Behind the Cork™ - Rivallana Gran Reserva Rioja

2018 Rivallana Gran Reserva Rioja ($12)

This wine was bottled for Bodegas Ondarre, located in the Rioja region of Spain. It is a “Gran Reserva” wine which means that it was aged for a minimum of five years in oak and bottle with a minimum of 2 years in oak and a minimum of 3 years in the bottle before being released by the winery.

Tempranillo is the grape of Rioja and this wine is 85% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano and 2% Garnacha.

This 2018 Rivallana Gran Reserva Rioja is a medium garnet in color with nice aromas of dark fruit and oak. On the palate, this medium-full bodied wine has nice flavors of black cherry, fig, a touch of blueberry, sweet tobacco leaf and notable cedar from the oak aging.

This is a 2018 wine that’s a Gran Reserva. And, it sells for under $20! This is a great value for a really good wine. Look for it! Cheers!

The Never Ending Search for Great Wine

Photo by Doriana Popa on Unsplash

A few years ago, as I began to develop an interest in wines, I embarked on a quest to find a truly exceptional wine that I could consistently return to and savor. Although the search for a remarkable wine was an enjoyable journey, it never seemed to lead me to a wine that I could always revisit and relish as much as the initial experience. As it turns out, that was merely the beginning of an unending pursuit of the perfect wine.

Part of the reason it’s challenging, if not impossible, to consistently find a great wine year after year is the very nature of winemaking. Each year’s harvest is unique, heavily influenced by weather conditions. Spring weather determines the number of grapevine buds that develop into grape bunches, while fall sun or rain affects the grapes’ ripening process. Beyond the grape harvest variability, numerous factors contribute to the fermentation and aging of wines, resulting in ever-changing nuances.

Then, you realize there’s another factor at play. As you embark on your wine journey, you encounter an increasing variety of wines. This exposure gradually alters your palate. What once seemed like a delightful wine may now appear ordinary. Consequently, you continue your search, driven by the desire to find that exceptional wine.

And to this day, I continue my quest for exceptional wines, determined to find them. However, I’ve come to realize that this search is an endless journey. Nevertheless, I’m grateful for the experience and the joy it brings. Here’s to great wine and the endless pursuit of it. Cheers!

Behind the Cork™ - J Dusi Model M Red Blend

2020 J Dusi Model M Red Blend ($17.99)

On a recent visit to Paso Robles, I had the pleasure of spending some time in the tasting room at J Dusi with Janell Dusi, the “J” in J Dusi and a fourth-generation winemaker in the Dusi family.

Janell was born and raised on the Dusi Vineyard where her grandfather Dante taught her the old world Italian style of winemaking. The Dusi family’s heritage and history in Paso Robles Wine Country dates back to the early 1920’s, where grape growing has been a craft that has deep roots in the Dusi family. The sustainable farming practices that were implemented by Janell’s great-grandparents ninety years ago are still the standard followed today.

This red wine blend is named for their 1939 Model M tractor that has been a workhorse for the Dusi family in Paso Robles for three generations.

This 2020 J Dusi Model M wine is a red blend with equal parts of Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Syrah and Petite Syrah. It is a medium ruby red in color with wonderful aromas of red and black fruit. On the plate, this medium-full bodied wine has great fruit flavors of red and black plum, black cherry and cassis. It has balanced tannin and acidity and finishes with jammy fruit and some spiciness.

Model M red blend from J Dusi is a wonderful wine at a great price. It’s also widely available. This makes Model M the perfect fit as this week’s Behind the Cork™ Wine of the Week. Cheers!

Sparkling Wines to Consider for the Holidays

Sparkling wines really do shine during the holidays—both literally and figuratively. Here’s a few tips on the various types of sparkling wines to enjoying them to the fullest.

Champagne

Champagne is a sparkling wine that is produced in the relatively small region of Champagne in France. An entry level bottle of Champagne is going to start in the $50 range.

Some Champagne facts:

  • Champagne is typically produced from three grapes — Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier

  • To be called Champagne, it must be produced in the Champagne region of France. Otherwise, it must be called Sparkling Wine

  • Champagne is produced using a process called the méthode champenoise where the bubbles are formed in the bottle during a second fermentation.

U.S. Sparkling Wine

In the U.S., there are a tremendous number of makers of sparkling wine. Most will produce a wine that can taste very much like the French Champagne. And, you can also find rosé sparkling wines.  An entry level bottle of sparkling wine in the U.S. can be as little as $10. Read more

Prosecco and Asti

In Italy, Prosecco is their signature sparkling wine. Produced in the Veneto region just north of Venice, this sparkling wine usually produces bigger bubbles. Bottles of Prosecco can be purchased in the $10- $15 range. Read more

Cava

The sparkling wine of Spain is Cava that is produced in the Catalonia region of Spain where Barcelona is located.  Nice bottles of Cava can be purchased for around $15. Read more

Styles of Champagne and Sparkling Wine

Brut Nature - This style is bone dry meaning it has little or no sugar content (0–3 g/L sugar).

Extra Brut - This style is also very dry but, it can have up to twice the sugar level of Brut Nature (0–6 g/L sugar). This little bit of sweetness creates a wonderful balance with Champagne’s naturally high acidity.

Brut - This is the most common style. While considered “Dry” this style can have twice the sugar of Extra Brut (0–12 g/L sugar).

Extra Dry - This is the one that always confuses people. This style is sweeter which actually makes it also taste a bit fruity (12–17 g/L sugar).

Dry - The confusing continues. This style is getting up there in sweetness (17–32 g/L sugar).

Demi-Sec - Now you’re talking Sweet (32–50 g/L sugar). This style works well with desserts or cheeses.

Doux - This one, while very rare to find, is really sweet (50+ g/L sugar).

A few serving tips

  • Chill properly: About 40–45°F (4–7°C) is ideal

  • Use proper glassware: Tulip or white wine glasses preserve aroma better than narrow flutes

  • Open gently: Twist the bottle, not the cork, for a quiet, elegant release

No matter which type or style you choose, give sparkling wines a try this holiday season. Cheers!

Behind the Cork™ - Sonoma Grove Zinfandel

2022 Sonoma Grove Zinfandel ($8)

This Sonoma Grove 2022 Zinfandel is produced for the Navigator Wine Collection (formerly Precision Wine Company). They cellar and bottle the wine. The actual wine producer is not available.

Sonoma Grove wine is from Sonoma County, a great region for Zinfandel, especially the Dry Creek region.

Sonoma Grove Zinfandel is medium purple in color with jammy fruit aromas and a hint of sweet tobacco leaf. On the palate, this Zinfandel is indeed jammy, with sweet flavors of boysenberry and blackberry jam. It finishes lean.

Sonoma Grove Zinfandel is a great value and a good fit as this week’s Behind the Cork™ Wine of the Week. Cheers!