IN THIS ISSUE:
A. Feature:
Winemaker Secrets
B. Event Highlights:
Upcoming Wine Tasting Dinners
C. Wine Elite Philosophy:
Checklist of Important Red Wine Styles
This is
Sommelier Insight, the Wine Elite's update for wine aficionados, meetings & event professionals, as well as restaurant managers.
Each month, we deliver event ideas, a schedule of upcoming wine appreciation workshops, and objective information on wine from the perspective of independent sommeliers.
We are Your Nationwide Resource for Private Wine Tasting Events, Wine Education and Sommelier Expertise..
www.WineElite.org
You can reach us anytime by writing to info@WineElite.org and 310 467 5582.
A. Wall Street Journal Shares Winemaker Secrets
We recently contributed to a Wall Street Journal article about some facts that consumers don't know about wine. Here are two of the sections from the overall article that we found interesting:
1. Surprising Ingredients in Wine
"Many winemakers use sulfites, sugars, oak powders and other additives to help flavor and preserve their wines. But some of the most surprising additives are “fining” agents, which make wine look clearer. Added to wine before it goes into the bottle, they produce a fine layer of solid particles which can be removed from the beverage before it’s shipped to consumers. Dried fish air bladders, known as isinglass, are one fining agent, as is chitosan, which is made up of the exoskeletons of crustaceans like crab and shrimp. Clay, charcoal, egg whites and gelatin are others."
2. That Brilliant Red Color of Wine
"The elegant, burgundy color of your red wine might be a bit inauthentic. Some winemakers use an additive called Mega Purple to enhance the color of their red wine, says Forster. Mega Purple—made by wine behemoth Constellation Brands, owner of labels like Robert Mondavi and Ravenswood—is a thick concentrate of the Rubired grape, a varietal often associated with grape juice. Just a few drops can transform the color of pinkish or light red wine into a much deeper red. Stover says it’s often used as a colorant in inexpensive, “not-so-great” wines, though high-end winemakers occasionally use it as well."
You can read the whole report here on WSJ's
MarketWatch.
We don't agree with all parts of the article, including the statements that cheap wine will make you just as happy as more expensive wine, or that trained wine experts cannot demonstrate skill in blind-tasting experiments. We have seen evidence to the contrary.
B. Upcoming Public Wine Tastings in Southern California
The Wine Elite Society hosts an ongoing series of sommelier-guided wine tasting dinners for the public, often in our signature blind-tasting format.
Email for info and reservations.
-- Wine Elite Society public tastings in
Orange County and
San Diego.
Sign up for these groups if you live in the area, and join dinners that include the greatest wines of the world.
C. Wine Elite Philosophy: Checklist of Important Wine Styles
Many wine lovers who start studying textbooks about wine appreciation are soon swamped with an overwhelming amount of grapes and regions to choose from.
This overwhelming abundance is not helpful when learning about the essential knowledge needed to enjoy this hobby.
Here's a short and complete checklist of wine styles, expressed as combinations of grape type and region, that actually matter. This month we're listing the red wines, white wines will be in the September newsletter.
- Cabernet Franc from Loire Valley
- Cabernet Sauvignon from Bordeaux, Napa Valley and Tuscany
- Carmenere from Chile's Central Valley
- Corvina from Veneto (Amarone)
- Gamay from Beaujolais
- Grenache from Southern Rhone
- Malbec from Mendoza
- Merlot from Bordeaux, Napa Valley and Washington
- Mourvedre from Provence
- Nebbiolo from Piemonte
- Petite Sirah from Paso Robles
- Pinot Noir from Burgundy, Willamette Valley or Marlborough
- Pinotage from Stellenbosch
- Sangiovese from Tuscany
- Syrah from Northern Rhone and Barossa Valley
- Tempranillo from Rioja
- Zinfandel from Paso Robles and Sonoma Valley
Overview of our Resources for Your Use:
Catalog for Corporate Wine Tasting Events
Catalog of Wine Elite Programs for Restaurants
Topic Suggestions for Private Events
Private Wine Event Checklist
Whiskey Tasting Tips
GrapeRadio Interview
Speaker Profile at GigMasters
Public Speaker Program on Wine One-Sheet
Wine Elite Corporate Event Video
Essential Wine Tips 2pager
Special Events Idea One-Sheet
Program Brochure for Team Building Events
July 2014 "Sommelier Insight Newsletter"
June 2014 "Sommelier Insight Newsletter"
May 2014 "Sommelier Insight" Newsletter
April 2014 "Sommelier Insight" Newsletter
March 2014 "Sommelier Insight" Newsletter
February 2014 "Sommelier Insight" Newsletter
January 2014 "Sommelier Insight" Newsletter
December 2013 "Sommelier Insight" Newsletter
November 2013 "Sommelier Insight" Newsletter
October 2013 "Sommelier Insight" Newsletter
September 2013 "Sommelier Insight" Newsletter
August 2013 "Sommelier Insight" Newsletter
