of wines not on the menu to try. One was a 2007 Cab Franc that was outstanding. We added that wine to our "buy" list, which was already extensive.

The Enhanced Tableside Tasting is $25 a person and is worth every penny for the five limited production wines and the excellent tastings. Call ahead for a reservation, 1-888-354-8885 or email concierge@duckhorn.com. You won't be sorry!

Near the end of our tasting experience while discussing learning a foreign language, Meghan said "After a few glasses of wine, I can speak pretty good Italian." That line gives you a sense of the fun we had with Meghan and all the Duckhorn people.

Give them a call! Or email! Or go on line for a reservation but if you're heading toward Napa Valley, visit Duckhorn and Paraduxx, both situated fairly close to one another. Unfortunately, Goldeneye is in the Anderson Valley, so not as close.

Be sure and send me your comments, dear readers.

Tom da Wine Guy

"I made wine out of raisins so I wouldn't have to wait for it to age." -Steven Wright-

Hot Tips on Trader Joe's Wines

2010-11-16T15:31:00.000-08:00

Greetings readers! I have three new wines at TJ's to alert you to.

(1) A 2009 Sancerre from France that is to die for! At $9.99 a bottle, it's less than I paid for Sancerre while visiting the Rhone Valley last month. This is a Sauvignon Blanc, of course, and has great citrus aromas and flavors.

(2) La Famiglia 2009 Pinot Grigio from the Monterey region. only $4.99 a bottle and this wine is loaded with aromas of pear. Love this wine!

(3) trader Joe's petit Reserve 2009 Napa Valley Rose'. Delightfully refreshing and at $5.99 a bottle, it's a such a steal that you might get busted for Grand Theft Wine. This wine is a blend of five grape varietals and works wonderfully.

That's all folks so hurry to TJ's and get your fair share before they disappear.

"Tom da Wine Guy"

Adventures in the Rhone Valley, France & a HOT TIP!!!

2010-11-03T13:00:00.000-07:00

"This is one of the disadvantages of wine: it makes a man mistake words for thought."
                                                                                                                  -Samuel Johnson-

Having just returned from a three week visit to France, of which two weeks were spent in the Rhone Valley conducting research for a planned wine tour, I feel compelled to describe some of the experience. Yes, I said compelled.

The Rhone Valley is quite long, from just below the center of France, near Lyon, down to the Mediterranean Sea. The Valley is divided into two separate regions, each with its own distinct wines. The Northern Rhone appellations permit the use of only one red grape...Syrah. The most notable region in the north is Hermitage. In the 18th and 19th centuries, Hermitage Syrah was France’s most expensive wine, more costly than the best Bordeaux.

The Hermitage appellation is actually a single 1,000 foot-high granite hill. There are only about 300 acres of vines, making the whole Hermitage smaller than some wine properties in California.

We tasted wines in Hermitage and loved the deep red, peppery spice of the Syrah. The wines that we tasted were of the 2007 vintage and we were told that these wines would age nicely over the next few years. We shall test that suggestion, laying down three bottles that we shall drink in a couple of years.

We headed south in our rental car and stopped at several areas in the southern Rhone, which is distinct from the north in terms of wine, grapes, and styles. The southern Rhone wines are all blends with Grenache being the predominant grape, followed by Syrah, and Mourvedre. They also use Cinsaut, and Counoise but to a lesser extent.

We visited several southern Rhone appellations including Gigondas, Vacqueyras, and of course, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, the most famous southern Rhone appellation. It’s also the most southern appellation, just 15 minutes away from the historic walled city of Avignon, where the Pope first relocated from the Vatican before later adding a summer palace and then the Chateau in Chateauneuf-du-Pape (new castle of the Pope).

The wines in Chateauneuf-du-Pape are heartier and more tannic than most of the other southern Rhone blends...also much more expensive. But all the southern blends were delicious and the Rhone blends have supplanted the Bordeaux wines as my French favorites, at least in the red wines.

We did carry three bottles from Chateauneuf-du-Pape home, also for storage and a couple of years aging as they are also from the 2007 vintage.

We really enjoyed the Rhone Valley and we learned a lot on this trip. Lyon is an exquisite city and the people were ultra-friendly, even forgiving my horrible attempts at speaking French. They also saved us every time we got lost...which was often. Lyon has a greater reputation for food than Paris, which was unknown to me before our visit, so what a treat that was!

To summarize...good wines, great food, perfect weather, delightful villages, and friendly French people to get you out of whatever jamb you find yourself. So what could be better?

Check the French wine section at TJ’s for Cote d’ Rhone wines. There are several. Also, HOT TIP...I’m told that TJ’s will be receiving this month, November, a Chateaneuf-du-Pape that will sell for $9.99!!! Sheesh, I shoulda waited and bought here, not in France.

      Tom da Wine Guy

"Compromises are for relationships, not wine." -Sir Robert Scott Caywood-

SUPER HOT WINE TIP

2010-10-26T17:33:00.000-07:00

Please note that this is a SUPER hot wine tip, not just the regular run-of-the-mill wine tip. Get to your local Trader Joe's and grab as many bottles of the Rendition 2009 Zinfandel at $8.99 a bottle that you can carry. This Alexander Valley wine blew me off the charts. My wife and I shared a bottle last night and it was an OMG experience. I returned today to TJ's and bought 18 more bottles (a case just didn't seem sufficient). I also told our wine order guy to get as many cases of this as possible cuz I'm gonna sell every bottle we can get. If he gets enough, we'll make more money than Microsoft in this next quarter.

Good luck! Now go and get your share before it's all gone. You know how it is a TJ's, they tease and then take away.

Tom da Wine Guy

"Excess on occasion is exhilarating. It prevents moderation from acquiring the deadening effect of a habit." -Somerset Maugham-

I'M BAAAACK!!! From France

2010-10-21T14:55:00.000-07:00

Figuratively and literally. I may have resolved the tech problems that I was having with this blog site. We'll see. Also, just back from the Rhone Valley in France which I will be writing about over the next few days. I also had a nice trip to Napa (again) and want to tell you about an interesting food/wine pairing experience that we had at Duckhorn Winery. I will compare that to one that we had in France.

Stay tuned.

New Blog Site!

2010-08-16T19:00:00.000-07:00

Greetings loyal readers! I now have a new blog site.

check out Tom da Wine Guy at:

Blogtext.org/TomdaWineguy I should start posting in a week or so and then try to do something on a regular basis, at least once a week.

Thanks for your support and encouragement.

Tom da Wine Guy

Greetings!!!

2010-08-10T13:51:00.000-07:00

Hello to all my followers and I'm sorry for not posting recently. I am having a problem with my blogger account and when I click on "new post" the screen goes completely blank. No one has been able to figure it out. I am typing this on my wife's computer. No problem here.

If I don't have this resolved in a few days, I will move to a new blog site but keep the Tom da Wine Guy title. Sorry for the inconvenience, mostly to me.

Hope to be back blogging soon.

Tom da Wine Guy

To Cork or Not to Cork, That is the Question

2010-06-19T15:32:00.000-07:00

"I made wine out of raisins so I wouldn't have to wait for it to age." -Steven Wright-

You may have noticed that more and more wine producers are using metal screw caps to seal their wine bottles and the reasons are all good for the consumer. The only real loss, in my opinion, is the romance associated with the sound of a cork erupting from the bottle. Of course, my Mother, the Queen of White Zinfandel, wouldn't understand the argument since none of her wine bottles have corks. But I have many wine customers at Trader Joe's wonder why corks are being replaced by screw tops.

Most wine bottles from New Zealand utilize metal screw caps and Australia is also going in that direction. Why the shift from cork to metal closures? TCA, or trichloroanisole, a compound formed when chlorine used for bleaching reacts with mold already growing in the cork. You've kprobably experienced the musty smell and the dull taste of "corked" wine. Unfortunately, humans are very sensitive to TCA and can detect it even in very weak solutions.

The problems with "corked" wine seems to be on the increase because cork manufacturers are having trouble finding sufficient quantities of high quality cork. Of course, many are now using synthetic cork, but many consumers find them difficult to remove from the bottle, myself included.

The screw caps mostly used are called Stelvin capsules and are made up of a screw cap, a long skirt, and a liner specifically designed for contact with wine and to avoid leakage. Stelvin seals have doubled in sales during the past few years, particularly in New Zealand and Australia, but also in the French wine areas of Bordeaux, Burgundy, and Alsace. Perhaps, when the French wineries begin bottling their premium wines with screw caps, we will know that they have achieved acceptance.

