TaylorEason.com: Foodies unite » White

Wine review: Rocca Sveva 2009 Soave Classico

Taylor Eason — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 16:53:25 +0000

While most people think Pinot Grigio is the white wine of Italy, I beg to differ. Softer and rounder, Soave white wines from northeastern Italy complement a wider range of food, have an exceptional depth of flavors, and are quite versatile. Like the Rocca Sveva 2009 Soave Classico.

Wine review: North by Northwest 2010 Riesling Horse Heaven Hills

Taylor Eason — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 20:00:52 +0000

I admire when a winery steps outside the annoying conservative boundaries of the wine industry. Randall Grahm of Bonny Doon fame (an interview with him), The Three Thieves and their ground-breaking Bandit wine in a small box and chalk up another win to the folks at Oregon's King Estate (reviews of their other wines), who created this Washington State-based project, North by Northwest. These guys have the chutzpah to do things differently.

Finger Lakes Rieslings: The new wine frontier?

Taylor Eason — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 16:05:47 +0000

My first life experiences with wine were in the upper reaches of New York State, during college. I lived on campus my senior year at Colgate University (my alma mater), living in the French-speaking-only (yea, right) La Maison Franςaise in an attempt to better my oral skills for culinary school the following year in Switzerland. Throughout the year, I didn't learn much French but Stephanie, the live-in grad student from Dijon, France and I had a good 'ole time exploring the wineries in the Finger Lakes region. Fond memories, all of them. And I created new ones this past week.

Wine reviews: King Estate 2009 Domaine Pinot Gris and 2008 Pinot Noir

Taylor Eason — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 02:50:18 +0000

King Estate specializes in Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir, and that's what I've been sipping on these past eight years since I met them. Still family-owned -- like most wineries in Oregon -- they've expanded their horizons with their other, more affordable (and still tasty) Acrobat Pinot Noir and Gris. I really admire what these guys have been doing.

Wine review: The Climber Unoaked California Chardonnay in a pouch

Taylor Eason — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 16:22:46 +0000

The tasty Climber Chardonnay is part jumbo juicebox, part boxed wine. The pouch houses 2 bottles of wine with 90% less waste than glass. And... it's quite drinkable. Even tasty. What's more... it's affordable and 1% of sales go towards Trees for the Future organization.

The best, inexpensive summer sippin’ wine: Vinho Verde from Portugal

Taylor Eason — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 16:00:41 +0000

Not sure why but Vinho Verde doesn't get much respect from the sophisticates out there. The wine snobs, the "connoisseurs" or the collectors don't rave about the summer utility of this Portuguese white. Perhaps they prefer to limit their consumption of Portuguese choices to the venerated Port wine sector which overshadows Portugal's VVs. But this light, slightly spritzy and refreshing yet refreshingly affordable wine is just what the 90-100 degree weather and crappy economy demand right now.

Wine review: J Vineyards 2010 Pinot Gris California

Taylor Eason — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 01:34:36 +0000

The J Vineyards 2010 Pinot Gris has a fabulously creamy mouthfeel but offers up a snappy, crisp finish. Medium-bodied and dangerously easy to slurp on a hot day. Aromas of honeyed peach, red apple and honeydew melon follow onto the tongue with a splash of lemon and ripe apricots. Almost Viognier-like in body and flowery aroma but with a lot more food-friendly acidity. Gorgeously well made and now, thankfully easy to find.

Wine review: Buried Cane 2009 Whiteline Chardonnay (No Oak)

Taylor Eason — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 14:11:49 +0000

There's a bit of a backlash with oaky/buttery California Chardonnays now. A newfound love of the unadorned version -- labeled "Unoaked”, “Virgin”, “Naked” or “Stainless Steel” -- can be witnessed on retail shelves and on restaurant wine lists. The taste difference between oak-aged and/or fermented Chardonnay and those that don’t see wood can normally be summed up in one word: minerality. Washington State's Buried Cane is on to something.

Rediscovering Chardonnay wine: The unoaked version

Taylor Eason — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 14:56:22 +0000

Chardonnay has become the whipping child of the wine world -- the veritable before-the-ball Cinderella or Joan of Arc. But this unfortunate rep has a reason behind it. There are a crapload of disgusting, woodchipped and buttered Chardonnays lining shelves of every American retailer. And, like Merlot before Sideways busted its ass, the quality level simply plummeted into the deep sea of average wine. Sweet-lovin' consumers fleeing White Zin, after the populist mocked them, found solace in the softer, fruitier Chardonnay grape. It was comforting and easy to drink, like a cold bottle of Kendall Jackson on a warm summer day. But enter the un-oaked Chardonnay.

