Archive for October, 2005

Ancient Roman Festival:

“The day on which people sampled old and new wine. It is, in fact, a harvest festival.

Meditrina roughly equates with the Greek goddess Jaso, but differed from Medetrina’s sister Hygieia (they, and Panacea, were daughters of Asclepius and Salus) in that while the Greek goddess preserved good health, Meditrina’s role was to restore it.

Jupiter as well, as a wine god, was honoured on this day. Feasting and games were in order for this and the next several days. September 30 (qv), October 3 and October 11 are given by some sources as the three days of the Meditrinalia.”

~ Wilson’s Almanac

“Three guys and a pinot and a PairoWoodies.”

Yeah, say that real fast! It’s probably not what first comes to mind at all though.

I’m no professional wine taster – and in fact, I’ve never really done any “wine tasting” in the “uppity” sense of the expression. Oh, I certainly do taste wine, and enjoy many varieties. Sometimes, I even swill my wine (“Egads!” say some).

Having said that, I’ve always wanted to learn more about wine tasting as I thought it would give me a better appreciation for wines. I’m not really aware of what I could be sensing and I plan on taking a wine tasting class soon. But to get me started, I thought we could have a little fun with this month’s Wine Blogging Wednesday’s, this month to be hosted by Jens of Cincinatti Wine Garage on October 5th. Jens’ choice the theme, “New World Pinot Noir” and I believe I’ve got just the thing(s) for this.

Down on the Niagara Peninsula, there are “Three Guys” that craft Pinot Noir from the grapes at Butler’s Grant Vineyard. These three guys include John Marynissen of Marynissen Estates, Jim Warren, winemaker for Kacaba Vineyards, and Ed Gurniskas, winemaker for Lakeview Cellars.

Up here on the Niagara Escarpment, far enough away from the peninsula where the winters up here are harsh and the growing season shorter, there’s a guy (me) who own’s a business called PairoWoodies. I’ll explain that business name another time – but again, probably not what you think . It’s not a vineyard – good grapes probably don’t grow where I am, but there are wine making stores that sell kits close by. Yes, winemaking kits. Even Pinot Noir kits! How is that for “New New World?”

The three guys down on the peninsula have been making wine for years. When I was at Lakeview Cellars, I spied an attractive wooden case which was marked “3 Guys 2000 Pinot Noir” containing a Pinot from each winery. As well, there was a fourth bottle – a blend of each Pinot; 1/3 each. I thought it would be a terrific addition to this month’s Wine Blogging Wednesday. However, bare in mind we’re not pros at this!

As well, I have a Pinot that I’ve made from a six week kit – a bottle of PairoWoodies! Definitely “New New World,” wouldn’t you agree? So this evening, we have two reviews – Three Guys, and of course a Pinot from PairoWoodies .

Let’s start with the much much better 2000 vintage Three Guys. For this tasting, I invited Wendy, my business partner to help me out. Unfortunately for both the Three Guys and myself, Wendy had just finished a bottle of lager beer. I made her go rinse her mouth out and told her this was serious business.

My notes on the Three Guys blend:

Appearance: Brilliant clear red.
On The Nose: Immediate strawberry.

The wine has a pleasant strawberry jam note, and with a long but delicate and balanced finish. Tastes like “more, please.”

Wendy’s thoughts:
“Hmmm… what is that I smell?” (No Wendy, it’s “on the nose!” I say).
“Maybe I’ve had too much beer.”
“O.K, well don’t drink very much of it then, as I can enjoy it more.” says I.
“There’s something I taste, but I’m not sure what it is.”
“I thought it had a taste like my mom’s home made strawberry jam.”
“Is that what it is?” asks Wendy. “Yeah, ok.. but I’m not sure I really enjoy it. Almost too fruity.”
(I roll my eyes.)

So, on to PairoWoodies Pinot:

My notes:
Appearance: Unfiltered, won’t win any competitions in this regard! A deep burgandy colour.
New wine taste with not enough depth, although it is bold. No complex flavours that linger.