Dave Letterman's Top 10 Reasons for Using Metal Screw Caps (Dave didn't really do this list)

10. Saves cork trees.
  9. No more "corked" bottles of wine.
  8. You can store bottles standing up, rather than laying down.
  7. Easy to reseal.
  6. A resealed bottle of wine won't leak while on its side in the refrigerator.
  5. The screw cap won't break in half while opening the bottle.
  4. You only need an opposable thumb to open the bottle.
  3. Easier to sneak one more glass before bedtime. No one will hear the bottle open.
  2. My TJ's wine newsletter will be renamed, from "Uncorked" to "Unscrewed."

And the #1 reason for using a wine bottle with a screw cap rather than a cork....

Easier to sneak it into the movies and quietly open in the dark.

So, in summary, the next time you see a bottle with a screw cap, don't harken back to the era when only very inexpensive, inferior wines used screw caps to keep production costs down. Today, more and more quality wines are bottled with screw caps.

   Tom da "Wine Guy"

"There are two reasons for drinking wine: when you are thirsty, to cure it; when you are not thirsty, to prevent it. Prevention is better than cure. -Thomas Love Peacock-

Brunello: A Very Hot Tipe

2010-04-23T12:09:00.000-07:00

I normally try to keep hot wine tips at Trader Joes at about the $10 price point but I have one that must be shared. A 2003 Brunello Di Montalcino for $19.99. The label is Bonacchi and if you look for it on-line, you'll find that it retails for $80 a bottle!

It's an awesome wine with lots of red fruit and berries but with a little more body than your typical Sangiovese. This wine has some ooomph. Last year at TJ's we had two other Brunellos, each at over $50 a bottle, but this Bonacchi is better than either of those.

At our store, people are coming in and buying it by the case so you had better hurry before everyone else gets your fair share.

Good luck,

Tom da Wine Guy

More Hot Trader Joe Wine Tips

2010-04-12T10:13:00.000-07:00

Check out the Rabbit Ridge Rhone blend. It's a blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvedre and at $4.99 a bottle, it's the biggest heist you'll ever find!! It's soft tannins and medium bodied, fruit-forward palette, completely blow me away. It's one of the best $4.99 wines I've ever had.

The Canard Petit Sirah is a big, bold, and intense wine with heavy tannins and dark cherry and plum that is an awesome wine to pair with your big, juicy steaks. Again, at $9.99 a bottle, you won't believe what you're getting for the price.

Run, don't walk to your local TJ's for these two!

As always, Tom da Wine Guy.

Hot New Trader Joe's Wines!!

2010-03-26T19:35:00.000-07:00

I have a few hot wine tips for the millions of followers of this blog. A few new wines just came into TJ's.

1) Canard 2008 Petite Sirah. BIG, Bold, and Intense! Inky with great tannins and lots of dark fruit. Oh, and a hammerable 15.5% alcohol, so at $9.99 a bottle, it's an inexpensive good time. But hurry, these don't last long. BTW, from the Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma.

2) PETS (Vinum Cellars) 2007 Petite Sirah. Not quite as big as the Canard but this is a great value at $5.99. Again, it's dark, with medium tannins and wonderful fruit aromas and tastes. A real steal and a portion of the sales go to animal shelters. All you animal overs (that's me) go get your PETS and know that you're helping sheltered animals.

3) Sonoma Vineyards Chardonnay. This is an unoaked Chard so if you prefer an oaked, buttery Chardonnay, then this one is not for you but it's a great food wine. Crisp and clean with lots of apple flavors. At a mere $5.99 a bottle, it's a real deal...yes, I said "mere."

Good luck in your search for these wines at your local TJ's.

Tom da Wine Guy

Adventures in Napa, Part 4: Conn Creek Winery & Blending Session

2010-03-10T13:38:00.000-08:00

Today we end our Napa adventures. We’re taking another wine blending session, but different in format. Our experience at Paraduxx was formulaic and represented the Paraduxx blending style and varietals Zinfandel, Cabernet, and Merlot. Today we're at Conn Creek Winery on the Silverado Trail.

The set-up at Conn Creek is different. First, they use all five Bordeaux varietals in their flagship wine “Anthology.” They also produce single varietal Cabernet Sauvignons from different vineyards and viticulture regions and they also produce a Cabernet Franc.

When we arrived for our 10:30 a.m. appointment, we were greeted by Wine Educator Jessica, who escorted us to their AVA (American Viticulture Area) Room for our barrel and blending experience.

The AVA room is beautiful. Granite floor, beautiful wood tables and elegant sconces. Along the wall to our right, as we entered, were 15 barrels of 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, each from a different AVA in Napa. Along the wall to our left, were four barrels, one each of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and Petit Verdot.

On the table were three settings. Jessica explained that our first step was to become familiar with the different Cabernets and the other four varietals. The 15 barrels of Cabernet were divided into five groups of three Cabs each. The five descriptive signs for the groupings were “soft, supple, complex, rich, and bold.” The name of the vineyard, its microclimate, and a sample of the AVA’s soil is displayed.

We grabbed our wine glasses and began tasting, assigning a score, and making notes on each Cabernet. It should be added that we did not get hammered! When sipping that many wines, the smallest of portions is taken; just enough to get an initial sense of the aroma, taste, and feel. We then re-tasted those that were of further interest.

The Cabernets had been in barrel for almost one year and had transformed somewhat since being barreled. For example, one of the”soft” cabs, I scored as fairly “bold” with medium to heavy tannins.

Next, we turned to the four barrels on the opposite wall. Again, there were alterations from what I would consider typical varietal characteristics. The Petit Verdot was soft, smooth, and almost without tannins while the Merlot had medium tannins. I would have guessed the exact opposite.

Before we started our sampling, Jessica had provided several of the Conn Creek wines for tasting. I loved the Anthology blend and had decided to use it as a template for my own blend, but with changes. The sampled Anthology was comprised of 76% Cabernet, 10% Merlot, 8% Malbec, 4% Petit Verdot, and 2% Cab Franc.

First, we each had to decide how many of the Cabs to use; just one or a blend of two or more, and at what ratio? For my blend, I decided upon a Yountville Cab from the “soft” group, the one that had morphed into a heavier version. My second Cab was a Calistoga from the “Bold” group. I blended them equally and that blend represented 70% of my finished product (35% of each) per the 100 ml container we used for measuring the blend.

Then, because the Petit Verdot had softened too much for my palette, I decided to not include it and instead went with 10% each of the Merlot, Malbec, and Cab Franc. My 100 ml container was now full. I took my first taste and was excited by what I had created! It had all come together better than I had anticipated, and I actually preferred it to the Anthology (I won’t mention that to the winemaker, Mike McGrath).

Jessica tasted it and she agreed that it was brilliant (okay, my word not hers) but she was impressed with the final blend but it became apparent that she and I had very similar palettes and preferences for the heavier, bolder style of wine.

My companions finished their initial blends, made any adjustments they wanted and then we were ready to prepare enough for bottling (mine was the best, of course, I say modestly,but all were very good).

Using a conversion table provided by Jessica, we were able to convert the 100 ml formula into a 750 ml formula for bottling. Once we had our 750 mls, we used a funnel to bottle our blends and then put the bottle and a cork into a manual corking machine that forced the cork into the bottle. Then we each created a label for our bottles. Mine was named “Tom’s Choice,” my wife Jacquie named hers “IBA” (Inspired By Angels) and my brother-in-law, Glenn labeled his “Le Gem Blend.”

The cost for the two-hour session was $95 dollars each,but we learned a lot, had a fabulous time, played “winemaker for a day,” and each walked away with a bottle of wine. Jessica cautioned that because sulfites were not added, we should drink the wine within eight months or risk oxidation.

The blending sessions are offered twice daily at 10:30 a.m. and at 2:00 p.m., by reservation only. Any of you who visit Napa should visit Conn Creek, and while in the Tasting Room, look for Wine Educator, Marion Hoel. We met her on an earlier trip and she’s really fun and knows her wines. And she has a great smile.

As you can determine from the descriptions of the blendings at Paraduxx and Conn Creek, the two sessions are quite different, but both very worthwhile and educational. The Paraduxx session would probably be easier for those with limited tasting experience as sifting through 19 barrels of wine and deciding how to select a blend might be intimidating for the less experienced. But the people who work at Conn Creek are friendly and will assist and accommodate anyone at any level of experience.

For more information go to their website, wwwconncreek.com or call 1-800-793-7960.

So ends our Napa experience....sniff, sniff.

Tom da Wine Guy

Adventures in Napa, Part 3: Paraduxx and Duckhorn Wineries

2010-03-08T09:41:00.000-08:00

We arrived at Paraduxx Winery at 10:30 for a scheduled class in blending wines ($40 fee per participant). We were greeted by Jeffrey who first invited us outdoors to briefly tour the grounds. While touring, Jeffrey explained the type of soil in the adjacent vineyards and showed us the barrel and fermentation rooms. Everything was remarkably clean and sparkling.

Then back indoors to our “classroom.” In front of each of we three (remember the one-hit-wonder rock band, “we five?”) were five wine glasses. Into three of the glasses we each poured a Zinfandel barrel sample, a Cabernet Sauvignon barrel sample, and a Merlot barrel sample. We smelled and sipped each to get a sense of the varietals prior to blending the three. Although Paraduxx creates blends also using Cab Franc and Petite Verdot, the three we were blending are their signature varietals.

Using a 10 ml pipet (it resembles a long glass straw), we first blended 7 ml Zin with 3 ml Cab in an empty glass. In the other, we blended 6 ml Zin and 4 ml Cab. Then we tasted the two blends. The 7 Zin/3 Cab was fruiter while the 6 Zin/4 Cab blend benefited from the drier heavier Cab. Next, we added 1 ml of Merlot to the above blends. The addition of the Merlot, while only 9% of the overall blend (being 1/11 of the total), further mellowed the fruitiness of the overall blend, and it did seem more balanced, but it also demonstrated how small amounts of an additional varietal can change the end product.

Jeffrey asked us to taste the blended wines in two ways. First, taste and let the wine sit in our mouths for a full three seconds before swallowing. Then take another taste and let it roll around gently in our mouths for a full 10 seconds before swallowing. He explained that the 10 second taste offers a glimpse of the aging potential over ten years, with each second representing one year. We did notice that the wine did seem to peak at 6 or 7 or 8 seconds (depending on the wine)and then level off. I’m not sure I totally buy Jeffrey’s hypothesis, but it’s something that I’ll definitely try when tasting wines, at least for a while.

So, to summarize, our end formula was 55% Zinfandel, 36% Cabernet, and 9% Merlot, the Paraduxx signature blend.

Jeffrey offered to call ahead for a reservation for a tasting at Duckhorn Vineyards, the Big Brother to Paraduxx. Before leaving, we did stop to chat with Angela, whom we had met on a previous visit to Paraduxx. She’s delightful, and when you visit Paraduxx, be sure to ask for her as she will add to your visit and provide a really pleasant tasting experience.

Now, off to Duckhorn!!!

Upon arrival, we were greeted by Abigail, a Senior Educator at the winery, who was expecting us, thanks to Jeffrey’s call.

Abigail led us to a table where the three of us were seated and served cheese, almonds, and breadsticks to complement the forthcoming wines. Abigail explained that she was assisting us because we were experienced wine tasters but she added that Duckhorn has a range of educators to assist visitors with differing levels of experience and expertise. The staff is well trained because they get to work in many aspects of wine production. Abigail had assisted with the last harvest and she also assisted with punch-downs on fermenting grapes.

Rather than spend endless paragraphs on the wines, let it be said that all the Duckhorn wines were excellent. We tasted a Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernets and Merlots from different vineyards, and one excellent blend.

Visiting Duckhorn was a unique experience. The building that we were in is beautiful, the original artwork was attractive, and the ambience was extremely pleasant. The staff, especially Abigail, (with whom we did spend the most time) were friendly, attentive, and patient with our questions. You won’t be made to feel uncomfortable at Duckhorn and you will taste some wonderful wines.

I urge any of you planning a trip to the Napa Valley, to add Paraduxx and Duckhorn to your “must see” venues. In fact, we may be going back soon, as Abigail is going to be offering a new class focused on wine and food pairings.

Oh, one last item. We were telling Abigail about Jeffrey’s 10 second tasting hypothesis, and she just rolled her eyes. She confessed that she and Jeffrey have a friendly rivalry, with emphasis on “friendly.” She does not buy into his offered hypothesis.

Paraduxx and Duckhorn position their brands as “luxury” wines so while these wines are relatively high-priced, they are great values for what you get, especially when compared to some of the other wines in the Napa region.

Adventures in Napa, Part 2: Cliff Lede Vineyards

2010-03-02T15:49:00.000-08:00

As mentioned in the last post, Adventures in Napa, Part 1, it was recommended that we visit Cliff Lede’s (pronounced Lay-dee) tasting room. It’s an extraordinary place where the wines are awesomely wonderful and the staff is as friendly as any I’ve encountered in Napa.

I mentioned Tom in the last post but we also had another pourer, nicknamed Marmot (he’s not a furry little rodent, however) and his first name is John. First, all the pourers paid the utmost personal attention to each and every visitor; no one was short changed time-wise or with information. Secondly, the repartee between the staff was fun to watch and entertaining. Ah, and their supervisor, a very attractive woman, also joined in the fun and games. I mention this, because it was a Saturday, when the wineries in Napa can get crowded and the pourers don’t have or take the time to interact with their clientele, but at Cliff Lede’s it was very relaxed and the exchanges were delightful. Kudos to whomever is responsible for their training and the tasting room culture.

Before I get to the wines, it must also be mentioned that the winery is very supportive of the fine arts and there is a small gallery with some really incredible art. In the garden was a sculpture by Jim Dine and in the gallery were works by Frank Stella and Robert Indiana. Indiana is the artist that created the famous LOVE sculpture that once graced postage stamps. I’m sure that many of you remember that stamp. A smaller version of the LOVE sculpture was in the gallery, the other being on the streets of New York City.

Lede’s offers two different tastings, A sparkling wine and a still wine tasting, each at $20.00, so it’s not inexpensive, but they were worth every penny.

Tom did the pouring of the sparklers which included:

1999 S. Anderson Diva, with complex aromas of mandarin and green apple and a taste of citrus. $55.00 a bottle. 
2000 S. Anderson Diva, with aromas of apple, honey, and fig, and a taste of apple and nectarines. $55.00 a bottle. 
2001 S. Anderson Diva. This was my favorite of the three with aromas of lemon and tastes of lemon, honey, and apple. A blend of 2/3 Chardonnay, and 1/3 Pinot Noir. Also, $55.00 a bottle.

Next, Marmot (John) poured the still wines, three 2006 Cabernet Sauvignons:

2006 Claret, Stags Leap District, with 57% Cabernet, 36% Merlot, and 7% Cab Franc. Aromas of fig, cacao, and cassis and blackberry and cherry on the palette.  $40.00 a bottle. 
2006 Cabernet, St. Helena with 75% Cabernet, 13% Merlot, and 12% Cab Franc. Cherry and cacao on the nose and currants and orange in the mouth. $65.00 a bottle. 
2006 Cabernet, Stags Leap District. This wine scored 92 points from Robert Parker who called it “the best value in Napa.” Lots of spices and black currant aromas and dark cherry on the palette. $60.00 a bottle. Being a Parker “best value,” we bit and went happily home with two bottles of this Cabernet.

In short, I can’t say enough about the Cliff Lede Vineyard and our experience there. I urge any of you readers to be certain to visit when you get to Napa.

The next post will be Part 3 of our very eventful journey. Next, a blending class and an extraordinary tasting at Duckhorn Vineyards.

Tom da Wine Guy

Adventures in Napa, Part 1: Champagne Bubbles

2010-02-25T15:26:00.000-08:00

Just back from a wonderful trip to Napa which I will be sharing with you over three blogs. This first, Part 1, is the result of an interesting conversation that I had with "Tom" at Cliff Lede Winery's tasting room.

Tom was a real expert on Champagne and sparkling wines and was VERY interesting. We had one major disagreement, however, that I'd like to share with you and get some feedback from any interested readers.
As Tom was pouring our sparkling wines, I cleverly asked him if he knew that the average bottle of Champagne has 56 million bubbles. He pleasantly said "rubbish" or something to that effect. He said that there are approximately 11,000 bubbles per glass which equates to about 66,000 per bottle. He quoted his source as some unnamed scientific journal that had spelled it out.

I have always used the 56 million figure because Karen MacNeil's Wine Bible, of which I am an advocate, states clearly on page 173, the 56 million figure as determined by the "house of Bollinger, which has studied bubbles seriously."

Next, I perused the internet and found an article on a scientist, Bill Lembeck, who calculated the volume of CO2 in a 750 ml bottle of wine and then divided that by the volume of an average bubble, determined through use of an "optical comparator." Mr. Lembeck's estimate was 49 million bubbles per bottle, on average.

