Author: By Rich Mauro Special to The Gazette
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Wine Guy: Burgundy relatives for summer drinking
Chardonnay and its parent pinot noir have long been closely related. No surprise we often find them growing successfully in the same regions, like Burgundy and Oregon. And the cooler coastal climates of California. Pinot noir produces light- to medium-bodied wines notable for aromas and flavors of cherry, plum, earth and brown spice with a…
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Wine Guy: Domaine Bousquet, Argentina’s organic wine leader
Over the past couple of decades, Argentina has established itself as one of the most important wine- producing countries on the planet. Most of the available wines come from the Mendoza region. While malbec has emerged as its signature grape, cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, chardonnay and torrontés also are making world-class wines. The wines typically…
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Wine Guy: Red blends offer satisfying balance and complexity
While varietally labeled wines are the most popular among consumers, wine blends have increased significantly in interest in recent years. Instead of the character of just one variety, blends allow consumers to experience how different aromas and flavors from different grapes come together to create a unique assemblage. The result is a more complete, consistent,…
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Wine Guy: Support Colorado wine for the holidays
Colorado wine has grown in quality and national recognition in recent years (and size, now with about 170 businesses across the state). “The Colorado wine industry is a hotbed of innovation and creativity, thanks to our dedicated grape growers and hard-working winemakers,” says Doug Caskey, executive director of the Colorado Wine Industry Development Board. This…
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Wine Guy: Argentina’s Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon
While Argentina’s wine production is quite varied, in recent years, malbec has emerged as its signature grape and established a position among the U.S.’s most popular wines. A minor blending grape in Bordeaux, though important in southwest France, it experiences an alchemy in the vineyards of Mendoza, Argentina’s most important wine region. The dramatic landscape…
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Wine Guy: Italy’s Prosecco offers quality and value
Cocktail fans know that the popular Bellini is made with Prosecco and peach puree. Wine drinkers know that Prosecco is a satisfyingly fresh, graceful sparkling wine that is one of the best values around. Prosecco also is the name of the production zone in the hills of the Veneto and Friuli Venezia Guilia regions of…
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Wine Guy: Rosé is a favorite summer sipper around the world
Dry rosé has become enormously popular with American consumers. Increasing availability, generally high quality and a variety of grapes from around the world make for a delightful year-round option. Typically, the wines are easy drinking and refreshing. Expect a flavor profile similar to red wine but drinking more like white wine. All wines below are…
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Wine Guy: Quality cabernet sauvignon from California
California cabernet sauvignon has long been the most popular red wine in this country. When most wine consumers think of California cabernet sauvignon, they most likely think of Napa Valley. No question prices are high but so is quality. And when compared to top Bordeaux, Napa cabs of similar quality start to seem like reasonable…