Category: Booze

Wine reviews, pairings, events, and getaways


Jul
2020

Notre Vue Estate New Releases

categories: Booze, Wine

If you’ve been sticking with me through my WSET studies, you’ll know that the last two posts were all about soil types and soil health. In keeping with that theme, I want to highlight a new-for-me winery, Notre Vue Estate from Windsor, California whose latest releases dive into the soil types and structures throughout their vineyard.

soils samples from Notre Vue Estate.
Not cigars, like I first thought when I opened the box. These are soils samples from Notre Vue Estate.

As I talked about in my Vineyard Soil post, it’s not just soil composition but vine row orientation—i.e. slope and aspect—that dictate what vines will thrive best where in the vineyard. So, let’s take a look at what viticulturist Daniel Charles has to say about the Notre Vue soils and then have a little taste of what those soils have produced…

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Jul
2020

DipWSET Theory: Managing Vineyard Soil Health

categories: Viticulture and Winemaking (D1), Wine, Wine 101

[Information based on DipWSET D1 material]

Six ways growers can manage the health of vineyard soil.

In our last exciting episode of WSET studying, we discovered the world of soil and left off acknowledging that there are loads of tests that growers can conduct before a vineyard is established to understand the composition and overall health of his/her/their potential vineyard. Just as important are regularly scheduled tests—think of it as your vineyard’s annual checkup. Soil health tests can indicate what, if anything, needs to be improved—be it the structure, nutrient level, water availability, or pest management.

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Jul
2020

DipWSET Theory: Vineyard Soils

categories: Viticulture and Winemaking (D1), Wine, Wine 101

Physical properties of soil and how it effects vine health.

First, let’s define what soil actually is. Soil is the upper layer of the earth and is made up of geological sediment. Sediment is another word for weathered bedrock—aka solid rock. Soil also includes organic remains in the form of humus as well the water and air found in the pores/space between the sediment. That’s…a lot of stuff. But wait. There’s more…

[Information based on DipWSET D1 material]

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Jul
2020

This Week’s Latest Wine Headlines: July 12—July 17

categories: News, Wine

Hope everyone is staying happy and healthy and making smart decisions out there. Here’s what’s happening in the wine and food world…

Locally, California has gone back a phase (or two) and all indoor recreation, including indoor dining, wineries, and tasting rooms are shuttered once more. While those latter three can accommodate guests in an exterior setting, all bars (that don’t have a food service attached to them) must close completely. The Press Democrat has a breakdown of what’s going on, but also check out the California Department of Public Health’s Guidance on Closures below.

IF you decide to go out—WEAR. A. MASK. In Napa, the Register reports, COVID guidelines are now officially being enforced. Wear a mask, maintain social distancing courtesies, don’t gather in large groups—or be fined.

In other Napa-news COVID is now potentially affecting harvest. It’s a time when many workers travel from around the globe to pick and crush grapes, but no-go given the current circumstances. Are you a local looking for a harvest internship? Scroll down to the Napa Valley Vintners Job Board link below.

Good wine news? Wine-searcher reports that French sparkling wine is, as of yet, affected by the tariff drama. Cheers to that.

Looking for some COVID distraction? Scroll down to the BLOGS where Eater has a top list of graphic novels that feature food as the major theme. Decanter has a fun crossword that will challenge your Rhone Valley knowledge. And that same publication will take you on a tour of some of the most beautiful California vineyard estates currently for sale.

As always, there’s loads of other things to read—not all COVID and not all bad news. So, have a dose of fun with your newsy news as well.

Cheers, all. Be well.

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