Ricks Grape Skinny Heritage Wake Forest June 2012

Greetings Dear Enthusiasts and Aficionados!

Here’s hoping that each and every one of you have discovered a new favorite wine this past month…and if you haven’t…it would be my guess that you’re just not trying hard enough!  And trust me…I know how challenging it can be to scout out and find a new wine that makes you say Wow! There’s a lot of time and effort involved…not to mention the fact that more than a few shekels are required!  
It’s a cinch that delicious bottles of wines are not going to magically appear at your door…but guess what…for a good number of you…I might have the next best thing.  And before you ask, the answer is NO…I’m not talking about one of those wine clubs where discounters try and hoist a bunch of wine that can’t be sold otherwise!   I’m talking about an organization that is exclusively dedicated to expanding its members’ knowledge and appreciation of wine.  I’m talking about the American Wine Society…a union of enthusiasts who are all committed to learning more and more about all things wine.
This month’s Skinny is focused on this wonderful wine education organization…and given its presence in 45 states…there’s at least the possibility that there’s a chapter located near enough to you that you just might be able to consider joining and participating.  Take a gander and if it seems like something that could help you stay out of trouble, then by all means, give it a go.  For those of you who live in my neck of the woods, there are a few of us who’ve gotten together and who are forming a new North Wake Chapter of American Wine Society…and our inaugural organizing event and Open House is being held this Sunday, June 3d, from 3 to 5 PM in Cellar 275 in Wake Forest.  We’re very privileged to have the National President of AWS, Jane Duralia, and Alex Ancuta, one of our Regional Vice Presidents,as our honored guests and keynote speakers…so we are really feeling special!  The tasting fee is $10 per person.
If you miss the opportunity to attend this event…but would like to be informed of future North Wake AWS chapter events…please let the chapter leadership know by dropping us an email at northwakeaws@gmail.com — and we’ll be happy to add you to our Distribution List.
For those who live outside of my area, take a look at the American Wine Society Website and see if there might be an AWS chapter near you — http://www.americanwinesociety.org/  And if there’s not a chapter that’s close enough to join…but it sounds like something in which you’d enjoy participating…consider starting a new chapter!  The AWS website has all the particulars on how to get one started…and you’ll get all the help and support you need from the AWS national staff!  Oh…and just so you know…you do not have to be a eno-geek or have a thousand bottle cellar to be a member of AWS.  In fact…quite the opposite is true…for AWS is mostly comprised of regular people like you and me who just love their wine and who love expanding their knowledge of all things wine.
OK…that’s it for this month…except to say…Don’t Forget Flag DayJune 14th.  Dust off Old Glory…and let her fly!  Oh…and so all of you may all stay up there with our nation’s most informed…here’s a link to the history of Flag Day — http://www.usflag.org/flag.day.html
Godspeed and Blessings
Rick Davis

Rick’s Grape Skinny

 

                       

 

June 2012

 

“Wine rejoices the heart of man,

 

And joy is the mother of all virtues.”

 

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, 1771

 

 

 

American Wine Society

 

Join & Learn a Bunch!

 

If I’ve heard folks offer these sentiments once, I’ve heard it a thousand times — “Boy, do I wish I knew more about wine!” “I am totally confused and overwhelmed every time I look at a Wine List or go to buy wines…even in a grocery store!” “I just wish I could find a wine that didn’t make me pucker up!” “I only drink one old standby because I hate the process of going out and trying to find new wines that I might like.”  “I would buy more wine, but I need to try them first.” “Every time I go out to buy wine, I see dozens of new choices, and that just confuses me to no end!” “I’d love to learn how to enjoy and appreciate wine.” Hold those thoughts dear wineau wannabes…for boy do I have the answer for your all-too-common concerns!  The American Wine Society!

 

The American Wine Society was founded nearly

45 years ago by people just like “us”…folks who enjoy wine and who are also interested in learning about all aspects of wine.  Dedicated to promoting the appreciation of wine through education, the American Wine Society is formally organized as a consumer-oriented “non-profit” educational organization.  Imagine that, going to classes where it’s perfectly OK to drink wine!

 

Founded in part by Finger Lakes wine legend, Dr. Konstantin Frank…who also founded and owns the widely acclaimed Vinifera Vineyards of Hammondsport, New York…AWS has grown from two hundred or so like-minded growers, vintners, retailers, and enthusiasts to a burgeoning union of more than 4000 wine lovers in 45 states.  With 120 + chapters across the country, there is quite likely an AWS chapter near you that you could consider joining.   

 

So Why Join AWS?

You know…somehow I just knew you were going to ask that!  So let me get on with the merits of membership.  First and foremost, AWS is the nation’s largest consumer-based wine education organization…and it is organized and operated in a manner that perpetuates its educational focus.   AWS is not a business or social networking organization…and…it is not a drinking club!  Conversely, AWS is an alliance of wine enthusiasts which is dedicated to identifying and fulfilling the evolving wine related interests of those who share a desire to expand their knowledge and appreciation of wine.  Most chapters host a monthly educational event and tasting – the topics and wines for which are determined by chapter members.

