I just bought a birthday card for a friend of mine.  The card, crass yet to the point, goes something like this:

 Picture if you will, a Betty Crocker type, gracing the cover of the card, mixing bowl and spoon in hand, ready for the recipe instructions which read -

Recipe for a Happy Birthday -

 "First you start with lots of alcohol......."

"That pretty much covers it."

Don't you just love Hallmark!!!

This past Thursday, at our weekly wine tasting, we pretty much took Betty Crocker's advice and 'covered' it all by opening and partaking in the fine wines of Mendocino, California's very own Italian import, Greg Graziano.  

Never heard of Greg Graziano?  Let not your heart be troubled. Let me introduce you to the world according to 'Double G.'

Greg Graziano (Double G)  is a 4th generation winemaker producing wines under MANY different labels (4 to be exact).....

St. Gregory, Fattoria Enotria, Monte Volpe, and Graziano

I have actually met and talked with Greg and spent a lovely day with him, many moons ago, tasting his many labeled wines, while traveling thru the far reaches of Southern Indiana.  Since that fateful day in 2003, I have not been privy to the man, the Graziano label, or the wine, except for the occasional Zinfandel or Petite Sirah on a restaurant menu.

But, thanks to my timely enrollment in the "wine catch-and-release program", (a little fishing lingo for those beer drinkers in Greenfield)  I am now, once again blessed with all 4 Graziano labels, having been caught once again and released to the public via Greenfield Liquors.

Feeling Gigi and very 'Graziano', I decided to open 3 of the 4 Graziano labels at our weekly wine tasting. (which occurs every Thursday from 5:00-8:00 pm) We started with the forever memorable  "Enotria Moscato!!"

When I first started in the wine biz, this was, TRULY, the first wine that I was introduced to while being scooted from bar to bar by my then 'Napoleanesk', over-compensating for something, Porsche driving Boss!  The wine was delicious on that hot May day and I have been fond of it ever since.  

It opens with the fresh fruit of pears, peaches and green apples.  It finishes, surprisingly, with just the slightest hint of orange blossoms. This is a must have wine for summer front porch sitting....should summer ever decide to return. 

We then turned our palettes and our glasses to the Graziano label of wines and a brand new addition - Chenin Blanc.  I must tell you that I was very nervous about this wine.  In my experience, California Chenin Blanc is typically over-oaked and mostly, undrinkable. (in my big Chenin Blanc wine experience book, anyway) But, I like 'Double G' so I popped the cork and sniffed it all in.  

Surprisingly, I didn't hate it.  The Graziano Chenin Blanc is really a blend of Chenin Blanc (90%), Chardonnay (8%) and Tocai Friulano (2%).  The body is voluptuously full with nice acidity and flavors of pears, apples and honey.

It's a little pricey for my wallet (unfortunately I have Champagne taste with a Hamburger wallet) but, if this wine was given to me in honor of my NOT becoming a lawyer because I could NEVER pass a bar......then by God, let the gift giving begin.

We finished the evening with the Graziano Zinfandel which is actually a blend of Zinfandel (97%), Carignane (2%) and Primotivo (1%)...... because, after all, what is Zinfandel without a little Primotivo thrown in.......it would be like receiving the 'Day Old News' where you cancel your subscription and sign up for 'Behind The Times'.  I mean, HONESTLY!  

I LOVE this wine!!!  This wine heralds from 18 different vineyards scattered throughout the hills of Mendocino.  The wine is full of rich color, deep aromas and full tannins.  There.......I've just described to you a wine full of absolutely nothing. (kind of like my love life)....I am leaving the final taste analysis up to you.  But, on behalf of my loyal follower.....Jim, you know who you are....I will conduct one last wine cost/benefit analysis test on your behalf.

 Seriously, if I were to do a cost/benefit analysis on the Graziano Zinfandel, I would have to ask myself......... 

does the cost of pursing this wine far out weigh the benefits I will accrue from finishing the bottle?  And the answer comes back a resounding.......

I'm busy drinking.

I'll get back to you when the analysis is complete!!! 

Until,

The Wine Teller

A

My Dear Fellow Wine Lovers!

I've been thinking about the New Year.  

Why, in the New Year, are we so willing to give up something that we don't like about ourselves......We want to give up things like bad habits, bad thoughts, bad Karma.

We typically start with bad habits like....excessive drinking (although you can never have too much), we move onto bad thoughts like "why do I overdose on Law & Order reruns", and end with bad Karma by dumping a boyfriend, finally, who hasn't made us happy?  

What is it about a New Year that provides us with such a fresh approach to our lives?  What is it about that freshness that excites us ?  And, why can't we have that excitement 24/7/365?

I believe I have stumbled upon the correct answer. You can now continue to have all the excitement this world has to offer beginning with day 1 and ending in day 365 if you would simply:

DRINK MORE WINE!!

This world (and Greenfield in particular) simply does not drink enough good wine.  

So, as part of my New Year's resolution, I resolve to continue to pour good wine at Greenfield Liquors every Thursday until either my house sells or we run out of good wine.  (Believe me one is much more likely than the other).

This past Thursday, the first tasting of the New Year, we opened yet another good wine.......the Castle Rock Syrah.  

I choose the Castle Rock Syrah partly because 'Wine Enthusiast Magazine' named the Castle Rock Syrah along with the Castle Rock Merlot, to the distinguished list of the top '100 wines' calling them both:

 "Best Wine Buys of 2008."

I also selected the Castle Rock Wines because Greenfield Liquors is once again fully stocked with all of the Castle Rock varietals;

Castle Rock Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir and Syrah.

(well, give me a week to get the Syrah back in as we sold out at the tasting).

Castle Rock is really a "Best Buy" as (1) it still retails for less than $12 except for the Pinot Noir which will max out at $15. (2) It still delivers clean, medium-bodied, well balanced ripe berry and cherry candy fruit filled wines that are luscious, soft, and silky from start to finish.  And, (3) August Briggs, who runs a full service winery under his own name, still continues to consult and produce for Castle Rock which, I believe, is partly responsible for the wines consistency vintage to vintage.

In conclusion, you have now reached my "I have a dream" section of this blog.  

In 2009, I HAVE A DREAM............

I have a dream that in the New Year of 2009, every Thursday, I will not be judged by the color of my hair but by the content of the wine.

I also have a dream that the excitement for 'Good Wine' in Greenfield will dominate, in a otherwise beer drinkers paradise!!! ( May I live as long.)

It's good to be back!!  Our local 'wine lovers' numbers continue to grow as the word is getting out that every Thursday night, the wine flows freely and the conversation gets a little randy.   But, the chatter isn't anything that can't be swallowed as long as your glass is full.  

And, believe me, as part of my illustrious duties, I never let a wine glass go empty I like my job and I like to think I do my job well.

Happy 2009!!!  A big shout out to those of you who have taken the time to stop, taste, talk and introduce yourselves.  I look forward to getting to know each and every one of you in the New Year.  See you next Thursday.

Until, 

The Wine Tellar,

A