When you first start to really think about the wine you are drinking and to take it a little more seriously there is a huge temptation to become a wine ‘geek’ and dismiss anything that is not to your personal taste. I take the view that there is no such thing as a bad wine (unless it’s corked, of course) just a wine that is not to my taste. We had a classic example of that at our Wine Society meeting the other week when one of the members presented a Chilean Wine which some of our members thoroughly enjoyed – indeed it would not have been chosen unless it was a favourite of the lady who presented it. However it did produce something of a shock because, for the first time in all the years I have been a member of this group I actually spat out a wine because to me, it was horrid.
There was absolutely nothing wrong with the wine. It was well made, just not to my taste. Much like a friend of mine who has an eclectic taste in wine – as long as it’s not Malbec, she can spot even the tiniest percentage at a thousand paces, yet she would tell you she can’t differentiate between grape varieties. There is nothing wrong with it, she just doesn’t like it. Like any food or drink there are some we like and some we don’t. Wine is no different so don’t be tempted to dismiss a wine just because someone else doesn’t like it – it might not be to their taste – but it could be just the wine you have been searching for all your life!
Among all the Grape varieties Cabernet Sauvignon is regarded as one of the finest. It is relatively small, black and thick. The thickness of the skin makes it somewhat resistant to disease and extreme weather conditions such as heavy rains, however it needs warm climates as it is a late ripening grape and even it’s ‘homeland’ of the Medoc it sometimes does not ripen fully. However when it does ripen it makes a truly splendid wine such that is often called the King of Red Grapes. It is grown throughout the world but is undoubtedly at it’s finest in the rich and complex Bordeaux Wines, closely followed by the rapidly improving Chilean and Argentinian single varietal wines not to mention those of California.
The nose is Blackcurrants and red fruits with a hint of spice in the background, sometimes almost herbal. When blended it goes almost ‘jammy’, like preserved fruits and makes your mouth water with anticipation. It has high levels of Tannin which give it the aging potential demonstrated by the great wines of Bordeaux. Aged in new oak barrels it develops over a period of months and, in my view, should never be drunk too young as it will generally continue to mature for several years both in the barrel and the bottle.
Often blended to bring out the richness of flavours and balance the early tannins it goes well with Merlot and Cabernet Franc producing a wine that is easy to drink and enjoyable. As a single varietal wine I would be loathe to drink Cabernet Sauvignon without some food to accompany it, perhaps a rich pate or a good meaty dish but when blended it produces a delicious and drinkable wine that goes down well with or without food.
Windows on the World Complete Wine Course: 2008 Edition is simply the bestselling wine book in North America—it’s a classic. The 2007 edition alone has sold over 100,000 copies and reorders continue to pour in. Along with the expanded text that has made last year’s update so successful, the 2008 revision will include a special 16-page supplement on “How to Taste Wine,” taken directly from Kevin’s world-famous class. This new material will include more than 100 wines that Zraly selects for his students to taste, along with the tasting sheet they use for their evaluations. Organized by region, from simple to complex, his list begins with white wines from France, the U.S., and Germany; moves on to the red wines of Burgundy and the Rhône, Bordeaux, the U.S., Italy, Australia, Argentina, and Chile; and concludes with champagnes and ports. By following Kevin’s order, readers will experience the best wines and the wide diversity of taste, style, region, and country. It’s not only a comprehensive and bargain-priced hands-on wine education, but a superb catalog from which to start a wine cellar or find a bottle appropriate to any occasion. In addition, the label for each of the 101 wines is shown, along with commentary on how to read it, suggestions for alternative wines, and specific instructions on how to set up a tasting using Kevin’s techniques. This is the first time Kevin’s actual list has ever been offered in book form and it alone is worth the cover price of Windows on the World Complete Wine Course.
Of course, as always, this unequaled volume retains all the invaluable information, fabulous illustrations, and gorgeous styling of the previous editions—all presented in Zraly’s inimitable, irreverent style. This is the wine guide against which all others are judged.
Reviews:- Kevin Zraly’s Windows on the World Complete Wine Course is considered a classic among amateur grape geeks (like me). The 2007 edition sold over 100,000 copies. Zraly uncorks the mysteries of wine with his trusted “wine course.” The comprehensive 2008 update is informative in the areas of wine tasting, selection, regions, and countries (from France to Chile), and also includes recommendations and advice on selecting a wine in an often complex market further complicated by the Internet. While this course may not qualify you to become a sommelier, it will definitely improve your knowledge and credentials as an amateur oeniphile, and should be considered an excellent starting point for any wine connoisseur. G Merrit
I absolutely love this book. Incredibly informative and broken out so that you don’t find yourself overwhelmed by all the vast information available in the wine world. I knew a little bit about wine before this book, and my knowledge has increased dramatically after reading this book. This is a must have for anyone with an interest in wine. - nq
