All three of the wines I have are NEW to our store and I am always happy to share them with you. I have two white wines today from two very different regions, both with the same goal in mind of expressing the terroir to a tee. The final is a big, bold red from - yep you heard it right - ACDC. A 'rocking' red wine. Even with the onset of cooler temperatures, I am still craving crisp whites and maybe dryer and with more body too. Each of the whites I am sharing has that. I found myself wanting something different and that is why I chose a Chardonnay and a wine from France. I usually don't lean towards Chardonnays and France is not my strong point because I find the new world, fruit-forward wines more appealing. However, I found one French wine I could enjoy in this Cotes-du Rhone white, so just keep trying. It may not be fruit-forward to my liking, but it did surprise even myself. The Chardonnay I chose is from sunny California and is a good example of a Californian Chardonnay. To finish it off, I have a wine that I have been searching for to no avail until now. ACDC wines that I have had requests for have finally arrived in our store. We don't have the full lineup, just a Cabernet and Shiraz and no whites.
RAVENSWOOD
CHARDONNAY 2012 (571489)
CALIFORNIA
$14.99
Ravenswood logo is a picture of three Ravens with their talons intertwined. I was surprised to learn it's the most tattooed logo in the wine industry. It is very eye-catching and you tend to stare at it for a while. It really is all about the Ravens when it came to naming the winery. I love a good story and here's another one. Late one night while owner Joel Peterson was leaving to go out, he noticed many of his crates still lying in the vineyards. He had thought they had all been brought in by that time. He stopped and ran to the fields to race to get the crates indoors as a fierce storm was heading his way that would ruin the grapes. There were ravens above in the trees almost making fun of him for all the work he had to do in such a short time. That really stuck with Joel, and Ravenswood the name would be - no doubts there. Joel began back in 1976 when he was still a clinical laboratory scientist mostly working in a cancer clinic. When Joel wasn't working he put all his spare time and money into wine and that fit him perfectly. Joel was brought up in a household in San Francisco and his father was the head of the San Francisco Wine Sampling Club. Joel was taught to sample wine in the right way by spitting after each sip, knowing why he was doing such a task at the early age of 10. At the time, they weren't tasting anything from California, it was all European wines. Many things have changed since then. In California Joel is very well known as the 'godfather of Zin'. Today, Joel overseas more than one hundred growers that produce grapes for his famous wines. Joel is very instrumental in all aspects of the industry - whether it be the cultivation process, irrigation, vine management - he's there. Ravenswood Chardonnay I found has a complex flavour of peaches on the first sip, then quickly turned to a tangy, zesty citrus followed by a toasted nutty taste on the finish. I really enjoyed this Chardonnay chilled and on its own. $14.99.
COTES-DU RHONE SAINT VINCENT 2012 (888958)
FRANCE
$15.99
Gabrieal Meffre is the winemaker behind this label. The Saint Vincent is to honor a patron saint and I think the intention is met in this bottle. Wines from the Cotes-Du-Rhone are very expressive of their terroir and this one is no different. After 80 years of tradition many things remain the same with nearly three quarters of its wines being exported to more than fifty countries worldwide. When Gabriel set out to make his wines he also made sure to keep in close contact with other grape producers like himself. Cotes-Du-Rhone translates in English to mean 'Slopes or Hill of the Rhone'. French wines for me are still complicated at times when I am reading the label, but I have to say they are getting better. You may already be familiar with another line of wines Gabriel Meffre is behind and that is the Thierry & Guy line which includes Fat Bastard from France. I do notice chuckling going on once in a while when people pass them on the shelf. With the strict laws there are only certain varietals permitted in a Cotes Du Rhone white and this one has Grenache, Roussane and Clairette blanche. This region is known for producing higher quality wines which reflect the regional style. Once in your glass, it's very pale with a green hue to it, the aromas of fresh cut flowers and a fruit basket grab your attention. Your first sip you get ripe peaches, lots of apricot and acidity to finish. This Cotes-Du-Rhone white would be the perfect before-dinner wine with light appetizers. $ 15.99
ACDC HIGHWAY TO HELL
BACK IN BLACK SHIRAZ 2012 (593871)
AUSTRALIA
$19.99
Who would have thought ACDC would be making wine. Well think again because it is happening. Thanks in part to a partnership between ACDC and Warburn Estate we now have the ACDC wine. There's just something about ACDC's music that just doesn't get old. In June 2013 the album Back in Black from the 1980's was back on the Billboard Top 200 ranking, in at 73. Not bad for an album that sold more than 200 million worldwide. We only carry two reds in the line currently, maybe one day we will have the whites to share also. Warburn Estates located in New South Wales are responsible for producing the line of ACDC wines. The third generation Sergi family has Italian origins for sure, and they ensure traditions are carried on at the estate, but they also implement new techniques if needed. Warburn keeps up-to-date on what wines the consumer is looking for and takes pride in being able to deliver. It's no different when producing the wines for ACDC. Special care and attention is taken to ensure the best grapes get into each and every bottle with their label. The Barossa Valley in Australia is where the Shiraz grapes for this full bodied red flourish, and the famous Penfolds Grange also get their grapes from this major wine producing region. I tried this Shiraz on its own first and I can imagine you enjoying this full bodied red with either a roast beef dinner or a bbq steak. The aromas of dark fruits jump out of your glass, while flavours of blackberries, blueberries, ripe dark plums and spice tantalize your taste buds all at once. You could do what I suggest or take their suggestion and enjoy "Back in Black Shiraz with the music loud". $19.99
Kim Cabral Product Consultant
BC Liquor Store #174,
3173 Massey Drive
Prince George BC, V2N-2S9
Phone: 250- 561- 5608 Fax: 250- 561- 5609 [email protected]
