A Feeling about Wine …From Demystifying to Magifying Wine – James Meléndez / James the Wine Guy

A Feeling about Wine
From Demystifying to Magifying Wine

There is a feeling I have about wine. There is something about wine that can only be described sometimes as a touch of poetry and prose. I am a proponent to demystify wine–and I heard Eric Asimov last summer and he suggested perhaps we should re-mystify wine. But I differ on that primarily because we have come so far in wine quality, distribution and a vast availability of producers, regions and varietals. It has been essential that wine snobbery be taken out of the wine enjoyment equation–because the snobbery has no merit.

Some my utilization of demystification I hope is straightforward–I believe in it so much that I have printed on my business cards. I do say that after understanding or being aware of baseline information that there should be no mysteries in wine or even that there are certain prescriptions that must be applied to all wines. Simply one wine from one region should not eclipse other wine regions as there are different climate patterns, clonal differences, microclimates. regional signatures, artistic inputs… while there may be favorited wine regions or those that appear to be prototypical comparing to another wine region is not just unfair it is not realistic.

ddAfter understanding baselines of wine–then the magic comes. The senses delight in wine unfolds and the appreciation of wine by flavour and scents are combinations of notes. Many well aged wine are fruits journey to wine– that the fruit is not the centre piece but an accent. There is a time and place when enjoying wine is a sudden and inexplicable experience that transports one to a magical moment and I think that is the love for wine–It is in the magic of wine that becomes individual stories and countless memories.

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¡Salud!

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Demystifying Wine…One Bottle at a Time from all wine regions around the world.

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© 2012 James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez — All Rights Reserved. James the Wine Guy also on Facebook, Twitter and most major social medias.

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Franz Haas Südtirol Lagrien – 2009 – 9.1 – James Meléndez / James the Wine Guy

Well structured; essence of blueberry, blackberry, Eucalyptus, nuanced dark chocolate, and baking spices.

¡Salud!

***

Demystifying Wine…One Bottle at a Time from all wine regions around the world.

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© 2012 James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez — All Rights Reserved. James the Wine Guy also on Facebook, Twitter and most major social medias.

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Flora Springs Holy Smoke Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon – 2008 – 9.3 – James Meléndez / James the Wine Guy

This wine weaves notes of black cherry, blackberry, lavender, smoke and autumnal spices–a polished and definitive wine.

¡Salud!

***

Demystifying Wine…One Bottle at a Time from all wine regions around the world.

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© 2012 James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez — All Rights Reserved. James the Wine Guy also on Facebook, Twitter and most major social medias.

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Everett Ridge Dry Creek Valley Petite Sirah – 9.1 – 2007 – James Meléndez / James the Wine Guy

Blueberry confit, black pepper, Thyme and hint of chocolate and cinnamon.

¡Salud!

***

Demystifying Wine…One Bottle at a Time from all wine regions around the world.

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© 2012 James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez — All Rights Reserved. James the Wine Guy also on Facebook, Twitter and most major social medias.

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Rare Varietals Tasting Rhone Rangers – James Meléndez / James the Wine Guy

The following wines were poured for this session:

• Tablas Creek Picpoul Blanc 2010
• Two Shepherds Grenache Blanc 2010
• Holly’s Hill Counoise 2010
• Clos Saron Cinsault Blend 2010
• Ridge Carignane 2009
• Lagier Meredith Mondeause Noire 2009

These wines gave a great snap shot of not just rare Rhone varietals but of all Rhone varietals all together coming from the US.  I asked a question of the panel and received 3 out of 5 panelist responses (and Carole Meredith responded earlier on her and her husbands reason for growing Mondeuse): why do you do what you do (why do you grow and produce rare Rhone varietals)?

And I got a uniform and I am summarizing–the reason is the love for the grape and, in some examples, is what would these varietals do on their own.  And to highlight a lesser known but still noble grape.  A great seminar.

¡Salud!

***

Demystifying Wine…One Bottle at a Time from all wine regions around the world.

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© 2012 James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez — All Rights Reserved. James the Wine Guy also on Facebook, Twitter and most major social medias.

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What Would Have Happened if Prohibition Never Existed? – James Meléndez / James the Wine Guy

History is a precarious topic, at least, with respect to what it means for us now.   Not to tackle the unknowns of the entire history of everything—I do have one question for wine—where would we be today if prohibition never happened?

Ken Burns documentary on prohibition was a great way to understand what happened and it’s undoing.  There were three parts and there could have been part four and five.  The topic was not an incidental speed bump but a long lingering and still far reaching act that we still feel today.   The end of the documentary was both satisfying and yet I kept say … but wait there still more…

I am a former multi-state wine and beer marketing manager and the many obscure, obtuse and non-sensical alcohol beverage control laws linger some where between the completely absurd to the completely out-of-date.   I was watching PBS’s Nightly Business Report and they cited a mention of 40,000 ABC (alcohol beverage control) laws on the books in the 50 United States is staggering.  In many respects alcohol is more regulated the whole process and procedure for distribution of prescription drugs.

