O Canada, Show me your Wines

Posted on March 21, 2013 by Kellie Stargaard

Confirmed conference reservation, purchased airline tickets to and from Seattle, WA, hotelWBC13 in Seattle, pre-excursion to Lake Chelan area, hotel in Penticton, British Columbia all booked. Passport renewal in new name submitted and now working on transportation back to Seattle. New liver, well let’s hope I don’t need one. So just what is this trip I’m planning? The Wine Blogger’s Conference 2013 (WBC13) to be held this June in Penticton, British Columbia where wine geeks meet to drink, talk and learn more about wine and the surrounding area.

There is one thing missing though, the availability of Canadian wine in my area. Other than Ice Wine, I have very little experience with wine from our northern neighbors. With this year’s conference I am looking forward to experiencing Canada and their wine industry. The conference is a great place to network, meet people face to face that you have as Facebook friends put ultimately for many of us, it’s about the wine experience.

I’m looking forward to experiencing a part of North America I’ve never visited and I’m very interested in and curious to enjoy the local wines. In the past 20 years the number of Canadian wineries has grown from around 30 to 700 with more than 200 in British Columbia alone. Being that the US is Canada’s biggest wine export, why is it like a treasure hunt to locate a Canadian grown varietal outside of Ice Wine in my region? I wonder if states like New York, Washington, Oregon, Michigan, Illinois and the like fare better with their wine selection.

Canada’s two biggest wine producing areas are Okanagan Valley of British Columbia and Niagara Peninsula of southern Ontario. Additional smaller areas include the Similkameen Valley, the Fraser Valley, southern Vancouver Island, the Creston Valley, in the Kootenay area and the Gulf Islands all located in British Columbia. In additon to the Niagara Peninsula, Ontario also produces wine Prince Edward County, Pelee Island and the north shores of Lake Erie.

A few varietals I’m hoping to sample:
Reds
Chancellor, a fruity wine with raspberry and cherry notes.
Barber, a red Italian grape with low tannins and high acidity.
Bacco Noir a hybrid red grape known for early ripening producing medium bodied, fruit forward wines with red berry, wood and spice flavors.
Carménère , I find this to be a very pretty wine in California varietals and curious to see what effects cold weather has on the flavors.
Cabernet Franc, a major black grape grown worldwide the flavor profile can range from fruity to herbal.

Whites
Auxerrois, cold hardy with sugars similar to Riesling but lower acids.
Blattner, not commonly grown but can be found in coastal areas of British Columbia. Notes of apple, pear and honey.
Bacchus, a white grape created by viticulturist Peter Morio in 1933 by crossing Silvanere x Riesling with Müller –Thurgau.
Chasselas Blanc, produces a full, dry, fruity wine.

The list of varietals grown throughout Canada is vast and while my “home base” will be in British Columbia, I’m hoping other regions are well represented as well. As a WBC12 scholarship recipient and now a two year veteran I’m eager to speak with first timers and get their perspective on the conference. I’m also hoping next year they’ll bring it back to the east coast so I can save some cash on airfare.

Another thing I’m hoping to save on is my hotel stay. Wine’dUp and My Wine Concierge are offering a two night stay at the host hotel, The Penticton Lakeside Resort. If you’re looking for so much needed wine accessories, fridges, decanters, glasses or anything wine related, check out My Wine Concierge. For wine info, tastings, events, recipes and more, be sure to check out the Wine’dUp website.

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Bonterra Zinfandel & Chardonnay Mendocino Organic

Posted on March 14, 2013 by Kellie Stargaard

I like to think I do as much as possible to protect and care for our environment. I thought Bonterra-logo3moving to the country others would have the same respect for their surrounding areas and treat them with love and care. Not so. Rooster and I walk on a daily basis and I’m always amazed and disgusted by the amount of trash on the side of the road. Last week I found a name and address in a pile of fast food bag trash. In my head I plot what I would say to this 45 year old man (his DOB was part of the info in the pile) but if he hasn’t gotten it at 45, I doubt he’ll ever understand why littering is detrimental to both the environment and those of us who enjoy walking the area. Makes my blood boil.