As you can see, 49 and 56 million are significantly greater than the 66,000 quoted by Tom.

Lastly, I checked in with The Count on Sesame Street on the number of bubbles. He pulled out a bottle of sparkling wine, popped the cork, and started counting. Vun leetle bubble, two leetle bubbles, three leetle bubbles.....he's going to get back to me on it....

I'd like to hear if anyone has other sources to either confirm or disprove the 49-56 million figure.

Thanks,

Tom da Wine Guy

Hot Trader Joe's Wine

2010-02-10T13:49:00.000-08:00

The 2008 Chariot Gypsy is back at Trader Joe's. This vintage is heftier and has more character that the 2007. The 2008 version is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, Zinfandel and Sangiovese. The grapes were sourced from four different counties; Napa, Sonoma, San Joachin, and Monterey.

At $4.99, this red table wine is a steal so hurry to your nearest TJ's cuz you know it won't be there for long. Not at this price!

Another comment....I just tried a 2nd bottle of this wine and I thought that it has a little too much jammy Zinfandel which leaves a sweet finish. This reminded me of Menage a' Trois, while a very popular wine, also is heavily Zinfandel oriented. This wine is still a great buy and tasty. If you like Menage a' Trois, you'll appreciate this wine at this price.

Tom da Wine Guy

The 100-Point Rating System Explained and Modified

2010-01-07T14:09:00.000-08:00

“I spent a lot of my money on wine, women, and fast cars. The rest I just squandered.” -George Best-

THE 100 POINT RATING SYSTEM: Have you ever read those ratings from Robert

Parker, Wine Spectator, or Wine Enthusiast, and wonder how the ratings are derived?

I have, so I looked into it. If you want to rate your wines, you can impress

your friends with your enology acumen. This will be especially meaningful to all

of you Bunko ladies at your parties. You now have another activity, namely,

the rating of the wines served that day. Not that we want to put added

pressure on the hostess...

The 100-point rating system, was made popular by Robert Parker in the early 1980ʼs,

and then adopted by Wine Spectator and Wine Enthusiast, amongst others. Hundred

points is a misnomer, however, as itʼs actually a 50 point system and then 50 points are

added to the initial score.

Parker gives points for the following: First Impression/Color (max 5 pts.), Aroma/

Bouquet (max 15 pts.), Flavor (max 10 pts.), Finish (max 10 pts.), and Aging Potential

(max 10 pts.). See, the maximum points add up to 50. An additional 50 points are then arbitrarily added to the score, hence, a 100 point rating system, something we all understand. Remember school where 70 was a “C,” 80 a “B,” etc? Heck, if you scored a 50 that would be an “F” so 50 added points makes it understandable and comfortable.

Letʼs modify his system to make it user-friendly to the non-professional. After all, how

many could rate “aroma/bouquet,” which to a wine expert, are different? And most of us

probably canʼt rate “age potential,” nor do we care how much the wine will improve in

the twenty minutes it takes us to get home and pop that cork, after a hard day at work.

Also, letʼs give more points to taste because thatʼs something we understand, although

the nose and palette work as a closely knit team.

*Letʼs do it like this: Color ( max 5 pts.) look for clarity and depth; Nose (max 10 pts.)

balance and complexity; Taste (max 15 pts.) does it have fruit, spice, etc; Length/Finish

(max 10 pts.) is it a long ﬁnish, is it pleasant; and Overall Impression (max 10 pts.). Total points = 50.

Now, letʼs try it out. I just opened a bottle of Il Tarocco Chianti from TJʼs that cost $8.99.

Hmm, nice deep red color with nothing marring the clarity; 5 points. The nose is

delightful with nice fruit aromas; 8 points. The taste is a little sharp and edgy but not

unexpected, and it ﬁlls the mouth. It will open up with a little breathing; 10 points. The

length of ﬁnish is very good for a Chianti at this price and is fruity; 7 points. My

overall impression is very high for this wine; 8 points. So, total points for this wine are:

5+8+10+7+8=38, plus 50 = 88 points in the 100 point system. A very decent score for a wine at this price.

Here's a scoring sheet that I've developed for my own use. Feel free to utilize it.

Wine Tasting Scoring Sheet

Date:______________________ Where/With Whom:_______________________

Wine:_______________________________________Vintage:_______________

Price:______________________________

Where Purchased:___________________________________________________ 

COLOR (5 pts):________________________________________________________

NOSE (10 pts):________________________________________________________

TASTE (15 pts):________________________________________________________

LENGTH/FINISH (10 pts):________________________________________________

OVERALL IMPRESSION (10 pts):__________________________________________

Total Points:___________________ plus 50 points=_____________________

Some scoring hints:

Color: Look for clarity, depth, cloudiness. Is it the expected color for the varietal?

Nose: Balance, are there several aromas, perhaps different fruits, for example?

Taste: Is it balanced? Took much alcohol, (which makes the wine taste “hot”)? Spices,

fruit-forward? Is it more pronounced in the front, back, sides, or all over the mouth?

Length/finish: How long is the aftertaste and is it pleasant? Are there layers?

Overall Impression: Your general impression of the wine. Did it knock your socks off?

75-80=good, 80-90=above average, 90-95=excellent, 95-100= classic.

Reminds me of my safari in Africa. Somebody forgot the corkscrew and for several days we had to live on nothing but food and water.  - W.C. Fields-

Wine Recommendations at Trader Joe's

2010-01-02T10:21:00.000-08:00

Greetings readers,

I have two hot wine tips for you to pursue. First, the Trader Joe's Reserve Petit Verdot at $9.99 a bottle. You can't find a Petit Verdot for less than $30.00 a bottle because of the small acreage devoted to this grape. In fact, Ancient Peaks, the winery that bottld this for TJ's, sells it under their own label for $35.00 a bottle.

This wine is a "black hole, and sucks all the light around it into the bottle." Heavy as a broken heart and very tannic. I decant it two hours before drinking to let it breath and soften and then I usually still pour it through an aerator. Look for this wine soon, as the last time we had it, it was gone in a very few days.

Second, go for the Cellier Du Rhone Chateauneuf Du Pape, also at $9.99 a bottle. This wine was being sold at TJ's last week for $19.99 a bottle but has been marked down. A blend of Syrah, Grenache, and Mourvedre. A steal at this price.

Good luck with your search for these two wines.

Tom da Wine Guy

Perfect Wine Gift Scenarios

2009-12-05T14:28:00.000-08:00

“Men are like a fine wine. They all start out like grapes, and it’s our job to stomp on them and keep them in the dark until they mature into something you’d like to have dinner with.” (Sorry guys...)
-Kathleen Mifsud-

The Perfect Gift Wine Scenarios:

You need a great wine gift for your boss. Your performance review is coming up so you want to get a memorable and impressive bottle of wine. A wine that will remind your boss of YOUR generosity when he presents the review. You know that your boss prefers red wine so consider the Simi 2004 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon at $49.99. Yes, it’s pricey, but you might consider “accidently” leaving the receipt in the bottom of the TJ gift bag. It might assist with your next promotion. It’s a big, bold cab with tannins and black currant tastes.

You need a wine gift for your very frugal (cheap) parents-in-law. Sure they’re frugal, but they grew up affected by the Great Depression, which was even worse than our current economic situation, so cut them a little slack. You’re visiting the in-laws for a holiday dinner, which will be superb! You wrestle with purchasing an inexpensive wine that they will appreciate as a great value (but you won’t), or do you get the Mer Soleil Chardonnay ($36.99), which they will consider wasteful? Perhaps a compromise is in order. Go with the Wild Horse or J. Lohr Chardonnay, both are just over $10.00 and both are superb. The Wild Horse is a bit more buttery, while the J. Lohr is a bit crisper.

You need a wine gift for your best friend! She loves white wine and she loves to help you through your many problems with boyfriends, and you do the same for her. What a friend! She deserves and will get something special in the white wine category. She’s going to get the Mer Soleil Chardonnay (the one passed on by the son-in-law) at $36.99 a bottle. You’ll share this wine with your best friend and talk of shared moments during the past year and discuss plans for a wild New Year’s celebration. This oaked chardonnay has lots of soft butter and green apple.

