Wine Aeration

So how much do you know about wine aeration information? Have you ever considered looking for it or do you simply take the cork out of the bottle and pour yourself a glass to drink straightaway?

Wine Aerator

It’s easy to think that aerating wine is something for wine experts only and no one else. But this isn’t true. In fact it is easier to check out the benefits of aerating your wine by actually doing it. If you get an aerator you can pour a glass of wine through it and do a proper taste test. Once you’ve tried a glass that isn’t aerated next to one that is, you’ll see how different it can actually be.

But I don’t actually know anything about aerating wine. Where do I start?

Don’t worry. It’s pretty easy to get all the information you’d need about the process. You can start by Googling it – you’d be amazed by how much wine information comes back to you in this way. More than that, most of it will actually be very accessible and ideal for people who don’t have a lot of knowledge about wine or how it breathes. Just find a site you like the look of and read up on the process to find out how it works.

Is it complicated? Do I really need to know how it works?

Not really, but it certainly makes for some interesting dinner conversation if you know the basics! Really, the basics are all you do need to know, since the process takes care of itself once you have the right wine aeration information and the aerator to do it with.

Every aerator is slightly different but they all have the same basic idea incorporated into them – namely to get as much wine as possible in contact with the air. This allows it to breathe and let forth all the wonderful flavors you’d otherwise miss. That’s the basics and that’s what you need to know to appreciate the process. Just be sure you read the instructions with whatever aerator you decide to get. That way you’ll always get the most out of it.

Is that all there is to it?

Pretty much, yes. Wine aeration isn’t particularly complicated, although professionals would probably describe it in more complicated terms. The main reason for looking for this information is to convince you that buying a wine aerator is actually a really good move. They’re not particularly expensive and the great thing is that they make every bottle of wine you pour through them taste more expensive than they actually are.

This is the real secret to why you should look for this information. It helps you to see why more people are using wine aerators than ever before. It also means you can enjoy checking out all kinds of amazing aerator designs to find the one you like the most. Wine aeration information could lead you to more than you thought you’d find.

Qupe Viognier Chardonnay Bien Nacido Cuvee

Qupe Viognier Chardonnay Bien Nacido Cuvee – it isn’t a name you will forget in a hurry, is it? But what of the wine itself? Is this a wine to enjoy again and again, something that will hit your palate with a rounded blend of appreciable flavors and aromas? Or is it far behind some of the other wines from this region? Let’s find out more by focusing on some of the major features of this wine.

Where does the wine come from?

This Viognier Chardonnay hybrid comes from the Santa Maria Valley in California, USA. It mixes half of Viognier with half of Chardonnay and creates a blend that is as distinctive as it is tasty. It is certainly worth testing with your own palate to see whether it is a suitable wine to buy for yourself or others.

What are the most notable features of the wine?

There are many things you could say about this wine. The mix of the two different grape varieties makes it interesting to begin with, especially as each one balances out the other and provides a more rounded finish. It provides 13% alcohol content and is a medium to full bodied wine with plenty of layers to explore.

The first thing you will notice if you pay attention to the bouquet of the Qupe Viognier Chardonnay Bien Nacido Cuvee is that it has rather distinctive citrus aromas. This comes through in the tasting too, as the orange and lemon come through in the overall flavor. If you like a wine that is fairly appealing and leaves you with a distinct citrus sharpness at the end, this one will do the trick nicely.

The best part about the wine is that it is enjoyed best when opened chilled soon after purchase. This means you should not expect it to last if you were to keep a bottle. It does not age particularly well so there is no reason to feel guilty for enjoying it as soon as possible after purchase!

What about price?

You would be correct in thinking that the wide range and depth of flavors and elements in this wine would negotiate a higher price per bottle. Case purchases often come with discounts but remember that this is a wine to be drunk fairly soon after purchase rather than keeping it for years. You should consider whether this wine is best bought one or two bottles at a time, rather than en masse. It is a delightful wine for all occasions, whether served with food or on its own to appreciate everything it has to offer. It may be a rare treat for some while others may easily extend their budget to it every now and then.

This is a solid and reliable wine with a beautiful flavor you will enjoy. The Qupe Viognier Chardonnay Bien Nacido Cuvee sits well on any table and is the perfect accompaniment to all kinds of fish dishes. Try it and see how it sits with you.

