Wine of the Week

senelwine — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 14:21:28 +0000

As published in the Nashua Telegraph on 3/17

2008 Benton-Lane, Pinot Gris, Willamette, Oregon

Cost: $15.99.Food Pairings: This wine is a terrific pairing for seared scallops, bass, or any other light seafood.

The ’08 Benton-Lane Pinot Gris has an austere bouquet with hints of fresh citrus. The palate is where this wine truly opens up. Lime, lemon, and a hint of sage and minerality show up on the palate and are paired with bright acidity and nice balance.

This wine is available for purchase at the New Hampshire Liquor Store off Exit 6, behind the Nashua Mall.

Interview: Peter Work of Ampelos Cellars

senelwine — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 10:33:31 +0000

Peter Work of Ampelos Cellars

What is your job?

I am the winemaker, vineyard manager, truck driver, fork lift operator, dish washer, dog walker…oh yeah, and the owner too – all together with my wonderful wife Rebecca. Once we got out of the corporate world we realized that we wanted to learn about every aspect of the winemaking process and we quickly got engaged in all of them. It is all so fascinating….

Where is your winery?

Our vineyard and winery is located to beautiful Santa Rita Hills in Santa Barbara County, California.

Why did you choose that location?

Because it is beautiful! The weather is the best in the world. People are great and friendly. The soil is perfect for Pinot Noir and with the cool, long summers we have an ideal location for the grapes. The food good here too!

How many employees do you have?

Rebecca, myself, Andres the foreman and Alex the kid. When we get to some of the peaks of the season we bring in additional like pruning, shoot thinning, leaf pulling and harvest we bring in additional labor. At harvest time we also have an intern (= Cellar Rat) here for 3 months. He always ends up becoming a new son in the family.

Why did you choose wine?

It is the best job in the world to make something that is a key component of society. It is part of pleasure, celebration and enjoyment. And making wine is a lifelong job we can carry until we one day are no longer – and beyond that as our wines will last. We are creating a product from the raw land and soil – from the sun and the winds. And it is a pure American product.

Describe your wine in one word?

Pleasure!

What is your favorite varietal?

Pinot Noir by far. The varietal every wine drinker will one day reach – and never leave.

What was the favorite wine that you produced and what set it apart from your other wines?

Pinot Noir (again) 2005 Ampelos Estate “Rho” barrel select made from the best 16 barrels from that vintage. We used special training techniques for the shoots in the vineyard, our favorite barrel producers and overall took the best care of these selected bins.

What was your greatest ever wine experience?

When one of our wine club members brought a spread of selected shellfish, cheese, pate’s – and 1990 DRC’s.

What is your favorite meal to pair with one of your wines?

Game – especially boar and venison with BBQ vegetables from our own organic garden and a reduction sauce from estate Grenache

What does terroir mean to you?

That is what it is all about! Wines are an expression of the place they come from and the vineyard management philosophies. In our case organic and biodynamic combined with sustainability. There is a signature to a wine made from grapes from our vineyard.

Besides your own wines, who would you say is your favorite wine producer?

Locally: Seasmoke, Brewer-Clifton, Curran and Foxen. US: Londer, Breggo, Testarossa, Kosta-Browne (barrel samples). France: DRC, Leroy.

What do you hope for the future of your winery?

Constant improvements and focus on quality rather than size. Many generations of family winemakers to come.

What is your favorite things outside of wine?

Horses and sailboats

What is your favorite sports team OR favorite movie?

I really prefer to spend my spare time in the nature rather than watching sports or movies.

If you were not into wine, what would you do?

Operate a hotel on a small Greek island (which we also do by the way …..)

Nashua Telegraph’s “Live Free or Dine” visits Left Bank at Stonehedge Inn

senelwine — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 23:59:42 +0000

This past week the Nashua Telegraph’s Michelle Collins, writer of “Live Free or Dine” visited Left Bank to check out our new combination Bar/Tapas menu.

So, what did she think?

Visit Live Free or Dine to find out!

To read more of Michelle’s rantings on food and the local food scene, visit her blog, The Economical Eater.

Question: Have you ever been to Stonehedge Inn and what do you think of its cuisine?

Wine of the Week

senelwine — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 16:04:57 +0000

As published in the Nashua Telegraph on 3/10

2006 Parcel 41, Merlot, Napa Valley

PRICE: $17.99

FOOD PAIRING: Lamb and marbled cuts of beef.

