Uncork Your Mind Debbie Gioquindo

In this episode of Winephabet Street, Debbie and Lori tackle the questions you've been hesitant to ask about wine. Remember, in the world of wine, no questions are considered foolish. Whether you've been pondering about tannins, wine pairings, or curious about corks, now is your opportunity to gain clarity without hesitation.
We had such a good show and didn’t get to all the questions, we have a part 2 coming up. 
I hope you enjoy!

Welcome to another engaging episode of Winephabet Street, where the world of wine becomes more accessible, one letter at a time. In this episode we're delving into the letter "P" with a focus on Petit Manseng, a varietal that may not be on every wine lover's radar but certainly deserves a spotlight for its distinctive qualities and growing popularity, particularly in Virginia.

Lori and I are joined by Lee Hartman from Bluestone Vineyards in Virginia, who shares his deep insights into Petit Manseng. Lee's journey in the wine industry, from his initial reluctance to his aha moment realizing the magic of winemaking, is as inspiring as it is educational. Bluestone Vineyards is nestled in the Shenandoah Valley, benefits from its unique microclimate and terroir, contributing to the distinctive character of their Petit Manseng.

Petit Manseng is a white grape variety native to Southwestern France, now gaining ground in Virginia and even Arizona. Known for its small berries and loose clusters, is celebrated for its resilience against common vineyard challenges such as mold and mildew. Its ability to thrive in Virginia's climate, retaining acidity while achieving high sugar levels, makes it an intriguing varietal for winemakers. The grape's versatility shines through in the variety of styles it can be crafted from dry to dessert wines, showcasing its broad appeal.

Lee Hartman's discussion on the challenges and rewards of working with Petit Manseng provides a fascinating glimpse into the art and science of winemaking. From the considerations in the vineyard to the decisions made in the winery, it's clear that crafting wine from Petit Manseng is a labor of love that requires patience, skill, and creativity.

As Petit Manseng gains recognition beyond Virginia, exploring this varietal offers an exciting opportunity for wine lovers to expand their palates and discover new favorites. Whether you're a seasoned wine drinker or new to the wine world, Petit Manseng's unique profile is sure to captivate and surprise.

For those eager to learn more about Petit Manseng and perhaps even taste it for themselves, Lee's invitation to visit Bluestone Vineyards is an open door to explore the beauty of Virginia wine country. As Winephabet Street continues to uncover the Winephabet of wine, Petit Manseng stands out as a memorable chapter that enriches our wine journey.

So, pour yourself a glass, settle in, and listen to the podcast. 

In December on Winephabet Street we learned about the Orange Muscat grape with our special guest, Andrew Quadi of Quadi Winery. Nestled in Madera, California, Andrew and his wife have been crafting exceptional wines since the late '70s, transitioning from an engineering background to the art of winemaking.
Orange Muscat, is a grape variety that boasts a fusion of orange and apricot flavors that fascinate the senses in a surprisingly delightful way. Despite its green skin, the wine reveals a captivating golden orange hue and an irresistible aroma, 
The winemaking process for Orange Muscat is a meticulous art. The grapes undergo one to two days of skin contact at a low temperture before being pressed and fermented, bringing out the unique apricot-orange flavors. Aging in French oak barrels adds to its rich, vibrant taste and golden appearance.
What sets Orange Muscat apart is its natural sweetness, with grapes maturing to at least 23% sugar content. This sweetness, combined with layered fruit and floral aromas, usually leads to the creation of delightful sweet wines.
Orange Muscat can elevate your tasting experience. It pairs wonderfully with desserts, particularly those less sweet than the wine itself. Imagine it with nice creamy New York cheesecake.
Orange Muscat offers a unique and memorable experience. Its distinct taste and color make it a delightful discovery, perfect for pairing or enjoying solo.
Quady Winery 2020 Essensia Orange Muscat SRP $23.99 - Nice slightly orange in color to match the name. Smooth on the palate with hints of orange and apricot. This wine is on the sweeter side, but nice consistency on the palate. Serve slightly chilled.  

