Monthly Archives: October 2011

RECOMMENDED: Enanzo Tempranillo 2009, Navarra, Spain. 13.5% ABV. Available for as little as $5.99.

Posted on October 30, 2011 by The Frugal Wine Snob

First impression: Dark ruby red. Nice clarity. Great legs. Round molasses taste, yeast-roll finish. Second impression: More oak, more jammy, more pepper, less round. Third impression: Gentler, less spicy, tannic, leather. It really does have a lovely nose. This is … Continue reading →

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Halloween Short Story

Posted on October 30, 2011 by The Frugal Wine Snob

Here is your Halloween/wine short story: Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Cask of Amontillado,” about a man who lures his “friend” into his wine cellar to sample a rare vintage and … well, pity those who appear to be more Fortunato … Continue reading →

Posted in Art and Music | 1 Comment

DID YOU KNOW … the correct amount of space between the wine and the cork?

Posted on October 30, 2011 by The Frugal Wine Snob

First used in the 15th century, the term “ullage” refers to the space between the bottom of the cork and the top of the wine. Typically there is about an inch of “ullage,” but give or take a quarter-inch is … Continue reading →

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What if …

Posted on October 30, 2011 by The Frugal Wine Snob

“What would life be like if we could see the soul of each person rather than what we wear on the outside?” ~ Mercedes Dauphinais

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RECOMMENDED: Bogle Phantom 2007, California, 54% Petite Sirah, 43% Zinfandel, 3% Mourvedre. 14.5% ABV. $15.99.

Posted on October 29, 2011 by The Frugal Wine Snob

If you’re looking for a Halloween wine, this is it. Although Bogle is in fact the winemaking family’s surname, they obviously have a lot of fun with it. Phantom’s fact sheet declares, “bogle \bõ’gul\ n. [Scots, perhaps from Welsh] A … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Mourvedre, Petite Sirah, Zinfandel | Leave a comment

HaHa!

Posted on October 28, 2011 by The Frugal Wine Snob

 

Posted in Humor | Leave a comment

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED: 2008 Bogle Petite Sirah, California (Clarksburg and Lodi). $8.99. 13.5% ABV.

Posted on October 28, 2011 by The Frugal Wine Snob

There is nothing “petite” about Petite Sirah except the size of the grapes. (For more information about this varietal, please visit http://www.thefrugalwinesnob.com/?p=481). We’ve reviewed two Petite Sirahs before: the Guenoc 2008 (linked above), and the Mettler 2005 (http://www.thefrugalwinesnob.com/?p=500). We liked … Continue reading →

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RECOMMENDED: a movie! The documentary “Blood into Wine,” 2010. 99 minutes.

Posted on October 25, 2011 by The Frugal Wine Snob

Definitely quirky, highly informative, funny at times, tries too hard to be funny at other times. Still, definitely worth the time (99 minutes). The film offers a fairly in-depth look at rock star Maynard James Keenan (Tool, A Perfect Circle, … Continue reading →

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RECOMMENDED: Gobelsburger 2009 Riesling, Kamptal, Austria. $16.79-19.99, available for as little as $13.95. 12.5% ABV.

Posted on October 22, 2011 by The Frugal Wine Snob

We’re stunned at the wide variety of styles that can be produced from the Riesling grape. Still, sparkling, and everything in-between. Austere/dry, to cloyingly sweet. The Schloss Gobelsburg was slightly effervescent (not quite frizzante), and even reminiscent of Champagne in … Continue reading →

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RECOMMENDED: Flipflop Riesling, NV. American (Left Coast, primarily Washington state). $6.99. 12% ABV

Posted on October 22, 2011 by The Frugal Wine Snob

COLOR: Pale yellow. AROMA: Peach, apricot, melon. TASTE: Tropical fruits, balanced sweetness. Creamy, surprisingly medium-bodied. Still. FINISH: Surprisingly long. This wine is moderately sweet, somewhat creamy, and direct. By “direct” I mean that compared with many austere and “serious” Rieslings, … Continue reading →

Posted in American Appellation, Riesling | Leave a comment