Rachel From Loco Diner

Secrets. We all have them.

I’m about to share some of my wine secrets. These are not secrets about my wine expertise. I have none. I am inspired to talk about this by a current discussion over at the Wine Whore’s blog. Don’t worry, he won’t get mad. He chose that name.

The discussion topic comes from a recent study that finds that people are more likely to enjoy a wine if a wine expert reviews it favorably.

I don’t buy it. In my humble, non-expert opinion, I think it’s 6th grade all over again. We all see it in our daily lives. For example, does anyone think Ugg boots look good? Of course not!

I have two pair. They’re comfortable, ok?

As far as wine goes, I no longer waste my time drinking wine I don’t like. On a vacation to Napa, one vineyard’s wine expert made a great proclamation that I have carried with me ever since.

There are two kinds of wines: Wines you like and wines you don’t like.

Since my humble beginnings as a Wine Nerd, I’ve taken this advice. Over the years, I learned that I dislike white wine and recently set white wine aside entirely. I have evolved into a full-bodied, red girl. And don’t go reading too much into that statement.

While I make this assertion, I am guilty of a few indiscretions.

The Wine Whore correctly and delicately pointed out to me that some people may use the wine scores because they don’t know how to select a good wine. I think this is more of the same issue: back to the 6th grade. Like pretending to get the joke when you don’t, people want to look knowledgable about wine when they’re not. They are afraid to admit that they don’t know which wine to serve at dinner and have to feign knowledge like a kid who doesn’t know the difference between Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner.

I am that kid sometimes. The wine nerd, who, I am sad to say, still has insecurities about my ability to choose a good wine. I’ve resorted to eavesdropping at wine stores which has turned out not to be the best of ideas. I also try to discreetly take note of the labels on the bottles other diners are enjoying at our favorite BYO. It brings new meaning to the term wine thief. I do this with books titles at the beach too. I freely admit to being a book snob but that’s a topic for another time.

Now my wine secrets are out and I feel better about them. In sum, the only advice I can give you is to stop keeping secrets. Be bold, ask questions and allow yourself to make mistakes when choosing wines. That’s how I became a proud wine nerd instead of a pretentious wine snob.

There’s been so many positive responses and requests to write for Wine Time TV since putting it out there that I think the new energy and content from the new writers warrants a brand new website to match. I’m working on it right now and will launch the new site along with announcing at least one new Wine Time TV writer on Monday, December 7th! Stay in the loop, follow Wine Time TV and me…

Kamary Phillips, host of Wine Time TV

Ah, thank Goddess for Spanish wines! This one was a steal at only €2.69! This 2008 had a wonderful, rich fruity taste. Though young, this BIO wine was quite smooth with no ‘tangy’ aftertaste which might otherwise suggest needing to lay down another year. We were totally satisfied with it. More than normally, I noticed a real similarity to California wine with this particular bottle. Good call Susy!

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No body and I mean nobody can Hobnob like my current guest, Wine Pro and Foodie Tanya Melillo. The Wine Time TV series continues with Part 2 (of 3 or 4 clips) of my then live Skype interview with one if the new stars of PBS’ The Winemakers Season 2, where I learned of Tanya’s exciting encounters with French Laundry’s Thomas Keller, top chefs Gary Danko and Traci des Jardins, retired Playboy and current Mayor of San Francisco Gavin Newsom and more!

Thanks for reading!
Kamary

Here’s a new promo image you might see floating around the Interwebs courtesy of my boys at Modern Media Maniacs.com!

A New Wine Time TV Promo Poster

Wine Time TV continues with my ongoing video series. In this show we wrap up the interview featuring Sommelier James King from www.KingGroupEvents.com from San Diego California. In this episode we learn about James King’s most memorable wine experiences at home and abroad (Italy) and I share a glance hinting at my own tragic experiences while in Florence.

At the time of preparing this post I can honestly say that I would not be able comfortably afford even the #10 bottle of wine, which is well over $250. I think before I’d WANT to spend so much on a bottle someone out there should treat me to a taste or three so that I even have a frame of reference as to why these bottles surpass the $40-$60 wines I so rarely treat myself to.

Original research by askmen.com

NUMBER 10

Chateau Lafite Rothschild Pauillac 1996 – app. $287

Talk about being at the right place at the right time. In the mid-18th century, a French politician was about to be shipped off overseas, but not before visiting a physician. The doctor prescribed him some Lafite wine as a tonic. This politician enjoyed it so much that he offered some bottles to King Louis XV, and before long this wine became the star of Versailles and was dubbed “the King’s wine.” Remarkably dark, it sports mineral aromas of mint and black currant. Flavorful, its texture is silky and lingers in the mouth.

NUMBER 9

Chateau Margaux 1995 – app. $402

Its color is almost black, yet it couldn’t taste farther from ink. Containing passionate fragrances of blackberry and cassis, this smooth and racy vintage is powerful but still manages to be compact in its fruit structure. This vineyard goes back a thousand years and it has definitely mastered the art. The 1995 vintage recalls the 1986 for its complexity but it’s also a good reminder of the 1990 for its elegance. The 1994 version is also quite expensive.

