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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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.

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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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In the Heart of the Matter… Vine to Winemaker and Beyond – James Meléndez / James the Wine Guy

In the heart of the matter is wine and vine and winemaker and beyond.  Reading a comment recently published by Jancis Robinson “Meeting the Wine Bloggers’ and it was in response to her visit to Virginia for the Wine Bloggers Conference 2011.  I wondered and had to re-read her blog entry to grasp for what seemed to be a relatively negative view of the wine blogger–it is not clear that it is wine writers from the event or wine bloggers experience in just the past few months lead her to write this article.   I looked at the photo and it was clear to see it was WBC11 so maybe it was this core experience that prompted her entry. She does say  ”…and the ability to comment on what anyone else writes without risking a thing.”  I think she is suggesting that online wine writers can say whatever they want because they don’t have anything to risk?  That is a view that cannot and does not describe all wine writers online or not.  Jancis does say (bloggers) don’t have to give their real name or location.   She also says that “for the record” in a person who protestes-too-much-kind-of-way that she is not a blogger.

I was surprised at the overall tone of her review.  And it was disappointing as I enjoyed talking with her for a very short moment and to see how she was so interested in the WBC program.  And for the longest time I enjoyed reading her articles in the Financial Times.  I do believe that her view was not encompassing of many wine writers and many that I know personally who take wine writing seriously and responsibly.

Now, onward and upward and more importantly to talk about what I enjoy–wine and the people who make it and the people who enjoy it.   For me wine writing is privilege and something that I take seriously.   And in the heart of the matter–what is important is that there are people who are behind each bottle; the vineyard workers, wine makers, tasting room personnel and so forth.  I am always concerned with that the most judicious and consistent view of wine.  And in my experience, I have touched wine on so many ways—talking in public, working on metrics on the wine industry and social media, wine reviews and writing.

And in the heart of the matter is that passion for wine and people is at my center focus.

¡Salud!

***

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

Read more of my wine reviews:

© 2011 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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Non-Vintage Champagne Reviewing – James Meléndez / James the Wine Guy

I have been wanting to improve on the way I give points to a non-vintage Champagne.  I want to make sure my reference point is in line with the time tasted.  It is important to give this in the review (as listed below).  Because a non-vintage Champagne can vary despite what some may say as a consistent wine over time.  Any Champagne can and does have changes with wine makers and hence that change can be a re-engineering of the cuvee at hand and ultimately be a noticeable difference.

Since Champagne producers don’t list date of release how else can anyone reference what is being tasted today.  It doesn’t solve all of the difficulties of understanding review points to latest release of a non-vintage but at least it is a start.

 

Bollinger Brut Special Cuvée – NV – 9.1 (Reviewed: October 2011) James Meléndez / James the Wine Guy

 

¡Salud!

***

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

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The Other 46 or All 50 Wine States – James Meléndez / James the Wine Guy

I am still impressed how many great things came form Wine Bloggers 2011 Charlottesvile…and some of those great things are a combination of people I met—not just one-on-one networking opportunities but how much further along the nexus each connection made.  How many ideas started to ferment and continue to do so.

I bring up #WBC11 because there was a tasting called “The Other 46” more precisely wine producing states beyond California, Oregon, Washington and New York as these are the four largest and in some minds the best known. Though I do agree with New York being in the top four of wine producing states–there are so many people I meet who still are surprised New York is a wine producing state.

The Other 46 featured tastings from Ohio, Missouri, Indiana, Virginia, Vermont and Texas–and I wish there were many more from other wine producing states.  There are so many producing states that I have still not had the opportunity to taste.

I do envision that someday there is a comprehensive 50-state tasting (The United States of Wine).  I think it would be quite difficult to do a virtual tasting of all 50 states of wine.  But a real in person event would be a great tasting to complete and probably the most realistic way to complete this tasting.  There are logistics involved with this type of tasting or any other other wine event but even with all of the obstacles it is a tasting worth doing.

Where, when?

¡Salud!

***

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

Read more of my wine reviews:

© 2011 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 3000th Posting: Wine…Onward, Upward – James Meléndez / James the Wine Guy

My 3,000th post couldn’t be about a specific bottle otherwise it might be thought of as that wine as a particular highlight or extra special wine and all others not.  So I just highlight wine writing… my wine writing.

I am still in love with wine and I am amazed how I am still dazzled and how I look so forward to a specific wine or varietal.  That loving wine is that there is nothing to get tired of—after all–we are drinking amazing quality wines.  We are the recipients of the best methods, quality and techniques.  Few wine legends 50 years plus would not necessarily recognise the wines we have today. While there are some trends that are not necessarily exciting–I do seek the original and most honest ways of wine making.  I do look for great interpretations, artistic style, and reviving past techniques or styles that are important to be part of the story of wine.

We also have more access to wines from all wine producing lands that have not always been available or more precisely modernity allows more access through so many transport channels and lanes throughout the world.

Wine is a great social pizza–the many people who make it and the many people who enjoy it are something that I am delighted to enjoy daily.

Off to taste and write more–onward, upward!

¡Salud!

***

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

Read more of my wine reviews:

© 2011 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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Marilyn Remark Arroyo Loma Monterey County Syrah – 2008 9.0 – James Meléndez / James the Wine Guy

Expression of black plum, chile Nuevo Mexico, fennel and pepper.