A Review of Qupe Marsanne

Every wine brings with it clues as to where it has come from. Qupe Marsanne is no exception to this rule. Generally speaking the unique characteristics enjoyed by a particular area permeate into the grapes as they grow, and these same characteristics can be picked out by those in the know when they taste wines from that same area. Let’s see how this relates to this particular wine.

Where does the wine come from?

The wine producer Qupe is located in the Central Coast region of California in the US. Marsanne refers to the actual grape, and in fact this is one of the trickiest grapes you could pick to grow. Traditionally the main world region for this grape variety can be found in France. However Qupe has had some major successes with the grape in the Central Coast part of California too.

What are the most notable features of the wine?

The first thing to notice is that this is a dry wine. It also possesses a medium to a full body, and it has plenty to share with you. This is an ideal wine to buy and enjoy soon afterwards, since it is made for immediate consumption. However that’s not to say it isn’t an ideal specimen to rack until later on if you are so minded. Perhaps the purchase of a case will allow you to do both? Many experts have given it their approval during tastings, pointing to the deeply layered flavors and notes that come through upon proper tasting.

One of the main things to note with this Qupe Marsanne wine is that it is not solely made from the Marsanne grape. Instead it balances four fifths Marsanne with a delicate fifth of Roussanne, giving a better overall performance and flavor as a result. The Marsanne grape is responsible for the full bodied and rounded taste you will experience when you try it for yourself. In contrast the Roussanne grape is slightly more acidic and balances it out nicely.

What about price?

This is a slightly more expensive bottle of wine than some will be prepared to pay for. However with that said you get what you pay for and this particular Marsanne from Qupe delivers an exceptional experience to your palate. Savor it properly and you should pick up the notes of honeysuckle coming to you courtesy of the Roussanne grape.

A proper tasting should allow you to pick out the citrus flavors as well, including orange. This helps to add more depth to the wine and really enables you to enjoy a fully balanced and appreciative specimen. As you can see you will get what you pay for with this particular wine; the higher price represents the blending of two unique grapes to provide us with a result that is more than acceptable to most people. As a result the Qupe Marsanne is a delightful bottle of wine that is perfect to give as a gift or to savor on your own.

Mountain View Chardonnay

Every bottle of wine you try is going to be different. This is one of the main reasons why you will find some you really like and pass on others. The Mountain View Chardonnay is well worth a look however, and we’ll find out more about it below. You will sometimes see this wine referred to as Vintners Chardonnay, but it does refer to the same bottle of wine.

Where does the wine come from?

This chardonnay hails from the Californian region of the US. To look at it in more detail we discover that it comes from the Central Coast region of California, which is known for producing lots of superb chardonnay wines. Plenty of premium wines have been created here, but these also provide premium prices. This particular specimen is known for being slightly cheaper and more accessible to more people as a result.

What are the most notable features of the wine?

If you are a fan of Mountain View from Vintners you’ll appreciate the various notes and flavors that permeate through the wine. If you are familiar with other bottles of chardonnay that have come from the Californian region you will no doubt want to try this one as well. It tastes pleasant and provides a wonderful flavor and aroma for a bottle of wine in this price range. When poured through an aerator it will enable the wine to release its best characteristics.

As for alcohol content the Mountain View Chardonnay provides us with 13.5% alcohol per bottle. This is pleasing enough and does not allow the chardonnay to become overly alcoholic. It also provides a wealth of flavors that blend well together, instead of bombarding you with too complicated a mix. One feature of some less than palatable chardonnays is the presence of too much oakiness. This particular Mountain View specimen has just enough without over oaking the palate. In taste tests it has performed consistently well all round, providing a nice reliable bottle of wine that does well in many settings.

What about price?

If you are looking for a nice chardonnay for everyday drinks that will also perform well in casual social settings, this chardonnay may prove to be likable in this sense. You can often save money by purchasing an entire case and the amount you will spend puts this chardonnay well within the reach of most people.

Another big plus point of this particular wine is that many restaurants have served it. This should provide you with some knowledge about its characteristics. It also has enough layers and aromas to satisfy even the most ardent chardonnay lover.

When it comes to white wines, California is a key area to pay attention to. When you have the opportunity to taste chardonnays such as the Mountain View Chardonnay, you will come to see just why they are so popular. This particular one is within reach of most budgets and yet provides a wonderful introduction to others in the area as well.

