Mo's Wine & Spirits

It’s getting dark early and the trees are almost bare of their leaves. This can only mean one thing. The holidays are just around the corner. Before all that happens, I uncorked an old friend of mine tonight. MacMurray Central Coast Pinot Noir.

Fred MacMurray had over 100 movies and 12 years on television as the dad on My Three Sons. He owned a ranch that he ran for 50 years until his death. Family, fishing and farming kept him sane throughout his Hollywood career. On his death he wanted the ranch to be sold to a “family” to keep the land agriculturally protected. Enter E & J Gallo around ‘96. One half of the ranch is a habitat for wildlife and birds. The other 1000 acres are farmed with low impact methods to maintain soil health.

Susan Doyle fell in love with Pinot Noir as a teen. Her double degree in winemaking and enviormental science has taken her all over the world and always led her to Pinot Noir. Her native Australia, New Zealand and California have all been her classroom and her home. The MacMurray Ranch is located in little Pinot Noir heaven, Sonoma’s Russian River (Oregon and Burgundy fans please note the little). When Gina Gallo asked Doyle to come to California and take charge of the vineyards and run the winery making only Pinot Noir (and one Pinot Gris) she gladly accepted the challenge. A modestly priced wine that has a personality and a pedigree. Nice.

Kate MacMurray now resides on the ranch again . She is the spokesperson for the winery and her father’s memoirs. I had the pleasure of meeting Kate during the first vintage. That was a fun day of work. The MacMurray Central Coast offering is still a playful Pinot with black cherries and raspberries  filling your glass and satisfying your palate. Some vanilla and spice notes round out the finish. Glad I took the time to visit an old friend.  Didn’t you say your name was…

Cheers, Sharon

Francesca, Alessio and Santi Planeta have been hard at work in Sicily, Italy. Sicily is known for her Nero d’Avola wines. Francesca Planeta is no stranger to the world of wine. her father is Diego Planeta of Settesoli wine co-operative fame.  Wine has always been a part of the Planeta family lifestyle. The cousins joined together in 1990 and with Diego’s help started Planeta .The Planetas operate four wineries in Sicily. Their wines are a reflection of their commitment to tradition, past and present.

Carlos Corino was the original winemaker for Planeta wines. Corino worked for the Planetas from the 1980’s until his death in 2007. Corino showed Italy and the world that the other “international grapes” such as Chardonnay and Merlot could be  turned into award winning wines by being grown in Sicily. The first of many Tre Biccheri award from the  prestegious Gambero Rosso was awarded in 1994 for Planeta Chardonnay. This is as good as it gets in Italian wine world honors, for that matter any wine world honors!

Recently we tasted Planeta Cerasuolo di Vittoria 2006. Vittoria is located in Dorilli. D.O.C.G. status was granted in 2005 making this the first Sicilian wine to carry this guarantee. The vineyard and winery is devoted entirely to Nero d’Avola and Frappato. Frappato is very fragrant and distinct varietal . She adds cherries and playful elegance to the heavier Nero d’Avola. Hints of strawberry and light ginger tempt you to drink more.  Might be the starter bottle for Thanksgiving day.

Cousins, business partners,daily lives, winemakers, family tradition and great wines. Planeta has it all under more than one roof. There’s always something happening. Sounds like fun. Fun and wine….I’ll drink to that!

Cheers, Sharon

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

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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Mr L. made wine. There was a grape arbor on his property in the neighborhood.  When we were teenagers his grandson asked us to help him pick the grapes. He offered to pay us when we were done. The bluish black skin was tart, but the flesh inside was green and sweet. We ate almost as many as we picked. Thanking us in Italian for our hard work he handed us a half gallon milk jug filled with his cool, fruity homemade wine. It tasted like the color purple. We convinced Mr L. to sell his wine to us for awhile for fifty cents a half gallon. Our parents couldn’t figure out what kind of candy would stain not only our mouths but sometimes our clothes purple as well.

Today’s homemade winemaking has reached new heights. The Crushpad facility started in 2004 by Michael Brill. Brill enjoyed making wine in his home garage in California when neighbors and friends would stop by to help. He took this idea and turned it into a 30.000 square foot warehouse  winery. This year his customers will make 40-50,000 cases of wine. Grapes are sourced from 50 different vineyards. Barrels come from all over the world. The no frills experience will cost you between 5000-10,000 dollars for around 25 cases or 300 bottles out of one barrel of wine. Companies sign up for fun, or you can even join one of the 80 winemaking groups already in existence. Quality is the watchword at Crushpad. Webcam access is encouraged to document your winemaking experience. Over 2000 people from 35 states and 8 countries are involved at Crushpad. Crushpad Japan opened in August ‘07. There is a big demand for all things American, wine being no exception. Crushpad will have web streaming of harvests for the Japanese customers. There will be a full time winemaker at the facility.

