Quail Creek Pinot Noir: 2011 California

Quail Creek Pinot Noir

Today, I am trying the 2011 California Pinot Noir from Quail Creek. I picked up this wine from Whole Foods for $4.99.

The Quail Creek Pinot Noir is a dry wine with some strong overtones of spice. I also pick up hints of Anise in the fragrance. I would expect this wine to pair well with a steak and onions type dish, or a blackened fish... something hearty, and spicy because this wine is hearty and spicy.

Quail Creek is produced by the Bronco Wine company and run by Fred Franzi (nephew of wine legend Ernest Gallo) and his brother Joseph, and cousin John. They are based in Ceres California and are the fourth largest Wine producer in the United States with over 35,000 acres of vineyards.

I often forget that just because Whole Foods sources it's merchandise locally, doesn't mean that mega companies aren't local...

In addition to Quail Creek, Bronco Wine Company also maintains 60 different brands of wine.

I was going to skip over this, but since I am finishing the bottle, and a little buzzed, I will dive right in...
I understand that cheap wine will usually come from a large company that is able to lower costs with high volume. I also understand the need to keep labor costs down to keep the price down. However, Bronco Wine Company has been accused of some appalling practices. Including : "conspiracy to defraud by misrepresenting cheaper grapes as premium..." and labor violations described by the United Farm Workers Union as "egregious violation of Cal-OSHA safety regulations".

I truly feel that it is the responsibility of the people of this country to put our money where our mouths are and force companies to stop the heinous practices by refusing to buy their products until they change their ways. But alas, the old adage is true: You get what you pay for. If you truly want to buy products from good people who treat their employees well, and their customers with respect, you have to buy from a small business, and pay a premium price...

I was expecting to much to think that Whole Foods (who prides itself on carrying locally produced, sustainable merchandise) would only carry products from humane manufacturers. Hell, we all need cheap wine, and there are plenty of illegal immigrants
 to exploit to get it right?

3 Wishes and a Pizza

3 Wishes and a Pizza

So once again I was at Whole Foods (I should hit them up for advertising), and I came across a $2.49 wine sale! This time it was Three Wishes Merlot.
Now this isn't the Three Wishes from Tasmania... This is The Three Wishes form California. There is a big difference.
I found the Three Wishes California Merlot to be surprisingly fruity and crisp. It was a bit sweeter then I was expecting, but was overall a nice, uncomplicated wine. (Although it was a bit sweet for the pizza... The pizza was an anchovy and peperoni pizza on homemade garlic and herb crust with home made tomato sauce.)

Oak Vineyard 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon

Oak Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

As most of us do as we get older, I have found myself gravitating toward wine as an evening beverage of choice. Also like most of us, I find it hard to justify spending a lot of money every time I would like a bottle of wine. This Blog will strive to explore the affordable wine selections and review them from the viewpoint of an average person.

Today, I am trying Oak Vineyards California Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 (12.5% alcohol by volume). I saw this on sale at Whole Foods for $2.49 a bottle, and figured I'd give it a try.

Cabernet Sauvignon grapes were originally made by a chance crossing in the 17th century between the Cabernet Franc, and Sauvignon Blanc varieties of grapes in France. Cabernet Sauvignon is supposed to retain the black currant and pencil box aromas of Cabernet Franc, and the grassiness of Sauvignon Blanc. The grape itself is well suited to many climates and is grown the world over. for most of the 20th century, Cabernet Sauvignon was the most planted red wine grape in the world (it was overtaken by Merlot in the 1990's).

Now maybe one day I will understand what a pencil box aroma is. As of the time of writing this, I do not. Cabernet Sauvignon are also supposed to have a green heel pepper flavor as well as mint, and eucalyptus. I do not detect any of the mint flavor in this wine (although I am not a fan of mint, so I tend to avoid it, and may not be attuned to it's finer flavor points. I can taste a bit of the "green bell pepper" flavor that is attributed to this variety, but not enough that I would have called it that if I hadn't read that the flavor is present from wikipedia and the vintner. I have never tried eucalyptus, so I have no reference point for that flavor.

I would describe the flavor as full and rich. It has a subtle dryness, and an earthy heartiness. Halfway through the bottle, I feel a relaxing, calming buzz. I feel this is a great inexpensive Red to serve with hearty meat dishes.

“The 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon captures the very best qualities of this variety, with its hints of bell pepper and spice aromas. This wine is full-flavored and hearty yet soft on the palate with a smooth, long finish.”

Emily DuBoce, Winemaker

The Oak Vineyards 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon won the gold medal at the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo International Wine Competition 2013.