Behind the Cork™ - Book Review: Stikky Wine

Stikky Wine ($12)

Looking for a good, beginner’s-level, easy to read book to learn about wine? Stikky Wine is a great place to start.

The book does not rely on taking notes or memorization. It clearly states “Read the three sections…stop after each section and practice in the real world…promise yourself that you will try to answer each question in the text. Keep these promises, and what you learn will stick.” Hence the name, Stikky Wine.

The sections are a quick-read with information on how wine is made, grape types, easily identifiable aromas and flavor and common red and white wines. No technical jargon, just simple, easy to understand facts about wines. And, some quick checks along the way to check your understanding.

Stikky Wine is a breeze to read and brings together the essential wine knowledge in straightforward, easy-to-grasp language, all enhanced by beautiful illustrations. It’s a fantastic guide for anyone new to the world of wine. Cheers!

Stikky Wine is available on-line, visit https://stikky.com/collections/books. Provided by Book Publicity Services Inc.

A Beginner's Guide to Wine Flavors -- White Wines

One of the most common questions I get it is “Tell me what some good wines are?” While that’s a simple question, it’s also quite difficult to answer because not only is everyone’s palate different, but your palate for wines will evolve as you explore them.

So, here are descriptions of what common white wines tend to taste like. These are the broad, recognizable flavor profiles you may expect as you taste them:

White Wines

Chardonnay

The Chardonnay grape has been described as being a bit “Chameleon-like.” Unoaked Chardonnay tastes like apple, pear, citrus while oaked styles have vanilla, butter, toast, and a richer, smoother mouth-feel.

Sauvignon Blanc

These wines are typically crisp, zesty, and refreshing due to their higher acidity. Flavors include lime, green apple, passionfruit, and often herbaceous or grassy notes.

Pinot Grigio / Pinot Gris (Same grape; different names)

These wines are light and clean with flavors of pear, apple, lemon, and a refreshing, straightforward finish.

Riesling

Riesling wines are very aromatic and expressive. Flavors include peach, apricot, lime, and sometimes floral or mineral notes. Riesling can be dry (no residual sugar) or sweet.

Moscato / Muscat (Same grape; different names)

These wines tend to be sweet, aromatic, and low in alcohol. Flavors include peach, orange blossom, honeysuckle, and a grapey-flavor that’s hard to miss.

Chenin Blanc

This wine can taste like apple, pear, quince, or honey and apricot in sweeter styles. It’s usually bright and lively due to its higher acidity.

Gewürztraminer (Guh-VERTS-tra-mee-ner)

This wine is highly aromatic. Think lychee, rose petal, ginger, along with a touch of sweetness. Very floral and exotic.

So, there’s a quick look at white wines. Remember, these are the broad, recognizable flavor profiles you are likely to find. But, as you continue through your wine journey, you’ll also be able to pick out many more.

Next time we’ll take a look at red wines. Until then, cheers!

Behind the Cork™ - 2022 Ameri “Wild Roots” Malbec by Domaine Bousquet

2022 Ameri “Wild Roots” Malbec ($85)

Domaine Bousquet is Argentina’s largest producer and exporter of wines made from 100% certified organic fruit. The Ameri label of wines is named for co-owner Labid Al Ameri, Domaine Bousquet’s co-owner.

Ameri wines are only made in exceptional years and exclusively from selected grape clusters harvested from the estates’ best vineyard.

This “Wild Roots” Malbec is a limited, single-block wine from Eva Estate’s Block 3, of stony calcareous soils and deep-rooted vines.

The Malbec grapes used to produce Ameri were harvested by hand, with careful selection of clusters and berries. Fermented occurred with native yeasts in 400-liter oak barrels, followed by a total maceration of 30 days. The wine the aged 12 months in French oak and refined for one additional year in the bottle.

Ameri ‘Wild Roots” Malbec is deep purple in color with dark fruit aromas. On the palate, this full-bodied Malbec has deep, rich dark fruit flavors and soft tannins. It’s well balanced, complex and finishes smooth and soft. (ABV: 14.5)

Domaine Bousquet’s Ameri Wild Roots Block 03 Malbec is an outstanding wine! A perfect fit as this week’s Behind the Cork™ Wine of the Week. Cheers!

Disclosure of Wine Sample Submission: I received this sample at no cost for review. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Media Sample Provided by Domaine Bousquet

Wine Words: What is Complexity?

I was recently enjoying a good glass of red wine and commented that it had good complexity. I was then asked “What is complexity in a wine?

While there is no standard definition and it can be subjective, here’s a brief description and some key characteristics of a “complex” wine:

Complex wines typically have multiple layers of flavors, aromas, and textures that evolve as you taste it. They aren’t just one-dimensional or simple. They may start with rich fruity notes, but as you sip, a complex wine can also show earthy, spicy, or floral notes. A complex wine can continue changing and offering new things, often making it more interesting the longer you sip it.

Key Characteristics of a “Complex” wine:

  • Big or full flavors, aromas and mouth-feel textures

  • Various flavors and sensations; multi-layered

  • Combinations of flavors including fruit, spices, flower notes, earthiness or herbs

  • Rich flavors

  • Good balance of alcohol, acidity, tannin and residual sugar - nothing sticks out

  • A long finish of flavor

  • Often exhibit the quality and craftsmanship of the winemaker’s ability to ferment and age a wine

  • The grapes are from specific well-regarded wine regions (e.g., Bordeaux, Napa)

So to sum it up, “complexity” can mean different things to different people, but complex wines typically exhibit multiple flavors as well as flavor diversity. Cheers!

Behind the Cork™ - 2024 Ameri “Eva Estate” Sauvignon Blanc by Domaine Bousquet

2024 Ameri “Eva Estate” Sauvignon Blanc ($35)

Domaine Bousquet, Argentina’s largest producer and exporter of wines made from 100% certified organic fruit, is introducing their 2024 single-vineyard Ameri Sauvignon Blanc, the first white wine from the winery’s Ameri label. Named for co-owner Labid Al Ameri, Domaine Bousquet’s “Ameri” wines are only made in exceptional years and exclusively from selected grape clusters harvested from the estates’ best vineyard.

The grapes used to produce Ameri Sauvignon Blanc were sourced from the heart of Plot No. 9 of their Eva Estate vineyard in Gualtallary Argentina at an elevation of 4124 ft (1,257 m), a high-altitude wine region in the Uco Valley of Mendoza, Argentina. The sandy-calcareous soils have been found to be the most expressive sections of the vineyard.

The grapes were hand-harvested early in the morning to preserve their freshness. The grapes were then gently pressed under reductive conditions (i.e., minimal exposure to oxygen) with dry ice to protect the aromatic profile. The wine fermented in French oak barrels (50% new, 50% second use) at low temperatures (13 °C / 55 °F), with no malolactic conversion. The wine was then aged for 8 months in barrel and 6 months in bottle.

This Ameri Sauvignon Blanc is pale gold in color with nice tropic fruit aromas, some baked pear and a touch of vanilla from the oak aging. On the palate, this light-bodied wine has wonderful tropical fruit flavors of pineapple along with green apple and pear. It is light and bright but finishes smooth with just a bit creaminess.

This Domaine Bousquet 2024 Ameri “Eva Estate” Sauvignon Blanc is a real treat at this price, making it a great fit as this week’s Behind the Cork™ Wine of the Week. Cheers!

Disclosure of Wine Sample Submission: I received this sample at no cost for review. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Media Sample Provided by Domaine Bousquet