The ‘Art of Winemaking’
On Friday May 8, 2020 we hosted a 30 minute session on ‘The Art of Winemaking’ with our clients Ria and Mike of Pennrose Wine. The 30 min session was a part of the 24 hour #FindingBeauty in Quarantine Times event created by the World Economic Forum Young Global Leaders and the ever so talented Drue Kataoka. We learned about the science behind smell and taste, the environmental impact and detailed memory association tied to wine. Currently in most of the US, wine is considered an essential good because of its deliciousness, health benefits in moderation, and its beautiful way to enhance our meals and time with family and loved ones while we stay at home. Below are 5 great tips from the wine experts themselves!
Try a new variety of wine
There are more than 4,000 known varieties and many make delicious wines you may have never heard of. Look for Blaufrankish from Hungary or New York, Vermentino from Sardegna or California, or Gamay from France or Oregon! Our current fave from our vineyard is the 2018 Shake Ridge Grenache.
Support your local wine shop
Make sure to tell them your thoughts about the last bottle you tried. A good wine merchant is happy to hear feedback, and invests a lot of time into curating an interesting selection for their shoppers. Get outside the box and consider joining their monthly wine club.
Get involved in the community
Research small family wineries and vineyards in your community and show your support by following them on Instagram to see what’s going on in the vineyard. Order a few bottles from their store— DTC shipping is keeping the industry and jobs alive at the moment.
PLAN accordingly
Prepare a meal and pair a wine specifically for it, if you’re feeling fancy, maybe even two wines for two different courses! Red goes with pizza, pasta, grilled meats, and heavier fare while white wines pair with fish, seafood, salads, chicken, and pork. And don’t forget the dessert wine for dessert!
Invest in the right place
Plan to spend at least $15 if you can. Some of the world’s most interesting and delicious wines can be found for only $15-35. Most producers at this price-range tend to be small to medium sized and independently owned and operated. Look for a named vineyard on the label for a wine that came from a specific place, or a regional AVA or appellation designation for a wine that is representative of a region.