Big Changes Coming

Happy New Year! I hope the start of 2024 has greeted you well and I hope that you enjoyed some great wine over the holidays!We at Gulf Coast Wine have been busy with several big updates for 2024. Stay tuned as we prepare for some exciting new events, new venues, and wine trips! There may be some gaps in our newsletter and on the website as we get everything set up.In the meantime get out and enjoy some good wine with some fun people! Cheers to having some exciting wine adventures in 2024!

Aragon’s 5 Oct 23 Wine Tasting

It’s refreshing how I can still be surprised by a wine at one of our local tastings, and funny how stories evolve. Just the prior evening to this tasting I had a decently long conversation with two young, enthusiastic, aspiring wine connoisseurs about how difficult it is to find a good Bordeaux that is less than $50. Good, I mean very good, Bordeaux wines are expensive, often very expensive.Most cheaper Bordeaux’s, even in the $30-$40 range, have some sort of off flavor. It can range from tart-acid to basement gym sock. I’m not kidding. I blame Bordeaux for ruining many new wine drinkers, because of the perceived price and possible taste.First reason; new wine drinkers have all heard of Bordeaux and think it’s a wine to “splurge” on. So they look at the price and “splurge” on a $45 Bordeaux from Graves. They go to some event, or have friends over and really talk up this Bordeaux. The bottle gets opened, and poured, too hot, and tasted. Now comes the second reason, the taste. Our new wine tasters encountered a palate of old basement gym sock with hints of red currant (which they have never heard of), oak and wet leaves. Other than the gym socks the rest of that description is right off a bottle of Bordeaux!!!The result of that experience, at best, is not liking ANY French wine. At worst, back to beer! Because of the “Bordeaux Effect” I often dissuade new drinkers from Bordeaux unless they want to really splurge. So it was with great surprise to taste a Bordeaux, from the outskirts of Saint-Emillion, that was very good, and one that costs less than the mythical $20! And everyone liked it! 2018 Chateau de Pitray, from the Cotes de Castillon sun-region of Bourdeaux was approachable with aromas of cranberry and raspberry, and a taste black plum, licorice, and blueberries, finishing with dry spice cake. And no gym sock!The key to this wine were the grapes, and while that seems so obvious, it is the lack of a grape. No Cabernet Sauvignon! Instead, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and Merlot. Yes, Malbec, one of the original, and legal Bordeaux varietals.Even after having had Chateau de Pitray’s 2018 I talked a fellow wine drinker a few days later off of going to the store to get a Bordeaux. “Go for a mid-Rhône” was my suggestion, after discussing her taste preference. This Wine of Note, while such a refreshing surprise, was too much of a rare encounter to change my future recommendations, being that it is very possible to never see another like it again.

East Hill Bottle shop 4 Oct 23

Well, it’s finally Fall! Our first beautiful sunny day that comes with a high in the mid-70s is worth its own holiday! How should a wine lover celebrate such an occasion? With a glass of “big, bold” red wine of course. Oh, you don’t have any because you have been drinking whites and light reds all summer. Well here’s a quick and easy cure.But before we discuss that solution a quick disclaimer: GulfCoastWine does not get endorsed or receive anything from the wine venues and/or wines review or recommend. We haven’t addressed that in quite a while, so for all of our newer readers and as a reminder to our original followers; everything here is unbiased, and written without the use of AI. Seriously, we still research and write things, unlike some of the other local publications!So, back to the cure. This week’s Crowd Favorite at East Hill was Elberle’s 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon from Paso Robles California. Paso Robles (Passing Oaks translated from Spanish) is not as overlooked as it used to be but still often plays the third seat to its cousins to the north, Sonoma and Napa. A benefit of this is Napa quality wine and a lower price, and this is a great example!This wine welcomes the nose with an aroma of fruit curing in the western dry air and hints of violet. Then the palate is greeted with the “big and bold” deep and dark jamey plum, black cherry, circling cassis, medium tannins, juicy acidity, finishing with a little chocolate and cedar. It’s the red wine experience that you have been waiting for, since you have been depriving yourself of “big and bold” reds during our hot summer months like a monk fasting for a higher calling! Well, at least that’s what I have been told it feels like. I drink these type of red wines all year.A California red that is as good as any mainstream Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa at an affordable price. Hard to beat! So for all of you coming out of your hot season red wine hiatus, welcome back. And for the rest of us; enjoy our Wine America!