Wine review: Carmel Road 2009 Riesling Monterey and Carmel Road 2009 Pinot Gris Monterey

Taylor Eason — Sun, 29 May 2011 14:48:14 +0000

I wished I lived on Carmel Road, 'cause maybe I could stop by any random Tuesday night and swap some tomatoes for wine. Yes, I would gladly give up homegrown tomatoes -- perhaps my favorite thing on earth besides wine -- for their wine. Based in cool climate Monterey, Carmel Road winery excels at everything that excels in cooler weather - Pinot Noir, Riesling, Pinot Gris and Chardonnay. And for under $20 per bottle. Perhaps it helps to have a successful parent company -- Kendall Jackson Wine Estates - looking out for them, but winemaker Ivan Giotenov has his eye on the ever moving vinous ball. And consumer tastes.

Five refreshing white wines for spring and summer

Taylor Eason — Tue, 03 May 2011 14:25:07 +0000

Warmth is finally peeking out from underneath the underbelly of winter, escaping to where people wear shorts and sandals. When the mercury rises to this level, it's difficult to slurp red wine, so I recommend these five inexpensive white and sparkling wines that should quench the thirst tugging at your tongue.

Wine reviews: La Crema 2009 Monterey Pinot Noir and 09 Chardonnay Sonoma Coast

Taylor Eason — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 14:50:09 +0000

Melissa Stackhouse, a fantastically talented Pinot and Chardonnay winemaker, was recently promoted at Kendall Jackson (who owns La Crema Winery) to Pinot Noir Winemaster for all of Jackson Family Wines. I'm not surprised since her gorgeous creations continue to overdeliver for the price. I'll be watching to see if they remain as good without her daily oversight. This Pinot is divine.

Wine review: Mulderbosch 2008 Chenin Blanc Stellenbosch (South Africa)

Taylor Eason — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 14:03:05 +0000

In new world regions like South Africa, Chenin Blanc transforms. They often call this white grape "Steen" in South Africa. And the Mulderbosch Chenin was mistaken for a White Burgundy at a recent blind tasting... embarrassing all the certified sommeliers in attendance.

Wine review: Hess 2009 Sauvignon Blanc Allomi Vineyard Napa

Taylor Eason — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 15:10:12 +0000

Hess Collection is more known for its rich and extracted red wines (especially Cabs), but they a make mean white. The Allomi Vineyard sits at the base of Howell Mountain in a remote area of Napa Valley, spending its days in tourist-free peace. It's an enviable spot. Can you say secret, trespassing picnic?

Wine review: The Climber 2009 Sauvignon Blanc California

Taylor Eason — Sat, 26 Feb 2011 15:26:18 +0000

The Clif Family -- yes, the same people who make the cand...er... "nutrition" bars -- started making wine in 2004 after moving to Napa Valley. Like their bars, they source from sustainably and organically-grown vineyards (link) in northern California. Winemakers Sarah Gott and Bruce Regalia do an outstanding job with all the Clif wines, especially whites like this one.

Wine review: Zind Humbrecht 2009 Pinot Gris

Taylor Eason — Sun, 13 Feb 2011 18:55:12 +0000

Of all the French wine regions, Alsace (ALL sass) is the easiest to understand. Unlike other regions, it labels its bottles by varietal name, making the selection — and pronunciation — less problematic. This Pinot Gris from Zind Humbrecht is nearly perfect.

Worst wines I’ve tasted this month

Taylor Eason — Sat, 05 Feb 2011 15:17:59 +0000

Human nature dictates that wine writers prefer to write about the happy experiences we've had with wine. But rarely does someone come right out and slam a bottle up against harsh words. I mean, a human being made it right? A human with feelings. Sure, the fancy wine magazines may not care about that stuff, but I do. I also realize my taste may not jive with yours. But when an entire room of people tasting a wine blind (brown bagged) declare a wine tastes/smells like urinal cake or cat pee, I feel compelled to say something.

Wine review: La Craie 2009 Vouvray

Taylor Eason — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 17:16:25 +0000

Full-bodied and elegant, La Craie Vouvray explodes with fragrant fruit: peaches and apricots drizzled with honey, earthy chamomile. It has a burst of sweetness on the tongue but finishes dry and luscious. The best of both worlds.

Wine review: Menage a Trois 2008 White Blend

Taylor Eason — Sun, 16 Jan 2011 17:43:02 +0000

This brand has gotten HUGELY popular in the past few years, mainly by releasing sweeter, less complex wines for the masses. Unabashed in their promotion and their choice of tropical-tasting, fragrant grapes, the winemakers at Folie à Deux (the producer) have struck a chord -- with seemingly everyone from critics to consumers in this Juicy Fruit Gum-like white wine.

Affordable wine reviews: Elios Mediterranean Red and White

Taylor Eason — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 15:23:29 +0000

It's probably a smart idea for the producers of these wines not to tout that the grapes hail from Greece. Although this region pretty much invented wine, Greece hasn't exactly sustained a stellar reputation in recent years. But maybe Elios can break that cycle.