Georges DuBoeuf 2009 Vintage Beaujolais Lunch at Blackbird

The amazing 2009 vintage of Beaujolais wines are about to hit Chicagoland and I was fortunate enough to taste them at a Blackbird Restaurant wine luncheon.  For this event, Chef Paul Kahan would be pairing dishes with '09 Georges DuBoeuf selections: Beajolais-Villages, Morgon, Fleurie, Julienas and Moulin-a-Vent.

Beaujolais wines come from southern Burgundy, just north of Lyon.  They're made from the Gamay varietal which is known for it's thin skin, low tannins, high acidity and loads of fruit flavor.  Be sure to watch for my upcoming post about the different growing regions and production.

We started with the '09 DuBoeuf Beajolais-Villages ($10), made from grapes grown in the northern half of Beajolais.  The higher tannins in this wine is the highlight of the vintage and was quite surprising- it makes an interesting combination of not just being extremely drinkable, but also great with food.  It's total harmony of ripe acidity, full fruit, fresh herbs and the 2009 vintage tannins.  Here's a bit more about the vintage from winemaker Emeric Gaucher:

Emeric and I also talked about what some of his favorite wines are and he really loves Syrah/Shiraz, especially from Côte-Rôtie and Barossa.  He gets chances to visit many vineyards throughout the world and is really looking forward to an Australian trip.

CharcuterieAs far as the lunch went, everything went well with the wines due to both the '09Pork Loin & Belly vintage character and Chef Khan's vision.  We started out with Duck Sausage and Mortadella with Almond Yogurt, Fennel and Smoked Almonds and continued on to Grilled Pork Loin and Pork Belly with Royal Trumpet Mushrooms, Melted Leeks, Pickled Tumeric and Chorizo Broth.  The fruity nature of the wines along with their minerality, acidity and tannins complemented the richness and saltiness of the pork.  The earth and licorice of the mushrooms, leeks and fennel matched well with the Cru Beaujolais, especially Moulin-a-Vent. 

Each wine exhibited the unique character of their growing region's soil through their aroma and flavor profile.  The Beaujolais-Villages had the most jammy fruit, while each Cru wine was typical but with the added strength and tannin of the vintage.  We also tried a couple of special wines from DuBoeuf: the Fleurie Domaine des Quatre Vents ($16), which was an extremely pretty wine full of cherry and violet, and the Moulin-a-Vent Domaine de la Tour du Bief ($18), which was strong with black fruits, spice and licorice. 

I not only recommend purchasing Beaujolais-Villages and Cru wines for their tremendous value and versatility, but also the 2009 vintage for it's amazing quality, tannin and power.  Make sure to take advantage of the value these wines bring and let me know how you liked them!

Partida Tequila & Mondavi Dinner at Blackbird

This past Tuesday evening I was fortunate enough to be invited to Blackbird Restaurant for a very interesting dinner featuring Partida Tequila and Folio wines from Michael Mondavi.  Now alot of people may be saying "Tequila with dinner?!", but the flavor profile of this beverage matches well with many foods and sauces, not just with salt, lime and margaritas.  If anything, this would prove to be an interesting experience.

Premium tequilas can be very smooth and have the flavor and aromas of citrus and tropical fruits, fresh flowers, herbs, vanilla, nuts, smoke, chocolate and spices, making them excellent food companions.  Partida is a new ultra premium brand which places emphasis on mixing tradition with technology.  Each of their blue agave plants are cultivated for 7-10 years until they are ripe and mature, then hand selected and slow baked in stainless steel autoclaves (pressure cookers).  They make a Blanco (unaged), Reposado (barrel aged under 12 months), Añejo (aged over 1 year in Jack Daniel's barrels) and Elegante, an Extra Añejo aged over 3 years and bottled in crystal. 

We got our chance to taste some good wine as soon as we walked in the door when I was handed a glass of 2009 Isabel Mondavi "Deep Rose" of Cabernet Sauvignon ($15).  The label is inspired by the wife of Michael Mondavi and the wine is her concept created by her son Rob.  The color is nothing short of amazing- translucent purple/red.  It is fruity, dry and delicious with watermelon and strawberry, balance and length.  A great way to kick off the night before starting dinner.

Blackbird's Chef Paul Kahan makes great food and also pairs his dishes very well with beverages.  We started with cured hiramasa (yellowtail amberjack), bread sauce, peaches and lime salt with 2008 Isabel Mondavi Sonoma Carneros Chardonnay ($20).  The Blanco pairs great with the fish and lime salt, with it's clean citrus and smooth balance.  The wine was great with the bread sauce and peaches as it was creamy and toasty with loads of tropical fruit.  A very good Chardonnay as the oak was apparent on the nose but amazingly not on the palate.

Next we moved onto smoked sweetbreads (thymus gland), blackberry soubise and summer truffles with 2006 Isabel Mondavi Willamette Valley Pinot Noir ($30).  If you've never tried sweetbreads, I highly recommend you try them, especially here!  They were smokey, slightly crispy and very delicious, and the saltiness and blackberries meshed perfectly.  The light red berries and elegance of the Pinot fought the flavors, thought the wine's earthiness matched the truffle.  Only the smooth nature of the Reposado made it good with this dish, but the flavors didn't match up quite right.

It was then onto the main event with roasted lamb loin, charred polenta, sea beans and caramel paired with 2006 Mondavi "Emblem" Oso Vineyard Napa Cabernet Sauvignon ($49) and 2006 Mondavi "M" Napa Cabernet Sauvignon ($200).  The lamb, of course, was tender and terrific, with the Cabernets picking up the strength, char, tannin and fruit.  The Emblem is more elegant with dark fruit from Howell Mountain and oak and vanilla flavor, while the M has more power, length and structure with fruit from a former Opus One vineyard on Atlas Peak.  I like the Añejo as it's toasty, sweeter character went with the sauce, but still the power was a bit much for the dish.  Wine wins again.

Dessert was on the way and we were in for a treat as the Elegante was being poured.  This extra aged select tequila had alot going on and did match well with the honey parfait with passion fruit, rum and carmelized white chocolate.  A good way to sip through the rest of the experience.

To sum up, I think smooth, premium tequilas do match well with food, but I would pair blancos with light fresh seafood and spicy vegetables, while aged tequilas match well with desserts at the end of a meal, though I still like shooting them with salt and lime (for fun)!  Wine still wins in this battle but they each have there place, and I encourage everyone to find where you like them- let us know!

Valdo Prosecco Lunch at Terzo Piano

This past Tuesday I was introduced to the newest sparkling wine producer to hit the Chicago market- Valdo Spumanti.  Their wines were set to be paired with the cuisine at Tony Mantuano's Terzo Piano in the Modern Wing at the Art Institute of Chicago.  This would be an all out effort to not only prove the versatility of Prosecco but also the versatility it can bring.

A little bit about Prosecco- it's famous for being crisp, light and fruity, along with being a great value sparkling wine.  It's made from the Glera varietal (formerly known as the Prosecco varietal) in northeast Italy, mostly from the hills surrounding Treviso.  Valdo has been making wine for over 80 years, was purchased by the Bolla family in the 1940s and has dedicated itself to making high quality sparkling wine from hand picked grapes along with single vineyard bottlings, which is rare for Prosecco.  The wines were brought to us by Dr. Pierluigi Bolla, proprietor of Valdo, and were to be paired with three courses prepared by Chef Meg Colleran.  On to the tasting!

We were initially greeted with Valdo Prosecco Brut DOC ($12) and it proved to be just as flavorful as it was aromatic.  Sweet golden apple, white peach, meyer lemon and lilies were coming out of the glass- it'll be hard to keep this wine off my patio this summer!

It was time to start the pairings as we were poured Valdo Cuvée di Boj Prosecco Brut DOCG ($16).  A single vineyard wine from the vaile dei buoi, it is aged for 5 months sur lie and 3 months in the bottle.  This wine is much drier with a longer finish and ripe pear and apple flavor.  The crisp acidity matched well with our tomato salad with cherries, almonds and 8yr Balsalmic vinegar.

The next course would be a big challenge- a rich dish of roasted Miller's skin-onChicken Leg w/ Cous Cous chicken leg with fennel seed, cous cous and Nichols Farm snap peas.  We were poured Valdo Cuvée del Fondatore Prosecco Brut DOCG ($20), another single vineyard Prosecco aged 12 months sur lie, 6 months in the bottle and blended with 10% six month barrel aged Chardonnay to add richness.  The wine was extremely complex and lengthy with tropical fruit, toasted nuts, baking spice and dry, crisp acidity making it drinkable with many rich fish, poultry or meat dishes.

Ricotta FrittersThe last course we tried turned out to be the best thing I ate all day- Ricotta Fritters with sweet corn ice cream, raspberries and plums.  The fritters were crisp and warm on the outside with a slightly sweet cheesy center- just an amazing dessert!  The sweetness and the fruit paired well with Valdo Nerello-Mascalese Brut Rosé ($12), a blend of Prosecco with the dark Sicilian Nerello-Mascalese varietal.  Just red berry fruit and floral harmony with this extreme value of a rosé sparkling wine.

These Prosecco wines were very impressive all the way around- point taken! 

Special thanks to Dr. Pierluigi Bolla, Chef Meg Calleran, Lindsey Johnson of Lush Light Productions for the invite and Marene Babula of Pasternak Wine Imports for being an awesome host.

Grab a Fork Tour with Tapeña Spanish Wines

It's time to carry on the enthusiasm of Spain's first ever World Cup with Tapeña Wines!  During their Grab a Fork! Tour, they'll be giving us a chance to taste their great spanish wines paired with tapas.  They've already finished a tour of Florida and are ready to join us in the Windy City.  Make sure to reserve a spot and become a fan of Tapeña by clicking here.  They'll be at:

• Landmark Grill. Tuesday, July 20, from 5:30-7:30pm.  RSVP by clicking here.
• Mercadito.  Thursday, July 22, from 5:30-7:30pm.  RSVP by clicking here.

They have a great line of wines which pair well with food, friends and good times: a Tempranillo, a Garnacha, a Verdejo and a Rosé (a blend of Garnacha, Monastrell and Shiraz).  Glass pours will be available at a discounted price and paired with each venue's tapas  Come out to enjoy the food & wine, prizes will be given out, and say hi to the Windy City Wine Guy.

Bastille Day Wine Tasting at Christofle

Make sure to come out this coming Wednesday evening to celebrate Bastille Day at Pavillon Christofle with yours truly, the Windy City Wine Guy!  Below is your invite:

 See you there!

Wine in Woodinville and Chateau Ste. Michelle

Before our WBC or Bust group was to set off east from Seattle to Walla Walla, we had a chance to break in the bus on a short trip to Woodinville, a former suburb of Seattle.  There are over 50 wineries in Woodinville and we were on our way to its most famous, Chateau Ste. Michelle, which has been around since the repeal of prohibition, when it was known as Pommerelle Wine Company.  Now it is nothing short of ginormous, with a large number of lines: Columbia Valley wines which bring out regional and varietal character, Indian Wells brings out new world nuances, Single Vineyard, Ethos Reserve with old world style, Artist series Meritage blend, Domaine Ste. Michelle sparkling wines, Eroica Riesling collaboration with German winemaker Ernst Loosen, Limited Release wines for club members and Col Solare, a red wine collaboration with Tuscan winemaker Marchese Piero Antinori.

We embarked on a tour of the winery led by Lynda Eller (Director of Communications) and winemaker Wendy Stuckey.  We went through the winery's long history and partnerships, and saw their large fermentation tanks and multiple storage barrels.  Later, we were treated to a wine tasting and food pairing conducted by John Sarich, winery Culinary Director.  We tasted four different Rieslings: 2007 & 2008 Eroica ($24), 2009 Columbia Valley Riesling ($9) and 2009 Cold Creek Vineyard Riesling ($15), Spiced Dishes & Rieslingpaired with three spicy samples: Indian Spiced Prawns & Tomato Chutney, Sesame Seared Halibut with Orange-Basil Thai Curry, and Currywurst.  I always love comparing different vineyards and vintages against eachother, as this is the best way to catch subtle and interesting differences.  Also, Rieslings pair very well with both exotic and inflamingDuck & Red Wine spice because of the grape's high acidity, citrus fruit profile and varying degree of sweetness.  We were then offered up Roasted Duck with Cherry Merlot Sauce, Sweet Potato Cake and Manchego Cheese paired with three reds: 2007 Canoe Ridge Estate Merlot ($22), 2006 Cold Creek Vineyard Merlot ($28) and 2006 Artist Series Meritage ($50), a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Petit Verdot.  Merlot and Meritage wines are a great pairing for rich duck dishes while Manchego, a rich sheep milk cheese, blends greatly with Merlot's silky tannins.  We finished off with 2005 Ethos Late Harvest Riesling ($35) with a lemon cookie and berries.  This fantastic dessert wine meshed well with the citrusy, butter cookie flavor.