This also leads me to my new passion of creating natural lotions, lip balms and other “potions”. I like knowing what is seeping into my skin and avoiding unnecessary chemicals. I don’t seek out organic wines and I think they get a bad rap, I’ve had some that had zero personality and tasted of bug spray. Not Bonterra Organic wines. These are some of the better and very affordable organic wines which are also widely available.

Bonterra Chardonnay 2011
Aromas of white citrus. Creamy mouthfeel in the front of the palate, pear and white peach hit mid-palate, followed by citrusy lemon and lime. Crisp and clean a great spring and summer wine. My mouth is watering thinking about BBQ chicken (not one of ours), grilled corn and fresh veggies from our garden along with a glass of this chardonnay. Since grilling season has not officially begun we paired with Curried Goat.
Total Acidity – 0.60 grams/100ml
pH – 3.33
Residual Sugar – 0.38 grams/100ml
Alcohol – 13.5%
SRP – $13.99

Bonterra Zinfandel 2010
Spicy black pepper, black berry and raspberry aromas. Plum and black berry flavors with medium to high tannins and a black pepper finish provide a well balanced and delightful zin. We paired with home made Vietnamese Pho and spring rolls.
Total Acidity – 0.55 grams/100ml
pH – 3.73
Residual Sugar – 0.24 grams/100ml
Alcohol – 14.1%
SRP – $13.99

Both wines are crafted from certified organically grown grapes. So what does certified organically grown mean? It means allowing the wine to express the flavors of the grape and the terroir in which it’s grown. This may mean leaving the surrounding land untouched or it could be the addition of lavender and olive trees planted amongst the grapes. Now this is a vineyard I want to walk through with a big basket.
Bonterra also implores natural pest control, chickens. I can attest chickens are great at keeping the bug population in check. Sheep are the lawn mowers, munching stray grass in between the vines.

In addition Bonterra practices Biodynamic farming which is a compliment to organic practices. The belief is the land and animals are a single living organism. The approach uses holistic methods of caring for and nurturing the land focusing on composting, astronomy and manure. The goal is to restore, maintain and protect the land. Not a bad idea if you ask me.

I agree some of the methods are a little hokey but it would be fun to attend a ceremonial burying of the manure filled cow horns, referred to as Preparation 500.
Preparation 502 involves stuffing yarrow blossoms into urinary bladders from red deer laid in the sun during summer and buried in earth during winter only to be retrieved in the spring. All I can say is I’d rather have organic material fertilizing the land than anything from Monsanto.

As I listen to the wind howling and the temps dropping I’m reminded winter has not left us just yet. But spring is just around the corner and that means it’s planting time! I know where my husband will be this weekend; yep you’ll find him in the gardens.

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Sterling Vintner’s Collection Chardonnay 2010

Posted on March 7, 2013 by Kellie Stargaard

The tell tale signs are there but sometimes you have to look close. The daffodils have beenSterling Chardonnay popping up in yards and along roads since early February and now as I walk through the area I see the first tiny buds springing up on trees and bushes. Spring is on its way. I know for many this is a wonderful sign but for me, I’m still wondering, where is my snow?

We had a few flurries over the weekend and just a few miles away there was accumulation but I must be in some no snow zone. I want my damn snow! Well I must say my palate must be gearing up towards warmer temps because I’ve found myself reaching for white wines more lately than red. This week’s white wine pick, Sterling Vintner’s Collection Chardonnay 2010. If viewing at work the site has sound, I hate websites with sound.

Honey yellow color in the glass. Light tropical aromas of lime and pineapple open up after a bit of swirling. Semi-sweet flavors of peach, lemon, orange and mango with a creamy finish. Non-offensive and easy drinking but not spectacular. If you’re looking for a California Chard that isn’t big and bold, this may be a good choice.
I found this at a local wine store for around $10.

Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
Appellation: 45% Monterey, 27% San Luis Obispo, 17% Santa Barbara¸11% Napa Valley
Alcohol: 13.9%
Acidity: 6.2 g/L
pH: 3.40
Ageability: 2011 to 2014
Barrel Aging: 8 months – 65% stainless steel, 35% barrel, 60% American, 40% French, 30% new

I wish I could write about a long family legacy of wine running through veins, dirt under fingernails and a family heritage. But I can’t. In 1964 the vineyard began as another business interest for former London Financial Times writer Peter Newton. The winery now spans fourteen vineyards over 1,200 acres in Napa Valley allowing each varietal to grow in the best environment in the region.
I’m sorry but the history of Sterling doesn’t seem to be inspiring me so I’ll just let you check out the website on your own.

I started this post on Tuesday and Wednesday we did get quite a bit of flurries. It even stuck just wasn’t enough to add up to anything measurable. Sigh, maybe next year.

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Rodney Strong Estate Vineyards Knotty Vines Zinfandel 2010

Posted on February 28, 2013 by Kellie Stargaard

Why can’t people be like fine wines and get better with age? I know there are some of you Rodney-strong-estate-zinfandel-knotty-vines-out there who will say, “Oh but you do”. All I can say is when I get up in the morning my ankles and knees are so stiff from repeated injuries I feel like I’m 63. Sigh, I guess it’s inevitable… I’m getting old. At least I won’t go broke seeking out great wines. Last week I celebrated my birthday with a bottle of Rodney Strong Estate Vineyards Knotty Vines Zinfandel 2010 for $15. While I definitely can’t drink a $15 bottle of wine nightly (I do need to purchase other things too you know) it is nice to do a very affordable splurge every now and then.

Ruby red in color. Aromatic fresh berry, plum and blueberry on both the nose and palate. Spicy pepper and a hint of black licorice finish. Medium to full bodied with medium tannins and well balanced acidity.

Appellation Northern Sonoma
Varietal 100% Zinfandel
Alcohol 15.0%
TA 0.73gm/100ml
pH 3.52
Cellar & Fermentation 16 months in French and American oak barrels
SRP – $25 (hint, hint, I got mine for $14.99 at Total Wine)

The grapes are grown on 15 acres of gnarled vines dating back to 1904 and located just behind the Rodney Strong winery. The vineyards were planted more than one hundred years ago by settlers with a love for wine. The current Rodney Strong Winery is a labor of love intertwining several people and families, the Strongs, Kleins and Tom Sayer.

Born in 1927 Rodney Strong was first a renowned dancer. Having just returned to the US after spending time in Paris, he found he now had a new interest, wine. Retiring from dance in 1959, Strong and his wife Charlotte, opened their first winery, Windsor Vineyard. When asked why he turned in his dance shoes for wine vats, he remarked, “I knew I couldn’t be an old dancer, but I could be an old winemaker.”

In 1979 after a successful career at winemaking, Strong decided it was time to hand over the torch. He contacted Rick Sayre who had worked with legendary winemakers including Andre Tchelistcheff. This same year Tom Klein began working for a consulting company hired to evaluate the potential for Rodney Strong Vineyards. The three met and eventually Tom realized his true passion was wine.

Coming from an agricultural family, in 1989 Klein convinced Strong the winery had potential but needed to be updated. The family purchased the winery and over the next ten years the Klein family funded the purchase of modern wine making equipment bringing cutting edge wine technology to the winery.

In March of 2006, Rodney Strong passed away due to complications following a stroke. The winery truly makes great wines that make you want to get up and dance.

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Trione Vineyards & Winery

Posted on February 21, 2013 by Kellie Stargaard

Last week may have been Valentine’s Day but at my house it was Christmas.In December I Trione Vineyardsreceived an email from Lori at Trione Vineyards & Winery. She saw my post on Biltmore wines and wanted to know if I’d like to receive a sample of Trione wines. My answer of course was yes. I’m always excited to sample wines I’ve not had before and was looking forward to this one immensely.

