Nouveau Beginnings

I don't think there is anything that evokes more mystery than wine.  It's roots are from ancient times and encourage a passion that is global in nature.  Wine runs the gamut from being mass produced and distributed to millions to being crafted from a small plot of land under the control of an artisan producer with very limited availability.  Wine is powerful...it can sometimes increase ones happiness and be a comfort during a sad time, it can be a barometer of current economic conditions, it can influence art and philosophy alike, and wine is part of our history and culture.   Sometimes wine is perplexing to me and then it is obvious, sometimes it can be shy, and at other times bigger than life!  It can be overwhelming when there is so much to learn and so many regions to explore.  In this New Year, Kirsten and I discussed my taking a bit of a new direction with this blog...to get more out of my 'comfort' zone, and to challenge myself and you as readers more.  I am so comfortable with what is in my back yard (Sonoma County) but I recognize that there is a world of wines that need to be explored.   I hope that you will all agree and give me your feedback as we venture on.  I have received some great responses to this blog through the years and am thankful that friends find it enjoyable...and offer their suggestions and questions.  My taste in wine leans towards simplicity...I tend to shy away from 'big gun' reds and over-oaked whites and I use the rating system in my head to determine what is right for me.  The challenge to me is that each and every vintage is different.  I can understand the 'chalkiness' of Italian wines, the 'minerally' taste from Oregon Pinot's and also the 'earth' flavors in Argentinean Cabernet's, that is the beauty of it all...each region is unique!  One person may be put off by a French Burgundy's 'barnyard' nose and to another it would be the sign of a very fine wine.
Recently we were out for a very simple dinner after a movie and as I looked over the wine list, I spotted a bottle of Louis Jadot Beaujolais, certainly not the most expensive bottle on the menu.  It had been some time since I sampled this bottle so I ordered it.  It was such a great compliment to our dinner and it reminded me that the first bottle I ever really took notice of was in fact a Beaujolais.  I had been nursing jugs of Almaden Mountain Chablis (all I could afford),  at the ripe age of 25 when I was introduced to a bottle of wine at a party that turned my head...I still have a memory of the taste of red cherries and strawberries of that totally mesmerizing Beaujolais!   That is how I got hooked!!   The Beaujolais wine is crafted from the Gamay grape, a dark skinned grape that produces a light style of red wine from the French region of Beaujolais near the city of Lyon.  Few other wines are produced, bottled, and released within a few weeks of the harvest and is intended for near immediate drinking.  Once a misunderstood wine, Beaujolais is now appreciated for what it is, a simple compliment to any meal and marked upon release by the "Beaujolais Nouveau Time" celebration on November 15th. 

So what was the bottle that started it off for you?  Tell me!

Domaine Pignard Beaujolais 2011
Beaujolais, France- A fragrant and floral bouquet leads to flavors of red fruits and hints of spice. Made from the Gamay grape, fresh raspberries and cherries shine through. This wine is best slightly chilled and goes well with cold cuts, roasted chicken or turkey dinner.


Louis Jadot Beaujolais Villages 2011
This brilliant garnet wine is bright and fresh, with ripe, supple crushed strawberry flavors underscored by zesty nuances of peppercorns, gentle tannins and a clean acidity, finishing on a succulent, refreshing note.


DeBeaune Beaujolais Nouveau 2012
Bursting with fresh berry notes, this delicious quaffer is fresh, easy-drinking and designed for fun. Perfect for your holiday parties and dinners, it will pair well with appetizers and poultry dishes.