(no subject)
I went to the Wines of Chile tasting today. A few things:
- I found myself tasting wine with David Rosengarten. Nice guy. I told him I missed his show and he told me he has a meeting with some Food Network execs tomorrow, so we may see him back on the air soon.
- If you like your Chardonnay like the French do it, but you cannot afford Burgundy as often as you'd like, try some from Chile. They seem to get the whole concept of restrained malo and oak (for the Chards. If we're talking Cabernet it's a whole other overextracted oak bomb story).
- I got to try the Clos Apalta.... and once again I find myself saying "Really?" It was good, definitely, but I didn't think it was that earth shatteringly good. I definitely value balance and restraint in a wine and Wine Spectator.... not so much. I just don't get what they love about these huge wines. What the heck food would you pair with them??
- Carmenere is awesome. I keep turning people onto it and I love it. Had a conversation with an importer where I said I think it's the next Malbec (as in the next hot grape people will come in looking for) and he said no. I see his point - Carmenere has an earthy Cab Franc quality to it that the casual wine drinker might not love. To me it's perfect - it has fruit and earth and when oaked properly is delicious (and usually quite affordable).