I like to watch the History Channel.  I still happen to learn new things even though I’m just having a glass of wine and watching it to relax.  Something I was reminded of recently while watching it was the importance of bronze in the history of early civilizations.  Bronze is a blend of copper and another element (they call it at alloy) like tin.  This blend produces a metal that is more versatile than copper alone and gave the cultures that used it an advantage with their weapons and armor. 

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Popularity: 20% [?]

The story of David and Goliath is well known and has been used to describe all sorts of comparisons between the smaller guy and an overwhelming larger force.  David was victorious because he had the courage to take the battle to Goliath and used his advantage of a slingshot to keep his distance and keep the battle on his own terms.  In the end, it was all about using his differences to keep an advantage.  There is a small area of Italy called Alto Adige that is the proverbial David when it comes to wine making.  This little region of around 12,000 acres of vineyards is producing some excellent wine that is taking on the rest of Italy.  Nearly 100% of its vineyards are registered for DOC wines.  This means that there are very few grapes that are not meeting the highest standards and being used to create quality wines.

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Popularity: 26% [?]

The Fourth of July is a great time to celebrate.   I enjoy the traditional aspects of holiday picnics, carnivals, and fireworks.  However, when I have a glass of wine in hand and begin to muse, the word “tradition” takes on a different connotation.  I know that every tradition began as an innovation that may not have been initially appreciated.  Yet as time passes, this rebellious idea becomes acceptable based upon merit and subsequent achievements. 

The vineyards of Toscana Rosso have been the epiphany of rebellion in Italian winemaking.  For those of you who speak Italian, I do apologize, and I know that it should be Rossa di Toscana.  As so often happens, marketing speak defeats correct language usage.

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Popularity: 34% [?]

Zinfandel is a great wine to have at your Tuesday night barbecues, Saturday afternoon French bread, salami, and cheese conversations, and the Friday night dinners with old friends.  Nearly as stylistically versatile as Chardonnay it has only achieved popularity in America since 1980, as a pink, slightly sweet wine.  However, the wines we introduce here are dry and provide big bold flavor yet are still very approachable.   Consumer whims have tested Zinfandel’s ability to play the chameleon.  It has delivered zesty berry-fruity reds, spicy tannic beasts, vin nouveau, and tart, intriguing roses, unusual sparklers, dessert styled fortified wines, and nearly combustible versions.

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Popularity: 46% [?]

I love the social aspect of summer, spending time with family and friends and trying new wines. Owning a wine shop I have the pleasure of sampling wines every week. When presented with a new bottling at a value price point, I wonder if it’s going to be a “homerun” or a “foul ball”. Why do some wines succeed and others fail?   I believe it’s the winemaker’s winning philosophy that is crucial to the creation of great wines.  Shoofly, A to Z, D’Arenberg and Innocent Bystander are all wineries that exhibit different winning philosophies and each of them succeed in creating great value wines.

Each of these summertime sippers hit one right out of the park.  I hope these wines make your time with friends and family more memorable!

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Popularity: 71% [?]

Piedmont is often revered as one of the noblest wine making regions in the world.   Piedmont produces one of our favorite whites and also has some excellent value reds.  We’re going to introduce you to a few of our favorites from this region.

The Barolo (made from the Nebbiolo grape) has been known as the king of wines and wine of kings.  The current global market is demanding a king’s ransom to garner a bottle.  The price of the Nebbiolo grape is influenced by its sensitivity to climate and soils and the fact that very few clones have been exported to other countries.  These factors combine to increase the demand on the grapes from this region.  Some winemakers have even said that the Nebbiolo grape is more sensitive than Pinot Noir which means great care must be taken to produce consistent quality wines.

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Popularity: 58% [?]

Wine is so much more than just a beverage. It is an agricultural product that is constantly evolving. Not only does your favorite wine change from vintage to vintage but it also changes while it rests in the bottle. Once you uncork the bottle you wake it from its restful state and it starts to bloom; minute-by-minute, its personality changes as it mixes with the warm air.

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Popularity: 54% [?]

I’m often asked for recommendations on a good wine reference.  I recommend Windows on the World Complete Wine Course for two reasons. The first is that simply, its a great book in that its priced right, has received excellent reviews and is updated on a regular basis (the 2008 revision is now out).  This book will definitely improve you knowledge of wine and introduce you to new regions and varietals.  It’s not only a great place to start if you are just starting to learn about wine, but is also a great reference that you will refer back to for a long time.

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Popularity: 72% [?]

I thought it would be fitting to share a tradition I’ve recently started at my house for my first blog post for The Wine Cache.  I’ve recently begun to serve Sauvignon Blanc at the start of dinner parties or when inviting friends over to our house.  I used to just open a bottle of Cabernet since that is what we most often have at the house.  It wasn’t until a recent trip to Napa that I would have thought of serving Sauvignon Blanc.  At private wine tours of Chateau Montelena and Hall Winery we were welcomed with  a glass of chilled Sauvignon Blanc. It was a very nice way to be welcomed into their establishments and left a lasting impression on my wife and me.  I hope my guests feel the same sense of hospitality from me as I did at Hall and Chateau Montelena. 

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Popularity: 100% [?]

Welcome to the Wine Cache Blog.  Through the blog we will share our interests in food and wine with you.  We have lots to share since we taste at least 20 new wines and vintages a week and live our passion of food and wine on a daily basis.  In addition to my blogging, my staff and friends who share my same passion will also be contributing.  I look forward to reading their blogs as well to learn about their unique perspectives and find new and different ways to appreciate wine.

Sincerely, James Housteau

Popularity: 95% [?]