Aragon’s 13 July Tasting

"The atmosphere at the event was lively at this week's tasting at the Aragon Wine Market. The crowd appeared a little younger than the previous week. There were several young professionals all enjoying themselves and the wine. It warms me to see so many young people enjoying the local wine scene and mingling with the more seasoned wine enthusiast of the community. There is so much we can learn from each other in these types of social events.Darian Morris presented us with some delicious wine this evening. The following were the featured wines: 2021 St. Christopher Piesporter Goldtropfchen Riesling, Cafe de Paris Blanc de Blancs Brut NV, Tapiz Malbec Rosé Extra Brut NV, 2019 Forte Do Cego Vinho Lisboa Tinto, 2020 Belasco de Baquedano Llama Old Vine Malbec, and the 2020 Kate Arnold Single Vineyard Cabernet Franc.My favorite of the bunch was the riesling which is no surprise to those that know me intimately. It tasted nostalgic to me as it is something I would have tasted often when home in the Pfalz. This wine was sweet but had that distinct riesling grape taste that balances subtle and bold simultaneously. This wine was especially refreshing with notes of crisp apple and peach that harmonized together well. I also want to give an honorable mention to the 2020 Belasco de Baquedano Llama Old Wine Malbec. It was medium-bodied and the acidity was well balanced and had a touch of oak at the end that I enjoyed.I cannot discuss this event without talking about the wonderfully baked bread that was served alongside the wines. The bread was provided by Local Thyme Bakery (@ltbpensacola on Instagram) and they featured their House Sourdough which had a perfectly crisp outer layer and the most moist and soft inside. The taste was similar to what I grew up on in Germany, the German staple "Bauernbrot." I will be sure to make orders for bread and other treats soon! To order from them, simply direct message them on Instagram to order during their weekly drops of baked goods.Good wine and good bread, plus wonderful company- what more could you want?"Anna

A Few Wine Storage Basics

“Should I store my bottle of wine laying down?” I got that question from a very good friend of mine several months after a work trip that included a quick side trip to Lodi California. My friend, who self proclaimed as “not a wine person” bought a nice, relatively expensive bottle of wine for his wife that he would also enjoy. After the tasting at the winery he was actually pretty excited about his purchase. My advice on the wine that he had purchased was to give it at least one more year in the bottle to be at the peak of that wine’s potential. His response was “Sure thing.”Several months later he asked me that question, which led to a few more tips to ensure that his prized bottle of stored wine will be as good as possible when he uncorked it. So here are a few basic steps to store your wine in order of importance. First and foremost: DO NOT store your bottle of wine where it will get hit by any direct sun light! Even indirect sun light is bad. So find a dark space to place it in. Second would be temperature. Try to store it in a place that is relatively stable in temperature. No lower than 40 degrees F, and definitely not hotter than 80! Preferably 65-70 degrees for reds, 40-50 degrees for whites. Forgetting your bottle of wine in the back seat of your vehicle in summer will kill any wine. Third; should you lay it flat (horizontal) or upright (vertical)? It depends on two things. Is your wine bottle closed with a cork or screw cap, and how long are you going to keep it before drinking? If your wine is screw capped then store it upright. If it is corked (even if it is not real cork, just not screw capped), and you are going to drink your wine relatively soon then you can store it upright. Well, how long is relatively soon? It depends on your climate and your storage. Corked (with real cork) wines are stored flat (horizontal) because a wet cork expands and ensures that no air is getting in. If the cork dries out then air could potentially get to your wine, slowly turning it into vinegar. So if you live on the Gulf Coast, where it is mostly humid, and your storage is temperature stable, you could safely store your corked wine upright for a year or more. If you live in the desert of Nevada, maybe only a month. Going to keep that bottle for a few years? Well, you and I are in the vast minority and you should store and age your wine laying down (horizontal). A long story for a few basics. If you have questions about storing wine e-mail us. Cheers to that future glass of wine!

So you think that you have had Port Wine…

Here we have a Tawny Port, Reserve Tawny Port, Reserve Ruby Port, Late Bottle Vintage from 2014. So, is that four different types of port, or just two? If you answered two then you're ahead of the game. There are six (almost seven depending on who you ask and how you think about it) types of Port Wine. Then within those types there are multiple kinds of port. Stay turned as we head from Lisbon to Porto, then back up the Douro and dive into the world of Port and Vino Tinto wines, home to the best least-known wines in the world.

Wine Trip to Portugal and Spain

The picture is a tile a-fixed to the entrance of my cousin's small vineyard near the Douro River in Portugal. We will be heading to Madrid, up to the Ribera del Deuro and Toro wine regions of Spain, and then cross the border into Portugal to visit my family in the Tras Os Montes and Douro DOC wine regions. Stay tuned for news on how our grapes are doing and what wines we find after a long absence from covid. There are a lot of fun wine events coming later in July, so be sure to head out and enjoy them!

The Bottle Shop on Baylen 9 July

Just about everyone that I know has tried Muscadine wine. Usually VERY sweet and usually not made well. It is a grape native to not just us here in the South, but a lot of the rest of the world. It can be done well and not taste like it came from someone's barn. 2015 Botani, a Muscat from Southern Spain, is a great example of that. While it is still sweet, it is not "rot your teeth out" sweet, with a slight and pleasant nuttiness. A great wine for those who like sweet wine and an excellent wine to have with a good ice cream. Our red Wine of Note is an earthy, spicy red blend from Sant'Antimo Rosso Italy. 2019 Corte Del Venti is a blend of 60% Sangiovese, 15% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 10% Syrah. It is Italy's answer to the powerful blends from California. This wine would be even better in three or four years. so It does come with our "Y" disclaimer. Why pay extra for other people to age your wine when you can do it yourself.

