Keeping Pinot Noir Cool in Chile with Leyda

At the Las Brisas Vineyard in Chile, Leyda Pinot Noir grapes are already situated to develop slowly. The name of the vineyard itself, Las Brisas, means the breeze in Spanish and reflects on the cooler ocean breezes that play across the southwest slopes of the vineyards and helps to keep the grapes nice and cool.

Early Vintage reports from Chile** told of cooler than normal temperatures anyway, so keeping the Leyda Pinot Grapes growing slowly was not going to be the issue. Leyda experienced many days in spring with the temperature lower than 10°C during Pinot Noir flowering. This resulted in the vines producing small and large berries within the same bunch, known as millerandage. This came after an already difficult and dry winter rain cycle that created a handicap for the vines. Drier years can create difficulties for the balance of the vine.

Chilean Weather, Chilean Pinot Noir

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Thinking about wine cork crafts might be a bit difficult after you’ve just consume a bottle of wine or two, but it is only a matter of time before your post-wine self notices the steadily growing mass of bottles and corks in its possession.  Sadly, though not without reason, most people decide to either toss them or, less regrettably, recycle them (the bottles, at least).  However, amongst all that glass and all those corks rests massive potential for your creative side; and, indeed, wine cork crafts are just the beginning of the artistic journey—but an awesome beginning nonetheless. 

What follows is a short and sweet summary of ways to maximize your wine corks.

Wine Cork Board…A Message Board!

A message board made from wine corks?  You bet!  How cool would it be if you showed up one day to work with this sort of creation in your hands?  The physical makeup of a wine cork is perfect for storing tacks, pins, and anything else that is small and has a sharp point that you need in abundance (hey, let your imagination take you wherever you wish).  When you put enough corks together and frame them accordingly, you have yourself a message board waiting to be used at the home or the office.  Not only is making a wine cork board (aka corkboard) an artistic exercise; it is also a fine example of resourcefulness on your part.

Wine Cork Wreath…?

Wreaths are better when they’re wine cork wreaths (alright, I’m a little biased), and a few examples will serve to bolster this assertion:

They look absolutely amazing don’t they?  Do not overlook the possibility of using your wine corks for the holidays!  Whenever you stare at a wine cork, think about making a wine cork wreath…

More Info about Wine Cork Crafts and Art

All this talk about how great wine cork crafts are leaves one wondering something quite important:  Just how do you do all of this stuff?  Well, fortunately for all of us who wish to make the most out of our wine corks, there are plenty of resources available for just this purpose.  Two great places are http://www.craft-ideas-guide.com and http://www.crafterslovecrafts.com.  After looking over what these wisdom-packed places have to offer your corks, definitely start, or finish, building your supply of them with a few bottles from us.  Our corks will work fabulously with any wine cork crafts you have in mind in the near future.

An Australia Shiraz Wine Review

Peter Lehmann’s 2006 Barossa Shiraz is the third in a consecutive of great vintages from this Barossa wine producer following the earlier years of 2004 and 2005. The 2006 Shiraz has been given a 91 point rating form Wine Spectator and has also been given the #54 spot in the best 100 wines of the year.

Australia’s Barossa; Meant for Shiraz Wines

The Barossa Valley of Australia is one of the world’s great wine regions; revered alongside Bordeaux, Napa and Tuscany with good reason. With consistently outstanding vintages over the past 150 years, six generations of grape growers and winemakers have established the Barossa as Australia’s leader in crafting wines. Peter Lehmann once said that when God created Shiraz, he did so with the Barossa in mind as both the soil and climate are ideal for producing full flavored, fruit filled Australian Shiraz wines.

Indeed, God has shine upon the Barossa. The direct descendents of Rhone Valley cuttings have lived on in Barossa since the 1840’s. When so much of the great vines of the world were destroyed by phylloxera, Barossa was spared. When asked why the Barossa could make so many different wines, Peter Lehmann replied, “Because we can!”  and, it’s safe to add, that he should.

Peter Lehmann 2006 Barossa Shiraz Tasting Notes

When poured into my glass, the color literally made me gasp. Here is the most beautiful dark red that I think I have ever seen. So dark, almost black within its depths, but then the riches ruby red shines along the rim. If I could get my hair this color I would be the happiest person in the world. Seriously, someone should tell Clairol.