You need a wine gift for the host and hostess who have invited you to their holiday dinner. You go to TJ’s and see Tom da Wine Guy for assistance. My first question, of course, is what entree is being served? You don’t know, but being clever, we narrow it down to either turkey, prime rib, ham, pasta with red sauce, or seafood. Given the potentials, a sparkling wine would work but I suggest a Pinot Noir, specifically the La Crema at $21.99 a bottle. It’s my current favorite Pinot and will work with any of the above entrees. It’s a fruit-forward Pinot with lots of raspberry and light tannins and has personality plus!

One word of advise when providing hosts with a bottle of wine. You don’t need to know the entree, in fact, the hosts probably have planned a wine pairing unless they’ve specifically asked you to bring the wine. Any bottle of wine you bring is your thank-you gift and if they choose to serve it with the meal, that’s their prerogative, but your wine will be appreciated regardless of the meal. So don’t sweat it. Just enjoy the meal and the visit with friends.

You need a wine gift for a special service provider. Maybe it’s your hair dresser, or your manicurist, or your personal trainer; it’s a business relationship with someone you respect and whose service you appreciate, but they’re not your best friend. I would suggest almost any wine in the $8.00 to $15.00 range. You can select very nice red or white wines in this dollar range; too many to mention, but ask someone in the TJ wine section for specific recommendations.

Lastly, you need a wine gift for the office party. You drew the name of a co-worker that you’re not particularly fond, so what to do? Do you insult him with a bottle of famously inexpensive wine or do you try to mend fences with a nice wine that you know will be appreciated? You need to weigh your experience with the co-worker and determine if a “peace offering” will work or will he just see you as weak? I think that I might play it safe and just go with the insultingly inexpensive wine. Just kidding!!! After all, it is the holiday season. Walk the high ground, get a nice gift in the same range as for the “special service provider.” You’ll be the better person for it and you can revel in knowing that you did the right thing; the next step is his.

“It was a woman who drove me to drink--and you know, I never even thanked her.” -W.C Fields-

Tom da Wine Guy

Tasting palette and Budometer.com

2009-11-30T20:42:00.001-08:00

“Temperance, like chastity, is its own punishment.”

As any one reading this page knows, we all have very different palettes. There’s an interesting, informative, and fun way to determine where your palette resides on the palette continuum.

Go to budometer.com and take the simple quiz to get some interesting feedback. It’s known that some people have 10 times the number of taste buds of some of us. Interestingly, those most sensitive palettes, the top 25%, often prefer sweet wines and those in the bottom 25% of tasters prefer the bold, Robert Parker style of wine. My supposition is that “sweet” is one of the major tasting categories so with 10 times the number of buds, there is probably a plethora of data to sift through and “sweet” would stand out. But that’s just my opinion. I sometimes need a big, bold, wine that hits me over the head with a hammer, to make a lasting impression. Or is that a scar?

I am on the cusp of the bottom 25% and the middle 50%, which I suspected. When I read a wine description and it says something like, “hints of cherry, chocolate, leather, smoke on the front, with walnuts and smores on the middle palette, and nuances of artichoke on the finish,” I am totally lost. I usually get no more than two “hints” unless someone else describes their sensation and then I may also get it, but I need the nudge.

Anyway, go to budometer.com (not to be confused with butt thermometer.com) and take the quiz. It not only describes your category of tasting but it also provides a list of the types of wines you might enjoy.

Have some fun with it!

Tom Da Wine Guy

Thanksgiving Wine Suggestions

2009-11-19T15:51:00.000-08:00

One week until Thanksgiving when we sit down with family and friends to enjoy a turkey with all the trimmings. Of course, some wine will be desired, if not required. My offerings are simple, affordable, and will pair favorably with turkey.

A favorite RED for turkey is Pinot Noir and there are two Castle Rock wines that will work. First is the "Mendecino County" version and the other is the "California Cuvee." If poured side by side, the Cuvee is lighter in color, softer in the mouth and more fruity, with strawberry aromas and taste. The Mendecino is darker, has more mouth feel and is less fruity, but still offers raspberry and cherry flavors. I like both but prefer the Mendecino. Both are $9.99 a bottle.

For WHITE wines, Chardonnay always works well with turkey. Even "buttery" Chard goes well with the Butterball turkey, the buttered green beans, and the mashed potatoes. Several of the buttery Chards are Wild Horse at $11.99, Markham at $11.99, and Bonterra at $10.99. Bogle and Sterling each at $8.99 are crisper, cleaner and more acidic, and J Lohr at $10.99 is also clean and crisp. The French White Burgundy, Macon-Villages, is a great Chardonnay at $11.99 and is very typical of a white Burgundy; very crisp and clean with heightened acidity, which is excellent when paired with food.

If Sauvignon Blanc is more to your liking then try a lighter Fume Blanc (Sauvignon Blanc) such as Ferrari-Carano at $12.99 or the Castoro Cellars at $5.99.For those of you who prefer some sweetness, try the French Lacheteau Vouvray, which is Chenin Blanc, and offers mild sweetness at $5.99.

Have a great Thanksgiving!!! And enjoy the wine, whatever you may select.

Tom Da Wine Guy

Livermore Wine Country-What a Surprise!!!

2009-11-11T19:11:00.000-08:00

Livermore Wine Country: The Often Forgotten and Overlooked Wine Region

(With apologies to Edgar Allen Poe)

What is this wine-land overlooked and forsaken, and tastings not taken?

Tell me, tell me, I implore!

Quoth the Raven, “Livermore!”

This and more I sat divining, with my head at ease reclining-

In the distance I see men a-vining and in the wineries, wine a-fining,

What is this land oft omitted and forsaken, with visits not taken?

Tell me, tell me, I implore!

Quoth the Raven, “Livermore!”

At Concannon, we meet Jim and Jane

Nothing here plain or mundane-

And what of Patti at Steven Kent?

An abundance of pleasure caused a need to repent.

Then over hill, over dale,

To greet the lovely Heather at McGrail.

Then Jennifer at Wente.

And Greg at Murrieta’s Well?

Perhaps too long, on these musings I dwell...

Surely, this is a place for sojourn,

To surely visit and then return.

What is this place? Tell me, tell me, I implore!

Quoth the Raven, “Livermore!”

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Okay, now back to my usual uncomplicated prose. Like most of you reading this, I have passed through Livermore on several occasions driving to Napa and Sonoma without thought or hint of what I was missing. It’s about 1-1/2 hours before Napa, if you’re driving from the south. On a round-trip, that gives you three more hours of pleasure.

My brother-in-law, Glenn, suggested that we spend a day in Livermore. The only wineries that I knew of in Livermore were Wente Vineyards and Concannon, but I had never visited their wineries, so my wife, Jacquie, and I were more than receptive to his suggestion.

Our first stop was Concannon Vineyard at 4590 Tesla Road. Concannon, established in 1883, is one of the oldest continuously operated wineries in the country, and produced America’s first Petit Sirah. When we entered the tasting room, we let out a collective “wow!” They'd completely renovated the interior of what used to be their barrel room. It reopened in August of 2009 with brick and wood walls, marble floor, a beautiful tin ceiling with embossed designs. In the back of the tasting room, work continues on a wine bar where visitors will be able to buy a glass of wine while sitting and relaxing.

Jim and Jane were gracious and knowledgeable hosts. They took us through their wine flight and we were particularly taken with the Assemblage Blanc, a blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon, which is the classic Bordeaux white wine.

I’ve mentioned that Jim and Jane were wonderful hosts. Get this; another winery called to ask for some help because something had gone awry and they had three busses of 45 people each that needed a winery to visit. That’s 135 people! But on a moment’s notice, Jim and Jane said, “Send them over.” They were desperately trying to call staff to help but were having little luck on short notice.

Most wineries, want notification if more than a party of six is coming. We departed before the busses descended but trust that their hospitality and efforts were appreciated. We left carrying eight bottles of the Assemblage.

Next, we headed for The Steven Kent Winery at 5443 Tesla Road. Why? Because it was close to Concannon. Again, we had another happy moment. The tasting room, while smaller and cozier than Concannon, was immaculately decorated with lovely original artworks and had an attractive ambience. Patti let us select our table, a small round table, where we stood for our tasting.

The wines were very, very good. We especially liked the “Insieme” red blend and their cabernets. The wines were served with tastings of Marcona almonds, dried cranberries and cheeses.

Patti couldn’t have been nicer, friendlier nor more pleasant. She was also very informative regarding the wines, and totally gracious. We’ll return on our next visit.

Next door to Steven Kent’s is their sibling winery, La Rochelle. Pinot Noirs are featured here but they also have a very nice Pinot Gris and Chardonnay. It’s a sit-down affair in the tasting room and the wines are served with crackers, cheese, and pate. The food and four wines were very attractively presented, and out host, Brad, couldn’t have been better.