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¡Salud!

***

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

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© 2011 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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The Terraces Napa Valley Riesling 2010 – 9.1 – James Meléndez / James the Wine Guy

Stone fruit, white peach, fresh green citrus zest, roasted pine nuts, and ground nutmeg.

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¡Salud!

***

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

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© 2011 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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Domaine Serene Winery Hill Dundee Hills Pinot Noir – 2008 – 9.0 -James Meléndez / James The Wine Guy

Cranberry-currant-cherry, bold and lyrical acid signature; lavender, chile Guajillo and pine nut.

¡Salud!

***

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

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© 2011 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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First Half 2011 – 50 Wines Report – James Meléndez / James the Wine Guy

Last year for my first half year blog entry;I only highlighted 20 versus this year’s 50 wines.  I aphabetised this list so that it was not highlighting scores alone.  Each of these wines represent something like a Mendocino County Negroamaro which is something quite unique.  This list is also not simply a list of top 50 scores but wines that truly do stand on it’s own.

1. Andrew Murray Terra Bella Vineyard Paso Robles Grenache – 2008 – 9.1
2. Batič Viapava Valley Valentino Rosso – 9.4
3. Benessere Estate Napa Valley Sangiovese – 2007 – 9.1
4. Bodega Bouza Canelones Tannat – 2008 – 9.0
5. Bodega Pazos del Rey Monterrei Sila Mencia – 2009 – 9.1
6. Breggo Anderson Valley Pinot Gris – 2009 – 9.0
7. Caravella Eve’s Garden Chehalem Mountain Pinot Noir  – 2008 – 9.2
8. Casa LaPostelle Clos Apalta – 2007 – 9.2
9. Caves do Salgueiral Douro Sacaduro Touriga Nacional Red – 2005 – 9.2
10. Château Flotis Fronton 2007 – 9.1
11. Chiarito Mendocino County Negroamaro – 2009 – 9.1
12. Colección Vivanco 4 Varietales – 2007 – 9.4
13. DeVero Dry Creek Valley Sagrantino 2008 – 9.1
14. Dominus Estate Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon – 2006 – 9.5
15. Elena Walch Kastelaz Gewürtztraminer – 2008 – 9.2
16. Errazuriz Don Maximiano – 2006 – 9.2
17. Eszterbauer Nagyapám Szekszárdi Kadarka – 2009 – 9.1
18. Fort Ross Sonoma Coast Pinotage – 2007 – 9.1
19. Fréderic Lambert Cotes du Jura Poulsard – 2009 – 9.2
20. Furthermore Bohemian Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir – 2008 – 9.2
21. Goosecross Cellars Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon – 2006 – 9.4
22. Gruet Gilbert Grande Reserve New Mexico Blanc De Blanc – 2003 – 9.1
23. Jean Claude Beaune Beaune 1er Cru “Les Bressandes” – 2006 – 9.4
24. Kabaj Goriška Brda Amfora – 2007 – 9.3
25. Kenneth Volk Enz Valley Lime Kiln Valley Mourvèdre – 2007 – 9.1
26. Lazy Creek Anderson Valley Gewürztraminer – 2007 – 9.2
27. Luis Pato Casta Baga – 2007 – 9.0
28. Maclaren Russian River Valley Syrah – 2008 9.2
29. Montecillo Gran Reserva – 2003 – 9.2
30. Moss Roxx Ancient Vine Lodi Zinfandel – 2006
31. Mount Horrocks Watervale Riesling Clare Valley – 2006 – 9.0
32. Novy Family Rosella Vineyard Santa Lucia Highland Syrah – 2008 – 9.2
33. Pedroncelli Port Four Grapes Dry Creek Valley – 2005 – 9.3
34. Preston Dry Creek Valley Barbera – 2009 – 9.2
35. Pride Sonoma County Cabernet Franc 2008 – 9.1
36. Quinta do Pôpa Douro TR Tinta Roriz – 2007 – 9.2
37. Quivera Dry Creek Valley Mourvèdre – 2008 – 9.1
38. Quixote Napa Valley Petite Sirah Quixote – 2005 – 9.3
39. Raetia Alto Adige Riserva Lagrein – 2008 – 9.0
40. Rioja Bordon Gran Reserva – 2001 – 9.3
41. Sbragia La Promesa Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel 2008 – 9.1
42. Sierra Cantabria Finca el Bosque – 2008 – 9.4
43. Skewis Russian River Valley Salzgeber-Chan Vineyard Pinot Noir – 2009 – 9.2
44. Só Península de Setúbal Touriga Nacional – 2007 – 9.1
45. Talley Arroyo Grande Rosemary Vineyard Pinot Noir – 2000 – 9.3
46. Tyler Dierberg Block 5 Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir – 2009 – 9.2
47. Villa Mongalli Sagrantino Col Cimino – 2007 – 9.1
48. Viña Bosconia Reserva – 2002 – 9.3
49. Viña Herminia Excelsus – 2006 – 9.2
50. Viña Ijalba Graciano – 2007 – 9.2

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¡Salud!

***

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

Read more of my wine reviews:

© 2011 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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