Killer Juice!

Israeli Kosher for Passover Wines: April 19-25, 2011

2011-04-15T17:18:00.001-07:00

Viticulture has existed in Israel since biblical times and today there are about 150 wineries throughout Israel, with a mere 10,000 acres under vine (compare that to Spain’s 3 million acres). Until the 1980s, Israeli wines were primarily of sacramental interest and the standard output was sweet red. These days, the focus is on quality table wines. To be considered Kosher, a wine may only be handled by observant Jews from the time the grapes are crushed. If, however, the wine is pasteurized, it may subsequently be handled by anyone without losing its Kosher status. Additionally, Kosher wine cannot contain any non-Kosher ingredients or fining agents such as isinglass or gelatin. Read on to learn more about two new labels at The Wine Studio ready for you to enjoy during this year’s Passover holiday!

Barkan Pinot Noir, Negev, Israel, $15

The unique vineyard at Mitzpeh-Ramon is planted in the Negev region, the center of the Israeli desert (south of Gaza) with marked differences in daytime and nighttime temperatures (perfect for pinot noir, which has rarely succeeded in Israel). Its medium body and color blend well with its cherry and strawberry varietal character and subtle oak bouquet. A nice food wine and a great accompaniment to your Passover Seder!

Barkan Shiraz, Dan, Israel, $15

This wine is based on Shiraz grapes harvested at Barkan's Tel-Safi vineyard in the central coastal plain of the province of Dan. The Mediterranean climate is perfect for syrah grapes (the Mediterranean, after all, is where the grape originated!) Ageing was brief, 6 months in stainless steel tanks. The result is an energetic wine that's a pleasure to sip as well as serve on the table. It’s deep purple in color and smells of ripe berries, cassis and black cherries, with a hint of sweet vanilla.

Other Kosher for Passover Wines available at The Wine Studio:

Baron Herzog Chardonnay, CA, $16

Baron Herzog Sauvignon Blanc, CA, $16

Baron Herzog Cabernet Sauvignon, CA, $16

Yarden Brut Sparkling, Israel, $20

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Quick Tips for Serving Sparkling Wines

2010-12-30T05:48:00.001-08:00

1. I’ve often talked about how we serve our white wine too cold in this country, pulling and pouring straight from a super cold fridge. I use the 10 minute rule, taking my white wines out of the refrigerator a solid 10 minutes before I serve them. This allows the wine to warm up just enough that you can actually smell and taste it! (Remember, a slice of cold pizza has a lot less flavor than one you re-warm in the toaster oven!) But (and this is a BIG BUT), throw away this rule when serving sparkling wine! Serve your bubbles COLD, COLD, COLD! Straight from the ice bucket or your cold fridge. The reasons for me breaking my own rule are two-fold: first, the colder the bottle is, the less likely it is to spew its frothy mousse all over you when opening and secondly, the longer the carbonation stays in suspension in the wine.

2. Turn the bottle, not the cork. When opening a bottle of bubbly, first peel off the foil and remove the wire cage (there are exactly 6 and a half turns of the wire). Keep the bottle on a table. Throw a towel over the top of the cork (to increase friction) and apply pressure to the top of the bottle while at the same time turning the bottle from the bottom with your other hand. This will allow you to keep control over the whole process and avoid flyaway corks. As you start to feel the cork and bottle separate, keep even pressure on the cork, almost as if you don’t want it to be removed. You’ll end up with a quiet little hiss instead of a big pop, but you’ll keep the bubbly in the bottle and you’ll look like a pro!

3. Use a flute. I don’t often agree with other wine educators who insist on a proper vessel for each type of wine. I often use the same glass for my whites as I do my reds. And I have reasons why I think all of this super specific stemware stuff is a waste of time (and money!) which will have to be the topic of another blog post. But, I do believe that serving your sparkling wine out of a long, slender flute is a good idea for two major reasons. First, it allows you to observe the “bead” or the bubbles traveling the length of the glass. Big, fat clumsy bubbles are usually a sign of forced carbonation, whereas quality sparkling wine will have a speedy, continuous stream of tiny bubbles racing to the top. But perhaps most importantly, a flute will once again, allow the carbonation to remain in the wine instead of evaporating out too quickly and leaving you with a flat, unexciting experience.

4. Prime the glass. To avoid ending up with a foamy mess while pouring for your guests, it helps to first pour a few inches of bubbly into each flute to “prime” the glasses. Wait for the bubbles to subside and then it’s safe to pour the rest of the glasses without overflow.

These handy tips apply to any sparkling wines, whether you’re serving Prosecco, Cava or a real-deal bottle of Champagne. Have another question? Comment below or send me an email: jessica@winestudioasheville.com

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10 Most Awesome Gift Ideas from The Wine Studio of Asheville!

2010-12-15T09:16:00.001-08:00

Here are some creative ideas for the wine lovers on your gift list! Happy Holidays from your friends at The Wine Studio of Asheville!

10. Ticket to Wine 101, $10

Wine 101 is now held here at the studio on a monthly basis. What a steal for only ten bones! This is a classroom-style tasting of 6 wines with an engaging presentation designed for the person who’s just getting into wine. The next class is January 27^th at 7pm.

(Wine 101 is perfect for your private group, too! Email events@winestudioasheville.com for info.)

9. The Teardrop Decanter, $10

Unleaded, dishwasher-safe and doubles as a water carafe. And at this price, it won’t hurt too badly when someone breaks it!

8. Gift Certificates, $??

Our gift certificates can be purchased for any amount and can be used for wine, accessories, beer, or classes and tastings! Great when you’re just not sure what they like to drink and makes great stocking stuffers!

7. Girls on Grapes Membership, $25

Girls on Grapes is Asheville's best wine tasting group for women! We began meeting nearly three years ago and membership is the best way to take advantage of all that Girls on Grapes has to offer! A $25 annual membership includes a Girls on Grapes tee shirt, tasting notebook, 20% discount card on all services at Spa Theology, discounts on wine at The Wine Studio and discounted Girls on Grapes tasting fees. We also hold one or two members-only events each year. Learn more: http://www.winestudioasheville.com/GonG/GonG.htm

6. The Delong Grape Varietal Table, $35

For the wine geek, the Delong Grape Varietal Table is organized like a periodic table…184 of the world’s favorite grape varieties organized by body and acidity!

5. Wish List Wine, $??

Ask us if your recipient has a Wish List here at The Wine Studio! If so, finding the perfect bottle will be a cinch! If you’re interested in creating your very own Wish List, stop in today to begin!

4. The Passport Gift Box, $50

This kit includes everything you need to start exploring the world of wine: a copy of The Wine Bible, a soft bound wine tasting notebook, the original aroma wheel from Dr. Ann Noble, 2 stemless wine glasses, the teardrop decanter, and a pull-tap corkscrew (the one the pros use!). Add on a couple of bottles to complete the experience!

3. The Locavore Gift Box, $50

Here at The Wine Studio we carry lots of local items and this gift box features our faves: mustard by Lusty Monk, a bag of locally-made crackers from Roots and Branches, locally-made, raw and organic chocolate from Raw Shakti Chocolates, a pizza kit from Gallolea Pizza and Organics, handmade doggie biscuits, plus two bottles of wine from the Owl’s Eye Vineyard and Winery! A $70 value!

2. A month...or two ;) of Six Pix, $60

Purchase a gift subscription to Six Pix for a single month or as long as you’d like. Six Pix is our monthly wine club designed for the eager and adventurous wine lover! For more info about the Six Pix program visit: http://winestudioasheville.com/SixPix/SixPix.html

1. The Hundred Dollar Case, $100

This idea came about in response to a challenge: could we assemble 12 different, but equally delicious wines that are clean and sustainably grown, unique and off the beaten path, and oh yeah, could we do it for $100? Here’s what we’ve come up with!

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New Arrival! Roots & Branches

2010-10-07T08:23:00.001-07:00

We are now carrying these new crackers from Asheville's own Roots & Branches - Vegan Specialties & Baked Goods. They've been a hit at several area farmer's markets this season and now you can find them here! They are light, crisp and the sesame seeds give a touch of nuttiness. I think they are the perfect light snack when drinking any wine, really - and make a great partner for the Roots Organic hummus that we feature in the cooler. Soon, we'll be adding even more locally-made wine accompaniments, so stay tuned! $4 for 7oz. -JG

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Quick Taste: New Belgium Lips of Faith - Belgian Style Blonde Ale

2010-09-23T12:35:00.001-07:00

Many of you may not know this, but for a brief while, I worked as the Production Assistant for New Belgium Brewing Company in Fort Collins, Colorado. I was thrilled when their beers crossed the mighty Mississippi and entered the North Carolina market a couple of years back. As time passes, more and more of their beers are making their way to Asheville and here is one of my favorite from their Lips of Faith series: Belgian Style Blonde Ale!

This is a strong golden ale, light in color, with moderate body and a crisp finish. A traditional Belgian yeast strain produces banana and clove notes on the nose. It's terribly inviting and approachable with a decidedly adult 8.5% alcohol content! Tasting it reminds me of a creamy, smooth, Russian River chardonnay! A great food beer!

We have a few sample bottles open today - come on down and get you a taste!

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The Phantom has arrived!

2010-08-25T13:02:00.001-07:00

Good Winesday to you all!

We're excited to announce that the new release of the Bogle Phantom has arrived! This is a wine that has established quite the cult following over the years and has come to be a benchmark standard for the full-bodied, old-vine stylistics of California field blends. As in past vintages, this wine is predominately petite sirah and zinfandel, rounded out with a bit of mourvedre. Excited to open a bottle and see what the 2007 had in store for us, this is what we tasted: Lush berry, fierce spice, black pepper, black fruit, juniper, toasty cinnamon, and nutmeg. This is a highly-coveted wine that will only be around a short time. Get one to enjoy with all the fall fare that's about to hit our tables and save one to drink in a few years!

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South African Vintage Guide

2010-08-02T22:03:00.001-07:00

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South_African_Vintage_Guide_2010.pdf (163 KB)

I am crazy for South African wines for so many reasons! Maybe its the romance of 350 years of winemaking, the world's most ancient soils, the incredibly diverse flora, fauna, sub-regions...or maybe it's the value, the friendliness and the overall quality. I'm sure it's all of this and more. Here's a fun vintage guide that addresses the past few years. A fun read.

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Certified Organic Sake - New Arrival!

2010-07-23T12:30:00.001-07:00

The folks at SakeOne have given us a USDA certified organic premium sake that retails for only $10!

From their website:

"Lush fruit and spice aromas layer their way to big fruit flavors packed in a complex body and long, clean finish."

Sounds kinda like a wine description, doesn't it? And with premium sake, we assess flavor profile much in the same way we approach wine - by using our "5 Ss": sight, swirl, smell, sip and savor. We also serve them chilled and most often in a white wine glass!

If you'd like to learn more about sake, join us Saturday evening for a tasting of 6 premium sakes complete with a presentation that walks us through quality-levels and the sake-making process. As always, Jess is in the business of bringing us closer together by facilitating a sipping experience that is unforgettable! And even more fun: BYOSushi!!

The cost is $15. Please call us at the studio (828.255.5955) or send an email to jessica@winestudioasheville to reserve your spot!

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Ique Malbec

2010-07-22T16:21:00.001-07:00

Hey malbec lovers! We are excited about our latest arrival to The Wine Studio - 2009 Bodega Foster "Ique Malbec" from Lujan de Cuyo, a subregion of Mendoza that is regarded as the birthplace of the movement that catapulted Argentine malbec to the international stage.

The people of Bodega Foster farm 50 acres of grapes from ungrafted, pre-phylloxera vines, many of which were planted in the early 20th century! Irrigation is by canals that were built by the Huarpe Indians a thousand years ago to divert melting snow from the Andes!

They're also big on "gravity flow" winemaking techniques, which eliminates the need to pump the wine from each stage of the wine making process to the next. To Bodega Foster that equals superior quality malbec and I'd say the proof is in the bottle!

They made under 7,000 cases of the 2009 Ique Malbec. It sees no oak, and is intended to drink upon release. The wine has some fun aromatics of violets and dark fruit, is fairly full-bodied, with soft, lush tannins. Can you say BBQ wine? ;) A real value at $12!

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Tensley!

2010-06-23T20:57:00.001-07:00

So, I've loved these wines forever and I'm so happy to have the Santa Barbara Syrah in my life and on our shelves (starting tomorrow)!

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Tonight's line-up!

2010-06-08T20:31:00.001-07:00

Five very different pi

Jessica Gualano
828.273.1889

sent from my iPhone

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Impromptu tasting of Graham Beck Brut sparkling tomorrow in honor of the Obama's visit to Asheville!

2010-04-22T19:45:00.001-07:00

Many of you know how much I love the Graham Beck Brut sparkling... And regardless of your political affiliation, it is pretty cool that President Obama chose this wine to celebrate his electoral victory...In honor of their weekend visit to Asheville we'll be sampling the wine tomorrow...as long as it lasts! Read the article below for the scoop...

http://ow.ly/1qvOgo

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Last night's Winesday was WAY fun!

2010-04-15T06:07:00.001-07:00

Old World v New World! It was up to you to decide!!

Looking forward to tasting some warm weather wines for tonight's installment of Girls on Grapes! (There's still room! email or buzz the studio 255.5955)

And don't miss the line up of Charles Smith wines (F&W's Winemaker of the Year) for free Saturday tasting on the 17th!

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Aussie Organics!

2010-04-10T05:34:00.001-07:00

Join us today to taste 3 Aussie wines from organic vineyards in NSW.

You know our rules: low & sustainable production. That can be difficult when shopping for Australian wine, but we hand pick wines like these made by people who care! And the results are in the glass! Come taste what I'm blabbering about! 12-6 today at The Wine Studio.

And thanks so much for allowing us to do what we LOVE!

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Winesday in full effect! Until 8pm tonight!

2010-04-07T15:10:00.001-07:00

Off the beaten path in Spain! Xarello, Verdejo, Mencia and more!

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For a warm evening: RK Pinot Blanc, Mosel

2010-04-02T16:30:00.001-07:00

Wow! I don't normally think of bright acid and such tropical aromatics when I think of pinot blanc, but this is a beautifully expressive wine! Beautiful golden color, silky texture, crisp and clean with a lightly nutty finish...maybe we'll get some take-out Thai tonight for this one! Pick up a bottle at The Wine Studio for $15...get one from the cooler for your immediate enjoyment!

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2010-03-31T10:13:00.000-07:00

Winesday
March 31, 2010 4:30-8pm
North Carolina Wines - Think local, drink local!

Did you know that our state ranks 7th in wine production in the US and now is home to nearly 90 wineries? Did you know that most of them can be visited in a day trip from Asheville?

Tonight, we'll focus on two wineries: Rockhouse Vineyards (just 45 minutes down the road) in Tryon and Shelton Vineyards in the Yadkin Valley (North Carolina's first AVA).

Here's how it works:
Pay $5 to sample 5 wines. It's that simple!
Tasting dollar profits go directly to local charity!
Each month, we'll highlight a different non-profit
Our partner for March is WNC Group Homes!

Tonight's tasting is the finale tasting for WNC Group Homes, an organization providing residential care and life skills education, specializing in working with individuals on the autism spectrum who have significant behavioral challenges. This month's fundraising proceeds support the construction of a new group home. More information about this amazing project can be found at www.wncgrouphomes.org!

Tonight's Line-Up:

Shelton Vineyards Bin 17 Chardonnay
Rockhouse Vineyards Viognier
Shelton Vineyards Madison Lee
Shelton Vineyards Cabernet Franc
Rockhouse Vineyards Meritage

We've also got two bonus wines for you to taste blindly tonight! (Think you can you guess the varietal when grown in NC soil?)

Hope to see you here tonight! This one's not to be missed!

Want to learn more about the North Carolina wine industry or plan a day trip? Visit www.visitncwine.com

At some point this summer, we'll be planning an overnight wine tasting/camping trip to the Yadkin Valley...shoot me an email if you're interested and we'll get the date set!

APRIL'S WINESDAY PARTNER IS IRENE WORTHAM CENTER!

4/7: OLD WORLD V. NEW WORLD PART 1 - GUEST POURER FEATURING SPAIN & ITALY! 4/14: OLD WORLD V. NEW WORLD PART 2
4/21: ANCIENT VINES TO MODERN TIMES: GREECE
4/28: THE 411 ON SUSTAINABILITY

Thank YOU, Mission Manna!

2010-03-16T06:30:00.001-07:00

We thoroughly enjoyed working with you for our February Winesdays! Thanks so much for the beautiful Haitian artwork!

Please visit www.missionmanna.org to learn more about the work of this amazing organization!

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Sake Sippin' class today!

2010-03-14T10:11:00.001-07:00

It's BYOSushi to this afternoon's sake class, featuring 6 sakes! $15. 5pm. Gimme a buzz at the shop if you'd like to attend! 828.255.5955 Come learn the difference between futsu-shu and daiginjo, how sake is made and lots more!

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Illumination!

2010-03-02T16:40:00.001-08:00

We finally got our permit to light our sign...thanks, Danny, for sending this along and brightening my evening!

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Singles Dinner!

2010-02-14T10:58:00.001-08:00

4 courses, 6 wines, 14 delightful wine lovers!

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Opening at NOON today!!

2010-02-13T08:02:00.001-08:00

We're making our way down our hill in Leicester...we'll see everyone for free sparkling tasting fom 12-6!

-Jess

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Elyse Wine Dinner

2010-02-13T06:16:00.001-08:00

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Heaven in a box!

2010-02-12T09:48:00.001-08:00

$5 for a pair of these heavenly truffles from our friends at French Btoad Chocolate Lounge! Get em now at The Wine Studio, pair em up with a pretty bottle of Brachetto and voilà...you've got a V-Day gift!

Open Valentine's Day (Sunday) from 12-5 for that last-minute gift ;)

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I LOVE South African wines!!!!'

2010-02-05T19:30:00.001-08:00

Seriously. Boekenhoutskloof is probably my fave SA producer! This syrah is ready to drink right out of the bottle, earthy, soil-y, inky, aromatic, no food necessary (although BBQ would be great, IMHO)....this wine has some SOUL! And only $12 at the studio! Hope to see ya soon!

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Local, handmade wine charms!

2010-02-05T07:53:00.001-08:00

See and download the full gallery on posterous

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Lange Estate Wines

2010-02-02T10:19:00.001-08:00

Sometimes I am just so thankful for the profession I am in! Today, I was lucky to meet up with Jesse Lange, winemaker of Lange Estate Winery & Vineyards at the studio! (I used to sell his wines back in my restaurant days in Fort Collins...) and WOW! They're just as good as I remember! We will have his Chard and 2 of his Pinot Noirs on the shelf starting tomorrow! Ultra small production wines...totally unadulterated! Come check these wines out! Cheers!

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If you come by today, you'll get to meet this bruiser!

2010-01-30T08:57:00.001-08:00

Jessica Gualano
828.273.1889

sent from my iPhone

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Oh yeah!

2010-01-29T08:42:00.001-08:00

It's about time, NBB! 6-packs now available!

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My reward for a great week at the studio!!

2010-01-24T14:28:00.001-08:00

What a great job I have!

sent from my iPhone

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Fresh bread delivery!

2010-01-22T09:46:00.001-08:00

Snag a baguette from City Bakery with your bottle of wine! Delivered fresh daily! Mmm.

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Our Calendar of Events is Finally Up!!

2010-01-19T12:49:00.001-08:00

I’m super happy to report that we’ve finally gotten our Calendar of Events up on the website:

http://bit.ly/7IvTIA

2 UPCOMING HIGHLIGHTS:

Winesday is tomorrow and features some of the best wines in our market from South Africa! Pop-in anytime between 4:30 and 8pm. $5 to taste 5 wines and proceeds benefit Sleep Tight Kids!

Friday at 7pm is a super amazing 4-course wine dinner entitled An Evening in Eastern France: featuring 7 wines, poached salmon with Dijon and fennel, pork tenderloin with prunes, cheeses with walnut bread and fig jam, and raspberry pots de crème for dessert! Only 8 tickets remain for this event! Call me to reserve your spot. $50/person or $95/couple. What a fun time around our private table in the back of the studio! VEGGIE OPTION IS AVAILABLE!

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Coming Next Week! From winemaker of the year, Charles Smith!

2010-01-14T10:19:00.001-08:00

Jessica Gualano
828.273.1889

sent from my iPhone

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Yay! We have cheese!

2010-01-07T15:14:00.001-08:00

Jessica Gualano
828.273.1889

sent from my iPhone

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It's time for BUBBLY!

2009-12-31T09:56:00.001-08:00

This is one of our absolute favorite sparklers! Get one for tonight's toast, or choose one of a dozen others here at The Wine Studio!

Open til 6 pm!

HAPPY NEW YEAR, ASHEVILLE!!

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Grand Opening Weekend!

2009-12-28T07:18:00.001-08:00

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WineStudioGrandOpening.pdf (415 KB)

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Free Sparkling Wine Tasting, noon-6pm! Here's the line-up:

2009-12-26T10:13:00.001-08:00

Come on down to The Wine Studio and get ready to ring in a New Year with 5 of our favorite sparklers!

Dibon Cava, Penedes, Spain - $12

Luna Argenta Prosecco, Veneto, Italy - $12

Sant'Evasio Moscato d'Asti, Piemonte, Italy - $15

Sant'Evasio Brachetto d'Asti, Piemonte, Italy - $17

Perrier-Jouet Champagne, France - $44

(And read on to discover what makes our tastings the most unique!)

The Wine Studio offers free tastings each Saturday from 12-6pm. While we always announce the theme, the wines themselves are usually tasted blindly, to allow participants to taste and judge the wines on their own merit - and to eliminate the often unconscious bias of “oh, I like that label” or “I don’t like {insert grape name here}”. It is our goal to create a learning experience with each tasting and to equip you with tools you can use to best describe what you like (and perhaps more importantly, what you don’t like!). This means we use maps to talk about where the grapes are grown, how the wine is made and the inspiring stories behind its production. We also have aroma wheels handy so we can begin to describe what we perceive. The better we can communicate our experience, the more likely we are to find wines we thoroughly enjoy!

So come on down and check us out...we're always happy to pour for you!

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The Wine Studio is OPEN today from 11-5pm! Need an extra bottle of wine for the dinner table? A last minute gift or stocking stuffer?

2009-12-24T05:55:00.001-08:00

Here are some more great reasons to visit!

1. It's the last day to get our teardrop decanter for only 8 bones! Unleaded and dishwasher safe! (normally $10)

2. Chimay giftpacks!

3. Stocking Stuffers! Including the coolest pulltap corkscrews around, wintry pewter bottle stoppers, picnic corkscrews (only a buck fifty and everyone needs one in their glove box!), champagne recorkers and more!

4. Randall Grahm's super cool, hot off the presses, AUTOGRAPHED new book "Been Doon So Long"!

5. The Wine Bible and The World Atlas of Wine!

6. Auld Asheville Vintage Ale - Celebrate Highland Brewing's 15th Anniversary!

We will be closed tomorrow, but will open back up on Saturday, 11-8, with our FREE Wine Tasting running from 12-6. Our theme this week is Sparkling Wines to help ring in the New Year!

Happy Holidays, Asheville!!!

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Now available! From the maker of the best canned beers evah!

2009-12-21T18:24:00.001-08:00

Only 9.5% ABV! ;)

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Chimay Gift Packs for the beer lover in your life at The Wine Studio!

2009-12-21T11:59:00.001-08:00

One each of Chimay's Trappiste ales...

Chimay Grand Reserve (Blue): Strong Dark, 9%

Chimay Premiere (Red): Dubbel, 7%

Chimay (White): Tripel, 8%

And the perfect glass to accompany the experience!

Only a few left!

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We are open today! Wine makes a GREAT xmas gift! (normally closed Mondays but making up for the lost weekend!)

2009-12-21T07:31:00.001-08:00

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Shop-Dog!

2009-12-20T13:26:00.001-08:00

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Pretty decanters for the wine lover in your life!

2009-12-20T09:19:00.001-08:00

Testing out Posterous!

Jessica Gualano
828.273.1889

sent from my iPhone

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Opportunities to WIN!!

2009-08-19T10:33:00.000-07:00

Hello wine lovers,

Let me start out by saying sorry I haven't written anything in two months! I hope to do better with writing more often, but as many of you already know, I'm more of a speaker than a writer!

And that being said, I'm sure there are lots of you out there who haven't had the chance to attend one of my tastings or classes, yet. So, I'm running a Twitter promotion, giving two opportunities to get in on the wine tasting action!

1. One lucky gal will win a FREE Girls on Grapes membership, which includes all tasting fees for one full year! This is a $150 value! Please visit my website for current meeting calendar: http://www.ashevillewineconsulting.com/

2. One more lucky person (guy or gal) will win two FREE tickets to Asheville Wine Consulting's Wine Foundations Class (which is my version of Wine Appreciation or Wine 101). This is an unforgettable two and a half hour wine experience that introduces any wine lover to a unique approach to wine discovery from vine to bottle! This is a $100 value! The next Wine Foundations Class is now scheduled for Sunday, September 27, 5-7:30pm

What do you have to do to win?

1. Possess or establish an active Twitter account

2. Visit http://www.corkd.com/ and set up an account

3. Add a wine (and your personal review of that wine) to your "Wine Journal" on cork'd.

4. To be considered for the Girls on Grapes Membership, tweet a link to your review like this:

@girlsongrapes @corkd Here's my latest wine review! http://tinyurl.com/m8m8cr

5. To be considered for the Wine Foundations tickets, tweet a link to your review like this:

@ashevillewine @corkd Here's my latest wine review! http://tinyurl.com/m8mcr

If you'd like to enter to win both prizes, you must do two separate wine reviews.

I will choose the winners based on inclusion of certain criteria. 1. What can you note about the color of the wine? 2. What does the wine smell like? 3. How does the wine taste? 4. How does the wine finish on your palate? 5. How would you contextualize this wine? i.e. when would you most like to drink it? what would you pair it with? I'm really just looking for some creative and fun wine drinkers to share their experiences with me...please have fun with this!

DM or email me with any questions jessica@ashevillewineconsulting.com The deadline for your wine reviews is Sunday, August 23th, 11:59pm! I'll post winners on Monday morning!

The Greening of the Wine Industry: Sustainable, Organic and Biodynamic Wines

2009-06-15T20:28:00.000-07:00

Jessica Gualano of Asheville Wine Consulting, Girls on Grapes, and Hops & Vines presents:

The Greening of the Wine Industry: Sustainable, Organic and Biodynamic Wines
2nd Annual Spring Wine Dinner

June 24th (Wed), 7pm
Windows on the Park

Menu by The Colorful Palate
$40/person (includes tax and tip!)

6 wines (biodynamic & organic), 4 courses (locally-sourced menu)

The Line-Up:

Skewer Duo - Summer Caprese, Pickled Shrimp & Cucumber
NV Tiamo Prosecco, Valdobiadenne, Italy (organic)
Local Trout Cake with Bibb Lettuce, Sugar Snap Peas, Peppers & Chow-Chow dressing
2007 Claude Branger Muscadet Sevre et Maine, France (organic)
2007 Le Drunk Rooster Grenache, VdP de Vaucluse, France (biodynamic)
Grass-fed Pulled Pork Shoulder, Creamy Corn Bread Pudding & Roasted Whole Okra
2007 Alain Normand Macon La Roche-Vineuse, France (lutte raisonnee)
2007 Gemtree Vineyards "Tadpole" Shiraz, Australia (biodynamic)
Dessert - Berry shortcakes with housemade vanilla bean scones
2008 Caladroy Muscat de Rivesaltes, France (organic)

TICKETS:

ONLINE using debit/credit @

http://www.ashevillewineconsulting.com/content/spring_paypal.htm

IN PERSON using cash/personal check @

Hops & Vines, 797 Haywood Road, West Asheville

The details: Please indicate vegetarian option when purchasing ticket. Tickets must be purchased by Friday, June 19th 2009. Tickets will not be available at the door.

Looking forward to another sell out dinner this year!

-Jess

How to choose a sauvignon blanc you will LOVE!

2009-06-13T09:17:00.000-07:00

Q: I've had some Sauvignon Blancs that were fruity and crisp, and I loved them! Then I've bought some that I think must be the type experts describe with words like "grass" and "cat pee," and I definitely didn't enjoy them. Can you recommend a few flavorful, crisp and fruity Sauvignon Blancs that won't break the bank? - Jan B.

A: This is a really great question! SB can be expressed in such a broad range of styles and is often a good price. Here's what's out there. Then you can choose what to try next!

On the more agressive side of the spectrum (intense grapefruit, grassy aromas, and yes, perhaps even "cat pee") we have SB from New Zealand. Although many of these wines offer great value, the inexpensive ones can sometimes be too angular and bold. It can be hard to pair these types with food and they can lack linearity. Allan Scott is my favorite producer and makes very seamless SB for $15.

For best value, though, I would suggest SB from Chile or South Africa or Southern France. You can find lots at the ten-dollar mark. These are drink-me-NOW, fresh wines, perfect for this time of year! They tend to be much more soft and fruit driven than the NZ styles. My absolute favorites are those made by Cono Sur in Chile, Brampton in South Africa, and Pierre Henri in Pays d'Oc (this one's only 9 bones!). Jan, this is where I think you should begin your search!

If you want something for a special occasion or dinner party, try the noble SB of the Loire Valley in France (ask for a bottle of Sancerre).

The white wines of Bordeaux are usually composed of a blend of SB and semillon, although be sure to drink these with a meal, as they can possess firm minerality and acidity. A well-balanced example usually begins around $14. Try Chateau Haut La-Peyrere at H&V.

California. A good one will start also around $14 or 15, but can be well worth the money if you choose those with little or no oak. My absolute favorite is Cartlidge & Browne Dancing Crow Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc. Single vineyard, organic grapes, no oak. Full yummy fruit. It's $13.99 at H&V and worth more!

Also a good value are those from Spain. SB is often blended with viura and verdejo in Rueda. My favorites are made by two producers: Basa and Ipsum. These are very citrus-driven styles and can be fairly forward on both the nose and palate.

Food Pairings: Sancerre and goat cheese is a classic combination. Crumble over a salad with some nuts! Keep it light, seafood and shellfish, lemon...

Gotta run to a wine tasting (where else?!). Hope this gets you started!

My Top Five Summer Rosés!

2009-06-09T18:46:00.000-07:00

In the spirit of Asimov's New York Times article on rosé today, I thought I would tell you about my top five rosé picks for the warm, summer days ahead!

Before I do, though, I'll explain a bit about the three major ways a rosé wine can be made: saignée (literally, "bleeding"), traditional (skin contact), and blending.

The saignée method is often used when a winemaker is actually making a red wine, but "bleeds" off a portion of the juice after only a couple of days. This is usually done when the winemaker wants to achieve high levels of tannic acid and intense color in the finished product. Since red wine derives its color from being in contact with the skins, this first run-off juice is going to be pink, not red, yet. It is fermented separately as rosé. The remaining wine in the original fermenter goes on to become red wine.

In the second scenario, the winemaker is most likely using red grapes uniquely designated for rosé production. The grapes are crushed and the skins remain in contact with the juice for a couple of days. Then, the grapes are (usually) pressed and removed (unlike red wine, where the skins stay throughout the entire fermentation process).

There is some disagreement as to whether skin contact or saignée method makes the best rosés, but it is widely agreed that the third way of production: blending red and white to get rosé or blush doesn't produce the best examples!

When do you drink a rosé? Anytime and with nearly anything! This style of wine should always be consumed fresh and young, with a nice chill (or ice cold, if you wish). They are perfect partners with anything on the grill and great with all the fresh produce out in the markets right now! They make great crossover wines (for you red wine drinkers who don't drink much white and vice versa). And for those of you who still think that all pink wine is sweet or for sissies or the unrefined palate need to get with the program! The majority of rosé production in the world is DRY. The best ones strike an effortless balance between fresh acidity and structure, fruit and minerality. Now on to my picks for the summer:

5. Mulderbosch Cabernet Sauvignon, Stellenbosch, South Africa - This wine comes from one of my favorite South African winemakers, Mike Dobrovic. Beautiful pomegranate color, aromas of strawberries and cherries, slightly peppery. This would be phenom with ahi tuna steak with fresh sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper!

4. Domaine Houchart Cotes de Provence Rosé, France - This domaine is part of the Quiot family (famed Rhone producers) and has been producing wine in Provence for 5 generations! This rosé is a blend of mostly grenache, cinsault, and syrah. It is salmon-pink, with raspberries and citrus fruit on the nose. This is a wine to drink at lunch (with quiche!)...or anytime, really!

3. Masciarelli Rosé d'Abruzzo , Italy - I am crazy in love with this wine - especially for it's quality-to-price ratio! 100% montepulciano, brilliant mauve color, explodes with juicy dark berries and rose both on the nose and the palate. Incredibly smart little number from a winery that shows consistent quality year after year (I mean, who doesn't love the flagship Masciarelli Montepulciano d'Abruzzo? Go try it by the glass at Cucina 24 if you're in Asheville). Get a solid chill on this rosé and drink all summer long!!

2. Villa Wolf Pinot Noir Rosé, Pfalz, Germany - I love the elegance and clean, lean lines of this wine made by Dr Loosen's second estate, J.L. Wolf. The cool climate contributes to the bright acid and liveliness, the traditional saignée method accounts for the pretty pink color! Don't cover up this wine with too much flavor intensity. Opt for salads, shellfish or local mountain trout with pink peppercorns...mmm ;)

1. Domaine de la Berthete "Sensation" Cotes du Rhone Rosé, France - cinsault, grenache, carignan and syrah - peaches and berries...reminds me of the smell of a fresh cobbler! The most amazing texture and mouthfeel: creamy, with whispers of cool acidity. This is rosé to drink on your porch on a warm evening with a light meal: try a grilled romaine heart with nutty parm reggiano or roasted rosemary-thyme chicken and potatoes...in fact, i know this would be great with one of my favorite stand-by recipes from epicurious: pork tenderloin with maple and sage http://tinyurl.com/nk9lur. Don't get me wrong, this wine is great by itself, too, I just love when wine inspires me to eat something yummy!

Honorable Mentions: Les Jamelles Cinsault Rosé, Gran Sarao Cava Rosado, Mercedes Eguren Cabernet Rosado

All of these wines are for sale at Hops & Vines in West Asheville. However, if you know of another place selling/serving any of the above, just leave a comment telling us where to find it!

My Weekly Top Five!

2009-05-25T08:23:00.000-07:00

It's no secret that I get to taste a lot of wine each week! Naturally, some bottles are much more memorable than others...Here are my top picks from the week of May 18, 2009:

1. 2005 Turkey Flat Butcher's Block GSM, Barossa, Australia - Danny and I enjoyed this one at Flight Wood Grill and Wine Bar in Hendersonville on Friday night. GSM stands for grenache, shiraz (or syrah) and mourvedre. It's a common new-world take on the wines of the Southern Rhone, of which the majority are usually blends of these grapes . This wine really stood out because of its huge aromatic component - dark fruit, violets and raspberry jam! It was also a delightful match with my pork tenderloin...thanks, Rob! I don't carry this specific wine in the shop, so instead pick up a bottle of D'Arenberg's Stump Jump GSM for $11.99 to get the idea.

2. 2007 Charles Smith The Velvet Hammer Merlot, Columbia Valley, Washington - I love Charles Smith and his wines! If I were a winemaker, he would be my idol! He is the ultimate "terroirist" - no, not terrorist ;) -and I definitely agree with Parker when he writes that his style "lets you know immediately who made the wine". I believe merlot is the unsung hero of Washington State wine and this one drinks as the name implies...a rich, velvety mouthfeel and a heavy hammering of dark fruit and round tannins. Should you love this one as much as I do, you can explore several others he makes that I carry in the shop: Kung Fu Girl Riesling, Boom Boom Syrah, House Red, House White and Steak House. Charles Smith totally dominates my WA section! The Velvet Hammer Merlot is $14.99 at H&V.

3. 2006 Steele California Cuvee Chardonnay - Grapes are sourced from family growers in Santa Ynez Valley, Carneros and Mendocino. This is the style of CA chardonnay that I wish more wine lovers would realize REALLY DOES EXIST! The flavors lean more toward citrus fruit and the acids are bright and lean. A masterfully crafted wine! Way to go, Jed! I tasted this wine, along with 5 amazing reds and ended up choosing 3 for the shelves at Hops & Vines - This one retails for $24.99.

4. 2006 Steele Santa Barbera County Pinot Noir, CA - I like that this SB pinot noir has a nice bit of structure and I really like that these guys don't blend in a bunch of syrah or zinfandel into their pinots to acheive that! Slow, cool Burgundian-style fermentation means a nicely developed floral aroma. Another interesting Burgundian vinification technique: 2-3% chard blended in to fill out the mouthfeel. $24.99 at H&V.

5. 2005 Steele Stymie Founder's Reserve Syrah, Lake County, CA - This is a real bad-ass perfect a special meal...I'm thinking lamb chops or bison tenderloin! 22 months in new French oak and only 125 cases produced! Although most of you know I prefer the Rhone to CA, this one sucessfully exemplifies the best of the new-world style. Get one for your cellar, and one for the dinner party I'm invited to! $45.99 at H&V.

5 more favorites next week!

Q: What are some kick-ass wine and vegetarian dish pairings?

2009-05-22T08:08:00.000-07:00

So here it is...my very first blog post...evah!

I've decided that at least for now, I would like to organize this page as a wine Q&A. I am much more comfortable speaking than writing and this seems like the best way for me to get my creative juices flowing! Since you guys are the ones providing the topics, e-mail me jessica@ashevillewineconsulting.com with your all your wine queries! I'll try to answer at least one a day...here goes!

Q: What are some kick-ass wine and vegetarian dish pairings?
-Allie S. (@ashevilleallie via Twitter)

A: My dear Allie, what a beautiful question to begin my Q&A blog!

Folks ask me about wine pairing all the time, so here are some things to remember when choosing a wine (this goes for meat and seafood, too!)

1. To use a metaphor, I think the most important thing to remember about pairing wine is the canvas (rice, pasta, tofu, etc.) is often secondary to the paint colors (herbs, spices, fresh vegetables).

So, let’s choose polenta…say, of the creamy variety...as our “canvas” (which is a good example because it readily expresses whatever you choose to add). You have two basic options: to compare or to contrast flavors with your wine choice. So, if you were to add rosemary and thyme to your dish, you might want to choose a wine that displays herbal notes (like sauvignon blanc or Cotes du Rhone). Or you could contrast the earthiness of the dish with a fruity wine (like an albarino or Beaujolais).

2. The second thing to keep in mind (which I find really fun to play with) is texture! How do you want the food and wine to feel in your mouth? Let’s use the polenta again as our example: it’s creamy and soft. Maybe we’ve added some cheese, too. Why not choose a full-bodied wine that also displays a rich mouthfeel, like an oaked chardonnay, zinfandel or petit sirah? Or again, to contrast, we could pair a bright, high acid wine like pinot noir or New Zealand sauvignon blanc , which sort of “cuts through” the weight of the dish and brightens it up (kinda like squeezing a lemon over your grilled vegetables)!

3. Perhaps the easiest way to pair wine and food is to look at the regional origin of your dish and drink the wine that is made there!

If you’re making traditional Greek grape leaves stuffed with rice and herbs (Dolmathakia), why not seek out a Greek wine! Assyrtiko is a good example: it is a white grape that makes crisp, fruity wine that is commonly imported to the states.

Lots of fresh tomatoes on hand to make a sauce? The nice bright acids in tomatoes pair perfectly with the nice bright acids in Italian reds, especially the ones made from grapes grown in Tuscany like sangiovese (which is the main grape used in Chianti).

If you really love to make use of all these yummy locally grown veggies, maybe you should showcase a NC-made wine, too! That is an entirely separate topic, for sure, but some of my favorites include Rockhouse Vineyards Native Yeast Chardonnay and Cabernet Franc. They are in Tryon…not too far away!

So to sum it all up, the food and wine pairing experience is really just that – an experience. Have fun with it! Compare and contrast flavors, textures…play into regionality (I think I just made that word up!)…but mostly take a moment while you’re in the moment to really savor all of it – wine, food and friends!