Closer to the Connecticut home front- City Winery is planning to open their doors any minute under the leadership of Michael Dorf. Dorf has been involved in New York arts and business for many years. He got involved with wine after making a barrel at Ridge Vineyards. David Lecomte of Baron Herzog and Chapoutier fame will be the head winemaker to assist those who sign up for barrel ownership in making their first vintage. Grapes will be sourced from California, Washington. Oregon and NY. Memberships will run from 5000-10,000+++ depending on add ons. Check out their website.

City Winery will have a public space that includes a wine bar for non members to use also. Classes will be offered. Food will be offered as well as entertainment.( Dorf used to own the Knitting Factory) You can have your party next to the fermentation tanks. You can even pay to have your wine custom crafted and put your label on it and give it away as gifts! The wine cannot be sold-only traded and shared. Only in New York.

Sounds like fun, doesn’t it? To be able to find another dimension of myself through making wine. Hey, I could hang out at the winery all day,  make wine and meet everyone,  take  the classes and taste all the wines made by my fellow oenophiles…express yourself…

Cheers, Sharon

Right now I could be signing up for the mailing list of high end or just hard to get wines instead of writing this blog. They don’t have to be high end wines, just wines high in demand that have achieved the so called “cult wine” status in the wine world. You might have read about them online or in a magazine article. Once in awhile if you are lucky, some incarnation of the wines trickle into retail. The only way to bring one of these trophies into your possession is to either have a very generous friend or sign up for a winery mailing list.

Once you sign up the fun begins.  The wait for the winery to contact you with your order form. You might want to get comfortable. Wait times can depend on the winery and how much wine they produce. Bryant Family Vineyards has a mailing list wait of 7000 people- to get onto the mailing list! Harlan has a three year wait.  Screaming Eagle has a faq web page about their mailing list. Sine Qua Non’s mailing list has been closed for quite some time. Seems Mr. Krankl doesn’t make the same wine twice, heightening the allure and mystique of his wines. Even with 3500 cases produced,  Sine’s mailing list wait is three times that in requests.

The wait is over! You can buy wine! Don’t forget to reply in a timely fashion. You also may be subject to bundling. You really want to buy wine “A” but now are asked  to buy wine “B and C” for a premium as well.. Remember, you wanted to be on the mailing list. Most (cult) wine collectors say it’s worth the price of admission. Then there are the few who drop off the list when the skyrocketing costs become unbearable. I can almost hear the tears of joy when another lucky oenophile opens their (e) mail gets their day in the sun!

To make matters worse there are more wineries that are joining the ranks of the elusive and exclusive cult wineries. There are fairly new wineries that have low case production( 500 or less) and are handcrafting exceptional wines by all standards. Robert Parker has bestowed his blessings and the public now wants a taste. The trouble is a few have already closed their mailing list. Scarecrow, Sloan and Ovid already have a mailing list wait. Why? Why not. “You can’t have a cult wine that’s available at Costco.”  A new winemaker shared his sentiment about mailing list only distribution. He also chooses select boutique wine shops that he allows to show his wines.

My fantasy cellar would contain all wines wonderful. I would top every winery mailing list that I choose. Harlan., Bryant Family, Screaming Eagle and Ovid- You could be, you should be …if my fantasy also included the winning Powerball ticket!

Cheers, Sharon

Ric Forman. You might be more familiar with the wines he created than the man who made them. Sterling Vineyards, Newton Vineyard and Forman Vineyard all had or have Ric Forman crafting wines of beauty and finesse. David Abreau uses Forman’s expertise to make his wines. Forman  helped Jess Jackson out with the blend for the little wine known as Kendall Jackson Chardonnay.

Ric Forman was fermenting and distilling local cherries and blackberries when he was fifteen years old. Chemistry is his first love. UC Davis would later welcome him as a graduate student to study food and science.

Peter Newton hired a young Forman to help him develop Sterling Vineyards. 1968-1978 was a period of major growth and transition for the wine industry in  California. Forman was fascinated with French winemaking techniques and traveled to Burgundy and Bordeaux. Christian Moueix invited Forman to come visit him in France to observe winemaking firsthand.  The two had been classmates together at Davis. The shared information would also help Forman on his search to improve California’s winemaking techniques.

Louis Martini was the first to plant and bottle Merlot in the late 1960’s. Cabernet was the undisputed king and grape varietal of choice. Sterling Vineyard with Foreman at the helm was the second winery to present a Merlot to the public. Forman believed Merlot could be bottled alone or blended with other varietals as in Bordeaux. Sterling made some outstanding Merlot through the 70’s. Forman talked to his friend Dan Duckhorn. Together they headed to Bordeaux. What happened next is another blog.

Newton Vineyard was a challenge from the beginning. Newton and Forman’s partnership was difficult at best. Newton Winery became known for their Merlot and Chardonnay. The unfiltered Chardonnay was highly sought after as the partnership finally came to an end.

Ric Forman is one of the pioneers of barrel fermented Chardonnay. Chardonnay was fermented in large stainless steel tanks before being bottled. Forman wanted to make a Chardonnay with finesse and style. Big, buttery, sweet Chardonnay is not what Forman wanted to come out of his barrels.  He experimented with many different types of cooperage, not afraid to make a mistake or twenty. The thin staves of the Bordeaux barrels were customized with wider hoops to take in account the humidity of the California caves. Barrels were laid out side by side in the caves, not stacked on top of each other. He learned or created more technical winemaking jargon which I will spare you. We can be grateful Forman cut no corners.