The world’s richest and largest wine market in the world is also the world’s most restrictive.  So access to wine and beer and spirits is so uneven and frustrating for the consumer.  Take a listen on any given day in a Napa Valley tasting room…. I hear something like this on each visit:

Consumer: “I got wine shipped to my home state of Kansas from another winery and now you are telling me you can’t ship it?!?!?”

Wine room employee:  “yes, that is right”

Consumer: “okay, ship to my office in Missouri”

Here is a bit of the absurd:

• Screw cap wine illegal in some wine areas of the country
• Wine over a certain alcohol percentage—never mind that spirits are also sold in the same state
• A wine retailer can have a “sale” in Missouri but not advertise it.”
• You need a permit to get a glass of wine poured in certain areas of Dallas metroplex.  I was at Hillstone’s in University Park and across the street on Preston I could go to another restaurant and not need a permit or club membership
• State run stores?
• Separate wine stores from food stores in New York
• Private label or exclusive labels not legal in some states
• And there are many, many, many more examples

But what this robs is the experience of wines from around the world to each state.  To a consumer it is a mystery of how to acquire wine from another state.  Or imported wines may be only available in a handful of states and not all.  The US is a great wine market but easily the most precarious on the planet.   There is not other good or service that has this level of scrutiny.  And the alcohol beverage is not only controlled but the least to ride on a wave of total and free market distribution.

The 21^st amendment was ratified by 36 states in 1933 from April 10, 1933 (Michigan) to interestingly Utah on December 5, 1933—and that is every 6 and 2/3 days a state ratified this amendment.   And there are some states that never ratified this amendment: 1) Georgia, 2) Nebraska, 3) Kansas, 4) Louisiana, 5) South Dakota 6) North Dakota 7) Oklahoma and 8) Mississippi

If prohibition never happened and I am only speculating what would have happened in subsequent years and culminating today:

• So many acres would not have been torn up and by that extension more old vines
• Greater varietal exposure and experience
• Many states would have had more experience in terms of winemaking
• More competitive prices for larger production wines; smaller production would probably be exactly where they are today
• Greater movement across state lines
• A larger wine market
• Breadth and depth of experience of winemaking in all states
• More imports flowing into the United States
• More exports to other nations
• Esoterica wouldn’t be so esoterica i.e. what is viewed today as esoteric wouldn’t be such a stark contrast
• More varietals planted today
• The world “international varietal” would include varietals from Italy or Spain or elsewhere

But where Ken Burns left off is an opportunity for someone—perhaps myself or others to create a documentary on post-Prohibition today.

I would like to know what you think?  Drop me a line or Tweet out or Social Media shout out!

¡Salud!

***

Demystifying Wine…One Bottle at a Time from all wine regions around the world.

Read more of my wine reviews:

© 2012 James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez — All Rights Reserved. James the Wine Guy also on Facebook, Twitter and most major social medias.

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Scott Harvey Napa Valley Zinfandel – 2006 – 9.1 – James Meléndez / James the Wine Guy

Notes of early season red cherry, strawberry, Tahitian vanilla, and rose petal.

¡Salud!

***

Demystifying Wine…One Bottle at a Time from all wine regions around the world.

Read more of my wine reviews:

© 2012 James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez — All Rights Reserved. James the Wine Guy also on Facebook, Twitter and most major social medias.

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Ravenswood Barricia Vineyard Sonoma Valley Zinfandel – 2008 – 9.2 – James Meléndez / James the Wine Guy

This wine is 76% Zinfandel, 24% Petite Sirah; aged 20 month French barrels–33% new. Scent notes of rose petals and violets and flavour characteristics of blueberry, Acai, Chile ancho, cinnamon, Cardamom and Malabar pepper. A polished and sophisticated wine.

¡Salud!

***

Demystifying Wine…One Bottle at a Time from all wine regions around the world.

Read more of my wine reviews:

© 2012 James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez — All Rights Reserved. James the Wine Guy also on Facebook, Twitter and most major social medias.

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My Wines? – James Meléndez / James the Wine Guy

What lingers in my mind is not only wine writing but wine making.  I would like at some point to produce a very small amount… perhaps only for family and friends.  The notion of creating wine fascinates many people including myself.  Though I would like to I do think it would be extremely hard to come up with one wine and having a strict set of criteria that this would no longer be a past time but a serious undertaking.  But I think it would be hard to make just one wine but several wines would be optimum.

I am certain I will write about more in the future if I do decide to great my own barrel of wine.

¡Salud!

***

Demystifying Wine…One Bottle at a Time from all wine regions around the world.

Read more of my wine reviews:

© 2012 James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez — All Rights Reserved. James the Wine Guy also on Facebook, Twitter and most major social medias.

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Scott Harvey Amador County 1869 – 2008 – 9.0 – James Meléndez / James the Wine Guy

Essence of early and mid-season bright red cherry, anise, strawberry, hint of chocolate mint and autumnal spices.

¡Salud!

***

Demystifying Wine…One Bottle at a Time from all wine regions around the world.

Read more of my wine reviews:

© 2012 James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez — All Rights Reserved. James the Wine Guy also on Facebook, Twitter and most major social medias.

Follow, subscribe, like, browse: