Behind the Cork™ - Barkan Vineyards Platinum Cabernet Sauvignon

2020 Barkan Vineyards Platinum Cabernet Sauvignon ($29.99)

Barkan Vineyards is located a half-hour driving distance from both Tel-Aviv and Jerusalem in Israel. And, yes, it’s a Kosher wine. But not just a Kosher wine, a really good Kosher wine!

Barkan Platinum is made from Cabernet Sauvignon grapes that are grown in the Upper Galilee. Made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, this wine is aged for 18 months in “phenomenal” French oak barrels that provided unique characteristics to the wine.

Barkan Vineyards Platinum Cabernet Sauvignon is deep ruby in color with a nice aroma of dark fruit and spices. On the palate, this wine is rich in dark fruit flavors. The oak and bottle aging has smoothed out the tannin for a soft mouthfeel. It finishes rich and soft.

If you’re looking for a really good Cab, that just happens to be Kosher, look no further. Barkan Vineyards Platinum Cabernet Sauvignon is a great wine at a tremendous prices. That’s a perfect fit as this week’s Behind the Cork™ Wine of the Week. Cheers!

The opinions expressed are entirely my own.

A Tour of Wine Grapes: Dolcetto

Dolcetto 🍷

Dolcetto (dol-chet-to) is a black wine grape variety almost exclusively grown in the Piedmont region of northwest Italy. While its name translates to "little sweet one" the wines produced from this grape are anything but sweet and actually can have some tartness.

Historically, winemakers called Dolcetto their "cash flow" grape. Because it ripens so early and is meant to be drunk young, farmers could sell it to pay their bills while their Nebbiolo and Barbera wines were still aging in the cellar for years.

Surprisingly, the oldest surviving Dolcetto vines in the world aren't in Italy—they are in Australia, with some plantations dating back to the 1860s.

Dolcetto wines are usually medium to medium-full bodied, with low acidity and higher in tannin.

Aromas include red and black fruits such as black cheery, plum and blackberry. Floral notes include violets and lavender.

Flavors include black cherry, blackberry, plum and licorice.

Because Dolcetto is low in acidity, it doesn’t age well and should be consumed young (2-3 years).

Dolcetto should be served in a red wine glass at 60-68 °F after decanting for 30 minutes.

Behind the Cork™ - Senorio de Odon Crianza

2020 Señorio de Odon Crianza ($6.99)

In Spanish wine, Crianza is a regulated aging classification that literally translates to "breeding" or "nurturing". It is the second tier of aged wine in Spain's quality system, sitting between young, un-aged wines (Joven) and more heavily aged wines (Reserva and Gran Reserva).

Crianza wines must have been aged a minimum of 24 months with at least one year of barrel aging followed by bottle aging.

This Crianza is produced by the family-owned Bodegas Leza García. It is 100% Tempranillo from the Rioja Alta region of Spain.

Señorio de Odon is deep ruby red in color with the classic Tempranillo aromas of cherry and spices. On the palate, this full-bodied wine has flavors of black cherry, fig and plum. It has medium-high tannin and acidity. It finishes lean with a bit of tannin and tartness.

The 2020 Señorio de Odon is widely available at Trader Joe’s and an excellent value. That makes it a nice fit as this week’s Behind the Cork™ Wine of the Week. Cheers!

The opinions expressed are entirely my own.

A Tour of Wine Grapes: Colombard

Colombard (or Colombar)

Photo from Pancrat on Wikimedia Commons

The name Colombard likely comes from the French word for dove, "colombe". Legend has it that the grape was so named because its white, dusty berries match the color of a dove's plumage.

It is a natural cross between Chenin Blanc and Gouais Blanc. This makes it a sibling to Chardonnay and Riesling.

Colombard was among the most-planted white grape varieties in France but is also found in California’s Central Valley, Texas as well as South Africa, Australia, Thailand and Israel.

Before Chardonnay took over in the 1990s, Colombard (often called "French Colombard" in the U.S.) was the most planted white grape in California.

Historically a "workhorse" grape in blending, it has played a major role in both distilled spirits (Brandy) and mass-market "jug wines.” For decades, it was the grape used in nearly every generic "Chablis" or "Hearty White" jug wine sold in the U.S.

But, in the recent past, French wine producers have began using Colombard to make white wine.

Typically light-bodied and crisp (acidic), it often features notes of green apple, lime, grapefruit, and white peach

Because of its neutral flavor and high acidity, it is frequently blended with more aromatic grapes like Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, or Chenin Blanc.

Colombard should be enjoyed young and fresh but because of its high acidity, it can be aged 3 to 5 years with some premium versions being easily aged for 10 or more years.

Serve Colombard wines well chilled (45°F and 50°F) in a white wine glass with a U-shaped bowl.

No decanting necessary.

Behind the Cork™ - Frei Brothers Sonoma Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

2021 Frei Brother Sonoma Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon ($16)

Frei Brothers has been a part of Sonoma County for over a century. After coming to California from his native Switzerland, founder Andrew Frei first established vineyards in the Dry Creek Valley in 1890. His two sons, Walter and Louis, eventually took over and adopted the name Frei Brothers. They successfully ran the winery for over 70 years.

Frei Brothers vineyards caught the eye of Julio Gallo soon after the repeal of Prohibition. He began using the site as a vineyard source for the rapidly growing E. & J. Gallo Winery. Once Walter and Louis had both retired in the late 1970s, the Gallo family purchased Frei Ranch.

This Frei Brothers Sonoma Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon is from the Alexander Valley in Sonoma. It is primarily Cabernet Sauvignon although some technical listings suggest it is may include small amounts of Merlot and Petite Sirah. It is deep purple in color with subtle aromas of dark fruit. On the palate, this full-bodied wine has medium-high tannin (give it some time in a decanter before serving), and medium-high acidity. There are notes of blackberry and plum. It finishes lean.

The 2021 Frei Brothers Sonoma Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon is widely available and very well priced for a Cabernet from Alexander Valley. That makes it a nice fit as this week’s Behind the Cork™ Wine of the Week. Cheers!

The opinions expressed are entirely my own.