The 2006 Parcel 41 Merlot exhibits a sweet nose of plum, blackberry and chocolate with a hint of smoky oak. The mouth-feel is voluptuous and rich, with a palate of ripe blackberry and currant, and with just a hint of licorice. The acidity and tannins are well balanced, making it an excellent Merlot in more of a cabernet style. The price makes this a phenomenal value.

It takes a sharp eye to pair wines, cheeses

senelwine — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 20:54:59 +0000

When we’re young, our palates are obviously less developed and become accustomed to simpler foods.

The most dramatically misrepresented food category in my life was cheese. In fact, my idea of cheese was limited to Kraft singles and Kraft powder (thank you, mac and cheese).

I don’t blame my parents or society for the lack of fine fromage in my life; it was just the nature of the consumer at the time.

It wasn’t until 10-15 years ago that consumers began to make a conscious switch toward buying higher-quality products for consumption and developed an appreciation for the artistry of fine food that took hold on the general public.

Nearly 10 years ago, I started to develop a true taste for wine, and it just so happened that my perception of quality cheese took a profound transition at that point, as well. As some of you may know, there are few foods that can so profoundly enhance a wine when paired correctly (and so profoundly destroy a wine if paired poorly) than cheese.

What does a proper cheese and wine pairing look like?

Click here for full article from the Nashua Telegraph…

“Appreciating Vintage Wine” Dinner Series

senelwine — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 01:47:57 +0000

As most of you know, I am the Sommelier/F&B Manager at Stonehedge Inn’s restaurant, Left Bank. As of next week, we will be launching an amazing fine food and wine opportunity. Besides our “Celebration of Wine” Wine Dinners, I have personally put together the “Appreciating Vintage Wine” Dinner Series.

The first installment of this series will take place this coming Friday (3/12) at 6:30PM. The cost is $150/person and includes a 3 course meal as well as the wines to be served. The innaugural tasting is “Celebrating Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, 1987-1990 and includes:

2001 Schramsberg, Brut Rose – a delightful way to wake up your palate
1987 Grgich Hills
1988 Livingston, Moffet Vineyard
1989 Robert Mondavi Winery, Reserve
1990 B.V. Georges de Latour, Private Reserve

Spots for this evening are very limited as it is meant to be an intimate opportunity for true wine lovers to come together and experience some amazing wines. Please Stonehedge Inn & Spa for reservations at 978.649.4400

Wine of the Week

senelwine — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 14:09:58 +0000

As published in the Nashua Telegraph on 3/3/10.

2005 E. Guigal, Côtes du Rhône – $13.99

This Côtes du Rhône has a pleasant medium-body, with plum, blackberry and slight vegetal aromas, which lead to flavors of juicy raspberry and spice on the palate. A nice sipper, however better with food.

A terrific pairing with steak, stir-fry or a nice assortment of assorted sheep’s-milk cheeses (especially Manchego).

All wines reviewed are available for purchase at the NH Liquor store located off of Exit 6, behind the Nashua Mall.

Announcement

senelwine — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 17:36:27 +0000

Starting this week, my writing for the Nashua Telegraph will be enhanced. Besides my bi-weekly column, I will also be contributing a “Wine of the Week”. The cool thing about all wines reviewed is that they will be:

Wines that will be good with seasonal foods,
Wines that are terrific values = Terrific wines at a very reasonable price
Wines that are abundantly available at the NH Liquor store located off of Exit 6 (on Rt 3).

I hope you enjoy the new feature. There will be a few more things coming up in the near future that should also add a bit of excitement!

Cheers!

Erol

2008 Burgundy: Truly a “Miracle Vintage”

senelwine — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 15:49:01 +0000

Back in 2007, my wife and I were honeymooning in Paris, and the weather could not have been any more beautiful. As a wine lover, I thought to myself, “What a terrific way to head into harvest.”

Little did I know that for the previous month and a half, Northern France was awash in continuous rainfall. Fast-forward one year, and the story was nearly identical; however, you would have to add an early summer hailstorm that wiped out a large portion of grapes.

So why are the 2008 burgundies dubbed a “miracle” by renowned wine personality Jancis Robinson? Click here for full article from the Nashua Telegraph…

Fun Fact

senelwine — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 04:17:48 +0000

The US is the 5th largest in terms of vineyard acreage in the world. They are behind Spain, France, Italy and Turkey respectively. Approximately 71% of world grape production is used for wine.