The package finally arrived in January and to my delight inside were six 50ml bottles, just enough for a taste. My husband and I decided to treat them as blind tastings and try to guess what varietal each was, I was only wrong on one which was a red wine blend. As we were opening and tasting each, Mikkel commented, “It’s like Christmas.” Yes, it was very much like Christmas in February.

Sauvignon Blanc Russian River Valley 2008
Crisp citrus aromas combine with herbal and grassy notes. Light and refreshing wine
Grown on the Trione River Road Ranch, located in the Russian River Valley, the grapes are fermented in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks. Fermentation takes place using a variety of yeast types, specifically selected for aroma enhancing qualities.
Region – Russian River Valley AVA
Alcohol – 14%
TA – 8.29 g/L
pH – 3.31
SRP – $23

Chardonnay Russian River Valley 2008
Floral aromas combine with buttery flavors ending with a crisp clean, finish.
Trione River Road Ranch is located on the western side of the Santa Rosa Plain. The well-drained soils and cool nights provide the ideal growing conditions for the grapes.
Region – Russian River Valley
Alcohol – 4.3%
TA – 6.52 g/l
pH – 3.33
SRP – $30

Pinot Noir Russian River Valley 2008
Earthy and dark berry aromas. Fruit forward with bold black cherry flavors, soft tannins and a long smooth finish. I’m picky about my Pinot Noir wines but this was delightful.
Like the Chardonnay, the Pinot Noir grapes are grown on the western side of the Santa Rosa Plains. The well drained loamy soils and cool evenings provide ideal growing conditions.
Region – Russian River Valley
Alcohol – 14.3%
Total Acid – g/L 6.00
pH – 3.81
SRP – $35

Syrah Russian River Valley 2008
Aromas of black fruit consisting of plum and currants intermingle with black pepper. Earthy flavors combine with blackberry and spicy pepper. Nice balance between acidity and tannins.
The wine is made using small-batch techniques including fermentation in small, open-top fermenters with whole berries and hand plunging the cap four times daily to allow for maximum flavor and color extraction. Using whole berries provides a deep blackberry fruit character and added complexity
Region – Russian River Valley
Alcohol – 15.3%
Total Acid – g/L 5.81
pH – 3.74
SRP – $32

Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander River Valley 2007
Aromas of plum and leather. Complex fruit flavors ranging from cassis, strawberry, raspberry and plum with a long velvety finish. This was my favorite and leaves me asking for more please.
Grapes are from a single vineyard, Trione Cloverdale Ranch located on the western side of the Mayacamas Mountains in Alexander Valley. Vines were planted in 2001 in clay and sandy loam soils.
Varital – 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 2.5% Petit Verdot and 2.5% Malbec.
Region – Alexander Valley
Cases – 733
SRP – $64.99

Red Wine Blend Alexander River Valley 2007
Black currant and cocoa aromas. Full bodied with medium to high tannins. Bramble berry and loads of oaky flavors. When doing our blind tasting I originally thought this to be a Merlot. Turns out it’s a blend of Cabernet and Merlot.
Varital – blend of 57% Cabernet Sauvignon from Trione’s Nervo Ranch, 35% Merlot from Trone’s Geyserville Ranch and 4% Petit Verdot and 4% Malbec both from Cloverdale Ranch

Well it may not be Christmas this week but tomorrow is my birthday. Anyone who wants to send me gifts just let me know, I’ll be a happy recipient.

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Valentine’s Day Bubbly Part Deux – Biltmore Estate Pas de Deux Méthode Champenoise–Sec

Posted on February 11, 2013 by Kellie Stargaard

Remember how fun Valentine’s Day was as a kid? Maybe it’s the girly girl in me but I lovedBiltmore Pas de Deux making Valentine’s Day “mail boxes” out of paper bags and decorating them with red, pink and purple hearts. We would then hang them from our desks or from the wall and I would carefully plan which card would be given to each classmate from my box of cards. I would include a few heart candies with words of affection printed on them, others would get a handful of red hots.
As I got older I, like many others, began to think of the day as a holiday created and promoted by the greeting card and chocolate companies. It does have me wondering, why do we set aside just one day out of the year to express our love for our significant other? I’m grateful my husband and I express our love for each other throughout the year and I hope you do to. One way to make it Valentine’s Day any day of the year, a bottle of bubbly, like Biltmore Estate Pas de Deux.

