Mo's Wine & Spirits

I believe all wine should be treated respectfully. There are redeeming qualities and values to be had for each and every wine produced. Some wines you might have to look at little harder at to find those qualities.  All wallets and palates are not equal. That being said…

A blog or two ago I was touching on values in the 8 to 13 dollar bottle range. Today I will throw caution to the wind and raise the bar. A wide variety of wines with quality, value and craftsmanship start to come into view when you  include wines in the 15 to 25 dollar range. If you are used to drinking some of the big boys and girls from California, Oregon and Washington your palate can now let out a small sigh of relief.  Here you just might find second labels of higher end wines. Many winemakers will have side projects to have fun and keep busy. They usually end up in this price point.

Cabernet Sauvignon, the King of grapes lead the pack with Joel Gott, Flying Cloud, Oberon, Gordon Brothers, Pitch and Simi. Matchbook, Michael Pozzan and Barnwood have all earned their admirers. Highest bottle cost-23 dollars. Pinot Noir is a tough grape to grow. Her devotees as tough to please. MacMurray Central Coast, Lilly,  Bearboat Russian River, Trinchero, A to Z, Cloudline, Lange and Montinore seem to pass the taste test for their  finicky fans. Highest bottle cost 25 dollars.

Chardonnay always comes out on top. She goes to more gatherings and parties than all of us at Mo’s ever could dream of attending. Oaked, unoaked, slightly oaked. Buehler, Matchbook, Joel Gott, Babcock, Kenneth Volk, Summers, Chatom, Napa Cellars and Newton. Highest bottle cost 24 dollars.

Everyone’s life is different. Everyone’s wine life is as unique as they are . You can  spend your money wisely and find you are drinking well all the time. I try to. Life..tell it like it is..

Cheers, Sharon

There has been much going on in this world of ours lately. Many people have had their everyday lives turned completely upside down. The economy is…what day is it? Wine can be used just like comfort food. A tasty, affordable way to soothe your jangled nerves and whatever else is jangling from daily life adventures.

Truth be told, I am a somewhat of a  wine snob. I seek out, drink and posses the best wine my money can buy. This can also includes the little gems in the $10 to $13 dollar range that perform well. Sometimes the wine gurus even like them.  I look at it this way . The wines are excellent values. They are helpful to stretch the wine budget AND they help keep the peace if your spouse  thinks you need to “cut back a little “. Getting a little bang for your buck can’t hurt right about now.

Here goes… from Italy we have Tomaiolo Toscana-Sangiovese, Cabernet, Merlot blend.  Tomaresca is a Negromaro, Primativo and Cabernet blend. Masciarelli is a Montepulciano D’abruzzo. Italian wine and most food usually pair well together.

Spain has exciting wines with many different grape varietals. Ercavio is a Tempranillo. Guelbenzu Red is a Merlot, Syrah, Tempranillo and Graciano (Grenache) blend. Luzon Verde is an organically farmed Monastrell. Think cherries and berries. Berries, herbs, soft spice and vanilla. Conversation and relaxation are the perfect accompaniment.

California makes some fun wines also. Bogle Vineyards Petit Sirah. McManis Family PInot Noir and Petit Sirah. Morro Bay Cabernet and Chardonnay. McManis makes a jewel of a  Pinot Noir at this price point. Morro Bay makes a Chardonnay that is great for ending a nerve wracking day at work, not over oaked or expensive.

Comfortable, reliable and affordable wines that won’t let you down especially when you want to serve them to your wine snobby self or share them with your friends.

Cheers, Sharon

U.S. wine exports, (95% of which are from California), approached one billion dollars in 2007, reaching a new record. All told, $951 million in wine was exported last year, an 8.6% jump from 2006. And more impressively, U.S. wine exports increased by 77% over the last decade. Half of this wine goes to the European Union, including great wine producing countries like France, Italy and Spain. Other growth markets include South Korea, up 60 percent, and China, up 74 percent.

Wine Lists on the move? One major Steakhouse & Wine Bar chain is connecting with customers on the move with new online initiatives, including the debut of their mobile website – allowing users to access its list of wines available at the restaurant by the glass. The wines are separated by varietals, listed from lightest to fullest, and the site even gives a picture of the label of each wine. Enjoyed that wine you had last night at the restaurant? Look it up, and get the information needed to find a bottle on the way home.

