Wine Review: Chasing Venus Marlborough 2015 Sauvignon Blanc

Back in November of last year this blog had the whole month dedicated to the wines of Matchbook, and it included the article A Brief History of Matchbook Wine Company. So to learn more about Matchbook, feel free to check out that article. They have a pretty cool story. Things get set on fire.

Chasing Venus is Matchbook Wine Company's Sauvignon Blanc project. It's named after Captain Cook's personal mission in 1769 to study Venus while he explored the oceans of the Southern Hemisphere, where he discovered New Zealand and Australia. The label has a Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough, New Zealand and one from Russian River Valley, California.

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When life gives you lemons...

When life gives you lemons, make a cocktail.

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Wine Review: Matchbook Dunnigan Hills 2015 Rosé of Tempranillo

Back in November of last year this blog had the whole month dedicated to the wines of Matchbook, and it included the article A Brief History of Matchbook Wine Company. So to learn more about Matchbook, feel free to check out that article. They have a pretty cool story. Things get set on fire.

You already know that I'm a sucker for rosé, I'm in love with Tempranillo, and have a primal lust for rosé made from Tempranillo, so you probably have an understanding of where this is most likely heading.

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Wine Reviews: Ferrari-Carano Sonoma County Fumé Blanc 2014, Sonomy County Merlot 2013, Alexander Valley Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

Hello from the distant past, friends of the future! The current date that I'm writing this is May 19th, 2016. It may seem surreal to you, reading a blog post that was written an entire two months before it was released. Many things have changed, I'm sure. Man has probably walked on Mars and maybe we've completely eliminated erectile dysfunction. The thought of the advancements that you've seen since my time ignites my imagination with wonder.

You see, I've had many promised and scheduled reviews for all of May, June, July and even August. And today, May 19th, I have a live online tasting with other wine bloggers, writers and people in the industry. So I've found this spot, July 21st, on my schedule to have a little post about.

I received an invitation in the spring from Ferrari-Carano to try their wines made from Bordeaux grape varieties online with their associate winemaker, Rebecka Deike, and I jumped on the chance. Ferrari-Carano is one of my favorite wineries out of Cali... and dat Fumé tho... mmm-mmmm.

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Wine Review: Lieb Cellars Reserve 2014 Merlot

Great googelymoogely! Lieb Cellars is back on the blog for Round 2 with three new wine reviews! The first one was for Reserve 2011 Blanc de Blancs, then Reserve 2013 Sparkling Rosé, and today we've got the conclusion with Reserve 2014 Merlot.

I just published an article on Lieb Cellars so if you'd like to learn more about the great story of their origin and what they're up to now, please go read A Brief History of Lieb Cellars - On The North Forth of Long Island, New York. With the backstory of the winery in that article, expect these reviews to be pretty quick.

Tonight's selection for a tasting soundtrack is Beastie Boys' Paul's Boutique because I'm in the mood for nasty rhymes and killer beats. SHAZAM AND ABRACADABRA!

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Wine Review: Lieb Cellars Reserve 2013 Sparkling Rosé

Heeeeeey-yoooooo! Lieb Cellars is back on the blog for Round 2 with three new wine reviews! The first one was for Reserve 2011 Blanc de Blancs, this review is for the Reserve 2013 Sparkling Rosé, and the final one will be for the Reserve 2014 Merlot.

I just published an article on Lieb Cellars so if you'd like to learn more about the great story of their origin and what they're up to now, please go read A Brief History of Lieb Cellars - On The North Forth of Long Island, New York. With the backstory of the winery in that article, expect these reviews to be pretty quick.

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You know, I can get this for less back home...

It's tourist season! So when you're traveling and "back home" is in a completely different state, your complaint is falling of deaf ears. There's different laws, distributors, importers, mark-ups and taxes. Everybody you say this to is screaming internally. So just don't. #iwanttospeaktoamanager #touristseason #retailproblems

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Wine Review: Lieb Cellars Reserve 2011 Blanc de Blancs

Alright, alright! Lieb Cellars is back on the blog for Round 2 with three new wine reviews comin' at ya! This is the first one, Reserve 2011 Blanc de Blancs, and then there's the Reserve 2013 Sparkling Rosé and Reserve 2014 Merlot.

I just published an article on Lieb Cellars so if you'd like to learn more about the great story of their origin and what they're up to now, please go read A Brief History of Lieb Cellars - On The North Forth of Long Island, New York.

With pretty much the setup of the winery in that article, I guess these reviews will be relatively quick. As much as I love writing long reviews, it's always fun to get the review done quickly so I can go enjoy the wine the way it was intended to be enjoyed: while playing superhero video games.

 

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My favorite aroma.

"Not gonna lie... ethanol burn is by far my most favorite aroma." - Joey Casco, CSW/CSS

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A Brief History of Lieb Cellars - On the North Fork of Long Island, New York

There's something about Lieb Cellars that is just so inviting and personable. I'm not just talking about their wine, but the company itself and the people. I've never been there and I've never met them but I've been in communication with them here and there and they're just an awesome, enthusiastic group. I proudly consider this winery a friend of the blog.

I was having a hard time coming up with an article topic for July. August will be the return of Bulgarian Wine Month so there will be another Bulgarian article then, and the article I'm planning for September is gonna take a TON of research. Well it turns out that the wines I'm reviewing in July are all from American wineries, just in time for Independence Day. Lieb Cellars, Ferrari-Carano and Matchook. Nothing American themed came to mind, but I have written A Brief History of Matchbook Wine Company. Why not do the same with Lieb Cellars? A bio of an American winery! Good idea!

So let's take a trip to Long Island, New York. Where I'm assuming hairspray and long nails still reign supreme, and they have no interest in paying for new stadiums to keep their hockey team.

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July Wine Pick: Amity Vineyards Willamette Valley 2015 White Pinot Noir

This WINE PICK of the month was written for the Luke's of Cape Cod website.

By pressing the grapes and not allowing further skin contact you can make white wine from any red grape but a select few. This is known as Blanc de Noir (White from Black) and mostly done with Champagne and other sparkling wines. Pinot Noir is the main varietal subjugated to Blanc de Noir.

Amity Vineyards is out of Willamette, Oregon. Producing organic wines since it was founded in 1974, it's stacked up quite a bit of national and international awards and praises. They make many different kinds of wine but they're most known for their Pinot Noir. Why would they make a white one? Because it's awesome.

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