Pear, crisp apple and rose aromas. Fruit forward with tiny effervescent bubbles and flavors of sweet Asian pear, honey and a hint of Biscotti in the finish.
Varietal – Muscat Canelli
Region – California (Monterey, Arroyo, Seco)
pH – 3.00
TA – 0.68
Residual Sugar – 2.5%
Alcohol – 13.2%
Normally priced at $18.99 but if you shop online now, you can pick up a bottle for just $14.99.

The PR notes I received tell the story of George Vanderbilt and his wife Edith. George and Edith ran in the same circles for years but had a chance encounter in 1897 at a party for the Queen’s Jubilee in London. In April 1898 the couple announced their engagement and wed in Paris just months later. Can you imagine anything more romantic than being married in Paris?
Upon returning to the states Edith was introduced to the manor where should would reside as woman of the house. I know if it were me, I’d be very thankful for all the estate workers as there’s no way I would want to manage that home on my own. In the years that followed George and Edith held many celebrations complete with fine wine and delectable dishes.
I’m sure Edith and George would approve of this sparkling and would share it with their many affluent friends. Well ok, maybe they could afford to drink the really pricy stuff but my wallet in no way resembles a Vanderbilt’s so I’ll stick with the affordable juice. Maybe this would be their everyday bubbly.

Speaking of delectable dishes, we paired the sparkler with a slow cooked pork butt, mac & cheese and mustard greens. It was a Southern Sunday dinner after all.

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Valentine’s Day Bubbly Part One – Caposaldo Sweet Sparklings

Posted on February 8, 2013 by Kellie Stargaard

No sooner did the Christmas tree needles hit the floor and stockings emptied, I began to notice yet another holiday thrust upon us. Reds, purples and pinks all in the shape of hearts were making their way to stores signifying the approach of Valentine’s Day.

I can’t think of another holiday where emotions run so high. Not even Christmas can compare with the night sweats or anticipation Cupid’s day can bring. In some it brings on the blues, in others panic and anxiety fretting over to gift or not to gift, or maybe bliss over the perfect display of affection and for the lucky ones like me, content in knowing you are with your true Valentine.

This Valentine’s Day, my husband and I will skip the over priced prix fixed menus and crowded dining rooms, opting to stay in and open a bottle or two of bubbly one of which will be one of the three Caposaldo Sweet Sparklings. If you’ve read any of my bubbly posts in the past you know I don’t save my fluted glasses for special occasions but drink it through out the year.

Sweet Red Sparkling (red bottle) Color is a festive deep garnet with tiny bubbles floating toCapsolado Sweet Red 2 the top. Delicate floral and berry aromas prepare the palate for sweet red berry and raspberry flavors. We paired this with thinly sliced prosciutto and Bellavitano Espresso Sartori. Checkout the cheese tab on my blog for a little more info on this cheese.

Appellation: Lombardy, Italy
Varietal: 55% Malvasia Nera, 45% Merlot
pH: 3.3
Acidity: 5.8 g/l
Alcohol: 9.5%
Residual Sugar: 75 g/l
SRP: $15.99

Sweet Moscato (blue bottle) Color resembles golden straw and more tiny effervescent Capsolado Moscato 2bubbles. Flavors of Sweet Asian pear, succulent peach and a hint of spice in the finish. We paired with mixed berry and Nutella handpies. I found the recipe on Folk Magazine online, one of my new favorite magazines.

Appellation: Lombardy, Italy
Varietal: 100% Moscato Bianco
pH: 3.2
Acidity: 6.2 g/l
Alcohol: 7%
Residual Sugar: 90 g/l
SRP: $15.99

You’ll have to wait for the third bottle, Sweet Pink Moscato, a girl can only drink so much in one evening.

Caposaldo is known for producing iconic Italian wines, Prosecco, Chianti, Pinot Grigio and Moscato, at affordable prices. Moscato is one of the fastest growing wine categories with its appeal to a younger and casual wine drinker (please no harsh comments on this observation), it seemed logical to add a line of sweet sparkling wines.

Using an artisanal approach and modern technology all grapes are hand harvested and grown on the cool hills of northern Italy’s Lombardy region where the Alps provide shield from inclement weather while the vines benefit from a blend of white marl and chalk soil.

I expect as the left over Valentine’s products are being reduced in price, Easter will make its way to the shelves. After Easter, red, white and blue for Memorial Day and Fourth of July and Labor Day only to be followed immediately by Halloween, then Thanksgiving and once again Christmas. Sigh, it’s a vicious cycle. We may as well give into it but not without a glass full of bubbly.

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Las Rocas De San Alejandro Garnacha Spain 2009

Posted on January 31, 2013 by Kellie Stargaard

Yep, I admit it. I judged a wine by it’s label and left it sitting in my “cellar” for years. Las RocasMaybe it was to my and the wine’s benefit but all I know is it was a very pleasant surprise when I finally opened my bottle of Las Rocas De San Alejandro Garnacha. Since I’ve reduced my wine intake recently it’s all the more important that I score some “toe curling” good wines for my evening sipping.

As I lift the glass to take in the aromas I’m delighted by a bouquet of plum, dark fruits and spice. Flavors of black berry with just the right amount of jamminess, luscious velvety smooth fruit driven with a long pepper finish. I think I’m in wine heaven and with a retail price of $9.99, I return to this heaven as often as I like.

Founded as a cooperative in 1962, Bodegas San Alejandro has an annual average production of 4.600.000 Kilos, maintained and cultivated by more than 350 local growers. Located in the town of Miedes the winery commits to the standards of the Denominacíon de Origen (DO) of the Calatayud wine region.

DO regulations state growers must produce wines with indigenous grape varieties, such as the Garnacha grape which make up two thirds of Calatayud’s production. Large grapes with thin skins, high sugar and low acidity, the wines are seldom deep in color but usually very full bodied.

The region benefits from a varied elevation ranging from 1,800 to 3,600 feet with nearly 20 different soil compositions including chalk, clay, limestone and marl, a lime rich mudstone. The higher the elevation the more the terrain turns into shattered rock and slate, giving the wine its name, Las Rocas. Due to the rocky nature of the soils the vines struggle to survive thus concentrating into fewer clusters with rich bold flavors.

Mother Nature served much of the South and East Coast a wallop yesterday. Thankfully nothing major in my area just a very tense afternoon waiting for the line of storms to arrive. I am saddened for my neighbors to the west in Adairsville and Calhoun, Georgia and areas to the east who suffered much loss and devastation. If you live in a surrounding area you can help without taking out your checkbook by making donations to local charities in the form of clothing, old appliances, kitchen gadgets no longer in use or anything that will help people in the area start over again.

Cheers!

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Simi Sonoma County Pinot Noir 2010

Posted on January 24, 2013 by Kellie Stargaard

Change. Feels like that should be my word for the New Year. This week I began training for a new position at work, this willSimi Pinot Noir be my third reincarnation at my employment. In addition I’m changing my eating and drinking habits to create a better me. I’m also trying to change the way I think by not letting things which I can not control engulf my thoughts. As a control freak this one is rather hard and really seems to be the one I struggle with the most.

Some people embrace change, others go along for the ride and many fight and struggle with it until they eventually surrender to the inevitable. Me, I find some change can be a little frightening; it’s that unknown feeling of “How will this all turn out?” But for the most part change is good.

