Tag Wine Spectator

Bidding is Now Open!

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All Materials Courtesy of Morrell & Company Fine Wine Auction

All Materials Courtesy of Morrell & Company Fine Wine Auction

    Have you ever wanted to bid on a great bottle of wine offered at a wine auction but could not stand the thought of sitting in a room filled with wine snobs while holding a little paddle with a number on it.  If your answer is yes then you are in luck because Morrell & Company Fine Wine Auction is conducting an internet only auction on Wednesday February 27th at 10:30 a.m.(EST) on their website www.morrellwineauctions.com.   Bids may only be placed by absentee bid and live bid.  Absentee bids may be placed now and the live bidding will be available online at the commencement of the auction.  To participate go to the website and register, peruse the catalog of offerings then place a bid if you find something you like.  If you intend to bid live, Morrell recommends using their Live Bidding Simulator to check your computers compatibility to prevent any issues when live bidding starts.  Need more information? Call 212-307-4200 

Free Wine App for iPhone and iPad

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WineRating+ app on iPhone Photo Courtesy Wine Spectator

Wine Spectator’s new WineRating+  app is free, powerful and delivers convenient expert advice.  Designed for both the connoisseur and the casual wine drinker it provides over 270,000 wine reviews, collectible wine prices, and wine pairings but that is just the beginning of what this app can do.  It has an easy and effective wine rating search with filtering options that allow you to narrow your results so you can make the perfect choice.  Available now on the iPhone App Store, WineRating+ is a free download but it also offers premium content with a subscription of $2.99 per month.  There is  plenty of content in the free version, that is why I recommend using it first before you subscribe.

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Argyle Pinot Noir Spirithouse $39.99?

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Argyle Winery, Dundee, Oregon

Argyle Winery, Dundee, Oregon (Photo credit: PnP!)

 We often complain about the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board that regulates alcohol sales here but there are times when they get it right.  I have to say the Chairman Selection offering of 2007 Argyle Pinot Noir Spirithouse for $39.99 (a savings of $ 35.01 from its quoted price of $75 ) is one of those times.  This Oregon Pinot Noir was produced by the Knudson Vineyard in the Dundee Hills AVA of the Williamette Valley.  It is currently listed as Sold Out by the winery but that should be no surprise after Wine Advocate rated it 93 pts and Wine Spectator gave it a 90 pt rating in 2009 which means it has only gotten better since then.  Spirithouse exhibits plenty of ripe fruit flavors especially raspberry and red cherry and just enough tannins with a smooth textured finished.  This is a very good quality Pinot Noir that has more than sufficient acidity and the hint of pepper that is the signature of a good Pinot.  I will tip my hat to the PLCB on this one and say  “Job well done”.   PLCB Code 32593

Summer Nights

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Moscato d'Asti

     As we enter into the final weeks of summer you don’t want warm weather to pass before you try some light-bodied young wines.  These fresh flavored immature wines are made from low-sugar early harvest grapes that yield a high-sugar and low-alcohol wine.  You will find these wines to be sweeter than average and more acidic on your taste buds but lighter on your wallet.  I think a good place to start would be with an Italian-Style Moscato so we can savor its delectable floral and fresh fruit aroma.  Some interesting choices can be found including an offering from Cavit at $8.99 for 750ml PLCB code 3602 and Moscato D’ Asti Montefiore $11.99 for 750 ml PLCB code 5021.  The 2010 Vintage of Moscato D’ Asti Montefiore was rated as the highest scoring Moscato under $15 by Wine Spectator.  When pairing these wines you should think sweet foods, like desserts and local farm market fresh fruits.  The French are excellent producers of this next category of wine and because of their skill I recommend sampling a French-Style Vouvray.  Barton & Guestier Vouvray $11.99 PLCB code 5525 and Château de Montfort $14.99 PLCB code 8747 are the two most easily found examples at PLCB stores.  These wines pair well with cheese plates, dried fruit and cold seafood appetizers.  Before summer ends be certain to try some of these refreshing young white wines while conditions are ideal.

Free Wine Vintage App

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English: Wine grapes. Español: Uvas de vino ro...

     If you have ever been in a store or restaurant  and were unsure of which wine to purchase this app can help.  M. Shanken Communications, Inc. has released  Vintage Chart+ By Wine Spectator so you can carry one of Wine Spectator’s most popular features around in your smart phone.  This new version can be very helpful in choosing the right wines from the most popular wine regions of the world.  This app has lots of useful information so when you add in the fact that it is free it immediately becomes a must have application.  To get it go to the itunes store and search the free apps.