Torremoron

2003 Torremoron Ribera del Duero Tempranillo ($10 ) -- Estate bottled by Bodega Coop. Ntra. Sra. del Rosario SCCL. The producer's name doesn't jump out here, but the back label is what every wine geek wants: Name of Wine (Torremoron Tinto); Wine Region (Ribera del Duero, Spain); Grape Varietals (100% Tempranillo); Wine Description; Location; Vineyards; Soils; Climate.

I am guessing this is a co-op wine. If your Spanish is better than mine then the Torremoron website should help. The back label does mention that the winery is in a small town, Quintanamanvirgo, with a population of 106, and that most of the families in the town are supported by the winery. I couldn't find the production notes for this wine as I am guessing it is produced for the US market. Also I am guessing at the price in Ohio, but if it's $10 bucks, then you can send me a few cases John.

I found this sample from Wine Trends in the wine racks at home, but I can't remember when I got it. The nose is full of earth and bright fruits with full fruit flavors and a hint of cherry. Medium finish and good acid balance. It would be good before dinner and with food. Very good!

PJ Wines has a very good write-up on this wine.

Voice from the Blog-o-Sphere

Hugh MacLeod at "gapingvoid" has many talents and opinions about wine, blogging, New York City and tailors. His posts and cartoons are great reads and I have been using his business cards for about a year now and never fail to get kudos for the design and card stock. He is also the man behind the Stormhoek wine buzz which is on the way to the US.

His post on Top Ten Reasons Why Nobody Reads Your Blog is a hoot!

Google Satellite Maps

Is it me, or is this shot of Boston's Logan Airport on a Google satellite map unnerving in a "Big Brother" kinda of way? At first you may not see the plane but keep zooming in.

THIS IS GETTING WEIRDER! THE PLANE IS NOW GONE! IT WAS THERE LAST WEEK WHEN I POSTED THE LINK!

Wine Lovers Page Offline

Last month 8 of us barged into Cumin on a Saturday night with some 18 bottles of wine (do the math!) to experience the dining and the wines. Andrew Hall's write up of the tasting notes is very thorough although I might disagree with some of his final comments on particular wines, but his overall take on the evening was perfect. And the 1996 Chateau Musar Blanc was beautiful.

I am not sure if you can get to his tasting notes without registering, so you might try going through Wine Lovers Page first.

Can't wait for the next event.

Best Blonde Joke!

I usually don't partake in things like this, but it caught my attention. I'm not saying it's really funny (as it is still early in the morning), but you will be amused by the "best blonde joke ever" , if you eventually get it!

If you don't get it, well.......

Wine Wars

Mark at "Uncorked" and the Dayton Daily News wrote an article for the Sunday paper on the skirmishes in Ohio over the wholesale franchise rules. On one side is a coalition that is led by Glazers, a national wholesaler who wants to break up the local franchise regulations, and on the other side stand the local wholesalers. This should be a real cat fight!

Other states, Washington and Illinois, are also debating some of these issues which includes direct shipping, minimum mark-ups, and national distribution rights. For more information, read Free the Grapes and Tom at Fermentation. There is much smoke in some of the arguments (lower prices, minors buying wine over the Internet) and the debate will be lively. Stay tuned!