I had a bottle of Forman Chateau la Grande Roche Cabernet the other night. I had forgotten how handsome California Cabernet can be. Forman usually doesn’t drink his own wine. He would become critical and nervous. Keeps about 15 or 20 cases of every vintage for business reasons.  He did however, make this label for fun, so he would have something to drink. He likes to use dynamite. As long as he’s happy he’ll continue to make us wine. Dynamite..before or after dinner ?

Cheers, Sharon

Imagine opening any bottle of wine and having the ultimate drinking experience. Total sensory enjoyment. The winemaker’s craft will be realized to the full potential. How about reducing or even eliminating  those pesky headaches possibly caused by red wine? But wait! In just minutes you can also improve the flavor of your coffee, water, beer and spirits as well!  A secret mix of no less than 11 semi precious gems along with other earth elements that are set in clear epoxy.  Our Catania Wine Enhancer is 4 1/2″ in diameter and 3/4″ high and encased in stainless steel. Resonant sound waves and earth elements will work together to make young and any wines approachable within minutes.

Robert Catania is a graduate of the Culinary Institute in Hyde Park, NY. Dr Masura Emoto is a Japanese research scientist. Emoto discovered that sound frequencies can heal and affect water. Catania studied Emoto’s research and applied the idea that energy fields make liquids better for the body to his Catania Wine Enhancer. The Enhancer claims to make our beloved wine safer and even more appealing to drink! All we needed now was someone to try the darn thing.

A test couple who is the  core of  Mo’s inner sanctum volunteered. I’ll call them Priscilla and Elvis. Priscilla is a no nonsense business woman. No amount of Enhancer hype would sway her logical mind even in a blind trial. Elvis is a professional businessman and an oenophile. His  exceptional palate world be needed for this experiment. The couple took the Enhancer and  selected the Anderson’s Conn Valley 2005 Right Bank for the trial.

Red and I waited for the phone to ring at Mo’s. What would Priscilla and Elvis think of the Enhancer? Why would you want to change the natural order of the wine world? Many questions were volleyed between us. Finally the call we were waiting for. The surprise in Elvis’ voice was evident as he gave us the results of the trial.( the Enhancer gives you specific instructions with time guidelines to not over enhance your wine) Both Priscilla and Elvis could taste a difference in the enhanced and un-enhanced wine in the 6-8 minutes using the Enhancer. The wine had gone through a transformation of sorts, smoother, less tannins making it more approachable. Priscilla had tasted the two samples blind with Elvis as the control.

The Wine Enhancer sits on the desk in the box that it came in. We haven’t spoken much of the Enhancer other than making a few jokes about trying it on a weary back or knee. I own a wine enhancer, It’s  the area of my basement I made into a wine cellar. You can call me Scully if you want to. I’ll put on some Jimi and wait for my wine to enhance the old fashioned way. As the winemakers intended their wine to be…

Cheers, Sharon

Summer Vacation! Time to kick back on the beach and relax. This year I took a drive into Massachusetts to pick up my best friend Mollie.  We headed up to the Cape for a few days away from kids, cats, and husbands for a girl’s spa getaway. I had ulterior motives. Any chance to check out wine in stores anywhere is fine with me. I look for wine I can’t buy in Connecticut. There is a totally different thrill that comes with standing and holding THE bottle in your hand then opening a box with a bottle that you have acquired off the Internet. My wine affliction needs to be fed choice bottles to keep the beast at bay.

The Cape was great, the spa was relaxing, Mollie’s company irreplaceable. A few  highlights of my getaway. THEN there was the ride home from our day in Boston. A quick look in the yellow pages headed us toward a shop proclaiming an extensive wine selection and friendly service.

I walked into their store and was anxious, excited, and confused. Where should I look first? Italy? France? Washington? Oregon? Where are the Burgundies?  Bordeaux?  The Morganti family own Fifth Avenue Liquors in Framingham, Mass. I would highly recommend paying them a visit if you are in the area. I brought home a few bottles for my cellar stash.

Owen Roe Walla Walla  2005 Cabernet, St. Innocent Shea Vineyard 2006 Pinot Noir, Farina Vineyards Scholium Project The Prince Sauvignon Blanc 2006 and Revolver Wine Company 2004 The Fury Cabernet Franc were among my cache.  I purchased six bottles that day. Walking out of the store with my wine I felt as pleased and relaxed  as I did after a four hour spa treatment. Mollie however, didn’t agree with me. She preferred the spa treatment.

Vacation can be a great way to pick up a bottle or six especially when you can readily transport them back home. You might find yourself not enjoying yourself  for a  moment. Grab the phone book or GPS and find the nearest packie or wine shop. When you visit Fairfield, CT stop by Mo’s and say Hello! We specialize in wine, liquor and beer souvenirs from all over the world. We value all our customer relationships and look forward to meeting all of you, near or far!

Cheers, Sharon