WSJ has started a NEW Wine Column Series... with Chianti.

Chianti: Telling the Good From the Bad On Wine by Lettie Teague - WSJ.com: "At a certain point in American history, people stopped saying hello and goodbye and began saying ciao. On the streets of Manhattan, Seattle and even Greenwich, Conn., I've overheard otherwise non-Italian speakers madly ciao-ing each another when they arrived or departed. The only other Italian word I've heard uttered as often may be Chianti. And like ciao, Chianti has more than one meaning: It can stand for a cheap, simple bottle or a wine made by a world-class producer. Anyone who isn't a student of Italian winemaking (or, for that matter, Italian history and politics) may have a hard time discerning the difference between the two.

For a long time, there was only one type of Chianti: a cheap straw-covered bottle called a fiasco—which doubled as a good description of the wine itself. A bottle of Chianti was better suited to candle-holding than collecting. The reasons were numerous but mostly had to do with mass production and poor-quality grapes. Sometimes Chianti could contain as much as 30% cheap white grapes like Trebbiano in the blend—never mind that the wine Chianti producers were making was a red.

But by the mid-1980s, things started to change. Prominent Chianti producers took a more worldly view; they reduced their yields, eliminated the cheap white grapes and began experimenting with nontraditional varietals like Cabernet and Merlot. Some producers even made all-Sangiovese wines, which, though Sangiovese is the main grape of Chianti, was considered heretical at the time."

This about sums it up:


That may be the most important fact to know about Chianti today: Despite sharing a single grape—Sangiovese—and a similar climate and growing conditions, Chiantis are some of the most diverse wines in the world. But there's really no easy way for anyone who's not a serious wine drinker to tell the good Chianti from bad, the quality-minded producers from the also-rans. (The Chianti Classico Consorzio's gallo nero (black rooster) neck label is a guarantee of origin and proof of more selective standards—though a barnyard fowl isn't exactly a grand cru designation.) The fact is, a good Chianti can be found only through investigation and study—the opposite of what most people expect when they're choosing Chianti. And so I decided to hold my own tasting to see what, exactly, a Chianti buyer might find.

I tasted this wine recently. It was not pleasant... but it brought me in touch with an interesting blogger for you with great reviews of wines ....

Notice that this wine does not have a vintage date: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Varietal

Therefore, under California law, this "wine" can contain up to 30% of something else...

I was trying to express how this wine tasted, when I noticed that a fellow blogger, Brian on Wine, had a great review that sums it up quite well.

"Brian On Wine is my personal opinion on various wines. These wine reviews are solely my personal opinion. I have no formal training in wine tasting, and am not involved in the wine industry in any way. I am just a regular guy who appreciates a nice glass of wine now and then and I'd like to share my experiences with you. Hopefully I will turn you on to a nice wine at a nice price, or help you to avoid a less than perfect wine."

http://brianonwine.blogspot.com/2009/03/recession-review-fetzer-2007-pinot-noir.html

The Winery: Fetzer
The Wine: 2007 Pinot Noir
The Price: $6.98 at Safeway (marked down from $8.99)

I was shocked to find a Pinot Noir for less than $7. I don't see how they can produce a $7 Pinot Noir. Needless to say, I'm not expecting to find greatness here.

Fetzer is a California winery. They seem to focus on making mass-produced wines for the masses.

The bottle was stopped with a composite cork. The wine is a deep, dark red.

The wine has aromas of plum and berries, whith a fairly strong alcohol odor. It also has a bit of a plasticy aroma to it.

The wine is fairly harsh. It has flavors of berries and plum that are overwhelmed by the alcohol flavor. It is an eye-watering red wine. If you want to dip your toes into Pinot Noir for the first time, skip on this one. It is not a good representative of Pinot Noir.

That said, it is a servicable red wine for $7. This is, afterall, a recession review. This wine is the homely person on the bar stool at last call. It's not what you were hoping for when you walked it, but it'll get the job done.

The Importance of Shippers and Importers... like Frederick Wildman & Sons.

http://www.frederickwildman.com/wildmansite/wmphp/

A great importer or shipper of foreign wines. Lots from South America...
When looking for something new to try, consider the name of the shipper or importer.

Frederick Wildman & Sons offers reviews and Point Scores for their wines:
http://www.frederickwildman.com/wildmansite/wmphp/scores.php3


I was in a grocery store this weekend.
Sampled two nice red wines: Both from the same shipper - Frederick Wildman & Sons.

Trapiche - Broquel Malbec 2007


88 Points
Wine Spectator
publication date: Nov 15 2009

“Racy dark raspberry ganache and boysenberry notes are laced with fig cake and graphite. Toasty, but stays fresh. Very solid.”

Trapiche - Broquel - Cabernet Sauvignon - Argentina

Broquel Cabernet Sauvignon 2006


87 Points
Wine Spectator
publication date: Aug 31 2008

“Fresh, with good focus to the raspberry, licorice and graphite notes, followed by a toasty finish."

One of our candidates in Texas was pouring Santa Rita 120 Cab, and I found it very good with interesting favor... but then, I have a cold this week...

From Chile ...

Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
Winemaker's comments :
Our ruby red 120 Cabernet Sauvignon is dominated by aromas of red and forest fruits, with additional notes of leather, cloves, and vanilla on the palate. This is a wine that develops on the palate, juicy, with soft, ripe tannins and a very elegant finish.


Winemaker : Carlos Gatica

Variety: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon


Region : Central Valley


Climate & Soil : The central zone climate is mainly Mediterranean with a broad thermal oscillation between day and night, an average humidity between 55% and 60% and maximum summer temperatures over 30°C. In the lands nestled alongside the Andes Mountains, night temperatures are usually low due to the cold winds blowing down from the mountains. Along the Coastal range, the thermal variation is lower due to the maritime influence. A selection of vineyards of loamy soils and excellent drainage, located in the foothills of the Andes, is carefully combined with vineyards of heavier textured, loamy clay soils spread out along the Coastal range.


Vinification : The grapes were hand picked in April, destemmed, and gently crushed. Fermentation took place at 24º to 28ºC (75º–82ºF), depending on the lot and zone. 10% oak was used during fermentation to improve color fixation and stability in the wines. Once alcoholic fermentation was completed, 20% of the wine was aged in French oak for 8 months for added sweetness and increase complexity.


Suggested Food : Ideal to combine with red meats, pork, spicy sauces and cheese soufflés.


Technical Details :
pH: 3.72
acidity: 3.19 g/l (exp. sulfuric acid)
alcohol: 13,9 % vol
residual sugar: 2.6 g/l

I present one of the mysteries of wine - location. I like German Riesling (which I have always called "Liebfraumilch") but not US Riesling. Try both

http://www.schmitt-soehne.com/mainframe.asp?lang=de&e1=617


Here you'll learn everything you ever wanted to know about great German Riesling wines! Browse by the subject that interests you - or read the whole thing, take the final exam and get your Certificate of Applied Rieslingology!

What is Riesling?
It's a grape - one of the world's noblest, yet accommodating of the "great" white varieties because of its wide range of tastes and incomparable food-friendliness.

Where does Riesling come from?
Riesling grapes were first cultivated in and around modern-day Germany, and experts agree that the world's best still come from there. Read More

What does Riesling taste like?
Some people think of Riesling as a sweet wine, but that would be like saying all chocolate is sweet, rather than coming in the variety of styles it actually does. Read More

What does Riesling go with?
In a word: Everything. Riesling's unique balance of fruit to acidity makes it the world's most deliciously versatile and food-friendly wine.

What's special about Schmitt Söhne Riesling?
Schmitt Sohne is the leading importer of German Rieslings. Read More

With a search of Liebfraumilch (Lovely Woman's Milk),

I came across another BLOG for you to explore: Anti-Wine Snob...

http://antiwinesnob.com/

Welcome to Anti Wine Snob™—an entire website devoted to exploring, learning, tasting and reading about bargain wine in a defiantly non-snobby way!

Why? Visit Anti Wine Snob’s “About” page for a full-on illumination. But the short answer is, to provide a humble, real website developed by real people who love wine but don’t like to blow loads of money on it. Or sound like pretentious blow-hards. Or anything else blow-related for that matter.

If you want to sip your Pinot Noir at a trendy café with people wearing stylishly black-on-black outfits using words that make them sound like they all grew up with butlers, go to the other wine sites. This one’s not for you.

If you’ve come here to find non-phony baloney discourse on wine related topics, then welcome to this site!

Fun facts? Got ‘em. They’re sprinkled in with the Reviews and Articles. We’ve also got a “Wine Words and Slurs” Wine Glossary above, as well as Wine Tips and Tricks.

Helpful articles? Check. Take a look at our Wine Articles tab above or peruse our itemized menu to the right.

Cool pictures of wine? I hope so. Anti Wine Snob has original photos of the reviewed wines. We’ve also got a whole section devoted to free wine-related pics! Just click on the Wine Pics tab above.

Down-to-earth descriptions of bargain wine? You’ve definitely come to the right place. You can look at Anti Wine Snob’s Wine Reviews tab above or check out our drop-down menu located on the top right hand side of this page. We’re updating these constantly so you can stay up-to-date with down-to-earth info.

Anti Wine Snob hopes to add more and more researched, original and helpful content as we grow, so bear with us as we get this site started.

Comments? Please do. Send them to jesse@antiwinesnob.com or, if you have a comment to make on any of the wines reviewed thus far, you can post your comments there.

Only nice people, please.

http://antiwinesnob.com/2008/02/20/white/jakob-demmer-liebfraumilch/


Jakob Demmer Liebfraumilch,

Qualitatswein, 2004, Germany $6.50 for 750 ml (White wine)

Another tasty treat from Germany. And like the Webber Piesporter, this wine doesn’t state a varietal on its label, so I have to assume that it’s a blend of two or more grape varieties.

Whether it’s a blend of Riesling, Spaetburgunder (Pinot Noir), Gewuertztraminer, Scheurebe or other delicious white wines I’ve never heard of (and probably could never spell), all I care about is the fact that the Jakob Demmer Liebfraumilch is down right delicious. And in fact, it reminded me very much of the Webber Piesporter.

Crisp, slightly sweet, honey-ish and round flavored, this wine is very pleasing and fun to drink. It’s the kind of wine you would want around for pretty much any occasion. Plus, the name alone keeps things interesting. According to my Babel Fish translation, Liebfraumilch means “Love Woman’s Milk” or “Dear Woman’s Milk”….

Huh.

I don’t really get it, but if they’re going for the whole Nectar-of-Life theme, they just might be on to something….

Bottom line, this is a good white wine for parties, get togethers, book readings, cozy chats, etc. Although German wines labeled “Liebfraumilch” are apparently considered “cheap” by many and often sneered upon, I thought this stuff was quite good for a casual, fun drink. In fact, although it’s inevitable, I would nevertheless be surprised at a person who doesn’t like it. And awfully curious.

3 Responses to “Jakob Demmer Liebfraumilch”
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1 M. Brown
Jun 24th, 2008 at 6:38 pm
Jesse,

My mother translates Liebfraumilch as “Sweet Mothers Milk”. I think that translates into what qualities are expected in a good wine!

Mike

I was more curious about what a Claret wine would taste like... and then I discovered that this is more than just a trashed $5 bottle of wine ,,,

BED & BREAKFAST
Welcome to The Homestead Bed and Breakfast. Located beside the Becker Vineyards winery, it is the original homestead log cabin of the Heinrick Peese Family.

Richard and Bunny Becker now own the Peese log cabin - the Homestead Bed and Breakfast. They renovated the log cabin into a bed and breakfast. The décor is rustic and accented with antiques. In the living room, you’ll find a charming wooden couch and a potbelly stove. There are two staircases (one inside, one outside the cabin) to the loft where a snug queen size bed awaits. The bathroom, with a claw foot tub, and kitchen are located off the living room.

Click here for an in-depth look into the B&B history.


http://www.beckervineyards.com/wines.htm
Becker Vineyards can only ship wine to the following states:
CA, CO, FL, IA, IL, LA, MN, MO, NM, OH, TX, VA, WV

A person of legal age must sign to receive the wine shipment. Please choose an address where someone can sign for it. Shipping companies cannot leave packages containing alcohol if someone is not home nor of legal age.

For orders needed by Christmas: Please place your Out of State orders by Monday, Dec. 14 and Texas orders by Thursday, Dec. 17.

For orders exceeding 5 cases or other
wine shipping questions please call 830-644-2681
or email beckervyds@beecreek.net


2007 Claret

It was carefully matured in French and American oak barrels for 15 months.

This rich and complex wine produces essences of raspberries, chocolate and spices.

Blends: 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc, 2% Malbec, 2% Petite Verdot.

Food Compliments: lamb, burgers, pheasant or quail.

$16.95 per bottle

Wow... I picked this one out of the Albertson's $5 a bottle basket today.

Nice full red from Texas!

FREDDALLAS

As life goes, I bumped into the Lindemans Bin 99 Pinot Noir 2000 at Tom Thumb today... I don't like it as much as the Little Penquin...

And so it goes... I compared the prices at Tom Thumb.

The Lindemans is a buck more than the Little Penquin.

Both are from Australia. The Lindemans is dated. The Little Penquin is not. If you google Lindemans Pinot Noir 2009, you come up with no meaningful review, I will list two...

For my money, and I am not planning to buy a bottle of Lindemans to prove my point, I would just purchase the Little Penquin for about the same money as the Lindemans.

Review #1
http://www.cheapwinereviews.com/lindemans-bin-99-pinot-noir-2004

skbreese's Full Review: 1999 Lindemans Bin 99 Pinot Noir 2006
Australian Wines have grown in worldwide popularity within the last few years. In fact, the Australian wine industry is currently the 4th largest exporter of wines in the world. I have recently begun sampling a variety of Australian wines, the latest of which is Lindemans Bin 99 Pinot Noir. Lindemans produces a variety of wines under the Bin series including the Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Reisling, Semillion Chardonnay, Shiraz, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon.

The Company:

Founded by Dr. Henry J. Lindeman, a graduate of London's St. Bartholomew Hospital, Dr. Lindeman discovered wine making while traveling in Europe in the 1830's, when he became fascinated by wine's health benefits. He planted his first vineyard in 1843 in New South Wales, Australia. According to the company's website, Lindemans has emerged as the number one Australian wine brand in the world, with Lindeman's simple philosophy, "the purpose of wine is to bring happiness.

Taste:

The Lindemans Bin 99 Pinot Noir is a soft, red, wine with a fresh, fruity fragrance. It is a moderately complex, balanced, semi-dry wine with a hint of spice and strawberry, and a rather weak, slightly musty finish. Due to it's lack of bold flavor, I recommend paring it with pasta, poultry, veal, or vegetarian dishes that will compliment its medium bodied, semi-sweet, quality.

Characteristics:

Color: Ruby red
Complexity: medium
Fragrance: Light, fruity
ABV: 13.5%

Overal Recommendation:

Those looking for a bold tasting, semi-dry, wine will likely be disappointed with Lindemans Bin 99 Pinot Noir. However, is an affordable, widely available, red wine, perfect for those looking for the health advantages of a red wine, without an overpowering flavor. It is a nice compliment to blander dishes such as poultry and pasta. Although there are more flavorful Australian wines available on the market, Lindemans Bin 99 Pinot Noir is a nicely balanced, easy drinking wine, for those who enjoy slightly sweet, fruity, semi-dry wines, without a strong aftertaste. Although, I'm not sure it lives up to its purpose of bringing happiness, this wine offers a pleasant enough taste for casual wine drinkers.

Recommended:
Yes

Year: Earlier
Winery Name: Lindemans
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Designation: Australian
Country: Australia
State or Region: Hunter Valley
Price: 5.99
Wine Rating Scale: Drinkable

Review #2
http://albinnyc.blogspot.com/2009/04/lindemans-bin-99-pinot-noir-2008-549.html

Saturday, April 18, 2009
Lindemans Bin 99 Pinot Noir 2008 $5.49 ***

This is my fourth outing with a Lindemans wine. It is all things Australia today, Australia in the bottle, Australia on the TV (way too long a movie - but not AS awful as the critics said). I am skipping the Vegemite though (shudder). Since I have enjoyed all of the Lindemans so far, I am expecting that this Pinot Noir will hold to the status quo.

First sip as the pilaf is simmering and the steak is sizzling on the grill, this is a perfectly adequate wine. Fresh, fruity with a dry bite as an aftertaste. No tannins. For the price, I'd keep a couple of bottles on hand for those nights when you want wine but don't want to open up an exceptional bottle. There is a sharp aftertaste. Next glass will be with a run through the Vinturi - and I am curious to see what the change will be.

Well, I have to say that the vinturi is still my best purchase of 2009. It brought this wine to a new mellow level. The weirdness is, now I can taste some tannin (furryish tongue) but the wine is ever so better. Totally quaffable. I'd serve it for a dinner when I want to impress people (and still be cheap).

Menu:
Caprese Salad
Skirt Steak
Broccoli Pilaf
Chocolate and Vanilla Ice Cream

The wine was GREAT with the Steak. Lindeman's, even your fake cork is a good one. A good utilitarian way to save some money and enjoy a good wine. Trader Joe's Wine Shop and the Linedman's Winery are a good match.

Oh, and if you are reading this blog because you are trying to save some money and still live well, I have a tip for you - regarding chef's knives. Ditch your ego and forgo designer knives (and knife sets). I invested $13.10 on a Victorinox 8" Chef's knife and $25.42 7" Victrorinox Santoku along with the 3" Pradel Inox that I bought in Paris at a grocery store, are the knives I use the most - and I love them (my other designer knives languish in their Wustoff block). My guests care about the food that I serve them, not the label on the utensil that I prepped the food with. I've found that keeping my ego in check has saved me thousands - well worth it!
Posted by ALBinNYC at 6:17 PM
Labels: *** Three Star, Australia, beef, Red