Domaine Drouhin Chardonnay

Contrary to some people’s beliefs, not all the best wines in the USA come from the California region. The Domaine Drouhin Chardonnay comes from a location a little further north of California, and it is a wine that is steadily making a name for itself as one of the key presentations from this winery.

Where does the wine come from?

Oregon lies just to the north of California and it is in this region of the USA that we can find the origins of this wine. If you have not yet tasted it, we recommend you do so to get an idea of why the Domaine Drouhin winery is so much revered for its expertise. The grapes for this wine are grown in the Dundee Hills.

What are the most notable features of the wine?

It is a fact that the Domaine Drouhin winery is making a real name for itself when it comes to the chardonnays it produces every year. Part of this is down to the very precise nature of how the fruit is fermented. A mix of old and new wood is used for the process, while half of the wine is fermented using tanks made from stainless steel. This produces a fine wine that has plenty to share with the eager palate.

It has consistently scored well among many wine drinkers and reviewers, with many people pointing out the oaky sensations that immediately hit you on the nose and also then on the palate. However these are not overpowering, particularly for a chardonnay. The most common tastes that are pointed out refer to the apples, pears and hint of vanilla that are all present throughout the wine. Many have also stated that the 2008 Domaine Drouhin Chardonnay vintage is remarkably better than its predecessors, with a more balanced and welcoming palate and finish compared to the earlier bottles.

What about price?

It is clear that some considerable experience and know how has gone into the making of this wine. It is far from being a simple wine as it has lots of notes and textures that are revealed in the tasting. It is quite simply stunning and worthy of the slightly higher price that puts it outside the lowest and cheapest wines, and quite right too.

This is a bottle to be savored but it can also be enjoyed with or without food. It may be spoiled when paired with more flavorful food, and so enjoying it with a light meal or bite to eat is often best. As is the case with many wines where the fruits are fermented in different ways and then aged, this chardonnay has plenty more to share with you than you may have thought at first. Be sure to pour it through a wine aerator to fully release all the sensational notes, flavors and sensations it has for you.

The Domaine Drouhin Chardonnay is truly a king among chardonnays, and will remain so for some time yet.

Beringer Chardonnay

There may be many different reasons for choosing a particular wine. For example it may be produced from grapes you know you like and you are familiar with. On the other hand it may be something quite unlike anything you have tried before. Perhaps you are keen to go out of your comfort zone a bit. But where will the Beringer Chardonnay leave you – firmly in your comfort zone or straying well outside of it?

Where does the wine come from?

This wine hails from Napa Valley, the famous wine producing region in California. More specifically it is made in the southern reaches of Napa Valley. If you know anything at all about this wine growing region you will know that it is renowned for producing some of the best Chardonnays to be introduced to the palate. This particular wine is no exception to the rule.

What are the most notable features of the wine?

You’re getting a reliable 14% alcohol content with this wine for starters, but there is plenty more to explore once you are ready to uncork a bottle and give it a taste. To begin with there is the familiar Chardonnay taste that is so wonderful, but there is something a little different here and you may not instantly be able to spot what it is.

The secret – if it is a secret at all – is that just 5% of the grapes were fermented in a barrel. The majority remainder of the grapes was fermented in a tank. This has led to the unique blend that is indicative of the Beringer Chardonnay. This is a nice dry wine with nice oaky hints blending throughout every glass. This may come as a surprise since only 5% was barrel fermented. But with that in mind the tank fermentation also lends a nice fruity taste as you sample it. It seems to be the unique blend of fermentation methods that sets this wine apart from many of its similar rivals.

What about price?

This is a bottle of wine that will be perhaps something a little better than the average cheap bottle. Indeed it may be out of the price range of some, but at the same time it is not too expensive for many. Perhaps it will be more of a special occasion wine, but be prepared that you may not want to share it!

As always you may be able to benefit from a case saving if you want to buy more than one bottle. Everything about it is worth celebrating, from the delightfully clear and calm color to the wonderful array of flavors you will taste on your palate. If you drink it without truly appreciating it you won’t get the best from every sip. Make sure the wine achieves its best presentation by pouring it through a wine aerator prior to drinking as well. This will further enhance the Beringer Chardonnay and make every bottle taste even more expensive than it is anyway.