The nose is a bit strong in the alcohol content at first, but deeper fruits shine through; black fruits, dark plums, some bittersweet chocolate, and the oak. Makes sense as the wine has been matured in French and American oak hogsheads for 12 months prior to bottling.

The 2006 Barossa Shiraz is a robustly structured wine, with mouth-filling generous fruit. It finishes firm with powdery tannins that continue to soften when it is allowed to breath. Not for the more delicate of food paring, this Shiraz needs something strong and bold to compliment. I have a strong urge for a gorgonzola stuff rack of lamb and am thinking that my mere lunch salad will not be what I am looking for.  The winemakers site recommends rich meat casseroles, steak and roast beef and wonderful with an aged cheddar or pecorino to which I would concur.

Beautiful, strong and rich, yet soft and fruitful; give it some time to open and breath to get the full enjoyment from this ruby delight. It would look just smashing in an antique glass decanter. Wine on the Way is thrilled to be able to offer you Peter Lehmann 2006 Barossa Shiraz on sale for $12.00 a bottle.

And Clairol, take notice; I will be looking for a special read called Barossa!

Viognier, a Great & Rare Rhone Grape, Perfected by Australia’s Oldest Family Winery

Viognier has long been considered one of the great grapes of France’s Rhone Valley. Less than a decade ago, this variety was considered one of the wine world’s rarest, but most intriguing varieties. In fact, outside of the Rhône, Viognier was virtually unknown to the rest of the world’s vineyards until more recently. Now, Viognier is arguably the most en-vogue white varietal tease show in California today and it is one of California’s most expensive wine crops.

The Yalumba Winery is the source of Australia’s first commercial Viognier plantings from back in 1980 long before there was the same level of interest as today.   Yalumba continues to be the largest mature Viognier resource in addition to being Australia’s oldest family winery. Yalumba was founded in 1849 by Samuel Smith a British migrant and English brewer.  After buying 30 acres of land, Smith and his son began planting the first vines by moonlight. Samuel named his patch “Yalumba” an aboriginal word for “all the land around”. Six generations and more than 150 years later, Yalumba is doing the world a great kindness with their work in Viognier.

A Rare and Vibrant Treat in Viognier

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A Tasty Spanish Wine from Castilla Leon

According to the website, Finca Resalso is the name of the winery’s first vineyard that was planted in 1932. The Spanish wine version of the Tempranillo grape is known as the Tito Fino varietal, and is considered the purest clone of the grape and has been used to graft all the vine plants in the winery.  The wine bottle, however, is remarkable attractive, definitely not a left over from 1932, and seems to have more character than a mere clone could produce.

As 100% Tinto Fino, the rich dark ruby color is to be expected and the 2007 Resalso does not disappoint. I After spending  about 4 months in French oak, it’s made to be drunk young. Though the cloned vines range from 5 to 15 years old, the wine itself gives off a youthful presentation with red and black fruit nose, there are underlying hints of tobacco and, could there be a hint of pine I detect?

True Love from Spain in the 2007 Finca Resalso

Very drinkable, almost velvety, with a chewy-ness of tannins leaving a nice mouth feel; the fruit does not overpower, but leaves room for the subtle flavors. Close your eyes and taste the dark chocolate, rich espresso, bits of spice. Though young, it does not have that overpowering heat of too much alcohol. So while on the higher side at 14.5%; it’s still constrained and does not overpower the taste.

There is an earthy flavor, nice mineral tastes and a savory finish. Alas, avoid the chocolate while sipping, but it would add nicely to a meal of spicy poultry or even a heavy winter paella. 

If you don’t know Spanish wines, then the 2007 Finca Resalso is a great bottle to introduce your palette to. After the first sip you understand why this Emilio Moro Finca Resalso 2007 from Ribera del Duero is a fantastic red wine and deserves it’s Wine Advocate 90 point rating, though you might have to look twice at the price of only $13.00.

Don’t second guess, just buy a few as it will cellar nicely over the next four years!