NUMBER 8

Chateau Haut Brion Pessac-Lognan 1982 – app. $528

What distinguishes Haut Brion is the fact that it produced the oldest Bordeaux in the world. Founded in 1550, Jean de Pontac built everything from the ground up for the sole purpose of winemaking. Soon after, he opened a tavern in London to serve his wine exclusively. It was an undeniable success. This red 1982 vintage is still youthful and quite spectacular, holding its own against the best wines in the world. It has matured well with time but isn’t expected to improve in years to come. So drink it soon!

NUMBER 7

Chateau Mouton Rothschild Pauillac 1986 – app. $592

Remember the Lafite Rothschild? The Chateau Mouton originated from the English branch of the same family in the mid-19th century. They were the first to launch special labels designed by famous artists such as Chagall, Picasso and Warhol after World War II. Selected as one of the top ten wines of 1986 by Wine Spectator magazine, this Chateau Mouton will recall memories of chocolate, raspberries and spices. This palatable vintage leaves an incredibly elongated aftertaste.

NUMBER 6

Chateau La Mondotte Saint-Emilion 1996 – app. $608

La Mondotte was purchased by the Neipperg family at the same time that they bought Chateau Canon-La-Gaffelire and Clos de l’Oratoire. Therefore, this tiny vineyard of little more than 11 acres was condemned to play second fiddle for a number of years. But in 1996, La Mondotte reached maturity and exploded on the wine scene. Fairly fruity and exotic, this vintage is lavish and has a lengthy finish. It is often compared to Le Pin.

NUMBER 5

Chateau Valandraud Saint-Emilion 1995 – app. $668

This vineyard is one of the most important of the garage wines. Basically, it is to wine what microbreweries are to beer. Like La Mondotte, it occupies a small patch of land and its owners pour their artistic hearts into it. Valandraud comprises approximately 10 small parcels of land totaling 35 acres. This wine has been made with care and is quite rare, hence the price. Firm tannins define its rich and spicy structure; it is bolder than later vintages.

NUMBER 4

Chateau Latour Pauillac 1990 – app. $774

Chateau Latour is one of the most reliable vineyards in France and produces one of the best three Pauillac on the market. This reliable wine draws its power from the rich soil on which the grapes grow. Among the raciest wines of the Mdoc region, Wine Spectator selected it as the single best wine of 1993, bestowing on it a perfect score. An everlasting finale is the masterstroke of this vintage, which favors caramel, chocolate, licorice, dark cherry, and roasted fruits. The mouth is opulent and wholly composed. The 1994 vintage is also highly sought after.

NUMBER 3

Chateau Le Pin Pomerol 1999 – app. $908

The Thienpont family’s Chateau Le Pin venture is another garage wine. In an average year, they produce about 6,000 bottles of this fine Pomerol on five acres of land. It is truly one of the most illustrious wines to come out of Bordeaux. Its fullness comes from the downy levels of mocha, black cherry and currant flavors. It’s a favorite of serious wine collectors.

NUMBER 2

Petrus Pomerol 1998 – app. $1,459

This Merlot was one of the favorite wines at the White House during the Kennedy years. The official name is Chateau Petrus but even its label refers to it as simply “Petrus.” The grapes are usually harvested early and left to mature slowly. Extremely fruity, suggestions of berries, vanilla, mocha, and oak emanate from its rich purple robe. The finish is something to wait for as it caresses the palate. A truly exquisite vintage, it should reach maturity after the year 2012.

NUMBER 1

Dom. Romane Conti 1997 – app. $1,540

This French red Burgundy smells of berries, spices and leather. Dark in color, it hints at flavors of soy sauce, flowers and licorice. The aroma is rich and penetrating without being too profound. The Romane Conti is a rare wine that has carved a niche for itself along the years. At over fifteen hundred dollars a bottle, it no longer has anything to prove. Consistently, the Romane Conti fetches prices around the thousand dollar mark no matter the vintage.

Please comment on your own expensive wine exploits. We would love to hear about it!
Thanks for reading!
Cheers,
Kamary

Welcome back to Wine Time TV.net! And as you can see we’re still milking our great interview with Sommelier James King from King’s Group Events and with much success! Thanks for the tremendous number of hits to the blog and content.

If you had only one case of wine with you while stranded on an island somewhere, what would be in it? Got an answer I can share on the show? Shoot! I know, not an easy question for many. James King managed to share his dream case with us and much more! Tune the heck in!

*Music by Sir Charlie London’s “A Forest Might Be Black” and “Zimpala” edits.

It’s that time again folks! Another webisode of Wine Time TV coming your way. Below, you’ll find PART 2 of the very first WTTV episode and it features Sommelier James King. In this 7 minute webisode James and I arrive at the renown Jazz club and Italian restaurant Spaghettini, in Seal Beach California and I (hopefully you too) learned a bit more about fantastic wine. Tune the heck in!

*Music by Sir Charlie London – Patchwork Remix

Thanks to the many hundreds of viewers who tuned in to Wine Time TV’s first webisode featuring Sommelier James King, Part 1.

It seems only fitting that I release Part 2 of course. While that’s being edited and officially released on Monday, August 24th, please enjoy this picture book with scenes from that upcoming show.

Cheers and thanks for watching!
Kamary