Next on the agenda was Murrietta Well at 3005 Mines Road. This small winery is owned by Wente and the wines were good and the tasting room and grounds are exceptionally beautiful - well worth a visit. And our tasting room host, Greg, was very friendly, and helpful regarding the wines.

Off to Wente Vineyards at 5565 Tesla Road. While the tasting room is large and attractive, it’s surrounded by a construction site.

Wente is upgrading, remodeling, expanding their existing tasting room, and adding a picnic area for visitors. Our hostess, Jennifer, wore a sunshine smile.

Wente, founded in 1883 is the oldest, continuously operated family-owned winery in the country. They are into their 5th generation of family winemakers. If you drink any Chardonnay, you most likely are impacted by Wente, as their clones now are a part of 74% of all Chardonnay’s produced in the country. Yup, 74%. In the entire country.

Wente, while one of the largest wineries in Livermore, has a reputation for being a good neighbor and assisting the entire Livermore wine industry. That says a lot for their culture.

Wente offers three tiers of wine: the Estate Wines=sold everywhere, Small Lots=hand harvested fruit, and available only to Wine Club members and at the winery. The Nth Degree Wines=hand-picked fruit, hand crafted wines, very small lots are available to Nth Degree Wine Club members only. A long waiting list kept us from joining the Nth Wine Club.

Last but not least was McGrail Vineyards. Opened in 2008, this winery is located at 5600 Greenville Road. What a surprise! We were initially motivated to visit due to recommendations from other tasting room hosts and hostesses. The tasting room wasn’t technically open to the public when we arrived, but Heather McGrail happily let us visit and taste the Cabernets, their specialty. The McGrail Cabernets were our favorite Cabs amongst the Livermore wineries we visited. Yes, I said, "amongst."

Not only are the Cabs of exceptional quality, so was Heather. What a delight she was, all smiles and laughter and cute as a button! If you visit, she’ll make your day.

So, wine readers, that’s our Livermore adventure. I recommend that you give the region a visit. You won’t be sorry.

For more information on the approximately 50 wineries in the region, go to (http://www.lvwine.org/)

Will we pass through again without stopping? Quoth the Raven - Nevermore!

 TomDaWineGuy

Hot Trader Joe's Wines

2009-10-13T13:27:00.000-07:00

“You can’t drink wine all day... if you don’t start first thing in the morning.” - Dan Burke -

Wow, there are some really fine wines at TJ's for less than $10, in fact, how about one for less than $4! Yup, no kidding.

First, try the Rendition 2007 Petit Sirah at $8.99 a bottle. Wine Enthusiast rated it at 90 points and designated it a "Best Buy." In their latest issue, which includes their Top 100 best buys for under $15, this Petit Sirah came in at number 10 on the list. I tried a bottle and it is a little rough around the edges because of its youth, but I still had no trouble drinking it after decanting and a little breathing....the wine, not me. Actually, both, I suppose.

Secondly, try the Trentatre 2007 blend of Cabernet, Merlot, and Montepulciano at $5.99 a bottle. This is a wonderful wine with supple tannins and lots of fruit on the finish.

Lastly, try the LaGranja 2008 Temperanillo at $3.99 a bottle. Like the Trentatre, easy tannins and lots of fruit, but I did get a little more acid with this wine, which makes it perfect for pairing with food. Truthfully, at $3.99 at bottle, I was going to forego this wine until a fellow Crew Member, with a similar palette, told me she loved it and to give it a try. So, I did, and she was right. Nice wine and a great value!

Hurry, cuz you know Trader Joe's, they hook you and then the wine you came to love, is gone.

Tom da Wine Guy

Helpful Wine Tips

2009-10-01T13:40:00.000-07:00

“You can’t drink wine all day... if you don’t start first thing in the morning.” - Dan Burke-

Storing an opened bottle. People often ask me how to store an unfinished bottle of wine. Having never experienced an unfinished bottle of wine, I had to do some research on this predicament so that I could pretend that such an occurrence had happened at least once and that I knew what to do.

White wine is easy.....just stick the cork or screw top back in (or on) the bottle and put it in the refrigerator. It should last up to 4-5 days. The wine air pumps have become popular but I find them unnecessary. The wine tastes the same to me with either method, at least up to 4-5 days. Longer than that, a pump may be an advantage.

Red wine has two options; if the wine will be consumed the next day, put the cork or cap back and leave it on your counter overnight. Not only should it be drinkable the next day, but often, red wine actually improves because of “breathing” due to contact with air and the wine may soften overnight. If the wine will not be consumed the next day, then put it in the refrigerator. It will not soften as much as the previous option but it will last 2-3 days, usually. After that length of time, the wine will slowly oxidize to a point that it becomes undesirable.

Removing a wine label. Literally, this is a very HOT TIP. Ever want to remove a label either because it is attractive or because it will help you remember a wine that you really enjoyed? You don’t need to soak it for hours in the sink before trying to pull or scrape it off which often results in a cute little pile of label confetti. First, fill the empty bottle with hot tap water and let it sit for two minutes. Next, empty the tap water and refill the bottle with boiling water and let it stand for 3-4 minutes. Grab a corner of the label and gently pull. The label should easily peel off in one piece for your wine scrapbook.

Wine Serving Temperatures: The proper temperature for serving wine will show off the particular characteristics of the varietal. If served too cold, the flavors are hidden. It’s like eating a frozen pizza while it’s still frozen. If served too warm, the taste of the alcohol can be overbearing. When serving red wines, “room temperature” really means “cellar temperature,” which is 55 degrees.

Red wines should be served between 60-64 degrees.

Ports - 55-58 degrees.

Rose’ - 55 degrees.

Viognier - 52 degrees.

Chardonnay - 48-50 degrees.

Riesling - 45-48 degrees.

Champagne - 45 degrees.

Okay, okay, how do you distinguish between 52 and 55 degrees without a wine thermometer? I can’t. Just chill your reds in the fridge for half an hour or so before serving and chill your whites in the fridge overnight (then let them warm in the glass) or put them in the freezer for an hour before serving. Don’t over-chill chardonnay, though, as the aroma and taste is really dampened if too cold. Maybe a wine thermometer is the way to go...

“Wine gives a man nothing... it only puts in motion what had been locked up in frost.” -Samuel Johnson-

2009-08-07T13:45:00.000-07:00

Many of my Trader Joe's customers tell me that they are planning a wine trip to the Santa Ynez area, just an hour away from Ventura, and they ask me what some of my favorite wineries are. In my last Ventura store wine letter, "Uncorked," I listed eight of my favorites. There are many more that I appreciate and visit, but these were the first that came to mind, so I guess that means something. With your indulgence, I will share that list with you in no particular order other than alphabetic.

Some of my favorite Santa Barbara County Wineries:

When I like a winery, it’s not just for the wines themselves, but more for the customer service, and overall ambiance. It’s not so much the wine but the delight.

Babcock Winery: Bryan Babcock, in my opinion, makes some great wines and some very drinkable wines with lesser grapes. He’s not your typical wine master. The tasting room staff is very knowledgeable and always helpful. Never a bad experience. What’s of particular interesting is the simple tasting room, as compared to many others in the region. At Babcock, it’s more about the wines, not the decor.

5175 E Hwy 246, Lompoc.

Beckman Winery: Love Beckman! They have great wines (at least one’s that I appreciate). They specialize in Rhone varietals and their 2006 Estate Grenache was one of my favorite wines. I bought four cases of it. Now I just bought a case of their 2007 Grenache and three bottles of their Cuvee Le Bec, a Chateauneuf-du-Pape style wine.

But I go to Beckman, not only for their wine but because of their Wine Tasting Managers. Sarah, then Emily, and now Ali. They are always some of our favorites and keep drawing us back. I hope Ali stays for a long time in this often, quick-turnover business. Beckman’s causes great delight.

2670 Ontiveros Rd., Los Olivos

Firestone Winery: Normally, I have not enjoyed my Firestone visits because of the crowds in the tasting room. But I learned that “timing is everything.” Two friends wanted to go to Firestone, much to my dismay, but we walked in about noon on a Friday and there was one couple in the room. We soon were sitting at a table with “Bradford,” who turned out to be an incredible tasting room representative. Bradford was knowledgeable and generous. He continued to open any bottle of Reserve wine that we wanted and those that he recommended. We bought a mixed case of expensive wine, as did our friends. So Bradford did a great job for Firestone. He should be the manager someday. Again, it was a delight.