Beringer Cabernet Sauvignon

There is arguably nothing as good as a good Beringer Cabernet Sauvignon, and if you find one that truly brings forth the aromatic nature of this grape you will want to hang onto it. This might be the reaction you have when you discover the Beringer Cabernet Sauvignon for the first time. This truly is an impressive wine and it is one you will want to know more about from the off.

Where does the wine come from?

This wine comes from the Knights Valley region of California, which is in Sonoma County. The most important thing to note about the region of Knights Valley is that the soil is most conducive to growing the cabernet sauvignon grape. This makes the Beringer bottle, here the one from 2005, well worth a taste if you have never come across it before.

What are the most notable features of the wine?

This particular wine has been referred to as being big and bold. You could arguably say this about many different cabernet sauvignons, but it should definitely be said of this one. The 2005 vintage is sometimes hard to find now, but if you do get a chance to buy a bottle make sure you do. The incredible blend of distinctive flavors coming through with every mouthful is well worth experiencing.

Aficionados of wine will probably be able to pin this one down to the Californian region, even though it has notes of Merlot that might tempt you to place it elsewhere. The dry wine with a hint of cabernet franc also lends something a little extra to the experience. Many have stated that the wine is quite happy to be laid down for a couple of years prior to drinking, so it is one to keep as well as one to try immediately you get it home.

Watch out for a smoked oak and vanilla sensation together with a whole range of other fruity flavors. These mark out the distinctiveness of the Beringer Cabernet Sauvignon.

What about price?

This is not perhaps the bottle of wine that should be bought casually, without thought of when to drink it. This could be savored with a special occasion and perhaps enjoyed solo, without the richness of any beef or other meat dish to go with it. Some will find it too pricey but for the experience and the taste there is really no reason to assume this is anything other than a well priced wine.

Watch for savings if you decide to buy a case rather than a single bottle, and be sure to fully aerate every bottle before sampling it. There are so many individual flavors and experiences within the Beringer bottle here that you will not release them all unless the wine is enjoyed at its absolute best.

As you can see the Beringer Cabernet Sauvignon is a delight to be experienced. If you are moving on from cheaper bottles to sample something a little more robust, there could be no better place to begin.

Au Bon Climat Pinot Noir

Some wines are always going to be more palatable than others. While some strive to be unusual and dynamic, others are content to be pure bliss. This could definitely be said of the Au Bon Climat Pinot Noir, which is one of the most superb wines you could hope to taste. If you want an easy going wine that appeals to your more laid back tastes, this one could be a real winner.

Where does the wine come from?

This specimen comes from the Au Bon Climat winery, which is situated in the Mendocino County area of California. You will find it nestled into the Anderson Valley region. The owner of the winery was inspired to set up business following a trip to Burgundy in France. His wines are clearly inspired by that area although they still retain a character that is unmistakably their own.

What are the most notable features of the wine?

The 2008 pinot noir is a stunning production that will please many people. Indeed it has done well in tastings on official websites and those in the know about wine tasting seem to like it as much as people in the street do. Pleasant, delicious and easy going – all of these terms and more have been used to try and describe the experience of drinking the Au Bon Climat Pinot Noir.

The key thing to be aware of here is that the wine is by no means pretentious. It doesn’t pretend to be anything it is not. Similarly it is a relaxed and welcoming wine, with nice flavors that can be appreciated by everyone. If you are being introduced to the pinot noir variation for the first time, you could do a lot worse than to try this one.

If you prefer a light wine this is the one to try. As such this bottle may be a little too much on the light side for some, but if you are looking for a nice easy going blend to accompany dinner, this could be a winner. Many people have said it pairs up nicely with everything from chicken to quail and everything in between. One caveat would be to say that it needs plenty of time to breathe, but given a wine aerator this should not present a problem. It will release all the wonderful easy going flavors within the wine.

What about price?

The 2008 bottle may be a little pricey for some depending on budget; some may expect a heavier and more complex wine for the price. However for our money we believe the 2008 wine is a delight and worth every cent. It warrants exploring properly and tasting the light range of flavors that appeal to your palate once you have a mouthful.

The Au Bon Climat Pinot Noir comes around every year and is well worth looking for every time. But the Au Bon Climat Pinot Noir 2008 bottle definitely stands up well and is always a pleasant wine to have around.

