About Me

I love wine, I am obsessed with the subject, the art, the history, the science.  In wine there is something for everyone, and for everyone there is a wine to fit one’s palette.

I believe wine is for the masses, not just a select few.  Wine has been perceived to be for the upper castes but it is accessible to all.

My experience is that there is some intimidation with wine; I wonder where this comes from?  Is it that there are persistent stereotypes about wine?  Wine means many things to many people; status, fear, success, ‘you’ve arrived’, enjoyment, good times, tradition and even ceremony.

I think wine is a complex subject because of some fundamental differences between naming convention between Europe and the new world.  But wine is complex for other reasons; there are many grape varietals that end up producing wines that are different from the next; and then there are the sparkling and dessert wines.  Many beverages have complexity in the product but we do not over think in the enjoyment.  Think about beer, gin, vodka, sake; these are complex beverages as well.  But most will enjoy these beverages but without intimidation; that is how wine should be enjoyed.

I adore wines from everywhere on the planet.  I am fond of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Roussanne, Riesling, Grüner Veltliner, Albariño, Tempranillo, Syrah / Shiraz, Zinfandel, Rkatsiteli, Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Saperavi, Grenache, Mourvedre, Pedro Ximenez, Petit Verdot, Viognier, Palomino, Auxerrois Blan, Torrontes, Pinot Meunier; Sangiovese, Semillon, Roditis, Touriga Nacional, Nebbiolo, Assyrtiko, Charbono, Chambourcin, ;still, sparkling, and fortified.

Some of my favourite wines come from Napa: Howell Mountain, Stag’s Leap District, Carneros, Mount Veeder, Rutherford, Oakville, Spring Mountain District, Sonoma Coast, Russian River Valley, Sonoma Mountain, Sonoma Valley, Knights Valley, Chalk Hill, Green Valley, Anderson Valley, McDowell Valley, Cole Ranch, Santa Barbara, York Mountain, Paso Robles, Santa Maria Valley, Santa Lucia Highlands, Arroyo Grande, Amador County, California; Willamette Valley, Oregon; Central Otago, Martinborough, Canterbury, Marlborough, New Zealand; Clare Valley, Barossa Valley, Eden Valley, McLaren Vale, Coonawarra, Padthaway, Hunter Valley Mudgee, Rutherglen, Yarra Valley, Margaret Valley, Margaret River, Australia; Stellenbosch, Constantia, Walker Bay, Paarl, South Africa; Republic of Georgia; Finger Lakes, North Fork – Long Island, New York; Texas Hill Country; Emilia Romagna, Friuli Venezia Guilia, Barolo, Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino, Sicily, Trentino Alto Adige, Italy; Burgundy, Bordeaux, Champagne, Rhone Valley, Alsace, Languedoc-Roussillon, France; Navarra, Jerez, La Mancha, Priorato, Rias Baixas, Ribera del Duero, Spain; Douro, Madiera, Portugal; Hungary; Israel; Lebanon; Greece; Guadalupe Valley, México; Mendoza, Argentina; Casablanca Valley, Maipo Valley, Rapel Valley, Colchagua Valley, Chile; Mosel-Saar-Ruwer, Baden, Rheinau; Germany; Wachau, Kamtal-Donauland, Austria

Wine is about evocation and a desire to draw those in that are closest to us to enjoy good times. Life is tough for most of us and it is nice to celebrate life with those near and even far.  Wine is what brings us together.  It seals the deal; it signifies success and more than that it bounds us together and brings enjoyment in the process.

© 2008  James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez