“Jammin” Jiosa’s Wine Notes
Hey wine lovers , here is my latest wine blog!
This time around we are tasting some wonderful winter wines for cold nights!
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Welcome to 2013! The weather is cold and hopefully you have a cozy warm fireplace burning, someone to snuggle with, and a great glass of wine!
This time of year calls for some of my favorite grape varietals including, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Nebbiolo, Valpolicella, and Primitivo!
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| It’s the wine of the people, people! |
Let me tell you about a new Italian wine I am quite fond of, Le Cantine di Indie Vino Rosso del Popolo (wine of the people). It’s a blend of 50% Nebbiolo, 30% Barbera, and 20% Dolcetto. This is a dry wine with characters of bright red fruits, low tannins, and obvious elements of Italian terroir. Perfecto with red sauce, cheeses, or an antipasto plate! These grapes are from the Piedmont region of Italy. Nebbiolo is king in that area and is what Barolo and Barberesco are made from. An outstanding wine at around $15.00.
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| The aforementioned antipasto. It really is to die for. |
On the Shiraz side I really enjoyed Small Gully Mr. Black’s Little Book Shiraz 2008 from Barossa Valley, Australia. This to me is a wonderful comfort wine in that it reflects jammy blackberry, raspberry, chocolate and vanilla with a long,warm finish! This would be outrageous with your favorite grilled burger! Just a delight on the palate! $15.00
Next up, Cannonball, a California Cabernet with fruit from Napa, Mendocino, and Dry Creek. This wine’s taste is loaded with dark cherry, strawberry, and dark chocolate. What I really noticed (and enjoyed) was the hint of cedar on the palate. I would assume the vines of some of the fruit were grown near cedar trees. Vines pick up characteristics of the terroir (the dirt) they are grown in and pass on elements to the grapes. Delicious with lamb chops! Check it out…$15.00
My birthday was a few days ago and I was given the chance to taste an exquisite wine, a 2008 Shafer Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon.This is what most Cabernet’s aspire to be. Full bodied on the palette, blackberry, black cherry, dark chocolate, smoke and a touch of vanilla. This was a special treat (gift) and at $250.00 a bottle, not one I will experience often. Thank you Dave, at Red Spirits and Wine in Bellevue, TN.!
Start that fireplace, grab that someone special, turn on the jazz, and pop the cork! Remember, you need great music to complete your wine experience, so please visit http://jiosa.com/albums/ and get your copies today!
IBe sure and vist Wild Life in the Woods with Susan Williams for these great recipes! http://wildlifeinthewoods.blogspot.com/2012/03/wine-tutorial.html
If you have comments or questions, please feel free to contact me at denny@jiosa.com.
Comments
Denny: Thanks for the wine review, loved it!
Rodney Strong Winery is one of our favorites, especially since we live in Northern California.
By the way,Rodney Strong Winery put on a series of summer outdoor jazz fests, we have attended many and thoroughly enjoy the venue.
We would love to have you perform in Northern California.
Great blog Denny! I look forward to trying these wines.
Hey Denny, love reading your wine notes. Wine is such a pleasure to share with friends and it is amazing how it can add to food or an evening’s ambiance. Have you explored any Malbecs recently? Malbec is an often overlooked grape that is gaining in popularity. It can offer a full bodied mouthfull of dark fruits for a very reasonable price and can become deep and explosive with the higher end single vinyard wines. Some of my faves: Tapiz, Alamos mendoza, and Donna Paula Estate. For a big teeth staining mouthful, try Tapiz ‘Black Tears’ – it is a black thick monster of a wine, yet is smooth and pleasureable. Cheers!
Great info Denny. I make a lousy Italian though, ’cause I have never tasted a wine I like…ha. Some say it is an acquired taste, but I mostly think it is like anything else in life. You either like it or you don’t. For instance, I know I will never like anchovies no matter what. Glad to see you learning about what makes a wine great.