5000 Zaca Station Rd., Los Olivos

Kenneth Volk Winery: Kenneth was the owner and winemaker for Wild Horse. He sold it for a gazillion dollars and has now opened his own winery, utilizing his name, Kenneth Volk. Keeping it short and sweet, Kenneth knows his wines. I have never tasted a wine of his that I didn’t think was very, very good. Never a bad wine. Also, the tasting room staff knows their wines and they are always friendly and accommodating. The tasting room is small so go during midweek, if you can.

5230 Tepusquet Rd., Santa Maria

Lincourt Vineyards: I like Lincourt for their Pinot Noirs, which I think are some of the best in the area. They also have a terrific covered picnic area and a peaceful setting. The tasting room staff is helpful and knowledgeable. Oh, I also like their Rose’ wine that is produced by Foley Vineyard. It’s one of our favorite Summer wines.

1711 Alamo Pintado Rd., Solvang

Melville Winery: Great wines and great decor! I love the looks of this winery. Very Tuscany in colors, but as it turns out, apparently the colors were selected because of the owners connection to USC! Still, very attractive, even if they are more Los Angeles, than Tuscany. They have very good wines,

both red and white and their pouring staff is very knowledgeable. Always a very nice experience.

5185 E. Highway 246, Lompoc

Rusack Winery: Rusack is one of the most attractive wineries with the best picnic area, the tables completely shaded by trees. Surrounded by sloping hills and an occasional horse-drawn carriage. I particularly appreciate their Sauvignon Blanc and often buy a bottle to go with our picnic lunch. Be sure to visit this winery, you’ll be delighted. Knowledgeable pouring staff. 1819 Ballard Canyon Rd., Solvang

Shoestring Winery: I really appreciate this winery. The Craigs have done a wonderful job of producing wine. Their Cabernet Franc was spectacular! I really enjoy their tasting room...stacked barrels of wine and tables made of planks stacked on barrels. It feels like Italy or France, not Santa Ynez, but I’m grateful for their proximity. Be sure to visit.! 800 East HWY 246, Solvang

Hope that some of you visit these wineries and have a great time!

"Tom Da Wine Guy"

Hot Wine Tips at Trader Joe's

2009-06-30T13:27:00.000-07:00

I've had several of you tell me that by the time you got to your TJ's, the Hot Tips were already gone. Sorry about that, but that's the TJ's way. They tease you and then take away your favorite item.

However, here are two Hot Wine Tips that you should have time to purchase. Both are Trader Joe's Reserve Cabernets, but they are quite different in style.

The first is a 2006 Cabernet bottled for TJ's by Stonehedge. This Cab is not as intense as the Cabernet under their own label. It's softer and lighter with easy tannins. It's in a dark bottle with a gold ship on the bottle front. Cos is $9.99 a bottle.

The second Cab is also a reserve and is bottled by Mozzocco Winery in the Dry Creek Valley of Sonoma County. This wine is much more intense and heavier in the mouth than the above mentioned. This is also $9.99 a bottle.

Hurry to your local TJ's before these Cabs disappear, although I believe that they'll be around for a little while at least.

Tom da Wine Guy

Hot New Wines at Trader Joe's

2009-06-19T17:03:00.000-07:00

Lorca 2003 Pinot Noir-$14.99 a bottle. Lots of intensity and mouth feel. Not a Pinot for wussies. A "Tom's Choice" at our Ventura store.

Domaine Alfred 2006 Pinot Noir-Not inexpensive at $22.99 a bottle but well under the retail cost of $38.00 elsewhere. Again, a very intense Pinot with lots of bite, but with a little breathing, the bite becomes an enticing nibble.

Canard "Sauvage" Zinfandel-Wow, this is a great Zin at $9.99 a bottle. Alcohol is high at 15.5% but this wine was not out of balance after slight aeration. I loved this wine. It's a Robert Parker style of BIG wine! Worth every penny. Also a "Tom's Choice!"

Chariot "Gypsy" red table wine-A blend of Cabernet, Petit Sirah, Zinfandel, and Sangiovese. An exceptional value at $4.99 a bottle. This wine flies off the shelves so hurry down to your local TJ to seek this wine out. It's not as tannic and heavy as the Cab and Petit Sirah, might suggest. The Zinfandel offers soft fruit and and Sangiovese smoothed the finish. A nice wine at a great price.

Many of these wines are Trader Joe's "Hustle Buys," so they aren't around for long. I guess the "Hustle" in "Hustle Buys" means that you need to hustle over to TJ's if you want your fair share of the selections.

Chow, baby,

Tom Da Wine Guy

2009-06-01T09:28:00.000-07:00

Some HOT TIPS on recently received wines at Trader Joe's.

(1) Trader Joe's Reserve Petit Verdot at $9.99 a bottle. I've never seen a bottle of Petit Verdot for less than $30. In fact, Ancient Peaks, the bottler for this TJ special, sells it under their own label at $35.00 a bottle. This wine is very heavy and tannic with lots of dark fruit. I decanted this 1-1/2 hours before dinner and it was still rough around the edges. Once it softens, it's dynamite!

(2) Trader Joe's Reserve Syrah at $9.99 a bottle. A very nice Syrah with medium tannins and lots of dark fruit and black pepper. A real deal at this price.

(3) Peter Paul (sounds like a candy bar, doesn't it?) Zinfandel. At our store, we have both the 2005 and 2006 vintages. Both are big Zins with lots of alcohol. The 2005 has 14.6% while the 2006 has 15.7%!!! The 2006 smells of alcohol when the cork is pulled and I got heat on the first couple of sips, but lo and behold, it quickly mellowed and offered surprising balance. I decided that I preferred the newer model. At $9.99 this is a really good wine and value.

Get thee to your nearest TJ's and grab some of these wines.

Tom da Wine Guy

2009-05-09T10:47:00.000-07:00

Greetings fellow wine lovers and Trader Joe's clientele.

Two recommendations on very nice wines at Trader Joe's. These two were selected as "Wines of the Month" in the wine newsletter, "Uncorked," that I write for our Ventura, CA store.

First, River Mountain Pinotage/Shiraz red blend from South Africa. And it's only $5.99 a bottle which is two dollars less than what it was a couple of years ago. The Shiraz offers spice but the Pinotage smoothes it out. Soft tannins, very drinkable and a steal at $5.99.

Clay Canyon Viogier at $3.99 a bottle!!! Great wine for the warm weather. Some sweetness but not cloyingly so. I'm not much of a sweet wine drinker myself, but this Viogier is really good. Lots of fruit with some peach and a trace of acidity, offering crispness. An interesting combo, some residual sugar but a touch of acidity.

Rush to your nearest Trader Joe's for these two wines. If you happen to be in the Ventura store, be sure to grab a copy of the "Uncorked" newsletter.

Tom da Wine Guy

2009-04-24T15:04:00.000-07:00

Hi, Tom da Wine Guy is back. Been away for awhile but will soon start a review of some of the Santa Ynez wineries. There are so many to visit but someone has to do it.

I'll be back on track very soon.

2009-02-25T13:39:00.000-08:00

"If a life of wine, women and song become too much, give up the singing." -Anonymous-

DID YOU KNOW?

One bottle of wine = 750 ml or 1/5 gallon.
One barrel = 60 gallons or 300 bottles
One ton of grapes = approximately 700 bottles of wine.
One acre of vineyards of low yield for quality wines = 2-4 tons of grapes.
One acre of vineyards of high yield for less expensive wines = 10 tons of grapes.
One bottle contains 25.6 ounces of wine or about four glasses.
Four ounces of wine = about 85 calories.
Over 90% of the world's winee is consumed within two years of its vintage date.
It's estimated that 98% of all wine sold is consumed within one week of its purchase.
All 50 states can claim at least one commercial winery.
Pepsi Cola has a higher pH (acid level) than wine but the taste is lost in the sugar.
A bottle of sparkling wine has approximately 56 million bubbles, give or take a few million.
The average cost of of the grapes in a $20 bottle of wine is $2.64.
During Prohibition, a product called the "Grape Brick" was sold to wine-parched households across America. Attached to the "brick" of dried and pressed wine grape concentrate was a packet of yeast, and the stern warning, "Do not add yeast or fermentation will result."
In Ancient Babylon, the brid's father would supply his son-in-law will all the mead (fermented honey wine) he could drink for a month after the wedding. Because their calendar was lunar or moon-based, this period of free mead was called the "honey month," or what we now call the "honeymoon."

