Winemakers Golf Challenge

You might have a hard time reading this scorecard but it shows I kicked Jeff's butt (well, 41 to 43), so he lost the "Winemakers Golf Challenge". We stopped after nine due to time constraints and because he finally figured out his swing problem and came within inches of birdieing the 432 yard par four 9th hole. So I decided it was time to stop. The bet was that if he beat me in a nine hole contest, then I have to buy 10 cases of his wine.



I did buy lunch and he did enjoy the outing this morning. We sampled his newly released 2003 Jarvis Tomei Syrah. I had tasted last year after a few months of bottling, and must say that it is tasting great as it matures with bottle age. What impresses me most is the fresh fruit flavors and big aromas plus a long finish. Twenty six-packs are on their way from California. Get in line!

And all winemakers are welcome to take a crack at the "Winemakers Golf Challenge".

The Morning After

After pounding down a few too many wines I look forward to several cups of coffee the next morning. Here is an interesting way to get your fix. It is also an interesting approach to marketing. Gee, sending out samples of coffee for bloggers to review. Sound familiar!

Wine Blogging Wednesday #20 - ABC

This month's theme for Wine Blogging Wednesday, the international wine tasting event, is ABC, or any white wine other than Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc or Riesling. It is hosted by Bill at Wine for Newbies. Check his site for the wrap-up in a few days.

My selection is a 2003 Roero Arneis by Filippo Gallino from Canale, Italy for $14. It is 100% Arneis from a 20 hectares estate. 1,150 cases were produced. The Roero Arnies DOC is located in the Roero hills north and east of Alba in southeastern Piedmont.



I have enjoyed a few other bottles of Arneis from other producers (Giacosa and Graziano) and recommend the wine with food. It is usually the first wine I will suggest when someone is looking for an ABC wine with dinner.

Arneis is said to mean "the difficult one", or "whimsical one"' or "a little crazy" due to the difficulty of producing the wine. Locally it is called Nebbiolo Bianco and is used also in blending in red wines with Nebbiolo and Barbera to smooth out the young reds.

Arneis dates back to the 1600s and was originally a sweet wine but today is vinified dry and considered by some to be one of the best white wines with a dinner of fish or white meat.

The wine sampled today has delicate aromas of fruit and herbs and a crisp clean taste and medium finish. Thanks to the blog, Italian's Insight to Travel Italy, for helping with some of the background information.