Serious about Wine? Then you need to get serious about Green, the gold standard of business today. Wine producers are embracing sustainability in packaging as well as production as an integral part of their offerings and brand imaging. Earth-friendly methods also produce quality wine grapes. Suppliers, producers and retailers are collaborating more closely to eliminate waste and increase efficiencies across the wine supply chain. Being stewards of the land – and good neighbors – are important values, and just good business. Look for more Green initiatives in the coming years.

Along similar lines, Organic Wines are the new superstars of the wine world. More wine is being produced without the use of sulfites, yeast cultures or other manipulations, fully expressing the grape and terroir. The USDA says Organic (in part) involves “…the use of renewable resources and conservation of soil to enhance environmental quality…produced without using most conventional pesticides, petroleum-based fertilizers or sludge-based fertilizers”. Keep an eye out for more organically grown wines!

Don’t leave your best pal at home this summer. Your Pooch wants to have fun too! Besides, who can resist that sad look that you get when you walk out the door without your trusting dog. So in order to help out with your canine relationships, a growing trend in Napa Valley is Dog-Friendly wine tasting. Good to know that in Napa Valley they are happy to welcome your dog with open paws!

Nearly two decades after the now famous “60 Minutes” report shed new light on health benefits of red wine, there is still more evidence mounting on the benefits of wine consumption. The “French paradox” was so named because France had the world’s highest rate of wine imbibement (as well as high levels of smoking and an intake of saturated fats), and yet had the lowest rate of coronary-related deaths. How? Research continues to absorb scientists and wine lovers alike, as evidence continues to build that there are benefits to moderate wine consumption – here are some new research notes on Wine Health:

Polyphenols are a big piece of the puzzle – they are compounds found in the skin and seeds of grapes. When wine is made from these grapes, they act as Antioxidants, which protect cells, preventing the oxidation process of particle from “free radicals”. These Free Radicals cause damage to cells, including proteins, membranes, and DNA, and this cellular damage has been implicated in cancer development. Research on the antioxidants from red wine not only found that they may help inhibit the development of certain cancers but also stroke and high blood pressure as well.

And there is resveratrol – the compound in red wine that is credited for everything from healthier hearts to longer life. A recent study indicated that resveratrol protected overweight mice from the ill effects of obesity, prompting speculation about whether it might have the same effects on humans. Researchers found that the compound triggered a set of genes that neutralized the effects of a poor diet, reports the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Resveratrol continues to be the focus of groundbreaking research by health experts; in a study just released in July 2008, a team of researchers found the compound helped keep the bones, eyes, kidneys, heart and other muscles in mice healthier as they aged.

Certainly there are several considerations that you must look at with all these reports, and these studies are not conclusive. Wine consumption must be undertaken with consideration to lifestyle, personal health and family history – these questions should all be included in conversations with your family physician. But studies keep pointing to favorable information that moderate consumption of wine, (as perhaps moderation in all things), may yield healthy results.

We went out for a celebratory dinner the other night. It was a tried and true restaurant that would deliver in the food, service and wine departments. I had asked a couple of my neighbors for suggestions about where to go and we came up with the same place. It seems that I am not the only one not going out as much any more.  One look at the news is all that most people need.  Over the years I have amassed quite a collection of gadgets to assist me in my culinary adventures. For many people food and wine seem to naturally pair together. Two of my favorite habits I can partake of at the same time!

Many people I talk to share my stay at home dining sentiments. Cooking a meal is a great way to relieve stress and the end results are usually great. Opening up a bottle of wine-same! A novice in the kitchen you say? Foodnetwork.com can make your foray into culinary crafts relatively painless. Epicurious can help you tackle more intricate fare. It’s all out there you just have to look. Where’s the wine?

Wine doesn’t always have to be exclusive and expensive to be good. Quality and value are my watchwords when looking for my 9-15 dollar bottles . Everyday values from Italy, France, Spain, Argentina and the good old USA are ripe for the drinking with your next meal.  The great part about cooking at home is that I can choose the food and wine. I get a fabulous meal with a stellar wine accompaniment. I’ve started a trend that takes a break when I want sushi. If I plan ahead  wine and sushi can also be enjoyed at home.

Getting to know your neighborhood wine and liquor store like Mo’s can be a big help for your at home wine and dine planning. We’re big fans of gastronomic adventures. Customers are always asking advice on wine and food pairings. The dishes sound so delicious that I wish they would bring samples. So before you go home and make some noise with those pots and pans remember to stop and  pick up some wine. Then you’ll have no one to leave a tip for but yourself!

Cheers, Sharon

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