"Why is there so much wine left at the end of my money?" -Anonymous-

Sensory Discrimination and Experience as Wine-Tasting Values

2009-01-26T09:59:00.000-08:00

Have you ever read the back label on a wine bottle or read a descriptive review and found something like this: "This wine opens with a floral bouquet, with hints of honeysuckle, jasmine, and bougainvillea, while at the mid-palette, green apple, citrus, and pear come alive, and the finish is resonant of milk chocolate leather, smoke, and earth."

I see something like that and it means nothing to me because at most, I experience no more than two tastes or "hints," as the tasters often say. I will get more tastes if drinking with friends and they mention a taste or smell, but only because of their cue. So what's this tasting of wine all about?

Some recent research indicates that some persons, "hyper-sensitive" tasters, have 10 times the number of taste buds as some others. The researchers have identified three groups: Hyper-sensitive tasters (25% of the population), Sensitive tasters (50% of the population), and Tolerant tasters (25% of the population).

It's hypothesized that being a "hyper-sensitive taster, might be a disadvantage because of an over-abundance of conflicting data. Many "hypers" prefer sweet wines, like white zinfandel, because "sweet" is one of the major taste groups and may override other conflicting data. On the other hand, "tolerant" tasters seem to prefer drier, more tannic wines. These are generalizations, of course.

These are not measures of anything but genetic make-up of the taster. There is no "best" or "better" on the continuum, it's just a matter of taste-bud physiology. Remember, our other senses, particularly smell and touch, play major roles in how we taste, so it's not only about the taste buds.

There's a simple on-line test you can take to determine where on the taste continuum you reside (I'll get you there shortly). I've taken the test and I'm right on the upper edge of "tolerant," so I'm actually on the low taste bud range. I guess you can call me "Bud Lite." (Pun intended.)

In addition to one's taste bud factor, one's experience and familiarity with wine is the other major element in wine tasting. One can be influenced by visits to wine country, such as Napa, Sonoma, Paso Robles, and all those wonderful Santa Barbara County wineries. At these locations, one can taste different varietals, both red and white, experience the wines of various winemakers, and join membership clubs. In addition, you can spend hours in your local wine bars, comparing different "flights."

As "da Trader Joe's (ventura) Wine Guy," I have to taste many wines, not for my own please, of course, but to sacrifice myself for the benefit of our marvelous customers. So yes, I taste many wines on your behalf and for your benefit.

To summarize, my lowly taste-bud count, in conjunction with my wine-tasting experience, makes me an experienced taster, not a sensitive taster. Anyone can become an experienced taster, regardless of the number of taste buds one has as a result of genetic make-up.

Go to: www.budometer.com and take the simple, short test to find out where your taste-buds lie on the continuum. Then go out and taste some wine!

Tom da "Wine Guy"

Raimat Tempranillo

2009-01-05T10:13:00.000-08:00

A quick note to let everyone know that Trader Joe's has a really great Raimat 2003 Tempranillo. It's from Spain and sells for $5.99. I'm not sure of the distribution amongst the TJ outlets, but if you can find it at your store, GRAB IT!!!

It's intense with lots of tannins and plum, but very well balanced. I'd suggest decanting or at least letting it breath for a while, as it is intense.

To Cork or Not to Cork, That is the Question

2008-12-20T15:15:00.000-08:00

More and more wine producers are using metal screw caps to seal their wine bottles and the reasons are all good for the consumer. The only real loss, in my opinion, is the romance associated with the sound of a cork erupting from the bottle.

You may have noticed that most wine bottles from New Zealand utilize screw caps and Australia is also going in that direction. Why the shift from cork to metal closures? TCA or trichloroanisole, a compound formed when chlorine used for bleaching reacts with mold already growing in the cork. You've probably experienced the musty smell and dull taste of "corked" wine. Unfortunately, humans are incredibly sensitive to TCA and can detect it in very weak solutions.

The problems with "corked" wine seems to be on the increase because cork manufacturers are having trouble finding enough high quality cork. Of course, many bottlers are using synthetic cork, but many consumers find them difficult to remove, myself included.

The screw caps mostly used are called Stelvin capsules and are made up of a screw cap, a long printable skirt, and a liner specifically designed for contact with wine and to avoid leakage. Stelvin seals have doubled in sales during the past two years, particularly in New Zealand and Australia, but also in the French wine areas of Bordeaux, Burgundy, and Alsace. Perhaps, when the French wineries begin bottling their premium wines with screw caps, we will know that they have achieved acceptance.

Dave Letterman's Top Ten Reasons for Using Metal Screw Caps (Dave didn't really do this list)

10. Saves cork trees.

9. No more "Corked" bottles of wine.

8. Bottles can be stored standing up, rather than laying them down.

7. Easy to reseal.

6. A resealed bottle of wine won't leak while on its side in the refrigerator.

5. The screw cap won't break in half while opening the bottle.

4. You only need an opposable thumb to open a screw cap.

3. Easier to sneak one more glass before bedtime.....no one will hear a cork pop.

2. My Trader Joe's monthly newsletter will be renamed, from "Uncorked" to "Unscrewed."

And the #1 reason for using a wine bottle with a screw cap rather than a cork...

1. Easier to sneak it into the movies.

2008-12-06T10:09:00.000-08:00

Hello, Abigail Adams. Thank you for your comment. In response to your question, I admit to not having tried non-alcoholic wine in the past few years, but according to an article in the LA Times, where they rated the n/a wines, the Ariel sparkling wine was the closest to the real deal. Try it and toast along with your friends!

I do enjoy n/a beers and find several of them to be quite satisfying. I like the dark Kaliber, made by Guinness, and also St. Pauli Girl non-alcoholic, a lighter pilsner style beer.

I hope this information is helpful to you. Enjoy the holidays with some of that Ariel bubbly!

Tom da Wine Guy

The Economy and its Affect on My Wine Selections

2008-12-02T15:20:00.000-08:00

With the economy as dark as Darth Vadar's heart, I've recently been hearing from our Trader Joe's wine customers how they are seeking less expensive, quality wines. To that end, I've compiled some excellent wine varietals for your consideration. Almost all are under $10 but still offer high quality.

Pinot Noir: I'm enamored with the two Castle Rock pinots at Trader Joe's, both priced at $9.99. The California Cuvee is lighter in color and texture with more strawberry aromas. The Mendocino County is darker, has more viscosity, darker fruit, and generally, is more intense. But I really appreciate both and the price is fantastic! Both of these are designated as a "Tom's Choice."

Merlot: The Cellar No.8 at $7.99 is unbelievable. It has a slight edge and some personality. It's not one of those soft, flabby merlots. Nope, this one is a hunk. Another "Tom's Choice."

Cabernet Sauvignon: The Stonehedge Cab at $12.99 is in danger of being arrested for felonious assault because it is "kick-ass!" It's huge with 15.5% alcohol, yet it's not hot, just very intense with tannins and lots of black fruit, especially, black currant. I think that this cab is one of the best at TJ's for less than $20.

Chardonnay: If you prefer some butter, try the Novella Chardonnay, bottled by EOS in Paso Robles, at $5.99 a bottle. If you prefer a Chardonnay that's a little crisper and cleaner, go with the Sterling Vintner's at $8.99. I think you'll be pleased.

Syrah: Castoro Cellars, a Paso Robles winery, offers a Reserve Syrah at $9.99 a bottle, It's a fantastic wine value. Also, at TJ's Ventura, it's a "Tom's Choice." This wine is rich in color and has lots of spice and black pepper.

Go to Trader's and check out some of these wines. You'll be glad that you did.

TdWG

2008-11-29T14:59:00.000-08:00

Yes, I work at Trader Joe's in the wine section at the Ventura, CA store. The purpose of my blog is to offer insights to really cool wines at TJ's that offer exceptional value. Also, as a real wine guy, I travel to the Santa Ynez wine country a couple of times each month and will share my more memorable experiences with you. I am in the process of visiting most of the wineries in Santa Barbara County and will share with you, my favorites, with details as to what makes each special and worthy of a visit.

Also, I write a monthly wine newsletter for our store and will share those with you. I try to make them entertaining, informative, and educational.

I'd love to get feedback from any readers, so let's get this thing going!

My Profile

2008-11-17T10:08:00.000-08:00

I'm Tom "da Wine Guy" and I work as "da wine guy" at Trader Joe's in Ventura, CA. I'm not the buyer but I am the seller. They make me taste lots of wine so I can answer our customers wine questions. It's the tough part of the job.

I also travel to the SantaYnez wine country a couple of times each month and will share any interesting experiences and comment on my favorite wine tasting rooms.