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Lucas Vineyards 2010 Semi-Dry Riesling

Oct 4th, 2011
by Chris.
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Last week, I posted my review of Keuka Spring Vineyard’s 2010 Semi-Dry Riesling as the first of six reviews of rieslings from the Finger Lakes’ new 2010 vintage. I now turn to the second wine in this series, Lucas Vineyards 2010 Semi-Dry Riesling. Lucas Vineyards is the oldest winery on Cayuga Lake in the Finger Lakes growing region of New York. It’s dry, sweet, and sparkling wines are all available for purchase online. Lucas’ 2010 Semi-Dry Riesling displays similar overall characteristics to its Keuka Spring counterpart, but with some subtle differences.

Lucas Vineyards 2010 Semi-Dry Riesling

This wine is pale yellow with traditional riesling aromas of balloon rubber, peaches, and hints of citrus. It has good acidity and a slightly viscous mouth feel. Flavors of slightly under-ripe peaches and apples dominate the palate with citrus accents. Lucas’ 2010 Semi-Dry Riesling would pair well with certain pasta and seafood dishes, cheese and fruit plates, and light desserts that would not overpower the wine with sugar. Like its counterpart from Keuka Spring, this wine is priced just about right and is an affordable offering for any informal gathering. 1/2, appx. $13.99 per bottle.

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Keuka Spring 2010 Semi-Dry Riesling

Sep 29th, 2011
by Chris.
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Regular readers of this blog know that the Finger Lakes region of New York produces some very good wines that I wish I could get more of here in Nashville. It’s rieslings are particularly impressive. This year, I have been privileged to take part in the national debut of the 2010 Finger Lakes vintage — sponsored by Finger Lakes Wine Country and the Finger Lakes Wine Alliance – by receiving samples of 6 different 2010 Finger Lakes rieslings.

My 6 Samples — More Reviews to Come

Although I was unable to participate in the nationwide virtual tasting held on September 22, 2011, I am in the process of trying each of the samples that I received and will be reviewing each in a separate post. Here, I review Keuka Sping Vineyards 2010 Semi-Dry Riesling. Keuka Spring, which is unsurprisingly located overlooking Keuka Lake in the Finger Lakes region, produces several red and white wines that can be purchased online. Its Semi-Dry riesling is a tasty entry in the 2010 vintage.

Keuka Spring Vineyards 2010 Semi-Dry Riesling

This wine is straw colored with aromas of pineapples, apples, melon, and strawberries. It is fruit forward and on the sweet side, though it is certainly short of a dessert wine, and the palate shows flavors of apples and hints of citrus. Allowing the wine to sit for a bit after opening helps to bring out a bit more tartness and complexity. It has medium acidity with a slightly viscous mouth feel. Keuka Spring’s 2010 Semi-Dry Riesling is priced right about on target and would go well with cheeses and honey, light desserts, and main dishes like shellfish and light barbecue. It’s a good, affordable wine that would be fun at a summer cookout or to bring to an informal cocktail party.  1/4, $13.99 per bottle.

Keuka Spring Vineyards
243 Route 54
East Lake Road
Penn Yan, NY 14527
(315) 536-3147
Twitter: @KeukaSpring

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Village Wines — Your *Very* Fine Wine Destination in Nashville

Sep 27th, 2011
by Chris.
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Here is another in my series of posts about some of the best wine shops in Nashville. You can find my previous posts here, here, and here. This post is about Village Wines in Hillsboro Village. It’s the place to go if you are looking for a special or impressive bottle for an occasion or for your collection.

There is no other way to say it:  Village has some very impressive wines. From Old World to New World, including many wines from California and Oregon, the bulk of Village’s inventory falls into the high-end category. There is a strong selection of German whites, French whites and reds, and gewurtz and riesling from Alsace. Most of them are and investment, but well worth it. I was particularly pleased to see a 2005 Poggio Antico from Montalcino ($150 per bottle) as I walked around. There are, of course, some less expensive selections. I recently bought a case of $10 per bottle Meld at Village — an excellent value. That said, you’re usually going to Village if you are willing to pay a bit more for a high quality wine.