Tablas Creek Vineyard Esprit de Beaucastel

Tablas Creek Vineyard Esprit de Beaucastel

It may sound like a mouthful but once you experience this delightful wine on your palate you will see it is very far from being an actual mouthful in the flesh! The Tablas Creek Vineyard Esprit de Beaucastel from 2006 is the result of the coming together of no fewer than four different grape varieties. It has plenty to offer if you have the budget to invest in a bottle or two. Let’s explore it in further detail.

Where does the wine come from?

This is a Californian wine hailing from San Luis Obispo County. The actual vines that have gone into the making of this wine are situated in Paso Robles. The unique setting, situation and climate have combined to enable the producer to grow and ferment a wonderful blend for this particular bottle of wine.

What are the most notable features of the wine?

Let’s first take a look at the four grape varieties that can be found here. The main one is mourvedre, which is present in 45% of the blend. Another 28% is taken up by Grenache, while syrah accounts for 22%. Bringing up the rear we have one final grape variety in a much smaller concentration – this time as 5% of counoise. The The Tablas Creek Vineyard Esprit de Beaucastel certainly has a complex blend.

This blend is responsible for bringing some appreciative flavors to the fore. A complexity of dark fruits meets your nose and palate, but none are too overpowering. The rich ruby color leads you into the strawberries, plums and other delights on the palate. If you are new to the stronger flavors given by the mourvedre grape variety, this could be a good one to start with. It has a little less punch than many similar wines, probably because of the blend of other grapes that is included with it.

Many wine reviewers have alluded to the good structure held within the wine. They have also stated that while it can happily be enjoyed upon purchase, it can also survive very well in the right conditions to be enjoyed at a later date. With the strong fruity signatures you may be surprised to get a shot of floral notes there as well, but they are there to be appreciated. This has much to share with ardent red wine lovers and you will certainly enjoy it better when decanted or aerated fully before tasting as well.

What about price?

Having read the above information you will probably not expect a cheap price for this particular wine. Any blend is likely to be more expensive than a singly sourced wine. However the extra investment – and it should be thought of as such – that goes into this bottle is rewarded with a smooth and lively drinking experience. It is not too heavy on the alcohol and is a wine to be shared and enjoyed. The Tablas Creek Vineyard Esprit de Beaucastel is a signature of the vineyard it comes from.

Ridge Lytton Springs

If you are searching for a red wine you can put away to look forward to in a few years time, perhaps for a special occasion, look no further than Ridge Lytton Springs. The 2008 vintage provides a wonderful tasting experience and a wine you will want to savor. Let’s look into its complexity in more detail to find out just what you have to look forward to.

Where does the wine come from?

Ridge is the name of the producer, and they are based in Sonoma Valley, in the Dry Creek Valley of California. It is a well respected vintage created from the Zinfandel grape, which is a good grape to go for if you like red wines.

What are the most notable features of the wine?

This specimen is referred to as a Zinfandel, but it has more to share with you than that. This is a blended wine and while Zinfandel is the key grape, accounting for some three quarters of the content, there are two other grapes there as well. One is the Syrah grape variety, which contributes around a fifth of the total content. You also get a minimal 5% of carignane to watch out for in the flavor and the nose.

Red wines are often noted for being rich, but they can sometimes be a little too rich. This one achieves the envious success of being just rich enough, without being overpowering and prohibiting you from exploring its deeper and subtler flavors. The Ridge Lytton Springs benefited from less rainfall and no excessive heat as the grapes grew, and this has led to a nicely balanced end result.

As you would expect there is a sensational blend of fruitiness within the wine. You will sense it on the nose and experience it on your palate as a healthy burst of raspberries, blackberries and other fruits attack your senses. You’ll also get a healthy hint of vanilla and oak, giving you the hint of the oak barrels that formed part of the fermentation process. It also scores over 14% alcohol content, giving you lots to appreciate and enjoy.

What about price?

As you can imagine this Ridge Lytton Springs is not a cheap wine. However it is a bottle of wine that has been a true labor of love and has provided you with depth and complexity that a true wine lover will appreciate. However even if your tastes are usually simpler than this, treat yourself to one bottle for a special occasion or just a treat. It is sold as a wine that can be opened and drunk immediately, but most experts agree that it will get better still as it ages. If you can hang on for a decade your patience will be rewarded with an even better result than you would experience already.

The Ridge Lytton Springs from 2008 is a classic Zinfandel combination with a little something extra in there to produce a sensational blend. It could help you to stray away from pure Zinfandel!