Northwest Totem WinesAfterward, we met a slew of Woodinville winemakers at Willows Lodge: Northwest Totem Cellars, BetzBetz Family Family Winery, DeLille Cellars, DiStefano Winery, William Church Winery, Hollywood Hill Vineyards, Brian Carter Cellars, Novelty Hill/Januik Winery, Sparkman Cellars, Cuillin Hills Winery, Baer Winery, Des Voigne Cellars and Barrage Cellars.  There I met Bob Betz and his daughter Carmen, and tasted the best wine of the entire trip, 2008 Betz Family La Côte Patriarche Syrah ($55) from Red Willow Vineyard in Yakima.  An inky, black/dark purple color, with deeply spicey, floral, smokey aromas and deep dark fruit, black pepper and a touch of dried, cured meat on what seemed to be an endless palate.  This wine was so complex and lasting that I couldn't stop thinking about it!  I tasted so many good wines that it's hard to mention them all, but Hollywood Hill Vineyard Malbec, DeLille Cellars Grand Ciel and Northwest Totem Cellars Cabernet Franc were a few standouts.

The Barking FrogIt was a small walk to the other side of the lodge to The Barking Frog, where we were in for a killer lunch prepared by Chef Bobby Moore paired with more DeLille Cellars wines.  It kicked off with Grand Marnier Prawns and led to Seared Sea Scallops.  We finished with Dark Chocolate Coffee Ganache.  I would have been happy to call it a day after that perfect lunch on their outdoor patio, but we were in for more tastings and fun back in Seattle.  More on that in the next post!

Windy City Wine Guy in Seattle

On the wharf by Waterfront Seafood GrillIt was my first trip to Washington and I wanted to let Seattle give me all that it had.  Being from Chicago, I have the priveledge of being surrounded by some of the world's best restaurants, great lounges and bars, music, concerts and an awesome view of Lake Michigan.  When I go to a new city I seek its best aspects and try to live a full experience.  I was only going to be in Seattle for two days so it was time to live it up a little.

My first night I checked into the Roosevelt Hotel, an older building with nice sized rooms and central downtownSatay at Wild Ginger location making it easy for me to walk to my targeted restaurants and bars.  I walked to Wild Ginger, an Asian Restaurant with a reputation for making great satay.  If a restaurant being busy is a good sign, this place would be great- there was quite a crowd for a Tuesday evening.  When I'm in town alone, I like to dine at the bar because there's always someone to interact with.  The bartender's name was Nathan and he clearly had a grip on the action.  He knew his drinks and the menu very well.  I started with two satay- a Thai Chicken and a Young Mountain Lamb, and a Hitachino Nest White Ale (an awesome Japanese whitbier).  Both satay were extremely tasty, accompanied by sticky rice, pickled ginger cucumbers and their own sauce.  The wine list is exceptional with great selections by bottle or glass (which is dispensed by the Enomatic system), and a separate cellar list with over 2000 selections they've collected over a 20 year span.

Purple Wine BarI wanted more to try, so I went to Purple Cafe and Wine Bar, a gorgeous two level building surrounded by windows.  The wine list was full of great choices, with very interesting glasspour options: I went with Tenuta Sant'Antonio Scaia Rosso, 100%Small plates at Purple Corvina varietal from northeast Italy.  Good fruit, light/medium body and cedar box spice.  The menu was full of small plate options and I settled on three:  Housemade Toulouse Sausage, Mimolette and Roasted Garlic White Bean Crostini.  I loved the chance to try a little of this and that while sampling the wine list.  After all these small options it was time to turn in and get ready for another day.

On Wednesday I checked out and met up with the WBC or Bust group at the site of my new hotel room, the Renaissance, before we departed for Woodinville, which I will touch on in my next post.  When we returned that afternoon, it was time for a beer tasting hosted by Charles Finkel himself at Pike Pub & Brewery.  We tasted a lineup of their beers like the Pale, IPA, Kilt Lifter, Naughty Nellie and XXXXX Stout before we moved onto a tour.  I wish we had time for the menu, Roasted Snails in Phyllobut we had to get ready for the Waterfront Seafood Grill where we were in for aBraised Short Rib coursed wine dinner with tasty items like roasted snails, seared scallops and braised short rib.  There was also some killer wine being passed around from producers like Andrew Will and Nota Bene Cellars, both of whom make stellar Syrahs and Owen & Sullivan Winery.  This was an outstanding dinner from a spot with an uncomparable view.

In my visit to Seattle I had a small piece of what makes the city so great and I still have so much more to see.  If you get a chance to visit then make sure to take advantage of it and try to visit the places I mentioned.  If you live there then be proud and let us know what I missed, which places are your favorites and why- share the wealth!

Coming up- Woodinville & Chateau Ste. Michelle, Yakima and Walla Walla.

Quick Takes from Wine Bloggers Conference Walla Walla

I just returned from Seattle and the Wine Bloggers Conference in a hellacious flury of planes, trains & automobiles.  I'm also trying to recover from seven days of traveling, tweeting, taking photos & film, trading business cards, seminars, eating, some BSing, networking and wine tasting.  Now it's time to enjoy my family and home, and get some rest!

But before I do that, here are a few thoughts on some codes I live by and what I experienced:

Beautiful countryside and great land for growing.  Not only is the countryside blessed with great views, mountains, hills and just plain nature, but also with growing land.  The ability to grow so much great fruit: apples, raspberries, cherries (the biggest I've ever seen!), apricots, pears and of course grapes along with wheat and hops means this is extremely fertile land.  Since they can make great fruit, they can also make great wine.

You haven't seen it until you've been there.  I've heard many stories about Washington state and Walla Walla, but almost everything I heard was forgotten after my experience.  I've heard it compared to a "prehistoric" Napa, desolate land, full of nothing but farmers, shack wineries, etc.  But the town opened itself up to us with professional B & Bs, polite and knowledgeable winemakers, quaint yet classy tasting rooms, very good food and wine.

Passion writing, rapid messages and video.  This is the best way to keep fans interested, attract new readers and leave people wanting more.  If you're passionate about anything you do, odds are you will reach your goals and have fun doing it, while infecting others with it along the way.  People want to be captivated online, but only for a few minutes.  The online viewer has these moments to check out your site, get some entertainment and off to the next.  Reach them in this time and you'll be an accomplished online presence.  There is tremendous passion in the blogging community.

Stay true to yourself and your readers.  People will love you for your honesty and transparency.  Don't hide behind an agenda.  Even if you write for work, make sure you pick your employer carefully and you believe in their product.  If you have advertising on your site or promote a product, believe in that as well.  If you accept free samples, make sure to be truthful in your opinion of whatever you review- it may have been free, but that shouldn't buy you off.  Your readers are counting on you.  There is great integrity in the blogging community.

Wine sure is fun.  There may be this snobbish tag placed on wine by a number of people, but it's just a fun beverage.  Life is a celebration and wine is a member of the band.  With so many inexpensive bottles, it's easy to experience.  It goes great with food and they have a symbiotic relationship- they can make eachother taste better.  Winemakers are out there to make a product for us to enjoy, restaurants and chefs make us enjoy it more, sommeliers and wine writers make you understand it better.  Read a little, taste more and drink alot!

Stay tuned for more info and videos about the conference, Washington and wines from the Windy City Wine Guy on the Road.

Tenzing Embarks on Chicago Journey

Three big names in the Chicago wine scene are embarking on a journey to bring quality wholesale wine and spirits to local restaurants as well as loads of wine knowledge.  As reported by Crain's, Tenzing Wine and Spirits is a new venture by Fernando Beteta, Master Sommelier and former Wine Director of NoMI, Doug Marello, former sommelier of L20 and Wine Director of Spring, and Ken Fredrickson, former VP of Wine Marketing at Wirtz Beverage Group. 

The name comes from Tenzing Norgay, a Nepali-Indian Sherpa mountaineer who guided Edmund Hillary to the top of Mount Everest.  This will be a another kind of journey, of wine and spirits tastings and knowledge.

Tenzing will focus on bringing their portfolio to the Chicagoland market, while educating consumers through their blog, along with classes and tastings in their storefront on 165 N. Morgan Street.  This is a smart idea, bringing the consumer in direct relation with the distributor and their products.  In Illinois with regards to alcohol, we have a three tier system where you'll have the manufacturer or importer selling their product to a local distributor, who in turn re-sells the product to restaurants, bars and wine/liquor stores.  More consumer demand for your distributed product will inevitably lead to wider availability and demand in both restaurants and wine shops.

Some items in the Tenzing portfolio include Block Nine Pinot Noir, Ayala Champagne and Domaine Select Wine Estates.  We'll look forward to more products as they're added and the tastings and classes which follow!

Chicago Gets to Drink From the Big Cup: Lord Stanley's

It's been 49 years but Lord Stanley's Cup has finally made it back to Chicago.  The Blackhawks fought their way through a tough road to end up beating the Philadelphia Flyers in six games to take the NHL's greatest prize.  Loyal Chicago hockey fans have endured years of failure and disappointment: trading away Phil Esposito, Ken Hodge, Fred Stanfield, Jeremy Roenick, Eddie Belfour and Chris Chelios, Stanley Cup losses in '62, '65, '71, '73 and '92, failed draft picks, early playoff exits ('91- ouch!) and one of the worst ownership/management duos of "Dollar" Bill Wirtz and Bob Pulford.  I have to admit that I gave up on the 'Hawks after the Chelios trade and even refused to watch hockey.  But a fresh front office, young talent and a winning attitude has changed the losing culture and brought all the closet Blackhawk fans out to celebrate!

Since the Cup came to Chicago, it's been touring all over the city.  It was on parade, at Harry Caray's, the United Center, Wrigley Field, Stanley's Kitchen and Tap, Market and the Viagra Triangle among many other restaurants and bars.  Still waiting to hear of South Side appearances, as there are many die hard 'Hawks fans down there, but I'm sure it'll make an appearance or two.  Suggested places: US Cellular Field, Cork & Kerry, Schaller's Pump and Harrison's Brew Pub.

It's been filled with beer and wine and even babies have found their way in the Cup!  Here's a couple of suggestions for drinking out of the Cup: Goose Island Green Line Pale Ale, Raimondi Valpolicella (Italian wine made by a Berwyn born doctor), Wild Blossom Hibiscus Mead (made in Beverly), Half Acre Gossamer Golden Ale (brewed in Chicago) or Lynfred Winery Merlot (made in Roselle).

Where would you like to see the Cup or drink out of it?  Write a comment and let us know!

Getting Ready for WBC or Bust: Road to Walla Walla

Summer is just days away and I'm packing my bags for Washington state.  Thanks to my Washington wine country posts during Washington Wine Month this last March, I will be catching the WBC or Bust shuttle with 11 other wine bloggers from Seattle to Walla Walla and the Wine Blogger Conference.  It's a three day trip of wineries, vineyards, travel, breweries, restaurants, food, pairings and dinners starting next Wednesday.  Here's a bit about my trip:

I'll be flying from the Windy City to Seattle next Tuesday, staying downtown and trying out Wild Ginger Asian Restaurant.  On Wednesday morning I'll be meeting up with the WBC or Bust crew and we'll be heading out to Chateau Ste. Michelle in Woodinville for a tour and food/wine pairing.  Then it's on to the Woodinville Grand Tasting at Willows Lodge and lunch at the Barking Frog.  Afterward it's back to Seattle for a palate refresher at Pike's Brewery, before we get ready to finish off the day with Seattle Winemakers Dinner at Waterfront Seafood Grill.

On Thursday we'll move east over the Cascade Mountains to a brunch/wine tasting at Cave B Inn.  Next we cruise into Yakima Valley for lunch at the renowned DuBrul Vineyard followed by a Yakima Grand Tasting at Prosser Vintner's Village.  We'll finish the day in Walla Walla, checking in our B&B and enjoying wood oven pizza and wine at Walla Walla Vintners.

We'll be up and ready that Friday for the beginning of the 2010 Wine Blogger's Conference, a new media/wine industry conference.  It'll be a weekend of wineries, tweeting, vineyards, blogging, dinners, live streaming, tastings and pairings.  I'll be ready to come back home on Sunday evening, but make sure to follow my tweets (@WCWineGuy) and this site for all the updates- it should be an awesome week of wine and travel!

World Cup of Wine

 The FIFA 2010 World Cup has just begun and the world is watching.  Sport brings people together and unites them.  It can not only be a distraction from the problems our people and nations are facing, but can also bring about peace and togetherness.  Wine is very much the same.  It can be enjoyed by friends and family, bringing us together to celebrate and enjoy good times.

I am starting the 2010 World Cup of Wine where we pit twelve of the best wine producing World Cup nations against eachother.  We will put history, tradition, regions and wineries on the block and let you decide who is the best.  Feel free to pick your favorites by voting through Comments, Email, Twitter (@WCWineGuy) or Facebook.

I've divided the twelve nations into four Groups and we'll pick our favorite out of each and go from there:

Group A

South Africa: History stretches all the way back to their first grape harvest and crush in 1652.  Boycotts kept them from hitting most markets last century, but the industry boomed after political reform.  This reintroduced the world to wines made in near perfect conditions with excellent terroir.  Regions: Stellenbosch, Constantia, Paarl, Overberg, Breede River Valley.  Varietals:  Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Steen (Chenin Blanc), Sauvignon Blanc, Colombard.  Great wineries: Kanonkop, Graham Beck, Rust en Vrede, de Trafford, Boekenhoutskloof.  Try a bottle of Sadie Family red or white blend.

France: The Romans started making wine here over 2100 years ago and quickly discovered how great it was.  History turned out to be on France's side as the Roman Catholic Church maintained vineyards, advanced technology and passed them on through the centuries.  Today, they still produce some of the most sought after wines in the world.  Regions: Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne, Alsace, Langedoc-Roussillon, Loire and Rhone.  Varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Grenache, Pinot Gris, Cabernet Franc.  Great wineries: Ch Mouton-Rothschild, Le Pin, E Guigal, Dm de la Romanée Conti, Krug.  Try a bottle of Ch Quinault l'Enclos.

Argentina: Spanish colonists brought vines in 1557 and began making wine produced at the highest altitude.  Last century, grapes were grown in mass quantity to make wine for the local masses, but in the 1990s, a focus on exports pushed producers to make a better product.  With the grapes and terroir available this was not a difficult task as with irrigation, Argentina has everything needed to make quality wines.  Regions: Mendoza, La Rioja, San Juan, Patagonia, Salta.  Varietals: Malbec, Bonarda, Cabernet Sauvignon, Torrontés.  Great wineries: Catena Zapata, Colomé, Achaval Ferrer, Terrazas de los Andes.  Try a bottle of Cheval des Andes.

Group B

Greece: Wine production began here over 5000 years ago and is just recently becoming a hot item.  They are finding ways to market indigenous varietals dispite hard to pronounce names and making a place for themselves in wine shops and on wine lists.  Regions: Thessaly, Epirus, Peloponnesus, Macedonia (no, not the country!), Aegean and Ionian Islands.  Varietals: Agiorghitiko, Cabernet Sauvignon, Xinomavro, Assyrtiko, Moschofilero.  Great wineries: Boutari, Dm Skouras, Alpha Estate, Oenoforus.  Try a bottle of Dm Skouras Megas Oenos Red.

USA: Wine making can be traced all the way back to 1562 in Jacksonville, Florida, and is currently being made in all fifty states.  Though California accounts for 90% of United States wine production, many of the states are and have been producing high quality wine.  Regions: California (Napa, Sonoma, Santa Barbara), Oregon, Washington, New York, Michigan.  Varietals: Nearly all plus local hybrids.  Great wineries: Stag's Leap Wine Cellars, Araujo, Screaming Eagle, Dm Serene, Quilceda Creek.  Try a bottle of Grgich Hills Chardonnay.

Spain: A very long history here, as archaeologists believe wine traces back over 5000 years, leading up to the Phoenicians, Greeks, Carthaginians, Romans, the Church and through to today.  Spain lost its place in the world due to lack of industry, political turmoil and phylloxera.  20th century stability brought it back to the forefront and they are now the world's third largest producer.  Regions: Rioja, Rueda, Ribera del Duero, Rías Baixas, Priorat, Jumilla.  Varietals: Tempranillo, Garnacha, Graciano, Albariño, Mencia, Viura.  Great wineries: Vega-Sicilia, Marqués de Murrieta, Alvaro Palacios.  Try a bottle of Descendientes de Jose Palacios "Petalos" Bierzo.

Group C

Australia: Wine was being made for sale by 1820 and enhanced by European immigrants.  Eventually, Australia would rival France in quality before the vineyards were wiped out by phylloxera.  They eventually recovered only to find themselves specializing in sweet wines, but in the 1970s a movement toward quality wines started up again and the Aussies found themselves as the world's fourth largest exporter.  Regions: Barossa, Eden Valley, Coonawarra, Hunter Valley, Rutherglen, Margaret River, Yarra Valley, McLaren Vale.  Varietals: Shiraz, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Semillon, Riesling.  Great wineries: Penfolds, d'Arenberg, Torbreck, Leeuwin Estate, Henschke.  Try a bottle of Killibinbin Shiraz.

Italy: Wine was made here before the Romans and local varietals kept alive by local families and Church lands.  Despite hard to pronounce names and varietals, Italy is the world's largest producer and consumer of wine.  They have added French varietals, which have flourished, and upped technology to high standards.  Regions: Piedmont (Asti, Barbaresco, Barolo), Tuscany (Chianti, Montalcino, Montepulciano), Veneto (Valpolicella, Valdobbiadene), Campania, Sicily, Puglia.  Varietals: Sangiovese, Barbera, Nebbiolo, Pinot Grigio, Prosecco, Corvina, Aglianico, Falanghina, Primitivo.  Great wineries: Antinori, Frescobaldi, Gaja, Masi, Mastroberardino, Il Poggione.  Try a bottle of Avignonesi Vino Nobile di Montepulciano.

Germany: Viticulture started with the Romans and was mainly Church controlled in Medival Times.  Napoleon Bonaparte secularized the lands, inheritances further divided them into the coops they are today.  They are currently the eighth largest wine producer with 2/3 being white, though red production is way up.  Regions: Mosel, Ahr, Baden, Franken, Nahe, Mittelrhein, Pfalz, Rheingau.  Varietals: Riesling, Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir), Grauburgunder (Pinot Gris), Weisburgunder (Pinot Blanc), Müller-Thurgau.  Great wineries: Joh. Jos. Prüm, Berhard Huber, Fritz Haag, Robert Weil.  Try a bottle of Dr. H. Thanisch Bernkasteler Badstube Riesling Kabinett.

Group D

Portugal: History runs deep here and just like Spain can be traced back before the Phoenicians.  The industry thrived after the 15th century as England sought more wine sources.  Their sweet Port has lived on reputation through the years, but now dry wines are coming to the forefront.  Portugal has enough potential to make some of the best in upcoming years.  Regions: Vinho Verde, Colares, Douro, Dão, Bairrada, Alentejo, Ribatejo.  Varietals: Albarinho, Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, Castelão, Trincadeira, Aragonez, Baga.  Great wineries: Niepoort, Azamor, Adega Cooperativo Regional de Monçao, José Maria da Fonseca.  Try a bottle of P&S Chryseia Douro.

New Zealand: Though wine production here began in 1836, it didn't start to flourish until the 1970s.  Once they found out they had the potential to create one of the world's greatest wines (Sauvignon Blanc), investment and fame followed.  Regions: Marlborough, Auckland, Hawkes Bay, Martinborough, Nelson, Central Otago.  Varietals: Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Chardonnay.  Great wineries: Cloudy Bay, Craggy Range, Brancott, Te Mata.  Try a bottle of Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc.

Chile: Viticulture began when Spanish conquistadors brought vines in the 16th century and led up to an exporting boom in the 1980s with the introduction of stainless steel tanks and other technology.  Today Chile is the world's fifth largest exporter of wine.  Regions: Aconcagua, Atacama, Coquimbo, Valle Central, Southern Chile.  Varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Carmenere, Syrah, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc.  Great wineries: Casa Lapostolle, Concha Y Toro, Santa Rita, Cousiño Macul, Montes.  Try a bottle of Errazuriz Single Vineyard Carmenere.

So now you have all the facts.  Let's get to voting!

Memorial Day at the Arboretum

The Arboretum of South Barrington

I was looking forward to some family, sun and fun on this Memorial Day weekend, and today we took a drive to the Arboretum of South Barrington.  It’s pretty much an outdoor shopping mall surrounded by gardens and trees with almost everything you need to see or do available.  There are shops, restaurants, festivals, a cinema, clock tower, brick sidewalks and a bowling alley/bocce ball court.  There’s also ample parking- but just remember where you last saw your car!

We were hungry, so we headed to Pinstripes Bowling, Bocce & Bistro first.  This gigantic facility has a bowling alley, bocce ball courts, a banquet hall, WiFi, a bar, a fire pit and both indoor and outdoor seating.  We were loving the warm Windy City weather and went for a seat on the patio, and were ready for a drink.  My wife loves the Arnold Palmer (half iced tea/half lemonade) and I opted for an ice cold Peroni on draft.  I checked out the wine list and while it has many pedestrian choices like Ecco Domani, DaVinci, Castle Rock and Joel Gott, it does offer some hard to find wines like Teruzzi & Puthod “Terre di Tufi”, ZD Chardonnay, Argyle “Nuthouse” Pinot Noir, Rubissow “Les Trompettes” and Quintessa.  The menu is Italian influenced with panini, soups, pasta and pizza, but also contains American favorites like sliders, cobb salad and ribs.  We split the Tomato Mozzarella Bruschetta and Beef Tenderloin Sliders.  The bruschetta was amazing- ripe cherry tomatoes, ciliegine mozzarella, toasted crostini brushed with sweet balsalmic and arugula salad.  Everything worked so well together and it was very tasty.  The sliders were delicious and I couldn’t figure out which was softer: the bread or the beef!  The steak was so tender and was topped with sweet peppers and cippolini onions.  They were surrounded by a lick-the-plate bordelaise sauce and topped with crispy shoestring potatoes drizzled with truffle oil.  Our server, Amanda, was not only very informative and helpful on our first visit, but also very attentive- she heard us talking about the Meatball Sliders and brought us a sample to try!  They were excellent as well.  I don’t know how anyone could order an entrée after all that, so it was time for dessert.  Pinstripes offers free cheesecake to anyone who checks in on Foursquare, so we took advantage of it.  My wife said it was one of the best cheesecakes she ever tried- it was brûléed and moist with a crunchy crust and served with strawberry sauce and fresh strawberries.  We decided to bypass the bowling/bocce until next time and walk the Arboretum.

It was great to stroll in the open fresh air and pick which shops we wanted to stop in.  We checked out Yankee Candle, LOFT, Sur La Table, Anna Shea Chocolates and Panera for coffee.  We also stopped by Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant.  They make wine in Orland Park from fruit grown in California, Michigan and here in Illinois, and have four restaurants in Burr Ridge, Orland Park, Wheeling and South Barrington.  We were greeted by went for the tasting, which included one sparkling, three whites, three reds and a dessert wine.  The sparkling wine was a combination of Chardonnay with natural peach fruit and turned out to be my favorite.  It was dry, tasty and refreshing with a load of fruit flavor which lasted.  Their whites, a lineup which included Riesling, Chenin Blanc and a blend, were all good and exhibited nice fruit flavor, light spice and sweetness.  The reds showed promise as well, with a peppery Syrah, a light drinking Cabernet Sauvignon and their Lux Merlot, which has discriminating selection and significant oak aging.  Finished up with a very good Pomegranate dessert wine, which was just as tart as it was sweet.  All in all, I recommend their wine club, especially if you live close to one of their tasting rooms.  That’ll give you the best options and an opportunity to taste your purchase.

A great weekend which included all the essential elements: family, food, fun, sun, beer and wine.  Throw in a prayer for all my fellow veterans, current service member and those who made the ultimate sacrifice, and that makes a perfect Memorial Day.  Let me know how you spent your weekend and make sure to try the Arboretum!

A Six Month Reflection and Thank You

At the end of November, I decided to pursue my love of wine writing and consulting full time.  What an amazing six months I’ve had.

First, my little girl was born – a month early!  I had the opportunity to be a part of my daughter’s life everyday. I can’t describe how thankful I am for entering parenthood with my wife. We have quite a bit to learn, but the experience to date has been fantastic!

I was featured in ChicagoNow and Chicagoist, two local publications that celebrate the everyday Chicagoan that loves what they do.   I joined the writing team at the Ritz-Carlton residents as their Resident Sommelier. I even had the opportunity to be featured on the new deals site, Foxling.

I had the unique opportunity to help two businesses with their inventory needs. I worked with Catbridge Wine Cellars to stock over 200 sustainably farmed, organic and biodynamic wines and recently crafted Wholey Guacomole’s (soon to be Guanajuato) entire wine, beer and tequila list.

One of my favorite things to do is work side by side with people that want to know more about wine.  In the last six months, I was invited to run private events, ranging from birthday parties to corporate get togethers.  Aside from spending time with my family, nothing beats educating someone on the qualities of a good vintage.

Lastly, I recently learned that I was one of 12 bloggers selected to attend a VIP excursion through Washington wine country, leading up to the annual Wine Bloggers’ Conference in Walla Walla.  I almost flew out of my chair when I received the email about me being selected. This wouldn’t have been possible had I not made this career decision in late November.

I’d like to thank everyone for helping make these last six months incredible.  Your support and love of wine makes my days fly by. I’m working on a series of projects to help make your wine choices even more accessible to you on a daily basis. Stay tuned for updates. See you at the next event!

With love and appreciation,

The Windy City Wine Guy

Reynoso Family Vineyards Wine Review

I recently received free wines to sample from Reynoso Family Vineyards and was not just happy with the flavor, but their story as well.  They come from an Alexander Valley winery with a Chicago twist.  The owners, Joe and Elena Reynoso, were career Chicagoans.  Joe was a trader and wine collector, while Elena was

in fine wine sales.  Their passion for wine led them to California when a 550 acre parcel in Alexander Valley came available in 1994.  After some hard work and planting, they were ready to make wine and began in 2001 and have been making it ever since.  Now let's get to some of the wines I tried:

• Sauvignon Blanc.  This is a crisp, clean straw colored wine.  It is very intense on the nose with big citrus, floral aromas and light peppery spice.  The mouth has tasty pink grapefruit and bright acidity.  A nice natural wine.  Available for around $12.  (WG 86pts.)


• Long Gamma White.  This is a new wine from the Reynoso Family and it turned out to be my favorite.  A smooth blend of 60% Sauvignon Blanc, 25% Viognier and 15% Gewurztraminer and full of aroma and flavor.  This is a fruit bomb- grapefruit, peach and apricot with smells of rose petals and ginger.  The perfect summer wine!  Available for around $12.  (WG 90pts.)


• Syrah.  A bold, full bodied red with great expressions true to the varietal.  Dark plum, black pepper and a touch of ye ole barnyard.  A medium length but it a was bit hot with alcohol burn on the finish.  A good food wine.  Available for around $18.  (WG 85pts.)


• Cabernet Sauvignon.  The wine is also deep ruby red and full bodied.  It has focused fruits with dark berries and cherries along with toasty oak.  The tannins are medium and it does have good acidity.  A smoother Cabernet with a lengthy finish, but again there was some alcohol burn on the finish.  Available for around $24.  (WG 85pts.)

I really love their white wines.  They are full of fruit, have crisp acidity and great finishes.  The reds need a little work as they are slightly out of balance with the alcohol, but good wines.  I see alot of potential with this producer.

You can pick these wines up all over Chicago: Wine Discount Center, The Artisan Cellar, Whole Foods, Lush Wine & Spirits, Armanetti's, Ben'z Wine & Spirits, The Poison Cup, Galleria Liqueurs, and at these restaurants: Keefer's, Kamehachi (I'd love the Long Gamma with sushi!) and Stained Glass in Evanston.

Hope you enjoy these wines- I did!

50% Off Private Wine Tasting Hosted by Windy City Wine Guy!

Check out this amazing deal on Foxling: A Private wine tasting hosted by yours truly, a certified sommelier, for 50% off!  You choose the venue and I'll help you select great wines and food pairings for you and your friends/family.  Everyone will learn about wine, sample food and wine and have alot of fun.  This limited time offer is good for less than 12 more hours, so jump on it fast!

Even if you miss out, you can still call for Windy City Wine Guy Consulting services anytime: 708.205.9493.

Windy City Al Fresco Dining

The sun is peaking out, the city looks alot more green and the temperatures are rising.  That means it’s time for Dining Al Fresco!  Having a few drinks and a good meal outdoors is what makes for great times and memories, and it’s hard to find a better city than Chicago for outdoor dining.  So many great restaurants, bars and lounges to choose from with scenic patio views, haute cuisine, excellent wine lists and craft cocktails.  Here's a few of the best I've picked out for you:

• The Purple Pig.  Just set to open a large patio overlooking Illinois Street and Michigan Avenue, this self proclaimed “Cheese, Swine & Wine” spot is a hit.  Many small plates including sardines, cured meats, smears and pork are spattered on the menu and great for sharing.  Wash it all down with one of their craft beer selections or pick something from their wine list.  You just can’t go wrong! 


• Piccolo Sogno.  Not only do they have one of the best patios in the city, but the food and all Italian wine list are also amazing.  Start with some Prosecco and antipasti and enjoy the weather.


• Chicago Riverwalk.  One of the best vantage points of towering buildings, architechture and the Chicago River is on our Riverwalk.  It opens on May 31st and features great seating and even better dining: Cyrano’s Cafe & Wine Bar, Friendship on the River, Lagniappe Cajun Creole Joynt and O’Brien’s Riverwalk Cafe.


• Riva.  Head to Navy Pier and enjoy the best views of Lake Michigan, the Ferris Wheel and some great steak and seafood. You might even catch some fireworks at this Phil Stefani Signature Restaurant.


• Shanghai Terrace.  Enjoy authentic Cantonese Dim Sum and cocktails at the Peninsula Hotel.  This East Asian inspired terrace is a great place to enjoy Chicago's Magnificent Mile.


• Zapatista.  Fine Mexican cuisine, cerveza, margaritas and an awesome view of the South Loop on Wabash is more than enough satisfy you on any day this summer.  Hard to beat the fish tacos and an ice cold Modelo.


• Athena.  Authentic Greek cuisine shared outdoors in a garden with a fountain on Halsted.  Nuff said?  Opa!


• Palmer Place.  One of my favorite suburban spots (La Grange) with one of the best patios in Chicagoland.  A true Bier Garten with over 175 beers from around the world and some good old American food to boot.

Dining in Chicago can be so adventurous and relaxing at the same time. Be sure to let me know what your favorite spots are- myself and my readers would love to hear it!

We aren’t shying away from drink choices as I have a few recommendations for spring and summer as well.  The temperature is a bit cooler in the spring (between 45-75 degree F), so beer with weight like IPAs or Bocks are good, and both red and white wines can be enjoyed.  Try these out: Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA, Sprecher Mai Bock, Casa Lapostolle Sauvignon Blanc, Lange Estate Pinot Noir and Yangarra Old Vine Grenache.  For summer, I love Pilseners and Wheat beers, and mostly white wines like Pinot Gris/Grigio and dry Riesling.  Try these:  Allagash White, Trumer Pils, Big Fire Pinot Gris, Ca' Montini L'Aristocratico Pinot Grigio and Ch. Ste. Michelle Eroica Riesling.  Hope you enjoy these tips and have a great summer on the patio!

Kentucky Derby 2010

We're about an hour away from the start of the Kentucky Derby 2010, one of the most celebrated events in US history.  The race dates all the way back to 1875 and has become "The most exciting 2 minutes in sports."  It is held at Churchill Downs racetrack in Louisville, Kentucky but people everywhere, even in Chicago, are heavily involved.  Let's run through some of the history, specifics and places you can watch in Chicago:

The "Derby" is the most prestigious race in the world, where three year old thoroughbreds compete to win a 1 1/4 mile race.  It's held yearly on the first Saturday in May and caps off an amazing two week festival.  Concerts, sporting events, fireworks, hot air balloons, the Pegasus Parade, local food and drink are all a part of this community event. 

Speaking of local flavor, bourbon and wine flourish in Kentucky, and Mint Juleps are aplenty.  You ask "What is a Mint Julep?".  Well here's a bit about this southern drink.  It's been around since eighteenth century United States and has been considered the official drink of the Derby since 1938.  It is a combination of bourbon, mint, sugar and water.  Here's a recipe: muddle five mint leaves and crystallized cane sugar with a splash of filtered water.  Add to a rocks glass with ice cubes and pour in 2 1/2 ounces of your favorite bourbon (I love Bulleit).  Enjoy!

If you don't feel like making your own Mint Julep, here are a few spots in the city you can enjoy the Derby:

• Lobby Lounge at Swissotel.  A party sponsored by Woodford Reserve with drink specials (Woodford Mint Juleps are $12) and raffles.


• Luxbar.  $5 Maker's Mark Mint Juleps and prizes- $250 drink card for best derby hat.


• Stretch Run.  Drink specials ($6 Mint Juleps) and raceday wagering.

No matter where you plan on watching the Derby make sure to have fun and be responsible.  Share your experience and which horse you put your money on with me on Twitter: @WCWineGuy.  I'm going with #6 Stately Victor.  Good Luck!

Upcoming Posts

Hi everyone!  Spring is here and for wine that means new life in the Northern Hemisphere and Harvest and Crush in the Southern Hemisphere.  There's alot going on, it's been a very busy month and I have so much to share.  Here's a little bit about what you can expect from the Windy City Wine Guy in the next week:

• Al Fresco dining.  Chicago's bars and restaurants will be opening their patios to patrons eager to enjoy food, drink and the weather.  I'll be sharing some of my favorites.


• Whiskey Fest 2010.  I was fortunate enough to be a part of this event for the 2nd year in a row and I will be sharing all that I tasted with you.


• Kentucky Derby is coming up and a great time to find some wine pairings and what is a mint julep?!


• Cinco de Mayo is also coming up and I have some great wine and bev recommendations to go with Mexican cuisine.


• Reynoso Family Vineyards.  I received samples from this small batch winery and will share my tasting notes with you.  They look to be a part of the Chicago wine market in the upcoming months.


• Chilean wine.  I attended a Wines of Chile tasting and discovered so much great juice.  Looking forward to writing about that.

I'm glad that I have a great audience to share my tastings with.  Knowing that I am not the only benefactor of my experiences drives me to write and keep on the move.  Thanks!

Celebrate Earth Day with Organic Wine

Today marks the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, a celebration of environmental awareness.  It's observed every April 22nd and I can't think of any better way to enjoy it than to pop open a bottle (or two!) of wine made with organically grown grapes!  Here are a few selections which I recommend:

Colome Malbec.  This wine is made in the Salta province of Argentina with the highest altitude grapes in the world.  The wine is aged in French oak and is mostly Malbec combined with a bit of Cabernet Sauvignon and Tannat.  It's dark, juicy, spicy and can be had for around $25.  Hard to beat this producer for the price either!

Grgich Hills Chardonnay.  Not only are the grapes grown on this estate organic, but biodynamic as well.  Mike Grgich has been involved in making some of the best wines in the world for longer than Earth Day has been around, especially Chardonnays.  His Chardonnays have small oak nuances like vanilla and toast and preserve the grape's natural flavors by using Burgundian practices, like no malolactic fermentation.  Minerality and tropical flavor explodes, and all for around $40.

Alois Lageder Pinot Grigio.  Not only does Mr. Lageder make great wine but he does it for a great value- most of his wines are priced around $15!  Coming from northeast Italy, this Pinot Grigio is the total package- it's lightly creamy, floral and aromatic, with a touch of spice and loads of citrus fruit.  Open some oysters, roast some fish and enjoy.

Maysara Jamsheed Pinot Noir.  Making good Pinot Noir can be easy in Oregon, but it's not a sure thing.  When you take a loving approach to the grape and grow it organically, it just seems to come out right.  That's no different than what Maysara practices, and they churn out Pinot Noir that is full of berry flavor, spices, herbs and minerality on a yearly basis.  Get it for around $20.

Descendientes de Jose Palacios "Petalos" Bierzo.  This wine is made from ancient Mencia vines in northwest Spain.  Take the dark purple juice and combine with new French oak, and you get a wine an excellent profile: berries, licorice, flowers, minerality and smokiness.  I still can't believe you can buy this for around $18!

Peter Lehmann Shiraz Barossa.  It's no surprise that this wine is an awesome deal as it's made from organic grapes, priced around $15 and comes from down under!  A wine so full of plum flavor with hints of cocoa, oak, cherry and grippy tannins should be on your Earth Day list.

Chono Carmenere Reserva.  If you're planning on eating beef this Earth Day then this is the wine for you.  Cherry, vanilla, tobacco, baking spices and overall bold flavors make this a steal of an organic deal at around $10.  Grab a bit of Chilean value from this family vineyard produced, hand picked wine.

Mas de Gourgonnier Les Baux de Provence Rouge.  What?  Another deal from southeast France?  Is it possible?  Of course.  They've been churning out big value for quite some time and this organic wine is no exception.  Priced around $18 and full blueberry, cherry, cassis, pepper and spice.  A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Carignan, Grenache and Syrah.

Sokol Blosser Evolution.  Another Oregon organic, this is a blend of eight different varietals: Müller Thurgau, Riesling, Semillon, Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer, Muscat, Chardonnay and Pinot Blanc.  Just because they pack all those grapes in there doesn't mean it affects the price as it's only around $17 per bottle.  Great spring wine too!

Bonny Doon "Le Cigare Volant".  An awesome California Rhone varietal blend of mostly Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Carignan and Cinsault.  Their organically grown grapes produce alot of fruit flavor like raspberry and cherry, along with anise, chocolate and both earthy and smokey tones.  Gotta love this meaty wine for under $30.

Well, we went through ten wines from around the globe and alot of different varietals.  There are obviously so many more options when it comes to "green wines", but these are a good start.  If you can't find these, make sure to consult with your wine shop consultants and I'm sure they will steer you in the right direction.  Also, since you're making an effort to try these wines, make sure to do your part: reduce your carbon footprint, plant a tree and recycle!  You'll help secure your children's future along with the planet's natural beauty.  After all, we were given the Earth as a gift.  Let's try to keep it clean.