One More Detour on the Writing Road

Taking two weeks vacation to finish the wip revisions, among a few other things. ( busy... )

Pertaining to the wine discussion below.

I opened a bottle of chardonnay late last week. Inserted the corkscrew. Twisted.

The corkscrew went in much too easily. Took a good look at the top, and realized it was a screw-top. I know that cheaper wines have always had screw tops, but this wasn't bottom of the line wine. I had heard that winemakers were trending away from corks, but I didn't know how far the movement had gone.

I still haven't gotten used to plastic corks...

I read in another post (ok, docbrite's, but she doesn't allow comments, so I almost feel as though I'm reading a column) that Chardonnay is the wine that wine snobs have the most contempt for.

Could someone who is more wine-savvy than I am explain why this is the case? Is it because it's a good 'starter wine'--odds are that if you won't like anything, or are just beginning to drink wine, you may like Chardonnay? Is it because there are too many brands and the quality has been diluted? Heck, you could say that about Merlots.

I've tried a few other white wines, and none that I've sampled have the depth and flavor of a good Chardonnay. Forget German wines, unless there's one out there that isn't sweet. As for Chenin Blancs and Pinot Grigios--if you could suggest one that doesn't taste like a glass of water that someone waved a grape over, I'd truly appreciate it.

I don't have much appreciation for delicacy in wines (or beers, for that matter). "Lean," "light," and "spritzy" are not adjectives that will attract my attention.

A few weeks ago, riba_rambles posted in her blog about a winery that was offering a free bottle of wine to folks of drinking age who could prove they had an active blog. The winery was Mankas Hills Vineyards of St. Helena, California, and the wine they offered was their Cabernet-Merlot, Amelie (2004).

Well, since I live in Illinois, I am able to receive alcoholic beverages through the mails. I emailed the winery, got a response, and a couple of weeks later received my bottle of wine. I like wine, but am by no means an expert. I will say, however, that I've really enjoyed it. I like Cabernet-Merlot blends anyway, and this one has what I consider depth--a nice, full flavor with no sting or astringent weediness--and mellowness. I am judging against the wines I usually drink, Rosemount Estates, Gallo of Sonoma, and other wines, usually Californian and Aussie, which fall into the $10-18 range. The Amelie 2004 hits the middle of this price range, and is, I feel, a superior wine by comparison. A truly pleasant drinking experience. I like it enough that I'm likely going to spring for the winery's sampler case, which is on special this month.

Unfortunately, according to their blog, Mankas Valley has hit their limit for this promotion.

In any event, a good wine.

EDIT: Mankas Hills specializes in cabernet sauvignons.