One thing I don’t have any trepidation towards is any bottle of Simi wine. I’m very picky about Pinot Noir and lean towards Oregon Pinots but Simi Pinot Noir out of Sonoma was a very nice change.

Strawberry, raspberry and cherry aromas. Bright red fruit flavors of cherry, strawberry and a hint of plum and toasty oak in the smooth and lingering in the finish. Firm tannins with are nicely balanced with acidity. We paired with crepes and assorted hard cheeses.

Appellation: Sonoma County
Varietal Composition: 100% Pinot Noir
Fermentation: 100% stainless steel
Total Acidity: 5.8 g/L
pH: 3.68
Alcohol: 14.5%
Cases Produced: 19,548
SRP: $26
Touted as one of the most visited tourist destinations in Sonoma County, the winery has been in continuous operation since 1876. I’ve written about Simi Winery several times, for more on their history, click here. The magic Simi winemakers create begins in the vineyards, located in two sub-districts of Sonoma County, warm AlexanderValley and cool RussianRiverValley, where the Pinot Noir grapes are grown.

The Russian River valley has been carved not only by its namesake river but the plates that lie deep beneath the surface of the Earth. The collision between the great plates over millions of years pushed rock and soil to the surface. Combined with ancient volcanic ash the soil is rich and complex adding structure, aroma and flavor to the grapes. Cooling ocean breezes and maritime fog allow the grapes to ripen slowly without too much sugar.
I’ve been thinking about change a lot lately and reflecting on all the changes I’ve put into place in just the first 24 days of the January. Here’s to hoping many more new and exciting changes come my way this year and to you too.

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Naked Winery Tease Riesling Rogue Valley 2009

Posted on January 17, 2013 by Kellie Stargaard

Naked. That one little word can conjure images of sensual arousal or utter horror. Naked Winery TeaseBeautiful sculpted bodies, good naked. Saggy, wrinkled bodies, bad naked. Wines from Naked Winery, good naked. Watching the hot pool guy take off his shirt and strip down to skivvies on a hot day, good naked. Catching Grandma coming out of the shower, bad naked. Drinking delicious wines from Naked Winery, good naked. You get the picture here. If you’re going to get naked, play it safe and pick up a bottle of Naked Winery Tease Riesling.

Peach and succulent white fruit aromas. Semi sweet flavors of candied fruits and crisp red apple comingle with a tantalizing acidic balance. I found the longer the wine was in the glass the more I detected delicate floral notes. Paired with spicy Thai noodles the wine served well to put out the fire.

Appellation – Rogue Valley
Varietal – 100% Riesling
RS – 1.50%
Aging – 100% Stainless Steel
Alcohol – 12%
SRP – $20

Located in Hood River, OR, Naked Winery’s motto, “We aim to tease”, encourages you to set the mood for fun or romantic tryst. The winery is on a mission to reduce America’s divorce rate by 50%, encouraging couples to shut off the TV and share a glass of wine each evening. Sounds a lot more fun that marriage counseling to me.

Grapes are sourced from Southern Oregon’s Rogue Valley. The 70 miles wide and 60 miles long region comprises two AVA’s, the Applegate and Illinois Valley. Tease grapes are sourced from the Illinois Valley where steep elevations of 2,000 feet and higher create a cool climate suitable for Riesling grapes.

I’m on a steep climb of my own. Last week I started on a new lifestyle journey involving more exercise, healthy eating throughout the day and gasp, a reduction in wine consumption. I thought the last would be the hardest but really I’ve been doing pretty well. I of course have not given up the glass and hope I never have to but I have reduced the number of glasses I tip in the evening. Something very hard for a wino like myself to accomplish but the numbers on the scale keep me encouraged.

Last three days have been rough since it’s been raining and Rooster and I haven’t been able to get our walks in. We finally were able to get outside and discovered many little “creeks” running along the road. The real creeks have swelled to rivers and today’s forecast….snow!

I know I’ll be out trying to catch snow flakes but I think I’ll keep my clothes on. Frost bite is always bad but in some places, it’s just bad naked.

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