Back in the fall, I had the opportunity to spend an afternoon with Michael Migliore, owner of Whitecliff Vineyard and Winery, at their Olana Vineyard in Hudson, NY. This is a 10 acre site just over the Rip Van Winkle Bridge on the Hudson side, in the shadows of the Olana Estate and on the banks of the Hudson River.
 
Michael established and started farming this land in 2015 with Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir, Gamay Noir, and Chardonnay. The vineyard is situated on land that has a long agricultural history dating back to indigenous peoples who inhabited the area over 3,000 years ago. Artifacts like arrowheads and a 4-foot-long mortar pistol for grinding corn have been uncovered on the property.
In the 19th century, the land was primarily used to grow Concord grapes which were shipped to major cities along the East Coast. After Prohibition, it transitioned to apples and cherries before Michael brought grape growing back to the site. Some legacy cherry and apple trees still remain scattered throughout the property.
On our tour, which was just before harvest, we tasted grapes right off the vine. We check the seeds for maturity and flavor.
Listen to the podcast and you will receive a lesson in history dating back to the Mohegans who inhabited the property, to Frederick Church who built Olana in the 1870’s and the town of Greendale (which doesn’t exist today) to present day grape growing and vineyard management.
It is an inspiring podcast for the history buff and wine geek. I hope you enjoy it.

I wanted to talk to you today about an article that was in the Daily Catch. org. It was written by Scott Davis and full disclosure, I am quoted twice in the article. The article is about Milea Vineyard's plans. with Clinton Vineyards. And if you're not already aware, Clinton Vineyards was purchased by Malaya in 2022.
And it was a great article, talks about Phyllis and Ben Feder, how they started Clinton Vineyards, with the Seyval Grapes, because they knew that the Save All Grapes grew well on that property. And they made Meth and Champagnois, still wine. So what they plan on doing with the Clinton Vineyards property is make it a sparkling wine house.
Now, I thought that was great when I first started to read it. I'm like great because Long Island has Sparkling Point. They make sparkling wines from grapes grown in Long Island and we have Hearts and Hands that focuses on sparkling wines in the Finger Lakes. So why not in the Hudson Valley? Well, as I read deeper, here's what I don't agree with.
They are going to create a label called Hudson Valley Vineyards. And in that label, you're going to have the left bank and the right bank. So I thought, oh, that's great! They're going to designate grapes from the right side of the river and the left side of the river. because that Hudson River can be a great divide.
But no. The right bank is going to be the focus of sparkling wines made with New York grapes. The left bank is going to be sparkling wines coming from Oregon. Don't know if they're coming already made or if they're coming and going to be finished at Clinton Vineyards. Honestly, I am unclear on that.
However, when people go out wine tasting in the Hudson Valley, they want to taste wines made in the Hudson Valley. They want to taste wines that the winemaker can speak to, the tasting room staff can speak to, that have the terroir of the Hudson Valley and when you're bringing in grapes from Oregon, you know, or already finished sparkling wine from Oregon.
You're really kind of messing with the integrity of Hudson Valley wines and Hudson Valley wine region. And if people want to go and taste Oregon sparkling wine. They're going to do one of two things. They're either going to go out to Oregon and go wine tasting and purchase sparkling wines and bring them home or they're going to go to the liquor store and they're going to purchase a sparkling wine from Oregon.
Um, I don't agree with that. The Hudson Valley is viticulture. We have wonderful winemakers. We have wonderful vineyards and Why bring Oregon wine into the Hudson Valley to sell? There's so many opportunities within purchasing grapes from New York State and making sparkling wine and even just purchasing grapes within the Hudson Valley and making wonderful sparkling wines with them
Why are you going to bring Oregon sparkling wine to the Hudson Valley and include it in some type of wine tasting and put it on a label that says Hudson Valley Vineyards. The grapes are coming from Oregon. So, like I said, I don't usually get my point of view known because I kind of keep to myself.
But this really got my panties in a bunch because I love the Hudson Valley. It's my baby. The wine region is wonderful. There's new wineries. There's younger winemakers. They're experimenting with different varietals. , and it's just a wonderful place for wine tasting. Bringing Oregon wine into the Hudson Valley to sell out of a tasting room, it messes with the whole integrity of our region that we have spent a long time building up.
So I'm going to leave the article, link below. , make sure you click on it and read it and I'd love to hear,, your point of view on it. Thanks for listening.
https://www.thedailycatch.org/articles/staatsburgs-milea-vineyard-plans-expansion-a-wine-club-and-culinary-offerings-as-it-reimagines-aquisition-property-for-a-new-age/

