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Welcome to this month’s newsletter. It looks like we might be getting to the end of the lock downs and the end is in sight. Well, that means BBQ’s with friends and families, curling up next to your favourite person by the campfire all while enjoying your favorite wine. What you don’t have any in the rack? No problem we can get you set within the next six weeks. We have over 60 different varieties available and we have something that will please your pallet.
Barrel Club
The Barrel Club is where we create a large batch of wine (10 kits which equals 230 litres) in our stainless-steel fermenters and then batch age the wine in a Hungarian Oak Cask, creating a high-quality wine with tons of character and flavour. Sounds like a variety you want to have in your cellar? Keep reading…
Next Variety for the Barrel Club – El Solo Cabernet Trio
Cabernet Trio in our supreme full juice is one of our favourite wines and many of you agree as we have made many bottles over the last 6 months!! We decided to take this blend to the next level and use Chilean varietals for the blend.
El Solo Cabernet Trio - This is a blend of Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon. Chilean Merlot & Chilean Shiraz.
Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon grapes have thick skins leading to classically high tannins, and strong red and black fruit-forward characteristics on both the nose and palate
Chilean Merlot is a bold, spicy grape that tends to be full-bodied yet gentle with a bracing acidity. It is a thin-skinned grape with low tannins and a distinct nose of red fruits.
Chilean Shiraz tends to be full-bodied and spicy with flavors of black cherry, graphite, sugar plum, black pepper, raspberry and chocolate.
This Chilean blend will be an intense full bodied blend deep red in color with full flavours of red and black fruit with a hint of pepper. It will be your favourite blend and will pair well with meat dishes, spicy dishes and pasta.
The price for this offering is $273.
If you want to join in, then give us a call to pay & hold your spot, 403-981-5511. Payment can be made over the phone to save a trip to the shop. Once it is sold out, we will contact everyone to come in to pitch the yeast. Just like all of our kits this opportunity will get you about 30 bottles of wine.
Trivia Question – How much time does your nose have to assess wine aromas in a swirled glass before nose fatigue sets in about 6, 12 or 24 seconds. Answer at the end of the newsletter.
Wine and Food Matching Principles
One of the mysteries for us novice wine lovers is how do we figure out our wine and food pairing. We didn’t go to Sommelier school to learn all about the intricacies of what to pair with your meal. We have an answer that might surprise you….. what ever wine you like with what ever food you are going to eat is the answer. If you like popcorn with a cold Chardonnay then why not or a Bergamais with smoked salmon who says red wine and fish don’t go together. Oh, some one did but if you like somethings together then just go for it.
To help you think about the endless possibilities we have the following suggestions for you:
Match your wine to the strongest flavour on the plate.
Balance the weight of the wine to the weight of the food. A full flavored meal needs a full-bodied wine; a lighter dish requires a lighter wine.
Fatty, greasy or rich dishes need a dry wine with good acidity to clean the palate.
Salty dishes need a slightly sweet wine with full fruit flavours, moderate acidity, lower alcohol and no tannins.
Hot, spicy dishes require refreshing acidity, lower alcohol and fruity wines with a touch of sweetness.
Cream sauces and butter require wines of good fruit and matching creamy style or contrasting acidity to cleanse the palate.
Rare meats need young tannic reds and well-done meats need older or fruity reds with little to no tannins.
Foods high in acidity are complemented by wines high in acidity.
The dessert wine should be sweeter than the dessert.
So, with the above tips you can now experiment for yourself to find those perfect pairings. As one of our customers says “Sangiovese is my pizza wine” We can’t argue with that at all.
Wine of the Month – Barbera
This Italian red wine is recognized for its intensity of color and good structure of tannin and acid, it presents nuances of gooseberries and a smoky, peppery bouquet. Smooth on the palate this wine ages well and mellows with time. Barbera can be grown in warmer climates without producing overblown, flat wines. Even warmer sites in Sonoma Valley and the Sierra Foothills of California have produced balanced Barbera-based wines. This acidity complements the cherry flavors found in typical Barbera wines and has contributed to the (largely justified) stereotype of Italian red wines as being ripe, bright and tangy rather than voluptuous and earthy. When young, most Barbera wines have a bright-red cherry character, distinguished from Nebbiolo (which often overshadows Barbera) by softer tannins and a certain roundness. When allowed to age in bottle, this turns to a denser, sour-cherry note. A warm, Merlot-like plumminess is also commonly detectable, although the variety is more closely related to Mourvedre than Merlot.
Sparkling Wine Update
Several months ago we told you that we are doing an experiment with trying to create a sparkling Chardonnay. Following the recipe that we have been very carefully following and then waiting the required time we have some initial results. We got bubbles, it tasted really good but not quite enough bubbles to say we have success with the experiment. We will leave the bottles for a while yet to see if additional aging increases the carbonation. Hopefully it does and if not, we will try again until we have a successful. Our initial thought is that we didn’t add enough yeast per bottle but that is just a guess at this point. Stay tuned we will update you as the experiment proceeds.
Father’s Day – Give the Gift of Wine
Can’t think of that perfect gift for Dad? We have you covered here at Vintner’s Cellar Cochrane. Gift Certificates are available in any denomination. Come and get one for Dad today!!
Canada Day Weekend - Closed
It is time for us to go camping and enjoy some wine in the great outdoors!! We are closing for the Canada Day weekend Thursday, July 1 – Sunday, July 4…we will be back in the shop on July 5 at 11:00 am.
Answer to trivia question- About 6 seconds (concentration is required!)
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