One of the wine trends from 2011 is the rise of Champagne with American consumers up over 20% from  2010. Another trend was Moscato coming out of nowhere to become nearly an overnight success. This could be in part due to the charms of the lightly sparkling frizzante made from this grape in Italy.

Sparkling wine is one of the most versatile at the table with styles to pair with nearly every dish. From bone dry to sweet, single variety to blend, sparkling wine is something we should all drink more of. And it’s made all over the world using the classic process perfected in  Champagne. In Germany it is known as Sekt, Spain calls it Cava, in Portugal it goes by Espumante, and in Italy Spumante covers a lot of ground. But great sparkling wine is also made in the New World with world class wines coming from California, New Mexico and Australia. I even hear some very nice sparkling wine is being made these days in England, the country who started the style back some 400 years ago.

So the theme of Wine Blogging Wednesday 74 is Value Sparkling Wine.

Just pick a sparkling wine from any appellation, made from any grape but make sure it sells for $25 or less a bottle (€20, £16). This should open up a lot of interesting selections, from Crémant de Bourgogne, to Cava, to California & New Mexico sparkling, sparkling Shiraz, to even well chosen grower Champagne. Just post your notes by February 15th and ping me @winecast on Twitter or email me with your link at winecast (at) gmail (dot) com. I’m hoping we can once again circle the virtual wagons and taste some great bubbly.

Join us.

Wine Blogging Wednesday #73 "Spark" Round-up

Thanks for all who participated in Wine Blogging Wednesday #73 this month. We had a pretty small but empassioned turnout on my theme, "Spark". The intent was to bring our readers back to the time we decided we needed to blog about wine, and write about a wine that inspired you. Most of us are juggling the exponential rise in wine data running past our eyes and ears --pouring in from Twitter, Facebook and traditional media, while trying to find the time to blog. I hope this did spark people's writing fuse and get us all back writing! 

Roddy at Sentir le Bouchon (Smell the Cork) wrote about a wild one!

Bob at 2001 Bottles took the opportunity to recount some of his favorite wine moments that keep him going, including an '82 Grange!

Tim at Winecast was taken in by Mike Grgitch's Zinfandel. Hooked. 

Gwendolyn at Wine Predator got Sparked by one of our own, blogger and vintner, Jeff Stai at Twisted Oak. 

Mike at Undertaking Wine was grabbed by an aromatic Gewürztraminer.  

 David at Cooking Chat was also sparked by Zinfandel. His choice for WBW was a wonder!

 Colin at Grape Fan went back. Way back. To the rosé that started it all.

Chrissie at Awaken Your Senses found the one spot in Argentina that did it. 

My Entry at the Corkdork (below) rekindled my love for Zinfandel.  

 

Let's all keep those Wednesdays free to blog once a month, shall we?

 

January 22, 2012 in Wine Blog Wednesdays, Wine Musing | Permalink

It's for January and it's called "Spark". And it's being hosted by the Corkdork blog. 

Because the number of participants has been declining and the blogosphere is so crowded with other things commanding our attention, it's time to go back to what Sparked your interest in wine blogging in the first place. There was a wine you couldn't get out of your head and couldn't wait to share with the world, there was a grape that you started obsessing over, there were family times where a good bottle would be pulled...something there made you say to yourself that you wanted to blog about wine. And 6 years ago, when we started the first collaborative online tasting group, Wine Blogging Wednesdays, something captured your attention. I know you've grown and your wine knowledge has expanded, but it's time to revisit the kind of wines that sparked your desire to blog, retaste, and share. 

January's challenge, "Spark", is to re-visit the wine that first turned you on to the infinite wonder of the world of wine. Write about it and post on January 18th. I will host and do the round-up. Please pass on the word and keep WBW going!

It is time for the Recap of Wine Blogging Wednesday #72: Helping Japan.

As you will recall, on Friday, March 11, a massive earthquake, one of the largest in recorded history, struck northern Japan, triggering a devastating tsunami that has affected millions of people. Over 3,000 people have lost their lives and thousands more have remained unaccounted. The destruction has been so extensive that millions of families have been displaced in search of water, food and shelter far from damaged nuclear reactors. Obviously, this has been a terrible tragedy, pulling at every one of our heartstrings with the innate desire to help, to give something that might make their lives easier.

For this WBW theme, participants had two options, to either drink and review a Sake or drink and review wine that pairs well with Japanese cuisine. You could earn bonus points by reviewing multiple Sakés, pairing Saké with food, or drinking wine with Japanese food.

Unfortunately, we had a very low turnout for this event. So even more kudos go out to those who did participate. It is interesting too that most of the participants were from outside of the U.S., including three from Canada, one from Finland and one from Kenya. It is very pleasing to me that the participants largely seemed to enjoy the sakes they tasted.

Holly, of Wine Out Loud, is a first timer to WBW and tasted three sakes, earning bonus points.  All three were from the Hakutsuru Brewery, and included a Junmai Ginjo, an organic Junmai Ginjo and a Nigori.  She enjoyed these three sakes with some sushi and teriyaki chicken, earning even more bonus points.  I am pleased she enjoyed the sake, as well as the fact she shared them with some friends.

Todd, of Vermont Wine Press, also earned plenty of bonus points and kudos for drinking multiple sakes, paired with food, and with friends. He tasted the Nanbu Bijin "Southern Beauty" Junmai Ginjo, Tentaka Kuni "Hawk in the Heavens" Junmai, Kaguyahime "Radiant-night Princess" Junmai and Hakushika "White Deer" Junmai Ginjo. Their homemade dinner included brown rice miso soup, smoked salmon and avocado maki, squid and vegetable fried rice, and teriyaki chicken legs. Todd earns even more kudos though for reviewing the sakes in haiku, my favorite type of Japanese poetry.   

Bob, of 2001 Bottles - A Wine Odyssey, tasted a sake from Oregon, the Momokawa Organic Junmai Ginjo. He earns bonus points for pairing the sake with Japanese cuisine, and he enjoyed the Momokawa. Though not a sake, Bob also reviewed a Shochu. Though Bob's was from Vietnam, plenty of Shochu is made in Japan and kudos still go to Bob for trying something different for WBW.

Mshamba, of The Kenyan Wine Blog, posted an interesting video review of a sake, the Black Bottle Junmai. He really enjoyed this sake, and it was amusing to hear him talk about a sake he has previously tasted which was just terrible. I would not have expected sake to be available in Kenya, but I am glad that it can be found there.

Aleksi, of Aleksi Mehtonen, also did an extensive video review of a number of sakes at a restaurant in Helsinki. He earns bonus points for tasting many different sakes, and kudos for interviewing the sommelier who led the sake tasting. Aleksi really gave his all to this tasting and you should watch his video.

Bethany, of Second Ferment, chose to review a wine, Oroya, that pairs well with Japanese cuisine. Oroya is a Spanish white wine, a blend of Airen, Macabeo, and Moscatel, and was specifically produced to be paired with sushi. Bethany found it to work great with a variety of Japanese dishes, and her description of the wine makes it sound very appealing.

Matthew, of A Good Time With Wine, was another person with a video for WBW, which has an informative interview with Tara Fougner of Ty Ku.  Ty Ku produces sake in the U.S. and Japan, as well as soju and a soju-based liqeuer. Matthew seemed very excited to learn more about sake, and will even be posting more sake-related posts in the future. Keep an eye on his blog.  

Finally, you can check out my own WBW #72 post, a review of the first 100% organic Japanese sake.

Thanks very much to everyone who participated in WBW #72, and thanks very much to everyone who donated to help Japan through the links on these WBW posts. You can still give to this worthy cause by clicking on the American Red Cross site and donate whatever you can.

Kanpai!

 

It has been nearly three years since I last hosted Wine Blogging Wednesday but my choice of theme was easy. Wines made from Rhône varieties are among my personal favorites and I was hoping to learn about many more new wines from participants this month. There were 25 bloggers posting reviews from all over the world. Thanks again to all who took the time to participate and here they are in the order I learned about them:

• The first post came two weeks early from Karla at Sol Wine & Film. An overview of the Curtis Winery of Santa Ynez Valley in California, the subject fit the theme perfectly but somehow didn’t mention WBW. But Karla used the WBW hashtag so is included in this roundup.
• New entrant Rags, the Kenyan Wine Brat, posted his video review of CrossRoads Winery Syrah from Texas. While he is no Gary V, his use of “refrigerator smell” to describe the Syrah near the beginning made me think of the famous New York Jets fan. Nice start, man; looking forward to more!
• Next up was Lisa from Wine Muse posting a review of a 2009 Rutherglen Estates “Shelley’s Block” Marsanne Viognier from her native Australia. Made from 70% Marsanne and 30% Viognier, the wine sounds wonderful and a great value at $15AUS.
• Joe the Suburban Wino posted a long and somewhat rambling post about Rhône styled wines that begins with a rant about how difficult the circumflex over the “o” in Rhône is but then uses that word about a hundred times. No review here but there is some serious Rhône knowledge thrown down within Joe’s hilarious rant prose.
• Another video review was posted by Aleksi who selected two wines for his tasting. The first is the Bellingham, The Bernard Series, Grenache Blanc Viognier (no vintage mentioned) which proved to be an interesting wine despite some metallic flavors. His second selection seemed more successful, 2006 Spinifex “Papillon”, a red blend made from Carignan, Cinsault and Granache.
• Next up was Bob from 2001 Bottles – A Wine Odyssey with a 2006 Church & State “Coyote Bowl” Syrah from British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley. It’s not surprising to me that such a nice Syrah could come from Canada as most of the best examples of this variety come from cooler sites. Also tasted was 2009 Twisted Tree Rousanne/Marsanne which was also a winner.
• Richard, The Passionate Foodie and next month’s WBW host, tasted a 2007 Sutton Cellars Carignane “Piferro Vineyard” and found it to be an, “easy drinking wine, but with appealing character, and would be an perfect pairing with burgers, pizza, or even pasta.” Count me in to pick up some of this to try soon.
• First time WBW participant Jason from The Ancient Fire Wine Blog was next with a 2007 Penfolds Bin 138 GMS blend. Made from Grenache, Mourvedre and Shiraz, the wine proved to be, “assertive, but not abusive.” Hope to see you next time, Jason!
• The VA Wine Diva was next with a trio of Rhone-styled wines from Virginia. The first was a 2009 Veritas Vineyards Viognier which was overall a nice wine marred a bit on the finish with a touch of heat. This was followed up by an earthy and leathery 2005 Ingleside Vineyards Syrah. The tasting was capped off with a 2008 Pollak Vineyards “Mille Fleurs” fortified Viognier dessert wine.
• Andrew from Spittoon, the bloke who got me first into WBW back when he hosted, was next with a 2009 See Saw Shiraz-Mourvèdre. Although information about the wine was hard to come by, it proved to be a winner for under £9.
• Matt posted next over at A Good Time With Wine tasting a 2007 Liberty School Cuvee, a blend of Syrah, Petite Sirah, Grenache, Mourvèdre and Viognier. Although Matt prefers the leaner French style in his Syrah, he did like this California wine.
• Next was Magnus posting a bi-lingual review of a 2007 Annie Camarda Syrah from Washington State, quite a find in his native Sweden. And the wine was, “Well balanced, big and juicy with a nice acidity that bring excitement and sophistication – this is good and I am willing to buy me some bottles for the summer as well as for the future.” Magnus was the only person this month to accompany his review with an Iron Maiden video, a trend I’d like to see continue
• Ryan from Catavino in Spain posted next tasting a 2006 Cellar Malondro red blend. A blend of 50% Garnacha and 50% Cariñena from D.O. Montsant, I recalled my trip to the region in 2007 which Ryan commemorated with an archive photo on the post.
• Next was Michael, The Wine Undertaker, who tasted a 2008 Sterling Vineyards Roussanne from Carneros. The wine was the first taste of Roussanne for him but will not be his last given how well this bottle performed.
• Colin from Grapefan passed along a tasting note on Adegga as he took a week long vow of no wine. The wine sounds like a winner, though, a 2006 Syrah from Napa Valley’s Hyde de Villaine.
• Frank from Drink What You Like posted another Virginia Viognier, this time from Jefferson Vineyards. From the 2009 vintage, the wine sounds very interesting and one Wine Blogger Conference attendees will no doubt taste as it’s made in Charlottesville, the site of the 2011 event.
• Next up was Sebastien at downcellar who posted a pair of Mourvèdre from the New and Old World. First was a meaty and dark Spice Route Mourvèdre from Swartland, South Africa. The Old World entry is a 2007 Juan Gil Monastrell from Jumilla, Spain. Both sound like excellent examples of Mourvèdre from outside The Rhône.
• My own entry was next, a tale of two Rhone-styled wines from California. In the end, the Steele “Writer’s Block” Roussanne delivered the goods for a steal of a closeout price.
• William from Simple Hedonisms was next with a review of Wesley Ashley “Intelligent Design Cuvee” Red Rhone Blend. The blend of Carignane, Grenache, Cinsault, Petite Sirah and Mourvedre sounds outstanding.
• Next was Remy at The Wine Case who posted a nice write-up of a 2009  Edmunds St. John “Wylie” Syrah. The effort from this venerable producer of California Syrah proved very nice but made Remy wish he had a bit more patience to see what the wine would evolve to with further cellaring. That’s why you buy more than one bottle, man
• Andrea from Wine Skamp posted next with a review of 2008 Santo Cristo Garnacha, a decent sounding quaffer from Spain’s Campo de Borja.
• Megan was next from the Wannabe Wino blog with a review of a 2009 Hahn GSM blend which sounded like another winner from California.
• Rain followed next from Teach Us Wine with a cautionary tale to always check the seal on your bottle particularly if it’s a screw-cap. Her tale is full of fail but I’m sure she will come back strong next time.
• On Wine Blogging Thursday, WBW founder Lenn Thompson posted his entry; a well-chosen 2005 Doon Vineyards “Cigare Volant.” And it seemed worth the wait.
• And last, but certainly not least, the fabulous Thea posted her entry at Luscious Lushes, a tribute to winemaker Kevin Hamel. She pulled a bottle of 2002  Hamel Wines Syrah, Westside Hills from her cellar to share but also recounts experiences with the 2001 vintage and some other favorite Syrah’s.

So that’s it. I count 25 bloggers and 28 wines tasted. Most of these where red but 8 whites where also reviewed. If I somehow missed your entry, please let me know in the comments and I will update this post.

Thanks again to Lenn for letting me host once again. And without further ado, I pass the baton to Richard from The Passionate Foodie for a very special edition of Wine Blogging Wednesday next month.

via winecast.net

Wine Blogging Wednesday is my favorite group tasting event mainly due to its global scope. And I’ve participated 45 times since joining the monthly virtual tasting back in WBW 7 some 6 years ago. The wine blog scene has changed a lot in those years but the core element that makes Wine Blogging Wednesday so special has remained the same. Each month a blog host picks a theme and anyone who wants to participate, wine blogger or reader alike, posts their notes on a wine that aligns with that theme. And we do this on an appointed Wednesday chosen by WBW founder Lenn Thompson of the New York Cork Report (formerly LENNDEVOURS).

After a return from hiatus last month hosted by my friends at Catavino, it is my honor to host Wine Blogging Wednesday 71 on March 16th. This is the fourth time I’ve hosted but the first in some 3 years since I asked everyone to return to the Old World and taste my favorite white variety, Riesling, with me. So I thought it only fitting to feature my favorite wine region this time out – The Rhône – but with a twist that makes WBW so fun.

The theme for WBW 71 is, “Rhones Not From The Rhône.” Pick any wine made from a variety best known in The Rhône but not made in that famous French region. It doesn’t matter if the wine is white, pink or red; still, sparkling or fortified. Whatever you choose just needs to be made from primarily a Rhone grape and come from a region not in France. This opens up a lot of possibilities. Want to stay Old World? Check out Spain where Mourvèdre goes by the local name Monastrell. New World more your bag? Pick up a Roussanne, Marsanne or a blend from California or Australia. I even hear they are making some pretty decent Viognier in Virginia these days so finding a wine should be pretty easy wherever you call home.

If you need some inspiration, just check out this link for all the varieties I’m talking about. Although your choice is totally up to you, I encourage you to look outside the familiar Syrah and Grenache and try something new.

The Details:

• Choose one or more wines made from Rhone varieties but not made in Frances’ Rhône region and post to your blog, Posterous or Twitter stream by Wednesday, March 16th.
• If you announce your entry on Twitter or Facebook, please be sure to add the hashtag #wbw71 to your status update.
• Send me an email at winecast (at) gmail (dot) com and let me know where I can find your post so I can produce a summary after the event.
• Don’t have a blog, Posterous or Twitter account? Just send me your entry via email and I will post it up on the WBW Posterous.

I hope you can join me in just 3 weeks for the next edition of Wine Blogging Wednesday. Let’s get our collective Rhone on folks!

Wine Blog Wednesday #70 Wrap-Up: Reaching Out of Your Comfort Zone with Spanish Wines

February 21, 2011 | by Gabriella Opaz | Posted in: Featured, Wine | http://catavino.net/?p=10769

 

Por fin! With a considerable amount of hours logged, searching for those few eluding posts, we have finally completed the wrap-up post for Wine Blog Wednesday #70 - a truly successful event! We gave you the daunting task of stepping out of your comfort zone to find a Spanish grape, wine style or region that you weren’t familiar with. Instead of reaching for that traditional Friday night bottle of Rias Biaxes, we prodded you to give DO Terra Alta a whirl. If you’re a Garnacha fanatic, we urged you to pick up a wine made from Mazuelo instead. Or if you have absolutely detested Sherry in the past, having tried it only once in your life with poor results, we begged on hands and knees to seek out a fresh bottle of Amontillado, pushing your tastebuds for something new and exciting. And we’re eager, nay…exuberant! to say that just about everyone one took our challenge to heart.

What were the results?! First and foremost, we had nine countries participate in this month’s Wine Blog Wednesday, including countries such as Finland, Holland, South Africa and Canada! We love international banter, and to have so many people keen to join in the event was truly spectacular! Additionally, many of you provided us with comprehensive and educational information on your highlighted grape, style or region, as opposed to a straightforward tasting note. This may seem trivial, but for us, it indicates both curiosity and passion, two traits we admire here at Catavino. Finally, some of you stumbled across wines that even we were a little astounded by! Some of these include the 2006 Coto de Gomariz’s VX Cuvée Caco, a blend made with Carabuñeira; as well as the Salvador Poveda’s Fondillón Gran Reserva 1970 from DO Alicante. Granted, Mariëlla Beukers bought the wine when visiting Barcelona in 2008, but the fact that she broke open this little piece of heaven for Wine Blog Wednesday was not only completely unexpected, but totally appreciated!

WBW Spanish Wine Map

Much like our wrap up post for WBW #38 on Portuguese Table Wines, way back in 2007, we took the weekend to compile a comprehensive map of every wine submitted.  Now, we don’t expect that every WBW will receive the same treatment, but we at Catavino specialize in Spanish wines, and therefore, want to offer you the very best visual to encompass the wines and flavors across Spain. However, on this occasion, we chose to highlight every Spanish wine by style including: white, red, fortified, cava and sherry. Check out our WBW Spanish Map key below.

 

What’s the point of this map? Simply put, it’s a way for us to having a better understanding as to where your wines were produced, and how wines can vary drastically depending on the climate, soil, etc. For example, Garnacha tastes wildly different if made in Rioja or Priorat. Therefore, this map allows you garner a better understanding of where, and why, flavors change. Additionally, rather than isolate someone’s review without context, you have the ability to click on a pin and see who wrote about what wines. And because we want to encourage you to click on the author’s name to read their entire article, or see their video, only a small synopsis is provided. A teaser if you will.

Please note that whenever possible, we’ve tried to use the winery’s address to position the pin on the map. But, there were many instances that an exact address was neither provided on the bottle,  nor on the website, forcing us to place the pin in the general wine producing area. (Note to wineries: Update your information online!)

Finally, if you look below the map, we’ve also listed every submission with the name of: the author, the country, where the submission originated, the wine and the region. Again, simply click on the wine and you’ll go directly to the author’s site.

View Wine Blog Wednesday #70 – Spanish Wines: Reaching Out of Your Comfort Zone in a larger map

Submissions Based on Spanish Wine Style

SPANISH RED WINES

Catavino (Spain) - 2008 Manzuel0 de la Quinta de la Cruz, DOCq Rioja
Vino Tinto (Sweden) - Parcelas de Graciano 2006 Colección Vivanco, DOCq Rioja
Vino Tinto (Sweden) - Parcelas de Mazuelo 2008 Colección Vivanco, DOCq Rioja
The Red White Boston (USA) - 2007 Compañia de Vinos Telmo Rodriguez LZ, DOCq Rioja
The Wine Monologues (USA) - 2005 Alquezar Moristel, DO Somontano
Sonia Andresson-Nolasco (USA) – 2009 Pirineos Mesache, DO Somontano
Rick Fisher (USA) – 2006 Pirineos Parraleta, DO Somontano
Miss in Wine (USA) - 2008 Petalos, DO Bierzo
Sip, Swirl, Snark (USA) - 2003 Ribas del Cúa Mencia, DO Bierzo
Spwein (Spain) - 2008 Petalos, DO Bierzo
A Glass Afterwork (USA) – 2005 Mencía Xestal, DO Bierzo
The Cork Chronicles (USA) - 2007 Abadia Retuerta, Special Selection, VT Castilla y Leon
2001 Bottles (Canada) – 2005 Bodegas Abadia Retuerta Rivola, VT Castilla y Leon
Bibendum (UK) - Summa Varietalis 2005, Castilla La Mancha
Virginia’s Long Island (USA) - 2009 Venta Morales Tempranillo, Castille La Mancha
Wine Predator (USA) - 2009 Vina Borgia, DO Campo de Borja
Wine Predator (USA) - 2008 Tres Picos Borsao, DO Campo de Borja
Grapefan (UK) - 2007 Bodegas Epifanio Rivera Erial Tradicion Familia, DO Ribera del Duero
A Good Time with Wine (USA) – 2004 Museum Real Reserva, DO Ribera del Duero
Virginia’s Long Island (USA) - 2009 Tarima Monastrell Red, DO Jumilla
Drink What You Like (USA) – 2007 Nudo Petit Verdot Private Collection, DO Jumilla
Spittoon (UK) - 2008 Juan Gil Monastrell, DO Jumilla
1 Wine Dude Review (USA) - 2009 Bodegas San Martin Ilagares Tinto, DO Navarra
1 Wine Dude Review (USA) - 2006 Ochoa Tempranillo Crianza, DO Navarra
Grapes of Sloth (Ireland) – B2008 Beryna, DO Alicante
Pantagruelic (Portugal) – Bodegas y Vinedos Maurodos Prima 2008, DO Toro
Vinos Ambiz (Spain) – Pinto, Vino de la Mesa
Arnold Waldstein (USA) – Ponce ’09 Manchuela Buena Pinta
Family, Love Wine (USA) – 2009 Camino de Navaherreros Garnacha, DO Vinos de Madrid
PR Grisley (USA) – 2006 Coto de Gomariz’s VX Cuvée Caco, DO Ribeiro
The Passionate Foodie (USA) – 2007 Bodegas Avanthia Mencia, DO Valdeorras
Twenty Months (USA) - 2009 D. Ventura’s Viña do Burato, DO Ribeira Sacra
Teach Us Wine (USA) – Sol de España
Dominique Roujou (Spain) – 2007 Marque de Valdueza, Vino de la Tierra Extremadura
Spittoon (UK) - 2008 Cien Y Pico, Doble Pasta, DO Mancheula

SPANISH WHITE WINES

Julian S. Talaveron (Spain) – 2009 Inspiracion Valdemar Tempranillo Blanco, Rioja DOCq
Luscious Lushes (USA) - Castillo de Maetierra Guerrilla Whites, DOCq Rioja
Virginia’s Long Island (USA) - 2009 Shaya Verdejo Old Vines White Wine, DOCq Rioja
The Wine Case (Canada) - 2009 Ad Libitum, DOCq La Rioja
Grapes of Sloth (Ireland) – 2009 Picarana, Vinos de Madrid
Mi Vida es un Blog (Spain)- 2009 Picarana, Vinos de Madrid
Sip, Swirl, Snark (USA) – 2008 Bodegas Fillaboa Albariño, DO Rias Biaxes
Undertaking Wine (USA) – 2009 2009 Vionta Albariño, Do Rias Biaxes
Kulinarischer Salon (Austria)- 2007 Dominio do Bibei Lapola, DO Ribeira Sacra
Cheap Wine Ratings (USA) – Tapeña Verdejo, Tierra de Castilla
Ruck & Vine (Ireland) – 2009 Mara Martin Godello, DO Monterrei
Grapefan (UK) – 2009 Navazos Niepoort, Vino de la Mesa Andalucia
Catavino (Spain) – 2008 Mas Rodo Montonega, DOCq Penedes
Spittoon (UK) – 2009 La Báscula Catalan Eagle, DO Terra Alta

SPANISH FORTIFIED / SWEET WINES

Cincinnati Wine Travels (USA) – Alvear, Pedro Ximenez Solera 1927, DO Montilla Moriles
2001 Bottles (Canada) – Alvear Pedro Ximenez Solera 1907, D.O. Montilla Moriles
Wijnkronieken (Holland) – Salvador Poveda Fondillón Gran Reserva 1970, DO Alicante

SPANISH SPARKLING WINES, CAVA

2001 Bottles (Canada) – 2006 Marques de Gelida Brut Exclusive Reserva, DO Cava
Wine Predator (USA) – NV Albero Cava Brut, DO Cava
Catavino (Spain) – 2001 Manuel Raventos Gran Reserva Personal, DO Cava
Catavino (Spain) – 2005 Segura Viudas Torre Galimany Gran Reserva, DO Cava

SPANISH SHERRY WINES

Aleksi Mehtonen (Finland) – Marques del Real Tesoro Amontillado Medium
Aleksi Mehtonen (Finland) – La Guita Manzanilla
Delong Wine (UK) – Tio Pepe Fino Sherry
New York Cork Report (USA) – Dios Baco Oloroso Jerez 30 Years Old Baco Imperial
A Good Time with Wine (USA) – Osborne Pedro Ximenez
Winecast (USA) – Emilio Lustau, Sherry Dry Amontillado, “Los Arcos” Solera Reserva NV

Statistics

Bloggers Participated = 45
Non-Bloggers Participated = 1
Wines Tasted = 62
Participating Countries = 11 (Ireland, USA, UK, Spain, Portugal, Holland, Austria, Finland, Sweden, South Africa, Canada)

Summary

Big hats off to Lenn Thompson for not only getting the Wine Blog Wednesday ball rolling again, but also providing us the enormous pleasure of hosting it! Whether we received a short tweet, or a lengthy novel, we love seeing people explore new Iberian wines! Thanks to everyone who participated and if we missed you, never hesitate to send us a note. We’ll happily add your submission to the list!

Gabriella Opaz

Wine Blog Wednesday? Remember me? It’s Time for WBW #70: SPAIN!

January 13, 2011 | by Ryan Opaz 

On July 27th, 2004, well before wineries were cognizant that the internet existed, Lenn Thompson of the New York Cork Report launched Wine Blog Wednesday, becoming one of the longest running online wine events. The very first WBW was titled, “Inexpensive New World Merlot that is not from the United States“, hosted by Lenn, but each edition thereafter was handed to blogs from around the world interested in having wine lovers share their passion over a given theme.

In 2007, Catavino played host to “Portuguese  Table Wines, excluding Port and Madeira“, attracting 32 bloggers from around the world chiming in with their favorite Iberian treasures. For Catavino, as the online wine community was still in its infancy, it provided us the opportunity to meet wine lovers who were as curious about Portuguese wines as we are; whereby forming some incredible friendships that have still remained with us to date – Lenn Thompson included.

Sadly, as time passed, life got the better of us bloggers, and many found that they just didn’t have the same enthusiasm, or spare moment, to keep it going. A short hiatus ensued, and when Lenn recently contacted us to restart the WBW tradition by hosting #70, we emphatically said “YES!”, suggesting Spain as our topic. Of course, we do need to provide a few caveats. So in the tradition of WBW, here’s what we propose:

• Choose a Spanish wine or wines to taste on Wednesday the 16th of February.
• Seek out Spanish wines that you’ve never had before! Get creative! Hunt for unique styles such as a Sherry, Cava, Fondillon or Mistella; an unheard of region like Arribes, Txakoli de Alava or Extremadura; or a unique native grape like Prieto Picudo or Treixadura.
• Write a post about the wine, flushing it out with life and subtle detail, then publish it on Wednesday, February 16th.
• Tweet about it with the tag: #WBW70 thus creating a live tasting by time zone as we go around the globe!
• Finally, send an email to us with a link to your article and include the subject line: “WBW #70 Submission

When all is said and done, we’ll publish a wrap up post on our site, not only allowing you to get a sense of what’s out there, but also providing the masses with a little education on Spanish wine from around the world.

Remember we live here, so if you have any questions, you can always ask any of our team members at Catavino, and we’ll happily lend a hand. So never hesitate to pipe up with comments or questions, because that’s why we’re here!

I know we’re excited to be a part of the second life of WBW, and we hope you are too! Please join us! And if you don’t have a blog, but are just a Catavino reader, you can join in too! Just pick a wine and taste it on the 16th of February along with all of us. Please post a note to Facebook, Twitter, or just send us an email with your thoughts and we’ll post it here for all to enjoy!

Wine Blog Wednesday is on the return and coming your way!!!

Ryan, Gabriella and the entire Catavino Team.