 

Not that you might need any more reasons to join…but there is the Annual Conference (in Portland, Oregon this November), the AWS Journal and News, the hugely popular AWS Certified Wine Judge Program, the AWS Wine School, amateur winemaking materials, annual competitions for both amateur and commercial wines, the AWS Education Foundation that awards college level research scholarships, the National Tasting Project, discounts for wineries and professional services, professional memberships, sponsorships and advertising opportunities…and…a new and improved  feature-rich AWS website! 

 

Oh…and it goes without saying that AWS members get to hang out with some of the world’s nicest people, they get to learn more about wine and to taste more wines than 99% of the rest of the world…and within just a few months of joining…members no longer have anxiety attacks and tremble with fear when they go into a wine shop or start reading a 10 page Wine List!  Best of all…in no time, members will be able to tell those pushy, know-it-all retailers what they can do with those bottles of plonk they try to pour down our throats!  Hey, I’ll toast to that!  So where do you sign up? Glad you asked!

 

Here’s the link to the AWS website — http://www.americanwinesociety.org/ and don’t hesitate to call Diane Chappell, the AWS Member Services Manager if you have any questions!   She is the best!  888-297-9070

   Toast of the Month  

 

 

 

“To the grandest nation earth can boast;
I love each state from coast to coast;
I love thee for thy freedom most;
My Country ‘Tis of Thee I toast!”

 

 (Fred Emerson Brooks)

 

 

 

Don’t Forget Flag Day !

 

June14 th !

 

 

The Monthly Cluster!

Reds

Grignolino  

Le Nocche    2010   Grignolino d’Asti

Light, Elegant and Floral…it’s Bottled Heaven!

(Piemonte Region Italy – Asti DOC)…$16-$20

Wow…what an incredible and irresistible expression of this rarely seen varietal from northern Italy’s famed Piemonte Region. Known more for its big bad brothers, Barolo and Barbaresco, Piemonte is also notorious for hiding and holding onto a number of its stellar siblings…one of which is this exquisitely shy and delicate damsel of delight, Grignolino (Green-yo-leen-oh)! The widely acclaimed artisans from Vinchio-Vaglio Serra have kindly seen fit to grace our shores with this darling of a wine…and believe you me, she’s destined to steal a lot of hearts!  With a crystal clear and intriguingly distinctive burnt crimson color, its delicate dry nature is beautifully enhanced by an evolving palate of aromatics and flavors that ranges from strawberries and tart Bing cherries to allspice and vanilla. In brief, it’s nothing short of bliss in a bottle and it makes a perfect date for cheeses, pâtés and cured meats…as well as fare that might feature veal, pork or fowl!  This is a versatile wine whose concurrently fruity and floral nature is as distinctive as it is delicious. www.vinchio.com/newsite/eng/home.php

 

Pinot Noir

Acacia Carneros  2009  Fruit-forward, Rich & Excellent!  (Carneros Appellation – Napa, CA)/$16-$22 – This wonderfully luscious wine from the “heartbreak grape” is in a class with considerably more expensive Pinot Noirs…and it’s as elegant and supple as they come.  Winemaker Matthew Glynn crafted this beautifully structured wine from 100% Pinot Noir grapes – 90% of which were taken from vineyards in the Acacia Estate and the balance from nearby and highly controlled vines.  Aged in a combination of 70% French and Hungarian oak (30% new) for only 7 months – the fruit from this vintage is an exceptional expression and it’s a marvelous and wonderful example of perfecting a wine from the fickle and very hard-to-tame Pinot Noir grape. www.acaciavineyard.com

 

Red Blend

Hedges CMS  2009    Chewy, Fruity & Awesome!

(Columbia Valley – Benton City, WA)/$15-$18 – This fantastic blend of 45% Merlot, 39% Cabernet Sauvignon and 19% Syrah is probably the single best Washington State red blends  under $20 I’ve  tasted in a good long while.  To boot, if this incredibly rich and silky smooth delicacy is a harbinger of things to come from the Pacific Northwest, then California better look out!  Its definitive richness is achieved through “minimal intervention and filtering” – a winemaking approach characterized by allowing Mother Nature to work her magic.  For under $20, it’s a bargain bonanza of taste…and it’s worth hunting down!

www.hedgescellars.com/

 

Rosés

Frias Rosé  2009 Fresh, Crisp, Fruity, & Fun!

(Spring Mountain District – Napa,  CA)/$12-$17 Talk about a perfect wine to enjoy on a hot Spring afternoon…look no further!  Frias Family Vineyards Rosé is fruity, fun, fresh, & feisty…and it’s one of those “pinkies” that is likely to please even those “macho” palates!  The Frias family – and their head winemaker, Todd Heth, have applied the enviable amount of talent and creativity in crafting a truly superb Rosé.  With the kind of care and attention to detail that is more often associated with the making of artisanal varietal wines, this light ruby jewel resulted from a careful blending of juices taken from red varietals across the harvest period. It was fermented at very low temperatures – an approach that serves to preserve and highlight its fruit-forward character – and it was then allowed to rest for 5 months in an unspecified combination of oak and stainless steel.  The result is a succulent and delicately floral in nature Rosé that is sure to become a favorite! www.friasfamilyvineyard.com/

Courtesy of Jeff Dicks Real Estate

Your Wake County Real Estate Resource

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