New Blog!!!

If you are looking for the old RIwineguy, he's moved and is now the CTwineguy at www.ctwineguy.blogspot.com!

Moving Day

I think tomorrow I will be moving the site to www.ctwineguy.blogspot.com, so please be prepared and look for me there! Hey that rhymed!

Big Business Wine

Today, control of two well respected wineries began the process of changing hands. Warren Winiarski's Stag's Leap Wine Cellars was sold to Washington's Ste. Michelle Estate and Tuscan Piero Antinori. Winiarski's rose to fame when his 1973 Cabernet (his first vintage at his winery) was triumphant at the famed 1976 Paris tasting. He began his career learning the winemaking trade at places such as Robert Mondavi Winery, Souverain Winery, and under famed winemaker Andre Tchelistcheff at Beaulieau Vineyards. Warren has stated that he simply felt it was time for his family to sell the winery. Will this mean a change in quality at SLWC? I don't think so. While Ste. Michelle Estates is a big boy in the wine business now, they wouldn't want to tarnish the image of SLWC and start making poorer duality wine. Warren feels that selling the winery to the Antinori-Michelle partnership is leaving everything in good hands. He also explained that they had been discussing this move for the past ten years, so it was definitely not a snap decision. The price tag? A cool $185 million.

The other transition occurred at Duckhorn Wine, Co. (who also own Paraduxx and Goldeneye). Margaret and Don Duckhorn founded the winery that grew thanks to 80 some odd investors, of which many were now looking to cash out. In stepped GI Partners from Menlo, California, and London. They purchased enough interest in the company for some original investors to head out. GI's interest in the company is now considered a "controlling investment." Enough to have some pull in the company obviously. Katie and I throughly enjoyed Goldeneye's Anderson Valley Pinot Noir at our Victoria and Albert's dinner last December. I also love the Paraduxx, a blend of Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon.

I also enjoyed a nice weekend of fishing off Martha's Vineyard this past Saturday and Sunday. A special thank you to my father-in-law for taking me and Dean and Merrill for the good company. I had an excellent time bringing in my first Striper! Till next time..."I suspect the Nargles are behind it."--Luna Lovegood

Coming Full Circle

The big news tonight is the return of Jon Lester to the mound for the Boston Red Sox. If Jon gives up 7 runs in 3 and two thirds innings, or fans 6 over 7 innings of solid work, it won't matter. Jon is already a winner in my mind and always will be. This time last year, Jon was the hot new kid on the block. The young lefty blazed his way to the majors and became a stalwart in the rotation. I had the pleasure of watching him one-hit the Royals last year over 8 innings. Lester was penciled in to be a contributing member of the Sox rotation for the next ten years easy. It was last August when things took a dramatic turn for Jon. After being placed on the DL with back pain, tests soon reviled what had thought to have been soreness from a car accident was actually anaplastic large cell lymphoma. Lester soon began treatment and later that year was declared cancer free. Jon had to continue his diligence this year as he regained his strength and form in Single A Greenville and Triple A Pawtucket. But tonight, Jon has probably locked up the comeback player of the year award (at least in my book) by striding to the mound tonight at Jacob's Field.

On a food and wine note, we dined this weekend at The Homeport in Menemsha on Martha's Vineyard. This restaurant is well publicized as serving over 1,000 lobsters a day during the summer months. Being a dry town, we brought along some of our own selections. First up with apps was Four Vines Naked Chradonnay, one of Katie's personal favorites. I have probably mentioned this before, but Naked refers to the lack of aging in Oak. This wine spect all itys time in stainless steel and really shows Chardonnays true colors. With entrees we had a 2005 Elk Cove Pinot Noir from Willamette Valley, Oregon (Where else!). While still young, the Elk Cove demonstrated just what Oregon Pinot is, earthy, medium bodied, and not overpowering on the fruit. An absolute pleasure to sip. Homeport has a simple menu. Choose an entree or platter, and then select from a choice of apps, salads, and desserts. I opted for the deep fried fisherman's platter. I started with smoked bluefish pate that was unbelievable. The smoke flavor blended just right with the richness of the fish. The platter arrived and I was overwhelmed. I had a 1/2 to 3/4 pound lobster, fried shrimp, fried scallops, fried oyster, a piece of fried fish, and French fries. That night I thought my stomach was going to rupture and seep seafood goodness over all my organs. The food was delicious, classic New England cuisine with no frills. Katie had the Menemsha swordfish that was also stomach bursting in proportions. My only complaint was the lobster could have been a bit more tender, but all in all it was great. Prices are amazingly reasonable for so much food on the Vineyard, and the service was very nice, cautiously steering me away from the cole slaw in favor of the simple green salad with vegetables. It is definitely worth a visit, but be prepared for a slightly noisy evening as large families were typical and it is not a candle light dinner type of place. Till next time..."The world is my lobster."--Henry J. Tillman

Phacing our Phobias

We all have our fears. Spiders, bees, and ghosts tend to top most lists. Mine starts with those slithery, serpentine, scoundrels we call snakes. They're villainous and vile, the way they slide everywhere with a cockiness that shows no apparent care for what others think of them. I joke with my nature campers that the reason snakes have no legs is one day they woke up and decided they were too good for them. Clearly, based on the photo at hand, I am trying to overcome said fear of snakes. This was me and my new friend Don Juan today. Don is a six foot black rat snake that seemed to enjoy coiling around my arm and using that disgusting forked tongue of his to tickle my arm. About now, my few (very few) readers are asking themselves, what does this have to do with wine. Well, I had a cool picture of me with a snake I wanted to post. But now I try to to tie it in to wine. The fact is, most of us have certain fears in the wine world. When I didn't know a lot about wine I was afraid people would think I was a moron and couldn't tell Cab from Pinot. I used to have a fear that people would try to make look like a fraud by asking over the top wine questions (till I realized "I don't really know" is not a bad answer). Now I confide in you my biggest fear, Italian wine. When I enter a wine shop it's the one aisle I don't even glance at. Give me Cali, Give me France, Aussie and NZ, but dear Lord keep away from Chianti. I know enough to get by in a conversation of Italian wines, but there are so many grapes, and so many regions, and such a complex industry, that Italian wine makes IRS Tax forms look like connect the dots. So today, I am making a solemn vow to face that fear. With Don Juan as my reminder, I am going to take on Italian wines head first, or maybe tail. So I ask my few loyal readers, what's your biggest wine phobia? Is it a certain varietal, region, or just wine situation in general. Till next time..."Snakes, I hate snakes!"--Indiana Jones

P.S.-I managed to handle three different snakes today!

No one flys higher than the Bird

After planting my new tree, Steve, I escaped from the heat to relax in the artificially cooled environment of my bedroom. Flipping through the channels I stumbled on "Larry Bird's 50 Greatest Moments" on NBA TV. The first thing that struck me was how many athletes, from any sport or era, even have 50 greatest moments. Every highlight they showed was mesmerizing, inspiring, and chilling. By the end of the show I had cheered, laughed, and cried. My heart skipped a few beats and at points I was breathless. I never fully appreciated Larry when I was growing up, but was fortunate enough to watch those last few painful years for him and his back. Perhaps the most chilling moment was in the 1991 first round playoffs against the Pacers. Near the end of the second quarter, Bird crashed into the floor diving for a loose ball. He left the game with a concussion. As the second half started a stunned Boston Garden crowd watched Chuck Person and the Pacers start to pull away. Then, with TV cameras quickly beside him, Bird jogged out of the locker room and into the Garden in the third quarter. To say the place erupted is an understatement. The aging, yet infallible Bird, reached the bench as the crowd's cheers reached an apex. He entered the game and finished with 32 points and a Celtics victory in the series. As I reminisced this legend (which may be an understatement) I began thinking of other sport stars who have ventured into winemaking. Because, yes, Larry Bird makes wine. Larry Bird has paired with one of my favorites, Cosentino Winery, to create a Legends series of wines. Which I would love to get my hands on some, or maybe receive as a gift (wink, wink). Perhaps the most recognizable and successful sports wine venture is that of Greg Norman. The Shark, as he was known in the golfing world, has created a Australian and Californian based wine division that turns out excellent quality juice. The lower level wines are a good value, and some of his higher end selections have been award winning. More notable in the New England area, is the new line of Red Sox charity wines. Longball Vineyards, a charity wine creation, has crafted three wines from Chile that benefit three charities fronted by Red Sox players. "Manny being Merlot" sales feed directly to the CHARLEE Program which provides therapeutic, residential, and supportive services to abused, abandoned, and neglected children. Tim Wakefield's "CaberKnuckle" Cabernet Sauvignon provides support to Pitching In for Kids, which benefits New England children through sports-related events. And Curt's "Schilling Chardonnay" benefits Curt's Pitch for ALS, which is dedicated to researching Lou Gehrig's Disease. These are just three examples of what has become an increasingly popular endeavor for sports stars with money to burn. As an old saying goes, to make a small fortune in the wine business, start with a large fortune. Well, till next time..."Larry, you only told me one lie. You said there will be another Larry Bird. Larry, there will never, ever be another Larry Bird."--Earvin "Magic" Johnson

Ramblings of a cripple

As I sit here with my black Espresso Roast Folgers (I ran out of cream) I ponder just what this tar like cup of java is doing to my Gastric system as it seers through my organs. But on to wine! As my sister poignantly pointed out in my last entry, I have been slow and lax with new posts. So today's entry will be a round up of bottles and meals from the past few weeks. I believe the first on the table would be my father-in-law's 60th birthday. My mother-in-law rented a limo to take Katie, myself, Krislyn, Dan, and of course themselves to the new Ruth's Chris steakhouse in Providence. So I procured a bottle of 1996 Dom Perignon for the ride. Needless to say, Fred managed to splash himself with some very expensive bubbly when the cork erupted. When I read that aged vintage Champagne may taste biscuity, I laughed a little inside. But just like freaky Italian wines that taste like cured meats, this Champagne had a definitive taste of biscuits, it was absolutely phenomenal. Dinner was also superb. We had a window table looking out on the first Water Fire of the year. And the crab cakes were by far the best I have had! Katie's appetizer, Tuna I believe, was also well above par. The steaks were simply outstanding, easily the best steak I can remember. For wine we began with a Nobilo Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand, if you see it at a store near you, buy it, it will not disappoint. With entrees we tried a Rex Hill Pinot Noir from Oregon (of course!) and it was also extremely pleasing.

As soon as the school year wrapped up, Katie and I took off for Martha's Vineyard and Hillrest with Sonoma. While we had many nice meals, most notably sushi and beer at the Lookout, we ventured to Vineyard Haven with a bottle of 1998 Chateau Gruaud Larose from St. Julien. Our destination was Le Grenier (looselye translated: the attic). This traditional French restaurant is run by a kind man named Jean Dupon from Lyon, France. While the atmosphere was cozy, and I eyeballed the other patrons judging their every move (as always), service was prompt and attentive, but not above and beyond. The food was bountiful. I expected tiny appetizers and a skimpy entree. Instead, my escargot with tomatoes, garlic, tarragon, and cream were both savory and fulfilling. I asked for Jean's advice on choosing between the Filet Mignon and Venison, and we settled on the Venison, I was not disappointed. It was pounded down almost scallopini style and smothered with a red currant game sauce that was rich and flavorful. Katie's duck was almost enough for two, and we were served a large helping of cream of spinach family style. As well as deep fried mashed potatoes balls with the meat. And I almost forgot the baguette, the bread was the perfect compliment to the food. Not to mention a well aged Bordeaux that was light and smooth brought it all together. I would highly recommend making reservations for dinner there if you make out to Martha's Vineyard. But remember, Vineyard Haven is a dry town so bring your own bottle(s) of wine.

And I can't conclude this post with out another mention of Oregon wine. Last night we went to a picnic at my co-worker Laura's house. So we pulled out our bottle of 2004 Andrew Rich Cuvee B from Willamette Valley. This was the wine were we actually had Andrew himself explain his offerings at the Carlton Winemaker's Studio. It was a real treat to share this wine with some people who haven't really experienced Oregon Pinot. And while Lori's new man Don and I argued the merits of the movie Sideways, he seemed to enjoy this offering. Laura's man Doug really seemed to like how different it was from what he usually drinks. I relished in it's supple earthiness and berry flavors. That covers most of the bases for now, hopefully I can be more diligent with posting as new wines and dinners arise. Till next time..."Yeah, anyone can cook. That doesn't mean anyone should."--Remy

Not Your Mother's Wine Tasting

Friday was clearly a success. A group of people got together to taste wine, and fun ensued. As you see below, I already mentioned the wines we were planning to taste. The two Chardonnays were both decent, and it seemed that people were split on the two. Both had gone through some Malolactic Fermentation, and the BV was smoother and less crisp in comparison to the Columbia Crest. The Pinots seemed to already be ranked for us, from worst to first. The MacMurray was flat and seemed watery. The Sebastiani was a step up. Much more fruit driven and pretty tasty. But the wine of the night appeared to be the Argyle. Asking around, most people chose it as their favorite. It was full flavored but nor overbearing, and hopefully a "gateway" wine into other Oregon Pinot for our guests. The crowd was much younger than before, which resulted in a more informal setting. I believe I described something that night as "F'ing Phenomenal," except I didn't abbreveiate the first word. After the five wines we plowed through some more bottles as a fire was lit outside in the fire pit. These included the Nobilo Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand, and the Willamette Valley Vineyards 2000 Signature Cuvee, which was simply divine. What began as innocent wine tasting turned into quite the late night party. And hopefully the neighbors didn't mind. We plan on having another tasting in the fall, but keep your eyes peeled for a mid to late summer get together just for kicks. We are off to Martha's Vineyard for the week tomorrow, but I'll be back posting about dinner at Ruth's Chris in Providence and any food and wine we consume on the vacation. Till next time..."You could dip your lobster in the wine."--comment on overly buttery Chardonnay

Tonight, Tonight

No, I am not going through a Smashing Pumpkins phase. Here is a quick rundown of wines for tonight's tasting. (although I am in the mood for a little 1979):

1. Columbia Crest Two Vines Columbia Valley Chardonnay

2. BV Coastal California Chardonnay

3. Sebastiani Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

4. MacMurray Ranch Central Coast Pinot Noir

5. Argyle Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

A to Zin: Round Two

The second Wine from A to Zin night is less than two weeks away. The date has been set for June 15th. And while it will be an eventful evening no matter what, I still haven't settled on a theme. I am currently leaning towards the Pacific Northwest, but Australia and New Zealand have intriguing as well. Katie mentioned a California vs. Pac-NW comparison tasting, but I think that would be too heavy on Reds. Same as last time, we'll provide the wine if guests are kind enough to provide some appetizers. We are looking forward to another fun and informative night with friends. If you haven't received the "evite" for the night, please leave a comment with your e-mail address here, and I will gladly forward it to you. And if you have a preference on what type of wine you would like (dry, sweet, white, red, even rosé) I'd be more than happy to try and accommodate. As soon as I have finalized a plan, you'll see it here first. Till next time... "[in French] I love the sea, so beautiful, so mysterious... so full of fish."--Luc, French Kiss

Do you have reservations?

Well, in the middle of a raucous party Friday night, my father in law called to discuss dinner plans for Saturday night. Between the end of college semesters and the ever slowly creeping close end of my school year, he felt a celebration was in order. And of course, graduation weekend in Providence meant every restaurant not named McDonald's or Burger King was booked solid. And I am venturing a guess that the fast food joints weren't exactly slow on business that night either. So we went local, and got an 8:15 slot at Octagon at the Mystic Marriott. This would be our fourth visit, I wrote about our wine dinner there recently as well. It seemed like a busy night at the Marriott, with a prom going on and some other functions as well. Our table wasn't ready until a little after 8:30, no biggie, that gave me time to critique the people already dining. I have a sick fascination with how people dress at restaurants. Now Octagon is in a hotel, so you get the people who just want a meal and have limited options for dress because they are on vacation or just visiting. So I was willing to forgive the guy in a white t-shirt and crummy jeans. But when I spotted a nicely dressed young man, in khakis and a shirt and tie, also wearing a baseball cap I was so perturbed! How can you wear a tie and baseball cap at an elegant steak house and not feel like a total ass! If he was in Europe they would've spit in his food. Anyway, back to dinner. Besides Katie's parents, we were also joined by her sister, Krislyn, and her friend, Dan. Once we were seated Fred let me glance over the wine list. I was quickly informed that my first choice (an Oregon Pinot of course) was out of stock. So plan B was Joseph Phelps "Le Mistral." This time they sent the manager over to explain it was also unavailable. And what do you now, the manager grew up across the street from me. Devin and I hadn't talked in almost four years now, so it was good to see him. We settled on Willamette Valley Vineyards Pinot to start, and when that was finished I asked him to pick out another Pinot, and I told Fred it was on me and send a separate check for it. As for the food, excellent! Julia and Dan started with the Lobster Bisque. The presentation was superb, they delivered the empty bowl with a pile of lobster meat, then poured the bisque over the meat right at the table. Krislyn got the shrimp cocktail, I am requesting an investigation into whether or not those shrimp were on steroids. I had the crab cakes with smoked jalapeño tartar sauce. Absolutely to die for! Just spicy enough with plenty of crab meat, not loaded with bread crumbs like some places try to pull off. The entrees were just as tasty. Three of us had the surf and turf special, a New York Strip with Shrimp and Scallops. The surf half was served over a grilled onion and tomato with a vinaigrette that set my tongue dancing. Add a perfectly cooked medium-rare strip to that, devine. Katie had duck filet, that was simply delicious. Fred had just the New York Strip, and Dan had the salmon special with polenta fries (they looked amazing!). And for the second bottle Devin sent over a 2004 Etude Carneros Pinot Noir, that I felt really out shined the Willamette. Besides a longer than desired wait for our main course, it was an excellent meal. the big surprise was when the check arrived and our server explained that the second bottle of wine was complimentary. I told the server to make sure Devin knew how thankful I was. That was such a classy move, and I was floored by the gesture. I wish I had seen him before we left so I could express my thanks personally. As usual, the company made the night, and the food and wine were simply delectable accents. Till next time..."It was like a college party, I felt four years younger!"

P.S.-Tentative date for next Wine from A to Zin June 8th!

5 in 5: Day Five

The trek to five concludes tonight. And what a conclusion. I sprinted to the finish last night with good wine, and more importantly, good company. Yesterday, myself, Phil, and my sister Diane, ventured north to the great state (ha!) of Rhode Island to celebrate Katie's last class of the semester at Brown. Seriously though, I do love Rhode Island. I can get anywhere there in less than an hour. People in LA can't get to the next exit on the Santa Monica Freeway in that time. We decided to dine at Napa Valey Grille. Their website said reservations recommended. I made reservations. I felt like a schmuck. There were maybe a dozen other diners in the expansive restaurant all night. Napa is a beautiful restaurant. There is an upper dining room that is dim and quiet, very romantic (wink, wink!) and a lower dining area near the bar that is still inviting and exciting without being loud and overbearing. We dined in the lower area in a great corner booth. Phil, Diane, and I begin the night without Katie over a half-bottle of Pine Ridge's Chenin-Blanc/Viognier Blend. This a delicious lemony wine that is slightly sweet but tremendously enjoyable. Katie polished the last of it off when she arrived and promptly ordered a full bottle of one of our favorites, the Honig Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc. Those of you who have dined at Up River with us before can probably attest to this wines outstanding flavor. For appetizers we shared a plate of cheeses and calamari. The cheeses were a hazelnut encrusted Chevre, a chocolate Chevre (amazing!) and a Manchego (I think...which is from sheep's milk). The three were extremely tasty, especially with the accompanying chutney. For entrees Katie and Phil had the Ostrich, Diane had the Filet, and I had the Ahi Tuna. It's safe to say we all enjoyed every morsel. With these dishes I had picked out a 1996 Heitz Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. Heitz makes the famed "Martha's Vineyard" Cab, but that was well out of my price range. But the '96 Napa didn't disappoint. And here is an example of Wine Spectator not knowing my tastes. They rate it as 87 points and gave it a nice review. I felt it was outstanding. The cedar and black currant flavors are what I absolutely love about California Cabs! This wine was much higher than an 87 in my book, but perhaps my palate isn't as accurate as James Laube's of the Spectator. Heitz is a label I had been itching to try and was glad to share it with such good people. In the end, it was a terrific evening and a fantastic way for me to wrap up my five days of focusing on my blog. But fret not, I hope to become much more of a regular poster as time marches on. Till next time..."Here's to Katie finishing class, Phil working for Pfizer, Diane teaching Pre-K, and me being a smart ass son of a (expletive)."--Me

5 in 5: Day Four

The march for five posts in five business days soldiers on towards the home stretch. Today, my views on affordable wines. I really had to fight my instincts to not use the word cheap in that sentence. The fact is that I love expensive wines. I think the flavors, and more importantly, structure that come out in high priced wines are worth almost every penny. $1,000 for an aged Bordeaux, no. $200 for a strong California Cab, definitely. While wines with pedigree and high cost occasionally turn out a stinker, they typically produce consistent quality. But alas, I cannot drink $200 wine very often. And while I have a good number of triple digit value bottles in my cellar, I won't pull them out for a typical week night. So what can I do when I come home after a tough day and need that glass of wine to cool me down. I'm not pulling out the Insignia. So for the past two years now, Katie and I have been the quest for the perfect table wine. An affordable wine that we can buy a case of and leave in the cellar for everyday drinking. This way I don't have to wander downstairs and convince myself to give up another beautiful wine for "just another" night. It has been a search with ups and downs. The ups have included the Penfold's Bin 128 Shiraz (a bit too pricey), Lindeman's Padthaway Shiraz (not consistent), and Yellowtail's Reserve Shiraz (closest one yet). The downs, a nearly undrinkable Rawson's Retreat (a disappointing one from the Penfold's Brand), a flat Bancroft Ranch, and countless other Chilean, Argentinian, Italian, and Australian let downs. The key has been Australia. The Aussies make some much wine that the price can be so damn, well, cheap. I think we'll continue to scour the Down Under racks at wine shops till we find just the right wine for our taste. We've also been focusing on Shiraz and Cabernet-Shiraz blends because they seem to be the most versatile with a variety of foods. If you know of any wines you really enjoy for under $10 please leave a comment with your input. Maybe one of your recommendations will become my Dr. Livingstone. Till next time..."Wine is the most civilized thing in the world."--Ernest Hemingway

P.S. We'll be dining at Napa Valley Grille tonight, so expect a review/recap of the festivities in tomorrow's post.

5 in 5: Day Three

Today we debunk a classic myth. Red wine goes with red meat. White wine goes with white meat and pasta. Wrong! Pairing wine is not that simple, but also not too complex. There is one basic tenet I recommend you follow: Don't let the wine overpower the food, and don't let the food overpower the wine. You need to try and attain a sense of balance with your wine and food. They need to compliment each other without hurting each other's effect on your palate. While the classic red with red and white with white is suitable, you're not breaking a commandment when you go against it. I was discussing the idea of food and wine over lunch with my sister. The dish that we focused on was Salmon. I asked her what she would have with it and she quickly retorted with white wine. When I said I would pair it with a Pinot Noir, she seemed surprised. That's because wine still has that old country ideal to some people. But as creeps into the mainstream (US is poised to become the world's largest wine consumer by 2010) it's become kosher to flirt with the traditions. Salmon is a hearty fish. So while a strong bodied white would do fine, a light red like Pinot may fit the bill better. Another example is pasta. If I am having a spicy Seafood Fra Diablo, I want a Zinfandel in my hand. Zin is one of the few wines that can hold its own against a heavy and flavorful pasta dish. Zin typically will be referred to as peppery and zesty. Hmmm...what does spicy pasta sometimes taste like? They seem to be a match made in Heaven's kitchen. The simple point, is that there are no rules! Try what you want and see what works! Burgers and Cabernet, Meatloaf and Merlot, Mac and Cheese with Chardonnay. Take a dish and see what you think will work well with it. And a final note, sometimes it makes more sense to pick the wine and then build the dish around it. Decide what wine you want to try, take a sip, and see what in your pantry might make the wine dance on your tongue a little more. Till next time..."Good wine ruins the purse; bad wine ruins the stomach."--Spanish saying

5 in 5: Day 2

Yesterday was a lesson in skepticism in wine shopping. Today it's optimism. It's the positive things you should be doing when searching out that next treasure. Because believe me, there is nothing quite like finding an outstanding bottle of wine at a good price! It's like its own little buzz, apart from the alcohol.

Number One: Stick to What You Know
Don't shop the French aisle if you don't know Bordeaux from Burgundy or Loire from Rhone. Don't delve into Italian wines if you can't tell the winery name from the region on the label. Try and focus on your strengths. If you drink a lot of Chardonnay then begin there. If you live in America and speak English, stick to wines with labels you can read. Don't start venturing by yourself into those pesky foreign labels until you feel confident in your abilities. It would be a shame to see you plunk down $20 for a White Bordeaux only to find its past its prime (been there, done that). That leads to number two.

Number Two: Ask for Directions
Don't be afraid to ask for help. If you shop at a reputable wine shop, chances are that someone there knows more than you and is being paid to help you. If you want to try something new ask, "Do you know of a good Red Bordeaux for $20?" Worst case scenario is that the sales person says no and you move on. And if you get a sense that the sales person is talking out their ass (which some of them do) kindly listen to their advice and then throw it away after they leave you to peruse. Plus, most wine shops let the employees taste new wines they reciev, so they can sometimes give you a heads up on a bargain. I was at Cask N' Keg in Mystic looking for a quality $40 to $75 Cabernet when a kind gentleman pointed me towards a bottle of Waterstone for $30. He informed that "rumor on the street is that the juice for this wine came from declassified grapes from Harlan." That means Harlan Estate, a $250 a bottle wine, had too much juice and sold it off at a discount. That juice was certainly not Harlan's best lots, but still damn good. It was the best $30 Cab I've ever had!

Number Three: Do Your Homework
Don't feel ashamed to do some research before heading out to buy some wine. I am sure most of you do that now when buying a new TV or digital camera. So why not do some investigation before hand. The internet has a myriad of wine websites (for example, mine!) that have professional reviews, consumer reviews, and pricing guides. Wine Spectator has some good info for free! No subscription required. However, their website is filled with bountiful info when you do subscribe. Like any other purchase, the more you know walking in, the better off you'll fare.

Well, that will do it for today. The 5 in 5 marathon will have to be five business days as Katie and I set off for the Vineyard on Saturday morning(and I mean morning, like 3 am morning). Till next time..."Why do people who can't take advice always insist on giving it?"--James Bond, Casino Royale

5 in 5: Day 1

Alas, I have fallen behind in my blogging. To make up for lost time, I will be performing my own marathon of sorts. 5 blogs in 5 Days. That might not sound like too much, because it isn't! It just means I need stick to it and get it done. Today's "lesson"-wine shopping! Now I am no expert, but I know enough to steer you in the right direction when wandering the racks and bins at your local wine and spirit shop. Let's explore some things to avoid and be skeptical of:

Number One-Be Wary of Pretty Labels
The producers of wines (and especially their marketing departments) are in this business to make money, and that means selling a bottle of wine for more than what it cost to make it. Now, if your name is Mondavi you don't have that problem. If you produce an outstanding quality and limited quantity wine for $200 a bottle, someone will buy it. It's the producers who make a $8-$20 bottle of wine that might not be of the greatest quality that want, actually need, your dollars. And their first trick is a pretty label. Now, I am not saying some of these artsy, funny, or cute labels don't have a decent wine in the bottle. What I am saying is most reliable producers of affordable wines make a good enough product they don't need to resort to this tactic. The latest trend in the last three years-animals. Australia is the king of this. Penguins, Kangaroos, Dogs, Monkeys, Cockroaches, you get the picture. Does that mean I don't have any animals in my cellar, actually there's a magnum with a "Little" Penguin on it chilling in my fridge right now. Just be advised, pretty labels are there to attract you! Some marketing rep said, "Lets put a funny name and cool picture on this bottle, some schmuck will buy our filth of a wine!"
Number Two-Shelf-Talkers
Now I know you've all done this, because I have. You're browsing along when you see in big bold font "92 Points." You stop and think, "Hmmm, 12 bucks for 92 points thats not bad." Examine these "shelf-talkers" carefully. They are there to sell a wine, not necessarily to give you the best deal. First, make sure the vintages match. So what if the 2002 scored 92, it might be the far worse 2003 on the shelf. Second, who gave it 92 points? While I don't go on points alone, they can help if they are from the right person. I don't care if some Joe Winedrinker for the Dallas Morning News or an obscure State Fair in Iowa gave it a high score. So who do you trust? If the tag is from Wine Spectator or The Wine Advocate (Robert Parker's mag) it's a reliable benchmark. Anything else I question. Wine Enthusiast tends to hand 95s just for showing up and buying an ad in their magazine.
Number Three-Watch for Deep Discounts
Unless your shopping at Costco or Trader Joe's, be skeptical of huge sale prices. A wine shop is only going to offer a deep discount if they need to move the wine. Either it isn't selling because its swill and everyone hates it, its been sitting on the shelves so long it's probably gone bad, or it was transported across country in 115 degree rail car for the last month. Once again does that mean all sale prices are bad wines? No! I have found some amazing bottles at sale prices, just know where you're shopping and ask yourself if you trust the wine shop. If you know the owner or manager and think they are trustworthy, chances are you aren't getting fleeced, instead they found a good deal at wholesale and are passing it on to you.

So what does all this mean, only buy what you know is good? No, try new things but be aware of what your buying. For $20 are you buying the wine or the services of an advertising firm? Is that score really a good score or just a number plastered to the shelf? Why is it 40% off? My advice when you're looking for a new wine, call me. Just kidding, but many of you know I love handing out advice. In all honesty, start with a varietal you know you like, such as Cabernet or Syrah. From there look for a name you might recognize or know. "I had their Merlot and it was good, why not try their Zin." I like to look for labels that come across as simple and elegant, even dignified. Of course some marketing rep probably said, "let's make it look dignified, some schmuck will buy it!" But seriously, if they keep it simple that already tells you that the winery probably takes a no frills approach, and chances are the wine will be decent. And my last piece of advice, every now and then take a flier on a bottle that you know nothing about. Find a wine at a decent price with no points, no sales, and no animals on it, and give it a shot! It just may become your new favorite! Till next time (tomorrow!)..."Life with wine is sweet!"--Laura

P.S.-I don't know of any wine with cockroaches on the label, but there just may be one somewhere!

Here's to New Experiences

Last night we tried something new, a Beer Dinner. Same as a wine dinner but substitute in the ales and stouts for the Chards and Cabs. We attended the Sam Adams Beer Dinner at the Up River Cafe in Westerly. For the most part it was a positive experience. The four courses were superb. Leading off was Pancettea and a Bleu Cheese Flan. This was paired with Sam's always tasty Heifeweizen Followed by Katie's favorite course, Brown Sugar Cured Pork Belly paired with the Cherry Wheat. The Cherry Wheat is a beer I don't think I could drink solo, but pair it up with the right dish and it simply soars! Next up was Delmonico Steak with the Boston Lager, a classic pairing. And finally, a Banana Torte (take note of the e), with the Black Lager. The dish was phenomenal and the beer was tasty too, but we had all been expecting the Chocolate Bock for that final course and were quite disappointed. The company was perhaps the best part of the night! The negatives, service was awful. They had so many people there and simply not enough servers. The servers also didn't work well together or in the same area all night. So certain tables, like ours, didn't get hors' devourers till we flagged down someone and complained. Second, they put us at a table right by the pouring table. That wasn't a big deal, except they kept the beer outside by that table. So every time they opened the door we froze. My sister-in-law had to wear her jacket for most of the night. Thankfully the food and friend made the night a positive experience. And nothing against the other tables there, but I prefer the crowd at wine dinners. Please send in the requests for the next tasting, I want your input! Till next time..." Pardon my lips, they find pleasure in mysterious place" Max Skinner, A Good Year

Taking Requests

It's almost time for Katie and I to move to the new house in Connecticut! But, I think I'll stick with the RI Wine Guy moniker for now. Once we're settled we are going to be hosting another Wine from A to Zin Night. And while I have some rough ideas of what wines to pour, I want your input! What type of wine would you like to see? A certain varietal? Maybe a specific region? Maybe a general type (fruity, dry, crisp, i.e.)? Please leave a comment with what you would like to see and I'll do my best to accommodate. Till next time..."Are you chewing gum?"--Miles, Sideways

Trivial Temperature

The other night Katie and I experienced a sort of revelation in the serving temperature of wine. For the past few weeks our cellar has dropped to lower than 45 degrees Fahrenheit. The ideal storage temp is between 55 and 65 degrees. While hot temperatures , anything above 70, will accelerate the aging process, and essence destroy your wine, cooler temps seem to have no ill effects on aging. They simply slow down the process, almost like a suspended animation. Does that mean you should throw all your wine into your 40 degree fridge? Not necessarily. Either way, we pulled about a bottle of Pinot Noir the other night. It is recommended that sparkling, dessert, and light white wines all be served between 34 and 50 degrees. Heavier whites should be slightly warmer. Most red wines are optimal between 55 and 65 degrees. Lighter reds, such as Pinot Noir or Beaujolais, can be a bit warmer. Needless to say our Pinot Noir was way too cool. And I don't mean hip and with it. I tried to let it warm up , but really need a glass of wine. The temperature really made an impact. The wine seemed ultra ripe, like sweet cherries. But as it warmed up it rounded into form very nicely. It mellowed out and really had some great fruit flavors and elegance. But it only showed its true colors when it reached the right temperature. So use those basic guidelines of temps, and play with them a little to see how you like your various wines served. Till next time..."Try to be your normal, humorous self. The guy you were before the tailspin. Do you remember that guy? People love that guy."--Jack, Sideways

Pieces of Palates and Procurements

It's been a busy week in the Felty apartment as we begin to pack up things before the big move at the end of the month. But there has been time for some indulgence of Bacchanalia. First, a taste from a few weeks ago that slipped through the cracks. Our good friend Phil presented us with an excellent bottle for Christmas and our 2nd anniversary, so we made sure to crack it open with him here. The 1998 Robert Mondavi Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley is a mouth full, and I mean that on both levels, to speak and to drink. This wine is that classic example of a great Cabernet from California. It's the flavors I've come to love, the black fruits, the cedar, the oak, and those smoothed out tannins. I always say how the worst thing that has happened to me was getting a taste of expensive aged wines, because now I crave them and simply can't afford them. Phil, thanks for the outstanding wine once again, and more importantly thanks for the friendship! A more recent consumption was the 2004 Au Bon Climat Santa Barbara County Chardonnay. ABC, as its commonly referred to, is a well respected producer of Burgundian varietals in Central California. The Santa Barbara County is their entry level Chard, and boy did it do the trick. Katie and I spent well over half an hour debating the color of it because it appeared paler than most words we conjured up, like sunshine, blond, or straw. I think we finally settled on moonlight. The flavors were extremely enjoyable, it began creamy and oaky, but finished with mineral and stone flavors. It had a very European flair to it. I'd recommend giving it a shot next time you spot one. We spotted it at Cask N' Keg in Mystic. And while we were there I started oogling over some high end Cabs. First, I spotted a '98 Insignia, that they've had on the shelf for some time now, at a good value price. But, my first bottle of Insignia is an '01 so I didn't want to back track that far and have to fill in with the '99 and '00. Then I spotted the 2003 Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon. Highly rated, it was also at a great price, but I wasn't planning on buying anything else but the ABC Chardonnay that night. Then I spotted it, something that caught my eye. It was a Beaulieu Vineyards label. BV was one of Katie and mines favorite stops in Napa, and we ended up leaving with a very pricey, yet rare bottle of the Clone 4 Cabernet. While we tasted there we wandered around the reserve room and gazed upon vintage after vintage of the Georges de Latour Private Reserve. This is their signature wine, and considered one of the most reliable and consistently high scoring wines in Napa Valley. The label I spotted in Mystic was the Georges de Latour label, and the vintage was 1997. 1997! One of the finest years Napa has had! Now, I like to procure wines that have some pedigree, i.e. the Insignias, the Silver Oaks. This bottle would look so sweet in my (I mean our) cellar. After glancing at the price, $99 (mind you it averages about $120 on the web), I chatted with the manager about it. He simply said it's a great Cab from a great vintage, and he retails it at what he paid for it, no major mark-up. And sure enough, he only had four bottles. But alas, we walked out that night with just the ABC and a St. Supery Sauvignon Blanc. I regretted not buying it the minute we left the store. Katie pretty much gave me permission to turn around at Starbucks and go buy it. But I would've felt like a schmuck, so I kept driving. On the way home we stopped at my in-law's so they could give me my Christmas gift that finally arriver. It had been held up at customs in France. I wanted to cry when I opened it, a 2000 Les Forts de Latour. Now 2000 is still considered one of the greatest vintages ever in Bordeaux. That means a bottle of Chateau Latour retails for around $600, if you can find one. Now Latour is a first-growth, one of the four wines designated as the cream of the crop in the 1855 classification (a fifth wine was later added). Les Forts de Latour is their second label. Any juice that isn't deemed excellent enough for the top blend is deposited here. Does that mean its bad, hardly. In some vintages, such as 2000, the second label can rival the first label from other vintages. And here, I had a bottle! That whole night we still debated the BV, and to make a long story short, Katie picked a bottle of it up yesterday. And the manager accurately predicted that we had been talking about it since we left the store the previous night. When Katie brought it home, we discovered it is also the 100th Anniversary bottle, celebrating BV from 1900-2000. So in the end, we have two new fantastic bottle to add to the cellar, and I can't wait to make some memories when we finally open them. Till next time..."Happy Birthday Dad!!!"--Me