 

 
 
I’m taking you on a virtual journey down Winephabet Street, where we dive deep into the world of N for Nero d'Avola, a red wine varietal from Sicily. In this episode of Winephabet Street, our special guest comes from the heart of Sicily, Gaetana Iacono from VALLE DELL' ACATE Winery.
Gaetana hails from a family in the wine business for six generations. She has a great affinity for the native wines of Ragusa, Sicily. Determined to continue the legacy, she works hard to promote the value of the native wines of her region. The region is known for it
s beautiful landscapes and rich cultural heritage.
The Essence of Nero d'Avola
Nero d'Avola is considered the 'king of the grapes' in Sicily. This variety is full-bodied yet versatile. Depending on viticulture and winemaking techniques, it can be made into wines to be enjoyed now or aged for later enjoyment.
A Land of Diversity: Sicily's Wine Regions
Sicily, described as a continent in itself, boasts a range of climates and influences. The eastern part, including Ragusa, is heavily influenced by Greek culture, offering many fish, vegetables, and cheeses. In contrast, western Sicily showcases stronger Arabian influences, focusing on agro-sweet flavors.
The Unique Terroir of VALLE DELL' ACATE
 A standout feature of VALLE DELL' ACATE is its seven distinct soil types, each contributing uniquely to the flavor profiles of their wines. Gaetana's approach to vineyard management and wine production is meticulous, ensuring each variety expresses the essence of its specific soil type.
Bridging Tradition and Innovation
Gaetana's philosophy revolves around continuity and innovation. Her commitment to organic and sustainable practices, coupled with respect for the land's heritage, sets the stage for producing exceptional wines that truly reflect the spirit of Sicily.
The Future of Sicilian Wines
The potential for Nero d'Avola and other native varieties to gain international recognition is immense, especially as wine enthusiasts become more adventurous in their selections.
Watch the webinar or listen to the podcast and learn more about the “King of Grapes” in Sicily.
About the Hosts:
Lori: Owner of Dracena Wines, wine educator, and advocate for Cabernet Franc. Debbie - Hudson Valley Wine Goddess: CSW,WLS,CSWS, author, and restaurateur, with a focus on wine education and promotion of the Hudson Valley wine region. Special Thanks to Our Guest:
Gaetana Jacono: A visionary winemaker from VALLE DELL' ACATE, dedicated to preserving the legacy of Sicilian wines. What We Tasted
VALLE DELL' ACATE Il Moro Sicilia 2019 -This wine was grown in the black soil. Smooth on the palate with nice raspberry with a hint of spice on the finish.
VALLE DELL' ACATE BND Cerasuolo di Vitoria DOCG 2020 - This is grown in red soil. It's 60% Nero d'Avola and 40% Frappato.  Bursting with raspberry on the nose. Very well-balanced palate with notes of red fruit and plum.
VALLE DELL' ACATE Tane 2014 DOC - Serious notes of chocolate on the nose. It is a full-bodied wine, nicely balanced with notes of cherries, red currants, vanilla, and tobacco.