Adam's Wine Guide » New Releases

2009 Beaujolais Nouveau Arrives

Adam Weiner — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 03:39:34 +0000

It’s that time of year! On the third Thursday of November, Beaujolais Nouveau is released. While it’s not a huge deal in the US, it is a big celebration in France. It marks the end of harvest, and the coming of a new growing season. There’s only a short period of time where winemakers get to rest between vintages, as soon it will be time to head back into the vineyards, and begin vineyard maintenance once again.

Beaujolais is always a very light wine, and the Nouveau is typically even lighter. It is made from the same year’s vintage, and goes through a quick carbonic maceration. In this process, the grapes are not pressed. The weight of the grapes clusters pressing down on each other crushes them, leaving a very light wine with minimal extraction. And they won’t break the bank either, most of them are under $15.

Truthfully, I’m not a big Beaujolais guy. But the Nouveau always marks a special time of the year for me and my family; a time of celebration, and a time to share special holidays with the ones you love most. So drink up, people.

Possible Vineyard Sources For Twitter’s “Fledgling” Wines

Adam Weiner — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 06:03:24 +0000

In my search for great wines, I find that many second labels and “negociant” style bottlings often contain top notch juice from very prestigious vineyards. But since the vineyard owners usually like to keep the source under wraps, this is usually difficult to determine unless you have some inside information.

I did a little digging, and have come up with some possible vineyard sites that may go into Twitter’s “Fledgling” wine label, set for bottling in August 2010.

PINOT NOIR

Amber Ridge Vineyard, Russian River Valley, Sonoma, CA
Bohemian Vineyard, Russian River, Sonoma, CA
Brosseau Vineyard, Chalone (Monterey), CA
Doctor’s Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands, Monterey, CA
Hook Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands, Monterey, CA
Floodgate Vineyard, Russian River, Sonoma, CA
Hayley (Annahala) Vineyard, Anderson Valley, Mendocino, CA
La Encantada Vineyard, Santa Rita Hills, Santa Barbara, CA
Lone Oak Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands, Monterey, CA
Split Rock (Gap’s Crown) Vineyard, Sonoma Coast, CA

CHARDONNAY

Alder Springs Vineyard, Mendocino, CA
Durell Vineyard, Sonoma Coast, CA
Split Rock (Gap’s Crown) Vineyard, Sonoma Coast, CA

Now this is all speculation at this time, but I’ll keep everyone posted as I learn more

Twitter Wine Coming To A Wine Shop Near You

Adam Weiner — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 07:15:02 +0000

That’s right, Twitter co-founder Biz Stone has started a new project– Twitter Wine. The project, dubbed “The Fledgling Initiative,” will benefit the non-profit group Room To Read. The Room To Read organization focuses on helping stamp out illiteracy by providing education opportunities to children worldwide.

2009 will be the first vintage released, scheduled for bottling in August 2010. There will be a Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Both available for $20/bottle or $240/case. You can find them at www.fledglingwine.com.