Let's taste some wine

Remember the Wines of Chile live blogger tastings we often took part in? Here are a few memories of them. Below, Nimbus 2012 single vineyard sauvignon blanc.

Carmen 2010 Gran Reserva carmenere. I put handmade signs up in the wine aisle, in which I cleverly underlined the 'c' in carmenere and the 'C' in Chile, as a subtle mnemonic to help the consumer. Do you think anyone will notice?

Maquis cabernet sauvignon. Need I add, all these were very good wines.

2009 Le Dix de Los Vascos cabernet sauvignon. The Rothschilds are making wine in Chile. (Someday, we really must learn more about the famed family.) If ever you encounter simply "Los Vascos" cabernet, do snap it up. It should retail for only about $10.

2010 Marques de Casa Concha chardonnay. I know people who won't drink Chilean wine because "it gives them a headache." Just Chilean wine. I ask you.

Below, beginning with Mormoreto, we resume our notice of "global reds."  This one is Italian.

The next, Argentinian. In my handmade signs in the aisle, I also cleverly underlined the 'm' in malbec to match the 'M' in Mendoza. Do you think people will notice?

2008 Raimat tempranillo. Spanish. 

"What?" my friend said. 

"You know," I started to explain. "Spanish. From Spain." 

"I KNOW," he said.

2009 Mazzoni Toscana rosso, Italian. Note that, as with Raimat, the vintage date of some three or four years back indicates that the wine has been aged a bit before release. In Mazzoni's case, you will pay a bit for the quality: It retails for about $20. 

Pinot noirs don't quite fit in to the "global red" category, because their acidity and slight gamy or earthy flavors are the opposite of the global red's dark, fruity lushness and almost sugary texture. But we include one, below, because sometimes they do come close. Parker Station retails for about $10.

Remember, also, our category of wines that are Perfectly Fine? Here are two more, both Italian. If you come across them, chances are your friendly retailer is trying to "blow them out" for about $5 each. He got a deal.

Villa San Zeno chardonnay and, next, Toscana (sangiovese and syrah blend). Perfectly fine.

Let's finish with something sparkling, shall we? Domaine Chandon Etoile rosé.  French winemakers come to Napa valley, set up shop circa 1983, and end up producing lovely things.