Village also has an impressive collection of spirits, including quality vermouths, Campari, St. Germain, Pedro Jimenez, and Plymouth Gin. If you’re looking to stock your bar, it is definitely worth the trip. Village is heavily involved in the community and helps design and construct home wine cellars, a service I may very well take advantage of once I save a few pennies.

Oh, and perhaps the greatest irony — it is next to a Domino’s Pizza. Don’t let that fool you. Look to Village for your collecting and special occasion needs.

Village Wines
2006 Belcourt Avenue, Suite B
Nashville, TN 37212-3774
Toll Free: (866) 717-2341

Posted in: Nashville, Wine.
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Chemicals In Wine May Be Used To Fight Sunburn

Sep 13th, 2011
by Chris.
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Grapes, is there anything they can’t do?

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Table 3: Fine Yet Affordable Dining in Nashville

Sep 12th, 2011
by Chris.
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Once a week, my wife and I manage to go out for the evening — dinner, drinks, something like that. Couple time is at a premium with two-year-old twins. Last week, we decided to do dinner and a movie in Green Hills. Walking toward the theater, we noticed a valet outside of Table 3. We assumed that it had reopened after what my wife informed me had been a kitchen fire. She suggested we try it.

We were wrong; it had not reopened. As it turned out, we had walked into the pre-opening dry run by accident. We apologized and turned to leave, but were asked to stay if we would not mind eating dinner at the bar. Anyone who knows me will know that I do not mind eating dinner at the bar. (I should note here that the folks at Table 3 had no idea that I had this blog when they invited us to stay, nor did I mention it while we were there.)

This small act of generosity led to one of the more enjoyable meals that I have had since moving to Nashville, and certainly the best value. We opened with a St.Germain cocktail incorporating cranberry juice, which provided a nice flavor and improved the color presentation over, say, lemon juice. My wife had the Roasted Chicken and I had the Leg of Lamb. Both were well-prepared and flavorful, and paired with excellent sides of mashed and au gratin potatoes, respectively. It was a quality meal. It’s even more impressive when one sees the overall value Table 3 offers on its menu.

I was also impressed by Table 3′s wine list, both by the bottle and by the glass. It focuses on France, of course, and the DuPeuble 2009 Beaujolais was a wonderful light-bodied red that went perfectly with my wife’s chicken. I also enjoyed the Louis Changarnier 2009 Pinot Noir from the Languedoc. Even ordering by the glass, the bartender allowed us a small taste before committing to each wine, which was a nice touch.

My point? When Table 3 does reopen, give them a try. I can see myself becoming a regular, so maybe I will see you there.

Table 3 Restaurant
3821 Green Hills Village Drive
Nashville, Tennessee 37215
(615) 739-6900
Appx. $17.00 per entree.

Posted in: Food, Nashville, Spirits & Cocktails, Wine.
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Recent Tastings

Aug 26th, 2011
by Chris.
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Markham Vineyards 2009 Chardonnay, Napa Valley — Aromas of apples and buttery oak with an oaky apple flavor. Moderate to high acidity with a bit of a buttery finish. This wine is a touch on the oaky side for me, but you won’t find yourself chewing lumber like a lot of the California chardonnay you find out there. Nice compromise wine if you’re drinking with an oak lover. $18.00 per bottle, 1/4.

Root 1 2008 Carmenere, Colchagua Valley, Chile — Nose of plums, black cherries, vanilla, and cedar, with hints of chocolate and spice added on the palate. Medium bodied, but with character; this is a very enjoyable wine. It matched very well with pepperoni pizza. Good value. $12.00 per bottle, .

Freiherr von Schleinitz 2008 Riesling, Mosel, Germany — Pale straw yellow color with aromas of apple, petroleum, and pineapple. This wine has a moderate to high acidity but with a smooth mouth feel. It’s on the sweet side, but goes well with the right meal, such as BBQ. Flavors of apple dominate the palate with hints of tropical fruits. It was better on Day 3 than it was immediately after opening. Good value at $13.99 marked down at purchase from the original $16.99. 1/4.