Wendy says:
“There’s a word for it, but I’m not sure what. It’s ok, but it is missing subtle flavour. It’s just there, a burst of taste, and then gone. Now that I’ve had this, I really do enjoy ‘Three Guys’”

“Yeah, ok Wendy. Three guys, two guys – whatever. Three guys and strawberries and you’re in.”

I get a dirty look.

What did I learn from this? I have a LONG way to go before I make really good wine! Of course, my Pinot will likely improve with age, and let’s face it – there is simply no competition between a 6 week old wine and a 5 year old. And I should take some tasting lessons.

At the same time, this is a good start to really tasting and appreciating wine even more. Isn’t it?

Thanks for dropping by, and hope you won’t hold it against me too much that as far as wine tasting, I’m an amateur – as far as wine enjoyment, I’m an old pro.

I have had an enjoyable wine and beer day, and still have some things I want to get done.

Anyone remember that silly song, “100 Bottles of Beer on The Wall?”

100 Bottles of beer on the wall
100 bottles of beer.
You take one down,
You pass it around,
99 bottles of beer on the wall.

99 bottles of beer on the wall
99 bottles of beer.
You take one down,
You pass it around,
98 bottles of beer on the wall.

And so on until you get to 1 bottle of beer on the wall. One of those songs we’d sing as a kid when riding the bus on some long journey to make the time pass.

Well, I don’t quite have 100 bottles of beer “on the wall,” but I do have about 92. And these are 500 ml bottles as well. The Coopers Lager that I bottled about 12 days ago is apparently starting to “come into its own” according to Wendy who sampled one today. And today, I bottled about 46 bottles of a Canadian Red, similar to Rickard’s Red. In about three weeks, this should be quite nice, and at a total cost of around 15.00 for 46 bottles – well, you just can’t beat that.

They are all sitting in a warm part of the house, and will be for the next few weeks before I’ll recommend drinking it. It needs to age a bit as well as do a second fermentation inside the bottles which will also provide some carbonation.

If I can figure out a way to get more space, I’d try making beer like Lance does. But for now, this will do.

I also racked 6 wines this morning. I’m going to record the various bits of information here so I’ll have it handy when I complete the database I’m creating to track all this information:

Valpolicella – Start Date – July 28/05
Today: Specific Gravity – 0.994
Added: 3/4 teaspoon sulphite.
(From a 6 week kit)
To be bottled later this evening.

Pinot Noir – Start Date – August 14/05
Today: Specific Gravity – 0.996
Added: 3/4 teaspoon sulphite
(From a 6 week kit)
To be bottled later this evening.

Liebfraumilch – Start Date – Sept 9/05
Today: Specific Gravity – 0.996
Added: 3/4 teaspoon sulphite and potassium sorbate.
Added: Packet of Isinglass
(From a 4 week kit)
Next racking date: October 9/05
Possibly bottling: October 16/05

Gewurtztrameiner – Start Date – Sept. 9/05
Today: Specific Gravity – 0.994 (Interesting, the original SG on the start date was 1.150 – a tad high!
Added: Packet of sulphite.
(From a 4 week kit)
Observations – a lot of CO2 present, will be doing some degassing over the next few days before adding fining agent and potassium sorbate.
Next racking date: October 9/05
Possibly bottling: October 16/05

Granache – Start date – August 29/05
Today: Specific Gravity – 0.998
Added – 3/4 teaspoon sulphite, 1 teaspoon potassium sorbate
Next racking date: December 1/05
Possibly bottling: March 1/06
(Started from pure juice)

Festa White Blend
Today: Specific Gravity – 0.996
Added – 3/4 teaspoon sulphite, 1 teaspoon potassium sorbate
Next racking date: December 1/05
Possbily bottling: March 1/06
(Started from pure juice)
Observations: This wine has cleared very well on its own. It looks beautiful in fact. I’m going to let this wine bulk age (as with the Granache) on its own without adding any fining agents.

Tomorrow, I am heading back to Beamsville to pick up some pure Reisling! Another “adventure” with David and Dad.