Aragon's 7 July Tasting with Michael Fix from Winebow

Tonight's Wine of Note hails from the Priorat DOC wine region of Spain. 2020 Black Slate is an easy drinking red blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Carignan. This 2020 wine does get our "Y" disclaimer; it is young. For a Wine of Note to get "Y" it must be drink-able now but also exhibit all of the good characteristics to age well. Therefore Black Slate would go great tonight with a nice steak, but would be even better in two to four, maybe even six years. If you have any questions on tonight's wine, or any good wine recommendations, be sure to go by Aragon and speak with Pepper who will ensure that you head out with a great bottle of wine.

6 July Tasting at the East Hill Bottle Shop

There are a LOT of grape varieties out there, thousands, and every now and then you run into one that you have never heard of. Glera is one grape variety that I do not remember encountering, and it was the main grape in the blend of tonight's Wine of Note. Avissi is a very delightful extra dry (not as dry as a Brut) Sparkling Rose wine. The unique blend of Glera, Pinto Noir, and Merlot was fun to drink and definitely makes its way on the Summer Wine list.

Agapi's July 5th Wine Tasting

Several of the recent wine tastings have come down to a tie breaking vote by the tasters. Tres Sabores, a 2019 Zinfandel from Rutherford Vineyards Napa California is not just old vine (vines must be 35 years or older to be called "old vine"), and it is not just Estate sourced grapes (95% must be that grape variety from that specific area), it was produced by one of the best grower/makers in the wine world, Julie Johnson. Something almost magical happens to the Zinfandel grape when the vines past the age of 40ish, and when those grapes are treated properly from vine to bottle you get an exceptional wine. Deep dark fruit that you could drink by itself or with a great burger. Mark your calendars for Agapi's next wine tasting on the first Tuesday of August.

The Nest General Store's Monthly First Friday Tasting 1 July

The Nest General Store, which is off of Palafox in the alley, right across from 86 Forks and part of Blue Jays Bakery, specializes in Organic Certified and Natural Wines. Their tasting, which is the first Friday of the month, was extremely pleasant and relaxing. It included 6 wines, 4 whites and 2 reds, and a charcuterie plate. The charcuterie plate was very well thought out, highlighting organic and low intervention meats and cheeses, although there was no information about what was on the plate or if I should have a certain cheese, meat, or accoutrement with a certain wine. Everything on the plate was good, but several of the items would have definitely thrown off your palate had you had them before some of the wines, therefore throwing off the taste of some of the wines. Some guidance was definitely needed in that regard.Justine, an actual Level 2 Sommelier (not many in our area), was extremely knowledgable, passionate, and pleasant. I was accompanied by my wife and her friend, who proclaimed "I don't know anything about wine" earlier in the evening. This friend was frequently lost by some of the wine jargon used during the tasting and I had to translate. I love passionate knowledge, but it must reach the taster, especially a new one. There were several very unique wines, but none made our Wine of Note. If you are interested in "naturally" made, organic (they all mean something different) wine, you should definitely check out this tasting next month. But at $37 a person, it would be a little hard to swallow on a regular basis. Check out their Instagram page for their wine selection for the tasting.

The Bottle Shop on Baylen Street, 1 July

The Wines of Note are chosen based on three criteria. Uniqueness, Crowd pleasing (voted on by the wine tasters), and finally that i didn't think that it was terrible (there is tasting science and actual math to that last one). There was no contest with our White Wine of Note. Neyers 2021 Chardonnay from Sonoma Coast. It was liked by both typical chardonnay lovers and chardonnay dislikers. It was crisp, not oaky but smooth with enough acid to give it some brightness while not being tart. An excellent summer drinking wine.Our red wine of note came down to a tie breaking vote that still didn't give us a Wine of Note. The tie break came down to price. When both wines show equal values on uniqueness, the crowd was equally split, both I didn't hate (both I thought were great), then price comes in. Bonanza Cabernet Sauvignon by Charles Wagner was extremely smooth and deeply fruit forward. Definitely a drink-now wine and a good choice for multiple food pairings. Come out and help be part of the Wines of Note.

Aragon Wine Market's 30 June Tasting

Another relaxing evening hanging out and drinking wine at Aragon. Tonight's Wine of Note is a pizza wine, great with a classic pepperoni pie. This red wine, made from the Dolcetto grape, imparted some spiciness with light but vibrant young fruit, that would go great with an equally spicy red sauced italian dish, or pizza, which should be a food group. This wine would benefit from 2-4 years of aging, allowing that time to balance and smooth out some of those spicy fruit notes, so it gets the "Y" disclaimer for "young." Drinkable tonight with the right food, and also a great candidate for aging.

Anna's Wines & Craft Beer 30 June

The last Thursday of the month should be marked on your calendar for Anna's Wine Tasting. This wine shop, attached to the back of Joe Patti's Seafood, is the best value wine tasting on our part of the Gulf Coast! For $20 you get to try 16 wines! And then there is an amazing food spread, probably worth the $20 by itself. The evening was hosted by four different Wine distributors showcasing some great summer wines along with some great anytime food wines. Make this a must go to wine tasting event.