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MAFIAoZA’S: My First Quality NY Pizza In Nashville

Aug 10th, 2011
by Chris.
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Being new to Nashville from New England via DC, one of my biggest concerns moving here was that I would never have good pizza again. Nashville has your standard Pizza Hut and Papa John’s, and a couple of local chains like Michaelangelo’s that are good for impromptu delivery, but I mean high quality, thin crust, New York style pizza. I’m talking The Italian Store in Arlington, VA. I heard rumors of good places, but they were disappointing. That is, until I got a pie from MAFIAoZA’S.

When a family member recommended MAFIAoZA’s, I thought I was in for another disappointment. I saw the silly name trying to be hip and trendy, and then some unflattering online reviews. But after tasting the goods, I’m a believer. It’s possible that these reviewers went when the place was busy and the food quality suffered as a result. As I was leaving with my pizzas right after work, I noticed that the restaurant was already filling up, so maybe ordering early is key.

In any event, the pizza was great. It was not The Italian Store, and it would not be the best pizzeria in New York City, but it was by far the best pizza I have had so far in Nashville. The crust was think but not too crispy, the pizza was a bit oily, but not soggy, and the cheese blend was fantastic. The prices are reasonable for the quality, though the toppings might be just a bit pricey. I can’t vouch for the rest of the menu, but I  recommend the pizza.

MAFIAoZA’S
2400 12th Avenue South
Nashville, TN 37204
(615)269-4646
Base Price for 18” Pie: $13.75

Posted in: Food, Nashville.
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Crying for Argentina in Nashville? There’s a Place . . .

Aug 5th, 2011
by Chris.
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This will be the third in my series of posts about some of the best wine shops in Nashville. In my first post, I highlighted four stores that provide the best overall selections. In the second, I wrote about West Meade Wine & Liquor Mart’s fine selection of California wines. This third installment highlights Grace’s Plaza Wine & Spiritsfor its impressive selection of Argentinean wines, particularly malbecs.

As I said in my last post, Grace’s separate posting is not meant to imply that it lacks variety. Grace’s offers a fine selection of Washington and California merlots and cabernets. It has chardonnays and pinot noirs from California, Washington, and Oregon, and California sauvignon blancs, zinfandels, and syrahs. Grace’s also has a modest selection of American Rieslings from Oregon, Washington, and, at least when I visited, the one Finger Lakes, NY wine that I have found in Nashville. Leaving the States, Grace has New Zealand sauvignon blancs and pinot noirs and Chilean sauvignon blancs and carmenere. Grace’s offers a strong selection of Australian wines, along with solid selections from Spain and France. Though Grace’s is a bit light on its German and Alsatian whites, it has an abundance of Italian wines to offer.

That said, Grace’s large selection of Argentinean wines, particularly malbecs, stands out. When I asked about the focus on Argentina, I was told that it is a hot region right now that is providing good value. Can’t argue there.  If you are looking for a red but are a bit tired of your standard cabernets and merlots, Grace’s is a good destination for something a little different from the Southern Hemisphere.

Grace’s also has a strong selection of spirits. It has a variety of your basic spirits, including strong tequila offerings, accompanied by items like sloe gin, Campari, Aperol, and smaller bottles of vermouth that are very important for a home bar.

Grace’s staff is always ready to lend a hand. I liked that, when I asked about something that they did not have, they did not hesitate to refer me to The Wine Chap, which I wrote about in my first post of this series. Both shops should be on your “go to” list.

4005 Hillsboro Road in Green Hills
Nashville, TN 37215
(615) 383-7660
Twitter: @graceswine

Posted in: Nashville, Spirits & Cocktails, Wine.
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That’s a Waste, Congressman

Aug 2nd, 2011
by Chris.
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Nice little post here about politics and knowing your vintages by Slate’s Mike Steinberger.

Posted in: Washington DC, Wine.
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Congrats to Oregon Wine Country

Jul 28th, 2011
by Chris.
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Wow, that is impressive growth in a recession for the Oregon wine industry.

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